I own nothing…

Yeah, I don't know what to say. I got a new job! I was very tired all the time and my Klaroline muse went away completely. I am hoping to get it back!

Please be lenient with this chapter. I feel rusty.

"I had another one," Caroline said grumpily coming into the kitchen where Katherine was sitting and reading the paper.

"Oh poor you," Katherine said putting the paper down. "Scandalous sex dreams about a hot Englishman? The horror."

"Stupid Klaus, stupid accent," Caroline mumbled and Kat smiled. Caroline had taken to blaming Klaus for the dreams.

"Yeah, maybe he is secretly a supernatural creature who can make you dream about whatever he wants," Katherine said and Caroline glared at her. "How are you doing?"

"I have never actually broken up with someone before," Caroline said taking the cup of coffee Kat handed her. "It wasn't very nice."

"Well you weren't feeling it with Jesse," Katherine said with a shrug, "And just in time for your trip to England with Klaus."

"That's not why I did it," Caroline said and Kat rolled her eyes.

"You all packed?" Kat said deciding to change the subject. She wasn't getting any more out of Caroline today.

"Yep," Caroline said, "You?"

"Yeah," Kat said, "Elena is telling me how nervous Stefan is to meet Gran."

"How is Elena doing?" Caroline asked.

"Been better," Katherine said, "Hopefully Gran has some kind of Bulgarian fertility remedy."

"But the doctor said there is a chance she could get pregnant, right?" Caroline said.

"A slim one," Katherine corrected with a sad look on her face.

"Poor thing, she was always the most maternal of us growing up," Caroline mused.

"She was," Katherine agreed, "And she is already looking into adoption. There are a lot of children already out there who need good homes."

"And Stefan and Elena would be amazing parents," Caroline said.

"They will be," Katherine agreed. "Like you."

"Won't work, I said it before and I will say it again. No party for your model friends while I am gone. No amount of ass kissing will change my mind," Caroline said seeing through her friend.

"Worth a shot," Katherine said shrugging.

…

"Daddy!" Ella cried or more screeched. The girl weaved her way through the crowd running to Klaus while Caroline hurried to catch up with her. Who knew the kid could run so fast?

"Hello Sweetheart," Klaus said catching Ella as she hurled herself at him. He smiled at Caroline when she appeared a moment later. "Caroline."

"Hey Klaus," Caroline said and Klaus leaned over and kissed her cheek. "How was your flight?"

"It was fine…the first class was nice," Caroline said. "Ella got a little antsy though."

"It was reaaalllly long," Ella added.

"I know, but you get to stay here for a whole month," Klaus said and Ella smiled. He kissed her cheek. "Come on, let's go home."

Home.

…

His home was beautiful. It was penthouse, yes the penthouse, of a really old building. He had a private elevator leading up to his flat. It was your classic bachelor pad with leather couches and a huge TV, but it was homey. Off to the side of the living room there was a half-finished painting. Klaus had a studio, but sometimes the inspiration struck when he was at home and he didn't want to drive all the way to his studio when he could paint here Klaus explained. He gave them a quick tour before stopping at a closed door. There was a gold star with a plaque that said "Ella" underneath it.

"This is your room," Klaus said to Ella and opened the door. Caroline couldn't help but gasp. One wall was completely covered by a huge mural. It was a forest scene with a path leading to a castle. There were fairies in the trees and bunnies and deer hiding among the bushes. It was beautiful. Like they had stepped into a fairy tale.

"Wow," Ella said walking into the room. "Daddy, it's so pretty."

"Did you do this?" Caroline asked.

"Yes, Finn and Sage helped," Klaus replied.

"It's amazing," Caroline said still in awe. She managed to tare her eyes away from the painting and looked around some more. There was a canopy bed along with a couple bookshelves full of books. E-L-L-A was on top of the bed in blue letters. But that wasn't the best part. On the opposite wall there was a bay mirror looking out at the city and next to it was an easel and numerous art supplies. It was Ella's dream room. A Princess Artist room. Ella ran to the bed and flopped down on it.

"Is this really all mine?" Ella said sitting up and looking at them.

"Yes, your grandmother helped pick out the books, I hope you like them," Klaus said and Ella went over to the bookshelves.

