I am so thrilled you all have been taking the time to leave reviews. It means so much to me. I wish I had the time to reply to you all but with two young children I am lucky I have the time to write this fic. However I do try to update every 2-3 days sometime daily as my way of saying thank you. I am beyond grateful!
I wanted to give a special shout out to Sophia, she is a wonderful reviewer who reviews as guest and since you are not signed in I can not reply to your review. Thanks so much for reviewing and I am thrilled your friends are reviewing as well. It gives me such happiness that you have read the whole story and are loving it so much. You are all amazing and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
For everyone else that reviewed A big hug and thanks as well. The reason this story is still going strong is because of all of you!
So without any more of my rambles here it is chapter 28!
Caroline was walking around the grand ballroom they were planning on using to hold the event. It was located a few blocks from their brownstone. Caroline had most of the preparations taken care of, as the party was less than a week away but still had last minute things to finish up.
Caroline was walking around, notebook and pencil in hand, as she was still thinking about what had happened earlier with Klaus. Had he really assumed she would just give in and kill the poor guy. He knew her better than anyone, it did not make sense that he would assume such a thing. She had spoken to Kol before she left the house and told him to keep an eye on Klaus but did not tell him what had happened. One, she was a bit embarrassed by the whole thing and secondly, she did not want Kol to worry.
"The cake will be delivered by noon, the day of the event." She heard the caterer say pulling her from her thoughts and back to the task at hand.
"Great, I expect it here on time or we will not be paying a dime for it." She replied firmly. Nothing could ruin Rebekah's birthday celebration.
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Kol walked into the crowded club and quickly spotted Stefan and Klaus together sitting in the corner of the room. He was not blind, he knew what was happening but honestly did not want to get involved. Klaus was a lucky man, he had the most amazing women around and if he wanted to screw that up it would be on him. Kol knew Caroline and Klaus were made for each other. Kol saw her as part of the family and wanted to help but he knew he could only do so much.
"Hello, brother. May I join you?" Kol asked as he slid into the booth.
"Kol, Nik here has been telling me some of the crazy things you two have done in your long history together." Stefan said.
"Yes, quite the pair we made, although that was centuries ago. Now a days Nik is more of a home body." Kol smirked as Klaus shot him a glare "He is a happily married man and he would not want to ruin that. Right, brother." Kol stated in a tone that did not go unnoticed by Klaus.
"Caroline is busy planning Rebekah's party. She has no issue with me going out for a drink whether liquor or other." Klaus said
"Rebekah's party?" Stefan asked raising a brow interested.
"Yes, my sister's birthday is next week." Klaus replied. "Speak of the devil."
Rebekah had entered the club, waiting for Damon when she saw her brothers sitting with Stefan staring at her. She made her way across the room and over to their table.
"What is this, a boy's night out? How pathetic." She scoffed with a small smile.
Stefan stood and placed his hand out to her. "A dance?"
She let out a small laugh and was about to blow him off when she saw Damon walking into the club.
"Why not." She replied taking his hand.
He pulled her into his chest as they walked to the dance floor.
"You look stunning this evening, Rebekah."
"Yes, I know and I see you have managed to play my brothers enough to learn my name." She replied brows raised.
"Your brothers are quite fascinating. To live as long as you all have, all the amazing things you all have seen and done. I am quite intrigued. Nik and I had a great deal of fun last night and I look forward to many more. That is unless I would be spending my nights with you." He smiled at her smugly.
Rebekah was hardly paying attention to him as Damon was standing off in the corner of the room watching. She wanted him to watch, to feel even a bit of the jealousy and pain she had when she watched him with that whore. She leaned in and placed a small lingering kiss on Stefan's cheek, watching Damon close his eyes in disgust, from the corner of her eye.
"Well, what have I done to deserve such a lovely treat?" Stefan asked just as he felt a strong arm pull him away from Rebekah.
"Damon!" Stefan called out surprised.
"Hello brother, been a long time."
"Yes, too long. As much as I would love to catch up I do believe you are interrupting." Stefan told him as he grabbed Rebekah around the waist and pulled her back into his chest.
