Chapter 28: Bittersweet
Disclaimer - I OWN NOTHING. NADA, ZILCH, JACK SHIT, FOR REALS
AN: A lot of you don't want Klaroline to get back together yet and a lot of you do.
I'm all about giving you guys what you want, but I feel torn.
This chapter is really sort of a roller-coaster of feely feels. You'll probably laugh a little then cry a little so bear with me.
Elena woke hours before her alarm was due to go off and even when it did, she simply brought the covers up to her nose and shut her eyes.
She lay awake for what felt like a long time, thinking and listening.
Rain pattered against the window pane as the rest of New Orleans woke that morning to a grey and gloomy day.
How fitting
She hears the ticking of the clock and that's the only indication to Elena that time had indeed passed. With her curtains drawn shut, she had no view to what it looked like outside today, or for the past few weeks that is. Stefan called off the wedding and broke the news to and all her friends the rest of the family. Elena was completely shamed. Too embarrassed to even show her face, but maybe that's what he hoped would happen. He wanted her to feel like this, it was her fault after all.
She sighs burying her head underneath the covers.
Elena hears the door being opened. If the clicking of 9'inch heels against the hardwood floors were any indication, it didn't take much thought as to who came in.
"Okay.. Time to wake up sleepy head."
"No I'm not leaving this bed." Elena's moans are muffled by the duvet she cocooned herself into
"You haven't left this room in weeks, have you even eaten anything?" Bonnie asked worryingly
"Not hungry."
"Which is why we brought breakfast to you." Caroline rips the covers away from Elena
The bright light that streams in from the now drawed curtains makes her wince. Elena sighs in defeat looking annoyed at her friends and sister.
She eyes her friends wearily before her gaze lands on Bonnie who holds out a tray filled with fruits muffins, croissants and champagne flutes infront of her.
"What's all this?" Elena deadpans
"This... Is your breakup breakfast" Caroline announces sounding somewhat optimistic which annoys Elena
"My what?" She stares at the girls incredulously
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"What the hell?" Kol frowns at the sight before him
The faint smell of cigarettes and strong whiskey filled the air the moment the two Mikaelson brothers entered Rousseau's on a cold rainy morning. Kol and Klaus find Stefan passed out. with an empty bottle of bourbon and some shot glasses scattered about on the counter top in front of him. The only reason Kol tagged along this morning, was for the betterment of nagging on Klaus to help him get the last few things for his birthday party they were having tonight at the mansion. What his older brother seemed to have forgot to mention was that they were picking up a stray along the way.
"Stefan dumped Elena." Klaus replies pressing his lips together as they take in the unfortunate sight before them.
"Why?" Kol asks incredulously
"It's been like this fweeks now" Klaus sighed. They'd come over to get Stefan at the bar he decided to drink through and make his home for the night.
If anything, being called awake at 1 in the morning by your friend who decided to get totally hammered had not ended Klaus' week off on a good note. When Kat called last week to break the news of the wedding being called off it didn't take them much to figure out why Stefan had been drinking himself into a stupor lately and was currently passed out on the counter in a now, closed bar. Had it not been for Caroline's tendency to talk in her sleep, Klaus would not have known the reason as to why the broody Salvatore called it quits.
"Why do you think he called it off?" Kol asked
"Elena.. was trying to get pregnant." Klaus replied
"So?"
"Stefan didn't know. He said he wasn't ready for a kid."
"Oh." Kol would be lying if he said he wasn't a little thrown. A stunt like that he'd expect from his sister-in-law for sure because she was confident and sneaky like that, but not from sweet, soft-spoken Elena "Why would he call off the wedding if his going to act like this? Clearly his not over her." Kol rolled his eyes
"I can hear you dumbass..." Stefan muttered. His voice muffled by the counter top his cheek was pressed against
"Good. Because you need to sober up, take a shower and eat something." Klaus chided but to no avail as he watched Stefan reach for another bottle of whiskey behind the counter.
