Baby Mikaelson

Chapter Three: Friendship Doubts

Caroline Forbes

I said my goodbyes and waved to Elena and Bonnie as they pulled away from outside my house. I watched Bonnie's car drive off down the street and around the corner before I turned to make my way up the footpath. I felt a little drained after the events of the day, and after I returned from the town square and back to my friends, I wasn't at all surprised that the conversation hadn't changed.

There was just a look in Bonnie's eye that I didn't like, like she was a saviour to Elena and would be forever known as the girl who saved Elena from the harsh reality of an immortal life. I shook my head at my own thoughts and chalked it down to tiredness; I didn't like the way I sounded. I hadn't liked a lot of my own thoughts today.

I brought my hand down towards my hip for my bag and found nothing there. With everything going on, I must have forgotten it back at the grill and now faced a twenty-minute walk back into town in shoes I no longer cared for. At least I had my phone in my pocket, so I could call in and ask if anyone had handed it in at the bar.

"Missing something, love?"

I turned around to the unmistakable voice of Klaus and found him walking up the steps of my front porch, my bag clasped firmly in his right hand. A confident smile crossed his lips as he walked towards me.

I imagined myself dumping my bag to the side as I sat in the town square. I had walked away from Klaus feeling so confident when in reality I was anything but, especially today. Today I couldn't even express my own feelings to my two oldest friends. If they really were my friends.

What surprised me most of all was that Klaus hadn't followed me back to the grill. If he had, then Elena and Bonnie surely would have had a few choice words for me for engaging him.

"Don't you have a hybrid army to do your bidding?" I asked, taking the bag from him.

"I do, but they're all working on another project at the moment."

Whatever small smile I had disappeared then.

"Don't worry, love. There's nothing in the works for any of your little friends." "You have my word."

"Is that enough?" I challenged

Klaus smiled, and I fought the urge to smile back at him.

I unzipped my bag and retrieved my house keys from inside before looking Klaus' way.

"So what kind of project is it?" I asked, "The kitten-killing kind?" "The sacrificing grandmother kind?"

"Neither, but I do enjoy how your mind works."

He teased me; he enjoyed teasing me, and that was obvious. I'd never fall for it, of course; he could continue all the flirting he wanted. I knew who I loved and who I trusted, and that would never change.

I turned towards my door to unlock it then.

"That's what I love about being a vampire." "No matter how bad it feels to no longer be human, at least I'm not stuck sired to you and doing your bidding like an animal."

"I would never have turned you anyway."

I unlocked and opened the door, only to return to him.

"Ok, I'll bite." No pun intended.

"Why not?" I folded my arms together and said, "You'd rather work your charm on the real me?"

Klaus stepped towards me, then closed the already small gap lingering between us. Up close, I could see he'd recently shaved, perhaps even that morning, and he smelled good, like he'd stepped out of the shower and onto my porch. He always smelled good; it was probably his clothes. I doubted he and especially Elijah wore anything less than a thousand dollars a day.

"Yes"

I opened my mouth to speak, but Klaus took off in a blur before I could sum up a witty comeback.

He'd taken his revenge, I'd been daring enough to have the last word at the town square bench, and now Klaus had the upper hand yet again.

I headed inside, locking the door behind me, as I was planning to go for a nap. I needed to be in a dark room with a blanket where I could be alone and not think about recent events. I went into the kitchen first, helping myself to a little fruit and two glasses of chilled water. I didn't have much of an appetite, but I didn't want to wake up hungry and moody later on.

It was just a bad combination.

When I headed into my room, I went to work on changing out of my clothes and into something comfortable. I needed to wear my comfy clothes, my overstretched t-shirt, my pyjama bottoms that didn't have a matching top, and my fluffy socks that I had kept for more years than I cared to count.

Finally, with food in my belly and the best type of clothes, I was ready to close my eyes. I knew my mom wouldn't be home for at least a while, so I'd sleep for an hour or two and wake up completely refreshed.

