Epilogue

Chicago, late August 1921.

Today was a day of celebration. Earlier there had been a procession from the Church to the Mystic, where people who had witnessed the union between Rebekah Mikaelson and Marcel Gerard came to toast the newlywed couple and further enjoy the current party.

Klaus had given his toast earlier, as both the best man and brother of the bride. Now he was leaning on the balustrade of the club mezzanine, reveling in the atmosphere. His whole family was there of course. Even Finn had come from England with his family, unlike for Kol's wedding which had been rushed and more of a business affair, this time they had enough time for Finn to come attends. Right now his eldest brother was sitting at a table, his wife Sage at his side, the feisty woman no doubt planning to wait for Finn to have a few more drinks in him and a few less inhibitions before pulling him to dance with her. They were for the moment talking with Freya and Keelin, the two women not so discretely holding hands under the table.

There was also the youngest member of the Mikaelson clan, Finn and Sage's three years old son, Frederick, named after his aunt Freya and nicknamed Freddy. Except for Freya who had gone to England to see him when he was born, it was the first time the rest of the family met him, and certainly the first time Freddy was old enough to remember meeting them. As it was the little boy had taken to his youngest uncle Henrik, like a duck to water, following him everywhere. Right now as it was crowded, Henrik was holding Freddy in his arms, the boy's parents glanced their way from time to time but weren't overly concerned, after all Henrik was mature and responsible for his age, and certainly the most gentle and patient of the five Mikaelson brothers. He had shared his plans of pursuing a medical career with the family, to the approval of all. While Klaus and Kol choose to take care of the family business, Elijah had become a lawyer, he was the family's lawyer now, but also took on other cases, like the Saltzman.

Speaking of, with the generous donation of the Salvator brothers former mansion, it was decided a school would be opened in its stead, the headmaster being Alaric Saltzman. The school was sponsored by a newly created foundation, under the umbrella of the Mikaelson family business, and Klaus had actually put Caroline in charge of it. He had not regretted his choice, and any opposition had quickly died when she had proven how competent she was at it. Klaus had always known she needed more of a challenge than her barmaid job required, she was smart and an overachiever to be honest. And she certainly had risen to the challenge and seemed to shine in doing it. To the point that Klaus, possessive as he was, he was quite jealous of the attention she gave to the foundation sometime, but it made her happy and he always succeeded in diverting her attention to him when he wanted.

It was not the only project the Mikaelson were involved in, with no one to inherit the De Martel estate, it was auctioned by the City. Klaus brought the De Martel mansion, Hayley Kenner investing a sum of money as she found Klaus's idea for it excellent. Yes, Klaus had decided to transform the mansion into an Arts Gallery. He couldn't oversee the project himself as he was too busy, but he had just the right, and free person to use. Davina loved art herself and had been staying home bored since she married Kol, so this project was entrusted to her, she had been quite happy and enthusiastic about it, Kol had actually complained to Klaus for it as they were in the same situation, although his smitten brother didn't dare complain to his little wife. Caroline had also helped Davina with the more managing aspect of the project and they became friends, Hayley had also donated a couple of paintings for the Gallery. All the ladies associated with the Mikaelson family one way or another had become quite familiar with each others, and yesterday they had had quite the time accompanying Rebekah he'd heard, he himself was with the rest of the men at the Mystic drinking to Marcel last night as a non-married man.

Klaus truly was happy for his little sister and best friend, as he watched them dancing together in the center of the dance floor, lost in their own world, he wished them many years of bliss ahead, the same being true for all the other members of his family.

-O-

Kol headed to the bar where Davina was talking with Josh and Josh's 'sweetheart', Adam, or Aiden or something. He knew that Davina was happy for her friend that the relationship between the two boys was going well. He'd let them spend time together nicely, now it was his turn to monopolize his wife.

As he reached Davina, he nodded in greeting to the other two, but was focused entirely on the pretty brunette. She smiled at him, in the way she always did when she saw him, and which never failed to do strange things to his heart.

"Dance with me ?" He asked smiling charmingly.

"Always." Davina took his hand and hopped off the bar stool to follow him into the dancing crowd.

They swayed to the music, it had been a while since they had a moment just the two of them, both Davina and Kol being busy. But Kol was preparing a surprise for Davina, when Kol heard Marcel and Rebekah were planning to go to New Orleans and swing by New York on the way, for their honeymoon, he'd realized he and his wife of a few months, never did have a honeymoon. Their marriage hadn't exactly started out of love after all, but it was never too late. Right now wasn't a right time, but he'd decided for their one year wedding anniversary he would take Davina on a trip to California, visit San Francisco, maybe LA. And he also had already begun to prepare Davina's Christmas gift, a big diamond ring. He'd found, he quite like spoiling his wife. He smirked and twirled Davina making her laugh.

