I own nothing but the plot...

Thanks to all the people who looked this chapter over for me! It is all the better for it! And thank you also to those who nominated Only Human and I Don't Date Men With Accents in the Klaroline Awards. That was really sweet and I am so flattered! Vote for me if you want to, but if you don't I am still very flattered...

"Daddy!" Ella cried out and ran to her father who was talking to probably some very important people. Bonnie and Kol tried to catch her but the girl was too quick. Klaus, however, only smiled and caught her. He kissed her cheek and rested Ella on his hip.

"Don't you look beautiful, sweetheart," Klaus said causing Ella to blush. He turned to the people he was talking to.

"Ms. Brice, Ms. Arnstein, this is my daughter Ella," Klaus said making the introductions.

"Well aren't you cute," Ms. Brice said and Ella hid her face in Klaus' neck shy all of a sudden.

"I had no idea you had a child, Klaus," Ms. Arnstein said.

"Yes well I don't get to see her as often as I like due to her living in the states," Klaus told her, "And I like my private life to remain private." Klaus focused his attention back to Ella, "Why don't you go back to Uncle Kol and I will be there in a minute?" Ella nodded and Klaus kissed her cheek again before setting her down.

"Where's Mommy?" Ella asked.

"She is around here somewhere, go find her for me will you?" Klaus said and Ella nodded before walking back to Kol and Bonnie.

"Her mother is here?" Ms. Brice asked.

"Yes, she actually planned the whole event," Klaus answered, "She is the blond with the clipboard."

"Oh wow," She said looking around, "It really is amazing."

"Yes she is," Klaus agreed, "Her name is Caroline Forbes. Planning events is her specialty, been doing it since high school."

"Does she have a card?" Ms. Brice said.

"I don't think so, but you have my number and I can pass on the message," Klaus instructed, "Caroline does everything, not just art openings."

"Perfect," Ms. Brice said, "I will give you a call."

"Fantastic," Klaus said.

K&C

"Caroline!" The blond heard someone yell and she turned around to see Rebekah walking over with Matt behind her. Caroline smiled and hugged her.

"How are you?" Caroline asked.

"Anxious," Rebekah replied and Caroline laughed, "Where is she?"

"Running around here somewhere," Caroline said, "I, unfortunately, have been pretty busy and haven't...oh there she is." Caroline spotted Ella and walked over to her with Rebekah and Matt behind her.

"Mommy!" Ella said happily and Caroline smiled.

"Hey baby," Caroline said kissing her daughter's head, "There are some people I want you to meet. This is Rebekah and Matt. Rebekah is your father's sister. Your aunt."

"My aunt?" Ella said looking over Rebekah who was grinning.

"It is so nice to meet you Ella," Rebekah said.

"She talks funny too!" Ella said and they all laughed.

"Well we are all from the same place," Rebekah said and bent down so she was eye level with Ella, "And aren't you the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen?" Ella blushed. "May I hug you?" Ella automatically opened up her arms and allowed Rebekah to hug her. They separated and Ella looked at Matt. "This is Matt."

"I have heard a lot about you," Matt said with a big smile as well, "And I agree with Rebekah, you sure are pretty."

"Matt and I are getting married in a few months and I was going to ask your mother if perhaps you could be are flower girl," Rebekah said and Ella's eyes went wide with excitement.

"Oh can I mommy?" Ella said, "I wanna be a flower girl!" Caroline shot Rebekah a glare, how was she to say no when Ella was looking at her like that? She was going to have to talk to Rebekah about asking the parents before you ask the child.

"I'll think about it," Caroline said.

Mikaelsons. Sneaky bastards the lot of them.

K&C

Elijah was not one to get nervous. He was known for his ability to keep his cool. Kol had teased him growing up claiming that Elijah wasn't his brother at all, but a robot. Klaus had always stood up for Elijah and told their little brother to shut it. They had been close once, he and Klaus. Close as two brothers could ever get.

Elijah had been the one to take care of Klaus after Mikael had beat leaving that horrible scar on his little brother's back. He had been the one to nurse his brother when Klaus had a fever of 40 degrees Celsius as their mother and father claimed that Klaus was just "a little hot" and there was no need to go to the hospital. As much as Elijah had taken care of Klaus growing up, he was the one that ruined their relationship over his now wife Tatia. Even thinking about her brought a bitter taste to his mouth.

He took a deep breath and looked around the room. He was hoping to spot Rebekah or Caroline in the crowd so he would have someone to talk to, but he didn't see them due to all the people. Klaus brought in quite a crowd, and Elijah was proud of his brother for being so successful. Elijah had been the one to give Klaus his first set of paints for his 10th birthday. He saw a wave of brown curls and he remembered the woman he had seen at Caroline's apartment. Talking to her again was better then standing her alone so he made his way over to her.

