A/N: I am terribly sorry for the late update but I had a small case of writers block. I just wanted to say a quick thank you to all the wonderful reviews, follows/favourites and readers. And hello to any new readers! I had to admit that last chapter I did tear up while writing and reading the flashbacks, so you weren't alone.
Lastly, a huge thank you to my amazing and busy beta, Angela. Now I'll let you enjoy this chapter and all the birthday festivities.
Chapter Twelve
"Nate, slow down!" Rebekah yelled after the little boy who was ten feet ahead of her trying to get to his party. She loved how happy he was and he hadn't even seen what she had set up yet. His smile was ear to ear and his bright blue eyes were shining.
Rebekah chased after him, others close behind carrying various birthday supplies and presents for the birthday boy. She caught up to him in time to open the door to the party location which happened to be a big warehouse filled with jungle gyms in the shape of castles and pirate ships. Party tables filled the opposite end.
The castle was a tall and wide, a castle fit for a King, or in this case Nate and all his friends. It was painted grey in a brick like pattern with two levels and windows all around giving the perfect view of the pirate ship and the rest of the warehouse.
On one side of the second level there was a rope bridge that attached to the side of the ship allowing easy access between the two. The pirate ship was a classic tall ship with giant sails. There were giant slides to be enjoyed to get from the top to the lower deck of the ship.
Nate stepped through the front door, Rebekah right behind him, and he looked up with wide eyes at his surroundings. "This is so cool!"
"And it's all for you," Rebekah replied, kneeling down to his height.
"Really?"
"Yes, but before you go play you'll need this," she said, placing an eye patch over his right eye and a captains hat over his head.
"Thank you, Aunt Bekah," he smiled, jumping on her for a hug. He pulled back from her, "can I go play now?"
"Of course, and your friends will be here soon. Besides, they wouldn't want to miss out on a pirate piñata or pin the parrot on the pirate," she winked.
"That sounds so cool!" Nate exclaimed, running off towards the tempting jungle gym he was itching to explore.
Before Rebekah could say another word, Nate was off running towards the pirate ship, the others just entering the warehouse. She stood up looking at Stefan, Klaus and Caroline as they studied their surroundings.
"Bex-" Stefan started.
"How did you find this place?" Caroline interrupted her mouth agape.
Rebekah just smiled proudly, "I have my sources. Now close your mouths and get to work!"
It took the others a few minutes before they got their fill of the place and set to work decorating. Table clothes were placed over the tables, with paper plates and cups, all pirate themed.
Nate loved pirates and any movie related to them, but it had taken a back seat to other interests. Rebekah loved the idea, thinking it was easy enough to decorate, and she just happened to find a party place that had a castle and ship jungle gym.
She had invited around ten friends of Nate's' and then family members or friends of Caroline, which happened to include her siblings, Katherine and Bonnie. The warehouse was a little big for who had been invited but Rebekah wanted the best for her nephew.
With the final touches being added and costumes for the kids being set up by the front door, Rebekah went to join Nate on the pirate ship. Luckily the point of entrance was just big enough for her to fit through.
Nate was sitting by the captains' wheel which overlooked the inside of the party which had yet to begin. "Hey, buddy."
"Hi," Nate smiled, not taking eyes of his mother who was below.
"What's up?"
"Nothing." He replied half-heartedly, his mind somewhere else.
"Nate."
He turned, looking up at her, sadness expressed across his features, "what if no one shows up?"
"They will, everyone said they were coming," she smiled. "Let's play while we wait."
"Okay," he said, standing up and tapping her on the shoulder, "you're it!"
Rebekah gave him a head start before getting up and chasing after him. Nate began laughing as he ran through the jungle gym and sliding down one of the slides.
A half hour later Rebekah was relieved of playing tag, already exhausted, when a few children showed up for the party. She made her way over to the tables, where the adults were sitting. She plopped down in a seat between Stefan and Klaus who were talking.
Caroline was at the door, talking to a mother as their child ran into the party and straight to the jungle gym. Rebekah was used to how birthday parties worked, attending every single one of Nates'.
She scowled when she saw Elijah and Katherine walking towards them, regretting that she had to invite Katherine. She was already showing slightly at five months. The soon to be parents, had a smile plastered over their face as they watched the children play around them.
