AN: It's a Christmas miracle! I managed to find time in the past couple of days to whip out a chapter. I hope you all enjoy it. As usual, thank you for your kind reviews and the favs and follows. This story now has over 100 followers! You guys are awesome! A guest reviewer, Tally (whom I wish I could thank personally for their insight), brought up an interesting point. That Hayley should have more sympathy towards Lizzie and Caroline's relationship, having grown up in the system herself. I can't change her initial reactions, but I will say that we will chalk it up to the impulsivity and possessive qualities of being a hybrid and with some time to think about it, her actions and sensitivity to the situation will change. J I also had a reviewer ask about Kol. I decided that in my head cannon, after the defeat of Esther and Mikael, Kol would prefer to return to being an Original. I figured between his own magic and Davina's, they would be able to come up with a way to make that possible. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!
Rebekah walks slowly along the streets of New Orleans. She tries not to dwell on how her actions may have halted the progress of helping her niece feel safe in New Orleans. "Rebekah!" She hears.
Bekah turns around and smiles sadly. "Hi Cami."
"Do you know where Klaus is?" Cami asks and Bekah immediately feels bad for the woman. Everyone, with maybe the exception of Klaus, knows how Cami feels about him. And perhaps if Klaus hadn't been reunited with Caroline, Cami may have had a chance. But Bekah knows that she stands no chance against Caroline Forbes.
"He's in a mood this morning. I wouldn't worry about him." Rebekah brushes the inquiry off.
"It's just, I have been calling him. I worried, after everything that happened yesterday. Do you know where he is?" Cami pleads.
Rebekah turns to look at Cami, but something across the street catches her eyes. She spots Klaus, walking down the street with Caroline and her niece. And said niece is holding Klaus' hand and smiling at him. "Actually, I think he is doing ok." Rebekah replies, no longer worrying about how Klaus will manage to bond with his daughter.
Cami turns to see what Rebekah is looking at. She is torn between smiling joyfully at the sight of Klaus holding his daughter's hand and shedding a tear for her lost chance with him. "Klaus!" Cami calls, giving in to her desire to be around Klaus. Finding a break in the traffic, Cami darts across the street, with Rebekah in tow.
"Hey Nik." Rebekah says softly, waiting to see how he will react.
All traces of the angry hybrid brother have vanished. "Lizzie, I want to formally introduce you to my sister, Bekah."
Caroline watches carefully as Lizzie peers at Bekah from around Klaus. "Is she going to yell at my mom again?" Lizzie asks quietly.
Caroline tries to hide her giggle and Rebekah crouches down to look Lizzie in the eye. "I'm sorry for scaring you this morning. I'm Rebekah, but you can call me Aunt Bekah." Bekah holds out her hand.
Lizzie looks Bekah up and down and timidly offers her small hand. "I'm Elizabeth, but you can call me Lizzie."
Caroline and Klaus exchange looks, as Rebekah stands up and faces Caroline. "I believe I owe you an apology too. I may have been hasty in my accusations." Bekah offers up.
"It's ok." Caroline smiles and looks at Lizzie. "She's family. I understand how protective you can get around family. The thing is, she's my family now too. And we all need to work together to figure out how to make this work. But in order to do that, we need to get along." Lizzie nods along with her mom.
Klaus is proud of his sister for apologizing and proud of Caroline for her response. He turns to Lizzie again. "Lizzie and Caroline, I would also like you to meet my friend, Cami."
Cami beams at Klaus and puts her hand out for Caroline. Caroline and Cami shakes hands, as Lizzie looks up at Cami. "What are you?"
Rebekah chokes back a laugh and Klaus and Cami stare at Lizzie. "Elizabeth Hope Forbes!" Caroline reprimands. "You cannot go around asking questions like that."
"But I want to know. Are you a witch or Vampire or Original? Or are you something else?" Lizzie asks again.
Caroline buries her face in her hands in embarrassment and Klaus lets out a small chuckle. "Actually, I am a human. Just an ordinary human." Cami admits.
"Oh." Lizzie looks up at Caroline confused. "But I thought that only supernatural people lived in New Orleans."
Caroline hugs Lizzie to her body. "No, humans do live in New Orleans. There is just a lot of supernatural people who live here."
Lizzie shrugs. "Ok. So are we still going to go have that picnic?"
"Of course." Klaus replies, looking over at Caroline silently begging her to get Lizzie to invite Bekah and Cami along.
"Liz, how would you feel about us adding a few extra people to our picnic?" Caroline asks.