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Caroline fills four flutes with champagne as the girls make themselves comfortable on the bed, much to Elena's annoyance.
"So that's it, you're just giving up?" Bonnie looks sorrowful to Elena who can't even meet her gaze
Elena shrugs despondently
"Come on you can't here day long feeling sorry for yourself." Katherine fusses
"I can. And I will."
Caroline, Bonnie and Katherine shared a brief look of annoyance before looking back at the curled up form under the duvet
"Elena..its been way too long to be hiding out in your room like a little teenage girl."
"You guys are wasting your time. I'm not leaving." Elena groaned
Stefan calling off the engagement had come as a shock to the rest of the gang. Elena trying to get pregnant behind his back well, that was even worse
"Its Kol's birthday dinner. You know how much he wants you to be there." Bonnie changed the subject as she nudged her friend
"Is.. Stefan going to be there?"
"He was invited. But I doubt he'll come." Katherine shrugged
"Then its probably not a good idea." Elena pouted turning back underneath the covers
"How long do you want to hide out in your room for? Sooner or later you're going to have to deal with this shit." Katherine exclaimed
"Kat..."
"No Caroline I am sick of this. Stefan called off the wedding, so what? He still loves you Elena otherwise he wouldn't be winding up in random bars getting white girl wasted."
Elena perked up slightly by her sisters' retort. She had no idea
Had this been as hard for him as it was for her too?
"She's right. His been a mess. Klaus and Kol have been on damage control all week." Caroline sighed
That was certainly news to Elena.
The last time she saw Stefan, was about two weeks ago when he came over to get his things. To say he wasn't in the mood to talk was an understatement. He practically pushed past her into the apartment, grabbed a bag full of clothes and was out of there before she could even blink. Calls and texts were of no use.. the only window into Stefan's day-to-days' were through Caroline and Katherine.
They spent an hour showering and changing. Katherine did indeed have an extensive collection of designer clothes and the girls were enraptured trying all of them on. Finally, they settled on some eye-catching outfits and went to work on their hair and make-up. After another hour of primping, smearing, painting and togging, they felt fit to be seen in polite society.
The guys were all assembled in the living room for dinner when the girls started their descent down the stairs.
The group downstairs were stunned into silence by the sight of the girls and they watched practically open-mouthed as the girls walked slowly towards them.
Caroline looked like a different person altogether. She was dressed in a white silk gown that molded her slim body from neck to ankle.
The gown was sleeveless, with a high collar ending in tiny pearl-like buttons at the back. It was also completely backless, with the skirt skating provocatively low – past her waist, and clinging sensuously to her hips. The front of the dress clung to her voluptuous breasts and dipped down to her tiny waist. At the waist, the left side of the dress had been completely cut away, leaving the skin at her midriff completely exposed on the left-hand side.
She was wearing a fine gold chain around her waist – drawing even more attention to the sexy expanse of skin. The skirt was long, ending at her ankles and it had an inviting slit that accentuated her long, lovely legs.
Klaus stood frozen to the ground, afraid his legs would give out underneath him and fall hard on his ass.
Elena's usual straightened hair was now curled and teased around her face and down the back of her neck. Her usual soft and subtle make-up was replaced with a smokey eye and dark lip. It accentuated her large, beautiful eyes and full sensuous lips.
Everyone heard Stefan's sharp intake of breath as he took an involuntary step towards her.
She walked sensuously as if towards him and then moved right past his almost outstretched arms straight towards Kol
"Sexy enough for you little party?" She asked as she twirled around in front of him.
"You look lovely darling." Kol said with a alight smirk knowing full well what she was up to.
"If I didn't know any better I'd mistaken you for your evil other half." Rebekah smirked
"Well it's good to change things up now and again." Katherine smiled at Elena looking proudly at her work.
Katherine was dressed in a pair of black hipsters that rode very low over her hips and hugged her legs, all the way up to her ankles, which were encased in a pair of high heeled ankle boots, studded with gold buttons. She wore a low cut gold silk top that ended abruptly just under her breasts, leaving her midriff completely bare. A large black woolen jacket completed the ensemble, which she festooned with dozens of golden
bracelets and large, dangling earrings.
