Now the reveals have been made here is my Winter Wonderland Gift Exchange Drabble for polkadot-tigers
The Prince and Me
Caroline Forbes has known Prince Niklaus Mikaelson since she pushed him into the sandpit when they were five. After a particularly drunken night at a wedding they make a pact that if they aren't with anyone in five years they will meet at the top of the Empire State Building on Christmas Eve.
Present Day (age 30)
"That's it, I'm calling off Christmas this year," Caroline growled.
"You can't just call off Christmas," Katherine responded, rolling her eyes as she did it. "I think that's a call only Santa Klaus himself can make."
"I've been nice enough this year so surely he could grant me this one, little wish?" With only five days until Christmas, the girls were doing some last minute shopping. Well, Katherine was and Caroline was just following her around complaining.
The girls had become best friends during their sorority days at Kappa Kappa Gamma at Yale University and had been pretty much inseparable since, both moving to Boston after graduation to follow their chosen careers. Caroline was practicing law at Burns & Levinson and Katherine was an architect at Jacobs International.
"Look, I know you think Christmas isn't going to pan out like you'd hoped but there's still four days for Kl..."
"Don't mention his name," she shot back. That particular subject an extremely touchy one. "Plus, that's not why I'm anti Christmas."
"Oh really? Then why are you resembling the Grinch this year in particular?"
"A girl's got a right not to be in the Christmas spirit, Kat. I mean Jesse and I just broke up, I need time to process everything."
"Process what exactly? You dated for like five seconds, if you could even call it that," Katherine snorted.
"It was three months," she growled. "Anyway, it doesn't matter because in six days' time, it will all be a distant memory and I think working through the holidays is the perfect remedy to get through all that unnecessary yuletide cheer."
"While that sounds absolutely stimulating, Care, I thought you were going to spend Christmas with my family this year in New York."
Caroline's parents were living in Malaysia because her father was currently stationed at the Butterworth Airforce Base and she figured it was a little too far to venture to celebrate a holiday she wasn't really in the mood for.
"I'd prefer to be as far away from New York as possible on Christmas," she muttered, noting Katherine's raised eyebrows as she said it. "You know because of all the crowds."
"We both know why you want to stay away and it has nothing to do with crowds," she scoffed, taking a seat on a nearby bench on Newberry Street and patting the space beside her for Caroline to take. "I'm so sick of skirting around the elephant in the room, why are you so convinced that he won't show?" Caroline sat down defeatedly, all the fears that she'd tried to ignore bubbling back to the surface.
"He's with her now and even if he wasn't I'm never going to be the one, Kat."
"What happened to my confident best friend?"
"She turned thirty and began to question her complete and utter lack of a love life. I mean even you have one, even if it is a string of one-night stands and flings."
"Which is exactly the way I like it, Forbes," she muttered. It was one thing to talk about her love life but yet another to delve into Katherine's history. Caroline really never understood Katherine's aversion to relationships but she figured it had something to do with not meeting the right guy yet. Unfortunately for Caroline, she'd met Mr Right at age five but he was probably one of the most unobtainable bachelors in the world. Life certainly was a bitch. "Anyway, coming back to your dilemma, it's because no one has ever been good enough for you Forbes, well except Kl..."
"I thought we agreed not to mention his name?"
"Not mentioning him doesn't mean it isn't any less true," she murmured. "You two have been friends forever, I think it's understandable to be apprehensive about Christmas Eve and what it may or may not bring."
"It's not going to bring anything, Kat," she insisted. "That silly pact we made five years ago means nothing. I think we all know how emotional weddings can be, especially when you're single and drunk. I'm pretty sure he's forgotten all about it and that's the way it's going to stay."
"Yet, it has been five years since then and your current Scrooge-like mood is telling me otherwise," she groaned. "Don't you want to go up the Empire State Building and find out for sure?"
"No, because there's no point," she replied simply. "He's with Hayley now and according to media reports he's planning to pop the question during some skiing holiday in Austria over Christmas. They are all practically salivating over a proposed June wedding."
"Since when do you believe everything the media reports?"
"When I'm curious about his holiday plans because I haven't spoken to him recently."
"And whose fault is that?"
"It's easier this way."
"Yes, so easy you have to spy on him through the media. We both know they embellish absolutely everything, I mean have you seen those photos of them together?"
"I try to avoid all of the gossip magazines as much as possible," she drawled, knowing that wasn't true given her previous comment. It didn't help when something would slip through the barrier she'd created, like the talk of an upcoming Summer wedding. Hayley Marshall was the doe-eyed daughter of a Texan oil billionaire and her pedigree and status well suited to the possible future King of England, hence the national press likening it to a match made in heaven. They were dizzy with the prospect of a future American Princess and nothing could contain their excitement or speculation.
"They all seem so contrived if you ask me," she commented. "She's all over him but he seems indifferent." Caroline had noticed it too, if anyone knew Klaus Mikaelsons' expressions it was her, but she'd decided it didn't matter anyway. Obviously he'd chosen to entertain a relationship with Hayley for whatever reason and it was best she tried to move on for good.
"Well, that's his business," she mumbled.
"No, it isn't," she argued. "I've seen the two of you together, I've seen the way his face lights up when he sees you and the first thing he does is give you the biggest hug like no one else is in the room. He even calls you princess as a nickname for heaven's sake. It's meant to be." Caroline felt a lump form in her throat and had to fight back tears that image was so clear in her mind. Not that she'd seen him in about six months now, she'd chosen to keep her distance because it was all too difficult.
"Yes, because we're friends and nothing else."
"But Hayley Marshall is more wicked stepsister material, you're like the princess with the golden hair in all of the fairytales."
"Well, not everyone is meant to live happily ever after. Come on, let's get this shopping over and done with, Pierce." Her heart wasn't in it, that much Caroline knew and she couldn't help but think back to how she first met Klaus all those years ago.