Kol and Bonnie followed in behind them, hand in hand. Rebekah stood up, along with Stefan and Klaus to greet them. She gave a hug to everyone, resisting the urge not to strangle Katherine.
"Where's the birthday boy?" Kol questioned, looking around for Nate.
"Kol," Bonnie warned, "remember you're going to behave."
"Yes, dear," he smirked before walking off towards where the kids were playing.
"Wow, Rebekah, this looks really great," Bonnie commented, looking around at the party.
"Yes, sister, you really outdid yourself this time," Elijah noted, as he too looked around.
Stefan wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into his side. "I hope our wedding will be as good as this."
"Knowing, Bekah, it will be," Klaus remarked.
Kol returned with Nate under his arm laughing as he squirmed to get out of the tight hold. "Be careful with my nephew!" Rebekah yelled.
Kol rolled his eyes, "someone here wants to say hello." He placed Nate back on solid ground in front of the adults.
"Hello," he said, smiling up at everyone.
"You remember my brother Elijah and his wife Katherine?" Rebekah asked.
Nate nodded, walking up and giving each one a hug before jumping on Bonnie. "Hi, Auntie Bonnie."
"Happy Birthday," she smiled. "What'd you get me?"
Bonnie laughed, "It's a surprise."
Nate frowned, scrambling out of her grasp as he looked towards Elijah and Katherine with a smirk. "What'd you get me?"
Katherine bent down to his height, an evil glint in her brown eyes. "You have to promise not to tell anyone, alright?" Nate nodded eagerly; Katherine raised her finger telling him to come closer so she could whisper in his ear.
Who knew Katherine of all people would be so good with children, Rebekah thought surprised as she watched the scene unfold in front of her. Elijah watched proudly, knowing she would no doubt be amazing with their unborn child.
Nate pulled back from Katherine and launched himself at her, flinging his arms around her neck. Katherine caught him, giving him a tight hug as she looked up at Elijah. Nate whispered one more thing in her ear which caused her to laugh.
"Why don't you go play and enjoy your birthday?" Katherine suggested, letting the boy go to stand up beside her husband. Nate smiled as he turned his back and ran back towards the castle.
"What'd you get him?" Kol asked, looking between Katherine and Elijah.
Katherine smirked, "that's for us to know and for you to find out."
Kol groaned, grabbing Bonnie's hand and taking her to talk to Klaus and Stefan while Rebekah following close behind.
Elijah wrapped his arms around Katherine's' waist, pulling her into him while she grabbed hold of the lapels on his suit. "You are going to make an excellent mother."
"And you are going to make an excellent father," she said with a smirk as she reached up to give him a chaste kiss on his lips. "Now let's go make small talk with the rest of your family."
"Yes, dear."
Once all the children had arrive, Caroline stood at the edge of the play area watching the kids, making sure no one got hurt. Each child had been given an outfit to where to match the theme of the party. Nate was playing happily with a few of his friends, Michael and Jeffery. They were twins he had met at the park a few years ago and they have been almost inseparable ever since.
She felt someone slide up beside her and she looked over to see Stefan there. Caroline took a look behind her to see all the Mikaelson siblings plus Katherine and Bonnie all engaged in conversation. Rebekah was scrambling around looking like she was getting ready for one of the games she had planned.
Caroline turned back to look at Stefan who was absorbed looking at the kids, watching them laugh and play amongst each other. "You think he'll be alright?" Caroline asked, turning her attention back to watching Nate. Stefan looked over at her clearly confused. "Growing up without knowing his father."
Stefan draped his arm over her shoulder, "you turned out fine and you never met your father.
Caroline shook her head with a dry laugh, "I barely turned out fine, Stefan. I got pregnant at eighteen and am a single mother."
"You're an amazing mother, Caroline, and you know what I mean."
"I think about moving on sometimes," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Stefan held his tongue, sensing she was going to continue. "I'm scared, Stefan. It's been years since I've dated anyone, it's always ever been just Damon and now Nate."
Stefan turned so they were eye to eye as he grabbed her shoulders and looked down into her eyes, a small smile played on the corner of his lips. "I think it's time, you deserve to find someone who will love not only you but Nate as well. It doesn't have to be right now, you just have to be open to the possibility of love again."
"Awe, Stefan you're such a sappy old man," Caroline joked. "But, thank you for everything."
Stefan laughed and was about to respond when Rebekah was by their side, hands on hips with a determined expression. "Alright, kiddies, time for games!"
