Baby Mikaelson

Chapter Seven: Vacation Plans

Caroline Forbes

I dropped my coat and bag onto my bed as I returned home from school that evening. It was still light outside, and I decided to open the window and air out my bedroom, believing the night could only get warmer. I had left the football field after saying goodbye to the squad and headed straight home, still rather shocked by the day's events. Out of the blue, Rebekah asked me if I would like to join her on a vacation to Las Vegas for the week. After we established that she was in fact telling the truth and not trying to prank me, she informed me that if I wanted to, I was welcome to accompany her. She was leaving in a matter of hours, taking one of her brother's private jets there. We spent another five minutes discussing the private jet. I didn't understand why she had asked me of all people. She didn't like me, and she knew perfectly well that I didn't like her either. But despite that, I didn't regret my decision to tell her about the reality of sex with a hybrid. It would have been wrong to not tell her, and I knew Bonnie and Elena wouldn't bring it to her attention.

The truth was, I believed Rebekah and I had somehow bonded when we talked. I understood that Rebekah would probably not agree, even if deep down she did think the same thing. I saw that look in her eye; it was the same one I had these last few days—a longing for a baby. I wasn't ready for a baby yet; I was still in high school and I wanted to go to college. Even if I were frozen in time, I would try to live. I still wanted to live my life and do all the things I had planned.

Klaus, however, had opened my mind back up to the world. For so long, it seemed all I was doing was surviving and trying to see the good side of being a vampire. Every day all I could think about was my friend's and my own survival, but now it was different. I was no longer afraid of or shut down by the idea of life outside of Mystic Falls. I loved my town, and if I were still human, I'd want to come back here as an old woman with all my grandchildren and come back to my roots. If I was going to open my mind up to my new life and truly embrace the decision I had made for myself, then I would have to start somewhere. If I agreed to go to Las Vegas, it would be a big step; it would be my first trip out of state since becoming a vampire. Not that it mattered, I suppose.

The reality was that it was the company that I was doubting. Rebekah and I didn't have anything in common. Except for being vampires and, I guess, cheerleaders, plus we went to the same school and lived in the same town, I did like her sense of fashion, though I had never admitted it. I guess now we also had something new in common—we both had the ability to have babies again. I did wonder what my old friends would make of it if I did go away with Rebekah. I hated that I still thought that way and found myself rolling my eyes at it.

Did I want to go to Vegas?

Yes.

My mom was out of town for the next week or so anyway; she was working on a case and visiting her sister too. She wouldn't know I was gone, and she always did call me on my cell anyway. But still, going with Rebekah to Las Vegas was a bad idea. We would run out of things to talk about on the plane; if she even talked to me at all, I never knew what mood she was in, just like I never knew with Klaus either. No, I couldn't go. It wasn't going to work out, and I didn't want to spend an entire week being awkward with her. She would end up avoiding me, and I would do everything I could to keep myself busy and out of her way. Rebekah was responsible for Elena's transformation into a vampire. Well, Meredith Fell was responsible for that too. I still couldn't believe she had put vampire blood in Elena's system and not told her. I mean, how difficult would it have been to say, "You have to be careful when you leave the hospital; I had no other choice but to give you vampire blood?"

It didn't excuse what Rebekah had done, and despite my feelings for Elena now, it didn't change right from wrong.

What Rebekah had done was wrong; anything could have happened to Elena and Matt. Well, something did happen, but it could have been so much worse.

There was no reason for me to go to Las Vegas, but I still wanted to.

Klaus Mikaelson

I walked across my room with my shirts tucked across my arm. I placed them into my luggage as Kol attempted to pass behind me and go into my closet.

"Do you honestly believe you are fooling me, brother?" I returned his question.

Kol paused in his efforts and sighed.

"What do you want?" I asked, still working on securing my shirts so they did not crease on the journey.

"Your black Armani shirt."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes; there was always something with him. He wouldn't dare take a shirt from Elijah, of course. Kol said his starched collars were like chains around your neck.

"Have at it," I told him.

"My my brother, you have changed," Kol said, disappearing into the closet as I zipped up one of my many cases.

