Chapter 21

Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries. I'm just borrowing. Only the story is mine.

Note: Previously, in "When You Least Expect It," Ansel, Caroline, and Klaus bond with Liam.

Hello, everyone! I've been thinking about what to do for this next chapter of my Klaroline AU/AH, and I thought I'd share. I also hope it sounds just as good written out as it did in my head. Anyway, no spoilers.

ON WITH THE SHOW!

3 Months Later…

The lights that were strewn about the property of the Mikaelson estate danced on the freshly fallen snow as Caroline pulled her car into the driveway. Today was the Christmas party Mikael and Eleanor were hosting. They had decided to throw one now instead of last month because Klaus and Caroline didn't have much of a Christmas due to the three months Liam spent in the incubator in the NICU. He had been released just after New Year's and they couldn't have been more relieved.

Klaus had been called into work, which was why she was attending the party without him. She couldn't help but feel a bit guilty, even though she had no reason to feel that way. Although being an oncologist wasn't exactly pretty, it paid the bills. Of course, she didn't feel guilty solely because of that. She had missed planning the Salvatore/Pierce wedding, even though Bonnie and Sydney assured her that they had everything under control.

The sound of Liam cooing from the back seat brought Caroline back to earth, having remembered bringing him with her. She undid her belt and got out of the car, taking Liam's car seat and a few gifts, carefully making her way up the snow-covered path to the front door. As she approached the door, she saw it open and Mikael came out to greet her.

Noticing that Klaus wasn't with her, he said, "I take it Niklaus had to work?"

"Yes, so it's just me and Liam. Nik does send his regrets, though."

Mikael nodded and escorted his daughter-in-law into the mansion and out of the cold. After they were safely inside, Caroline placed the car seat down and lifted him out of it, removing his coat and kissing his cheek. She loved her son dearly and doted on him. Mikael watched them and smiled. He cleared his throat after a few minutes.

"A little birdie told me that Ansel Bradbury was among the visitors Liam received while he was in the hospital."

Caroline nodded. "He was. He came the day Nik and I went to the NICU. I had the opportunity to meet him. He's really not as bad as you think he is."

"True as that may be, Caroline, he was one of the factors that led to my divorcing Esther."

"Mikael, I know that you're doing what you think is right for your family and I respect that," said Caroline. "But, Ansel wants to be part of Nik's life." She looked at Liam and then back to her father-in-law. "A part of Liam's life. This doesn't change anything. You're still Liam's grandfather, as is my dad and Victor."

Mikael wanted to argue the point further, but realized that he was fighting a losing battle. That and a family holiday gathering was neither the time nor the place to be having an argument and Eleanor would no doubt scold him for it.

"Very well, Caroline, I'll let this go for the time being," he said finally. "But, I want you to know I'm not thrilled with this arrangement."

"I know, but Nik is willing to give him a chance," said Caroline. "Esther isn't a threat anymore, and there was no reason for him to treat Ansel as such." She sighed. "Does it really matter what a family is made of?"

Mikael was about to say something when Eleanor joined them. "Oh, Caroline, there you are. We were waiting for you before we got things started." She smiled at Liam, gently taking him out of his mother's arms. "And here's the little prince. My goodness, he's gotten so big. It's like he was never premature at all."

"Yes, he certainly surprised everyone," said Caroline. "Nik and I love him very much and we can't picture our lives without our little boy in it."

She excused herself from the older couple, letting them fuss over Liam. She made her way into the parlor and when she saw Lexi sitting by the fireplace, she immediately went over to her, hugging her as though they had been apart for ages. Lexi smiled and returned the other blonde's hug, pulling back after a few minutes.

"It feels like forever since we last saw each other."

Caroline nodded. "I know. But, life has a habit of getting in the way. Anyway, what's been going on? Are you and Kol enjoying married life?"

"Oh, we're definitely enjoying it," said Lexi. "Kol wanted to be here, but he's off on yet another photo shoot."

Caroline nodded again. "Yeah, Nik had to work as well." She looked around and saw the couples gathered – Finn and his wife, Sage, as well as their children, the twins Ruby and Bridget and Cooper, Elijah and Amelia, with Evelyn and Colin, Rebekah and Stefan, with little Dante, Henrik and his girlfriend, Francesca, and Mikael and Eleanor. "Guess this means you and I are going solo."

She noticed Lexi's facial expressions changed. "Lexi, are you okay? You seem sad."

"Promise you won't tell anyone?"

"I won't, but I want to know what's wrong."

Lexi looked around and then urged Caroline to follow her upstairs to one of the guest rooms, closing the door to ensure that they wouldn't be disturbed. Lexi then sighed and sat on the bed, hugging herself. Caroline joined her, not sure what the other blonde was so upset about.

It was quiet until Lexi said, "I'm pregnant, Care."

Caroline smiled at the news. "You are? Oh, Lex, that's wonderful! You and Kol are adding to your family!" Her smile faded when she saw that Lexi wasn't joining in her excitement. "Lexi, why aren't you smiling? I would think you'd be over the moon."

"Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm happy," said Lexi. "But, I'm just worried that it won't stick this time."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Kol and I tried once before and we were excited when we found out," said Lexi. "Then, I had a miscarriage. I was devastated, Care, because I thought I had failed him. Sure, he assured me that he'd never think that way about me, but this sort of thing is hard for a woman to take. I wanted so much to give him a baby." She clutched the blanket in her fist. "Yes, I'm pregnant again, but I just don't want the same thing to happen twice."

"Did you tell your doctor about the miscarriage?"

Lexi nodded. "Yes, and she said she'd monitor this pregnancy closely."

Caroline bit her lip. Although she didn't experience what Lexi experienced, her heart still went out to her. She gently pulled the other woman into her arms and hugged her, running her fingers through her hair as she sobbed into her shoulder.

Note: Yeah, I know this isn't a good place to stop the chapter, but I didn't want to repeat anything, so I'll end Chapter 21 here. Stay tuned!

ENJOY THE UPDATE AND REMEMBER TO REVIEW!