A/N: Hi everyone! Here is the second part that deals with Christmas. I hope you enjoy. And if you ever have any things you'd like to see Klaroline doing with Henrik please let me know!
And the Klaroline Awards are happening. Its a fun event that happens around this time every year. I love seeing everyone who's nominated and learning of new fics to read that I'd not gotten a chance to enjoy before. Feel free to vote for your faves on the klarolineawards tumblr website. :)
It didn't matter how big our house was; it mattered that there was love in it.-Peter Buffet
"What is this?" Rebekah couldn't help but ask once she was outside of the car with Klaus. Caroline was still inside, working to get Henrik out of his carseat while he was in his adorable red snowsuit.
It looked like Christmas had thrown up in front of them. Various different blow up Santa, reindeer, snowmen and other Christmas icons were strewn across the park in front of them. Large candy canes decorated every entrance while there were children moving past them in snowflake costumes.
"It's the winter carnival," Klaus attempted to explain. Though that was pretty much all he could really say about it. "It's a tradition of the town. Caroline used to be in charge of it when she was in high school."
"And it looked way more organized than this," Caroline muttered as she finally got out of the car with Henrik, making sure his hat covered his ears. She caught Klaus' look though. "I know, I know. I will not spend the whole time critiquing every last thing." Or at least she would try not to.
"Why are there snowflake children?" Rebekah asked, watching as a few more of them strolled by with their parents.
"Probably for the concert," Caroline guessed. "But we're here for Santa. Which should be happening near the rec center." Unless whoever had planned this one had screwed up everything. Considering they were mixing up entirely too many Christmas symbols in one area it really wouldn't surprise Caroline if they had.
"Are we getting his picture taken with him?" Rebekah asked as they started walking in that direction. Now that she could get excited about. "We tried to get our picture taken with him once. Nik, Kol and I. Elijah and Finn had deemed themselves too old but Kol and I really wanted to do it."
"Except Rebekah was terrified of him," Klaus butted in, smirking at Rebekah's glare.
"I believe that I am telling this story," she told him before turning her attention back to Caroline. "It was all going well until Kol threw up on the poor man."
"He what?" Caroline gasped, looking between the two siblings who were nodding.
"I don't think mother stepped back into that mall ever again," Rebekah murmured as she remembered the day. "Nor did we ever try and do one of those photos again. Father was furious…" She shook her head at that, not really wanting to grasp onto that part of the memory. There was no reason to remember how he'd taken out his embarrassment over the situation on the three of them, most of the punishment being doled out on Klaus for not keeping Kol in line. It didn't matter that the next day Kol was diagnosed with the flu.
"Is it going to be just Henrik with Santa or will the rest of us be in the photo as well?" Rebekah asked as they finally made it to the rec center, the signs for Santa pointing for them to continue on inside.
"We can do both," Caroline suggested. One of just Henrik with Santa if he'd let the man hold him and the other could be one of the four of them.
They followed the signs once inside to the theater in the center and got into the line for pictures. It wasn't as long as Caroline had been worried it might be. "Can you help me get him out of this snowsuit?" She turned Henrik toward Klaus, letting him unzip the suit and wriggle Henrik out of it while Caroline kept a tight hold on him.
Klaus stuffed the suit into the diaper bag he was carrying, taking the hat from Caroline next to add to it. "I need the reindeer one out of there," Caroline reminded before Klaus could zip the bag back up.
It took him a moment to search around in the bag before finally coming across the small beanie with reindeer ears with antlers, big round button eyes, and a red nose sewn onto it. He found it all to be a bit ridiculous but it was hard to discount that Henrik did look rather adorable in the brown long sleeved outfit with built in booties again. It wasn't anything that Klaus would pick out for the baby to wear but Henrik didn't seem to mind it and it was making Caroline and Rebekah gush all over the boy so it must have been good thing. Plus he wasn't being forced to don anything.
"Just be happy that I'm not making you wear a Santa hat," Caroline mused, knowing what he was thinking. She was happily wearing her own but she knew Klaus drew the line at crazy hats.
"I'm very grateful for that," Klaus promised before leaning over to kiss her lips.
Rebekah stole Henrik from her arms then, scrunching her nose at the sight of the two of them. "They're too sickly sweet at times, Henrik," she murmured to her baby brother who was happily sucking away on his pacifier. Though it was significantly better than what he would have been used to seeing.
