Hey everyone! I've got some exciting updates and I need your input to make them even better!

I'm thinking about adding some visuals to my work and I want to know what you think. Would you love to see photographs included in the chapters? Your feedback means the world to me!

Also, I'm considering creating trailer previews for upcoming chapters and sharing them on my YouTube channel. How cool would that be? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Drop your opinions below or send me a message. Your voice matters!

Can't wait to read your responses and make this journey even more amazing together!

Darkest Temptations

Chapter Forty Three: Relationships and Redemption

Caroline Mikaelson

Klaus had arranged transportation for us from the airport to the resort in a stunning grey limo that was fully air-conditioned for our arrival. Our driver was very tentative when it came to our bags and comfort; each chair inside was equipped with its own massage and temperature functions, and the limo had its own mini bar, different ice selections, snacks such as sliced-up fruits, hard candies, maraschino cherries, and trail mix. Bonnie was a little quiet in the limo, and I was worried she hadn't gotten any sleep on the flight. I remember stirring a few times on the plane over April's snoring, wondering to myself how Klaus managed to stand it at times. While the four of us had sat on one side, Vickie had been seated beside Klaus on the smaller seat. He'd kept his arm around the back of her chair but hadn't sat so close to her that it would suggest anything. I didn't believe they felt very comfortable around one another, but that Klaus was trying to be a gentleman by showing affection however he could. It was still very early for the two of them, while Elena, April and I had been with Klaus for almost a year I had to remind myself it was only a month for Vickie and mere days for Bonnie. Besides, with it being our honeymoon, I'd rather he wasn't so fixated on them anyway. I didn't mind being selfish on vacation, especially when I'd been gone for almost a month and been without his touch.

What had happened on the plane with Klaus and me hadn't been planned; I thought we would have a little makeout session in the bathroom and nothing more. But the more we got into it, the more I wanted to take it further, and I was glad we did; there was something so sexy about having sex in the middle of an airplane bathroom that made me want to do it all over again. There wasn't a doubt in my mind, however, that it was wrong of us; even if Vickie and I hadn't had the best start, I wouldn't want anything happening between her and Klaus on my days, and yet I'd held no compassion for her, and I'd slept with Klaus. It was probably the quickest sex we'd ever had, which was surprising to me considering he'd not had any in a month. You'd think with the speed that he had come into that condom, he'd had sex mere hours ago, not weeks ago. But I knew that couldn't be the case; that would mean he'd slept with Vickie last night or this morning, and that just wasn't the case at all. The two of them could hardly look at each other at the best of times, I'd had my concerns that I hadn't seen the signs when it came to Klaus and Elena but thinking about it now I doubted it was going to be the same case between him and Vickie.

Hawaii was like a dream; we arrived in the afternoon just in time for check-in, we were told. The second we pulled onto the grounds, we were attended upon while the driver came instructed to the many bellmen coming our way with their trolleys and eager expressions. They were very well dressed and looked professional. I liked them a lot; they reminded me of the staff at the Vegas, always eager to please, always smiling. Klaus had held his hand out for each of us to help us out of the limo since I was last out I managed to steal a kiss before Klaus slid on his sunglasses.

"This place is amazing," April said excitedly as she took in our surroundings.

The limo had come to a stop in front of the main doors, the sun shone down on us but it didn't feel too hot, it felt lovely and warm.

Klaus had been right when he said he knew how to plan a honeymoon because he'd done an outstanding job, but then again I wouldn't expect anything but the best from him anyway.

"I have a phone call to make; why don't you all check in?" Klaus asked as we somewhat circled together by the limo.

I turned to look at him and raised my brows. "You're not staying?" I asked.

"I have something I need to take care of, but I won't be long," Klaus told me before he turned his attention to the others. "Get two keys for each of your rooms."

"Wait a second, how long are we here for?" Bonnie asked.

"Ten days, then we'll be in Vegas for the one night."

Ten days? I thought with wide eyes. Ten days in paradise.

"I'll be back soon." Klaus said before kissing my lips quickly and turning to walk off.

I watched after him for a moment before turning to find Elena and Bonnie were watching him leave while April and Vickie were looking around at the hotel grounds.

"So, I know this is probably not the time or place, but I think we need to say it now," I paused, looking between Vickie and Bonnie. "While we're here, well, we only did it once, but we bought our wedding gowns before we went to Vegas. So at some point, I mean if you're doing your own ceremony, obviously—

"We don't have to do that then?" Bonnie asked, crossing her arms.

"Bonnie, no, of course you don't; no one does. It's just something we found worked better for us." Elena explained her voice, gentle and kind.

"I mean the spiritual ceremony in the forest was what bound us, but," April paused to smile. "We didn't marry Klaus until that night in Vegas, and I don't know about you guys, but it was like I was part of the family we were slowly making since we got to Utah, but that night, wearing my own dress and saying those vows, that's the night I got married." April shrugged.

