Darkest Temptations
Chapter Thirty Five: Collective Grief Part II
Caroline Mikaelson
Our vacation in Montana was winding down, yet an unexpected sense of tranquility enveloped the kitchen that morning. The early Montana sun filtered through the lace curtains, casting delicate shadows on the countertops where my mom and I stood side by side, our hands busy with the rhythm of chopping, slicing, and stirring. It was a kind of dance we had fallen into over the week, each of us anticipating the other's next move with a grace that seemed almost choreographed. The smell of fresh herbs and the tang of citrus filled the air, mingling with the sounds of birds chirping outside and the bubbling of a pot on the stove. This was our sanctuary, a space we had carved out amid the chaos and transformation that had marked my life in recent years.
The decision to visit my mom in Maine had been spontaneous, driven by an impulse I didn't fully understand at the time. We needed a vacation. I had hoped that the sprawling landscapes of Montana might offer a reprieve, a chance to breathe deeply and think clearly. More than that, I had hoped to reconnect with my mom in a way that had eluded us for so long. Our relationship had always been a delicate balance, a tightrope walk between love and misunderstanding. The transformation into a vampire had tilted that balance, threatening to plunge us into an abyss of estrangement.
Yet here we were, side by side in the kitchen, our hands moving in concert as we prepared the meal that would mark the end of this chapter. It was a simple yet profound act, the culmination of days spent rediscovering the threads that had once bound us together. We had ventured out into the vastness of Montana's landscapes, hiked through pine-scented trails, and stood in silent awe beneath the expanse of a star-studded sky. Each moment had been a step toward rebuilding, patching up the cracks that had formed between us with the mortar of shared experiences.
The transformation had been gradual, almost imperceptible at first. It started with small gestures—a shared laugh over a joke, a knowing smile during a moment of silence. We began to find a rhythm, an understanding that transcended words. The truth of my condition, my vampiric nature, was a constant undercurrent, yet it no longer felt like the insurmountable barrier it once was.
As we moved through the kitchen, each task brought with it a new opportunity for connection. My mom's hands, deft and experienced, guided mine as we kneaded dough for the bread that would accompany our meal. Her touch was gentle, reassuring, and in that moment, I felt a profound gratitude for the patience she had shown me—not just over these past few days, but throughout my entire life. It was a patience borne of love, of a deep understanding that transcended the boundaries of human experience.
We worked in companionable silence, the only sounds the clinking of utensils and the soft hum of the oven. As the morning wore on, the kitchen became a haven of warmth and light, a cocoon that sheltered us from the world outside. I found myself thinking about the journey that lay ahead, the return to Maine and the life I had left behind. It was a prospect that filled me with a curious mixture of apprehension and hope. The time spent with my mom had rekindled a sense of belonging, a feeling I had thought lost forever. It was a fragile thing, this newfound connection, yet it was one I was determined to nurture, to carry with me as a beacon in the darkness.
The sun climbed higher in the sky, its golden rays painting the kitchen in hues of amber and gold. My mom paused in her work, turning to me with a smile that spoke volumes. It was a smile of acceptance, of understanding, and in it, I saw the reflection of my own heart. In that moment, I realized that the journey had not been solely about reconciling with my mom but also about reconciling with myself. The vampire I had become was not a curse but a part of who I was—a part that could coexist with the love and connection I craved.
Time slipped away as we continued our preparations, each minute bringing us closer to the culmination of our efforts. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of spices and roasting vegetables, a symphony of scents that heralded the feast to come. It was a celebration, not just of the meal itself, but of the bond we had forged over the course of the week. The act of creating something together, of pouring our hearts into every dish, was a testament to the strength of our relationship—a strength that had been tested and tempered by the trials we had faced.
As I stood on the opposite side of the kitchen island, both of us were deeply engrossed in preparing vegetables for the soup that would serve as tonight's appetizer. She and I each had our own designated chopping boards, our knives rhythmically moving up and down, punctuating the silence with a soft, steady beat. The delicate crunch of celery under her knife seemed a comforting sound, a part of our shared culinary symphony. Lately, I had noticed that her expressions were transforming, her lips curving upwards into a smile more frequently, as though rediscovering the joy in life's simplest tasks. It was a subtle shift, but one that filled me with a quiet hope.
Her movements were fluid and unhurried, suggesting a certain peace that had previously eluded her. This change in demeanor was not lost on me, and it emboldened me to broach a topic that had lingered unspoken between us.
