Sorry! I knew some of you wouldn't be happy with my last chapter, obviously I have my reasons, but thank you so much for all the thoughtful comments. One of my favourite reviewers NikMik captured all of my feelings and rationale perfectly; if you want to read it (do you have ESP?)

On a happy note, the angst is well and truly over. It's wedding time and should be a lot of fun. Thanks to my jet setting beta for finding the time to look at this : )

Keeping Up Appearances

Chapter 46: Let's Get Married

15 September, Queens, New York 10:38am

"Meet me at the altar in your white dress. We ain't getting no younger, we might as well do it. Been feeling you all the while, girl, I must confess. Girl, let's just get married. I just wanna get married." Kol sang out of tune and at the top of his voice.

"Who left him in charge of the music selection again?" Elijah groaned, from the driver's seat.

"He was complaining about not getting the front seat so we compromised, remember?" Matt recalled. "I'm beginning to regret that decision now given his woeful rendition of this song."

"I was getting us into the wedding mood. Anyway you can talk given you took the passenger seat from me," Kol whined.

"I have longer legs than you, deal with it shorty."

"I don't have short legs," Kol shot back. "Do I? Niklaus, do you think I've got short legs?"

"I've never really noticed to be completely honest, Kol."

"I hope it's not genetic, my daughter cannot have short legs."

"I'd be more worried about her inheriting your vanity," Stefan chuckled.

"And tone deafness," Matt agreed.

"Why did I agree to a road trip again?" Elijah asked, turning down the music much to the annoyance of his little brother.

The boys were making the two hour trip from New York City to the Hamptons in preparation for the wedding of the year and were currently driving through Queens. Klaus thought it was ridiculous that they had to travel down on Tuesday when the wedding wasn't until Saturday, but apparently his sister had a a number of things planned. He was fairly certain it would involve some sort of forced manual labour on their part.

"If I recall it was because you didn't want to be confined in a car with Rebekah-zilla and all her incessant questions, Elijah," Klaus quipped, using the nickname they'd bestowed on her early in the planning process.

"Hey, leave my wife-to-be alone," Stefan argued from the back seat. "She may be a bridezilla, but she's my bridezilla.

"Awww, how romantic," Kol laughed. "You are more than welcome to her obsessive compulsive tendencies for the rest of your life, Stefan."

"I imagine she's giving her bridesmaids blow by blow instructions right now," Matt teased. The girls had travelled down together the day before and Klaus was fairly certain they'd be this much closer to muzzling his bossy sister.

He let his mind wander to Caroline, wondering just how she was coping with the onslaught. After their impromptu discussion in Lake Como they'd returned to Milan. Things were different, that was for sure. Although it wasn't the outcome he'd wanted, Klaus felt like the uncertain haze between them had finally lifted.

They weren't together, but Klaus knew she wanted to be with him and that was enough for now. He'd hurt her and the fact Caroline wanted to try to get back to what they had was encouraging. If anything it had given him more motivation to win her back, not that he needed it.

He'd asked Lexi to lighten his workload but had jumped onto a flight to Italy before he could put things in place, hence Caroline's obvious hesitation. As much as he hated to prove Lexi right, Klaus was a micro manager and the thought of actually relinquishing his responsibilities was a difficult one.

He'd returned from Italy to a completely new system, Lexi was always too efficient for her own good. The emails in his inbox had halved, her rationale was that he didn't need to see everything. His appointments had also reduced considerably as Lexi had organised for his executive team to take on more clients. It certainly made sense and Klaus found it gave him more time to focus on their high end clientele

He was trying to look at it as a self-imposed cleanse but he'd be lying if he said it wasn't a tough adjustment to make. The only thing reassuring him was that he would have more time to spend with Caroline, and that was the most important thing to him right now.

"And we all know how well Katherine takes instruction," Stefan joked, tapping the back of Elijah's seat.

