Darkest Temptations

Chapter Sixteen: Vegas Baby!

Stefan Salvatore

There was something different lingering in the air when I awoke that morning to the sound of the rain heavy on the window. I never lifted my head from the pillow not at first despite there being plenty to do. If I harnessed my efforts I could make out the distant sound of the shower turning on in one of the guest bedrooms down the hall. I assumed like she had for the past four nights, Bonnie had spend the night here instead of going home to see her family or attempt to catch up on some school work. I didn't want her getting into trouble, she didn't have the ability to compel she had no power not to convince the school not to kick her out at this point. Everything unrelated to finding Caroline and Elena had gone completely under the radar for her. And to make matters worse, it seems both Damon and Tyler had ultimately decided to take matters into their own hands. Matt had came to our house to find the hunter beaten badly in the basement and called me. I was in town at the time picking out something and headed home immediately to a sight Matt couldn't even stomach, there was vomit on the floor of the basement by the hunter who had a broken nose, a swollen shut eye and fractured jaw. I had no choice but to give him my blood in order to heal him, and even with that help, he didn't wake up until several hours later.

I had told Matt to head home and I decided to keep myself busy by cleaning up the mess in the basement. I mopped the floor of the cellar getting rid of all the traces of vomit before I took it upon myself to clean the blood from the hunter's face, neck and arms. Afterwards I headed back upstairs and did what should have been done days earlier, I cleaned the house and returned the piles of books to our collection, cleaned the kitchen, got rid of the take out containers, pizza boxes and overflowing trash bags. I recycled all the bottles of bourbon Damon had been drinking like water this past week as the tension grew and grew. I went outside and cut more wood for the fire, the thing had been running night and day since we began our search for them. Some might look at what I was doing as a waste of time but I needed to do something, I couldn't just sit back and worry about them and now Damon also. So I shut off everything around me and I cleaned my home. It said a lot that our vacuum cleaner was full of dust from just cleaning the parlor room alone.

I took my car into town and I went shopping for food and other essentials such as new candles and dried herbs for any new spells Bonnie might come up with. I headed over to the school and went around Bonnie's teachers and convinced them that Bonnie was dealing with a family emergency but would be grateful for missed assignments so that she didn't fall too far behind. Despite a few that gave me a little hesitation most were eager for her to catch up. I didn't waste my time in bringing them to Bonnie, I sat in my car for the rest of the afternoon and did almost two weeks full of assignments and missed homework on Bonnie's behalf, before ultimately posting them back to the school in a mail carrier in town, with a note expressing her apologizes for missing her lessons and the promise to return soon. I didn't do this because it was something Elena would do, I did it because Bonnie was also my friend and it was the most helpful thing I could do for her right now.

When I returned home I checked on the hunter, re-stocked the kitchen and parlor before I headed upstairs to shower the day off me. I took the time to get cleaned up this time, instead of just hopping into the shower I took the time to use my clippers and tidy my growing hair back to it's typical style, I shaved although it didn't seem very necessary. I stood under the shower for a while after that, I just let the water wash over me like rain as I braced the titled wall before me then.

I missed Elena with every fiber of my being and I knew Damon knew this and yet he had chosen to go out there without me. He had opted to go with Tyler Lockwood of all people, the two of them were the most hopeless, ruthless and hot headed guys I'd ever known. The very worst thing that could happen for us on our search for Elena and Caroline was for those two to work together. The two of them were just as bad as the other and if they didn't land up killing each they would land up hurting a lot of people, maybe even innocent people in their efforts. Damon was in love with Elena but if he thought for a second it was the love she deserved then he was wrong. He thought I was ignorant, that he could repeat history and expect a different result. I wasn't naïve I understood when I was a human I was in love with Katherine, or that at one time in my life I truly did love her very much despite the reality of knowing her feelings for Damon. But I'd grown since then, becoming a vampire didn't help me see what she had did to me, time took care of that. I spent the appropriate time healing from the damage she inflicted, Damon however he waited, he waited and he waited for her to come back to him.

