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"Explain once again why I'm doing this," Caroline inquired, facing the board.
Klaus smirked, standing behind her. "Because you wanted to learn and this is the best therapy I know of."
"Really?"
He kissed her temple and hummed. "Yep, I painted every time I needed a break from Mikael and everything else."
She heard the pain and turned to kiss his cheek, lightly. "Okay, what do I do first?"
He gripped her wrist with the paintbrush. "We'll start with the strokes."
Her heart picked up and her breathing picked up as his touch wreaked havoc inside her. His thumb brushed over her wrist, sliding to her hand in a sensual manner. "I... thought," she cleared her throat. "I thought you were teaching me to paint."
He chuckled, kissing her temple, and trailed his lips to her cheek. "I am."
"It doesn't feel like a lesson," she remarked, breathlessly.
"Doesn't it?"
She moaned and leaned back before breathing his name. Her body was on fire or prickling, working on the full blaze. Her heart blocked all sound in her ears. She tingled where his fingers caressed her with only the thin t-shirt as a barrier. "No, it doesn't."
He smirked; her reaction matched his. Though he tried to fight it, he wanted more with her. Weeks had passed since their confessions and steps into a new relationship. With each passing day, they grew closer and happier. Timothy, though still at large, became more of a flicker in Caroline's mind. Present, but not vital.
Klaus made sure of it. He ensured she was never alone. If he wasn't with her, either Bonnie or Rebekah or someone from his family was. Until Timothy was caught, he didn't want Caroline alone. Preferably, he didn't want her out of his sight. She never complained about his protectiveness. In fact, she relished it. Having someone watching over her, caring about her, meant the world to her.
Her hands caressed his over her stomach. The painting lesson was forgotten as they stood in the room, holding, caressing each other. His lips brushed over her ear, lingering just underneath her lobe. Her nails bite into his hands; her body tensing with the prickling flame bursting into a full flame.
She wanted this to never end. His tender caresses. His lips on her skin. She just wanted him for the rest of her life. Her eyes opened wide, dawning hitting her, covering her in ice. She straightened, feeling his hands loosen their hold.
Klaus waited, inhaling deeply to still his heart. He watched as she stepped away and his hands dropped to his side. He didn't want to push her. His love for her stilled his fire for he knew she would be worth the wait.
She turned, her eyes focusing on his. Closing the distance between them, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Pulling him close, she just let him hold her. The moments, the desire still simmered between them, but for the now, she was grateful.
She said she wasn't afraid of him, and she meant it. She wasn't, and this moment proved it. She could love him, completely. There was no doubt in her mind, now. The past few weeks build up her confidence and increased her love for him. Klaus would never pressure her, and she loved it.
"Are you okay, love?"
She nodded, his breath hitting her ear. She smiled and giggled, clutching him closer. "I'm perfect."
He heard the smile in her tone and he held her tighter.
Pulling back, she caressed his face, loving the soft expression in his eyes. "Shall we continue the lesson?" she asked, laughing. "And please try to keep it professional," she scolded, lightly.
He chuckled with the dimples she loved showing. Nodding, he brushed his lips over hers. Turning in his arms, she focused on the painting, but in her mind, she replayed her thoughts.
No matter what, she trusted Klaus.
Completely.
That thought alone made her smile even more.
~XXX~
"Caroline, please tell me what is going on," Bonnie requested, as Caroline led her, blindfolded, through the back of the cottage.
Caroline bit her bottom lip. Her thoughts scattered, worrying for her friend's reaction. "It's nothing big," she admitted, dropping her hands. She shook her shoulders, clenching her hands together, waiting for Bonnie's reaction. "It's just your birthday."
Bonnie's eyes widened and her hands covered her mouth. "Care."
Caroline rolled her eyes. "You've been the best sister, I could ask for, Bon. This is the least I could do," she confessed, wrapping her arm through Bonnie's. "Just a quiet lunch between us."
"You didn't have to do this."
"Yes, I did," Caroline argued, guiding Bonnie to the small table. "I thought it would be great if we could just celebrate your birthday here."
"At Klaus' cottage?" Bonnie inquired, lifting her brows.
Caroline laughed. "I asked him if we could celebrate here, and he was all for it."
"I bet."
"Don't start, Bon."
Bonnie laughed. Her friend had changed during the last few weeks, and it was a wonderful change. Caroline was more open, happier. "So, what made you decide to do this?"
"It's your birthday, Bonnie," Caroline stated, matter-of-factly.
Bonnie tilted her head. "I know, but usually, we order a pizza and watch a movie. Why change?"
Caroline shrugged. "I just wanted to do something different. I don't think I've ever really said how much I am thankful for your friendship."