"I have to say I would pay to see that play out," Matt chuckled. "Lexi has had to all but gag her to stop her from sharing her real thoughts on a few occasions."

"That's my girl," Elijah beamed, not bothering to hide his joy. "Not that I'm taking sides, or anything."

"Sure you're not, I'm telling Rebekah," Kol teased.

"Please, don't, I like being alive."

"You should be afraid, very afraid," Klaus warned. "So does Katherine know about the whole 'never getting married' thing yet?"

"You don't want to get married?" Matt asked, incredulously.

"Thanks for sharing my business with the whole car, Niklaus."

"I thought they all knew, sorry."

"I just want to be there when he has to break the news to Katherine," Kol joked. "Now that I would pay to see."

"I don't need to have a piece of paper to prove my commitment to Katherine, no offence Stefan."

"None taken but Katherine can be pretty scary when she doesn't get her way," Stefan said, knowingly. "I just hope you're prepared, man."

"Well, now I'm going to have to be," Elijah groaned. "As much as I like talking about my love life maybe we need to be focusing on Niklaus and Caroline."

"Thanks, big brother."

"It serves you right," he replied, triumphantly. Obviously glad to have the attention diverted from his relationship to his brother's non-existent one.

"What is going on with you two anyway?" Stefan asked, curiously. "I honestly can't keep up."

"Nothing, well not yet anyway."

"Care to let us in on your plan to win her back?"

"I liked you better when you were singing really badly."

"More than happy to give you an encore later," Kol teased. "So by avoiding the question I assume there is no plan. Have you learnt nothing this year?"

"I can't believe I'm being lectured by you of all people," he shot back. "Just because you and Bonnie are all sickeningly sweet."

"Sweet is one word I would never use to describe an overwhelmingly, hormonal, pregnant woman."

"Well, if Lexi's excitement is anything to go by, I'd say he has a plan of sorts," Matt said. "I've never seen anyone so excited to take on more work."

"Or assign it to others, my workload has practically halved so now I have more time to spend with Caroline."

"And that's it?" Stefan asked.

"Well no, but it's a good start."

"I think this calls for a grand gesture," Kol replied, excitedly. "Sing her a song on the bleachers, meet her on top of the Empire State Building so you can profess your undying love or, better yet, dazzle her with some giant flashcards."

"Seriously, Kol," Elijah muttered.

"I blame Bonnie for making me watch all those chick flicks, they've really messed with my head."

"Well, I sent her the sketches and turned up on her doorstep in Italy, I'm all out of gestures." He said. "Plus, that's not what she wants anyway. I just need to prove that I'm committed to her and a relationship."

"So basically you have no real plan?" Stefan reiterated.

"Can someone just turn up the music," he mumbled, watching as the scenery flashed past the window.

xxxxxxx

As the stunning Topping Rose House came into view, Klaus knew his sister was on the verge of yet another beautiful event. It was her wedding after all, so he was hardly surprised. It was a stately white house in Bridgehampton that the owners had restored to its former glory and turned into a twenty-two room boutique hotel.

The pulled their bags out of the car and headed to the reception to check-in. Rebekah had hired out the entire property for the week and Klaus had to admit he was looking forward to the wedding. That, and the fact he would see Caroline for six days straight.

The receptionist assigned them their rooms and as he made his way to his suite, Klaus wondered where Caroline was staying. He secretly hoped she was close, although given his sexual frustration it was probably better she was far, far away. He hadn't been with anyone since her, obviously by choice, but for him that was a record and, if he was being honest, it had been tough going.

After unpacking his case, they ventured to the back patio. The outdoor area was impressive with perfectly manicured gardens surrounding a paved area and a large rectangular pool. Four very familiar women were laying around it lazily on lounge chairs. He gulped, immediately recognizing Caroline's curves on full show, encased in a red and white polka dot bikini.

"Glad to see you're all hard at work," Kol quipped, sliding onto Bonnie's chair and giving her protruding belly an affectionate rub.

