Hey guys thanks for the love and your reviews, my most so far! Please keep them coming. Now finally they'll eat some dinner.

Keeping Up Appearances

Chapter 8: Santa Claus is Coming to Town

December 24 2014 8:19pm Chicago, Illinois

"Wow that is some turkey Mrs F." Stefan beamed taking in the delicious smells wafting around the room. Liz finished carving the turkey and placed it next to the impressive spread of vegetables, salad, sauces and stuffing. She smiled proudly taking her place at the head of the table as they prepared to eat.

Klaus looked around not quite believing he was spending Christmas with a girl he'd only just met, and her family. Not that he was complaining, it was so unlike anything he'd ever experienced and for some reason that made it all the more fun.

He knew it also had something to do with the blonde seated on his left. He briefly glanced over as she spoke to Matt, her face lighting up as she let out a melodic laugh. Klaus looked away again scared she'd catch him. He knew there was something about Caroline Forbes as soon as he'd met her but he didn't realise just how attracted he was until their impromptu kiss half an hour earlier.

When Stefan gestured to the mistletoe above them Klaus knew exactly what he wanted to do. Ever since he met Caroline he'd wanted to kiss her, even if she had a tendency to annoy him at times. Her soft pink lips had kept him hypnotised during their journey through Indiana.

Although there was that little voice telling Klaus it wasn't appropriate he thought they were supposed to be boyfriend and girlfriend so it would require some acting otherwise no one would believe them.

As soon as his lips found hers, Klaus knew he was hooked. They felt just as soft as he'd imagined and he was pretty sure the sensations pulsing through his body were telling signs of his growing attraction.

All reason seemed to fly out the window and Klaus couldn't care less who was watching, even though he usually detested public displays of affection. Nanna and Stefan were pretty tipsy anyway and Matt seemed to like him so Klaus figured they'd understand.

His tongue had found its way into her mouth and he was happily surprised hers had done the same. He could feel her pushing against him and Klaus knew that the pent up desire he'd been feeling Caroline was also feeling. Until a voice, that would become very annoying to him, interrupted the moment.

"Care?" They broke apart reluctantly and Klaus could feel the void as soon as they did. He looked up at the person who'd interrupted their moment which belonged to a brunette with brown eyes and a cocky look on his face.

Klaus figured this was the one and only Tyler who had broken her heart, the doe eyed brunette to his left was obviously the cousin in question. His first thought was why this idiot would pick this girl when Caroline was obviously so far out of her league.

"Tyler." She responded struggling to hide the venom in her voice.

"How are you?" He mumbled his eyes taking in every inch of her appearance. Klaus had to stop himself from beating him up for doing that after he cheated on Caroline.

"Great Tyler and you?" She cooed obviously getting into full acting mode. Klaus placed his arms around her shoulders and pulled her towards him so her back was flat against his chest, Tyler's stilted reaction just made him smile more.

"Yeah good." He replied quietly placing his arms around Hayley, obviously trying to compete.

"It's good to see you cousin." Hayley drawled and he felt Caroline tense up at the interaction.

"Hayley." She shot back obviously not wanting to get into small talk. "Oh and this is Klaus my boyfriend."

"Tyler, Hayley." He smiled deviously pulling her in closer. One because it seemed to upset pretty boy and his girlfriend but two because he liked doing it. "Nice to meet you both." Even though Klaus knew it was anything but nice.

"Yeah we figured you were the boyfriend after that display." Tyler baulked and Klaus swore he saw jealousy flashing in his eyes.

"Well it is tradition with mistletoe." Caroline replied. "Not that we need an excuse, do we honey?"

"Not at all." He murmured placing a chaste kiss on her temple and rubbing her arms affectionately. Klaus was realising just how much fun this acting like a couple was.

"So you seem good." Hayley purred eyeing him closely even though she seemed to be talking to Caroline. Klaus wasn't sure if she was giving him a dirty look or trying to come onto him.

