AN: This is the second part the story. Hope you enjoyed it so far. I look forward to reading your comments. I do not own anything other than the idea of this particular story. My apologies for any grammar mistakes that you might encounter in this story, English is my third language.

31st of December

In another part of the country, in the beautiful city of New Orleans, the lights were shining bright and the music could be heard all around accompanied by the screams of joy of its inhabitants. For the first time in a very long time the people of NOLA could enjoy themselves without a war looming, they were finally free and peace was omnipresent.

On one of the many balconies stood a man, a man they used to fear, but grew to admire for his strength, he was not loved by everyone, but he was surely respected for what he managed to achieve, for stoping the idiotic war that took the life of so many of the people they loved. What they did not know and could not see was the small smile and serene expression that was resting on his face, something that had been missing for more than one millennia. As unbelievable as it might seem, Klaus Mikaelson, the big bad hybrid, was finally at peace.

"It is so hard to believe…" Klaus said shaking his head unable to comprehend that he actually got to live this moment, the moment when he was finally able to enjoy himself without worrying about what will happen next or who will try to kill him next. One would think that after over a thousand years there would no longer be things that one would find to be impossible, but yet there were.

"You better believe it, brother!" The older, suit wearing man said while approaching from behind.

Klaus turned around smiling at his brother.

"Are you and Hayley ready to leave?" he asked

"Yes, we are all packed." Elijah said after a moment of hesitation.

"Tell Hope that her dad loves her and misses her everyday, but that he knows she has the right to live and enjoy her life far away from here, and Elijah? Don't worry about me, your job here is finally done. Go and enjoy your life with Hayley, you deserve it after all you have done for me and for this family." Klaus said while looking into his older brother's eyes after sensing the former's hesitation.

Even after all this time, Elijah found it strange to see his younger brother smiling once again. Klaus had to endure so much in his long life, his suffering began while was still a child when he was blamed of the indiscretions of his mother. No other person, human or otherwise, should have to live through all of that and frankly, Elijah doubted that any of them would have survived it which is why he admires his younger brother despite the ruthless behaviour he exhibited at times. The people Niklaus loved were few and far in between and at the end of it, they all left him alone or they were taken away from him. Outside the family not many knew the real Klaus and even less accepted him, flaws and all.

After spending so many years worrying, Elijah found it difficult to leave his brother behind and start his own life far away from him. It had always been his job to protect Klaus and protect others from Klaus. Truth be told, Elijah found himself to be a bit lost, for the very first time he could do whatever he wanted, but still he could not help himself but worry about Klaus, especially now that he was once again alone, with Hope travelling around the globe with her new beau and all their other siblings finally enjoying their life away from their brother's watchful eye and then Cami…

When Klaus entered a relationship with Camille, a young woman he met at a bar, here in New Orleans, Elijah was apprehensive as he was sure it would end just like many before, but a part of him was also pleased and hopeful. He wanted his brother to finally get a real chance at happiness and somehow his wish came true. Not long after Klaus and Camille met, she was turned into a vampire, but she took well to her new condition which came as a surprise to everyone. Klaus' relationship with Cami was one of a kind, they simply understood each other. Camille played an important role in Klaus' metamorphosis. She helped Klaus grow to accept his past and in part forgive those who wronged him as well as himself for all the things he's done; she helped him let go. Their relationship was a beautiful one and it was based on mutual trust and respect. The two got the chance to spend a few decades together, but Camille had always known that it was not the life she was mean to live as it was not natural and not what destiny had in plan for her.

From the beginning, Camille knew what her role would be and she accepted it. Throughout their relationship, Cami never doubted that Klaus loved her, but she also knew that his heart was not meant to be hers and she was aright with that, she took what she could get and was happy to let him go the moment she was sure that he would survive her death without reverting to his old ways. It seems that after all her degree was not as useless as others insisted while she was alive.