Damon looked at Rebekah, waiting for her to say something when he finally said "Well, my apologizes." He turned to walk away but suddenly whipped around and punched his brother in the face.
Damon looked up at a stunned Rebekah. "I love you, Rebekah. I was a blind man to not see it sooner but I know it more than anything now. I love you and I will fight for you but not with my own brother. I did that once already and if you care for me you would not pit me against him."
Damon left the room rubbing his fist as she watched with her mouth open. She wanted to run to him but was at a loss for words.
"So I take it you know my brother already." Stefan said setting his broken nose back in place. "Come, let's get out of here and go someplace a little more private." He heard Damon's declaration of love for the girl but it changed nothing for him. He still wanted her just the same.
Rebekah looked up at him, ashamed of herself. All the men she could have used to make Damon jealous, why in the hell had she used Stefan. She was nothing like Katherine.
She quickly flashed Stefan a fake smile "My heart belongs to a much better man than you could ever be. I will always choose your brother."
She ran from the club, out the back door searching frantically for Damon. He was nowhere to be seen. She felt her heart breaking, what had she done. She knew she loved him. She had loved him since the morning they spent under the clouds. He was the only man she had ever wanted. She felt a hot tear roll down her cheek as she turned to head home.
"Did you really think you could get rid of me so easily?" Damon asked standing beside the building. He walked towards her and placed his hands on her cheeks cupping her face and wiping the tear away. "I promised you I would never leave you again. I am a man of my word, darling."
Without another word or even thought she leaned into him and crashed her lips to his. It was unlike any other kiss she had ever experienced. It was passionate, intense and full of unconditional love.
He pulled away and rested his forehead on hers. "I love you, Rebekah. I always have."
She let out a deep breath as the tears slid from her eyes. "I love you too and I never stopped waiting for you to come and find me. It was always you."
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"It seems your brother and you keep going after the same girl." Klaus chuckled as Stefan walked back to their table.
"Yes, well he can have her for all I care." Stefan said annoyed but quickly realized he was speaking to her much older, much stronger over-protective brothers. "I mean she is an amazing young woman and any man would be extremely lucky to hold her heart but I would not want to involve her in my battle with my brother."
"Good save." Kol laughed as he called the waitress over for another round. "Well, aren't you quite a treat." He said pulling the young waitress into the booth and onto his lap.
With no regard to anyone else he instantly compelled her silence as he began kissing roughly. He pulled her hair away from her neck and plunged his fangs deeply into her creamy white flesh. Klaus watched irritated for a moment before shaking his head.
"What do you say, mate? Shall we see where the night takes us?" Klaus asked Stefan.
Stefan smiled and gave a nod in agreement as they stood and left the table.
Kol continued to feed but watched as they left the club. He should follow them, report back to Caroline what they were up to but honestly it had only been one night that Klaus had acted strangely. He would give it some time to see what was happening. Klaus was a smart man; he knew exactly what he was doing and exactly what the consequences would be.
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Caroline waited at home, pacing their bedroom hoping he would not be out too late again. She was relieved when she heard the door downstairs open just after midnight.
"Nik!" she called out as she ran to the foyer. Her face fell as she saw Kol enter, alone.
"Sorry to disappoint you, darling." He said removing his jacket. "Klaus is still out with Stefan, I presume."
"You did not follow them?" She yelled.
"Why would I? He is a grown man, Caroline. If I intervene it will only end with me in a casket and him rebelling further against you."
"Rebelling against me? What the hell are you talking about? He loves me!" She yelled confused and irritated.
"Yes darling, he loves you. More than he has loved anyone." He told her calmly. It was not his intention to upset her but he wanted to prepare her for the worst, just in case. "My brother has spent the last few centuries loving you and I have never seen him happier but…he spent even longer before that giving into every desire he ever had."
"So what, your saying he is having a mid-life crisis?" Caroline asked her irritation turning to full anger.
"A mid-life crisis? Not sure what that is but sure. He is acting out against you not to hurt you but because of his cravings, his desire to be his true nature is stronger."
