Pairing: Klaus/Tyler (M/m) hand, mild
"Christmas is the day that holds all time together."
-Alexander Smith
Mikaelson Mansion
Mystic Falls, Virginia, 2010
Christmas Eve
Friday Afternoon
Rebekah tore the receipts up into little pieces and flushed them. Even with Marcel having his own streams of income and being generous, she may have spent a little too much this holiday season. Elijah had always taken care of their money and given her an allowance and lines of credit, but she had to get creative lately.
"Why didn't you just compel the storeowners like you used to?" Klaus said standing behind her watching her panic. Rebekah had wrapped all the gifts she just bought and hid them in Klaus' closets.
"Well, see there is this thing called closed circuit tv where they record everything in the bloody store, especially in the Apple Store. I mean this is the hottest item of 2010! Marcel warned me that I'm probably on camera. I started to compel the managers to erase the footage, but now they upload them to some kind of servers. Where those are, I have no bloody clue," Rebekah ranted.
"I'd give you money out of my accounts, but I've been going over budget a tad myself. Did you know that Kol and I drink $35,000 in wine one week? Elijah almost burst a blood vessel, if that is possible. With the housing market in shambles, we need to get creative. Maybe I need to get a job?" Klaus mused.
Rebekah burst out laughing, "You a job? Are you serious? What could you do? Run an orphanage? I mean, you have what? Six kids now?"
"Yes, and guess which one vexes me the most?" Klaus smirked.
"My hauntingly beautiful new niece? Penelope?" Rebekah guessed.
"Yes, as she grows more comfortable, she grows more...sassy. I do not know if she got that from Davina or you. She even made fun of my socks the other day. 'You're not going to wear those socks with those shoes, are you?' I had to change and then explain to Camille why I was late," Klaus admitted.
"So how are things with Cami?" Rebekah inquired.
"Good. I hate to be away from her. She is busy with her practice and endlessly patient with me and the demands of the children here. I tell you, Sister, she is too good for me," Klaus smiled.
"Nonsense. You deserve someone good, for once. Just make sure that you don't leave her hanging too much. Her uncle, Father K., has been a great help to Marcel with the factions," Rebekah added.
"Good. I hate that you have to leave again," Klaus said solemnly.
"Me, too. Living in the compound again brings back so many memories, though. Sometimes I remember what things were like before Marcel left for the war. I see us in the old parlor, me playing the piano, you and Kol playing chess, and Elijah reading the newspaper. Were we really that happy then? I know we lived in fear that Mikael would find us, but it was such a different time. I guess we did fight a lot," Rebekah recalled.
"What was that song you always played that Kol hated?" Klaus inquired.
"Let Me Call You Sweetheart? I think everything I played got on his nerves after a while. Did you every consider moving back to New Orleans?" Rebekah said blinking away tears.
"I couldn't take the boys away from their lives here. Jeremy's made a real effort to help his aunt and Alaric with her twins. Now Tyler hadn't seen his mother much since he turned, but I'm hoping to get them back in Mystic Falls High after the New Year. Maybe we can visit New Orleans once this wolf situation is taken care of?" Klaus offered.
"Yes, well, that grows more sticky with each passing day. The packs are at each other's throats as much as ours. And you know what the French Quarter witches are like, prickly as pears. I don't know. Davina, away from Kol, is also no picnic," Rebekah complained.
"I hope she doesn't go around murdering people like he does, when he throws a fit. Elijah has us all on a bloody chore chart. I have to do the recycling and polish the silver," Klaus confided.
"Ugh, no, Davina doesn't kill the help. She just whines and talks back. Marcel has been so busy that he hasn't been around much, so he's no help. She did meet some new friends at school, but I know her heart isn't in it. I don't know, Nik. There's a part of me that just screams to let them be together, but she's too young and obsessed..." Rebekah trailed off.
"Speaking of, Freya sewed a reindeer suit for Sadie to wear. Finn and Henrik are going to lose their bloody minds when they see it. It's really their first Christmas with us, all three of them," Klaus concluded.
"Well, Freya was Kol's 'date' at the Christmas party in what, 1912? I suppose Dahlia didn't even celebrate Christmas, so I guess this will be her first real one with us," Rebekah realized.
"Let's make it a good one," Klaus said offering Rebekah his arm as they went down to dinner.
Tyler frowned at his phone. Since he had been out of school the last few weeks, things with Caroline had been on and off.
"Bad news, man?" Connor asked seeing Tyler's sour expression.
