Sorry for the delay, have been struck with a bit of writer's block of late on this story. A special thanks to my amazing beta Sophie for all the extra assistance you gave me in this chapter! Hope you guys like it : )

Keeping Up Appearances

Chapter 47: Kiss the Bride

16 September, Bridgehampton, New York 8:29am

"Are you singing Elton John?" Caroline asked, recognising the familiar tune as she approached Kol in the garden.

"I'm just getting into the wedding spirit," he explained.

"I'm not sure singing about wanting to kiss your sister is really appropriate, people might talk."

"I think you need to work on your jokes, Forbes," he quipped. "You must have been around my brother too long."

"Hey, I'm offended! I'm way funnier than him," she joked. "So, why exactly are you standing in the garden singing all alone?"

"Bonnie and I were about to go into town and pick up the suits for the slave driver but her tiny bladder couldn't wait, as usual, and we didn't even make it to the front door."

"Just another wonderful side effect of pregnancy."

"It's not all bad," he murmured, shrugging his shoulders.

"You know, I never got a chance to thank you."

"For what exactly?"

"For being there for Bonnie."

"I love her," he said simply, like it was the easiest thing in the world. "At the end of the day that's all that matters."

"There's more to a relationship than just love though," she replied, knowing she wasn't strictly talking about them anymore.

"Maybe, but I think if you really love someone then you're willing to move heaven and earth to make it happen."

"Yes, but you weren't even together at the time. And as much as I love Bonnie she has this stubborn way of pushing people that care away."

"Things certainly weren't easy I'll admit, but I think that just made me want this even more. What's that saying about no pain, no gain? I think you and my brother would know something about that."

"Mmmm," she answered, knowingly.

"He can be an ass, I know that better than most people, but he loves you and I know he's willing to do everything he can to be with you, Caroline."

"I know that," she agreed, without hesitation.

"So if you don't mind me asking, what's stopping you?"

Caroline thought about his question wondering exactly the same thing, what was stopping her? She loved him, and everything else that happened and she'd agonized over, seemed to all fall away at that exact moment.

"I suppose, nothing."

"Then please, for the love of god consider taking him back Caroline," he pleaded. "There's only so much of moody, love-sick Niklaus that I can take."

"You know you're pretty wise about these sorts of things," she smiled, thinking how much she'd underestimated his younger brother.

"I'm actually a very serious and deep individual."

"Well I wouldn't go that far," she teased. "Although I do think you will both make great parents. I know it couldn't have been easy finding out you were going to be a father all those months ago, but here you are both happy and about to have a baby in two months."

"Yeah," he replied, his smile now replaced by a deep frown. "Not long at all to go now."

"I think it's natural to be nervous," she offered, attempting to allay his fears.

"It's not that," he admitted. "I just don't think I can handle living apart from them. I mean my place is bigger, it's closer to the park…"

"I'm impressed, Kol. You really have thought about all of this."

"I have, and it's not just about the practicalities, I'd really like to give this a proper go and I think living together as a family would be a good start to little Ireland's life."

"I don't think saying Ireland is going to make Bonnie change her mind," she chuckled. Kol had taken to using the name incessantly in the hope that it would stick, but Bonnie had already vetoed his suggestion and all other country and city names along with it. "So, what does Bonnie think about living together?"

"I, uh, haven't suggested it to be honest. I wanted to say something but I'm mindful not to push her, you know, given our history."

"I think she's a very different person now and she'd probably understand where you're coming from, Kol."

"Well I hope so, but if not, the little surprise I've organised may work in my favour."

"A surprise?" She asked, curiously. "Oh come on! You have to tell me now."

"What surprise?" Bonnie interrupted, waddling towards them, her hands resting on her protruding belly. Kol gave Caroline a silencing look.

"A surprise for Rebekah," Kol uttered.

"Isn't he a wonderful brother?" Caroline chimed in, hoping it didn't sound as fake as it was.

"Well that's certainly a change of heart given all your complaining about her bridezilla ways," Bonnie muttered. "Speaking of which, I don't care what she says, we're stopping for food. I could really go some pancakes, ice cream and bacon."

