A/N: I hope you like the surprise I have for you in this chapter. It's been a long time coming, that's for sure.
I do not own The Vampire Diaries. All characters except for Grace belong to author L.J. Smith.
Please review if you enjoy reading this chapter! No flames, please!
Enjoy xx
LOVE ME TENDER
"I want you to know that I am yours today, tomorrow and forever.
I never knew what true love was until I met you." ~Unknown.
Mikaelson Mansion
Esther's Ball
Night.
All and all, Esther's ball appeared to be a huge success. Everybody was having fun and nothing nefarious seemed to be brewing in the shadows ready to throw the metaphorical spanner into the works.
But the night was still young, and I was far from ruling out that Esther had something up her sleeve. I had the nagging feeling that I wasn't alone in my thinking. It just seemed too good to be true that Esther's motives were purely celebratory and an honest desire to see her estranged, dysfunctional family together and whole like they used to be, before they became vampires and the Original Hybrid.
It was clear that Esther had somehow recruited Elena into her plans as well, since the girl kept continuously searching for a way to get up those stairs and meet up with her. But every time she thwarted by Damon. Last that I saw of Elena she was storming off in the direction of the ballroom with an irritated Damon glaring coldly at her back as she went, and a suspiciously blank Stefan observing from across the room.
"Penny for your thoughts?" I was jolted from my brooding thoughts and suspicions when Nik calmly muttered into my ear. I turned and smiled at him, trying not to give away how unsettled I suddenly felt.
"I'm fine." I said, a little too quickly. Nik takes my hand and leads me away from the guests and outside onto the balcony, frowning gently at me. The cool night air felt wonderful on my slightly overheated skin.
"You were a lousy liar a thousand years ago, sweetheart, and now, you're worse." He tells me, and I stiffen out of embarrassment and start to turn away. However, Nik reached up and turned my head back to look him in the eye. I hated the concerned and serious expression on his face as he continued to stubbornly frown at me, not budging until I told him the truth. "What's the matter?" He asked, and I sighed in resignation.
"I just have a feeling that something bad's about to go down, and it's connected with Elena somehow." I explained, and Nik's frown deepened.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" He muttered, glancing back into the ballroom; presumably searching around for Elena.
"Because Elena is a vapid, nasty little attention-seeker. She's either directly or indirectly involved in any little problem that arises in this cesspool of a town. Whenever anything bad goes down, she's usually the reason for things going to hell." I responded bitterly, even though Nik's question was rhetorical. I raised an eyebrow at the amused expression on his face. "What?"
"You really don't like Elena. Do you?" Nik's eyes were laughing and playful, and I couldn't help but smile slightly.
"She reminds me day after day of both Tatia and Katerina. I swear, Petrova Doppelgängers must be cursed to have the same bloody personalities." I bitched.
Nik shrugged, "I didn't notice anything different with Tatia."
"That's because she was trying to get into your pants, sweetie; and at the time, you were like any other red-blooded human male." I said, a little condescendingly. "Thank god you are the faithful sort. You looked extremely uncomfortable and annoyed whenever Tatia was around and started shamelessly flirting with you." I stated, poking him in the chest as I told him this. Nik smirked, catching my finger before I could jab him again and chuckled as he raised it to his mouth and kissed it.
"You have a good memory, my love." He told me, and I smiled warmly at him.
"Now I do." I joked, before moving in and laying my head against his shoulder. I really hated those memories of that bitch. "I'm not going to lose you or our family, or give you up without a fight." I whispered, loud enough that only he and any other vampire nearby could hear me. Nik sighed heavily, wrapping me up into his arms and kissing my head. He obviously hated the fact that every instinct that he possessed told him that something bad was probably going to go down. Even more so when we had absolutely no clue what the plan was.
"I think it would be a good idea to keep a sharp eye on Elena. Just in case your inkling proves to be accurate." Nik surmised. I nodded against his shoulder.
"Sounds like a plan." I agreed, before stepping away from him and taking a seat on the stone banister of the balcony.
"Are you feeling any better now?" Nik asked, still frowning. I nodded, smiling warmly at him.
"Of course. Just feeling a little hot; I'm going to stay out here to cool off a little." I told him.
Nik smiled, "Okay, then." He leaned down and kissed my forehead before straightening up and heading back inside. "Don't stay out here too long. I've still got those surprises to show you." He reminded me, and I nodded.
"Looking forward to it, Nik." I said.
He retreated inside and blended into the crowd of guests, while I stood up from my perch and headed for the staircase to take a short walk in the garden. I was impressed by how the landscapers Nik had hired, had designed this part of the mansion and breathed in the lovely smell of the mown grass, fresh greenery and the fragrant flowers that had been planted here. I tilted my head up to see stars in the cloudless night sky, and for a moment it helped to distract me from brooding about what Esther was planning or if I was suddenly becoming just as paranoid as Nik had become.
"If Esther is secretly on our side—" I froze, recognizing Elena's raspy voice almost immediately and frowned. I picked up my skirts and wondered over to where I could hear her voice. "—we need to know. But I can't get to her with two bodyguards." I followed Elena's voice towards the entrance to the private meadow and saw that she was talking rather urgently with Stefan, of all people. I was unexpectedly hit with a bout of déjà-vu of when I had first witnessed Stefan having a tense conversation with Katherine at the Mayor's wake. Up until she stabbed him with an iron stem for rejecting her.
Wow! How long ago was that…? I thought, as I hid myself behind a tree faraway enough that I could still hear the conversation without being noticed by either one of them. I peeked past the tree trunk and saw Stefan looking confused with what his ex was going on about.
"Why are you telling me this?" He demanded, and I craned my head eagerly to make sure I didn't miss anything that might be construed as important information. Elena let out a frustrated sigh.
"Because Damon won't let me anywhere near her. Which is weird, because he seemed all for taking down Klaus and his family before. Now it's like he's had a change of heart." She frowned, not noticing Stefan stiffening for some reason when Damon was mentioned. But I was grinning from ear to ear, because now I knew why Damon had been persistently blocking Elena from going and talking with Esther for whatever reason.
He was finally backing down from mucking up Nik's plans, and I had a feeling it had something to do with his newfound discovery that Rebekah liked him. He must reciprocate the feelings, because I happened to glance over at him during the waltz earlier and discovered that he and Rebekah had been dancing together; and neither of them appeared to particularly mind this.
You're the best, Damon! I cheered him on triumphantly in my head as Elena scowled at Stefan, looking hurt and betrayed as she continued with her rant.
"And all you care about is killing Klaus, more than you care about anything. So—" She cuts herself off when she notices Stefan reacting to this and glancing down at his feet, looking indecisive. "What? Am I wrong?" She asks him, hopeful. Stefan glances up, still looking serious; much to Elena's disappointment. That is until he suddenly said:
"No, you're not wrong." Elena sags. "What do you need me to do?" He requests, getting straight to the point as Elena pushes aside the hurt in her eyes and looks at him with a steely determination that fills me with dread.
"Make sure that I can get into that room with Esther. Alone." She instructs, sternly.
Stefan looked doubtful, "You sure you can do this?"
"I can do this." Elena insisted, and picks up her skirts as she turns to walk away. But she suddenly stops and turned to face him once again. "When we were together, you used to let me make my own decisions." She smiled a little at him. "You trusted me. After all this time, at least that hasn't changed." Stefan didn't smile, but he nodded in acknowledgement before watching Elena go. I waited until both were out of sight before I quickly turned and headed back the way I came.