"Don't be jealous, sister," Klaus replied, brow arched as he wrapped his arms around Caroline to hug her tightly. "Perhaps we can find you a nice, young man here. What's that name of your friends who you keep trying to set up? The bartender?"
"Matt?" Caroline looked back at him and shook her head. "Yeah, no." She realized how that probably sounded and looked back at Rebekah. "He's still completely hung up on our other friend Elena. Believe me, you do not want to be involved in that headache of a mess. Especially since she's with...one of the Salvatores." She wasn't actually sure which of them. They were going to be talking about that during their girls' weekend that Caroline had missed.
She looked over at Henrik who was looking around at all of the different decorations, the twinkling Christmas lights that were strewn about catching his eye. He was definitely worth a missed girls' weekend.
"I think I'll pass," Rebekah drawled out as she narrowed her eyes while looking at Klaus before offering Caroline a smile. She had nothing against dating bartenders-the free drinks were always a plus-but she didn't need that kind of drama in her life.
"It's almost our turn!" Caroline broke away from Klaus and took Henrik back, adjusting his hat to sit how she wanted it and rubbing her nose against his, delighted in how he smiled at that. "You're going to meet Santa now. Who we will tell you more about as you're older 'cause it's kind of gonna go over your head right now. But that's okay."
"Are you going to do all of those? Santa, the Easter Bunny?" Rebekah asked as they waited at the velvet rope for the family in front of them to get have their moment with Santa.
"The parts of it that we like, yes," Klaus replied. It had been something that he and Caroline had talked about before coming to Mystic Falls. There was still plenty to decide upon and while neither of them was particularly religious they liked the family aspects of the two holidays and that was what they'd decided on celebrating with Henrik.
"Good." Rebekah nodded, obviously liking that decision.
The elf worker at the rope lifted it for their group to pass. "You can get up to two photographs for free. Anything more than that is a dollar a photo," the woman explained tiredly before noticing Caroline. "Caroline?"
"Oh hey, Dana," she smiled at her classmate from high school. It had been some time since she'd run across her when she was back home.
"God, I miss when you ran this thing. They've got all of our breaks completely screwed up," Dana complained while Caroline nodded. "Any chance you'll move back here and keep everyone in line again?"
"I really doubt it," Caroline replied with a glance at Klaus.
"Who's this?" Dana asked, finally taking in Henrik and then the engagement ring on Caroline's finger.
"This is Henrik. And my fiance Klaus, his sister Rebekah," she explained, motioning toward the two of them. "Do we just go up to Santa now with him?"
"Yeah, that should be fine," Dana nodded.
"Ho ho ho, oh hi, Caroline," Santa greeted and she easily picked up on it being Elena's father under the long beard. She hadn't seen Mr. Gilbert in a few years. Usually Elena's family was off at their cabin by the time she arrived in town. "Elena told me that you might be coming down for this."
"Hey...Santa." The last thing she wanted to do was out him in front of a line of kids waiting to sit on his lap. That would be disasterous. "Lost a bet with Mrs. Claus for this, huh?"
"I'll win next time," he assured her before holding out his arms to take Henrik from her.
She gently handed him over, smiling assuringly at Henrik as he looked bewilderedly at the white beard and mustache that was now near his grasp and then back at her. Caroline moved back to stand beside Klaus and Rebekah who were waiting for the photograph to be taken. "You're doing great, buddy," Klaus called out to him while Caroline kept smiling.
The camera snapped a quick photo and after confirming that it was good Caroline and Rebekah hurried to stand by Santa for the next one. Klaus stood rooted in his spot while the two girls motioned for him to join them.
"Klaus!"
He knew that tone of Caroline's voice all too well and begrudgingly headed over to stand beside her and smile for the photo. "Next time I'm so making you wear a Santa hat," she muttered through her smile before taking Henrik back. "Thanks so much, Mr-Santa."
Rebekah collected the photographs from the little machine, already critiquing the quality of them with a sigh. "I'm sure that they'll look even better once they're framed. Though I'll need one and we should get one for your mother as well. Perhaps Elijah and Finn will want one." She handed the woman a twenty. "Just of the baby. No one else needs to see our lackluster photo."
