Thanks guys you always make my day with your nice comments. NikMik I have every intention of them getting to know each other more. So without further ado here is the rest of Christmas Eve, finally! I know it has been a long day.

Keeping Up Appearances

Chapter 9: Silent Night

December 24 2014 10:49pm Chicago, Illinois

"So full, can't move." Stefan moaned rubbing his belly his face wincing in pain. "Remind me why I eat this much on Christmas again?"

"Because you're a pig and can't help yourself Stef." Caroline replied poking out her tongue.

"Mature Care." He muttered. "I think it's because Mrs F puts on such a great spread."

"Oh stop sucking up." Nanna groaned rubbing her head slowly. Caroline looked at her nanna knowing the hangover had well and truly begun to set in.

"Thank you Stefan." Liz said shaking her head. "I have to say I'm glad it's over now for another year, there's only much stress I can take."

"Aunt Liz I can't believe you work for the police force and you find this, of all things, stressful." Matt commented.

"Hey the police force has nothing on this craziness." She gestured to nanna as an example who was almost asleep on the couch, the beginnings of a drunk snore sounding out. "Looks like someone needs to go to bed."

"Let me mum, you've done more than enough today." Caroline smiled nudging her grandma who opened her eyes in annoyance. "Come on nanna let's take you upstairs."

"I'm more than capable Caroline." She growled standing up then almost falling over again before Klaus caught her quickly.

"Yes more than capable." He whispered smiling at Caroline. She felt her insides turn to mush slightly wondering what the hell was going on with her. "Do you need some help?"

"Maybe just up the stairs then I'll take it from there." She asked as they both took hold of one arm and lead her towards the staircase.

"You two make such a lovely couple." She mumbled noticing Tyler across the other side of the room. "I never liked that poonce Tyler, and you know why?"

"Uh well I assume you're going to tell us anyway." Caroline asked steering her up the stairs.

"He has shifty eyes, never trust someone with shifty eyes." She rambled. "Your eyes are okay young man." She said pointing at Klaus and almost poking his eye out in the process.

"Well I'm glad I don't have shifty eyes." He said holding in a laugh as they reached the top of the stairs.

"No you don't. He was always way too selfish for a person like Caroline. Although you probably know just how wonderful our Caroline is already."

"Yeah I certainly know that." He grinned. "Are you sure you're okay from here?"

"Fine, thanks for the help though."

"Good night nanna."

"Good night Niklaus." She slurred using his full name and placing a peck on his cheek. Caroline noticed him walking towards her bedroom wondering what he was up to as she'd seen him trying to go there earlier.

Her immediate thought went to the present she was supposed to be giving him in the morning, so she didn't look like a completely heartless girlfriend. Maybe he was thinking the same thing. After everything he'd done for her she wanted to at least get him something thoughtful even if was only an act. But she had no idea what to get him.

The shops were closed and Caroline was so used to buying things that trying to think of something different had her stuck. What could she do at such short notice, what talents did she have to come up with something thoughtful?

"You've hit the jackpot with that one dear." Nanna mumbled sitting on the bed while Caroline removed her shoes.

"There's more to life than money nanna."

"I didn't mean it like that Caroline. He's the complete package; looks, personality, brains, ambition, loyalty, not to mention he completely adores you." Caroline looked up at her grandma curiously thinking how she knew that in such a short space of time. She decided to put it down to the excessive amounts of eggnog she'd consumed.

"Nanna you've just met Klaus."

"Yes but sometimes you can just tell." She murmured. "He is the one dear." Her head shot up wondering where that thought had come from. Caroline shook her head wondering why she was entertaining things her drunk grandma was saying.

"We haven't been together that long nanna; I mean how can you know if someone is the one?"

"You just can." She smiled knowingly. "You two remind me of your grandfather and me. All that playful banter and don't get me started on your chemistry, you two could start a fire with all that energy."

"Nanna I've had that before with.…" She stumbled to compare it to anyone.

