Oh dear! I know this has been long! And to that one follower, you gave me motivation to update! Like I have mention previously, I have started working. It's crazy! Everyday I come home pretty exhausted drained to the max. I had to run errands on weekends, hence the lack of time to write. I had half this chapter written in March. I felt bad for not updating so I decided to make an ending to this chapter, to keep you guys for awhile. Be warned that it's going to be draggy and boring. I'm really sorry!
Caroline jolted up from her bed. She looked around before checking her phone. It was 10 in the morning. How did she sleep pass her alarm clock? She jumped off her bed and speed into Daniel's room to check on him. He would be late for school, but to her surprised, the bed was empty. She swung Klaus's room door open, didn't even bothering to knock, and found it empty too. She went back to her room to grab her room, dialing Klaus's number.
"Hello, love!" he answered on the first ring.
"Klaus!" Caroline almost yell. "Where—where are you? Where is Daniel?"
"Relax, sweetheart. I took him to school today. You were sound asleep, didn't want to wake you up."
"Thank you," Caroline sighed relieve. "I'll go pick him up later."
"No need the trouble. I'll pick him up. I left you a note on the counter. There's breakfast too. Pamper yourself today. You're going to need it for tomorrow."
Tomorrow? Caroline wondered. Oh yes, the family weekend! Her adrenaline rush come running back. "Oh. Yes. But—but Klaus, I'm the housewife. I should be doing the house chores unless you decide to give me back my editor post."
"There's no need to rush into that, love. Alright now, I have a meeting to get back to. Go enjoy yourself."
"Oh my gosh!" Caroline clamped her mouth. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know—"
Klaus cut her before she could continue, "No worries, sweetheart. Now hang up."
"You know there's an end button on your phone," Caroline said cooly.
"There's one on yours too," Caroline could feel Klaus smirked on the other side. "I'll hang up once you hang up."
"Klaus! What're we—in junior high?"
Klaus laughed on the other side, "Hang up, love."
"Fine! Bye Klaus!" Caroline said, before pressing the red button END. She huffed and smiled at the same time before walking over to the kitchen counter to find the note.
It wasn't a note on the counter; it was an envelope with her name on it. She opens it and found a few booking reservations to hair salon, boutiques, etc. She scoffed when she reads the name of the shops; Gerrad Bollei, Louboutin, Hermes, Sephora, NARS, etc. "Seriously Klaus?!"
It seemed like he could hear her, a text from him came through. "Enjoy your day! Your driver, Marcel is ready downstairs."
"You and I are going to have a talk!" Caroline replied. She waited for a few minutes but he didn't reply, so she threw her phone into her bag and went to get ready.
It was already 6pm when Caroline entered Gerrad Bollei, the last visit of her day. To her surprise, this was the only shop that greeted her by her name, her real name. The others had greeted her by Mrs Mikaelson, no doubt, Klaus left his account number too.
"Caroline, I presume?" the hairdresser greeted her. "I'm Paul, a good friend of Klaus."
"Hi Paul," Caroline replied. "Well, Klaus told me to come here. I was thinking—"
Paul interjected, "I know what you are thinking. Leave it to me." Paul smiled, looking at her from the mirror before walking off to retrieve the needed equipments.
"Oh," Caroline said as he walked off.
By the time Paul was done with her hair, it was already 8pm. Indeed Paul knows what she wants. He had her curls digital perm and packed some creams for her to maintain the curls, and like the other shops, he said he would credit Klaus's account. She thanked him before leaving.
Once Caroline got in to the car and told Marcel to head home, she checked her phone and to her surprise, there were 14 missed calls, for none other than Klaus Mikaelson. She was about to return his call when the 15 came.
"Caroline, finally!" Klaus said before she even responded.
"I'm so sorry! The phone was in my bag, didn't hear it ring at all," Caroline said, hoping it ends Klaus's worries. "I'm on my way home."
"Well, when you are settled, meet me for dinner at Picholine. I'm already on my way there with Daniel. I've already informed Marcel.
"Oh, " Caroline said as she looked up to the rearview mirror at Marcel. He just nodded. "Alright, give me 20 minutes." However, the car came to a stop, so Caroline looked out the window, before realizing she has already reach the apartment. "No, make it 10. See you there." Caroline hanged up without waiting for Klaus to respond.
Marcel helped her carry the bags into the house while she rushed to her room to change. Her hair is perfect, so she didn't have to waste time fixing her hair. She reached for one of the bags on the floor, Givenchy, and pulled out a white halter neck dress. She put it on, checked herself on the mirror before slipping on her sliver Louboutin heels and leave. The dress was meant for tomorrow but she didn't know Klaus's family 'weekend dinner' will be like, so she bought 5 different dresses that were meant for different occasions. Just in case.