"No, our love is stronger than anything. He would not do this. He will not rebel against me as you so rudely put it! There is nothing to rebel from. I have given him all that I have! What more can I do!" She yelled louder as her tears were no longer hidden. She felt her heart ache as her knees become weak. She tried to catch her breath but she felt like she was suffocating as she fell to the floor. "What is happening to him?" She cried out.
"He will be fine. Just give him some time to see what is truly important. Do not give up on him." Kol requested picking her up into his arms and flashing her to her bed.
"I could never give up on him. He is the only man I will ever love." She stuttered through her cries as she curled up under the blankets.
Kol turned and walked to the door. "I know." He said more to himself as he closed the door behind him.
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"Out all night yet again, brother?" Kol asked as Klaus slipped quietly in the front door just pasted five in the morning.
"What are you doing up? Waiting for me?" Klaus said with a chuckle.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kol asked.
"I am not sure what you mean, brother." Klaus grinned as he slipped off his bloody jacket and threw it to the floor.
"You will lose her if this continues. I know you do not want that."
"Do not be so dramatic, Kol. She will do nothing of the sort. This is who I am and she will have to see that. She loves me and she knows I love her. Nothing will change that." Klaus said annoyed to be speaking of such a thing. Caroline would never leave him, he thought.
"Well then tell me, what happens if she does not like this guy your are becoming again? She does not know you like this, brother. She does not even kill when she feeds and yet you think she will stay with a man that not only kills but also tortures." Kol asked loudly. What had been happening with Stefan to cause such a sudden change in his brother? He always figured it would happen eventually but did not think it would happen so quickly.
"Maybe you are correct." Klaus said looking off past Kol thinking. "I believe it is time she sees me for all that I am. Not just her loving husband Nik. I am Klaus the original hybrid and when I break my curse I will be the most powerful man on this earth. I know her better than any of you, she will never leave me."
"Between your new follower, Stefan and your ego you are running blindly. Do not say I did not warn you." Kol spat disgusted his brother could risk everything for his selfish needs.
Klaus let out a low growl as he whipped his blood soaked shirt from his body and threw it at the wall. She would never leave him. He would not allow such a thing.
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The days leading up to the party flew by. Caroline hardly saw Klaus besides in the early morning. He would climb into their bed just before the sunrise. He reeked of blood and death. He would grab her tightly and ravish her with a look of pure wildness and lust in his eyes. When he was finished, he would roll to the side facing away from her and fall asleep. She would climb out of the bed feeling like nothing more than his whore. She was dying for him to be her Nik again, to touch her and hold her like he used to.
She needed to plan Rebekah's party and hoped this was just a phase he was going through. He was her husband she would stand by his side until he got it out of his system.
They barely spoke as he seemed to be avoiding her, she did not mind as she was afraid of what would happen if the subject did come up.
Finally, the morning of the party she found him in the sitting room.
"You need to meet me at the party no later than eight tonight." She said as she grabbed a garment bag containing her dress for the party.
"Meet you? Why are we not going together?" he asked looking up from his sketchbook.
"I have to be their while they finish setting up. I want to make sure there are no problems. I am changing there so you can just come and find me. Is that alright?" She asked watching his beautiful blue eyes stare at her. They looked so lost and confused. He was torn and she could see it. He was her husband but at night he was a monster. It pained her to see him trying to balance them both.
"Of course, love. I will be there." Klaus smiled.
Caroline turned to leave but stopped herself. She took a deep breath and sat the garment bag on the back of a large chair across from him. "Nik, are we going to talk about what has been going on?"
"What is there to talk about, sweetheart? I am sorry I have been out so late the past few nights."
"I love you and I am here for you. You can talk to me. Please, what has been going on?" She asked her eyes pleading for him to open up to her. She walked closer to him but stopped as she saw his eyes darken.
"You and Kol are both overly dramatic, sweetheart. So I have been out late a few times. Yes, I have been killing a bit more than usual but that is what vampires do. Just because you choose a different way to survive than killing it does not mean I have to do the same. I am not like you, Caroline." His tone was growing harsher as he replied.