"Hmmm." Lizzie looks up at the sky as she thinks. "Ok. If Aunt Bekah and Cami want to come, that would be ok."
The smile on Bekah's face is brighter than the sun. "Thank you, Lizzie."
"Yes, thank you Lizzie." Cami is already smitten with the young girl.
After the picnic was done, Cami had to excuse herself to go to work. They had found a little park and Bekah was enjoying herself playing with Lizzie on the swings. Klaus watches Caroline as Caroline keeps her eyes firmly on Lizzie. "She's not going to go anywhere, Caroline." Klaus says softly. "Rebekah is an Original. We are royalty in this City. No one would dare to touch Lizzie."
Caroline sighs and briefly glances at Klaus. "I know. It's just, in Dallas, no one knew what we were. And up until you and Hayley showed up, I had no idea that Lizzie had any connections to the supernatural world. Things have just changed so much in the past two days."
Klaus reaches for Caroline's hand and holds it gently. "Give it all time to sink in. Let Lizzie enjoy her time in New Orleans. Give yourself a chance to enjoy New Orleans." Klaus gives Caroline a look and she knows what he is getting at.
"I just don't want to lose her." Caroline murmurs and she grips Klaus' hand tighter.
"I don't think you could ever lose Lizzie. Even if she chose to stay here with us, you would be welcome to stay or visit as often as you'd like." Caroline gives Klaus a sweet, teary smile. "Besides, Lizzie will always know you as the mom who rescued her out of the group home and took care of her for five years. Hayley nor I can replace all the time, effort and love you gave Lizzie during those years."
Caroline lets out a brief laugh and shakes her head. "I guess wisdom really does come with age."
Klaus can't help but laugh with Caroline. "What shall we do about dinner? Do you think Lizzie has had enough time to be able to handle my whole family for dinner?"
Caroline watches Lizzie and Bekah and scrunches up her nose. "How about we work our way up to the whole family? Maybe just you, me, Bekah, Elijah and Hayley?"
Klaus is in awe of Caroline once again. He knows Hayley is not Caroline's favorite person and as far as a position in Lizzie's life, Hayley is Caroline's main competition. But Caroline still wants Hayley to be a part of Lizzie's life. "Sounds perfect. I'll text Elijah."
Elijah and Hayley sit together on a couch flipping through all the pictures Rebekah keeps sending Elijah. They smile at pictures of Lizzie making funny faces with Cami, Lizzie leaving kisses on Caroline's cheek and there is even a picture of Klaus giving Lizzie a piggy back ride. Hayley is stuck on a picture of Lizzie on the swings. Lizzie's face is painted with a large smile and her eyes are crinkled with laughter. Her hair is flying freely and she looks so beautiful and happy. "Elijah, I think I've made a mistake." Hayley laments.
"What do you mean, Hayley?" Elijah looks up from his phone to see Hayley with tears in her eyes.
"I grew up in the foster system, I know how it feels to move from one place to the next and not have any stability. I expected her to just want to be with me. I was expecting to find my daughter at the children's home and be her rescuer. I wanted to be her savior and have her just fall in love with me. But that wasn't the case. Caroline rescued her and she fell in love with Caroline. I was so excited to see her. I may have acted too hastily and now." Hayley stops to wipe away her tears. "What if she wants nothing to do with me, now?"
Elijah takes a deep breath and places a comforting hand on Hayley's shoulder. "Just try to remember what it was like as a child. Give her some time. Elizabeth seems like a smart and sweet young girl. She's giving Niklaus and Rebekah a chance. Perhaps try a different approach."
Hayley gives Elijah a thankful smile. "Except for the fact that Caroline hates me." Hayley moans.
"What makes you think that? Miss. Forbes seems to be a kind and friendly person."
"I might have broken her neck once." Hayley glances downward. "And I also tried to get in between her and Tyler."
Elijah nods. "Apologize. Make amends with Caroline and maybe she will be kind enough to help you with Lizzie." Elijah offers, as his phone beeps, indicating a new message.
"What is this a picture of?" Hayley asks, peering over Elijah's shoulder.
Elijah is silent for a moment. "It's from Niklaus." Hayley looks at Elijah questioningly. "He has invited us to join him, Caroline, Lizzie and Rebekah for dinner."
Hayley can't stop the face splitting grin from emerging on her face. "Where are we meeting and at what time?"
"It seems we are meeting at Niklaus' apartment around 5:30." Elijah gives Hayley and smile and they go back to gazing at the pictures of Lizzie.