All the children stopped what they were doing at the mention of the word 'games' and ran off the jungle gym and over to where Rebekah was now standing. She had set up an area for games beside the tables set up for the first game which just happened to be pin 'the parrot on the pirate'.
She ordered everyone to sit down a few feet away from the wall where the poster was set up. She held the parrots in one hand and a blind fold in the other as she stood in front of the group sitting on the ground. Caroline joined the adults, allowing Rebekah to take the reins on the games while she prepared for lunch.
"So have you all play pin the tail on the donkey?" Rebekah asked the children sitting in front of her.
"Yes," they all replied with a few eye rolls.
"Excellent, well this is a modified version of that," she explained, earning a few blank stares. "Pin the parrot on the pirates shoulder." She earned a few 'ohs' as they understood what they game was. "Who's first?"
"Me!" A boy with red hair yelled, standing up. She recognized him as Wesley and had seen him a few times on a play date with Nate and knew he was a year older than the other kids.
"It's my birthday, I should go first!" Nate exclaimed, coming to stand in front of the other boy.
"No, party guests first," he replied in a matter-of-fact tone that made Nate angry.
Rebekah stepped in before anyone's toes got stepped on, "Nate, why don't you let Wesley go first."
"Fine!" He pouted, crossing his arms across his chest and sat down where he was standing.
Wesley smiled triumphantly, walking towards the poster waiting for Rebekah. She carefully tied the blindfold over his eyes and spun him around five times before pointing him towards the wall and handing him the parrot.
She did this with the rest of the children, all of them enjoying the little game as the parrot was placed all over the poster. Maggie, one of the few girls at the party, got the closest to getting the parrot on one of the shoulders by placing it on the neck. Others were placed outside the pirate or on the legs or above the head.
"Maggie won!" Rebekah cheered after the last child went.
"What's her prize?" Nate asked, smiling over at Maggie. Rebekah thought she saw something in his eyes, like he was crushing on the girl. So being any concerned aunt, sized her up in case they got married. Maggie was cute, her light brown hair done up in two French braids, with dark green eyes and dimples.
Rebekah didn't actually have any prizes for the games she designed and had to come up with something. She looked around her, for something or anything to use as a prize when she spotted a white box that held the cake. "The prize is an extra piece of cake!"
"Yay!" Maggie exclaimed, jumping up and down on the spot. Nate watched her adoringly; yes, he had a crush on that little girl.
"Now, do we want lunch or to play another game first?" She questioned.
"Another game!" One of the children shouted which was followed by cheering from the rest of them.
Rebekah nodded, "right then, I'll go get the piñata."
She made her way over to the table where the presents, food and games sat. She picked up the pirate designed piñata and the long wooden stick from the table and made her way back to the children. She felt someone following behind her and when she peaked over her shoulder she saw Kol. Of course he would want to play with the children, she was surprised it didn't happen earlier.
"I want to play," Kol said from behind her.
Rebekah rolled her eyes, "of course you want to play."
"I happen to be amazing with piñata, take's me back to my baseball days," he smirked.
Rebekah shoved the piñata and the accompanying poll attached at Kol, "go hold this up over there." She pointed to the empty spot in front of the group of children, and bowed his head making his way over there.
She followed him with the extra poll used for hitting the piñata and grabbed the blindfold off the ground. "Alright, who's first?" She asked the group causing ten hands to shoot up in the air. "How about we let the birthday boy go first," Rebekah suggested, winking at Nate.
He smiled proudly, stepping forward. She bent down, slipping the blindfold over his eyes and handing the long stick to him. Rebekah spun him a few times and pointed him in the direction of where the piñata was sitting in the air.
Kol smirked, waiting until the last moment before the stick hit the piñata and moving it out of reach. Nate tried again and again, but failing each time with the piñata moving on him.
He pulled the blindfold off disappointed. "Better luck next time, mate," Kol teased.
"Ignore him," Rebekah whispered to Nate before ushering him back to the others.
She helped the other kids get prepared all the same, none of them having luck especially with Kol being the piñata operator. "My turn!" He said happily, dropping the piñata on the floor and jumping to grab the blindfold out of Rebekah's hand.
Kol," she scowled but he had already put the piece of cloth over his eyes. "This game is for the children!"
"He is a child," Caroline commented, joining them.
