Battle for Royalty

by Lilacsandorangeblossoms

Caroline Salvatore has come back to New York City to run her company full time but her father had other ideas and tries to overthrow his daughter. Meanwhile she was not looking for love but that's when she meets Conrad Fisher who gives her a piece of herself she had long buried. A relationship that heals both of them.

9. Surprise for Christmas

I don't own the vampire diaries, the summer i turned pretty or the originals

Xxx

Conrad walks into Caroline's bedroom and stops at the sight in front of him. He can't believe his eyes. "What are you doing?"

Caroline looks over at him from her chaise lounger; she looks like she has just been caught doing something wrong. "Working, don't tell Dorota."

He comes over and sits down at the bottom of the chaise lounge and puts her legs on his lap and he reaches for her hand. "I meant this." He holds her left hand up. "Why do you have an iv in your hand?"

"Oh that….um Dorota was concerned that I was overworked. She made me a green smoothie and when she came back I had passed out. The doctor said I was overworked and was not getting enough sleep or eating enough so he put me on bed rest and hooked me up to this thing." She wiggles her hand and the iv cord moves.

"You're ok though?" You can hear the concern in his voice. And just a hint of panic.

She nods. "When I first saw you I got flashbacks to my mom being hooked up to iv's and heart rate monitors. I thought something was wrong."

Caroline leans forward and wraps her hand around his neck bringing his head to hers, their foreheads touching. "I'm sorry I made you worry. I'm fine, tomorrow I'll be as good as new. Today I'm on bed rest. Dorota keeps checking on me. The doctor won't even let me go to my office." Her phone rings again and she groans and leans her head back. Jude and Eva have been blowing up her phone, saying the same thing. The board is looking to suspend her, the rumors of her threatening an employee did not go away. Her father has bought most of the board. He is literally backing her into a corner.

"When was the last time you took a break?"

"Do you mean do nothing all day break or just like a five minute breather?" Seriously, she does not understand the question.

"Do nothing all day break."

She bites her lip thinking. "Never."

His eyes widened, how is that possible that she's never had a break." Really?"

"Yeah, think about it, I always had school, then royalty, city events, public appearances, and lastly all the responsibilities that Giuseppe piled on me, paying the bills, stopping scandals, giving donations, making sure the house was filled with food, the cars were cleaned, the staff was paid. And for a while there painstakingly putting up with the hell beast. Plus making sure that our lives in New York City did not get back to Giuseppe in England. I never had a day where I did nothing." The iv is behind the lounger and there is a blanket across her lap that he has put over his lap that has her feet on them.

"I'm taking you away for Christmas, do you think Dorota would mind if we left this behind but I promised you will get enough sleep." Their fingers have found each other and are entwined.

She chuckles and there is a smile on her face, it's the first time today she has smiled. "I don't know you would have to ask her, but where would we be going?"

He leans over and pecks her on the nose; she looks so cute. "It's going to be cold but there will be a heated pool and jacuzzi."

Her eyes widen when she says. "Italy, Switzerland?"

He shakes his head and there is a huge smile on his face. He is enjoying this.

Xxx

"Seriously, you're not going to tell me where we are going?" Caroline's closet doors open and both Caroline and Conrad enter. She left the iv in her bedroom and she feels better, she has been hooked up to it all morning and most of the afternoon.

He glances over his shoulder and teasingly he says. "That would take the fun out of it."

She goes over to her suitcases and doesn't even know which size to bring let alone what clothes. "What am I going to wear? Or are we spending the entire vacation naked in bed." She goes back over to him who is sitting on the little cushion she has for fittings. She straddles him, running a finger down his chest. "If that's the case that could be fun."

He leans forward and kisses her hard, she wraps her arms around his neck pulling him even closer. She begins to rock her hips against him. It takes everything in him to pull back. "You make it hard to say no, but let's play a game. You pick something out and I'll tell you if it's appropriate for where we are going?"

Caroline lets out a sigh as she pulls back from leaving kisses on his neck. This feels like a punishment not a funishment. Going somewhere she has no clue where it is or who is going to be there. Plus his hands are on her gray jean clad thighs teasing her.

She gets up defeated but decides to have some fun with it. She goes over to her lingerie and picks out a royal blue sheer g string she knows blue is his favorite color. "Would this be appropriate?"

He is behind her in seconds running a hand up her thigh, he's like a bull when he sees red he has to have it. He leans down and whispers in her ear his voice is like heaven in her ears. "That and nothing else although it won't stay on long."

His hand is going across her stomach when she leans back into him and says. "I don't know, maybe I won't bring them."

His lips enclose around the bottom of her ear and she moans his hand is still traveling up her body his finger is between her white tank top covered breasts she also has a brown fur collared jacket and tan thigh high stilettos. "Now who is making it hard to say no."

They finally get packed and both of them are craving each other. As they come downstairs Katherine is coming into the house with a little white bag. Conrad leans down and tells Caroline."I'm going to go tell Bill where we are going."

She nods once he's gone Katherine hands her the white bag. "Merry Christmas are you naughty or nice. Don't open it until you get there."

The blonde looks up at the brunette and smiles without opening it. She knows two things: one it's lingerie; and she is going to love it. "You know me always naughty with just a little bit of nice. I love you Kat."

"I love you too, Caro." The girls hug neither Caroline nor Katherine could have asked for a better best friend.

Xxx

Caroline and Conrad are coming out of the house, he has his arm around her waist, he has one suitcase, she has another and there are both bags on the suitcases. He leans down and tells her something and she laughs as they get in the town car.

