Darkest Temptations

Chapter Three: The First Day

Caroline Mikaelson

Once we were done examining our new IDs, we immediately set out to find the nearest megastore in town to start shopping for our new homes. After Elena and April went back to their houses to lock them, I did the same. I locked up the kitchen door and made my way to the driveway, where I discovered Klaus working by the station wagon. I scanned the street, finding it devoid of any signs of life, before cautiously stepping out onto the porch. I was taken aback by Klaus's willingness to help us with unloading the trunk. His effortless lifting of the luggage caught my attention, particularly the impressive strength displayed in his forearms. Perched on the hood of the car were three different handbags. He had taken the effort to make sure we had our handbags in tow. I attempted to resist being impressed by such a minor gesture, but it proved to be nearly impossible.

He seemed different here in Utah but then again I suppose we all did. I can't speak for everyone else, but personally, I felt a sense of relief and freedom as soon as I crossed the state line. It felt like destiny had finally brought us here, where everything was falling into place.

It was truly incredible that this house, driveway, and garage were now ours. This was our shared space, whether we saw ourselves as a group of polygamists or newlyweds, it didn't make a difference. This is exactly what we both wanted - Klaus and I wanted to escape Mystic Falls and forge a new life together. I was totally naive about the intricacies of being a wife or navigating the complexities of a polygamous lifestyle. However, I firmly believed that everything hinged on the foundation of respect. Klaus had gone above and beyond for us, dedicating his time to ensuring our safety and generously purchasing these three stunning houses. He was here with us by choice, and it was only when I witnessed him in that particular moment that the truth truly sank in. This marked the beginning of it all, the very first day where the course of our lives was solely determined by our own choices.

I no longer had to be concerned about the things I said to him in private. There was no Tyler, and no friends to judge or look upon us with unease. We were alone, we could finally say all the little things we never dared. We had plenty of time to truly understand each other, as we gradually accepted the virtues of patience and honesty. We simply needed to be fully present in that moment, right here and now.

I strolled down the porch steps and followed the narrow footpath leading to the driveway instead of the street. I walked between the two cars, taking in the scent of polish on the gleaming Range Rover as I made my way towards him. Klaus glanced in my direction, and I responded with a subtle smile, watching him diligently unloading the cases without uttering a single word.

"You didn't tell me you planned to make me your legal wife." I said

"It's the story we're going by. One wife. Remember?"

"Yeah I know. I'm not about to-" I halted our conversation to assess our surroundings before resuming "It's not like I'm going to shout we're polygamists at the top of my lungs, Klaus."

"So you can say the word then? I was starting to wonder."

"What do you mean by that?"

"None of you called it by what it was in the forest."

"Yes we did."

Klaus met my eyes and shook his head.

"We really didn't?"

I discreetly brushed my hair away from my face, ensuring my voice remained hushed as I cautioned him, "It's illegal Klaus."

"I'm aware, love." He responded "But so are the killings that we've all caused by our own hands."

Klaus effortlessly shut the car trunk, then proceeded to secure it with the keys he conveniently got from the kitchen.

"No one is coming for us. Not the law and definitely not your friends." He told me.

"We can't know that. We still have to be careful."

"Everything will be taken care of with time. I have a plan in motion."

"Yeah you mentioned that before. You can't keep secrets, that's not part of the deal we made."

Klaus shifted his position, circling the trunk before approaching me with an air of confidence. He loomed over me, his proximity allowing me to catch the scent of his invigorating aftershave mingling with the fabric of his shirt. He gently lifted my chin, causing our eyes to lock in the soft morning light. I stood there, captivated by his presence, as he skillfully traced his fingertips along my chin.

"It's not a deal, love." He said so softly so only I could hear him "You're my wife."

I decided to be honest with him then. If anything just to see what his reaction would be.

"I don't know how to do this."

"I know."

His response of "I know" instantly brought back memories of our enchanting dance at the Mikaelson ball. In that moment, his words made me feel like the center of his universe. He had made me feel beautiful back then, and now, standing here today, I not only felt beautiful, but also filled with warmth.

"Don't you have a million questions?" I asked

"Maybe," he playfully taunted, a comfortable smirk gracing his lips.

I hesitated, nervously biting my lower lip, before mustering the courage to ask him, "Do you really want this?" and then I pushed myself even harder by asking, "Do you want us?"