"Together? Sounds really appetizing, Bon."

"Hey, don't judge," she accused, pointing her finger in Caroline's direction. "Just wait until you're pregnant with weird cravings."

"Who's pregnant?" Klaus asked, interrupting their conversation. Caroline hoped her cheeks weren't as flushed as they felt. Why did he have to walk up at that exact moment?Of course, she'd thought about having children and if she was being honest every time she'd visualized their father his face would appear, not that she'd admit that to anyone.

"Well, I think that would be me," Bonnie drawled. "What gave it away?"

"I think we better get going so we don't have to endure Rebekah's wrath," Kol complained. "Shall we m'lady?"

"Enjoy that decorating, kids," Bonnie said, giving Caroline's shoulder a quick squeeze before walking away.

"I'm not sure enjoyment really goes hand in hand with decorating," Klaus groaned. "I could think of much better things to do with my day."

"I think we all could," she agreed, thinking exactly what she'd prefer to be doing and trying to ignore the associated lust coursing through her veins.

"How does one decorate to Rebekah's high standards, anyway?"

"You work in the art industry, how hard can it be?"

"Yes I paint a few spots on canvas and call myself an artist, you mean?"

"Pretty much," she teased, remembering their conversation in the car all those months ago. "Now, what are we waiting for?"

xxxxxxxxx

"Tell me again, what is this exactly?"

"It's bomboniere, Elijah," Katherine recited. "Your sister plans on slowly killing us with it."

"No, I meant what is with all the painful clichés?" Rebekah was going with a farm theme to match the barn where the reception was going to be held. They were placing small jars of homemade jam and honey, complete with gingham material covers and pouches of wildflower seeds in rustic brown boxes.

"Oh come on how can you not like 'spread the love', Elijah?" Katherine joked, pointing to the label hanging around the jam jars.

"I'm still trying to get over the 'meant to bee' on the honey and don't get me started on 'let the love grow'," he replied shaking his head while pouring some seeds into a pouch displaying those words. "Why would anyone want conserves and flower seeds?"

They were seated in the hotel lounge, the table acting as their workstation which was covered in boxes and ribbons in a rainbow of colours.

"I don't know, because preserves taste good and flowers smell nice?"

"Yes, and then the jam and honey are eaten and the flowers die," he shot back, busying himself with his task. As much as he hated the job his sister had assigned, Elijah was never one to turn down a challenge even if it was this mind numbing.

"How very romantic," she muttered, attempting to tie up her box with a ribbon.

"I'm happy for my little sister, god knows she's been planning this day since she could talk," he murmured. "I guess I just don't understand the significance of something that's not going to last when marriage is supposedly forever."

"I'm not going to try to explain the inner workings of your sister's mind, Elijah."

"I suppose this wedding planning will always be a mystery to me," he muttered. "What do you think?"

"About weddings? I suppose I haven't really thought about it to be honest."

"I just figured this kind of thing would be important to most women," he said, clearing his throat nervously, waiting for her response. Elijah was beginning to feel anxious that he might lose Katherine as a result of his personal preferences.

"Of course," she murmured, her gaze downward. "That's not saying it isn't important to the groom. I mean, I know Stefan has to put up with this extravaganza but he does love Rebekah and wants to be with her for the rest of his life. How about you?"

"Well, it's not really something I think about often," he murmured awkwardly. "Uh, how about you?"

"How about me what?"

"Well, what would you choose for wedding favours?" Katherine's head shot up, regarding him seriously.

"Why is that relevant?"

Elijah knew he didn't ever want to marry but after after the boys' road trip and their unhelpful commentary he was starting to worry. He loved Katherine and could definitely picture happily ever after, as long as it didn't include a wedding. That wasn't too much to ask for, right?

Although doubt had overcome him and he was beginning to fear that once she found out his thoughts on marriage she would leave. The pain in his chest was a clear sign that the thought of living without Katherine Pierce, meant not living at all. He was realising that maybe he needed to compromise, even if it was something he didn't really want.

"Well, given what we're doing right now."