Caroline could still remember the memories as clear as day, even if she had only been five. Her father was in the Airforce and she travelled a lot as a child, his longest stint was at HQ Flight Command in Buckinghamshire where he was based for thirteen years before she headed back to the US for college.
Twenty-Five Years Ago (age 5)
"I was playing here first," Caroline insisted, her blonde pigtails bobbing up and down angrily. Everyone knew that the sandpit was her favourite thing in the playground and that every recess break she built her most favourite thing in the world, a castle. She'd gone to get her shells to make her finishing touches to the turrets when he turned up with his entourage of followers.
"Well, I don't care," the spoilt, English kid replied as the other boys stood around him nodding their heads in agreement. That spoilt, English boy just happened to be Niklaus Mikaelson, Prince of England and third in line to the British throne and didn't he know it. "We're using the sandpit now."
"I'm going to tell the teacher on you," she warned. Ever since the little prince had arrived at her school in London he'd been teasing her mercilessly. Being royalty obviously meant Niklaus thought he could get away with anything. While others cowered to him because of his title Caroline was never one to back down.
"I'm so scared," he joked. "You know the first thing I'm going to do is get rid of this ugly castle, right?"
"You wouldn't dare," Caroline huffed. This guy probably had a million castles to choose from so why couldn't he just leave hers alone? His crimson lips turned into a mocking smile and Caroline knew daring him probably wasn't the smartest thing to do. Within an instant, her once pretty castle (one of her best yet she'd thought) was just a pile of sand. She looked at him angrily willing herself not to cry as his little followers laughed and patted him on the back.
"Looks like I just did," he grinned. That was the final straw, no one did that to Caroline Forbes and got away with it, even if they were royalty. She stepped forward catching him off guard and pushed him into the sandpit on top of the ruins of her castle he'd ruined so callously. He was rolling around now, coughing and spluttering. Caroline had never felt more proud, until the teacher made them both stay after school but she figured it was worth it just to see him covered in sand. He may of been a prince but she didn't give a damn who Klaus Mikaelson was.
Twenty Years Ago (age 10)
"But why do I have to be paired with him of all people?" Caroline protested. Her science teacher Miss James didn't seem swayed by her arguments about why she shouldn't do an assignment with Klaus. Half the girls in grade six were currently staring on with equal parts of disbelief and jealousy at her blatant refusal. Apparently having the title of prince in front of your name meant that the girls all worshipped you, but not her. Caroline would rather eat worms.
They'd been sworn enemies ever since he'd destroyed her castle and she'd pushed him into the sandpit five years earlier. If there was one thing they both had in common it was their stubborn ability to hold a grudge. They'd both made it their main aim in life to antagonise each other and their friends all waited with interest to see what prank they'd pull on each other next. The spiders he'd put in her school bag the other day had left her shaken but she was determined to get even, no matter what it took.
"Those are the pairings Caroline, end of discussion," she warned. No doubt Miss James had some misguided hope that pairing them together would end all of the animosity. Fat chance. She was already trying to come up with her next scheme.
"Yes, end of discussion, Caroline," Klaus sing-songed in her ear teasingly, earning an elbow in the ribs for his efforts. "Ouch, that's not the way a well behaved lady should act."
"I'm not like anyone you know and I'd like to keep it that way, Mikaelson."
"It's Prince Mikaelson to you."
"I'd prefer to keep the name calling to idiot," she growled. "Now, about this stupid project."
If it were something quick and easy that would require minimal team participation, Caroline wouldn't have minded but given it was over the spring break it required some out of school work. Klaus was a border as was customary with most kids but during the holidays he returned home to Kensington Palace.
Even though Caroline knew he was a prince there wasn't much she knew about his royal life other than what she saw portrayed in the media. He always seemed so well behaved at special occasions, nothing like the boy she knew from school. Her parents had informed Caroline that she was going into London to work on their project together, she'd refused initially but her father had told her in no uncertain terms you didn't turn down a royal invitation.
Kensington Palace was even more beautiful than it looked on television, stately on the outside and opulent on the inside with its high ceilings and plush furnishings. She stared around wide eyed at its grandeur. She was met by the Princess of Wales and some of the house staff. Esther Mikaelson was even more stunning in real life as she chatted with her mother politely. Caroline was pretty certain her mother was even more star struck than her.
Klaus just stood there quietly, not talking and sneaking a few sideways glances in her direction. Caroline had never known him to be so quiet and reserved before. They were shown into the manicured gardens, sitting at an old fashioned white table and chairs. To say she was distracted from the project was an understatement. Klaus, it seemed, was as well but obviously for different reasons.
"So, what do you think about if we do it like this?" She asked, pointing to the paper in front of them. Klaus didn't respond immediately, his gaze directed on the house and nearby nanny who was pretending to read but obviously keeping a close eye on them. "Klaus?"
"Oh yeah, that's good," he replied dismissively.
"Well, if you're not going to take this seriously."
"I am," he shot back, eyeing his nanny once again. Obviously something was going on but Caroline wasn't quite sure what. Where was the precocious, know-it-all she knew so well from school. "It's fine." Caroline shrugged her shoulders, busying herself with their project. If he wasn't going to contribute she might as well get it done herself.
It was only when his nanny left to get some lemonade for them that Klaus finally relaxed. He even told her she drew like a girl, Caroline decided to take that as a compliment. "So, what's with the weird mood?"
"What weird mood?"
"You're all quiet and not your usual charming self," she teased. "Is that only a show for the other boys at school?"
"It's not a show," he replied, defensively. "Miss James told my parents about my behaviour in class and let's just say they like me to act a certain way and that isn't it."
"You got in trouble?"
"Sort of, it apparently doesn't look good publicly when the Prince of England is acting out at school," he mumbled. "They thought I should invite you over so we could try and be friends."
"So we wouldn't play tricks on each other anymore?"
"Something like that." Caroline knew he was royalty but never understood the public pressure involved with being part of such a well-known family, especially since he was only ten years-old. "I probably don't have the right to ask but do you think we could call a truce at school?"