And no matter how much I hate him at times in our life I'll never admit the reality that he will not accept. Damon imagined Katherine suffering in that tomb for years, he knew the exact dates where he knew the bloodlust would have taken over and over limbs would begin to ache, he knew when she wouldn't be able to walk anymore, and night after night he dreamt about what her face would be looking like now. Then suddenly Elena enters his life, a version of Katherine that is alive and well. I'm not going to pretend his feelings her weren't genuine, no I'd be honest and admit I had saw first hand what he felt for her. But at the same time, I knew that my brother needed to get himself some help. Some might say the same for me, but the way I loved Elena was completely different. I wanted to give Elena everything she wanted in this life and Damon had proven time and time again he'd rather be dominant in her life and make her see the pleasure of taking the easy way out of things. Like when he force fed her his blood instead of trusting the elixir, he didn't even chose to have faith, he just ensured that Elena would be around the next day but as something she never wanted to be. Didn't he understand that by making her into something she didn't want to be he could have pushed Elena over the edge? Elena could have killed herself very easily that day, that's the reality he didn't want to accept. That he could have forced her to make the decision of life and death. That's why our love was different, because everyone wanted eternity with their love, I understood the reality of it being taken away from you in an instant. That's why every second of us together meant everything, because our love was forever, even if we didn't have eternity.

Knowing this I made a decision yesterday while Damon and Tyler were making their escape out of town. When Matt called me I was in town at the jeweler's and I was picking out something I planned to give to Elena when we found her. It was an Emerald five carat silver engagement ring very similar to her mothers. I knew she would appreciated the fact that I had remembered her describing it to me. My plan was to get Elena back on her feet and help her grief for Jeremy and perhaps have her move in here at the boarding house where she wouldn't have to reminded of what happened that night in her house. Then after her graduation I planned to take her to her families lake house, cover the deck of the lake with her favorite flowers and propose to her right there by the water.

All I had to do now was bring her back to me.

Elena Mikaelson

It was just after seven in the morning when we arrived in Las Vegas. I wasn't sure when exactly I had fallen asleep but before I knew it Caroline was giving me a little shake awake, greeting me with a warm smile before she leaned over me to awaken a sleeping April beside me. I looked over Caroline to find Klaus had changed his clothes and was taking our luggage out of the overhead compartment, his eyes met briefly and he went back to unpacking as a playful smirk graced his lips. We walked off the plane together with Klaus holding April's hand in the front with Caroline and I following behind them. It was actually pretty quick getting through the airport and getting our luggage which was a relief considering we were on a tight schedule for the day. Klaus arranged for transportation for us to the hotel, Caroline and I gave the driver strict instructions on handling the garment bags containing our dresses while April was a little pre-occupied with Klaus, she was desperate to capture more moments of us together. And the truth was a small shiver of jealous coursed through me when I saw Klaus leaning his back against the limo with his arms around April's hips, her body firmly against his as he used his own phone to snap a picture of them, he wasn't smiling of course, just that over confident look that screamed everything about who he was, but it bothered me that it was indeed his phone he was using to capture their time together. He'd never asked Caroline or I for a single picture the entire time we were on vacation. Klaus opened the car door for us, his hand tried to capture mine as I entered but I quickly withdrew it, opting to sit with Caroline on the side seat across from the limo mini bar and as far from him as I could get.

The drive was pleasant, the mini bar was full of alcohol but also lots of soft drinks and sweet and savory snacks which the three of us enjoyed as Klaus's attention remained fixed upon his phone. Occasionally April would playfully nudge him in the ribs and he would immediately turn his head to kiss her. It strangely didn't bother me when they did this, however seeing them take a photograph together had caused something to stir within me. I couldn't make sense of it and it bothered me more than I probably should have let it. The strip was alive and bustling with all kinds of people as we made our way further in, I took Caroline's hand in mine when we saw the fountains for the first time, we turned to each other and smiled so hard we might just cry right then and there. We had come so far from those two girls who sat down to cola, popcorn and Father of the Bride that night. It was hard to believe that was two weeks ago. We had become two very different people and I was so proud of us. In that small moment the reality of being a polygamist didn't hold any weight, we had grown up together, fought for our right to live as vampires and now we were to become Mikaelsons together.

When we entered the hotel I was immediately overwhelmed by the interior design, of the sheer beauty of the marble pillars, the flower arrangements, the statues, the gold trim railings, and the bursting with life use of the colour red. Klaus entered in behind us and this time took my hand in his before I could make any effort to stop him, but just as quickly as he took my hand, he wrapped his arm around Caroline and whispered something in her ear that resulted in her kissing him as we walked together towards check in.

"Alright let's stop here." April said stopping us all in our tracks.

"I'll check you in first sweetheart." Klaus insisted.

"No." April replied as we shifted into a somewhat circle her eyes fixed on Klaus "We said we're going to do this right. So…let's do it right."

Klaus stared back at her for a moment, smirking at her and not so much as blinking until he had her in a fit of giggles and gushing over him. Klaus released my hand and his arm around Caroline, he retrieved his wallet and withdrew a black card handing it to me surprisingly.

"All the rooms are reserved under your real names."