As soon as he saw the fear in my eyes, his forehead furrowed and his expression softened, his smirk vanishing in an instant.

"What are you so afraid of Caroline?"

I knew what I wanted to tell him but also wanted he needed to hear. Saying it however would take all my newfound strength.

"Did you do this just to sleep with us?"

Klaus watched me intently, his hand gracefully gliding through my hair, starting from the top and gently caressing it all the way down, before finally moving away from my chin.

"Is it that outrageous a thought?" "That I wanted to marry you?" Klaus gently touched my face, his hand gliding from my earlobe to my jaw line and finally resting on my chin. "That I've wanted to marry you forever."

I felt my heart race, and tried my best to keep my cheeks from turning red.

He truly wanted to be my husband? The moment was truly perfect, with no doubt evident in his expression as his eyes remained fixed on mine.

"I don't know how to be a polygamist." I told him then.

He smiled and his hand left my chin leaving me wanting more.

"We've got time." Klaus leaned in close, to whisper in my ear. "We've also got company."

As I listened attentively, a faint yet unmistakable sound reached my ears - a closing of a door. He was right, our time together had come to an end and the harshness of reality was about to set in once more. Klaus appeared to have a greater sense of assurance in his polygamous lifestyle than I did. We had both spent the same amount of time on the road, contemplating the challenges that awaited us all. But for some reason, Klaus was already convinced that he could effortlessly manage three simultaneous marriages.

Klaus never said a word to me after that, instead he became to assist with getting our luggage into the right houses despite all of our objections that we were capable of helping him. He then decided that we'd take his car into the town, which was best considering what little gas remained in the station wagon. Later as I tried to get into the backseat of the Range Rover, April swiftly blocked my way. I watched as she climbed in with Elena on her other side in the back. Then, she turned to me with a smile and pointed eagerly to the passenger seat next to Klaus, who had already started the engine and cranked the AC to the max. I couldn't help but scoff at her excessive enthusiasm for the notion of Klaus and I being seated next to each other in the front. It seemed as if she was oblivious to the fact that this car ride was already bound to be awkward, even without designated seating.

Klaus had the car's navigation all set up by the time I got myself settled in. Even though I didn't glance in his direction, I could sense his gaze fixed on me. As he backed out of the driveway, he reached behind my headrest, unexpectedly making me hold my breath until he returned both hands to the steering wheel.

"I can't believe we're actually here." April commented as she rolled down her window and took in the splendor of our new street.

"It all smells so clean." I commented next also taking in the beauty all around us.

I glanced at Elena, watching her contemplative expression as she examined the array of buttons on her door's armrest, seemingly perplexed by their functions. Without any warning, her window effortlessly rolled down as if by magic, without her even touching a button. She gazed ahead at Klaus, and I noticed his hand discharge the control switch on his steering wheel. It seemed he had been keeping an eye on her through his rearview mirror. He displayed an immense amount of empathy, seemingly driven by pure selflessness. Despite the effectiveness of the AC, the interior of the car was unnaturally warm, causing my back to cling to the seat.

"Thank you," Elena thanked him but he did not respond. Which seemed to captivate us, but not April.

"All purchases this afternoon will be paid through my personal account. The money you have is purely for household expenses and personal use." He told us.

"You're crazy," I muttered quietly.

"What did you say?" Klaus asked, and I responded by shaking my head.

My attention was drawn to the empty houses lining the street as I gazed out the window.

"What do we do when they move in? What if they suspect us?" I asked

"We'll be careful." April assured me.

"We'll have to be." Elena said.

Klaus would need to spend time with each of us at the store. He would live in all three houses as our husband, not merely as a guest, with the authority to influence the furnishings and decor of each of his homes. Despite the sheer awkwardness of shopping for mundane items like pillow cases and dishwashers with Klaus Mikaelson, it was a necessary task that couldn't be avoided. We had plenty of time between the houses and the store to discuss potential ideas for decorating and furniture shopping, but we chose not to engage in that conversation. These discussions should be exclusive to a husband and wife, rather than involving all of us together as three high school dropouts. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in our lives, where we had to make intelligent decisions and set ourselves on the path to success.