Caroline entered Picholine and the waiter directed her to a table at the VIP section. It seems as though everyone knows who she is. She was greeted by the loud Daniel who made everyone turned towards them. Daniel stood on his chair while Klaus stood up, kissing her cheek before helping her seat.
"Daniel, behave!" Caroline whispered, before turning to Klaus and said, "Aren't kids not allowed here?"
"We are the exception," Klaus smiled. "By the way, you look beyond beautiful. Exquisite!"
Caroline blushed, "Thanks to you, made good use of your account! And—" Caroline pointed a finger to him, "If you continue pampering me like this, I'm going to need you to double up my pay. These 2 weeks off paid leave is not going to be able to cover all this expenses."
"Caroline, listen." Klaus stood up straight.
"No Klaus, you listen!" Caroline said but looked around before continuing. "You are doing me a favor. When I win the court case, I hope I win, this ends together. You have to stop showering me with gifts. I'm your editor, not your wife. I mean—we kissed—"
"Come, Caroline," Klaus interrupted, knowing that whatever she's going to say next will bring down the mood he expected tonight. "Let's not argue about this, Caroline. It's a pleasant evening. Now, on to a more mannered subject, how was your day?"
Caroline smiled, understanding his intention, "Well no, you tell me how your day was? How was your meeting?"
The dinner went on smoothly, with constant laughing and teasing. Not forgetting, the little kid who occasionally pops up random questions.
After bidding goodnight to Daniel, Klaus went to Caroline's room. He leans on the door frame as he watches her pack. "Our flight is at 9am tomorrow. It will be a long flight."
"Uhuh," Caroline answered with her back still towards Klaus.
"What's the matter, darling? Do you feel ill?"
Caroline could feel her heart turned over. The panic died and she was so sure that everything would turn out all right that the color flooded back into her cheeks.
"It's just the 'excitement' of meeting your family," she said.
"Oh, they are going to love you. Don't worry about it. Elijah and I had it all sorted out." He grinned. "Don't forget that from now on you're under my protection."
She froze in silence, his words bringing her back to the reality of the situation. "Klaus—"
"Caroline, let it come to you," he said unexpectedly. "This marriage is fake, but perhaps one day, it will be real. Let me court you. " He picked up her hand and kissed it, "I fancy you. So let me have this opportunity."
It was 5pm when they reached London. The time difference, the long flight and jet lagged caused Daniel to be grumpy. Caroline carried him, soothing him while they walked to get their luggage bags. As they exited, Klaus was greeted by Elijah. Next to him was a slim figure lady, twirling her long brown curls with her fingers. A little smaller than her, with hazel brown eyes with sparkle, and thick, glossy brown curls that were waist length.
"Brother," Klaus said, as Elijah helped him with the bags.
"I hope the flight went well," Elijah replied with a smile, as he watches the little figure on Caroline arms stirred. He, for one, understands the trouble of having a kid. "Oh Caroline, this is my wife, Katherine." Elijah placed a hand behind the slim figure lady's back.
"Hi!" Katherine exclaimed, taking a step to hug Caroline and Daniel briefly. "And hi Klaus, it seems ages since I last saw you."
"Well, I think you are much occupied with your newborns," Klaus smiled. "I can't wait to meet them."
Katherine responded with a smile, while she took Caroline's arm in a friendly fashion and guided her to the car.
"Oh look, finally the prodigal son is back," a woman, Caroline assumed to be Mrs Mikaelson, exclaimed. Mrs Mikaelson was on the slightly plump side and motherly-looking. She had Klaus's dirty blonde hair, but it was cut shoulder length in a rather chic modern style. "And you must be Caroline," she said. "You must be tired and hungry. Let me take you to your son's room and once you've freshened up a little come down and I'll get both of you something to eat."
Daniel's room was small but pretty, and it had a minute bathroom with a shower and toilet built into one corner. She used the bathroom and combed her hair, smoothed down her dress and gave Daniel a quick bath.
Klaus was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs as they descended the wide polished wood stairs. "I'll sort the rooms later. My mother doesn't know about this charade," Klaus whispered as she joined him. "Now, I'm to show you the way to the kitchen. My mother had a meal waiting for us."
"How are you feeling, big guy?" Klaus said, as he picked Daniel up who is half-conscious.
"Tired," Daniel mumbled on Klaus's shoulder.
Like the rest of the house the kitchen was very up-to-date and beautiful. Mrs Mikaelson was attending to a casserole in the glass-fronted wall oven, answering Caroline's murmured worry about going to a lot of trouble with a cheerful, "No trouble, dear. We expected you to arrive after tea, so I kept some for you. I hope you like chicken and rice casserole. It's Klaus's favorite."
Caroline said she was sure she would, and on tasting it at the small table in the kitchen could say with all sincerity it was delicious. She had half expected to find a housekeeper in charge, because obviously the Mikaelson had quite a lot of money. But evidently, Klaus's mother preferred to run her own home, or at least to do the cooking.
