No spanking in this chapter.
On Saturday, the dinner party was scheduled for 5 pm. Elijah was making Italian since that was something everyone seemed to eat, Freya was helping him. Klaus made everyone promise to not bring up cooking out since the last two parties ended in disaster.
Kol looked at the game room in horror. What the hell had the boys been doing up here? Since Davina was gone, he hadn't been up here. There were half-drank aluminum cans, opened bags of potato chips, a pizza box, and other garbage strewn about. Kol wasn't as neat as Elijah, but he also wasn't a total slob either. He walked down to the boys' room to find Tyler and Jeremy playing some first-person shooter game he wasn't familiar with.
"Hey, lads," Kol said leaning against the door frame.
"Hey Uncle Kol, come to watch me kick Ty's ass?" Jeremy said excitedly.
"No, mate. Hey, how about you guys go up and clean out that game room? I'm telling you if Elijah sees it, he's gonna explode," Kol said looking behind him to make sure his Elijah wasn't lurking behind him.
"Nah, he's kind of busy with new vamp Miss Monroe, if ya know what I mean," Matt laughed from the other side of the room.
"Aye, at least someone's getting it around here," Kol muttered under his breath.
"We were supposed to clean up this shit hole, too. ASAP, if these two lazy, pricks would get off their asses. I'm not doing it by myself," Matt announced.
"Mates, Matt is right. Get off your game and start helping him. Then, get upstairs and decontaminate that game room," Kol concluded.
"We will in a minute!" Tyler said still playing the game with Jeremy. Matt just shrugged. Kol tossed a quick gaze back at Tyler and Jeremy and shrugged back.
Finn came in from his room next door.
"Want to see what we built, Uncle Kol?" Finn asked pulling on his sleeve.
"Aye, buddy. Is it tower?" Kol asked.
"No," Finn laughed.
"Is it a bridge?" Kol continued.
"No," Finn said dragging him into the room.
"It's a fort!" Kol said acting surprised, it was always a fort. All of the blankets, pillows, and cushions from the small couch to the side were piled up over the bed. They had been able to move the beds back into single beds the last week.
"Very formidable. No one could get through this fort!" Kol said pretending that he couldn't breach the pillow walls. Henrik jumped on the bed and then launched himself on Kol's back.
Kol heard raised voices. He zeroed in with his supernatural hearing and hear Klaus yelling at the boys about the state of their room.
"Turn off that machine instantly!" Klaus ordered.
Tyler responded, "Dad, we can't. We're in a match. Just give us another minute."
Then, silence.
"Really?" Tyler snapped in irritation. Klaus must have pulled the plug.
"Now, I'm going to check back up here in 45 minutes and this room better be spotless," Klaus said slamming the door shut.
"Ah lads, were you also supposed to be cleaning this room?" Kol said from the floor.
Before they answered, Klaus came in and said, "Bloody hell!"
Henrik was in awe, "You just cursed!"
"Ah, yes. I did. I'm sorry, brother, but I thought you two were cleaning. What did you do to Kol?" Klaus said kicking Kol's stocking foot with his boot.
"They tackled me for trying to get in their fort. I'm defeated," Kol said trying to get up despite the barrage of tackles.
"Boys, let him get up!" Klaus laughed. "Elijah sent me up here to make sure that the house looked presentable for the company tonight."
"Sorry, brother, I told those lads to get started on that room. Poor Matt was trying, so if you have to bust some...backsides, spare his," Kol said, proud of himself for not being the one to curse in front of the younger boys.
"Thank you, Kol. Would you mind supervising in here? I'm going to check the game room," Klaus said turning.
"Brother?" Kol cringed.
"Yes?" Klaus said.
"Umm, I was just up there and it's a ...real mess. I reminded the older boys to go clean. They didn't seem real motivated to get up there," Kol admitted.
Klaus took a deep breath and in a low voice, "It's like the more I try to be patient with them and not shout, the less they listen. Maybe I'm just tense, I talked to Marcel this morning. They want to wait in New Orleans for Davina."
Kol nodded, "That makes me feel better. I mean, I keep thinking what if she wakes up and there is no one there to take care of her. I was thinking though, why don't we go down there for Thanksgiving. To the compound. We could even stay at the governor's mansion if we needed to. Would that help, brother?"
Klaus smiled, "You know what, that's the best idea I've heard all day. I don't see why not. Thank you, Kol."
"No worries. Now, come on. Who can help me help me clean this up the fastest? Henrik the Great or Fantastic Finn? Race!" Kol announced as the boys scrambled to pick up the remnants of the fort.
Klaus backtracked to the older boys' room.
"Making any progress?" Klaus said opening the door.