"If this is another trick," she warned.
"I wish it was," he joked, earning a dirty look from her. "You should have seen your face when you found those spiders in your bag."
"Or when I pushed you into that sandpit," she shot back. "If you even think about doing anything Mikaelson, I will kill you and that's a promise."
"I wouldn't say that too loud, Forbes, given my security detail are just around that corner," he chuckled making Caroline whack him on the chest, only partly scared about what they might do if they caught her assaulting the third in line to the British throne.
Fifteen Years Ago (age 15)
Guys sucked. That's the last time Caroline trusted another male. She'd spent so much time getting ready for the stupid school formal and now she didn't have a date. Apparently he was sick but Caroline had her suspicions that Tyler had found someone better to take like Olivia with the big chest. She couldn't help it if her breasts hadn't quite grown to the size she wanted.
After his call earlier that day, Caroline had immediately insisted that she wasn't going to the formal without a date. She'd planned on staying home and watching the horror film 'Carrie' instead but apparently her mother thought otherwise, especially given the exorbitant amount she reminded her that she'd spent on her dress. It was a beautiful cornflower shade of blue that matched her eyes and it did seem like a waste not to wear it, especially given her hair was already styled in a chic, low bun with curly tendrils framing her face.
When her mother dropped her off, the nerves she'd felt swirling in her stomach had returned and she stopped short of the school hall where it was being held. She sat on a nearby bench trying to muster up the courage to walk in alone. It didn't matter, right? Surely there were others going alone too, not that she knew of anyone in her circle of friends.
"The school hall is that way, love," a familiar voice murmured in the darkness, scaring her slightly. She turned to where he was noticing a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth.
"I told you not to call me that, Mikaelson, I'm not one of your pathetic groupies," she scowled. Although they'd declared a truce five years earlier it didn't mean they were friends, far from it actually. Even with those family pressures she knew about first hand, he was still the annoying guy who would tease her. "And didn't you hear? Smoking is bad for you."
"Always nagging me, Forbes."
"Well, someone needs to given the idiotic things you do to try and rebel," she muttered.
"Hey, I'm not trying anything, I happen to like nicotine," he argued. "So, what exactly are you doing here all alone?"
"That's none of your business," she snapped. The last person she wanted to know about her dateless situation was Klaus Mikaelson. "And don't you have some girls to go and harass?"
"You've got that the wrong way around, they are harassing me. So much so that I decided it was better to come alone."
"Oh you poor baby," she cooed, sarcastically. "It must be such a hard life being you." Caroline probably wasn't doing a very good job of hiding her bitterness. It was no secret that every girl had asked him to the formal and she couldn't even keep one date.
"It is actually," he admitted. "It would be nice for someone to like me for being me and not for being a prince for once." Caroline was shocked by his sudden admission, she figured he loved being a prince and all the female attention that went with it.
"Well, if it's any consolation I don't like you for being a prince or for being yourself," she shot back.
"I can always count on you for a reality check," he chuckled. "So, you didn't answer my question before, where is that idiotic, American, brunette partner of yours who has the intelligence of a gnat?"
"Watch what you're saying about Americans, mister," she chided, her patriotic side coming through. "Although, it sure sounds like someone has been keeping an eye on me," she murmured, not even bothering to address his comments about Tyler's intelligence because he probably was correct.
"What can I say, I was bored," he replied lazily, while stubbing out his cigarette. "Okay, if you're not going to say it, I did happen to see Tyler arrive with Liv earlier and was tossing up whether he stood you up or you came to your senses and dumped his ass."
"Why this sudden interest in my love life?"
"I told you, boredom. You realise I'm not going to give up until you tell me what happened, right?" He asked, taking the seat next to her just as Caroline caught a whiff of his spicy aftershave making her slightly dizzy. His eyes seemed bluer tonight, his lips more pronounced and crimson and she caught the beginnings of a dimple in his left cheek, what was happening to her? Did she actually find him attractive? She decided to blame it on the bewitching aftershave, well that and the way he looked in a tuxedo, even if his bow tie was hanging loosely around his collar.
"What? So you can tease me again because quite frankly I'm not in the mood, Klaus."
"No I'm not going to tease you, I'm just trying to work out whether I need to beat Tyler up or not." Caroline had to admit this over protective side of him was kind of attractive. She shook her head, what the hell was she thinking?
"He stood me up and if you did want to beat him up I wouldn't stop you," she replied, gruffly. "Although given your school record I'd advise against it, not sure your parents would appreciate the unwanted press."
"Always looking out for me, aren't you?" He smiled, knowingly. "Anyone would think you liked me or something."
"Don't push it," she drawled.
"You know, you scrub up pretty good, Forbes," he said, his eyes roaming over her outfit.
"When they wrote the character of Prince Charming they sure as hell weren't talking about you, Mikaelson."
"You're right, I guess I could have worded that a little better. You look quite pretty this evening, love," he said admiringly, his eyes flickering over her dress causing a few foreign shivers to course through her body.
"Well, that's better," Caroline scoffed, trying to hide the mixture of emotions that had suddenly overcome her.
"So, how about a date?"
"Excuse me?"
"To the formal."
"With you?"
"Don't sound so excited," he drawled. "I know I'm not your first choice but I thought if anything it might annoy Lockwood."
"And your hordes of adoring fans," she muttered, knowing all too well how possessive the girls at school could be when it came to him.
"I'm game if you are?" He offered. "Consider this a formal apology for putting all those spiders in your bag and everything else I did when I young and immature."
"I thought you still were," she quipped. "Fine, you've got yourself a deal but don't expect me to apologise for that sandpit incident, Mikaelson. Oh and I have no intention of putting out, just so we're clear."
"Don't flatter yourself, princess," he laughed, holding out his hand. And so an unlikely friendship was formed between two sworn enemies that night and even though they didn't know it at the time, it would remain for years to come.
