AN: You guys must hate me for the late updates. And if you don't, you should! Lol I hate myself.. I'm sorry I've been super busy and always tried to squeeze my writing in here and there. I also want to thank everyone who continues to follow/fav and review this story, its you guys who motivate me to make the time to write! Lol enjoy xx
Chapter 19 : Wicked games
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"Niklaus you're not being fair."
"The decision to separate was yours. You weren't ready for commitment." Elijah sighed as he watched his younger brother gulp down his 4th drink
Imagine Elijah's surprise when he received a call from Klaus whom he could barely hear over the phone given his brothers croaky tone, almost as if he were on the verge of crying.
Naturally he had gotten used to Niklaus's antics especially in recent cases given the roller-coaster relationship he had been experiencing and naturally Elijah would turn down his brothers whims to get him out of the house but when he was almost sure he made out 'Caroline.. Engaged..Enzo'.. Well his interest was definitely peeked.
Eventually his brother came over already starting on the drunk stupor as he slugged into Elijah's house dragging his feet.
Klaus sighed loudly taking full advantage of Elijah's well stocked parlor.
"So what was she supposed to do ?
Wait for you all her life? Or wallow in sorrow?
Get real Niklaus. Everyone has a life." Elijah stated
"Was it sooo easy for her?" Klaus slurred
"You'd like it if it was difficult, right? Almost as if the past 8 months has been a walk in the park for her." Elijah replied
Klaus knew his brother was right. So much so that it made him hate himself even more if that were possible.
"I still love her.."
"No you don't."
"I love her Elijah." Klaus muttered his voice almost breaking
"If you did love her, you wouldn't have left her in this condition."
"Couldn't she have waited.. Just a little while?" Klaus whined sounding ridiculous even to himself but Elijah figured it was more the burboun than him talking.
"Did you tell her to wait?"
"No.."
"Now you'll just have to live with that." Elijah stated grabbing Klaus's half filled drink and finishing it.
He hated seeing his brother this way, but also wanted to kick the shit out of him for only seeing his fault now.. Now that its a little too late.
Time and time again they've told him. Urged him. Begged him.
What does he expect? A pat on the back and a second chance? It was never going to be that easy.
Klaus wallowed in his self pity. He wanted to kick himself.. No, literally pay someone to beat the crap out of him. That would about sum up how he felt at this point.
His one chance, his one miracle at having a normal life, a normal family, people who loved and cared for him he turned away and for what? Past demons he could not even comprehend himself.
Why did he do this?
Why did he always push away the things that he loved the most?
A quick knock at the door broke both Mikealson men out of their revere as Katerina poked her head in.
His sister-in-law strutted in and puffed up her chest like a fierce mama bear giving Klaus the death glare he was oh so familiar with.
He did note however that his sister-in-law had a sort of glow about her. Her face had definitely gotten a little chubbier and she looked all around healthy. The perks of motherhood really agreed with her. Klaus thought as she hovered over the entrance, baby monitor in hand.
"Katerina.."
"Klaus." She acknowledged him sternly after turning to her husband in a rather disproving demeanor. "Drinking at this ungodly hour? Or have you forgotten that I wanted to eat cinnamon rolls."
"Of course I remember dear wife. Niklaus had a small problem." Elijah sighed
"So when does Klaus not have a problem. The fact is that his a grown ass man who can deal with his own problems. We have a baby that needs our attention right now Elijah" She held up the baby monitor continuing her little rant. "Not late night drinking brother bonding." Kat huffed in annoyment. Never minded of the fact that Klaus was there
"You know I can hear you right.." Klaus groaned already feeling a killer migraine coming on
"You know I don't care right."
"Ah Katerina, always the delightful hostess." Klaus smirked.
Katherine was currently on a no shit tolerating buzz right now, especially when it came to Klaus's problems. That being said however usually meant that Klaus's problems somehow ended up being Caroline's too. And with Katherine, curiosity always killed the cat so she eventually caved in knowing she had to find out if it did involve Caroline and her babies.
"So what's new." Katherine sighed closing the door making her way over to the arm chair beside her husband.
"I do warn you Katerina.. Niklaus is in a spectacularly foul mood today." Elijah smirked
"Oh sod off." Klaus stated has he filled three tumblers with bourbon pushing it towards Elijah and Kat
Elijah accepted the drink given the fact that he needed it to make it through Klaus's new revelation. And Kat however, looked at Klaus very much annoyed with the gesture.