"Klaus, I know we are different when it comes to how we view humans, but they are not here for us to simply destroy. They have families, friends, lives. We cannot take that away from them simply because you think you are better than them! Please, I have never expected for you to give it up all that you are but you are better than this. Whatever Stefan has been-"
"Stop! Stefan has nothing to do with this. This is who I am Caroline! Who I have always been. I have just kept it hidden deep inside to make you happy but no longer. If you truly love me you would let me be happy!" He yelled jumping from the couch, standing directly in front of her.
"NO! This is not who you are. It is one piece of you but there are so many other pieces. I told you I love you and I meant that but I will not stand by and let you go down this path. I have given up everything to be with you! I will have Kol compel Stefan to leave if you do not end your friendship with him!" Caroline snapped.
Klaus let out a low deep growl and grabbed her roughly by her arms. "Do not test me Caroline. I will not be threatened! You can not give me an ultimatum, it will not work!"
"Try me. I will make sure every time you go out I will be there to stop you!"
Klaus' eyes filled with rage as he threw her back into the wall. She looked up at him shocked. Her eyes filled with hurt but more than anything for the first time it was filled with fear. She did not recognize him anymore.
Klaus looked down at her and saw it. "You are afraid of me." He whispered.
"This is not you, Nik. What you are becoming, this beast, that is what I am afraid of."
"Caroline, I am sorry. I don't-"
Caroline stood and walked to the door, grabbing her garment bag. "Just be at the party by eight" She said not looking back at him as she left the room.
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Caroline watched as the guests began arriving. It was eight o'clock and there was no sign of Klaus. She could not worry about it right now, she had guests to greet.
"Hello Caroline, you look fabulous." An older female vampire that she had known for a few decades said as they hugged. "Where is Klaus this evening? Sneaking off for a drink?"
Caroline laughed nervously "No, he is on his way. I am sure he will be here any moment. I am glad you came. Rebekah will be arriving soon."
"The birthday girl is known to be fashionably late." They both laughed as the woman then left to mingle with other guests.
Caroline greeted all one hundred of the guests and still no sign of Klaus.
"Caroline, it is breath taking!" Rebekah gushed coming up behind her and staring wide eyes at the grand ballroom decorated especially for her.
"Did you expect any less?" Caroline teased. "Hello, Damon."
"Caroline, I must thank you for throwing my lovely Rebekah such a lavish celebration." Damon smiled.
Caroline was thrilled for them. She had never seen Rebekah nor Damon so happy. They could not keep their hands to themselves, not a moment would pass that they were not making googly eyes at each other. Caroline shook her head watching Rebekah pout as Damon walked over to speak to Kol, leaving her alone with a few guests. They reminded her so much of herself and Klaus, it was painful how much she missed how they used to be.
"Hello love, you look ravishing." She heard his voice and felt his hands wrap around her waist from behind.
"You came." She exclaimed turning around and wrapping her hands around his neck.
"I am sorry you doubted that." He kissed her lightly before adding. "I am also sorry for earlier. Please forgive me love. I never meant for things to-"
"Shush, it is forgiven already. I love you, Nik."
They kissed passionately, he looked into her loving glistening eyes. "I love you too, sweetheart."
The night went off without a hitch. Everything was perfect and everyone was perfectly happy. Even Elijah made a brief appearance.
Caroline and Klaus were on the dance floor along with Damon and Rebekah and a few other couples as the night came to a close.
"Hello, darling. May I cut in?" Stefan asked suddenly appearing before Rebekah and Damon.
"You were not invited. Leave now!" Rebekah hissed.
"Calm down. I just came to see my big brother." Stefan grinned.
"To bad, you will need to find me another time. Tonight is my girl's birthday and I am not leaving her side." Damon replied as he continued swaying Rebekah in his arms before he dipped her low, ignoring his brother's glare.
Caroline looked at Klaus to do something as Kol had went off with a few young girls earlier and had yet to return.
"Come on mate. You need to leave." Klaus told him as he grabbed Stefan's arm.
"Of course, no need to cause a scene, Nik." Stefan chuckled darkly as he pulled his arm away.
