I own nothing…

Here is the next chapter. I am so so sorry it took this long. My muse left and wouldn't come back (the bad interviews didn't help). I was going to update this weekend, but I figured I have been leaving you hanging way too long!

I hope you like it!

"Surprise love," Klaus said to a still speechless Caroline, "Well, aren't you going to invite me in?"

"Um…yeah," Caroline said letting him in. Klaus walked in filling up the room like he normally did. He went straight for Jesse while still holding Ella.

"Klaus Mikaelson," Klaus said shaking Jesse's hand with his free hand.

"My daddy," Ella added.

"Jesse," Jesse said his voice only cracking once. Caroline pitied him. Klaus was very intimidating. Jesse stood still while Klaus looked him over.

"Ella can you set another place at the table?" Caroline asked breaking the moment, "Klaus, would you like to join us?" Klaus smirked while Caroline glared. She didn't want to ask Klaus to stay, but now that he was here Ella wasn't going to let him go, and Caroline had been raised right. She couldn't exactly throw him out, even though it was a little tempting.

"I would love to," Klaus said and let Ella down to set the table.

Jesse watched at Klaus and Caroline stared each other down. Jesse knew Kol had something to do with this. He had stated very plainly that he wanted Jesse out of the picture and for Caroline and Klaus to be together. Klaus turned to Jesse who backed up at Klaus' intense gaze.

"So Jason, what are your intentions for the mother of my child?" Klaus asked and Jesse's mouth fell open. "Well?"

"I…uh…" Jesse stammered, but was saved by Caroline who grabbed Klaus by the arm and pushed him into the hall.

"Why don't you draw Jesse a picture, Ella?" Caroline suggested.

"Okay Mommy," Ella said and got out the colored pencils her Daddy had got her.

"What are you doing?" Caroline said grabbing Klaus' arm again and pulling him further into the hall.

"Parenting," Klaus said, "You have been on what 4 dates? And you are already introducing Jason

to Ella?"

"Its Jesse, and it has been six dates," Caroline corrected, "Ella asked why I kept going out so I told her I made a new friend. Ella loves new friends and wanted to meet him. It is just a dinner."

"It is too soon," Klaus said.

"I don't need your parenting advice, I have been doing it longer," Caroline told him.

"Yes you have been, but you are not doing alone anymore," Klaus reminded her, "I need to know what is going on because it will affect my daughter."

"So if you have a girlfriend I have to approve of her before she can meet Ella?" Caroline asked.

"I don't do girlfriends, love," Klaus said, "But yes I suppose so."

"You came all this way to snoop on my love life?" Caroline said and Klaus smirked.

"I came to see my daughter," Klaus corrected, "Snooping was just an added bonus."

"Mommy! Something's burning!" Ella called out.

"Crap," Caroline said and looked back at Klaus, "We aren't done here."

Dinner was awkward to say the least. Ella remained oblivious to whatever was going on. Caroline was ignoring Klaus, Klaus was talking to Ella, and Jesse didn't know what in the hell to do. This was supposed to be a friendly dinner, but it got interrupted by Caroline's handsome, rich, charming ex. Or not ex, Jesse wasn't sure of the whole story. All he knew was that Klaus was some big time artist and Ella could buy her own castle if she wished. That was how much money was in her trust fund.

"Where's Katherine?" Klaus asked addressing Caroline. She shot him an annoyed look, but answered.

"At her sister's," Caroline replied, "Probably driving Stefan crazy."

"Crazy?" Klaus repeated.

"Yeah, they think it is funny to try and trick Stefan into thinking Katherine is Elena and visa versa. He is actually pretty good at telling them apart now, but it drove him nuts in the beginning." Caroline said and Klaus laughed.

"Poor bloke," Klaus said pitying the man.

"Yeah, totally ruined any twin fantasy for him," Caroline said and Klaus laughed again.

"Twin fantasy?" Ella repeated and Caroline and Klaus looked at each other.

"Eat your veggies, sweetheart," Klaus said changing the topic.

"But I don't like peas," Ella said making a face.

"No one likes peas my love," Klaus said, "But I quite like the color of them, don't you?" Ella looked at her peas closely.

"I suppose," Ella said.

"Well if you like the color then that means the food probably isn't so bad," Klaus reasoned. Ella

tilted her head to the side considering it for a moment, before finally eating her peas.

"So Jason, what do you do?" Klaus asked Jesse. Caroline kicked him and Klaus kicked back.

"It's Jesse, and I am still in school," Jesse answered, "I had to take time off to take care of my mother, but I am able to go back now. I want to be a micro biologist."

