"Two Turtle Doves"

The next morning Caroline stood in her living room, dressed in her flannel pajamas, staring at her makeshift pear/Christmas tree.

She cocked her head to the left.

And then to the right.

Although the ornaments were a little too heavy for the pear tree's branches, the garland really brought the festiveness.

She sighed and shrugged, "Oh well."

"This is what happens when your mom works too much."

Caroline laughed out loud as the star slid off the top of the tree.

She plopped back on to the couch and cupped her mug of hot chocolate. Caroline turned up the volume of the TV just as "Meet Me in St. Louis" returned from its commercial break.

"This isn't so bad." Caroline couldn't help but think.

No school, no drama, no crazy hectic schedule…

Caroline sighed and pulled her pink fluffy snowflake blanket up to her shoulders.

Suddenly she heard her front porch creak under someone's footsteps.

Caroline whined as she tore the blanket off of her and trudged to the door before the mystery guest knocked.

She whisked the door open, ready to greet the stranger with a look of utter annoyance.

But she was greeted with a head of curly blonde hair and dimples from ear to ear.

"Hello sweetheart." Klaus smiled, his hands laced neatly behind his back.

Caroline was briefly stunned, "Klaus, what're you-"

Klaus chuckled, "I'm rather enjoying this samurai bun look you've got going there. It goes quite nicely with the penguin pajamas."

Caroline's cheeks attempted to blush, but she held her composure, "What do you want? It's like ten in the morning."

"Ah," Klaus began, tearing his eyes away from her, "I've brought you your second day of Christmas gift." He grinned, releasing his hands and revealing a box with a single red bow.

Caroline frowned, "Okay, I don't know if you know this or not, but in America, we only give Christmas presents on Christmas-"

"I'm well aware of the Pagan holiday traditions with the tree and all of that." He said quickly, waving her off, "However I'm more interested in you."

Caroline looked at him quizzically.

"Has anyone taken the time to act out one of your most favorite childhood Christmas songs?"

Suddenly Caroline was taken back to her first grade Christmas play, in which she had her first solo ever.

"Five golden rings"

"How did you know about that?" Caroline asked as a smile spread across her lips.

Klaus shrugged, pushing the present towards her, "Now, be a dear and open this."

Caroline felt the irritation melt away, as it usually did.

"It's one present…what could it hurt?"

Klaus was waiting patiently when Caroline's eyes finally met his.

"Okay, okay, hand it over…" She said, attempting to hide her grin as she took the wrapped box into her hands.

It was heavier than she expected. With the box balanced in one hand she slowly undid the bow.

Inhaling, she carefully lifted a corner of the box.

Suddenly there was such a frenzy of white feathers and squawking, Caroline screamed and dropped it.

Two doves haphazardly escaped her front porch and flew off down the street.

"What the HELL WAS THAT?" Caroline exclaimed, clutching her chest in panic.

Klaus couldn't help the laugh that left him, "You reacted slightly different than expected…"

Caroline's jaw dropped, "How did you think I'd react to getting attacked by birds!?"

Klaus opened his mouth to protest but Caroline had already turned with a frustrated growl and walked into her house, shutting the door behind her.

"See you tomorrow Caroline!" Klaus brightly exclaimed, the grin far from fading off his lips.

"No you won't." Caroline said from behind the door.

Klaus laughed again as he turned and walked down Caroline's driveway.

Caroline discreetly pulled back the curtain from the window; she couldn't help but smile as Klaus walked away.

A/N: This is late because my awesome job is open until midnight on the weekends :(

But I'm going to double update today to keep this story on track! It may be early tomorrow when chapter 3 gets posted, but it WILL get posted!