Matt was dutifully picking up clothes off the floor, but Tyler and Jeremy were sitting on the couch watching a video on Tyler's phone.
Matt shouted, "I am not picking up Ty's disgusting socks!"
"Matthew, dear, you do not have to," Klaus said firmly, he held out his hand for Tyler's cell phone.
"No! Dad, come on. Please!" Tyler begged.
"Hand it over son, or you are losing it for a week instead of just today. Jeremy, you, too," Klaus added.
Jeremy took his phone from his pocket and gave it to Klaus. Tyler rolled his eyes, huffed, and finally put it in Klaus' hand. Tyler's face was red from anger.
"After you clean up in here, I want all three of you in the game room. And don't forget your bathroom. Did someone vomit? Anyway, just get it clean. Got it?" Klaus asked.
"Yes, Dad," Jeremy said resigned.
"Jeremy, this is all your fault. If you didn't get suspended, then your family wouldn't want to come and we wouldn't have to do all this cleaning," Tyler snarled.
"Gentlemen, please excuse us, I'll like to speak with Tyler a moment," Klaus said pointing at the door. Tyler stood his ground.
"Tyler, if I have to drag you out of here like a cranky three year old, you are going to be very sorry. Now, move," Klaus said.
Tyler finally left on his own volition and headed for Klaus' room.
"Stop, Son, we can talk here," Klaus said shutting the door softly this time. Tyler folded his arms across his chest defiantly and leaned against the wall.
"Did something happen with Caroline? Your mother? You invited them both, right?" Klaus inquired.
"Yeah, Dad. Caroline's coming. My mom has some mayor's thing out of town. Thanks for letting me invite them. You didn't have to," Tyler admitted.
"Son, your friends and family are welcome here anytime. This is your home now, too. Now what's the issue with this cleaning and that crack you made about Jeremy?" Klaus pressed wanting an answer.
Tyler flushed, "I guess I'm just not good at cleaning up after myself. I mean at my house, we always had our housekeeper and a cleaning lady. I never really had to pick up after myself and I guess it's easier for me to just let Matt do it."
"Thank you telling me the truth. But now that you have realized this, what do you need to do to make it right?" Klaus asked.
"Do my part. Probably be nicer to Matt and give him a break. I guess I could do the bathroom myself," Tyler conceded.
"That would be a good start. Now go in there and clean up this place so Caroline doesn't think you live in a pig sty! Actually, the pig sty my family used to tend in the village was cleaner than that room. Filthy. That does not impress the ladies. I mean it, Tyler. I want that game room spotless, too. And I will be keeping the cell phones for 24 hours. If I'm not impressed with your cleaning, it will be one week," Klaus threatened.
"Okay, Dad. I'll do better," Tyler promised. Klaus grabbed him behind the neck and pulled him to his chest.
"I know, son. You have 30 minutes now. Move," Klaus smiled.
"Got it," Tyler said.
"Son, remember tonight's the full moon. So if you start feeling a little edgy, take a break or come get me," Klaus added before leaving.
"Yeah, Dad. I will," Tyler promised.
-***
"Can you zip me up?" Vanessa said.
"I'd rather just take it off you, but I do want to please the lady," Elijah said coming up behind Vanessa to zip her. He nuzzled her neck.
"Why, kind sir, you have already pleased this lady! Several times in fact," Vanessa drawled in a faux southern accent.
"This isn't going to be much of a dinner party if there is no food," Elijah laughed, kissing her passionately.
"Go, go, let me finish dressing in peace. I'll be down to help you in a minute," Vanessa said pushing him away.
Elijah had fixed her a wine glass full of blood. Her homework was to slowly sip her "wine" slowly. Vanessa felt like she was getting more control over the bloodlust every day. And this thing with Elijah was giving her a new type of lust. It was funny how all of a sudden it hit both of them, but how real it seemed. She was trying to take things minute by minute, but she could tell she was falling deep.
With her heart condition, Vanessa had lived each day as it had been her last, now she seemed to have forever. It was something she couldn't wrap her head around. And being a vampire? It was nothing like Isobel had described it. These vampires were more caring and in control than most of her own family, who were cold and distant.
"Hey Vanessa, I have those shoes I told you about!" Freya called from the doorway.
"Oh hey, thanks, come in," Vanessa replied straightening her dress.
"You look beautiful!", Freya exclaimed.
Rebekah had directed them to raid her closets. Vanessa had found a short red, velvet cocktail dress that went perfectly with her coloring. Freya found a green skirt and silky blouse that reminded her of an outfit she wore a century ago.
