I'm back! So sorry for the delay, got caught up in the fun Klaroline events in December. That, and the fact I managed to delete half the chapter and had to rewrite it from memory, grrrr.

Thanks again Sophie for your fine beta assistance : )

Keeping Up Appearances

Chapter 45: La Dolce Vita

8 September 2015 5:59pm, Milan Italy

"Who knew your Italian was so good?" Seated at Bar Bassa, they were indulging in the local custom of aperitivo. Drinking and grazing on pre-dinner morsels of arrancini and antipasto. Caroline could definitely get used to this two dinners concept.

"I have many hidden talents, love" he replied, sending her his most adorable grin, dimples and all.

"Oh really?" She asked, against her better judgment knowing one of his best talents was in the bedroom. "And what would those be?"

"Languages, cooking, acting, you know general arts and crafts,"

"Crafts?"

"I make a mean macaroni bracelet," he joked. "If you want one, all you need to do is ask."

"I'll keep it in mind," she quipped. "And who knew I had a budding actor in my presence, anything I would have seen you starring in?"

"Well I received a standing ovation at my school's production of Oliver Twist," he boasted. "They are probably still talking about my outstanding rendition of the Artful Dodger."

"Oh, I'm sure they are," she drawled. "I think you need to add modesty to your long list of talents."

"Now that would just ruin it," he laughed. "So did you have a good day?"

Caroline had had a free day from work and they'd explored Milan, beginning at the famous Duomo, visiting the MG Magma Art Gallery as promised and then finishing at the Castillo Sforzesco. If she was being honest Caroline had a lot of fun and knew it was all due to Klaus and his surprise reappearance.

"I did," she admitted. "I've been here a few times but I'm usually too busy working."

"You know what they say, all work and no play…"

"I'm not dull," she spluttered.

"No, that you're not," he grinned, holding her gaze. Caroline had to do all she could not to get lost in his blue eyes. "It's a shame we couldn't go to San Siro and watch AC Milan play though."

"AC Milan?"

"You know, AC Milan the football team."

"Oh that's right, soccer."

"Please tell me you don't use that terminology in London?" He drawled. "You know they deport foreigners for that kind of thing?"

"Haha, I'll have you know I'm becoming quite the local," she argued.

"Oh really? I'm intrigued now, do tell."

"I've eaten fish and chips and I ride the tube."

"I hate to tell you this love but I think you've got a bit more work to do to consider yourself a local," he joked. "Have you ever tried black pudding?"

"Why doesn't that sound very appetizing? What is it exactly?"

"It's blood sausage," he explained.

"Now I'm even less inclined to try it," she shot back. "You're not doing a very good job of selling the local cuisine to me."

"Maybe you need to broaden your horizons a bit, love," he smiled, mischievously. "Speaking of which, what are we doing tomorrow?"

"Well, I am here to work," she clarified. "So maybe I'll do some of that and then I might have some free time for you afterwards, if you're lucky."

"How generous of you, love," he chuckled.

"Hey, you were the one who gatecrashed my work trip."

"To bring you Twinkies," he argued. "I still can't believe you were craving those."

"Hey, don't judge, Mr Cheetos" she joked. "You were also supposed to be bringing me more of those sketches, but you're already slacking off I notice."

"I've been busy entertaining you,"

"Excuses, excuses."

"Okay, okay, all in good time bossy," he conceded. "So what would you like to do?"

"Well I need to buy some gifts for my mum and nanna," she said. "Although, I'm not sure I can fulfil nanna's request."

"I'm almost too afraid to ask."

"She wants a strapping, Italian stallion, as she put it," Caroline winced, trying not to imagine her grandma drooling.

"No, you won't be fulfilling that request," he shot back and she could see the jealousy flashing in his eyes, something which made her feel quite pleased. "How about you give her a nice snow globe with the statue of David inside? I'm sure some people might describe Michelangelo's work as strapping."

"But we're in Milan, not Florence."

"Details, love."

"Actually you might be onto something," she murmured. "She'd definitely appreciate the naked part."

"I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I've really missed nanna."

"I think she's missed you too," she shared. Her grandmother had told her on more than one occasion that she missed the British smoothie, as she liked to call him. Caroline had missed him too, not that she was going to admit it to him.

Yes, he'd flown all the way to Milan to surprise her and yes, he'd sent her the most beautiful sketches but Caroline couldn't help but think that even if she took him back nothing would change.

Sure, things would be good at first but then he'd revert back to the workaholic she knew all too well. Caroline wasn't going to be second to anyone, she deserved better than that. However, she was also willing to see how things went in Milan. She owed herself that much.

"I think I know what we can do tomorrow," she suggested, coming out of her Klaus-induced trance, desperate to change the subject.

"So, are you going to tell me?"