Caroline shook her head at that while swaying with Henrik as they waited for Rebekah to collect the rest of the photographs. "Why don't you two go and get us a seat and I'll scrounge up some of that hot cocoa you always insist on?" Klaus suggested, helping her sling the diaper bag over her shoulder.
"Perfect. Also funnel cake." Why they sold it at the winter carnival she'd never know but she was so not about to turn that down.
He nodded and headed off. Caroline turned back to Rebekah who was still buying photos and going through the various borders that could apparently be added to them. "I'm gonna head over to the tables. It's about time for this one's bottle."
Rebekah waved her off, trying to decide between candycanes and snowflakes.
Caroline shook her head, chuckling lightly as she headed over to the line of tables and set the diaper bag down on it while she sat down on the bench. It took some maneuvering since she was holding Henrik but thankfully the bottle was already made so all she'd needed to do was get it out of the bag and shake it up some.
"Caroline?"
That voice had her freezing some, not quite wanting to deal with Carol Lockwood at all. She'd been a thorn in Caroline's side all through high school because of the amount of committees she'd been on that the woman was in charge of. Add in the fact that she'd dated Carol's son senior year and then dumped him when she found him cheating on her, it wasn't exactly the best relationship. But her mom was friendly with Carol so Caroline made sure to smile brightly when she turned to look at her.
"Hello, Mrs. Lockwood," she greeted.
"Tyler will be so excited to see you in town again," the woman started as she made her way toward her, obviously not seeing Henrik quite yet. "He's been talking nonstop about how much he missed you at the Halloween festival this year. He's right over at the bar, you'll need to make sure to stop by and see him-oh is that the Baker's newest one?" She peered down at the baby with a smile and a little wave.
"This is Henrik." Caroline smiled down at the baby who was eagerly drinking his bottle.
"I thought they named him Thomas and that you didn't like babysitting?" Carol commented and Caroline inwardly cringed at that. It'd been true, that had never been something she'd done as a teen, too busy with other things. "Though I guess its about time for that motherly instinct to start kicking in for you. I know that Tyler wants at least two. Not that anyone he's dated since you has been worthy of the Lockwood name."
Caroline tried not to scoff at that because a few years ago Carol Lockwood had definitely not seen Caroline as being worthy of the Lockwood name either.
"I'm not babysitting and he's not the Bakers. Henrik is my son," Caroline explained as she stroked Henrik's cheek before looking back at Carol. "He just turned four months."
"I didn't know that you'd…" Carol pressed her lips together, obviously not liking this bit of news. "Does your mother know about this?"
"Of course," Caroline arched a brow at that. "But you know my mom, she's never been one for idle gossip."
Some of the town might look badly upon the situation, think that Caroline had a child out of wedlock before her wedding, but Caroline had no intention in letting a bunch of busybodies know the circumstances surrounding Henrik. It wasn't any of their business. He was her son, she was his family. That was all there was to it.
"So you moved your wedding up then?" Carol inquired, trying to wrap her head around it all.
Caroline shrugged. "No. It's still in April." Funny how the woman obviously knew she was getting married while apparently trying to pimp out Tyler to her.
"I suppose you're still working to lose some of the baby fat before then," Carol remarked and Caroline narrowed her eyes at that, ready to snap at the woman.
"I think my fiance looks stunning," Klaus bit out as he set the drinks down on the table. "Carol Lockwood, right? It was such a shame to hear about Tyler's scandalous departure from the NFL. Made quite the story though. Did he have to give back all the money he'd made?"
He smirked as she bristled at that before nodding curtly to Caroline and quickly walking away. "I truly hate that family," Klaus muttered as he sat down behind Caroline.
"You don't even know them," Caroline pointed out, though she didn't exactly have warm and fuzzy feelings for them either. "Besides, you're just still annoyed that she was striving hard to push Tyler and I back together that first Christmas you came down here with me."
"And then her foul little son practically threw himself at you," Klaus scowled, remembering Caroline getting cornered by Tyler at the winter carnival that year and the boy having the audacity to try and kiss her. Seeing Caroline shove him away and go on a lengthy rant about personal space and not kissing people without their consent had almost been worth it. At least it'd stopped Klaus from pummeling him and losing the few brownie points that he'd gained with Liz.
"Believe me, I so remember," Caroline murmured before shifting some so she could look back at him. "But I love you."
