Happy Birthday
It was bright and warm afternoon in Mystic Falls, the perfect day for friends and family to get together and celebrate Lydia's first birthday.
Klaus was downstairs in the kitchen preparing breakfast while in the dining room Elijah set the table.
An air of peacefulness filled the air as upstairs, Elena and Caroline walked into Lydia's room to find her standing in her crib supporting herself by holding onto the side.
She started to bounce up and down when they stuck their heads round the door.
'Ma'.
Lydia looked up with a wide smile
'Happy Birthday little one'.
She said reaching into the crib to pick up her daughter who smiled as Caroline placed
kisses over her face.
'Who else will be joining us for breakfast?'.
Elijah asked as he walked into the kitchen, looking at Klaus who was cutting up fruit for Lydia.
'It's just us, Kol and Bonnie have taken Noah for his 6 week check up and the girls have a dance lesson so Stefan and Rebekah will be here later for the barbecue'.
He replied as he handed Elijah a jug of orange juice and followed him into the dining room as they heard the sound of Elena and Caroline singing happy birthday to Lydia who was laughing in pure delight as Caroline carried her downstairs to the dining room.
Elijah turned as Caroline walked into the room and kissed her on the cheek and then leaned down to kiss Lydia.
Klaus put the bowl onto the table as he kissed Caroline.
'Go to daddy'.
Caroline passed Lydia to him as she picked up a strawberry and smiled as Klaus lifted their daughter into the air and then kissed her on both cheeks.
'Wow you went all out with breakfast'.
Elena exclaimed.
'Well it's Lydia's first birthday it's celebration of the day she came into Nikklaus and Caroline's lives'.
Elijah told her putting his arm around her waist.
'It should be her birthday everyday if we get treated to pancakes,French toast, waffles, bacon and fruit'.
'Only the best for my daughter'.
Klaus replied as Elijah pulled out a chair for Elena.
Klaus put Lydia into her high chair while Caroline went to pour coffee just as the door bell rang.
'I'll get it'.
She called out as she opened the door to find Alison standing at the door.
'Alison what are you doing here, I'm not working this weekend it's my daughter's birthday'.
'I know but we just got asked to plan a party and you were personally requested'.
'Personally requested by who?'.
Alison opened her bag and pulled out a black folder and opened it skimming through some paper.
'Carol Lockwood'.
She was about to say something when she heard footsteps behind her and turned around just as Klaus walked out of the kitchen looking between her and Alison.
'Alison we'll discuss this first thing on Monday, okay'.
She shut the door before Alison had a chance to say anything else and turned to look at Klaus.
'Your in popular demand I see'.
'Something like that but whatever it is will have to wait today is about Lydia'.
He nodded she walked towards him and stopped her.
'I can't believe it was a year ago today that she came into our lives'.
He rushed into the hospital running through corridors until he found his way to the maternity unit, where Stefan was sitting but he stood up once he saw his brother in law rush into the unit.
'Stefan where is she?'.
He asked not bothering to catch his breath he had rushed to be by her side.
He missed to much but this was the one thing he didn't want to miss the birth of his first child.
'Nik, your here'.
He looked up as Rebekah walked out of a room and he walked over to her.
'Caroline'.
She looked at him as he came to her side and kissed her forehead.
'Your here'.
She whispered as he took her hand and smiled.
'I wouldn't miss this'..
He told her.
'How is she doing?'.
He asked the doctor as he turned to face them.
'She is doing very well, in fact we think your ready to start pushing, Mrs Mikaelson'.
He said looking at Caroline who stared at Klaus.
'I'm scared'.
She told him and he nodded.
'I know but I am going to be here with you, I'm not going anywhere'.
He brushed his lips against hers.
He stayed by her side the whole time taking the pain when she squeezed his hand, wiping her tears as they fell from her eyes and whispering words of reassurance into her ear when she told him that she couldn't do it.
After 12 hours of labour, Caroline finally gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
'I can't believe she's really here'.
Caroline said with a small smile as the baby held onto her fingers.
'She's beautiful'.
He told her as he sat beside her on the bed, she moved so that there was space from him.
