Chapter XXXV
Early in the morning, Caroline woke up in an empty bed, and that felt absolutely horrible. She remembered how mad Klaus still was at her and sighed. What a stubborn proud man that husband of hers! She couldn't complain that much though, she was being stubborn herself. But the good night of sleep had made her come to her senses and she was decided to make peace with him at all costs.
She checked her son's nursery, he wasn't there. She went downstairs and found Klaus feeding Lukas, playing with him while leading the spoon full of oatmeal to his mouth.
- Good morning, sweetie – she kissed her son's head – And good morning, Nik.
Klaus only glanced at her. Great, now he was giving her the silent treatment… They needed to talk ASAP. Caroline called her mom to check if she could take care of her little one for a couple of hours, she needed to take her husband somewhere private and quiet to talk and sort things out.
Everything set, she announced:
- Nik, we're driving Lukas to my mom's. She's taking care of him until her shift starts in three hours. That's precisely the amount of time we have to talk and solve things between us.
The hybrid looked at her. If she believed it would be that easy… Elijah and Elena were in the living room with the children. They both looked so happy Caroline felt envious. She really hoped she could sort things out with her husband…
They left with Lukas, hearing a 'good luck' from Elena before closing the door.
After they dropped the boy at his gramma's place, Caroline asked:
- Let's go to the woods, to the spot where the old village was. I think it will be a quiet place to talk with some meaning to us.
Klaus nodded, but his face was still hard.
When they got to the woods, he declared emotionless:
- Here we are. The village was here. To be even more precise, we're standing exactly where my family's hut used to be.
That statement gave the girl what she needed. If Mikael's hut was there, their own hut was a few feet to the left. She then walked over the place she believed they had lived as a married couple.
- So our hut was here. Or so – she looked at him and said in a low tone – Go ahead, Nik. Tell me everything you have been meaning to ever since we left the school, or at least what you haven't said yet.
The hybrid took a deep breath. He wanted her to know what he had been through, but in order to tell her everything, he needed to calm down, or he'd lose his temper midway his speech.
- How could you put your life at risk like that? It doesn't matter you wanted to help me or even save my damn life, I am an Original, the Original hybrid, and you are not even a vampire at the moment! You are but a mere weak human now, and one pregnant with our child, whose life you put at stake as well! If you have no self-preservation instinct about your own self, don't you have it about your own child? If you have no love for life, don't you have any love for this child you carry inside you? – at the end of the speech he was almost screaming.
Caroline wanted to answer right away. How could he question her love for her child? Of course she loved that child, and of course she'd do anything to save him or her! It's just she wasn't thinking at the school, she simply acted when she saw him in danger. All she felt was the panic of losing him, and all she thought was she wouldn't bear not having him in her life!
Then it hit her. Everything about it. The fear, hers and his, it was the same. And then she knew just what to say.
- You are right, Nik. What I did was stupid. The thought of a human like me, a pregnant woman nonetheless, taking down Mikael, the Original vampire who hunts vampires, is ridiculous. But that's what we do sometimes when someone we love is in danger. We do ridiculous stupid things. And that doesn't make them right. No, they are still mistakes. But that's what we do when the blood just rushes to the head and we simply can't think straight anymore. I love my children more than my own self, but I love you as well, sometimes I believe more than my own self as well. Seeing Mikael with that stake that close to your heart made me lose it, made me forget my own self, my self-preservation instinct lost somewhere inside the panic that took over me. Even the fact I was with a child inside me slipped my mind. All I could think of was you, and how much I didn't want to lose you, because that would destroy me. I know I should say I thought of my children and that I didn't want them to lose their father, but the truth is I'm more selfish than I seem, it was I who couldn't bear the thought of losing you. I am sorry, Nik, about everything I did, and how I risked my life. There's only one thing I am not sorry, and it's about trying to save the love of my life.
He stared at his wife. He was still a tad pissed, but, on the other hand, he couldn't believe how much love that woman felt for him. He even wondered if he deserved to be so loved.
- Then you know how I felt. You know how it feels, the fear of losing one of your most precious possessions, while you stand powerless.
- I do, Nik. And I am so sorry, baby.
All the anger he had been carrying around was melting. And the fact they were standing in the place where once their home used to be brought the most beautiful memories of the early days of their married life.
- I love you, Nik. Don't be mad at me anymore, please. I need you. Scratch that, we need you. Lukas, me, and our little baby girl, I think.
That did it. To mention the kids, especially the prospect of a baby princess in the future was more than he could take.
The hybrid held his wife by the waist and kissed her tenderly. When they parted, he caught her smiling at him and couldn't help the smile as well.