"I'm breast feeding." She scoffed
"Right." Klaus slurred as he threw her glass contents into his own, as if he wasn't drunk enough.
"My fears of fatherhood, of scaring my children as my father scar'd me has been nothing but my own downfall. The one chance I had at a family..Gone. Its horrifically cliche." He sighed after a long moment of silence
"Truthfully I'm just surprised to hear you acknowledge the fact that you're going to be a dad." Katherine snorted in disbelief.
Klaus snickered darkly at some private joke he had going on in his mind and decided to finish his drink instead.
"According to Niklaus, Enzo and Caroline got engaged.." Elijah elaborated.
"What?" Katherine gasped truly shocked.
She hadn't even realized that they've been dating. No. Wait, they haven't though have they?. Caroline made it abundantly clear on numerous occasions that Enzo was but only her doctor and close friend, nothing more nothing less.
"No.. That can be right." Katherine frowned
"Oh but its true dear sister. I even happen to have had a front row seat to the beautiful sentiment that was Enzo proposing to Caroline." Klaus almost growled.
"Why wouldn't she tell me though.. She tells me everything." Kat rolled her eyes
"Well it only happened about a few hours ago. I predict a shrieking phone call is due in a few hours or so."
"You can't hate her for moving on Klaus. She's doing what's best for her and her babies. You all but made it perfectly clear that you wanted no part in their lives, so why now? Why this sudden change of heart?" Katherine questioned opting to deal with Caroline for not spilling to engagement beans at a later stage.
"It wasn't over-night I can tell you that. I spent more time trying to convince myself that I couldn't be a father..that I couldn't be a husband to Caroline. But every cell, every fiber in my being said otherwise." He swallowed.
"When Stefan showed me the sonogram I- I couldn't deny the fact that they were mine anymore. I loved them from the moment I felt them kick but seeing them, just manifested all that I already knew. I wanted them, I wanted to be in their lives. I promised myself something; I would not do to my children what was done to me."
"What happened to Henrik..." He drifted off
Elijah and Katerina looked at Klaus in shock to even hear him utter the name of his late brother out loud for the first time in years.
"Caroline taught me.. Made me realized that my siblings.. heck even she had been trying to show me the same thing; none of it was my fault."
"What happened all those years ago was a horrible.. accident.. But that was it; an accident." Klaus stuttered
He couldn't have done anything to change Mikael's mind; that man's decisions and actions were his and his alone. The pain in the family was caused by his parents, not him. After all, how could he have controlled his own birth or who his real father was or how Mikael would react to that?
He shut his eyes and shook his head at himself as he finally saw what everyone had been trying to tell him. But simply seeing the truth didn't make it any easier to accept it when he had the lie pounded into him for years.
And it didn't help ease the pain nor did it change the fact that he had lost the life of his life and the chance at having a family.
"It is both a blessing and a burden to feel everything as deeply as i do." He muttered.
Elijah's shoulders physically relaxed. And to think all this time he had himself thinking that playing the insane older brother who sought out Klaus's redemption was a lost cause.
If the definition of insanity was doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results then surely his quest for Klaus salvation ranks him as the maddest of men.
Katherine watched in despair before turning to Elijah. No words needed to be spoken, for the marital bond between them already had. Elijah knowing full well what his little wife was thinking just by the look on her face.
'How do we fix this?'
Although the dejected look on his face all but confirmed what she already knew but sadly didn't want to accept.
There was nothing to fix because it was too late.
"Seems like our little princess has awoken.." Elijah noted breaking everyone from their revere as the baby monitor alerted them of Emily
"You're welcome to stay as long as you like. But don't drink yourself into an oblivion Niklaus.." Elijah patted Klaus on the shoulder before they left to check on their daughter.
Klaus threw his head back against the couch shutting his eyes to provide him some sort of relief.
He imagined a scenario where it had been himself and Caroline leaving to check on their children...
Her beautiful smile as she looked over their perfect little babies asleep in their cribs...
Her melodious laugh as she'd watch Klaus attempt diaper duty..
He needed to hear her voice.
And before he could talk himself out of it, he reached for his phone and dialed the house.
