In the last chapter, we have been presented a lot of difficult problems that have followed our favorite characters. Klaus and Hayley can't seem to find a balance in their relationship and work out their issues for the sake of Hope, while she can't help but feel like she is falling for him. What will she do in this part of the story? Will she find that balance or not? What will she have to do? ;)

After we have seen disturbance in the relationship between Camille and Finn, and some issues of trust and romance going on between Rebekah and Marcel, we are going to explore the evolution of Gia with Elijah as well as the evolution of Kol with Davina. Will they make it this Christmas?

December 17th

Klaus & Hayley

She may not have realized it but he had been thinking a lot about them. Sure, he was angrier than ever that she had this attitude towards him regarding Hope, but he was not going to forget who she was. He didn't want to make that mistake again. She was a very important person in the family. She was the mother of his child and a person that he dearly cared for. Hayley was after all, his little wolf. She was the one woman he needed in his life beside Rebekah. He needed her more than anything.

He growled as he thought about that day when he found out. It was out in the bayou. He was the reason why the wedding between her and Jackson was off. He had found a way to stop it for her own good. Hayley had no idea that Jackson had a plan of his own. He would have brought her down without mercy. Klaus shook his head as he remembered Jackson's last words before he had been exiled. "You really have no idea, do you? She slept with Elijah!" was Jackson's growl in anger. He had felt something heavily fall upon his heart at those words. He tried to push them out of his mind that night. Why would he care? But it has been a year since then. And things have changed more than they could have imagined. Things between him and his little wolf have changed.

"I can see that you are keeping yourself occupied eying my brother, little wolf." He whispered from behind me and startled me as I turned around to face him. "I was not looking at him." She bluntly stated and Klaus smirked as he slowly nodded his head, looking at her from head to toe. To him, she was the most breathtaking woman at the party tonight. He was throughout happy. New Orleans was his…Hope was back into his arms and his family was whole again. "Power, loyalty, family. Can you believe it, little wolf? I have succeeded." "Yes, you have." Hayley responded, smiling at him, her cheeks turning pink as his legs began to feel like jelly and would have collapsed right there.

Before she could say anything else, he was right there in front of her, pinning her to the wall and they had been sped away from the crowd so no one would see them. He gently kissed her lips and she ran her hands over his chest, over his tux as he wrapped his hands around her waist. She kissed him back as she felt the pleasure rise in her. What was going on with her? Why was she behaving this way? She shouldn't. Not with Klaus. Klaus was not any good for her. Elijah was…but they weren't the same. She felt everything that she felt for Elijah, had just disappeared in a couple of months. "I am glad we get to spend Christmas with her this year." Hayley whispered between kisses as Klaus finally released her.

They lay their foreheads on one another as they breathed in deeply. He frowned as she smiled. "What are you talking about?" "This year…our first Christmas with Hope." "It was last year, love. We had that bonfire. You…I remember it perfectly well." Hayley bit her lip and said nothing as she looked away. She wanted to tell Klaus the truth about her and Elijah, but she never felt like she could. Every bone in her bone was telling her that she should not tell him, and keep him guessing. She shouldn't let her guard down. Not even now. "Klaus…" He kissed her again before she could continue. She let her lips mold onto his for a minute before pulling away as she felt his hands massaging her thighs under her dress. "What are we doing?" she asked in a breathless tone. "I have no idea, love." He responded and grinned at her.

He was in the mood for something. He wanted to be with her in that moment, but she was not going to just sleep with him. No, she couldn't. He could feel her rejection and slowly put her down and took a step away from her. Hayley rubbed her hands together and whispered, "I have a proposition for you." He smiled at that and stepped over to her, caressing her cheek softly. "Which is?" "I want us to have a commitment." Hayley responded. "As in…a relationship?" "Yes. I have been thinking about Hope. She would really benefit from having her parents together. I was hoping that we can try…for her." Klaus nodded and said, "What if nothing works out? Can you imagine what a scandal that will create?" Hayley nodded and said, "But something might come out of this. You never know." He smiled. He was in a very good mood, otherwise, he would have never agreed to this…but he did…because he wanted her.

Klaus smirked, remembering that passionate night which revealed everything that he wanted from her. He wanted her to feel this restless because she couldn't live without him. He looked around the house. It was dead in the night and he has not seen Hayley all day. What was she doing? Where was she? He was about to go and look for her because he was worried of what might have happened to her. Hope was in her crib and she was smiling wildly, making all sorts of amazing sounds that were music to her father's ears. He wanted to hear more, but he also wanted Hayley to be home and enjoy this night with him. Where was she?