-O-

Hayley had become more familiar with the Mikaelson over the past months, with her relationship with Elijah being in the open, she'd been invited quite frequently for nights at the Mystic. Somehow, she'd also developed a friendship with all the Mikaelson women, even Caroline which wasn't married to Klaus yet but definitely counted as part of the group, and she'd found so did she. She'd actually had been invited to Rebekah's bash before wedding yesterday and surprisingly had a good time, she'd never been very popular with other women or had female friends.

But all this wedding preparation had made her think in the last couple of weeks. Could she remarry again ? A year ago, she'd categorically believed the answer was no. But marrying Elijah...

And then there was what she'd learned last week, she'd been nervous and a bit jittery because of it since. As she looked at Elijah, sitting in a private booth with her as they enjoyed the music and atmosphere, he turned to her and his eyes were so full of warmth and love. It soothed her prickly self who wanted to protect herself.

"I love you Elijah." She told him.

He seemed a bit taken by surprise at the sudden confession but recovered quickly.

"I love you too Hayley." He promised fervently before kissing her.

The kiss went on until they were out of breath and reluctantly separated.

"Marry me ?" Elijah blurted out.

Hayley raised an eyebrow at the sudden proposal. Elijah looked slightly embarrassed, as a gentleman it wasn't the right way to propose to the woman he loves. But in the moment, and swept in by the atmosphere he couldn't help it, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Hayley and make it official.

"Are you serious ?" She didn't answer and asked instead, observing him carefully.

"Yes, it isn't how I should have gone about this proposal, but Haylay Marshall Kenner, please marry me ?" His sincere, loving eyes held her gaze.

"Yes." She answered and Elijah smiled and kissed her again, softer than before.

"I need to tell you something too." She said, suddenly a bit shy, even though she usually never was.

Elijah looked at her patiently waiting.

"I'm pregnant." She confessed.

Elijah felt his breath being knocked out of him, then joy rushed to fill him, he wanted to embrace Hayley tightly but was absurdly afraid to hurt her. He delicately hugged her, and she willingly pressed herself against him.

"Thank you for making me the happiest man alive."

Hayley smiled into his neck and closed her eyes, savoring the moment before saying, "You still owe me a dance."

-O-

Caroline was in charge of the Mystic today, it was Rebekah's day after all she should enjoy it to the fullest, and she'd been running around making sure everything was going perfect. Now as the evening sets in, she finally allowed herself to take a break. The newlywed couple would probably retire in a couple of hours, and most people would then follow suite, although some looked ready to party until the Mystic closing.

She made her way through the crowd, smiling as she saw Bonnie and Enzo dancing together, she knew they were practically living together now, Enzo having successfully carved his presence into both Bonnie's heart and home. Caroline thought Bonnie looked the happiest she'd ever seen her, she was glad for her friend.

Her eyes went to the spot where Klaus loved to 'survey his kingdom and denizens' to quote Kol. Caroline found it a bit funny, because it was rather true. Klaus liked to observe from the balustrade of the mezzanine.

She went up the stairs and went to him, he was already waiting for her and pulled her into his arms, her back to his front, his head resting on her shoulder. She raised a hand and caressed his jaw.

They had come a long way since everything happened with Coleman.

Caroline couldn't believe how much her life had changed in the last six months, how different she felt. It was exciting, scary and wonderful all at once. She didn't know if her parents would approve of her choices, she suspected her father might not, but she cared more about what her mother thought. And Liz Forbes, no matter what had wanted her daughter to be happy, so she liked to think she had her blessing to live as she wished.

Klaus had not yet said he loved her, but she knew he did, his actions saying more than he thought himself. He'd trusted her with the foundation, she loved the work she did there, although she hadn't entirely stopped being a barmaid, only taking less shifts for now.

Her life felt full, instead of dull, she had interesting work, friends to visit. And then there was Klaus. Admittedly he was also much busier, Tristan De Martel demise had left an empty spot on the Chicago Council that Klaus had only too gladly managed to find a way to fill. Now he had a say in what was going on in town politically, he truly had become the most powerful man in Chicago.

But his projects, the school and the Art Gallery, and his care for his family, made her believe that underneath his ambition there was good in him. And she was in love with every part of him she discovered, the ugly part and the beautiful ones.

"I love you." She whispered against his ear.

Every day she fulfilled her promise of saying those words.

Klaus once again did not speak, but he turned Caroline in his arms and kissed her, proving his emotions with his actions instead of words.

Klaus knew he would respond soon, tell Caroline he loves her too. He felt he was on top of the world, Chicago's King, the Mikaelson ruled the city from now on, and his heart had chosen his Queen.

Klaus and Caroline had found each other, now they would build their future together.

END

That's it, this story is at last complete! It took some time but here we are.

Truthfully although this story is principally Klaroline, I struggled the most with their interactions, especially in the later part. Still I hope everyone enjoyed the ride. Thank you to all who read to the end, thank you for the reviews and favorites too.