Somehow, the silence that followed was surprisingly comforting. It was a relief that we didn't feel compelled to engage in meaningless small talk, allowing us to simply enjoy each other's company in quiet contentment. It provided a glimpse into the present moment, offering an experience into the enduring bond between us. The circumstances that brought us together would fade into distant memories, but one thing would always endure: our unbreakable connection. This fleeting instant provided me with a sense of peace that had eluded me ever since that fateful evening when I first turned the ignition in Mystic Falls.

The town we now called home was bustling with a variety of establishments. From a cinema and numerous restaurants, including a highly anticipated Thai restaurant, to multiple gyms and stores, there was no shortage of options. The town also boasted bookstores, butchers, and a lively harbor where fishermen worked hard in their overalls. A row of market stalls offered a delightful array of art, handmade soaps, organic vegetables, and pastries. And in the town square, a group of elderly men harmonized in a barbershop quartet, serenading passersby near the charming fountain. The town was absolutely stunning. The lamp posts stood tall and uncluttered, devoid of any distracting advertisements. The vibrant flowers surrounding each of them and the town square were diligently cared for, bursting with life and displaying a kaleidoscope of colors. However, what truly captivated me was the people. They moved about their day, completely absorbed in their own lives, seemingly oblivious to our presence.

Why do I feel like I'm about to cry right now?

"It's perfect." I heard April say then.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as I saw Klaus glancing up at his rear view mirror. Although he didn't show any outward reaction, the simple act itself spoke volumes. The Klaus I knew would have displayed his annoyance, but he managed to hide his true feelings in that moment.

When we arrived at the megastore, Klaus quickly found a parking space right by the front. After they got out, I couldn't resist stealing a moment to take in my reflection in the vanity mirror. I swiftly fixed my hair and indulged in a spritz of perfume from my handbag. We were delighted to find out that the store provides a same day delivery guarantee for all items, even larger ones like sofas and stoves. In addition, they even provided a convenient handheld scanner feature, eliminating the need for shopping carts for any of us. As we each grabbed our own scanner from the stand, Elena and April swiftly vanished into different aisles. Meanwhile, I stuck by Klaus's side as we entered the first of many aisles. We walked into the sitting room display rooms and proceeded to inspect each one individually, appreciating the arrangement and what was on offer for the price.

"Well this isn't in the least bit awkward." I commented

"Which part?"

"Which part?" I repeated with a slight chuckle "We're shopping together. I know you've got something to say about that."

Klaus proceed to pick up a brochure provided regarding the displays before he looked my way "Which package? The warm winter or the lavish crystal?" he asked before a smirk formed upon his lips.

I couldn't help but scoff at his feeble attempts to ease the tension, while I struggled to keep myself together. I wanted to approach this situation with maturity, and take the time to select items for our new home. However, I couldn't shake off the awkwardness that was creeping in.

"So you're not the slightest bit worried we're going to spend all your money on the most expensive items in here?"

"Money shall never be a concern."

"But we can't live like that, Klaus." I told him "If we're going to make a real effort about this then I need us to be human. I want to live within a budget."

"Why?"

"Because this is forever. We're not going anywhere. This is home now. We need to blend in here and be human. Not fix everything with money or compelling people. We need to be real."

Klaus studied me from across the other side of the display room before he smiled and began to nod his head.

"So we're in agreement?" I asked without hesitation.

"Lead the way, Mrs Mikaelson."

After an hour of discussion, we managed to reach a consensus on some of the key items required for the house. These included sofas for both sitting rooms, a fridge freezer, a dining room table and chairs, bookcases, a studio piano that Klaus was adamant about having in the larger sitting room, and new tiles for the downstairs bathroom. I spotted Elena and April, completely absorbed in their own world. Thankfully, they didn't even notice us as we quietly passed by. I didn't want the shopping to turn into a social event. In the bigger picture, what we were doing was deeply personal. We were constructing our new lives, and it deserved to be approached with seriousness, not like a carefree shopping spree with a catchy soundtrack. This was reality, and we needed to acknowledge it as such.

"Look, you should probably go and spend time with Elena and April now." I told Klaus as we rounded another corner "It's what's right."

"I thought today was yours love."

"Technically it should be called my night, because all it means is that you spend the night with…me" I said and found I quickly couldn't look him in the eye.

