Hello, my lovely readers. This is dedicated to Liz Garza. I hope I did your ideas justice. I hope you enjoy this chapter. And if you haven't, please check out The New Old Fashioned Way, my TVD/TO crossover event to get us part of the way through the joint hiatus.
Chapter 13: Caroline's Birthday
The gang was gathered in the Mikaelson kitchen decorating the house in preparation for Caroline's birthday. Klaus had summoned them to the house to begin the half a day process of making it just right for the little girl's big day. "Someone remind me why I'm doing this?" Katherine Pierce asked as she decorated her own plate with a beach motif and began to draw a picture of Leonardo DiCaprio.
"You are here because you implied my mother is insane and Lijah has been giving you the silent treatment for the last three months," I told her without looking up from my intense efforts to create the perfect version of a unicorn for my little princess.
Having thrown fifteen failed efforts into the trash can beside me, I groaned in frustration as I threw this new effort in the trash. Damon grabbed it and stared at it. "What's so wrong with this one, Nik?"
I rolled my eyes. "It's not my best effort." Picking up another paper plate, I began, again.
"I can't believe Elijah stopped talking to me about such a stupid thing. He knows that I say things I don't mean when I'm angry." Katherine pouted as she pushed her plate away.
Damon grabbed Katherine's plate. "Here, Nik, make Katherine's. That way you can make a really sucky one before you do Care's."
Katherine glared at Damon. "I hate you." She told the younger child.
"Yeah, like I care," Damon snapped. "You've got cooties."
Blushing, Katherine scoffed. "You're never going to get a girlfriend because you'll always be a little kid with bad manners, Damon."
"Yes, he will," Elena protested as she handed Damon's plate to him. He looked impressed with her version of an evil vampire. He was kind of obsessed with vampires, and werewolves back then. To be honest, we all were. It must have been a generation thing. But it never seemed to stop.
Stepping away from the table, I decided to go check outside to check on how the other preparations were going. In the backyard Elijah and Alaric were moving cacti around. There were large paper flowers hanging from poles. I was thrilled to see the band setting up. There were several picnic tables. My mother was setting out drinks with little moustache straws in them. Inside the cups were virgin Pina Coladas.
My father came out with a tray of tacos and my stomach growled. Mason came out with the piñata, he, Andie and Jenna had made. It was rather nice for amateurs. I grinned to myself. Nothing could go wrong today.
"Cool. Something to hit," Kol yelled as he chased the older kids with the papier-mâché donkey shaped object stuffed with candy. I grabbed a handful of the collar of his shirt, jerking him backward.
"If you so much as breathe on that piñata, Kol, I swear I will lock you in the basement with the monster," I hissed into his ear. The monster was actually the washer that my parents kept in the basement.
Kol turned to me, pouting but his eyes were full of fear. "You wouldn't do that, Nik. You know he wants to eat me up." His voice began to quiver as he looked up at me.
I smiled down at him, laying a hand on his shoulder. "Of course, I won't, brother, just as long as you behave. You see, this is very important to Caroline. That means it's important to me. So, if you can do me the favor of behaving for this one day I will not lock you in there. And I will make you your own personal piñata to look like Bekah and you beat it to bits."
"Cool," Kol exclaimed, resuming his cheerful demeanor. He set off to snatch a taco off the tray and a piece of chalk.
"Kol, stay out of the driveway, darling," our mother called to him with a look of dismay as the boy ignored her.
"I've got him, Mother," I called to her. Seeing her look of relief and brief smile made me happy. Someone bumped into my leg. "Get me a taco, Nik." Bekah begged as she wrapped an arm around my leg. I walked over to the table dragging her along the way as Damon came running out followed by Elena.
"Come on, kid. Give me space." Damon begged Elena as she chased him. "Can't you go play with Matt or Stef?"
"No!" Elena declared.
"She's here," Jenna yelled as she and the others came running out. I grabbed my sombrero off the table and waited for Caroline to come into the backyard. When she appeared she had Bonnie on her left and Stefan on her right. It seemed appropriate that she would have an entourage.
"Care!" I called, trying to keep my cool. But I lost it swiftly as Caroline broke away from her other friends and came running to fling herself into my arms. "Happy birthday, love." I told her as I kissed her on the cheek.
"This is so great." she said as she applauded the decorations. Walking over to the flowers, she tried to reach one but she couldn't. I plucked the paper flower and gave it to her. "It's not real? But it looks like it is." She whispered in awe.
