Chapter 31 - Begging for thread
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the characters and references to scenes used and inspired by will be mentioned as I do not take any credit for them whatsoever.
"Watch where you're going!"
As her feet carried her down St Andrew street all she could think about, all she could feel was the dull ache in her chest expanding. She kept walking and walking, bumping into passing figures on the street in a induced blur. She couldn't think, she couldn't speak, all she could focus on was the drum of her heart as her legs carried on to an unknown destination.
Her hands were fisted into the pockets her cotton pea coat as her heels clicked on, against the pavement. She was a little overdressed for a regular night in New Orleans but she couldn't even bring herself to care. All that mattered was clearing her head because she felt suffocated. She needed to breath.
When she felt like she could no longer carry on, Elena looked up at the intruding brown building before her. How ironic.
That in a melancholic induced haze, her mind had subconsciously led her here.
X
He didn't know what time it was, when it happened, when he heard it; the shower running. On many other occasions this would have been relatively normal, only – he lived alone.
Wearily, Stefan got to his feet, and tip-toed to the bathroom, adrenaline pumping through his veins ready to attack any form of an intruder.
The door of the bathroom burst open – it was a little hard to see given the steam filling the room, although reluctantly he made out a figure sitting on the hard cold floor underneath the shower head.
Elena.
Her coat had been thrown over the bath tub rim while she sat, in her dress and heels – on the floor while the water poured over her.
"Elena?" He came closer and called but she just – sat there, staring at the wall. "Elena!" She seemed to be in a trance because after calling her three times she did not even flinch. He got in, with her and sat before her with her face in between his hands. "Hey, what's wrong." He frowned taking in her appearance. From afar she just looked soaked from the water of the shower, but up close – he could clearly inspect the remnants of trails of mascara down her cheeks. Her plum lipstick smeared across her chin and her completely pale complexion. He turned off the shower and scooped her up in his arms carrying her to the bedroom without a word.
They were both drenched in water when he reached the bed but he didn't care. She looked so scared, so lost. She sat on the edge of the bed when he knelled before her, looking up to inspect her face closely. His brows furrowed sadly, she couldn't even look at him. He reached down and took off her shoes, one after the other before hesitantly reaching for the zipper of her dress. He sighed a little in relief that she didn't push him away. Gently – he pealed the soaking dress from her skin and made fast to dry her before dressing her in one of his shirts.
It became evident that she was not going to speak so he just laid her down onto the bed and crawled in behind her. He pulled the sheet around them both and held her close under his secured arms. She placed her shaking cold hands over his and it was the first sign of communication from her since she'd arrived.
Soon, he felt her laboured deep breaths of air escaping her as a sign she had fallen asleep. But Stefan could not so easily succumb to sleep when in fact, his mind was plagued with so many questions.
Why had she come here and why was she in such a state?
Caroline watched the button's of the elevator light up with every floor she passed. It would still take some getting used to the fact that Klaus now owned and partially ran a multi-million dollar company with the MMA. The penthouse floor was a long way up, twelve floors to be precise, but in the meantime, she had put that time to good use in reapplying her lip gloss and checking her appearance.
Today's look consisted of a pinstriped shirt she'd gotten at a charming little boutique on Magazine street, with her boyfriend jeans - ripped of course and lastly, her Jimmy Choo cut out heel. It wasn't too office-orientated but not too laid back either. She wanted to make a good impression, even though Caroline had absolutely no idea what 'Estate Planning' was all about. Doing a final take in the lobby's wall-length mirror she gave herself a nod of approval and pushed the double-stroller forward down the passage. She was a mommy on a mission. Samantha was as usual at her desk right outside Klaus' office. "Hi Caroline!"
Her tendency to be over-eager was so cute. It wasn't always like this she'll have you know. Being Klaus' PA for a total of 4 months, Samantha use to be so rude and annoying, never taking anything Caroline said to her seriously as she was only the 'baby mama' and there hadn't been a 'ring on it'. That had all politely came to an end when Caroline dropped by one day and gave Sam a very colorful piece of her mind as to how the mother of her boss's children should be treated if she planned on keeping her current job. So maybe Sam also had a little crush on Klaus to, who else in this building didn't?