"I don't know. Caroline's been leaving me nasty messages to call her. I do and she doesn't answer. I don't know if she's breaking up with me or not," Tyler griped.
"Ain't that called phone tag?" Connor replied.
"I call it fucking annoying. Screw it. I'll call her later," Tyler said throwing his phone down on the couch. It crashed down to the floor and Tyler cursed loudly.
"Tyler, Connor, come on. Let's not keep your uncle waiting," Klaus said suddely from the door. Klaus gave him a menacing look as he had been warned several times this week about his language and attitude. Tyler wondered if he got a pass because it was a holiday.
"Hi Aunt Rebekah," Tyler said sheepishly.
"Just because it is a holiday, doesn't mean we can't come back up here for a little discussion about your behavior tonight," Klaus warned.
"Dad, come on! Just let it go. Damn," Tyler said flushing. He didn't like being talked to like a little kid in front of Rebekah. How lame.
"Sister, Connor, go on a moment," Klaus called to them in the hallway.
Connor turned to Rebekah, "You look real nice." She had a gold dress on and her hair was swept up on her head.
"Thank you, dear. So do you. Is that a new suit?" Rebekah asked.
Elijah's tailor had outfitted the boys in new clothes. They had worn them to their adoption ceremony a few months back.
"Yes, ma'am. I ain't never had a suit before, especially one like this," Connor admitted. His hair had grown in, it was a light brown.
"So how do you like being a hybrid?" Rebekah asked politely.
"It's real different, but I like being strong and fast. Drinking blood is new, we're only allowed one blood bag a day, but that's been good. The senses are different too. Like I can hear Tyler about to get his butt popped about right now. Yup, he can't not run that mouth," Connor said wincing.
Rebekah laughed, "You seem to be making a good transition. Tyler, ouch. Not so sure. Well, your new Auntie Bex is here if you ever need her, okay, dear?"
"Yes, ma'am," Connor started. She gave him a look and he correct himself to "Yes, Aunt Rebekah."
"So polite," Rebekah said as they entered the dining room and sat down.
Two minutes earlier
"There would be strike four or five!" Klaus hissed.
"Dad, I'm not a little kid. You just can't threaten to spank me like I'm a toddler in front of other people when I piss you off," Tyler retorted.
"Tyler, I said discussion and I meant discussion at the time, but perhaps I was giving you too much credit to be able to behave yourself like a young adult instead of an insolent brat," Klaus said.
Tyler's face grew angry and he was able to scream back when Klaus vamped over and turned him to the side. Klaus unbuckled Tyler's belt and pulled down his pants to right below his bottom. Tyler tried to squirm away but Klaus grabbed him around the waist and began to smack him fast and hard standing up. Klaus readjusted his grip to pull Tyler's dress shirt up so only Tyler's briefs were a barrier between Klaus' hand and his backside.
"Ouch! Owww. Damn," Tyler squeaked as Klaus rapidly heated up his rear end. Tyler's hand went to cover his behind and Klaus smacked it away.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack.
The swats were hard enough to raise Tyler on his toes, but he was unable to dance away.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack.
"You will drop this attitude right now!" Klaus lectured.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack.
"No more cursing. There are children in this house who do not need to hear your foul mouth, do you understand?" Klaus asked.
"Yeah, Yes, Dad. Sorry! Okay, stop," Tyler begged.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack.
"This is your last warning, Tyler. Shape up," Klaus threatened.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
"Yes! I will," Tyler groaned.
Just as Tyler felt like he was going to burst into tears, Klaus stopped. The whole thing was only a minute or two, but Tyler's behind was on fire. It crossed his mind to throw a fit and just stay in his room and pout, but he knew that Klaus might see fit to swat him again and everyone would know he got in trouble. He sniffed and pulled himself together.
Tyler pulled up his pants and refastened them. Klaus took a minute to put his arm around him, "No more of that, Son. Come on, we're late for dinner. That was just a little reminder to behave yourself."
Tyler turned and saw with horror that the door was slightly ajar.
Klaus and Tyler came downstairs a moment later. Klaus squeezed Tyler's shoulder and gave him a sympathetic look that left Tyler unable to be that mad at his dad for his sore posterior. Tyler's face was flushed and Connor noticed he winced sitting down.
"That sounded unpleasant," Connor whispered.
"Yeah, I guess we can get it on a holiday," Tyler said trying to act like he was talking about something else.
"Bare?" Connor pressed.