Whatever Esther wanted Elena for could not be anything good, and I needed more information about what that bitch was planning with Elena; and the only way to get that information was to follow Elena when she eventually went to Esther. However, my plans were slightly derailed when I got to the top of the staircase and saw a melancholy Caroline standing alone by herself beside the stone banister, staring down at the stables.
"Caroline?" She jumped, having obviously not expected somebody out here, and turned to face me. Her face was flushed, and her eyes looked slightly red and puffy. She had been crying, poor thing. "Are you okay?" I asked, concerned.
"I'm fine." Caroline was quick to respond as she wiped her eyes and attempted to compose herself. "Just needed some air. It's kind of hot in there." She said, and I nodded; relieved that I wasn't being a delicate little petal and that other people were feeling the heat too. "What are you doing out here?"
I shrugged, "Same as you. I've just been on a walk." I was still concerned about her and did not buy her answer. And neither was I about to drop the subject about why she was crying. Mostly because I had a vague idea why she was, but I needed her to confirm this, so I didn't make a foolish faux pas. "You look like you need someone to talk to? Would I be correct in saying-?"
"Look, I just told you that I was fine okay!? Just leave me alone. I don't need your help." Caroline cut me off and snapped at me angrily. "Shouldn't you be heading back to your mutant boyfriend?" I sighed heavily and turned to head for the closed French doors as Caroline showed me her back once again.
"Nik and I are not valcroed to the hip. But fine, I get the message. You want to be alone." I reached for the doorknob and pushed it down. However, I didn't open it just yet. I wanted to set the blonde baby vamp straight. "I can see that you're hurting Caroline, and that's okay we're all allowed to feel vulnerable at times. But don't take it out on somebody who's trying to help you." I opened the door, then hesitated. "If it's any consolation to you honey, I know exactly how you're feeling right now." I stated with a finality before attempting to step through the threshold.
"Yeah, right. How exactly am I feeling then?" Caroline spat, aiming to wound.
"I lost both my parents while I was away at College. I never got to say goodbye to them." I responded, smiling sadly at Caroline who instantly looked ashamed. "I'll leave you to it." I was just about home free when Caroline suddenly spoke up.
"How did you know?" Her voice sounded small and lost. I re-opened the door and saw her standing front on; her eyes wide and vulnerable, and I winced wondering if that was what I looked like when I finally learned that my parents were no longer alive.
"You'll have to be a bit more specific, hon." I said as Caroline scowled a little.
"How did you know that's why I've been crying?" Caroline reiterated, remarkably managing to hold onto her temper. I stepped back outside and closed the door behind me to preserve what privacy Caroline and I had as I came over to her and took a seat on the stone banister.
"Your father's death has been one of the main focuses in this town, apart from Nik and his family." I explained, much to Caroline's mortification. "But I have the feeling that's not the only thing that's been bringing you down. Am I right?" I asked her, gently.
"Am I that obvious?" Caroline wiped her eyes, slightly smearing her mascara.
"A bit." I shrugged, patting the space beside me on the banister. "What else has been bothering you?" I encouraged her to open. Caroline hesitated before visibly giving in and sitting heavily beside me.
"I suck at relationships, and I guess I'm just a bit jealous that you've got Klaus and I can't even hold onto Matt or get Tyler to stick around long enough to help me grieve for my dad." Caroline confessed.
"That explains why you were openly hostile when you suggested I go and find Nik earlier." I concluded. Caroline winced, and looked a bit guilty.
"Sorry."
"Don't be sorry. It's natural to lash out when we're pissed off and hurting. Just choose your target more wisely next time." I reassured her before getting to my feet and offering my hand. "Come on! Let's get you cleaned up." I said, brightly.
Caroline's eyes widened in horror, "Oh shit! How bad is it?" She fretted, covering her face with her gloved hands. I giggled and pulled her hands away, holding one of them in my left hand.
"Nothing serious. Your mascara is the only casualty." I reassured her as I tugged her to her feet. Caroline grimaced and rolled her eyes.
"Oh, great. I probably look like a panda." She whined and this time it was my turn to roll my eyes.
"Don't be so melodramatic." I scolded, as I opened the French door and stood back to let Caroline go through first. "I swear, you and Nik could be contenders for the gold medal in overreaction." I muttered, ignoring Caroline's protesting spluttering as I half-led, half-dragged her towards the guest bathroom which surprisingly did not have a huge line of guests waiting to use it. We managed to get inside and amazingly there was nobody inside, so I locked the door to help Caroline preserve her 'dignity' and fix her face. But also, so the poor girl could get the chance to relax a little and hopefully open a little further to elaborate on both her problems.
I wasn't disappointed.
"Did you ever find out how your parents died?" Caroline suddenly blurted out as she dabbed away the smudged mascara from around her eyes with a wet paper towel. "Or is that still a sore subject?" She asked, awkwardly. I smiled at her reassuringly.
"It's fine. I don't mind talking about it. It happened a few years ago, and while it still smarts a little it gets easier to talk about it after a while." I explained.
Caroline's face fell a little, "I hope so…" She whispered.
"My mum had stage IV breast cancer." I confessed, holding onto Nik's silver wolf tooth for the comfort he couldn't physically provide himself. "But while her death was inevitable and expected, it didn't mean that it didn't hurt any less when she eventually did pass on." I began my sad story. Caroline immediately looked contrite. "My dad apparently took her death the hardest. You see they were so in love with each other; never had a fight that they couldn't resolve within 24 hours or ever forgot to tell each other whenever they could that they loved each other. It was like they were still newlyweds, even though at the time they had been almost 33-years married." I told her, with a sad little smile on my face.
"That so sweet!" Caroline gushed getting starry-eyed at the idea. "What happened to your dad?" Her dreamy little smile slowly falling from her face.
"He died of a broken heart not even three days after mum died. I found out a couple of days after that." I replied, sighing a little.
"Oh, God. I'm so sorry." Caroline apologized and I smiled at her.
"It's all good. I'm better now than I was then. I was even granted the opportunity to complete my degree via correspondence since I was so close to graduating. It was the first time a dean had been that generous for a student." I continued, pushing up from where I was leaning against the sink and started to pace. "Since then, I've been traveling around and living like a nomad. At least, up until I came here to Mystic Falls and found Nik and my family again."
Caroline frowned at the mention of Nik but seemed to brush aside the question that was on the tip of her tongue to ask a different one.
"What are you studying?" She asked, genuinely curious.
"I was studying Fine Arts with a minor in Creative Writing. I graduated a few months ago and I should be getting my diploma in the mail any day now." I said, proudly.
"Don't you want to go back and walk in your graduation ceremony?" Caroline looked a little crestfallen when I shook my head.
"I'm not really interested. I've got my degree in something that I love, why go through the pomp and circumstance?" I questioned. "Besides, I wouldn't have been able to make it. Connecticut is a long way away from here." I pointed out. "What's your other question?"
Caroline looked shocked, "How did you know I had another question?"
"Because you frowned almost immediately after I mentioned Nik and his siblings. Don't keep me in suspense." I stated, slightly impatiently.
"How long have you been in a relationship with Klaus? Since you told me that you only just recently 'found' him again." Caroline asked me, looking a bit skeptical. I stopped pacing and paused to look her in the eye with a smile on my face.