"Sam." Caroline nodded briefly "Is Klaus in yet?"
"He is on his way up but you could wait in his office if you'd like? Or out here – whatever or wherever you would be comfortable Caroline really-"
"Hm'kay." Caroline allowed herself into his office and shut the door on her way in. She was glad the twins were still asleep in the stroller and since she had still been waiting on Klaus, a little look around wouldn't do any harm right?
His office was huge. Way too big for a guy who works three days a week if you ask her. Guess it comes part of being the boss. The boss – it still seemed so unreal how his career had completely taken off. Once the deal with the MMA institute was signed and sealed, Klaus with the help of Elijah and – Hayley Marshall had opened the gallery. Originals wasn't just a thought on paper anymore, it became a reality. And in the midst of showcasing artists and their raw talent, Klaus and the MMA furthered their joined venture by starting a new firm which basically dealt with international art deals. Buying and selling, scouting artists, showcasing the talent, everything and anything surrounding the art basically. Caroline couldn't be more happier for him. Turning her attention to her surroundings, she made sure to do a full 360 scan of his office. His chair looked kind of fancy and expensive so she sat down to get a better insight into what a day in the life of Niklaus Mikaelson looked like.
"Fancy Shmansy.." She had never been in here for longer than 10 minutes but even then – she'd never gotten a real opportunity to have a look around. After helping herself to the mints he kept in a small flask on his desk she did a little twirl on his chair and started spinning around in circles. The room looked way bigger when you saw it rotating like this...
"Comfortable?"
Caroline stuck her feet onto the ground and came to abrupt stop. "Klaus."
She felt like a little kid who had just gotten caught with her hands in the cookie jar. He shook his head laughing and Caroline was sure she turned bright red. Klaus went over to the stroller and peeked his head inside to kiss the twins while Caroline got up and made her way over to him – trying to regain her earlier, cool demeanor.
"You look nice." He said when he looked up and she smiled nervously.
He was wearing a suit. Even though he looked mouth-watering in it, Caroline often missed the days when he was in a plain Henley painting away. "Er – thanks. You too. So uh – what the hell is estate planning?"
"Caroline Forbes has showed up to a meeting unprepared? I'm shocked." He feigned genuine surprise as he went over to his desk. "I figure you'd google the crap out of it. I actually prepared myself to hear a very detailed lecture from you this morning." The fact that they could have a playful banter of anything now and again had definitely been an improvement of their relationship. Although nothing had been set in stone, she was sure he wasn't dating Hayley and that made her feel better.
"Okay – first of all, I am not that bad. And second. Your daughter decided that it would be totally fun to draw with a dark marker all over my walls. I spent all night trying to get it off..."
"She's an artist love, best you let her just express herself." He chuckled
"She's two and a half, Klaus. What does she know about art?"
"Her Daddy's an artist love, that is pretty much self-explanatory." And Klaus smirked watching Caroline openly roll her eyes at him as she took a seat.
"Comfortable?"
"Very – Although I kind of miss the rotating bit-"
"By all means love" Klaus got up off his chair and motioned for her to sit "Have at it."
"I was kidding!" She laughed and he shrugged sitting once again.
"Er Mr Mikaelson?" Sam peeked her head in from the door and then entered when he nodded "Your lawyer is here."
"Send him in Samantha."
"Sure thing" Sam replied not before turning to Caroline on her way out "Caroline – could I get you anything? A tea, water or something to eat maybe?"
"I do have an intense craving for a pumpkin spiced latte from Starbucks..." Okay so maybe she was totally taking advantage now but she wasn't lying. She really had an intense craving.
"Sure Caroline, I'll get that for you right away." She chirped and then left the office quickly. Klaus looked questioningly at Caroline, really confused as to what had just happened. "Okay – so either my PA is in love with you, or you threatened to have her killed."
"Oh Klaus – I believe that when you are nice to people, they become nice back and-"
"–you threatened her didn't you?"