"I know, and I love you." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead before letting her lean back against him as Henrik continued to feed. Klaus always felt a bit possessive of her whenever they were in this town. It was all of the history she had there and part of him feared it would take her away from him. It was an irrational fear but then weren't most fears that way?
Rebekah headed over to the two of them, carrying an envelope full of photographs. "Are we ready to go? I'm pretty sure I am allergic to this much cheer."
Caroline pushed the funnel cake forward a bit. "Sit down and eat. We'll go as soon as this one is done feasting," she nodded down at Henrik who was still working on finishing his bottle.
Rebekah sighed and plopped down onto the bench, not at all happy with staying any longer but she tore off a piece to try, eyes widening at how delicious it tasted. "What is this?"
"Funnel cake." Caroline grinned and picked up her hot cocoa, carefully taking a sip of it before putting it back down. "It's a winter carnival tradition."
"Perhaps we can stay for a little bit longer," Rebekah conceded before eating a bit more. "If the rest of the traditions are anything like this one."
Klaus sighed and rested his chin against Caroline's shoulder. There went any chance of a swift departure from the carnival. But as he listened to Caroline and Rebekah chat, not hearing any little jabs between them, maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.
While Rebekah could get behind some of the small town traditions that were being shoved in her direction, carrying in bags full of groceries was definitely not one of them. Wasn't this what delivery services and housekeepers were for? She'd happily give the bag boy a twenty to have followed them to the house and bring everything inside.
She groaned as she tried to open the back door, remembering Caroline's mutterings about the damn knob sticking and needing to jiggle it a certain way. Rebekah was going to supply new doors and locks for all of the doors in this little house as a Christmas present.
"You're not Gorgeous," Enzo remarked as he opened the door, having expected Caroline to be the first one through it. He barely paid attention to the blonde in front of him once he realized that she wasn't his friend, craning his neck to look beyond her.
"Excuse you?" Rebekah could feel the last remains of her patience snap. Who the hell was this guy to insult her like that?
"Ah, there you are!" Enzo grinned, his attention focused squarely on Caroline who was getting the baby out of the car. "Still not used to this scene at all." He waved his hand to encompass Caroline holding Henrik close as she walked inside to get the Henrik out of the cold.
"Be helpful and go bring in the rest of the bags with Klaus," Caroline ordered, nodding back toward the SUV before letting Enzo pull her in for a quick hug. She glanced over at Rebekah, ready to let the girl know where things went in the cupboards when she noted the rage that seemed to be boiling out of her. They'd been apart for less than a minute. "What happened?"
"That idiot said that I'm not gorgeous," Rebekah huffed as she pulled out a can of peas and slammed it onto the kitchen counter. "The nerve of him to say that. I'll have you know that I've been picked as the most gorgeous in I don't even know how many competitions through the years."
Caroline blinked, trying to keep up with the rapid pace of Rebekah's speech, before it dawned on her what must have happened. "Oh no. Enzo didn't mean it like that. He calls me Gorgeous. It's one of his nicknames for me," Caroline explained. It had been a bit of a sore spot for Klaus at first, the nickname causing him to watch Enzo warily before finally accepting that the two of them really were just friends. "He wasn't insulting you."
Rebekah's mouth snapped shut for a moment as she processed that before huffing and muttering something Caroline couldn't quite make out.
"I see we've got the fixings for meatballs in here," Enzo commented as he headed in with a few bags, Klaus behind him. "So we'll be having our traditional spaghetti Christmas Eve dinner?"
"It took a lot of begging but mom finally caved and said she'd do it," Caroline grinned, excited for the homemade meatballs that was pretty much the one thing Liz Forbes could cook to perfection. Klaus brushed his fingers against her cheek before heading back out to the car.
"Sounds wonderful," Rebekah bit out, her pride still not quite soothed.
"Don't knock Mama Forbes meatballs until you've tried them," Enzo remarked with a wink at Caroline before turning his attention to the other blonde. "I'm Enzo. I don't believe we've met." He held out his hand in greeting, smiling jovially as he took in the fiery young woman before him who looked like she was ready to tear his head off.
