I'm back! I hope you enjoy my newest chapter!
Anna xx
A few weeks have passed since Caroline's dad has passed away. We canceled the dinner with the Salvatores and Rebekah and I have been spending our time with her, making sure she eats, sleeps and showers. To keep her mind off things we've been organising the Mikaleson Ball, to officially welcome them to town.
Today we are heading out of town in search of dresses. As this is a formal event we want the best designer gowns, so Klaus has hooked us up with a private dress fitting. I pull into the estate and enter the house in search of Klaus. I make my way towards his study and knock on the door before entering. "Hi." I greet.
"Hello Love." He greets. "Ready for your day of shopping."
"Always." I grin. "I'm just picking up Bekah and then heading to get Caroline."
"How's she doing?"
I sigh. "The same. But I'm hoping today helps."
"How are things going for the ball tomorrow?"
"All set. Later today, people will be coming to set up and decorate and then tomorrow the caterers are arrive at 10 to start prepping food. Everything is all set. We just have to show up."
"I knew I could count on you."
"Always." I assure. "I want this night to go well for you. You are introducing the town your whole family, we have to make a statement."
"We will."
I exit Klaus's room and bump into Sage. "Hey." I greet.
"Hey, where are you off to?" She asks.
"Just picking up Bekah to shop for dresses for tomorrow." I answer. "Do you have one?"
"No, I've been looking everywhere, but I've had no luck."
"Did you want to join us?"
"I'm not sure Rebekah will like that." She worries.
"Don't worry about Rebekah, I'll make sure she behaves."
She smiles. "I'd love to."
A couple hours later, Sage, Caroline, Rebekah and I arrive at a dress shop that specialises in ball gowns. Surprisingly, there has been no animosity between Sage and Rebekah. We roam the store collecting dresses to try on. Several attendants help take them to our dressing rooms and once we have enough, we start to try them on.
One at a time we come out in a dress, and so far we've had no luck. I think I've tried on five dresses and still nothing has caught my eye, but as time goes on I can see Caroline starting to enjoy herself.
Out the corner of my eye towards the back of the shop I spot the most beautiful red tulle ballgown and I'm floored that I didn't see it before. "Thats the one." I whisper.
The girls look to where I'm pointing and gasp. "That is beautiful." Caroline agrees.
"It is." I nod. "It's stunning."
One of the attendants walks over. "I see you noticed our new piece." She acknowledges.
"I'm speechless."
"Did you want to try it on."
"Yes."
She quickly gathers it off the hanger and takes it to my dressing room. She helps me in and it fits me like a glove. I walk out of the dressing room and the ladies mouths drop. "Shit." Sage expresses.
I laugh. "This is it."
"That dress was made for you." Rebekah adds.
"It's stunning, and Klaus won't be able to take his hands off you." Caroline jokes.
We laugh. "I do like to tease him."
"Now that we have your dress, let's find ours." Caroline say excitedly.
After our busy day I drop Caroline back at hers followed by Rebekah and Sage. Klaus is waiting for us as we pull in to the driveway. "Successfully shopping trip?" He questions.
"Yes, but you'll have to wait and see." I respond as he watches the girls bring in their bags. "How was your day?"
"Eventful, we met with the Mayor today and she's going to formally welcome us on the board tomorrow."
"Wow, that was quick."
"It helps having Elijah."
I laugh nodding. "You Mikaelson men, know how to charm people."
He grins. "Staying tonight?"
"I'm actually headed to the airport." I decline. "Jenna's flying in."
"She's coming."
"Yeah, I told her about the ball and she wants to come, so we are going to get ready together. Have an auntie and niece day."
"I'm glad things are working out for you." He smiles.
"Me too." I agree. "It's getting late and we have a big day tomorrow." I remind him. "I will see you tomorrow night."
"Can't wait."
I make my way to the airport and collect Jenna. "Jenna." I squeal.
"Brie." She greets just as excited. "How are you?"
"I'm good, excited for tomorrow night and excited that you're here."