"Well, that's easy. Nik and I are childhood sweethearts. You could say that our relationship is a bit of a love match." I explained, matter of fact.
"Childhood sweethearts?!" Caroline looked at me dubiously. "Seriously?"
"Of course. We grew up together and found each other again when I was killed then reincarnated." I insisted. Caroline looked at me doubtfully, so I tried a different angle to help her understand. "Look, I've been in this situation before with people who didn't believe me. And I've managed to prove it to them, so I can do the same with you." I offered, casually.
"How?" Caroline demanded.
"I can let you take a peek into my memories." I explained.
"Who have you let do that?"
"Elena, Jeremy and this one doesn't count because he jumped right in to view my memories while I was vulnerable and asleep, but Damon too." I answered.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Caroline quipped.
"Because you're not a moron." I said, then sighed. "Look, do you want the answers to your question or not, Caroline?" I asked her, impatiently.
Caroline hesitated, "Fine. Let's just get this over with." She said. "What do I have to do?"
"Just do what you would normally do to compel someone, but instead you'll appear in a specific part of my memory. I'll be there to guide you every step of the way." I explained. "It's one of the perks of being a Medium." I muttered sarcastically as I offered my hands – palm up – to Caroline.
She eyed them with a perplexed frown before eventually taking them and taking a deliberate hard unblinking stare into my eyes. Almost instantly my eyes snapped shut.
Grace's Memories
A thousand years ago.
"Where are we?" My eyes re-opened when I heard Caroline's slightly worried voice in my ear. I glanced around our surroundings, trying to pinpoint exactly where we were. A light breeze blew through the trees, disturbing our hair and carrying with it the smell of fresh unpolluted air with hints of hickory oak, maple and mountain laurel, as well as a strong, but pleasant whiff of a campfire burning away off to our direct left.
I've always loved the smell of campfire smoke. It unlocked memories for me of nights when the Mikaelson siblings and I would all crowd around a large campfire with our friends, and swap stories of what happened during the day. Sometimes those stories had us all laughing and sometimes had us all soberly listening in and lending a shoulder to cry on if their day turned out to be not so great.
"Not quite sure yet. Nothing looks familiar." I responded absently, before taking off in the direction of where I smelt the smoky campfire scent. Caroline jogged to keep up easily behind me.
"Seriously?" She groaned.
"Be patient." I responded, distractedly. Then froze when I heard children's laughter off in the distance. I smiled, sighing with relief. "Come on." I called back to Caroline who grumbled but managed to fall into step beside me.
"This better be worth it." She groused as we soon come across a boy with dark brown hair probably not much older than perhaps eight-years old, playing with two younger boys. Both were obviously his younger brothers: a little chap, also with dark brown hair and surprisingly sharp, intelligent brown eyes who looked about five-years old, was chasing after an adorable little boy with long unruly dirty blonde hair and a chubby cherub face with blue-green eyes, who looked about two-years old. Both older boys were making sure the toddler stayed out of trouble as he was stumbling around, exploring and picking up random objects like any typical toddler was liable to do at that age, while being closely watched by his older brothers.
I grinned, recognizing them almost immediately and walked closer to them to continue observing, even though none of them would be able to see Caroline and me.
"I think it will be." I promised as Caroline eyed the trio with interest.
"Do you know them?" Caroline asked me, curiously.
I nodded, "That's Finn, Elijah and the toddler trying to catch that butterfly, is Nik." I explained and smirked when Caroline's eyes widened in surprise.
"That cute little boy is Klaus? Oh, my gosh!" She gushed, obviously forgetting for a split second that the little boy who was giggling innocently before our eyes, was the same 'young' man that had danced a centuries-old waltz with her earlier that she highly disliked. "But where are you? I thought that this was your memory?" I opened my mouth to respond to her query, but both of us immediately flinched when a harsh, deep voice suddenly pierced the air.
"FINNIK!" The eight-year old suddenly went ramrod straight and turned to look in the eye a tall, muscular man in his late-20s early-30s with wavy shoulder-length blonde hair who was stomping towards him with what seemed like a permanent scowl on his face.
"Yes, Father?" He responded promptly, causing me to react out of shock when I realized who this man was.
"Grab your brothers and come back to village. Quickly!" He snapped before he turned and immediately stomped away without another word, leaving a slightly shaken Finn to gesture towards Elijah to pick up Nik and follow him down the trail that presumably led back to the village. Caroline's mouth fell open.
"Who the hell was that jerk?" She asked, looking appalled as we quickly raced after Finn, Elijah and Nik.
"That would be Mikael." I told her, soberly.
"THAT'S Mikael?"
"Yep." I confirmed, scowling in resentment. Caroline scoffed in disbelief.
"No wonder Klaus was so determined to kill him at homecoming. His father was such a dick towards his kids!" She observed with disgust.
"Nik isn't his kid, as it turned out." I told her, causing Caroline to snap her head at me out of surprise. "But they won't discover this until AFTER they've been turned into vampires." I stated.
"So, where are they going?" Caroline asked, curiously.
"My best guess would be their house." I said. We followed the boys deeper into the thickening woods, over fallen logs covered with slippery moss and boulders in not much better condition, before finding ourselves standing in the thick of thatched huts with the villagers milling around, going about their business. In the heart of the village stood the enormous White Oak Tree and surrounded by tiny purple vervain flowers. Caroline wrinkled her nose with mild distaste as she glances round at everything.
"Wow. This is … quaint." She eventually said, insincerely.
"This was home, once-upon-a-time." I corrected her, smiling nostalgically as I took in my former home. "Welcome to Mystic Falls: Viking-style." I introduced Caroline formally, as her eyes widened in shock. That was when I spotted Finn and Elijah almost disappearing into the crowd, and I seized Caroline's arm to tug her in the same direction. "Come on. Or we're going to lose 'em." I told her.
We eventually arrived at the Mikaelson's home where Mikael was waiting impatiently for something (or someone) and another very familiar man was standing nearby looking more anxious than impatient Mikael did. I immediately recognized the second man and let out a surprised gasp.
"What?" Caroline was alert and searching for the danger. I shook my head to calmly reassure her as I continued focusing upon the second man. Caroline finally took notice. "Who's the guy standing next to Mikael?"
"My father." I responded, quietly.
"Your dad?" Caroline parroted looking surprised as she glanced between us for some resemblance presumably.
"Yes. My dad from this first life." I elaborated. Then our heads turned towards the hut when suddenly we heard a baby crying at the top of their lungs. Both Mikael and my father's eyes widened in anticipation just as a dark-skinned woman that I recognized as a younger looking Ayana stepped from the hut my father had been pacing in front of and looked at Mikael with a congratulatory smile.
"Mikael, you've been blessed with another son. Congratulations." Ayana announced, then a few seconds later there was another baby's cry. Ayana's eyes widened. "Excuse me for a moment." She withdrew into the hut, while my father approached Mikael and clapped a hand on a mildly happy Mikael's shoulder.
"A son. You must be honored, Mikael." My father praised him.
"Thank you. Let's hope that fate has smiled upon you as well." Mikael acknowledged as Caroline's eyes widened and turned to look at me.
"I think it's safe to suggest that this memory is the night of my birth and Kol's birth." I explained to a shocked Caroline. "Our parents were close family friends. As the Mikaelsons and I grew up, we frequented each other's huts to socialize or help each other with our chores." Then my face fell slightly, making Caroline frown a little with concern. "And in some cases, Nik and his siblings would sometimes retreat to my hut to escape Mikael whenever he would have one of his famous violent and often physical tempers." I added, much to Caroline's alarm.
