Chapter 7: There is Nothing like the Holidays

Weeks after the wedding, everyone went back to their routine and lives.

The kitchen was busy; the girls and Enzo were cleaning out the pantry and fridge. Hayley was making a Christmas list and googling places. The holidays were around the corner and their usual Christmas Eve Party was the highlight. Enzo tied up the garbage bags of old food ,expired items and unwanted things "When is Bon coming back?"

"Sunday" Caroline said popping a Cherry flavoured Lollipop in her mouth. Bonnie was away at a cabin in Vermont with Arlene Bourdeux, Mary Elizabeth Rue and Fiona Guidry. Creole Witches like herself from New Orleans. It was yearly tradition they did for a week.

[You know how to Love Me by Phyllis Hyman]

Bonnie sat quietly in the front seat of Arlene's car, her brain wandered to Thalia's last words while the other girls laughed and sang along and ate candy from the gas station they stopped at a few minutes ago. Bonnie eyes stared at the snow surrounding them as Arlene drove.

"You've been quiet Bennett. Don't tell me boy troubles again?" Arlene teased.

"Vampire Boy trouble!" Mary Elizabeth shouted.

"Klaus Mikaelson kinda trouble" Arlene teased. They all laughed

Bonnie rolled her eyes "No. That's the last thing I need on my mind". They were silently looking at each other holding in laughter. Bonnie turned down the music "You guys were raised in NOLA your entire life. Have you ever thought that maybe just maybe that Thalia Bennett is a vampire and she is out there"

The girls looked at her in horror "Oh God please be having boy trouble instead" Arlene said.

"Thalia Bennett being a vampire is like some crusty man repurchasing New Orleans and renaming the streets after his favourite Burgers" Mary Elizabeth said.

"Thalia meant alot to alot Black women of all shades in the South..that would be tragic to even think of" Fiona said flipping through her phone. She was a 21 year old apart of Arlene's coven.

"Bonnie..your ancestor Thalia Bennett was more than just a witch. She wanted us to be more than just cooks and maids. She wanted us to read, write and speak atleast 3 languages. She wanted us to be everything. The last thing she would want to be is a vampire" Arlene said gripping the wheel.

Bonnie exhaled and rubbed her temples "You're right ...I don't know...I was reading her diary and some stuff about family"

"Of course..family isn't perfect but Thalia was strong and she was a witch until the end Bonnie" Arlene said parking infront of the cabin they rented. She smiled and gulped. She wanted to have fun and not be gloom.

[Stranded/Mea Culpa by Gojira]

Davina Claire and Honey Bennett were the local record shop taking pictures to send to Claudia their bestfriend who was away for the holidays with her father in France. The girls giggled and look through the Heavy Metal section, Davina excused herself to use the ladies room at the back while Honey continued to flip through the records while she lipsync, "Not everyone is familiar with Gojira" she looked up when she heard the voice , a pair of piercing Blue eyes stared at her smiling mischievously "Uh, it's sorta been their year but they've been around awhile" she said dryly returning back to her search for the perfect record for Enzo's Christmas gift.

"Anything in particular you're searching for?" He asked trying to make conversation.

"Uh just a gift for a friend" she glanced up at him and looked at him. She never saw him in Mystic Falls before.

"Do you live here?" She asked

"I just moved here..I'm Sebastian " he said stretching his hand out. She looked at him blankly "Honey Bennett" she said dryly. Davina came back out to the awkward conversation "Who's the new guy?"

"Sebastian" Honey said as they both stared at him. He chuckled nervously at the two witches.

At the cabin in Vermont, Bonnie and her friends were playing Christmas Jazz and eating junk food in their pajamas. Bonnie looked at her phone and smile at her phone at Klaus's text and picture – Found this bottle of Marc Roy, Bourgogne Pinot Noi with your name on it.

"There she goes again smiling at that man's texts" Arlene said sitting next to her with a spiked cup of Peppermint Tea. Bonnie slapped her shoulder "Friends with the same taste in wine. Probably nothing else"

"I mean its freaking Klaus Mikaelson, if you don't know what to do with him..give me his number I'll know what to do" Fiona said in her sassy tone. They all laughed.

"Speaking of psychotic men, what about the whole The Frenchman lore?" Bonnie asked. Arlene rolled her eyes "Is this another Thalia fishing question?"

Bonnie laughed "NOOOOOO! I promise..you lived in NOLA your entire life you must know the lore..I'm curious" Bonnie asked putting her feet up.