"I've never been better Hayley; it's going to be a great Christmas I can just tell." She chirped. "Actually Klaus that reminds me I really want to introduce you to my Uncle George." Caroline pulled him away before they could continue on with the awkward conversation. Klaus wasn't complaining at all.

"So for two people that just met what exactly was that kiss about?" Stefan asked jabbing him in the ribs and interrupting his memory.

"I seem to recall you pointed out the mistletoe."

"Yes well I had to make sure people believed it and wow you two didn't disappoint at all."

"It's all an act you know that." He hissed smiling sweetly at her Aunt Emily and cousin Brooke across the table.

"A pretty good act from what I saw."

"Shhh Stefan do you want to give the game away?" He whispered knowing full well no one was listening, he just didn't want to talk about something he was struggling to understand himself.

"Sorry man blame the nanna." He said looking in her direction wearily. "She completely force fed me that eggnog."

"Yeah it was all nanna's fault." He smiled thinking back to their drunken binge.

"Okay fine she and Tessa were equally to blame." He muttered. "Anyway this food should help the buzz."

"This Tessa sounds like a piece of work." Klaus said feeling sorry for him even though they hadn't known each other long.

"Oh she was a total head case. All the signs were there but I think I chose to ignore it because I was hoping it would work out."

"Women are trouble, that's for sure." He sighed taking a sip of his wine a knowing look on his face.

"I know that look anywhere." He drawled. "Who was your Tessa?"

"That is a very long story and probably not entirely appropriate for the current environment, if you know what I mean." Stefan nodded knowing not to push the issue any further.

"So when we are finally allowed to eat?" Stefan whinged his hunger getting the best of him.

"We have to say grace before we eat you know that Stefan." Nanna replied overhearing their conversation. Everyone bowed their heads in preparation. "I however seem to have forgotten the words." She mumbled drunkenly.

"That's why I'm doing the honours tonight." Matt interrupted standing up quickly. "For what we are about to receive may the Lord make us truly thankful, Amen." Everyone repeated the last word their gazes downcast.

Dinner was served; everyone hungrily dived into all the food which seemed to matter more than any in depth conversation. Klaus wasn't complaining as he began to eat. After all her stress Mrs Forbes delivered a pretty good meal and seemed to be more relaxed chatting and having a good time which was good to see.

Caroline had even begun to relax which was surprising given Tyler and Hayley were within metres of them both. Klaus had never experienced anything like this with his family and he had to admit it was nice. He looked at Caroline briefly and she smiled back and suddenly everything seemed okay with the world.

"So Hayley what have you been up to?" Nanna asked squinting her eyes in the brunette's direction.

"Oh you know working." She said offhandedly picking apart her food.

"I didn't know they classified prostitution as legal work these days." Stefan murmured under his breath and Klaus had to stop himself from laughing aloud.

"What is it you're doing these days?" She prodded.

"Well I've been doing some dancing."

"Does that involve a pole?" Matt whispered loud enough for Klaus and Caroline to hear and again he was trying not to lose his composure at the dinner table.

"Yes um Hayley has been busy with her career and I've been busy with mine."

"What do you do for work Tyler?" Stefan asked.

"Well Stefan I think you know that, I work at the council."

"Oh that's right garbage collection." Nanna said deathly serious and Klaus noticed Caroline put her hand over her mouth to stop laughing.

"No I'm in the payments area." He shot back his eyes blazing.

"Oh so you're the annoying person that gives out parking tickets?" Matt asked cheekily.

"No I'm an accountant in the Management area." He growled slamming his wine glass back down on the table.

"Please eat up there's plenty to go around." Liz said obviously sensing the tension, although by the look on her face she wasn't too upset by the unfolding events and Tyler getting a grilling.

"So Klaus." Tyler said clenching his teeth. "What do you do?"

"I'm an Executive Officer for Christies." He said sending Tyler his most dazzling smile.

"Christies?" Hayley asked naively her big brown eyes doubling in size.