Rebekah looked down at the hand and then back up at the man's face, her lips twisting unpleasantly before she stood a little taller, utilizing what she liked to call her 'Head Bitch' gaze . "Of course not. You're hardly worthy of my time." She whirled away from him to look at Caroline again. "I'm going to take a nap." She nodded to her future sister-in-law, ignoring Enzo, and then headed off to the study to continue seething.
Enzo watched her go with an arched brow and Caroline knew that look, that spark of intrigue that would definitely lead no where good. "Enzo," she started, a warning in her tone but her friend simply leaned forward and kissed her cheek before heading back out to finish helping with the bags.
Caroline sighed and looked down at Henrik before giving him a little bounce. "Let's get you into your bouncy seat so I can help put all of the groceries away."
"I still can't believe my mom kicked us all out of the house so she could spend time with Henrik." Caroline shook her head, still not quite over her mom getting home from work that night, gather Henrik up in her arms, and practically ordering the four of them to go out for dinner and not be back until after eight-which for Mystic Falls was considered late.
"I'm not about to look a gifthorse in the mouth with this one," Klaus murmured, arm stretched out behind her on the back of the booth they were sitting in. "I believe this is something we did say we wanted to make sure that we would still manage; weekly date nights that would be for just the two of us. At least this way we're not sorting through hundreds of babysitting applicants that you'd stress over for days." And during the actual date as well most likely.
"I know," Caroline turned to look at him. "I'm just really happy that she's taken on this grandma role. Like after I called her to let her know what we were doing I wasn't all that sure? She had her concerns and they were all seriously legitimate, but I was worried those concerns would have her keeping her distance from Henrik." But they hadn't. Her mom had embraced the baby fully as soon as she'd seen him. "She told me she was thinking of trying to come up to see him and us one weekend a month if we were okay with that. My mom hasn't taken a weekend off work in I don't even know how long."
Klaus grinned at her astonishment, letting his hand dip a little to play with her curls. "I'm sure we can make that work if she manages it." Which Liz Forbes would. She was as determined as her daughter if she wanted something to happen.
Rebekah's shriek about something being unfair diverted their attention over toward her and Enzo who were at the pool tables, playing a rather heated game of pool. "I feel like I'm watching a weird mating dance on one of those animal documentaries you love," Klaus muttered, narrowing his eyes as he watched his sister and Enzo banter back and forth. He didn't like the way the man was checking Rebekah out, but it was the not at all subtle ways that Rebekah was checking out Enzo that had Klaus groaning.
"They're both adults." Sort of. Caroline took a long sip of her martini before shrugging. "Though yeah, its kind of disturbing. Like when you can't quite look away from a car wreck even though it's totally gruesome and you don't actually want to see it."
Klaus laughed at that, thankful that their meals arrived. "You wanna go tell them the foods here?" Caroline asked before popping a fry into her mouth. "Cause grill food tastes horrible once it's cold."
He sighed and reluctantly slid out of the booth, stealing a fry from her plate as he went. Her indignant gasp amusing him as he headed over to the pool tables. Did Rebekah really need to lean that low to hit the ball? Klaus glared at Enzo as he stepped over to them, wanting him to know that yes he'd seen the man checking out his baby sister's cleavage. "Food is here," he told the two before heading back to the table.
Ezno grinned and put his cue pack with the others. "Giving up already?" Rebekah tsked.
"We're pausing the game, love," Enzo replied. "A body needs sustenance to go another few rounds."
"I can go all night," Rebekah told him as she placed up her cue beside his and he grinned at that.
"I'm sure you could." He followed after Rebekah toward the table, enjoying the sight of her in those skin tight jeans, smile widening at Klaus' unamused look while Caroline shook her head at him. Was it really Enzo's fault that he really enjoyed getting Klaus' hackles up?
"How did you ever meet this one?" Rebekah asked Caroline as she slid into the booth across from her. At least the burger and fries did look appetizing. Though it'd be better with beer but there was little chance of that being allowed since she was still two years shy of twenty-one. Even if her fake ID would definitely pass in this town.
"Freshman year of college we had English together," Caroline told her and Enzo nodded. "Then found out we lived in the same dorms and just kind of clicked after the great laundry disaster."
"She nearly flooded the entire basement," Enzo butted in.
"Uh no. That was you."
"Pretty sure you're the one who hit the start button, gorgeous."
"Yeah, but you were the one who overloaded it with soap!" Caroline reminded, pointing a fry threateningly at him.
