CHAPTER XXVI

Early in the morning, there was a knock at the Boarding House's front door. Stefan opened it and spotted a fancy invitation. He took it and saw it was for "Elena Gilbert".

- Elena! – he called, finding her in the kitchen, having breakfast – For you!

She frowned, taking the envelope. "Please join the Mikaelson Family this evening at seven o'clock for dancing, cocktails and celebration", she read, frowning.

- That's Esther's idea of making her family whole? Throwing a ball? – Stefan wondered, hearing his daughter wake up in her crib – I'll be right back, Elena.

Caroline was on her way down with little Lukas and had heard their conversation.

- Our mother-in-law is throwing a party? I wonder why she sent you an invite after trying to kill you. Or did you forget about that? – the blonde asked bitterly.

- Of course I didn't, Care. She is everything you said she was last night, but you could've been a little less harsh on her. – the doppelganger reprimanded.

- Does that mean I'm not getting invited? Oh, pity… – the other one stated in irony.

- Wait, there's something in the back.

- What it is, Elena? – Stefan asked, climbing down the stairs with Sarah.

- "Elena, I think we have some matters to discuss. Esther". What does she want to talk to me about?

- I don't know, Elena, but I don't think you should go. – Damon said, appearing in the living room.

- I hate to admit it, but maybe Damon is right. – Caroline agreed not very gladly – I don't trust our in-law.

- Maybe I should give Elijah a call and ask him to come over. We could talk about it. He might know what his mother wants with me. If he doesn't, we could discuss about it and decide if I should attend to this ball or not.

Damon didn't like the idea one bit, but couldn't say a word. After all, he was her husband… He just couldn't understand what had possessed her to marry the uptight Original who had nothing but suits in his closet…

- He's your husband, Elena. And we're talking about his mother, you should definitely talk to him. Call him, I'll invite him in. – promised the youngest Salvatore taking his baby to the kitchen to feed her.

Caroline nodded, and the doppelganger dialed the Original's number.


Not even fifteen minutes had passed since she had called, Elijah was already at the Boarding House front door.

- Come in, Elijah. – Stefan invited as he had told Elena he'd do.

- Thank you for the invite, Stefan. – he thanked politely and entered – Good morning to you all.

- Oh, Elijah, I'm glad you came. – the doppelganger declared, handing him the invite – See the back. Your mother wants to "discuss some matters" with me. Any idea what she's talking about?

The Original frowned. He thought it was very strange of his mother to rise from the dead just to forgive Niklaus and to "make the family whole", as she had put it herself.

She had been dead for a thousand years, and she's the witch responsible for the existence of the vampire race. As abominations of nature, vampires have been enemies to witches since day #1. He couldn't imagine what she had suffered while dead. And he couldn't think of one good reason the witches on the Other Side would help Esther to come back to the land of the living just to forgive her evil son and make her vampire family "whole again".

- No, Elena. I know it will sound odd, but I don't really believe my mother's good intentions. The reasons she presented us for her return do not seem sincere to me.

- See, 'Lena! Told ya she couldn't be trusted. – Caroline stated proudly.

Elijah smirked, contemplating the blonde girl. She disliked his mother in a way he didn't understand, but found amusing. And she disliked his father even more, if that was possible, especially considering she didn't really know either of them.

- If you find the disposition to, Elena, perhaps you should see which matters my mother desires to discuss with you.

- What if she wants my help to… kill Klaus? – she questioned, for everyone thought the sealed coffin contained a weapon that could kill the Original hybrid.

- Then you obviously won't help her, 'Lena! – her blonde friend intervened, as if that was the obvious decision.

The Original looked at the girl, astonished.

- Are you fond of my brother? After everything he did to all of you? – he just couldn't believe the baby vampire fancied Klaus…

- Of course not, Elijah! – she responded awkwardly – It's just… I don't think he deserves to die, that's all.

Elena raised an eyebrow to her friend. If it wasn't for their little adventure in the past, and for Caroline and her kids, of course, she'd be all for killing Klaus, but right now she simply couldn't.

- Caroline is right. I don't think we need to go to such extremes, Elijah. But wouldn't it be better if I agreed to help her, so she could tell me her whole plan? I could rat her to you guys right after, then you could get her by surprise. That's if she's really up to no good, of course.

- If you were willing to do that, Elena, I would be grateful. But I don't want you to risk yourself if you believe it could represent any danger to you. – the man told her sweetly.

- I will go with her. For protection. – Damon declared, not very happy the brunette was exposing herself like that.