"Harsh, love." Kol said, placing a hand over his heart. "I'm wounded by your words."
Rebekah picked up the long poll along with the piñata and held it out for Kol to swing at. "Fine, just one hit!" She relented.
"Caroline, will you spin me?"
"Fine," she mumbled, walking over to Kol and gripped his shoulders and spun him until he was visibly dizzy. Caroline faced him towards Rebekah who was holding the piñata out at arm's length.
"Alright," he smirked, taking a swing at the thing but missing considerably being that he had turned the wrong way. He swung again, missing. "This would be much easier if I had my bat," he groaned.
"You're not even facing the right way," Caroline laughed, stepping forward and fixing his error.
Kol took another swing, this time hitting the middle of the piñata. He pushed the blindfold up onto his forehead, "I hit it!"
Caroline grabbed the stick out of his hand, "yes and you're going to let someone else finish it off."
"Of course," he smirked, handing over the blindfold to Caroline.
"Can I do it?" Nate asked.
"Sure, come on up," she smiled at him. He stepped forward and put the blindfold on and took the stick from Caroline. She spun him around and pointed him in the right direction.
He took a few swings before hitting the spot already hit. Rebekah took it easy on him, not moving the piñata. "Try again, Nate," Caroline encouraged.
Nate had his tongue stuck out in concentration and he stepped closer and swung the stick as hard as he could, this time earning a loud crack to run through the middle of the pirate piñata.
"One more hit!"
Nate swung again, and was finally successful, the pinata breaking in half sending candy to fall to the floor. All the kids leaped forward at the sight, gabbing onto what candy they could. Nate was no exception, taking of the blindfold and throwing the stick away, he fell to the floor to scoop up as much candy as possible.
"I want some," Kol whined.
Caroline and Rebekah laughed. "You can have whatever's left," Caroline suggested.
There's not going to be anything left!"
"Are you sure you're not five years old, Kol?" Bonnie asked, sliding up beside him.
"I'm absolutely positive, darling," he smirked, leaning down to kiss her cheek. Caroline smiled to herself watching the couple, realizing she had never seen her best friend so happy before. She winked when Bonnie caught her staring.
Once all the candy had been claimed, Caroline had guided the children to the already set tables that had food distributed evenly on the plates. Stefan, no doubt, reading her mind and being helpful.
She took a seat at the other table between Stefan and Rebekah, with Elijah, Katherine and Bonnie on the other side. Klaus and Kol had been summoned by Nate to sit at the children's table, something Rebekah and Elijah found humorous.
This birthday had run smoother than any others of Nate's, no doubt from Rebekah's superior planning skills. On his first birthday she had been so caught up in the day and overwhelmed with everything that she had forgotten to buy a candle.
Caroline watch as Klaus ate his lunch with a bunch of four to seven year olds', being patient and kind as they tried copying his accent. Nate just smiled up happy that he was there at his party. Kol chatted to one of the younger girls who was particularly shy, drawing her out of her shell and making her laugh.
"So what's next, party planner Rebekah?" Stefan questioned between bits of his pizza.
"Cake and presents!" She exclaimed happily as she finished off the crust of her own slice.
Surprisingly the cake and presents part of the party went by smoothly. Nate blew out his five candles; the cake was vanilla and designed as a pirate's chest which was cut into pieces for everyone. Most kids got two slices, fueling up on more sugar which would lead to disaster later on but Caroline didn't worry about it.
Nate happily unwrapped all his presents which were piled high in front of him. He got books, which were tossed aside as he found them uninteresting. A few new movies, such as Cars 2 which he had yet to watch; plastic cars of varying size, some were hot wheels and a few replicas from the Cars movie.
Bonnie and Kol had given him a stuffed animal in the form of Sully from Monsters Inc. which he clung too, absolutely in love with. But his interest had peaked when he opened Elijah and Katherine's gift, a brand new Tomas the Tank Engine train set that came with a few character trains and tracks. Caroline had to jump in to make sure he didn't open it up then and there.
Though none of the gifts topped Klaus' and it wasn't because Nate adored him. Nate held a large rectangular painting, the objects being the cast of the avengers. Iron Man sat front and center, the mask was pushed up and the face closely resembled Nate. "Is this me?" He asked, looking up at Klaus who was standing behind him.
Klaus smiled, "yes, as Iron Man."