Seconds after they drive away from the mansion a black town car pulls up and a red haired woman dressed in black skinny jeans, a red blouse and black jacket with black heels gets out. When she knocks on the door, Dorota answers and takes one look at the young woman. "Miss Caroline is not here, and mr. Stefan is still with Miss Rebekah, and I don't think mr. Damon has become that desperate."

The woman takes her black sunglasses off but before she can say anything Damon comes to the door followed by Katherine. "Aurora? This is gonna be good, what are you doing here?"

"Damon all but begged me to come back."

Katherine looks over at Damon who shrugs. "Good luck explaining this to Caroline, when you do, can I watch?" Katherine was going to leave but now not only is she staying.

Aurora looks between the two former classmates and friends in a loose term more like acquaintances. In the hierarchy of their high school it went Caroline and her friends then Aurora and her friends. "Did I see that right Caroline laughed and was happy? and who was the hot guy with her?"

Damon looks over at Katherine who is texting all their friends minus Caroline that Aurora is at the mansion. "You want to explain this?"

The brunette smirks at him. "You invited her and you can answer her questions."

"Yes Caroline laughed, and is very happy. If you're around long enough you'll see how much in love they are. His name is Conrad Fisher and before you ask he's not local so you didn't sleep with him."

Xxx

"Why don't you like that I'm surprising you."

Caroline turns in her seat and takes his hands in hers, she feels awful that she made him feel like she is not absolutely grateful for him and loves that he wants to do something for her. "Oh no no no. It's not that, not that at all. I love that you want to surprise me. Its just the last time someone surprised me by driving me somewhere I didn't know where was Giuseppe when he dragged me to rehab for a sex addiction I did not have. We were getting ready for a party that night. I was in this gorgeous pink chain mail dress.I was pretty in pink, pink dress, pink jacket, pink heels, I even had pink body glitter on. I was called a whore when I left my room. This was when we lived in the penthouse. That night ended in a fight that was set up by Klaus, Chad and I started talking again. That night Chad and I fell asleep while talking and when I awoke Enzo informed me that there were two orderlies in the foyer looking for Caroline Salvatore. I lied and said Satan's worst nightmare was me. The next morning I was going to leave the city until this blew over. The helicopter was packed. I had Uncle Sawyer's location. I was ready to go then Giuseppe called and said he was back in the city and wanted to talk. We pulled up to this building and he wouldn't tell me where we were going or where we were, only that this was for the unborn baby growing in me. I told the group that I did not have problem and after this I am going to have sex and if I did have a problem it would be that I'm sometimes too bitchy."

Conrads thumb rubs over her wrists. He wants to make her smile again, He didn't expect her to say that. He expected someone threw her a surprise party and it scared her. "Do you still have the gorgeous dress?"

"Yeah it's in my closet. I haven't worn it since I was seventeen."

"I want to see it."

Caroline raises an eyebrow; she doesn't know what he is trying here. "What are you saying?"

"We haven't left the city yet." He raises an eyebrow challenging her.

The blonde chuckles. "You're crazy. but it would be nice to bring a happy memory to that dress." She leans forward and tells Bill. "Short detour we are returning to the mansion."

Xxx

Damon hears the front door open and tells the red head. "Stay here and don't be seen."

She sarcastically Salutes him as he rolls his eyes. Both him and Katherine run to the stairs and while they don't see anyone they hear the elevator and see it go up to the sixth floor. They share a look and they are both thinking the same thing, if Caroline is back she can not see Aurora, even if they left off on good terms Caroline has made it very clear that Aurora is not allowed to see the inside of this home except for the foyer and right now they are in the living room.

As Caroline goes over to get the dress she asks Conrad. " The second drawer of my vanity there is a bottle of pink body glitter and a glitter brush. Can you go grab them please."

As he goes to get that she gets the rest of the outfit. When they are in the foyer Conrad stops them and holds her hands. "I know it's killing you not knowing where we are going so I'll give you a hint. I've mentioned it before, its somewhere very special."

Caroline looks up and thinks, Damon and Katherine lean back so they aren't seen. Conrad smiles, she looks so cute. Her eyes widen when she realizes where they are going. She wraps her arms around his neck and kisses his neck whispering in his ear. "I can't wait."

He wraps his arms around her too. His head is nestled in her hair. There is a smile on his face.

The front door closes and Katherine and Damon turn around and Aurora is right behind them. "Wow, love really changes people. I've never seen Caroline like that."

"That's Caroline if she didn't have any of the pressure Giuseppe put on her. Conrad brings out another side of her and if we want to keep Caroline happy, and emotional we need to get Giuseppe off her back. Now the reason you're here. You are going to get Giuseppe drunk so you can find out what his master plan is and hopefully do it before Caroline gets back."

"And what do I get by doing this?"

Damon rolls his eyes he knew this was coming. He swallows and lets out a breath. "I'll give you what you have always wanted a night with a Salvatore."

Aurora smiles at him and runs a finger down his chest. "Tempting but as I was driving past Royalty I saw a very handsome model and I want him."

Damon looks over at Katherine who widens her eyes she is not pimping out one of the models. It's a modeling business not a male brothel. "Since you've been out of the city for a while I want to remind you, Brett and I are still dating. Jude and Zero are still married, Brad is still out of your league and Tewkesbury Royalty's breakout star has a girlfriend. While we do have newer models I'm not pimping them out. I will however see if the model you think is handsome is single and would be interested. Do you know his name or what he looks like?"

Xxx

Conrad tried to keep Caroline from looking out the windows on the drive but she did notice a sign. "I knew it! We are in the Hamptons."