'What should we name her?'.
Caroline asked looking at him as he stared at their child, she was so small but yet so perfect.
'Lydia'.
He answered looking at her and then at the Lydia as she let out a small yawn which made them both smile.
'Lydia I like it, Lydia Elizabeth Mikaelson'.
'The 12 hours of labour will always be worth it'.
Caroline told him looking into his eyes as he places his hands on her stomach.
'Are you two planning on joining us?'.
Elena asked as she walked out of the dining room to find them standing in their embrace and Caroline nodded as she looked at her friend.
'Of course we are'.
She said taking Klaus's hand as they walked into the dining room, Lydia's eyes followed her parents as they sat on either side of her high chair.
Rebekah was looking through a old photo-album when Stefan walked into their bedroom, the girls had been picked up by Poppy's mum and taken to their dance class.
He lay back on the bed beside her turning his head to look at the photo album.
'Is that you?'.
He asked touching a picture and she nodded.
'Yes, me and Henrik, he was 8 months when this photo was taken'
She turned the page and to reveal another photo of Henrik as a baby with a man Stefan didn't recognise.
'Who is that?.
'My eldest brother Finn, the one who turned on Nikklaus with our parents, always the golden boy always making sure never to disappoint our parents but I've heard he got married to Sage, that must have been the only thing he did to upset our parents'.
'Who is Sage'.
'Sage was Finn's promiscuous girlfriend, his little secret, he used to sneak out of the house to meet her when I was younger, Elijah was always covering for him.
It's funny at one point we where all so close, keeping each others secrets and then we lost Henrik and everything fell apart.
Mikael made as choose, how could he do that to his children, making them pick a side like it was a matter of debate, it was horrible watching him break Nik down and now Esther seeks redemption for her choices, I can't'.
He surprised her as he leaned into kiss her.
'Stefan'.
He smiled against her lips as she said his name softly.
'Today is your niece's birthday, you're not supposed to be sad'.
He told her.
'I don't mean to be but going through this album looking at the family we used to be.
Henrik wouldn't have wanted this for us, he would have wanted us to stick by each other, he was the glue in our family even though he was the youngest he made everything okay, he was always by Nik's side'.
She turned the pages until she found what she was looking for and showed Stefan, it was a picture of a teenage Klaus with a smiling Henrik on his shoulders. There were a few more photos a mixture of Klaus and Henrik but some with Rebekah, Klaus and Elijah or Kol and Henrik.
'He was clearly his favourite but it didn't bother upset us, we knew Henrik loved us all'.
She smiled as she touched Henrik's smiling face and then paused as she looked at the picture on the next page the whole family on Henrik's last birthday, she was standing in front of Finn between Elijah and Kol while Mikael and Esther stood on either side of Henrik.
'Where's Klaus?'.
Stefan asked noting that his friend and brother in law was absent from the photo.
'Who do you think was taking the photo, the last photo we would take as a family and he wasn't even included, none of us expected that 6 hours later Henrik would be gone'.
She sighed
'He would have loved today, I'm sorry I forget how much I miss him sometimes'.
Stefan took the album from her as he put his arms around her, her head resting on his shoulder.
'It's okay'.
She looked at him as he wiped her tears with his fingers.
'I'm sure Henrik would want you to be happy, remember the good times you shared'.
She nodded.
'I know he would have loved today, he loved birthdays even when it wasn't his own'.
'Where's our girl'.
Klaus turned around as Caroline walked into the kitchen dressed for the day in lace cami and black shorts.
'With Elijah'.
He smiled.
'Okay I have to go to the bakery and pick up the cake, do we need anything else while I'm out there'.
'Nothing comes to mind'
'Great, oh can you get Lydia's Moses basket from the attic for Noah'.
'I did that first thing this morning, I'll put it in Lydia's room'.
She smiled as he walked over to him leaning up to kiss him just as Elena walked into the room.
'Sorry, we better go the bakery closes in 40 minutes'.
Caroline sighed as Klaus kissed her on the cheek and turned her around to face Elena.
'Go get the cake'.
