Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters.
Chapter 11
Caroline's POV
I rolled my eyes as I heard Kol yelling from down the hall as I kept moving around the room. Klaus was leaning against the wall, watching me as I packed my bag.
"So, this is what we are doing now? We are not going to talk about what is going on between the two of us?" Klaus questioned me, pulling my duffle bag across the bed.
I stood up straight, glaring at him. My hands landed on my hips as I faced him. "I think I was very clear about what is going on between us, Klaus. Whether you don't want to read between the lines or take more words face value, that is on you." I reached for my bag, but sighed when tosses the bag across the room, spilling my contents all over the place.
"Care, I can't just cut Hayley out of our lives…" Klaus started to say, but I cut him off. I stormed up to him, poking him in the shoulder.
"Never once did I ask you too and the fact that you think I would want that, clearly shows you are totally misreading the situation. Anyways, Hayley is the least of our problems!" I snapped, my tone raising in irritation.
"I'M NOT A FUCKING MIND READER, CAROLINE! I'M NOT ABOUT TO PLAY A GUESSING GAME WITH YOU!" Klaus yelled at me, moving closer to me. His eyes briefly shined gold, but went back to normal just as quickly.
Silence fell between us as I felt the shift in our relationship. I shouldn't have let this animosity build up as long as it has, but my love for him has blinded me for too long. I knew my words would more than likely be the end of us.
"All this time, I thought you have changed, wisen over the years, but you are just the same, Klaus." I felt tears prickle in my eyes as I back away, shying away from his stare.
"You knew exactly what you was getting from me, Care. Don't call victim now." Klaus said, harshly. He laughed in my face as he got in my face. "I'm not some fucking white knight from fairytales, Care."
I scoffed, pulling away from his hands. "Yeah… I know. You know what your problem… or problems is? You think the world owe you something! You have to control everything and be in everyone business! All I ever wanted do was help you Klaus, but I'm not your lackey. You totally ignore my and everyone else input." I swat at his hands as they reached for, shaking my head at him.
"But in the end, my love explained the wrongs and kept me holding on. All the killing and conspiring… I turned a blind eye for soo long, I can't even recognize myself anymore." The tears finally spilled over as I slid down the wall opposite from Klaus, who watched me with a blank expression. I knew that gesture too well.
"Everything I have done was to ensure Hope's safety. I need to be vicious now more than ever. My leadership over New Orleans is key." Klaus argued, looking down at me, crossed arms.
My agitation multiplied as looked up to Klaus in anger. "GOD, IT IS ALWAYS ABOUT POWER WITH YOU! YOU CAN'T HAVE BOTH KLAUS!" I yelled out of anger. I sniffed as I tried to calm myself. "You should have left New Orleans the moment Hope was born, Klaus if want to protect her, but being king was way more important." I argued, but immediately regretted the last part I said as I saw his eyes flare gold.
I stood up quick as he made his way to me, cornering me against the wall. He placed his hands on both sides of my head against the way. He closed his eyes, laying his forehead against mine. He took a deep breath. "Believe it or not, I'm have changed… " He kisses my lips gently, leading me to clasp onto his shirt.
He pulls away to look me in the eye. My heart drops at his next words. "Because I would have ripped your head from your shoulders years ago for saying that to me, Care. I'm going to stay in a guest room for tonight." Klaus forcefully removes my hands from, before walking from the room, leaving me question where do it leaves us in the future?
Elena's POV
"Look at them in this picture, Elijah! They are soo cute!" I looked down at a particular baby picture of three, sitting up looking at the camera. Elias had the cutest smile on his face as the other two was just looking on.
Elijah brushed his fingers against the picture, smiling down at it. "They are beautiful, Elena." He whispered. We actually been outside for nearly two hours, looking over photos and just enjoying the nice weather.
I gasped in awe as we came down to the last photo, nearly knocking over my glass. "Wow… Elijah! She must be four at least." I stared at Mirenna, photo of her outside in the woods in cute white shirt and yellow shorts. Though she was slightly pale, I could see Elijah and I in her.
I felt a streak of pride shoot through me as I admire the picture. "Time has moved so fast." I commented, not looking away. "I feel it was yesterday I was watching you singing to Nikolas to sleep."
I rolled over in my bed, my hand landing against the cotton blanket. My eyes peek open, noticing that Elijah was nowhere in the room. I sat up to slide out the bed. My feet met the cold wood as I stood up and headed to the nursery. I tiptoed to the door, smiling hearing Elijah voice through the door.
"You know Nikolas… you are one of the best things to happen to me. I hope you forgive Daddy for being at little rusty at this." He said. I looked through the door to see that Elijah was trying to change Nikolas' pamper, but only thing was Nikolas was stubborn.
I smirked at Elijah as he tried to figure out the position of the pamper as Nikolas made little noises. Nikolas must have disagreed with the cold air as he started to pee that hit Elijah arm, but Elijah was quick to counter, lying down the pamper on the pee shooter.
A giggle broke through my lips as I came into the room. "You could have just got me." I offered as I grabbed a wipe from the shelf, wiping pee off of Elijah.
He laughs. "I'm over a thousand years old. I was refuse to be outsmarted by a pamper." He says, removing the pamper from Nikolas, who yawns himself back to sleep. I grabbed a new pamper then stood in front of Nikolas.
"Come here and give me your hands." I said. Elijah slides his arms around me, his chest to my back. I use his hands, directing him on what to do. In less than two minutes, Nikolas was changed and snuggled back in his blanket.