Ayana stepped once again from the hut, this time opening the door wide as she turned towards my father with a beaming smile on her face. "You have a beautiful, healthy daughter. Congratulations." My father wept a few happy tears, which he tried to discreetly wipe away before Mikael could see them before following him, Finn, Elijah and Nik into the hut so that they could greet Kol and me for the first time.
Caroline and I followed too. The inside of the Mikaelsons' hut was just as I remembered it: large with an equally big fireplace that had a fire crackling away in it and another open doorway that lead into an adjoining room, that I recalled lead towards the shared bedchambers.
The floor was dirt with straw strewn around to help keep the moisture away and to help insulate during the winter months. There were some basic but good quality wooden tables, chairs and benches. Some decent sized windows with wooden shutters which were currently closed to preserve what dignity and privacy Esther and my mother required during their labors, heavy wooden chests used to store blankets, spare clothing, cloaks, stoles, irreplaceable home-wares and even weapons; some of which adorned the walls as decoration and also for easy access should they feel threatened at all.
Both Esther and my mother were propped up against the wall and lying on animal furs, looking exhausted but proud as punch as they held their newborns in their arms; quietly cooing at them to soothe their cries. Some blankets had been thrown over their legs to preserve their dignity, and both looked up at their respective husbands the very second, they, Finn, Elijah and little Nik appeared in the room.
"You didn't have very much, did you?" Caroline observed, still looking mildly appalled by the living conditions; and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her slightly snobbish reaction to what living rough used to look like a thousand years ago.
"It was a harsh life, Caroline. We had to make do with what we had. Besides, in comparison to other families, Nik's family and my family were considered very wealthy. Other families wouldn't have a lot of this." I explained, as I watched my father rush over to greet my mother and me, and Mikael approaching Esther with Finn, who looked mildly interested that he was once again an elder brother to another mouth to feed, Elijah who was excited to be an older brother once again, and a curious but ultimately confused Nik frowning down at Kol as though wondering why his mother was holding a small pink wriggling thing in her arms.
"Congratulations." Mikael grunted at his wife with a small smile on his face as he gazed down at his newborn son. "Have you decided on a name yet?" He asked, a little indifferently.
"Kol." Esther responded, smiling proudly before turning to her other sons. "Meet your new brother, my sons." She said, allowing them to come over and crowd around her so they could see their new sibling. A loud wail coming from over where my parents were gazing awestruck down at me, like any other new parents with their newborn; attracted Nik's attention. He immediately lost interest with examining Kol and stumbled over to investigate.
"NIKLAUS!" Mikael suddenly bellowed fiercely, causing everybody including Caroline and I, to jump.
"God! What that fucking necessary?!" Caroline raged, glaring at Mikael even though the man could not see us, then looked over at Nik with sympathy as the poor little boy immediately burst into tears out of sheer fright. Which of course, triggered both Kol and baby me to wail as well. I let out a weary sigh.
"To Mikael, yes, that was necessary." I confirmed as Esther immediately scowled at her husband with disdain.
"Mikael, control yourself!" She admonished him, before looking down at Elijah and softening her face a little. "Elijah, go take care of your brother. You may go and see our friends' new child as well." Esther gave her permission as Elijah nodded solemnly and ran over to wrap a sobbing Nik in a hug and attempted to soothe him. He then escorted his brother by his little pudgy hand over to where my mother was cradling me.
I wondered over as well; as I was curious to see how this memory turned out, since I obviously didn't remember it. It was very heartwarming to see how loving Elijah was being towards Nik, who it seemed copped Mikael's wrath even at this tender age. I was relieved, because despite their differences back in 2012 the loving nature that five-year old Elijah was using to take care of Nik now, was being displayed despite how cleverly he was trying to hide it.
"Hello, boys!" My mother chirped happily, before patting the space beside her for Elijah and Nik to take a seat. Elijah then promptly sat down and pulled a quietly sniffling Nik into his lap as my mother shifted slightly and carefully placed baby me onto Nik's lap, causing the little boy to immediately stop crying and glance down dubiously at me. "Support her head, Elijah." My mother instructed, and Elijah immediately placed his small hand underneath my head. "Her name is Gráinne." She told both boys who were still blinking down at me in astonishment. "Will you both help me take care of her, as well as your own little brother?" She asked, and Elijah grinned.
"Yes, ma'am." He responded, as Nik smiled and wrapped both arms around baby me to give her a hug. Then my eyes widened when he placed a sloppy kiss on my forehead.
Caroline gasped as the memory faded, and I looked up to see the blonde vampire looking stunned.
"Wow. Who knew Klaus could be so sweet?" She commented, and I raised a hand into the air.
"Uh, I knew. Also, Rebekah." I reminded her. "And first, Nik was only two at that stage. All children have sweet temperaments at that age, and only change after witnessing how their parents behave in polite society." I explained, earning a strange look from Caroline for probably sounding like a walking encyclopedia. "For example, Nik has his moments when he can be a sweetheart, and then other times he has the temperament of a king Cobra." I thought, distastefully.
Caroline paled.
"Yeah, I kind of worked that part out for myself." She responded, shuddering a little. I chuckled, earning a slightly annoyed glance from Caroline which quietly changed to trepidation when another memory began to surface. "What's happening now?" She asked, nervously.
"Relax, hon. It's just another memory. Hopefully these won't be as detailed as that first one." I silently hoped.
When the memory focused, we were standing in the warm sunlight, surrounded by trees and nature. Caroline glanced around with interest.
"Where are we now?" She asked me, taking a seat upon a fallen log. I was about to respond when a twig snapped and we immediately turned towards the sound, alert. It was a very familiar dirty blonde-haired boy of about nine-years old with angry blue-green eyes walking towards us, looking very despondent. He was wearing loose brown trousers, a red-orange long-sleeved tunic top with a brown belt tied around his waist and some well-worn traveling boots. We watched as he looked around for a few minutes, searching for something before making a decision and then went to sit at the base of a nearby tree. He buried his face into his drawn up knees. "Is that Klaus?" Caroline asked, and I nodded silently, biting my own bottom lip as I eyed his split bottom lip and slightly roughed up appearance. "What happened to him?"
"He had another altercation with Mikael." I replied, walking over to crouch in front of him, and wishing that I could reach out and wipe away the tears I was almost certain were falling down his cheeks. "Nik and the rest of us had a laundry list of chores that we had to complete each and every new day, before we could go and play. Nik didn't finish his, and he paid the price when Mikael found out." I stated, much to Caroline's horror.
"Niklaus!" I flinched when my familiar voice rang out in the distance, and all three of us turned or looked up to see a six-year old Gráinne come running into view. Gráinne was dressed with her hair in a loose ponytail, except for her bangs which had been braided and tied back, and she wore a white cotton dress with a mahogany tunic, and some slightly scuffed brown traveling boots. She looked worried as she glanced about looking for her friend. "Where are you?" She hollered.
"When I had learned what had happened via Elijah, I ran off to find him; despite Elijah's suggestion that I should let him be. So, I ran off in the direction Elijah said that Nik had disappeared off in until I eventually found him." I continued explaining. Then Caroline and I watched as Gráinne finally spotted Nik and came over to him.