"Yes Christies is the world's biggest art auction house." Caroline replied dryly and Klaus grinned, for some reason her support meant a lot to him, it also reminded him of their initial conversation on the road trip.

"Oh all that weird stuff that people call art." Tyler spat.

"Well I'm not sure I'd call it all weird." Klaus replied. "After all art is completely subjective so I suppose that's why we do so well." Tyler rolled his eyes taking another sip from his drink.

"Does anyone need anything?" Liz asked trying to hide a satisfied grin. "More alcohol perhaps?"

"No this is amazing Mrs F." Stefan said continuing to stuff his face. Klaus and Caroline looked at each other briefly and Klaus thought maybe this acting thing was working.

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After dinner was finished everyone moved to the lounge room and gathered around the Christmas tree. Klaus and Caroline stayed on one side while Hayley and Tyler were on the other. As much as he wanted to give them a hard time Klaus respected the fact that Liz had gone to a lot of trouble and was more than happy being with Caroline.

"So am I doing okay?" He asked quietly looking at her closely. They hadn't spoken since the kiss and to be honest he was feeling self-conscious, which for Klaus Mikaelson was a very new feeling.

"More than okay. I still can't believe you've volunteered to be part of this craziness."

"Well I had some spare time."

"Good to see you could fit me into your busy schedule."

"Yes I'm just so busy." He teased. "Although I have to say this Christmas stuff isn't too bad."

"Don't tell me you're getting into the Christmas spirit?"

"Maybe just a little although don't tell my siblings because I'll never live it down."

"Mmmm your family seems a little…"

"Strange?"

"Yeah maybe just a little."

"We had a very interesting upbringing let's just say and Christmas wasn't something we celebrated much." He muttered.

"I'm sorry." She murmured placing her hand over his making his skin warm instantly.

"Nothing to be sorry about love." He coughed trying to lighten the situation.

"Have you heard from them today?"

"Rebekah and Elijah called wishing me a Merry Christmas in their own unique way. They are all having dinner together, which I guess is encouraging."

"And you're missing out by being in Chicago?"

"Trust me I'm pretty happy to be here tonight if you must know."

"Well good I guess, although I'm not sure why this situation is any better." She said discreetly gesturing to Hayley and Tyler across the room.

"Hey there's nothing more I like than annoying people." He smiled. "Anyway I love your nanna and your mum has put on a great dinner, I can understand now just how much stress she's been under."

"Well I'm glad given all her demands about the tree."

"Hey I had fun in those woods." He argued.

"You had fun helping chop down a tree?"

"Nah not so much, although what happened afterwards was pretty good." He said knowingly noticing a dark blush cross her face.

"I'm blaming the ice; it is very slippery, especially in high heels."

"Yes it is." He smiled liking the effect he had on her.

"So, um thanks for putting up with those two."

"That is no problem, although I still can't believe he chose her over you, I mean is he blind or deaf or just plain stupid?"

"Well Hayley is…"

"Nothing compared to you." He said confidently making Caroline blush even more. Before she could answer his cell phone rang, he looked at her apologetically thinking how bad the timing was. "It's um my little brother, I really should take this."

"Of course, I really should check on nanna and Stefan anyway and what trouble they're causing now." He grinned before connecting the call.

"Merry Christmas brother." Kol said cheerfully.

"Okay what have you done to my real brother?" He answered sceptically.

"Don't worry he's had a few cocktails." He drawled making Klaus chuckle. "Someone else sounds unusually cheerful for this time of year."

"Well I wouldn't go as far as cheerful but the eggnog helps." He laughed thinking about nanna. "How's dinner?"

"Don't ask." He groaned. "I've escaped briefly so Rebekah will stop quizzing me about my love life."

"So how is your love life?"

"Okay if I knew you were going to ask that I wouldn't have called."

"I'm surprised you don't feel like discussing all your conquests Kol."