"And I see that you are determined to show every available inch of your skin." Elijah said disapprovingly
"Well if you've got it, flaunt it." Katherine laughed
Elena and Caroline joined in on the laughter. The guys were astonished at how the different clothes had completely changed both Elena and Caroline. It wasn't so much the way they looked – which was different enough – but also their attitudes had changed.
Gone were the shy, self-effacing creatures of the early afternoon. In their places were bold, confident women who knew they looked good – and it showed.
Bonnie herself was dressed in a scarlet dress with a halter neckline and a short, full gathered skirt, which swirled against her thighs when she moved. It was also bare backed, and low cut in the front. Kol loved red on her and so why wouldn't she want to please her man on his birthday.
"Well, shall we go into the dining room area and have our dinner?" Kol asked as he extended his arm to Bonnie
They led the way, followed by the four girls and the men behind. Stefan were still gawking, Elijah still glowering and Klaus seemed amused.
That set the tone, pretty much for the entire meal. Elena sat next to Caroline and talked almost exclusively to her all through dinner. She was bubbly and alive and over eager. Most of her jokes and comments had Caroline in stitches, and her infectious laughter made everyone else quite merry.
"Wow Elena, you sure that's age appropriate?" Rebekah teases
"You're just jealous that you can't be in a tight whore dress like me." Elena throws back tossing her over her shoulder expertly
Stefan glowered more than ever. As soon as dinner was over, he caught Elena's arm and dragged her off to a corner of the living room.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He hissed at her
"Making everyone happy," she tugged her arm out of his grasp "What's your problem? Don't you like people happy?"
Stefan glared at her
"This isn't you Elena. These clothes and make-up…" he started
"What Stefan, do I look like a whore? Isn't that what you think of me anyway.. In fact, why do you even care? I've tried calling you for a week and you shut me out."
"What did you expect after what you did?" He retorted
"So you're still going to hold that against me then." Elena was suddenly very angry
"Stop getting so defensive."
"How can I not get defensive? You've done nothing but insult me and question my motives ever since you found out I was trying to get pregnant."
"And you still don't see how wrong that is?" He stared at her incredulously
"I know it was wrong." Elena started but then shook her head and the eminent glare returned to her face "You called off the wedding, so explaining myself to you is just about as pointless as this conversation."
Stefan watched her walk back to the dining room with a dull ache in his chest
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Dinner was over and the birthday boy thought it appropriate to switch from wine to the more hard liquor and kick it up a notch. Besides, with the way everyone had dressed up and decked out he knew this night had to be legendary and accomplishing that goal would mean he needed to get everyone drunk as fuck.
When Kol suggested a game, everyone figured it would have been charades or monopoly. Klaus knew better than to trust anything that comes out of Kol's mouth to be less than honorable
So instead of the children games everyone suggested, Kol decided on Never Have I Ever. The rules were simple, they go around in order and each person would say 'Never have I ever' and then something that they hadn't done before. Anyone who had done that, had to drink.
It worked in Kol's favor that no one was pregnant anymore or had babies to breastfeed. His nieces and nephew had babysitters so all the parentals could basically get roaring drunk
Kol had just finished explaining the rules - mostly for Elijah's benefit - to everyone in the room
"I'll go first since it's my birthday." Kol told them
There was an awkwardly long pause before Katherine asked "Well are you going to go or not?"
"I'm trying to think of something I haven't done." Kol responded causing half the room to roll their eyes.
"Never have I ever had an STD." Kol announces proudly after a few quiet minutes
"It has to be true for the game to work Kol.." Klaus sighs and Rebekah chuckles
"It is true!" Kol argues
"I'll go first then." Bonnie interjects before anything transpires further. She wasn't too keen on having the dirty details to Kol's sexual history
"Please start on the light fluffy stuff, I don't want to get drunk too early." Caroline whines earning a look from Klaus who by now knows that she's already tipsy from dinner. She was such a light weight
"Never have I ever been walked in on by my parents." Bonnie shrugs opting for the first thing that popped into her mind.