He simply nodded and quickly left my side. I watched him as he walked away, tightly gripping the scanner in my hands. I suppose this would finally allow me to get all the small details that truly transform a house into a warm and inviting home, like elegant towels, a top-notch coffee maker, and beautiful flowers adorning the windows.

As soon as I had some privacy, I headed straight to the bed department and carefully chose the finest king-sized mattress available. I had been eager to take care of this purchase ever since we arrived at the store. If Klaus and I were going to share a bed, we would need plenty of space until we both felt more familiar with one another. At the moment, I was overwhelmed with guilt and intense stomach cramps, all because I had to share a bed with Klaus while Tyler was desperately searching for me, terrified that I might have met an untimely death. Reflecting on the consequences of my actions filled me with a deep pain. It wasn't just one person I had hurt, but our entire circle of friends. The mere thought of their suffering brought me to a standstill.

There was no way to alter the situation at this point, regardless of my desires. It had transcended being solely about my own existence; it now encompassed all of us.

There was an undeniable desire within all of us to be in this place, to be together.

It became clear to Elena that Klaus had ulterior motives for marrying them, a reality she reluctantly came to accept that night. In the future, he was aware that we all desired to discuss the prospect of starting a family, and despite any reservations, he had agreed to it. The spell had a purpose beyond our concealment, binding us together in ways we couldn't fathom. There was an undeniable connection between us, a deep understanding that went beyond words. Our feelings for each other were clear, but there was something bigger at play. He also had a fondness for April and Elena, although not to the same extent as he had for me. It was evident that he placed a certain level of trust in them, as the spell had demonstrated.

However, that was a distant thought, as today's focus was on lawn ornaments and seat cushions, rather than nurseries and car seats. The furniture in each room was crafted from American elm, exuding a comforting aura that would beautifully complement the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations.

Thinking about the holidays already? Seriously?...wait what's so terrible about that?

When Tyler crossed my thoughts once more, I swiftly redirected my focus to the task at hand. Alright, for the master bedroom, we'll want to consider a few essential items. Nightstands, a chest of drawers, shelves, lamps for both nightstands, wall art, ornaments, photo frames, new door handles, light switch covers, dimmer settings, curtains, curtain rails, blinds, bedding, coat hangers, and shoe racks will all contribute to creating a well-appointed space. As I made my way towards the sitting room displays again, I noticed Elena and Klaus walking together just ahead of me. There was plenty of distance between the two of them know. I couldn't resist the urge to eavesdrop on their conversation, but I quickly caught myself and refrained. I found myself indulging in this unfortunate habit far too frequently, to my own detriment. Doing this to her implied a sense of reciprocity that was not right.

They admired the captivating light displays, with Klaus carefully scanning the barcode of a particular one that I envisioned would be a perfect addition to our upstairs hallway. But I wouldn't do them the shame of copying their fixtures.

Oh god I didn't even go over to Elena or April's house before we left.

I chose two beige Lawson couches for the larger sitting room, and for the smaller sitting room adjacent to the kitchen, I opted for a dark orange textured Lawson couch with two matching armchairs. Klaus and I had reached a mutual decision on the paint and wallpaper choices for our rooms. We opted for rich, warm tones such as maroon and warm browns. I observed a wide array of items in the room, including a large screen TV positioned in the corner, various tables, decorative elements such as artificial flowers and ornaments, cozy additions like cushions and throws, an area rug to tie the space together, a copper fire shield for safety near the smaller sitting room's fireplace, photo frames to display cherished memories, curtains and blinds to control the light, tissue box holders for convenience, vases to hold beautiful flowers, light shades and bulbs for illumination, a nest of tables for practicality, and a humidifier to maintain a comfortable environment.

Shopping for the bathrooms was a breeze and I had everything I needed in less than ten minutes.

Afterwards, I promptly set out to find the necessary items for the basement. As I perused the extensive collection, my eyes landed on the seven sturdy steel shelves and containers that would house our expanding inventory of bulk items. I even took the extra step of scanning two more large chest freezers to keep down there with them. I didn't have any objections to the girls using my place for storage.