- Fine, love. It's not like I could stay mad at you for much longer. But if you do something as stupid as getting yourself killed I'll have a witch contacting you on the Other Side just to hand you the divorce papers! – he joked, making her laugh.
- I'll try my very best not to do anything that stupid again. I'll even be more tolerant about your overprotection now I know the reasons behind it, the fear you feel. I felt it too, baby. And I know it's the worst thing I've ever felt. I don't want to feel that ever again, and I don't want you to feel that ever again as well. We'll find a middle ground, I promise you. We can handle anything, as long as we're together.
- And together we will remain, love. Always and forever.
- Always and forever.
They kissed and stood in each other's arms, feeling each other's warmth. They'd always be fine, as long as they were together.
Everything was finally falling into place for all of them.
Klaus and Caroline were fine, doting on their beloved boy as the loving parents they were.
Elijah and Elena were having the time of their lives, happy as ever, taking care of their twins. Even the adjustment of the girl to vampire lifestyle was going smooth, not only because she knew being a vampire would allow her to raise her children and be with the love of her life forever, but because Elijah was a great tutor.
Stefan and Rebekah were crazy about their little girl, she was the cutest thing. The Original felt she was living a dream, being a mother was everything she ever wanted to be, and having a husband like Stefan was more than she could ever expect. He was so loving and caring about them, she felt the luckiest girl in this world.
Finn was living life as a vampire with the help of his beloved Sage. She was teaching him to loosen up a bit more, and he was getting the "we'll hurt no one" rule to be followed with no exceptions. Deep inside, they made each other better and knew it.
Kol still had to take Bonnie out on a date. Two months had passed since the not tragic, in fact, well deserved, death of his parents, but the girl was so caught up in the planning of her friends' wedding, she just didn't have the time. They were in such a hurry, wanting to do everything before Caroline's bump became too visible, they were driving her crazy. And since she was a double bridesmaid, Elena's and Caroline's, it was even worse. The honor of being Rebekah's bridesmaid was Sage's, who was running like crazy as well, but, unlike Bonnie, she was vampire, she could do everything faster and had things easier thanks to compulsion. She and Kol ended up making another deal, he'd be her date on the wedding, and after it was finally done, she would go out on a proper date with him ("Dinner out and candle lights, Bon-Bon").
The wedding took place on the garden of Klaus' mansion. They had a beautiful gazebo adorned with lilies and roses, white and lilac. Everything was very tasteful, not too much, not too little.
Little Lukas and Sarah were as cute as a child could be, all dressed up under Liz's care. The twins were with Alaric, who had come back from Europe just for the wedding. He'd go back to Amsterdam right after, he and Damon were still travelling through the continent, testing their alcohol limit…
The eldest Salvatore was still bitter about Elena and Elijah, and refused to go to the wedding, it didn't matter it was his baby brother's wedding as well. He had sent the biggest present, which later Stefan found out was an enormous stash of quality bourbon, the card only read "You're tying the knot, baby bro, you'll need these for sure. Damon".
The girls were getting dressed all together. Caroline had chosen a dress with a waistline a little higher than she wanted, but that was the best kind she could wear to hide the three and a half month little bump. It wasn't that visible, but a dress tight on the waistline wouldn't be the best, it would draw too much unwanted attention to it. Elena was beautiful and skinny as usual, she wasn't feeling awkward in the slightest, not like she felt during the ball, when she was feeling like a balloon. She was wearing a mermaid gown, simple but elegant, with just enough details in lace. Rebekah, on the other hand, had a princess type gown. If she was Stefan's princess, she'd dress accordingly. Bonnie and Sage were helping them out, after all, that's what bridesmaids are for.
The men were getting ready in another room. Stefan asked Matt to be his best man, since Damon refused to go. Finn was Elijah's best man, and Kol was Klaus'. But the youngest Original was the worst best man on the planet, and the hybrid was beginning to regret ever asking him…
- Do not worry, brother, if Caroline doesn't show up, I'll take you out for some good old drinks.
- She already showed up a thousand years ago, I doubt she won't this time – Klaus said rolling his eyes at his brother.
- Perhaps now she has come to her senses. Especially after she had a taste of what it's like being married to you. How does she ever sleep with your mumbling…
- What on Earth are you talking about, Kol? – he didn't want to sound rude, but he was getting very annoyed with the other's comments.
- Don't you know you mumble a lot in your sleep? And Stefan snores like a motorcycle, poor Rebekah… And Elijah moves all the time…
- Shut up, Kol! – Elijah, Finn, Klaus, and Stefan commanded all at the same time.