Katherine, Stefan, Elena, Kol, Rebekah and Elijah all drink leaving Caroline, Bonnie and Klaus who had not. Caroline merely shrugs. Her parents hadn't really been around long enough to ever catch her in the act. Klaus not drinking surprises everyone but not more than Elijah who had.
"Elijah you dog!" Kol chuckles darkly
"Was it Mikael?" Katherine grimaced
"It was Esther, next question." Elijah shifted uncomfortably.
"Never have I ever kissed a girl." Rebekah goes next and all the guys drink. Caroline and Katherine share a brief look before they both drink as well.
"Say what?!" Kol chuckles
"I mean who hasn't gone through an experimental phase in college.." Caroline scoffs at Kol
Klaus swallowed as he shifted on the couch. The image of Caroline kissing another girl now in his mind and it was fucking hot.
"Moving on, Never have I ever... had a baby." Rebekah states and for a brief moment Elena entangles Stefan's gaze before quickly looking away. Quickly catching on to her friends uneasiness, Caroline intervened "Wait, does that mean I have to drink twice?"
"Yes!" Kol implores chuckling as he watches he blonde friend down two shots much to Klaus' annoyance.
The atmosphere in room had become relatively light and bubbly. The more alcohol flowed, the looser everyone became and the more intense and personal the questions became.
Katherine thought long and hard before she went next, finding it completely hilarious that Caroline was already drunk and Klaus looked completely bored she decided on her next one "Never have I ever had a sex dream about my ex"
"Seriously" Caroline glared at Kat but drank none the less. Caroline couldn't believe Katherine wanted to play that game, she told her that in confidence. She was also a little embarrassed that she was the only one who drank for that one
Klaus couldn't hide the smirk that took over his face. If there were ever a moment where he wasn't thankful for Katerina Mikaelson, it was now.
"It feels like we're playing the get Caroline drunk game." Caroline pointed out after a few dozen rounds "I've drank more than anyone else here." She slurred. Much to everyone's amusement it had basically been a round directed at Caroline. Caroline and Klaus to be more exact,
"It's not our fault that it's so hard to think of something you haven't done Care bear." Katherine snickered.
Caroline stared at her best friend in shock for a few seconds before sending her a glare. "Never have I ever had sex in the back of a pick up truck."
Oh yeah, she totally went there
Katherine's eyebrows shot to her hairline but drank non the less. Elijah shook his head almost laughing. He knew about his wife's crazy wild college days, but he preferred not to know any of the gory details
"Fair enough."
Klaus caught on quickly to the little row going between Katerina and Caroline, it also gave him an idea.
"Never have I ever wanted dirty talk before sex." He smirked down at his glass because at that moment he knew Caroline was shooting daggers at him. It was her fetish and she knew it.
Caroline, Bonnie, Rebekah and even Kol drank.
"Right so-"
"Never have I ever cried after sex." Caroline shot back at Klaus before Bonnie could ask her question
That was a low blow Caroline... Klaus sighed but drank as he should.
"What?!" Kol broke out into a fit of giggles "Nik- You.. you cried?" tears nearly rolled down Kol's face from all the laughter. Even Elijah was amused
"Never have I ever-" Klaus started
"No! this is not some weird Klaroline relationship rehash . It's my turn." Rebekah pouted
"It's actually my turn but I think I'm officially over this game." Bonnie sighed laying her head on Kol's shoulder
"Never have I ever tried to get pregnant and lied about it."
...
...
The entire room went quiet as they turned to Stefan who radiated anger
As drunk as they were, every one in the room tensed when they saw Elena and Stefan glaring at each other.
Kol half smiles as he scratches his head "Okay so let's not play that game any more."