"There you are! Why did you run away?" She asked him, innocently. Nik didn't look up from his knees.
"Just go away, Gráinne. Leave me alone." Nik mumbled, hunching into himself even more. Gráinne frowned and came over to kneel beside him.
"Why should I do that? I thought we were friends?" She retorted. That comment made Nik look up at her in confusion.
"Of course we are. Stop being stupid." He scowled at her, which of course made Gráinne react negatively.
"I am not stupid! Stop being mean, I'm trying to make you feel better." She pouted, and Nik finally snapped.
"What part of leave me alone don't you understand?!" He growled and instead of being afraid, Gráinne merely smiled. She hobbled over to him, wrapping her arms around a surprised Nik's neck.
"Stubborn little shit, aren't you?" Caroline sounded amused and I glanced over my shoulder to see her, sitting with her face in her hand as she balanced her elbow on her knee.
I shrugged, "Somethings never change."
"Don't be sad, Niklaus. I'll always be here to comfort you, and so will Elijah, Kol, Finn, Bekah and Henrik." Gráinne promised him, and I smiled remembering that promise. "Things will get better, you'll see." Nik still looked surprised and a little unsure, but eventually he smiled and relaxed into the hug Gráinne was giving him.
The memory faded, causing Caroline to frown in protest.
"Hey! What happened after that? That was just getting good!" She stated, getting to her feet and stomping over to me.
"Nik and I spent a few hours together, just talking and playing or play-fighting. Anything to help him feel better and distract him about the fact that Mikael seemed to really have it in for him for whatever reason. Then Elijah was sent out to go find us to bring us back to the village for dinner and family time before we had to turn in for the night so we could restart the cycle all over again … minus Mikael's bullying." I said, grinning. "We both were practically inseparable and you could usually find us together. On occasion, even Rebekah socialized with us. Except when Nik was required to begin training to become a warrior and both Rebekah and I started to learn how to become proper housewives."
Caroline made a face at the mental image, but at the same time also looked extremely fascinated with the impromptu history lesson I was showing her.
"This is almost as good as Alaric's history class." She mused, and I grinned; flattered. I had successfully distracted Caroline from her angst in the process of helping her to understand my romance with Nik.
"That's nice of you to say. Thank you." I replied, graciously. Caroline shrugged.
"So, what else happened?" She asked, a little impatiently. I smiled and shook my head.
"When Nik was seventeen and I was fifteen, we decided to start courting each other." I continued, and Caroline frowned looking confused.
"What's 'courting'?"
I looked at her incredulously. "For somebody who is constantly bemoaning that she can't hold down a boyfriend, or who is constantly going on about romance, I'm surprised you haven't come across this term by now." I commented. Caroline scowled at me.
"So, sue me. What does it mean?" She insisted, sounding crabby.
"‛Courting' is an old-fashioned term for dating." I explained. "It's a pretty redundant term nowadays. Which is a shame, because people have become extremely jaded towards the idea of romance. Taking the time to get to know a person before eventually deciding that the time was right to seal the deal and devote themselves to each other forever, seems to apparently take too much effort." I ranted, sadly. "Now it's mostly all about 'one night stands' or 'spontaneous marriages between drunken couples', only for it all to end in divorce days later."
"That's kind of depressing. And you seem to have put a weird amount of thought into that." Caroline looked at me shrewdly, and I shrugged choosing to plead the fifth on the topic. "But I think can I understand what you're getting at." Caroline conceded. "So! What happened next? Did you and Klaus get engaged?" She gave me a teasing little wink, while a nostalgic smile spread across my face that caused Caroline to raise an eyebrow.
"Yeah, we did. Eventually." I admitted, feeling coy. "Nik and I courted each other for the next four years, and during the fourth year of our courtship, Rebekah and I were invited to attend the wedding of a close friend of ours called Aemilia, who was due to be married to her suitor who was about ten years her senior." I said, giggling at the revolted face Caroline was making.
"Ewww! Was that even legal?" She asked.
"Very. Women, especially Viking women, back a thousand years ago were married as young as 12-years old, then it was expected of them to run a household once they were married." I told her.
"Why? What ever happened to having a normal childhood?" Caroline complained, and I gathered my patience; remembering that she was born into the 20th century and was used to completely different customs when it came to marriage.
"Define normal." I asked, then powered on before Caroline could respond. "Women were married that young because of the high mortality rates. People were married that early so that they could procreate and produce as many children as they could to boost the population. Most people back then were lucky to reach their fiftieth birthday or even get the chance to see their first grandchild. It was just the way things were done during the Middle Ages." I explained as patiently as I could.
"So, you and Klaus married late then?" Caroline asked, cautiously.
"Not exactly. I was considered a spinster at the age of nineteen, but Nik still had plenty of time to be married; he just chose not to." I said.
"So, it's a sexist thing?" Caroline mused, bitterly. I shrugged, preferring not to respond. "What did you mean 'not exactly'?" She was quick to ask, and I winced realizing we were close to revealing the reason why we weren't married yet.
"The entire village was invited to Aemilia's wedding. The bride was quite happy with the arrangement, despite the obvious age difference and the reception was celebrated on a nearby meadow, not far from where the long ceremony was held." I narrated, and Caroline groaned when another memory appeared.
"Again?"
I frowned at her with disapproval as we were immediately greeted with the lively sounds of upbeat medieval-style music consisting of drums, flutes, tambourines etc. as well as joyful laughter, boisterous shouting and singing, everything that was required for a typical happy wedding reception.
"Hey, don't complain. You wanted to know more about my relationship with Nik. You're going to just have to persevere." I scolded her, as we walked towards where the festivities were kicking off. It was just as I had remembered it; a makeshift dance floor full of couples and groups of friends dancing merrily together. "Now, Caroline." I called out to her as she came up to stand beside me, looking mildly interested in the party unfolding before her. "Tell me that you wouldn't enjoy attending a party like this one." I baited her, as I heard a familiar squeal of carefree delight and looked over to see Rebekah dancing with a friend in the thick of it.
Caroline paused and took in the party, before a tentative smile appeared on her face. "Yeah, I guess I could get into something like this." She eventually conceded. Satisfied (and probably just a little smug) I continued observing for the second time, the events that led towards Nik proposing marriage to me.
"Gather round, girls. Gather round!" Aemilia yelled out to the crowd of unwed girls, and Caroline immediately brightened moving to stand among the crowd before belatedly remembering that she was not able to be seen, and instantly stopped herself, pouting.
"Don't worry, Caroline. You'll get your chance someday. All is not completely lost." I reassured her, as we turned back to watch (or re-watch in my case) the bouquet toss. As Aemilia turned her back and readied herself to hurl the flower grenade into the crowd which unfortunately, I noticed (and grimaced as I remembered) included a reluctant Gráinne; Caroline suddenly spoke up.
"So, who ended up catching the bouquet?" She asked curiously as Aemilia counted to three and threw the flowers over her head and nailed Gráinne in the face with the colorful spray. I flushed with mortification as Caroline smirked. "Never mind. Nice catch." She teased, playfully. I scratched the back of my head as I watched as Gráinne was helped to her feet, spitting petals from her mouth.
"It wasn't one of my better moments, I must admit." I said, before leading Caroline out of the crowd and towards the woods.
"Where are we going?" Caroline looked at me curiously, noting my red face. "Oh, come on. It wasn't that bad." She tried to unnecessarily buck me up, and I rolled my eyes and hastily brushed aside the sympathy.
