Hello, everyone. I want to begin by saying thank you to everyone who is reading my works. Writing is a passion but it would not happen without your support and I would not be able to become a better writer without your comments. And I have an internet connection at home again. Yeah! On with the show…
Chapter 7: Dinner with His Family
Walking into the Mikaelson home, Caroline did not know what to expect. She jumped slightly when someone spoke to her, next to her elbow, "May I take your jacket, Miss?"
"Thank you, Edward," Klaus told the man. "I will take care of it." The man's footsteps retreated as Klaus slid her jacket off slowly and he pulled her by the hand toward the staircase.
"Klaus?" Caroline questioned him as he continued to pull her up the stairs and down a hallway.
"Shush, love. We'll be there soon," she heard a door open and Klaus wrapped his arms around her, tugging her inside. The sound of the door shutting made Caroline inhale quickly.
"Where are we?" Caroline asked as Klaus picked her up and began to carry her. Laying her down on top of a bed, she felt his weight on top of her.
"This is my old room. I thought that we should spend a little time up here before the other guests arrive," Klaus informed her as he lowered his lips to hers and placed his hand on her leg.
Feeling giddy, Caroline decided to give in momentarily and wrapped her legs around his waist. The kisses were getting deeper as his hand went to the zipper of her dress. "Caroline, we must take you shopping," Klaus murmured, tugging the zipper down slowly, trailing his fingers down her back.
"Why?" Caroline whispered, pulling his tie loose and pulling it over his head.
"Because seeing you in my sister's clothing is a tad bit disturbing especially when every time I see you I simply want to rip them off," he told her, pulling the dress down and pressing his lips to her breasts.
"Are we going to go down to dinner?" Caroline asked him quietly as she undid the buttons on his shirt, leaning forward to press her lips to his chest and pressing her hips closer to his feeling the urgency for something other than food.
"I'm not sure they'd miss us," he whispered as she reached down to pull the zipper of his pants down.
"Niklaus!" a man's voice bellowed in the hallway and the door flew open. "Rebekah is looking for you, boy. Oh!" Caroline buried her face in Klaus' shirt and wanted to die of mortification. "I can see that you are otherwise occupied. However, your mother and sister would like to see you at the dinner table sometime. It was lovely meeting you, Julie."
The door closed and Caroline lifted her head. "Who's Julie?"
"The girl I had originally invited here. About a week back. Doesn't matter. We should be getting downstairs." Caroline felt Klaus zipping his pants and getting the bed. "Are you coming?"
"Did you seriously plan on bringing another girl here tonight?" Caroline asked, pulling the dress up and moving her hair aside. Klaus walked over and zipped the dress before opening the door.
"Yes, I did," Klaus replied calmly.
"What happened to her?" Caroline asked.
"It didn't work out," Klaus told her curtly.
"How long were you two together?" Caroline pursued the topic knowing she didn't want to know the answer.
"Two weeks," Klaus responded, sounding irritated.
"Two weeks?" Caroline asked loudly as they walked down the stairs. "How long do they usually last, three-four?"
Klaus was quiet and then told her, "On average, anywhere from two days to a week. Julie was an exception. I guess I was lonely."
"Oh, my God," Caroline groaned.
"Caroline!" Hayley called.
"Hayley?" Caroline called. "What are you doing here?"
"Rebekah felt guilty, so she invited me to dinner," Hayley told her, taking her arm as they walked through the house. "This place is crazy. I mean they're rich."
"Yes, quite," Klaus snapped sounding bitter.
"Try growing up poor and taking that attitude, Mister," Hayley snapped back at him.
"Try saying that in front of my father and see how long it takes before he calls you a gold digger and throws you out of the house," Kol whispered, appearing in the group.
"This house is gorgeous," Bonnie announced.
"Bonnie?" Caroline called.
"Hey, Care," Bonnie called back.
"What are you doing here?" Caroline asked, knowing the question was rude but she couldn't help it.
"Kol, asked me to come as moral support. Apparently he has a problem with his parents," Bonnie informed Caroline.