"Our real names?"

"Do you mean…Young?"April whispered to him making him smile.

Klaus turned first to Caroline after returning his wallet to it's place, he pulled her to him by her hips making her smile before he slowly leaned in and kissed her. I watched alongside April as she then whispered something to him making him nod in response and kiss her once more before turning to face me then. I tucked my hair behind my ear and looked over at April who looked away from us, I met Klaus's eyes finding he was completely unfazed by their presence.

"So you've got stuff to do right?" I asked him.

Instead of answering me Klaus leaned in and kissed my cheek, a quick peck with nothing more behind it. I was filled with relief but some unexpected sadness. Relief that he was doing as we agreed and not making it clear to either of them that something had developed between us and sadness knowing that I wouldn't be seeing him for the rest of the day, not until his wedding with Caroline and then ours and finally April's before we were on a quick flight out of here again. I watched as his attention shifted to April who quickly chuckled before wrapping her arms around his shoulders hugging him before giving him a single kiss. I watched as he mouthed to her "Will you be okay?" and the happiness she took from it as she gave him a nod of reassurance. Again it threw me that this intimate moment between them hadn't caused any jealous to form within me. But the truth was I was relieved that it didn't. I didn't want to start the day off this way just because I was physically wrecked and in some serious need of some food and a sleep.

Klaus gave a subtle nod to Caroline before he turned to head back in the direction we had came but not before his hand brushed against mine causing our knuckles to softly touch for a plighting moment.

Ok…let's do this. This is you.

I smiled to the others before we made our way towards the check in desk, where the receptionist smiled at us as we approached and gave us a bright and happy welcome to the hotel. I held my head high and my shoulders back as I smiled back at her.

"Checking in. Elena Mikaelson." I announced for the first time ever.

We all equally surprised to find Klaus had reserved hotel suites for each of us, none of us more surprised than April who was strangely speechless for the first time. We were each provided with our own room cards and I was the one who requested an additional set of keycards for each room for Klaus before Caroline could. She was pleased that I had asked and not just pushed it under the rug for her to take care of later on. No I was being mature about this moving forward, I would push myself and every day it would become a little easier, I just had to open my mind and fully embrace what came next in our lives. We made our way to the elevators and each agreed we all still needed a rest before we headed to the spa so we were going to sleep until twelve and then have lunch together in my room before having our meeting and heading to the spa. I was the first to get out of the elevator, I blew them a kiss before I yawned heavily and made my way alone down the hall towards my room. My luggage was already waiting for me inside, with my dress bag on it's own luggage carrier alone along with my round shoe box containing my wedding shoes. I wasn't exactly sure how much cash Klaus had handed over to get all of our luggage on that flight but it was a lot. My suite was truly remarkable, as soon as you stepped inside you could a full wall view of the entire strip of Vegas. Everything smelt so clean and fresh and for it was all ours for the night. I found I just couldn't stop smiling as I took it all in. The beautiful flower arrangements of red roses in almost every room, the chilled champagne waiting in the bedroom and the bride and groom robes in the bathroom.

I didn't have the energy to unpack my things and saw no purpose given we were here for one night only. Instead I braved the phone call and the idea of spending Klaus's money and I called down to the front desk to have my dress steamed while I was at the spa and returned to my room. Afterwards I collected a blanket from the bedroom and brought it with me out into the sitting room, I kicked off my shoes and ate a few grapes from the fruit bowl provided on the coffee table before me. I turned on the TV for a little bit of background noise before finally lying down on the couch with a pillow tucked under my head and the blanket up around my shoulders. I was happy to be here but my mind and body were ultimately fried from the last few hours and I needed this rest now. This was the first time since leaving Mystic Falls that I didn't dream of anything at all, instead I would wake up for a few seconds and feel myself in the embrace of my now warm blanket and the tenderness of the pillow and knew exactly where I was. I hadn't experienced that type of comfort for a long time and I was very grateful to experience it on today on all days. What I did forget to do was set an alarm to wake me up before the girls arrived for lunch, but thankfully I woke up naturally just after eleven with a newfound energy.

I had just enough time to change my clothes for the spa, pin my hair up in a clasp and tidy up the sitting room by the time they arrived. Both of them had also changed their clothes and had their hair tucked up out of the way for our upcoming spa appointments. We sat down together by the television and began to read through the room service options for food. Caroline ordered the grilled chicken, with fries, coleslaw and salad, while I took my time ordering instead of searching for a special offer I took the time needed to decide what I actually wanted. I chose the smoked brisket, with mac and cheese, coleslaw, baked beans and creamy mashed potatoes. And April choose a double cheese burger, with extra bacon, large fries, salad with an extra order of hot and spicy chicken wings.