The next morning Klaus woke up with anew sense of hope. If last night was anything to go by, the banter and bicker between them was a step in the right direction. He felt positive that she was coming around. After a quick shower, he was surprised - no - shocked to find the very blonde who haunted his dreams in the kitchen already feeding their children who sat in their high chairs. The amount of porridge stuck to their faces rather than in their mouths was enough to make him chuckle.
Henry was first to spot his father and got excited as he waved his chubby arms in the air and gurgled something, never-minded by the fact that he had porridge in his mouth.
Caroline frowned at her son's behavior before turning to the source of his over-excitement "Of course" She mused chuckling
"Good morning love." He winked at her before walking over to the twins "And good morning little wolves." He pecked them each on the head and Charlotte lifted her arms in the air to be picked up by her father.
"No... finish your breakfast first." Caroline warned giving Klaus a look that meant he should not cave in to his daughters' puppy dog eyes and pouty lips.
"Well that certainly was an interesting dinner last night." He mused having a coffee by the breakfast bar as he watched her continue to feed the twins; o try to at least
"God the last time I drank that much was probably in college." Caroline groaned.
"Can't believe Stefan though, I actually never thought it'd come to this." Klaus frowned and Caroline nodded slowly in agreement. Watching the scene unfold before her was extremely difficult to watch. Those are two of her best friends and she could not believe it had gotten to the point of no reconciliation.
"Rebekah will be here any minute to pick up the twins." Caroline announced and she wiped the porridge off Charlotte's mouth
"Why?" He frowned
"She's taking them to the zoo with Kat and Elijah remember?" Caroline rolled her eyes
'Why don't we go together as a family' was on the tip of his tongue, but he refrained. As much as he would absolutely love to take his kiddies to the zoo, he also knew that Caroline and him would be home alone for the first time in like forever. Saying that they needed to have a talk was an understatement.
Klaus watched her go into the twins' bedroom to get them ready for their Aunt, while he busied himself in the kitchen making breakfast for himself and Caroline.
"What smells so good in here?"
Speak of the devil and she shall appear
"Rebekah." He smiled at her as she walked in and took a seat at the breakfast bar.
"Yummy.." She fawned over the bacon before trying to sneak a piece into her mouth
"No." He swotted her hand away "That's Caroline's breakfast" He took the plate away from her prying hands
"You're such a dip shit." She rolled her eyes at him before sauntering off to find the twins
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"So if anything happens and I mean anything Rebekah, you call me immediately." Caroline warned causing Rebekah to roll her eyes
"This is not my first rodeo Caroline. Calm you tits would you?" She smirked "Now say bye to Mum and Dad." She told the twins. Caroline and Klaus stood side by side waving at their babies as their Aunt pushed them out in the stroller
Caroline watched them leave biting her lip. "They'll be fine love." Klaus placed his hand on her shoulder. "And Elijah will be there if it makes you feel any better because It sure makes me feel a ton better." He stated causing her to snicker
"Yeah you're right that does make me feel better."
"Breakfast?"
"Lead the way."
Here we go...
After breakfast, Caroline left to take a shower in attempts to get the porridge off her hair and T-shirt. Apparently the twins found it much more appealing when they painted their Mom with their breakfast. The landline's light kept flashing indicating a new message, someone must have called while they were having breakfast. He idly wondered why neither himself nor Caroline had heard the phone ringing at all. Pressing a small button on the machine as he went to stack the dishes into the washer, he listened tentatively.
"Hello Miss Forbes this is Carla, I hope you don't mind me calling you on your landline, your cellphone was off and well it was rather urgent..."
Klaus figured it was one of Caroline's clients.
"I'm just calling to let you know that the loan has been approved. You can move in by tomorrow if you want. The house is great and also has a lot of schools in the surrounding area. Well, you can call me back on my cell as soon as possible and we can arrange something. Bye!"
Klaus dropped a mug letting it shatter onto the hardwood floor. Caroline stood in front of him staring blatantly at him. Her big orbs fixed on his. He hadn't even heard her come back..
"Klaus-"
"You're leaving again?" He asked in such a small broken voice almost above a whisper. What the fuck?
