Chapter Two : Meet The Mikealsons
"Good morning best friend and bridesmaid." Katherine cooed as she entered Caroline's bedroom.
Caroline groaned and shoved her head further in her pillow. But after realising that Katherine would not go away unless she found out what it was she was here for so she sat up.
"You're in a good mood bridezilla..I thought you'd be pissed about Klaus not coming to your dinner tonight." Caroline noted getting up rubbing her eyes feeling like she had barely had 3 hours max of sleep.
"Yeah well, when you wake up next to a gorgeous man like Elijah Mikealson, and you end up having sex in the shower, you'll realise that life's too precious to wait around on that asshole Klaus." Katherine smiled wickedly
"Euww Kat..too much details." Caroline scrunched up her face in disgust now she had a gross picture of Kat and Elijah having shower sex in her head.
She also felt a little jealous, as weird and gross as that sounded...she too wanted to have sex. Hot steamy scandalous sex. Her break up with Tyler Lockwood one of the usual customers she met at the bar, after dating for 5 months had probably been the last time she had sex.
That was 4-5 months ago! She felt like she was going to explode.
"Why are you here so early?" Caroline groaned sexually frustrated and annoyed after looking at her bedside alarm clock it was only 7:30 am and she only had to be up at 9'ish to start the final prepping for Katherine's rehearsal dinner. "Come to gloat about your shower sex..?"
"As good as that was..No. I'm here to change a small little thing on the menu." Katherine sighed
"Seriously?" Caroline exclaimed.. Well this would be the 5th time Katherines made a change.
"Hey its not my fault, I was only informed this morning by my future mother-in-law (from hell) that her son Finn was allergic to nuts so he can't have the dessert.
"Well that's why there's more than one choice. Agh we've been over this before..just tell him not to eat it, choose something else and quit being such a momma's boy." Caroline waved her hand in the air dismissively and walked over to her bathroom to get a shower going so she could have a proper start to the day.
"Yeah..no Mummy Esther wants that dessert completely off the menu as some sort of 'health precaution'" Katherine sighed following Caroline to her bathroom.
"Like what is up with Mommy Mikealson? She's being unreasonable and she knows it."
"She's a bitch. I keep telling myself its just 2 more days and they'll be gone. And I'll have Elijah all to myself." Kat smiled
"Well you're forgetting Christmas, Thanksgiving, Birthdays-" Caroline giggled after adjusting the water tempreture of the shower
"Yeah yeah I get it." Katherine huffed in anoyance and looked to her best friend who now stood infront of her arms crossed and eyebrows lifted.
"What?" Katherine asked
"Well I'd like to shower now, unless you want to have shower sex with me too?" Caroline laughed
"Yeah we all know how dormant that department has been for ya, but as tempting as that sounds I think I'll pass. I'll see you tonight." Katherine laughed before leaving Caroline to her shower.
"No the flowers go over there. To the centre piece, like I've clearly stated out on the instructions if any of you buttheads managed to read it." Caroline fumed at the cater waiter who brought the flowers to the lobby.
The catering staff were so useless that her neurotic control-freak self wanted to come out and do everything herself, but there was no time for that. People would start arriving in the next half hour or so and she needed to be here to make sure everything was perfect.
Which is also why she had to change into her outfit for the dinner before hand.
Caroline wore a white strapless dress that hugged her curves, flattering her bust and butt which dare she say, were her greatest assets that cut just above the knee. It screamed sexy but was also classy and appropriate enough for the older folk (Katherine's parents in-law)
Her hair were in loose curls that hung all the way down to her mid-section. She kept her make-up light and neutral and matched them up with a beige 9'inch heel and clutch purse.
"You certainly sound like a woman on a mission." She heard someone state and turned around to see her best friends future husband himself. Elijah Mikealson.
"Elijah." Caroline smiled
"Caroline, is everything okay?" He giggled
Elijah had short dark-brown hair, brown eyes and a perfectly chiseled face. He was always in a suit, but he always looked impeccably gorgeous in it. He was always polite and kind to Caroline and she was more than happy her best friend was marrying him, she knew he would give her a good life and that was all she wanted for her friend.
"Yeah everythings fine. Where's Kat?"
"Katerina is having a stare off with Elena, apparently Mr Salvatore is accompanying her tonight as her date, as she knew there would be an open seat since my brother will unfortunately not be in attendance." Elijah half smiled
Caroline wanted to laugh but she managed to contain herself.
Ahh yet another issue to solve.
She loved Katherine, truly. But this wedding needed to come fast so she could relax.
"I'll go and find them." Caroline smiled
"Is there anything that still needs to be done before more guests start arriving?"
"Oh no Elijah, you just relax and enjoy your rehearsal dinner with Kat, I'm the one that's getting paid to stress over everything remember." She snorted and he smiled.