"Where would the fun in that be?" She replied mysteriously, not bothering to elaborate.

xxxxxxxx

Caroline eased her white dress over her head slowly and nervously consulted her appearance in the mirror. She couldn't believe she was anxious, but here she was trying on her tenth outfit.

She had an interview scheduled first thing with an up-and-coming Italian designer and then she was going to meet Klaus at Milano Centrale train station. Little did he know they'd be catching a ferry from there. She figured if she got the outfit choices out of the way now she'd save time later.

Caroline heard some commotion from outside her hotel room and crept over curiously to investigate. She opened the door slowly, surprised to find a box sitting outside. She bent down and picked it up hoping it wasn't explosive or containing any spiders. She figured she was safe when she saw the familiar handwriting in the note attached to it.

Ask and ye shall receive, K

She hesitantly removed the lid, almost too afraid to look. Once she spied what was inside her breath hitched in her throat. They were his sketches, not just one but a whole box of them. What overwhelmed her most was how many he'd done over the time.

She rifled through them slowly, each sketch just as amazing as the last one, not that she was surprised. Her ice skating with the wind in her hair, her giving presents to the little Taylors on Christmas night, and even their New Year's together, his favourite graffiti street art in the background.

Just when she thought he couldn't surprise her again, he had to go and prove her wrong. She felt tears gather in her eyes, knowing how badly she wanted him to be the one. He always had been now that she thought about it. However, she also knew that wasn't enough.

Before she knew it, the tears were streaming down her cheeks; Caroline had never felt anything so bitter sweet in her life. Finding out she'd found the love of her life but scared it wouldn't work out how she'd hoped. Her phone rang out and she couldn't help but think what bad timing it was. She furiously swiped away the stray tears and picked it up shakily.

"Ms Forbes," a thick accented voice asked.

"Uh yes, this is she."

"Your driver is waiting downstairs."

"Thank you, I'll be right down." She replaced the receiver and consulted her appearance in the mirror thinking she was going to have to do some quick work to fix her blotchy face and red, watery eyes.

xxxxxxx

"Now this I wasn't expecting," Klaus murmured, as they sailed into the picturesque town of Bellagio in Lake Como. The summer weather was spectacular, the sun shining down on them from the brilliant blue sky.

They'd caught the train to Varenna and taken a short ferry journey into the centre of this famous vacation spot. "This is beautiful, but what are we doing here?"

"Oh, I'm interviewing George Clooney, you know he owns a house here, right?"

"You're not serious," he groaned. "I can't compete; women go weak at the knees for that silver fox."

"Well, it's probably a good thing I was joking," she quipped, watching the relief register on his face. He really was adorable when he was jealous.

Ever since she discovered the sketches Caroline was determined to try and move past her earlier reaction. Maybe he had changed and Caroline owed him that chance to prove himself, although she had purposefully avoided mentioning the sketches. Klaus hadn't said anything; he was probably waiting for her to raise it first.

"So what are we doing?" He asked impatiently like a child as they disembarked the ferry.

"Someone's impatient, how about you just wait and see nosy."

"Wait and see isn't my kind of thing, love."

"You don't say."

"I thought you said you wanted to broaden your horizons," he said, and she knew he was just baiting her for a response. "I don't think luxury shopping and celebrity spotting really meets that brief."

"Oh ye of little faith," she replied, tersely. "You know if you're going to be annoying we can go right back to Milan."

"I'm sorry; I thought you liked my boyish wit and charm."

"When did I ever say that? And since when is that considered being charming?" She snorted.

"Okay, okay," he conceded. "I'll be on my best behavior, I promise. I'm just excited to find out what we're doing."

"We're going on the bus." She pointed to their mode of transport as it pulled up at a nearby stop. Fifteen minutes later they arrived at the quaint town of Lezzeno. This, like all of the towns they'd passed on the waterfront was stunning.

"So, what do you think?"

"It's absolutely remarkable, but would it be rude to ask if we're there yet?"

"I don't remember you being this annoying during our road trip, but maybe I blocked it out."

"No, it's because I wasn't annoying at all, you were too busy trying to keep your hands off me."

"Yes, that's exactly how I remember it going," she shot back sarcastically as their destination finally came into view. "This, my impatient friend, is the Jolly Racing Club," she explained, as they took in the picturesque venue on the lake.

"This is impressive," he murmured.

"I thought some water sports might be fun."

"Water sports?"

"Well, what better way to experience the lake than actually on top of it, unless you're scared of course?"

"I think you forget who you're talking to, love," he boasted, puffing out his chest. "Name the sport."

"How about we start off easy with some water skiing?"

"Easy is right," he scoffed.

"Oh, so you've water skied before?"

"Once or twice, it's not that different to snow skiing."

"You'd be surprised," she drawled.