Nates' face lit up as he took the full meaning behind the gift, stealing looks between the painting and Klaus. "You painted this?" Klaus nodded. "That is so cool!" Nate exclaimed, gently putting the painting down on the table. He stood up on his chair and turned around, flinging himself at Klaus who caught him.
Klaus wrapped his arms around him, picking him up to bring him closer. "I'm glad you like it, mate."
"Like it? I Love it!" Nate said as he pulled back to look at Klaus. "Best birthday present ever!"
"Hey!" Katherine shouted incredulously from beside the two. "I thought mine was!"
"Sorry," Nate blushed. "I do like yours too, Katherine."
"Good, you better!" She said, pointing her finger at him.
Nate laughed, squirming in Klaus' arms so he set him gently back down on the ground. "Can we go play now?"
"Sure," Caroline said with a small smile, her heart still warm at the scene she just witnessed. Nate grabbed a soccer ball that he had just received as a present and waved for his friends to follow him over to an empty space in front of the jungle gyms. "Be careful and don't break anything!" She shouted after them.
"I'll go watch them," Klaus suggested, already heading over to where the soccer ball was being passed around.
"You know what, me to," Kol said, smirking at the girls as he followed his brother.
"I'll join them," Stefan added.
Sudden realization came over Caroline, "you just don't want to have to help clean up!"
Stefan turned around smirking, "you caught us."
Caroline rolled her eyes, slightly annoyed at Stefan and Kol for trying to avoid cleaning up. "Typical men," she muttered under her breath.
"Are you going to run away too?" Rebekah asked, turning to look at the last remaining Mikaelson brother.
Elijah gulped, "I think I'll stay and help."
"You damn right you will," Rebekah snapped, already getting to work on cleaning up the mess. There were still plates with half eaten pizza and cake left on the table. As well as cups and used napkins littering the table, along with wrapping paper and the presents themselves.
Everyone remaining got to work, except Katherine claiming she was too pregnant causing Rebekah to just scoff and turn up her nose at the brunette. Caroline and Bonnie were taking the gifts out to Elijah's' car that they had borrowed for the day to make it easier with hauling all the presents back.
Now that she had Bonnie cornered, she needed some girl talk, especially to find out how things were going with Kol. Caroline had been so preoccupied lately, that she had neglected time to gossip with her best friend. As she closed the trunk to the black SUV, Caroline turned around and smirked at Bonnie.
"What?" Bonnie asked, slightly scared as to why the blonde was staring at her like that.
Caroline's' smirk only grew, "how are things with Kol?"
"Good," she nodded. "Really good."
"That's all you have to say? Give me details, woman!"
Bonnie laughed and then grinned like an idiot. "He's amazing, Care! Kol is just so caring and funny and sincere and light and just amazing," she gushed.
"Someone's in love."
Bonnie took a few steps back, taken off guard. "We've been dating for two months, it's too soon to love him."
"The heart wants what it wants, Bonnie," Caroline smiled, reaching out and squeezing her hand.
"And what does yours want?" She asked, this time taking Caroline off guard.
"Bonnie-"
"I see the way you've been looking at Klaus today."
"It's nothing." Caroline shook her head.
"Care, you have feelings for the guy. The only thing holding you back before was that Nate didn't like him but now the kid loves Klaus, so what's your excuse now?"
"I-don't know. Why are you doing this?"
"I want to see my best friend happy," Bonnie replied with a small smile.
Caroline sighed, "what if I'm happy without him?"
"You need someone other than family to love you, Care, and I see the way Klaus looks at you, it's like you're the only person for him. Take a chance, now is the perfect time."
"Everyone's been telling me that for months," Caroline complained.
"Because they're right, lighten up you've already gone out with him so it's not going to hurt if you ask for a second date." Bonnie smirked, seeing Caroline brighten up at the possibility.
"First of all that one date we had months ago wasn't real, and second of all we'll see." She said smiling. "Now let's get back to the party." Bonnie hooked her arm through Caroline's' as they walked back inside.
Her thoughts lost in what she would do about Klaus. She had been thinking a lot about their relationship lately, which was currently nonexistent, but she couldn't help the feeling of wanting to give him a real chance.
Klaus watched from afar as Caroline stood at the front door talking to the last remaining child's mother. He was sitting on top of the castle with Nate, though he wasn't very talkative at the moment which was unusual for the boy. He looked down to see him drawing nondescript patterns on the floor, his face turned down and looking rather upset.