"So what, we just pick out dresses, and he takes turns marrying us in some little drive-through?" Vickie asked as she adjusted her handbag strap.

"Actually, no, nothing at all like that." I replied.

"Klaus bought our gowns for us, and then he paid for us to have our own ceremonies and places we looked up online, so on the day we arrived in Vegas, we were being pampered at the spa, while Klaus," Elena continued, "Klaus went around each venue and double-checked everything. None of us got married at the same place; we were actually—"

"We were bridesmaids for each other." April cut in.

"Bridesmaids?" Vickie repeated with a slight underline of mockery to her tone.

"Yes, we were all bridesmaids for one another; we wore a different color every time," I said. "Klaus wore a different suit, and we all had an amazing night."

"But you guys don't have to do that if you don't want to." April added.

Bonnie nodded. "It's just, it's all so much to take in."

"We're still here for you no matter what you choose to do."

"Thank you," Vickie said. "And for the record, I might not do that at all."

"Yeah, me neither." Bonnie quickly followed.

I nodded. "Okay, well, uh, okay, I guess we're gonna check in."

Vickie stepped forward. "Actually, I'm going to go take a look around." She said before walking off without another word.

"Vickie?" April called before she began to head on after her.

What just happened? We barely arrive at the hotel, and already splitting up, we hadn't even checked in yet.

"She's probably tired from the flight," Elena said as she rubbed my arm.

"Right, yeah." I muttered, watching after her and April as they walked away.

"So uh, I think we should go check in." Bonnie suggested as she pointed her thumb towards the door.

I nodded, "Right, yeah, let's do that."

It took us a good twenty minutes to check in and get our bags into the elevator, but once we were, the quiet wrapped around me hard. Suddenly the silence of the elevator was consumed by everything we weren't saying to each other. We were all on different floors; Klaus hadn't purchased rooms; he'd gotten each of us our own suite. He always took such care of us. I'd never been so worried about my friendships and my future as I was on that elevator ride. I mean, over the last few days, I'd gotten married again; one of my best friends had just married my husband, and now I was in freaking Hawaii, and above all of that, I'd gone against my own values, and I'd slept with Klaus on Vickie's day. What was happening with me? I mean, I had barely even blinked, and suddenly everything about me felt altered. I couldn't let this continue. I understood I couldn't run everything that was happening in each of our lives, but I could at the very least make the effort to change the path we were on right now for the better.

When the elevator doors opened to Bonnie's floor, I reached out and held her arm to stop her from stepping out.

"Everything okay?" Elena asked before a confused Bonnie could.

I took a deep inhale before smiling at both of them. "This is going to sound like I'm telling you what to do, but whatever," I shook my head. "We've got an hour; both of you go grab a shower, change into something comfortable, and then come up to my room." I looked between both of them. "I'm going to order us something to eat, and we're going to talk."

"About what?"

"Whatever we want."

"Caroline I think maybe—"

"No," I said softly to Bonnie "We have to do this now, even after such a long flight. I think we need this."

"Sure, okay." Bonnie agreed.

I turned to Elena, who nodded her agreement before Bonnie got off the elevator. Elena was just two floors up from her, while I was a good few higher than them. I didn't know where Vickie and April were in the hotel; we hadn't seen them since they took off together. I think maybe Vickie just needed a little air, but April, being April, couldn't see anyone going off on their own on the first day of their honeymoon. I hadn't even made it to my floor yet before I'd sent a text off to both of them telling them my room number and to meet us in an hour that we all needed to sit down with one another and talk.

My suite was amazing; from the second I tipped the bellboy and was left alone, I was in total bliss. Everything was marble and gold, the bed was huge, the balcony was massive, and the view was beautiful. I had a mini fridge filled with all the food I could eat, there was a small bar, the bathroom was bigger then my bedroom back home and the hot tub was huge. I took a quick shower and raided my suitcase for the only pair of comfortable PJs I'd brought with me on the trip; the rest of them were all nylon and lace and probably wouldn't survive the trip. Klaus liked ripping anything that kept him away from kissing my skin. I brushed out my hair. I'd used the hotel's rose and coconut shampoo and conditioner provided, which was amazing; my hair hadn't felt this soft in a long time; it was like butter. I clipped it up out of the way before I washed off all my makeup from the plane; thankfully, the skin care treatments I'd given myself before the flight had paid off, and my skin felt very plumped and hydrated.

I ordered room service, nothing fancy; I went simple and pure comfort food all of the way. Five burgers and fries, side orders of coldslaw, mac and cheese, potato skins and chicken wings with a big ass ice bucket filled with sodas. This wasn't going to be a bonding experience, this was going to be a discussion but I was going to make sure we did it the right way and right now I knew we were all hungry and that I could solve right away. I pulled back the curtains in the sitting room, turned on a few table lamps, but kept the ceiling lights off fully before I set one or two of the wall lights on a very low dim. I didn't have to do much else, the room was clean the cushions were all neatly placed and the vibe felt very zen.