"Tyler? Oh please he's too in love with himself to be in love with anyone else." She snorted.

"Well if that's the case Hayley is going to learn that the hard way." Caroline said getting her pyjamas from the dresser.

"Well Hayley is my granddaughter too so I don't want to be too harsh but she loves herself just as much as he does. That's why they make a good couple." Caroline laughed thinking just how true that was. "Probably the only reason they've stayed together this long."

"You're probably right nanna." She smiled doing up the last button on her pyjama jacket.

"Well that's nothing you need to worry about anymore Caroline." She giggled as she laid down her eyes already beginning to close.

"You're right about that." She murmured realising for the first time how over Tyler she was and what he and Hayley did. Caroline had no idea why but it was like a heavy weight lifted off her chest. "Sleep tight nanna, Merry Christmas." She placed a kiss on her cheek noticing she was already fast asleep and beginning to snore.

She felt her cell phone start to buzz wondering who would be calling this late. She closed the door behind her and looked at her phone, a smile breaking out at who was on the other end.

"Merry Christmas!" She shouted excitedly into the phone. Caroline could hear the din from the crowd and music playing in the background.

"You too honey, how is New York treating you?"

"Fabulously as usual. I wanted to get in before it was midnight here, which is in about, oh, three minutes time."

"Where are you and why is it so loud?"

"I'm at Tao, it's going off tonight. I wish you and Kat were here with me."

"Sounds like you are going off too." She joked. "How many cocktails have you had Bon?"

"A few." She giggled. "I'm getting into the Christmas spirit Caroline, isn't that what you're supposed to do this time of year."

"You could say that." She murmured thinking about Klaus and everything that happened the past day. "I wish you were here too, I can't believe you turned down my invite for a Forbes family Christmas."

"Well I don't think I would have been the best company this time of year." She said her voice tinged with sadness before regaining her composure. "Anyway this is the only way to spend Christmas."

"Well you do spend the majority of your time out partying so I'm not at all surprised."

Caroline had met Bonnie Bennett through working at Vogue. She was one of the hottest up and coming freelance fashion photographers and they used her for a lot of their shoots. She had immediately clicked with her and Katherine and they spent a lot of time together whinging about men.

Bonnie was an orphan and had spent most of her childhood being shunted from one foster home to the next. As soon as she was old enough Bonnie left and had been on her own ever since. According to her it was better that way.

Christmas was always a difficult time of year for her which was understandable, but no matter how many times she or Kat invited her to celebrate with them she wouldn't go, instead finding the best party she could, like tonight.

"So how's the two timing boyfriend and the slutty cousin?"

"You sound just like Katherine. Let's just say they've been nullified."

"Yes I did hear something about a fake boyfriend." Caroline should have assumed Katherine would have talked. "A gorgeous British guy, goes by the name of Klaus?"

"Katherine is such a gossip, I should have known." She drawled.

"Hey I'm just upset I had to hear the news from her. He's pretty damn cute though I have to say."

"Have you been on Google too?"

"Katherine emailed me the link, nice choice Caroline."

"Well I didn't really have a choice." She said thinking he could have been so much worse. "But I have to say he's a phenomenal actor, not that I'd say that in front of him he's so damn arrogant."

"Sounds like your type."

"Oh I don't think so." She muttered.

"I do." She shot back. "So do I get to meet this arrogant arse when you get back?"

"No way Bonnie." She replied. "After dinner with his boss tomorrow night we are going our separate ways."

"Well that's a shame; I wouldn't mind meeting the guy who has impressed your family, including the nanna." Caroline rolled her eyes; even though they'd never met she already had a reputation.

"This is an arrangement nothing else Bonnie." Caroline felt a little deflated inside as she said it.

"Whatever you say Caroline." She chuckled. "I actually just called to say Merry Christmas not to analyse your love life."

"Merry Christmas Bon, can't wait to catch up in a few days, love you."

"Love you too sweetie." She disconnected missing her and Katherine like crazy. As much as she loved her biological relatives those two were just as much her family.