We ate our meal before we began the meeting, we didn't want to talk about our to-do list until we got the truly important things done first – like eating. Caroline led the meeting she had been the one carrying around her notebook the entire trip and she had kept everyone right, she was the one taking on the awkward responsibility of telling Klaus which days belonged to who. We had everything mapped out for our return by the time we had finished, Caroline had reminded April she had a half painted kitchen to finish, we also mapped out dates for when we would be going food shopping together for our own homes, dry cleaning we knew would need done when we got back, what we wanted done with our dresses in regard to storage in the future, a to do list for Klaus for each house including arranging a new air conditioner for April's house and perhaps a new dishwasher for my house as the one I had currently I didn't like at all, as for Caroline she needed him to arrange a paint job for her car since she was opting to keep the station wagon. The car was already under her new name and the license plates had been replaced, there was nothing tying it to Mystic Falls anymore but she wanted it in a different shade of maroon as the current one was a bit dated.

We got ready and headed down to the spa finding the hotel must busier than when we first initially arrived. Occasionally my mind when drift back to Klaus and I would myself thinking about what he might be doing and if he was thinking about us too.

When we arrived at the hotel we were in awe of the five star treatment we were awarded from the second we stepped inside. The entire spa was beautiful, with white leather seating in every room, gold trim around each painting, water fountains everywhere, dimmed lighting to help relax the clients eyes, relaxing music playing through the speakers and all the employees happy to greet us. We were each given a list of treatments offered and the package deals available to us. Again I was about to opt for the special they had going on that particular day but instead I took a minute and reminded myself not to sink into bad previous habits and not to repeat Elena Gilbert's behavior.

I instead chose the treatments I deserved. A deep scalp massage, a hot stone treatment massage, a leg wax, bikini wax, under arm wax, manicure, pedicure, my make up done and finally my hair. Caroline went for the same waxing options as I did. She opted for the deep tissue treatment, the body scrub, facial, manicure, pedicure, make up and her hair. April took the longest deciding, she didn't want a massage, she instead asked for the facial, a tan, manicure, the bald eagle bikini wax, hair and make up.

It was wonderful to have a day to relax and be pampered, it didn't make us feel above ourselves but rather like three brides on the day of their wedding. We were glad the people working there managed to schedule all of us in for our hair appointments together at the end of our day there. April had a temporary soft brown hair colour put through her hair for the night, she had dyed her hair a little darker than she would have liked back in Utah and she didn't want it in her wedding pictures. We lied to the staff and told them we were all getting married at different venues that night to guys we met in college and since we were best friends we wanted to share the night. It just made things easier, despite the reality of Las Vegas being more open minded on the subject of polygamy.

We left the spa with our hair and made our way back upstairs to our rooms. When I arrived back in my room everything was different. In my sitting room my dress had been returned freshly steamed and wrapped in tissue so it didn't wrinkle. At the dining room table my bouquet had arrived along with Klaus's boutonniere, each in their own individual clear contained with white satin ribbons wrapped around them. For some reason I couldn't explain I just couldn't stop smiling as I made my way towards my luggage to collect my first bridesmaid dress of the night. I decided to shower and remove any remaining traces of my spa treatments from my skin and get myself properly prepared to attend the wedding. After all I was about to attend my best friend's wedding, they were making a commitment I knew they would both keep. Therefore I was determined to leave any remaining tracings of the past behind me when I left this hotel room tonight.

I showered the past I could whilst keeping my freshly applied make up free of the cascading water. After I finished towel drying I began to work on my hair sleeking it up into a nice up do look, elegant and just as Caroline had asked from me given the neckline of my dress. We'd all chosen different dress cuts to our bridesmaids dresses tonight as not all our bodies were the same shape or structure. Caroline had selected two remarkable dresses for April and I, she had taken into account both our sizes when selecting the best fit for us and a colour that was also very classic. It was a stunning deep red, both our necklines were off the shoulder but whilst mine was slightly more plunged, April's had a double stitched satin bridge across her neckline which would suit her better considering she was leaving her hair done and curled for Caroline's wedding.

