"Our heartbeat"
Four months later:
" My God I'm so nervous. I'm an emotional wreck. I told myself I most certainly wouldn't be one of those silly little brides that cry at their own wedding, and now I can't stop crying. I'm just so emotional. I'm the worst."
" But I have to say you're also the most beautiful bride I've ever seen. Just please don't say to Elena I told you that." Caroline said to Rebekah and winked at the blushing bride to be.
" I just can't believe I'm going to be Mrs. Donovan in only a few minutes. Matt … Matt is here, right? He didn't stand me up at the altar?"
" Are you kidding me? First of all, that man worships and adores you. And second of all, you have four crazy brothers that would hunt him down and make a stew out of him if he ever hurt you."
" That's true. It's not sometimes bad to be the only girl in the family … Although … I'm so glad I have company now." She smiled at Caroline with the biggest smile in the world.
" I always wanted at least one sister. And Tatia, well she wasn't exactly the sisterly type, let's not even mention her. She's too rotten to mention her on this beautiful day. But now I have you."
The blushing bride gave Caroline the biggest hug.
"I will never be able to express in words how happy I am you're alive and well. And for giving me the honour of being my made of honour."
"Are you kidding me Bekah? I'm so honoured you asked."
" Sisters?" Caroline asked
" Sisters" Bekah said and started crying again.
" You girls. You never seize to water." Nik was standing at the door and teasing his sister.
" Nik, must you always be such an ass?"
"Yes, it's part of his charm." Caroline said and giggled lightly.
" Oh really? Well good to know you still find me charming sweetheart. I was afraid you might have gotten tiered of me by now."
" Oh you two. Can't be in the room together for a second without being all lovey dovey. I'm going to go check up on my other bridesmaids. Btw. Nik? How's Matt holding up?"
" Nervous as hell, we had to pin him down to a chair so he wouldn't run as fast as his legs could carry him." Nik said and bursted into laughter.
"You truly are an ass." Rebekah said and left the room, leaving the lovely dovey's alone.
Nik right away approached Caroline and stroke her cheek.
"You look ravishing in that dress love."
"Your sister has good taste."
" And so do I." he said and kissed her lightly. Still after four months treating her like a porcelain doll.
" How are you feeling today? Any headaches? Nausea?"
" Nik, just stop, ok? I'm fine, I'm better than fine, I'm magnificent. Your sister, my friend, is getting married. And to top it of I have the most handsome man in the world as my escort. So let's not talk about my health today."
"I'm sorry sweetheart, you know I worry. The doctors said we should pay attention if any symptoms …"
Caroline put her finger on his lips, those gorgeous full pink lips she loved to kiss for hours, to shut him up.
" But there are no symptoms. I'm perfectly healthy, I'm here Nik. And I'm not going anywhere. Ever again. Please believe me."
" I do. I just … Worry sometimes … Ok, all the time … Those two weeks were the worst two weeks of my life … I never ever want you to leave my side. I always want to keep you safe, and healthy and happy. Are you? Happy?" Nik asked and Caroline could feel the nervousness in his voice. It was so silly actually …
" Happy? No, happy is two small of a word to describe how I feel when I'm with you. I've been given a second chance to live, and I don't plan to waste any of it. I plan to spend it with the most amazing guy in the world. He's a bit rough around the edges sometimes, but a certain blonde knows deep down he's the most caring man in the world. He's the man who sat next to her in a hospital every day for two weeks, read to her, spoke to her, and never stopped believing she'd wake up one day. Sometimes I feel like you're the reason I woke up. I mean I felt so weak, but somehow when hearing your voice over and over again I just couldn't let go. Your love for me brought me back. So don't ever, and I mean never, question my love for you."
" Oh Caroline …" Nik hugged her and started caressing her hair, she felt the tears form in his eyes.
"You'll never know how much I truly love you."
She was just about to say she knew because she felt the same when Rebekah stormed back into the room.
" Hey people, no crying. Only I get to cry today. And don't steal my thunder, thank you very much, this is my day. Myyy day! Omg, so position people? Elijah is ready to give me away. Nik go stand next to Matt, Caroline stand next to the altar. And … What did I forget?"
" To breathe?" Caroline suggested smiling at the messed up Rebekah, it was so sweet to see her like this. Elena was also like this when she was marrying Damon … I guess all brides go a bit Bridezilla on their wedding day. She couldn't help but wonder … What would she be like? … But she had no time to think about it since Bridezilla over there was already pushing her from the room and into the wedding ceremony.