When I eventually reached the kitchen items, it was already two in the afternoon. We would need to return to the houses soon as the delivery guys are scheduled to arrive shortly after four. I quickly surveyed a variety of kitchen appliances and tools, including a dishwasher, blender, food processor, mixer, toaster, microwave, and stove. I also took note of the utensils, pots and pans, plates, bowls, cups, glasses, dish rack, dish cloths, and fruit bowl.

As I turned the corner, I noticed Klaus and April standing near the sofa display models. I was on the verge of vanishing from their view when, at the last moment, I managed to halt my movement. We had been shopping for a few hours already, and I had been quite generous with the time I spent by myself instead of shopping with Klaus. I needed to regain control and assert my authority over the situation.

Klaus had his hands casually tucked into his pockets, a warm smile on his face as he watched April sink into the depths of an excessively cushioned armchair that threatened to engulf her. Her hair cascaded around her face as she couldn't help but chuckle at her own clumsiness. He then extended his hand towards hers, which she accepted without any hesitation. However, he released her hand just as swiftly after helping her back onto her feet.

I approached them, noticing that Klaus, with his keen perception, briefly glanced in my direction. It seemed that nothing escaped his attention.

"Hey" I called to April who turned my way then also.

"Hey!"

Still as cheerful as ever then...

"How's it going?" I asked her noting the scanner clasped in her right hand.

"Uh I've got a couch and a microwave so far."

It's been five hours...

"That-that's all?"

"Pretty much. Why do you have more than that?" April asked as her eyes threatened to tear up.

Until all I could focus on was the worry in her eyes.

Don't be a bitch to her just because you've got it together and she doesn't!

"I've got a few things on my list. But that's just me. I haven't seen Elena, maybe she hasn't seen anything she likes."

"She's over at the garden furniture section." Klaus clarified before I could ask the obvious.

I brushed my hair back over my shoulder before looking his way.

"So you have talked to her?" I asked

"I'll go and track her down. We should leave soon." April said and quickly disappeared round the nearest corner leaving us alone.

"Problem love?" Klaus challenged me, his arrogant smirk right on schedule.

"No problem. I just figured you'd head back my way after checking in with them is all."

"I've kept an eye on you."

"Sure you did" I groaned

"If I was lying how would I know the base colour of the bed frame you selected? Or the larger of silver sets you choose-" He stopped to move towards me "I am rather curious about the bed sheets and scented candles you picked out."

"So what are you stalking me now or all of your wives?"

"Careful" He warned me as he edged closer

"Or what?" I teased with my heart threatening to burst out of my chest.

As I observed his gaze, I couldn't help but follow it, my eyes landing on Elena and April as they made their way back. He made sure I was aware of their impending arrival, taking precautions to ensure our conversation remained discreet. Later we were taken aback when Klaus received the bill for all three of our scanners. What surprised us even more was his calm and collected response. Without flinching, he effortlessly produced a black credit card and settled the payment.

"How much did you guys buy?" April asked as soon as the three of us stepped out of the store together.

Klaus was inside signing all the paperwork for the delivery, we had to make sure all the furniture went to the correct house.

"I'm not going to lie I probably bought the most" I confessed.

"I just got the essentials, and I guess a few other things too." Elena explained before tucking her hair behind her shoulders.

"It's still hot" I complained

"If it's this hot tomorrow I'm sunbathing all day" April said leaning her back against the front of Klaus's range rover.

"That's wishful thinking" I laughed.

"What do you mean?"

"We've got days upon days of decorating and furniture constructing ahead of us." I explained

"Wait, you got wallpaper and stuff already?" She asked leaning up off the frame

"Didn't you?" Elena asked her

"No. Oh my god" April groaned dipping her chin to her chest.

"What have you been doing all this time?" Elena asked her

"I was just walking about enjoying the air conditioning. I didn't have any help."

"What do you mean Klaus was with you" I told her

"Yeah, for like five minutes. He kept walking off to go and check on you"

He really did come and check on me?

We were all startled then at the sound of the car being disarmed, Klaus joined us then glancing at me before climbing inside.

"Mark that as the first shiver he ever gave me" April said as we headed for the doors.

"Again he can hear you" I reminded her.

I hadn't even buckled my seatbelt then when directly behind me April asked.

"So em, how legendary is that hearing thing of yours? Being a, uh, hybrid"

Klaus glanced at her in the mirror before starting the engine.

"As legendary as the rest of my body love."

Oh come on...

