Hi guys :) Sorry it took so long! Enjoy! xxx

December passed in haze of snow and Christmas cheer. Charlotte had briefly returned to San Francisco for a few days before Christmas to see her mother but had returned in time to share the holiday with the rest of her family and friends. She had even managed to sneak off on Christmas eve to spend a few hours with Klaus. Caroline was aware that they had cemented their relationship and had agreed to continue keeping their secret, to which both Charlotte and Klaus were extremely grateful.

It was just after her return for Christmas that Klaus informed Charlotte of his mother's intention to host a New Year's party in his childhood home. From the look of dread on Klaus's face, Charlotte had been able to tell that Klaus was not in any way overjoyed at the thought of spending time with his parents, particularly his father. She had tried to assure him that since both herself and her family would be attending, he would have nothing to worry about. It wasn't until Charlotte agreed she would not leave his side, did Klaus finally give in and agree to attend his mother's party.

The day of the party arrived far too quickly for Klaus's liking. From the moment he left his parents' house six years before he had done everything he could to avoid going back. He loved his mother but he had never forgiven her for standing by while his father abused him. Klaus was certain that if it hadn't been for the love and affection he received from the Salvatore family while growing up, he would not be the man he was today. It made him happy to remember than he now had the affections of the youngest Salvatore in a way that could no longer be considered sisterly. However, he had been unable to be with Charlotte the previous few days and had found himself moping around his apartment in her absence.

Dressing in smart black jeans and a dark blue v-neck t-shirt, Klaus grabbed his leather jacket and left his apartment. Charlotte had informed him earlier that she would making the journey to his childhood home with her brothers and their girlfriends, and would meet him there. Of course, they would have to be discreet, but Klaus's past with Charlotte's family meant that no-one would pay any attention if they saw Klaus and Charlotte talking, or even dancing, together.

Arriving outside the impressive stately home, Klaus exited his car and walked the few steps until he was face-to-face with the door of his family home. Taking a deep breath, Klaus turned the handle and stepped inside; instantly bombarded with the sounds of music, laughter, and chatter, and the sight of easily a hundred people mingling throughout the ground floor of the house.

Already regretting his decision, Klaus plunged ahead and moved gracefully throw groups of guests as he searched for Charlotte. He needed to see her face; needed to hear her voice; it would be the only thing that would make the night bearable for him. Over in a corner, he spotted his best friends and their respective girlfriends but saw no sign of the girl he was looking for. Striding over to his friends, Klaus grabbed a glass of champagne from a server who passed him on his way and drank it down in one gulp. The only way for him to get though this night, he knew, was to get drunk.

"Hey, Klaus." Stefan said, greeting his friend.
"Hey."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm about as okay as I'm going to be tonight."
"Try not to worry about it, I haven't seen Mikael around so far."
"Good."

Klaus grabbed another glass of champagne, drinking it down in a similar manner as his first and made his way towards the bar his mother had installed for the occasion, followed closely by Damon. Ordering a glass of scotch, Klaus consumed it instantly and ordered another one.

"I'm all for having a good time, Klaus, but you might want to slow down."
"No offence, Damon, but I really don't care what you think." Klaus said, ordering yet another glass of scotch.
"Fine. But do me a favour and try to stay sober enough to keep your little brother away from my sister."
"Kol? He's not dating Emma, not Charlotte."
"I don't care if he's dating Cinderella. I don't like the way he looks at my sister. If he lays one finger on her I'm going to break his arm."
"Calm down, Damon. I'll make sure he doesn't touch her. Where is she anyway?"
"No idea. She went off somewhere a while ago."

Watching Damon return to his brother, Elena, and Caroline, Klaus turned back to the bar and ordered his fourth drink. Downing it in one go like all his others and pulling his phone out of his pocket. Dialling Charlotte's number, he waited patiently for her to answer; feeling the alcohol he had consumed now begin to affect his body and mind.

"Hello." Charlotte answered. Klaus could hear the smile in her voice and felt himself smile too.
"Hello, love. You seem to be missing in action."
"I'm upstairs. Come and join me."
"I'll be there in a minute."
"Good. Don't keep me waiting. A girl can get real lonely on her own."

Smirking at the edge of sauciness in Charlotte's voice, Klaus shoved his phone back into his pocket and weaved through the mass of people until he reached the staircase. He was just about the ascend the stairs when he was prevented from doing so by the voice of his mother calling his name. Groaning inwardly, Klaus turned to face his mother and found himself staring into the eyes of his father as he stood beside her.