After I finished getting changed into my gown I slipped my feet into the matching pump heels Caroline had selected for us. For jewellery we went simple, earrings and nothing more. I applied perfume to my neck and wrists before collecting my clutch bag and my bridesmaid bouquet. My wedding would be next and so I had already placed hung up my dress in the bedroom next to my bridesmaids dress for April's wedding. Our plan allowed us two hours between each wedding to get ourselves to and from the venues and get dressed without any rushing. We didn't want to rush tonight, it was a spiritual occasion for all of us and we wanted to treat it with the dignity and respect it deserved. That's why I made sure to stick with our schedule time for taking care of the bride, I headed out of my room and towards Caroline's suite with ten minutes to spare. I knew she appreciated the little things like time keeping and if that was important to her then it was important to me, we were now and forever sister wives and the reality of that partnership was almost enough to make me want to cry with the comfort it brought me.

When I arrived at the suite I was surprised to find April opening the door for me instead of Caroline. April was freshly showered and dressed for the night ahead, she looked absolutely stunning. She'd listened to Caroline's notes, her make up like mine remained light with a soft pink tone to the lip and a gentle brown on the eyelids. I stepped inside and April locked the door behind me before we both gave each other a small kiss on the cheek and headed inside to take care of Caroline. She was in the bathroom, finishing her make up when she saw me enter the room, she turned in her seat and her eyes welled with tears before she stood up and wrapped her arms around me. She looked so beautiful and so happy, like someone had switched on a light beneath her skin, almost as if I were seeing her for the first time.

What unfolded over the next hour as April and I assisted Caroline in changing into her dress was truly mature and graceful. We assisted her with her corset, with Caroline standing in nothing more than her underwear and white stockings as April and I laced her corset of her new lingerie. The woman at the wedding boutique detailed how a corset beneath Caroline's dress would improve her posture, and the dress lining on top. Caroline selected a princess wedding gown featuring a stunning straight across neckline adorned with a beautiful white lace trim on the bodice. With a breathtaking full-length veil decorated with delicate white lace trim. Her hair was elegantly styled at the spa, pulled up behind her head with a side bang hanging gracefully in front. There had been a knock at the front door surprising each of us. I had told April I would answer it and instructed her to remain with Caroline and help her pin her veil on. As it turns out the person at the door was a member of the hotel staff, there had a large bouquet of flowers with them for Caroline, it was a beautiful selection of hot pink tulips, white roses and dark purple lilies. The member of staff informed me that our transportation had arrived and our driver was ready for us downstairs.

I brought the flowers to a surprised Caroline who eagerly read the note that came with it, tucking the note into one of the bathroom cabinets out of sight before standing to her feet with the assistance of April and I. We assisted her with the last minute details including lipstick checks, mints and perfume before we headed out the door together. The people we passed in the hallway were all smiles seeing Caroline in her dress and those we passed by in the lobby wished her well as we helped her with her dress and flowers. Waiting for us out front was a stunning white Rolls Royce, Klaus had taken his part in the arrangements very seriously indeed. And now we were on our way to meet him, Caroline and Klaus were going to married in a church, they wanted to go down the classic route and when Klaus had came across this church in his search he had sent the details to Caroline. The priest was waiting for us outside when we arrived, he welcomed us and thanked us for our generous donation to resort the church hall. It wasn't until he told Caroline that her Groom was already inside that my heart swelled.

I wasn't consumed with jealously, instead I was very happy to be there and seeing Caroline as the beautiful bride that she was. It was actually me who stopped us from going in at first, instead I had taken both their hands and formed a small circle with them before bringing my forehead against theirs and we took a moment to just be there together alone.

"It's hard to believe we were in that forest only two weeks ago." April whispered as we remained in place.

"I'm going to be honest, worst time I know, but I didn't know I'd even make it through the night when we left for Utah." I said then.

"That's because you didn't believe we had you. But you know it now." Caroline replied.

"You do believe that everything will be okay don't you?" April asked me then.

"I didn't. Not for a long time. But now. I really do believe we're gonna be okay."

"But the real work is in Utah." Caroline reminded us.

I squeezed both their hands and leaned away from them then, tears threatening in my eyes making them respond the same.

"My family. My sister wives." I said then for the first time.

We took a minute together before heading into the church, the doors inside were closed so we didn't see Klaus. The priest had people to open them for us when the signal was given we were ready to begin. Since I was second wife April believed it was only appropriate that I lead first followed then by her and then when the time came Caroline. We waited for Caroline to gather herself before we both got into position by the doors. I checked my dress once more and adjusted my hair before inspecting my bouquet finding everything as it should be. The doors were finally open and a soft music began to play through the speakers as I took my first look inside. There were white rose petals down the church aisle with the priest standing at the end and Klaus with his back to us. The lights above had been dimmed it was all as Caroline described it to us, her instructions had all been checked off, it truly was the perfect wedding.