"What's wrong, mate?" He asked, settling down beside him.
Nate didn't look up but continued drawing with his fingers when finally he spoke. "I wish my dad was here. Did you know he died before he was born?"
"I did not," Klaus said, frowning slightly at the mention of his father. "You're allowed to miss him, I miss my father."
"Do you?" Nate finally raised his head, looking up at him with wide eyes.
Klaus smiled sadly, "every day. I never knew my real father though; Mikael was just my step-father."
"It sucks," Nate commented, turning his attention back to his hands which were fidgeting in his lap.
"It does, but you have your Uncle Stefan and I had Mikael and my siblings. You also have me and Kol, Bonnie and Rebekah; we'll always be there for you," Klaus said.
"You really mean that?" Nate asked his attention back on Klaus.
He nodded; Nate smiled up brightly at him as he stood up to hug him. "Thank you, Nik."
"Any time, mate," he replied, hugging the little boy back.
"Nate, come say good bye to Katherine and Elijah!" Caroline called from bellow.
"Coming!" He yelled back, pulling out of Klaus' grasp and sliding down on of the slides that came out of the castle.
Klaus was about to climb down the stairs at the far end but saw a blonde head walking up the very set of stairs towards him. He sat back where he had been sitting moments before with Nate. Both legs out in front of him as his back rested against the wall of the castle.
Caroline didn't say anything but sat beside him, legs pulled up to her chest. She rested her cheek against her knees, head turned looking over at him. "You're really great with Nate."
Klaus shrugged his shoulders, "he reminds me of myself when I was younger."
"I heard you say you never knew your father, but I thought he died when you were ten?"
"I was the result of an affair. My parents were going through a rough patch in their marriage which led to my mother seeing another man on the side. Mikael took her back even though she was pregnant, he didn't want her to have to raise three kids on her own. They fixed their problems, more in love than ever and had three more children before he passed away." Klaus explained, an expression of sadness crossing his features as his eyes fell.
"So I never knew my biological father, but Mikael was a better father because of it. He never let me feel like I didn't belong and I think I was his favourite because I wasn't his." He continued smiling just the slightest bit.
"He sounds amazing."
"He was." Klaus replied, now smiling as he looked over at Caroline to see her watching him intently, a small smile of her own playing on her lips. "I think Nate had a good birthday." He said changing the subject rather easily but Caroline paid it no mind knowing it would be hard to talk about it.
"I think so too, Rebekah did a great job planning everything, I can only imagine what her wedding will be like."
"Think a thousand times bigger than this party with a lot of white, pink, and lace," Klaus laughed. Caroline joined in and Klaus couldn't help but love the sound of her voice or the way her face crinkled up as she laughed.
"She only wants the best, which is why I am dreading these next few weeks."
"Are you talking about me?" Rebekah snapped from bellow. Caroline got up and looked over the castle wall down on the blonde who stood with hands on her hip.
Klaus sidled up beside her, "we're only talking about what a bride-zilla you'll be weeks before the wedding."
"Nik!" She yelled, throwing the soccer ball at his head which he expertly ducked.
"What it's true," he laughed, coming back to the edge.
"Bonnie and Kol already left and Stefan and I are ready to leave too," she said.
"Alright, we're coming down." Caroline relented, getting up off her knees with Klaus following suit. "Thank you for everything today."
"No problem, sweetheart, I rather enjoyed myself." He smiled as he followed her to the far end of the castle and walked down the stairs to the ground floor.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs Caroline stopped and grabbed onto Klaus' arm to turn him to face her. She had overheard everything he had said to Nate and listened to every word about Mikael and how he talked about his step-father with such adoration. Caroline had seen another side to him, one different than his normal friendly and caring one he always showed.
She realized that if she were to move on or take a chance on anyone, that she would want it to be with Klaus. He cared so much for Nate, he understood what it was like to be him, and it helped that the two got along so well.
"I apologize for ignoring you these past few weeks," she blushed, looking down at her feet. "You didn't deserve that, I was just trying to stay out of your way so I wouldn't succumb to liking you any more than I did."
A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, his eyes lighting up with a mix between surprise and happiness. "And?"
"It didn't work," she admitted. "So I was thinking that if I had to choose someone to have my first date with in years, that I would want it to be with you."