Caroline stood first at the altar. Three Rebekah's friends that were her bride's maids followed. On the other side stood her gorgeous Nik, as Matt's best man, and Finn and Kol followed. Matt was of course standing in front of the altar waiting for his beautiful bride. And then the music began and Rebekah stepped inside, accompanied by her oldest brother Elijah. Everybody was admiring the blonde beauty, but Caroline's eyes were focussed on Nik. He looked so – happy and proud. Proud his little sister was getting married. And Caroline was proud of him, she loved him from the very first moment her eyes met his, she knew that now. But she loved him even more now because of the man he'd become. Proud he'd become a man who managed to let go of his anger so he could be here today, with his family, where he belonged all along. And she was so happy and proud she was a part of that journey, and could only hope she'd forever be a part of his, no, a part of their journey together. She saw he removed his gaze from his sister and was looking at her now. Smiling at her with so much love and adoration it almost made her melt at the spot. Yes, she had no doubt. Their journey was just beginning … At it was going to be a magnificent one …
"May I have your attention please?"
They were sitting in the grand hall of the Mikaelson mansion and the wedding dinner was taking place. And it was time for the speeches. Nik as Matt's best man was going first.
" So, I just want to say I've never been really good at speeches, although some may thing of me as a smooth talker." he winked at Caroline and she began to blush.
" But when Matt asked me if I'd be his best man I just couldn't say no. I mean he was taking up the horrendous task of marrying my brat of a sister." laughter echoed through the hall.
"Just kidding of course, please don't bite my head of Bekah. I'm actually very pleased my dear little sister has found someone that cares about her happiness as much as Matt does. I know he'd give his life for her, and that's good enough for me. I realized myself in the last few months that's what life and love is about, putting someone else first. Caring for them even more than you ever cared for yourself. I am truly blessed to be here today, with my family, my brothers and my lovely sister, and seeing Matt and Rebekah start their life together. May you forever love each other as much as you love each other on this day. Cheers everyone."
Rebekah had tears in her eyes, and so did Caroline. She knew Nik being here, and even being Matt's best man, was the most beautiful gift Rebekah could ask for. And she also knew Nik meant every word he said, he was truly pleased to have a family after so many years of solitude, and Caroline was pleased for him, seeing her man happy was her biggest desire in life. And now it was her turn as the maid of honour to give a speech, and she had to admit she was slightly nervous.
" May I have your attention now? Hi, my name is Caroline Forbes and I'm also known as the made of honour of this gorgeous bride right here. Hm, it's really hard to hold a speech after this shamelessly smooth talking man in front of me." she looked at Nik at smirked. Yes, she smirked. She was stealing his smirk.
" I feel like I haven't learned as much as I should have about life in my nineteen years on this planet, so much to learn still, but I did learn a very important lesson not so long ago. Life is short. It can end in a heartbeat, and the last thing you'll see when leaving, the last thing you'll regret, is all those moments you didn't spent with your loved ones. So if you have only one life to live, you should always choose to live it in love. I'm glad my beautiful friend Rebakah has made that very decision today. It's sometimes scary to give your heart away to someone, but to trust that that someone will always treasure it and keep it safe is one of lives biggest accomplishments. Rebekah and Matt had promised each other that today, and I couldn't be happier from them, and for being part of their special moment. So please raise your glasses once more for the fabulous Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, the lucky ones, and the brave ones. The ones with an amazing life ahead. Cheers!"
Soon after the speeches were finally over and Caroline could breathe again Nik found himself next to her. The sheer nearness of him still sent goose bumps down her spine.
" Dance with me beautiful?"
"Why Mr. Mikaelson I thought you'd never ask." she smiled and let him lead her to the dance floor in the middle of the hall.
He was an amazing dancer, and she loved being in his arms. It felt like the safest place on Earth.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
" I was just thinking how happy I am. I'm not sure if it's quite legal to be this happy."
" I can think about other things I'd do to you that aren't quite legal." Nik whispered into her ear.
" Nik, you shameless dog. " she said with a serious face, actually trying to hold on to a serious face, but bursting into laughter, she was so happy he wasn't treating her like an invalid anymore. She liked how much he took care of her, but she wanted to be his partner, his equal in every way possible. She wanted to be a woman worthy of Niklaus Mikaelson.
"Look at her." Caroline pointed out at Rebekah.
"She looks so happy. And so does Finn with Sage, I kind of think he's next." Caroline concluded
" It' wouldn't surprise me. It's going to be a season of weddings."
" I just wish Elijah would consider someone … I mean … He also deserves to be happy. He truly does, he such a good man." Caroline signed.
" He will be sweetheart, give him time. Have I mentioned how much I adore that big heart of yours Caroline Forbes? Always thinking about others. You know, you're the one that brought this family back together."
" Oh Nik, I think you give me too much credit sometimes …"
" No, it's true. Well at least I know you put me back together. And that was not a small task."
"But definitely a worthy one."
The music stopped and Caroline was about to get back to their table but Nik didn't let go of her hand.
"Come with me sweet Caroline, I have something I want to show you."
"Nik, where are you taking me? Your dear sister is going to seriously kill us for ditching her wedding."
" I'm sure she'll understand, she knows I want you to myself, all the time." Nik grabbed her and lifted her of the ground and started twirling her around.
" You Sir are mad." Caroline giggled trying to catch her breath as he was finally returning her to the ground.
" Come along love. It's not far off."