"You don't have to, Care. You know that."
"I know, but it just seemed lately that I haven't shown it. I've been so busy lately with work."
"With Klaus," Bonnie added, tongue-in-cheek. She held up her hands. "I'm not criticizing it. I'm glad you found happiness and some normalcy."
Caroline passed a plate with fruit and a sandwich to Bonnie. She sighed, leaning back taking her own plate. "I just haven't felt like this…ever."
"I know, which is why I am happy for you."
"Thank you, and I'm happy for you." Caroline smiled, brightly at Bonnie's dumbfounded expression. "Don't play dumb. I know you've been busy yourself, and not just with the bookstore."
Bonnie lowered her eyes, blushing slightly. "It's nothing."
"No, it's not," Caroline remarked, leaning forward. "Who is it?"
Bonnie cleared her throat. "No one."
Caroline raised her brow. She could tell her friend was itching to say and a little nervous. "Kol?"
Bonnie jerked her head. "What?"
"So, it's not Kol. Okay, who is it?"
"It's no one." Bonnie fidgeted in her seat. Groaning, she rubbed her face with her hands. "I don't know who he is, to be honest."
Caroline leaned back. "You don't know who he is?"
Bonnie shook her head. "We've been emailing each other for a few months. We met online through the book website I told you about."
"The one where you discuss books and such," Caroline recalled, nodding. "And find rare books which are usually out of print."
"Yeah," Bonnie agreed, playing with her cup of tea. "I don't know. At first, we started discussing Tolkien. You know, and then, we started on other books, until finally, we started discussing other things."
"Such as?"
"Nothing personal, not really," Bonnie defended. "Just things we did during the week or giving each other advice. Things like that."
"And you've never seen him?"
"He goes by citybook4. That's all I know." Bonnie lowered her eyes. "We've promised not to send pictures or meet."
"Not yet, at least."
Bonnie groaned. "Oh, I don't know."
"You want to meet him."
"In a way," Bonnie admitted, rolling her eyes. "But somehow, I can't imagine him being as perfect as he sounds. Nobody is perfect."
Caroline nodded with a sigh. "True, no one is, but if you ever decide that you want to meet him. I'll go with you."
Bonnie smiled. "Thanks, Care."
"So, what's he like? Besides perfect," Caroline remarked with a laugh.
Bonnie laughed, shaking her head. In the cool air of September, she conveyed everything about the mysterious man online. Not only what they discussed, but the feeling Bonnie had about knowing him.
Caroline heard the shaking in her voice and wondered just who the mysterious man was. Though he sounded wonderful in Bonnie's description, something seemed off. She couldn't place it, and neither could Bonnie.
"If you're feeling this uneasy, maybe you should end it," Caroline suggested after moments passed.
"I probably should. It's only until recently that I've felt pressure from him." Bonnie shook her head, pushing her hair from her face. "He's been pushing to meet."
"But you just said that you both promised," Caroline reminded.
"I know, and I've reminded him. Sometimes the best friends you can have are the ones you hardly see," she paused with a motion to Caroline. "Except us."
"Definitely," Caroline agreed with a smile. Her smile faded. "He's not buying it, though."
Bonnie's head shook. "No, I don't know what to do." She licked her lips. "I'm sorry. I'm just ruining my birthday."
"No, you're being a friend," Caroline stated, reaching over to grasp Bonnie's hand. "A friend in need." She lowered her eyes. "Why don't you talk to Klaus or Kol?" she suggested with a wave of her other hand.
"Why?"
"Well, they may be able to help you with him. Or you can just cut off communications. Block his email because you don't feel comfortable."
"How do you know about blocking emails?" Bonnie asked with a smirk.
"I have to block emails at work." Caroline threw her head back. "How many emails from scammers have I blocked for Klaus and Kol in that office, I can't recall."
Bonnie laughed, covering her mouth. "That bad?"
"Worse. People try to scam lawyers all the time. It's very frustrating. One day, I threatened to shoot the computer or bang with Kol's bat."
"What happened?"
Caroline shrugged one shoulder. "Klaus took me to lunch and a walk in the park to calm me down. When I got back, Kol had taken care of them and hidden his bat."
Bonnie held her stomach as she pictured the scene in her mind. She laughed until it hurt and tears fell from her eyes. "I can just see it."
Caroline laughed with her. "All in the days work, it seems," she remarked. "So, what will you do?"
The laughter died and Bonnie sighed. "I'll send him an email, ending everything," she answered, finally. "Then I'll block him."
"I'm sorry you're losing a friend."