Still, I couldn't help but wonder if Elena was back at the boarding house yet and how quickly she planned on sharing Shane and Bonnie's discovery with Damon. No doubt Elena would approach the subject slowly and be careful of his feelings. I believed deep down that Damon would tell her not to even consider it.

That's what I was certain of.

He knew how desperately she wanted to be human again and how she was losing faith in finding a cure. I agreed that finding it would be difficult, but it didn't bother me that she had to devise a backup plan in case it didn't work out. The truth was, I didn't even know what Elena truly thought about all this.

I mean, was she interested in the idea because it was something she truly wanted for herself, or was it on another level? She had turned into a vampire because she had no other choice; was a baby some form of gift? She didn't get to be human anymore, and at the very least, she should at least have this.

There I went again, thinking such horrible thoughts.

I wondered if she would tell Stefan about it. I mean, had she even considered the idea of Stefan living in the same house with them? Should she go through with it? He would be living with the love of his life, who was now dating his brother, and she had a baby with a stranger, but she wanted Damon to raise the baby as his own.

It sounded like a bad movie. In fact, it would be the type of movie where the trailer revealed everything in under two minutes. With this type of movie, no one was going to waste their time attempting to understand what the director was thinking.

Elena is the director in this one. I didn't know what she was thinking, and I think deep down that scared me a little bit. It would certainly explain my larger-than-life craziness right now. The reality was that Elena still had a chance of finding the cure and having a risk-free pregnancy. So, why did I suddenly feel she had given up on the idea? The truth was, she wasn't the only one who had; we all knew deep down that Bonnie had lost hope too.

I opened my bag to set an alarm on my phone when something else caught my attention. I pulled a white envelope from the bag; you could always tell when the sender spent the extra bucks on the envelopes.

I sat down on the side of my bed and began to open it.

Join the Mikaelson family this evening for a cocktail party and to toast the New Year! Join us in welcoming our brother Kol Mikaelson back from his long journeys through music and dancing.

Knowing Klaus, I turned the invitation over and found, as I expected, a handwritten message just for me.

If you dare. - Klaus

I sighed; he must have slipped this into my bag on his way here. He was creative. Are you ready to ring in the new year with the Mikaelson? No, I didn't think so.

But if none of us went to keep an eye on things, who knows what might happen to the guests? I wondered if this invitation had been extended to any of my friends; the answer was probably yes. Klaus enjoyed reminding the Salvatores who was running this town and what he could do to it if threatened.

On top of that, they were adding to their family army; Kol Mikaelson was apparently returning to town, if I wasn't back already. I didn't know much about him, nor did I wish to find out, but if he was anything like Klaus, then my friends would need me there tonight. I knew Klaus' true motives in inviting me to his party; this was about his apparent crush on me. He didn't know me, and sometimes I wanted to scream that. Yet he claimed to see this light within me, a line probably used on all manner of girls over the last thousand years. He was the most powerful creature on the planet, and most likely the wealthiest man in Mystic Falls, if not the state, and yet he spent a lot of his free time stealing quiet moments with me, partially at parties. I had caught Klaus looking my way more times than I could count the night we went to his house. I'll admit I was wearing a dress he got for me, but I didn't think it was the dress he was looking at. He was looking at me because he was hoping I might just look back.

Was he attracted to me? On that, I had no doubt, in fact, none.

His smile told me that, even his smirk, which was strange.

But it didn't change his actions against my friends, especially Stefan. I didn't know about what he and Klaus had gotten up to in the day, and I didn't want to know. But Klaus was taunting him; it wasn't right; Stefan didn't deserve his cruelty. It was because of Stefan that I hadn't become a monster, that somehow, almost magically, I had become the most controlled vampire of all of us combined.

So, if Stefan was going, then so was I.

The invitation didn't say anything about formal attire, but no doubt people would make that extra effort to usher in the New Year in style. Aside from the Mikaelson doing nothing half-measured, this party would be talked about for weeks around town, and it might even make the local paper.