"I'm not disturbing you am I?"
"Enzo Hey! Oh no I was just going over some budgets for an event coming up." Caroline shrugged as she welcomed him in an endearing embrace
"Still working? What about doctors orders to take it easy Caroline." Enzo stated seriously.
"Oh don't be such a grump. I'm pregnant not invalid. Besides, working up until my last means I get more maternity leave." She smiled
She appreciated the homely visits from Enzo. It was nice to finally have someone around what felt like a broken home for months.
It wouldn't be her problem anymore though.
Soon enough she would be moving on to better things for herself and her children. She thought smiling at Enzo.
"So I've seen you a few hours ago and you're back again.." She snickered
"What can I say? I'm a man in love." He grinned as he placed his arm around her shoulder holding her firmly at his side.
Caroline beamed in joy.
"So what's up lover boy?"
"Well.. Somebody's been waiting to meet you." He smirked "Gorgeous?" He called out
...
...
Caroline grinned at the beautiful woman who walked in.
"Maggie, this is Caroline. Caroline.. This is Maggie, the love of my life." Enzo smiled
"Caroline! Its so nice to finally meet you. I've heard so many great things." Maggie stated pulling Caroline into a hug.
"Great things? Hmm what lies have you been spreading Enzo."
"Well at least he got the beautiful thing right. You're absolutely glowing Caroline." Maggie smiled
Caroline liked the girl already.
"Well Enzo, I must say.. You do have exquisite taste." Caroline smirked as she noted the huge rock of Maggie's finger
"Well let's just say I've had an excellent helper." He winked at her knowingly
"Thank you for helping him Caroline. Its gorgeous." Maggie smiled in adoration at her engagement ring
"Well a gorgeous ring for a gorgeous girl. Come on in, sit. Can I get you anything to drink?"
"No thanks we were just popping in. Enzo has another shift at the hospital in about a half hour."
"Oh that's too bad.." Caroline pouted slightly just as the phone started to ring.
Since Caroline was heavy pregnant and it took her at least 3 minutes tops to get up alone, Enzo scurried over to answer the phone instead.
"I'll get it."
"Hello?" Enzo answered
He heard no response
"Hellooo? Anyone there?"
"It must be a blank call, just forget it Enzo." Caroline rolled her eyes and then turned back to Maggie. "So what's the date for the wedding?"
Enzo shrugged putting the phone down and joined the women again.
Meanwhile...
"Hello?" Klaus's hands twitched as that bloody doctor answered their house phone.
Wasn't it enough punishment that he had a front row seat to the whole Enzo proposing thing but now he had to be reminded that Enzo was in Caroline's life for good and was already off to a start by answering her bloody phone.
"Hellooo? Anyone there?" He heard Enzo yet again but couldn't even bring himself to form any sort of coherent response.
"It must be a blank call, just forget it Enzo." Klaus heard Caroline yell in the background.
That's all he wanted though right?
To hear her voice.
He shut his eyes reminiscing in it.
"So what's the date for the wedding?" Klaus heard Caroline say before the phone was put down.
He gulped
It was as if seeing Enzo putting that ring on. Her finger all over again.
An image that he wanted barred from his thoughts and yet it seemed to not want to leave his head at all.
His heart shattered.
It felt as if those pieces were never to be picked up again. It felt as if everyone had walked all over them, breaking those pieces into even smaller pieces.
His eyes brimmed, becoming heavy with unshed tears.
"Okay Caroline.." He sighed throwing his phone to the side
"When did I tell you to wait for me?"
"When did I say I was going to come back?"
He sighed.
Has it really resorted to this? Talking to himself?
"You be happy."
"Be happy with that... Idiot!." He growled. "Good luck... I love you." He raised a refilled glass of bourbon and saluted before throwing the burning liquid back down his dry throat.
He didn't know where he was going as of now.
He didn't know if he could go home.
He didn't know if he could still call it home.
What he did know was that he would never love another as much as he loves Caroline. That was something he was most sure of.
How pathetic he was,
Hated by his father and rejected by his family.. Klaus Mikealson was the black sheep of the family and the product of a deeply dysfunctional upbringing.
He sat for a few minutes before he decided to get up. He finished a bottle and was already on to his second half-empty bottle. Klaus figured Elijah and Katherine wouldn't appreciate a drunk arse wallowing in their home nor would they appreciate said arse wallowing around their daughter.