Bonnie waved her hand. "No, don't be. He may have started off sweet, but something wore off with him."
As they finished their dinner, they laughed and discussed everything else, but all the while, they were both wondering if it truly will be the end.
~XXX~
"How was her birthday surprise?"
Caroline laughed, leaning against the counter of her apartment. Her mom's voice was calming and perfect. "She loved it. I gave her a necklace with that bluestone she loves."
"Oh, the lapis something," Elizabeth concluded.
"Yeah, she loved it."
"That's wonderful." A pause on the other end made Caroline frown.
"Mom?" Caroline asked, worriedly.
"Timothy was sighted yesterday."
Caroline tensed, her hand tightening on the counter behind her. "Where?"
"At your University."
"He knows," Caroline breathed, lowering her eyes. Her nightmare was coming true. This couldn't be happening. It couldn't be.
"Apparently, he was just checking around, but the campus police ran him off."
"So, he doesn't know where I am?"
"No, not unless he looked into the Alumni records, but you never updated your information there."
"No," Caroline confirmed. "I didn't want to risk it."
"That's good."
"But there are other ways, aren't there?"
"I don't know," Elizabeth answered. "I do know that I'm guarded like Fort Knox. I have round the clock surveillance and security at every turn. The neighbors are even keeping an eye out."
"How kind of them," Caroline uttered, roughly.
"They're trying, Caroline."
"They couldn't try when he was terrorizing us all those years." Elizabeth sighed, despairingly, and Caroline bit back tears. "I'm sorry, Mom."
"It's alright, dear. I know the pain, but after everything came out, the neighbors have done everything to make it up to us."
"Up to you, Mom," Caroline bit off. "They haven't reached out to me."
"You can't keep holding a grudge to them. It's not good for your soul."
"I know, but there is nothing else."
"Elena stopped by."
Caroline tensed. The name burned her ears and anger boiled in her soul. "What did she want?"
"She just wanted to know if there was anything she could do and if you were alright."
"She shouldn't bother, since she never believed me in the first place."
"She's different now, Caroline," Elizabeth remarked, firmly in the mom tone.
Caroline clenched her eyes shut. "Maybe, but I just…I don't," she began, not knowing the right words.
"I know. I've got to get ready for my shift. Tell Bonnie happy birthday for me, and I'll talk to you soon, dear."
"Okay, love you, Mom."
"Love you too."
Caroline wandered to the window of the apartment and stared out into the city. Her mind flashed to the night at the bar. The leader of the group calling her a liar, saying she did the harm herself. There was no way Timothy could have done those things. Caroline was a born liar.
The balloons. The firecrackers. All of it caused so much emotional pain. Fear rained through her. She couldn't stay in the bar. She ran out, but they followed. She collapsed on the ground and they taunted her until Bonnie's arms surrounded her. She didn't know what happened next or how her shirt rose up, but it did. It was that moment Caroline remembered most.
Her eyes closed, picturing the faces when they saw the wounds. The leader, the instigator of the whole thing, shuddered with pain and remorse on her face.
The leader was Elena Gilbert.
Caroline and Bonnie never spoke to her again, even after she tried to make amends. The damage had been done. She cut off ties with all of Mystic Falls, except her mother and Bonnie.
The rest, in her mind, could burn. She didn't care. She gave up caring about their understanding and sympathy. She didn't need it. She didn't need them. How could she when they refused to listen? That was what hurt.
It was why the burn of Camille's and the other doctors' betrayal hurt. They didn't listen.
Turning, she settled on the couch and turned on a simple movie. One which brought joy no matter what. It was a simple story. Old, but treasured. Classic Errol Flynn with Olivia de Havilland. It was perfection on the screen. Fun, romantic, and full of action.
Sometimes, even in distress, a classic movie is better than a corny one, though sometimes it was a tie. For Caroline, The Adventures of Robin Hood was better than the other Robin Hood movies. Although, she did enjoy the adaptation in the show Once Upon a Time.
To her, Errol Flynn was the Robin Hood and no other could compare. She smiled all the way through, allowing her heartache and horrible memories to disappear during the flick.
She checked her phone and smiled just as her favorite scene appeared. Pausing the movie, she answered the text. "You have perfect timing."
Do tell, love.
"I'm watching a romantic scene. The most romantic one ever, in my opinion."
Ah. Well.
"Want to come over?"
I'll be there in thirty.
She smiled, leaning back. Starting the film over, she waited. Opening the door, she wrapped her arms around him, careful of the boxes in his hands.
Glancing at the film, he chuckled. "You started it over, didn't you?"
She nodded, pulling back. "Yes." There was no bother denying it. He already knew.