Arlene rolled her eyes "Okay girls. Well The Frenchman was a vampire that came to NOLA centuries ago..yes around the same period as out beloved Thalia Bennett. He was in the traders business: tobacco and rums. He lived in a secluded Manor overlooking the city"

"How did he become the story for bad vampires?" Mary Elizabeth asked popping a piece of marshmallow in her mouth.

"Well the Frenchman was fond of a garden witch who was badly beaten by a vampire for fun, so the story goes that the Frenchman dissected the vampire. His head. His limbs and heart. He artistically pinned him up I'm a place where all the vampires could see" Arlene explained. The girls gasped "What happened? After?" Fiona asked sitting up.

"Well his father sent for the Frenchman head but the Frenchman pin their heads and parts all over the city. Vampires got scared and started the lore about behaving and being good little blood suckers" Arlene chuckled.

"Like Krampus?" Mary Elizabeth asked. She chuckled and nodded. Bonnie stared at her hands and wondered if Thalia knew the Frenchman and if she did become a vampire if he did it, since he seemed to be a martyr for witches.

Later that night Bonnie stayed up in the kitchen washing the dishes and tidying up the rented cozy cabin, she sipped her wine and stared out the kitchen window lost in her thoughts "You know you shouldn't be so hard on Klaus Mikaelson. I know his reputation proceeds him"

"You defending a vampire is weird" Bonnie said sitting at the table. Arlene chuckled.

"That vampire has done a lot for the city, he drove a lot fear in those Salem Witches" Arlene chuckled. Bonnie smiled and stared at the floor wondering what Klaus was doing right now, probably with some girl in London telling her she's pretty.

"I'm divorcing Mathias" Arlene blurted out. Bonnie opened her eyes. Mathias was Arlene's husband, whom she had been married to for decades. They were friends and eventually matched by their parents. "Arlene, that's insane..what the fuck happened?" Bonnie asked. Arlene poured herself a glass of wine "He is leaving me for some young blonde thing in Minesota. It was always some young blonde thing"

"Oh God..he's an asshole"

"It's fine Bon. I'm free..I haven't been happy for decades and after Mariah and Kenley grew up and left the house that hole inside of me got bigger. I never truly fell in love with him. It was your typical Southern Belle Match" She explained. Bonnie looked at her in sorrow.

"You know when I was 19 I met this guy and he was amazing..we talked for hours and then he disappeared and then I got married. Lately I've been thinking, I'm going to look for him for the New Year and do what I want to do". Bonnie laughed and held Arlene's hands and squeezed them "You're insane! But I love you"

"Bon I want you to be happy. Make your own decisions. Don't waste seconds nor decades. Take chances and don't care only your happiness matter" Arlene whispers.

The weekend passed and Bonnie returned to Mystic Falls, light snow covered the ground while Bonnie gripped her duffle bag walking through the town square. She smiled at supernatural locals watching them decorate their businesses, she waved at Evie who was Christmas shopping. She was extra excited this time of the year because her long-time Finnish boyfriend was going to be coming to Mystic Falls to spend Christmas with her. He was in a metal band that Enzo was invested in. He wanted her to move to New York with him, but she was reluctant to leave. "You're back" Evie said.

"Yes, and please squeeze me in for my hair and nails" Bonnie said making a puppy face and laughing. Evie laughed and looked behind Bonnie "Okay but a hottie is coming your way". Bonnie turned around quickly and almost barfed in horror at Klaus walking up to her. She knew she looked horrible, and she wanted to bury herself. She cursed under her breath "Hi…you" Bonnie said trying to stay calm. He waved at Evie while she was walking away.

"Hello..you" he said looking at her. She was horrified at the idea of him staring at her disgusting pores "What are you doing here?" she asked noticing everyone that passed by looking at him and Bonnie and whispering "Did someone die?"

He chuckled "No, love. I've been promoted. I'm filling Oliver's spot". Bonnie was shocked and she could read the terror on the few vampires faces that passed by "Are you still present?" He asked, waving his hand in her face.

"YES! I just thought Enzo would've been next in line…I guess I don't know how vampire hierarchy work" She chuckled lightly. She noticed his face changed to a stern stature "You prefer Enzo?" he asked staring at her. She swallowed "Uh..I..just thought..he knows the town..Oliver and him being close..it's nothing. Congratulations"

He chuckled "I'm kidding. I know how much you're fond of Enzo and everyone around here seems to like him"

She nodded and looked around "I should go..long travels from Vermont"

"You should come to the cocktail party I'm having tonight..a welcome party" He said. She turned around "Sounds like a vampire affair" She smiled and kept walking. He was puzzled.