My heart was beating harshly in my chest with nerves as I walked slowly down the aisle, this was my first time as a bridesmaid and I couldn't screw it up. When we were half way down the aisle only then did Klaus turn around, his hair was sleeked back with gel just as it had been the night of the ball back home, he was wearing a black tux with a white….

Caroline's asked him to look like he did the first night they danced together for the first time.

Klaus locked eyes with me and immediately I had to fight back a smile threatening to burst, especially when his eyes drifted down to my dress. I found myself on the verge of biting my lower lip then when Klaus's eyes found mine and he mouthed "Beautiful" to me. I took my place on the steps and looked back quick enough to see April walking down the aisle, the light was hitting her perfectly and just like me her attention was fixed on Klaus who was smiling back at her.

My theory that Klaus and Caroline were re-inventing that night at the Mikaelson ball was proven when Caroline's entrance music began to play then.

Caroline Mikaelson

"Give me love like her. Cause lately, I've been waking up alone. Paint splattered teardrops on my shirt. Told you I'd let them go"

The song we both agreed to make ours played as the doors to the church opened. I immediately looked down to Klaus who was already staring right back at me. I smiled back hearing the music play and memories of our dance filled my mind as I moved forward.

"Give a little time to me or burn this out. We'll play hide-and-seek to turn this around. All I want is the taste that your lips allow. My-my, my-my-y, oh, give me love. My-my, my-my-y, oh, give me love. My-my, my-my-y, oh, give me love. My-my, my-my-y, oh, give me love. My-my, my-my-y, give me love"

I kept my eyes fixed on his the entire way down the aisle and it was like we were the only people there. I thought I'd make a mistake, stumble or trip over my dress only I didn't. I did everything right because everything that was happening here tonight was always supposed to happen. Our idea of love might not have been the same as everyone else's but we were happy and that's what mattered most to us, actually it was the only thing that mattered especially in this moment. When I arrived at the aisle I send a smile to a smiling Elena and April who looked just perfect. Klaus helped me take the step up and I turned and handed my flowers to Elena who had her hand out ready to receive them. Klaus took both my hands in his and send me a playful wink as the priest began to speak.

We didn't want our ceremony to contain any songs, we wanted nothing more than to perform our vows just like we had done in a someway that night in the forest.

Before we knew it we were presented with the ultimate question.

"Klaus Mikaelson, do you take Caroline Forbes to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, for richer and poorer, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Klaus vowed keeping his eyes on mine and gently caressing my hands as my eyes threatened tears.

"And do you, Caroline Forbes take Klaus Mikaelson as your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer and poorer, for as long as you both shall live?"

I pressed my lips together firmly before replying "I do."

Klaus had picked out a beautiful ring for me and when I saw it, I was on the verge of tearing up in front of him. Klaus looked to me and over my shoulder to the girls when I presented him with his wedding ring that we had picked out for him together. It was a titanium ring, with our shared surname engraved on the inside.

"Then with the power vested in me, I do here pronounce you husband and wife." The priest announced beside us "You may kiss your bride."

Like Klaus Mikaelson needed anyone's permission his lips were against mine before the priest could even finish his sentence causing Elena and April to laugh as he completely surprised the poor man. I brought my arms up around Klaus's shoulders as he kissed me, his hands wrapped around my back as he brought me to him. And with my veil slightly covering both of us, Klaus locked eyes with me as his lips left mine and he smiled back at me before mouthing 'I love you'

And in that brief moment, I was filled with a love I didn't think my heart was even strong enough to withstand.

But I knew I loved him.

I loved him so much.

And I loved our family together.

And I would forever be with them.

When we were finally alone in the back of the church I took off my veil while I watched Klaus head over to Elena, she surprised me by offering him a hug and congratulating him. He kissed her cheek and I was saddened that on today of all days they didn't try a little harder with one another. But while Elena assisted me with my hair he went over to April instructing her "Come here." Before he embraced her, kissing her not once but twice before telling her how beautiful she looked in her dress.

My wedding was over.

It was time for Elena's ceremony.

Elena Mikaelson

April and Caroline managed everything beautifully for me when we returned to my suite together after assisting Caroline with her dress. It was such a relief to sit back and let them handle everything, from styling my hair to assisting me with my gown. I felt incredibly cared for and cherished, with each of them complimenting the way I looked and choice of dress. Today was not just about the wedding day, but about preparing for the future and the life ahead. I knew Klaus was out there at a different hotel changing into a new suit for our ceremony and that our ceremony would be completely different from the one he had shared with Caroline for our marriage was our own. Looking in the mirror, I felt a sense of beauty and empowerment over my future. I selected a dress that elegantly accentuated my figure for the new version of myself. The dress was a stunning mermaid silhouette in crisp white, featuring a straight across neckline and intricate lace detailing. A delicate satin ribbon adorned my stomach, adding a touch of elegance. My hair was pinned back but left loose in the back to keep it out of the way. I aimed for a classic and elegant look to complement the powerful statement of the dress. For my makeup, I opted for a dark grey smokey eye paired with winged eyeliner and lash extensions. On my lips, I went for a subtle nude lip topped with a classic clear gloss.

