Well I'm back finally. Things have been pretty crazy of late but I finally managed to get this chapter out. Time has been moving kind of slow in this story so you'll find there's going to be some time jumps and twists coming. I hope you guys will keep reading through the good and not so good times!

Keeping Up Appearances

Chapter 34: New York Minute

March 16 2015 7:57am New York City, New York

"I'll have poached eggs, rye toast absolutely no butter, roasted tomatoes, extra crispy bacon and hollandaise sauce on the side." Klaus rolled his eyes, only his sister would order breakfast like that.

"Bacon and eggs thanks," he told the waitress handing her his menu.

"You could at least pretend to be happy to see me Niklaus," she drawled taking a sip from her orange juice. They were eating breakfast at a rustic spot on the Upper East Side called Penrose.

"You know I need at least three cups of coffee before I can deal with you sister."

"Charming," she groaned. "I have no idea what Caroline sees in you."

"Maybe intelligence, handsome looks and my charismatic wit?"

"Don't forget modesty," she shot back.

"Well if you didn't want to deal with your grumpy brother why did you insist on breakfast this morning?"

"For starters I've barely seen you lately," she said. "You've been far too busy with a certain brunette we all know and loathe."

"Don't you start," he growled. "I don't need to hear it from you and Caroline."

"I hope you're not jeapordising your relationship with Caroline for Tatia?"

"Last time I checked I was just doing my job Rebekah."

"So if that's the case why is she so upset?"

"I may have cancelled on her, just a couple of times," Klaus mumbled the last part.

"How could you do that?"

"Time got away from me and anyway she said she was fine with it at the time."

"Trust me Niklaus when a woman uses the word fine she is far from it," Rebekah hissed.

"Let me guess you don't use that word with Stefan given how smitten you've been lately."

"I have not been," she argued although the blush creeping across her face was telling another story. "Anyway how would you know, it's not like you live together anymore."

Stefan had recently moved into a place with Matt when he returned from Virginia. Klaus had to admit he missed him around the place but figured they'd see each other enough with their new business venture which was officially off the ground.

"No we don't but he and Matt are my business partners so we still have plenty of time to sit around and talk about you together."

"How could I forget, that's all Stefan talks about," she shook her head.

"Well given we've found a venue and are due to open in a couple of months it's all very exciting," he grinned.

"So let me get this straight you've not only been too busy with Tatia but this new business as well? No wonder Caroline is feeling neglected."

"She has a busy career too," he spluttered. Klaus knew it was a weak excuse. Once they'd made up all those weeks ago he'd figured things would settle down and they could go back to normal. Although thinking about it things between them had never really been normal.

He really hadn't considered just how time consuming Tatia would be. He had to keep reminding himself that it was for Gordon and would hopefully lead to the promotion he badly wanted. Klaus figured Caroline would understand but after cancelling a few times she let him know exactly how frustrated she was feeling.

It didn't help that he and the boys were excited about their bar venture as well. He was doing all of this for Matt after all, surely Caroline could see that?

"Well I think it's time for some quality time together," Rebekah suggested peering over her nose as their food arrived. "Starting with your birthday tomorrow."

"Don't remind me," he groaned cutting into his toast.

"It's not just any birthday Niklaus; it's the big 3-0."

"Are you trying to make me feel old?"

"No I'm trying to say you should celebrate," she said. "I'm sure Caroline will want to do that with you."

"Well considering she doesn't know it's my birthday I doubt it," he admitted sheepishly.

"She doesn't know?" Rebekah baulked almost choking on her extra crispy bacon. "How is that possible after almost three months of knowing each other? Stefan knows my birthdate and star sign."

"I'll bet he does," Klaus muttered thinking it was purely for material reasons. "I'm not like you Rebekah, I don't just share everything."

"I don't get it. You tell the girl you love her but you can't share even the simplest thing like a date of birth?"

"It just hasn't come up but I'm going to tell her…"

"Wow, way to give her more notice to find you a present."

"I'm not interested in a present, all I want is her," Klaus argued feeling the emotion taking over. Maybe he had been a little complacent of late and it was time to make it up to her beginning with the birthday news over a nice, intimate dinner.