"So, how's it going with my little brother today?" Freya teased. She had been picking up the slack watching the boys when the new couple had been together. Yet, they made sure to give Freya a break in the afternoons or evenings.
"I don't want to jinx it. He's awful, it's horrible. I will be single forever," Vanessa smiled.
"Well, here's that little potion I whipped up for dinner. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, pour it in your wine/blood. It will dull your senses and hopefully let you relax. And if you start to...," Freya started
"...feel like I'm going to drain someone, I'll head to my quarters," Vanessa pledged.
"Yes, Vanessa. They know you just turned and hell, weirder crap has happened in Mystic Falls so just enjoy yourself," Freya insisted.
"I will," Vanessa agreed.
"There she is," Alaric said, when he said Vanessa. He wasn't sure if he should hug her, but she threw her arms around him.
"I'm okay," she smiled.
"Lady, you are better than okay. Immortality agrees with you," Alaric said amazed with the sparkle in her eyes.
"And you've met Jenna before," Alaric said.
"Oh yes, so nice to see you," Vanessa smiled.
"You too, it's been a while," Jenna said.
Elena said, "Hi, thanks for having us. Now, where's my idiot little brother? I'm going to ring his neck?"
"Upstairs," Klaus said kissing her on the cheek. Elijah smiled. He hoped the girl would never know how they had spared her life when the Strix wanted her.
Bonnie and Caroline came in together next. Tyler greeted them.
"Tyler, I've been texting you ALL afternoon. Way to like blow me off," Caroline ranted.
"Ah, I got my phone taken away," Tyler admitted.
"Oh my god, is there ever a day where you don't get in trouble? Literally, every day, he does something else..." Caroline continued.
"Hello, Caroline, how nice to see you. Yes, Tyler is quite the handful. Tyler, you did clean up the game room, correct?" Klaus asked.
"Yes, sir. It's like perfect. Can we go upstairs now?" Tyler asked.
"Of course. Kids, help yourself to drinks and food over there. We'll eat soon," Klaus said helping Henrik put a straw in his drink box. He squeezed it too hard and the red punch got all over his shirt.
After drinks and some pretty elaborate hors d'oeuvres, dinner was finally served. The table was just big enough to accommodate everyone, sparing the need for a kids' table. Finn would only eat garlic bread, but everyone else seemed to like Elijah's lasagnas. He had made two different types.
Klaus made a semi-long toast. Elena was still glaring at Jeremy for getting suspended from school. Vanessa was confused, it was coming from Jenna.
"Vanessa, my dear, what's wrong?" Elijah asked gripping her hand.
Everyone looked at her. She didn't want to be the weird new vamp, but she had to know.
"I'm sorry but you have the weirdest heart beat. It's like dum-duh, then duh, I can't explain it. Forget it, it's silly," Vanessa drifted off looking at Jenna.
The other vampires in the room smiled. Jenna and Alaric looked at each other.
"Well, it seems like we have some news. Jenna is pregnant...with twins!" Alaric said with pride.
Jeremy got up and hugged Jenna and Alaric.
Everyone else said their congratulations and talked about plans for the new babies.
Elena said, "I should have known when she stopped drinking wine, but I just found out myself."
"This is terrific news," Elijah smiled. Klaus made another toast to the couple and the twins.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to spoil the surprise," Vanessa gulped, but Jenna had been about ready to share the news anyway. It was hard to keep a secret like that around Mystic Falls.
Vanessa and Elijah were practically feeding each other until Finn and Henrik started arguing at the table. Finn hit Henrik on the hand with his butter knife, causing the younger boy to have a screaming fit. Vanessa got him ice for his hand. Elijah took Finn in the bathroom to threaten him to settle down or get sent to bed early.
Caroline grabbed Tyler's hand under the table and smiled shyly. They had always joked about having twins. Bonnie and Jeremy were arm wrestling and playing footsie under the table. Matt was laughing at the romance around him, this was worse than a wedding. He made the mistake of looking at Elena. His former best friend, his first love, the girl he lost his virginity to, the girl who broke his heart. Elena smiled and looked away awkwardly. There was no romance on her part left.
Matt looked up and felt Klaus' eyes on him. There was love there. Matt smiled back and knew that he had everything he needed right here. A father, who unlike his biological one, would never leave him. Brothers, though, they could be bratty, were always around. Uncles and aunts, even Davina, when she came back, was kind of a cousin. Matt looked over at Tyler, who was getting berated by Caroline for something he did two years ago...
"Hey Ty?" Matt said suddenly.
"What, man?" Tyler asked absentmindedly.
"Where's your moonlight ring?" Matt asked loudly.
Tyler looked down and saw that it was gone. The full moon was less than an hour away.