Caroline tucked her clipboard under her arm after looking around the lobby for the Pierce sisters. Taking a turn she bumped into something really hard.
"Oh sorry there darling, didn't see you." She heard, and after picking up her clipboard she got ready to give this person a piece of her mind.
"My my and what a pretty little thing you are.. Kol Mikealson." He took the liberty of taking her hand and placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles before she could respond
"Well Kol, why don't you watch where you're going next time." Caroline stated before side stepping to continue her search.
"Didn't catch your name there love," Kol ran up infront of her yet again.
"Caroline, best friend of the bride." She stated in a dismissive tone as if to shoo him off or something. Caroline could see the similarities between Kol and Elijah, they had the same hair and eye colour, only Elijah's eyes were always sincere and warm. Where as Kol's held a glint of mischief in them.
"Ah yes. I'm the brother of the groom. The more handsome one." He smirked
"Seeing as you're a bridesmaid and I'm a groomsman I think that inclines me to buy you a drink darling." He added
"Kol was it?.. I'd rather die of thirst. But thanks." She smiled and walked off.
She was a force to be reckonned with. A feisty little thing. He was beginning to love his future sister in law already if she had friends that looked like that!. He thought.
"Kat you're overreacting!" She heard Elena call out and followed the trail of voices that led her to the coat closet. Seriously?! The coat closet of all places...
"No Elena, you should have checked with me or Care first before you just decided to rock up here with a plus one! No offense Stefan." Kat shrugged and so did Stefan.
"Hey...what's going on?" Caroline opened the closet door to find a very fuming Katherine and Elena, and a slightly amused and awkward looking Stefan.
"Elena decided to grow a dick and bring a plus one to my dinner. And she knows if this wasn't the night that all the Mikealsons who happened to all have sticks up their asses were going to be here I would have been totally cool about it, but it isn't and everything needs to be perfect." Katherine exclaimed
"Care tell her she's overreacting please." Elena rolled her eyes looking to her blonde friend for back-up.
Caroline sighed. Despite the thick tension in the room, she couldn't help but notice that both of the girls looked beautiful. Katherine in her red off shoulder dress, and Elena in a snug black dress. Even Stefan looked dapper in his black tux.
"Katherine you're overreacting, I don't think its such a big deal okay. There is after all place for Stefan since that asshole bailed. I think you're just stressed because of all the Mikealsons here tonight...right?" Caroline smiled Katherine huffed, hands on her hips and rolled her eyes without saying a word.
Well that usually meant 'yes'
"And Elena you should know how big of a deal tonight is for her, you can't just throw in surprises at the last minute." She added.
"You're right. I'm sorry, so can we please get out of this closet? We all look like crazy people." Elena stated grabbing Stefan by the arm
"Have I told all of you how exceptionally beautiful you all look toinght?" Stefan smiled
"Nice save." Katherine finally cracked up a smile.
Elena and Stefan left the closet leaving Caroline and Katherine.
"His right you do look incredibly hot Mrs Mikealson." Caroline smirked
"As do you Miss Forbes, hmm I love the dress, Gucci?" Kat asked
"Well you are a retail whore." Caroline snorted at her friends accurate guess.
"And its something I pride myself in. Don't you forget it!" Katherine and Caroline left to find the others giggling, leaving the earlier argument completely forgotten.
To say the Mikealsons had sticks up their asses was the understatement of the year. Caroline couldn't quite find the right word to describe them. They definately were an acquired taste.
She observed them all in her seat at the large rectangular table. Mikeal Mikealson CEO of Mikealson Holdings, one of the richest men in the world and also the scarriest man she'd probably ever see sat at the one head of the table, a saddistic evil smirk plastered on his face like it couldn't ever come off. To his left sat Elijah followed by Katherine, Elena and then Stefan. At the other head of the table sat Esther Mikealson, elite socialite and the ultimate trophy wife. She too had a constant smile on her face but Caroline could tell it was one of those fake pretentious one's. She was a beautiful woman for her age but that didn't cover how intimidating she was.
To her left sat Finn, the eldest, the golden son. The momma's boy. Who did everything by the book (which was according to his parents). He shared the same features as Elijah and Kol only his hair was a bit longer. His face held an expression of absolute no interest in being here, and only seemed to care about his beautiful wife Sage who sat next to him. She had shoulder lengthed red hair and cream milky skin. She looked somewhat sincere and seemed polite throughout the conversations around the dinner table.
And last but most definately, god forbid, not least, was the infamous Rebekah Mikealson.
She screamed class and sass. But also stubborness and over-confidence. She wore designer from head to toe.
Caroline somewhat felt a little sorry for her, she was the youngest, and the only girl in a family of 4 sons. That had to be tough growing up for sure.