A bar was what he needed.
Yes..
It provided a change in scenery and contained all the alcohol he needed in order to drown himself in.
He prayed to god that Rebekah was out. He couldn't risk bumping into her now and getting an earful of how he let Caroline slip through his fingers, but if he was being being completely honest with himself, he knew an entire week of lectures filled with 'i told you so's and its your own fault' was well on their way courtesy of his family and their friends.
Tugging on his jacket, he managed to make it through the door without making too much noise. He didn't want to alert Rebekah or Kol that he was here.
It was hard to muffle the sounds of his heavy drunkard footsteps on the wooden floors however, and not being in the right frame of mind didn't help his situation either.
Klaus sighed in relief as he managed to make it to the front door without running into anyone. He was so ready to leave this house behind along with all the memories and thoughts of Caroline, and to get started on more bourbon at many more bars instead.
"Niklaus.."
The familiar voice sounded surprised and somewhat hesitant.
Klaus squinted at the figure before him, hoping that his drunken mind was playing tricks on him.
A few steps forward followed by gentle grip of his arm tugging him forward had all but confirmed that he was in fact not hallucinating nor was his drunken mind playing tricks on him.
"Esther."
"Hey so what do you think about this b-" Katherine stopped in mid-sentence as she glanced suspiciously at Rebekah.
"This is my room you know, and then there's also this thing.. Its called knocking!." Rebekah scoffed before finishing up applying her mascara.
Katherine didn't care that she was busy, nor did the fact that Rebekah was basically standing in her underwear putting on make up in front of a mirror come off as weird, because if there was one thing Katherine learned going into this family; is that nothing these Mikealsons ever did came as a surprise.
"Well last time I checked this was my house.." Katherine rolled her eyes as if stating the obvious.
Little did Rebekah or anyone else know that as soon as she and Elijah got engaged, he gave her the freedom to design and decorate the manor in any way that she pleased and naturally with all the guest bedrooms, one would think that she'd have turned it into an office for her or maybe an extra closet for her seasonal wardrobes but no.. Katerina Amelia Mikealson had at least three bedrooms prepared specifically for each Rebekah, Kol and even Klaus.
She didn't expect them to move in, not at all. However, she knew how close the Mikealson siblings were and better yet, knew everything that they'd been through specifically Klaus. Growing up as they did, Elijah had always been more of a father figure to them than Mikeal ever was. They had a bond and she knew they'd be a constant in her life when she became Elijah's wife.
Rebekah's room was designed specifically for her with her state of the art plush Contour from Maricela bed with Egyptian cotton sheets, soft pastel colors that decked most of her furniture like the vanity and the closet which dare she even say had ample amount of clothing space.
"And my brothers house too. So what do you want, the sooner I know the sooner you can leave." Rebekah sighed
Katherine eyed Rebekah suspiciously from head to toe. Something was different about her...
"You're glowing.." Katherine mused. more to herself than Rebekah.
Rebekah blushed at her comment but continued to ignore her for the time being. she just needed to slip into her dress and Choo's and then she could leave before anyone asked anymore questions like Katherine and God forbid; her brothers.
"Wait.. You shaved your legs, your wearing matching underwear, I smell Channel no.5.. -Oh! You're having sex tonight aren't you!" Katherine stated
"What.. No." Rebekah muttered turning a deep shade of red.
"Well well what'd ya know. So, whose the unlucky guy Bex.." Katherine smirked making herself and Emily comfortable on Rebekah's bed. Enjoying far too much how Rebekah started squirming under Katherine's heated gaze.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Rebekah scoffed as she continued to apply her eye liner.
Katherine was about to retaliate when Rebekah's phone buzzed indicating an incoming text.
Luckily for Katherine, the phone was on the bedside cabinet within easy reach from her an unluckily for Rebekah, she was far too late to intercept when Katherine grabbed her phone reading the text aloud.
"Looking forward to seeing you tonight gorgeous, wear something sexy for me. Xoxo -Alexander." Katherine read before falling into a fit of giggles. She hadn't even protested when a fuming Rebekah yanked the phone from her stomping back to the vanity.
"Your mummy is a total bitch Emily." Rebekah stated looking at her niece.