The sound of children laughing, conversation and music filled the air as Kol and Bonnie.
'There she is the birthday girl.
Kol smiled warmly as his niece crawled in his direction, stopping to stare at baby Noah as Bonnie leaned down to her level so that she could see her new cousin.
Lydia stared at Noah as she sat up, Bonnie who nodded at her.
'It's okay'.
Lydia smiled as she touched Noah's hand the younger baby staring at her cooing softly as he held onto her own small fingers which made Lydia smile as he cooed some more.
'Hey, how was his check up everything good?'.
Caroline asked as she appeared behind them, Kol nodded as he turned to look at her.
'Everything was fine, he's growing like a weed'.
Caroline laughed and smiled as she looked at Lydia who couldn't take her eyes of Noah as he let out a small yawn.
'You can put him down in Lydia's room, Klaus set up the Moses basket'.
She said told Bonnie as she stood up while Lydia looked up and then at Caroline her arms outstretched to her mum as she picked her up.
'I'm going to put him down'.
Bonnie said turning to Kol who nodded touching his sons head.
'I'll come up in a little bit, let me go say hello to my brothers'.
He kissed Bonnie and smiled at Lydia before disappearing outside.
'Poppy, Millie and Alexa be careful'.
Rebekah called out to Alexa as she ran around the garden playing hide and seek with Millie and Poppy.
While Lexi lay on a blanket near her with Rosie and Lucy staring up at the clouds.
Caroline had told Rebekah that it would be okay for them to bring friends to Lydia's party as most of the children there would be under 3.
'Mummy that cloud looks like a puppy'.
Rebekah looked up at the cloud that Lexi was pointing at to her it looked like any other cloud but to the mind of a child the clouds looked like so many different things but as she stared at it she could see the shape of a floppy eared puppy in the cloud.
'I can see that, what else can you see?'.
Lexi at her mum then smiled.
'I see daddy with ice cream'.
Rebekah looked over her shoulder as Stefan approached holding 4 ice cream cones, the girls sat up as Stefan walked over and handed them each a cone and then turned to Rebekah.
'Chocolate chip'.
She smiled as he offered her the cone.
'My favourite'.
Across the garden Elijah and Klaus where discussing the small details of the family trip to London.
'I've found a house for us to rent, considering a hotel wouldn't be the best option not with two babies and the twins'.
'Where's the house?'.
Klaus asked turning his attention to the grill as he turned burgers.
'Greenwich 6 bedroom closes enough to be near grandfather but further enough for us not to run into our parents'.
'How much are we talking rent wise?'.
'Well we are going to be there for a month but I'm sure that grandfather will insist that we take use of his country house but I've looked into the rent for the month and it's around £18,870 for the month'.
Klaus considered this figure before nodding.
'That sounds reasonable considering the size of the property'.
'Klaus I need you'.
He turned away from Elijah to look at his wife who stood less than five feet away hand on her hip and he raised his lips in a smirk.
'Excuse me Elijah'.
Elijah chuckled looking between the two of them as Klaus went to follow after Caroline as she disappeared around the sound of the house.
While he went to join Kol, Bonnie and Elena.
'Where are you love?'.
Klaus asked as he found himself standing alone with Caroline nowhere in sight.
'I'm right here'.
She said stepping out from between two rose bushes a bottle of champagne one hand, two glasses in the other.
She walked over to him and put a glass in her hand as she opened the champagne before pouring him a glass and then herself one.
He kinked an eyebrow as she put the bottle down.
'What are we drink too?'.
He asked as she started to sway her hips to the song that was playing.
'To us for surviving the first year of being parents'.
'To us'.
He repeated as they raised their glasses together sharing a smile as they each took a sip from their glasses and then she took his glass from him and rested it beside the bottle as she did with her own.
He could hear the voices of their family and friends and looked at her taking her hand as he pulled her into the cellar shutting the door behind them.
Her arms coming around his neck as she played with his hair, laughing into his ear as he picked her up and carried her over to an old table.
'We can't be long, I need to get Lydia up soon'.
She whispered as he pecked at her lips.