When Bonnie got home, she was too tired to talk about her weekend away nor even think about the words of Thalia's diary under her bed. She buried the thought deep inside and decided to freshen up with a shower and scented candles. Afterwards she took a nap but she floated away into the shadows of her dreams, where she dreamed herself running through the thick forest and wetlands of the Bayou. She was being chased by something but couldn't see it. She awaken when her phone vibrated near her face. She jump out her sleep to check her phone. She smiled at Honey's picture of her baking with their grandmother. She sat up and looked at the time on her bedstand clock '7:00pm' she exhaled and swore she saw a shadow image in her mirror, she immediately put on the light, but nothing was there.

[I just Melt by Sabrina Claudio]

Bonnie hummed and painted her toenails midnight blue; she was startled when Caroline busted into her room to raid her closet while she was blabbing on her phone.

"Hey! Don't make a mess!" Bonnie said. Caroline was searching for a bell sleeve blouse to go with her flared jeans. Bonnie laid on the bed staring at the ceiling, "What?" Caroline asked, hanging up her phone. Bonnie shrugged. "How did you know that you were over Frederik?" Bonnie asked. Caroline turned around and chuckled lightly "That's the first time you ever said his name out loud". Bonnie chuckled. Caroline exhaled "You know I woke up one morning and said to myself that couldn't live like this. I locked myself away. Missed parties and prom just because I wanted to stay on the phone all night with him. He had so much control over me I hated it, then one day Stefan said the dumbest funniest shit to me, and I realised I deserved better. Then I realized every day when I was sad or anxious about Frederik, Stefan was there, and he made me feel better" Caroline said smiling. Bonnie nodded "Stefan is cool". "Klaus is even cooler" Caroline teased putting on Bonnie's top. Bonnie rolled her eyes and laughed "Okay don't even start"

"I'm serious. I thought all of Elijah's brothers were lame simp losers like him, but Klaus is actually a vibe. And you two kinda vibe" Caroline winked. Bonnie laughed "Whatever…wait! Are you going to his party?!"

"Duh! Why aren't you?" Caroline asked. Bonnie shrugged. "Well, if Damon can move on so can you" she said grabbing her phone and walking out.

[Winter Wonderland by Dolly Parton]

Klaus greeted everyone who came to the Mikaelsons mansion, he met some of the local vampires and even greeted Enzo. He hid his disappointment when he didn't see Bonnie walk through the door with Caroline and Stefan. He got himself drink after drink, he sat on the couch and checked his phone. She was probably asleep after her flight or still moping over Damon. Klaus glanced at Damon with disgust at how he moved on and left Bonnie to pick up the pieces. He thought maybe Enzo was on her mind. They had the same interest and oddly expressed love to each other. He looked at Enzo who waved at him. Serena sat next to Klaus scrolling though her phone "What the fuck is your problem?"

"Nothing. Shopping again?" he asked glancing over at her.

"Of course. The year Hayley and I had…I deserved a Burberry coat, and she deserves a pair of Calvin Klein shoes" she said. He chuckled.

"Seriously why are you sitting in your party acting like someone died?" she asked crossing her boots. Klaus rubbed his fingers together, "Did you say anything to Bonnie about me? I invited her here and she didn't show"

Serena laughed "Well the great Klaus Mikaelson gets rejected maybe there is a God. And No, I haven't said anything to BonBon. I don't need to, she's a Bennett witch she can see right through you"

Klaus looked at her. "Oh, don't worry. I'm pretty sure your kill count turns her on. Maybe she didn't come because who invites a witch to a party with vampires including ex" Serena said sipping her cocktail. Klaus chuckled lightly "A bit insensitive for me". She tapped his hand and smiled.

Bonnie had the dream once again; she was running from something in a white dress and her hands were filled with dirt. She was panting and looking back in pure fear, she saw a cabin with warm Christmas lights hung up. The cabin door opened and a man she didn't recognized appeared and she woke up. Bonnie looked around as she heard the voice in her room again. She frowned and shook her head; she had lots to do for the holidays and didn't have time for fragility.

Downstairs Caroline and Hayley were busy writing down all the things they had to get done this week, from putting up the lights to buying the Christmas and getting the Christmas Dinner ingredients. Bonnie trotted down the stairs and into the kitchen in her jacket and thigh-high boots with her curly hair back. "Hey girl off somewhere?" Caroline asked eating her toast.