Just like he had with Caroline Klaus sent flowers to my suite too. Only my flowers were different, he gave me bright red roses all perfectly in bloom. They were wrapped in a beautiful arrangement of white tissue paper and there was a card waiting for me tucked within the gentle petals. I had quickly taken the card before April took the flowers from me so we could begin getting me into my dress.

I'm going to kiss my wife tonight.

My heart skipped a beat reading it because I understood it's meaning. Klaus wanted us to share more than a peck at the altar and he was letting me know that he was ready for it if I was. And the thought quickly consumed me as we finished getting me ready for the ceremony. Thankfully I had time to myself while Caroline and April got into their bridesmaids dresses. I had chosen beautiful dresses for them, both of their own design but both in a beautiful shade of soft pink.

It was a kiss for after we shared our vows I knew Caroline and April would merely assume it was a heat of the moment thing and maybe even created for their benefit and not ours. Either way a small part of me wanted to kiss Klaus more than anything and I didn't want to feel ashamed of that, especially as I made my way to my own ceremony. For my transport from the hotel Klaus had chosen to get me a horse and carriage, complete with white horses with braided manes and my own Cinderella carriage. When we arrived outside the hotel there were already people taking pictures of it, thankfully the hotel security took it upon themselves to use their coats to shield us from being captured on camera. We all assumed Klaus had ensured we wouldn't be photographed, given that the security didn't speak to us they merely did their job like robots, almost as if they were compelled.

I had been the one to choose where the ceremony would be, there was a beautiful venue a mere ten minutes from our hotel. It was a beautiful chapel, smaller in size but it had hosted not only many weddings but many renewing vow ceremonies, I had sent April an article on a couple who were married in that chapel when they were twenty and who came back at sixty to celebrate their anniversary together. It just spoke of great promise and hope and that's what I wanted for us going forward.

Caroline and April took such great care of me as we entered the church together. I had to appear more nervous than I actually felt but I chose not to go over the top with anything as it felt wrong to deceive them. But it felt like all too quickly they were heading down the aisle in their beautiful dresses and I was all alone. I didn't have anyone opening doors for me, all I had to do was walk beneath the archway leading to the aisle so I was thankfully alone for my tiny melt down as I tried to contain myself. I didn't know if it was nerves or actual physical excitement that kept me from remaining still.

But suddenly the flute music Caroline and April had walked down the aisle to had stopped and there was silence for what felt like a second. Then a piano began to play through the speakers and suddenly I was reminded of the night Klaus and I were on the dance floor together, our first date in a sense I suppose. The song playing now was a piano version of Celine Dion – Where Does my Heart Beat Now. It was the song that played as Klaus and I shared our first kiss. He had remembered…

Suddenly everything else was fuzzy, Mystic Falls was the furthest from my mind. I was at the top of the aisle and my attention was fixed upon Klaus who stood proudly with his hands behind his back, in his tailored black tux with his hair freshly styled. It was as if Caroline's ceremony hadn't even happened, it was suddenly just him and I together with our family and I could put my trust in him to take care of me going forward. I kept my eyes fixed on his knowing I could trust him now, he would guide me through this, I had to step into the new version of myself but give him the reins for a little while, until I was strong enough to stand on my own.

The church was beautiful decorated with my colour scheme of soft pinks and plenty of roses by candlelight.

Caroline accepted my flowers as I handed them to her and Klaus reached out his hands to take mine, putting on a show for the girls and I did the right thing and accepted them after a brief pause.

We made the same vows to one another, the only difference with our vows was we had soft music playing in the background as we said them. Klaus's eyes never left mine for a second. It didn't matter that he'd said the same vows earlier that night. I knew he meant every word he promised me. Nothing could describe the way I felt when Klaus slipped my ring onto my finger. When our eyes met he mouthed to me "Don't cry" and I found I just couldn't stop myself, a single tear escaped but nothing to mess my make up and cause questions. And when the time came for Klaus to kiss his bride, he did.