Rebekah passed by the living room and watched her brother stand there, lost in space with a glass of bourbon in his left hand. She sighed in anger and dropped her list on the floor. "You know, you are not going to make much progress with her if you are just going to stand here and soak yourself up in alcohol all day." He took another swig and whispered, "What are you talking about?" "You know that I am talking about her!" "I do not need any advice from you at the moment, little sister. Kindly leave." "Fine! I already have an idiot that I need to put some sense into his mind. I don't need another." Klaus smirked as he heard that. "Trouble in paradise? Is Marcel tired of your obsessions with a petty holiday already?" he asked, as if he didn't know. Rebekah looked at him for one moment and then slowly shook her head in exasperation. "Just don't mess this up. You are already sitting on edge when it comes to your relationship with her." Klaus growled and stood up.

"I do not know what you are referring to. But if you're interested in destroying someone's night please do…" Before he could finish the sentence, there was a wail that could be heard from upstairs. Klaus took a deep breath and whispered, "Are you going to get her or am I, seeing as Hayley is not here?" Rebekah shook her head in amazement and exclaimed, "You are her father! What do you think the answer should be? You really are surprising me as each day passes. How can you just ask that? If Hayley were here…" Klaus ran a hand through his hair. "I am not going to tolerate your attitude towards me any longer, little sister and I won't be tolerating Hayley's either." Rebekah remained silent as Hope continued to cry upstairs. "There is little time until Christmas Eve. I am going to put up the lights on the house. Go get Hope and don't bother me, seeing as I am doing Christmas by myself this year."

Without another sound, she was gone and he was left with a growl threatening to escape his mouth as he went upstairs. Hope had stopped crying completely once she saw her father there. What was he supposed to do now? It wasn't he who normally calmed her down when she was crying. "Hayley." He whispered without realizing what he was saying. He stayed there and frowned, looking out the window. He realized that he needed to stay there, at least until Hayley came back and he would question her actions. Rebekah could already be seen outside, with a couple of workers that she had found. They were putting up lights and all sorts of decorations all over the compound. What exactly could be her problem? Why did she have to be so restless, stressing others for a perfect Christmas? Out of the many that Klaus had, he realized that none of these had ever been perfect. Each one of them had problems: family feuds, among others.

Then, he saw a car pull up in the driveway. It was her car! She was home! He growled as he stepped away from the window and thought about how she was going to give him a hard time again for not looking out for Hope properly. He heard her open the door and walk inside. She didn't bother coming up to Hope's room, even though he knew that this was what she would normally do whenever she was gone way for a very long time. He felt himself going mad the minute he realized that she could have been out with someone else. There was some noise that could be heard in the kitchen. Klaus looked over at Hope and realized that she was once again asleep. He sighed as he walked out of the nursery and went downstairs to see her. He had been longing to, all day.

Hayley looked in the mirror and admired herself, feeling another blush creep on her cheeks as she realized how stupid this all must seem. It was Rebekah's idea and she had decided to go along with it now. It was terrifying her of what his impression of this would be. She never wanted to make him uncomfortable with their relationship. She wasn't pushing anything and neither was he. They were just letting things go with the flow. But today she did realize that she had been way too harsh on him. She really shouldn't have said all those things to him about his relationship with his daughter and she shouldn't have made him feel bad about himself. She wanted to do the opposite. And she wanted this Christmas to be more focused on her, him and Hope. The family within the family.

The door to the kitchen slightly opened and Klaus was standing there, bewildered. In front of him, stood his little wolf that he had missed. But she was standing in grace and beauty. A dress that fit her so perfectly, the color of blood red and she had on…a Santa Claus hat. Hayley blushed as she saw the look of confusion on his face. He stared at her from top to bottom, before bursting out laughing. He had never seen her this way. She was beyond amazing. She was glamorous and looked even better with the Santa Claus hat on her head. He chuckled and Hayley continued to blush. But she couldn't play it like that. She couldn't be shy this time. She put her hands on her hips and smirked at him. "Like what you see?" she asked him and he chuckled once more, nodding. "I sure do, sweetheart." Dinner was also on the table, roasted beef, just for them tonight.

Elijah & Gia

She had followed Marcel's advice and she had gone to see him the other day, but he was already gone. Gia stopped by at the compound to ask Rebekah, Klaus or anyone the other day if they had seen Elijah anywhere but they didn't. She hoped that she hadn't said anything to him that could affect their relationship. That was not her intention. She just wanted to make sure that he understood that she was not planning on spending Christmas with him. She didn't want for them to be friends?

Was this complicated? Was it selfish of her to be feeling this way? Yes and yes, it was, but there was nothing that she could do to stop this feeling plunging inside of her. He had training sessions with her. More than she could count and they have all been amazing. Gia had always thought that there was something about him that was still unexplored. He was her mentor and he would mentor her any day. But their personal relationship had become non-existent since the discovering that he and Hayley slept together. She felt like she was lost and she had no way to go. She had lost someone that she really trusted with her life. Gia never felt this way before. That is why she was afraid.