Bill pulls up to this gorgeous house. It's this big blue basically looks like a mini mansion. There's columns on the porch, there are even four blue rocking chairs in front of two sets of French doors on each side of the blue front door. "Oh my god."

"Welcome to my home." Plants and trees and flowers all over the place it's more colorful in the summer when all the flowers bloom. But still pretty in the winter.

She glances over at him and he explains. "This was my mothers beach house, we spent every summer here. This is more my home then that apartment in the city ever will. I feel at home here and your mansion."

"You were destined for the mansion life. Good news so am I." She cups his cheek and they both smile at each other.

She turns back to Bill as he is finishing getting their luggage out. "Thank you Bill, you have the holiday free. Unless you know Damon needs you."

"That is sweet Miss Caroline, but I am not off yet tomorrow is the annual Mikaelson Christmas brunch."

Caroline scrunches up her face she totally forgot. She has never missed a Mikaelson Christmas brunch. It was the only time that both parents and children were together. Everyone always came in for brunch.

As Bill is driving away Conrad picks Caroline up bridal style she places a hand around his neck and walks her into the house. He puts her down when they get inside their hands not leaving each other. Instead of around his neck it's now holding his hand. "I can see what you mean by this feels like home. I can see myself spending time here. It's beautiful."

He kisses her cheek and she smiles back at him. When you walk in there is a mirror/chest you can hang coats and hats on, the stairs to go upstairs, you can also go straight back into the kitchen or into the big living room there is a wooden bench with a white plaid upholstery. "Come on, I'll give you a tour."

He guides her down the hall to the big greenish/blue kitchen, with an island in the middle with chairs, a cabinet fridge, doors, a table if you don't want to eat in the rose colored formal dining room. Behind the table is a wall of windows all looking out into the backyard with the pool and jacuzzi. There is also a back staircase which they use more than the front staircase.

He takes her to the living room like the kitchen. It's greenish/blue. It's just like any living room. There's a couch and a tv, there's also paintings of Conrad, Jeremiah, Belly and Steven. "These are amazing."

Conrad has a small smile on his face. As he comes closer to them. Caroline is looking at the painting of Conrad at 18 sitting on the dock bench in a white and blue hoodie smiling, the ocean and sky behind him. "My mom painted these that last summer. She did me first. While she was painting me she kept asking questions and I told her let's not turn this into a bonding thing, she told me what's the harm in asking my son questions before he goes off for a year."

She lays her head on his shoulder as they look at the paintings. Jeremiah is outside on the deck, he has a flower crown, Belly is in a white debutante dress outside and Steven is in a plaid shirt also outside. "Is it hard being here?"

He nods and kisses her forehead. "She would have liked you Caroline. If she were here she would have been waiting for us on the porch wrapped up in her favorite shawl. She would have been so excited when we got out of the car after she was done hugging me she would have hugged you in one of those tight loving mom hugs. And after seeing us together holding hands." He holds up their still entwined hands and she silently laughs. "Or seeing that we can't keep our hands off each other, and how happy we are." He leaves a kiss on her hand. "She would have welcomed you into the family, and wanted to get to know you. During our stay she would have pulled me aside or told me while you were still sleeping. That she loves you, and that she can't wait to call you her daughter. Before we leave she would have given you another big hug and told you that she's never seen me this happy and that you two have to plan a lunch or something to keep in touch."

Caroline closes her eyes and can feel tears wanting to fall, that is not how it would work in her family. Her brothers accept him, Giuseppe hates him and her mother would be nice to him. Sure Liz has hugged her children but it's never been a tight loving mom hug always a nice to see you hug. She heard him sniffle and wipe a tear from his eyes. She cups his cheek "That's lovely, your mother sounds like a beautiful woman I wish I could have met her. You did, however get one thing wrong?"

He raises an eye and she smiles at him. "I always wake up before you. So she would have to tell you how much she loves me by pulling you aside."

Xxx

"I can't believe I'm doing this." Katherine hands her phone to Aurora and she begins scrolling through the roster of models Royalty has. She stops on a dirty blonde haired guy. "That's him…. His name is Ken? Really?"

"What is wrong with this picture?"

"You were actually serious, what is she doing here?"

Everyone looks up and sees that Stefan and Rebekah are back in the city for Christmas and joining them in the doorway of the living room is Brett, Enzo and Jason.

Aurora looks up at everyone. "Can't an old friend surprise everyone….Hi Brett. And wow I'm surprised you're still around Jason."

"Till death do we part." Enzo and Jason hold up their hands and show their gold wedding bands.

"My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail."

Enzo and Jason share a look if they were to invite people to their wedding Aurora would not have been on that list.

Stefan goes over and hugs his brother. "I'm going to take a wild guess and say she is here because of you. Also you're breaking Caroline's rule of having Aurora anywhere in this home that is not the reception gallery."

"I have a plan."

Stefan side eyes his brother this can't be good. Damon is not the planner in the family that's Caroline. Damon is also not the one who calls the shots and is the leader that's Caroline. He pats Damon on the shoulder. "I'm sure you do."

"You don't think I have a plan do you?"

Stefan puts his hands up. "I never said that."

Damon sighs and tells everyone he's trying to help just like Dorota said. Nobody believes him. "Aurora seduces Giuseppe and we sneak into his office and find out what he is planning."

"Wait, I'm now seducing your father. I thought I just had to get him drunk?"

"Damon This is a terrible plan."

Katherine and Brett share a look. "We are doomed."