"Excuse me?" Katherine cried, sitting upright, her oversized, floppy hat almost falling off. "We have been working our asses off, buddy."

"It's okay," Elijah murmured, placing a lingering kiss on her cheek by way of comfort. "We're here now."

"Why am I not filled with any confidence," she drawled. "I'm going to kill her, just so you know, I don't care if she's your flesh and blood."

"Charming, Kat," Stefan drawled. "I might go ahead and warn the bride to be she might not make it to her wedding day alive. Where is she anyway?"

"She is over in the restaurant, giving the wait staff strict instructions on how to handle cutlery," Bonnie explained, gesturing to the other side of the garden. "Good luck with that."

"How about a little help from the best Maid of Honour around, Lexi?" Stefan pleaded.

"You're on your own," she advised. "I'm taking a well-earned break with my boyfriend." She gave Matt a lingering kiss on the lips, obviously happy for the distraction.

"It's been that good?" Klaus asked, looking at Caroline in particular and trying not to imagine her naked.

"Your sister certainly knows what she wants, yesterday she had us checking the reception floor for any residual dirt." The reception was taking place in the old barn at the back of the property.

"Aren't barns supposed to be rustic?" Klaus queried.

"Try telling your sister that."

"And don't they have staff for that kind of thing anyway?" Elijah asked.

"Apparently they aren't up to scratch," Katherine answered. "I'm confused because I thought as an event planner you'd pay good people to do that."

"Rebekah is a bit of a control freak though," Klaus observed.

"I wonder where she got that from," Lexi teased, sending him a knowing glance.

"Whoever said being a bridesmaid was glamourous had obviously never been in Rebekah Mikaelson's wedding party." Katherine growled.

"Exactly why I'm glad to be pregnant and incapacitated," Bonnie grinned happily.

"No need to rub it in," Lexi groaned. "Look, we've got four and half days until show time, we can all get through this."

"Speak for yourself," Katherine muttered.

"Lexi is right," Caroline offered. "Just think about the light at the end of the tunnel."

"Says the girl who flew in from London a few days ago and will be flying out again just as quickly." Klaus felt his heart constrict, the thought of her leaving again, upsetting him all over again. He'd said he'd give her time and he meant it, but it didn't make it hurt any less.

"Which is exactly why I plan on being the best damn bridesmaid ever."

"Famous last words," Bonnie joked.

"I said you could have a quick break," Rebekah instructed, walking towards the group purposefully, Stefan tagging behind on her heels.

"Well it's only been fifteen minutes," Lexi said. "We assumed you meant we could at least be fed and watered in that time, you know to keep up our strength for the big day."

"Surely you need a break yourself, Rebekah," Caroline implored. "It's pretty hot out and you're already wearing your swimsuit. Maybe it's just what you need to relax."

"Don't poke the bridezilla," Kol teased, standing up next to his sister and nudging her playfully. "They don't respond well to other people's suggestions."

"No, I think Caroline has a point," she remarked, obviously weighing up her options. "As a matter of fact I think Kol needs a good swim." Before he knew what was happening she'd pushed him into the water, fully clothed. "Bridezillas also don't take too kindly to being teased, brother."

"Looks like someone else is dying for a swim," Caroline said, her gaze landing on an unsuspecting Klaus, before leaning forward and pushing him into the pool to join his brother.

"I couldn't agree more," Lexi said giving Matt an unsuspected nudge and watching gleefully as he sailed into the water.

"Oh don't you even think about it," Elijah muttered, attempting to get away before both his sister and Katherine trapped him.

"Too late," Katherine grinned, sending Rebekah a smile as they pushed him into the water together. "See we can work in harmony, when we try."

"How about I just jump in already?" Stefan asked, already knowing his fate had been sealed.

"Oh come on, at least let the fat, pregnant girl have some fun," Bonnie pouted. "I don't move around as easily as the others."