Ten Years Ago (age 20)
"Caroline! Hurry that little bikini-bottomed ass up! It's the first pool party of sophomore year," Katherine yelled. "I definitely want to get there first so I can take my pick of the best male talent." Caroline rolled her eyes at just how typical it was of Katherine. Even though they couldn't have been more different, the girls had been good friends for a year now since they joined Kappa Kappa Gamma together as freshmen.
She'd been sad to leave England after so many years, the main reason being Klaus. Who knew a pretend date at the school formal would lead to a friendship with him? Everyone at school speculated that they were actually sleeping together but it couldn't be farther from the truth. She knew he wasn't her type to ever succumb to that sort of arrangement and Klaus secretly liked the fact some girls thought he was taken so they'd leave him alone.
They were inseparable though, not just at school but during holiday breaks. The media at one point even printed their pictures and alluded to a sweet, teenage romance. Caroline had been mortified they thought she would date him and Klaus just thought it was hilarious she was supposedly his latest love interest. Caroline had spent more time with his family, including his siblings, and came to think of them as her own seeing as she didn't have any. Klaus used to joke about how annoying they were but she knew just how protective he was of them.
Kol, Rebekah and Henrik were your typical, annoying younger brothers and sister but they kept things fun and interesting. Elijah, on the other hand, was far too mature for his age although Klaus explained that it was much harder on him because as the eldest he was the most likely to become king one day. The one thing Caroline knew was that Klaus never wanted to be king given he thought the pressure was tough enough being a prince.
"I'm coming," she called out. She consulted her appearance in the mirror, her white bikini accentuating the tan she'd gotten during her summer in Europe. In her haste, she grabbed her yellow sundress deciding to put it on downstairs so as to avoid any more orders from Katherine. "Geez, don't get your panties in a twist, Pierce." Caroline muttered as she made her way down the staircase, stopping suddenly as she processed just who was in the living area.
"Panties? Looks like I got here at just the right time, princess." Although she'd seen him at the beginning of summer she couldn't contain her excitement. He looked even more tanned since then in his blue polo shirt.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She squealed, excitedly.
"That's some welcome, love," he chuckled, holding out his arms. She raced down the stairs, forgetting just how under dressed she was and threw her arms around his neck. If there was one thing Klaus did well it was hug, strangely enough given his parents rarely showed any affection to their children.
"Someone's filled out I see," he joked, earning a slap on his back for his comment. "My little princess is all grown up."
"You're hilarious," she groaned while putting on her dress hurriedly slightly nervous about his steady gaze on her body. She noticed Katherine staring on curiously at their exchange. "Oh sorry, Klaus this is my friend Katherine."
"We already met when he arrived five minutes ago, I thought it would be funny to surprise you. I wasn't quite sure whether I was supposed to curtsey or not."
"Oh please, Kat," she drawled. "Don't give him a bigger ego than he already has..."
"She got over that pretty quickly," Klaus interrupted. "Asked me where my hot bodyguards were, that big ego of mine took a pretty big hit, I'll have you know."
"Please tell me you brought Aiden with you on this impromptu trip, you know he's my favourite," she winked. He raised his eyebrows seriously but the knowing smile tugging on the ends of those crimson lips gave him away. God, she'd missed him and his myriad of expressions that didn't need words to explain. "Speaking of impromptu, what exactly are you doing here?"
"Can't a guy visit his best friend without an interrogation? I mean I know it's you but give a guy a break, love." Caroline noticed for the first time a weariness in his expression and knew something wasn't quite right, especially turning up without warning. They held each other's gaze, Caroline trying to ascertain just what was wrong without needing to ask. Katherine cleared her throat, obviously sensing something and broke the prolonged silence.
"Okay, I'm sensing some drama here. I might just go and acquaint myself with Aiden then," she said, making herself scarce. Trust Katherine to turn a good deed into something about a guy.
"What's happened?" Caroline asked pointedly. He didn't respond immediately, just sat down on the couch placing his head in his hands. Klaus wasn't one to show much emotion, that much she knew so it couldn't be a good reason that brought him to her. She sat next to him, instinctively placing her arm around his shoulders willing him to talk.
"It's Henrik," he bit out.
"What's wrong with Henrik?" She asked, feeling a knot developing in her stomach. Henrik had always been her favourite sibling mainly because they got along so well. He looked up at her now, his blue eyes clouded with unshed tears. She'd never seen him this upset and if she was being honest it was a little scary.
"He's been diagnosed with leukaemia, the doctors told us last week," he murmured, sadly. She pulled him tighter towards her almost like she was trying to take the pain away. "I didn't know what to do. He's been in a private hospital but mother and father don't want us to visit in case the media finds out before they can put out a formal statement. But I suppose that's just typical of them to put our public profile ahead of Henrik."
"They probably think they're doing what is best," she offered, knowing that even though his parents weren't overly affectionate they did love their children. "It can't be easy for them either, Klaus."
"Well, you wouldn't know it Caroline," he growled, standing up and pacing up and down the room like a caged animal. "I thought you'd be on my side, that's why I came here when I had no idea what to do I was so anxious, not to mention restless."
"I am on your side," she shot back, standing up to meet his angry glare. "I've always got your back, you know that. I just think you shouldn't jump to conclusions when you're obviously so upset."
"You sound like just my parents," he growled. "I think they were relieved to see the back of me before I completely lost it at home. But do you blame me? I mean it's Henrik, he's never hurt anyone."
"I know," she agreed, finally stopping his pacing and placing her hands on his shoulders comfortingly. "He's the sweetest boy I know, that's for sure. But he'll get through this Klaus, you just have to have a little faith."
"How do you know that?"
"Honestly, I don't. But what I do know is that your brother is strong and fearless and I'm pretty certain your parents are going to make sure they have the best medical professionals on hand to help Henrik recover. What did they say about his treatment?"
"They recommended a specialist at Mass General in Boston," he explained. "I won't be sidelined though, I'm going to be with Henrik during his treatment no matter what they think.