Xxx

Conrad went to go get food, when he got back he found Caroline in the living room. She's on her phone texting Patrick, but it's what she is wearing that makes him stop in his tracks. His breath hitches as he asks. "Where did you find that?"

"I was looking for towels and in a box was this shawl and it's so soft and comfy." She noticed his voice was shaky when he said that and how he was staring at the shawl with hurt in his eyes. "I'll put it back." While he was gone she was wandering through the house looking at everything. While looking for the towels she found monogrammed beach towels. The first bedroom she walked into was beautiful, a big bay window with a seating area, Big bed she can tell this was their mothers mom. She found where they will be sleeping in Conrad's bedroom and she could tell it is his, it fits him. From the blue walls, to the sailing trophies on his desk, the books in the corner, the guitar, and his blue sheets. She did say he looked good in blue.

She begins to take it off and goes to leave the living room, Conrad puts a hand out stopping her he takes her hand and guides her back to the couch. "No… it's…. This was my mothers shawl. Jeremiah bought it for her when she had cancer the first time, that summer she practically lived in this shawl. I forgot it was here." His fingers brush across the soft fabric of the shawl in her hands.

"I'll put it back, I thought it was unique and so comfy." She feels so bad she made him sad. She truly did not mean to cause this pain.

She goes to stand up again and he doesn't let go of her hand instead he stands up too. "My mom would want one of her favorite shawls to be passed down to someone her son adores."

The blonde's eyes widened. Did she hear that right, she must have blacked out and didn't hear him correctly. She puts a hand over her mouth. "You adore me?"

He genuinely smiles at her. She is so cute when she is speechless. He nods as his fingers brush the side of her face, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. A huge smile breaks out on her face to match his huge smile too. "I adore you too."

"You do?" His voice is so hopeful, like he's been waiting to say and hear those words.

She nods and he picks her up spinning her around she narrowly misses the coffee table with her legs she laughs and as she is sliding down his body when their lips match up they passionately kiss.

Xxx

"I could get used to this." Dorota puts a plate down in front of Aurora. Everyone looks at Damon with the same expression: why are we entertaining this woman again.

He rubs his temple. Maybe this was a bad idea. They are eating in the breakfast room, so Aurora doesn't have to see more rooms in this home. "You do realize A; you're not staying here and B; you are rich too. I'm sure the De Martel's have a housekeeper and a townhouse."

Aurora glares at him, she finally gets invited past the reception gallery and is met with this. "If you remember I'm not Salvatore rich no matter how I tried."

Rebekah rolls her eyes and clasps her hands together. "Aurora, do you still want my brother?"

The red head raises an eyebrow. "I did forgive him for what he did to me years ago and he was good in bed."

Rebekah puts a hand up, she will accept who is dating her brothers but she draws the line at hearing how they are in bed. "If it doesn't work out with Ken, I'll talk with Klaus, I think I speak for everyone here and not here that he needs a distraction."

Aurora takes a bite of chicken savoring the taste in her mouth. "What did you guys do without me? We all left for four years and now I'm beckoning back to seduce your father." She points at Damon and Stefan. "And now distract your brother." She points at Rebekah.

Xxx

Conrad moves a piece of hair off Caroline's face getting her attention. "What is it?"

She glances over her shoulder at him. Seriously she does not know how this man has become so entwined in her life and in her soul. If something good happens he is the first person she wants to tell, and if something bad happens she just wants to feel his arms around her making her feel safe. Up until Conrad the only person who made her feel safe was her uncle Sawyer.

"Why spend Christmas with me? I'm guessing Jeremiah and Belly asked you to spend Christmas with them. I know you miss them, you didn't really get to spend much time with them when they came to see your regatta."

Conrad smiles at her. It's amazing how much Caroline understands him. Growing up he fell in love with but kept it a secret with Belly. His mom even called him Belly's knight in shining armor. He always loved her, his mom always knew Belly would end up with one of her sons and she thought it would be Conrad so did Belly and so did he for a little while. Everyone thought he and Belly would end up together. His mom dying and the implosion of his relationship with Belly all happening around the same time was a lot. While he did crawl out of one hole he was still grieving his mother. When he met Caroline her presence made him happy, he hasn't felt happy for years. She is sunshine shining through the dark clouds he was carrying around.

"They did but they also know I wanted to show you this home. I didn't want you to celebrate another holiday with Giuseppe. You deserve to have a nice Christmas, you work so hard."

The blonde can't help but smile, she even blushes, she closes her eyes and wills the tears to go back in. Nobody has ever done that for her, that's beautiful. "You're amazing."

Conrad reaches over her and puts a hand on her hip and rolls her over to his lap on the bed. As her arms go around his neck his hands settle on her hips but not before he glides a finger down the side of her face. "Hi."

A smile breaks out on her face as she softly saids. "Hi."

"I know you and your right I do miss Jer and Belly plus you never met Steven. So how about we spent Christmas here and then the next day we go to Boston and meet everyone. Although we'd be back here for New Years."

She leans down and kisses him. All she wants is him to be happy, and she knew he missed his brother and looking around this home you can see how close Conrad, Jeremiah, Belly and Steven were. She didn't want to be the person to destroy that. He cups her cheeks as he kisses her. Their kisses say what they aren't ready to say out loud.

Xxx

"Wake up I have another surprise."

Caroline rolls over in bed and looks at the clock. It's 8 am. She thought since it's just the two of them and she was on an IV yesterday and was told by a doctor that she was overworked and sleep deprived. She thought she would try to sleep in.

"Where are we going for this surprise?"