- Me too. – Stefan stated firmly.

- I will have to stay, then. Someone needs to take care of the babies. – Caroline reminded them, kissing her son's head.

- I will keep an eye on you as well, lovely Elena. First sign of danger, I will take you out of there. – Elijah guaranteed.


Elena left the Boarding House to buy a dress she could wear on the Ball. She had a big bump, therefore she wasn't in the least excited about dress shopping. Caroline offered to go with her, but Elena said there was no point in giving the blonde the trouble, she wasn't even going to the party.

Stefan was out to find Rebekah with his baby girl. He heard from Elijah his sister was inviting Matt to the Ball and didn't like it at all. She was his wife, and if she was to go with anyone to the Ball, it should be with him.

When he was about to leave, he heard a knock at the door and answered it, seeing Klaus outside, big present box in hand.

- A make-up gift? Thanks, Klaus, you didn't have to… - the boy joked, signing for him to come in.

- Being a daddy has done you good, Stefan. You finally got your sense of humor back after an entire summer brooding… - the hybrid commented in mockery.

The other one just shook his head lightly and called Caroline, knowing Klaus wasn't there for his bright green eyes.

- What, Stef? Weren't you on your way… - she then spotted Klaus in the living room - …out?

- Yes, but Klaus got here.

- Hello, Caroline. And hello to you, too, mate. – he greeted the girl and the boy in her arms.

- Lukas. His name is Lukas. – she informed him, getting closer to the hybrid.

The little boy started to move uneasily in his mom's arms, which made her put him down. He then crawled on the floor towards Klaus, putting himself up using his dad's legs for support.

Stefan was about to go out, but decided to stay a bit. He was really curious about the baby's reaction when he first saw the hybrid. The boy was only eight months old, but he had noted they had a special father-son connection.

The Original placed the big box on the center table and stared at the baby, not knowing what to do. The little one stretched his arms to the man, obviously wanting him to pick him up. He then started to talk gibberish in that baby language no one understands, and the man felt even more confused.

Caroline was frozen in place, waiting. Lukas was really young, maybe too young, but she sensed he knew Klaus was his papa.

The baby patted the hybrid's legs, pulling the fabric. He then turned his head, looking at his mom, as if asking her why the man was acting like that. Decided to insist, the boy once more stretched his little arms to Klaus.

The blonde girl was beginning to lose her patience with the man's lack of attitude.

- It's a baby, not a bomb, Klaus. Would it kill you to hold him a little? I thought the Almighty Original Hybrid couldn't be killed… - she said in mockery, getting her phone off her pocket and starting to film the scene.

- What are you doing, love? – he inquired before taking Lukas in his arms.

- Filming, Klaus. He's eight months, he might say his first word or even give his first steps at any minute. – the girl explained.

Truth is she wanted to record their first encounter in the present.

The hybrid shook his head and picked up the little one. The boy then put his little hands on Klaus' face, touching his forehead, eyes, nose, lips, and chin.

- Done with recognition, sweetheart? – Klaus asked amused.

The boy giggled and clapped his hands joyfully, opening his mouth as if trying to say something very important, but only managing to say more gibberish.

Then, after all sorts of mumbo-jumbo in baby language, the little one let out a real word, or sort of.

- Paaapaa!

Caroline dropped her phone. She knew a baby's real first word happened when he was around nine months, when he usually spoke something actually meaning it. And it was usually "dada" or "mama". But she never thought it would happen under those circumstances.

She quickly recovered her phone, explaining what had just occurred.

- Maybe you remind him of his deceased dad. His parents died in a car crash. A horrible accident.

Stefan, watching the scene, was very amused. Little Lukas was really a bright kid! Just to provoke his blonde friend a bit, he added.

- Yes, horrible accident. Who would say both of Lukas's parents would be as dead as you two? A tragedy…

- Didn't you have a place to go, Stef? – she questioned annoyed.

- Oh, yes! – he responded, remembering his mission of finding his wife – Are you still taking care of the babies tonight, Caroline?

- Of course. Why not?

- Well, I'm not a fortune teller, but I think Klaus came here to invite you to the Ball.

The Original frowned. The news of the Ball had already spread that fast?

- Well, I'm not going. I already promised I'd take care of the kids. – she stated in a serious tone.

- I could send two of my hybrids to take care of the babies, sweetheart.

- As if I'd let my baby under the care of one of your hybrids! Besides, I don't think it's a good idea Stefan keeps inviting so many people we don't know in. – the girl protested.

- C'mon, love. Just for a night. – the Original pleaded, giving her that dimpled smile that got her legs weak.