I slipped my feet into the slippers provided by the hotel before I answered the door, finding to my surprise that Vickie was the first to arrive. She'd been to her room, she'd changed out of her clothes from the plane, and she was now wearing the complete opposite to before. Now dressed in a pair of white linen trousers that still made her legs look amazing, and for a top she was wearing a simple white cami and nothing more.

"Hi," I greeted her casually enough; Vickie didn't care for anything but the truth, and a wide-eyed smile would get us nowhere. "Come on in." I stepped aside for her and she nodded in greeting as she entered.

"Where are the others?" Vickie asked as she looked around the suite.

"They're on their way I guess, so is some food."

"You're hungry?"

"No, I ordered something for all of us, just burgers and fries."

Vickie shrugged. "Yeah, I could go for a burger."

I sat down onto the couch while she sat in the middle one; there were three of them with the fattest cushions you'd ever seen in your life. Vickie looked around at the room, no doubt noting all the little things I'd done to make it more cozy, which she might not have cared for. But at the same time she might have; I think she slept on the flight, but she was quiet now; she actually looked a little tired too now that I could look her way without being noticed.

"First class must not have been an experience for you." Vickie said when she finally did look my way once more.

I half smiled. "No, Klaus did that before with us." I replied.

"So a freaking honeymoon before a wedding, how does that even work?"

"Would you believe it if I told you that was Klaus's idea?"

"Like," Vickie paused to shrug. "Originally?"

I nodded. "He told us he wanted it, that making it through the honeymoon was the easy part; all the comforts that were offered would make life for a few days really sweet, but…" I paused to smile. "By the end he wanted it to count for something more than a vacation, so when we did it, I don't know, it was like us saying, by doing the ceremony, it symbolizes our decision to stay, to be, I don't know, our own people moving forward."

"He doesn't seem the romantic type to me." Vickie confessed.

Despite everything Klaus had done when he first arrived in Mystic Falls, when he and I began talking, he had been nothing but romantic. He wasn't flirty with me back then; he spoke to me like I was on his level, even though I hadn't seen the world the way he had. He saw Caroline; he didn't see the OCD cheerleader. Klaus was romantic to his core, and the fact that Vickie didn't believe that spoke volumes about what they were like with one another when we weren't around them. Was it so wrong for me to be worried about my husband's relationship? I could almost roll my eyes at the thought, but what was so wrong about me worrying for them? I mean, come tomorrow, I could be back to feeling jealous about her dressing so cute in front of him and that I had to see him checking her out. But in that moment I just couldn't help but feel genuine concern for them as a couple.

"And how does he seem to you?" I asked, curious about her opinion on Klaus.

Vickie shrugged. "I don't know, like a control freak."

That actually made me laugh; she was right: he was a control freak, but that wasn't because he was a polygamist now; that was because he was Klaus.

"So, this whole thing with you guys, what's the deal?" She asked.

"What do you mean?" I replied.

"I mean, you weren't together for a month and—"

"Yeah, he and I have got a lot to talk about. We both screwed up a bit, but I think we'll both be owning responsibility on that one."

Vickie stared at me. "You're closed tighter than you were before, do you know that?"

"What is my personality like?"

Vickie shrugged. "I don't know. It's like you went to the mountains and came back with this new level of acceptance."

"And that's a bad thing?"

Vickie smiled "No, I just want to know what happened to you?"

I smiled holding her gaze for a moment before I told her "I needed to change my mindset, or I would have destroyed my marriage."

Vickie held my gaze. I'd never seen her look so vulnerable. I'd always thought of her as the tough one, the one who couldn't be hurt, but right there and then I realized something about her: Vickie Mikaelson wasn't someone who was tough. She was someone who felt too much, who loved too deep, and that scared her. So she hid behind her bitchy comments and her attitude because she believed it kept her safe. And when someone was finally honest with her, when someone finally dropped their own wall and let her see past the smile, she finally relaxed and in that allowed the person she was with to see Vickie and not her barriers.

"You get that he's in love with you, right?" Vickie asked "And I'm not talking, favourite wife bull shit, I'm talking, like real fucked up will go through anything for each other love."

I nodded; no other response was needed.

"Doesn't that make it harder seeing him with all of them?"

I smiled. "Vickie, why don't you include yourself? Why is it them and not us?"

Vickie shrugged. "I don't know; it's weird for me."

"Vickie," I said gently before I leaned forward a little, "Just because you're not comfortable with this doesn't mean you're not part of the family. I mean, come on, do you really think we'd all be here if we didn't think this insane setup could work?"

Vickie smirked for a moment before looking over at me. "You never asked him, did you?"

"Asked him what?"

"If this is what he wanted? You never asked him if he wanted me here," Vickie paused. "Tell me the truth."

"...Ok, I didn't, but—"

"I know he doesn't want me here, and it's not just the truth." Vickie stopped and got up from the couch and began shaking her head. "It's just tragic."