"You mean the fact that he cannot behave properly. Hello, Miss Forbes and Miss Marshall. If I had known so many of my students would be in attendance I would have brought notes for a lecture," Elijah joked from not so far away.
"You can lecture Hayley anytime, brother," Kol snarked.
"Really? Why is that?" Elijah asked sounding genuinely curious.
"Shut it, Kol," Rebekah snapped at Kol and Caroline had to imagine that he was about to reply. "Hayley just struggles with history, Elijah. I have tried to help but it does not seem to matter. She is simply too far behind for my abilities."
"Rebekah," Hayley growled.
"Good evening, everyone," Marcel called.
"Good God, who was stupid enough to invite you here?" Rebekah yelled and then she whirled around causing a slight breeze. "Nik, you bastard. You are bloody unbelievable."
"He's my date. Not yours," Klaus replied with a light laugh.
"Yes, Bekah, pick on someone else's date. Although I think you're related to all the men folk here. I suppose you'll have to chase after Hayley or Caroline then," Kol said cheerfully before crying out in pain. "Ow, you bitch."
"That is no way to talk to a lady," Marcel told Kol sounding disapproving.
"What lady? This is a strumpet a tart, a tramp," Kol retorted before he yelled. "Oh, that you will pay for, mate."
"Stop it," Rebekah yelled. "You're both stupid and I do not need any one defending my honor. So, just stop it now. Both of you before I kick both your arses."
"Kol, let's go upstairs and look at that," Hayley called and there was the sound of movement.
"I'll help," Elijah told them.
"Of course you will," Kol said and snickered before he hissed in pain. "Damn, that hurts."
"Nice swing, champ. Did you used to box?" a female voice asked as two pair of footsteps could be heard entering the room.
"A little. More for exercise than anything. I'm more a lover than a fighter," Marcel told the woman.
"Hear that, Bekah?" Klaus asked Rebekah, who scoffed.
"I'm Sage Miklaelson. This is my husband, Finn," Sage told Marcel.
"Pleased, to meet you Mrs. Mikaelson. You two look so young to be married with nearly grown children no less," Marcel informed Sage, who began to laugh and so did the man, who Caroline assumed was Finn.
"I'm not a mother yet. Thank you, Finn is the younger brother of Elijah and older brother of those three," Sage replied in an amused tone.
"Oh, wow, I am so sorry. Gee, that would explain why you look no older than my freshman students," Marcel replied. "There for a minute I was going to ask if you had an anti-aging cream. As an actor youth is something I'm quite well aware of."
"Youth is fleeting," Finn told him. "However, I found that there are benefits to growing older especially when you find the right person to be at your side."
"And then you can grow old and boring together," Klaus finished under his breath.
"You say that because you cannot stay with a woman longer than I can blink, Niklaus," Finn snapped.
"Finn, honey, calm down. Nik is just cranky because he hates these parties. And you know it. Besides, when he meets the right girl he'll be making you eat your words." Sage told Finn. And Caroline smiled without thinking about it. "Speaking of which… which one of you young ladies has my brother-in-law brought to the lion's den tonight?"
"That would me," Caroline called to Sage.
"Oh, look at you. You are gorgeous. Isn't she lovely, Finn?" Sage asked.
"Quite," Finn replied.
"Her, not me, you goof, "Sage said, and Caroline heard the sound of someone kissing someone else.
"I think I'm going to vomit," Klaus whispered to Caroline.
"Why? They're adorable," Caroline told him.
"Uh huh," Klaus slipped an arm around her waist. "Should we find the coat closet?"
"No," Caroline told him. "I want to stay out here."
"So, Rebekah, have put any thought into signing up for my class?" Marcel was asking Rebekah.
"You just punched my brother in the jaw. And you want to know if I want to be in your class? There is something wrong with you," Rebekah told him sounding angry.
"Look, where I come from brothers don't talk that way about their sisters. So, you will have to excuse me for losing my temper," Marcel replied heatedly.