"I'm excited to be here." She smiles. "How's Caroline?"
"She's getting better every day."
"And how's Klaus?"
I grin. "He's great."
"Still treating you well?"
"Always. He's still looking into who tried to kill me."
She frowns. "Any leads?"
I shake my head. "No."
The next day we wake up and make our way to the nail salon. We start with mani pedis for the two of us. I go with a red polish and Jenna keeps it neutral with a light pink. Once our nails are looking fabulous we head to the tanning salon.
Next we stop for a bite to eat at The Grill as we can't really do anything for a couple hours. We take a seat at a table near a window and wait to order. Caroline and Rebekah arrive shortly after. "Hi." I greet them.
"Jenna." Caroline greets excitedly.
"Hi Care, I'm sorry about your Dad."
She smiles sadly. "Thanks for the messages and chocolates."
"Jenna, this is Rebekah, Klaus's brother." I introduce. "Rebekah this is my Aunt Jenna."
"Hi Jenna, it's lovely to meet you." Rebekah greets.
"You too." She agrees. "Thank you for looking after Brie."
"No need to thank me."
"I do, you helped her after she nearly got barbecued."
"You're welcome, but if she died, my brother wouldn't have been happy."
We all laugh knowing shes right. "So tell me more about your family who will I be meeting?" Jenna asks.
An hour later lunch has been eaten and we make our leave. "I'm going to go to the restroom, and when I get back we can go to the hairdresser." Jenna informs me.
"I'll wait here." I respond.
"We'll wait with you." Caroline adds as Jenna leaves for the restroom.
As we wait the doors to The Grill open and in walks Elena, Bonnie and Damon. "Well, well, well." I greet.
Elena just glares at us. "Ladies." Damon greets.
"Damon, Bonnie, Elena." Caroline retorts.
"What are you doing here?" Elena asks.
I chuckle a little. "This is a public restaurant, we're allowed to be here." I remind her. "Remember Elena, we have a peace treaty. We invited you to the ball tonight, to show that we want to live in peace, but if you do anything to make our night anything but pleasant, it won't end well for you." Elena looks a little shaken. "Now if you excuse me I have to use the ladies room." I excuse myself as Bekah and Caroline stay back.
I meet up with Jenna in the bathroom and tell her that Elena is out the front. So we sneak out the back, making sure that no one sees her. I don't want the scooby gang to know she's here.
After a quick shower Jenna and I make it to our hair appointments and start to get our hair done. Tonight I have my hair in a slicked back wavy ponytail with tendrils left out on either side. Jenna has gone for a curly updo. Once our hair is finished they start on our makeup and an hour later our hair and make up is complete. I've gone for a dark red smoky eye with lashes and a red lip.
We make it back to Jenna's hotel and have a bit of time to kill before we need to change. "So where are you living these days?" Jenna asks.
"I split my time between home, Klaus or with Caroline. I don't talk to Elena, I speak with Jeremy but I don't talk about Klaus."
"What about the Salvatore's?"
"They've been sketchy lately. I think they are up to something, even though we are in a pact. I feel like somethings going to happen tonight." I worry.
"Don't worry about that, just enjoy tonight." She encourages.
It's now time to get into our dresses. I help Jenna in hers, which is a mint green lace dress with spaghetti straps and she looks beautiful. "Jenna, you're gorgeous." I compliment.
"Not as much as you will be in that dress." She retorts. "Just one of the perks of having a 1000 year old hybrid as a partner."
"One of many." I agree laughing.
She helps me into mine and the whole look comes together. "You are drop dead beautiful." Jenna expresses with tears. "You really have changed for the better."
"Thanks Jenna."
A knock is heard at our door and we both look at each other. "Are we expecting someone?" Jenna asks.
"No." I respond. I answer the door and on the other side is a hotel employee that has a card and a small package. "This was left for you in reception." He informs me.
"Thanks." I say taking the package and close the door.
"Who's it from?" Jenna asks curiously.
I take a look at the card and immediately recognise the symbol. I smile. "Klaus."