"I don't know, I suppose a donation to charity."

"So you'd want that then?"

"Well, I think it's a nice gesture. Why are you being so weird, Elijah?"

"I'm not being weird."

"Why does it seem like we're not talking about bomboniere anymore?" She asked, narrowing her eyes in his direction. "Oh, do you mean…"

"What do you think I mean?"

"Well, all this wedding talk, I just assumed you were saying…"

"I'm just curious…." he interrupted, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Obviously she wanted to get married and Elijah knew he'd have to agree, even if he didn't want to. He figured that's what you did for people you loved. "So you want to get married?"

"Do you?"

"Doesn't everyone?" He murmured, trying to sound convincing.

"Yeah, I suppose so," Katherine replied, suddenly finding her bomboniere box very interesting. A silence fell upon them. To say it was awkward would be an understatement. For someone who wanted to be married, Elijah didn't think she sounded that excited by the prospect. He figured she was probably down playing it, not everyone was Rebekah Mikaelson after all.

"So, if I were to ask you…"

"Woah," she cried, reeling backwards in her chair. "What exactly are you going to ask me, because I'm not sure I'm quite prepared for that."

"I just meant further down the track, in case you wanted to…" Elijah stumbled, wondering what had come over him to be proposing marriage.

"Marry you?" Katherine murmured, her eyes now firmly on his. "Well yes, uh, I suppose if you want to then…"

"What do you mean by that? Don't you want to get married?"

"Well," she trailed off. "It wasn't part of my future plans but I do love you and if that means…."

"Wait a second, are you telling me that you don't want to get married?"

"Well, no," she spluttered. "But again, if you want…"

"I don't," he replied, confidently, feeling the relief wash over him. "But I thought, well you know…."

"Hell, no," she shot back. "I think I've seen more than enough reasons over the years to stay well and truly clear of matrimony."

"So why did you say..."

"Because I thought you wanted to," Katherine answered, helplessly. "I couldn't think of anything worse, no offence intended of course."

"Well funny that you mention it, I can't help but agree," Elijah joked. "This whole time I was so worried I might lose you and as it turns out we want exactly the same thing."

"Yeah, to not get married," she laughed. "We might just be a perfect match."

"Although you realise that doesn't mean I have any intention of going anywhere, Miss Pierce."

"Oh really?" She smirked, cocking her left eyebrow and leaning across the table. "What a coincidence because you're stuck with me too, Mr Mikaelson."

"I don't think we've ever agreed on so much," he grinned, looping his arms around her neck and pulling Katherine closer.

"Don't worry, it won't last long," she joked, closing the distance and capturing his lips with hers.

xxxxxxxxxx

"You are really bad at this," Caroline observed, watching Klaus attempt to hang a lantern from the roof.

"It's easy to say that when you're the one on the ground watching."

"I'm supervising, Klaus," she replied. "This is what supervisors do."

"Oh, is that what you call standing around and criticising my technique?" He quipped. "It doesn't help that this ladder is below standard, unless you're secretly rocking it to sabotage me."

"It's fine, you're just trying to find excuses now," she teased. "That's it; I can't stand all the whining, get down so I can show you how it's done."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me," she confirmed. "Never send a boy to do a woman's job."

"Someone seems sure of themselves."

"You bet your ass Mikaelson, now move it," she ordered. "Otherwise I will rattle this ladder especially for your benefit."

"Fine," he conceded. "If you're going to be so bossy, who am I to stop you, Forbes?" He made his way downward. Caroline tried to ignore the shivers that reverberated through her body as his arm grazed hers. After her discussion with Kol, everything seemed so clear but vocalizing it was another thing.

Even after everything they'd been through, Klaus had been so persistent and patient with her. Caroline needed to know that he had changed and was willing to really commit to a future together. That future was so close, it was almost in her grasp and it was her turn to fight for what she wanted. Caroline knew all she wanted was him.

She brushed off the feelings his touch had evoked and closed her eyes momentarily to try and block out those adorable dimples. Climbing up the ladder she steadied her breathing, determined to get this stupid job over and done with.