She walked down the hallway noticing her bedroom door was slightly ajar, the sound of muffled voices coming from within. Without thinking she walked up and peeked inside inhaling sharply at what was she was witnessing.

Hayley was moving dangerously close to Klaus, in her own bedroom. Suddenly it all felt like déjà vu, Caroline was trying to move but for some reason she was frozen to the spot needing to know if it was as incriminating as it looked.

"I think you and I could be so good together." She purred. Caroline wanted to go in there but she needed to know what Klaus was going to do. Even though he wasn't her real boyfriend she was hoping he didn't succumb to her cousin's charms like her idiot ex-boyfriend.

Caroline wasn't sure what she would do if he did, it was something she wasn't willing to entertain, it was too painful.

"Well there's a problem with that Hayley and you know it." He stuttered. Caroline closed her eyes feeling all the hurtful memories come racing back.

"Oh please you can't really like boring Caroline."

"Yes I can and I do Hayley, and she's far from boring."

"What's so good about Princess Caroline?" She baulked.

"She's beautiful, smart and caring and for some reason has chosen to be with me." He said and Caroline could swear she heard sincerity in her voice. He was some actor.

"You can do better." She pushed moving even closer her hands finding their way to his chest. Caroline had to physically stop herself from scratching her eyes out. Any slight chance of reconciliation with her so called cousin was now completely gone.

"No I really can't Hayley; I am completely and utterly in love with Caroline." He said removing her hands from his chest. She raised her eyebrows not expecting a declaration of love as part of his act. Not that she was complaining watching Hayley's reaction.

"Well it's you funeral." She muttered.

"Last time I checked you already had a boyfriend anyway. Maybe you should be with him and not me."

"Tyler isn't my boyfriend."

"Well I think you might need to tell him that." He said shaking his head in disbelief.

"You and I are more similar than you think Klaus."

"Oh really how do you figure that?" He scoffed stepping back so they were even further apart.

"We both don't want to be tied down; I can tell you want more than Caroline has to offer." Caroline could feel the steam coming out of her ears. Why did her cousin hate her so much, they were so close when they were younger.

"That's where you're wrong Hayley." He said shaking his head. "You need to leave now before Caroline or Tyler sees this embarrassing display of desperation."

"Too late." Caroline said pushing open the door noticing the surprise on both their faces at the interruption. "You really have no self-respect do you Hayley?"

"I have plenty." She growled.

"Why do you have to take everything I have?" She baulked looking at Klaus briefly before continuing. "Last time I checked we were cousins, something you seem to have conveniently forgotten."

"Trust me I haven't forgotten."

"Why do you hate me so much?" She asked unable to understand what was going on with Hayley.

"You have always been so damn perfect and I'm the black sheep of the family."

"I'm not perfect and if people think you're the black sheep it's because of what you've done Hayley, no one else. You really need to stop blaming me for your insecurities."

"I am not insecure."

"Well could have fooled me." She groaned looking at Klaus who seemed to be enjoying their interaction. "Maybe you should get out of my bedroom, away from my boyfriend and go downstairs to yours."

"He's not my boyfriend; he's just my current distraction."

"Wow you might want to tell Tyler he's just a distraction and that you're now after my current boyfriend." She joked. "Not that I really care what he thinks at all."

"So this is where the action is." Tyler spat walking into the bedroom. "Pushing aside the fact you don't care Caroline, which isn't surprising. What was it you were saying darling?" He asked emphasising the last word.

"I um…" She stuttered surprised at being caught out.

"Oh let me fill you in." Klaus said excitedly. "Your supposed girlfriend, who referred to you as just a distraction, tried to come onto me."

"And then Hayley had the audacity to justify her actions because apparently she's the black sheep of the family." Caroline added.

"Is this true Hayley?"

"No," She cooed placing her arms around him. "They are just jealous baby."

"Well usually I'd believe you but I happened to overhear most of your conversation." He growled pushing her away.

"I was making it up." She stuttered trying to explain herself. "Don't tell me you believe these two."

