In Loving Memory
paigemarie007 asked:
Caroline's ex sells her stuff and klaus ends up buying a painting that was a heirloom. Caroline tracks him down.
Thanks luv! What an amazeballs prompt, I hope I did it justice : )
Sante Fe, New Mexico - 106 degrees
To say Caroline Forbes was a little frustrated was an understatement. Canyon Road seemed to stretch for dusty, red miles and one art galley seemed to turn into another. Pity none of the ones she'd already passed were her destination and the fact the weather was a dry 100 plus degrees and steadily climbing was doing nothing to help the situation.
Granted, yes, she was a highly strung individual but after searching for months and making the long trip from mild Boston to claim what was rightfully hers, Caroline figured she'd been unusually patient. Now was the point she was beginning to lose it.
"Looks like you could use some water," an unexpected voice said under the verandah. She stared blankly at the stranger, a little girl with messy, blonde pigtails and big, brown eyes. "You know agua?" She persisted, pretending to drink from her hand.
"I'm.." she paused, her eyes landing on the street number and realising this was her destination. Finally. "Actually, yes, that would be nice." The girl gestured for her to come forward, excitedly waving her hand and racing inside.
She ascended the four steps and followed her inside, the cool breeze from the air conditioner welcome in her current frazzled state. The floors were polished hardwood and the walls littered with paintings, not that she was expecting any less. She was taken aback by just how stunning they were. Each landscape and portrait seemed to come to life in front of her eyes.
Caroline shook her head, telling herself that she was here for a purpose. Unfortunately, she hadn't managed to find what she was looking for on the walls.
"Here." The little girl interrupted, shoving the glass into her hands. She sent her a small smile and took a sip, relishing in the relief she felt as it cascaded down her dry throat.
"Thank you..."
"Lexi," she finished. "That's my name."
"Well, hello there Lexi," she offered her free hand and shook her tiny one gently.
"What's your name?"
"It's Caroline," she explained. "I'm actually looking for someone. I was wondering if you could help me?"
"Who?"
"Niklaus Mikaleson, do you happen to know him?" The little girl giggled mischievously, her cheeks colouring slightly.
"That's my dad but most people call him Klaus. Well, except for my Aunt Rebekah when she's mad and my Uncle Kol when he's teasing and my Uncle Elijah pretty much all the time."
"Sounds like you've got a big family there," she chuckled as the little girl nodded, her pigtails bobbing up and down. She'd arrived in such a hostile mood but for some reason this little girl bearing agua had made her decidedly less grouchy. "So, where is your dad?"
"He's out the back, painting again."
"You mean he did all of these?" She squeaked, taking in the combined beauty of the surrounding artwork.
"Pretty much, dad says it makes him feel good." Caroline wished at that point she had something to make her feel good. Lexi took her hand unexpectedly and lead her through the hall and into a Spanish style courtyard. If the scenery over the valley from this vantage point didn't take her breath away the man standing by the easel did.
He was staring intently at the canvas, paintbrush in hand. If the crimson lips, stubble and dimples weren't enough of a distraction, his white shirt was only half buttoned, a toned chest peeking out from within.
"Dad!" Lexi yelled, breaking not only her trance but his obviously. His blue eyes flickered over her body curiously. Caroline suddenly feeling a little underdressed in her short, floral dress.
"Let me guess, she lured you in with that whole water excuse?" He asked, pointing to the empty glass in her hand.
"I was thirsty," she offered a little defensively, wondering where her bold, negotiating skills had disappeared. Maybe if he'd just do up a few more buttons she could retrieve them.
"This is my daughter's ploy to try and bring in extra business," he explained, giving Lexi a knowing look. "I've told her it's incredibly misleading."
"What does misleading mean?"
"You know exactly what it means," he chided. "You've been around Aunt Rebekah for too long."
"The one who calls you Niklaus when she's mad?" Caroline asked, noting the slight blush that crossed his face. Like father, like daughter.
"Did I mention that my daughter loves to talk?" Lexi gave an exasperated sigh.
"I don't know, she seems to be the best asset you've got," Caroline grinned, sending Lexi a knowing smile.
"Ouch," he groaned, thumping his bare chest and pretending to be wounded. "Any chance you could get me a glass of water, sweetheart?" She regarded him dubiously before running back inside.