"Underwear, I didn't think it would hurt as much as a vampire but it does," Tyler whispered.
Just then, the other guests began to sit down and the dinner got started.
Davina and Kol managed to sit at the kids' table in the kitchen with Erik, Finn, Jeremy, Matt, Penny, and Henrik.
"Do you have to go back, Davina?" Penny asked.
"Yeah, I go to school now in New Orleans, Penny. You guys will go back to school after the New Year. It will be different as a hybrid. You will have to be careful," Davina smiled.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. 'Don't eat the other kids,'" Penny snarked.
Henrik and Finn looked at each other and laughed. Sadie was sitting on the floor and Finn was secretly feeding her.
"What are you two bozos laughing at?" Penny snarled.
"Hey, hey, no name calling, luv. It's Christmas Eve. We have the bonfire tonight. You don't want to get sent to bed early," Kol smiled.
"I never get sent to bed early," Penny scoffed.
Kol opened his mouth and Davina kicked him under the table.
"Who wants more turkey? Henrik?" Jeremy offered.
"Are Jenna, Ric, and the twins coming?" Davina asked Jeremy.
"Nah, they are coming tomorrow for Christmas Day. My sister is supposed to come with the Salvatore brothers, but we'll see if she shows," Jeremy said.
Matt patted him on the back, "She will, Jer. It's Christmas."
"So how come if you family was Viking, you guys are so into Christmas?" Jeremy asked Kol.
"Our father was still Christian, I think some Vikings converted in 800 A.D. or so. They still also worshiped some of the old Norse gods, but we had Christmas. The one time the guy didn't go totally psycho on us was Christmas. I think Mother drugged him jimson weed and maybe a little bella donna," Kol speculated.
"Wow, powerful stuff. She got him high to not ruin the holiday?" Davina laughed.
"Aye," Kol smiled back.
"What's wrong, Henrik?" Matt asked.
"Kol, did we ever have a tree burning inside?" Henrik frowned.
"You are even stupider than I though," Penny huffed.
Kol scowled at Penny a moment. Davina elbowed him and he took a gulp of his wine.
"Actually, yes, we used to have a yule log. A real one was a whole tree that was slowly burnt. The end would be in the fire and the tree part would be in the room. Hence, your modern Christmas tree thingy," Kol explained.
"That's cool that you remember that, Henrik," Jeremy added.
"I dreamt about it is all," Henrik said.
"You're mean," Finn whispered at Penny and then he flinched as she went to punch him but didn't.
"I'm going to tell on you that you are feeding the dog under the table," Penny threatened.
"So?" Finn said.
"Dad is giving a speech in there..." Matt laughed.
"...this family comes with many hardships, but there is one benefit. You will always have a home here. Salut!" Klaus intoned from the dining room.
Later that night, everyone streamed outside for the bonfire in the backyard.
"We should have all written our wishes on the paper. We will burn them for good luck. Strangely, I don't remember wishing for an influx of enemies and yet, year after year…," Klaus joked and everyone laughed.
Elijah quipped, "How odd. Forever on Santa's naughty list."
"Elijah, why don't you go first? I'm sure your wish has something to do with us all spending less money or loading the dishwasher correctly," Klaus smirked.
"Not even close," Elijah said burning his wish and then indicating Vanessa, Finn, and Henrik should go next.
Rebekah, Marcel, and Davina went next. Kol and Davina both smiled at each other across the fire. Marcel rolled his eyes, but stopped when Rebekah stomped on his foot.
Klaus, Jeremy, Tyler, Matt, Connor, Erik, and Penny threw in their wishes. Penny refused to stand next to Connor so Matt had to switch places. Freya and Kol did theirs next. Kol wrote out one for Sadie and they threw it in.
Rebekah went to prod the fire pit and Elijah noticed something odd.
"Little Sister, is that my paint stick?" Elijah balked.
"Oh, this old thing? Yeah, I found it in Nik's study and thought it would make a wonderful addition to the fire," Rebekah said innocently.
Elijah narrowed his eyes, "Marcellus, I hope you have nothing to do with this."
"Uncle Elijah, I don't know why you always suspect me. I swear, I'm innocent," Marcel proclaimed.
Klaus just laughed and said, "Another mystery not solved around here. Brother, I think you will survive."
Elijah didn't say anything but, "Hmm." He knew this drove Klaus mad.
Penny mumbled, "What's he so worried about a paint stick. Ain't they free at the Home Depot?"