She had to remain strong, though.

- I don't trust your hybrids, Klaus.

- You don't have to trust them. You have to trust me, for they do whatever I tell them to.

The girl rolled her eyes. What kind of argument was that?

- And is that supposed to convince me? And I still don't think Stefan should invite any more vampires in this house.

- What if Klaus' hybrids watched the babies in his house? And only after they fall asleep? – the youngest Salvatore suggested.

- Are you saying we should take our kids to the Ball, and then, after they fall asleep, we would let the hybrids watching? – she couldn't believe her ears.

- I've seen it, Caroline. If Klaus says "jump", the hybrids ask "how high?". Our babies will be fine. And we can keep checking them through phone, or even going upstairs to actually see them. We'll be able to enjoy the party even better knowing they are just a case of stairs and a door away. – Stefan tried once more.

He believed Caroline's presence in the party would really help, for she could distract Klaus from the meeting Elena would have with Esther. Not that he thought they had a reason to hide things from him, but he believed the hybrid was too impulsive and impatient to maintain the discretion they wanted during the operation.

- What you do to those hybrids is not right, Klaus. – the blonde commented annoyed.

- Let's not discuss what's not your business, love.

She huffed, then looked at Stefan, who had pleading eyes, for he knew how important was that she was at that Ball.

- But instruct your hybrids not to let you mother get near the babies. – she finally said.

- You really don't like my mother, do you, sweetheart? – he inquired amused.

- Worse. I don't trust her.

Stefan let out a "yay" in a joyful tone, and his baby girl clapped and giggled. He waved goodbye to them, trying to teach little Sarah how to wave, then left.

Klaus still had Lukas in his arms, and the boy was now with his head laying on Klaus shoulder, face in the crook of the hybrid's neck, no fear or hesitation, like he's known Klaus all his short life. He seemed so calm, like he had found a nice, warm familiar place to stay besides his own mother's arms.

The man noted the baby really comfortable in his arms and questioned amused in a kind tone of voice:

- Are you sleepy, sweetheart?

He then rocked the baby slightly, and the little one snuggled even more in his arms.

Caroline thought the scene was lovely. It's been such a long time she hadn't seen Lukas with his dad she had forgotten how cute it was.

- That's for you, love. – Klaus declared, pointing to the present box on the table.

She smiled and walked over to the table, opening the box. Inside, there was the most gorgeous dress she had ever seen, all blue.

- It's beautiful, Klaus. Thanks, you didn't have to.

- It's not nearly as beautiful as you, love. – he replied, and she heard her Nik complimenting her.

- I will wear it along with the bracelet you gave me. Thanks for that, too. I loved it.

- You are welcome, sweetheart.

The man then noted the beaded bracelet she was wearing. It was so familiar, it reminded so much the ones he used to make when human. So, so much…

- Where did you acquire the one you're wearing, love? – he asked intrigued.

- I bought it. I think it was in a little shop in the town my dad lives. But that was a few years ago, I don't really remember well. – she answered trying to seem uncertain about it to sell the lie.

- Alright… – he simply told her, a frown still on his face.

- Well, I think I'll have to go out shopping anyway. My baby boy needs a fancy tux to go to the Ball tonight. Even if he's just hanging at the party for five minutes… - she said to change the subject.

- There's no need to worry, sweetheart. I'll have it covered for you.

The girl knew it meant calling his hybrids to tell them to do that for him. But she wasn't in the mood to argue about those damn hybrids anymore, so she simply nodded.

Little Lukas was actually falling asleep in Klaus' arms. The comfort of his dad's embrace was getting him to sleep even it wasn't nap time. Caroline felt a little tug in her chest, wondering how much her baby boy had missed his dad those past days.

Klaus still rocked the baby lightly, rubbing his back every now and then, completely unaware of the blonde's thoughts, but feeling strangely complete in the company of that woman and with that little baby boy in his arms.


Stefan headed to the Grill, baby in arms. He didn't want to use his little one to get close to Rebekah, but if that was necessary, he'd do it. After all, they both had an interest there, he wanted his wife back, and Sarah surely was missing her mommy.

He got there in time to see the Original handing Matt an invitation. The bartender spotted him, and quickly made up an excuse not to go to the Ball, something about a night shift he had promised his boss he'd cover. She looked upset, but said it was fine. There wasn't much she could do about it. She really wanted Matt to like her, so using compulsion would only make him get away from her.

When she turned around to leave, she saw Stefan and his baby girl. The youngest Salvatore always heard women thought men with babies were charming and cute, and he intended to take advantage of that piece of information.