"I think I can handle anything you throw at me, love, in fact, why don't we make a little wager?"

"Are you serious?" She asked incredulously, thinking about their snow skiing bet, obviously he hadn't learnt his lesson.

"Deathly," he responded, deadpan. "What? Are you chicken?"

"What, are you ten years old?" She scoffed. "Hell no, what did you have in mind?"

"The first person to fall loses, and when I win you have to answer any question that I have, and be honest," he suggested, looking deeply into her eyes. Caroline felt immediately worried that he'd ask something way too personal and she'd have no choice but to answer.

"Fine," she mumbled, hoping she'd be the victor and it wouldn't matter. "Easiest bet I'll ever win."

"Well, without further ado," he smiled, gesturing to the path in front of them leading to the club. "I just hope they have a spare swimsuit; otherwise Lake Como may see entirely too much of my assets." Caroline gulped, trying not to visualize his overly generous ones.

"I think they'll have something; you know nudity is frowned upon here."

"Are those your thoughts too?" He asked cheekily, arching his right eyebrow.

"Shut up and keep walking, I have a bet to win after all," she muttered, trying to erase the images of him naked from her mind, but failing. She needed to focus, after all this was too important.

xxxxxxx

Caroline watched as the gorgeous scenery rushed past. They had been on the lake for about half an hour and the driver had been doing the obligatory instruction before they started. Klaus who had been cocky to begin with was starting to falter slightly.

They'd done a few practice runs and even though she had to admit he had some natural talent he wasn't as good as her. Something Caroline was relieved about because she didn't want to have to answer his question, whatever it might be.

"So, are you ready?"

"Uh yeah," he murmured, barely audible, especially with all the background noise from the boat's motor.

"What did you say?"

"I said, I'm fine," he bit out, pausing to take an appreciative glance of her body which was encased in a fitted white bikini. "Although you're cheating."

"In what way?" She baulked, as his eyes continued to rake over her curves. She was trying not to get flustered but every cell in her body was telling her otherwise. It didn't help that his pair of purchased swimming trunks were sticking to him in all the right places.

"Distraction 101," he explained. "Wear the skimpiest bikini possible to throw off your competition."

"It's not that skimpy," she spluttered. Knowing what they were doing that day she'd packed it in her hand bag. She may have chosen this particular one on purpose, if she was being honest.

"I beg to differ, love," he replied, sending her a wolfish grin. "I'll do my best but if I get distracted you'll know why."

"Yeah, yeah, let's just do this and get it over and done with."

"I love it when you talk dirty to me," he teased. They were perched on the edge of the boat and Caroline took the opportunity to push him into the water. She laughed wickedly as he thrashed around, obviously shocked by her surprise attack.

"Serves you right, Mikaelson." He didn't respond just sent her a look, his crimson lips curved into a smile.

Caroline threw her legs over the side of the boat and dipped into the warm water. The instructor watched intently as they attached their skis and held onto the handles. He gave them a nod and revved the engine in preparation.

"Let's do this," she smiled glancing over at him, trying not to notice just how sexy he looked with water droplets running down his face.

"Game on, love," he replied flashing those adorable dimples again. The boat started up and they eased out of the water slowly, once they were on top of the lake Caroline steadied her balance loving the way the wind felt in her hair. The view was magnificent too which didn't hurt, but she knew she had to focus.

Out of the corner of her eye she could see Klaus watching her intently. Probably not a good idea if he was trying to win a bet.

"What an amazing view," she shouted over the noise, refusing to return his gaze.

"I much prefer this one," he yelled back.

"You're not going to put me off with those lines mister."

"Who said it was a line," he argued. She shook her head trying to remove the untoward thoughts swirling through her mind. "Lake Como has nothing on you, love."

She looked over instinctively, desperate to see his face, knowing that he was transparent when it came to her. His eyes bored into hers and Caroline knew she was a goner. Before she knew it, her skis had swerved ridiculously close to his and they collided, both hitting the water at the same time.

Caroline felt the water envelop her as she became submerged underneath. She felt an arm tug her back to the surface. She reached the top and let out the long breath she was holding. It was only when she finally opened her eyes that Caroline could see the lake and his worried face.

"What happened?"

"Well, we kind of collided," he admitted, sheepishly. "I'm just glad you're okay."

"Have you not learnt anything from Vail?" She growled, after she'd finally caught her breath.

"Uh, you were the one to run into me."

"Only because you were using dirty tricks to distract me," she spluttered trying not swallow any more water in the process. "Oh, no." She uttered in horrible realization.

"What's wrong?"

"I've um…"

"Spit it out love, we don't have all day."

"Fine," she muttered begrudgingly. "My bikini top is missing, if you must know."

"Suddenly my day got so much better," His original anxiety replaced by a pleasing smile, obviously enjoying her discomfort.