"–yep" Caroline deadpanned and they both started laughing.
"Ah Lucian" Klaus announces, his gaze fixed on the door and Caroline figures it must be the lawyer. He was shorter than she'd imagine. Sort of cute in a very low-key psychopathic killer kind of way but overall he seemed friendly. "And this the mother of my children. Miss Caroline Forbes."
Caroline wanted to roll her eyes at how formal Klaus had to make everything sound. "Just Caroline, please – nice to meet you."
"You too, how about we get started yeah?"
"Firstly I have a question, but it's kind of a two-parter.." Caroline trailed off and Lucian looked at her and then Klaus expectantly. Klaus just smirked shaking his head. When it came to Caroline he expected nothing less. "What is 'Estate Planning' and why do we need it?"
"Estate planning entails thinking and planning ahead for Henry and Charlotte's future. We aim to eliminate all uncertainties." Lucian replied
Caroline definitely likes the sound of that. "Well now you're speaking my language."
"She does like to be prepared.." Klaus tells Lucian as Caroline perks up nodding in agreement.
"Okay. Let's get started on the basics." Lucian opens up his briefcase to retrieve a folder of documents. She watches curiously as he pages through them clicking his ballpoint pen as he went on. It was kind of annoying. "Custody. Caroline you're dead. You want Klaus to raise the twins right?"
"Oh – Uh yes. Yes of course." She was a little taken aback by the lawyers inability to be subtle. Her initial prognosis had seemed to be right. Definitely a low-key serial killer.
"Let's say you're in a really bad car accident, on life support, still Klaus?"
"Y-yeah."
"And do you want to stay on life support or do you want to be a vegetable?"
"I guess taken off – but not too soon." Caroline says quickly and Lucian nods. It is beyond her how calm and collected this guy can be while inserting very vivid and grim scenarios in her head about dying and leaving the twins behind.
"Standard is about a month." The lawyer shrugs "Okay let's say you're both killed in a car accident..." Caroline's eyes widen. This guy was really grimm.
"...then who gets them?"
"Elijah right?" Caroline says and Klaus nodded in agreement.
"And would Elijah be in charge of Henry and Charlotte's trust fund?"
"Huh?" Caroline is confused.
What trust fund?
"Trust fund. It's sizable and in the event of Niklaus' death they would come into about – what is now forty?" He asks Klaus
"Yeah that's about right." Klaus muses indifferently. This is news to her. Since when was there a trust fund for her children and why had she not been informed about it?
Caroline is still completely lost. She stares at both men "Forty?"
"Million." The lawyer says "give or take."
Forty million dollars? She knew Klaus was also doing well for himself where Originals and his firm were going but she didn't think forty million dollars trust-fund, kind of good.
Observe Caroline.
Trying not to freak out.
She was worried that these trust funds would ruin her children. Look at what it did to Klaus and his siblings, their father basically used it as a bargaining chip and in turn made them hate him. She didn't want that for Henry and Charlotte. She wanted them to be humble and work hard and not be spoiled rotten and rely on the soft cushion of their trust funds whenever things didn't go their way
"I think I need some water."
Needles of sun hit his face as the next morning seemed to arrive – or was it afternoon? It was hard to say. For a minute, he had forgotten where he was and what day it was.
When suddenly his eyes landed on the nine inch heels laying scattered by the bedroom door. Then he remembered.
Elena.
Reaching out beside him, his eyebrows knit together when he found the bed space cold and vacant. Begrudgingly he got up, decided against throwing a shirt on since finding Elena seemed to be more important to him now. She hadn't been herself last night and he didn't want her to do anything stupid.
"Elena?" He called out and went further inside. He found her on the balcony staring out onto the streets. "Elena.."
She turned around and stared at him with wide eyes before standing up and coming inside. She was still wearing his shirt, and only then had he noticed her hair had been shorter. She cut it. The short tendrils handing in wild loose curls – she never looked more beautiful. "Hi."