Klaus leaves the park before Caroline, Rebekah and Lizzie. He tells Caroline that he needs to run an errand and then he will grab her and Lizzie's bags so they can stay at the apartment for some space. Klaus walks along the streets of the French Quarter, until he arrives at Rousseau's. Cami is tending bar and Marcel is sitting in his reserved booth. Klaus nods at Marcel and takes a seat at the bar. Cami gives Klaus a sad smile as she approaches him from the other side of the bar. There might only physically be a bar top between them, but they both realize that they are miles apart. "Hey Klaus."
"Hello, Cami."
"What brings you here? I didn't expect to see you away from Lizzie so soon." Cami admits, though she also is surprised he is away from Caroline, too. Cami pours Klaus a drink as she waits for his response.
"I'm setting Caroline and Lizzie up in my apartment to give them some space and give Lizzie some time to get acclimated. I was on my way to get their things from the mansion. I wanted to stop by and see how you were." Klaus says the words nonchalantly, but both he and Cami know that Klaus does care about Cami. Just not in the way Cami wishes.
"I'm doing ok. The past couple of days have been a lot to take in. But you finally have your daughter." Cami smiles because she couldn't be happier that Klaus found his daughter.
"Yes, I do." Klaus downs his drink and looks to the door, where a group of people walk in. "Well, you have a job to do and I must be going." Klaus stands up, exchanging another nod with Marcel.
"Klaus?" Cami calls out, before Klaus leaves the bar. Klaus turns and makes eye contact with her. "It was always Caroline, wasn't it? It was always going to be Caroline."
Klaus doesn't have the heart to verbally respond, so he just gives her a small nod. "Goodbye, Camille."
"Bye, Klaus." It's not a forever goodbye, but it is a goodbye for Cami. It's a goodbye to her feelings for Klaus and her daydreams of what it would be like if he felt the same way. It's a goodbye to the idea that they could ever be more than friends.
Caroline and Bekah are sitting on a bench, watching as Lizzie is playing tag with a couple of other kids that arrived at the park. "She's a wonderful girl." Rebekah confesses.
Caroline stares out at the kids playing. "I know." She replies softly. Caroline turns to Rebekah and laughs lightly. "Thank you."
"I think we should be thanking you." Caroline gives Rebekah a bewildered look. "You took care of our family and kept her safe. More than that, you have raised her into such a generous and kind girl." Caroline blushes under the heartfelt compliments from her one-time rival. "I don't know if she would have those qualities if she had grown up here." Rebekah admits.
Caroline shares a laugh with Rebekah. "Don't be too hard on yourself. I'm sure Lizzie would have picked up some wonderful qualities from your dear brother." Caroline says it with a straight face, which only causes both vampires to burst into a fit of giggles.
"She still has time to pick up on some of those qualities." Rebekah remarks. Both women watch Lizzie carefully, and think about what the future has in store. "It would be so much easier if you would just agree to stay here. Lizzie would stay and I'm sure Nik would be over the moon."
Caroline blushes, thinking about Klaus being happy if she stayed. "It all depends on Lizzie. I don't want to uproot her entire life, unless it's what she wants."
Rebekah nods in understanding. The two blondes have come to an unspoken agreement that they both want what's best for Lizzie and they would be willing to do anything to make it happen.
By the time Caroline, Lizzie and Rebekah arrive at Klaus' apartment, Hayley and Elijah are already there. Elijah and Klaus are each lounging in a stuffed chair, with a glass of alcohol in their hand. Hayley is pacing around the living room, waiting impatiently for Lizzie's arrival. The two blondes and the young girl burst into the apartment, filling the home with the sound of their tinkling laughter. Caroline looks up to see Klaus rising from his chair. "It's about time you three joined us." Klaus is a bit irritated but the view of his daughter, his sister and the woman he loves all happy together is enough to erase his irritation.
"Sorry, Lizzie and Bekah got caught up window shopping." Caroline shrugs and tugs Lizzie into the apartment. Caroline looks down at her daughter. "Liz, you remember Elijah and Hayley?"
Bekah moves about the apartment, greeting both of her brothers with kisses on their cheeks. "Hi Elijah, Hi Hayley." Lizzie squeaks out in a small voice. Her eyes catch Klaus and a bright smile erupts on her face. "Hi Klaus!" Lizzie runs up to him and hugs his legs tightly.