It was Christmas time and she would have done anything at this moment to get her husband back and spend Christmas with him. She was eagerly waiting for that moment when she could be granted her Christmas wishes. She could have needed her husband right now. He would have been someone who would have cared for her. He would never have let her go. He wouldn't have. Gia decided that she was going to go back at the compound and lend a hand to Rebekah, who was claiming that she was doing Christmas all by herself.

The compound was looking beautiful and you could just adore the smell of the holiday spirit that was going around. Rebekah smiled when she saw Gia and went over to hug her. "I am so glad you came! I need all the help I can get." Gia smiled a little and whispered, "I know what happened with Marcel." Rebekah's smile disappeared but Gia quickly intervened because she didn't want to upset her. "I know Marcel and he really felt bad about the fight between the two of you. I know that it is none of my business but I think that you should talk to him, Rebekah. You may have misunderstood." Rebekah sighed and grabbed some mistletoe and showed it to Gia. "Do you know what this is?" "Yes, of course. Mistletoe." "What do people do under it?" Gia blushed and whispered, "They kiss." "Exactly. Do you think that is going to happen to an unstable couple? I don't think so."

Before Gia could say something to calm Rebekah down, she could hear the same footsteps that always seemed to wake her senses. Elijah was walking towards them. Gia caught her breath and immediately looked away from him as he caught her eye. Rebekah started screeching. "Elijah, where the hell have you been?" Elijah smiled a little and whispered, "Out and about, Rebekah. I had to clear my head." "Well, I need you and Gia is the only one kind enough besides Hayley who has accepted to help me. Tonight, this whole compound will be decorated and we can finally have the lights and Christmas decorations crossed off the list." "Just one element? My dear sister, how can you sustain yourself after such hard work? There is so much that needs to be done." There was some mocking in Elijah's voice that Gia caught but Rebekah didn't.

They had no idea how they did it but Elijah and Gia suddenly found themselves distancing from the other men who were working on the decorations and especially from Rebekah. "Where have you really been?" Gia asked as she walked through the enchanting white snow. "I have been away on some business…" Elijah began and Gia stopped walking and she crossed her hands over her chest. "Just some businesses…without letting anyone know? I was worried. We all were." She insisted and Elijah couldn't help but smile at that comment. He did like to have her worried for him. It was making him feel wanted, appreciated and alive. Something he hadn't really felt for a very long time. "I was in Mystic Falls. My interest had been to visit some old friends who deserve my greetings." He wanted to explain. Gia rolled her eyes. "From what I know, you weren't really liked back there."

"What seems to be the problem?" Elijah suddenly asked and pulled on her arm, bringing her much closer to him than expected. Gia gulped as she couldn't help but look down at his lips before meeting his eyes once again. "You could have told me you were leaving." "Were you interested in obtaining my time?" "No. I just…I wanted to talk." Elijah let go of her arm and looked at her seriously. "I am free now, as you can see. What do you wish to talk to me about?" Gia looked away and started walking again. Elijah was left with bewilderment on his face again. He had not had this from her for a very long time. He didn't wish for her to be this upset at him. He didn't know what he should do to make her feel better.

"Training sessions." Gia snapped when Elijah pulled on her arm again. He was not going to let her go. "What are you talking about?" "We need more training sessions. I want and need more training sessions, Elijah. I feel like I am falling apart, especially with the holidays around the corner." Elijah frowned the moment she said that. "Are the holidays making you feel uneasy about yourself?" "Yes. They remind me of everything that went wrong this year, everything that I have lost…and how I will have to start fresh. I need to be stronger than ever for myself now. I am a vampire and my emotions are…well, I really could use your help." "You know I would be more than happy to assist you." Gia smiled at him for a small moment before whispering, "Have a nice night." And walking away.

Kol & Davina

As it turns out, this girl's name was not Princess at all the way Kol had lied to Klaus and Davina. The girl was a well-known girl around New Orleans. Charlene was her name and she was absolutely gorgeous with huge round boobs and flowing blonde hair. Kol just loved to feed on her anytime he wished to. It was making the baby visits for Davina more and more difficult for her. She did turn up once in a while to visit Hope when Rebekah and Hayley couldn't watch her. But this time, it was different. While everyone was at the compound, Davina was sitting at the bar and looking at the way Kol had reserved a table for him and for that Charlene girl.