"So Katherine tells me you're in events management Caroline, that must be exciting.." Sage offered politely trying to break the short uncomfortable silence at the table, and suddenly all eyes were on the blonde.
"Er, yes that's right." Caroline smiled
"You must be behind this beautiful dinner party then" Sage added
"Guilty" Caroline shrugged playfully.
"Care's really talented, I knew she'd be the perfect person to plan the wedding." Kat gushed
"Even after I insisted on some of the most elitist wedding planners in the country...alas Katerina was quite insistent on hiring you Caroline." Esther stated in a playful tone, although everyone at the table knew it meant to have the total opposite effect.
So Esther was pissed she didn't get to control everything? Well excuse the shit out of her.
"Well I think everything was done fabulously darling." Kol purred, causing everyone at the table to roll their eyes at his antics.
"Kol, for once keep it in your pants would you." Rebekah added
"Rebekah. Kol..." Elijah started in a warning tone clearly embarresed at how his family was acting around his fiance and her friends.
"So what do your parents do Caroline?" Mikeal asked, the first words she heard leave his mouth since the dinner party started.
Wait..when did this become about her? This dinner was about Kat and Elijah.
"My father is the mayor..of Mystic Falls." She croaked out. The man terrified her without even trying.
"So how is it that you live here and them there?"
"I just really wanted to make a life for myself.. without their help." She replied.
"Hm, reminds me of the stubborn boy I happen to call my bastard son. Where is Niklaus by the way." Mikeal commented clearing his throat clearly dismissing any sort of conversation he had previously with Caroline.
"Father.." Rebekah pleaded
After a silent 30 minutes or so Elijah was the one to speak.
"Niklaus was otherwise engaged in other matters tonight father, Tis' unfortunate that he could not attend." Elijah stated looking down
Mikeal snorted
"Of course he is."
"Mikeal.." Esther started as if to get him to shut up.
"What? We all know he can't stand me, nor I him. His a disappointment. Not surprising actually given the fact that his no son of mine."
The entire table went quiet.
Caroline agreed that Klaus was an ass over the phone, but she knew better than anyone how shitty it felt to never quite be accepted by your parents. And apon hearing the additional information that Klaus wasn't Mikeal's biological son, made it all more worse. Her heart went out to Klaus, the unknown sibling she had yet to meet.
"Well I think July is a fine month to have the wedding in, especially in the Hamptons don't you think Esther?" Sage tried to lighten the mood. Caroline really admired the guts of this woman.
"Indeed." Esther nodded curtly. Suddenly her overwhelming presence that intimidated the shit out of Caroline had changed, she no longer oozed confidence, instead she looked sad, shut down some how. Caroline actually pitied the woman. Perhaps she feels guilty
She felt a kick against a leg under the table and frowned. Looking up she saw it was Elena who was trying to get her attention. Following Elena's eyes to her side, It was Stefan and Rebekah who were engaged in a conversation.
Rebekah aimlessly flirting away and not even trying to be subtle about it, and Stefan just trying to be polite but clearly really uncomfortable.
"Oh Stefan you're so funny.." Rebekah giggled. And Stefan just awkwardly shrugged.
Elena was beyond annoyed.
Katherine was utterly pissed off at Mikeal who dropped the Klaus bomb clearly putting Elijah in a mood.
Sage was desperately trying to change the mood and Kol was staring into his tumblr of what looked to be strong whiskey.
"So Caroline, what have you got planned for the bachelorette party tomorrow? I sincerely hope men stripping of their clothing and getting aimlessly drunk was not part of your idea.." Esther stated
Annnnd the bitch was back.
"Actually I was-"
"I think a lunch in, perhaps a high tea with the ladies and some of my good friends in London would do quite well." Esther interrupted her before she could even get her idea across.
Katherine sighed. Who's fucking wedding was this? Esther's?
"Actually. Esther...I was thinking we could do a lunch,and then re-group later for drinks at Katherines favourtie bar. Its nothing over the top, but its not too boring either." Caroline shrugged
"Its perfect." Katherine smiled before Esther could argue.
"Well brother they might not vote strippers. But I certainly do." Kol grinned at Elijah.
Elijah just sighed.
"I don't think its Elijahs idea of fun." Katherine noted
"Well of course it isn't. But if it were up to him, we'd all end up at a funeral parlor in suits, sipping bourbon..really slowly.." Kol sighed dramatically.
"Really Kol. Must you now prove to everyone what a complete wanker you are. Its no wonder you don't have a plus one tonight." Rebekah rolled her eyes.
"Says you bekah. Might I recall.. You are still single and after how many boyfriends..."
"Shut it Kol!"
"Enough." Mikeal exclaimed
This was not turning out the way Katherine had hoped it would. This people would be her family soon though. Was she ready for this? For this whack job of a family with sticks up their asses?
