A/N: I am so sorry this took forever and a day! But here you go!
I hope you all enjoy the Mikaelson dynamics in this one. :)
We are not only our brother's keeper; in countless large and small ways, we are our brother's maker. - Bonaro Overstreet
"Why did we think traveling to London with an infant would be a good idea?" Caroline murmured as she followed Klaus off the plane.
Henrik had slept most of the flight, tucked safely away in the onboard crib supplied for them in their first class seats, but he had woken up about an hour before arrival and nothing seemed to help lessen his crankiness. He wasn't crying like Caroline had thought he might, none of the passengers near them had needed to put on headphones to try and drown out his tears.
He was simply miserable, little face scrunched up to show his discomfort whenever he managed to move himself from the crook of her neck where he seemed to want to remain buried. Soothing touches and soft murmurs weren't doing anything to help calm him down. She had tried handing him over to Klaus, wondering if Klaus' scent and touch would help-maybe Henrik just needed a change of pace-but that attempt had ended with his little hands clasped tightly in her sweater and his whole body tense.
"Maybe it was the change in altitude that we woke to," Klaus suggested as they followed the other passengers toward baggage claim. The baby still looked miserable, the growing crowd of the airport doing nothing to calm him down. "We'll be in the car soon enough. Hopefully that will help some."
Of course there was the whole part where Henrik would need to be fastened into his carseat and not held that would need to be dealt with, but fingers crossed that wouldn't go too badly. At least the stroller that Klaus was tugging along could be used to carry out the luggage that Caroline wouldn't be able to help with since she was carrying Henrik.
They maneuvered through the crowds and Klaus exhaled at the sight of Elijah already waiting for them by the carousel. They hadn't been certain that he would be able to schedule meetings around their arrival to pick them up or if he'd send the car service. Either would have been welcomed but at times the car service stayed out in the parking area to save on money while Elijah could help carry the excess bags that went along with traveling with an infant.
"Niklaus," Elijah nodded in greeting to his brother, never really one for hugs, and offered one of his brighter smiles to Caroline before focusing on his infant brother. "I take it that flying didn't agree with him?"
"I don't think it really 'agrees' with most people," Caroline murmured as she bounced Henrik a little, trying to earn a laugh or smile. He simply shook his head against her shoulder, still not pleased with the situation.
Elijah rubbed Henrik's back, frowning sympathetically at the baby. "Thankfully Italy tends to sleep through them."
Klaus grabbed the first of their bags off the carousel, leaving the other two for Elijah to snag. "He did through most of it. Up until like an hour before we landed." What exactly had disconcerted the boy was beyond Klaus. Anything might have set him on alert though, the unfamiliarity of the situation making him even more uncomfortable. It wasn't as though he had the words to tell any of them what was wrong either, making it even more difficult to offer the right kind of help.
"I think it'll help once we're away from all of the people and noise," Caroline murmured as she pulled out the blanket to lay over him for warmth as they headed out into the cold.
As predicted Henrik wasn't fond of being in the car seat at all, little face turning red from his crying as she buckled him in and sat down beside him. She rubbed at his arm, trying to offer some comfort as Klaus and Elijah loaded the luggage but Henrik was having none of it, head shaking as he kicked his feet and waved his arms. "You're okay," Caroline murmured as she tried to keep her voice calm and soothing, knowing that he'd pick up on her stress if she let it show.
She scrambled through the diaper bag and pulled out a new pacifier but he spat it out, pushed away the bottle as well when Elijah and Klaus finally got into the car. Klaus tried to shake the rattle for him but Henrik simply continued to wail, hiccuping loudly as he continued to reach to be picked up.
"Does he do this often?" Elijah asked from the driver's seat as he steered them out of the airport and on toward his home.
"No. He usually calms down pretty quickly." Though when he did get upset they tended to not try and take him places right away, letting him calm down enough before heading out of their home. That wasn't exactly doable while driving down the road.