"Hey.. No profan around the baby." Katherine frowned. "Hmm so who's Alexander..He sounds exotic"
"None of your bees wax."
"Oh cum'on. I don't get why you never tell me anything. You clearly have no problem telling Bonnie or Care." Katherine scoffed.
"Its too weird Kat. Sorry." Rebekah snorted
"How is it weird. Emily is far to young to understand anything." Katherine whined gesturing to her daughter who was propped up on Rebekah's bed with pillows oblivious to them and the rest of the world.
"Oh but I can't say the 'b' word which you totally are by the way."
Katherine gave her the 'I'm not fucking around look so you might as well tell me.'
"I mean you tell Elijah everything. And I'd rather not my older brother knowing about my sex life thank you very much.. Besides, you kinda just pushed a baby out of your junk a few weeks ago, I can't talk to you about sex." Rebekah rolled her eyes.
"Well then at least show me what the 'something sexy' is that you'll be wearing tonight." Katherine peered down at Emily staring at them with her big brown eyes.
"The black teddy from Victoria's Secret or the Agent Provacateur number.." Rebekah bit her lip holding up two of he sexiest sets of underwear she owned at this point. She and Alexander had been exchanging emails for a while now.. and when they finally decided to meet.. well lets just say it was one of the best dates she's ever been on in a while.
and tonight was the night that she went all out.
"Well lets see.. are you looking for a one night stand or the future father to your kids.."
Rebekah just laughed "Well.. which one?"
"Provocateur Bex ALWAYS Provocateur."
Rebekah slipped on the garment an did a little twirl before turning to Kat and Emily.
"And.."
Katherine smirked at Rebekah before turning to her bay. "We need to make sure Auntie Bex looks really on point Em, so Alexander can fall in love with her and marry her and get her out of our house." She joked as Rebekah flipped her in the reflection of the mirror.
"'Esther' now is it.. Do you not care of me at all to call me mother?"
"Well the term 'mother' would suggest that your fit enough to be called that which you most certainly are not."
As soon as the shock subsided.. Klaus made a mental note that Esther was probably here to see Emily.. He was also rather relieved to see just Esther and no Mikeal. For now at least..
"I was just leaving." He stated shoving pass her before she grabbed his arm.
"We have much to discuss though."
"I don't recall having anything worthy of discussing with you." He growled lowly
"Oh? And the fact that I'm about to become a grandmother yet again serves of no importance?" She asked. Her voice sounding slightly annoyed more than anything
"We need to talk Niklaus. It is important... Please." She asked and then signaled to the front door from which he had just emerged.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"I was rather disappointed when I had to find out from Greta my son's house keeper, that you and that Caroline girl were having a baby. Two babies in fact."
"I'm sorry. Is this some sort of motherly critique? Please feel free to choke on it." Klaus dismissed
"You're upset with me.." Esther stated looking down
"Is it that obvious?" He sighed out of sheer boredom
"I'm sorry about what happened all those years ago Niklaus. The things we said-"
"I meant every word." Klaus muttered. Remembering that he too had gotten a few hateful words in here and there before he left England all those years ago.
"You don't mean that Niklaus. You're drunk, you have no idea what you're saying."
"What do they say Esther? A drunk mind speaks sober thoughts? Well. Drunk or not my feelings toward you haven't changed. If that's all.. I have somewhere to be." He growled
"I know that you have every reason to hate me as much as you now do Niklaus, but i beg you.. i implore you. Do not shut me out of your children's lives Niklaus.. I-"
"You must be paranoid if you think Caroline will let you anywhere near the children mother, and if she doesn't, i sure as hell won't." He stated. He didn't know if we would have a say in his children's lives at all but it was something he could want, especially if it meant protecting them from Esther and Mikeal. He was sure that was something Caroline would agree with him on.
"Children bring out the tenderness in us Niklaus. They make us want to be better people surely you must know this by now. Do not deprive them of a relationship with their grandmother just because of some ancient family feud long since forgotten."
"Long since forgotten? Are you bloody joking?! My children will not be deprived from anything where you are concerned. Better yet, i think they're far better off not knowing you even existed."
"Despite our differences Niklaus you are still my son. You will respect me."
"Why go through all that effort? You lot have all your minds made up about me though haven't you. Niklaus Mikealson liar, manipulator, murderer.. bastard."