"We managed to salvage it all and have been friends ever since," Enzo finished off and raised his beer, clinking the glass against Caroline's.
Rebekah slowly nodded, not quite sure what any of that meant, and looked at her brother who shook his head. "I learned to not ask questions over a year ago and nod along instead," Klaus told her and Caroline laughed before kissing his shoulder.
"Just like I nod along whenever you and Marcel start talking about your New Orleans days," Caroline replied with a grin. There were some stories that only really made sense if you were there to experience them as well.
"Exactly like that," Klaus murmured as he slid his arm around her waist and pressed his lips to hers.
Rebekah threw a french fry at the two of them, causing Enzo to laugh. "Get a room."
"They're sickeningly sweet, aren't they?" he sighed, leaning a little closer to her in the booth. "It's rather maddening."
"Tell me about it," Rebekah gave a little dramatic sigh.
"You would think you both would be happy that your brother and your best friend are so in love!" Caroline protested, looking mournfully at the fallen fry.
"Oh we are, Gorgeous," Enzo explained. "But that doesn't discount the fact that the way you look at one another could give us cavities."
"What he said," Rebekah agreed before making gagging sounds when Klaus tugged Caroline closer to kiss her again, deepening it this time. "Alright, let's take our plates over to the pool area and leave these two lovebirds alone."
Caroline pulled away from the kiss after a few minutes, feeling a bit flustered, her cheeks reddening as she blushed. Klaus' hand was under her shirt, drawing along the skin of her back. She wondered how awful it would make the two of them if they left Enzo and Rebekah at the Grill and headed off to one of the spots she knew in town for Klaus and her to have some much needed alone time. From the desire in his gaze she had a feeling that Klaus was wondering the same thing.
It'd been years since she'd parked up at 'Lover's Point' but that could be a fun fantasy to play out with Klaus. "Enzo knows how to get back to the house," Caroline murmured as her fingers danced along the fabric of Klaus' Henley, feeling his other hand move up her stocking covered and slip under her skirt.
"Good thing we made him drive his own car here," Klaus added, his nose brushing against hers before he moved to kiss her again.
"Let's get out of here," she breathed against his lips, smiling when he dropped more than enough bills on the table to pay for their meals before sliding out of the booth.
Enzo wagged his brows at them as they passed by, clearly amused, while Rebekah's focus stayed on the game. They were nearly out of the Grill when Caroline's phone started ringing. She almost ignored it, but that was the ringtone she had for her mom, and her mom had Henrik.
"Hey, mom," she answered and Klaus slowed down, stopping at the door to see what Liz needed. "No, it's fine, don't worry. We'll be right there."
"Did she get called in?" Klaus asked, though he had to wonder what nonsense people were doing two days before Christmas to warrant that kind of response.
"No. But Henrik is inconsolable. She's tried everything with him and he won't stop crying," Caroline explained, trying not to let her worry overwhelm her as they hurried on back to the house.
The baby's cries tugged at both of their hearts when they arrived, finding Liz walking with Henrik who kept wailing. "He was fine; ate, played a bit, went down for bed at the time you said he would," Liz explained. "And then he woke up thirty minutes ago and wouldn't stop crying."
Caroline took the baby from her, holding him close to her as she rocked him gently, murmuring softly to him. He hiccuped in her arms, little fists balled up, and face red from crying. She headed into her room, away from Klaus and her mother who was still explaining what had happened, and walked the length of it. She rubbed his back and kept on talking quietly to him, lips pressing against his head every so often to try and offer comfort.
"It's okay, little love," she promised, feeling his hands clench onto her shirt instead, his crying ceasing as he looked up at her, little mouth wobbling before he pressed his face into her chest. "Mommy and daddy are here. We've got you. It's okay."
She continued to rock him, watching his eyes begin to close and then open, frantically looking until he saw her again before calming down. It took a bit of time but eventually he fell asleep again and Caroline sat down on the bed with him.
"I think not having one of you be who he woke to frightened him," Liz murmured from the doorway, causing Caroline to look up and find Klaus and her mother watching her. "So many changes and you two have been his constant. He just didn't know how to cope."
Caroline nodded, that bit of information worrying her and she could see that Klaus was as well. "I'm going to head to bed now," Liz continued as she stepped forward to look at Henrik for a moment before nodding to her daughter and leaving the room.