"I think someone is intimidated by his own daughter," Caroline raised her eyebrows.
"You don't know the half of it," he sighed, placing his brush on the nearby table and moving towards her. "Is there something I can help you with, love?"
"I'm looking for a painting."
"Well, you came to the right place," he smirked, wiping his paint stained hands on his jeans. "Anything in particular that took your fancy?"
"Actually something has," she began trying to ignore his increasingly close proximity. "But it doesn't seem to be here." He looked at her quizzically.
"Well, then I'm not sure I can help you then," he shot back, his tone telling her that she'd offended him.
"These artworks are beautiful," she said, attempting to placate him. Given she wanted something, offending the owner of her much loved painting wasn't the best way to go about it.
"Okay, what do you really want then?" He asked slyly, almost like he could read her mind.
"The Bill Forbes original," she managed to utter, her father's name still causing numbness. "It should be mine."
"I'm sorry?" He asked, taking a seat at the nearby table. "Last time I checked, I paid handsomely for that painting."
"I know," she conceded, joining him on the other side. "But I'm willing to buy it for whatever price."
"If I could give you any tips, I'd suggest you don't offer anything, you know it's called bartering." She didn't respond immediately; in fact, she was madly trying to keep her composure. This ass had no idea what this painting meant to her but she wanted it back. Caroline wasn't quite sure she could live without it in her life, it meant too much.
"How about we cut the bullshit," she muttered in frustration. "I've travelled all the way from Boston. Just tell me how much you want?"
"I'm sorry you've come so far, Miss, but that painting isn't and never will be for sale."
"But I need it," she implored, her blue eyes boring into his. As if the struggle to find the painting hadn't been enough but now she had to endure another setback. It was almost too much to comprehend.
"Why?"
"Excuse me?"
"Well, you seem extremely attached to it and I'm wondering why?"
"I am," she rasped almost helplessly. "If you insist on goading me then I'll tell you. Bill Forbes was my father."
"You mean?" He asked, clearly shocked and leaning forward in his chair. "The little girl in the painting is..."
"Me." Caroline was on the verge of crying but for some reason she didn't want him to see that so kept her eyes downcast.
"But why..."
"Don't I have the painting?" She asked, predicting his question."Someone sold it without my knowledge."
"But how?"
"My ex boyfriend Stefan thought it would be a novel thing to do seeing as I called it quits. Funny joke, hey?" She could feel a hot, salty tear followed by another running down her cheeks. So much for keeping her composure. "And I've been trying to get it back ever since."
"Now I understand," he murmured, his hand reaching out for hers. Caroline would never forget the feeling of his rough and calloused fingers on her skin. "And not just because your ex-boyfriend is a serious ass."
"That's putting it nicely," she muttered.
"But just so you know, I'm going to need some identification for handover. As much as I love my daughter's intuition, she's only six."
Caroline wiped the tears from her eyes and finally met his gaze, even through the waterworks, she knew he was being sincere. "How much do you want?"
"Nothing," he answered. "But how about a date?"
"Seriously?"
"I'm deathly serious," he smirked, squeezing her hand. "I haven't been on one in over six years so if you could show me the ropes, I'd appreciate it. If not for me then my nosy siblings and daughter."
"I suppose that could be arranged," Caroline grinned, realising that if his hand stayed on hers forever she wouldn't mind. "But I'm curious."
"About?"
"Why did you want that painting so badly?"
"That father-daughter moment reminded me so much of me and Lexi," he admitted, his hand still firmly placed upon hers. "I didn't want to forget the way she looked at me so adoringly and that picture was exactly what I needed to know even if she grows up we'll still share that moment."
"The terrible teens?" Caroline joked. "Okay, so how about we organise a sharing arrangement?" She proposed, her fingers exploring his skin freely now.
"Between Massachusetts and New Mexico?" He baulked.
"I'm sure we can make it work somehow." Their hands were now firmly entwined and for some reason it didn't feel like that bond could ever be broken.
Turns out it wasn't that difficult to manage especially with the little girl that brought them together unbeknownst to them. Lexi loved to claim credit and funnily enough no one was going to argue. The painting that brought them together was hung in pride of place and, believe it or not, they lived happily ever after.