"The city as usual this time of the year. I'll pick up some stuff for my Christmas Ham and the Baileys for Enzo and Caroline" Bonnie laughed remembering how drunk they were last year in their ugly Christmas pajamas.

[Last Christmas by George Michael]

Bonnie walked around the town and she stop at her shop to wrap some Christmas candle orders, she texted Enzo to remind him not forget to pick up the orders to ship put. Kayla Washington, the witch she was training was selling to customers coming into the shop. Bonnie left her in charge and made her way out to head into the city, Bonnie spotted Damon and Elena drinking Hot Cocoa and kissing in her grandmother's café across the street. "It's a Christmas Horror Story" Klaus said sneaking up on her. She turned to her side and laughed "It's fine. He's happy and I'm happy too" she said.

"Bonnie I'm sorry I shouldn't have invited you..Damon was going to be there and a bunch of vampires..silly idea" he said. Bonnie smiled as she noticed two girls walking pass and whispering as they looked at Klaus.

"I'm going into the city; do you want to come? I usually do window shopping and actual shopping, then I get a big, spiked Peppermint tea then I go ice skating. It's girlie..you got other stuff to do" she blabbed. He watched her lips and eyes as she spoke about her favourite things "No. It sounds humanly. I'll drive". She nodded.

The two roamed around the city amongst the humans, she laughed at his stories from London and talked about being the odd girl in high school and her time with the humans in college. She looked at dresses for Enzo's New Year Eve Party and scented Berry Candles. She got the seasonings for the Christmas Ham along with Two Bottles of Baileys. After dragging Klaus along with her shopping, they sat for Bourbon Spiked Peppermint Tea. She watched his face waiting for his review on her yearly Christmas favourite "Well that is something" he said. She laughed and looked at him with great intent "What? More opinions about me?" he said taking another sip of the drink.

"Nothing. I guess I didn't expect you to be..this" she said looking down at her Snowman cookie.

"Well, you're the most interesting Bennett witch I've ever met" he said smiling. Bonnie looked down at her hands. After the quick snack and drink at the café, Bonnie took Klaus to the ice rink. Klaus learned Bonnie couldn't skate, but she came to watch couples, friends and kids skate. He teased her and she hid her face but laughed. He talked her into putting on skates and joining him on the ice. He held out her hands for her hold on tightly to as he guide her slowly on the ice. Her eyes focused on his blue ones. She prayed she won't fall and embarrass herself. She skate with him and gripped his arm and he held her close, she laughed looked around. "So, you can skate!" she said.

"It's Rebekah's favourite Christmas activity. I wanted to learn so I can take her" he said smiling.

"Your sister? Is she coming for Christmas?"

She noticed his face changed to sadness or resentment "No. She's going to spend Christmas with my other sister, Freya and her family and my brother Kol"

"Oh. Why?" Bonnie asked curiously.

"We haven't spent Christmas as a family in awhile because…" he exhaled. Bonnie smiled as they sat down to take off their skates, she rubbed his arm "It's okay"

"I killed some Kol loved because she was a threat our existence. Frederik ordered it. Kol hasn't forgiven and Rebekah is a love sick puppy who can see only Kol's point of view. Freya is the people pleasing witch" he exhaled. She could sense his confused emotion of regret and justice "Don't even look at me like that. You probably think I'm rotten" he said. Bonnie smiled slightly "No. A thousand Vampire Laws and I probably will never understand it"

The two made their way back to Mystic Falls, Cami was walking down the street to the The Rue when she saw them in Klaus car laughing and talking. She was puzzled but kept walking to the bar. She needed shots with the weeks she had so far.

Klaus walked her to the front porch, she stepped up but paused and looked at him and he smiled at her "You were genuinely happy today" she said staring at him.

He glared at her "Christmases haven't been pleasant for you. Violence, heartache and loss. But you were happy today" she stared not blinking. He exhaled "Don't do that...you don't have to do that"

Bonnie laughed nervously "I'm sorry. It's a bad habit. Reading people…I'm sorry"

"I guess the worst part is… I'm not sure if you were happy today" he said. She looked down at her feet and swallowed the lump in her throat. "I did. Goodnight Mikaelson" she said turning away to open the door.

"Can I see you tomorrow?" He blurted out not understanding why he did it. She paused and thought about it for a moment, she turned to him and stared. His eyes pleaded for an answer "Stefan is coming to help put up the lights and the snowman outside, maybe you can come and help"

He smiled and nodded.