I just prayed it was over the efforts made for the guests and not their deaths.

I got up from my bed to place the invitation on my dresser. Looking across at my reflection, I paused and began lifting my top, revealing my stomach. I couldn't stop myself from brushing my hand across it and wondering what might have been. I think I would have been very happy as a mom; I didn't think I would be the overly controlling type either. Even though that was my personality, let's face it, I just think I would be the type that made everything feel alright again; all my child would have to do is just hold my hand to feel perfectly at ease. I wasn't mad at my friends for not including me in their conversation and their hopes for the future. I had to believe deep down that one or both of them would realise what had transpired back at the grill. I had to believe that; I had to hang onto some hope that this would happen. What else was there in life?

They were the only friends I had; I wouldn't be able to keep in touch with anyone from school, maybe until the end of college, but not for life. I wasn't going to age; I couldn't just explain that away. From now on, the only people I could trust in life were those who knew I was a vampire.

Beyond that, I didn't have anything.

As I lay in bed with my blanket pulled up around my chin, I kept the tears at bay. Bonnie had known about the possibility of pregnancy between a vampire and a hybrid for at least the past few weeks, and not once had she picked up the phone to warn me of this. I wasn't a factor in her mind anymore. There was suddenly no room for me in there since Elena turned.

Tyler had been a hybrid for months; we'd been having sex for months, and nothing had happened. I buried my face in the pillow as I began to sob. Months of unprotected sex, months of possibilities, and yet no results.

Bonnie said it would take time even for humans, but the idea that it might not be possible at all suddenly broke my heart.

I wasn't even sure I wanted any part of this now or in the future. But when suddenly you're given this incredible gift and it's taken away just as quickly, it feels like Katherine has that pillow against my face all over again. I couldn't breathe all over again.

Tyler and I were still having sex; it was good, and we had the same passion for each other as we had since the start. But we were different with each other since Hayley had come into the picture. I didn't doubt that Tyler loved me, and he knew how much I loved him. But when I thought of Hayley being in his life, I didn't want to have sex with him.

If Elena was considering becoming pregnant, then she would have to speak to Tyler. He, unlike the rest of us, knew other hybrids, and he'd probably do everything in his power to help Elena if she asked for it. He'd find a good guy who would help them and who would agree to stay out of the picture afterwards.

Tyler would want to help her, and everyone just wanted to help her.

Elena would have a long and probably exhausting road ahead of her should she do this. If I heard correctly, then someone working at the college with Shane would be able to give her a full medical without the obvious questions being asked; they'd give her an exam and provide her with all the information and necessary fertility medications. She'd have to be on the medications for a while and go for regular checkups, of course. It was going to be a long journey. Bonnie said they would have to do everything possible to trick Elena's body into believing it was still human. As strange as it sounded, it was key to ensuring a safe pregnancy. I didn't know exactly how all of this was possible, but because hybrids were never meant to exist, the shift in the balance of nature did make a lot of sense.

The impossible had happened.

Now it might happen again.

Tyler would be overjoyed if I considered trying myself. I wasn't going to go assuming his feelings the way Elena and Bonnie had about Damon's feelings back at the grill. If Tyler didn't want to try for a baby or even have a baby, then I would have to accept that. The reality was that we were both supernatural; he, like me, had to make peace with the idea that we weren't going to be parents a long time ago. It was heartbreaking for me at the time; I didn't know how he felt when he first realised the possibility was gone, but for me, it was a very hard time.

If I'm being completely honest, it was extremely difficult. My friends just begged me to stop being moody over not being capable of going out into the sunlight. I remember sitting on the bed with Stefan and Bonnie that day; neither of them noticed how completely destroyed I was; neither of them noticed the darkness under my eyes from being awake all night. If I were to try on my own, then Elena might get upset with me. I didn't want her to think for one second that I was trying to steal the spotlight. We weren't just two high school cheerleaders anymore, and this wasn't anything to argue over.