An hour later they pull up to the Plaza. Conrad runs a finger down the side of Caroline's face; she had fallen asleep moments after they got in the car. She has the angel wings shawl around her like a blanket. She looks so peaceful and angelic.

"You brought me to brunch?"

"You said last night this was the only time all your friends are together I'm not going to keep you from that."

Caroline wraps her arms around him. "I adore you so much."

He kisses her neck. "I adore you too."

Katherine waiting for them in the lobby hurries over to the couple. "It's about time. I have your clothes and you come with me. And here are your clothes."

She takes Caroline by the arm and gives Conrad a suit. "Um why do I need to change and who's clothes are these?"

"There's a dress code. Luckily it's a Christmas brunch so the colors are green, red, white and black. And it's Damon's suit. I didn't know where you lived."

Before Conrad can say anything Katherine pulls Caroline away to change. Caroline laughs as Katherine holds up the pink key card to the pink door. When they were little girls Dorota and Katherine's housekeeper Nadia would take the four girls Caroline, Katherine, Rebekah and Davina to the plaza and they always would get this suite; the Eloise suite. They always felt like Eloise. A little girl with a nanny living in a New York City hotel and her parents always away. They were little girls with housekeepers living in New York City penthouses their parents were always away. They would put on fashion shows. The boys didn't have as much fun in the Eloise suite so when they were done they took everyone out for ice cream.

The entire suite is pink and white. Katherine sits on the pink king size bed in a strapless black mini dress with black opera gloves and black knee high stiletto boots. She has a white purse. " What is the story with this sweater?"

"It was Conrad's mothers. It's so soft and he said she would want it passed down to someone his son adored."

Katherine's jaw drops. It takes a moment to pick it back up. She has never heard anyone say they adore someone. Yes Brett has told her he loves her but they also have known each other since forever. " Backup he adores you?"

Caroline nods as she zips up the red leather mini skirt and adjusts the red beaded bustier. "And I adore him too."

The brunette comes up behind her. "Did you open my gift?"

"Tonight."

"Did you ever think when we were putting on fashion shows for the guys that we would be running a modeling company. I would be with one of the models and you would find love."

They both look at each other in the mirror. Caroline has also added red thigh high boots and a black faux fur coat. She has a hand over Katherine's on her shoulder. She shakes her head. She thought she would never find love. For a time there she thought she was incapable of being loved or loving someone. She was destined to be alone taking lovers.

Conrad's eyes widen when he sees her. She is gorgeous, her outfits always floor him she looks amazing in everything. Doesn't matter the color, if it's his clothes or hers, if it's short and revealing or pants and a blazer. She always looks amazing. "Wow."

Caroline's blushes as red as her outfit. "You look very handsome." He's in a black suit with a red tie. "Are you ok wearing Damon's suit maybe we can sneak out and pick up your suit."

"Turns out Damon and I are the same size in suits. Maybe later."

He holds his hand out and she takes it as they enter the ball room where the brunch is being held. There is a 6 foot Christmas tree all decorated in the corner with gifts under it. There is a long table with all different brunch foods on it plus a chocolate fountain. There is green garland around the doorways and red garland on every table around the candles in the middle of the table.

They hear a squeal and coming towards them is Rebekah is in a white long sleeve short dress with a light blue thigh high boots, and a petite blue eyed dark brunette woman her hair in light curls she has on a red and black plaid mini skirt on, a tucked in open blazer and black louboutins. Both young women wrap their arms around Katherine and Caroline. All four women tightly hug each other; they are reunited once a year. They are going to make the best of their time together.

Davina pulls back and looks at Caroline. "There's something different about you….. you're in love."

"I wouldn't say I'm in love yet, we adore each other. I've never smiled more than when I'm with him. He's not from our circle and he doesn't care how much money we have. I don't have to pretend with him he likes me for me."

Conrad was wavered over by Damon to join the guys. Caroline and him make eye contact and smile at each other. "I'm happy that you found someone who loves you for you."

Caroline hugs Davina again. All the women join the men at the table and the first thing Caroline says after she hugs Davina's husband Kol and her brother Stefan is. "Damon what the hell is Aurora doing here?"

Katherine snickers as she takes a sip of her mimosa. "I'm here to celebrate the holidays. I love the Mikaelson brunch." Aurora is in a green mini dress with sheer long sleeves with green heels.

The blonde scoffs. "Just don't flirt with Conrad and Damon don't bring her upstairs in the mansion."

Kol who is Klaus and Rebekah's younger brother he has short brunette hair and is tall. He's in a black suit. "Ahhh just like old times." He Looks at Caroline and Conrad. "Except your happy. He makes you happier then Klaus ever did."

Klaus hits his brother in the head as Caroline smiles into Conrad's shoulder.

A little while later everyone is in conversations with everyone. Davina leans over and tells the girls. "Vegas is boring, nobody wants to talk to the young rich married woman. I've talked to Kol about moving back to the city." She points a finger at Caroline. "You haven't been texting me back. Come on, I'm all alone in Vegas. My only form of entertainment is hearing what you guys are doing."

"Sorry I've been so stressed and overwhelmed lately. Trying to save Royalty forming what the public is calling the sexy foursome."

Davina glances over at the blonde."So Who are we killing?"

"Nobody today but currently Giuseppe and maybe Klaus on the side if I'm actually forced to marry him." Caroline smirks at her friends. They laugh.

Xxx

Rebekah nudges Stefan and points to the entrance. Giuseppe just came in with Sybil. "That's not good." He looks over at Caroline who is laughing at something Kol said. He gets everyone at the table's attention. "I have an announcement. This brunch is boring, Rebekah and I got engaged a couple days ago and we are getting married today. In the next hour."

