Hello my lovelies! It's been a while, i know. Very sorry! Work is literally taking up all my time. It's taken me a month to write this! Anyway, thank you to everyone who reviewed.
I hope you enjoy the chapter and gift me a little reviews :) xxx
"Don't go." Klaus begged.
Klaus deeply despised begging and pleading. It made him feel weak and vulnerable; open to attack and the possibility of emotional wounds. With everyone else around him, his barriers were always up; ready to protect him from the outside world. Yet, with Lacy, there were no such barriers. He was laying bare his soul to her, and hoping with every fibre of his broken being that she would stand by him.
"I'm not leaving you." Lacy sighed; exhaustion from the day's events hitting her hard.
"It sure looks that way." retorted Klaus, as he watched, with great trepidation, Lacy pack her bags.
Throwing down the half-folded shirt she held in her hands, Lacy squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed her temples in a bid to alleviate the impending stress headache. She could not find the right words; the carefully pieced together selection of syllables that would help Klaus to truly understand why her choice to go was not really a choice at all.
"You cannot punish me for something that happened before we even got together."
Lacy's eyes snapped open and in that split second, she felt a sense of injustice and anger possess her body.
"You think I'm punishing you?! Jesus, Nik, this is not a bloody punishment."
"Then what is it?! You can't just walk out on me!"
"I'm not walking out on you! I just need some space. I need to get my head around all of this. It's too much."
"And you think I'm not shit-scared right now? I am more scared than I've ever been in my entire life, Lacy. I need you. I'm going to be a father and you're running away!"
"Damn right, I'm running away!"
Lacy threw the crumbled up shirt into her travel bag as she turned her back on Klaus. She continued to rant as she scrambled around the room; gathering bits and pieces of clothing and essential toiletries.
"I'm not prepared for this. All I want is you. But it's not that simple anymore. There's Caroline and the baby now, and I need to figure out if I can do this."
"Do what?"
By now, Klaus's anger was reaching volcanic proportions. He was not angry due to hatred; he was enraged because of his fear and paranoia. He was afraid to lose the one person in his life who meant everything to him. She was his anchor and without her, he would be lost in the sea of life; left to drown under the weight of his issues and decisions.
"Be a mother! Because that's what you're asking me to do, Nik. Being with you means bringing up yours and Caroline's baby, and I have never wanted to be a mother. You know that. You know how I feel about that… and you're essentially giving me an ultimatum."
"No-"
"But you are! Please, just let me go for a few days so I can think about things."
Klaus did not utter another word. He just looked on as Lacy collected her things until she was stood before. The two lovers continued to stare at each other in an awkward silence; the air filled with all the sentiments they wanted to express to one another, but neither having enough courage to do so.
Finally, with soft movements, Lacy pressed her lips firmly against Klaus's and kissed him with a passionate longing.
"I'll be back home soon." she whispered, pressing her forehead against his.
Bringing the car to a halt, Lacy turned the ignition and let the engine cut dead. She sat, for an undetermined amount of time, and stared out of the windscreen. The silence that surrounded her provided the young woman with a strange sense of comfort. As she continued to sit in the vehicle, her thoughts began to wonder to Mystic Falls and what she had left behind.
With a pang of regret taking up residence within her heart, Lacy scolded herself mentally and composed herself as best she could. Exiting the car, she closed the door and stared up at the large apartment in front of her; coloured red from brick and multiple stories high, with impressive glass windows that gleamed from the lights of the inhabitant inside.
She had returned to New York; the only other place on earth which had ever felt like home to her. As she walked up the grey stone steps and towards the metal and glass entrance doors, Lacy found herself feeling overwhelmed. It had been just over a year since she had left New York to return to Mystic Falls, and now she was back in the city.
Pressing the buzzer, Lacy heard the door click open and she gratefully entered into the warm lobby area of the building; a small, well-decorated area that held a number of gold coloured post boxes. Heading straight for the elevator and pressing the button that located her to the fourth floor, Lacy reached her destination in just a matter of minutes. Her knuckles rapped lightly against the white, wooden door.
"Coming! Just hang on!… Ow!"
From outside, Lacy could hear something falling heavily to the floor but she had little time to think on it as the door was opened.
"Lacy? What are you doing here?"
The look of shock on the woman's face did not surprise Lacy one bit. The relationship she had with the woman had never been an intimate one. In fact, they had barely spoken in ten years; contacting one another only during the holidays. Their lives had gone such separate ways but in her time of need, with no-one else to turn to, Lacy knew that the only person she could seek sanctuary from was the woman standing in front of her.
"I need a place to stay for a few days."
"Is everything alright?"
"I-"
For a second, Lacy considered lying. Yet, her default mode was out of commission. So, instead, she sighed and stared straight into the woman's hazel brown eyes.
"No. Nik's having a baby."
With a grimace, the woman moved aside and motioned for Lacy to enter. Despite their distant relationship, Lacy's friendship with Klaus had always been known to the woman and she had never approved; certain that the reckless, damaged man would only ruin Lacy's life.
