15.

When Caroline woke the next morning her bed was empty, but the only comfort was the smell of coffee and bacon coming from the kitchen. She rolled herself out of bed and used the restroom before going to join Nik.

He looked perfect and Caroline waited just a moment in the doorway, admiring his toned back as he stood in just his boxers making scrabbled eggs. She was busted when she let out a little squeak in surprise as the baby stretched in her womb.

Nik turned at the sound. Caroline was leaning against the wall with her hands on her stomach and a pained expression on her face. He dropped the spatula and ran to her, skidding on the tile floor. "What is it, love? Is something wrong with the baby?" He didn't know what to do. He had never been so scared in his life.

Caroline's face was still twisted in pain, "I'm fine. He's fine. This is just his way of saying good morning with a foot in my rib cage." She reached out and grabbed his hand, placing it just under her bust on the left side of her body.

His eyes went wide as he felt a strong push against his hand. He remembered in London how she had placed his hand on her stomach, but at that time he was unable to feel anything. "He's strong, sweetheart." Nik's expression was finally able to morph from worried to content and amazed.

Just then they both started to smell something burning and Nik rushed back over to the stove trying to salvage the half burnt eggs.

"Well if he keeps this up then I do believe he will be an awesome soccer player," Caroline mused as she went to pour herself a cup of coffee.

Nik looked up from scrapping the burnt eggs in to the bin, "It's football, love."

"This boy is American through and through, so soccer it is," she teased and she pulled the carton of eggs back out of the fridge and handed them to him.

Nik's face was solemn for a moment, thinking about how truly Caroline's child would have no biological link to him and his family, background, or culture. He heard her settle on one of the bar stools behind him as he cracked a few eggs into the pan. "What is his father like?" He asked, not truly knowing if he wanted to know the answers.

Caroline was quiet for a long moment, "Well, he's 5'11", blonde hair, handsome, but utterly hopeless at making breakfast," she teased.

He didn't know if he wanted to laugh or cry, "You know that I will be there for you and your baby in any role you allow me, but the donor, what is he like?"

"Truly I don't know," Caroline started and smiled at his confused look. "It came down to two choices and I didn't know which one to pick so I sealed them both in envelopes and picked at random."

Nik had to laugh, "So Caroline, the control freak that has to make sure every detail is perfect, left the donor of her baby up to eeny meeny miny moe?"

Caroline shrugged her shoulders, "I guess I just trusted fate with this one."

After that they changed the subject of conversation and Nik plated up their breakfast. They sat together at the bar in her kitchen and ate, discussing everything but their future together. Caroline just wanted to live in this moment, when they felt like a little family.

Nik's flight was at one in the afternoon and he needed to stop by his hotel room before getting to the airport. He showered at Caroline's, surprised that his dress shirt was freshly pressed and laid out on the bed for him. He smiled at how comfortably domestic their morning had been.

Caroline was in the nursery stripped the guest bed of it's sheet. She was dressed in a blush pink maxi dress that hugged her in all the right places. He walked up behind her and wrapped his strong arms around her middle, cradling her bump in his hands. "I need to leave soon," he whispered into her neck as he placed light kisses on her shoulder.

She turned in his arms and stretched up to place a light kiss on his lips, "When will you be back?" She has been worrying about this all morning. The baby was due in August and she hoped that he would be back before then. She wanted to truly give them a chance, but starting a relationship with a new baby could be more than they could bear.

"The kids and I will be back within a month. We will need to look for a home and pick out a school for Hen and Lil."

Being relieved that he wouldn't be a way for long, she smiled up to him, "I'll be big as a house when you return."

This saddened him, he wanted to be there for every part of her pregnancy. He wanted to take those cheesy week by week photos of her growing belly. He wanted to attend doctor appointments. He wanted to paint the nursery. He wanted to walk down the street hand in hand with her and let the world know that she was growing their family.

"I'm sorry that this is complicated," he rested his forehead on hers.

"You are here, that is all that counts," she said with his favorite sweet smile. "You are stepping up to the plate, moving your family across the world, changing jobs…all for me."

"I'm a selfish man and couldn't be without you," He chuckled into their kiss.

His phone beeped letting him know that his car was down stairs waiting on him. She walked him to the elevator, down eight floors, and out to the curb where a black Town Car was waiting. He held her for a long moment, cupping her face and kissing her.