"Hi." He noted that it was the first time she said anything to him in the last couple of hours she had been here. He wanted to know what happened. What made her come here in the state that she was in and what he could do to help her. But he didn't want to scare her off. Katherine had said that something happened, he just didn't think it was as real as her coming over here to sit in his shower in her clothes and cry.
"Are you hungry?" Her question had taken him by surprise and he reluctantly nodded. She smiled and took off toward the kitchen.
Okay – what just happened?
He followed her to the kitchen – his kitchen and sat down at a bar stool as he watched her pull out two plates from the microwave.
She had already cooked breakfast?
How long had she been up?
She knew her way around the kitchen quite well, but that didn't surprise him since they lived together for a year before she moved out.
"I hope you still like your eggs over-easy.." She said and came to sit next to him. Elena wasted no time in starting on her breakfast but Stefan couldn't even manage a single piece of toast let alone an entire plate. Her behaviour now compared to last night was very strange and truth be told he was a little freaked out. Stefan decided to let her eat in peace before bringing it up so he forced himself to eat.
"That was great, thanks." He said after he had finished and she took both their plates to the sink where she began washing them along with the pans she had used earlier to cook. "You don't have to do that you know."
"I know but I want to."
"Okay." He scratched the back of his neck and wondered what to do next. Deciding that he just had to outright ask her instead of beating around the bush, Stefan sighed. "Elena."
At the mere mention of her name, he saw her back flinch and her entire body go rigid for a moment before she reluctantly went back to washing. "Are you ready to talk – about last night?" He pried and was surprised to see her turn to face him. He'd just assume she would ignore him and continue with whatever it was she wanted to do. Elena walked over to the couch and he followed.
"I'm sorry." She broke out before he barely even sat next to her.
"For what?"
"For coming here and waking you and just causing an unnecessary drama in your life – again,"
"No– " He grabbed her hand and turned her face with the other, "You don't ever have to be sorry for coming to me. No matter what happened between us, I will always care about you."
She looked into his eyes and found so much love and sincerity in them that it made her feel so ashamed. It was beyond her she could go behind his back like she did.
So she acknowledged the fact that she had come here, and apologized but Stefan needed to know more. He had to know what had upset her but he didn't want to push.
"About a month ago, I went to New York." He heard her say after several minutes and his throat involuntarily constricted. Was it the transfer? Did she find out? Was she upset because of that?
"I went to see a specialist." Okay. That definitely piqued his interest. "A specialist – why?"
"I have a T-shaped uterus. My chances of having a baby are one in a million. I can never be a mother."
The monotone way she had spoken in frightened him. She sounded so dead and desolated.
"What?" He asked sincerely shocked and confused and –
"Yeah. I guess it's all karma for what I did to you."
"Don't say that." He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close without a word. He didn't know what to say. The idea of having children with Elena was a definite for him he just wanted to be established first. But now hearing that she couldn't have a child – it was shocking. Elena was so maternal, so caring and loving and he knew she would make the greatest mother one day. He knew how much she wanted it and hearing this now, it was devastating.
"I'm so sorry Elena." He murmured into her hair
"You have nothing to be sorry about Stefan, shouldn't you be happy?"
Wait – what?
"Excuse me?" He pulled away from her and she looked up at him so normal and calm but the tears falling from her eyes told a different story. "Why would I be happy about this?" She couldn't possibly think that he'd take any joy in this. He never said he didn't want a baby, just that the timing was wrong. How could she even say that.
"You hated me for doing this behind your back and in a way, this is kind of the perfect retribution don't you think?"
"Elena I love you. I wanted to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you. I wanted to have children with you – how could you possibly think that this would make me happy?" He sounded appalled at her remark and she almost felt guilty for saying it.
"How can you miss having something so much that you never even had in the first place?" Elena asked and he didn't know what to say. Which was fine really because he was pretty sure that question was rhetorical. They sat in silence for a few minutes and Stefan tried to arrive at the reality that Elena could not have a child. The news didn't change the way he felt about her, he just felt so sad for her.
"I know about your transfer.."