"Awww," she cooed earning a dirty look from her less than impressed brother. "Well at least you'll be at Jen Taylor's function together, you are still going right?"

"How could I not given she's married to my boss Rebekah," he replied. "Anyway how do you know about it?"

"She uh invited me when we were organising the gala together," she stumbled momentarily before continuing. "Jen Taylor knows how to throw one mean party I've heard."

"That is true," Klaus agreed thinking back to their New Year's Eve celebrations. "Have you spoken to Kol lately?"

"I don't think one word answers count," she muttered. "How about you?"

"He won't return my calls," Klaus shook his head. "I've never seen him this affected by anyone before, especially a female."

"You and me both," Rebekah said. "I thought the rejection had just battered his ego at first but I suppose the heart wants what it wants. I tried to invite him out but he's more interested in sulking in his apartment with a bottle of whiskey."

"Has Elijah had any luck?"

"What do you think?" She asked. "Given he's still in the friend zone with Katherine after weeks of supposed dating I don't think he's going to get through to Kol."

"Yeah I thought those two might have worked things out by now."

"Ah no," she said shaking her head.

"Just because you're head over heels doesn't mean everyone can be," he teased.

"You can talk," she grinned knowing exactly how he was feeling.

"You know what? I think you're right some quality time together is just what we need."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Tell me she's not coming in again today?" Lexi pouted her arms crossed over her chest.

"She's not coming in again today."

"Really?"

"No not really."

"So why did you tell me she wasn't?"

"I guess I wanted some peace," he groaned looking at his assistant. "It won't be much longer now Lexi I promise."

"That's what you said a week ago and yet here she still is making our lives a misery."

"You really need to stop letting her get to you," he murmured shaking his head.

"Easier said than done," she muttered under her breath. "I really hope this is all worth it."

"It will be," he promised. "You'll be working for the Chief Executive Officer before you know it Lexi."

"I'm assuming that means a big, fat payrise?" She asked raising her eyebrows.

"Well that all depends…"

"On what exactly?" She huffed hands on hips.

"On how civil you can be towards Tatia," he suggested jokingly watching her brow furrow.

"Do I have to?" She whined.

"Yes."

"Fine," she conceded. "I'll be so damn civil that gold digging witch won't know what hit her."

"I suppose that's some progress," he replied shaking his head. "So how is my new business partner?"

"How would I know that?"

"Oh come on," he chortled. "I'm not that stupid."

"And here I thought you were after all this time," she joked earning a dirty look from her boss. "We may have been hanging out a bit since he came back to town."

"Well I hope he's treating you right," he said suddenly becoming over-protective. "He may be my business partner but I may need to have a word to him."

"Calm down dad, you'll be happy to know he's the perfect gentleman."

"Good to know," he smiled.

"So speaking of gentlemen," she drawled. "I hope you're going to make it up to Caroline."

"You sound like Rebekah."

"Why doesn't that seem like a compliment," she groaned. "Well you have cancelled on her a few times lately."

"I know and I plan on making it up to her tonight if you must know."

"Now that sounds more like it," she agreed. "There's nothing worse than feeling neglected by your boyfriend, trust me."

"I have not neglected her," he spluttered.

He thought back trying to wrack his brain through the past three weeks. There had been the lunch he cancelled at the last minute because Tatia had taken longer at the auction house than planned. Then there was the picnic he had to postpone because he was searching for bar venues with Matt and Stefan. Then there was the night he got caught with Ben Taylor and some clients and had to cancel dinner.

He gulped knowing there might have been a few more occasions but he didn't want to think about it. Klaus knew he loved Caroline but sometimes life got in the way, surely she could understand that? He decided then and there tonight had to be extra special.

Before Lexi could share her thoughts on the matter he spoke. "Book a table for two at Jean-Georges tonight."

"Oh fancy, but do you think you'll get a booking this late notice?"

"I will do anything for that booking," he said smiling at her gratefully. "Use everything you've got in your arsenal Lexi."

"You know how convincing I can be boss," she smirked her face falling at something behind him. "If it isn't the she-devil herself."

