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I do not own the Vampire Diaries, but I do own the plot of this story, Benjamin and Peter.

Chapter 19: Quite a Party

The past few days we spent party planning, but even though we were cooking, decorating and all that work, it was still completely perfect.

I have learned that if you can heal people or know anything about herbs you will soon be praised by your entire community. Even though Ester could be a bit harsh and cold from time to time, everyone in town adored her. The party was going to start in about an hour, which meant Rebekah and I needed to go get ready. Bekah planned ahead, as a treat she had new clothes made for everyone, including two special dresses made for us by the tailor in town.

"Rebekah, I can't accept this, it's too much. I will never be able to pay you back." I told her as I marveled at the dress in my hands. I knew even in my time, having a dress specifically hand made was expensive. I couldn't imagine how much it cost in this time.

"Don't worry, Caroline." She tried to reassure me.

"No, this money should be used to buy something your family needs." I said trying to give the dress back to the tailor.

"Well, we decided that everyone in the family needed new clothes for the party." She replied, picking up the dress and putting it back in my hands.

"But I'm not really family, am I? You all are just kind enough to let me stay in your house." I answered, again putting the dress down.

"Well, you're an honorary family member, and when you marry my brother then you will be. Plus, what's his is yours, right?" She asked teasingly. I blushed furiously and then took the dress, there was nothing else I could say after that.

"Marry?" I asked her sheepishly as we exited the shop.

"Sure, it's possible, right? I've never seen Nik smile at a girl the was he smiles at you before. And usually he's an arrogant jerk, but when you're around he's always sweet and courteous." She said with a kind smile on her face.

"Really?"

"Hmm-mm" She nodded as we walked back to the house with everyone's new clothes. "Speaking of my brother, how are you two doing?" She asked, glancing over at me.

"Good, I suppose. He's been very sweet and endearing." I couldn't help as a grin crossed my face. We had only been together about three days, but it almost felt like a lifetime.

"Good, he'd better be a gentleman, or else I'd have to kill him for hurting my best friend." We both laughed.

"No, he's been very polite." Except for the suddenly pulling me into an empty room just to kiss for twenty minutes at a time, when no one is looking. I chuckled to myself as Rebekah and I headed into the house and upstairs to get dressed.

I closed the door behind me and held the dress up to the sun. It was a light yellow gold color with long elegant sleeves and a fitted torso. The skirt flowed around, it was simple yet elegant and tasteful and I loved it. I quickly put it on and then slipped on my sandals. It fit perfectly, of course Rebekah made sure that it would. The neckline was rather low, compared with all of the other dresses I had. So I walked over to my dresser and opened the top drawer. I pulled out the necklace by the chain and then tried to clasp it around my neck, but somehow I just couldn't get it. Then I heard someone chuckle from the doorway behind me.

"Need a hand with that?" Nik asked from the now open door, all dressed and ready.

"Yes, please." I answered as he stepped forward and took both ends of the chain from my hands and clasped it. His warm hands slowly slid from my neck to the open part of my upper back, and then to my shoulder. He then sponged a kiss right below where the chain was resting.

"You know, if you would have waited a little while longer, I would have been more than happy to have helped you get dressed." He said as a mischievous smirk played on his lips.

"Who said I would let you in here while I was dressing?" I asked, turning to face him. His smirk grew.

"Who said anything about letting me?" He teased as he put his hand on my waist and pulled me into him. He chuckled as I gasped. I played along, trying to pull away. He grinned as he held me tighter into his chest, then using one hand to pull my chin so I was looking at him. He then caught my lips with his. Soon his tongue moved actoss my lower lip, begging for entrance, which I denied. Then his teeth caught my lip, suddenly biting it. I gasped and he slid his tongue into my mouth, exploring it fully.

"Hey! You two, cut it out." Rebekah said from the door and we pulled away. "Time to go." She said with a smirk on her face. Mine went redder than earlier as I looked between Rebekah and Nik. Nik nodded to his sister and then she headed down the stairs.

"Go ahead. I'll be down in a minute." I told him with a smile.

"Ok." He answered. "Did I ever tell you how much I love you wearing my gift?" He inclined his head to the necklace. I touched it and then blushed again. He smiled sweetly and then headed down the stairs like his sister.

I quickly ran a brush through my hair, grabbed the glass jar off the dresser and then followed after him. Ester had made it very clear to the town, she would not accept gifts from anyone but her family members, being that she already charged them for healing their wounds and curing their fevers, plus the party. So the Mikaelson's were giving their gifts now. Being that I was the last one sown, everyone had already given her their presents.

"Happy Birthday." I said rushing towards her and handing her the glass jar.

"Caroline, you didn't have to." She started, looking at the jar.

"Yes, I did. It was the least I could so after everything that you've done for me." I answered as she pulled the cork from the jar smelt the herbs inside.

"What is it?" Henrik asked, looking over his mother's shoulder.

"It's poupouri. Some of the spices I saw that she like to use. Cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, orange rinds, apple peels and a few other herbs." I explained and Ester grinned at me.

"Thank you, Caroline. I love it." She said and I smiled as she passed it around the room for everyone to smell. When it came back to her, she put the cork back on and then put it on the table with the rest of her gifts.