"Well, then, I suppose you don't mind if I invited a few people to join us."
She tilted her head to the side and smiled brightly when Rebekah, Kol, Bonnie, and someone she assumed was Rebekah's boyfriend, entered. She shook her head at Klaus, grateful for her clothes not being slouchy, but just jeans and a t-shirt. "You could have told me," she remarked, slapping his arm.
He shrugged. "I figured you would be alright with it, besides I didn't get to celebrate Bonnie's birthday, so we collaborated and Bonnie was okay with it."
Caroline laughed, embracing her friend. "You planned your own birthday?"
Bonnie shrugged. "Well, I decided that even though we had a great birthday just the two of us at the cottage that I wanted one with our friends, so I asked Klaus and Rebekah, and they agreed."
"Oh, happy birthday, Bonnie," Caroline whispered, hugging her friend once again.
"Thank you. It's really special this year. I've got two parties," Bonnie remarked, tongue-in-cheek.
Laughing, they settled in the living room with Caroline sitting sideways beside Klaus with her legs across his lap. Bonnie and Kol beside them. Rebekah and Stefan, who Caroline liked on the spot, settled on the floor.
It was a pleasant evening as they watched the movie with excitement and the women all brightened when Errol Flynn asked Olivia if she loved him.
"That is the moment, I take it," Klaus whispered. Caroline nodded, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I agree. It's very romantic."
She smiled, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Lessons."
"I'm not wearing tights, love." His eyes narrowed with a firm tone in his voice.
She covered her mouth to keep from laughing and shook her head. "What about climbing a vine?"
He smirked, dimples showing. "I may."
"Good," she whispered, kissing his lips, softly.
The movie ended with joyous applause and the six settled into silence before Rebekah and Stefan made their exit with promises of getting together once again. Bonnie and Kol offered to clean the kitchen as Klaus and Caroline remained sitting in the living room.
Klaus rubbed her legs and grasped her hand. "Caroline."
Her eyes opened to his and she heard the question in his tone. Sighing, she nodded. She never understood how he knew when she needed someone, but she realized after the movie had begun, he must have sensed her need. Explaining in short words, she told him about her phone call with her mother. Feeling his hand tense around hers, she stroked the back of his head with her hand. "I'm fine." It seemed to be the only words she could think of calming him.
"Love."
"Klaus," she interrupted, scooting closer, bending her legs under her. "He hasn't found me, and I'm sure my mom is safe."
"But you're still worried."
"Of course, I'm worried," Caroline admitted, lowering her eyes. "But I've realized that I have something that I didn't have before."
"What's that, love?" he asked, searching her eyes.
She smiled, brushing her fingers over his scruff, glancing at Bonnie and Kol who approached them. "I have a family and I have you," she added, smiling brightly in his eyes.
He returned the smile, pulling her closer in an embrace that calmed her fears. Reaching her hand out, she grasped Bonnie's hand and Kol placed his hand over theirs.
In the quiet of the apartment, Caroline felt safer than she ever thought she would.
But in the dark recesses of her mind, her worry lingered for something felt off. Promising not to let it ruin her day or Bonnie's birthday, she kept it to herself.
Please be kind!
I'm sorry for taking a while. Life has not been very quiet for me. Anyway, good news coming! This story is almost complete! I've been working on it on and off, and I'm almost done with it! By estimation, there will be around 4 chapters left. They will be long, so it will take longer to get them completed, but I'll try to work hard!
Also, I'm working on updating others so another story may be updated very soon! The poll is still up, so if you haven't, go vote! The results will be announced when the final chapter is up!
Here is a preview of the next chapter:
The tears fell down her cheeks, and her shaking hand tried to wipe them away. Her heart was shaking her chest. She should have called. That's what she should have done, but at the time, she couldn't think. Pulling up to the cabin, she shut off the car and practically ran around to the back. Her body shook with a hard force, as she fell to her knees in front of the waterfall. Her hands covered her mouth, and she tried to gather her courage.
She was so close. So close to breaking and her heart was so close. One tiny crack and her it would shatter like glass. What was she going to do?
"You left."
The words echoed in her soul. Without opening her eyes, she collapsed in his embrace. "You followed," she whispered, brokenly. His body tightened against hers, and Caroline shuddered. "He almost got her."
He nodded against her neck. "I know."
Caroline pulled back and searched his eyes. "Why did you follow?" she asked, needing to know. Needing the strength and the courage which only he could give.
"You have my heart," he stated, simply.
She smiled, through the pain and tears. The light shined in her eyes. "And you have mine."
Hope you enjoyed it! I'll try to get it up in a few days!
Until Next Time... Stay Safe!