"Oh, I see," she replied, arching her left eyebrow. "This is just some ploy to get closer to me. I mean I know you've had a thing for me since we were five and all..."
"Someone has an extremely high opinion of themselves and hasn't changed since school," he smirked, Caroline glad to see her attempt at humour had managed to cheer him up, even if it was temporary. "Come on, just admit that you've missed me, love." Caroline knew the answer to that question but wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of answering even if he was upset.
"You seem to forget I'm not one of your groupies, Mikaelson," she grinned teasingly, before giving him another hug and losing herself in his spicy scent momentarily as was often the case. "And you know I can't be bought."
"That's not entirely true," he mused, finally pulling back from their hug. "I seem to recall you being rather generous with compliments after I plied you with oysters, red wine and dark chocolate that time in London."
"I blame the aphrodisiac qualities for those compliments slipping out but never again," she promised.
"I hear there's an amazing oyster bar in town, maybe we could go tonight?" He offered, flashing those dimples for extra persuasive powers.
"Well, as tempting as that sounds Mikaelson, I'd rather not be photographed and referred to as your on-again-off-again high school sweetheart. Although, they probably already know you're here given your rather public entrance."
"I've got it covered, we're launching an annual Royal Scholarship," he explained. "I needed a reason to be in the States given my sudden departure."
"I should have known, there's always a plan with you people," she smiled. "You probably should get home after this contrived scholarship ceremony though."
"So, now you're trying to get rid of me?"
"Yes, it's been painful just to put up with you for this long," she joked knowing she could put up with him forever, not that she'd admit that of course. "But you have more important places to be right now and we both know it."
"Well, that is true but I'm not flying out until tomorrow, so what is a guy supposed to do until then?" She pretended to be deep in thought just to annoy him and prolong the suspense. "Seriously Caroline, most girls wouldn't even need the hint to ask me out."
"Well, I'm not like most girls am I, Mikaelson?"
"No, that you're not."
"Fine, how about a movie night then, like old times, but I get to pick what we watch," she suggested.
"Yeah also like old times," he scoffed. "I'm not watching 'Legally Blonde' again though, Forbes."
"We'll see about that," she laughed, giving him a playful nudge in the ribs.
Caroline would never forget the moment she realised that she was head over heels in love with her best friend and it wasn't how she expected it to happen at all. They'd been watching movies and he'd bitched and moaned about her choices but still watched them dutifully. As the end credits of 'Legally Blonde' rolled across the screen later that night she looked over at Klaus. He'd fallen asleep earlier, popcorn was stuck to his top and his mouth was wide open as he snored slightly and she didn't think he'd ever looked so adorable before.
That's when Caroline knew she was a goner. Finding out a week later that Klaus was transferring to Harvard while Henrik sought medical treatment was going to make her newfound feelings for the prince all the more complicated.
Five Years Ago (age 25)
"So this is what a royal wedding looks like?" Katherine squeaked excitedly, her hat partially obscuring Caroline's view.
"I have no idea," she hissed. "And could you please be less obvious that we're royal wedding virgins?"
Westminster Abbey was packed and besides the notable royalty and celebrities, Caroline knew absolutely no one, which was probably good seeing as Katherine was being entirely too embarrassing for her own good, including the hat she insisted on wearing. Klaus had been kind enough to let her invite a plus one to keep her company. He'd admitted that he wanted her to be his date for moral support but they both knew the media would jump at the chance to photograph them together again and claim they were the next couple headed to the altar.
Caroline couldn't believe his little sister Rebekah was getting married, especially seeing she was the first of the siblings to make the commitment. But apparently it was love at first sight when she watched Lord St John's eldest son Enzo command a horse on the polo field and lead his team to a convincing victory. Granted they fought like children for a few months pretending they weren't interested in each other but here they were about to get married.
Klaus, of course, had gone into meltdown given she was his little sister and thought Enzo was some womaniser trying to take her away. It had taken a few conversations over the phone to convince him that he should calm down and just be happy for Rebekah. After what he'd gone through with Henrik, Caroline didn't blame Klaus for being overly sensitive but since he was in remission she figured he should let up on the over protective, big brother act.
Speaking of the over protective, big brother. He was looking roguishly handsome in his grey suit at the altar next to Elijah, Kol, Enzo and Henrik. He'd spotted her earlier, even though she was seated all the way towards the back, and sent her one of his most dimpled grins. The fact it still turned her stomach to mush wasn't helping. When she realised her feelings five years earlier and he subsequently moved to the neighbouring state she didn't have much time to process it all. After all, Henrik was the most important consideration and they'd both spent plenty of time at his bedside reading him books, playing games and keeping him company during his treatment.
Once Henrik was in remission a year later, Klaus had transferred back to Oxford to complete his studies. She'd been tempted to tell him what she felt the night before he left but they lived in different countries, more than that they were destined for completely different lives. That much she knew.
The ceremony was beautiful and Caroline couldn't stop the tears from flowing. She knew she probably would have cried even if they were relative strangers so it made it all the more special that she'd known them intimately for years. Watching Klaus standing there and trying to be the strong, older brother and not cry in front of the millions of people watching worldwide was incredibly emotional. All she wanted to do was walk up there and give him a reassuring hug.
The reception for 300 people at Buckingham Palace following was equally as grand and impressive and Klaus' speech was far more personal than Caroline would have ever expected. She could have sworn he glanced in her direction when he spoke about the importance of being best friends with your spouse. After the formalities and the Queen had retired for the evening, they had opened up the extensive backyard where a marquee and dance floor had been set up for the younger guests to continue on late into the night. After a few dances, Katherine and Caroline had sat themselves at the makeshift gin bar so they could watch the celebrations from afar.
"His Royal Hotness was looking at you during that speech, Care. In fact, he's been sneaking glances at you all day," Katherine said, gesturing to the prince in question. "And don't tell me that line about friends wasn't referring to you two."