"You know that just from a card?"
"M, for Mikaleson."
Briana,
Please join me for a dance later this evening.
Nik xx
I open the package and inside are two small boxes. I open the bigger one first and when I do I gasp. It's a gold necklace with diamonds. "Wow." Jenna gasps.
"Yeah wow." I agree opening the second box and inside is similar earrings; gold drop diamond earrings. She helps me put my jewellery on and my look is complete. My gorgeous red ballgown with an off the shoulder lace up corset is a major statement. The added jewellery just ties the whole look together perfectly.
Klaus POV
"Nicklaus, stop pacing, Brie will be here soon." Elijah assures as I wait anxiously for her arrival.
The mansion looks impeccable. Briana has done a great job at organising this. "You know I worry when I'm not with her." I defend.
"Klaus, she is more than capable of looking after herself."
"I know, it's just we still don't have any leads."
"We are close though."
"Elijah, Klaus, come on, we have guests to greet." Rebekah hurries us along.
"He's worrying about Brie." Kol teases.
Rebekah smiles. "We all worry, but you pacing the floor boards isn't going to help. Go mingle, and take your mind off things, she'll be here soon."
"Come on brother." Finn chimes in.
I grumble and nod my head. "Fine."
"He's rather grumpy when Brie isn't around." Sage comments.
"If it wasn't for Brie, things wouldn't be how it is." Elijah adds.
3rd Person POV
Mystic falls residents are mingling in the ballroom of the Mikaelson Mansion. The hosts have been mingling with guests as they roam the room. Damon arrives and makes his way to the bar, where he spots the Mayor. "Hello Carol." Damon greets. "Hanging out with your new besties?"
"I'm the mayor Damon. When the oldest, deadliest family of vampires moves to your town, you welcome them." She replies.
"At least you know who you're borrowing your sugar from."
"They assured me that they want peace and I've assured them I'll enforce it."
"Mayor Lockwood." Kol greets. "We haven't formally met. I'm Kol Mikaleson."
"Damon Salvatore, we haven't officially met." Damon interrupts.
"I've met a lot of people Damon, you don't particularly stand out to me."
Elena arrives stopping the conversation, causing them to look in her direction. "Excuse me." Damon says excusing himself. Elena meets up with Damon as Stefan joins. "I thought you weren't coming." Damon mentions.
"I changed my mind." Elena responds.
"Don't do anything stupid, it's been peaceful for weeks." Stefan advises.
"I want them gone."
"And they want us gone, but they haven't done anything to us for weeks, just let it go." Damon advises.
"I can't."
"You have to." Stefan finishes as the doors to the mansion open and in walks Brie with her special guest Jenna.
"OMG." Everyone gasps.
Brie POV
Jenna and I enter the Mikaleson Mansion arm in arm and we get everyone's attention. "OMG." Everyone gasps.
We scan the crowd and Nik appears before me and he's speechless. He walks up to us. "Wow." He expresses. "You are breathtaking."
I blush and take his hand which he kisses. "Very formal." I joke. I then turn to my left and guide Jenna over. "Nik, this Jenna, Jenna this is Nik." I introduce.
Klaus let's go of my hand and grabs Jenna's. "It's great to finally meet you." Klaus greets.
"Likewise. And Thankyou for everything you do for Brie." Jenna thanks.
"May I interest you in a drink?"
"Please." She accepts and he escorts us to the bar.
"Jenna." A voice calls out.
We turn around and Elena appears in shock. "What are you doing here?" She asks.
"I was invited." She answers.
"You shouldn't be here."
"She was invited Elena, of course she can be here." I retort. "You're running your luck Elena. Speak out again tonight and your out."
I meet up with the rest of the Mikalesons and introduce them to Jenna. "It's good to see you again Elijah." Jenna expresses.
I turn to face them and smile. My gears are turning. "Your gears are turning." Klaus whispers in my ear as we step away.
"Do you not see what I see?" I question pointing between Jenna and Elijah.
