A/N: Hey guys, no long authors note! We are at 200! Thank you so much for that, this chapter is a special treat for you all! Enjoy!
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Caroline heard Rebekah before she saw her. The blonde Mikaelson's voice calling her name in excitement as she made her way into the kitchen where Caroline and the rest of the family where having lunch together. Rebekah smiled at them all in greeting before waving a black garment bag in Caroline's face with glee.
"Guess what I have!" Rebekah exclaimed proudly.
It was Liam that answered, "A present!"
Everyone in the room chuckled, "Sort of, this one is for your mom, though." Rebekah replied, ruffling Liam's hair with her free hand, "It's the dress for tonight, I went for blue to bring out your eyes."
"Rebekah, it's a charity event, it's about donating money for a good cause." Caroline reminded her taking the bag from Rebekah's hand.
"That doesn't mean you can wear any old thing. Honestly, Caroline, what would you do with me."
Caroline smiled, "Look terrible every day, no doubt." She replied, "I still don't understand why we have this thing every year. Damon is formally protesting."
"I denied his protest." Elijah said from behind his coffee mug, "And I personally got him a suit so he has no choice but to attend. I need everyone from the firm there."
"We're lawyers, Elijah, not performing monkeys." Caroline sighed.
Elijah gave her a sideways smirk, "I quite agree but this event is an opportunity for more clients and makes Mikaelson and Associates a good name. Who doesn't want to be represented by a charitable law firm."
"I still agree with Damon." Caroline smiled.
"And like Damon you still have to attend." Elijah quipped back.
Klaus and Rebekah watched the interaction between the two with interest, Liam happily munching on his sandwich, "Who are you going with tonight?" Rebekah asked, her question directed at Caroline.
"No one, I didn't go with anyone last year." Caroline replied with a frown.
"Last year, you technically went with Elijah." Rebekah pointed out, "I mean you carpooled and everything."
"That doesn't count." Caroline insisted, "Right, Elijah?"
The eldest Mikaelson set down in mug carefully, "I didn't think so but since Rebekah helped organise tonight I have been told to follow her rules."
Caroline sighed, "Perfect. So you're my wing man tonight?" She said hopefully.
Rebekah laughed, "He didn't tell you? He already has someone. It's quite the scandal."
"Who?" Caroline asked in shock, her eyes wide.
"Katherine Pierce is accompanying me this evening." Elijah replied, calm and collected.
Caroline nearly chocked, "Katherine Pierce? The head of the top prosecution firm in Chicago? That Katherine Pierce?"
"Tonight she is simply coming as my plus one." Elijah informed her.
"Elijah!" Caroline smiled, "You're totally scr…" she stopped in the middle of her sentence, her eyes drifting to Liam who was still happily eating his sandwich. "I mean, good for you Elijah. It's about time you got some."
"Got some what?" Liam asked round a mouth full of sandwich.
Klaus' eyes met Caroline's briefly before he spoke, "Got some friends." He lied smoothly, a smirk aimed at Elijah's direction.
"I'm your friend, Uncle 'Lijah." Liam insisted causing the family to laugh. The boy frowned, clearly missing the inside joke before taking another bite of his sandwich.
The happy atmosphere around the kitchen was broken by Rebekah, the blonde pinching Caroline's arm to draw her attention, "Seriously, who are you taking. You can't show up with just anyone and I am not letting you be seen with Jesse." Rebekah said as she pretended to shudder at the thought, "The way that boy moons over you is rather tragic. He'd be cute if it wasn't for that."
Caroline sighed, "Don't be mean, Rebekah."
Rebekah merely smirked, "But it's so much fun."
Liam broke the glares between his mother and Aunt, his voice clear in the otherwise silent kitchen, "Mom, you have to let dad take you." The boy exclaimed, looking between his two parents with large eyes.
"Liam, what…" Caroline stuttered, her sentence trailing as her eyes locked onto Klaus.
"I think that's a wonderful idea." Rebekah chimed in, the excitement evident on her face, "I'll even babysit Liam tonight so you can go."
Liam nodded rapidly, "That's how it happens in the stories. The hero dances with the princess and they fall in love."
Klaus smirked, "Listen, mate, your mom is definitely a princess but I'm certainly not a hero."
"But you want to go with her, right dad?" Liam asked, peering at his father.