Camille's relationship with Klaus was based on trust and respect, something that Klaus was not used to, something he though he could never have, but he did and he learnt to appreciate the gift he was given, just as he had done with Hope's arrival. When Camille decided it was time for her to leave this Earth, the Mikaelsons were afraid that their brother would turn back to being a ruthless monster, they tried everything to convince Cami to change her mind, but she was at peace and firm in her decision. It was what she was supposed to do.

Following Camille's death Klaus retreated into himself, he closed himself in his art studio and refused to speak to anyone despite having his siblings around waiting for him to open up. The problem was that none of the siblings were able to fully understand how far Klaus's respect for Cami stretched. Yes, he loved her, but he respected her more and in those days he spend painting he finally accepted her decision and was grateful for the years they spent together. At first he was angry and the need to kill did not vanish permanently, after so many centuries of acting a certain way it was impossible for him to change completely, and let's not forget that at the end of the day he was still a hybrid and his emotions were heightened. As time went by, the solitude helped Klaus remember everything that the blonde had taught him, all the joy she brought to his life and accept that this was meant to be as well as that he would always have the memories to cherish.

When Klaus finally emerged from his solitude, his siblings were terrified as they were certain that the man exiting the room would be the old Klaus and not the new and improved one that they were able to enjoy while he was with Camille. They were in for a surprise though as none of them anticipated that Cami's effect was even greater than originally thought. Klaus managed to remain calm even though he missed her due to the fact that he understood that he was lucky to have her even for a few decades as she was always destined to leave. The only reason she stayed was for him and he knew deep inside that he did not deserve her kindness after all the things he's done as well as for the fact that we would have never been able to love her the way she deserved.

"Of course brother." Elijah said while looking one last time at his brother, to assure himself that he would be alright after his departure.

"Oh and Klaus, have you considered….?" Elijah started to ask his brother, but was rudely interrupted by a glimpse of the old Klaus.

"No! Just leave it alone, Elijah." Klaus said while looking away, avoiding his brother's gaze. A couple of years have passed since Cami's death and he knew for sure now what he wanted, but he had to be patient, it was crucial for him to remain patient yet he found it more and more difficult as time went by.

"As you wish Niklaus. I will make sure to tell your daughter to get in touch with you when she can. Goodbye Niklaus!" Elijah said one last time before turning around and leaving his brother starring at the people down below on the streets.

Klaus allowed himself to be engulfed by the atmosphere and the happiness of the party goers. He knew that Elijah would never or at least, it would take him a very, very long time to accept that he was at peace with the situation and with himself. For the first time in his life Klaus felt complete, even though Camille was no longer at his side, even though he was alone, he did not feel so. He no longer needed someone to assure him that they loved him, Cami taught him to love himself, the one thing he has never been able to do, not even before he was turned. He did not know how to love himself when no one loved him, when no one showed him how; his siblings, especially Rebekah have tried, but he was not able to fully appreciate it at the time. This was the last thing that prevented him from being able to have a real, healthy, with some luck, eternal relationship with another person.

He did not even mind his family leaving, he was saddened to see them go as they had spent so much time together lately, but something told him that everything would be alright. He did not know if it was Cami trying to tell him something or if the feeling originated somewhere else, but one thing was clear; the feeling was not going to go away. Klaus did not know how to describe what he was feeling, he was a bit worried about its origins and he did not like the idea of not knowing something that affected him in such manner, but he was also reassured by it on some level. Something big was going to happen, not bad, just something that would change things, yet it remained to be determined what exactly.

As the clock approached midnight, the people were getting louder and louder, but Klaus was so deep in though that he did not realise or heard the people cheering for the beginning of the new year. As soon as the bells rang announcing the beginning of 2125, Klaus closed his eyes and a smile was plastered on his face.

Then he knew.

AN: This is the second part of the story, I hope you enjoyed it. If you are a Cami fan I am really sorry, if you are against Cami again I am sorry. I do not like her that much and not even less, but I felt that she had an important role to play if this story was to make sense. R&R.