He grins. "Of course I do."
"She hasn't stopped smiling since she saw him." Caroline says appearing next to us looking beautiful in her blue dress. "Care you look incredible."
"Back at you." She retorts. "Am I seeing things or is there something between those two?"
Klaus chuckles loudly. "You two are the same person." He comments.
"We are." I confirm.
"Don't pressure this, let this happen organically."
"Let what happen organically?" Kol asks from behind me and he glances at Caroline and his eyes go wide. "I don't believe we've met."
Caroline smiles. "We haven't, I've been, busy." She responds.
"Kol this is Caroline." Klaus introduces.
"Caroline." He acknowledges. "You're Brie and Bekah's friend?"
"We are practically sisters." She confirms.
"What's this about organic?" He asks again. Caroline points to Jenna and Elijah who are talking quite closely. Jenna laughs and Elijah's eyes light up. "Oh."
"Yes oh."
"Shall we gather on the stairs?" Finn asks the group.
We all nod but Klaus and I hang back for a sec. "I mean it. You look breathtaking."
"Thank you Nik, and thank you for my jewellery."
"Anything for you."
A short while later the Mikaleson siblings stand on the grand staircase staring down at their guests crowding the ballroom. Sage, Caroline, Jenna and I stand off to the side in the front.
Elijah steps forward. "We wanted to thank you all for coming here this evening, in celebrating our welcome to town." Elijah starts off. "It's been years since we've been together as one and we find comfort knowing this is the place that we are all together again." He continues. "It's taken some time, but for once we are together as one, and there is only one person to thank for this." He clues in. I peer around the room and glance at Elena who is watching me and I smirk. She grumbles. "Briana Gilbert." Elijah calls out. "Can you please stand with us?"
I nod smiling at the crowd as I make my way up the stairs to stand with Klaus, who winds an arm around my waist. "Brie, I can't thank you enough for what you've done for my family." Klaus begins. "If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be standing here today. We wouldn't be holding this beautiful evening tonight and we wouldn't be a family again. So on behalf of us all, we thank you and consider you one of us now." Klaus declares. "So tonight we begin our night with a century old waltz." Klaus announces. "So please find yourself a partner and follow us to the dance floor." He invites and grabs my hand and leads me away.
We gather in a circle and music starts and I allow Klaus to take the lead as we start move to the music. We stare in each other's eyes and take in this moment together. "I can't get over how beautiful you look." He compliments again.
"You looking mighty handsome as well Nik." I retort. I glance around the room and observe the couples around us. Jenna is partnered with Elijah, Caroline and Kol are dancing together and I see a spark in her eye, I look further down and see Rebekah dancing with Stefan of all people and lastly Elena is partnered with Damon. I turn my attention back to Klaus. "I want to thank you for everything you have done for me." I start off as we continue to dance. "For the longest time I didn't think I had anyone on my side, but you saved me, and for that I'm forever grateful."
He smiles. "I thank heavens I found you that night."
"Me too." I agree. "If I hadn't been dying we wouldn't have ever met, or things would have been completely different."
"I think we were destined to meet."
"Soulmates."
"For the longest time I thought love was a vampires biggest weakness, but if anything it's the opposite."
"And now look at you, returning to your hometown, reunited with your family, a true hybrid."
"All with your help."
The dance finishes and Klaus and I rejoin the Mikaleson clan by the bar. Jeremy approaches us looking handsome in a suit. "Jeremy." Jenna greets him.
"Hey Jenna." He greets.
"Is everything okay?" I ask him because he looking nervous.
He looks at the Mikalesons nervously. "I need your help."
"What's going on?" Jenna asks.
"I don't know how to tell you this but, do you remember the night of the back to school party?" He asks me.
"Yes." I confirm. "The night is was almost barbecued?"
"I know who caused it."
Klaus steps forward but I pull him back. "Why don't we speak somewhere more private?" I suggest. Jeremy nods and I lead him to Klaus's study. I hand him a drink as I can tell he needs one. "Jeremy. You're starting to freak me out. Just tell me."