Klaus moved towards me, his hand tucked beneath my chin as he arched my head up to meet his lips. I could hear the music concluding our ceremony but Klaus held me right where he wanted me to be. And when I dared to return his kiss, I almost felt him smiling for a moment. His hand remained around mine as we made our way to the back of the church, where I had just long before to whisper 'hi' to him before we were joined by Caroline and April.

It was then April finally revealed her venue for the night.

April Mikaelson

Klaus and I had both searched and searched for a place for our wedding. We could have chosen any of the five star places if we wanted but nothing really felt like us as a couple. So ultimately Klaus and I decided to keep our choice a secret until the very last second. Klaus joined us on our limo ride back to the hotel, he was given Caroline's suite to use while we headed five floors up to my room to get me ready for my ceremony. When we were back at the bridal shop I found my dress quicker than I expected and at first, it didn't seem like my style but after I tried it on it was mine. I tried on one dress that day – and it was mine.

I had chosen a beautiful illusion neckline with a dropped waist that had extensive beating work and crystals throughout the dress including the neckline. I decided to have Caroline curl my hair and for Elena to pin it up for me so that I could lace my veil clips into the curls and it could flow effortlessly from the back of my head. As for the girls they were so thrilled about their choice for dresses, my choice didn't require corsets or fittings, nothing but comfort all the way. I even insisted that each of them merely wear their hair down and straight.

Klaus and I had decided to get married on the roof of our hotel, I didn't want a church wedding and Klaus wanted anything but Elvis marrying us which was more than responsible. I didn't even want him in a tux, I told him I'd be happy if he wore a comfortable suit and maybe if he felt like it his tie could match my flowers.

I had told Klaus in confidence that I wanted to go home to Utah, that the vacation had been great but a vacation sort of life wasn't what we signed up for. And so had actually scheduled our flight out of here sooner than we had told Caroline and Elena. We were heading to the airport in less than an hour from now. Klaus had reassured me following his ceremony with Elena that we could spend the night but I promised him I had everything in hand for getting ready for my ceremony and we'd be leaving the hotel with plenty of time to spare. So instead of sending me flowers, I asked Klaus back at the church to give me something he knew I would love. So when there was a knock at my room door twenty minutes after we got back, I was thrilled that Klaus had sent me Red Bull on ice and gel pads for my shoes. The girls were annoyed with me but…I left my hotel room barefoot. I didn't care that my feet would be cold, I wanted to get married barefoot in Vegas.

We had a hotel staff member guide us to the roof where Klaus stood beneath the floral arch I had chosen for us. Caroline and Elena both gave me a kiss on my cheek before they made their way down the aisle. I watched as Klaus smiled at Caroline and then paused briefly when I thought for a second he winked at Elena.

Crazy. No chance. You're in your bare feet….get moving!

I told Klaus I didn't want music at the ceremony, I wanted to hear the wind as I walked down the aisle and I did. I could hear the water fountains below us and the sound of Vegas and I was so content I could barely do anything but smile cheek to cheek. Klaus took my hands in his and told me I looked beautiful before the priest began our ceremony. Klaus remained tight lip as I crossed my eyes at him during the ceremony, determined to bring out that side of him he secretly loved.

Klaus wrapped his arms around my back as he kissed me, picking me up from the ground making me chuckle against his lips as we sealed our commitment to one another at long last.

I got married barefoot and as a proud virgin.

And I'd never ever been happier.

Klaus Mikaelson

"Sweetheart let me do this." I said as April attempted to help me load her luggage into the trunk of the car.

Our limo had engine trouble and so we had no choice but to take a taxi to the airport that night. April was dead on her feet and Elena and Caroline were already asleep in the backseat following the events of the day. My plan was to reveal my new project in mind tomorrow night after our return, I imagined the girls would be asleep for the rest of the day. Today was Elena's day and if she didn't know it yet she was going to quickly discover I would be sharing her bed, if she chose to keep that from Caroline or April that was fine. But the reality was we weren't going to forget tonight or the events leading up to it. We were moving forward and our sleeping arrangements needing changing.

I took off my coat and wrapped it around April before I shut the taxi trunk behind me. April slid into the backseat with the girls and I opened the passenger seat ready to give the driver a large tip to get us to the airport as quickly as possible. A taxi pulled in ahead of us then catching my attention and causing me to look towards it as I slid down into the passenger seat. I watched in horror as I witnessed Tyler getting out from the backseat followed by Damon Salvatore at his back. I turned away from them and looked into the backseat of our taxi finding all three of them asleep, Caroline's head against the window and Elena's head against April's shoulder.

I kept my head down as I looked back around to them both, and watched as they collected their luggage and headed toward the sister hotel next to the one where we had stayed. I immediately instructed the driver to go.

The girls can never know.