A/N: I know that my updates haven't even been close to being regular. I'm working full time and trying to bang out my classes as soon as possible, so I can finish getting my degree. It's safe to say that it's kicking my ass.

I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, OR THE CHARACTERS.
Music Credit: "I Will Always Love You" – Whitney Houston

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'I hope life treats you kind and I hope you have all you've dreamed of…
And I wish to you, joy and happiness, but above all this, I wish you love…'
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Chapter Twenty-Four:

I didn't like staying at the hotel. It didn't feel like home. I missed the Mikaelson estate that I had come to know and love… But I didn't miss the awful memories that Damon had tainted it with. I hated him for taking that away from me. It had been so long, since I felt safe somewhere… and since I had been able to call anywhere home.

Klaus and I didn't stay in separate rooms. He had offered… I knew that he was going out of his way to try and make me comfortable. I appreciated him even more for it. I knew that none of this was easy on him, either. He has been so patient through everything. Even after this nightmare, Klaus is still the same man that I fell in love with.

We were all staying in a presidential suite. It was a little cramped, but it had more than enough rooms. I think everyone felt better staying together. None of us really seemed to be bothered by it.

"Bonnie, dear, I hope you know that I have come to think of you as another daughter. What was done to you hasn't altered that. I more than look forward to the day that you share the Mikaelson name." Esther admitted, as she sat down next to me on the couch. I didn't say anything. Instead, I just bit my lip and avoided her gaze. "I mean it, sweetheart." She placed her hand over mine.

"I know… I… Thank you." I whispered. She nodded and left me to my thoughts.

"Mum means well, you know." Rebekah said, from behind me. I jumped and tried to ignore the way my heart was racing. "She's been the same way around me and Katherine. I think that she is trying her best to give us space, but her motherly instincts kick in and she has to let us know that she still loves us – as if we could ever forget." Beks mused. I nodded and thought fondly of Esther. Apart from my Grams, she's the closest thing to a mother that I've ever had. I loved her, but really I loved all of them. They've become my family. I'll never forgive myself, since they got hurt because of me… trying to protect me.

"She's great." I breathed.

"She is." Rebekah agreed, as she sat down next to me. She wrapped her arms around me and let me sit in silence. It's nice. It's so hard to picture her or Katherine as broken as I feel. How could someone so evil live purely to try and breakdown other people's spirits? I don't understand. I'll never understand.

I wonder what my life would have been like, if I had never met Damon on a daily basis. I try to think about what would have happened, if I had met Klaus first. Would I be the same person? Would we have gotten together?

"There you two are." Klaus' voice automatically put me at ease. There is just something about him that makes me feel better, no matter the situation. He is my happy place – my safe haven.

"I'll give you two some time." Beks excused herself, after planting her lips on my forehead and leaving a gentle kiss.

"How are you doing, sweetheart?" He asked me. I peered over at him as he settled down next to me. I moved onto his lap and cuddled up against him. He didn't hesitate before wrapping me up in his arms and cradling me against him.

"I've been better." I admitted, quietly.

"I know, love." He pressed a kiss on the top of my head.

"I'm going to have so many scars." I whispered remembering all of the wounds Damon inflicted on me.

"As will I, sweetheart." Klaus replied. I nodded against him. Try as I might, I still can't fathom why Klaus would want someone like me. He could do so much better. "I give you my word that they do nothing to distract me from your beauty." He added. How is it possible that we see things so differently? "I'm so sorry, love." Klaus' voice was uncharacteristically gentle, even for him.

"What?" Had I heard him right?

"I'm so sorry that I couldn't protect you. I never wanted you to get hurt again, especially like that. I promised you that you would be safe and I failed you." Klaus' voice broke. I turned to face him and he was struggling to compose himself. I reached up and cupped his face. He pressed a gently kiss on my palm. I wiped away his tears with my thumb.

"Don't," I told him. "Don't apologize for something you couldn't control. I don't blame you. You shouldn't blame yourself, either." I added, firmly. He held me even closer to his chest. I took a deep breath, before kissing his lips with my own. It was short and sweet. I pulled away, almost as soon as I had started it.

Hearing him apologize made something click for me. He doesn't blame me for anything that happened… Does that mean that I shouldn't blame myself? I did everything I could to survive what happened. I couldn't stop it, even though I wanted to… Goddess knows I tried. It wasn't enough, because what happened was out of my control.

Oh.

"We are more alike, than you realize, sweetheart." Klaus whispered. I needed in agreement.

"I love you." I breathed. It was heartbreaking and relieving to say. Even if I knew that I shouldn't, I knew that I would always blame myself for what happened. I can't stand that they got hurt because of me.

"And I love you. I hope that never changes, because I'm not sure I'm strong enough to live in a world without a love as pure as yours, sweetheart." Klaus confessed. His words touched me in a way that I didn't think was possible. "I am yours for as long as you'll have me."

"Forever?"

"Forever."

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'You, darling, I love you.
Oh, I'll always, I'll always love you.'
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