Kol said, "There was a time you'd rather see my head from its shoulders than to be kind." He suddenly appeared on the side of my bed, his usual smirk in check.

"The feeling will return," I assured him.

With a knock at the door, I turned to find Rebekah standing in the open doorway; she looked at Kol and then at me, holding my gaze before I brought my attention back to packing.

"On your way, brother," I instructed Kol.

Kol stood up without another comment and passed by Rebekah just as quickly as he had attempted to enter my room. I didn't care what looks my siblings exchanged as I went about my business; I was preparing to leave town for a week without any plans in motion for what would be done during my absence.

There were matters to attend to, people who needed to speak with someone I was leaving behind.

I wasn't about to place a protection detail on Caroline Forbes; she was neither my problem nor my family's. I had to focus on my family now.

Despite the short notice my sister had given, it had been too long since my siblings and I had enjoyed our wealth and immortality. In a city such as Vegas, we could have all manner of fun.

"What can I do for you, sister?" I asked and turned towards her.

Rebekah headed towards me, crossing her arms as she approached, keeping her eyes low.

"Don't waste my time."

"I've invited Caroline Forbes to join us in Vegas." Rebekah stopped me.

Rebekah shrugged her shoulders and waited for my reaction.

"Why?" I growled.

I would not have her use Caroline Forbes, against me. That girl was not my weakness; I didn't know what she was to me. There was something there, something Rebekah and the rest of my family would do well not to test me on. My patience when it came to this girl was not exactly favourable.

"Because I felt sorry for her."

I stepped back slightly. "Why?" I repeated it without the growl.

Rebekah never enjoyed constant lines of questions, but sometimes it was the only way to get through to her.

"I'm not telling you that."

"No," I told her.

Although I enjoyed the idea of spending a week with Caroline away from the people she called friends, my sister always had another plan up her sleeve. I didn't want Caroline caught in the middle of her drama. I would not allow it.

"She is coming, Nik."

"Explain"

Rebekah walked over to my bed and took a seat, her gaze fixed on mine for a brief moment before they quickly left and she settled anywhere else she could find as she struggled for words.

"When Alaric Saltzman tried to kill me at the school, Caroline helped me."

I was surprised, but I didn't let it show, of course. I kept my expression blank; I wasn't about to play along with whatever game she was playing.

Rebekah sighed "Alaric caught me off guard. He was about to kill me when Caroline stopped him." Her eyes met mine. "The only reason he caught her was because she was helping me. I made it out of the school, to the parking lot, and he grabbed her instead of me."

"That was then," I said, crossing my arms, then, "it doesn't make sense to repay her for her period when you don't like each other."

"Like I said, I've felt sorry for her lately; she's her usual annoying, bubbly self, but she is alone." Rebekah stood up then and said, "She isn't talking to any of her little friends."

"Why not?" I asked without thought.

"Well, like I said, I don't care to now." What I do know is that she's alone. She gave up her role as captain of the squad and hasn't attended any events. "Very un-Caroline-like"

This was news to me; I had never had any of my hybrids or other people watch Caroline. Nor did I take the time to check in on her life myself.

What little I felt for her did not go to such measures; it was the type of behaviour she may have expected from me, but little did she know how different I was when it came to her. Even for a thousand-year-old hybrid who'd seen all manner of horrors in this world and done even worse himself. The mere idea of this girl walking the halls without anyone to talk to made me feel like something had suddenly caught in my throat.

I began to wonder if this extended to the Salvatores and her other friends too. I knew she attended school with Bonnie, Elena, and the other one, whom I believed to be called Matt. If none of them were talking to each other, then I didn't know who else Caroline had in this life but her mother.

"So you feel sorry for Caroline Forbes, and suddenly I must make arrangements for her to join us in Vegas?"

"Don't act as if it's an inconvenience, Nik. You owe me four private jets that I know of anyway. Besides, we both know you would do all manner of things for her.

It was in these moments that I noticed the similarities between Rebekah and Elijah.I hadn't kept what I felt for Caroline a secret, but only the two of them could see I held her higher than others in our past. The two had seen me with others, and my record of romances would probably disgust Caroline.