"You're okay, little man," Klaus tried to assure Henrik as he smoothed down the baby's curls, but no amount of reassuring words or touches seemed to be helping. Klaus worried that he'd make himself sick with the rate he was going. "Just park the car, Elijah."
"Please," Caroline added while giving him a pointed look.
"Please," Klaus amended, thankful that his brother looped back into the parking structure. He quickly unbuckled the baby and Caroline swooped him out. The crying subsided after a few moments, though he still hiccuped, while fisting his chubby hand in Caroline's sweater.
"How long are we staying?" Elijah asked as he turned back to look at them before glancing at his watch.
"Until he calms down," Klaus murmured as he rubbed at Henrik's back and smiled at the baby. Elijah didn't say a word to that but Klaus could almost feel his brother's judgement settling in the air around them. "Unless you want to hear that for the forty-five minute drive it'll take to get to your place."
"Let me alert Katherine to the delay," Elijah replied before getting out of the car and Klaus scowled, knowing that she would never stop reminding him of the time he was unable to quiet Henrik down. Not that she could ever get Italy to stop her tantruming without buying her something.
"Stop thinking evil thoughts about your sister-in-law," Caroline chided as she rocked Henrik, trying not to laugh at how Klaus had furrowed his brow in annoyance at the mention of Katherine. "She knows what it's like to have an inconsolable baby."
"You say that as though she didn't hoist Italy off on the plethora of nannies at her disposal whenever she cried," Klaus muttered as reached to pick up the fallen pacifier. He wiped it off before handing it over to Henrik, pleased when the baby accepted it this time and began to suck on it.
Caroline narrowed her eyes at him. She knew there was little love between Klaus and Katherine but the two were ridiculous at times. "You don't know that."
Maybe not every time, but he'd seen her do it once or twice. Of course she'd been in the middle of doing press for her latest movie and had been spending time with her daughter in between interviews so maybe handing her off had been a necessity, but Klaus wasn't above being petty when it came to his dislike toward Katherine.
"You two really need to work on burying the hatchet," Caroline sighed as she brushed Henrik's hair, thankful that his hiccuping had subsided.
"Never going to happen, love." No matter how much Elijah and Caroline might want it, Klaus and Katherine simply didn't gel well together. Though, maybe they could work better at tolerating each other. "I'll play nice." If she does.
Caroline twisted her lips at that, no doubt knowing his little caveat, but said nothing as Henrik slowly relaxed against her. Elijah rejoined them in the car but it took a few more minutes before Caroline even dared to try and put Henrik into the carseat again. He went willingly this time, smiling behind his pacifier as she dangled toy keys in front of him.
Hopefully the rest of their trip to London wouldn't be as eventful.
"...and this is Mr. Henry. He's a bear," Italy set the bear down next to Henrik before picking up the bunny from the huge pile of animals she'd brought over to show him. "This is Victoria. She's in time out."
Henrik managed to pull the bunny to him by one of the ears and promptly brought it to his mouth to try and gnaw on. "No no!" Italy shook her hands, eyes widening at the scene. "We do not eat our friends, Henrik!"
She tried to pull the bunny from him but as soon as she managed to get it away he began to cry and Italy looked around, unsure what to do. "Don't cry, Henrik." She jostled the bear in front of him, hopeful that would get him to laugh, but he kept crying until her nanny came over to pick him up. "I didn't want him to eat Victoria."
"Babies that are Henrik's age put everything in their mouths," the woman murmured to her as she popped the pacifier back into the baby's mouth. "That's how he plays."
Italy scrunched her nose at that, not sure at all how that could be considered fun. Chewing on things that weren't candy seemed like a waste to her. It was much more fun to sit the animals at her little table and have a tea party with them. But Henrik couldn't walk yet, he didn't even sit up all that well yet. She sighed as the baby was placed down on the mat to play with the toy that Aunt Caroline and Uncle Klaus had brought for him. It didn't seem all that interesting either but he seemed to like it.
As long as it kept her toys out of his mouth she supposed that it could stay. Even if it didn't match all of her pink furniture.