"Lexi," he said shaking his head.

"Well I tried," she replied rolling her eyes and walking away without even a backward glance at Tatia.

"Blondie is never going to come around." Tatia murmured.

"She's protective of me," Klaus said shrugging his shoulders. "You can't blame her for that."

"Well last time I checked I wasn't doing anything," she tutted. "In fact I've been the perfect lady the last few weeks."

"You have surprisingly," he conceded. Klaus had been shocked how civil things had been between them. He wanted to hate her and keep holding a grudge but realised it wasn't going to make working together easy. He also realised early on that he didn't need to hold onto that anger anymore because he was in love with the most amazing woman in the world. "Although I hoped your visit would have been more brief Tatia."

"You know I like a lot of options," she smiled making him realise she was talking about more than art. "Anyway you'll be happy to know that it won't be much longer, looks like Gordon will be back in the city this week." He breathed out a sigh of relief that he didn't realise he was holding.

"Good to hear," he grinned thinking about his date with Caroline, noticing Lexi gesturing behind him and holding up her thumb triumphantly. Her powers of persuasion really were second to none; he figured a raise was definitely in order.

"Let me just send this message and we'll be on our way." He tapped out a message to Caroline on his cell phone, hoping she would be able to make it.

Is my gorgeous girlfriend free for dinner at 7?

That depends, are you going to cancel? Ouch, Klaus realised just how annoyed she was with him from that reply.

Not a chance in hell love, wear something almost as beautiful as you.

Fine.

Why did Rebekah tell him about that word? Klaus figured at least it was a confirmation that she was attending, although she might not be happy about it.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"She doesn't know it's his birthday?" Stefan asked incredulously.

"He hadn't thought to mention it apparently, even though it's tomorrow."

"I even know it's his birthday," he smiled pulling her closer so she was straddling his lap. They were spending a rare and lazy afternoon together at her apartment. Rebekah had always been married to her job but since meeting Stefan she'd allowed herself to let go and have some occasional fun.

"That's because I told you," she grinned placing a sweet kiss on his lips.

"Only under sufferance I seem to recall," he laughed mentioning their first impromptu meeting. "And after you almost had me arrested."

"Do you think we'd be here right now if you ended up in jail?"

"Probably not, there's only so much I can forgive." Stefan said looping his arms around the small of her back and leaning closer so he could nuzzle his nose against hers.

"Well at least it meant I had a partner in crime to plan this surprise party."

"Oh come on you didn't need me, you had this thing planned months ago," he teased squeezing her sides affectionately making her squirm. "Although not telling your brothers until now was a little strange."

Rebekah had managed to pull everything together for tomorrow night and keeping it relatively quiet had added to its success and having Jen pretend she was having a party was the key to get her brother to the party.

"Kol cannot keep a secret to save himself, especially in his current drunk and depressive mode," she warned. "Anyway they both know now, although I asked Elijah to hold off from asking Katherine until at least Caroline knows it's his birthday."

"Maybe they'll finally get together."

"We can only hope, so about the party.…"

"What do you need?"

"Why do you assume I need something?"

"It's that wide-eyed, almost innocent look you get when you want something."

"You shouldn't know that look yet," she grinned.

"Oh but I do, not to mention the rest of them. Now tell me what you want Beks."

"I need you to speak to Niklaus and make sure he tells Caroline about his birthday before tomorrow," Rebekah instructed. "I can't have this little detail ruining the amazing surprise birthday party I have planned."

"I thought you already did that this morning?" He asked cocking his left eyebrow.

"Yes well Niklaus has this annoying habit of not listening to his sister," she drawled. "You however, he will listen to being business partners and all."

"Why don't I just cut to the chase and tell Caroline myself?"

"Why do men have to be so clueless?" She groaned running her hands through his hair her frustration obvious. "That would be the absolute worse way for her to find out, Nik needs to be the one to do it."

"Okay I'll see if he wants to catch up for a quick drink later," he smiled smoothing down her hair and placing a lingering kiss on her cheek. He pulled out his cell and typed a message to Klaus. "But please promise me that we'll stop talking about your brother's birthday and have some of our own fun."