Klaus was looking at Caroline as he spoke, "More than anything."
"So ask me." Caroline smiled, she hadn't really spoken to Klaus since their kiss and her agreement to give him time to prove he was here to stay. She had promised herself she would stop running from Klaus and her feelings for him though and now seemed like a perfect time to put that plan into action.
Klaus smiled as he moved off his chair, coming to stand in front of her as he took her hand in his own, "Caroline Forbes, may I escort you this evening?" he asked as he kissed her hand, well aware the eyes of the rest of their family were on them.
Caroline bit her lip softly to stop the smile creeping onto her face, "Yes, Mr Mikaelson, I believe you can."
/
Klaus had to pull a suit out of Elijah's wardrobe as there was no time to go shopping for his own. Rebekah helped him pick out a colour and style that would go well with Caroline's dress before dashing off to help the blonde do her hair and make-up. Klaus smiled nervously as he knotted his tie around his neck, feeling the same nerves that hit him the first time he took Caroline on a date. That affair was a lot more personal and relaxed than this one but he would take what he could get.
He was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for Caroline in record time. Elijah had left a little while earlier to pick up Katherine and Klaus knew Caroline would be grilling his brother about that relationship they second they got a moment alone. Rebekah and Liam had just left, planning to spend the evening at Rebekah's apartment watching movies and no doubt eating junk food Caroline wouldn't approve of.
His rib from Marcel's beating was healing well along with the painkillers he had taken that morning and Klaus knew in a week or so he wouldn't even be able to see the bruising on his side. He self-consciously brushed down his suit jacket, making sure he looked the part in the black tux that Rebekah had chosen for him.
Klaus was pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of heels clicked on the wooden staircase, his eyes moving upwards to meet Caroline's figure as she descended the stairs. She was beautiful, he had always known it of course but just the sight of her made his mouth run dry and his pants feel uncomfortable. He saw her killer black heels peeking out from under the bottom of her dress first, he smiled as he knew he would still be a little taller than her. Her dress was haunting, a dark blue fabric acted as an under layer, stopping at Caroline's mid-thigh. There was a black netted material draped over the blue though that was one shouldered, falling down around her ankles so her shapely legs were still partially visible underneath the fabric of the dress. She was smiled as she made her way towards him, her make-up was flawless and her hair was curled and elegant pinned up.
"You are breath-taking." Klaus murmured to her as Caroline took his hand, coming to join him at the bottom of the stairs.
She smiled and brushed his shoulder lightly, "You look rather dapper yourself."
"The car's out front, better not keep my brother waiting." Klaus smirked as he offered her his arm, Caroline looping hers through his own.
"We should get there before Damon drinks all the alcohol." Caroline mused as Klaus led her to the car.
They got there right on schedule and Caroline was immediately swept up with mingling. Klaus stayed by her side, one hand against the small of her back. She talked and laughed with ease, giving everyone a smile and a few minutes of her time. Klaus was stunned at how well she commanded a room, managing to make everyone her friend even if they had nothing in common. He noticed Damon had set up camp at the bar and nod him a nod in greeting which Damon returned. Klaus wondered what he would say if he knew Stefan was in town, would he be happy that his brother returned or worried about the trouble Stefan might get into that Damon would have to try and resolve?
Klaus whisked Caroline onto the dance floor after her second glass of champagne, twirling her into his arms effortlessly. Elijah and Katherine seemed to be enjoying a private conversation on the dance floor across from them but Klaus didn't focus on them. Instead his eyes were transfixed on the blonde beauty in his arms.
"Do you remember the first time we danced together?" He asked as he pulled her closer, moving Caroline around the room just like the rest of the couples. Theirs seemed more intimate somehow, like they were sharing an unspoken form of communication.
Caroline smiled, "It was a rainy Sunday night in the middle of the street as you were walking me home."
"That was the first time I realised I was in love with you. While we were dancing." Klaus told her, his lips grazing her ear softly.
"Klaus…"
"I wanted to be the one to say it first, that a beautiful, passionate, fierce woman had stolen my heart so that night while you were asleep I whispered it in your ear."
Caroline looked up at him softly, her eyes shining, "I never knew that."
"The first time I said it scared me, it was the only time I thought about running. You were changing me, turning me into a better man and I wasn't sure if I could live up to that." Klaus confessed softly, his hand strong against her back as he spun her.