"Not with my sister and why did I call you again?" He groaned. "So how's Chicago treating you Niklaus?"

"Well."

"Wow one word, that's so very descriptive of you. So who's this mystery girl I've been hearing about?"

"Don't you three have anything better to talk about?"

"Well I do but it's not really G rated if you know what I mean and we both know how boring Rebekah and Elijah can be."

"There's nothing to say we both got stuck in Indiana due to flight cancellations."

"But now you're in Chicago together?"

"Let's just say it was easier to pool our resources in order to get to Chicago." He explained feebly. "We were helping each other."

"Is that what they call it these days?" He joked. "She must be pretty attractive for you to spend so much time together."

"She's um..." He stuttered not wanting to go into any detail with his brother of all people.

"Hot." Kol shot back and Klaus could tell he was grinning. "I imagine she'd have to be to hold your interest."

"You can talk little brother."

"That's exactly why we are related. Speaking of being related I guess I should probably get back to our siblings."

"Say Merry Christmas for me."

"You have it so easy being all the way over in Chicago." He objected. "Next year I plan on doing the same thing. I hope you'll at least be back for the New Year's Eve fun?"

"I'll be back don't worry." He promised. "So are you expecting a visit from Santa Claus tonight?"

"What has gotten into you Niklaus?"

"You know the song; Santa Claus is coming to town..." Klaus trailed off after hearing it wafting in the background during dinner.

"I know the song believe it or not but I've definitely been naughty so I really doubt I'm on his list this year." He joked.

"Yeah I think I know a few other people who've been bad and would be too." He murmured watching Hayley and Tyler admiring his tree. "Merry Christmas Kol."

"You too big brother." He said disconnecting. Klaus smiled surprised how happy he felt hearing from his siblings. He had no idea what had come over him and was starting to believe in this Christmas spirit stuff.

"So has the Forbes Christmas made you want to run screaming for the hills?" Matt asked coming up behind him.

"You know in most cases it probably would but there's definitely some redeeming features."

"Like what exactly, I mean besides me."

"Nanna and Stefan are great; Liz is too even with…"

"Her crazy demands?" He joked. "Trust me I've been tasked with some of those in the past, I think I got off lightly this year."

"Yes there were some." He smiled thinking about their moment in the woods. Klaus wouldn't have changed that for anything though.

"I suppose that's just part of the normal Forbes Christmas experience." He laughed. "I still can't believe that bastard cheating on Care with her own cousin, for some reason though it doesn't seem all that surprising."

"How so?"

"Well Hayley has always been, let's just say very friendly with men, and she's extremely jealous of Caroline. As for Tyler, as sad as I am for Care, I'm secretly happy it's over."

"Why?"

"He was never good enough for her."

"You're telling me." He groaned.

"You know I think I could like you." He started smiling at Klaus. "As long as you don't hurt her because I may have to kill you."

"Wow that's twice in the same night; you're starting to frighten me Matt and I thought Liz was going to be the scary one." He chuckled. "I'm pretty sure she'll be okay with me though Lieutenant."

Given this was all an act Klaus was a little worried about what he might think once it was over. At least Matt didn't live in New York so he didn't have to feel guilty about running into him after it was over. Although for some reason he still felt bad, he wasn't actually expecting that he'd meet such genuine people tonight.

"Well that's all I need to know." He said patting him on the back heartily.

"So what about you?"

"What about me?"

"I mean do you have a girlfriend?"

"Well, being stationed in the Middle East for a few years makes it very hard to have any sort of relationship." He said begrudgingly.

"What are you talking about?" Caroline asked interrupting their conversation a curious look on her face.

"You are so nosy; I assume that's the journalist in you." Matt teased.

"Totally." She replied unapologetically. "So were we talking about your love life? Don't tell me there's a girl on the scene?"

"No calm down." He replied. "Anyway why should I tell you anything after you failed to tell me not only had you broken up with your ex you are now going out with this guy."

"Yeah yeah, point made Donovan."