"I'm not that thin-skinned Caroline, I'm merely following the events of my memory." I explained. "After my 'triumphant' catching of the bouquet—"
"—unorthodox, but yeah." Caroline interrupted to insert her two cents.
"I desired some time to myself." I scowled at her, unamused, before continuing. "So, I decided to take a walk through the trees." I pointed towards Gráinne who was walking unhurriedly along the trail, before taking a seat upon a log and staring at the setting sun off in the distance. Suddenly, Nik appeared, and Caroline frowned curiously.
"What's he doing here?" She asked.
"I'm not going to spoil the surprise." I told her. "But I recalled feeling concerned because Nik looked unusually nervous, despite the smirk on his face and how casually he was walking." I stated, and Caroline turned to study Nik too; obviously trying to work out what was about to happen next. I knew the second when she figured it out, when a huge beaming smile and an excited squeal pierced the air.
"Oh, my God! I so can't wait to see this!" Caroline, ever the romantic, announced and dashed forward to get a closer look at the proposal that was about to take place. I stayed behind, already knowing what Nik will say to me, and that I would accept. But I couldn't help but wonder if Nik was still wanting to get married to me. "Oh, come on, Grace! You can't miss this!" Caroline shrieked excitedly into my ear and practically dragged me over, pushing me down beside Gráinne as I came face to face once again with Nik. His blue-green eyes were filled with such warmth, that I couldn't believe that I had forgotten them at this moment. I glanced over at my past life's face and saw the joyful tears gathering underneath her eyelids and realized that I had tears forming in mine also. A brief glance at Caroline confirmed that she was also on the brink of tears too.
"Gráinne …" I immediately snapped my head back in Nik's direction and saw him reaching forward to take her (my) hand in his. "You are my best friend, my love, my life, my everything." I jerked in surprise when Caroline suddenly seized my hand in hers and held it with an iron grip, as she waited with bated breath to hear what Nik had to say next.
"Ow…" I muttered, scowling at her.
She ignored me.
"I've loved you for as long as I can remember, and no matter how long I live; I'll never love anybody else as much as I love you." I looked back at Nik and felt myself melting all over again. "Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" Nik finished his proposal, and at the same moment; Caroline let out an ear-piercing fan-girl squeal and nearly broke my hand in her excitement. But I barely noticed, as I was remembering how I was feeling at this moment.
"Yes." Both Gráinne and I whispered in perfect unison, as I watched Nik sliding the engagement ring he had made for me all those years ago onto Gráinne's finger, and I couldn't help but look down sadly at my own ring finger and wondered exactly what had happened to it when I died. I looked back up in time to see Gráinne and Nik passionately kissing each other, and I bit my bottom lip and turned away, unable to watch as the memory slowly faded away…
Mikaelson Mansion
Esther's Ball
Night.
What felt like hours in my memories, was a split second. Exactly how it was when Jeremy and I took a trip a few weeks back. The second Caroline got over the slight dizziness and realised that we had returned; she immediately resumed geeking out over Nik's proposal.
"Oh, my God! That was the most romantic thing I had ever witnessed EVER!" She gushed, bouncing on the spot like a hyped-up toddler. "You're such a lucky bitch, Grace!" She told me, before groping for my left hand, expecting to see that beautiful engagement ring Nik had made for me and stopped short when all she saw was a bare finger. "Huh? But-but where is it?" She looked at me with confusion, and I hastily snatched back my hand, and looked away. Caroline was immediately concerned by my reaction. "Grace, what is it? What happened to your gorgeous engagement ring?" She asked, gently. I hesitated before reluctantly giving the blonde vamp an explanation.
"A few weeks after Nik and I officially got engaged, Henrik, the youngest Mikaelson brother was mauled to death by a werewolf during the full moon when we were supposed to be hiding out in the caves for our own safety. Nik witnessed this and blamed himself that he was unable to save him or the fact that he believed that he should've tried harder to stop Henrik from leaving the caves." I told her.
Caroline looked horrified.
"Oh, shit! You mean that kid out there who looks like a mini-Elijah was killed?" I nodded. "Then how the hell is he here if he's supposed to be dead?" She asked, looking confused.
"He's a ghost." I replied.
"No, seriously. Is he a vampire too?" Caroline frowned at me, unamused. I scowled back, wishing that this whole entire conversation wasn't so complicated.
"No. I just explained to you that Henrik is a ghost. Don't you remember when Mystic Falls was suddenly inundated with the ghosts of the dearly departed?" I attempted to jog her memory.
"Is that when Henrik returned?" Caroline looked shocked.
I shook my head, "No. He's been with me ever since I was reborn into this life 21-years ago. He only became solid during that single event." I explained.
"This is too weird." Caroline decided, then frowned. "Wait. What do you mean 'reborn'? What aren't you telling me?" Caroline suddenly took on an accusatory tone.
"I'm getting to the point, I promise." I told her. "Henrik's death turned out to be the beginning of the end for the Mikaelson's and, as it turned out, me." I said.
"I don't like the sound of that. What's this got to do with your relationship with Klaus?" Caroline asked, tentatively.
"Everything as it turned out. Soon after Henrik died, Nik and his siblings barred themselves from the rest of the village, for our safety. I became extremely worried, because I didn't see any of them except for Esther, and it was because they had just become the world's first ever vampires. When I finally saw them again, Nik was very standoffish; still very loving and eager to get married, but he kept me at arm's length."
Caroline frowned, "Why?"
"Why do you think?" I frowned at her. "What was the first thing that you thought of when you transitioned into a vampire?"
"I was thirsty. All I could think about was—" She cut herself off when she realized what I was getting at. "Oh."
I nodded, "One night during the next full moon, we were all camping out in the caves with the rest of the village. Nik, Elijah, Esther and Mikael were taking a very long time to join us inside the cave. I remember that both Rebekah and I were feeling anxious, considering what had happened to Henrik; so, I got up to go and investigate why they were taking so long. That was the last time I ever saw Rebekah, Kol and Finn until last year when I moved here to Mystic Falls and started reuniting with them one by one." I said.
"What happened outside of the caves?" Caroline was almost whispering at this point. "Why was it the last time you ever saw them?"
"I discovered Esther and Mikael casting the Hybrid Curse upon Nik in a clearing not too far from the caves. Elijah was assisting them, albeit reluctantly." I explained.
"What?!" Caroline exclaimed.
"I foolishly barreled in to stop them from cursing Nik, but he yelled at me to run. It was already too late for me to stop the curse from being cast, but I just painted a target on my back and now I had to run for my life." I said, causing Caroline to pale.
"Oh, God. What happened?" She whispered, fearfully.
"Mikael was after me, and I had to flee for my life because I knew he was going to kill me. Nik managed to break free from the restraints Mikael and Elijah had tied him up with, and he found me and attempted to protect me. But Mikael found us, and had Elijah restrain Nik while he dealt with me. Right in front of Nik, Mikael stabbed me to death with his sword." I looked away, feeling ashamed.
"You died?" Caroline looked horrified, and I nodded. "Oh, God. I never thought I would say this, but poor Klaus." She looked sincere, and I was grateful. "What happened to your ring?"
I shrugged. "I don't know."