"I like the poster," Caroline pointed to the Oxford poster on the wall.

"Gift from Elijah," Klaus said and Caroline laughed.

"Thanks Daddy," Ella said and hugged him. "Is Mommy gonna sleep with you?" Caroline's eyes widened and she refused to look at Klaus.

"Why would you ask that Sweetheart?" Klaus asked.

"Don't Mommy's and Daddy's sleep together?" Ella said innocently.

"Not always, baby," Caroline said, "Now, let's unpack and then you can pick a book for us to read."

"Okay, Mommy," Ella said and started to unpack the suitcase Caroline had rolled in. Ella started throwing clothes all over the place. Her version of "unpacking" Caroline would go through and organize it all later.

"That was amazing, Klaus, really," Caroline said as he led her to where she would be staying.

"I want her to feel at home here too," Klaus said rubbing the back of his neck.

"I don't think she is going to want to go back," Caroline joked, but at the same time was nervous it was true. "What? No jaw dropping mural for me?" Caroline said when they reached the guest room. The walls were a soft white, but the bed was huge and it looked really comfy. Caroline want to jump on the bed and take a nice nap.

"Give me 10 minutes and I can come up with something." Klaus said. "Do you want a princess room too?"

"A Queen," Caroline corrected.

"Well, your highness, I will leave you to get settled as well. If Ella is up for it I was hoping to go to my mother's house tomorrow. If not they all might come here, and my flat is big, but not that big." Klaus said and Caroline laughed.

"Sounds good," Caroline said.

After a quick meal Caroline and Ella were so warn out that they fell asleep nearly right away. That night just as Caroline was dozing off there was a small knock on the door. Ella appeared in the doorway.

"Mommy?" Ella said.

"What is it baby?" Caroline asked.

"Can I sleep in here?" Ella asked. "Just for tonight?"

"Of course you can," Caroline said and Ella jumped onto the bed. "If everything okay with your room? Do you have some monsters under the bed? I can go scare them off if you need me too. Monsters are scared of me."

"No monsters, I just wanted to sleep in here with you, that's all," Ella said and Caroline kissed her forehead.

"Okay, goodnight baby," Caroline said and turned off the light.

…

Caroline was nervous as they pulled up the drive to Klaus' very large family home. Or mansion. Or estate. Or OMG this place is big. The last time she had been here she had been lying to these very nice people pretending to be dating Kol. Now it turns out she was the mother of Klaus' daughter. Caroline couldn't just smile and nod through the day. These people were going to be in her life now.

"Whoa," Ella said from behind them. Caroline turned around and looked at her daughter. The young girl's eyes were wide with wonder. "You lived here Daddy?"

"Yes, I grew up here sweetheart," Klaus replied and stopped the car.

Ella was wearing a blue dress. She had completely left pink behind now. Of course she was wearing her Oxford sweatshirt over her pretty dress. Ella was nervous. The house was pretty intimidating. Klaus knocked and Jonas let them in. The first person they saw was Matt. Ella let out of breath of relief. Caroline was glad there would be some familiar faces. Rebekah appeared next and Ella went over and hugged her.

"I missed you!" Rebekah said. "Look how pretty you look!" Rebekah looked at Klaus and Caroline. "You couldn't get her to lose the sweatshirt."

"No, I'm afraid she half lives in that thing," Caroline said.

"I think it suits her," Finn's voice said they turned to see him walking over with Sage right behind him. Ella hid behind Rebekah.

"Ella, this is my brother Finn and his wife Sage," Klaus introduced, "Your uncle and aunt."

"You have a new cousin too," Sage said with a friendly smile. "You can meet him later. I must say you are the prettiest girl I have ever seen." Ella blushed.

"Thank you," Ella said coming out from behind Rebekah.

"Obviously takes after her mother," Finn added. "Nice to see you again Caroline."

"You too, congratulations on the baby," Caroline said.

"You are all correct, she certainly is beautiful," Another voice said. Esther walked into the room with a smile on her face. "Hello, I'm Esther, your grandmother. You can call me Grams if you wish. Come closer. Let me look at you." Ella bravely walked over. Esther knelt down so they were eye level.

"Well I think you look at great deal like your father," Esther said and poked one of Ella's dimples. "Same smile. Let me ask, do you get in lots of mischief too?"