"Do you remember Vicki?" He asks.
"Yeah of course. She died, shortly after she was turned into a vampire."
"I've been able to see her." He announces.
"You what?" Jenna exclaims.
"I've been seeing her for the last few months, and I can talk to her."
"Like she can speak to you too?"
"Yes."
"She told me that there has been a powerful which trying to break through the barrier of the other side."
"Who?" I ask.
"Esther." Jeremy announces. And everyone freezes after hearing that name.
"Are you saying Esther was the one that tried to kill me?" I ask which he nods. "How does Vicki know all this?"
"Because she was the one that sent Vicki to kill you. But she couldn't go through with it." He explains. "The ghosts issues that occurred, was Esther's doing too."
"I knew it had to be someone powerful." Kol mentions.
"So what does this mean?" I ask. "Can Esther return now that shes made waves through other people?"
"If she finds a strong connection with a strong bloodline, then yes."
"Are there any strong witch families or communities here?" Finn asks.
I nod and turn to face Nik. "Bonnie." I whisper. "She's a Bennett witch."
"That's just great, Bennetts have always been a favourite ally for our mother." Rebekah comments.
"Thank you for telling us this Jeremy, but why take so long?"
"I couldn't find the time to tell you, and when I saw how united you were with them tonight, now was the right time."
"This changes everything." Klaus alerts after hearing everything. "If mother has made contact with Bonnie then she already has a way to say on this side of the barrier. We need to find out how much pull she has."
"We have to speak to the Bennett witch without giving to much away." Kol suggests.
"We can figure this out tomorrow, tonight let's enjoy the rest of the evening." I suggest and everyone leaves the room but Jenna and I. "Jeremy, I get I haven't been truthful with some things, but I want you to know, that I care for you, so if you ever need anything don't hesitate to ask me. I don't know how you've handled this so well, but I want to thank you for telling us."
"You're not mad?"
"Why would I be mad? Vicki was manipulated, she was given false promises, and knowing that what she was doing would upset you, she didn't go through with it." I respond. "I'm more angry at Esther. A mother who can't stand seeing her son happy, and tries to destroy him every chance she gets."
"I saw the way he looked at you, his whole family actually, you finally fit in somewhere."
I smile. "I can be me, without being judged or bullied."
"I'm sorry I never stopped it." He apologises.
"I'm proud of you Jere." Jenna praises.
"You are?"
"You did the right thing tonight, and you've not included yourself in this two sided war."
"Jere, you were never in harms way." I remind him. "I will never let anything happen to you."
He smiles and we hug. We stand up and make our leave and back to the ballroom. We hear arguing and in one of the empty hallways is Elena and Damon arguing. "Elena, you need to stop this." Damon demands.
"I can't. She has ruined my life, and now I have a chance to end it."
I frown. "End who?" I pipe up and she jumps startled. "You were invited here tonight with an open heart, you have twice now, chose to step on that kindness. This evening was supposed to be about coming together, but you just can't take that I have everything you wanted. The attention, the glam, the admiration. You can't stand it."
She glares and steps towards me. "I wouldn't do that dopppleganger." Kol says from behind me. I turn my head and smile. "I think it's time for you and your friend to leave."
"We were just leaving." Damon responds.
"Good." I grin and they go to walk past. I grab Elena by the wrist. "I know about Esther." I announce and she gasps. "Whatever you're planning, it won't work. I have the entire Mikaleson family behind me. You are in way over your head. Unless you want to end our peace treaty and go to war, that would mean everyone that helps you, will die. So be prepared to face the consequences if it goes that way." I warn and she walks off.
We arrive back in the main ballroom and gather around for one last toast. Elijah taps his glass getting everyone's attention. "Ladies and gentleman, thank you again for this evening, we have had a great time and I hope you all have too." He begins. "Coming round are glasses of champagne, please take one and join us in a toast." He continues. Everyone takes a glass and raises it. "To family." He says and we all clink our glasses and drink.