Grateful for the woman's silence on the matter thus far, Lacy entered the cosy looking apartment and headed straight for the black, fabric sofa that was scattered with plush looking cushions in a range of blues and purples.
"So…"
"I really don't want to talk about it."
"Tough shit.
"Look, I don't need you to pretend to care. So, just leave it alone. I just need to crash for a few days and then I'll be gone." said Lacy, rubbing her temples.
Smacking Lacy's hands away from her head, the woman stood and glared at her; her hands positioned on her hips and a stern expression that did not match the radiant beauty of her face.
"You listen to me. I know I haven't exactly been around for most of your life, but believe me when I say that I give a damn about what happens to you. Now, suck it up and tell me what that piss poor excuse for a man did to upset you."
"I already told you. He's having a baby."
"And why does that upset you?"
"Because… we slept together."
An expression of complete disgust took up residence of the woman's face as she stared at Lacy.
"What? Why on earth would you sleep with him?! You know what he's like!"
"Because I love him." Lacy muttered. "Because I'm completely and stupidly in love with him."
Sitting herself down next to Lacy, who was still clinging tightly to the cushion in her arms, the woman sighed heavily and ran her long, slim fingers through her bouncing lock of curls. She had always feared that Lacy would fall in love with Klaus - confident that Klaus would ruin Lacy's life - but she had always been to self-absorbed and wrapped up in her own life to do anything to prevent it.
She wanted to yell and lecture Lacy on her poor judgement and choice in bed partners, but something deep inside of her prevented her from doing so. She knew it would not be the most productive course of action to take.
"Right… So, let me get this straight. You slept with Klaus?"
"Yes."
"And he's having a baby?"
"Yes."
"… you're not pregnant, are you?"
"What?!" Lacy half-screeched. "No!"
"Oh, thank god!" the woman said with great relief in her voice. "So which skank did he get knocked up?"
"Just a girl he dated a while back. It doesn't matter."
"Clearly it does. Are you two together then?"
Lacy thought for a moment. What exactly were her and Klaus, she wondered to herself. Friends? No. Their relationship had developed beyond friendship but were they a couple? They had barely spent twenty-four hours together before Caroline had appeared. Klaus's extremely negative reaction to her leaving would suggest that they were indeed in a romantic relationship.
"It's complicated."
"That's such a cliché." the woman rolled her eyes. "Either you are or you aren't. So, which one is it?"
"I don't know! She - the woman having his kid - " Lacy clarified. "She turned up today. Me and Klaus… we only slept together yesterday."
"Jesus, Lacy. I don't even know what to say."
"Don't say anything. I already know you think I'm an idiot. I just want to sit here and wallow in self-pity"
Getting to her feet, the woman stood over Lacy, her hand on her hips, and frowned at the heartbroken girl.
"You're right. I do think you're an idiot. But I'll be damned if I let you mope around like a bloody teenager! You're my only sister and I will not allow you to be beaten by some random girl who's only achievement was getting knocked up by Klaus bloody Mikaelson! You are better than this. So, get your ass up from my sofa and pull yourself together!"
A smile tucked at the corner of Lacy's mouth and soon turned into a fully-fledged grin as she looked up at her older sister, who towered over her; eyes brimming with a combination of passion, determination, and anger. Lacy knew that her sister was not angry at her, but at Klaus and the entire situation.
"No need to be so bossy. You'll get wrinkles if you carry on frowning that like that." quipped Lacy; dodging the cushion that her sister threw at her as it came flying through the air.
"Where's Lacy?" inquired Elijah as his eyes met the sight of his younger brother as the man walked down the hallway towards his office.
Elijah had never seen his brother look so dishevelled. It had been three days since Caroline had visited the building, and Lacy had discovered the secret Klaus had been keeping from her. The weekend had been spent in complete worry, for Elijah, who had hoped that Lacy would follow his advice and stay by Klaus's side.
Taking in the sight of his brother - his stubble, blue eyes filled with obvious sleep deprivation, and a tenseness in his entire body that was obvious from afar - Elijah struggled to remain composed.
"That's all you can say?" snapped Klaus.
Following Klaus into his office, Elijah closed the doors behind him and waited in silence as he carefully watched Klaus sit behind his desk and start up the computer that sat atop it.
"Where is she?" Elijah probed as gently as he could; hoping not to anger his brother.
"I don't know." was Klaus's simple reply.
"What do you mean you 'don't know'?"
"I mean, dear brother, that she up and left and I have no clue as to where she went. She clearly has no interest in speaking to me, let alone being with me, otherwise she'd be here right now and I wouldn't be having to put up with your incessant and pointless questioning."
Advancing upon Klaus, Elijah vowed to keep most of his thoughts to himself. He understood the shock that Caroline had caused to Lacy's system and why the young woman had seemed to have fled town, but he would not stand for Klaus's attitude. Lacy was as part of Elijah's family as his own flesh and blood was. He would not allow Klaus's pride and anger to stand in the way of a reunion.