That was certainly the last thing he expected to hear, especially after everything she'd told him just now.
"I think it's great."
Stefan just stared at her in disbelief. Did she want him to leave?
"You do?"
"Yeah – Stefan believe it or not, I really care about you and I never wanted to hurt you. I know I did and there is no exception for that kind of betrayal-"
"Elena-"
"You deserve to move on. You deserve a fresh start. And just to be happy." She managed to smile at him even though the tears were pouring from her eyes. Elena had never seen him so quiet before. He just sat there and stared at her without saying anything.
"I am happy... when I'm with you." His words had taken her by surprise, but she couldn't let him – no matter how much she loved him. She would not let him settle. She did not want him to stay with her out of guilt that she could not have children of her own. What kind of person would that make her if she'd let him do that?
"Stefan no. You can't be with me I'm not any good for you. I– I'm broken."
"I don't care. It doesn't matter to me Elena. I want to be with you. I love you. And I'm so sorry.." He grabbed her waist and holsted her up into his lap while he held her close. Breathing in her hair – Stefan never felt more safe than when he was with her. Elena was so tired, from everything that had happened over the past few weeks she knew that there were probably many things they needed to work on but for now there was no other place she wanted to be other than in his arms.
"I love you too."
Caroline takes a sip of her peach ice tea and welcomes the cool liquid down her throat with a sigh. She watched Henry and Charlotte playing with their stuffed animals on the carpet. She couldn't even begin to imagine them as rich kids. Look at them – they looked so innocent. There were so many trust fund scenarios going through her head and worryingly, none of them involved a down to earth; Henry and Charlotte Mikaelson.
"You're seriously complaining about too much money? You knew he was rich."
Caroline turns to her side where Bonnie sat staring at her incredulously "He wasn't always rich Bonnie. I knew he was doing well I just didn't think how well it really was." She shook her head. "That kind of money is a huge responsibility, I don't want it to screw the twins up, I want them to stay grounded." she said and looked back to her children on the floor.
"So how did you leave the meeting? What did you say to Klaus?"
"Well, I told him that I needed to look over the terms of the trust – which I do."
"Okay. So how are things with you and Klaus?"
"Relatively good. I'd say we totally kick-ass at this co-parenting thing."
"Caroline.."
Caroline rolled her eyes. "I haven't told him yet okay." And by that she obviously meant confessing her feelings to Klaus. "The timing just isn't right."
"So when would the time ever be right? Caroline we talked about this months ago. You're avoiding this like you always do when it comes to confrontation."
"Thanks Dr Phil." Caroline rolled her eyes at Bonnie but had to admit she was right after all. "Look. Just do yourself a favor and tell him. If he doesn't feel the same way so what? At least you know you took a chance." Bonnie replied
"It's easy for you to say. What if, I tell him and it makes things super awkward between us. Okay so there's a chance he doesn't feel the same way about me – fine. But then he'd feel really uncomfortable after I bring it up. Heck, I'd even feel uncomfortable. I don't want this weird tense vibe between us. It'll affect the kids."
"Yeah that might be true. But I know that you'll never truly be okay with this until you tell him. Or would you rather he move on thinking that you don't want to be with him?" Bonnie watched Caroline sit and lull over her words.
Without thinking, Caroline fished out her phone from her bag, typed a message and sent it. Her heart was thumping in her chest she could hear it drum in her ears.
"Did you just–?"
"–Yep."
There was no going back now.
Tugging onto the insides of her jacket's pocket, Caroline made her way down the French Quarter. When she reached the art institute, she hurried up its steps, noting the lions that stood guard at the entrance. Klaus had always loved those lions. Her heels clicked against the polished floor as she entered the building and headed toward a remote corner where the less popular impressionists were on display. It was the last place she expected anyone to look for her, and if someone did happen to find her, she had a veritable excuse – she was there doing recon for an event she was planning.
She sat on the bench in front of a painting of a ballet dancer and tapped the floor impatiently, glancing at the time on her phone every thirty seconds.
"You're early." He said from behind her.