"Whatever you say Bonnie," Stefan joked waiting for her to waddle over slowly and push him into the water. She grinned, watching them all flail about in their wet clothes.

"They are too easy," Lexi laughed. "I think our work here is done."

"Oh, not so fast ladies," Klaus chuckled, climbing out and heading towards Caroline to exact his revenge, as did the rest of them.

She squealed, running around the outside of the pool while he pursued her closely. It was only when his arms finally found her waist and she attempted to fight his attempts to get her in the pool that he knew he had her.

"You're all wet," she shrieked, as he turned her around to face him and began to lift her up in anticipation.

"Well that's what happens when someone throws you in the pool, at least you're wearing a bathing suit," he murmured in her ear, relishing in the feeling of her hot skin rubbing against him.

"I promise I'll be really good if you don't throw me in the water."

"And give me one good reason why I shouldn't?"

"I just washed my hair," she replied feebly, biting her lip adorably.

"That was pathetic. So, any last words, Ms Forbes?"

"Mmmm yes, let them eat cake," she laughed, Klaus really had missed that melodic sound.

"This isn't a beheading, and you're really choosing Marie Antoinette right now?"

"She had the right idea, and on top of that you know how much I love desserts," she smiled cheekily. They held each other's gaze before he followed through with his threat and threw her into the already full pool. Maybe it could be considered ungentlemanly but Klaus figured he was a guy with a very big crush, so a little teasing was to be expected.

Before they knew it, the entire group was in the pool splashing water playfully at each other and having a generally good time, even Bridezilla herself. Klaus hoped this was a good sign for the week ahead.

xxxxxxx

Klaus had changed five times by now, no outfit seemed good enough, so he'd consulted his wardrobe for something better. Had he always been this self conscious when it came to her? Klaus knew the answer was definitely yes.

He heard a knock and went over to answer, wondering who it was. He opened the door, surprised to see Stefan's cheerful face on the other side.

"Well, if it isn't my brother to be, please tell me you're not here to say Rebekah's tendencies have caused you to run for the hills and you can't go through with the wedding?"

"No," he replied. "I'm not that fickle. She's still getting ready, as expected, and I wanted to see how my favourite, future brother-in-law is going."

"Well last time we spoke I was more than fine, Stefan. By the way, don't tell Kol I'm your favourite, he might not react too favourably to that."

"I'll bet," he said, knowingly. "You know I'm a pretty lucky guy to be marrying into this family."

"Don't tell me you're going to get all overly emotional, Stefan. I'm not sure how to handle such displays of affection."

"I mean it, man, I can't believe this has all come about because of a freak snowstorm. Thank you mother nature."

"Yeah who would have thought we'd be sitting here today?" He reminisced. "We co-own a business, you're marrying my little sister, Elijah and Katherine together, so too Matt and Lexi, and Kol and Bonnie are having a baby. A lot can happen in nine months."

"Or not happen."

"Come on Stefan, I know I stuffed up but it's not like I haven't been trying to make amends with Caroline."

"I know you have, and so does Caroline, she just needs some time to realise that you belong together," he explained. "She's been hurt before, I think she just needs to know it's the real thing."

"Oh, it's the real thing," he murmured, knowingly.

"I guess I just wanted to say don't give up."

"Not a chance in hell, Caroline is the one and you don't give up on the one. You should know all about that Stefan."

"I think we'll have a good laugh about this conversation when we're getting ready for your wedding," Stefan said.

"One step at a time, although the thought has crossed my mind more than a few times."

"Ah, Rebekah will be in event planning heaven," Stefan joked. "Speaking of which I should probably get back before she thinks up another wedding chore for me to do in my absence."

"Well in that case you'd better run, mate," he teased, noticing Stefan looking at his outfit curiously. "Why are you still here?"

"I just can't leave without fixing that outfit."

