A/N:

Well, it is my pleasure to present a new chapter filled with romance, drama, and suspense. Thank you to all my readers who have kept this story alive, and for supporting me as I started this story once more. It means so much to me when I get a new favorite, follow or reviewer. I spend so much time working on this because I want my readers to be able to escape the real world and enter this one. Love you all! And also, so much thanks to a lovely reader and friend named Rachel who made and emailed me the lovely book cover photo for this story. Its gorgeous and I love it! Enjoy reading!

Cheers,

Elle

The alarm clock on the bedside table next to me blared with screeching persistence. Nik shifted beside me, oblivious to the noise. I rolled over and hit the snooze button, ending the agony. I turned myself over again to face Nik, and tapped him on the shoulder. He groaned and looked over his shoulder to look at me, waiting for me to speak.

"Good morning, sleepy head." I chirped, giving him my happy early-morning attitude. He frowned at me, clearly not wanting to get up. I began shaking his arm in persistence, but Nik just pulled a pillow out from underneath his head and placed it on top of his head, as if he was blocking me out. I just kept on badgering him.

"Nik, come on. Get up. We are in Rome, and I would like to see more of it than inside this bed." I grumbled. When Nik heard what I had just called him, his beautiful blue eyes peeked out from under his pillow in curiosity.

"Am I mistaken or did you just call me Nik? What's with the rebranding, sweetheart? I thought I would always be Klaus to you. What did I do to deserve such an honor?" Nik said, retracting himself into full view. He was certainly awake now.

"Considering we just spent the night in the same bed, I broke up with Tyler because I want to be with you, and you told me last night that you would never let me go, I think that gives me motive to call you by a more personal name." I replied, shuffling myself closer to him in the king size bed. Nik's arm automatically went to my waist, his hand resting warmly on my lower back.

"I definitely agree with that argument." Nik parried, and brought me level with his face. I giggled at his antics, but he shortened it with his lips pressed against mine. It was quick peck on the lips, and I smiled when he pulled away.

Throwing the sheets back, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, putting myself in an upright position and placed my feet on the floor. Nik just stayed in the bed, being lazy. I walked to the closet, going to put on my clothes for the day. Pushing open the closet door, I stepped inside. I clicked the light switch on, light exposing the rows of clothing. I browsed the rack until I found a bright coral peplum top and a pair of pleated navy high waist shorts. Unbuttoning Nik's dress shirt, I threw it in the dirty clothes bin in the corner. I zipped up the peplum top and slipped into the shorts. I scanned the shoe rack under the clothes until I found of matching coral Marc Jacob bow peep heels. I put them on and then exited the closet.

I then made my way into the bathroom, not expecting to run into Nik at the bathroom sink brushing his teeth. I laughed at him on sight. He had a ring of foam around the perimeter of his mouth. It made him look like he had rabies. Nik just shook his head at my laughter, and then threw a washcloth at me. I was quick enough to dodge it, but not before Nik had my body in his grasp. The foam was gone from his mouth, and a smile had replaced it.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you not to tease the beast?" He spoke into my ear, his breath tickling my neck. It made me bring out another round of laughter. After I had calmed myself, I responded.

"You're not a beast, more of a man hidden in a monster." I said, and Nik turned me around in his arms with surprise.

"Did you seriously say 'a man hidden in a monster'?" Nik asked me, slightly confused. I nodded honestly.

"Ok. Whatever you say, love. I am going to go get dressed, so I leave you the bathroom." He said, letting me go. Planting a kiss on the crown of my head, Nik exited the bathroom.

I began my beauty prep for the day first by brushing the tangles out of my curls. It took a few minutes since my hair was still recuperating from the elaborate hairstyle I had put it through last night. After I had pulled it up into a high ponytail, I began working on makeup. Simple and natural eyes, regular foundation routine and then a bright coral lip color for a pop. Then I brushed my teeth and doing the normal hygiene things. When I was done, I left the bathroom.

I came back into the bedroom, and walked over to the dresser. I look through the now placed jewelry trays, but ended up just picking up a navy blue bandana head wrap. I wrestled it onto my head, and then grabbed a navy blue gem bracelet. I put it on, and went over to Nik's desk chair to wait on him to be finished getting ready. After about five minutes, he strolled out of the closet. He was dressed in a casual gray cotton T-shirt, and dark wash well fitted jeans. He wore a pair of worn in combat boots. He had that rustic chic vibe going, and he looked amazing.

"Are you ready to go downstairs?" I questioned him, rising up from the dentist chair. He nodded and took my hand, leading me out of the bedroom. Closing the door behind him, we walked down the hallway and down the entryway stairs. Rounding the corner to the kitchen, I released his hand and plopped myself down into one of the barstools. Nick walked over to the stove and began pulling pots and pans down from the ceiling rack.

"What do you plan on making?" I asked him, nodding to all the ingredients he was pulling out of the stainless steel fridge.

"I was thinking something sweet, but I can change the recipe a bit for something fruitier." Nik said, and I thought about it for a minute.

"I choose sweet. Fruity isn't really my thing." I concluded, and Nik gave me his signature side grin once more.

As the master chef began working on breakfast, I headed to the fridge to find something to drink. Opening the doors, I reached inside and pulled out the milk carton. Grabbing a glass from the cabinet, I poured myself a glass. I went back to the barstool and hoisted myself up once again. Sipping casually, I watched Nik as he worked. His hands were swift as he whipped egg whites in a bowl, mixing in chocolate chips and a bit of cinnamon as he went. Measuring flour he dumped that into the bowl too. I was starting to get the feeling that he was making something very familiar.

"Do not tell me you are making chocolate chip pancakes." I said, and Nik turned to look at me. His face was a mixture of confirmation and regret.

"You do like pancakes don't you? I can make something else if you want me too. I just thought…" But I cut him off.

"No, you're fine. Chocolate chip pancakes just happen to be my favorite breakfast, that's all." I said, swirling my glass a few times. Nik smiled in victory, and turned back to his work.

I watched Nik for a bit longer before Rebekah's high pitch voice began screaming from upstairs, interrupting me and Nik's bonding time

"Niklaus, where are you! I need to speak to you RIGHT NOW!" the Original blonde said, stalking into the kitchen, wearing an aquamarine sarong dress with no shoes, and her hair thrown up hastily into a bun. It was the most not put together as I had ever seen her.

"What is it, sister? Did your flat iron stop working?" Nik said, turning to face his sibling. Rebekah rolled her eyes and began to explain herself.

"I woke up this morning to Matt all in a fury. Turns out, Caroline's boyfriend, or ex-boyfriend now, has called him to tell that Caroline broke up with him. After talking to Tyler, he was so mad because he thinks you made Caroline do it. So will one of you please handle this?" She finished, and Nik looked at me automatically. I got off the barstool and went to stand next to Nik.

"Rebekah, if you will please get Matt down here, we have some news. About me and Nik, and you will want to hear the whole story."

A/N:

Oh no, Matt is MAD! How will him and Rebekah take the news of Klaroline? Thanks for reading. If you have any comments, questions, or ideas please leave them in the review or PM me if they are urgent! Have a great day/evening!

-Elle