Caroline looked up, trying not to smile. "You're late."
Klaus took a seat beside her and rolled the museum brochure in his hands. His expression wavered, going from light and friendly to hard and worn, then back again.
They sat in silence for a moment, Caroline fully aware of his presence next to her. She glanced up. His eyes were full of concern, but she could tell that he was reluctant, holding back something. "You're wondering why I texted you to meet me here." She guessed.
He nodded. "I was surprised to hear from you. Although, 'Art Institute, 2.30 must talk' wasn't exactly the conversation I was expecting. Given that you practically ran out on the meeting - I figured you wanted to talk about that."
She nodded, true there were many things she wanted to go over with regards to the trust fund terms but there was something else. Something she had to do. Unsure of what she expected from him. She had tossed his love for her aside and she asked him to let her move on. He had honored that; they hadn't spoken about their relationship or where they stood in months.
Suddenly she felt dumb, placing stock in a love declaration he had made, months ago. He could be over her. He should be over her.
"I – I needed to talk to someone, and you're the only one I could think of." She took a deep breath, realizing that she was treading on dangerous territory. Was she really trying to rope her ex-boyfriend back into her drama, out of... out of what? Selfishness? Closure? Her desperation to feel his love, after awakening to her own feelings?
Klaus leaned back, a small smirk spreading across his face. "I'm flattered... I think."
She took another deep breath. Was she really doing this? Was she going to go down this road with him?
Her heart was telling her that she would never be over him until she found out how he felt about her now. She didn't think; but until she was sure, could she ever move past the future she could have had with him?
"This is serious." She said
"Oh, your text sounded serious," he said, nodding.
She shook her head, smiling at his joke "I need to tell you.. the truth. The truth about what's going on with me. Caroline knew she had to be careful with what she told him – and how she told him, but she also needed to make sure that she was honest with him this time."The truth is that I –"
Caroline stopped in mid-sentence as Klaus' phone started ringing. He frowned at the offensive device in his hand before pressing ignore.
"Sorry about that. You were saying?"
"Uh – I uh.."
The phone started ringing yet again and he groaned in annoyance. "You should probably take that." A small minuscule part of Caroline wondered if it were Hayley calling him
"It's Elijah." He answered almost as if he had read her mind but she knew he was just doing it out of politeness. "Yes Elijah?" Klaus sighed exasperated and Caroline bit her lip rethinking what she was about to do. She had a chance to back out. She had a chance to-
The sudden glum expression on Klaus' face garnered her attention. "What is it?"
"It's Mikael. He had a heart attack. His dead."
The next thing she knew - Caroline had been in the car with Klaus as he drove over to the hospital in a hurry. He was quiet but she didn't want to say anything. In fact, she didn't know what to say at that point. Mikael and Klaus never quite had a relationship but he was still the only father figure he had ever known - as fucked up as he was. Sending a quick text to Bonnie filling her in on the details and also checking on the twins she tucked her phone into her bag. Klaus jumped a few red lights and she kept stealing glances to her side wondering if she should say something. His face looked emotionless but his eyes were filled with fear and hope or maybe she was just over analyzing again.
As Caroline opened her mouth to say something - they had already pulled up at the hospital. She kept up with his pace, meeting stride for stride as he walked through the hallways. When they passed the glass doors of the ER, she made a quick decision and before she changed her mind, Caroline slipped her hand into his. Klaus didn't look at her, but his grip on her hand reassured her to some extent. They entered a room where the chairs were scattered in such a way that it looked as if people had just jumped up from them the minute before. They found Elijah sitting beside Katherine, Kol had been invested in whoever he was texting on the phone. Esther and Finn were no where to be seen, and Rebekah had been silently crying - seems she was the only one.
"Niklaus." Elijah said and everyone turned to the door where Klaus ans Caroline stood hand-in-hand. Caroline could feel there eyes drop to their interlocked fingers and she almost pulled away if not for Klaus' iron grip. Rebekah looked confused for a minute before she rushed over to Klaus and embedded herself against his chest - sobbing uncontrollably. Only then had he let her hand go, as he wrapped his arms around Rebekah. Caroline took it as an out and went over to Katherine and Elijah. She could see the burning desire behind her best friend's eyes to question their earlier hand-locking. "Hey.." Caroline came over and greeted them both. "I thought they went back to London.."
