Chapter 47

Caroline hadn't seen Klaus since they'd talked yesterday, granted she had slept well into the night and morning. When she'd woken up, Freya Mikaelson had been reading in the chair previously occupied by Klaus. The older woman had shown her to the bathroom where she was able to wash up properly and then Freya had brought her a food tray.

"Thank you."

"Klaus likes you very much. After your deception I would normally advise him to send you away." Freya bluntly began, Caroline eyes widened as she realized Klaus had probably told her everything.

Freya must have a terrible impression of her and wish she'd stay away from her brother. Caroline could not fault her for that. She licked her dry lips and tried to find the right words to answer, but Freya didn't give her the time.

"I also heard how you nearly died, and didn't betray Klaus. So I'm inclined to give you a second chance. However, understand one thing Caroline, if you ever betray Klaus or hurt my family again, I will kill you." Freya's eyes were dead serious and Caroline nodded gravely.

"I love him." She finally said.

"I hope that's the truth, for both your and my brother's sakes." Freya had said before leaving the room and Caroline alone to think.

-O-

As soon as Rebekah entered the Mystic, she knew that something was going on. None of the employees were here to prepare to open, which was already abnormal enough, but the bar counter was full of lit candles and flowers petals, music was lightly playing in the background.

"Do you like it ?" Came a voice from above her, Rebekah turned to see Marcel leaning against the booths mezzanine balustrade.

She smiled, understanding her lover had organized a surprise for her. She twirled around, taking the whole place in, still smiling and said, "I love it. A bit wary of the candles burning down the Mystic a second time, but what brought this on ?

"Join me up ?" He invited and she climbed the stairs to him. Once they were face to face, he took her hand.

"This year many things happened. Both good and bad, great and awful. But the best by far is you."

Rebekah melted at the way he looked at her.

"For now all our enemies are gone, we don't have to hide our relationship anymore either. And life is too short Bekah." His magnetic voice went on. Then he knelt on one knee in front of her and took a ring out, gold with a diamond and two small aquamarine, holding it out to her. "Rebekah Mikaelson, will you make me the happiest man alive, and be my wife ?" He asked.

Shocked but delighted at the proposal, Rebekah brought a trembling hand to her mouth before saying, "If you promise to stay by my side even when my hair turns grey and I'm too old to be beautiful, I'll marry you." She managed to say. Marcel smiled.

"I want to spend the rest of our life together, have children and grandchildren with you."

"Then yes." She nodded, her emotions getting the better of her, but her smile was blinding.

She extended her hand and he slid the ring into place on her finger. For an instant they both stood looking at her hand in awe, then Rebekah surged forward, her hands bringing Marcel's face to her, she kissed him passionately.

"I love you." She murmured against his lips.

"I always have and always will love you." Marcel sealed that promise with another kiss.

-O-

Elijah had spent most of the day listening and waiting to see if the De Martel deaths would be linked to them, but as expected it had been ruled as murder-suicide and no one had come knocking on the Mikaelsons door, even if they had suspicions.

Now, evening was here, and he was finally able to check on Hayley. She hadn't looked particularly affected last night, even relieved as if a burden had been lifted. Still he wanted to see her, he tried not to stride ahead as the butler led the way to Hayley's private sitting room. The house staff must have been aware of the relationship development between him and their Lady, but he'd never heard or been shown anything hinting they did.

Finally, the butler left him at the door after announcing him. Elijah despite his previous haste, slowly opened the door. He suddenly felt like no matter what happened tonight, everything would be different going forward.

Hayley was sitting close to the lit fireplace. He noticed she often did so when in an introspective mood. He approached silently and sat beside her.

After a moment she broke the silence.

"I've wanted to avenge Jackson for so long, and now it's done, but I'm not feeling better like I thought I would. Jackson won't ever come back. The De Martel are gone for good too. It's all over but it feel like betraying him to let go, like he'll be forgotten if I move on with my life." Hayley squeezed her eyes shut.

"And then there's you." She whispered.