There was an uncomfortable silence as Caroline let the information, I had just shared with her sink in. She looked completely devastated. Eventually, she stepped away from the mirrors and walked towards the restroom door, unlocking it with a flick of her wrist. But she paused before disappearing through it.
"Thanks for telling me about your relationship with Klaus, Grace. I think I have a better understanding about him now. Maybe he's not such a bad guy after all." Caroline smiled, as I smiled back at her approvingly.
"No, he really isn't. Unless you provoke him otherwise." I stated. "Thanks for listening." Caroline smiled once again and opened the door. "Wait!" She turned and looked at me, questioningly. "Why did you want to know about our relationship in the first place?" I asked, curiously. Why this question hadn't occurred to me earlier, I'd never know.
"I thought that Klaus had compelled you to be his personal blood bag and sex slave." Caroline reluctantly confessed.
Okay … I wasn't expecting that answer.
"What?!" I whisper-shouted, feeling suddenly sick at the idea.
"I know I'm sorry. I feel stupid for thinking that now that I know that it's not true. But honestly, I was just trying to help you, Grace. I swear!" Caroline pleaded.
"What on earth made you think that?" I demanded, feeling slightly insulted.
"Before you came to Mystic Falls, I was compelled by Damon to be his 'Renfield to his Dracula' but with benefits. It was back when he first returned to Mystic Falls and was a completely evil jackass and before I got turned into a vampire." Caroline looked completely humiliated, and I didn't blame her.
"That's so sick and twisted. What the hell Damon?!" I muttered, disgustedly. "I'm so sorry that you had to go through that." I added. Caroline gave a very weak smile.
"Thanks. But don't judge him too harshly. He's more than made up for his faults. Even more so since you've 'returned' to Mystic Falls. I mean, he's still an arrogant dick but he's changed." Caroline surprisingly defended Damon, and I couldn't help but feel surprised by this.
"Thanks, Caroline." I said, sincerely.
"Sure. See you around, Grace." Caroline said, before disappearing out of the door.
After being painted a vivid little picture in my head of Damon's twisted and dark little fantasies, courtesy of Caroline, I spent a little extra time in the bathroom trying to clear my head. I eventually emerged from the bathroom and intended on rejoining the ball and enjoying what was left of it with Nik, hopefully in peace.
That was when I spotted Elena surreptitiously looking over her shoulder as she climbed up the staircase towards where I knew Esther's private study was. I immediately followed, eager to find out what Esther was up to. I trailed Elena to the second level of the mansion and noticed both Finn and Esther in her study. I was disappointed that Finn happened to be involved in this. But I supposed I shouldn't really have been surprised, if what both Nik and Rebekah had been telling me was in fact true; that Finn was never able to cope or adjust with being forcibly changed into a vampire.
It turned out that Finn's daggering had been a unanimous decision between all the siblings to protect Finn from himself.
The plan had been to press my ear up against the door so I could listen in on the conversation between Elena and Esther. But the second that Finn left, and the door was closed behind him, I heard nothing.
Weird.
I was left with no choice but to retreat downstairs and rejoin the party. Confused, and a little frustrated I headed back to the staircase and made my way down to the foyer with the intention of getting a stiff drink. Instead, I almost bumped into Nik who brightened the second he saw me.
"There you are, Grace. Where'd you get off to?" He asked, a little curiously. I smiled back, absently noting that he seemed a bit nervous for some reason.
"I bumped into Caroline a few minutes ago. She was a bit upset and I was helping her maintain her dignity." When he looked blank, I circled my finger around the circumference of my face. "Freshen up, fix her makeup?" I elaborated and Nik nodded.
"Is she alright now?" He asked, concerned.
"Yeah." I replied, pleased that he hadn't dismissed her like he probably would've previously. "Plus, I believe she may have acquired a little bit of illumination as well." I told him. Nik raised an eyebrow as he took my hand and started guiding me through the mingling crowd of guests.
"Illumination? About what?" He asked.
"I cleared up some things that seemed to be bothering her. It seemed she needed somebody to talk to about her problems and I was the best candidate for the job." I responded, trying to be as vague as possible so Nik didn't suspect that Caroline's problem, had in fact been skepticism over our blossoming thousand-year old romance. It was then that I realized Nik was leading me towards his study. My eyes widened in surprise. "Why are we going in here?" I asked, curiously.
Nik gave me a secret smile, "One of your surprises is in here." He told me, and I instantly brightened. Partly because I was finally going to be getting a glimpse inside a room that I had been temporarily banned from since I first officially moved in. But also, because, I was excited to see exactly what surprise Nik had been hiding from me. Placing his hand on the small of my back, Nik reached forward and pushed down on the doorknob, gently pushing open the door and gesturing towards it. "After you, love." He said, smiling indulgently. I stepped forward through the threshold into the room. My mouth fell open in awe when I got my first glimpse into Nik's study.
It looked just like any other typical study: it had a large fireplace with fire crackling away, and some of Nik's personal knick-knacks were lining the mantelpiece. An enormous polished oak desk stood underneath a large window with heavy taupe curtains, with papers and other important documents were strewn across it in an organized mess. There were more Persian rugs lying on top of the burnished wood stained floor, and there was a large leather-backed chair was tucked in behind the desk. In front of the fireplace; a couple of large comfortable brown high-backed armchairs that stood waiting to be sat upon. It looked like a fantastic place to lose yourself in a good book, or just to doze off in front of the warmth of the fireplace. There was a mobile wet bar close by, and some large bookcases stood against the wall opposite Nik's desk, stuffed with every piece of literature he had ever collected over the centuries.
Most of them probably all 1st editions too.
It was a generous size, with the same color scheme as the rest of the mansion décor. The only difference was the large collection of beautiful paintings that lined the walls. Most I recognized, others… not so much. I frowned in confusion and turned to look at my strangely silent boyfriend who was studying me closely and had closed the door behind him so that it was slightly ajar, in case people were looking for us.
"I thought you said this was also your art studio as well, Nik?" I questioned, puzzled. I noticed out the corner of my eye that there was an easel standing beside Nik's desk with a white sheet over the top of it preserving and hiding whatever was underneath.
"It is. But most of the time it serves its purpose as my study." Nik explained. "When I do require some time to myself, I simply shift aside some of the furniture and lay down some drop sheets."
"That's brilliant." I grinned, before glancing about the room; wondering what it was that he was trying to show me. "So, what did you want to show me?" I asked, walking over to lean against the desk and waiting expectantly for him to get to the point.
"One of my passions." Nik promptly responded, walking over to the wet bar and pouring us some drinks. I smiled and shook my head.
"I already know that you're a gifted artist, Nik, because of the masterpieces on your walls." I gestured to the paintings all around us. "I've also seen the art collection in the hallway leading to our bedroom. What do you really want to show me?" I insisted as he came over and handed me my glass and I took a dainty sip. Nik takes a sip from his scotch as he walks over to the easel with the covered painting.
"Just this." He whips over the white cloth with a flourish, revealing the artwork underneath. "I hope you like it, darling." He said, sincerely and my eyes widened as I set aside my glass and straightened up from my lean against the desk to approach the easel in complete shock.
"Oh, Nik!" I breathed. "It's wonderful!" The painting that Nik obviously put a lot of time and effort into, was a portrait of, well, me, but from our time as Vikings.
"Do you really like it?" Nik asked me, sounding nervous as I looked at him like he was insane.
"Like it? I love it! Thank you so much!" I walked over to him and wrapped him up in a hug that would've busted his ribs if Nik had not have been a powerful hybrid.