Klaus' eyes widen and he tries not to panic at the sudden affection from his daughter. Caroline chuckles and mouths to him to 'hug her back'. Klaus returns the hug, pleased that he has broken into Lizzie's circle of trust.
"What's for dinner?" Lizzie asks, looking around to each of the adults in the room.
Hayley looks at Caroline and Caroline encourages the hybrid with a small smile. "We ordered pizza. It should be here soon."
Lizzie nods and wonders off to the check out the apartment. Caroline eyes the apartment and begins to follow after Lizzie. Caroline stops suddenly and turns to Hayley. "She's coming around. Just give her a little time." Caroline says softly. As she turns to continue following her daughter, Caroline whispers. "And apologize for scaring her."
Elijah stifles a small laugh and Klaus does nothing to hide his amusement. Bekah hits Klaus on the arm. "Don't mind them, Hayley. But what Caroline said was true. She is coming around and she does seem to respond to apologies."
Hayley nods. "Thanks. I just want to get to know her. You know?"
Caroline emerges, with Lizzie following behind her. "Klaus, tell mom that I can have the big bed!" Lizzie whines, as Caroline stands behind her shaking her head furiously.
Klaus' eyes widen as he does not know who to side with. "I think that is a decision for your mother to make." He replies, trying to ignore the way Hayley cringes at Caroline being referred to as Lizzie's mother.
"But, but." Lizzie whines. "It's your apartment. You can make the rules." Lizzie gives Klaus her perfected puppy dog look, begging for him to side with her.
"Elizabeth Hope." Caroline calls. "Don't you dare try that look on Klaus."
Lizzie bursts into giggles and Caroline shakes her head. Bekah and Klaus smile at the interaction between Lizzie and Caroline. Hayley is just mesmerized by her daughter. The knock on the door calls everyone's attention. Elijah gets the door as the rest of them gather in the dining room to enjoy a simple dinner. The dinner goes well, as Hayley takes a moment to apologize to Lizzie for frightening her. Lizzie easily and happily forgives Hayley.
Elijah and Bekah are the first to leave after Lizzie goes to bed. The tension in the room is thick and the silence is awkward as Caroline, Hayley and Klaus sit and look at each other. Caroline clears her throat. "Thanks for apologizing to Lizzie and for toning it down a bit."
Hayley nods receptively. "I was wondering. Could you find a way to allow me to spend some time with Lizzie, alone?" Hayley tentatively asks.
Klaus watches the interaction. Caroline avoids eye contact with Hayley for a moment, while she thinks. "I'll talk to Lizzie about it. I don't want to make her uncomfortable."
Hayley understands, but is disappointed in Caroline's lack of a yes. All of a sudden, Klaus breaks out into a large, dimply smile. "I might have a solution." Caroline eyes Klaus warily and Hayley narrows her eyes at her child's father. "Caroline, I want to show you New Orleans. The side of New Orleans that I would not be comfortable showing you with Lizzie accompanying us. Hayley can babysit Lizzie, so we can go out. Like I promised you." Klaus' eyes are dancing with mischief and delight as he watches both women think over his suggestion.
Caroline wants to immediately put the idea down, but she remembers that she came here to let Lizzie meet her birth family. She needs to follow through on that. Caroline glances briefly at Klaus, but refuses to give him the satisfaction of looking him in the eye as she accepts his offer for a date. Caroline focuses on Hayley and gives the woman an encouraging smile. "I think that would be a good idea. I think Lizzie would understand if she needed a babysitter so I could go out for a little bit." Caroline glances at Klaus again as she emphasizes 'little bit'.
Klaus' expression is simply elated and Hayley cannot stop the smile from warming her face. "Thank you Caroline." Hayley grants Klaus an appreciative nod as she walks toward the door. "We will discuss the details tomorrow?"
Caroline nods and bids Hayley good bye. Klaus stretches out on the couch, a smug smirk on his face. "Any requests for our date tomorrow night, love?"
Caroline takes a deep breath. "Klaus, don't go thinking too much into this. I promised I would let Lizzie get to know you and Hayley. Us going out is simply a reason for Lizzie to have to spend time with Hayley."
Klaus laughs as he stands up and walks right up to Caroline. Klaus leans down, so he is whispering, an inch from Caroline's ear. "Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart, because I will keep reminding you that you accepted a date with me." Klaus leans away enough to look Caroline in the eyes and wink at her. "I'll see you tomorrow, Caroline." Klaus calls over his shoulder, as he leaves his apartment.
Caroline collapses on the couch, shaking her head. 'What have I gotten myself into?' She wonders.