I found myself in a moment of reflection, grappling with the curiosity that had lingered in my mind ever since I played a role in her unexpected departure from Mystic Falls. The decision to approach her and seek answers was not made lightly, as the mysteries surrounding her sudden retirement had remained unresolved for far too long. It seemed as though the questions had woven themselves into the very fabric of my thoughts, refusing to be ignored. As I prepared to face her, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions, a blend of uncertainty and determination. This was an opportunity I couldn't let slip away, a chance to delve into the unknown and perhaps uncover the truths that had eluded me for so long. I was driven by an insatiable curiosity, eager to finally understand if I had made the right choice for her that night or not.
"Retirement agrees with you, Mom," I said, focusing intently on the chopping board in front of me. I had a strong urge to glance over at her, to gauge her reaction, but I resisted. I knew her well enough to understand that if she caught even the slightest hint of me keeping something from her, she would not dismiss it. So, I maintained my composure, keeping my focus on the task at hand as the knife moved deliberately through the carrot I was slicing.
She responded with a touch of reflection in her voice, "Yeah, it does actually. I didn't think it would, but I'm really enjoying it." Her words carried a tone of surprise, as if she herself was still adjusting to this unexpected chapter of her life. Retirement had always seemed like a distant, abstract concept, something that hovered on the horizon without much clarity. Now, as it unfolded day by day, she was discovering new facets of herself and the world around her.
"So," I hesitated, "there are no regrets about leaving Mystic Falls?"
I looked up then, to see her smiling as she shook her head. "No, no regrets at all."
"I mean, the plan was always Maine, right?"
"Always, but how I managed to save up so much for that house of mine, that's a mystery even for this retired sheriff."
We both laughed at that; it was true, though. She would have never been able to afford that house; it was one of Klaus's properties, which he put into my mom's name a few months after our move. He said it was better that way, and if she ever wanted to make any changes or build onto it, then it was hers to do.
"You were always good with money, besides as long as you're happy."
"It's more than happy, Caroline." She stops and exhales, "It's brought me this peace that I don't think I've ever had before. I know I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."
I stop what I'm doing, looking at her, listening to the calmness in her voice. It was clear to me that she wasn't just saying what she thought I wanted to hear; she genuinely felt this way. I'd hoped with every fiber of my being that she would find that I'd worried about her being out there alone, but she wasn't; she'd already made friends, and she was supported.
"So you'd never go back to Mystic Falls?" I asked, almost dreading her answer.
"I've given it some thought; I really have. But the more I think about it, the more I come back to the same conclusion that I wouldn't; the life I had there was too busy and stressful," she shook her head. "It's a beautiful place, and it wasn't the supernatural element that destroyed it."
"Then what was?" I asked curiously, stepping closer to her.
"It was the fact that the people didn't, so small-minded, so set in their ways, founding family events, the grill for meals out, and not once challenging all these deaths and seeking animal attacks."
I'd never heard her say that before; we never spoke about Mystic Falls. I'd always believed it was because she missed it, but maybe it was more than that. She'd been sheriff for so long I hadn't even stopped to ask her if she even liked her job; it was just what she'd always done, and that was the way of it. She was right about Mystic Falls; people had always said, "Well, that's the way things have always been done." I was guilty of saying it myself, and that wasn't how life should be lived. I think Klaus had taught all of us that; he'd taught us more than that, shown it to us actually. He had a knowledge for life, a desire, a drive; it was what drew us all to him.
"So," I paused, not sure if I should bring up the other question that had been on my mind since I arrived at her doorstep that night, "Maine is where you want to be?"
"It really is."
"I'm glad, Mom," I told her as I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her neck, pulling her in for a hug, breathing out as I felt her arms wrap around my waist.
I pulled back, looking into her eyes. "You can call me anytime you know, day or night; it doesn't matter," she told me.
"What?"
She smiled. "What's wrong, Caroline?"
There was just something about when a parent asks you that at the worst possible time that, no matter what age or what situation, it didn't matter; there's no stopping the walls from coming down. I felt my chin begin to tremble, and it expanded right up into my jaw and stung my ears as tears spilled out of my eyes.
"Mom," I whispered.
"Oh honey," she said, wrapping her arms around me again.
I held onto her as I cried; I hadn't cried in months, and I hadn't cried in front of her for years, not since my father died.
"It's okay, I'm here," she said, and I sobbed even harder. "It's okay, I'm here."
"I'm so sorry, Mom." I said as I buried my face in her hair.
"Come on, come sit down," she said, leading me from the kitchen and into the sitting room.
I sat down while she collected a few tissues and wiped my eyes despite my shaking head.
"Now talk to me. What's happened?"
I sniffed as I took the tissue she offered me and began to dab at my eyes. "I, I don't even know where to start."
"What about the beginning, honey?"
I smiled at her, but I knew I couldn't tell her the truth; that would be the first place she'd start to question the compulsion. That I couldn't do to her, not on the last day of our vacation in Montana. So I decided then to give her the version that would enable her to help me but at the same time give her an insight as to my life now.