"You must be a smart bloke then," Klaus said taking a sip of his wine.

"Smart enough to get into grad school," Caroline cut, "He is going to go for his doctorate."

"Hmm…" Klaus mused taking another drink. Dinner was finally coming to an end and Ella was practically falling asleep. "I've got her." Klaus picked Ella up and carried her into her room leaving Jesse and Caroline sitting.

"I am so sorry about this," Caroline apologized, "I had no idea he was going to come tonight."

"It's fine," Jesse said.

"No it isn't," Caroline said, "And I will tell Klaus to call first from now on."

"I don't think he'd listen," Jesse said.

"Probably not," Caroline said with a sigh.

"Well I am going to go," Klaus said coming back into the room. "Ella's out for the night. Bloody hell did I miss her." For the first time tonight Caroline felt herself soften.

"I know, she missed you too." Caroline said, "Where are you staying?"

"With Kol," Klaus answered.

"Really?" Caroline said a little surprised.

"I know," Klaus said, "But until I get a place here it is better than staying in a hotel."

"You are going to get a place here?" Caroline asked.

"Of course," Klaus said, "If I am going to split my time from here and England I want to have my own place. That was I can have a room for Ella when she comes and stays with me."

"Right," Caroline said and then looked at Jesse who had just been standing there watching the exchange. "Goodnight."

"Night, love," Klaus said and left. Caroline turned to Jesse.

"Do you want some coffee or something?" Caroline said and Jesse shook his head.

"No thanks," Jesse said, "I have a test to study for."

"I understand," Caroline said, "Call me?"

"I will," Jesse said and kissed her before leaving. Once both boys were gone Caroline sighed and sat on the couch. It had been a long night. Elena recently said Caroline had two boyfriends and Caroline had laughed it off, but she was started to think Elena was right. Damn Gilberts and their powers of perception. Maybe Caroline did have two boyfriends.

One that wanted to love her, and one that couldn't love.

K&C

"Hey roomie," Katherine said coming into the apartment the next morning, "I have an idea."

"What?" Caroline asked.

"Well, we haven't been home in forever so I am thinking we should go home for Amara's birthday this weekend. I know it is short notice, but I know you are up to the challenge of planning it." Katherine said in a rush, "We can have it in our house. Jenna and Ric have already agreed."

"You want to go to Mystic Falls?" Caroline cleared up.

"Yes, and it's perfect," Katherine said, "I've already asked and everyone is free this weekend. Elena and I were already planning to go see her, but I thought why no everyone? Besides Jeremy has been going on and on about meeting Klaus, and since he is in town he can come too."

"Katherine…" Caroline said but Kat cut her off.

"I know you don't like going back because of your Mom and Tyler, but come on, Amara would love seeing all of us." Katherine said, but Caroline looked hesitant, "Look, I know it will be hard, but it will be good for Ella to see where you come from."

"I don't know…"

"Please," Katherine said coming and sitting next to her, "Come on. It will be fun." Caroline still didn't seem very into the idea, "For Amara, and for me. I swear if Jeremy asks me about meeting Klaus one more time I am going to kill myself."

"Okay," Caroline gave in.

"Perfect!" Katherine said, "Now get on planning it, we don't have much time."

"Kat!" Caroline said not liking it was all suddenly on her shoulders.

"I know you can do it," Katherine said with a wink and headed out the door again, "Love you!"

Damn Gilberts.

A weekend in Mystic Falls? It wouldn't be the worst thing, and it would be good for Ella to see where Caroline used to live. She just hated going there now. It didn't seem like home without her Mom. But this wasn't about her. This was for Baby Gilbert. Caroline got out her phone and dialed Amara's number.

"Hey Amara," Caroline said into the phone.

"Katherine guilt you into throwing me a party?" Amara said getting right to the point. Well at least Katherine had warned Amara they would all be invading.

"No, I want to," Caroline protested.

"Okay, but please tell me you are bringing Klaus, I can't take anymore of Jeremy's fangirling," Amara said and Caroline laughed.

"I've haven't asked him yet," Caroline told her, "I only found out about this party two minutes ago, but I am really excited to see you."

"Me too," Amara said, "And since Jeremy wouldn't shut up about Klaus I read up on him. He is quite handsome, and that accent! How are you not getting some of that?"

"Amara Gilbert!" Caroline said shocked at the youngest Gilbert.

"Fine, but make sure to bring him," Amara said, "And thanks."

"Anytime Baby Gilbert," Caroline said and they hung up.

K&C

"This is awesome," Bonne said looking around. "A private plane? How do Klaus manage this?"