"What stopped you?" Caroline asked curiously, eyes searching his own.
Klaus smiled, "You. You told me you loved me and I knew in that moment I wasn't going anywhere."
"It feels like a lifetime ago." Caroline mused as her hand squeezed his shoulder gently.
"I was a different man back then." Klaus nodded.
Caroline slid her hand down from his shoulder, her fingers delving underneath his jacket until her palm was flat over his heart, "You're still in there, Klaus. Don't lose it now."
He covered her hand with his own, "You're mistaken, love. My heart is definitely right here," he replied, moving his hand to brush over her cheek, "With you."
/
"They look happy." Katherine concluded as she looked over at Caroline and Klaus.
Elijah followed her eye line, "They both deserve it. They've been through hell and back to get here."
"That's what the best love stories are made of." Katherine smirked as Elijah pulled her closer to him, the music changing to a slower tempo.
"And the best tragedies." Elijah added with a wistful sigh.
Katherine narrowed her eyes then, her face moving back to look at his own, "You don't want them to be happy?"
"Of course I do. I also don't want either of them to get hurt and I fear they have a long way to go."
"I don't believe in love stories, Elijah but if I did I would be rooting for those two." Katherine said with a smile as Elijah twirled her out of his arms and back in again.
Elijah returned her smile, "I do believe I found your weak spot. You love a happy ending."
"No, that's definitely not it." Katherine scoffed.
"Oh, really?" Elijah asked, "So if I bring every happy romance film I can think of you won't feel the least bit happy?"
Katherine bit her lip, "You wouldn't."
Elijah only smiled as he twirled her once more, "You look stunning tonight." He complimented, Katherine's dress was purple and elegant, her brunette hair cascading down her back.
"And yet I feel like everyone is staring at me like they want to kill me." She responded, her eyes scanning the crowd.
"They're confused, you are the number one competition in this town."
"Is that what you see me as, Elijah?" Katherine asked softly.
Elijah placed his fingers under her chin softly, "I see you as a woman I have fallen for, Katerina."
"I think I'm falling for you too." She smiled as she leaned up to kiss him, not caring who was watching.
/
"Klaus, what are we doing out here? Elijah will be making his speech soon." Caroline said as Klaus led her out into the gardens of the hotel the function was being held at. The pathway was lit up with fairy lights, guiding the way to a fountain and a circle of benches.
"I just needed to say something and I wanted you to hear it." Klaus explained as he stopped in front of the fountain, the fairy lights casting a dimmed glow over the couple.
Caroline nodded, "Okay, I'm all ears."
"When I met you I knew you were going to ruin me," Klaus laughed, "You changed everything for me, Caroline and I found myself falling deeper in love with you. I had plans and things I wanted for us. I was going to show you the world." He paused to smile at her, "Then I got locked up and you had to raise our son by yourself and that only deepened my feelings for you. I can't explain them and I tried so many times to make them go away. I realise now I don't want them to, I want to spent the next 70 years with you, sweetheart and I don't even think that will be enough for me."
"Klaus…" Caroline whispered gently, tears in her eyes.
"What I'm trying to say is," Klaus cut her off, "I'm in love with our family, Caroline. Liam is perfect and I feel so lucky we have a son. I'm also completely, selfishly in love with you."
"You opened my eyes to feelings I never knew were possible. You gave me everything, Nik. You loved me with everything you had, you gave me a son and a family. You have given me something I would happily die for because I know I will never feel like this for anyone else." She smiled, "And that's okay because if they're not you then I don't want them."
"I bloody love you." Klaus smiled, his hands cupping her face softly.
"But it's not that simple…"
Klaus shook his head, "Just don't think, don't worry. Just feel."
Caroline eyes were looking into his stormy blue ones, her hands gripping the front of his jacket so hard her fingers were turning white, "Kiss me."
Klaus didn't hesitate as he closed the distance between them, taking her by surprise when he roughly pulled her up against his, kissing Caroline with all the passion he could muster.
This is what coming home felt like.
/
So what do you think? Thoughts/feelings? We are getting to the romance stuff now! :P
Favourite line/scene? Let me know!
Please review! They mean so much to me and really do inspire me to continue!
Thank you!
Next chapter we have more Klaroline (of course!) and Damon tracking down Stefan, more of their relationship to be revealed!