But unlike the women of my past, Caroline Forbes was the first vampire I'd ever felt strongly for. Rebekah knew this.

"I'll consider it," I told her.

Rebekah headed for the door. "Actually, she's the only one considering it; she hasn't said yes yet."

The door closed behind me, and a smirk formed across my lips.

Caroline had been asked but had not accepted my sister's offer. How arrogant, how Caroline-like

I reached into my back pocket to retrieve my phone and held back the urge to bite my lower lip as I began to type a text.

Caroline Forbes

I stepped out of the bathroom, the steam from inside following me out into the hallway. The soft orange glow of the hallway lights and the scented candles I had lit made the entire house ideal for a night in. I had made my decision—I wasn't going to Vegas. I'd made the decision and given myself a fantastic bath; washed my hair, and shaved my legs. I was ready for an evening in front of the television with a microwave dinner and my pyjamas.

I returned to my room in my baby-pink robe that matched the baby-pink towel around my hair that I wrapped to keep my hair out of the way. Before taking my bath, I texted my mom to let her know I was home and planning a relaxing night with a movie and no drama. She was slowly coming around to the reality that I was finding peace and strength by saying goodbye to my friends. I knew it wasn't easy for her to see me all alone, and there were times when it was just as difficult for me. There were nights I wanted to go out to The Grill and just hang out. But all that would come in time. I wanted the dust to settle. I wanted a drama-free version in which I say goodbye to my friends and don't endure any fights that get put on the internet.

Almost exactly as I entered the room, my phone vibrated on my bed. I sat down on the edge of my bed and retrieved it, reading the text.

Klaus: Come

How can some guys send a one-word text that says so much—a text that could make you catch your breath? Two could play at this game.

Caroline: No.

Klaus: Do you have any better plans?

Caroline: Anything sounds better than a week with a family I don't trust.

Klaus: You should come anyway.

Caroline: Why? Because you said so?

Klaus: Because I want you to come.

Damn, he was good. He was sometimes really good, though I'd rather die than admit such things. What would Tyler think of me right now? I don't even know what to make of me right now. Klaus was flirting with me again, and I was, well, kind of flirting right back. God, I'm awful.

Caroline: I can't.

Klaus: You can.

Caroline: Why should I?

Klaus: I'll ensure you have the time of your life.

Caroline: If you wanted me to come, then how come Rebekah asked me instead?

Klaus: Would you have said yes if I had?

I bit my lower lip and began to type.

Caroline: Maybe.

Klaus: We leave in 4 hours. I'll send a driver to pick you up.

Caroline: No. I'm not coming.

Klaus: Yes, you are.

Caroline: Now you're telling me what to do?

Klaus: Yes. Do you like it?

Caroline: Goodbye, Klaus.

Klaus: See you soon, Caroline.

God! He was so in love with himself. How could he be so arrogant? So confident, so different from everyone else. He could send a driver all he wanted. I was not going to Vegas. I mean, Rebekah hadn't even mentioned that he was going, and if he was going, that would mean all of them were going together as a family. I was the fifth wheel in this. No! No. I wasn't going to Vegas. I sat down at my dresser and began to blow dry my hair. What was it about blow drying your hair that was so comforting? I couldn't even look myself in the eye as I worked on my hair. Every time I caught my eye, I could see myself smirking at the idea of going. Yes, I was a terrible person. I was considering it, and I was awful, but I couldn't help it. fact, if I went and something horrible happened, then I would never deal with any of them again. Plus, I wouldn't have to worry that they'd go and tell my friends because I no longer cared what they thought of me anyway.

If I did go, it could be beneficial; it could help me move on with my life by doing crazy, insane things. I'd never seen Vegas, but I'd always wanted to go someday; it always looked so glamorous in all the movies I'd seen anyway. When I finished with my hair, I checked my curls before adding my hairspray to finish them off. I packed everything away into my dresser drawers and looked across the room to the clock on my nightstand.

If I did go, I wouldn't have long to pack.