"Niklaus, regardless of how you may feel, you need to bring that girl back here. This is her home and you are not the only one who loves her. I don't care how you do it, but bring her home."
On his final word, Elijah left a half-stunned Klaus to contemplate his choices and stormed out of the room.
Alone once more, Klaus leaned back in his chair, his weight sinking into the leather, and squeezed his eyes shut. The three days that he had endured without Lacy had so far been the hardest thing he'd ever had to go through. He had never before realised just how deeply he needed her, how he depended on her, and just how much of his happiness was reliant on her.
Elijah's words, tainted with blame and resentment, echoed around inside of his head and Klaus knew that his brother was justified in his actions and feelings. Lacy had promised to return and she had not done so. Klaus was desperate now. He had been avoiding phone calls from both Caroline and his mother; his interest in what either had to say to him was nil.
Picking up the phone that lay on his office table, Klaus dialled Lacy's number from memory and tapped his finger impatiently as he waited for an answer. His expectations of actually receiving an answer were almost non-existent, but his heart still held a glimmer of hope.
"Nik."
Sitting up straighter at the sound of her precious voice speaking his name, Klaus felt his breath hitch inside of his throat. For a long moment, he struggled to form the words he had been wanting to say for so long.
"Nik?" Lacy spoke again, this time questioning whether Klaus was there at all.
"Lacy, I-" he stopped. He had no clue as to what to say to her next.
Fortunately for Klaus, he did not have to talk.
"I'm sorry." murmured Lacy. "I'm coming home."
A smile immediately took up residence on Klaus's face and he could not keep the joy from seeping into his words as he replied.
"Good. That's good."
"I love you, Niklaus."
"Just hurry home."
The sight of Klaus waiting for her, as she slowed her car to a halt outside of the home they shared together, brought tears of happiness to Lacy. Her heart had already begun to beat harder and faster the very instant she had laid her eyes upon him, and she yearned for nothing more than to be back in his embrace.
Her time away had served to benefit her. She had had time to come to terms with the future that was rapidly unfolding in front her and, with the help of her sister and their newly reformed relationship, Lacy had realised that she was strong enough to deal with any obstacles that would come her way. She had survived her step-mother. She could survive anything.
Exiting the car, Lacy quickly closed the distance between herself and Klaus and revelled in the sensation of his strong arms wrapped around her waist. The stubble that graced his handsome face scratched gently at the skin on her face as he pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. The act was one of true love that was brimming with caution and tenderness. Klaus was almost afraid that if he pushed too hard then lacy would bolt once more, and he wanted to avoid that outcome at all costs.
"I'm sorry, Nik." whispered Lacy with a sigh.
"I screwed up. " Klaus admitted; something which half-pained him to do so. He was not a man who bent easily to accommodate others, or accepted his own personal faults. "Elijah was right. I should have told you sooner. There's no excuse for keeping it a secret."
"You're right, there isn't… but I could have taken the news better. It scared the hell out of me. It still does. I meant it when I said that I don't want to be a mother, Nik, but I want you and I'm willing to at least try for you."
Words were ot sufficient enough to describe the emotions running rampant inside of Klaus. He was seconds away from speaking again when the shrill ringing of his phone pierced the air and interrupted him. Cursing, he grabbed the phone from his jacket pocket and pressed the 'accept' button. The familiar tones of his older brother's voice filled his ears.
Listening carefully, Klaus felt his body tense up. He was certain that his facial muscles were betraying her stern attitude to Lacy, and the look of concern on her face confirmed his thoughts. Bidding his goodbyes to Elijah, Klaus placed the phone back in his pocket and turned his attention back to Lacy.
"We have to go."
"Go where?"
"To see my parents. I have been summoned. It seems sweet Caroline had an appointment today that I forgot to attend, and she thought it was wise to visit my parents."
The grimace said it all. Klaus's voice was lined with rage and Lacy worried what Klaus would do once they had arrived at the Mikaelson Mansion.
"So they know about the baby?"
"Apparently so. I can only imagine the scandal it must be causing."
Even in his time of trouble, Lacy did not miss the hint of glee in Klaus's voice and the smirk that accompanied it. She surmised that he rather enjoyed causing his parents grief and embarrassment with his antics that angered them so.
"Mikael will be practically livid."
"Your mother will be overjoyed though."
"Not when I dash away her dreams of me marrying Caroline and tell her about us."
Lacy stopped dead in her tracks just as they reached the car. To say that Esther would not be pleased that Klaus was in a relationship with Lacy would be the understatement of the century. Oddly, imagination Esther's reaction brought a smile to Lacy's face; one that Klaus noticed and responded to.
"Something amused you, sweetheart?"
"Just imagining your mother's face that's all. Poor Esther, she might just die from shock."
"Now then, love, don't get my hopes up." Klaus replied with a wicked grin.
Enjoy? Kol will be back in the next chapter and lacy's mysterious sister will be making a return soon enough. Anyone guess who she is?