"Okay," she shot back. "I'm just going to go back onto the boat like this. Do you think Raphael wants to see me in my full glory?" Suddenly his expression changed and Caroline knew she'd made her point.

"Hell, no," he uttered, looking around the water hurriedly. "It must be around her somewhere."

"Yeah, now you're on my side."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that you're too busy making jokes to ever be serious," she spluttered, just as Raphael made his way over in the boat to collect them.

"Scuzzi," he began, before Klaus cut him off.

"We're fine Raphael, can you just give us a moment." He moved the boat further away, knowing that it was best he stayed out of their ensuing argument.

"Oh please, enough with the jealous act," she scoffed.

"Oh I'm sorry I'm trying to protect your modesty," he groaned, fishing around the water. "You know if you didn't wear such a…"

"Stop right there, you have no right to tell me what to do Klaus. We aren't together anymore."

"Trust me, I know," he agreed. "But even after all these months apart, I still want to be with you Caroline."

"Klaus…"

"No, please don't Klaus me," he implored. "I messed up, yes, I know. But you are the one for me and nothing is going to change that."

"So, we've been together for two days and you didn't think it was important enough to mention this earlier?"

"Like you can talk."

"What does that mean?"

"Oh, maybe the box of sketches I left for you this morning that you haven't even bothered to acknowledge?"

"I was going to..."

"When? After we'd left Milan?"

"They were absolutely beautiful," she whispered. "Every single one of them. I loved them but I was so overwhelmed by this barrage of emotions."

"Good emotions, I hope?"

"Yes, but unfortunately with the good come the bad Klaus," she murmured. "You said you'd fight for me, I'm still waiting. Yes, the sketches were amazing but it doesn't alter the fact that after this things won't change."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, once we return to real life you are still going to be the workaholic that couldn't find room in your life for me."

"You were important to me."

"I saw things differently," she shot back, remembering all too well how heartbreaking it had been. "You know what stuff my top; I need to get away from you and from this broken record."

"I've changed."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, really," he admitted. "I've lightened my workload so we can spend more time together; you can ask Lexi."

"Well I'm sort of in the middle of Lake Como without a cell phone and a bikini top to do that," she argued. "Why didn't you mention this earlier?"

"I was trying to ease myself into it."

"Are we back here again?" She drawled. "Look, it sounds great in practice but I'm not sure I can put myself out there if this is all another broken promise."

"It's not," he urged, swimming closer and gazing into her eyes. "I'm in for the long haul, you're the one Caroline. I love you and I'll do everything I can to make this work this time." She looked into his blue eyes hoping that she could believe him.

"I've been hurt before," she cried. "I'm sorry for being guarded but I don't know if I believe you."

"I don't know what else I can do," he said, his frustration obvious. "My heart is all I have left to give." She stared into his eyes trying to let go and let him in, her head was sending her another message though.

"Uh hum," a voice interrupted. It was Raphael gingerly holding up what looked like her bikini top. She broke out of her trance and gave him an apologetic look before snatching it away.

"Grazie mille," she uttered, completely embarrassed as he turned away. She hurriedly put it back on averting her gaze from Klaus in the process. She didn't know if she could deal with all of this right now. "This isn't the time or the place Klaus."

"Well if it isn't now, I don't know when it will be."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I can only put myself out there so many times Caroline; if you don't think you could love me again then fine, just please put me out of my misery."

"Nothing like pressure," she muttered. "I don't respond well to ultimatums Klaus."

"I'm sorry, but we need to talk about this Caroline. We can't just skirt around our feelings forever. I guess I thought now is as good a time as any." She held his gaze knowing that he was right.

They'd been dancing around the elephant in the room but now it was time to face things head on. She took a deep breath before speaking.

"Of course I love you, I never stopped Klaus, even after everything that happened between us," she admitted.

"That's amazing," he grinned. "So, what's the problem then?"

"Love is important in a relationship, but so is trust," Caroline explained slowly. "I need to know that things will be different this time."

"I just told you they will be, Lexi is lightening my workload as we speak."

"I know, but I need more than words Klaus," she murmured. "You've made a lot of promises the last six months, but I'm yet to see any difference."

"So what does that mean exactly?"

"I'm scared Klaus and I need to know that this is for real. I'm not ready to give up on us and what we could have just yet."

"You need more time," he murmured, and she could tell he was mulling things over in his head. She held her breath in anticipation hoping that he would understand. She wasn't ready to throw things away, not if they had a chance. "I understand, I'm willing to give you anything you need, love. Just so you know the fight has only just begun and that's not just words."

"Thank you," she whispered. "Now can we get out of this water before I turn into a prune?"

"As long as that bikini top is nice and secure," he warned. "Don't want Lake Como getting a view of something that I want for my eyes only."