April was so embarrassed she never said a single word on the way back to the houses. I, however, marveled at the view of our new town, nestled under a sky painted with hues of warm oranges and blushing pinks. The sight filled me with an unexpected sense of peace and tranquility. I even thought at one point or another I could catch a glimpse of Klaus glancing in my direction, a warm smile playing on his lips. I had been quite inflexible until this point, but now I feel a sense of weightlessness. As soon as he arrived, I hurriedly grabbed my keys from my pocket, feeling an urgent need to use the bathroom. I didn't bother waiting for the others; I simply made my way towards the house and closed the door behind me. After completing my task, I made my way back to the sitting room and started searching for my phone to check the time, only to realize that I didn't have one.

That's gotta be fixed.

I glanced towards the driveway and noticed that they were all gathered behind Klaus's car. Unlike before, he reversed into the driveway this time. I had no idea the reason behind this until now.

I watched then as Klaus closed the trunk of his car after retrieving his luggage with Elena and April by his side. In that moment, he looked at Elena, drawing closer to her, and with complete confidence, he gently kissed her on the lips. Unlike Klaus, she hadn't closed her eyes, not until their eyelashes lightly brushed against each other, a moment driven by instinct rather than affection. He swiftly pulled away, the unexpected kiss leaving her visibly stunned. However, he maintained eye contact with her before finally turning his back to face April.

As he leaned in and kissed her, April couldn't help but smile, but he remained impassive. With a playful wink, he swiftly gathered his luggage and casually headed towards my house.

I was jealous and there was hiding it. So much so that I found myself escaping from the window before he stepped inside to ensure he didn't witness my reaction to his sudden tenderness towards them. At the end of the day I couldn't let jealous become part of my life anymore. He wasn't doing anything wrong, he was kissing his wives goodnight. Nothing more, nothing less.

Tomorrow night, I would find myself in their shoes. For April, the guy she was now married to was about to spend the first night of their new life's together in the same house of the one girl she knew he had feelings for. And for Elena, Klaus was making it clear that these small signs of affection would become a daily occurrence. We were no longer naive teenagers; we were all married and starting on our new lives together. However, we could all sense their unease when they were together, neither of them were happy, or happy with their marriage.

Besides his kisses hadn't lingered, it was a gentle peck and nothing more. He wasn't forcing us into anything uncomfortable or too sudden.

Klaus carried all of our luggage upstairs while I took the time to gather a fresh set of clothes and my body wash from my belongings. I realize that I had a shower earlier, but given the scorching weather I experienced throughout the day, I felt the need to freshen up. After using one of my pajama tops to towel dry my hair, I changed into a pair of comfortable gray shorts and an oversized white t-shirt. I had never dressed like this around Klaus before, and the idea of doing so made me cringe. However, since this was also my house, I was determined to feel comfortable in it, especially on my very first night.

I had barely made it down to the kitchen where I found Klaus when suddenly, a knock at the door caught us off guard.

"It's the furniture delivery," Klaus reassured me, casually wiping his hands on the backs of his jeans.

Indeed, they arrived a half hour earlier than anticipated. Klaus wasted no time, efficiently organizing the placement of boxes and furniture, while I watched all the activity from the sitting room window.

There were a total of five delivery trucks parked in front of all three houses, extending along the entire length of the street. I was relieved in that moment to not have any neighbors just yet.

I observed a group of individuals collaborating to lift a vibrant teal sectional couch out of one of the trucks.

"April's," I speculated out loud

Just a little further down the road, there was another convoy of trucks transporting a beautiful cream sofa accompanied by two perfectly matching armchairs.

"Elena's," I remarked as I savored another bite.

After they were gone I still continued to stare out at the new street, feeling content to finally be home.

All thoughts of Mystic Falls were over.

Utah was our home now.

Tyler Lockwood

We had located the hunter in his RV just a few hours ago, but he stubbornly refused to reveal the whereabouts of Elena and Caroline. We were aware of his involvement in their abduction, desperately hoping that he hadn't subjected them to any torment prior to our apprehension. We had him confined in the basement of the Salvatore house. Damon, Stefan, and I had all made numerous attempts to extract information from him. Eventually, we would succeed in breaking him and he would ultimately lead us to the answers we seek. I was determined to reunite with Caroline, no matter what it took.