"You want to go on a date with me?"
"Yes, a real one this time. I want to try the whole dating thing with you," she said looking up at him, but quickly added, "if you want."
Klaus stepped forward, "I would be happy to go on a date with you and 'try this dating thing'," he smirked. His hand rose up as he ran the back of his hand along her cheek and eventually pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll call you later in the week to set something up."
Caroline nodded, about to respond when Nate came running up to them. "Rebekah wants to go."
"Alright, let's get going before she blows a gasket," Klaus said laughing.
It was later that night, everyone had settled down. Klaus and Rebekah both at their respective apartments while Stefan retreated to his room. The remaining cake and food from the party all in the fridge while Nate's' presents sat in the front hall waiting for tomorrow to be put away.
Caroline was curled up with Nate on his bed, much like the night before. She leaned back against the headboard, Nate cuddled up against her side as both sat under the Cars themed covers. On top of them sat a few books for them to read and his final present. She kept it for last, wanting to open it up when they were alone.
"Am I going to have a step-dad like Nik?" Nate asked as he flipped through a picture book on his lap.
"I'm sorry, what?" Caroline questioned, confused.
"Nik had a step-dad, so will I get one too?"
"Only if I re-marry but that won't be for a long, long time, buddy."
"Why?"
"Because I have to date first and then fall in love," she explained as simple as she could.
"I think you should fall in love with Nik. I like him, he's funny and he can paint and he's not scared of Percy." Nate said his attention still on the book.
Caroline chuckled, "it doesn't work like that, but I'll keep that in mind. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Now how 'bout we open your last gift?"
Nate nodded, folding the book up and putting it with the others that sat farther down on the bed. The pile that they would read later together before he fell asleep.
Caroline handed the gift bag to Nate who opened it eagerly, pulling out the tissue paper and throwing it onto the floor. He pulled out a picture frame and turned it over to see the content.
Two teenagers standing together, one in front of the other, arm in arm, smiled up at them. The girl, of blonde hair and blue eyes while the male who stood behind her had dark hair and light blue eyes. His hands were clasped over hers which settled on top of her pregnant belly. Happiness radiated from the picture.
"Is this you and my dad?" Nate asked, turning to look up at her.
"Yup," she replied, casting looks between Damon and Nate. She was able to note a few similarities between the two men but she had to admit he had more of Caroline in him.
"Thank you!" he exclaimed, wrapping his one arm around her as his other held onto the frame.
"You're welcome, sweetie."
Nate spent a few minutes looking at the picture, mostly at Damon. He had seen pictures before but none of that degree, of him and Caroline together and looking happy. He was old enough now to know who the person was in that frame, and to understand why he wasn't with them.
"I love you, momma," Nate said.
"I love you, too," she smiled down at him, her hand sweeping over his hair as she leaned down and kissed the top of his head. "Now how about we read some book? Would you like Thomas or Bernstein Bears?"
"Thomas!" He exclaimed as he hugged the picture frame to his body.
Caroline picked up a Thomas book from the bed and began to read, Nate settling into her side. She read two books about Thomas the Tank Engine before he fell asleep.
She carefully climbed out of bed, taking the books with her and putting it on the bookshelf along the wall. Caroline pulled the covers up to his chin, noticing that Nate still clutched the picture frame to his chest.
She let him have it, knowing no harm could come to him sleeping with it for one night. Caroline made a mental note that in the morning she would put it in a safe place, most likely on his night stand beside his bed.
Caroline retreated out of the room, pausing at the doorway as she turned off the lights. She took a few minutes studying Nate as he slept, his body curled around the picture frame as he clung to it. She smiled at the sight and closed the door behind her.
Nate had been amazing the past few days, taking everything about Damon in stride and being so mature for his age and understanding. She could only hope that he would be the same when it came time to explain to him about her and Klaus. It helped that Nate already loved Klaus, so he would most likely jump on board rather easily when he finds out that they're dating.
A/N: So what'd you think? Excited for their very first official date? What do you want to happen next?
I'm planning on adding in a few more flashbacks over the course of the next few chapters, seeing as I've had a few request for them.
Again, I'm sorry for the long wait. Just a notice that I am returning to school next week so I'm not sure how often I will be able to update. I do have a fairly light schedule so I'm aiming for the usual weekly update.