She placed three glass bowls in front of them containing chocolate mousse and cream, and then said, "Well, I'll have you three to eat in peace. When you've finished, you know where to find us all."
"By the way, where's Rebekah?" asked Klaus.
"She went out to get some groceries." His mother smiled. "She should be back in a while."
Klaus smiled in return and nodded, and then his mother went out and left the three of them alone.
"You have a big house, Klaus." Daniel said, breaking the silent. "Why didn't you stay here?"
"My family and I shifted to New York to build the company when I was 10. After my father passed down the company to me, he decided to get back to the old peaceful life."
"Is New York not peaceful?" Daniel asked.
Klaus and Caroline laughed, but got interrupted by the knock on the door and a young woman was leaning on the door frame. "I thought I heard a kid," she exclaimed, walking towards Klaus to hug him. "Hi brother, you are finally home!"
"Caroline, this is my sister, Rebekah," said Klaus, turning the girl to face Caroline. "And that is her son, Daniel."
"I didn't believe Kol," she said, "but now I do. I believe you were quite a hit." She moved herself next to Daniel, "hello kiddo, I'm Aunt Rebekah."
"Hello," Daniel answered with chocolate mousse at the side of his mouth. "My name is Daniel."
"Well—are you done with your chocolate? I have people who can't wait to meet you."
"Yeah," Daniel pushed his bowl a side. "Mom, can I go with Aunt Rebekah?"
Caroline smiled, wiping Daniel's mouth with a wet tissue, "Sure, but promise to be nice."
"Thanks mom!" Daniel hugged Caroline before jumping down the chair and following Rebekah exit the kitchen, leaving two of them alone.
"Rebekah is my only sister. Her fiancé should be here too. You have met Elijah, Katherine and Kol. You'll meet Finn and Sage and their daughters later. I have yet to meet Katherine's newborns. Henrik should be here soon."
"Do they stay here?"
"No—Elijah's family is from NY like us. Kol's a nomad. Rebekah and Stefan have a house in Italy too, they move from here to there once a while. Finn bought a house a mile or so down the coast, at the bach, few months ago. Finn and Sage prefer to have their family there rather than cram into this when we we're all here for celebrations. Henrik lives in college."
Caroline asked about the children and he told her Katherine had twins, a boy and a girl, in the order, and their names were Ian and Nina, both aged 1. Finn and Sage had two daughters, Candice, 9 and Claire, 7.
"You'll get the family sorted out as you meet them," Klaus said as he got up and made some coffee, then suggested they should drink it in the other room with the family. Caroline agreed, helping him put the cups on the tray as he carried them into the living room, preceding her down the wide hall.
Caroline was introduced to Rebekah's fiancé, Stefan, first. At the corner of the living room, Daniel had joined other kids on the floor assembling train tracks. Katherine had her daughter on her arms, cradling her as she drinks from the milk bottle, while her son was next to Daniel chewing on a toy. The other two girls, Caroline assumed to be Candice and Claire was teaching Daniel how to connect the tracks.
Mr and Mrs Mikaelson was nowhere on sight.
"Don't tell me you're pining to go back to work!" Rebekah said, breaking Caroline out from her trance.
"I'm so bored at home, I could almost rearrange everything in the house," Caroline retorted. "I don't see how anyone can idle away their time for more than a few weeks."
"I can! After I get married, I'm going to the longest honeymoon anyone ever had!" Rebekah said, leaning against Stefan's chest.
"Oh, she already has a long list of places to visit." Stefan said, kissing Rebekah's head. "Where are you guys going for your honeymoon?"
Caroline eyes widened suddenly, as she turned to Klaus next to her for helped. Klaus placed his hand on top of hers, "Oh, we haven't thought of it yet. Things are pretty hectic now."
"Oh dear brother!" Rebekah exclaimed. "That's not how you treat your wife! No matter how busy you are, you must spend time with your wife and son. Stepson, son—it's the same."
"Hold your horses, girl," Katherine chimed in suddenly. "Pretty sure Klaus already has something on his mind. He's just not telling."
Caroline smiled at Katherine, before looking at Klaus. Since Elijah knows about their charade, she's sure that he didn't hide it from his wife.
"Oh well, the Mikaelsons are always full of surprise," a voice came from the door. "How are you Caroline?"
Caroline turned to find Kol walking in the living room, swinging a bottle of beer on his right hand with a younger boy trailing behind.
"Henrik," Klaus stood up, stretching his arms for an embrace. The younger boy returned before extending a hand to Caroline. "Henrik, the youngest Mikaelson."
"Hey! The youngest Mikaelson goes to Nina," Katherine teased.
Everyone laughed as the children tilted their heads to see what happen before continuing on their toys.
