"Caroline decides to spread the Christmas cheer and a have a Christmas dinner for her make shift family. when everyone starts going at each others throats she freaks out and tells everyone how it is. Kol tries to fix the dinner for her." –P.M

"So how about some Kol/Caroline/Kai?" -EveryonesFavoriteVampireBarbie

"Oh god yes please write Kol x Caroline x Kai! Whatever you want. Just those three doing something :D" –MrsLeaMorgan

Sequel to 'so happy together'.

"You're avoiding me."

She tried not to react to Kai's comment, choosing instead to focus on the elaborate Christmas dinner she was making. The majority of her little makeshift family didn't even need to eat food but that didn't deter her from planning a good meal for all of them. Unfortunately, Kai was the only other person that knew his way around a kitchen and thus, she was stuck with him helping here as the rest would've resulted in a burnt house (and as she just finished decorating the place, she was not in the mood to move). This was unfortunate as Kai had been hounding her the past few days, prodding the sexual tension between them like a stupid child pokes a wild animal.

"Seriously, Carebear, it's beginning to hurt my feelings," He was right behind her, leaning on the island as she faced the oven where she was baking a pie. "You can't avoid this forever."

Ah, yes she could. Kai was the only mortal in their little family and unless he decided to turn, he would grow old and die eventually. This sent a pang through her as no matter how annoying and erratic the warlock tended to act, she did care about him and the eventual loss of him would hurt. It would hurt them all no matter how much the other men groused that they couldn't wait till he started going gray. He was family and he was one of them.

"I will get any of the guys to turn me so I could bother you forever," He grabbed her arm and turned her around gently so he could give her those puppy dog eyes. "I'll do it. Don't tempt me."

She let out a small smile. "I'd turn you myself if you asked."

His eyes softened, the blue if them almost grey under the kitchen lights. He cupped her cheek and smiled. "Would you want me around forever, causing havoc till the end of time?"

"There's a club for that, you know. I'm sure you can persuade our other three housemates to give you membership."

He laughed then, pulling her closer until the vibrations in his chest went through her. "Yeah, the four of us – Enzo, Klaus, Kol and me – we'd be like the Evil Four. Maim all but love one."

She quirked an eyebrow. "Love who?"

He leaned down till she could see the flecks of green in his eyes. "You, Silly Bear."

She blushed and was about to say something, probably foolish when Kol entered the kitchen, eyes narrowing at the sight of them. He leaned against the doorway and crossed his arms over his chest, looking like a displeased parent.

"Aren't you too cozy?" He quipped.

Caroline moved away from Kai who was now glaring at Kol who returned it. She knew she had to diffuse the situation before they started fighting. Kol and Kai had the most tendency to clash with each other and only Klaus was able to pull them apart. Like a disgruntled father, Klaus was spending quite a lot of time breaking up their squabbles that were becoming more frequent as time went on.

"Dinner's almost served," She told me, refusing to turn around and look either of them in the eye. "Why don't you two set the table? Enzo should be back from the store any minute now."

And Klaus would be back from New Orleans tonight. She just had to hold on until then. Otherwise, she'd have a bloodbath at her Christmas dinner. She would not have that.

Dinner was a stilted affair. The food was well-done, earning her compliments from Enzo and Klaus but the dirty looks Kol and Kai were sending each other put her on edge. She'd explained to Klaus what was happening the moment he came home but he might not have been listening as his mind was still on some big problem back in New Orleans. Her last hope would be to get Enzo to intercede but the other vampire usually preferred to watch the chaos then deter it.

She was getting a headache.

"Caroline," Kol started, finally turning to her. "This dinner is lovely. You did well, sweetheart."

"Thank you." She responded, confused at his shift in demeanor.

"Yeah, Carebear, I know how much you worked on this dinner," Kai suddenly cut in. "Of course it would be perfect when we worked on it together, just the two of us."

Uh-oh.

"You could've asked for my help, darling." Kol was glaring at Kai again. "I would've loved to help."

Kai scoffed. "I've heard you're quite good with a knife from your Jack the Ripper days but I doubt you would be much help."

"I would learn. I'd do anything for Caroline."

"So would I."

Enzo cleared his throat. "Oh my, are these marshmallows in the mashed potatoes? How did you know that's how I enjoyed them, Caroline?"

Caroline was eager for the change of topic and mentally hugged Enzo. "Damon told me-"

"I would be anything she wanted me to be. She wouldn't need anyone else."

Goddamn it, Kai.

Caroline mentally groaned.

Kol wasn't backing down though. "I would do anything for Caroline. Even get rid of any annoying pests in her life-"

"Okay! That's it!" Caroline finally had enough of all this posturing. "You two, stop it now!"

Both boys looked at her startled.

"All I wanted was a nice Christmas dinner with you two are ruining it with this macho contest you got going on!" She practically growled. "It doesn't matter who either of you think is the better one for me because the thing is, I will decide who I want to be with and not you!"

She huffed. "And really, with all this mature behavior you're showing, I'm disinclined to choose either of you!"

Enzo cut in. "In that case, may I volunteer-"

"Enzo, shut up!" She rolled her eyes and then went back to staring down the two boys fight over her like dogs over a bone. "No more fighting. I mean it."

"Better listen to our boss, mates," Klaus chuckled, pouring himself a glass of wine. "She decides what she wants."

Damn right.

Calmer, she turned back to Enzo and began explaining how she learned about how he liked marshmallows in his potatoes and the rest of Christmas dinner was a pleasant and quiet affair.

"I'm sorry about dinner," Kol stopped her on the way to her room after dinner. "I know how much you worked on it."

"It's fine, Kol." She was too tired to be angry anymore and all she wanted was to sleep off this night. "Is there something else you needed?"

He smiled and showed her what he was hiding behind his back, a black jewel case with a red bow on top of it. "Merry Christmas, darling."

She accepted the gift with a smile, opening the case and gasping at what she saw inside. It was a gold bracelet with little green stones embedded into them. Peridot, her birth stone. "It's beautiful." She couldn't help but sigh.

"Just something I picked up once upon a time in Egypt," He explained. "It was worn by a queen whose beauty pales to yours."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she swallowed, her throat constricting from emotions. She closed the lid of the case and held it against her, smiling gratefully at the Original who looked at her like she was a Christmas present on her own. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, sweetheart." With that tender smile on his face, he turned to walk away but stopped after two steps, turning back to her and looking conflicted.

"I know the decision is up to you about who you choose but may I just…." He swallowed. "Please choose me."

Her fingers tightened on the jewelry case. "Why?"

"Because," He let out a self-deprecating smile. "I need you more."

She said nothing as he walked away this time and went he was gone, opened the lid of the jewelry case and stared at the bracelet of a long ago Egyptian queen whose beauty he said was nothing compared to hers.