"Let me know when you arrive, I need to know you are safe," Caroline worried her bottom lip.

"Always, my love." He answered before kissing her one last time and then slipping into the back seat of the car.

She stood on the sidewalk watching as the black car wove it's way down the busy street. Her heart already aching for him. She knew with this new development in their relationship that she would need to make an appointment with her therapist. Caroline wanted to give them the best shot at happiness.

Nik went back to his hotel room and collected his luggage. He was back in the Town Car within ten minutes and on his way to JFK for his flight to Richmond. He would be in Mystic Falls over night before flying back to London with his kids.

He landed in Virginia without any issue and sent a quick text to Caroline letting her know he was safe. He received a heart and a sleeping smiley face emoji back. He rented a SUV and made the two hour drive to Mystic Falls, finally pulling up to his family home just after night fall.

Henrik and Lily ran out into the drive way to meet him. He has been away from them for a week now. He hugged them both in turn and Hen grab his father's over night bag out of the front seat of the car. "You got it, bud?"

"Yeah dad," Henrik rolled his eyes and walked into the house.

Nik looked up at the sky, as if saying a prayer for himself. He knew that Lily was half in love with Caroline already and thrilled to have another female around, but he felt that the teenaged moody Henrik would be a challenge.

The family was just setting up dinner when he walked in. He quickly went up to his room, washed up, and changed into some relaxed clothes. He joined the family in the dining room. Rebekah, April, and Liam had stayed after Caroline's party and were present at the dining table.

Mikeal sat at the head of the table and Nik sat at the other end. "Did you close the deal in New York?" Mikeal asked.

Beyond going to New York to interview for jobs, Nik has been meeting with a company that his father was trying to acquire their business. "I will be sending a contract over to Newland Technologies when I get back to London."

"Very good," Mikael cut into his ribeye. Niklaus may not be his biological son, but he was a good business man, not that Mikael would ever let him know this. The constant seeking of approval is what made his sons ambitious.

After a few bad investments, Mikael was asked to step down as CEO of his company. Finn and Elijah had taken over and when Nik had finished university, he was also invited to join the firm. Mikael still attempted to throw around his weight and act like he was in charge.

Nik knew that he need to put in his official notice with Elijah, but he knew that if his father heard about his leaving the firm from a third party, that there would be hell to pay. He tapped his fork on his wine glass to get everyone's attention before standing. "I do have another announcement about my time in New York."

Everyone's eyes fell on him and Rebekah looked like she could vibrate out of her chair with excitement. "I have decided to move my family to New York…"

"We don't have an office in New York, Niklaus." Mikael cut in.

Nik swallowed and then continues, "I know. I have accepted a position with another firm in the city."

Esther beamed and got up and walked over to her son, cupping his cheeks, "It's Caroline isn't it?"

He answered her with a smile. "Caroline and I belong together. She's given us a change."

Mikael scoffed from his end of the table, "You are throwing away a career and an impressive client list in England for your boyhood crush?" He took of drink from his tumbler before continuing. "She's pregnant by another man, disgraceful." He muttered the last word under his breath, but truly loud enough for the entire table to hear.

All eyes at the table shifted from Mikael to Nik, waiting for the explosion. Nik slammed his fist down on the table, making all of the dishes chatter. "Don't you dare," Nik started to say as Liam started to cry from the noise.

"Look what you did," Mikael said with a smirk.

April picked up her son and gave Nik a small smile and he mouthed 'sorry' to her. The room was quiet as Nik and his father stared each other down.

"Well I think it's about dame time you and Caroline gave it another shot." Rebekah said trying to lighten the mood.

Lily got up from her chair and went to hug her father around the waist, "I like Ms. Caroline. Is she going to be my new mom?"

Henrik pushed his chair back with force, not saying a word as he walked from the room.

"Father of the year," Mikael muttered into his drink.

"Learned from the best," Nik shot back as he delivered Lily to his mother and followed Henrik.

He found his son up in the room that he used when staying at the manor. Henrik was sitting on his twin sized bed, looking down at the floor with a flat affect.

Nik knocked at the open door, "Can I come in, bud?"

Henrik didn't look up, "You can do what you want, you always do."

"That's not fair, Hen." Nik crossed the room and sat down next to his son.

"No! What's not fair is you moving me away from my friends and my school!"