"You really have been around my sister too long."

"Someone needs to save you from yourself, especially if you want to impress my fashion conscious best friend," he instructed, pulling a shirt from his closet and handing it to Klaus. "After all this time you obviously have no idea. Caroline likes blue, Mikaelson."

"Thanks," he murmured begrudgingly. "So, that's it?"

"No," he answered. "She's more than a best friend, she's like a little sister to me, Klaus."

"I know."

"I need to know you'll be good to her."

"Of course I will, she's my world, Stefan."

"I'm glad, it could have gotten really awkward if I had to kill you for any wrongdoing on your part."

"Well I guess that makes us even because it's the same with my sister, Salvatore," he warned. "Just because we're supposedly going to be related doesn't mean I won't kill you."

"So, now we've got that out of the way, I should get going," he replied, clearing his throat. "And please for the love of god fix that hair, man."

"Yes, mother," he muttered, glancing at his appearance closely in the mirror. "You really have been around my sister too long."

Xxxxxxx

The group had ventured out to the the Old Stove Pub for dinner, Rebekah had only allowed something casual because none of the other guests had arrived yet and Stefan had insisted. She figured she should at least give him that considering she got her way on everything else.

Unlike its name, the Old Stove Pub was actually a well-known Greek restaurant that was opened in the 1960s. It was a rustic weatherboard building perched on the sand with beautiful views of the water during the long summer days.

The group had booked a table on the verandah and were inhaling the salty air and listening to the waves crash onto the beach. Their meal had been generous as as it was delicious. For someone usually so work focused usually Klaus could definitely get used to this.

It didn't hurt that he had a beautiful view across the table and he wasn't talking about the beach. Caroline always looked stunning and tonight was no exception, with her simple blue dress that accentuated her creamy skin and expressive blue eyes. Her golden waves were cascading down her back, exactly the way he liked. He had to keep reminding himself to stop staring at her.

It was at some point in the evening that Klaus decided he wanted to make a speech to mark the occasion. After all he wasn't best man, that task had fallen to Matt, and it seemed right to do it in front of their small group of family and friends.

"Can I have your attention?" Klaus asked, glancing in Caroline's direction before averting his eyes, knowing he needed to concentrate. "I wanted to say a few words."

"This isn't in the schedule," Rebekah muttered, helplessly as Stefan laid his hand comfortingly over hers.

"I'll take that as a thank you, dear sister. Who knew we'd be here this time last year? Although I couldn't be happier with how things turned out." He murmured, his gaze drawn to Caroline, yet again. "I've met some great new friends and had the chance to spend more time with my family."

"I was always too preoccupied to appreciate what was important but I've realised, maybe a little late, that life needs to be lived. It should be filled with family and friends and love because, without it, nothing really matters." Klaus had to do all he could not to stare into her blue eyes, hoping she was getting the message he was desperately trying to send.

"So, to Rebekah and Stefan, I want to say thank you for bringing us here to celebrate and share in your big day. I'm so lucky to have you both in my life and I wish you all the happiness in the world." He stole a glance at Caroline and Klaus could tell he'd made an impact. He just hoped it was enough.

"Thank you, Niklaus," Rebekah murmured. He could make out the unshed tears in her eyes knowing that she was moved, albeit temporarily. "Okay, so let's move onto assignments."

"Assignments?'' The guys all asked in unison, as she pulled out what looked like an extensive to-do list.

"Welcome to our world," Katherine muttered, earning a dirty look from Rebekah in the process.

"Right that's it, for that little wisecrack Katherine and Elijah are now on bomboniere duty," she instructed, marking her paper with a pen that has just miraculously appeared.

"What's a bomboniere?" Elijah asked, the confusion on his face evident.

"I can't believe I have to deal with such amateurs," she muttered, obviously unimpressed. "You two are in charge of packaging the bomboniere, and trust me Elijah after you've done one hundred you'll know what I'm talking about."