"Could you be any more obvious, Pierce?" She growled, pulling her hand down. "He was probably staring at that ridiculous hat you were wearing at the ceremony."
"I'll have you know Victoria Beckham liked it," she shot back.
"Posh Spice liked that hat?"
"Unlike some people she has taste. Anyway, enough changing the subject, Forbes. Are you going to talk to Klaus at all today? And by the way, staring at him doesn't count."
"I was not staring," she spluttered. Okay, maybe she was but Caroline didn't want to interrupt his formal duties.
"Who's not staring at whom?" Klaus asked stepping between them and interrupting their conversation. Caroline could feel a faint blush cross her face, hoping that it wasn't as obvious to him as it felt. Why the hell couldn't she get her act together? She'd only known the guy for twenty years.
"Your older brother, turns out I have a bit of a crush," Katherine replied, saving Caroline from complete embarrassment.
"I'm sure Aiden will be mortified," Caroline drawled thinking back to their brief meeting in Connecticut.
"Is he seeing anyone?" Katherine asked, ignoring Caroline's attempt at a joke.
"This is Elijah we're talking about, he's never seeing anyone because he's too busy working or whatever it is he does," Klaus laughed. "I'd be more than happy to introduce you though if you'd like, Katherine?"
"What is this the nineteenth century? While I appreciate the offer HRH I'm a modern woman, I can make my own introductions thank you very much. So, if you two will excuse me."
"Poor Elijah," Caroline said, knowing just how different they were and just how forward Katherine could be. "Although, I'd definitely pay to watch it all unfold."
"You and me both," he agreed. "I see Katherine has a new nickname for me since I last saw her, not that it's completely unexpected of course."
"Oh, except her initials stand for His Royal Hotness as opposed to Highness," she informed him. "Not that I'm trying to give you a bigger head or anything, Mikaelson."
"I'll have you know grandma told me just how handsome I looked earlier," he grinned. "But speaking of handsome though, you don't scrub up too badly yourself, love." Caroline would have hit him but she had to give him credit for remembering their conversation all those years ago. When she'd picked out her blue dress for Rebekah's wedding it'd actually reminded her of the formal and it seemed he remembered that too.
"Do you think I'll be dressed well enough to be included in the spread of all your ex-girlfriends in tomorrow's Daily Mail?"
"I'll have to remember to thank my sister for inviting so many of them along today, for the record you were the only one I invited myself," he promised. "Even if you aren't actually an ex-girlfriend."
"Yeah, you wish," she laughed.
"I was surprised you brought Katherine to be honest," he murmured, piquing her attention. "You know just because I thought you were all serious with that idiot with the hair." That idiot with the hair was Stefan and they'd broken up two months earlier after a year-long relationship. Klaus always knew how to peg the guys she dated because he was an idiot and spent longer in the bathroom doing his hair than she did.
"Let's just say she may have her quirks but Katherine is definitely more reliable, although she did hog the bathroom," she quipped, downing the last of her gin and gesturing for another.
"Now, why are you allowed to get drunk and I'm not?"
"Last time I checked, this was pretty much your house and you can do what you like," she replied. For some reason drinking more gin seemed easier than having a proper conversation because Caroline knew those pesky feelings would try to rear their ugly head and that couldn't happen, especially not tonight.
Caroline couldn't remember just how many drinks they'd consumed, especially since Kol had appeared during their session and insisted they all have shots. Katherine had even managed to drag Elijah over for a few more beverages and she seemed to recall Enzo re-enacting the chicken dance with her at some stage. She was pretty sure this wasn't how you acted at a wedding, especially a royal one at that. At least the media weren't around to judge their behaviour.
"So, you're pretty drunk," Klaus teased, placing his finger on the end of her nose.
"So are you," she repeated, missing his nose when she attempted to do the same thing.
"Not as much as you, love," he laughed, catching her before she fell. She may have been buzzing from the alcohol but couldn't miss the warmth that spread through her body from his touch. She didn't move immediately, just relished in the feeling of being in his arms. "But I have to admit you're pretty cute like this."
"Are you patronising me?"
"Trust you to use big words when you're drunk."
"Weddings bring it out in me," she giggled, ruffling up his hair playfully. "I can only take so much love and mush."
"So, what you're telling me is that you never want to get married?" He asked, his arms still holding onto her tightly. "Ever?"
"I never said that," she murmured. "I guess it would depend on the person. I'm not going to marry just anyone."
"I would have to agree," he shared. "But what happens if we never find that right person? We might never get married."
"Way to depress a girl, Mikaelson. You know, I'd maybe consider marrying you," she admitted. "Well, only if I couldn't find anyone else of course and we were the last people left on the planet and it was vital we repopulate the earth and all that."
"Wow, so kind of you love," he chuckled. "I'd possibly, maybe consider marrying you too."
"You would?" Caroline asked, surprised by his response and trying to ignore the urge to kiss those crimson lips that were hypnotising her as he spoke.
"I'd learn to live with your nagging eventually, I suppose," he joked. "I knew this guy once that made a pact with his friend that if they weren't married by a certain time, they'd marry each other."
"Did they get married?" She asked curiously, thinking it sounded like the craziest idea. Caroline Forbes didn't do anything like that, mainly because she naively always thought happily ever after was a given.
"No, they didn't."
"So, what exactly is the point of this story then?"
"Well, how about if we make a promise right here? I mean, I'm pretty certain someone like you won't need it but how about a back-up plan, you know just in case?"
"You're royalty for god's sake, I don't think it's the done thing, Klaus."
"Arranged marriages have been the foundation of many royal unions in the past," he explained. "Consider this just like one of those."
"Except it's usually the parents who arrange the marriage," she replied.
"Consider this our modern spin on it."
"So, what are the terms exactly?" She asked, surprised she was even entertaining something so preposterous.
"If neither of us are with anyone in five years we agree to getting married," he suggested, his eyes trained on hers. Caroline wasn't quite sure whether it was actually him or the gin talking. Either way it sounded good to her. "We can meet up somewhere on a set date as a symbol of that commitment."