"He's not being fussy, is he?" Caroline asked as she peaked into the playroom, wanting to check in on Henrik before the adults headed off for dinner.
"Aunt Caroline!" Italy was off the floor in seconds to give her a big hug. She liked this aunt because she would talk about toys with her sometimes, but Uncle Kol was better. He would actually play with her sometimes. The others didn't do that much.
Caroline hugged her back, forever amused by just how much of Katherine the little girl had in her. From the eyes to the hair to her smiles or pout it was like looking at a miniature version of her friend. She was still trying to figure out what the little girl had inherited from Elijah. "Thanks for letting Henrik stay with you tonight."
"He needs to get bigger," Italy sighed, the little dramatic sound almost an echo of her mother's. "He can't do tea parties yet."
"Not for a few more years." If he'd even want to do them then, but Caroline remembered that Jeremy had liked to follow Elena around and play the games she'd liked when they were really young. Maybe Henrik would be the same if they visited with Italy often enough.
Italy looked back over at the baby who was reaching for some of the toys dangling in front of him. "You and Uncle Klaus need to teach him how to have fun."
"We'll work on that," Caroline assured her before Italy wandered away to set up her tea set. Caroline glanced over at the nanny, who simply smiled, before heading over to sit down by Henrik.
His eyes widened when he caught sight of her, pacifier dropping out of his mouth as he smiled and reached to be picked up. She scooped him up from the play mat before showering him with kisses against his cheek, delighting in his giggles. "The crib is already set up in our room for when you're ready to put him to bed. He'll probably go down for you in about an hour."
"I've reviewed the list of things you usually do. He'll be fine," the nanny assured her and Caroline nodded, laying him back down onto the floor.
She knew the woman would call if there was an issue. A quick flick of the button to turn the music on and Henrik was enthralled in that, letting her leave the room again without him crying. Caroline wasn't surprised to find Klaus waiting outside the room, coat already on and holding hers open for her to step into.
"You're doing splendid with the not worrying plan," he teased, though she noticed his brief anxious glance into the playroom that shifted back to neutral after seeing that Henrik was fine.
"I wanted to see him before we left. When we get back he'll be asleep." Hopefully. Fingers crossed that would be what happened. She nudged Klaus with her elbow and couldn't help having her own teasing smile. "You know you want to go in and have a cuddle right now. Don't worry, I won't tell."
Klaus leaned forward, almost as if he was going to kiss her but nipped her lip instead, earning a gentle push from her. He caught her hand and tugged her down the hallway toward where Elijah and Katherine were waiting for them. He'd much rather be on the floor playing with Henrik than enduring two hours with his sister-in-law. Being able to leave Katherine behind when he wanted time with his older brother was no longer in the cards. Even if he knew that Caroline would happily hang out with the woman, he wanted to spend time with Caroline as well, just not with Katherine.
"And remember, burying the hatchet," Caroline murmured before they got in ear shot of the other couple.
Katherine turned to look at them and without her even uttering a word Klaus knew that he'd love to bury the hatchet. Especially if he could ensure it went into her back. Something told him that neither Caroline or Elijah would appreciate that though. Thank god there'd be wine.
"Caroline," Katherine greeted her with a kiss to the cheek before looking over at him, her disdain obvious. "Klaus."
"Katerina." He couldn't help himself, knowing she hated that version of her name.
Elijah sighed and Caroline shook her head as Katherine pursed her lips, looking like she wanted to eviscerate him if not for her newly done nails. "Shall we?" Elijah opened the door, letting Katherine head out first and Caroline followed after. "Really, Niklaus, the least you could do is try and be polite."
Klaus scowled as he watched Elijah head out next. So much for family loyalty.
Maybe something a bit harder than wine would be needed.
Caroline wasn't surprised that evening went from uncomfortable to downright hostile. The problem with Klaus and Katherine was that neither could let something go, be the bigger person in ongoing battle that seemed to rage between them. No matter how many reprimanding looks were given either or words were spoken to try and deter them, one would always have some clever little quip minutes later that set the other off.