I lay him back in his bassinet, removing his baby cap. "You are a natural at this." Elijah commented, looking over my shoulder. I looked to see that Mirenna was gone from her bassinet, but elijah soon soothe my worry.
"Kol has her in his room, made themselves quite the fort. He has them watching the animal planet." I shook my head, smiling at the thought.
I turned to Elijah, locking my arms around him. "Don't worry, Elijah. This is a learning experience for the both of us."
"I remember Caroline waste no time making a fashion statement with the babies." Elijah laughs. I loves seeing the wrinkles at the corner of his eyes as his smile brighten. The man just don't realize how he makes me feel.
I shook my head as I smiled. "You have to admit that Elias looked really adorable in his Salmon pink sweater." I sighed as I leaned back against the swing. I watched as Elijah put the photos back in the envelope, setting them next to him on the swing.
"Thank you, Elena." Elijah said, earnestly. I patted his face with gentle pats, but his hand laid on top of mines, keeping it against his cheek.
"You don't have to thank me Elijah. I owed you a peace of mind. In a way, it definitely help me as well. I had many dreams as to how our lives would have turned out if we had a chance to have a normal, happy family." I said, keeping our hands intertwined while moving them down onto my leg.
I looked down to my phone, seeing the time. "It is almost three o' clock in the morning." I stated, grabbing my wine glass and the empty bottle from the porch. "How about I clean these and you put the pictures up?" I asked Elijah, taking his glass as well.
He nodded, picking up the pictures. He stood up, then heading to the door. He pulled the door back. "After you." He smiles, which lead me to blush. I mask my smile as I walked into our home.
I looked around, seeing nothing has really changed after all this time. I walked to the kitchen, feeling Elijah's eyes follow after me. I felt heated as I turned on the facet to warm water, sitting the glasses in the sink.
"I forgive… you." Elijah whispered, making me jump as I didn't realize he was in kitchen at all. I cursed as one of the wine glass cracked against the sink.
He turned me around to face him, shutting off the facet. "Elijah, you really don't…" I was cut off as he placed his hand over my mouth.
"You talk too much." He laughs as he remove his hand as I smiled. "Just let me say what I have to say." He looked to me, confirming him with a nod. "I forgive you. I just need you to communicate with me. Just like you said, we need to be stronger if we are going to succeed to make safe future for our family." Elijah said. Without any hesitation, I embraced Elijah in a hug. He stroked my head while I enjoyed the embrace, inhaling his scent.
I pulled back, not entirely leaving his hold. "I should leave soon." I said.
"When is your flight leaving?" Elijah questioned.
"Tomorrow. I couldn't find a flight this late." I responded. I picked the broken glass out the sink.
"Stay the night and we can have breakfast in the morning." Elijah offered, leading me towards the stairs.
I frowned. "Are you sure? I believe Hayley was suppose to swing back here." I countered, not wanting to come down from my happiness from a confrontation with Hayley.
"Actually, I got a text from Bonnie saying that Hayley won't be making it here." Elijah countered.
I found it slightly suspicious that Bonnie was the one to text him that, but I decided not to dwell on it. "Only if you make those stuffed french toast, then you got yourself a deal." I smiled widely, walking upstairs.
"Negotiating, Ms. Gilbert? I guess I accept the terms." Elijah teased, following up.
Klaus' POV
I sat in silence in my office, twirling my rock glass in my hand as stared at the portrait of Caroline that painted last year.
I sat down my glass, then open the desk draw. I pulled out a small velvet box and sat it on top of the desk. Caroline's words rang in my head, feeling sadness. I love her more than she knows, but I couldn't deny that she has been changing in the last year.
I opened the top to revealed the engagement ring that I had designed myself and specially crafted up in New York. I plucked the ring from its case to read the engraving in the band. 'My heart is perfect because you're inside'.
A knock at the door made me jump. "Hold on." I slipped the ring back in the case, then slid it back in the draw.
"Come in, Care." I swung in my chair to face the door, seeing her popped her head in the doorway.
"I come in peace. I just want to talk." Caroline said, coming in. She sat on the couch that sat opposite of my desk.
"I think you said more than enough for tonight. I thought you would be have way across the country right now.
"I love you, Klaus and I think you are a great father. Despite how I feel, I'm in the long haul with you Klaus, but I'm going back to Mystic Falls and spend some time with my mom. A little space for the both us would do us some good." Caroline commented.
She got up and walk to me. She sat up on the desk. She used her foot to bring my chest closer to the desk. She entangled her hands in my hair, massaging my scalp. I knew I could have been selfish, probably compelled her to stay, but this was my chance to show her my growth.
I wanted her to be happy, but I was scared during this separation she would realize that she deserves better and disappear from my life. "Have faith in me and our relationship, Klaus." Caroline tilted my head back, wide blue eyes looking at me.
"If this is what it takes for you to be happy, Caroline, I'm not going to stand in the way. I just don't like this tension between us, love. Just come back… to me." My lips twitch in a smile as she broke into a smile herself. She leaned into a kiss and I met her the rest of the way. A warm feeling spread across my chest, a feeling that made me feel complete after all these years.
She pulled back, patting my face. "Make-up sex?" A smug smile spread across her face as her finger curled in my shirt. I stood up, smirk matching hers.
"First one to the bedroom?" I teased, Catching me by surprise. She shoves me back in the chair, getting a head start. I laughed as chased her down.