"Now, watch how the experts do it," she challenged, reaching the top and busying herself. She felt the ladder move slightly and stumbled trying to keep her balance. "That's not funny, Klaus."

"I'm not doing anything, I told you this ladder was faulty." She shook her head not believing his excuse. Just as she was about to attach the lantern the ladder moved again, causing her to lose her balance completely. She let out a surprised cry, unable to stop her momentum as she toppled towards the ground.

She fell against his broad chest, and Caroline immediately felt safe as his arms captured her. She could feel the adrenaline pulsing through her veins and finally peeled open her eyes, faced with those crimson lips curved into a relieved smile she knew so well.

"You scared me, love," he said his breath ragged. She noticed that his grip on her hadn't loosened at all, if anything he was only holding her tighter.

"If you wanted me in your arms, you didn't need to move the ladder," she grinned, feeling light headed and knowing that it wasn't due to the fall but his close proximity. Caroline had forgotten how good it felt to be snuggled in his arms.

"I didn't," he argued, before his expression changed, obviously registering what she'd said. "What exactly are you saying?"

"I love you, Klaus," she murmured, leaning closer and nuzzling her nose against his. He seemed to hesitate and Caroline knew why after everything they'd been through. "I don't want you to ever let me go."

Those few sentiments were all it took for Klaus to make a move, his lips finding hers. The kiss was slow at first, almost hesitant as they reacquainted themselves with each other. His tongue traced its way teasingly along her top lip before delving into her mouth. Caroline knew exactly what she'd been missing these past few months and it only made her want more.

She felt hypnotized by his kisses, allowing the sensations to overtake her whole body. Before she could truly lose herself, he pulled away abruptly, the space between them making her instantly cold. He regarded her seriously, the confusion etched on his face not lost on Caroline.

"What are we doing?"

"I thought it was obvious," she murmured, feeling her face flush in embarrassment.

"I need to know, is this the real thing, Caroline?" He whispered, his blue eyes gazing deeply into hers.

xxxxxxxxxx

"I'm hungry," Bonnie growled, as they walked along Hampton Street.

"You just ate three courses, and that was only for breakfast," Kol said, his arm intertwined with hers.

"Are you judging me?"

"No not at all, darling," he responded quickly, not wanting to earn a very pregnant woman's wrath. "We just need to pick up the suits, that's all."

"How could I forget the wedding of the decade," she drawled. "That's okay, the ice cream parlor is right next to the menswear shop so we can multi-task."

"How do you know that?"

"I may have searched food venues close to the store," she replied, defensively. "I didn't want to starve or anything."

"No, we couldn't have that," he chuckled, knowing that was impossible given the amount of food she'd put away already today.

"You could at least pretend you're not teasing me."

"I happen to love you and your weird and enormous appetite, Bonnie," he smiled pulling her closer. "Little Paris is one lucky baby to be so spoiled."

"What did I tell you about place names?"

"Why? What has Paris ever done to you?"

"Nothing, I just don't want to name my child after it," she snorted. "It's back to the drawing board. I have to say I'm a little worried about what else we haven't organised given how soon this baby is coming."

"We'll be fine," he replied, trying to comfort her.

"You keep saying that but according to all the online articles I've read, my apartment is a deathtrap waiting to happen and is in desperate need of some serious child proofing," she huffed.

"Funny you should mention that," Kol murmured, thinking this was his opportunity, especially given he'd had his apartment already specially child proofed. No one could ever say he wasn't organised. "I'd, uh, like to show you something."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, really," he answered, inhaling slowly, hoping his plan would work. He fished his cell phone from his pocket and scrolled through to his photo gallery. "What do you think about this?" She looked at the screen, her face softening at what she was seeing. He hoped her pleased expression would match her response. "This is so beautiful, Kol. How did you know?"

"How did I know what?"

"That the Jungle Book was my favourite story growing up?"

"I didn't, but it does make sense given your upbringing. Mowgli was an orphan found in the Indian jungle and befriended by this amazing group of animals."

"Are you trying to say that Katherine and Caroline are Bagheera and Baloo?"