"That is a great point, young lady. Perhaps the two of us can take a trip there next week and pick up a few. We always have projects that need completing around here," Elijah said smiling at Penny.
"Can I get a saw?" Penny asked.
"Ah, for what?" Elijah replied.
"Woodwork," Penny stated simply.
"I believe we already have a wide variety of tools in the garage. I'm not sure they are for children, though," Elijah mused.
"Oh, I can drink blood and turn into a wolf, but I can't cut a piece of wood?" Penny retorted.
"We'll talk about it later, sweetheart. Well, children, I think it is time for you all to turn in. I'm sure you all have many gifts of coal to open tomorrow," Klaus joked.
"Ha, ha, very funny," Jeremy said.
Elijah reminded, "Hang up your suits. On hangers." Marcel just laughed and Rebekah shook her head.
Freya took Penny up and the dog, Sadie, followed.
Klaus said, "Sleep well, children."
"Tyler," Klaus said. Tyler stopped in his tracks.
"I love you, Son," Klaus said hugging him and kissing him on the forehead.
"I know. Love you, too," Tyler whispered although his neck flushed. He thought maybe it was the wine they had been allowed at dinner, but he knew it was his embarrassment. Turning hybrid and possibly breaking up with Caroline had just made him act like a bigger jerk this month. Yet, his dad was there to set him straight and remind him of who he really was.
Time and time again.
Christmas Morning
The big tree was set up in the great room. The kids got up to a plethora of presents neatly wrapped under the tree. The adults, who had drank a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, after the kids went to bed, had tried to coordinate and make sure that each child got one or two larger presents and generally the same monetary amount of gifts.
Penny, Erik, and Connor were especially blown away as they had never had much of a Christmas at all.
Matt was a little overwhelmed as his mom, Kelly, had never been around much on holidays. Jeremy and Tyler had always had lavish celebrations, but never even to this degree. Davina felt a little out of place as witches do not celebrate Christmas. Freya also was taken aback by the level of craziness of her siblings. Finn and Henrik were extremely excited at they were learning from school friends and television what Christmas was.
Penny was the one to say "Holy shit!" when they started passing out presents.
All Klaus could do is affirm, "Holy shit is right. Now don't open anything until we get everyone's gifts sorted."
Kol could not help looking at Davina and shaking his head, Penny was a brat, but Klaus just seemed to let her get away with it. Davina just laughed and put a finger over her lips.
They tried to start opening one gift at a time from youngest to oldest, but that was just taking way too long. Rebekah told everyone to open her gift at the same time.
"What is this?" she heard.
"Oh my god, an iPad! I thought they were sold out!"
"You got everyone an iPad!" someone yelled.
Marcel gritted his teeth and said, "Please tell me you did not just buy 14 iPads."
"No, babe. I bought 15. I got one for myself!" Rebekah smiled as he groaned.
Elijah had heard of this new thing, of course, but hadn't used one. So now he had an iPad and so did Vanessa and his kids.
"Thanks, Aunti Bex," Rebekah heard.
So after hours of wrapping paper flying and everything from Legos to iphone 4s, an ipod touch, Flip video camera, PS3 and XBOX 360 games getting opened, more stuff was revealed to be in the garage. The younger kids got new bikes for the warmer months. The older kids got everything from snowboards to guitars to clothes to books.
The gifts that the adults got were more eclectic. Klaus got a t-shirt that said "World's Best Dad" that Matt bought at the mall, a mug, a new tie and beignets. Elijah got a flask from Klaus and a gold pocket watch from Vanessa, with some stuff the boys made at school. Freya got a new marble mortar and pestle and a food processor.
"Oh great, so I can make you all more potions. Nice," Freya joked.
Kol got a stationary set from Davina with orders to write her letters. Rebekah got a Palomino mink coat from Marcel that she could only wear in Virginia because it was too hot for that in New Orleans. Marcel got a cashmere scarf from Davina.
Kol got Davina a necklace of a golden rose and a ring inscribed with ΠOΛEMIOYΦIΛTPON, which translated to "The love charm of Polemius" from the Greek. It was supposed to charge the person wearing it with good luck. There was also a picture of a secret Greek Island that he promised to take her too when they were free to be together. Davina got Kol cuff links that she said would only let him think of her when he wore them, he promised to wear them daily.
The guests started to arrive around around 1 pm. Jenna and Alaric brought Gray and Sommer out for their first big event.
"Oh Ric, thank goodness, they look like Jenna!" Klaus said with mock relief as he held Sommer.