"The more you continue to represent yourself in that light Niklaus, the more others will start to believe it."
"Oh but Esther.. It's what you taught me to represent myself as. Weak.. and nothing. But given everything that's transpired these few months.. My love for Caroline and the conception of my children has taught me so much. You have failed in you're representation of me because there is one thing you thought me not capable of.. Forgiveness."
"I forgave myself for what happened to Henry and i realized that no matter how much you and Mikeal believe otherwise, that will never change. As far as i am concerned you and Mikeal deserve each other.. and I hope you Enjoy each other in all your misery in that big house all alone with no children and no grandchildren. Tell me, how does it feel to know that you will most likely die alone-"
"Watch your tongue!" Esther slapped him across the face.
Klaus snorted. he knew he struck a nerve because he knew that was the entire reason behind this whole charade. Esther sought out to mend broken fences because she knew her children were done with her. She was playing the grandmother card having figured that it was the only way to meddled herself back into their lives again.
"I understand that you're angry with me for blaming you.. But you must understand, when a parent looses a child, the pain can make you say and do absolutely anything and because of that you lash out.. saying all these dreadful things that you do not mean." Esther muttered and Klaus was taken aback as to how much he could relate to the feeling of loosing a child, because he was loosing not one, but two children and the love of his life.
"But when you wake up one day and find your children lack the caliber and ethical standards that i could have taught them all that i have taught you and your brothers and sister or when your children seek out a grandmotherly bond that none of you are able to fill.. you will regret it." Esther warned
"You know what.. mother, you're right. You did teach me many things in fact by kicking me out of your house at 18 without a cent nor the inheritance that i am rightfully by law entitled to you taught me how to be independent. When you refused to let me see my siblings you taught me how to be rigid and not show affection. You taught me that love was our greatest weakness and that anything i ever did was and would never be good enough for you and Mikeal. You made me live with the knowledge that i killed my brother for all these years..Your tough 'love' as you so poetically put it, shaped my character quite painfully. When life happened with all its tough lessons i always ,managed to pull through. i owe you my every strength." Klaus stated without any indication as to all the emotions that swirled around in his chest. "But you never learned that the bonds of family far out weigh anything else. and such bonds between myself and Elijah, Kol and Rebekah triumphs. Always and Forever."
"Nik.." Esther started
"Mother?"
Both Klaus and Esther turned towards the grand staircase on which Elijah stood. His face already given away to the fact that he heard every word.
"Great. You're here.. Deal with her, i honestly do not have the strength nor the patience to do so any longer." Klaus stated walking straight toward the door before Esther could say anything else.
Katherine was just on her way out. She stopped in the kitchen to get Emily's bottles when she found Stefan sitting by her kitchen counter.
That was weird.. she didn't even hear him come in..
"Stefan?"
"Hey Kat.. i'm just waiting on Elijah. His with your mother-in-law in the study."
"Wait.. Esther's here?"
"Yep."
Draping Emily over her shoulder she walked further in when she noticed the usual brooding Salvatore being extra broody.
"What is up with the look of sadness. I cannot handle this level of negative energy because we're like super happy people in this house. Right Em?' Katherine held Emily in her arms who was fast asleep wrapped up in two blankets as they were planning on stopping by Auntie Care.
"Hey you.." Stefan suddenly perked up a little bit "Come to Uncle Stef.." Stefan took Emily from Kat and even though she was sound asleep he continued to smile at her seeming deep in thought too.
"Did you see Elena today?" Stefan finally looked away from Emily and to Kat who filled Emily's bag with her milk bottles.
"I didn't.. but i bet she is being as delightful as you are now." Katherine teased "Although bitchy looks better on her."
'You're sister and I had a bit of a fight the other night." Stefan sighed
"Who's fault?" Kat peered
"Mostly mine." He admitted
Katherine gasped in complete surprise. It was usually Elena being the drama mama always picking fights when she felt a little insecure or vulnerable, so hearing that Stefan started it came as a bit of a shock.
"Tell me everything." Katherine grinned
"No.."
'Okay. Tell me the important parts." Katherine reasoned
"No.."
"I cant help you if you don't share." Kat sighed
"I guess I could live with that.' Stefan shrugged
Katherine looked annoyed at Stefan even though he was really good with Emily.. holding her right and supporting her back.