"Katherine certainly has that predatory feline quality," he teased. "No, it's just such a beautiful story and I would love our daughter to grow up with it."

"I couldn't agree more, and the fact you've designed her nursery like this means so much to me, Kol."

"I'm glad you like it," he murmured. "Is there any chance you'd maybe consider making it her permanent home?"

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I want us to live all together, like a family," he suggested. "I love you and our unborn daughter and I don't want to spend anymore time apart." He looked up slightly startled as Bonnie began to whimper, maybe he'd gone too far.

"Stupid pregnancy hormones," she sobbed, the tears now rolling down her cheeks. "Yes, I'd love to live with you. The fact that you've done this, gone to so much trouble, it means everything to me. I spent so much of my childhood feeling alone and neglected, but no one has ever gone to so much trouble and wanted to look after me before."

"Well, that's what you deserve and so much more, Bon," he murmured, tracing his fingers across her cheeks and wiping away her tears.

"And of course little Ireland too."

"See, I knew you'd come around to that name."

"I was only messing with you, we are not naming her that."

"Way to get my hopes up," he chuckled. "Our little girl, whatever her name is, will have two doting parents that will smother her with embarrassing displays of affection every single day."

"How did I get so lucky?"

"As difficult as it is being this wonderful Bonnie, I think I'm the lucky one," he replied, encircling her waist and placing a sweet kiss on her nose.

"Now that's settled, how about that ice cream?"

xxxxxxxx

"I know I've been hesitant …" Caroline admitted. "I suppose we've both made a mess of this, haven't we? I mean pretending we liked each other wasn't the best way to start out a relationship."

"Not entirely, I wasn't pretending to like you Caroline."

"That part was real for me too, but we lied to our friends and family and that didn't exactly set an honest example for the future. We've had to learn to do that along the way, and to trust each other."

"So are you saying that you trust me now?"

"I wasn't sure I could, you hurt me so much all those months ago, but your commitment, your change in working life, the way you have been around for me without making demands have shown me how much you want us to work. I know it seems like I was testing you but I was so scared to put my heart on the line again. I needed time, reassurance."

"And now that you have?"

"I know it's taken me a while to get to this point but I know what I want."

"What do you want, love?" He asked, staring at her intensely.

"I want you and I want us. I thought by running away I'd protect myself but I realised that I was just denying the truth."

"Which is?"

"That I love you, Klaus. I've only ever loved you and there's no one else that will ever hold that place in my heart."

"Now, that sounds familiar," he murmured placing his finger underneath her chin and pulling it upwards so their eyes met. "I'm sorry that I ever gave you a reason to doubt me, but I plan on making it up to you every day for the rest of my life because I love you, Caroline. I was scared too, scared of commitment, scared that you couldn't really feel what you said you did, terrifed you'd leave. I pushed you away, messed it all up, but I promise I will spend the rest of my life showing you that you are the most important person in my life."

"I could really get used to that," she sighed happily. "Now, as much as I love decorating for your sister, how about we get out of here?"

"I thought you'd never ask," he replied with a wolfish grin. "I'd even bear the wrath of Rebekah-zilla just for you."

"Now that is love."

"It sure is," he grinned, mischievously. "How about we delve a little deeper and explore that scenario?"

"Well, I wouldn't want to taint the reception venue, maybe we need to discover each other far away from here?"

"Like maybe your hotel room?" He suggested, sending her a cheeky wink. "You know away from prying eyes."

"I'm all for that plan," she smirked, knowingly. "Let's go and work on that." Before he could reply, she'd pulled him close planting her lips firmly on his. It didn't take long for his arms to snake around her waist and pull her tightly against him.

She was now pressed against his chest as they explored every inch of each other's mouths, Caroline didn't remember him tasting this good. His hands moved southward, tracing the curves he knew intimately and she relished in the fact that she had another chance to revel in that feeling.

"Yes, let's," she purred, as they eventually broke apart, their breathing ragged. "It's been six months and boy do I have plans for you."

"Just so you know, I'm extremely supportive of that idea, love, now, let's get the hell out of here."