She was leaving when she promised they would live here and work out their issues. Now she was running away and taking his children away too? Why didn't she tell him. As their father, he had every right to know of her plans
"I had no idea the loan would be approved that fast but yes- I am moving out."
"Are we not going to talk about this?" He stared at her incredulously
"Talk about what?" She muttered finding interest in the marbles of furniture in their- his home, anything really besides having to look him in the eyes.
"What happened with the ring and-"
"It was my fault. I should never have tried it on. I'm sorry." Caroline interjected before he could finish. The way she wanted to nip this conversation in the bud had come across quite clear to him, it just frustrated him that she was being this stubborn.
"You don't have anything to be sorry about love, it's rightfully yours; I bought it for you." He explained placing both of his hands on her shoulders. If she wouldn't look at him, maybe he'd have to make her. Caroline's green orbs reluctantly found his— he swallowed hard—the uncertainty etched on her face made him internally wince.
"You bought it for the woman you're going to marry, but- that's just not me." She croaked out
"Well not right now obviously, I know you need time and we'll take this slow, or whichever way you want love. I just don't want to loose you again." He gently shook her emphasizing how important this was to him; to both of them.
"I have to leave... This is the only way it'll work. In order for you to move on, you can't be living in the same house as me... it won't be fair." She sighed
"Move on?" He frowned. What the fuck was she saying? "Why on earth would I want to do that? I love you"
Caroline looked down.
She expected this; for him to throw their love and history together in her face in an attempt to make her stay. But that was just it — she loved her children and they were the most important right now. This is what is best for them. Caroline kept replaying the mantra in her head over and over drawing strength from this not to break down in front of him.
"I've given it a lot of thought, I moved back in with you, I've forgiven you. I've done all that you asked. No matter how it plays out in my mind though— it can't be the way it was.. Please just try and understand."
Caroline looks at him as the recognition dawns on his face. Klaus shakes his head as if trying to comprehend what she just said.
"I'm leaving," she said softly again, afraid he hadn't heard the first time.
"You can see the twins any time you want to, I'm not trying to keep you away from them in any way. You're a great dad and you're their dad. No matter what happens between us; that'll never change... You'll always be in my life Nik, just not the way you want." She says solemnly
Caroline sucked in a breath at the sight before her.
Klaus dropped to his knees before her, the hard stance of his face now etched with complete guilt and remorse like she had never seen before.
"Caroline, please… please give me one more chance to make it up to you, please? I'll do anything for you not to give up on me. I can make this right, I can fix us. Please." His chin quivers and it just breaks her heart. "I love you so much"
She tried so hard to keep a calm demeanor, she tried so hard to be level-headed and clear about doing this— but just seeing him like this before her, on his knees, crying— Caroline is absolutely devastated.
Wrecked sobs escapes from Caroline's chest and she tries to calm herself but who is she kidding—this is so much harder than she thought it would be.
To see someone so utterly devastated by their own actions is hard, but to see it—when it's someone you love with everything you have—makes it so much worse.
Caroline tries to take some deep breaths and yet no matter how many breaths she takes it'll never make this any easier to get through.
"Nik, you are the father of my children and I love you…" her tears continually fall, running down her cheeks and slipping into the corners of her mouth. "…but I can't. I can't go back, not after everything that's happened."
Klaus gasps, crushing pain and grief overwhelms him but he knows he has to stay strong.
He knows he has to do the right thing for once in his pathetic excuse of an existence.
His never been a good person; His always been selfish, in all aspects of his life — not anymore.
Slowly Klaus looks up at the beautiful woman before him; even in devastation she still takes his breath away and he knows...
He knows that he has to do what's best for her and the children, they are the most important people in the world to him and they deserve every happiness. This is about them and not what he wants or needs, not anymore.
This is by far, the hardest thing his ever had to do. It's killing him with every breath he takes.
Still on his knees in front of her, Klaus takes both of her hands in his and looks into her beautiful eyes; they were once so bright and innocent, now marred with the sadness of what he forced upon her. He feels like his going to pass out as the tears are streaming from both of them.