"They did. Mikael came back two days ago to meet with the investors from Elijah's new firm. He tried to sway them back to Mikealson Holdings." And by that she obviously meant bribe. Caroline could see she had been holding herself back from cursing. With respect to the dead of course. Loud sobs from Rebekah turned their attention back to the doorway where Klaus still stood consoling her. Their eyes met for a brief moment before he looked away.
"So where is Esther?"
"On a plane I imagine."
Caroline took her phone out to check the time, hoping she could get a call in before the twins went to bed but it was already after 1 AM. She looked back toward the door only to find that Klaus had no longer been standing there. In fact he had no longer been in the room at all. "So are you guys back together again or-"
"I'll talk to you about it later." Caroline quickly interjected as she grabbed her handbag and left in search of Klaus. She knew how he felt about this place, she wanted to make sure he was okay. Just as she caught up to him along the corridor, Caroline caught the last part of his conversation with the Doctor. "You can come in whenever you're ready." she said and smiled sadly before leaving him there. She watched him slide against the wall onto the floor.
Surely Mikael's death had affected him more than he'd let anyone to believe.
Without saying anything she went to sit beside him, spreading her legs out a bit because her high heels made it kind of uncomfortable.
"He wasn't always like this you know.." he spoke after a few minutes of silence stretched between them. Klaus chuckled darkly at some inside joke of his own and Caroline raised her eyebrows in surprise. She couldn't imagine Mikael being anyone other than his rotten self let alone be a good father.
"He wasn't the most affectionate man, but there was a time when the family was alright. I caused his hate for me when I wanted to study art and drop out of business school. Things only worsened after the accident. It was like he was relieved that I wasn't his biologically-"
"Klaus please. I know you and Mikael probably have the most complicated relationship in the world, but his the only father you've ever known. You have to face this, so we can move on."
"My father always thought I was weak... And in the moment that mattered the most – I was. I couldn't be there with you. To help and support you during your pregnancy. I ran away, I've been pushing myself to prove him wrong and in the process – I pushed you away." He wasn't crying, but his voice was hoarse and his eyes glossy. Caroline's heart fluttered at his statement. She had forgiven him but she knew if he would not forgive himself, it would be pointless. It brought her back to earlier at the institute when she was about to declare her feelings.
"I don't think you ran away because you couldn't handle death, Klaus. I think it's because you couldn't handle feelings. But you're not like that anymore. You're strong. You carry people. You carry me. You've become a man in a way that Mikael never was. Come, let's go say goodbye."
She gently helped him up and he took a deep breath in. He wrapped his arm around her waist for support and she wrapped hers around his. They walked together down the hallway of the hospital and then he nudged her head closer to him as he kissed her head. Murmuring a "Thank You."
It felt normal. It felt comfortable.
It was safe to say the day had been filled with too much emotion to handle that it literally became draining. By the time Caroline and Klaus got to Bonnie's to fetch the twins who was still fast asleep, they went over to Klaus'. Both Caroline and Klaus were worried that they'd upset the twins' schedule too much with all the up and down so he convinced her to stay over. Caroline had fallen asleep on his bed, curled up with both the twins. He smiled softly at the sight before closing the door and taking comfort on the couch. He laid there trying to let sleep take over when he heard a knock at the door. It was only 7AM when he checked the time before he opened the door.
It was Esther.
"Hello Niklaus." She smiled politely. Klaus was surprised to see her here of all places.
"Esther." He acknowledged "Shouldn't you be out planning a funeral?"
"It's good to see you as well. May I come in?" She smoothed out her dress and Klaus stood there contemplating letting her in. Mikael had just died and now Esther was at his door.
"What are you doing here?" He stepped aside and allowed her entrance.