I opened my mouth to speak, but words failed me. Vickie turned her back to me, and I got up from the couch as she headed for the door.

"Wait, where are you going?" I asked.

She didn't respond; she didn't shout out of the room either. It was almost as if both the vampire and human sides of her were so burnt out that she couldn't bring herself to manage it. She didn't slam the door either; she just closed it behind her and was just gone.

"Shit," I whispered as I ran a hand through my hair. "What did I do?"

Klaus Mikaelson

I stepped off the elevator onto Caroline's floor, eager to see her before heading to my suite with Vickie. My plan was to bring clothes to each of the suites, sticking to the schedule. Our honeymoon hadn't altered it; nothing had. The schedule remained unyielding. I had not shown it the respect it deserved since the beginning, despite the girls repeatedly asking me to. Though I made the major decisions when necessary, the schedule was firmly under their control. I hadn't seen them in a month, and managing my impulses was something I had never had to confront until now. I found it increasingly difficult to keep my hands to myself, even when it came to April. Her enchanting blue eyes were enough to make me lose my mind every time I looked her way. As I lifted my head from my phone briefly, I spotted Vickie approaching. It puzzled me why she was on Caroline's floor; she had already changed her clothes. What happened to that skimpy piece of clothing she called a top?

"What's going on?" I asked in a low voice as she drew nearer, but she kept her brisk pace. I reached out, grabbing her arm and inquiring firmly, "What's your problem?" Despite my grip, she effortlessly slipped free and stepped into the elevator just in time, the doors closing right behind her.

What was going on now? I moved forward, determined to get answers from Caroline, only to stop myself.

"Fuck," I whispered to myself.

I found myself in a dilemma, unable to approach her on the very first day of her journey with inquiries about Vickie's actions. This situation was not something Caroline had bargained for; as the first wife, her role should be clear, but where exactly would my wife finally draw the line? Perhaps it was necessary for me to establish those boundaries for her by choosing not to add to her burdens. She had already left her childhood home, not once, but again, and now she had to accept two new sister wives in just a matter of days. And what role had I played in alleviating her burdens? Absolutely none. She had shouldered everything with nothing but the strength of her own heart and determination. Caroline bore no responsibility for the happenings of the past couple of days, standing innocent in contrast to Elena, Bonnie, and me, who were on the brink of stirring up unnecessary trouble. Maybe this honeymoon was a mistake for us, perhaps a premature test that exposed our vulnerabilities by bringing us here. In any marriage, secrets and lies might eventually surface, but I was juggling five marriages and had no clue how to resolve any of the issues within them. So, I retreated, leaving her floor entirely and making my way downstairs to the lobby, towards the nearest bar I could locate.

I found myself in the dimly lit lobby, my fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished surface of the bar. It was a moment when the temptation of a bourbon was hard to ignore, yet I settled for a glass of water with a slice of lime instead. The sharp citrus flavor seemed to cut through the fog of thoughts swirling in my brain. As I surveyed the room, seeking a moment of solitude, I found a secluded booth away from prying eyes and curious ears. The tranquility was a welcome relief, allowing me to remove my suit jacket and feel somewhat more relaxed. With the familiar weight of my phone in my grasp, I dialed a number I knew by heart. On the other end was a trustworthy contact located near Utah, someone who could handle tasks requiring a high level of discretion. Our conversation was brief but precise. I needed the station wagon to be picked up from Caroline's address. My instructions were unambiguous: the vehicle and the accompanying trailer had to disappear, dismantled and destroyed beyond any chance of recognition. It was crucial that these remnants were cleared from Utah before meeting their final demise. My contact assured me it would be taken care of, promising to notify me once the task was completed. I insisted on immediate action, expecting a confirmation call within hours that the job was done.

After ending the call, my attention shifted to research on the internet. My goal was to trace the academic journey Caroline had embarked on before everything was altered by our time leap. She had previously secured a spot at a college, an opportunity now lost to her. Grasping the magnitude of this loss on her was a challenge, but I was bent on rectifying it. I dialed the college's number, navigating through a labyrinth of voices until I reached someone in a position to make decisions. The ensuing dialogue was a meticulous dance of negotiation, each word chosen with care to convey urgency and sincerity. I presented my case, highlighting my eagerness to make a significant contribution to their institution's future, provided they could accommodate Caroline next month. The exchange extended over nearly an hour and a half of negotiation, testing my determination. It was an unforeseen hurdle, far from what I had imagined for the first day of my honeymoon. Yet, it was essential, a step towards rectifying the injustices she had faced. Ultimately, my persistence paid off. After transferring a substantial amount to their finance department, an agreement was reached. Caroline would be accepted as a student next month, and a package detailing her acceptance would soon be sent to her.