"Where are we supposed to meet?"
"Trust you to focus on the semantics. I don't know, here or Boston..."
"Or maybe the Empire State Building on Christmas Eve at one minute to midnight," Caroline offered.
"Well, someone's obviously been watching too many romantic films but hell why not?" He replied. "So, do we have a deal?"
"I suppose we do," she agreed. "Do we shake hands now or something?"
"Or something," he whispered. "Don't you think an agreement like this requires something a little more familiar?"
"What exactly did you have in mind?" Caroline asked, her breath catching in her throat in anticipation.
"I don't know, maybe a kiss?" Caroline was silent, unsure of what to say but knowing she wanted exactly the same thing. It may have been the alcohol talking but at that moment Caroline didn't care, especially if that meant she got to kiss Klaus.
She'd barely nodded before his lips were on hers, incredibly soft and welcoming. Caroline always assumed it would be awkward kissing him after all this time but it felt so right, like she was finally home. Unfortunately, it was short lived, interrupted by one of the staff. She shouldn't have been surprised but when he reluctantly excused himself, Caroline could swear she saw disappointment in his eyes. The empty feeling in her chest as he walked away telling her she already missed his touch.
Present Day (Age 30)
Caroline's cell phone sounded out next to the bed, waking her unceremoniously. She groaned, throwing the pillow over her head to try and block out the noise and the invading sunlight. It continued to ring, Caroline realising she should either answer it or hurl it against the wall, the second option was definitely more appealing. She threw off the pillow and consulted the bedside clock noting that not only was it 6am it was also December 22nd. Why couldn't Christmas have come and gone already?
She begrudgingly grabbed the source of all her frustration and read the screen noticing her code name for a certain prince. Why he was calling she had no idea but it was probably to antagonise her as usual. Although Caroline was tempted to ignore him she was curious at the same time.
"Kol, you better have a good excuse for calling me this early," she growled, by way of a greeting.
"Well, good morning to you too, sleeping bitchy," he shot back. "Remind me never to call you at this time ever again."
"Consider it done, just so we can avoid situations like this," she quipped. Caroline and Kol had always been the two that had shared the most similar bond to real siblings. This was just their way of showing affection, well at least she thought so. "Is there a point to this call or are you just trying to annoy me as usual?"
"Well, I have to admit annoying you is an added bonus but I was actually calling to see if you'd..." Caroline was waiting for him to continue but heard what sounded like a scuffle over the phone and some yelling before an almost breathless female spoke.
"Never send a boy to do woman's work," she uttered triumphantly and Caroline could tell Rebekah was grinning. "How are you, Caroline?"
"Tired but other than that just peachy," she replied, somewhat sarcastically. "As much as I love hearing from my favourite royals this early on a Sunday morning, what's going on?"
"We're on our way to the States, New York in fact, and were wondering if you were going to be around for Christmas?" Caroline barely heard the rest of the sentence after she'd mentioned New York. She'd been so worried that Klaus was going to be snow bound with her but maybe there was a chance that things might work out between them. She threw off the covers and got up slightly excited. Maybe she might need to make an impromptu trip after all.
"How exactly did you manage an escape from the family duties at Sandringham this year?" She asked referring to their house in Norfolk where they traditionally spent Christmas Day with the Queen and their parents.
"Oh, you know charity work always trumps that, plus Enzo has never been to New York before," she replied. "I'm not sure what Kol's excuse is, unless you count him wanting to introduce Enzo to New York's night life. All I can say is God help America."
"So, it's just you three over for Christmas then?" She asked, a familiar lump settling in her throat. It seemed like too much of a coincidence that they were in the US and Klaus wasn't.
"Elijah and Henrik are at Sandringham but if that's your convoluted way of asking if Niklaus is with us, he isn't," she responded. "I've given up trying to keep up with his erratic schedule to be honest. So are we going to see you then?" Caroline did want to see them but the thought of going to New York without Klaus wasn't appealing. Plus, seeing them would just remind her of him and that was the last thing she felt like having to endure.
"Unfortunately, I've got to work Rebekah and..."
"Yeah, yeah," she cut her off. As much as she loved the blonde princess she had no idea about real life a lot of the time. "Well, if you change your mind we'll be at the Waldorf Astoria. Kol I can't guarantee because I might have killed him by then."
Before Caroline could reply she'd disconnected the call. Rebekah had an aversion to many things and saying a proper goodbye was one of them. Caroline felt so deflated that she'd let herself hope he was going to meet her on Christmas Eve, but not again. She chose that exact moment to get back under the covers and keep wallowing.
Turns out there was only so many nauseating Christmas movies you could watch at a time, Caroline feeling she might be physically sick. Well, it might have also been due to all the chunky monkey and twinkies she'd devoured whilst watching said movies. It was only two days until Christmas now and she was disappointed the time wasn't going as quickly as she would have liked. She just needed to get through the night of the 24th and everything could go back to normal, well that's what she was telling herself at least.
Klaus hadn't called, not that she expected him to given she'd been avoiding him for some time now, too scared he was going to profess his love for the brunette she didn't know but had come to hate over time. It was at that point she heard knocking at her front door. Caroline had no idea who it would be given Katherine had left the previous day (not without begging her yet again to join her). She was going to ignore it but it kept going getting to the point of incessant.
She stood up shakily, brushing the stray crumbs and pieces of popcorn that were embedded in her pyjama top away and feeling her hair self consciously, noticing it was doing some kind of weird, knotted, birds nest thing. Not her finest look, sure, but she figured it would do a good job of scaring whomever it was away. The knocking continued, loud and fast now. "Okay, I'm coming. Keep your knickers on!"