- Alright, alright… Just don't say I didn't warn you… - he said and the others shot glares at him.
The time for ceremony had come. The men walked down the aisle and positioned themselves. It was Bonnie's and Sage's turn. Then, finally, the brides.
To match the original timeline, since Caroline and Klaus married first, she was the first to enter with her father. All smiles on her beautiful angel's face, the girl walked slowly, staring at her husband's face adoringly. The hybrid couldn't take his eyes off of her, she was perfection. When she reached him, Bill handed her to Klaus, kissing her on the cheek and claiming that, as a father, all he wanted was for her to be happy. They were in better terms, which was very good, since Caroline wanted her children to have, at least, one nice grandfather.
Then it was Rebeka's turn. Finn, as the eldest, was being not only Elijah's best man, but also had the task of walking his baby sister down the aisle in the absence of their horrible father.
The girl was a sight in Stefan's opinion, even more beautiful than when they first married. When she got to him, he tenderly kissed her on the forehead, whispering "I love you", hearing an "I love you too" back.
Elena was last. This time she hoped Elijah didn't bail on her. If she ever went through that again (be it Tatia's or anyone else's fault), she'd never put on a bride gown again. Jeremy would escort her, since her parents (adoptive and biological) were dead.
When she spotted Elijah waiting for her, she let out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding. He was smiling cheek to cheek, waiting for his beloved wife. When she finally reached him, he kissed her hand, and they positioned themselves.
The ceremony was very beautiful. They took their vows, exchanged rings, and were declared husband and wife, as usual. After it, there would be the reception. They danced and partied for hours. The girls threw their bouquets one at a time, and Bonnie ended up getting Caroline's ("You aimed on me", "Me?! Bonnie, how could you ever think I'd do something like that?").
Kol drank what he hadn't while daggered in the coffin. If he was human, he would've had alcohol poisoning, and would probably be in a coma, but since he was a vampire, he was simply drunk. Even though a word like "simply" shouldn't be applied to someone like Kol. At one point, he got on the stage where the wedding band was performing, interrupted the music and asked Bonnie to marry him.
- Bon-Bon, would you be my wife?
- Of course not, Kol! Get out of there! – answered the witch, embarrassed.
- I promise I won't snore like Stefan, or mumble like Nik, or move like Elijah during the night!
The brides rolled their eyes, and the grooms only shook their heads in disapproval.
- Kol, I won't marry you!
- Ever? – he asked a bit hurt.
- I didn't say "ever", I meant now! For the love of God, Kol, get off of the stage!
- I will, but first, I'll sing you a song.
Elijah and Klaus looked at each other. Kol singing… Oh, no…
In a very appropriate dragged voice, he started to sing a Devil Doll's song:
You put a spell on me without asking me,
You so impolitely walked into my dreams.
If I can't have you, I can pretend I do,
Because no one makes me feel the way you do.
Whenever you touch me, I sink into my knees,
Oh won't you please, come and visit me.
You put a spell on me without asking me,
You so impolitely walked into my dreams.
But it wouldn't be so bad if I could love you like I do,
If I didn't want you the way that I do when he's with you.
When he's with you (3x)
ooohhhh
You put a spell on me without asking me,
You so impolitely walked into my dreams,
You so impolitely walked into my dreams.
By the end of the song, Bonnie was blushing like a tomato.
- Oh, God, he's so pitchy… - Caroline complained to Klaus.
- Not everyone can have an angel's voice like you, love.
- In that case…
The blonde then got up on stage. If Kol had already done it, so would she. It was her wedding after all.
- Adele's "Lovesong", please, gentlemen – she told the musicians, taking the microphone – This song is dedicated to my loving husband, the love of my life, my one and only Nik.
Then she began singing to a mesmerized Klaus.
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am home again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am whole again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am young again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am fun again
However far away
I will always love you
However long I stay
I will always love you
Whatever words I say
I will always love you
I will always love you
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am free again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am clean again
However far away
I will always love you
However long I stay
I will always love you
Whatever words I say
I will always love you
I will always love you
However far away
I will always love you
However long I stay
I will always love you
Whatever words I say
I will always love you
I always love you
I always love you
'Cause I love you.
When the song ended, she got off stage to a waiting Klaus, his arms wide open to her. They kissed and caressed each other fondly, whispering sweet nothings to each other. Then, Caroline said:
- I have a gift for you, Nik.
He raised an eyebrow. She turned and asked Bonnie to "bring it". It was a simple small box with a red bow. She took him to a more private place and handed it to him, who got it smiling, wondering what that could be.