Klaus sat down on the bed beside Caroline, looking at Henrik as well. "It'll take time," Klaus sighed. "But we'll help him through it. We'll help him learn how to cope with changes."
Caroline nodded again before moving to set Henrik down in the crib. He stirred for a moment but stayed asleep and she headed back to sit beside Klaus. "I hate your parents," she breathed out, not at all liking that she was saying that. But it was truth. Their actions had led to this kind of reaction in Henrik. "Or I don't...I just...he doesn't deserve to feel like this. To hurt this much. He's just a baby, Klaus." It had her wondering just how deeply the wounds ran for the rest of them, how they had possibly endured living in that house for as long as they did.
Klaus hugged her close and she melted into his embrace, hugging him back just as hard. "He's got a chance, Caroline," he promised her, silently promised it to Henrik as well. "He won't know that anger, that hate and violence that my childhood home was built on. He'll know our house."
"He'll know love," she murmured into Klaus' neck.
"He already does, sweetheart," Klaus stroked her cheek. "It's why he calms down for you, why he reaches for you, and smiles whenever you talk to him. He knows love because you love him." Just like Klaus had been able to grasp what love was because Caroline loved him. "But come on, let's get some sleep. I'm sure you have tomorrow packed with things to do."
She nodded and slowly pulled away from him. "We still have to make cookies for Santa. And then eat them all once he's asleep again tomorrow night."
Klaus chuckled at that, pleased it had her smiling as well, before heading off to the bathroom to brush his teeth. Fifteen or so minutes later and they were curled up in her childhood bed, Caroline snuggled up against him, both of them falling asleep to the soft snores of the baby boy that they would do anything for.
Christmas morning rolled around quicker than any of them imagined, the smells of bacon, eggs, and pancakes waking the household. Caroline had managed to find Christmas pajamas for them to wear as a family. Hers had little evergreen trees on red pants with a white shirt that said Ho Ho Ho in red, while Henrik was adorned in a similar outfit with green pants with little red ornaments printed on it.
Klaus was having none of her pleas to wear the Christmas pajamas she'd bought him, settling on the black pajama pants and a grey long sleeved shirt. He loved her dearly, but there were limits to what he was willing to do. Cute Christmas pajamas was one of those limits, no matter how she pouted.
The Muppets Christmas album played in the background, the lights of the tree already turned on when they headed out into the living room to find Liz Forbes adding a few more presents under the tree. "I have breakfast in the oven to keep it warm," she told them and nodded toward a freshly made bottle sitting on the coffee table for Henrik.
"Am I allowed to incur Rebekah's wrath by waking her early today?" Klaus asked, looking over at Caroline who was settling down on the couch to feed an eager Henrik.
"Considering she'll never let you hear the end of it if she misses his first Christmas, yes." Caroline knew the younger girl would never let him forget that.
She did have a point and Klaus headed toward the study, knocking loudly on the door. "Tell her to make sure Enzo gets his butt in gear too," Caroline called out, enjoying Klaus' confusion for a moment.
"We'll be out in a few, give us a bloody moment," Enzo yelled from inside the study.
Klaus grumbled all the way back to the couch, mood soured a bit, and Caroline passed him the baby to continue feeding so she could help her mom arrange the presents a bit better.
"We're going to have a talk later," Klaus stated when Rebekah and Enzo finally joined them, neither quite sure which he was referring to as they sat down in the room.
Caroline settled on the couch beside him, kissing his cheek and murmuring something about the holiday spirit while Liz passed hot cocoa around.
It didn't take long for laughter to fill the room, Henrik babbling along as the presents started to be passed around and opened. Henrik tried to eat the wrapping paper and then the ribbons and a bow that Caroline had managed to put onto Klaus' head. She leaned against Klaus, bouncing the baby on her lap as the happiness of the morning settled over them.
They looked down at Henrik who hadn't stopped smiling since the excitement had started, listened to him babble away as Caroline helped him clap his hands. Klaus found himself exchanging a smile with his sister, seeing the glimpse of happy tears in her eyes as they watched Caroline bring Henrik to the tree, letting him try to bat at the ornaments.
This was family. This was what they hadn't had enough of as children.
This was what Klaus would make sure Henrik's life was full of and maybe by doing that, they could heal some of their childhood wounds as well.