"Hello again," He said and the woman looked at him confused.

"I'm sorry do I know you?" She asked politely and Elijah smirked. So this was how it was going to be. First, she was rude and refused to tell him her name, and now she was pretending she had never seen him before.

"Yes, I believe we have," Elijah said and the woman put a curl behind her ear, and he saw the diamond ring and wedding band on her finger. She was married? "I see your manners have improved since I saw you last."

"Excuse me?" She said still faking ignorance.

"We would have been better acquainted had you told me your name, but if I recall correctly you refused to do so," Elijah said and the woman seemed to suddenly realize something.

"Wait here," The woman said and walking away. She appeared a moment later with a woman who looked identical to her, although her hair was ironed straight. Elijah's eyes widened.

"This is my sister Katherine," She introduced, "She is probably who you met before and I agree her manners do need to improve." Katherine shot her sister a glare, "I'm Elena." Elena said putting out her hand.

"Elijah," The eldest Mikaelson said shaking it.

"Oh, Klaus' brother," Elena said putting it together.

"Yes," Elijah told her, "Have you seen my brother by any chance? Or Caroline?"

"No I am afraid not," Elena said, "Every time I look he is talking to someone new, and Caroline is running around telling people what to do. I did see Kol over by the food with Ella and Rebekah if you wanted to go say hello."

"I will do that, thank you Elena," Elijah said thinking these two were as different as night and day, but you could still sense the love between them.

"You're welcome," Elena said and then whispered to her twin, "Be nice."

"I always am," Katherine said and Elena rolled her eyes and left. She looked at Elijah, "So where is the wifey?" Katherine apparently wasn't going to take her sister's advice.

"In England," Elijah informed her, "She won't make it out this trip."

"Didn't you just get married?" Katherine said, "Why would you want to separate so soon? Aren't you in the "Honeymoon Phase" right now?" Elijah opened his mouth to speak but was cut off.

"Elijah?" The two heard someone behind them say and they both looked over to see Rebekah standing there holding the hand of a little girl. Elijah had never been happy more happy to see his sister and escape Katherine's further questioning about Tatia.

"Rebekah," Elijah said walking over and kissing his sister on the cheek. He looked down at Ella and was startled at her resemblance to Klaus. Not her face perhaps, but her smile and the way she stood.

"There you are sweetheart," Klaus said walking over and picking Ella up, "You tired?"

"No," Ella's musical voice said but she yawned, "I not tired Daddy." Klaus smiled and then seemed to notice Elijah. His eyes went wide but he recovered quickly. He probably didn't expect Elijah to actually show up.

"Elijah," Klaus said formally while rubbing Ella's back. "Glad you could come."

"Sorry I am late," Elijah said, "Traffic was a nightmare. Chicago is very different from home."

"It is," Klaus agreed. "I would introduce you to Ella but I am afraid sleep has finally claimed her." Klaus looked down at Ella whose head was resting on his shoulder and her eyes were closed.

"She's asleep?" Caroline said appearing next to Klaus along with Kol and Bonnie.

"She is," Klaus said.

"I'll take her home," Kol offered, "You two need to stay a while longer and enjoy the party. Bonnie this is my brother Elijah by the way."

"Nice to meet you," Bonnie said.

"You too," Elijah said back.

"Thanks Kol," Caroline said and Klaus reluctantly handed Ella to Kol. "I'll come get her later."

"Got it," Kol said, "Bye all."

"Bye," Bonnie said with a little wave leaving Klaus, Caroline, Rebekah, Katherine, and Elijah standing there.

"I am going to go find Matt," Rebekah told them.

"Last I saw he was talking with Damon," Klaus said and Rebekah looked horrified. She didn't want her fiance talking to her former...whatever Damon was to her. There were some stories that had no need to be told.

"I better go find them." Rebekah said rushed off. The four remaining laughed.

"Poor girl," Klaus said, "Damon has a pretty big mouth."

"I remember," Elijah said, "When you brought him round for dinner he was quite willing to share all your adventures in Oxford." Klaus found himself laughing. Both brothers turned to each other with smile on their faces when suddenly the air felt awkward.

"Hey Katherine why don't we go see what Damon is telling Matt?" Caroline said jerking her head in the direction of Klaus and Elijah.

"Oh, right," Katherine said catching on, "Sure let's go." The brothers were left alone. They stood in silence for a minute. The air was thick with tension. This was the first time the brothers had been left alone with each other in years.

"Quite a crowd you brought in," Elijah finally spoke up.