Everyone looks at each other they are blindsided by this. "Dude a little heads up next time."

"Oh yay, I get to go to another Mikaelson family wedding. Since I've now been to three weddings I think I should be titled a friend not acquaintance."

Everyone ignores her. Damon and Stefan both get stopped by Giuseppe on their way out. "Where is your sister?"

"Bora Bora." Damon notices his father starting to look around the room and grabs Aurora passing them. He whispers to her. "You're on."

She rolls her eyes. "Mr. Salvatore it is true Italian men age like fine wine, allow me to introduce myself Aurora de Martel."

He nods and half smiles at her as he continues to look around the room. "What do you bench? Your biceps are huge. A handsome gentleman like you you're probably always fending off women. What's not to like, you're handsome, rich and a gentleman."

Giuseppe looks down at Aurora and is surprised that someone so young is hitting on him. "I don't get to the gym as much as I would like."

"Shame, you still look buff." Aurora sees Damon in the entrance of the ball room and he taps his wrist. She smiles back up at Giuseppe. "Here's my number if you want to go to the gym or just want someone to talk to give me a call."

Caroline is stopped by the woman she has been ignoring for the last four years. An older woman who is dressed in a long sleeve floor length black dress. "Mrs. LaRue, how nice to see you."

"Miss Salvatore you have been ignoring me. That is not how one of my ladies is supposed to act."

Caroline puts on a fake smile as she address the older woman. "Of course not I'm sorry, meet my boyfriend Conrad he was a debutant escort."

Mrs. LaRue sets her sights on Conrad looking him up and down. "Hmmm. You met through debutante circuit's I assume."

Caroline's eyes widen and she swallows. "Um yes, yes we did. I was helping out the debutants of the Hamptons and that's how we met."

"Miss Salvatore, are you free the first week of January?"

"No I'm sorry, I'm going to be out of the country. I'll call you when I get back."

They rush out of the plaza not only to get away from Mrs. LaRue but Caroline notices her father in the room. When they get back to Conrad's red Jeep. Davina, Rebekah and Katherine come over. "Can we steal her from you?"

Conrad looks over at Caroline who looks at her friends. "I'm going to drive with him Central Park, right, did you want to swing by your apartment first?"

The three women look at each other then climb into the backseat of his Jeep. Three women two seats. He watches dumbfounded as they climb in and Caroline sits in the front with him. He looks over at her and she looks a little surprised too. She never expected her friends to get in a Jeep. He puts the car in drive and shakes his head. He can't believe they just willingly got in his Jeep over the limo. "i was thinking about it but I don't want to be the reason the bride is late."

They hear Rebekah from the back. "As the bride I say lets go to your apartment."

Conrad looks over at Caroline who shrugs her shoulders. He's driving so he in control.

"Is it true you have bodyguards now? If so, Conrad, how do you feel about that?"

Conrad is always surprised when her friends include him in their conversations; he's the new person. With this group it really is not just dating Caroline all her friends and brothers come with her. "It's true, it's different. I've never been with someone that needed a bodyguard. They make Caroline feel safer and she has fewer panic attacks. I don't want her to be scared."

Caroline entwines their fingers together and brings them up to her lips. The three women who do all fit in the backseat are skinny so there is room for them. Rebekah and Katherine have window seats and Davina is in the middle. Before they left for the Hamptons they gave Musa and Riven the holidays off and they went home to California.

"So not only do you have to deal with her now Aurora?"

"I can deal with Aurora. I'm at the end of my line with her."

Conrad looks at the rear view mirror at the women in the back then at Caroline. "Someone fill me in, why do you hate Aurora?"

They are silent for a second then Rebekah answers. "Who said we hate Aurora?"

He raises an eyebrow and Caroline chuckles. "That's just how we say hi to each other but I guess our history with Aurora goes back to when we were born but we'll jump to when we were six. Davina was in ballet class and we didn't want her to get lonely so the three of us took ballet classes with her and that's when we officially met Aurora and her friends. Since then it's always been us and them. In our high school we didn't have cliques, we had a hierarchy and we were at the top. We were queens, they were one step below us as slutty bitches. Aurora and her friends were always jealous of us were extremely wealthy and she is just wealthy." He stops right outside his apartment building and runs in.

Xxx

They pull up to Central Park and as they are walking to the Bethesda terrace and fountain. There are also paparazzi. Caroline goes to find her brothers. "Why is the press here? You like to live a low key lifestyle."

"But you don't and since you're expected to get married to Klaus tomorrow, you can't have two weddings from the same family back to back. One wedding would be overshadowed. So I'm buying you time."

Caroline smiles at him and gives him a huge hug. Stefan is not like Damon or Caroline; he doesn't do drama or scheme. So when he does they are always impressed. "I love you."

"I love you too." Stefan and Caroline hug but they put an arm out to include Damon in their hug too. It's always been the three of them, Its not just older brother Damon protective of his siblings, Stefan and Caroline are protective of them too. They have the same friends, they party together, if Caroline runs away she is going to tell one of them or bring them along.

With everyone under the ornate area under the terrace it's gold and designed beautifully. There is a minister waiting, Caroline silently laughs when she sees who is officiating. It's the same guy who did Dorota's wedding. When he sees Caroline he sighs and asks her. "Will this wedding be like the last one I did for you?"

She smirks at him. "I'll let you know."

If you look behind the minister you can see the beautiful fountain in the center of Central Park. Stefan and Rebekah stand in front of him and paparazzi are all around them taking photos.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate love and happiness. I met this couple years ago."