"Ah, so the prodigal son returns. How nice of you to finally pay us a visit."
"Hello, mother… father." Klaus acknowledged Mikael reluctantly.
"Niklaus. Oh, I'm so happy you're here!" Esther grinned; pulling her son into a short-lived hug.
"It was only appropriate I make an appearance… for the sake of my siblings."

Upstairs, Charlotte began to grow impatient. She could not understand what was taking her boyfriend so long. Deciding to give up waiting for him, Charlotte left the room she was in and made her way down the corridor until she reached the top of the spiral staircase. Below her she could see Klaus speaking with his mother and father and instantly understood why he had not gotten to her sooner. She had grown up with the knowledge Klaus's father was not a kind man to his son, but she had never asked Klaus about his childhood or his relationship with his parents.

From the look of anger she could so clearly see on Klaus's face despite her current position, Charlotte knew that Klaus needed a distraction to enable him to part from his parents without making a scene. Making the choice to help him, Charlotte descended the stairs and put on her best smile.

"Hello, Mr and Mrs Mikaelson. The party is amazing. Thank you so much for inviting me."
"Hello, Charlotte, dear. I'm so very glad you think so." Esther replied.

She had always liked the Salvatore girl; the young woman reminding her so much of her absent daughter, Rebekah. Mikael turned his attention away from Klaus for a moment and politely said hello to Charlotte. Using this opportunity, Klaus made his escape and headed towards the den he knew his parents still had residing in their home.

Seeing Klaus almost run away, Charlotte felt worry consume her. Apologising profusely, Charlotte ran after Klaus, not caring if she struck anyone on her way. Finding him quickly, Charlotte closed the door to the den and looked at the man stood before her; a look of complete dejection plastered on his face. In that second, Charlotte hated Klaus's parents for the negative effect they had on him and said a silent thank you that she had parents who truly loved her.

"Klaus…"
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not. Look at me." Charlotte said, her hands cupping his face so he had no choice but to look her in the eye.
"I hate that man. He infuriates me."
"Don't let him get to you. You are better than him."

Klaus looked at the woman in front of him and was immensely glad for her presence. Pressing his lips to hers, he felt Charlotte drop her hands away from his face and curl them around his neck so the kiss could be deepened. They continued like this for only a few seconds when the door to the room opened and they were interrupted by Klaus's father.

Breaking apart from one another, Klaus stood slightly in front of Charlotte, protectively, not wanting to expose her to his father and his spiteful ways. Klaus knew his father would use what he saw against him and he wanted to protect Charlotte as much as possible.

"Well, isn't this cosy." Mikael smirked. "Charlotte, I think you should go rejoin your brothers, don't you?"
"Do not speak to her."
"Now, Niklaus, that is no way to speak to me. Besides, I doubt any of the Salvatore men would be pleased if they found out what you were doing with Charlotte here."

Not daring to take his eyes off of his father, Klaus spoke clearly and told Charlotte to leave; sighing gratefully once she had done so. It was already nearing midnight since Klaus had arrived to the party so late, and he was determined to bring in the New Year with his friends; not spend it talking with a man he hated beyond comprehension.

"She's very pretty, isn't she."

Klaus remained silent.

"She's definitely out of your league. A Salvatore? What were you thinking, boy? Didn't I teach you anything? Don't aim for more than you're capable of."
"The only thing you taught me, Mikael, is how not to be a father."

Ignoring Klaus's comment, Mikael smiled to himself and did not try to prevent Klaus from leaving when he walked towards the door.

"I do hope it's not serious between you too. Giuseppe will be ever so disappointed in you."

Exiting the room, Klaus headed straight for the bar and knocked back another two glasses of champagne before he realised that the countdown to midnight have begun. From where he stood, he could see his friends; Damon and Stefan getting ready to kiss their girls once the clock struck twelve. Feeling the injustice of it, Klaus decided that he did not care what happened after tonight and boldly strode over to where Charlotte stood.

Charlotte looked up at Klaus. He was silent but he was looking at her lustfully. It was three seconds to midnight.

"Klaus…"

Seconds later, cheers rang out in the air as the guests welcomed in the new year and Klaus crashed his lips into Charlotte's; his hands gripping her waist and the back of her head to secure her in place as he kissed her lovingly and passionately. He continued to kiss her even after the cheers had begun to die down and gave no thought to the fact that he was announcing his affections for Charlotte in front of the people who had treated him like family his whole life.