Elijah who'd listened quietly until now while staring into the fire, turned his eyes on her as he felt his heartbeat pick up.

"Jackson loved me more than I loved him, we both knew it. And he died knowing I wasn't in love with him. He was my closest friend and my family..." She forced herself to go on, her voice breaking. "I've never wanted him the way I want you."

Elijah took a breath at the confession, his heart both overjoyed and breaking for her.

"Hayley..." He began but she shook her head.

Slowly, she leaned on his shoulder and breathed. Elijah put an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. Hayley relaxed in the comforting gestures.

"I got what I wanted and the Mikaelsons did too. Our cooperation can be considered fulfilled."

"Where does that leave us ?" Elijah left the choice to her.

"I want you, Elijah I want you so much."

He felt like a sinner who had been given a divine pardon. Everytime he saw Hayley, he felt himself falling a little more in love with her, even when he had foolishly thought he never would love again. She felt like air to a drowning man.

He took her face in his hands, kissed her forehead and then her lips. She let him lead the kiss at first, but then she slid an arm around his neck and pressed herself to him, deepening their kiss until it was all consuming.

-O-

After a day and a half without seeing Klaus, Caroline had decided she'd overstayed her welcome into the Mikaelson's home. After all, Klaus had saved her and allowed her to stay in Chicago, but that didn't mean he would rekindle their relationship. In this case it didn't make sense to stay in Klaus's room and home. So she thanked Freya for the care she was provided and left for her apartment. Enzo had escorted her back home, Freya had insisted.

Now, evening was approaching as she rested in her own bed, her mind going over everything that had happened in the last few days. To be honest in the time she had spent awake since being rescued, she had done little else but trying to process everything. Now it was time to decide what she wanted to do next. Soon she would visit Bonnie, Enzo had told her how worried her friend had been and how she'd barged into Klaus's office in a storm. It warmed Caroline's heart. She missed her friend.

She'd been informed by Rebekah, who'd visited while she was recuperating in the Mikaelson's home, that she still had a job, but she could take a couple days to rest before coming back. That was a worry less.

A knock on the door came interrupting her thoughts.

When she peeped through the door hole, even more cautious now after her ordeal, it was Klaus.

She opened the door immediately. Both Caroline and Klaus stood facing each other without saying anything for a moment, observing each other. Klaus seemed calmer than the last few times she saw him, he didn't look at her with anger or betrayal anymore either. But she couldn't read what he was truly feeling at this moment.

Taking a breath she invited him in, and he gracefully walked into her small apartment.

"Everyone who was involved in your abduction are gone. It's over." Klaus informed her.

She nodded, to be honest she didn't care much about that, she knew Klaus would not let threats stand after all. More importantly, Klaus was here.

"Since you're visiting me now, does that mean you're alright with seeing me again ?" She quietly asked looking at him.

Klaus didn't reply immediately, instead he raised a hand to cradle Caroline's side of her face, making hope rise in her. Slowly Klaus brought both of their faces close and rested their foreheads together. He closed his eyes and took a long breath.

"Here's the thing Caroline, I don't think I can live without you, stay by my side."

"Yes." Caroline smiled, relief suffusing through her. "Whenever you wish to know, I will tell you everything about myself, I won't hide anything, I promise." She promised. She guided his face to hers and their lips met in a tender kiss that felt like a breath after a period without air.

For a moment, they stayed like this, forehead to forehead, eyes closed, just breathing. Finally, Klaus leaned back and they looked into each other's eyes in content silence for a moment.

"I love you Klaus. I'll tell you everyday until you can believe me completely again, and then I'll still tell you I love you everyday for the rest of our lives." Caroline gave him a smile.

Klaus's usually cold blue eyes flickered with emotions before he closed them and leaned in to kiss Caroline again. Although he couldn't trust Caroline completely again so soon but he knew he would someday, and he knew then he would marry her and have a family with her. He wasn't ready to say it aloud yet, but he could not deny to himself, despite everything he was in love with Caroline.

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