The one person she wasn't expecting to be on the other side was there, leaning up against the adjacent wall, his deep, blue eyes flickering briefly over her body before settling on her face. She felt her chest constrict, annoyed that he was even more good looking than she remembered, especially in those dark jeans, grey sweater and a black overcoat. He didn't say anything at first, probably overcome by her unkempt appearance to speak. If Caroline wasn't so shocked, she probably would have been more worried about that too. What the hell was he doing here, and in Boston? She figured he'd be in some chalet by an open fire by now about to pop the big question.
"Why are you here?" She demanded, feeling increasingly uncomfortable about the way he was staring at her.
"I could ask you the same thing."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that we have a date in New York City tomorrow I seem to recall, yet here you are holed up in your apartment in Boston, I mean talk about a blow to the ego, Forbes." Caroline was confused and she was pretty certain he could tell by her furrowed brows. "You know, the Empire State Building, Christmas Eve at one minute to midnight?"
"You remembered," she whispered, her head spinning at that revelation. "I didn't think..." she trailed off, unable to form more words if she tried.
"You didn't think?" He asked, just as her elderly neighbour emerged from her apartment and turned to stare at him in shock. This wasn't the first time it had happened to them and Caroline knew it wouldn't be the last. "Good evening ma'am."
"You're..." she mumbled.
"He's just a lookalike, Mrs Phillips," she said dismissively, the last thing she felt like was a star struck moment when she was trying to process everything. "Uncanny, huh?" Before she could reply, Caroline grabbed his coat and pulled him inside, closing the door behind them.
"Easy, love," Klaus joked. "I know I'm cute but there's no need to manhandle me."
"So, you turn up on my doorstep unannounced and you're going to make jokes?"
"What can I say? It's my coping mechanism when things get entirely too awkward and I'm trying to work out the perfect thing to say," he muttered. "You're not making this easy on me, Caroline."
"Says the guy who just turned up on my doorstep?"
"Says the girl who was planning on blowing off our date?" He shot back. "And while we're at it, the same girl who has been basically avoiding my calls for about three months now. I'm not sure what I did to deserve the silent treatment." Caroline knew she couldn't avoid him or her feelings anymore. She sat on the couch, running her hands through her hair in an attempt to detangle her blonde knots, something she did when she was nervous.
"What's going on, Caroline?"
"I thought you were going to be in Austria proposing or something?" She asked, her voice low and muffled.
"Well, if you wanted a proposal in Europe it could have been arranged but a little heads up would have been nice, love," he said, sitting down next to her.
"I don't understand," she replied, turning to face him. "I thought you and Hayley were..."
"I'm kind of offended you're questioning my taste in women," he scoffed. "I went out with her to appease my parents, you of all people should know the drill by now."
"Yeah, when you were younger," Caroline spluttered. "I thought by the age of thirty you'd be able to make your own choices by now, Klaus."
"Have you met my parents, love? Look, I said I'd go out with her a few times and the American media, especially, decided to turn it into some blossoming, fairytale romance as they have a tendency to do. She may have taken too much of a liking to me but that's not unusual."
"There's that modesty I love," she drawled.
"While I may be roguishly handsome, I think her eye was on the title and not on me, Caroline. Story of my life. Well, except for you of course. I'll never forget the night of the formal when you said you didn't like me as a prince or myself," he chuckled. "I think I fell in love with you right then and there." If Caroline thought breathing was difficult before, it was practically impossible now. He loved her?
"You've loved me all that time?" She squeaked in disbelief.
"Well, if I'm being honest I was pretty smitten when you pushed me into that sandpit age five," he admitted. "You don't treat me any differently, Caroline. That's all I've ever wanted and I couldn't imagine my life without you for that reason amongst so many others. But, if you're going to reject me, the least you can do is be honest about it." How could he ever think she'd want to reject him?
"You really know how to surprise a girl," she murmured, finally catching her breath. "I never thought I'd ever fit into your world, that you'd never see me like that because I wasn't..."
"Stop right there," he interrupted, placing his finger under her chin softly and pulling it upwards so that her eyes met his. "You are all I've ever wanted and needed, Caroline Forbes. I love you, you stubborn, feisty, beautiful girl and if you'll have me you'll make me the happiest guy alive."
"Well, when you put it like that," she grinned. "I love you so much, Klaus."
"You do?" he asked, almost like he was making sure he heard her correctly. Caroline nodded by way of response. "I always assumed my life was too crazy for you, I know what you think about the media intrusion."
"You know, I think I'd be willing to put up with the stupid media circus if I could spend the rest of my life with you, Klaus." His crimson lips curved into a knowing smile at her admission, his dimples out in full force.
"Glad to see we agree on something even if it took us twenty-five years to realise it," he joked. "You realise you completely ruined me for anyone else with that kiss at the wedding? I haven't been able to get it out of my head since."
"So, you took five years to broach the subject? Makes sense, Mikaelson." What Caroline was expecting was an argument about her equally stubborn behaviour but instead his lips found hers within a split second. She didn't bother objecting just melted into the kiss as his mouth massaged hers. Caroline didn't think she'd ever tire of that feeling, ever. It was at least a few minutes before they pulled apart, reluctantly, their breathing ragged. Klaus fastened a lock of hair behind her ear, placing a simple, sweet kiss on her lips.
"I still can't believe you were going to stand me up, love. Luckily Rebekah told me that you were too busy working to bother making it."
"I'm never going to live that down, am I?"
"Probably not," he teased.
"Look at it this way, at least this way you avoided any public humiliation," she offered.
"Trust you to find a silver lining," he muttered. "Although, that doesn't mean we can't do what we promised and head up the Empire State Building tomorrow night and make it official."
"Official? "
"I may or may not have something to give you and what better place than somewhere so public to break the news to the world?" He answered. Caroline's mouth dropped open, not expecting that admission or such a swift commitment.
"You cannot leave me hanging until then, Mikealson," she argued.
"Well, that's what you get for standing me up, love," he smirked. "Now, how about we catch up on some of that lost time?"
"I thought you'd never ask," she grinned, pulling him up with her and dragging him towards the bedroom greedily.