Usually Caroline could count on Elijah to help stir the conversation to more neutral ground but tonight that wasn't happening, which was definitely putting a damper on the delicious food laid out before her. At least they were at the chef's table, tucked away from the rest of the customers so only the waitstaff had to endure the ever growing madness.
"-so then you agreed with Rebekah that it was reasonable to transfer to New York in the middle of her school year?" Elijah asked, waving for the waiter who'd returned to refill their drinks to simply leave the bottle.
Caroline offered a sympathetic smile to the young man who did as requested and then hurried off. "She wants to be around family, Elijah. I can hardly fault her for that," Klaus shrugged, not seeing what the big deal is. "Florida or New York. Why does it matter where she attends?"
"She needs to start taking responsibility for her actions. To follow through on the plans she makes," Elijah reasoned and Caroline wondered if it was possible to order something with more alcohol. The wine was not doing it. "Our sister flits from one thing to another without thought. Having her stay in Florida to complete the year would help her realize there are consequences for every choice she makes."
"Mother and Mikael just died," Klaus reminded. "She's the only one of us aside from Henrik who still dealt with them on a regular basis. They were still entrenched in her life and then suddenly they were gone. As much as I don't care that the bastard killed himself, I was not turning Rebekah away when she asked to stay."
"She got the paperwork together and she's the one who made sure all of her credits transferred," Caroline added. She could see Elijah's thought process for it all because Rebekah could be flighty but the girl deserved some slack with everything that had happened. It wasn't like she'd simply left school and moved in with them so she could lay around all she wanted.
"Don't you think the two of you are taking on a bit much? First the baby, now Rebekah? Don't you have some art thing you're getting ready for? Not to mention the wedding?" Katherine asked, concern evident as she glanced at Caroline, though Klaus simply glowered at her. "It'd be a shame for all of that to fall to the wayside because you're overdoing it."
"Especially with Kol's added presence," Elijah shook his head with a sigh. "I love our brother but the last time he was in New York with you he was arrested on that drug charge."
Klaus pushed his plate away, appetite spoiled. "He did his stint in rehab."
Elijah nodded. Yes that was true but..."That city holds entirely too much temptation for him."
"Would you rather he were to come here then?" Klaus proposed as he looked between his brother and sister-in-law. He wasn't surprised by the look they shared, the one that let him know that no they would not prefer that. He leaned back in his chair, pressing his lips together in disgust as he looked at the two of them. "No. You wouldn't. So what do you suggest? Should I throw him out like Mikael did? Let him fend for himself?"
That had only led to their brother using his money in unhealthy ways and Kol had moved on from that. Why send him reeling back into that cycle?
"Perhaps he could spend some time with Finn," Elijah suggested.
Caroline shook her head. That would definitely not go over well. "We're not telling Kol that he has to go anywhere." She reached under the table to take hold of Klaus' hand, wanting to let him know she had his back with this. "He gets to stay as long as he wants with us as long as he follows the rules. Which he has been. I get that you're worried, Elijah, and that's a good thing. It shows you care."
Klaus snorted at that and she squeezed his hand. Now was so not the time for one of his quips. "But Kol and Rebekah are adults." Not that they always acted like it, but that was kind of true for lots of adults. "So it's their decision, not yours. It's not even ours. We're just giving them the opportunity to stay with family as long as they'd like. You're free to let them know your own feelings on the whole situation."
"I simply worry that they'll get worse if boundaries aren't adhered to for them. Especially with everything that happened." Elijah sighed. "I don't want them in the papers again."
"Wouldn't want to tarnish the family name," Klaus bit out, lips curling into a rather unpleasant smile as he stared at his brother. It always came down to image.
"That's not it at all, Niklaus," Elijah cut in, voice hard as he stared at his brother. "Do you think they'll want to look back in five years and see that ridiculousness can still be found online? That people may still snicker about them behind their backs as they try to actually do something with their lives."