"Ready?" Ester asked everyone.

"Let's go!" Henrik said eagerly and the entire group left the house and headed off towards the center of town. Even though the sun wasn't completely down yet, the whole area was surrounded by candles. There was a long table full of all different types of food, some of Rebekah and I's making, some of others. In the center was a large cake, not that there was icing. Ester wasn't really big for sweets. There was also a band, not many instruments that I recognized, but still.

Once the 'Guest of Honor' arrived everyone began digging into the buffet. Not much after that the cake was cut and then the music started. Rebekah and I stood on the side lines of the dance area. There were already several couples out there, dancing. I glanced over at Rebekah and I saw her eyes following a boy about our age.

"Who is he?" I asked her and she jumped.

"Who?" She asked, looking anywhere but the boy.

"Him." I pointed at him and her faced turned red. Pay back, I laughed under my breath.

"Peter." She answered, still red, but smiling.

"You like him."

"No, I don't." She responded hastily.

"Go ask him to dance." I encouraged her.

"What!? Me? Ask him to dance? No, I couldn't." She stuttered.

"Sure you can." I answered smiling at her, but she didn't move.

"If you don't ask him, I will. Because he is cute." I said. She suddenly looked like she couldn't breath, then she took a small step forward. I pushed her lightly. "Good luck." She smiled back at me then continued walking towards Peter. I watched from afar. When she spoke to him I saw a smile shine on his face. She still looked really nervous but then her face lit up as he nodded to her, and then he led her to the dance floor. She was grinning from ear to ear and I couldn't help but laugh, she seemed so happy.

"That was really nice of you." I heard that familar voice say in my ear. I turned to face Nik. "Care to dance?" I grinned and nodded at him as he held out his hand for mine. I took it and he led me to the dance floor as the band played slow, sweet melody.

I placed my arms around his neck and he pulled me closer with his arms around my waist. I smiled up at him as we swayed to the music together, it wasn't anything fancy.

"You look so beautiful tonight." He told me quietly with a soft light in his eyes.

"And you look just as handsome." I answered as a slight blush crept across my face. His smile grew larger as did mine. When I glanced over his shoulder I saw Rebekah happily chatting with Peter as they danced. Kol talking with a gril from town, and Ester speaking with a crowd of people. I looked back to Nik, raising my hand to touch his face.

"I'm so thankful to have you, Nik. My own personal hero." He chuckled and then took my hand and kissed it.

"It's my honor to save such a beautiful damsel." He said as the song began to fade. Couples broke and all I could do was stare into Nik's eyes.

"May I have the next dance?" A voice interrupted my trance. I looked over to see Benjamin standing there and Nik took a step back, he's eyes turning slightly cold. I looked at him and he shrugged and leaned closer to me.

"Just remember, that you're my damsel." He smirked as he walked off towards his brothers.

I looked over at Benjamin, I was actually kind of nervous. I hadn't seen him since before I left town. When he gave me that ring and kissed my forehead. I really didn't know how to handle the entire situation.

"So, you and Niklaus, huh?" He asked as he slipped his arms around me and the music started again. I put my hands lightly on his shoulders and looking into his deep chocolate brown eyes.

"Hmm."

He nodded as we continued to move to the music. The first few seconds were tortuously long. Until he turned to me with a smile.

"So, I heard that you got Rebekah to ask Peter to dance. Nice move." He grinned. "He's had eyes for her for forever, I've been trying to get him to step up for weeks." He laughed and I joined in.

"Well, it's amazing what a little encouragement from a best friend can do." I smiled and the awkwardness seemed to vanish. We continued to laugh and joke the entire dance. When the song ended, we broke apart. He made a curt bow, with a smile on his face before walking away. Noticing I was alone, I set off towards the buffet table looking for Nik.

"Hey, I saw you dancing with Benjamin." Kol said, standing beside me at the table.

"Ya, so?" I asked.

"Just, I'm a little concerned is all. You are practically my sister. I've said it once, and I'll say it again. You need to be careful around him." He told me as he put a comforting hand on my arm and then walked off in the other direction.

I shook my head and then scanned the area for Nik, I didn't even bother trying to understand what Kol had said. It took a few moments longer than I expected to find him, but finally I spotted him on the edge of the celebration. A smile spread across my face as I headed in his direction. It was quickly getting very dark and I didn't realize until I was much closer, that he wasn't standing there alone.

My mouth fell open and hot tears began pouring from my eyes. I couldn't believe what I saw. Tatia then pulled her lips away from Nik's and gave me an evil smirk as Nik turned to see what she was looking at. He gasped when he saw me standing there, tears streaming to the ground.

"Caroline!" He said, trying to reach for my hand. I pulled back from his touch and then reached up to the chain resting on my neck. I yanked the necklace from my neck, breaking the clasp and I threw it to the ground at his feet.

"Caroline!" He yelled after me, but I just ran.

a/n: That was the end of Chapter 19. What did you guys think? I hope you liked it. =)

A few people had been asking about a love interest for Rebekah. What did you guys think of Peter?

Question: What was your favorite part of the entire story thus far? It can be from any chapter

Please review and follow. =)

Thank you for reading.

DramaticInvisibleGirl