The painting was a head to thigh portrait of how I used to look like as Gráinne; with the same ridiculously long waist-length brown hair that had been pulled back into an improvised ponytail and accessorized with wildflowers. Much like how Rebekah used to do with her own hair and sometimes mine whenever she was feeling particularly bored. I couldn't help but shake my head when I remembered how much time and effort a young Viking woman would put into her hair, just to be noticed by a potential suitor.
I had no need to attract anybody. Mostly because none of the other eligible bachelors in the village at the time were game enough to go up against Nik (or even Kol and occasionally Elijah), who could be extremely overprotective and territorial when it came to both myself and Rebekah. Well, that. And because, unknown to myself, Nik had already laid claim upon my heart.
I noticed to my amusement that Nik had chosen to paint me wearing my favorite blood-red dress; the one with the skin-tight sleeves and sweetheart neckline, and a brilliant smile was spread across my peach colored face.
"You're more than welcome, darling." Nik mumbled tenderly, returning my very warm embrace. He seemed extremely reluctant to let go when I suddenly pulled back to look him in the face.
"Where do you want to hang it?" I quickly asked, enjoying the pleased smile that lit up Nik's face when he saw how enthusiastic I was reacting to his painting.
"I was thinking somewhere in our room." Nik hinted, and I nodded in agreement.
"Good idea. I think I know the perfect spot too!" I said, turning back to continue looking at Nik's painting. Nik chuckled and reached once again for my hand, leading to me towards the door while I blinked at him in confusion. Where the hell were we going now?
"I look forward to discovering that on a later date, but right now, I still need to show you your second surprise. Shall we?" He tugged gently on my hand and I nodded uncertainly. We left the study and weaved our way through the crowd and back out of the French doors towards the courtyard.
"We're going for a walk in the gardens?" I took a guess. But Nik immediately shook his head.
"Not quite. But we do have to walk through them to get to where I'm aiming for." Nik explained, and I couldn't help but feel intrigued; if not slightly suspicious. I also could swear that I could feel somebody's eyes on the back of my head, and I glanced around searching for the culprit, feeling paranoid. "Something the matter, Grace?" Nik had obviously noticed how distracted I was, and I glanced back and smiled at him.
"Not at all. I'm just really curious about what surprises you have in store for me now." I admitted, truthfully.
"I am confident that you will love this surprise just as much as the first one, love." Nik reassured me.
"I'll hold you to that." I warned him, playfully. The entire time, Nik did not let go of my hand as we traveled through the gardens. It was though he was expecting that I was suddenly going to turn tail and run away from him in the next few seconds. Eventually, we stepped into the private meadow and the curiosity continued to climb. "What are we doing out here in the meadow?" I asked him, as Nik turned to face me and took my other hand in his.
"I thought it would be nice to spend a little time alone together underneath the stars." He said, sounding a little secretive and I started to get just a bit nervous, because it appeared that this was going to be just a bit more than a simple stroll in the meadow at night.
"Doing what?" I asked. Suddenly, the music from inside the mansion changed and began playing a very familiar song; a song that I never thought that any of the siblings or even Esther would've liked listening to. Nik gave me a warm smile.
"May I have this dance?" He asked, giving the customary bow.
"Yes, of course." I accepted automatically, before Nik spun me on the spot then pulled me into his arms and we started swaying side to side.
"Love me tender, love me sweet. Never let me go. You have made my life complete, and I love you so." The deep, crooning voice of Elvis Presley suddenly sang out, and despite how oddly romantic this was, I still couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"I didn't know you were an Elvis Presley fan." I commented, and Nik chuckled.
"Of course, I am. He was an absolutely bloody brilliant singer in his time, and a very nice bloke." He said, as we continued slow dancing.
"Love me tender, love me true. All my dreams fulfilled." My eyes nearly fell out of my head.
"Whoa. You actually met him, face-to-face?" I exclaimed. He nodded. "When was this?"
"1956 I believe it was." Nik replied after thinking for a few minutes. "The same year he filmed Love Me Tender and recorded the song." He added, smiling at the memory.
"For my darling I love you. And I always will." Elvis continued singing, and I laid my head against Nik's shoulder, shutting my eyes as he continued leading us through the improvised steps of our spontaneous dance underneath the star-filled skies. "Love me tender, love me long. Take me to your heart. For it's there that I belong and will never part." Nik spun me around again and playfully dipped me over, laughing with me as we straightened up and resumed turning slowly on the spot in time with the song. "Love me tender, love me true. All my dreams fulfilled. For my darling I love you and I always will."
"What inspired you to do this, Nik?" I couldn't help but ask, as the song started entering its final two verses.
"Love me tender, love me dear. Tell me you are mine. I'll be yours through all the years. 'Till the end of time." He was silent for several minutes, presumably just listening to the verses or searching for the answer to my question. "Love me tender, love me true. All my dreams fulfilled. For my darling I love you. And I always will." The song ended, and Nik still hadn't replied to my question. I grew worried.
"Nik?" I prodded gently.
He smiled, throwing me off guard. "I felt it would add a nice touch to my surprise." He explained, absently.
"What? The song, or the dancing?" I was still confused.
"The song." Nik said, once again taking my hand and leading back towards the gardens. "I honestly thought the lyrics were a dead giveaway." Then he shrugged. "All well, the message must've been too subtle." I really wanted to ask him what the hell he was talking about but realized that staying silent and just going along with it would give me the answer I was seeking soon enough. We walked to the part of the Mikaelson's garden where we were surrounded by a sea of fragrant magnolias, and Nik lead me over to a nearby stone garden bench. Without another word I sat down on it and waited for Nik to get to the point.
"Nik, you seem nervous. Are you alright?" I asked him as I watched him reach inside his pocket and fiddled with something.
"I'm fine. Just trying to figure out the best way to word this." He responded.
"Word what?"
"But then I realized," He ignored my question. "The old words should suffice." He said, his blue-green eyes smoldering. "I believe the saying nowadays is: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'" Then he got down on one knee. My eyes widened, and my heart suddenly skipped a beat. "So, like I once said to you, a thousand years ago: Grace," Nik took my left hand in his, and it was literally like we both had stepped back in time. "You are my best friend, my love, my life, my everything. You already know that I've loved you for as long as I can remember, and will continue to do so no matter how long I live, and I'll never love anybody else as much as I love you."
Tears were already streaming down my face while he was saying this, and I gasped when Nik produced the very same engagement ring: the silver band with the Lapis Lazuli shaped heart, and our names and the words 'love' and 'forever' chiseled there in Viking script that he had forged a thousand years ago, from his pocket.
"You kept this, all these years?" I whispered, as Nik nodded and slid the restored ring onto my finger.
"Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He repeated, verbatim. I immediately cupped my face into my hands and started sobbing. "Grace?" Nik, immediately concerned, came closer to me, then stumbled to restore his balance when I launched myself into his arms à la Drew Barrymore in the movie Ever After: a Cinderella Story, when she did the same thing to Dougray Scott, and laid such a kiss on him that I think I caught him off guard. However, he immediately recovered and picked me up, spinning us around on the spot as we laughed happily. "I'll take that as a 'yes', shall I?" He chuckled before leaning back in for another kiss.
A/N: I hope I did that last part justice. Let me know your thoughts by reviewing! The next chapter will be out soon!
TTFN ;)