"Yes if only Mikael could see me now," Klaus said, "He went on and on how I would never make it as an artist."

"I never thought that," Elijah said.

"I remember," Klaus said, "You were the first person I sold a painting to."

"Yes, but it was for a great deal less then 500,000 pounds," Elijah said, "I think it was only 5 pounds, I got quite a deal."

"How is Taita?" Klaus asked not wanting to discuss the past anymore. He really didn't want to talk about Tatia either, but desperate times.

"She is doing fine, she back is home now," Elijah replied, "Probably arguing with mother about the house. She wants to change a few things around."

"Mother would never let her," Klaus said. The conversation was awkward and forced, but they were both managing to be civil.

"I know," Elijah agreed, "It will always be mother's house regardless who owns the deed."

"How is the petition going?" Klaus said, "Mother said you were petitioning to get the title back."

"Quite well," Elijah said, "There is some more paperwork to go though, but it appears there will be a Lord Mikaelson again."

"Tatia must be thrilled," Klaus couldn't help but say.

"She is," Elijah said and the air went awkward again so they needed a change of subject. "Ella is beautiful Niklaus." Klaus smiled for real.

"Like her mother," Klaus said, "Sorry you couldn't meet her tonight."

"It's fine, though I hope I will get to meet her tomorrow?" Elijah said trying not to sound too hopeful.

"Rebekah, Kol, and I are having lunch with Ella tomorrow, you should come too," Klaus said, "We want Ella to get to know the other side of her family. It is too bad that Finn couldn't come because Sage is about to have the baby any day, and mother, well, she never leaves Europe." Elijah nodded in agreement.

"Tomorrow then," Elijah said.

"Tomorrow."

K&C

Caroline let out a breath once the last guest left. She and Klaus were the only ones still there.

"What a night," Caroline said to Klaus who had his back turned to her pulling something out from behind a table. "What are you doing?" He turned around and she was he was holding two glasses and a bottle of champagne. "Oh no, I have to work tomorrow. I have to supervise the clean up crew, and I cannot do that with a hangover."

"One drink?" Klaus said and Caroline sighed.

"One," Caroline said taking a glass from him. She took a sip and closed her eyes. It had been so long since she had had a drink.

"Don't drink often I take it?" Klaus asked voicing her thoughts.

"No, I can't exactly go out and drink like I did in college," Caroline told him, "I have Ella to consider." Klaus felt a pang of guilt. How many drunken nights had he had in five years while Caroline stayed in raising their daughter?

"Klaus?" Caroline said.

"Yes?" Klaus said.

"About this summer, I have made a decision," Caroline said, "She will stay with you for a month. I will be there for two weeks and then you will have Ella alone for two weeks. Maybe we can talk about making her stays longer, but for now that is what I am offering."

"Really?" Klaus said and his face broke out into a grin, "Thank you Caroline. It means a lot that you trust me enough to let me be alone with her."

"You are doing a good job so far, and I think it is important for Ella to go and meet the rest of your family and see where she comes from." Caroline said.

"Thank you Caroline," Klaus said again and leaned in and brushed his lips across her cheek. It was barely a touch, but it sent chills all down her body.

"You're welcome," Caroline said softly, "Um...why don't you go get a cab? I need to get my bag."

"Sure, sweetheart." Klaus said and walked over the the exit while Caroline went the other direction to get her stuff. As she made her way through the maze of paintings she found herself pausing at the section where Klaus had displayed all his sketches. She had been so busy tonight that she hadn't really paid any attention to the work itself.

The sketches weren't as popular as Klaus' paintings so there was only a small collection of them. Caroline looked around and her eyes fell on one sketch. It seemed to be of a person and as she walked closer the sketch became clearer. It was of a woman. She was smiling brightly and a sheet was covering her exposing only her bare shoulders. Caroline's mouth dropped open. The woman was her. In the corner of the paper Genuine Beauty was written along with a date. 2008.

Five years ago.

…...

What did you think? As for the last names of the women in the beginning, I was watching Funny Girl when I wrote that part. My favorite part of the chapter was the Klaus/Elijah scene. I loved the tension.

When I said Klaus' fever was 40 degrees that is in Celsius which they use in England I believe. 40 is a very high fever. Trying to keep things as accurate as I can!

In the beginning of the story I mentioned that their father used to be a Lord before he got his title taken away and now Elijah is trying to get it back.

Thank you all for reading and reviewing and everything! You all rock.

As for updates, I got a job! But I work 10 hour days (or more like 11 sometimes) and writing is taking the back-burner unfortunately...I would rather write all day then take care of a bunch of crazy 1st graders, but I need to make a living!