When he opened it, he saw a pink baby outfit, in the front it read "Daddy's little princess" with the image of a delicate sweet crown on top. Klaus stared at Caroline, did that mean…?
- It's too early to know the gender through an ultrasound, but Bonnie's mom knew an old witchy trick to know the gender of the baby, and she said we're having a girl.
The hybrid got ecstatic. He kissed her and spun her around. Not that he wouldn't had been happy with another boy, but a little angel like his Caroline would be perfect.
- Do the others know? – he inquired, after all, Bonnie's mom had done the spell.
- No, just Bonnie and her mom, of course. If you want, you can give your siblings the good news while I tell Elena.
They got back to the party, and told everyone the good news. Everyone was really happy to hear it.
Life as a family was everything the Originals wanted. Elijah and Elena were in Heaven with their twins. They were both brunette like their parents, Julian, though, had green eyes while Sophia had her mother's brown eyes. They were almost six months old already, and were starting to eat things other than their formula.
- 'Lijah, you should really try a t-shirt, instead of wearing your suits to take care of the children – Elena advised when Sophia got a handful of the mashed bananas and threw at her daddy.
- I told him the children would ruin his suits one by one… - Rebekah declared entering the kitchen with Sarah in arms and in the company of her husband.
- I brought what Caroline asked for lunch – Stefan said, placing a bunch of plastic bags on the kitchen balcony.
- What a great idea of Caroline's to institute Sunday as family day. It will be great for the children to have a family day to be with their uncles, aunts, and cousins – the doppelganger said joyfully.
- Hey, guys! – an almost nine month pregnant Caroline walked in the kitchen with Klaus, who had little Lukas holding his hand.
Lukas had given his first steps a few weeks after the wedding. Klaus was painting in his studio when Caroline walked in with their son to call her husband for dinner. The little one moved around, clearly wanting to get off his mom's arms, and the girl simply thought he wanted to crawl to daddy, as he usually did whenever he saw Klaus. He really started crawling, but then, in the middle of the way, he stopped, gave a small push and got up. Caroline and Klaus looked at each other, anxious. The blonde got her phone off her pocket and told the hybrid to call their boy, and he did so, asking him to "come to papa, sweetheart". The little one looked at his daddy and, a tad shaky, gave a small step. Klaus had the biggest smile and kept encouraging him. The girl was already crying while filming everything. She was already an emotional person, but being pregnant made her even more sensitive. The boy kept going, one small step at a time, slowly but steadily, until he reached Klaus' arms. The hybrid held his son, calling his wife to join the hug. He praised Lukas and kissed his head. That was a day they'd never forget.
But back to the family day, Finn, Sage (who decided to live in a house of their own), Kol (who claimed he wanted to be independent and etc. but in truth just wanted a place to be alone with Bonnie without his siblings and his sisters-in-law meddling), Jeremy, Alaric, and Bonnie were still on their way.
The only ones living in the same house were Klaus and Elijah, with their wife and kids. The house was huge, and neither the brothers, nor the girls, had a problem with it, in fact, they loved it. Stefan and Rebekah were still living in the Boarding House with their little girl, and thought that was for the best, the girl was happy to have her own home to care for, getting a tad more independent from her brothers, and having more privacy with her husband. Damon, the only one who could come back to town and live with them, had bumped into Katherine during his trip with Alaric. Their romance re-ignated and they decided to travel the world together, "living la vida loca" as the crazy vamps they were.
Bonnie and Jeremy had overcome the awkwardness of being in the same room for the sake of the family. He was Elena's brother, and she was Elena's and Caroline's best friend. Sure Kol was always trying to provoke Jeremy, but he didn't care that much anymore.
As for Kol and Bonnie, the witch was still dodging his request to make what they had official. Who would ever say he would be the one to make it official and she would be the one trying to escape it? Truth is she liked him, a lot, in fact, she was in love with him, but he was so clueless most of the time she didn't know if she could take it. They even had had sex already, and she had to admit it was an experience she'd never forget, gosh, the guy was good! But to be Kol's girlfriend? She had think over and over and over again before saying "yes"…
Back to the family day, Rebekah was mocking Elijah for yet another suit ruined when Sage and Finn arrived. Shortly after came Alaric and Jeremy, right before Kol and Bonnie. Not even five minutes had passed, Kol was already touching the witch and hinting she was his, just because Jeremy was there…
When they were all gathered in the living room, the subject of the girls' kidnaping surfaced. And, of course, Caroline started to make jokes about Mikael, as usual.
- You didn't need to call him a "cuckold" to his face, Care! That's why he had the amazing idea of making that horrible video… - Elena let it slip, regretting right after.