Without needing further invitation, Rebekah leaned forward and began attacking his neck with her lips. He groaned loudly letting his head roll backwards and enjoy the sensations. "Now this is definitely my kind of fun."

His cell phone beeped indicating an incoming message. Stefan really didn't want to check it right now but figured the sooner he did, the sooner he'd get lucky. He begrudgingly checked the screen while she continued her assault across his collar bone and towards his chest.

"Looks like Klaus has plans with Caroline, turns out he listened to you after all," he said his breath ragged with desire. Rebekah only acknowledged him with a quick nod before opening his shirt, her brother long forgotten.

xxxxxxxx

"Wow you really have come a long way," Klaus observed curiously.

"You act like I had no taste in art whatsoever," she countered.

"Well you said it," he teased unable to help himself. They'd been touring some of the boutique art galleries in Soho and Klaus had actually enjoyed himself. Yes it was Tatia, and he hadn't forgotten what she'd done, but he didn't care anymore. When she first reappeared he was counting down the days until she left while trying to find out her motives but now that didn't matter.

It also made for a much easier working relationship between them when he relaxed. Knowing she was leaving very soon had put him in a good mood, well that and his impending date with Caroline.

"I have learned a lot about art since being in this job," she argued. "And you may have taught me a few things."

"Oh I might have taught you some things?"

"Just a few," she laughed. "So it's the big birthday tomorrow? Got any plans?"

"Why does everyone keep using the term big?" He baulked. "I feel old enough as it is without that unwanted adjective."

"Well it is 3…"

"Yes I know 3-0," he shot back.

"I seem to recall you liking birthdays?"

"Yes when my age began with anything other than a 3," he replied shrugging his shoulders. "When you're younger you always have these dreams about where you'll be at a certain age."

"If I went by my childhood dreams I'd be the prima ballerina at the American Ballet Company by day and Wonder Woman by night," she chuckled.

"And I'd be a fireman," he laughed. "I just remember thinking how far away 30 was and all the things I wanted to achieve by then."

"Well it doesn't look like you're doing too badly."

"Yeah well I could be doing better," he mumbled thinking about the promotion that was within his grasp and everything else he still wanted to accomplish, with Caroline by his side of course.

"Don't sell yourself short." Klaus consulted his watch his breath hitching in his throat, was that really the time? He was going to be late for dinner and he knew that couldn't happen given his recent bad track record with Caroline.

"I've got to get to dinner on the Upper West Side," he said a myriad of thoughts racing through his head. Given the time he knew there was no way he could go home and change first, he had to go straight to Jean-Georges. At least he was wearing a suit, that was something.

"I'm not sure where you're going but I was about to catch a cab back to the hotel if you want to share?" She offered. Klaus nodded thinking it was on the way and probably the quickest he could get there to meet Caroline.

As the yellow cab inched up fifth avenue ten minutes later all Klaus could think about was if he'd make it there in time. Traffic was busy this time of night and Klaus just hoped it would clear but he wasn't holding out much hope as the minutes ticked away. He was so determined to make it up to her then Klaus had to go and lose track of time, if Lexi was with him right now she'd be telling him what an idiot he was and she'd be right.

"So a special night with the girlfriend I take it?" She asked curiously noticing him fidgeting in his seat.

"Uh yeah," he murmured not feeling comfortable talking to his ex girlfriend about his current one. When Tatia had reappeared in New York that was the one rule he'd made out of respect for Caroline.

"You know it's okay to talk about her, I mean we have been broken up a few years now."

"Yes but that doesn't mean it still isn't weird, I mean I don't ask you about your love life."

"Well you're more than welcome to ask," she murmured shrugging her shoulders.

"When I said that I didn't mean I actually wanted to know."

"And here I thought we were becoming friends," she joked.

"I think we both know that's a bit of a stretch Tatia."

"Oh well a girl can try I suppose," she chuckled. "What time is dinner?"

"In about five minutes," he muttered realising he was going to be late. He pulled out his cell sending a brief, apologetic text promising he'd be there as soon as possible. As the clock went past 7 o'clock he tapped his foot impatiently chiding himself for being distracted. She hadn't responded and Klaus knew that wasn't a good sign.