'The point is I could be an asset. Nobody has had more fights with her than I have." Katherine stated "There are secrets to winning.." she whispered
"Okay... what kind of secrets?" Stefan perked up in interest.
"Well the most important thing is to move really quickly because the longer my sister has to think about something, the deeper she digs in. And then what started as a minor issue is now this monumental situation. You know she went a whole month without speaking to me because i borrowed her Archie Bonker T-shirt without asking.
"Obviously i plan on talking to her about it Kat.." Stefan sighed
"Really? When? Because you have completely different schedules and if somebody doesn't go out of their way to make an effort, it could be days before you even see each other."
"I don't know i guess all this is just getting to her." Stefan stated
"All what?"
"All the babies.." Stefan sighed kissing Emily on her forehead.
"You mean.." Kat gasped
"Yep." Stefan sighed telling Kat about earlier that morning with Elena.
*Earlier that morning...*
"Lena?" Stefan called out as he got back from his night shift. He was tired, groggy and all he wanted to do was get into bed with his girl and sleep the dreadfully long day away until his next shift.
The apartment was eerily quiet and Stefan was surprised he didn't come home to Elena whipping up a storm in the kitchen like she usually does when she knows he was starving all the way home from the hospital.
When he entered their bedroom, he found Elena standing in front of their full length mirror with both her hands placed around her tummy staring into space. She had yet to notice him because she was standing naked with only a robe around her shoulders.
"Elena?"
"Stefan! Oh my god you scared me." Elena gasped and wrapped her robe around herself tightly
"Are you okay? What were you doing just now.." Stefan frowned kicking off his sneakers and hospital scrubs before making himself comfortable on their bed.
Elena walked over to their bed and sat in front of Stefan perched up onto her knees looking at him wearily.
"I went to visit Kat today," she smiled
"Oh. How's Emily doing?"
"She's doing really great. Kat was surprised you weren't with me. She knows how much you adore Emily.. You're so good with her you know." Elena grinned
"Yeah.. shes a sweet baby." Stefan smiled already feeling the fatigue take over his exhausted body.
"You're going to make a great dad someday.."
Stefan perked up in shock.
Elena never babbles like this unless shes nervous about something. and when he walked in and found her with her hands on her tummy.. Talking about Emily and how good he was with her..
"Elena.."
"Stefan.."
"You're not pregnant.. are you?"
"No but-"
"Oh Thank God," he sighed in relief
"Wait what? what do you mean 'thank god"? she frowned
"Elena we're just not ready for that step in our relationship yet." Stefan mumbled already knowing that he was in deep trouble no matter how he phrased out his words. Because his reaction was not what she was counting on.
"Stefan how can you say that. You asked me to marry you three nights ago, and although we agreed to wait on telling everyone with all the baby news going on.. that doesn't mean we aren't serious." she huffed
"That is not what i meant. Elena i have my career that's barely even started. I haven't even thought about having a baby let alone any time now." He sighed. He had an extremely draining day at the hospital and now he had to come home to argue with her and he really did not want that nor did he have the energy to deal with it.
"So you never want to have kids then?" She asked her eyes welling up in tears.
"No of course i do, just not right now.. Look i had a long day, can we please just sleep and talk about this later?"
"Whatever you've already made up your mind so there's nothing left to talk about." Elena huffed teary eyed and got off the bed locking herself in the bathroom.
*End of flashback..*
"Yikes.." Kat muttered once Stefan finished.
"Yeah.." Stefan sighed.
"I see your point.. Although from a female perspective i also get where Elena's head's at right now and why.. I guess with Em and the twins on the way it seemed like the baby fever was going around. Don't worry. give a day or two and she'll cool down regroup and then shes okay again." Kat shrugged
"Yeah no I honestly don't think she'll get over this." Stefan frowned
"Trust me Stef i know her. She'll realize how dramatic she's being and then you'll make up.. Now, we have to get going or we'll be late." Kat stated taking Emily from Stefan
"Oh where you guys off to?"
"Caroline. She has a lot of explaining to do." Kat stated as she walked out.
"Hi baby! Come to your Auntie Care.." Caroline cooed as she took Emily from Katherine who had yet to speak to her.