Upon hanging up the call with Caroline's college, I swiftly went through my phone to search for other local colleges in the Sandy area. My objective was clear: find a suitable night course in hairdressing for April. I understood how much she valued the hands-on experience of working, and I was confident she'd land a new job once we were back in Utah. Yet, I also wanted her to have the chance to study and expand her skills. It was important to me that she had options, a blend of work and education. Luckily, I located another college, thankfully situated at a considerable distance from Caroline's. This meant there was minimal risk of the two paths crossing, and I wouldn't have to face the same finance department, awkwardly explaining the need for another placement. The conversation with the new colleague went smoothly. A quick donation smoothed out any potential hiccups, and soon, April had secured a spot in their hairdressing course. I felt a sense of relief wash over me, knowing that part of the plan was in place. Despite the relief, the day had drained me. Four glasses of water hadn't quenched my exhaustion from the flight, yet there was no time to rest. Too much was at stake to allow fatigue to take over.

My next task involved reaching out to my tech contact, the reliable one who had facilitated new IDs for all of us. This contact was also the person who routinely checked on Elizabeth Forbes and Jeremy Gilbert. I dialed the number, and as soon as the line connected, I instructed him to send updates on both individuals to the addresses I provided—Caroline's house and Elena's house. This way, when they returned home, Caroline would receive news about her mother, and Elena would learn about Jeremy. My contact assured me there wasn't much to report—they were both doing well, with no signs of trouble. Just as I was about to conclude the call, a new thought struck me. Despite the inherent risks, I decided to take a chance and asked my contact to keep an eye on Matt Donovan, similar to how he monitored Elizabeth and Jeremy. I needed updates on Matt's activities, including his school performance, work situation, and home life, along with photographs each month. I provided Vickie's address, ensuring the updates would reach her by the end of the following week. This decision stemmed from my conversations with Caroline, through which I learned that Matt was all Vickie had left. Although Vickie often tested my patience, she deserved to know how her brother was managing back in Mystic Falls. With these arrangements set in motion, I leaned back, reflecting on the complexity of keeping everyone informed and safe. The weight of responsibility was immense, yet it was a burden I willingly shouldered. The intricate web of connections and commitments was both a challenge and a testament to the ties that bound us all. Each action, each decision, was another step in ensuring that those I cared about were protected and informed, even from afar.

But I wasn't done yet, not even close. Thankfully, none of the girls had left me any messages; perhaps the jet lag had hit them hard, and they were going to be asleep for the next few hours, allowing me the time I needed to get the mess I made tidied up. Not just tidied up but completely restored and even better than before.

I picked up the phone and called several landscaping companies based in Sandy. It wasn't just about finding the most affordable option; I wanted the best. Each conversation revealed a little more about their services, yet my focus remained steadfast: measurements and quotes for fresh sod on five properties. It was a task I had set for myself, a personal challenge, and I needed it to be executed with precision. The company I finally chose seemed promising. They understood my need for quality and assured me that the sod would be delivered in ten days. That was crucial. It would coincide perfectly with our return from Vegas, allowing me to start the work immediately. I had committed to handling this on my own, a testament to the promise I had made when we decided to settle in Utah. I was determined to be more than just a hybrid of my former self and take on the responsibilities that came with this new chapter in our lives. Laying the sod on all the properties, both front and back, was a part of that commitment.

I finished my drinks and made a quick stop at the much-needed restroom before heading out to the lobby and over to the reception area. Upon reaching the reception, I requested a spare key to Elena's suite. It was a straightforward process since my name was on the room information alongside hers. The receptionist handed me the key with a polite smile, and I made my way to the suite. I didn't intend to stay long. As soon as I entered, I called out for her, but there was no answer. I found her handbag lying by the door. It was the same one she had carried from the airport, and it stood out like a beacon. Inside the bag, her purse was easily visible. I unzipped it and retrieved my card, slipping it back into my wallet. I knew Elena would feel more at ease knowing I had the card. It was a small gesture, but it meant a lot to her. She wouldn't want anyone else to know that I had given her access to it; Bonnie knowing had troubled Elena enough without adding the others into the mix.

I'd solved almost every lingering problem that had been weighing on my mind these last few days; now there would be good news and new beginnings when we returned to Sandy for almost everyone. With the exception of Bonnie, who had more to deal with than all of my wives combined at this precise moment.

But the problem was this: I didn't know how to help her or even if I wanted to.

Caroline Mikaelson

The burger settled on my lap, its aroma mingling with the salt-kissed air, as I placed it back onto the plate. It was one of those perfect summer afternoons. April, Elena, and Bonnie had just arrived, and the food showed up almost immediately, as if the universe knew we were in need of sustenance to fuel our conversations. I had told them Vickie had other plans, so it was just us, and I was grateful for the opportunity to reconnect. We needed this, a moment of normalcy amidst the chaos of our lives.

April was the first to break the silence, setting her burger down on her plate with a satisfied sigh. "I can't believe our food arrived so quickly. It's like the universe knew we were starving," she laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Bonnie chuckled, nodding in agreement. "It's been so hectic since the move to Utah. I barely have a minute to think, let alone feel anything." Her words hung in the air, a testament to the whirlwind of change she'd been navigating.