Nik knew that the move would be hardest on Henrik. He was old enough to be involved in school sports and have friends that he has known his while life. "I know it will be hard, but I think you will really enjoy New York."

Henrik just scoffed.

"I was just a little older than you when your grandma and grandpa moved us from England to here. I had to make new friend and get used to a new school. But I met the love of my life because we ended up here." He hoped his son would understand.

"You mean Caroline?" Henrik finally looked up at his dad.

"Yes, I mean Caroline." Nik smiled at her name.

"She makes you happy?"

"Very."

Henrik looked down at his hands again, "What about mum?"

Nik's heart broke for his son. "We will always love and honor your mother. Caroline understands this." Henrik was quiet for a while, Nik could see the gears turning in his son's mind. "I don't expect you to be completely okay with this, but I expect you to give it a chance. Give Caroline a chance."

Henrik looked over at his father, sitting with his hand sticking out. They always shook hands when they made a deal, whether it was exchanging good behavior for trips or promising not to let his grades slip if he joined the lacrosse team. He knew that if he shook his dad's hand that he was promising to give this idea of New York and his father being happy with Caroline a real shot. Squaring his shoulders he sat taller before placing his hand in his father's.

"Good man," Nik said pulling his son in for hug. "Love you, bud."

"Forever and always," Henrik recited the family motto that had been said to him his whole life.

Nik smiled, "Forever and always," he repeated. "Now lets go back down stairs, I'm sure grandma whipped up something good for dessert."

When they returned back down to the dining room, Mikael was not there and Nik was thankful. Henrik went to sit back down next to his sister as Esther came around and placed a plate with a large piece of chocolate pie on it.

Rebekah smiled at her brother, "I'm proud of you for finally getting your head out of your ass."

Both April and Esther laughed while Lily piped up, "Oh, Aunty Bekah said a bad word!"

The rest of the meal was more light hearted and Nik had to admit that he would also be happy to be closer to his family. While he had Finn and Sage's family over in England, April and Bekah were better company. Elijah was a stick in the mud. Nik had known about his brother infatuation with his late wife, and while there was no need cursing the name of his children's mother, he knew that she would have left him for Elijah if she had not been diagnosed.

Later that night when both of his children were settled in bed, he put on his coat and slipped out of the house. It was a quick drive into the center of town and he parked in front of a three story brick building. At this hour most of the town was asleep he figured he would find her here.

He walked up the few stone steps and pushed a button on the intercom next to the door.

"Mystic Falls Sheriff Department, how can I help you?" Came a very familiar voice.

"Hey Liz, it's Nik Mikaelson. Can we talk?"

He heard a buzz and a click as the doors to the police department opened. He walked in to the darkened lobby and he saw Caroline's mother walk out from an office off to the left of the booking station. Seeing her in uniform with her gun belted to her hip still made he feel like a seventeen year old boy sneaking out of Caroline's room in the middle of the night.

"Hey Nik, you in town to pick up your kiddos?"

He was thankful for the small talk. "Yeah, we fly home tomorrow."

They stood about five feet from each other and the room was quiet expect the tick of the clock over the front doors. "Well what can I do for you Nik?" Liz asked shifted the belt on her hips.

"Can we sit?" He motioned towards her office.

"Sure," she turned and walked back to her chair behind the large wooden desk. It was scattered with case files.

Nik sat across from her, feeling even more nervous. "I was just in New York…" he started.

"How is Caroline?" Liz asked coolly.

"How did you know?"

Liz closed a file on her desk and smiled, "Why else would you be here Nik?"

"Right," he ran his hands down the thighs of his jeans to wipe off the sweat. "I'm moving my family to New York to be with your daughter."

Liz set back in her chair, "That's a pretty grand gesture."

"I love her, always have."

"Too bad that wasn't enough to save my grandchild all those years ago," Liz narrowed her eyes at him.

He was shocked, he wasn't sure who all knew about what happened between him and Caroline.

"You weren't around after that, you broke my daughter."

Nik looked down at this hands, "I know. Caroline and I have talked about it at length. She has forgiven me, even though I may never be able to forgive myself."

Liz could tell that both Nik and her daughter have grown through out the years, and she trusted Caroline to do what is best for her and her baby. "So what does this move mean?"

"We don't really know yet. I will be getting my own place and letting my children get to know us as a couple. I have given all control over to Caroline."