- Hi, Rebekah. Meet my baby girl, Sarah.

The Original raised an eyebrow. What the hell was he doing there with a baby? She simply shrugged, it wasn't her business anyway.

The little girl was the most adorable thing ever. Light brown hair, big pair of blue eyes, and full pink lips, a princess, much like her name meant.

Spotting Rebekah, Sarah clapped her little hands and pointed at the Original, looking at her father right after, as if asking something to him.

- That's Rebekah. - he didn't want to say "aunt", it didn't sound right - She's a princess just like you, my little princess.

- What do you want, Stefan? Why are you kissing my arse? - she asked annoyed, wondering why he was complimenting her.

Men always wanted something from her. They'd be charming and chivalrous, showering her with pretty words, but in the end she was just a means to an end. And she bet he only brought the baby to soften her up...

His wife was smart, he should've known she'd be suspicious if he just showed there with a baby saying sweet things to her. Well, if she thought he wanted something, he'd want something...

- There's no one to take care of the kids tonight because Klaus decided to invite Caroline. So we're taking them to the Ball, and then, after they fall sleep, we'll put them in their cradles in a room upstairs with a couple of Klaus' hybrids watching. Caroline thought it was better if they were there so we could check them personally if we felt like. And since my little princess is going to a Ball, she needs a princess outfit, but I don't have a clue about girl's clothing, not even baby girls. - the boy finished with a pleading smile.

- So you want me to go dress shopping with you? - she asked annoyed, for he really just wanted something from her, much like all men she'd ever met in her life.

- Basically, yes. - he responded, the pleading smile now in company of pleading eyes.

- Why don't you ask your precious doppelganger? Now you both have children you can be a happy family. And as the mommy of the happy merry family, she's in charge of shopping for the kids. - the girl said in a bitter tone, mocking.

- Elena and I aren't together anymore. We realized we were just friends, almost siblings. But maybe you're right, I should ask her. She told me about a yellow polka dot dress she thought it was really cute. - he provoked, for he had heard of the dress, but Caroline was the one talking about it, and she claimed it was tacky and horrible.

Rebekah sighed. She wouldn't let the baby walk around ridiculous because her father had no fashion sense.

- I'll go with you. Or you'll dress this poor baby like a clown... - she complained annoyed.

Stefan grinned, saying "yay", which made Sarah giggle and clap. Rebekah rolled her eyes, but only because she didn't want him to see she thought that was really cute.

The baby girl stretched her little arms to the Original, as if trying to take a closer look. Rebekah got the baby, who stared at her for a long minute, holding her right after, acknowledging her mom in the Original.

- I think she likes you. - Stefan concluded happily.

- I think she does. - she agreed, not being able to repress the silly smile.

When the couple arrived at the Mall, Rebekah took them straight to the baby shop. There, she proceeded to take a look at the girls' dresses, separating the ones she thought might do. After she had around five acceptable outfits, the girl started to show them to Stefan and Sarah. The boy was at a loss, for all the dresses seemed beautiful to him.

Not satisfied yet, the Original practically demanded from the saleswoman "fancier", and the woman brought more clothes. Then she put her hands on a gorgeous princess-like dress, ivory with some details in green. That was of royal caliber.

- This is a proper dress for a princess like you! - she told the little one smiling - Now we only have to see if fit.

Rebekah took the baby to a changing room and walked out a few minutes later. She was right, the dress was perfect. Little Sarah stared down at her new outfit, curious eyes wondering why she was wearing such different piece of clothing.

After they left the shop, the youngest Salvatore thanked the Original.

- Thanks, Rebekah. You chose the perfect dress for Sarah.

- You're welcome. But I did it for her, she's not to blame you know nothing about fashion.

- Would you save me a dance tonight?

- You can stop kissing my arse now, Stefan. I already did you the favor. - she responded tired.

Two steps forward, one step back...

- Would you save us a dance, then? - he asked with puppy eyes, appealing like he never did in his life, using his own daughter for it.

- You should be ashamed, Stefan Salvatore. To use your own baby like that. – she reprimanded him in a mockery tone.

As if trying to help her daddy out, the little girl stretched her arms to Rebekah, who held her. Then Sarah began to say gibberish in baby language, grinning to her mommy.

- You both are a couple of little manipulators... - the Original complained in a playful tone - Alright, one dance.

Stefan celebrated, and Sarah went along with her dad clapping and giggling, whilst Rebekah just shook her head lightly with a smile on her full lips.