Caroline sat Emily down on her belly and started speaking to her as Emily stared back wide her big brown eyes
"So when were you going to tel me.."
"Tell you what? Is this why you haven't spoken to me yet.."
"Oh i don't know.. how about the fact that your engaged! And wheres that big rock i heard all about?" Katherine peered down to Caroline's fingers that were supporting Emily's back.
"What? Where on earth did you hear that.."
"so you're not? I knew it. So why were you ring shopping with Enzo then?"
"He needed my help in picking out a ring for his girlfriend Maggie."
Katherine nodded deep in thought as she took in her surroundings noting that there were many boxes packed all around the living room
"So when are you moving out?" Kat asked
"I'm moving the last of my things tomorrow.." Caroline murmured "Speaking of which i need help moving a few things.. do you mind?"
"The things i do for you.." Katherine sighed and got up to move the things while Caroline and Emily lounged on the couch barking orders.
"Be careful with that.." Caroline stated as Kat tugged a large painting down the passage"
"What is up with this painting though? It doesn't seem like your kinda taste." Kat stated looking at the painting side ways inspecting every inch.
"K.M?" Kat read the initials at the bottom of the canvas turning around to give Caroline a confused look
"You're stealing his stuff?"
"No.. It was a gift from him." She muttered lowly.
"And you're keeping it?"
"I don't know.. there's something about Klaus's work that i find so uniquely appealing.." Caroline sighed staring at the painting in wonder.
"Perhaps that there's a little dark and slightly morbid undertone?" Kat teased
"Perhaps."
"Klaus was there earlier.." Kat started.
"Kat i really don't need to know." Caroline sighed
"Have you spoken to him lately?"
"No. Why would I.. Nothings changed." Caroline stated
Katherine sighed. Oh but how much has changed she thought. And she knew it was not her place to tell Caroline either. This was something that had to come directly from Klaus. And it was not as if Caroline was engaged so she figured that they still had time to talk things out properly.
"Maybe you should re-think this.."
"What do you mean?" Caroline frowned
"I mean .. in some weird way i really think Klaus might come around." Katherine muttered trying not to give anything away.
"This coming from you? Really Kat? No. Okay, we've been down this road a million times before. Klaus is a fucked up man who's past will always haunt him and because of that he'll never have a future, not with me, not with anyone."
"Yes he is fucked up in every way.. but you have to take into account all of the factors."
"What factors? The fact that he can't be with me because i'm pregnant with his children or maybe its just my kids that he despises so he won't be in our lives either way." Caroline huffed
"How about the fact that his hated by the only father his ever known.. or rejected by his mother?. Or the reason that his so desperate for love and affirmation because it lacked in his childhood. This makes him prone to fits of rage that are fueled by the bestial side we all know he has.. Yeah his unpredictable in a really fucked up kinda way, but most of all Klaus is just lonely. Did you not ever notice that the minute he gets close to forming a meaningful bond, he destroys it because his afraid of how vulnerable it makes him. I never knew him personally at first but.. Elijah would always tell me things.. and for a moment they all thought that he would never trust anyone or never allow himself to truly love but then there's you Caroline.." Katherine sighed
Katherine words were truthful and sincere and although she pretended they had no affect on her.. it made her heart break a little even more as she was brought back to the painful memories of Klaus and how much she missed him, missed having him in her life.
Caroline could not recall the last time she'd seen him in the house or anywhere for that matter. He would always be gone when she woke up and home by the time she was fast asleep.
"Just think about it Care.. please." Kat stated before getting Emily all wrapped up again and they were out the door after saying their goodbyes
Caroline didn't know how long she just sat there thinking about all that Katherine has said. Moat of the things she said Caroline already knew and it did make her understand Klaus a bit better but then again it didn't help the situation either.
She couldn't force him to love her.
She couldn't force him to accept this pregnancy or the fact that he was going to become a dad in less than a month
So what exactly did Katherine want her to do then? What more did she have to think about?
A knock at the door broke her out of her revere of way too many thoughts.
"Did you forget something?" Caroline smiled as she opened the front door but gasped as a cold shiver ran down her spine.
It definitely was not Katherine..
"Hello Caroline.. I think its time we had a lovely chat."
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"Mikeal.."
Hope you guys enjoyed the lengthy chapter.
And let me know what you think?
xx
-Nafeesa