"And the baby?"

Nik smiled thinking of Caroline's swollen belly, "I will love him as much as I love his mother."

"I would be lying if I said I was not worried about Caroline doing all of this alone. I am thankful that you will be there for her, but if you hurt her…" Liz reached down and patted the gun on her hip.

Nik nervously laughed and held up his hands in surrender. "Trust me, the last thing I want is my life without your daughter."

Liz watched him squirm from the other side of her desk. "Is there something else you want to ask me?"

"I wanted to ask…that is I know Caroline is strong and independent…and that she can make her own choices…but I'm old fashioned…"

"Spit it out Nik." Liz smiled knowing where this was going.

He blew out an unsteady breath, "I want to marry your daughter."

"I didn't hear a question."

"You are enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Very much so," Liz laughed.

"I don't know when it will happen, but I do know I want to spend the rest of my life with your daughter. Do I have your blessing to ask Caroline to be my wife?"

Liz was thoughtful for a long moment, really just love watching Nik sweat it out. "If my daughter says yes, and is willing to have you, then so am I." She rose from her seat and Nik stuck his hand out to her. "We are pretty much family Nik," she smiled and wrapped him in a hug.

They parted and she walked him to the doors of the police station, "Remember what I told you about hurting her."

He looked at her stern face and to her gun, "Yes ma'am. I wouldn't dream of it."

Caroline slept away the Monday before returning to work. She was still enjoying wearing maternity samples from different designers. Although she had traded in her six inch heals for wedges and flats.

Sophia was already at the office when Caroline arrived. "Someone is glowing," she observed.

"These hormones and the right moisturizer can do wonders."

The dark haired woman watched her boss, "No this isn't pregnancy glow, this is you got some glow. You better dish!"

Caroline woke her computer and started to check emails, "Nik came by last night."

"Like ex-boyfriend, tall, dark, and sexy from London Nik?"

"That would be him," Caroline tried to suppress her blush. She had shown Sophia pictures from social media.

"Well shit…" Sophia remembered all the ups and downs that Caroline had told her about. "Are you alright?"

"I'm perfect. He's moving here."

"What did I miss? Just last week you were talking about staying single and doing this whole motherhood thing alone."

Caroline pondered her response, "I was staying single because no one measured up to him. He is my other half and I couldn't think of any other person to do this with," she reached down and stoked her stomach.

"Wow, that's a big move," Sophia went to pull out the samples for the day.

"It is. I'm worried how his children will take to the idea."

"Will his daughter seemed to worship the ground you walk on while at the baby shower."

"We shall see, this is all so new." Caroline didn't want to start to talk herself out of this idea of them being a family, so she turned the conversation back to what was on the agenda for the day.

Caroline poured herself into her job to distract herself from the anxiety of all the changes that were coming this year. She attended her doctors appointments and also saw her therapist a few times. She talked to Nik on the phone every few days. She had even face-timed with Lily a few times over the past few weeks.

It was now June and she was seeing Dr. Gerard. "Everything looks good," he reported as he pulled off his gloves and helped her sit up. "I'll have the nurse let you see the little guy. Would you like to do the 3D sonogram?"

She became very excited about being able to see his little face, "That would be amazing!" She wanted to ask him one other thing before he left the room, "I need to be cleared to fly again."

The doctor took a look at her chart and smiles, "How soon?"

"Two days."

"Cutting it kind of close aren't you Caroline?" he joked. "You can fly but I would make this your last trip before the baby is born."

A big weight was lifted off her shoulders. She could have sent Sophia to this trip but she really wanted to go. She had been invited to attend the London Men's Fashion Week and she wanted to surprise Nik with a visit.

She went home and started to pack, secured her tickets, and confirmed her hotel room in London for the days of the show.

Two days later she was sitting in first class on Virgin Airlines. She slept most of the flight, feeling exhausted from preparing for this show and working with Rebekah to set up the surprise visits to Nik.

She checked into the same hotel as her last trip to London. She met with buyers from other stores as she was the only buyer from Saks. The shows that she was attending were scheduled for Thursday through Monday. Caroline had planned to stay in the county until the following Thursday so that she could spend a few days with Nik.

Being on facetime with him was tricky because he noticed that she was not in her apartment. She had told him that she was traveling for work and hoped that he did not recognize the room at the Soho. He had just told her to be careful with traveling and that he loved her.