Elena leaned back in her chair, a contemplative look on her face. "Maybe the honeymoon wasn't the greatest timing in the world," she mused, glancing around at us. "But after the last month, we all really needed a break." Her voice carried a mixture of reflection and a hint of relief, as if she was finally allowing herself to unwind after a series of intense days.

Bonnie turned her gaze to Elena and me, curiosity etched on her features. "How do you two deal with all the luxury Klaus showers on you? First-class seats, ten days in Hawaii... Are you truly comfortable with the wealth that comes with being in his life?" Her question lingered in the air like a gentle inquiry into a lifestyle so different from what we once knew.

"I don't really think about it," I admitted, trying to put into words the complexity of emotions tied to such opulence. "I just see vacations as a time he can spend more money on us to show his affection when he can't always be around in Utah because of work." My words were honest, yet they barely scratched the surface of the internal dialogue that often played out in my mind.

April chimed in, her voice light and teasing. "I never really think about the money until I realize I've forgotten to pay a bill," she said, prompting a round of laughter from all of us. Her humor broke the tension, and for a moment, we were just friends sharing a moment of camaraderie.

Bonnie's attention shifted to Elena, her gaze thoughtful. "What about you, Elena? How does it feel to have money, to have cards that can open all kinds of doors?" The question was loaded, seeking to understand how Elena was navigating this new reality.

Elena met Bonnie's gaze, her expression briefly reflecting a hint of unease. After a pause, she finally responded, her voice steady and sincere. "I don't really dwell on it either," she said simply, her words carrying a depth that spoke volumes. It was as though she had learned to accept the complexities of her situation without letting them overshadow her identity.

"Bonnie," I said softly, drawing her attention back to me, "Are you okay? I mean, I don't want to pry, but…" I paused to shrug, "I just want you to know it's okay not to be okay." My words were an invitation for her to open up, to let us in on what was truly on her mind.

"About which part?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and vulnerability.

I smiled, hoping the others would chime in, but they didn't. "With any of it, all of it, if that's how you feel," I told her. "I know how it feels to leave behind everything. I did it months ago, and it still lingers in quiet moments." My confession was both a reassurance and a reminder that she wasn't alone in her struggles.

Bonnie nodded, acknowledging the truth of my words. "Yeah, it's been a little difficult," she admitted. Her honesty was a small step toward healing, a moment of shared understanding.

Beside me, April leaned forward in her seat, placing her plate down on the large glass coffee table in the center of all of our sofas, her eyes on Bonnie, waiting patiently for her to continue. Her presence was a silent encouragement, a reminder that Bonnie had a support system around her.

"But I already knew it would be difficult. I signed up for it the way you all did," Bonnie continued, her voice slightly strained yet determined.

"We're not all the same, though," Elena broke her silence then. "We all have different ways of coping, of figuring out our place." Her words were a gentle acknowledgment of our individual journeys, our unique paths to finding equilibrium.

"I know I've seen it," Bonnie said rather bluntly. "Look, I get it; it's just a lot." Her honesty was refreshing, though it carried a weight that was palpable.

April tilted her head, and I felt her glance at me from the corner of her eye. What had Bonnie meant by that? Was she in a bad mood tonight because she was kind of being snappy with Elena?

"Well, I didn't cope well in my first week," I admitted, keeping my eyes fixed on her, determined to show her that it was okay to be open with us about how she was feeling. "It was a whole lot to take in, and I thought about going back to Mystic Falls."

"Yeah, sure."

"No, I did. I mean it," I insisted, my voice carrying the weight of truth.

"I thought about leaving on my first night," Elena shared with her. "I was struggling; I was missing you, I was missing Stefan, and I did consider just packing a bag and getting on a plane."

"But you stayed," Bonnie whispered, almost in awe of Elena's resolve.

"Yeah, I did. We all did, but not without a lot of hard work," Elena admitted, her voice tinged with the memories of the challenges we had overcome.

"That's true. Besides, Klaus didn't do much better than us," April explained. "He really kept his distance that first week, almost as if he were waiting for one of us to just take off."

"So he could drag you back?" Bonnie teased, but innocently enough for my liking.

"He's not like that," April said. "But you don't know that yet; you don't believe it, which is fine," she nodded, even mustering a smile, "But don't talk about him like that because he's still our husband.

Okay, where did that come from? Do not tell me I just heard that come out from little pity April, who wouldn't say boo to a goose. I mean, what the hell was that? I turned to her, and she smiled; she smiled at Bonnie as if she hadn't just spoken up in such an aggressive tone.

"I'm allowed my own opinion, April," Bonnie responded, "Besides, this is the first time we're actually talking. I'm not about to get all friendly and start making Klaus sound like some hero."

"He's not a hero," I said, cutting in and getting to my feet. "He's a man, and he's not perfect."