Davina scoffed and turned around to her drink. She was seventeen. She knew that she wasn't of age yet and she wasn't allowed to drink but what the hell? They were all supernatural. Nobody cared anymore. Not even her mentor, Marcel. Speaking of which, he saw her looking moody and went over to her. "Hey, little D. What's troubling you on this fine night?" Marcel asked her. "Shouldn't you be at the compound helping Rebekah decorate? I heard that she is pissed at you for ignoring her wishes." Davina replied without looking at him. Marcel grabbed himself a drink too.

"Rebekah and I are at odds right now. I know what she would have wanted from me and I'm sorry that I wasn't able to offer it in time. Now, I just feel like I am too late." "Why would you be too late?" "It's complicated. You will understand better later on. Now, it's just…" His eyes wandered over to the table where Kol had Charlene sitting, and he looked like he was kissing her neck. "Don't." Davina snapped and Marcel stared back at her. "What is he doing?" he asked, outraged. "He is trying to prove that he is all macho and stuff and that he can do whatever the hell he wants." "Are things that different between the two of you now that he has his old body back?"

"He is a vampire. Not just any vampire. He is the Original Vampire. He doesn't really care about how that makes me feel. He just wants to feel good for himself." "Maybe it's something that you should understand." Davina looked at him strangely. "What do you mean?" "Look, D. Kol may probably be the least favorite Mikaelson brother for me out there but…it's his life. He has been waiting to be a vampire for so long. Now, he had been given the opportunity and he is. Finn is not…for whatever reason." "He is no longer the Kaleb I knew. It's like the body changed him. I didn't think it was going to happen because he was always so nice to me and sweet and…I fell for him."

Marcel frowned. "He knows that and he is still willing to put you through despair? That just doesn't seem fair. And if he doesn't stop hurting you, he will end up on the other side of the planet." "No, please, Marcel, don't do anything. I don't want you to hurt him." Kol had interrupted his make-out session with Charlene the moment he heard Davina say that. He saw her now and saw how broken she felt. He growled as he hated the feeling in his heart for making her suffer, but it was what he wanted to do right now. And he wasn't going to stop for anyone.

Klaus & Hayley

Klaus smirked as he sat down at the table and enjoyed his meal. He was looking at her from time to time as she did the same. There was no doubt about what she wanted tonight. She was searching for forgiveness in his eyes and he damn well that. It didn't hurt to ask, though. "What is the special occasion, little wolf? Is there something that you would like to say to me?" he asked her. Hayley looked up at him as she was eating and smirked too, lightly shaking her head. "Fine, since you have it all figured out…I wanted to apologize to you for the way I snapped at you these past few days. What you did in front of Hope was still wrong, but I shouldn't have done this. I shouldn't have said something like that to you. You are her father and I know that you are a very good father to her. I should just…keep my mouth shut." Klaus set down the fork and whispered, "No. That is not what I want from you, Hayley. I want to hear you…your opinion. That is why I should be the one apologizing."

"Are you sure about that?" Hayley asked as she stood up from the table and took the dishes to the kitchen sink as soon as they were both done eating. "I am more than sure, love. I have been acting inappropriately to two of the most important people in my life and I should be saying that…I am sorry." Hayley smiled at him as she placed the dishes in the sink. "I am glad that you feel that way." Klaus continued smiling as he stepped over to her and deliberately brushed a finger over her soft skin, making her shiver at once. She stepped back but looked deep into his eyes and didn't say anything. They were letting their eyes do all the talking.

"You didn't have to dress so much for this, love." Klaus whispered seductively as he started caressing her back as her hands touched his soft chest. Hayley didn't say anything as she continued to look at him in the eyes and the next second, she bent over and kissed him softly on the lips. He kissed her back with the same passion as he had that night a few days ago. Reaching up inside of the dress, Klaus managed to take it off of her, dropping it on the floor but he chuckled as he decided to keep her Santa Claus hat on her head. She smiled too, making him feel warm inside as he connected his lips to hers once more. He moved down her jawline and to her neck, sucking deeply on her skin and making her moan out his name in pleasure.

The night was still young and there were many people making crashing sounds outside with Rebekah and the decorations. Hope was fast asleep in the nursery and the two hybrids didn't give a damn about anything else any longer. Klaus slowly laid her down on the bed and kissed on her thighs, pulling down her black undergarments and her bra, leaving her completely exposed to him, as that seductive and yet sweet smile, never left her face. He went back down and kissed her neck softly, as she was pulling off the rest of his clothes, leaving him in absolutely nothing. He covered both of them with the blanket and lived a very long and blissful night together. One they will surely remember.

A/N: Next chapter will have the aftermath of the Klayley make-up and what they will think of their little get together in the morning. We will be getting back to Camille with Finn and Marcel with Rebekah in the next chapter. Thank you for reading and please leave me a review!