Caroline clears her throat and moves her finger in a the minister sighs and nods. Just like at Dorota's wedding. "Do you Stefan Salvatore take Rebekah Mikaelson to be your wife in sickness and in health. For rich or poor."

Stefan smiles at his future bride as he says. "I do."

"Do you Rebekah Mikaelson take Stefan Salvatore to be your husband in sickness and in health for rich or for poor."

"I already moved to Boston for this guy. I do."

Everyone chuckles as the minister says. "You May kiss the bride."

Stefan dips Rebekah as they kiss and everyone claps.

Caroline leans further back into Conrad. Since she had the fur coat and all he had was Damon's suit jacket she put her fur coat around him and he has his arms and the coat around her. He kisses her on the neck. "I'm glad we came."

"Yeah."

"It's cold, can we go inside now?" Katherine is standing next to Brett who has an arm around her black fur coat.

"Not yet. We have one more surprise. Since Caroline missed Kol and Davina's wedding and all three have felt the guilt of that. And since all three are here, what do you say renewal of the vows."

Caroline whispers to Conrad. "I didn't mean to miss their wedding. I had every intention to go to Vegas to celebrate Kol's eightieth birthday but I got a call from Brett's mother inviting me to a photoshoot and to bring Zero and Brad with the possibility of fitting us in and she did and that day we actually shot the photo we used to announce that Royalty was a company. Kol proposed that morning two hours later they were getting married. How was I supposed to know that was going to happen?"

Kol and Davina replace Stefan and Rebekah. " Do you Kol Mikaelson still take Davina Claire as your wife in sickness or in health, rich or poor."

"I don't know, these last five years have been fun and there has been no change to our relationship. So sure I do."

Davina playfully pushes Kol and shakes her head. "Do you Davina Claire still take Kol Mikaelson as your husband in sickness or in health, rich or for poor."

"I do but I want to move back to New York. I'm bored in Vegas."

"Yes dear." Everyone laughed when Kol responded he also winked at her.

"You may miss the bride."

Kol wraps his arm around Davina and brings her closer to him as they kiss.

Xxx

They went to the Forbes hotel for the receptions, Damon stands up getting everyone's attention. "First I want to congratulate Conrad on surviving a car ride alone with four of the baddest bitches of New York City. And for putting up with my sister I know that can't be easy and you make it look effortless. One last thing then I'll move on. Conrad welcome to our family not just Caroline, Stefan and myself's family but our group's family." He holds up his champagne flute to his sister and Conrad and she mouths love you to her brother and she leans into Conrad's side. He has an arm around her shoulder and they are holding hands by her shoulder.

"Stefan I always knew you would marry Rebekah. You are a perfect match. You once told us that you feel like the black sheep of the family but you're not you ground us. Without you Caroline and I would be lost. Rebekah would be lost. You have something special hold onto it."

All the women gather in a circle as Rebekah tosses her bouquet of jasmine flowers behind her. Caroline catches them and Rebekah, Katherine, and Davina laugh, Aurora signs of course. "Will I be invited to that wedding?"

Caroline side eyes her. "Maybe, we always seem to end up at the same wedding."

Katherine puts her arm around Caroline's shoulders. "So you and Conrad should I start picking out my maid of honor dress."

"What? No." Caroline looks over at Conrad who is talking with Damon, Stefan, Kol and Brett. She smiles at him. "We haven't talked about the future. We are taking it one day at a time."

Klaus taps Caroline on the shoulder and both her, Davina, Katherine and Rebekah look at him. "This is not going to be good."

Caroline runs a hand through her hair. "Klaus please I don't have the energy to fight with you today. I don't want to ruin their wedding."

Klaus swallows and nods. "I don't want to fight, I just wanted to say it doesn't look like we will be getting married tomorrow, can't have two Mikaelson/Salvatore weddings in the span of twenty four hours. I'm bowing out. I'm not going to force you to marry me. I'm going to tell Giuseppe that the wedding is off."

Caroline can't believe what she is hearing. She looks at the other girls and they can't believe it either. "If I may, what brought on this sudden change?"

"The wedding. You're in a bustier and a skirt and you gave your fur coat to Conrad so he is not cold, he's in a long sleeve dress shirt and a suit jacket. He didn't need your coat and yet you gave it to him anyway. You put him before yourself. You shared your clothes. You would have never done that for me or even for Chad."

Caroline unconsciously touches her chocolate figure 8 infinity necklace Conrad got her for her birthday and she smiles. "I knew he would keep me warm."

Right before Caroline and Conrad leave Caroline and her girls hug one last time. "Katherine and I will be out of the country the first week of January on a Royalty photoshoot, we need someone to look after the company. Since Jude is also coming. And you said you were bored in Vegas and Boston plus your sorta already Royalty employees what do you say?"

Rebekah and Davina look at each other and smile and nod as the girls hug tightly again.

Xxx

They pull up to the beach house and Conrad notices several boxes on the porch. He glances back at Caroline who smiles at him. "Surprise."

He laughs as they carry the two medium sized boxes and the one small box into the house. He changes out of Damon's suit back into jeans and a turquoise sweatshirt. When Conrad returns he notices that the boxes are a blue Christmas tree, ornaments, an angel and some Christmas decorations. Caroline has started to open some of them.

He smiles at her, with everything going on he forgot a tree or decorations. He tried to make their first Christmas special by bringing her here and showing her this home. "Walking around this home last night I thought a blue tree would be perfect."