Caroline squeezed Klaus' hand, knowing that Elijah meant well but doubted that Klaus would take it that way. Not with how volatile the night had gotten. He was in that state where everything was a fight, an argument that needed to be hashed out. Only hurtful words would be passed around until he was out of that mindset.
"We're looking at the bigger picture. Something you rarely seem able to do," Katherine added and Caroline pressed her lips together, wishing her friend had kept her mouth shut.
Klaus leaned forward at that, eyes narrowed and ready to let out something he wouldn't be able to take back. "All you look at is your-"
"I'm sure they'll appreciate that you're looking out for them," Caroline interrupted, ignoring Klaus' mutterings. At least he was running his thumb along her hand. She knew that touching her helped calm him down at times. "But I've found that trying to force people to live the way you want them to only ever ends in tears for all involved." She took a breath, not too sure she wanted to tack on the next bit, but it needed to be said. "Isn't that what Mikael did?"
No one said a word, the truth of that statement hitting all of them a little too closely. It seemed it was needed though, her words managing to alleviate the some of the tension that had brewed between them. Not quite able to defuse it, but no one seemed to want to continue arguing their points as the waiter brought over the check.
Klaus was still glaring at the other two, Katherine sneering right back at him. Only Elijah seemed to look as tired as Caroline was feeling.
It was going to be a very long week.
He couldn't seem to shake his anger. It lingered inside of him, long after they had left the restaurant, and headed to their wing in the house. Klaus had half a mind to pack up their things and head over to a hotel, Caroline barely managing to talk him out of it. Henrik was soundly sleeping and waking him at that point might create even more issues for them. After how out of sorts the baby had been in the morning at the airport Klaus didn't want to mess up his schedule again. They could always leave after the baby woke.
Klaus had tried to fall asleep, had managed to get into the bed with Caroline, and listened to the soft sounds of her breathing. Usually that would do the trick, but he was still wound too tightly, anger wanting to bubble out of him.
He couldn't head up to his studio like he did back home, no real outlet to dealing with all of the emotions that were stirring inside of him, demanding attention. He didn't dare turn on one of the lights, knowing that could wake Caroline or Henrik and he didn't want to disturb their sleep. Heading out into the rest of the house came with the chance of running into Elijah and Katherine. It was probably best that didn't happen until he managed to calm down, knowing if he spoke to them in that moment he'd probably regret whatever he managed to get out later on.
At least he'd regret whatever he might say to Elijah.
Klaus untangled himself from the covers and Caroline, brushing her cheek when she made a little sound of protest before burrowing into his pillow. After pulling on a shirt, he rummaged his sketchbook and a pencil out of his carry on and headed out into the main area of the house. If Katherine and Elijah were foolish enough to try and speak to him now then it was on them for his response.
He settled down on one of the chairs and allowed his mind to get lost in the lines he added to the paper. Klaus wasn't sure how long he had been sketching when he heard the sound of footsteps behind him. He stiffened, wondering who might be up and about, when Italy clambered onto the chair beside him.
"Can't sleep?" Klaus asked as he shifted so she could tuck her body against his. He might have been annoyed with her parents but he did love his niece.
Italy shook her head and hugged the bunny she'd been carrying a little tighter. "I had a bad dream."
Klaus nodded, not quite sure what to say to that or how to soothe away her lingering fear. "Do you want a princess or a mermaid?" he asked instead, knowing they were both currently two of Italy's favorite things.
She scrunched her nose, seriously considering her answer. "A mermaid princess!"
That earned a genuine smile from him and he flipped to a fresh page before starting the picture. They sat there in silence, the rays of the morning sun beginning to peek through the window, and slowly the anger that had been overwhelming him slowly began to ebb away. It lingered a bit, but no longer did it feel like the weight of it was crushing his chest.
If only he could ignore Katherine and Elijah and spend the rest of this short holiday with his niece, Caroline and Henrik.
Unfortunately life never went that smoothly, especially not for a Mikaelson.