" My God Nik, it's beautiful." Caroline said as she was looking at the most perfect little gazebo near the lake, at the Mikaelson estate.
" But when? I mean, how? I didn't know …"
"Come dear let us sit and test it, we are the first to do so."
They sat down and Caroline saw the strange look on Nik's face, but she didn't want to ask him anything, if she learned anything about him in these few months they were together then she learned he always opened up, but on his own terms. She was once more right.
"This was my favourite place when I was growing up. There was a gazebo here, on this very spot. I used to run here after my arguments with Mikael, sometimes I just sat here for hours and looked at the stars. Sometimes I drew … But it was a place that allowed me to express my feelings in a way, without even having the need to utter them. And then … The day I was shipped for England, I saw them tearing the gazebo down … It was another way of Mikael showing me how little I meant for this family."
"I'm so sorry …" Caroline whispered and took his hand and caressed it against her cheek.
"When you finally woke up, the next day I came here. I don't know why, I wasn't here since that day I left and … I just felt like I wanted to built another gazebo. So I asked Elijah if I could and he was more than happy to say yes. We actually, sort of, built it together. I mean professional workers helped, but we did our share. Finn and Kol helped too … It was kind of a family project …"
" Oh Nik, I can't describe how happy I am for you. For all of you." Caroline said with tears in her eyes.
" But wait, there's more … When you were in the hospital for observation another two weeks after you woke up I spent all my days with you, as you know, but I spent my nights mostly here. Painting. Something I also haven't done for quite a while. So … Maybe I'm a bit rusty but I have a little gift for my gorgeous lady."
Nik stood up and fetched something behind the bench.
"Please don't be too critical. I hope you like it sweetheart."
Like it? Caroline was in love once more. She was stunned and, and … Well there really aren't words to describe how she felt because… There before her stood the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, and she had to try so hard not to choke herself in tears. It was a picture of her illuminated by hundreds of stars shining in the night sky.
" So it always reminds us of that night we spent together gazing at the stars. You said to the stars …"
" And you took me there. And are taking me there every day since. How can I ever thank you my love, this is the most beautiful gift I have ever received. You truly are the most remarkable man on Earth. You know that?"
"Well …" Caroline saw he was blushing a bit, he wasn't such a tough guy anymore she thought to herself and almost laughed at loud.
" I just thought it would look beautifully in our house."
" Our house?" Caroline said a bit confused
And then it happened. Her boyfriend, the though bad guy of Chicago also known as Nikalus Mikaelson went down on his knee and took out a little, black box.
" Caroline Forbes, will you do me the biggest honour that any man could ever imagine and become my wife?"
Caroline couldn't find words; she was just staring blindly at the ring and at Nik kneeling in front of her. Before she remembered it would really be decent to give the poor guy an answer.
" Yes Nik, it would be an honour to become your wife."
But as he was putting the ring on her finger ( and it fit perfectly) she remembered something.
" Nik but …" she said and exhaled loudly.
" Oh boy, but is not exactly a word a guy who just proposed to his girl wants to here. Having second thought already love?" Nik asked her semi- serious.
" No, oh no Nik, I want to marry you more than anything in the world just not … right now? …" Caroline said honestly and she could see Nik was honestly lost. She had to elaborate.
" Before you came along, before everything with Tyler started happening I always wanted to go to college and educate myself. I wanted to do something with my life, something that would matter. And I still want it, maybe now more than ever. Because although I know you love me just the way I am I want to be the best version of me for you. I want to be your equal, your partner in everything; I want you to be proud of me. I know I'm asking for a lot, three years is a long period but … I had to tell you have I feel. So Nik, the question is … Could you wait for me?"
" Sweetheart …" he said and she really couldn't tell from the expression on his face what he was thinking, he was such an enigma sometimes.
" … three years is nothing if after that I get to spend a lifetime with you. I've waited for you my whole life, and there isn't a thing in this world I wouldn't do for you, a wish I wouldn't fulfil. Go to college, just promise me … Promise me you won't stop loving me."
" I couldn't even if I wanted to fiancée. You're in me. You're ever breath I take, my every thought and my every prayer. And we don't need official vows for me to promise you right now that I will always adore you."
" Then I'm sure three years will pass in a heartbeat."
" In our heartbeat." Caroline said and kissed her handsome fiancée knowing that in this life, no matter what happened and was about to happen, she made all the right decisions. They had to be right if they led her to him. Her fiancée … Her lover … Her best friend … And her soulmate ...
First of all, THANK YOU ONCE MORE FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS, YOU GUYS ARE TRULY AMAZING :))) ... I hope you like this chapter, after many chapters of hardships this one is entirely a happy one ;) ... I know some of you may thing it's a bit too fluffy, and maybe it is, but I started writing about Bekah wedding and all this sweet feelings just completely took over me. Anyways, I'd of course love for you to REVIEW ONCE MORE and tell me honestly about your thoughts ...
P.S. In case you were wondering ... Not the ending, one more chapter and an epilogue to go ;)