'I can be quick'.
He whispered as he hitched her legs at his hips, thankful that she had changed into a dress after coming back from the bakery.
The wooden frame shook beneath her as she tried to hold onto something anything that she could get hand onto.
His hand around her waist as held her, the material of her dress pushed up to her hips as he rocked into her.
Kissing any part of her skin that his lips could make contact with.
'Where are Nik and Caroline?'.
Rebekah asked as her and Stefan came to join Elena, Elijah, Kol and Bonnie after leaving the girls inside with a movie and food.
'Caroline was in need of his assistance'.
He replied with a chuckle which made Kol smirk.
'Assistance'.
Rebekah asked then realised why her brothers where smirking and made a face.
'Seriously I can they not keep their hands of each other for five minutes'.
Kol chuckled.
'Of course not have you not heard, they are trying for baby number 2 and that requires practice'.
The thought of her brother and friend having sex was the last thing she wanted on her mind.
'They do realise that's what bedrooms are for?'.
Elena commented as she tried not to laugh at the look on Rebekah's face.
'I'm sure they do but that has never stopped them before, speak of the devils'.
Kol nodded in the direction of Caroline and Klaus stumbled back into the garden, his hands around her waist as he kissed her neck making her laugh.
They seemed oblivious to their family watching them as they made their way back to the party.
'Can you two at least try and control yourselves until we leave'.
Rebekah a called out to them making them stare at her.
'Leave them alone there in love'.
Stefan told her as she looked at him.
'We are in love and we can control ourselves'.
'Well that's not entirely true now is it?'.
He stood up and pulled her from her seat making her laugh as he kissed her.
Receiving groans from Elijah and Kol who diverted their eyes while Klaus laughed as he let Caroline go and headed inside to check on Lydia.
'Hi little guy'.
Bonnie smiled as she picked up her son, she turned around as she heard the door open behind her and Klaus walked in smiling at her as he walked over to her and touched Noah's hair.
'How's he doing?'.
He asked her looking over at Lydia who was rubbing her own eyes with small fists as she blinked a few times.
'He's doing well almost 14 pounds if you can believe it'.
She said looking at Noah.
'He's going to be a strong one are you sure he's Kol's son'.
They both laughed as he turned to pick up Lydia.
'Da'.
He smiled picking up his daughter and then looked at Bonnie
'I heard that you and Caroline maybe trying for another baby'.
'We are'.
'I think that's great, she'd love a little brother or sister'.
Klaus looked at Lydia who now seemed insistence to be on the floor and not in her father's arms.
'Katherine, what are you doing here?'.
Elena asked as she spotted her sister walk into the garden.
'I came to tell you I'm leaving'.
'You're leaving?'.
Katherine nodded.
'Don't look so sad, I thought you'd be happy to have your apartment back'.
'Just because I complain about the mess you make doesn't mean I don't like having you around your my sister, where are you heading?'.
'Ibiza and from there who knows'.
Elena laughed.
'What about Damon does he know you're leaving?'.
Katherine nodded.
'Yes'.
'You know he really cares about you Katherine maybe even loves you'.
'I know and maybe I love him but as Mr Capote taught us you can never love a wild thing'.
Elena was slightly jealous that Katherine lived her life so freely, after their parents died Katherine had left home after Elena and Jeremy went to live with Jenna.
College was never part of her plans not one to be settled somewhere to long.
Not that Katherine needed it she was already smart something teachers always told their parents whenever they had to in and speak to them.
Katherine sailed through high school with amazing grades even though she used to climb out of her bedroom window and sneak out to party with Damon.
'Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you'
Happy Birthday to Lydia
Happy Birthday to you
'They have worn themselves out'.
Rebekah told Stefan as they came to a stop in front of their house, looking the mirror, he saw Lexi had passed out her copy of where the wild things are resting on her lap, while Alexa stared at them, her eyes closing and opening as she tried to fight of sleep.
'I guess the sugar high had to come to end at some point'.
He said softly as he took the key out of the ignition and got out of the car and opened the back door as he unbuckled Lexi who opened her eyes to look at him.
'Daddy'.