"One of his buyers owns it," Caroline said trying to act cool, but really she was as excited as she was. Klaus had agreed to come right away when she asked him and even told her he could get a private plane for the lot of them. It would have been hard getting them all flights this late. Now here they were. Katherine, Elena, Stefan, Bonnie, Kol, Caroline, Klaus, Ella, and even Damon was coming. Ella was sitting on Klaus' lap looking out the window. Damon, Stefan, and Kol were having a drink.

"I feel like a celebrity," Elena said coming and sitting with them. Katherine came over and sat on Elena's lap. Elena grunted and tried to push her off but Kat stayed put.

"Yeah," Caroline said, "I am just not looking forward to seeing Tyler. I will try my hardest to avoid him, but knowing my luck I will run into him the moment we step foot into town."

"Klaus still going to play your fake boyfriend?" Katherine asked.

"Only when Tyler is around," Caroline replied, "But knowing Klaus he will lay it on pretty thick."

"The man doesn't do anything half way," Bonnie agreed, "What about Jesse?"

"He knows I am going home," Caroline said.

"But he doesn't know Klaus is going," Elena said and Caroline silence was answer enough.

Caroline looked back out the window. They were almost there. Home. It was still home to Elena, Bonnie, and Katherine, they came back and visited all the time. Not Caroline. Mystic Falls was no longer her home. It hadn't been her home for a long time.

K&C

It rained. It was raining but Caroline barely noticed. The whole town had come. Liz was the sheriff for many years. She was beloved around Mystic Falls. She could feel Katherine rubbing her back and Elena holding her hand. Bonnie was next to Elena and the four stood in the front as they lowered the coffin down.

Her mother had been sick for a while. This wasn't unexpected, but the timing was horrible. Caroline put her hands on her stomach. She wasn't quite showing yet, but her mother had been overjoyed when she heard she was going to be a grandmother. Caroline didn't know how Liz was going to react when Caroline told her about the baby. Would she be disappointed? Would she be ashamed of Caroline because the baby was the result of a one night stand?

She wasn't. Liz hugged Caroline tightly and said she was proud of her. Caroline started to tear up. She hadn't cried yet. Not once since she heard the news. Liz didn't even tell Caroline how bad it was. She didn't want Caroline to worry and to only focus on her baby. Even on her deathbed Liz put Caroline first. What was Caroline going to do without her?

Another sob broke out. Kat put her arm around Caroline and held her close to her. Caroline started crying hard, and didn't care that everyone was watching her.

"I have to go," Caroline said and ran away. It was too much. It was all too much.

"Caroline!" Bonnie called out, but Caroline didn't stop. Bonnie tried to go after when Katherine stopped her.

"She needs to be alone," Katherine said.

Caroline finally stopped at a random grave far away. There were too many people. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't take all their sympathetic smiles telling her that they are sorry, and if there is anything they can do. Well how about bring her mother back? That was the only thing Caroline wanted. Her mother back.

"Hi," A voice said and Caroline looked up to see Amara Gilbert standing there. She tried to smile at the youngest Gilbert, but she couldn't.

"I'm sorry you're sad," Amara said sitting next to her in the dirt. "I understand. When Mom and Dad died the pain was unbearable. You don't want sympathy, all you want is your loves one back. It will get better, I promise."

"Thank you, Amara," Caroline said taking the girl's hand.

"Kat told me about the baby," Amara said changing the subject, "Have you named it?"

"No," Caroline said, "No I haven't."

"I like Ella," Amara said and then added, "For a name. It's pretty."

"Ella, that is a nice name," Caroline said.

"And Elizabeth, after your mother," Amara added.

"Ella Elizabeth," Caroline mused, "It sound's perfect."

K&C

The captain told them all to sit and put their seatbelts on. Ella came and sat next to Caroline. She took her hand and soon they were speeding down the runway before finally stopping, but Caroline didn't want the speed to stop. She wanted to keep running and flying forever.

…...

What do you think? Amara named Ella! Jeremy fangirls over Klaus! The Gilberts are going to be reunited! I am looking forward to writing that so I don't think it will take quite as long for the next chapter.

I write a lot of stuff I don't publish. A lot of Sleeping Hook and Robb and Roslin. Those fics have been keeping me busy, but my Klaroline fics will be my main focus again.

Thank you all so much for your support. 1000 reviews? Are you trying to make me cry? You are all amazing and I can't thank you enough. I used to be scared to let people read my writing, but you wonderful readers gave me the confidence to break out of my shell!

You will also notice that the fic is now rated "m" because Lane is going to put on her big girl pants and try some sexy times.