"I will do nothing of the sort," Rebekah snapped. "You may behave as if you're a gentleman. But a true gentleman would not hit a man. And certainly not before a formal dinner party. If you will excuse me I must make sure you did not do permanent injury to him. If you did you will be hearing from our lawyer. You know, one of those people under a pile of books who do not prefer sunshine, flowers, picnics and such nonsense." Stomping off, Rebekah's footsteps could be heard clicking up the stairs.
"Maybe I should go," Marcel murmured quietly and Caroline could hear him beginning to back away.
"Rebekah was kidding. She would not call our lawyer. She says it to people all the time because she likes to swagger and posture. In the end she relents. Just give her a few minutes to calm down," Klaus told Marcel.
"Everyone, dinner is served," Esther Mikaelson called to them.
"Coming, mother," Kol called from the stairs.
"Hello, everyone," Esther greeted them all as they filed into the dining room. Caroline heard Klaus introducing Marcel to his mother and Marcel complimenting her. She thought it was the first she heard the woman laugh. Kol introduced Bonnie and Hayley. Then it was her turn.
"Hello, dear. Are you not in my art class?" Esther asked and Caroline smiled at her.
"Yes, Mrs. Mikaelson," Caroline replied.
"Ah, so you're the reason Niklaus decided to stay in the class. And it is delightful to officially meet the Caroline my son has been carrying on about when he thought I was not listening."
"Mother," Klaus replied and Caroline felt her smile widening.
"You talk to your mother about me," Caroline whispered.
"Once or twice," Klaus muttered, leading her toward a seat across the dining room.
"Niklaus, how nice of you to grace us with you presence," Klaus' father called from not so far away.
"Father," Klaus replied.
"Hello, again, Julie. I'm surprised you made it to the table. Usually Niklaus sweeps them up to his room and then out the door before dinner is served," Klaus' Father muttered.
"Mikael," Esther snapped from the other side of the table. "I think that is enough. I do believe you owe the young lady an apology. Caroline Forbes, may I introduce you to my husband Mikael Mikaelson. You will have to excuse him tonight. A certain merger did not go his way and he is… not in the best of moods."
"Is that something new?" Kol muttered.
"Kol," Esther called in a warning tone.
"Sorry, Mother," Kol called but he sounded too cheerful to be genuine.
"Caroline?" Mikael said.
"Yes," Caroline replied.
"I'm sorry, dear, I was not asking you anything. I was just recalling that my son said something about you to me the other night," Mikael murmured.
"Which one?" Hayley joked.
Mikael began to laugh. "Oh, you are a funny one. Which one of my sons would you like?"
"Lijah," Kol announced.
"What?" Elijah asked.
"Shut up," Rebekah yelled at Kol.
"Why don't you?" Kol snapped at her. "Or would you like your jackass to manhandle me again?"
"Who did what to you?" Esther asked concerned.
"Bekah's new lover," Kol retorted.
"He's not my lover," Rebekah snapped.
"Could have fooled me," Kol told his sister.
"You are such a -" Rebekah began only to be interrupted by her father.
"Niklaus called me the other night quite drunk and said he had met the woman of his dreams. I thought it was quite amusing the way he carried on. For an hour the boy spoke. Never in his life since he was quite little did he prattle to me like that. On and on about the beautiful, woman full of light and how he would marry her tomorrow if she would have him which is absurd considering what he's usually like. However, now that we have Miss Forbes at the table I can understand what he saw," Mikael finished to the shock of everyone. "Congratulations, Niklaus. I hope to see grandchildren within the year."
"Father," Klaus groaned. "You have obviously had too much to drink. Maybe you should go to bed."
"I am not a child, boy," Mikael shouted, slamming his fist on the table and making everyone jump. "Besides," he continued in a calmer tone. "I would like to know more about the girl who has been able to tame you."
There was a long silence and Caroline grew uncomfortable. "Ummm…. well, I'm Caroline Forbes. I grew up in Mystic Falls, Virginia. I graduated from high school this past spring. I'm majoring in acting. Other than that I'm not sure what else to say."
"What do your parents do?" Mikael asked.
"My mother is the Sheriff of Mystic Falls and my father is the head of a small firm," Caroline told them.