"Sometimes," Ella admitted.

"I hear you are an artist," Esther said standing to her full height.

"Uh-huh, like Daddy," Ella said and Esther smiled.

"Come, let's have tea. Do you like tea, darling?" Esther asked Ella.

"Uh-huh, I like peppermint, but Daddy checks the temperature before I drink it so I won't burn myself." Ella informed her.

"Elijah used to do that for him," Esther mused and put out her hand for Ella to take. Ella carefully did.

Caroline needed air. She excused herself and went outside. She just needed a moment. Esther had given Ella a tour and Ella went on and on how it would be so cool to live there. And of course, there were horses. Can't forget the ponies. Once Caroline got outside she looked back at the estate. It really was beautiful here. The house was so big. The lives the Mikaelson's lived was so different from her own. Caroline heard footsteps and saw Klaus walking over.

"You look troubled, love, what is it?" Klaus asked.

"Look at this place," Caroline said looking at the house and not him, "If Ella was here she could go to all the right schools, be in all the right clubs, be a freaking Lady. I…I can't give her that."

"Oh, love, none of that matters," Klaus said, "Yes, my family and I grew up privileged, but we are very fucked up." Caroline laughed and wiped the tears from her eyes. Klaus went on, "Rebekah and Kol moved across the world to get away. Finn went by a different name for a while as to not associate himself with our family. And well, you know about Elijah, Tatia, and myself. Caroline, you raised her in unconditional love. Something we didn't have much of. Growing up I would have given anything to live the way Ella does with you." Caroline knew she was crying now.

"Thanks," Caroline said.

"Ella might be the only Mikaelson not to need excessive amounts of therapy and won't become a borderline alcoholic," Klaus said and Caroline laughed again. "I was a little fearful to bring her here. I don't think this place will change her, you raised her too well, but there are a lot of ghosts in that house."

"You all survived it though, and you can't be that fucked up. If you were I wouldn't trust you will Ella, and I have issues too. Dad left, mom died." Caroline said. "We just need to make sure Ella doesn't become as fucked up as the rest of us." Now Klaus laughed.

"Come on it, let's not leave Ella alone with the wolves too long," Klaus said holding out his hand, "At least Matt and Sage are there to balance out the Mikaelson madness."

"Since when you are you funny?" Caroline asked as they walked back to the house. He didn't let go her hand.

"Never had reason to laugh much before," Klaus admitted.

When they got back to the house Esther had Ella on her lap and was showing her old photos. It seems Klaus and Caroline weren't the only ones making sure Ella had the childhood they didn't.

"Mommy look at Daddy! He's my age!" Ella said grinning.

"I think he looked better then," Rebekah commented. "Although he did grow into his ears."

"Too bad your mouth just go bigger," Klaus said in return. Rebekah glared.

They finally made it back to the flat. Ella had fallen asleep and Klaus carried her into the flat. Caroline quickly changed Ella into her pj's and closed the door. The nightlight in her room made the mural seem to glow. Ella was going to have some princess dreams tonight.

"That went well," Caroline said taking the glass of wine Klaus handed her. "And Ella loved holding her new cousin."

"It did, everyone was on their best behavior and thankfully didn't grill Ella too much," Klaus said.

"I have something for you," Caroline said and ran back to her room to get something out of her suitcase. "I was going to save it for my last night, but I can't wait."

"What is it?" Klaus asked taking the manila envelope from her.

"Something I had Stefan draw up before we left," Caroline said and he opened it. Klaus read it over. "Once you sign it's official. We now share legal and physical custody of Ella. You will get her for three months every summer with me starting the first two weeks with you. I figured we can work out holidays on our own."

"Caroline this is…this is…thank you," Klaus said at a loss for words.

"No, thank you. Ella was missing a part of her life. You filled it," Caroline said and Klaus hugged her tightly lifting her off the ground. Caroline laughed. He set her back on the ground. Their faces were very close together and neither of them were pulling away.

"Oh bugger it," Klaus said and kissed her.

…..

What did you think? I hope you like it. Good? Awful? Wow Lane, you have lost your ability to write well in the last year?

I really hope it doesn't take nearly a year to update, and again I am so sorry it took so long. You readers are just so wonderful for asking me to continue.