I sat on the edge of my bed, and I knew in my heart I did want to consider the idea. I knew it was ridiculous. I knew it might not work, but the idea that it might make me so happy I hadn't felt this way, ever. I wasn't about to do anything crazy or shocking. I was just going to be honest with myself.

I still wanted a baby.

Klaus Mikaelson

"Which one?"

Kol entered the room behind me.

I turned around to find my younger brother holding up two long-sleeved shirts, one black and one navy blue, both with the price tags still on them. He was over a thousand years old and still couldn't pick out a simple shirt without making a show of it. It was in moments such as these that I wished I hadn't built this house; if I had just bought a one-bedroom loft in town, then I wouldn't have to deal with him and throw parties.

"I don't care," I told him.

"Come now, Nik." "Where is your excitement?"

"It's right where you should be, not here."

I was dressing for the party when he came in, choosing a suit to pair with the black shirt one of my hybrids had picked up from the cleaners that day.

"So tell me more about how our sister ended up back in her little coffin," Kol said, hanging his shirts from a chair by my fireplace.

"It does not matter." She will stay there until I say otherwise.

"Where is she?"

I paused to look his way. "Anyone would think you suddenly care for our sister."

"You'll find Rebekah to be my least favourite of you all." "Even Finn held more interest than she did, and he was pathetic."

I smirked.

Kol stepped forward, picking at his shirts as he approached the door.

"You will behave yourself this evening," I said, causing him to stop and turn to me. "Am I clear?"

"What's wrong, Nik?" "Afraid I'll get blood on the furniture?" "I wouldn't threaten," he said, smiling. "I fed from a very beautiful French flight attendant on the way home."By the name of-" Kol paused, looking to the ceiling, searching his memory, which always failed him.

I turned my back on Kol once again.

"Where is Elijah?" "I have to borrow a tie."

"I wouldn't know, he's gone," I explained as I slipped on my shirt.

"Ah, a family home without the family." "You are off to a good start, brother."

Behind Kol there was a knock at the door, and I turned to find Nathan, one of my hybrids, standing with his eyes down, probably his first time seeing Kol.

No doubt I am aware of my brother's short fuse.

"What is it, mate?"

"We're clearing out." "Everything is set up, and Jessica dropped off that delivery."

I nodded in response, and Nathan left.

"What delivery was your little pet talking about?"

"Nothing that concerns you."

After I finished dressing, I made my way downstairs to check that everything was running as smoothly as they said. The decorations were finally finished: black, silver, and clear balloons were tied to everything that stood still; new lights had been wrapped around the lobby staircase, giving the room a gentle glow; on every surface there were fresh candles; and the florists were making the last touches to the white roses chosen for the occasion. In the dining hall, the catering staff were working hardest of all; there was a salad and sushi bar set up, and plenty of champagne for the bells.

Outside, I had more staff at work; some were setting up the fireworks display; others were filling the fountain with floating candles and rose petals. I had hopes that Caroline would attend. I had my hybrids send invitations to the Salvatore brothers and her friends, but she wouldn't like the idea of them in my house for fear of what I might do to them.

Now that she and Tyler were no longer together, he did not receive an invitation. I wasn't going to allow him to ruin her New Year and possibly steal a kiss at midnight; that was my plan.

Caroline Forbes

I placed the parcel that had been left on my doorstep on top of my bed. Just when I thought nothing about this day could get any stranger, there was this. I opened the top of it with perfect ease and found the inside covered in tissue packing, protecting whatever was inside.

This was no doubt a gift from Klaus. Not the first, but hopefully the last. My jaw dropped slightly upon revealing Klaus' painting of the snowflake he had caught me admiring. I was shocked; I didn't expect him to do something like this.

I wasn't made of stone, but the painting was beautiful. I even found myself tracing my fingers across the snowflake just to feel the paint strokes against my fingertips. Another envelope was tucked away in the corner for me, with my name written on the front in Klaus' handwriting.

Maybe we don't have a thing. But this can be yours. - Klaus

"Impressive," I acknowledged.