"So which present is mine cuz?" Matt asked excitedly. "Let me guess it's that big red one over there?"

"Ah no." She responded rolling her eyes.

"Oh let me guess Klaus gets the big red one?" Klaus inhaled sharply realising they'd forgotten one thing in their act. How was he going to explain the next morning when they were unwrapping presents that he didn't have one for her.

He looked over at Caroline who seemed to be distracted probably thinking the same thing. "Stop being nosy Matt."

"Oh so now I'm being nosy?" He teased pretending to be offended. "Well they do say good things come in small packages so if it's smaller I think I can handle that."

"The way you're going mister you'll be lucky to get anything." Meanwhile Klaus was madly trying to think of what he could get Caroline given all the shops would be closed by now. He didn't want her family to think he wasn't thoughtful.

Then an idea came to him and Klaus thought it might just work given his limited resources. He hoped it would be enough given the short notice. Klaus decided he'd quickly go upstairs to check he had what he needed for her gift while she was talking to Matt.

"I'll be back." He murmured heading for the stairs before he was intercepted by his least favourite person.

"Kevin wasn't it?" Tyler growled taking in his appearance. Klaus smelled wine on his breath and could tell he'd had quite a few by now, probably the spiked eggnog too.

"It's actually Klaus but you already knew that. Excuse me I need to get something from upstairs."

"Why do you think you're so much better than me?"

"Well I never said that Tyler but now you mention it it's hard not to think that given what you put Caroline through this year." Tyler's eyes widened obviously not expecting that comment.

"She was obviously exaggerating as she has a tendency to do."

"How does someone exaggerate about their boyfriend cheating on them with their own cousin?" He baulked.

"It's sound worse than it is."

"No I think it's just as bad as it sounds." He replied. "Look it's Christmas I don't really think this is the time or the place to get into this."

"I think someone's just scared." He challenged moving in closer and puffing out his chest.

"I'm not scared of anything." He said his resolve strong. "But if by some slim chance you happen to respect your new girlfriend I suggest you don't make a scene in front of her family."

"Why are you so concerned for Hayley all of a sudden?"

"I'm not to be honest but I do respect her family who happen to be Caroline's too." He said shaking his head. "And yes that sounds just as incestuous as it is."

"You can't help who you love."

"No you can't but cheating on someone is certainly not the way to go about it, especially when it was her own cousin."

"You smug bastard…"

"I'm not getting into this because Tyler, as much as I hate what you did and how much you hurt Caroline if it wasn't for your stupidity I would have never met her. So thank you for letting me meet the most beautiful, kind and caring woman who has made me so happy."

Klaus noticed Tyler look behind him briefly before storming off, no doubt to get another drink. He turned around slowly wondering what or who he was going to find. Caroline stood there her expression unreadable.

"How much did you hear?" He asked worried Tyler might have upset her.

"Just that last part." She replied quietly her face breaking into a smile. "I never knew you had it in you."

"Well I did tell you I was a good actor love." He said brushing off her compliment slightly embarrassed. She looked at him closely before shaking her head.

"So I'm beautiful hey?"

"Well that part was actually true, no acting required." He conceded. "Even when you're whinging."

"What whinging?" She asked putting her hands on her hips.

"Do I need to recount our whole road trip again?"

"Hey you were just as frustrating from what I remember. Gloria and Grumpy thought so too."

"No Gloria was just anti male in general and Grumpy didn't want to get involved." He said. "Jesus liked me though I could tell."

"Why did you bond over tree chopping or something?" She quipped nudging him playfully in the chest.

"Well that and meeting the parents."

"And my mum hasn't pulled out her gun yet so you must be doing something right." She joked before becoming serious again. "This really does mean a lot to me. I mean you didn't need to say that to Tyler for me."

"Hey I didn't say it for you, I said it for me, that guy is an arsehole. You have really bad taste in men love, well until me of course."

"Mmmm there's that ego I love so much."