"Well I wouldn't usually but given what I heard. So I was just your latest fling then?"

"No…."

"Well it looks like that's the case. I'm not stupid Hayley and I really hate people making me look like a fool."

"Oh get over it." She drawled. "You're lucky to have me."

"Oh I'm lucky to have you am I?"

"That's not what I meant sweetie." She said realising what she'd done and attempting to repair the damage. "I can't believe you are listening to them."

"Me neither." He groaned looking at them. "I've had just about enough of this family, I'm going." He said briefly glaring at them before turning on his heel and stalking away. Hayley rushed after him leaving them in her bedroom together.

"Uh did that just happen?"

"It did."

"Wow so that was weird." Klaus said after a minute's silence.

"Forget what I said about your family, I think the Forbes clan takes the cake."

"Yeah I think when they wrote the carol Silent Night they weren't talking about Christmas Eve at the Forbes household." Klaus murmured. "Your cousin is…"

"A desperate whore?"

"Well I wouldn't have said that to your face but yeah." He said smiling slightly. "She's kind of scary."

"I'm glad I could save you then."

"You didn't save me, I was doing just fine on my own."

"Yeah sure, she was this close to devouring you whole Klaus."

"Okay you got me." He admitted. "She is one full on person."

"That's an understatement." She drawled. "Well they are more than welcome to each other."

"Not sure they'll be together much longer after that display."

"Yeah it couldn't have happened to two nicer people." She laughed before looking at him seriously. "Thanks you know for…"

"You're welcome." He interrupted. "As much as I love your family your cousin leaves a lot to be desired."

"That's for sure." She muttered, "Um you didn't have to….you know."

"I know." He smiled. "It was my pleasure." She broke into a grin nudging him affectionately.

"You'll have some great stories about your Christmas vacation when you get back to New York."

"I will but maybe we can refrain from telling them the particulars tomorrow night?" Caroline looked at him remembering this was all just an act and she had to do her part the next night. For some reason she felt disappointed. Caroline shook her head telling herself she had to stop getting caught up in all the emotions that Christmas brought with it.

"No problem." She smiled.

"I have to say if all your Christmases are like this I'd love an invite next year."

"Well we are more than happy to provide you with entertainment, but I'm not sure anything could beat this year. "

"Yeah probably I think I'm almost going to be bored going back to normal life."

"Ha ha." She laughed. "I seriously doubt that."

"You'd be surprised." He added sitting on her bed. "Wow this is much more comfortable than it looks."

"So I um suppose we need to discuss our sleeping arrangements." She said looking at him on her bed feeling nervous all of a sudden. Ever since her mum suggested it she'd avoided talking about it but given the time she couldn't do that too much longer.

"What exactly do you want to discuss love besides your being tempted to jump me in the middle of the night?"

"Oh p-uh-lease." She replied rolling her eyes.

"It's nothing to be ashamed about, trust me it's a common problem I have with women, I'm just that irresistible Caroline."

"Yes I think that's going to be my biggest problem." She said her voice thick with sarcasm. "I was actually going to warn you that I have a tendency to kick in my sleep."

"Kinky." He said cocking his left eyebrow.

"It's usually only when someone annoys me."

"So I should expect a lot of kicks then?" He asked laughing. "Well I have a tendency to talk in my sleep so apologies for what I might say about you in advance love."

"Can't wait." She muttered. "We better get downstairs before someone wonders what we've been doing."

"Well we are a couple Caroline so I'm pretty sure I know what they'd be thinking. "

"All the more reason to go downstairs then." She replied shaking her head. "You are unbelievable you know that?"

"Well people tell me that all the time. You're more than welcome to stay here and find out just how unbelievable I can be, you know a bit of a taster before bedtime." Caroline looked at him before walking out into the hallway and leaving him behind. "Hey there's no need to be like that love."

"There's no point in trying to speak to you when you're like this."

"Like what? Cute and loveable?"

"No arrogant and annoying."