"I made them for you," I told her proudly.
"Really?" Caroline's eyes shone brightly as she stared around her. "They're so pretty. What else did you make for me?"
I grinned at her. "Lots of stuff."
"Did you make that?" Caroline pointed at the piñata. I shook my head no. "Good, because it's kind of lopsided." She eyed the piñata before looking around. "Everything else is perfect."
"Mother, Kol was in the driveway," Finn called as he carried a kicking Kol over his shoulder with Sage at his side.
"Was not!" Kol yelled as he tried to break free.
"Kol, stop it," my father yelled as he took Kol from Finn. "If you don't I will make you stay in your room for the rest of the day." Kol calmed down at our father's words.
"Oh, tacos." Damon exclaimed as he headed over to the tray. I took Caroline's hand and we headed over to collect our lunch. After collecting our tacos, we decided to sit on the lawn in a circle.
"Can we hit the piñata after eating?" Kol asked, Caroline hopefully.
Caroline thought about it. "I want to get married."
"What?" I choked on my taco. Caroline pointed at the little stand that Elijah and Mason were constructing in the corner. "Oh," I swallowed my food, feeling relieved. I loved Caroline. But we were a little young to be getting married.
"Klaus and Caroline sittin' in a tree…" Andie began in a teasing tone as she looked at us.
"They are so cute." Jenna whispered to Alaric, who grinned.
"Barf," Damon exclaimed.
"I want to get married, too." Elena called.
Damon smirked at her. "She's all yours, Stef. Take her away."
Stefan's eyebrows shot up. "But she's a girl."
Damon rolled his eyes. "Matt… Tyler... Elijah? Anyone but me? Please. Hey, Kol want to get hitched to the little Gilbert girl?"
"No!" Kol yelled, running away.
"How about Jeremy?" Damon questioned the little boy who had poured the contents of his taco out and was attempting to make some kind of art work.
"Come on, Damon. It'll be fun. I dare you to marry Elena." Katherine called.
"I dare you to marry Stefan." Damon snapped at her.
Stefan glared at his older brother. "You suck, Damon."
"Yeah. Yeah. Let's just get this over with." Damon snapped.
"I dare you to marry Tyler." Stefan told Matt who began to laugh.
Tyler shook his head. "We'll be together forever, Matty."
"I dare Sage to marry me." Finn proclaimed looking at his beloved, who grinned.
"I dare you to make out with Jenna." Damon told Katherine who glared at him.
"You already dared me." Katherine snapped at him.
"Too bad," Damon retorted. "You had it coming."
"I dare you to marry 'Lena when you're eighteen," Katherine yelled, her cheeks glowing red and her voice loud.
"What? But I'll be a grown up." Damon yelled back.
"You had it coming." Katherine yelled back at him.
"Stop it!" Caroline yelled over them. She stomped her foot and gave them a death glare which made me proud. "This is my birthday and my wedding. Now, shut up or get out." Grabbing my hand, she marched over toward the stand and placed me where she wanted me. Walking back a couple of feet she called. "Elena. Bonnie. Elijah plucked some more paper flowers and handed them to the girls before hurrying to stand beside me.
Bonnie walked forward like she saw big girls on TV do at weddings. Stepping off to the side she grinned as Elena did the same. Caroline marched forward with a grin when Damon appeared by her side. "Someone has to give the bride away." He declared. Taking Caroline's arm he walked forward beside her.
When Caroline was standing beside me, we climbed on top of the stand. "We are gathered here today to witness the union of Caroline Forbes and my little brother, Nik Mikaelson getting married in our parents' backyard." Elijah stated with a wide grin as Andie sobbed.
"I always cry at weddings." Andie told us as Jenna gave her a tissue. Katherine pulled out a camera and took pictures as I kissed Caroline on the cheek and everyone clapped. That was just the preview of our epic wedding. However, I will never forget the first time we walked down the aisle. That was when I realized that Caroline and I would never be apart. She really did care for me. It wasn't just a kiddy crush thing. It made me feel whole.
Katherine and Elijah had to pick Damon up. They placed him on the stand next to Elena. "I don't want to marry her." Damon wailed. I don't like girls."
"Do you like boys?" Elena asked, looking at him sadly.
"No." Damon shook his head. "I just… I don't know… I…" He sat down on the stand, his feet on the ground, as Elena sat down next to him.
"I'll still be your friend even if you don't like me." Elena said quietly taking Damon's hand as I felt Caroline leaning into my side. Her lower lip was wobbling as she watched the other two.