Klaus looked at his wife, feeding their son.
- Did you provoke him like that? How could you be so reckless, love?
Oh, no, here we go again…
- I wasn't thinking, Nik, please, don't be mad again, I already said I am sorry!
- I won't get mad, sweetheart, but you should really know when not to say anything. For instance, when you're hostage, you wait for me to rescue you in silence.
- Fine, Nik. In silence – she agreed to end that silly discussion.
- Since I already let it slip, and Klaus already promised not to be mad, I can scold you, Care – Caroline sighed, not believing they'd have that conversation after months. – You shouldn't have said he had Esther's cheating coming because he wasn't man enough for her. And much less that he probably had a tiny problem, pointing at his pants…
Kol, Rebekah, and Bonnie started to laugh.
- The only reason he didn't kill you was because he wanted to do it in front of Klaus to make him suffer!
The hybrid was about to say something, but Caroline was first.
- And I knew that, that's why I said those things! Why would I waste the chance of saying all that to his face if I knew he'd wait until Nik was there to kill me?
- And to say once you had sex with a wolf you could never go back to being with a simple man like himself was more than he could bear! He even had to leave the classroom to control himself!
Klaus had a smugly smile now. Wolves were really the best…
- C'mon, 'Lena! You also called him a monster! And called him "cuckold" too at one point…
It was time for Elijah to stare at his wife surprised.
- I was pregnant and hormonal, and Mikael was pushing us too far! – she defended herself.
- I'm not saying anything, my love – he said in a playful tone.
- And you warned him to "watch the head" when he left the room nervous… Lucky you he didn't catch the drift – the blonde added, if her friend had decided to tell on her, she'd do same.
- You're a couple of suicidal hostages – Rebekah joked, making everyone laugh.
Later that day, when everyone was gone, the two resident couples stayed in the living room. The twins were sleeping, and little Lukas was walking around the room, with Klaus on his toes. At one point, the boy asked to go to daddy's arms, and the hybrid knew it was nap time. He sat down on the couch with his son, cuddling him. Lukas soon fell asleep.
- Nik, I think I should take him to his bedroom. I'll put him in his bed and I'll take a nap myself, we're tired – Caroline said rubbing her bump.
- I think I'll go to my studio, I have a painting to finish – he said, handing Lukas to Caroline and kissing her fondly.
Elijah and Elena were left alone. He was reading a book, and she approached him, sitting on his lap.
- Do I disturb your reading, my lovely husband? Or you could take a break to be with your wife?
He smiled and put the book down.
- I can always take a break for my gorgeous wife.
They kissed each other passionately. She buried her hands in his soft brown hair, whilst his hands roamed over her body. The Original then got up with Elena in arms and vampsped her to their room, placing her in bed.
In no time, they were both naked, skin to skin, pure passion. In one swift movement, he slid into her, eliciting a moan from Elena. She had been meaning to ask him to bite her during sex for a while, she had heard the exchange of blood during intimacy was one of a kind experience. But she didn't know what he'd think of it, they never talked about it. Little did she know, he had been dying to bury his fangs in her soft skin and to have her fangs on him ever since she turned.
Gathering some courage, she finally asked him:
- Bite me, 'Lijah – then she turned her head so her neck was exposed to him.
He got positively surprised and amazed.
- Are you sure, my love?
- Yes, I've been meaning to ask you this for a while.
- Alright, then. When I bite your neck, you bite my wrist – he said offering her his wrist, all this while still moving inside her.
They continued to move and moan until the Original buried his teeth on her neck and she did the same on his wrist. The feeling was indescribable, the pleasure of sex and of feeding together was a rush that could not be compared to any they had ever experienced. And the pleasure of being bitten also added to the pleasure, increasing it some more.
When they came, still feeding off of each other, the orgasm was unlike any other they already had, there couldn't be greater pleasure.
The pleasure was so intense it took a while for them to recover. Elena rested her head on Elijah's chest, sated, her eyes barely open.
- It was better than I had imagined. Have you ever had done this to any other woman or vampire, 'Lijah? – she inquired more out of curiosity than jealousy.
- I have to plead myself guilty, my love. But not often though, it's an experience too intimate to do with just anyone. I have only done it twice, and both with two humans, two women I was in love with. I had never done it with another vampire, though, and I have to say the pleasure of having you feed off of me added more to it. So you could say this was a first for me if you look from that point of view.
- It was amazing, we definitely have to do it again. Would you like that?
- Of course, my love.
They knew the twins would wake shortly, so they decided to enjoy the little time they had left to rest in each other's arms.