"Bonnie and Kol need to pick up the suits," she ordered. "And no stopping for pregnancy food cravings on the way."

"You can't deprive a pregnant woman of food, Rebekah."

"Kol, I think Bonnie ate enough for about ten people tonight, I'm sure she won't starve," she remarked, checking another item off the list.

"For that insult I expect extra cake at the wedding," Bonnie shot back.

"Speaking of cake," Rebekah replied, not bothering to address her request. "Matt and Lexi need to go into town and check on the status of the cake."

"Check on the status?" Matt asked, perplexed.

"Maybe I shouldn't leave such an important task to a blonde," she noted, peering down her nose at him.

"Well two blondes are better than one," Lexi responded before Matt could share his thoughts on the matter. Klaus couldn't help but laugh aloud, this was certainly his sister at her very best or should he say worst.

"Just for that Niklaus, you and Caroline are on decorating duty."

"Don't they have trained specialists for that job?" He asked. "I think they're actually called interior designers."

"Funny," she shot back and he knew she didn't find it amusing at all. "Maybe you can work on your jokes while you're doing it."

"Rebekah, I've never really decorated." Caroline said.

"You put outfits together all day, surely you can just as easily put together some decorations."

"And what exactly are the bride and groom-to-be going to be doing while we're toiling away?" Klaus asked curiously.

"We need to speak with the Minister, I need to make sure he's not going to make any bad jokes, or go off the script."

"Unfortunately the 'till death do you part is compulsory, Stefan," Kol joked, brave enough to earn the wrath of his sister. At that point they all broke into laughter with even Rebekah managing to crack a smile.

xxxxxx

Klaus pulled his keycard out of his pocket as he approached his suite door. All in all it had been a great night and he was looking forward to what the following four days would bring, even if it was more of Rebekah and her dreaded list of chores.

"Klaus," he heard her melodic voice waft down the hall way, immediately making him turn. She approached him shyly and Klaus could swear she was nervous.

"To what do I owe this pleasure, love?" He asked warmly.

"I just, uh, wanted to say that speech you made was beautiful."

"I'm glad someone appreciated it, especially given it wasn't on the schedule."

"Just so you know, I wouldn't take back the last year for anything," she smiled. "I've met all these wonderful people and I just wanted to say thank you, I guess."

"I know it hasn't all been smooth sailing but I'm happy to hear you feel that way, Caroline."

"No matter what's happened, I'm glad you came into my life, Klaus." He felt like the air had been knocked out of his chest at such a simple statement, which meant so much to him.

"Me too, love," he grinned. "Me too." They held each other's gaze, her blue eyes unflinching. Klaus knew all he wanted to do was kiss her but he also didn't want to scare her away. Everything he needed to know was in her eyes and that was enough for now.

"So, I hear Lexi has been ordering you around," she coughed, eventually blinking.

"I needed it, Lexi was right, although don't tell her I said that. I'd been taking on far too much for no reason and this way I get more time to spend on other things."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, like sketching," he grinned. He noticed her face light up and knew she was excited by that prospect, Klaus couldn't stop drawing her if he tried.

"I, uh, don't want you to think that you have to give up everything, that was never my intention. I know how important your job is at the end of the day, Klaus."

"It is, but so are you," he replied. "Look, my life has only ever been about work. I think asking someone to pose as my girlfriend to get a promotion is proof of that fact." She just chuckled in response. "But when I met you I realised there was more to life than work, even if it did take me a while."

"Thank you," she murmured, holding his gaze once again.

"No, thank you, love." All he wanted to do was bundle her in his arms and never let go, but Klaus knew she had to be the one to make the first move. The ball was in her court, after all.

"So, I should really be getting to bed, you know given decorating duty is scheduled for the crack of dawn."

"I'll see you tomorrow, Caroline." He smiled as she walked away knowing that they'd advanced another small step and he couldn't have been happier.