He nodded as she put her arms around his neck as he lifted her out of the car.
Rebekah smiled at him as she took Alexa's hand and followed him to the front door.
'Do you want warm milk?'.
Rebekah asked looking at Alexa who nodded.
'Okay, go upstairs and get ready for bed and I'll bring you some'.
Alexa took Stefan's hand and went upstairs with him.
Helping Lexi out of her shoes while Alexa changed for bed and climbed under the covers while Stefan helped Lexi change before tucking her in.
He leaned down by her bedside, smoothing back her hair as he placed a kiss to her forehead and then turned to Alexa who stared at him with her mother's blue eyes as he placed a kiss on her forehead.
'Here's your milk, sweetie'.
Rebekah walked into the room, handing the milk to Alexa who took a couple of sips wiping the milk from around her mouth with her sleeve.
Stefan took the glass and put it on her bedside as Rebekah walked over to Lexi whispering something into her ear that made Lexi smile before she placed a kiss on Rebekah's cheek turning to Alexa who hugged her mum.
'Goodnight girls'.
Stefan said as he switched on their night light their room coming alive with stars.
'Love you'.
Alexa said to them as she shuffled under her covers, they looked over at Lexi who had passed out her arm hanging out of the bed.
'We love you too, sweetie'.
Rebekah replied as they walked out closing the door leaving it open slightly as they headed downstairs.
'I think we can say that her first birthday party was a success'.
Caroline looked over her shoulder as Klaus walked into the living room with a glass of scotch in his hand.
'That we can'.
He sat next to her sighing as she took the glass out of his hands and took a sip.
'You know could have just asked for a glass'.
'God no I hate scotch'.
'Then why are you drinking mine'.
He asked taking the glass back from her as she laughed as she stood up and took the glass from him and placed it on the coffee table.
'What are you up too?'.
He asked as she stepped in front of him bringing her legs to either side of his hips as she lowered herself into his lap, playing with his necklaces.
'Nothing'.
She replied as ran her fingers through his hair leaning into kiss him.
His lips tasted sweet from the cake he had eaten and bitter from the scotch he was drinking.
Her fingers gliding across his lips
She touched his lips as he stared at her.
'Ma'.
She turned to look at the monitor and laughed.
'To be continued'.
She stood up and walked out of the living room upstairs to where Lydia was bouncing in her cot.
While Caroline went upstairs, he opened the photo-album that Rebekah had left for him and stared at the pictures of him and Henrik.
They had been out at the lake for the last 20 minutes, Henrik had insisted that he take him and being one not to refuse his little brother he agreed with the rest of the siblings to join them after this excluded Finn who declared that he was too old to take part in their birthday tradition.
He watched as Henrik laughed with childlike innocence as he skated around the ice, looking in Klaus direction with a wide smile.
'Nik look at me'.
He called as he started to skate backwards, laughing as he did and then everything fell silent.
'Henrik'.
Klaus ran across the ice slipping a few times, he hadn't bothered to put on skates as he rushed to find his brother who had disappeared.
It was so dark but he knew where he had last since Henrik, finding only his scarf on the ice and then he heard the sound of splashing.
He rushed to the side where the ice had cracked, in the moonlight he could make out his Henrik's arms frantically thrashing as he tried to keep himself above water.
'Henrik'.
He came to the side where the ice had broken away, pieces of ice floated in the water with Henrik as he tried to save himself.
Grabbing his arms he pulled him out, he was breathing but barely, his small body shaking.
'Klaus'.
He broke out from his memory at the sound of Caroline's voice.
'I'm coming'.
He replied as he looked at the album and closed it, tucking it under the sofa as he headed upstairs.
Caroline smiled at him as she sat on the bed with Lydia who was bouncing up and down on her lap.
'Are you okay?'.
She asked concerned noticing the look on his face and he nodded as he walked over to them kissing the top of Lydia's head and then kissing her.
'I'm fine'.
He smiled as he climbed onto the bed beside her.
Another chapter in a day.
I'm spoiling you guys.
The next chapter will be the one when they all head to London.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
Until next time.