I walked over to my closet door and yanked it open.

"Screw it," I said.

Klaus Mikaelson

In the last half hour, I had replaced everything I had packed for the trip with everything new and labelled from my walk-in. Everything, down to my boxers, was brand new and designer; this trip was looking up, and I knew just the reason behind my newly found smile. I was in my bathroom with my phone on speaker as I contacted the hotel I had booked for us. My sink counter was now covered in products as I began to shave.

"Mr. Mikaelson, this is Walter Wright, the hotel manager. I understand you wish to speak to me about your reservation."

"Mr Wright, I'd like to make some changes. Starting with upgrades." "You have my family booked into four of your suites; I'd like to upgrade us to the new villas you have just recently completed work on."

"I apologize, Mr. Mikaelson, but all our new deluxe villas are booked for the next few months."

I sighed and continued shaving, ensuring to do a good job despite the rush.

"You will accept this once, and I will make a large donation to the reservation of your theatre hall."

"Mr Mikaelson-"

"I'll donate a hundred thousand dollars to the theatre and an additional fifty thousand dollars to the new VIP lounge area."

I heard him clear his throat despite his efforts to disguise it; if I listened closely enough, I could hear him snapping his fingers at whoever was with him.

"I think we could work something out for your arrival, sir."

"Excellent, but I'm not done."

"Oh"

"I expect all spa packages and VIP areas for my party for the entire duration of our stay." I will be travelling with two women, and I'd like whatever boutiques are local to the hotel to have a full wardrobe for both of them. a collection of evening wear along with casual daytime attire. "The price is of no concern."

"Of course, sir."

"I understand there is a private roof pool for all VIP guests; for the week we are there, I will require exclusive access to this." "I want transport arranged for my party, a car, and personal drivers for each of them, twenty-four hours a day."

"Yes, Sir"

"Our flight will have us arriving at your hotel by six tomorrow morning; I'd like a break buffet waiting in our room at this time."

"Yes, Sir"

I ended the call before the praise for my donations began. I never batted an eye when it came to money, and I finally had the chance now to show Caroline the life she could have if she wanted.

If she did come with us, I was going to ensure the trip of her life.

Caroline Forbes

I stared at the matching luggage on my bed. I had packed a week's worth of necessary products in clothes and hadn't turned my bedroom into a bomb site in the process. I should be proud of that. But I was too nervous and excited about all of it. The only lights on now were in my bedroom and the hall; I had blown out all the scented candles, set timers for the lights, cancelled our newspapers for the week, and taken out the trash.

I was standing in my room, wearing brand new black pumps with black skinny jeans and a white coat over a white lace blouse. I had done my make-up before packing it and even added a few lashes to make my eyes pop. I was doing this because I was going to Vegas. There was a knock at my door, and I looked down the hallway to the glass panel on the front door. A tall man in a black suit and black shirt gave me a nod. Klaus had actually booked me a driver. I indicated I would be two minutes, and he smiled before heading back down to the car. I ran at full speed to the window in the sitting room, and standing in the dark, I took a peek through the shades at the black limo parked outside.

I would have to go fast; I had nosy neighbours.

Was I actually doing this? Could I do this?

Klaus Mikaelson

I stepped out of the house with Elijah at my back and handed the last of my luggage to the driver, who appeared in front of us while Elijah locked the front door. Our cleaning staff had their own key and would arrive first thing in the morning to clear up the mess Kol had no doubt left for them.

Each of us was dressed for our flight; we were the type of family that did this, each of us wearing the best as we climbed into the limo Elijah had arranged for us. I was the last to climb in, and Kol was already pouring us a glass of champagne, even one for Rebekah, without any comments about it being the first of many. Our attire, even our luggage, screamed money, and the staff at the hotel would soon realise they were in for a week of treating us like royalty. Above us, Elijah turned on the heat, and I was glad to be escaping a freezing Mystic Falls.

"How about a toast?" Elijah asked, looking at us.

"To a well-deserved break?" Rebekah suggested

"To a week to remember," I said.

We raised and toasted our glasses.