I was worried that things were going to fall apart. They had been going so well. "Just marry the girl and let the other take the stand." I called to Damon who nodded. He stood up halfheartedly beside Elena. "Oh, and I dare you to kiss the missus." I yelled at my best friend whose jaw dropped.
Caroline grinned up at me and kissed me on the cheek. Squeezing my hand tightly, she watched in eager anticipation as Damon leaned down to kiss Elena on the cheek but then seemed to change his mind as his lips pressed to hers for a brief moment. When he pulled back he seemed to be thinking quite hard about something. "You taste like strawberries." He announced and we laughed.
Caroline began to giggle as Elena ran over to us. She hugged me and then Caroline. "That was so cool. My first kiss." She and Caroline began to jump up and down as Sage and Finn took the stand. Caroline watched the two with a look of awe.
"They love each other," Caroline whispered to me as Finn kissed Sage like none of the rest of us were there until Elijah told them to cool it.
"Next up… Stefan and Katherine." Katherine sneered at Damon as she took the stand with the younger Salvatore. She had to lift her groom up to get him on the stage.
Elijah tried to not laugh as he announced Kat and Stef bride and groom for the day. "I'm going to kill you in your sleep." Katherine threatened Damon who smirked at her holding Elena's hand. "Or maybe I'll kill Elena instead."
"She's your sister." Damon snapped placing an arm around Elena's shoulders with a look of anger on his face.
"So? I still have Jer." Katherine looked over at Jeremy who were making grass angels with Kol. This consisted of the two boys flinging their arms and legs up and down creating grass stains which their mothers would yell about.
"Kol, stop that," I yelled at him.
"No," Kol yelled.
"I'll let you hit the piñata." Caroline told him and Kol jumped to his feet followed by Jeremy.
After everyone was pronounced husband and wife, or in Ty's and Matt's cases husband and husband we went over to piñata. Kol hit it first with no luck. Jeremy went after. Damon was pissed when he couldn't open it but he gave the stick to Caroline.
As Caroline spun I walked up behind her and placed my hands over hers, spinning with her. When we stopped we were both dizzy and nearly fell over. Finally moving toward the piñata I combined my strength with Caroline's and hit the donkey with as much strength as we had. Candy went flying everywhere
Kol and Jeremy began to grab fistfuls before running off together to compare and share their hoard. I shook my head as Caroline picked up a crown which was inside the piñata. I sucked in a deep breath. Making the crown with tin foil, glitter and fake jewels had taken the better part of a week. I knew it did not compare to the real thing but I wanted her to like it.
Caroline held it in her hands as if it were made of glass. She examined it from several different angles before she held it out to me. Lowering her head she waited for me to place it on her head. "May I announce the presence of Princess Caroline of Mystic Falls." I announced to the others. They laughed and cheered.
We walked back over to the table where my mother placed a cake in the shape of a cactus. I helped Caroline kneel in front of the pink frosted cake and pulled her hair back so she could blow out the six candles. "Make a wish, Caroline." I whispered into her ear.
"But I already have everything I want," Caroline replied looking me in the eye.
"Than wish for forever." I told her as she leant over and blew out a deep breath.
And I truly believe she got her wish as I sit back in my bed and look at my beloved. Her skin is porcelain. The beauty of her childhood never diminished but blossomed into elegance of eternal youth.
Caroline's eyelids flicker open and she looks at me not with the experience of a grown woman but with the innocence of the little girl on her birthday. "I will be yours, always and forever, Nik," she whispers to me as she takes my hand and I smile and kiss the cool skin. She reaches down into her purse and pulls out the crown.
"Look what I found in the attic." Caroline tells me as she pulls out the crown and places it atop her head. It's a bit too small for her adult sized cranium but I adore the way she models the childhood gift.
"Happy birthday, twenty-sixth birthday, love." I whisper as she leans down to kiss me on the lips.
"Get some sleep, Nik." Caroline says resting her forehead against mine. She picks the laptop up and places it in her lap. "You can continue writing tomorrow."
"Yes, wife," I reply closing my eyes. To be quite honest I was quite tired. Going to sleep I dreamt of dancing the salsa with my six year old companion and smiled to myself.
Thank you for reading, faving, following, and reviewing. I will thank people properly on Thursday because today I am about to go sleep. Elijah's birthday is next. Does anyone have a request for anyone who wasn't covered other than Klaus, whose birthday will be covered in chapter twenty?
Love,
LL