"So, are they still married?" Mikael asked and Esther made a little sound at her end of the table.
"No," Caroline told him. "My father is gay. He now lives with his husband Steven and Steven's daughter."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. How young were you when they divorced?" Mikael continued.
Klaus spoke up. "Father, I think that is enough for tonight."
"Why? I just want to know the young woman who won your heart so quickly and with so little effort, Niklaus," Mikael replied, his voice chilly.
"It's okay. I was young," Caroline reassured Klaus, placing a hand over his. "What is more interesting would be how Klaus and I met. He ran into me in the foyer of my dorm and then again at his apartment during a party. He must have been shocked, seeing as he's a player and all, to have swept a blind, virgin off her feet."
"I'm sorry, did you say blind?" Mikael asked, sounding surprised.
"Yes, since the day I was born," Caroline told him. "It's never really bothered me until I met your son and then he began to show me things I did not expect. I never know what to expect when I'm with him. He's been wonderful to me. And I could not ask for a better man to have come into my life."
"Except for Stefan Salvatore," Kol piped up.
"Who?" Mikael asked.
"The man that Bekah shagged before she met the jackass over there. He's completely smitten with Nik's girl. Everyone knows it. Like they all know that Hayley has her knickers in a twist over our dear brother, Elijah," Kol announced.
"Son, you must not let this other man interfere with what is yours. Fight if you must," Mikael told Klaus.
"Stefan does not like me. We are friends," Caroline protested.
"Oh, yes, that is why he groaned, 'Oh, Caroline,' in the middle of shagging Bekah," Kol retorted. "By the way, Bekah, when you shag the jackass do it in your own flat."
"I am not going to shag the jackass," Rebekah yelled.
"I am not a jackass," Marcel yelled.
"You look like an ass," Kol snapped. "And you bray like one, too."
"You hit my son?" Esther asked, her voice sharp.
"You should have heard what he said to your daughter." Marcel protested.
"Oh, my God," Bonnie cried. "Did you have to throw the red wine, Rebekah?"
"That was all that was there," Rebekah snapped.
"Where is the bathroom," Bonnie asked and a chair moved.
"I'll show you," Kol announced.
"Don't get lost. Or better yet do," Rebekah muttered.
"You like me?" Elijah asked someone.
"Ummm… yeah," Hayley replied.
"But you're my student," Elijah told her. "Is that why you have been coming to office hours. You don't like history."
"I like it. I just like you more," Hayley said.
"Hayley… I … I don't know what to say," Elijah began.
"How 'bout you don't and we pretend this didn't happen," Hayley whispered. "Thanks for having me, Mr and Mrs. Mikaelson."
"Hayley," Elijah called and there was more chair moving.
"Is she poor?" Mikael inquired and no replied.
"Does she sound poor to you, Caroline? She looks like she may be poor. However, maybe you have more insight," Mikael questioned Caroline, who blushed.
"Uh," Caroline choked on her words.
"I'm pregnant," Sage called out.
"Excellent," Mikael called. "At least one of my sons is moving this family in the right direction. Now, Niklaus, it's your turn. After all Elijah seems to have found another less than suitable young lady. Oh, yes, Caroline, what kind of combined income do you believe your parents have?"
That was one of the longest nights of Caroline's life. However, she wasn't being attacked by vampires and at least Mikael didn't asked her too much about Hayley who had many secrets that the right amount of wine might have had Caroline blurting out.
I will you all next week.
AurorMartinez23: No, Boni will not be in this story because of the reason she has that nickname (I simply am not interested in the character.)
Vamplove: I'm only letting the Steroline thing play itself out within the story. Klaroline is endgame in this story.
MissDK: I like how you described Hayley and Klaus' relationship as having a brotherly/sisterly quality. They're building a tentative friendship in which they drive each other crazy. And I'm trying to explore a possible version of Hayley in which she's super loyal to her female friends because let's face the girl needs some.
Thank you for reading, faving, following and reviewing: ilyreid, Nati1729, WeasleysGroupie, AurorMartinez23, Vamplove and MissDK.
Love,
LL