"Simply to mend broken fences.. or have you cut me out of your life as you did with Mikael." Esther said
"Need I remind you that you chose his side over mine. You chose that retched man over your own son. It was you who cut me off Esther." Klaus sighed "I had a long day, if mending fences was all you came over here for then let me save you the trouble and show you to the door."
When he looked up however - the last thing he expected to see was Esther crying. "You are right."
What?
She usually just side swept all his truths and made herself seem like the victim but what was this? Was she actually taking accountability?
"For years your father has tormented you while I stood idly by and watched it happen. I was so afraid that if I had shown any affection to you, tried to console you that he would hurt you more to spite me... I was afraid for you Niklaus. I just wanted to protect you." He had never seen his mother cry before and maybe that was the reason why he felt so sorry for her at that moment.
"I forgive you."
Esther looked up in shock. That was the last thing she expected him to say. "W-what?"
"Believe it or not Esther, I have changed. Last night I said goodbye to a man who berated and abused me, do you know why? Because I needed to move on. Caroline helped me realize that I could never truly be happy if I didn't let go of the past. I am a father now and my children are my life. That is all that matters to me."
Esther sat in silence, lulling over his words. After a while she nodded and wiped her eyes, seeming to regain her composure. "I only wish that I could one day have the strength and courage to be even half the person that you are today Niklaus."
He didn't know what to say to that. He simply bowed his head in response looking at his knotted hands on his lap. "I only wish that I could have the relationship with you that you have with your children. It is my greatest desire to do right by you and your siblings. And as a start..." She pulled out a manila folder from her purse and handed it to him.
"It's your trust fund." She answered his questioning gaze
"I don't want it. It's Mikael's money."
"It is rightfully yours Niklaus. I urge you to think about this, think about your children and Caroline before you turn this away. I don't expect you to make a decision right now. Just promise me you will think about it?"
Klaus merely nodded
"How are they? The twins..."
"Good. They're already walking now."
Esther's face lit up at that "Oh that's wonderful." she gushed and Klaus smiled briefly
"Do you think that maybe you'd allow me to meet them?"
Klaus was taken aback by request. More so, he wondered if he really could allow that. Her previous negligence had been Mikael's influence but he was no longer here. "That's something I'd have to think about and discuss with Caroline first."
"Yes of course." She looked a little disappointed but masked it quickly with a nervous smile.
"Daddy!" Esther and Klaus' heads turned to the sound of the cheerful voice as Henry came walking into the living room - taking comfort in his father's lap. Esther stared in equal amazement and surprise and Klaus was a little awkward as well. He smiled at his son and ruffled his messy curls before he looked back at Esther who watched with loving eyes "He looks just like you Niklaus."
"He does." Klaus smiled at Henry who began wiggling in his lap. "Where is Mummy?"
"Sleep." Henry replied and then began jumping in Klaus' lap.
"His quite the active little one isn't he.." Esther laughed and Klaus nodded
"Charlotte is worse than he is." Klaus chuckled.
"And where is she?"
"Probably still asleep."
"Daddy. Seek-wet!" Henry said jumping on his lap and Klaus had to hold out his arms just in case he fell off the couch. "Seek-wet!" Henry cheered on and Klaus indulged his son by leaning down so that Henry could whisper in his ear. Being around Henry for a while to know what his mispronounced words actually meant.
"Who's that?" He spoke into Klaus ear and pointed toward Esther.
Klaus and Esther stared at each other unsure of what to say to the child exactly. He couldn't say Grandma without discussing it with Caroline first. In fact he didn't even know if he wanted her back in his life let alone the lives of his children.
AN: I'm sorry you guys feel like Caroline is suffering lol. Technically, I only wrote Hayley in as a way for Caroline to see her with Klaus, and finally admit to her feelings for him. There was no other way, we all know how stubborn she can be (-_-)
Hospital scene was inspired by a Chuck/Blair Gossip Girl scene.
And estate planning was from Jane the Virgin.
On another note, I'd love to hear your comments on whether Esther should be allowed back and also on how Caroline should break the news to Klaus about her feelings.
xx