Around twenty- five minutes later they finally pulled up outside the Trump International Hotel and Tower at 1 Central Park West. He yanked open the door and jumped out noticing a very angry looking blonde walking out of the restaurant.

She was wearing a gorgeous flowing white dress, her golden waves fanned out over her shoulders and besides the stormy look on her face she looked completely angelic.

"Caroline," he called out desperately trying to catch her attention. She looked over at him, her expression becoming stonier, if that was possible. "Sorry I'm late."

"I suppose I should be impressed you actually showed up this time," she cried walking towards him and throwing her hands up in the air in frustration.

"The traffic was terrible, I got here as fast as possible."

"All by yourself?" She asked looking behind him and into the cab that was still parked at the curb with Tatia inside. Klaus looked around slowly realising just how bad it looked. Tatia gave him a slight smile before shutting the door and the cab pulled away.

"We'd been at some art galleries in Soho, Jean-Georges was on the way so we just shared a cab," he explained feebly.

"How convenient," she muttered placing her arms across her chest.

"There's nothing going on with Tatia, you know that."

"I don't know anything Klaus," she groaned. "I'd have to actually see my boyfriend to know what's going on in his life."

"I'm here now, can't we just go inside and enjoy a nice meal together?"

"I'm not really in the mood for a nice meal now," she shot back. "I'm just going to go home and eat my way through a carton of Death by Chocolate."

"Want to share?"

"I'm not the sharing kind."

"On the contrary love, I know just how giving you can be."

"Do you really think joking like that is going to suddenly make this all better Klaus?"

"No of course not, I'm sorry," he promised moving closer just as she stepped backwards to give herself more space. "What can I do to make it better?"

"Are you talking about being late tonight? Or cancelling on lunch, or our picnic, or dinner and the list goes on."

"I know I've been busy lately but I promise that's all about to change," he promised noting the scowl on her face hadn't lifted even a bit. "Gordon is due back this week and then this will all be over."

"So Tatia is leaving great," she muttered. "But there's also the bar and your quest for a promotion to contend with."

"My quest?"

"Yes the one you've been on since we first met," she countered.

"Is my job suddenly a joke to you?"

"That's not what I meant," she argued. "Of course your career is important and it should be but this month it's Tatia what will next month be?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean you can't sacrifice everything for your career."

"You mean our relationship?"

"I mean everything but yes I suppose that's part of it," she said shrugging her shoulders.

"Are you really asking me to choose right now?"

"Of course not,"

"Well excuse me if I don't believe you Caroline," he sighed running his hands through his hair. "I love you, why isn't that enough?"

"Love is important but you also need to communicate openly and make compromises in a relationship, if we're struggling this early on what hope do we have for the future?"

"So that's it Caroline, you've just written us off?"

"No but I think we have some things we need to work through," she admitted.

"Fine, let's work through it then, starting with dinner."

"You know I'm exhausted Klaus and not in the mood for this right now, I need some time on my own tonight."

"I understand," he acknowledged even if he didn't.

"How about we get together tomorrow night?" She asked. This wasn't exactly how he planned on breaking the birthday news to her. Now wasn't the time for it though, that much he knew. Although if she wanted to see him tomorrow that's what he wanted too. It was only then that he remembered Jen's function. He was torn at that moment about what to do. Caroline was important but so was his job and the promotion

"Ah the Taylors are having their St Patrick's Day party tomorrow night," he mumbled his face downward scared of her reaction given their conversation.

"Oh of course," she murmured.

"We can just go for a half hour then talk?"

"I'm not sure I'm in the mood to play fake girlfriend at the moment."

"Last time I checked you were my girlfriend and we weren't playing at anything Caroline."

"You know what I mean," she said attempting to clarify her comment but Klaus wasn't fooled.

"I'm not sure I do," he replied shaking his head. "Look I understand you're not up for a party but I do want to see you tomorrow night."

"Okay, call me when you leave." She said sending him one last sad smile and walking off into the distance, her white dress billowing in the night breeze. Klaus hadn't imagined his night going like that at all.