The kids were put to bed after dinner. Looking with interest at Klaus's father, she could barely see a resemblance; his father's hair had been darker and was now almost entirely grey. His handshake was firm, but she noticed that his movements were slow and he seemed glad to subside again into the armchair after dinner. She barely spoke to Mr Mikaelson, as he was quiet and constantly glaring at Kol for his unmannered behavior.
"So—which room should I sleep in?" Caroline asked as Klaus tucked Daniel in.
"Either one. I don't mind splitting the bed with you," Klaus said with a smirked on his face.
"Klaus," Caroline gently pushed him. "I'm serious. I'm tired."
"Well, you can sleep here. If you want me—for anything—my door is the one opposite."
Caroline stared at him. How did he turn from devil to saint in a minute? Klaus was looking at her, quizzically amused, and waiting for her reaction. Caroline swung round and picked up her bag. "Lead the way. I'm only doing this because no one knows about our charade. And if Rebekah finds me here, I'm not sure how you will survive tomorrow," she said, causing him to laugh as he walked towards the other room.
Caroline entered his room, noticing a big different between Daniel's room and his. Klaus's room was all dark and antique. "How long have you not stay here?" Caroline asked as she closed the door behind her.
"Why do you ask?" Klaus said as he hopped on the bed.
"This looks—old fashioned."
"They are almost the same sets I have in my apartment."
"Well—aren't you dark and gloomy?" Caroline teased, as she placed her bag on a chair and rummaged for her pyjamas. "Shit?!"
"What?" Klaus asked, sitting up from his sleeping position.
"I forgot my pyjamas! Oh gawd, Caroline!" she said, hitting her own forehead.
Klaus laughed, "Oh love, don't hurt yourself. Do you have anything else you could wear to sleep?"
"No! They are—dress, dress, shoes, shorts, blouse, jacket, dress, jeans, dress—"
"Wear your dress to sleep," Klaus said as he got up from the bed, moving to the wardrobe so she could unpack.
"Are you insane, Klaus? These dresses are made to wear to be seen, not to sleep. And they are Ellie Saab, Versace—"
"Here," Klaus threw her one of his shirt. "Wear this. I doubt you could wear my pants but this should be long enough." Klaus removed his top as he moved to the bathroom. Caroline saw his back and was instantly reminded of one particular night incident. She growled under her breathe, "Easy Caroline, easy! We are just sharing bed, we are not sleeping together!"
Caroline was almost done unpacking when Klaus came out, a towel clinging at the bottom, leaving his torso bare, and hair dripping wet.
"Finally, you're done!" Caroline said, trying to distract herself from him, hurrying pass to the bathroom, avoiding him from seeing her red blush cheeks.
When Caroline came out, Klaus was already on the bed with only sweatpants and a sketchpad on his hand. Klaus turned to look at her, and she was certain that her cheek blushed again.
"Well, it fits you well." Klaus grinned.
"Uh—yea," Caroline said, turning away as she moved towards the dressing table. "What are you doing?" She asked, trying to change the topic.
"Admiring my view," Klaus chuckled.
Caroline scoffed. "If this is you flirting, courting, whatever you call it, you suck at it."
"I can show you better."
Caroline turned, glaring daggers at him, "Don't make me change my mind about being in the same room as you."
Klaus laughed, lifting both his hands up as a sign of defeat. He told himself that he will court her slowly, so he wasn't going to rush into anything like she was a random woman. If he manages to make her trust him, believe in, count on him, he's very sure that soon she will open up to him. He placed his sketchpad on the bedside table and slip in under the covers.
Caroline joined him, minutes later, switching off the side lamps.
"Comfortable, love?" Klaus asked, turning to his side to face her.
"Yeah," Caroline smiled as she turned to face him. They were facing each other now. Caroline adjusted her pillow before closing her eyes. "Goodnight, Klaus."
Klaus knew she was exhausted, energy drained to the max but he needed to ask her. "How did you find my family?"
Caroline didn't open her eyes, but answered in her sleep, "I like them. And no, I don't regret coming here, if that's what you are going to ask. Daniel is really having fun. It's good that he has companies around his age."
Klaus smiled to himself, "Well—are you having a good time yourself? I have places yet to bring you."
Caroline opened her eyes slightly to smile, before shutting it again, snuggling the cover closer to her. "Can we talk about it tomorrow? I'm tired."
"Sure love, goodnight." Klaus watched her a moment before closing his own eyes.
OH MY GOSH, I'M SO SORRY! That's all I can give you meantime. I'm really sorry if the chapter is dull and boring. I have so much planned but I can't write it out. I wanted to give you something good to keep you till my next update which is unknown but I don't even have more than two hours with my computer. I have been constantly going out. I'm really sorry! Send me ideas, reviews, what you hope to read next—it gives me motivation! Thank you!