"And he's far from the villain you keep trying to make him out to be," April held Bonnie's gaze. "Just keep in mind that that guy you're putting down in front of us is the same guy who has kept a roof over our heads, food in our fridge, and clothes on our backs," April continued stronger than ever. "And he did it all for one reason and one reason only: because he knew how miserable we were back in Mystic Falls."

"Yeah, I'm sure that wasn't the only reason," Bonnie bit back.

"Look," I stopped her. "We are not going to argue about this. I know you don't know him well yet, but we are not here to defend Klaus. We are here because we love you and we want you to be okay. So if you need to vent, then do so, but please just hear us and not just yourself." I snapped.

Silence filled the air, and for a moment, it felt like Bonnie was just going to get up and leave. But she didn't.

"Sorry," she mumbled instead, and I nodded.

"It's okay."

"I just really can't believe you guys went through with this, like actually got married, became sister wives, and you left me behind."

"It wasn't an easy decision, Bonnie; we told you that already," Elena sighed. "We talked about it a lot. We thought you were safe back there. Until we found out what Damon and Tyler did that night, then we just had to get you out."

"So we gave you the choice," I said before I took my seat beside April once more. "We didn't drag you kicking and screaming," I reminded her.

"Yeah, I know I was there," she sighed, "but I feel like I haven't had a chance to catch my breath, and already there's so much going on."

"Like what?" April asked.

Bonnie glanced at Elena, who looked down immediately, almost as if she were worried she'd catch her glance. Had they had an argument on the plane or something? There was definitely something going on there that was starting to worry me.

Bonnie shifted her attention back to me. "I didn't think he would be living with me so quickly," she continued. "I thought it would be like a few months down the line thing; he might stay in a guest room for a night or two."

"He wouldn't just show up in your bedroom, Bonnie; we explained this. He wouldn't ever dream of making any girl uncomfortable."

"Yeah, right."

"Yeah, right, because I know him. I do know him, Bonnie. Enough for me to give up everything I had because I believed he was the better choice for me, and he is, so when I tell you that about him, please take it as freaking gospel. Klaus would never force intimacy."

"Ever," April added. "Because he loves us too much to hurt us like that."

Bonnie sighed. "Okay, well, you guys might know him better than I do, but I think he's manipulative and he's controlling, and—"

"So what?" I asked before I could stop myself.

Bonnie scoffed. "So what?" she mocked me. "Since when is that not enough?"

"Bonnie, the guy spent his entire human life having no control, no say in the beatings he would get from his father or what he had to witness his father doing to his siblings. He didn't have a say when there was no food, and he had to go hungry, and he didn't have a say when his own parents turned him into a vampire. I held her gaze, my eyes wide and threatening tears of anger. "So if he's a little controlling, maybe stop and remember that before you judge him. The control he needs, the attitude he does not," I said firmly.

She was silent then.

"We understand that it's a lot," April chimed in again. "It's a big adjustment for all of us, but it's also a chance to start over, and if you want to make the most of this, then you can; you just have to learn to let go and let yourself have fun."

"Have fun?" Bonnie stopped and ran her hands through her hair. "I left everyone behind without a word, I cleaned my entire bedroom with bleach just to remove my DNA, and now I'm in Hawaii and—"

"Bonnie, Klaus could have us back on a plane to Utah tonight if you needed it." Elena said.

She just continued to shake her head. "It's not the vacation; it's the speed. I feel like my body is almost vibrating with the speed everyone is going at," she said, and I saw tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "It's been a year for you guys, but for me, it's been a few days, and before this, Stefan was the love of your life, Elena," she paused to look at Elena for a moment before her eyes shifted to me. "And I feel like it was only days ago you were telling me your plans to stay at Tyler's on the weekend," she looked between us, "And now I'm seeing you with Klaus, kissing him like it's a daily habit, and the way he looks at you all, like you're not a pain in his side anymore but rather what he's determined to keep you close," she took a deep inhale. "I feel like my head is about to explode, and it doesn't help that none of you have asked how I'm doing until right now, days later," she ultimately confessed. Her voice carried the weight of emotions held back for too long, and finally, they were finding their way to the surface.

Silence settled over us as we let Bonnie's words sink in. It was a lot to digest, yet it was clear that she had been keeping her feelings bottled up for far too long.

"It will get easier," I said, casting a reassuring glance at Bonnie. "I promise."

"I hope so," she replied with a sigh. I noticed her hand trembling slightly before she mustered a smile. "I just don't know how you guys manage to handle all of this."

"Handle what exactly?" Elena asked, curiosity evident in her voice as she leaned in slightly.

Bonnie shrugged, trying to find the right words. "I mean, it's obvious Vickie isn't out doing something else. You mentioned tonight was supposed to be her time with Klaus." Bonnie's gaze dropped to the coffee table between us, where our phones lay, silent and unyielding. "And he hasn't sent a single message to any of you," she continued with a heavy exhale. "If I were in your shoes, I'd be losing my mind, wondering what those two might be doing behind closed doors."