Would she end up having a stick up her ass too?
Looking to her side she saw Elijah.
Her fiance...
The love of her life. And suddenly it all seemed worth it. If it meant she would get to spend the rest of her life with this man, she would do it in a heartbeat.
She put her hand on his and gave it a slight squeeze. Elijah looked up at her, expecting an angry glare at the way his family was behaving tonight, yet he was graced with that beautiful smile instead, that smile that tugged at his heart and made him forgot all his worries just like that.
Caroline was a little thrown, this was what Katherine would have to put up with... She pitied her bestie
Thinking back to Mikeals earlier comment she wondered what the other sibling was like...Klaus. Was he as forward as Kol and Rebekah? Or was he more laid back like Elijah..Maybe he the quiet type, like Finn.
Looking to her side, Kol smirked at her before raising his glass to her and the entire table.
"Typical night with the Mikealsons. Welcome to the family Katerina, I sincerely hope you get out while you can." He raised his glass, earning a scowl from his siblings and parents.
Caroline had to really have some of that whiskey, or maybe something stronger and doubled, if she was going to make it through this night...
Klaus loved his job. It allowed him to have a laid-back lifestyle, get up late in the morning, heck even have women over at odd times of the night if he wanted. All aspects he valued very much.
Lounging about on the couch nursing a tumblr of bourbon, He sat for a moment and reviewed his work. After every painting he would always find something wrong with it and wanted to change it, even with Lexi's arguing that it was perfect.
It was probably like this with every artist he figured.
His mind wondered to what he could do later.. He didn't have any meetings scheduled, nor any paintings to do. So he basically had a free night.
Perhaps he would go down to the bar, pick up a nightcap..
"Nik!"
Klaus groaned at the sound of his brother knocking, practically screaming his name at the door.
Maybe if he pretended no'one was home, Kol would just go away...
"I know you're in there brother..come on, don't you want the details on Elijah's dinner...the bridesmaids are just too die for..." Kol purred
Sighing, Klaus got up eventually.
"There he is...my handsome brother." Kol smirked
"What do you want Kol." Klaus growled walking back to his drink, making it a double seeing as Kol was here and he would need it if he didn't want to end up tearing out his liver.
"You know..it just amazes me, fascinates me really, the fact that you weren't even at the dinner party, yet most of the evening was spent conversing about you." Kol smirked
"Of course it was. What kind of Mikealson family gathering would it be if the disappointment rebelious son wasn't brought up. It was Mikeal wasn't it." Klaus shook his head throwing back the rest of his drink in one go. Already fixing up the next drink.
"Yes well. Enough about him. There was this stunning blonde, absolutely breath taking really. A feisty little thing. Kept mother on her toes all night, it was quite refreshing actually." Kol laughed
That seemed to peek his interest. A woman, a mere bridesmaid shut his mother up? This was a first.
"So the reason you're here is because..." Klaus started
"I miss my big brother. How about a recap of the other night huh?." Kol smirked
"Kol I'm in no mood for you and your failed attempts to get me out tonight. I'm not in the mood. Besides, I'm sure you'll be pretty hammered tomorrow seeing that its Elijah's party and what not." Klaus would be game, but the mention of Mikeal bashing his name at Elijah's dinner party made his stomach churn and left a bad taste in his mouth, and it wasn't the bourbon.
"You wound me brother." Placing a hand on his chest to indicate he was hurt. Kol sighed
"You know we'll probably end up having a garden party if it were up to Elijah. Come on Nik. Be my wingman. My partner in crime, you know you used to be the life of the party..whatever happened to that handsome devil.." Kol frowned
"He grew up."
"And I suggest you do the same. I trust you can see yourself out brother. Good night." Klaus stated as he went into the bedroom and shut the door. He hadn't even seen Mikeal yet he had somehow managed to ruin a perfectly chilled day at home. Damn him.
"Well fine then. Have it your way, but when I'm dancing with that blonde bombshell on sunday, you'll be sorry you never listened to me!" Kol called out and retreated the apartment himself.
Klaus laid in his bed shaking his head after hearing Kol shut the front door.
Klaus was at a war within himself. At one point he wanted to beat the crap out of Mikeal for hating him and making him feel as if it were his fault that Esther had an affair and he was the result. And at another, he just wanted to be accepted by him.
He just wanted this damn wedding to be done so that everyone could go back to London and leave him be.
Sunday needed to come... And bloody fast.
Thank you to everyone for your kind reviews and follows. Being a newbie at this, it really really meant a lot :) I know how frustrating it is when people take too long to upload chapters, which is why I'll really try and hope to keep updating chapters constantly. I hope this chapter was okay. The real fun starts at the wedding which happens to be Chapter Three :)
Until then my lovelies
Xx