They get the tree up and it's right next to the door going to the patio. It's in front of one of the windows and at the end of one of the tables in the conservatory. The six foot blue tree with white lights and silver ornaments. He delicately placed the crystal angel on top of the tree. He stands back and holds out his hand and she takes it and places her head on his shoulder. "It's beautiful."

"It is and this picture of you as a little boy is adorable." She goes over to the table and there are all these pictures of Conrad, Jeremiah, Belly and Steven when they were younger. Some of them all together, some with the moms. Some solo. She picks up one of Jeremiah and Conrad in the ocean and smiles at it.

"You were adorable then and very hot now."

He slides a hand around her waist and pulls her back into him putting the photo back on the table he kisses her neck.

Xxx

Caroline notices that it's after midnight. "Since it's Christmas do you want to open a present?"

He raises an eyebrow and looks down at her and sees there is a mischievous smile on her face. He matches her smile and says. "It is Christmas."

She takes him by the hand and they end up stumbling into his room kissing and removing articles of clothing. His fingers start to untie her corset and she pulls back and puts a finger up.

Pushing him onto the bed she leans down and gets inches from his lips and instead of kissing him again says. "I'll be right back."

He watches as she goes into the bathroom with the bag Katherine got her. He yells after her. "Tease."

When she comes out he is in his boxers and is completely speechless,at this outfit she has on. She is in a red satin bejeweled bra with white fur around the inner cups, a ruffled under bust with a bow in the middle. Halter straps, tied in the back. A high waisted garter skirt with a white fur bottom and garter belt, there is another bow in the middle of the bejeweled skirt, that is over a red thong. The garter belt is connected to white thigh high socks that have a bow at the top. And to top it off she has a Santa hat on.

"How do you like your present?" She is leaning against the doorframe one arm above her head. Really showing off this outfit.

Conrad can't form words, his jaw drops at the sight of her. She smiles at him and struts over to him dragging a fingernail down his chest. "Have you been naughty or nice?"

"You tell me?" He leans up and finds her lips with his. He pulls back and smirks. "Have you been naughty or nice?"

She smirks down at him still leaning over him, her fingers now at the waistband of his boxers. "Definitely naughty."

His hand snakes around her waist and it brings her down on top of him and he flips them her Santa hat falls off in the flip. His fingers slide down her side and it sets her body a blaze. His fingers stop under the high waisted garter skirt. He is dragging them across the thong.

"Tease."

"Punishing the naughty don't you know they get coal."

She can't help but laugh. She flips them again so she is straddling him bringing him up with her. His arms go around her back and untie the bra. As his lips are leaving little kisses up and down her neck. She moves her neck and his tongue licks up her neck and his lips close around the bottom of her ear. She moans.

Once they get all the clothes off they waste no time conjoining. She slides down on his thick erect cock. They both moan into the kiss. He pulls her closer to him as she rides him.

He thrusts and flips them and is hovering over her. Their hands entwine as she thrusts again. The moans can be heard not only in the room but throughout the house. Luckily no one is in the house so they can be as loud as they want.

Caroline is nipping at his neck and actually gets a growl from him. Their eyes connect and there is pure adoration between the two. They both have so much trust in the other neither have ever been this open to another person before.

Their hands tighten as he comes then he reaches between them and inserts a finger into her and finds her clit a couple minutes later. Her fingers pull his hair as she rides her own wave of euphoria.

He leaves a tender kiss on her lips as he rolls over having her laying on him. "You should only wear that outfit."

She chuckles. "That wouldn't be at all awkward tomorrow."

He wraps his arms around her naked body tightly.

Xxx

They slept in on Christmas morning. Conrad awakes before her, they fell asleep snuggling so their limbs are all entangled. He delicately slides out of bed and finds his clothes and his car keys.

He gets back and she is still asleep and he found mistletoe in the decorations she had bought. He goes back upstairs and entering his room he smiles she looks angelic as she sleeps. You would not know of all the burdens she carries looking at her like this. Her blonde hair is splashed around her, the blue blankets are pulled up over her naked body. She really is a queen.

Conrad runs a finger down the side of her face and she rolls over into him. Sleepily she says. "Hi."

"Hi. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas."

He holds the mistletoe above them and she glances up and smiles at him pulling him down and kissing him.

When they go downstairs he has a smoothie for her and a muffin for him from the place his family always gets muffins from. She has a short red kimono that she got in Japan. He takes them into the conservatory and In front of the Christmas tree. "I got you a present."

Caroline smiles at him and can tell he is nervous, he got nervous when he gave her her birthday present too. She reaches out and touches his hands. "I got you a present too."

He takes a breath and hands her a robin's blue little box with a white ribbon tied in a bow around it. She gasps when she opens it.

"You don't like it?"

She chuckles as she pulls out a robin's blue little box with a white ribbon tied in a bow around it. "I love it." She hands him the box.

He looks up at her after he opens it, confused then a smile forms on his face. They both genuinely smile at each other. "I guess we are more similar than we thought."

They both got each other the same Tiffany's necklace a silver chain with two CC's on it one C is encrusted with diamond and one C is a silver C. When Caroline saw it she knew she had to buy it, it called to her. Conrad saw the necklace that day he had lunch with Katherine and Enzo and it represented their relationship. She wears diamonds, designer clothes and is fancy while he loves jeans and sweatshirts the two CC's work together. You can't split them up or it's not the same necklace anymore.

Xxx

Giuseppe is having his morning coffee while reading the newspaper and almost spits out his coffee when he reads Stefan Salvatore and Rebekah Mikaelson get married. There are pictures of the wedding. He yells as he crumples up the paper throwing it.