Cami came and laughed as the baby spit up on Klaus' shoulder.
"Where's Elena?" Jeremy said, hugging his aunt.
"Oh honey, she and Stefan stayed with Damon. He was feeling under the weather and they didn't want to leave him alone on Christmas," Jenna said cupping his face with her hands.
"That's okay," Jeremy said picking up Sommer.
"Jeremy, I swear she just smiled at you," Alaric laughed.
Bonnie and Caroline also joined. Freya was helping Elijah cook, but took a minute to give Bonnie her gift. Davina and Kol came, too.
Bonnie opened the box and saw a beautiful gem.
"Wow, what is it?" Bonnie gasped.
"It's a paragon diamond. You use them to conduct power," Kol said.
"That's from our family, Bonnie. For all you have done and all of your help. Paragon diamonds are flawless and very rare. They conduct great power," Freya shared.
"And all I got you was some incense and a necklace," Bonnie apologized.
"Stop!" Freya laughed, hugging her.
"Caroline, what's wrong?" Davina asked, "Are you sick?"
"Ah no, I just need to find Ty. Excuse me," Caroline said leaving.
Marcel was going around charging the new Ipads and devices. Rebekah put out hors d'oeuvres and Klaus was chatting with Alaric and Cami. Cami was holding Grayson. Jenna was feeding Sommer in Elijah's study.
Rebekah had given Klaus the job of opening the wines and champagnes for dinner. It was slow going as he kept getting interrupted. He had meant to change his shirt due to the spit up, but never had time.
"So excuse me if I can't make polite conversation, Jenna and I have turned into zombies these past two months. These guys are a little fussy," Alaric admitted.
"Zombies is one type of monster we don't have in Mystic Falls, so welcome. Actually, Ric, they are beautiful. For your Christmas gift, I was going to compel a nanny to come live with you but Jeremy said Jenna doesn't allow strangers in the house. So I got you ten cases of beer," Klaus shared.
"Thanks, Buddy. Between you and Damon, I'll be an alcoholic by the time the kids are two. He got me bourbon," Alaric laughed.
"Ric, can I take this one home? He's so sweet. Yes, he is. Yes, he is," Cami said talking to the baby.
"My Camille, you look so beautiful right now. I must paint you. Ric, can you take a picture of her and send it to me. I need to open these bottles of wine or Rebekah will tell Elijah that I let her use his credit card to buy half of those iPads," Klaus said softly.
"That's kind of a lot. It's a good thing you guys don't live on a teacher's salary," Alaric mused.
"Or a therapists," Cami whispered. Grayson had fallen asleep in her arms.
"Cami, do you have him? I'm going to hit the loo, as Klaus says," Alaric said.
Klaus stopped opening the bottle of wine.
"I wanted to wait, but with that babe in your arms, I cannot. Camille O'Connell, the love of my long life, my best friend, my muse, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Klaus knelt and took out a velvet box from his pocket.
Klaus opened the box to show Cami a large princess cut sapphire. She was still holding the baby, but tried to hold out her hand so he could slip on the ring.
Cami nodded, "Yes, Klaus. Yes."
"The ancient Egyptians believed in the vena amoris, literally the "vein of love" that runs directly from the heart to the fourth finger on the left hand," Klaus said as he slipped the ring on her finger, "Camille, I will do everything I can to make you happy, as happy as you have made me."
"Yes, Klaus," Cami laughed.
Alaric came back from the bathroom, "What'd I miss?"
Caroline found Tyler up in his room trying to put batteries in a remote control car for Finn and Henrik.
"Give me that other screwdriver," Tyler said to Matt, who was working on another toy.
"Hey Caroline, Merry Christmas," Matt said getting up to hug her.
"Hey Matt, you, too. Hey boys, um, Ty, can I talk to you," Caroline said in a shaky voice.
"Sure," he handed the car and screwdriver to Matt and took her into the younger boys room next door.
"Caroline, if you want to break up with me, that's fine. But I have been trying to call you back, I swear," Tyler exploded in frustration.
"Tyler, why are you yelling at me? I've been busy. I don't want to break up. A lot has been going on," Caroline said plopping down heavily on the bed.
"I'm not yelling. Fine, I was yelling. Sorry, it's been stressful, you know. I changed into a hybrid, can't go to school, crave blood, my senses are better, I feel things more acutely, it's intense. Really, I'm sorry. Tell me what going on," Tyler said sitting beside her.
Caroline shut her eyes and blurted out, "I'm pregnant."