"I'll be back love." Klaus told her as he placed a quick kiss on her cheek and went to walk Stefan out.
Caroline went back to the guests, telling them everything was fine. "Let's enjoy Rebekah's birthday." She said with a smile.
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As the night came to an end, Caroline was still waiting for Klaus. He had left to walk Stefan out over an hour ago and never returned. She had assumed everything would be back to normal after he arrived at the party and apologized, yet here she was alone, waiting yet another night for him.
"We are heading home, Caroline. Thanks again for throwing such a wonderful celebration." Rebekah told her as she hugged her tightly. "Do not worry about Nik, he will be back soon. I am sure he probably just wanted to keep an eye on Stefan so he would not come back."
"Yes. I am sure you are right." Caroline smiled. She had not told anyone other that Kol what had been going out the past week. She did not want Rebekah to worry as she finally had her happily ever after.
Caroline waited another hour before deciding she would not be that woman. The wife that sat idly by allowing this to continue. She quickly went to the room she had changed in earlier and changed out of her gown and back into her day dress from earlier. In a flash she was out the door and into the night searching for her man.
She went to the club first but there was no sign of him or Stefan. She was certain they would be together. She knew it would be Lexie, that eventually saved Stefan and wanted to go find her immediately but she could not keep changing history. She needed to have Kol compel Stefan to leave. He would hopefully find Lexie on his own as he was originally meant to.
It was not long before she found a few vampires hanging outside a large apartment building. She asked if they had seen a man named Stefan and to her surprise they told her he lived on the top floor of the building.
She felt dread as she made her way up the flights of stairs and towards the top floor. She could only hope Stefan was home and Klaus was with him. She was afraid of what she would we find but she could not ignore it any longer.
As she came upon the front door she leaned in and listened. She heard Stefan talking to what sounded like a crying women. She could not hear Klaus but she could sense he was there. She opened the door as slowly and quietly as she could. She smiled as she realized she was able to cross over the threshold, the apartment must have been in Stefan's name.
She walked into the large empty living room. She saw two doors and could hear Stefan in one, which meant Klaus was most likely in the other. She felt her body begin to shake as she feared what she was about to see.
She carefully opened the door and felt her stomach instantly drop, her body felt as though it was dying. She felt the tears well up in her eyes. There before her was the man she loved, her husband with six dead women around him. A few had their tops ripped open, their breast exposed, all had blood covering their necks. Another woman on the side of him, running her hands through his hair, kissing down his shoulders while he fed from a petite blonde.
His hands were roaming all over her body as he fed greedily from her. He looked liked an addict on a binge, as though he could not get enough of the her. The young girl began moaning as his hands went over her breasts before traveling to her hair. Moment later, he let her body drop to the ground as she was as pale as a ghost and completely drained.
He quickly grabbed the girl behind him pulling her roughly by her hair onto his lap. The girl began kissing his neck as he bit deeply into hers. He was suddenly interrupted when he heard a loud cry. He looked up and saw Caroline standing in the doorway watching him. Her face covered with tears, pain and hurt consuming her eyes. Her color was a sick green as she looked at him in horror.
He pulled the girl off his lap and quickly snapped her neck, never taking his eyes off Caroline. His eyes were filled with regret. What had he done?
Before he could speak she flashed from the room. She was not paying any attention when she flashed from the building and suddenly felt someone grab her from behind. She assumed it was Klaus but when she turned she saw Katherine staring at her with a sinister smirk.
In a quick motion she heard the snap and everything went dark. She was older than Katherine but at that moment she was much weaker.
So, what do you all think. Klaus is going to be pissed when he finds out Katherine is back and has Caroline! Will he save her? Will she forgive such a horrible thing or leave him?
I have the next few chapters mapped out and I am certain you will all love them. They will be so good. Remember I love Klaroline and I adore a strong feisty Caroline. I will nevr allow her to be weak even over Klaus.
Please review and I will try to update by end of week. you guys are amazing at reviewing so lets get up to 860 and I will work on next chapter first thing tomorrow and try to get it updated by Thursday. Love you all thanks for reading!