Klaus smiles up at her and takes one last deep breath before he braces himself.
"Caroline Forbes, you are the best thing that's ever happened to me. You brought me to life; you taught me how to love and how to be loved in return. You've given me the greatest gift in the world," he stops and looks over to the large picture on the wall they took of the twins when they turned 8 months old "All you ever did was love me; and I was stupid and selfish enough to hurt you —I am so sorry— for everything." He looks down to the floor.
Shit.
This is harder than he thought it would be.
Caroline gives his hand a gentle squeeze; even now, after everything his done she still reassures him.
Fuck.
"I didn't mean to hurt you, looking at you now— like this." He pauses, staring into her watery eyes.
"I am sickened by my actions. Sweetheart, please know that you loved me enough, never doubt that. You were always enough! And if this is what you want…" An involuntary sob heaves from his chest as Caroline's chin quivers.
"Nik… w-why does this feel like… like g-goodbye?" She asks her voice breaking. She didn't think that he would give up this easily.
The thought of Klaus not trying to win her back anymore terrified her.
Wait what?
The realization that he would no longer be around to pester her with breakfast or dinner dates, read her children stories about their first meeting and undenying love for each other, cook her favorite dinner and tell her how great she looks with baby vomit all over her clothing even when she know she doesn't — it hit her like a ton of bricks and nearly took her breath away.
No. No. No.
Why was she feeling like this now? Caroline made a list dammit, she weighed the pros and cons. This was what was best for them. Why didn't it feel so much like the best decision now?
Isn't this what you wanted though? You told him you can't be with him so what did you expect? For him to pine after you for the rest of his life? Get real Caroline.
Damn stupid subconscious.
Klaus kisses each of her knuckles in turn and tries to draw enough strength to do what he knows is right—To do what is right for her— the woman he loves and the children they share.
"Because sweetheart. I'm—I'm going to let… you go." He tries to keep composure but his heart is breaking, her heart is breaking and it's of his doing.
"And if being a father to our children is the only way you want me to be involved in your life then that is what I will be. You deserve more; you always deserved more." He smiles sadly, tears falling from his eyes. "Someone who will treat you the way you should be treated, who will appreciate your light, your strong will, your beauty; inside and out. Someone who—who will love you with every breath he takes." A wrecked sob escapes him. The thought of another man being with her repulsed him, but after everything that's happened—she deserved someone better than him, he knew that now.
"All I've ever done is hurt you. I love you with all of my heart and soul, and I love you enough to let you go."
Klaus struggles to hold back his emotions any longer as he collapses with his head on her lap.
She runs her hands through his hair as she heaves sobs herself. He never thought it would end like this, he somehow thought it would have worked out in the end, that maybe she loved him enough to give him another chance.
But sometimes love isn't enough.
Caroline pulls his face up to hers and presses her lips to his.
As they kiss it feels both familiar and new, this is a goodbye kiss and they give it everything they've got.
All the pain is poured into this kiss and its killing him..
Caroline pulls away first, panting as Klaus is. She uses the back of her thumbs to wipe her tears and they both stand up.
She pulls him into an embrace and he buries his nose in her hair.
He can't…
This is too hard.
It hurts, god does it hurt.
Caroline squeezes him so fucking tight; Klaus wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her so close that air couldn't pass between them
She leans in and places a wet cheek to Klaus' and caresses his face when they pull apart. Her lip still trembling and breathes "Goodbye Nik. I'll always love you." She walks out of the great room and out of his life, his love, his everything.
AN: That chapter was super hard to write. Gave me the feely feels :(
This story does have a happy ending, we're just not there yet so don't worry
PS: In an effort to avoid the misfortune I've had with a particular review on my other story "One Small Hitch", before reviewing anything to me regarding plagiarism; read the disclaimer again and again and again and again.
Yes that was dripping in sarcasm but nevertheless to everyone who enjoys my writing a big *fist-bump* to you.