"You need to trust him, Bonnie," I gently reminded her, hoping my words would offer some comfort.

"I can't trust him," she said, shaking her head with conviction.

I'd said what was on my mind, but now doubt began to creep in. Had Vickie deceived me earlier when she stormed out? Was it all a ploy to avoid talking to us, to ensure she had time alone with Klaus? My thoughts spiraled as I tried to make sense of it all. April remained silent, offering no insights or opinions on the matter. However, I couldn't help but notice the unease etched on Elena's face, especially when her eyes involuntarily flickered down to her phone.

"Well trust comes with time." April said before another awkward silence could follow.

Bonnie sank into the couch looking between us "Is this the part where you offer me advice on being a sister wife?"

"Not at all," April laughed. "If there was any, I'd have it pinned to my fridge."

I smiled. "Yeah, there's no right or wrong way to do to this, but I could probably write you a manual on what not to do."

"Like what?"

I decided to be brutally honest: "Never compare yourself to another," I held her gaze, but felt Elena's eyes on me as I did. "It just weakens you."

"And never doubt a decision you make for your relationship," Elena said quickly after, and I looked her way this time as her eyes remained on Bonnie. "You've got to know what works for you guys; it's not always about what works for everyone else."

In that moment, as Elena and I exchanged a mutual glance, I recognized a similar resolve mirrored in her eyes. There was an undeniable power in our candidness, and through our shared understanding, it became evident that we were both dedicated to supporting Bonnie as she embarked on her own path. Simultaneously, I silently vowed to carry Elena's insights with me, as her perspective reaffirmed my own beliefs. If she felt this way, then our thoughts were aligned, and I found myself motivated to be slightly ahead in this endeavor, especially concerning my own marriage.

Now that we were back in Klaus's life, I had no doubt in my mind that Elena was slowly making plans on what she wanted her life with him to be like.

But what she didn't expect was that I was doing the same, and for once since we moved to Utah, I wasn't going to spend all my time worrying about what she would think as I built my marriage with him. This wasn't a competition; we both knew that. It was our new lives, but at the same time, there was nothing wrong with making our intentions known, even if it was going to cause some discomfort.

"So your schedule thing still continues even when you're all here?" Bonnie asked.

"Yeah, but like we said, Klaus is more affectionate with us more even on days that aren't ours." April told her.

"So," Bonnie topped to cross her arms, "Vickie might be sleeping with him tonight, but she won't be allowed tomorrow?"

I cleared my throat calmly. "Well, not allowed isn't a term I'd use," I attempted a laugh, which April shared. "But no, he would never do that; he likes standards to be set from the start," I tucked my hair behind my ear, "so they're firmly in place."

"Yeah, I mean that would just wouldn't be right," April said, shaking her head. "It would be like giving the finger to the rest of us."

"I wouldn't do something like that." I lied.

"Definitely not." Elena agreed.

Bonnie brought one of the pillows beside her against her chest and sighed heavily, "This is going to take a lot of time; I can't even begin to imagine what is ahead now."

"What did you think? We would all be at each other's throats with jealousy?" I teased

"Honestly? Yeah." She replied without hesitation.

April laughed. "No, we're all secure in our relationships, right?" She looked between Elena and me, who nodded.

"Right." We chorused.

"We just have to remember this isn't just about us; it's also about Klaus," April reminded her. "So if we're happy, then he's happy, so everyone wins."

Elena smiled. "She's right, Bonnie. It's not like our life mission is to serve him; it's about looking out for each other."

Looking out or watching out? I couldn't tell by the look in her eye, but it was clear Elena was not only trying to reassure Bonnie but maybe pass along a message too. Was this supposed to mean something to April and me? Didn't she like Klaus being affectionate with us during the honeymoon? I had no plans at all to serve Klaus; he wasn't in charge of me, and he never would be. I also was not going to be sleeping with him on anyone else's days ever again. But at the same time, I was planning to give him an epic honeymoon, something he could replay in his mind when he was sharing the bed of another wife. Because I wanted him to think of me as much and as badly as I thought of him, sitting in a room with all of them had me wanting him more than ever. But somewhere right now he might be off with Vickie.

If I had to embrace jealousy, then I had to embrace it, but that didn't mean I had to lay down under the feet of the others to do it. I wasn't about to worry about my marriage; I'd worried about it enough. I wanted to enjoy it, to enjoy his company and our sex life. And I was going to make sure everyone knew it.

"No, you don't need to worry, Bonnie," I said and glanced briefly at Elena before looking back at her. "There's nothing to worry about; it's just family," I looked over and smiled at Elena. "And nothing's going to destroy us."

Match point.

You guys have been blowing up in the comment section and in my DMs thank you so much for your support. This chapter was so dramatic, less heat I know but it was more about redemption and ice breaking this time.