"You secretly love it." He teased as that walked down the stairs.

"Yes I love it so much that I'm walking away from you." She laughed spying her friend who was headed for the kitchen. "I'm going to see if I can get more sense out of Stefan."

Caroline walked into the kitchen the remnant smells from their dinner still wafting around. Stefan was leaning over the bench picking at the dessert leftovers.

"You were complaining about being full but here I find you still stuffing your face."

"I can't help it, your mum does the best Christmas dinner." He said a guilty look on his face. "So um what happened upstairs? Tyler came tearing downstairs with Hayley chasing behind and then they left, he did not look happy."

"That's an understatement." She muttered. "Hayley tried to makes moves on Klaus, in my own bedroom of all places."

"That just sounds so wrong, completely your cousin's style though." He said shaking his head. "So I'm assuming Tyler witnessed the whole thing by that reaction?"

"Some, mainly the part where she told Klaus and I he wasn't her boyfriend just her current distraction." He looked at her in disbelief his eyes widening.

"She did not."

"Oh she did, and then she had the nerve to blame her jealousy issues on the fact that she's the black sheep of the family."

"Hayley has done that all on her own." He said. "I can't believe I missed the show. I'm assuming it isn't going to be a very Merry Christmas at their place this year."

"No but to be honest I really couldn't care."

"Really?"

"Yes really, I have wasted so much time and energy being angry at both of them but I realised tonight, even before that happened, that I was over it."

"That's great Care." He smiled squeezing her arm affectionately. "Honestly this fake boyfriend idea was genius who knew it would turn out to be so fruitful? I think Klaus deserves a medal."

"Hey he wasn't the only one in on this buddy."

"Yes I suppose we should really be acknowledging all my hard work in making this plan such a success."

"Because you did so much Stefan." She shot back rolling her eyes.

"Well I'm not sure how you're going to top this tomorrow night at his work dinner."

"Yeah talk about pressure." She muttered wondering exactly the same thing.

"I was just joking you'll make the perfect fake girlfriend, I mean who couldn't love you Care?"

"Hayley?"

"Yes because you'd really want her to love you." He quipped. "Trust me everything will be fine tomorrow night and then you can go back to your normal lives."

His words should have soothed her but for some reason they made her feel more uneasy. After getting to know Klaus Caroline wasn't sure whether she was ready to let him go just yet. Although that was the deal they made and obviously what Klaus wanted so she had to live with it.

"Care?" Stefan asked breaking her from her thoughts. "Is everything okay?"

"Uh yeah it's fine, why wouldn't they be?"

"I don't know, you seem almost disappointed you won't see each other again."

"I'm fine; anyway it was all part of the deal."

"Call me crazy but I think you like him."

"I do not like him." She stuttered trying to contain the blush on her neck that was moving dangerously close to her face. "He's so arrogant not to mention completely frustrating."

"That sounds very much like someone who is in denial." He said and before she could interrupt he kept going. "And no it's not just a river in Egypt."

"That is a really bad joke."

"Even so I can tell you've got feelings for each other."

"He does not have feelings for me." She baited him so that he would explain without her having to ask.

"Take it from me Care you can't fake chemistry and the way he kissed you is the perfect example of that."

"There was mistletoe." She replied feebly.

"So? I've been under plenty of mistletoe and the kiss has never been that good before." He said knowingly.

Caroline knew the kiss was amazing; she had been on the receiving end of it but hadn't allowed herself to entertain the thought that maybe Klaus felt it too.

After everything that happened with Tyler she was scared to get hurt again and the only way to avoid it was to stop thinking about him like that. All she needed to do was get through the next twenty-four hours.

"Admit it Care you like him …" Stefan started before the door flew open her mum carrying in a pile of dirty plates.

"Are you still eating Stefan?" She asked shaking her head. "What great timing though, you can help me with the dishes since you're here."

"Mrs F." He groaned.

"I think that's a great idea mum." Caroline smiled deviously glad to have the conversation interrupted.