Nik lived in Oxford close to Elijah's estate. Caroline took the train out of London early Tuesday morning after getting a good night's sleep. She had her luggage with her because she planned to stay with Nik, but kept her hotel room just in case.

Just as she had done when she visited with Elijah, she took a cab to Nik's home. It wasn't as big and lavish as the other Mikaelson homes. It was made of brick and had two floors. Large windows were on every side of the home. The drive way was gravel and there was a beautiful rose garden in the middle of the circle drive.

She stated to wonder if she would have been happy here. She loved the bustle of the city, but there was something very magical about a English countryside home.

The cab driver helped her with her things and she asked that he wait a few minutes, just in case. She didn't know why she kept having escape plans for herself. Her whole being was truly his, but she still felt a need to protect her heart.

Walked up to the door she started to again second guess surprising him. "Suck it up buttercup," she said to herself as she pulled the chain next to the door. Bells sounded from within in the home.

The door swung open and a bouncy blonde greeted her, "Ms. Caroline, what are you doing here?"

"Uh…I'm here to surprise your dad. Is he home?" She didn't know why she stumbled over her words, but she had totally forgot about the fact that his children would be home.

Lily stepped back waving Caroline into the home, "Yep. He's with Candice."

A million thoughts ran through her head, trying to place the name with family, friends, or staff that Nik had told her about. She was drawing a blank. She heard the musical laughter come from the next room.

If it weren't for Lily, Caroline wasn't sure if she would have moved from that spot. But the girl took her hand and pulled her towards the voices. Caroline was scared of what she would see around the corner. So much so that she closed her eyes and relied on Lily to lead her.

Suddenly the voices stopped and then she heard him, "Caroline?"

Her eyes shot open with the sound of his voice. He was standing in the kitchen with a beautiful raven haired woman. She had the most piercing green eyes that Caroline had ever seen. She looked like someone who would walk the runways of the shows Caroline attended.

She dropped Lily's hand at seeing how close Nik and this woman were standing together. She was sure that her faced looked pained and she went to turn around and walk back out to the waiting cab.

Before she could get to the door, Caroline felt a warm hand wrap around her wrist. "Sweetheart, what are you doing here?"

Caroline turned around with tears forming in her eyes, "Surprise…" she said weakly.

"I thought you were on a trip for work?"

Caroline shrugged, still not being able to meet his eyes, "I am. Men's Fashion Week."

"Weird, I didn't even think that was a thing…" Nik mused to himself. "But what is better is that you are here." He bent down to kiss her forehead and she backed away.

"I can see you are busy…" she started to turn to the door again.

Nik looked confused before he turned his head towards the kitchen and then back to his love, "Caroline, she's my realtor."

"Realtor?"

"Yes, she is working on selling the house so that I can buy a place in New York…to you know…be with you?" He questioned the last part, seeing the way she was acting, wondering if that is still what she wanted.

Caroline put her face in her hands, "I'm so embarrassed," she muffled through her hands.

"Did you think…" Nik trailed off thinking the unthinkable.

"Well she is gorgeous and I'm a balloon!" Caroline looked down at herself, more tears came when she realized that she could no longer see her shoes.

Nik wrapped his arms around her. "But you are my balloon," he tired to lighten the mood but it just earned him an elbow in the gut.

Just then Candice rounded the corner. "I can come back at a better time Nik."

Caroline quickly rid her face of tears as Nik introduced her, "Candice, this is my…" he didn't know what to call her, they had never really discussed it.

"Girlfriend." Caroline finished, offering her hand in greeting.

"So you are the reason that I get to list Nik's home." Candice smiled and shook the blonde's hand.

"I guess I am."

"Well I'm not going to complain, it will be an easy commission for me," she winked at Caroline. "We already have some interest."

"Always so humble Candi," Nik laughed and he lead her out of the home. "I'll go over the papers and let you know which offer I like. Give my love to your mother."

Before Caroline could blink, Nik was on her. Her face was between his hands and he was kissing her. "Best surprise ever," he spoke against her lips.

I want to thank all of you for the wonderful support and reviews. I truly do miss writing, but I document all day for my job so it is hard to come home and write for fun. But you all have lit the spark again and I have been falling back in love with these stories.

Keep the love coming and I will write as much as I can. 3