"I haven't been in Mystic Falls since you moved," I confessed, watching as her face showed her confusion. I reached out and took her hand. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
"Well, o-okay," She stopped to give my hand a reassuring squeeze. "So, why haven't you been in town?"
"Don't worry; it's nothing to do with the supernatural," I attempted a smile. "I promise."
"And you're not in any sort of trouble?" She asked.
"No, no, nothing like that."
"And no one is threatening you?"
"Mom, no one is threatening me; I'm fine," I said, feeling a little guilty for worrying her. "It's just," I paused, "I didn't know how to tell you that, that I—"
"Deep breath; your nose is running."
I laughed, wiping my nose with my tissue. "Thanks."
"You know you can tell me anything, right?" She asked.
I looked at her through wet lashes. "You promise?" I sobbed.
"Hey, hey, hey, I love you, Caroline, and nothing will ever change that. You're my daughter, and I'm your mom. We're family, and that is stronger than anything else in this world."
The strongest thing in the world, and I'd left mine in Utah.
I wiped my eyes. "Mom, I left school."
"What do you mean you left?"
"...I'd been trying to get into college early; that's what I wanted to talk to you about that night I came here, but when I got my acceptance letter, you were packing up to move here." I lied to her but at the same time told her some truth as to my current setup.
"You finished your senior year through—"
"It was all set up by the school," I wiped my nose again. "I just buckled down and got it done, even when I wasn't at home, when I claimed I was at the boarding house or at Elena or Bonnie's house."
"You were studying?"
I shrugged. "Mostly in my car. I mean, could you see me going anywhere near a library or study hall? But it was worth it; it really was."
"So, where did you end up going?" She asked, looking excited.
If she ever one day crossed paths with anyone from Mystic Falls, she could tell them, which meant I had to tell her a location that was away from Maine, New York, and Utah. So I went right down to the bottom.
"You're going to love this," I laughed. "I'm actually in Texas."
"What?!" She exclaimed.
"I know, I know," I laughed. "I'm in Trinity," I said, the first college that sprung to mind. "Surprised?"
"Surprised? I'm, I'm—"
"Speechless?" I teased.
"It's just not the school I would have chosen for you."
I nodded. "Yeah, I know, and I know that you wanted me to go to Whitmore, but—"
"Oh, that's not true." She shook her head.
"It isn't?"
She crossed her legs and shook her head once more. "No, I mean I figured with all the vampire issues that you'd want to stay close to town, plus," she shrugged, "I didn't know if you even wanted to fly the nest after your dad died, so I suggested Whitmore so that—"
"I could always come home on the weekends." I smiled.
She reached out and tucked my hair behind my ear. "Oh, sweetie, vampire or not, you were and always will be my baby first," tears pricked her eyes. "And maybe I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Mom," I sighed. "You've always done that. I've never felt like you pushed me out of the nest; I think that's why I wanted to surprise you with my early graduation, but then when you moved and everything got hectic, I just couldn't find the right time."
"So, when did you leave Mystic Falls?"
"Around the same time, I wanted to get down there and get set up."
"And you are set up right? You have a dorm room?"
"Yeah, I'm not living off campus; I stayed in the dorms."
"And wait, what about tuition?"
I smiled brightly. "Full scholarship."
She moved forward in her seat. "Really? But what about—"
"I used some of the money that Dad left for me," I continued my lies. "I used it to help me move, pay for my books, and a few other things I needed."
"So the house—"
"I have that taken care of; Bonnie looks in on it."
"But the bills, the water, and—"
"I took care of all of that; I even set it up so the garden would be taken care of in the summer and the lawn will be mowed for the fall."
"You did all of that?"
I nodded. "I didn't want to worry you; I figured news of Trinity would be enough of a shock."
"And you trust Bonnie?"
It had taken a long time for me to forgive Bonnie for her attitude towards me as a vampire, but Utah had changed me and allowed me the distance of time and space. Out there I had made peace with the past, and so I had forgiven her, and I hoped in time she would forgive me if she ever suspected I'd left town of my own choice.
"I do." I told her not that it mattered; no one was looking in on the house, and my mom was compelled not to contact anyone from town anyway.
"So," she rubbed both my hands, "tell me about college, about your classes. Do you have a roommate?"
I decided to take the opportunity I'd been given with the question and spin it around to help gain her advice on my lifestyle in Utah.
"I do, and she's great, but," I sighed. "Mom, before I left, Tyler and I broke up."
"You did? Why?"
I shrugged. "I just, I just felt it wasn't going to work, and I don't regret it really. Plus there's, uh, someone new."
"Your roommate?"
I laughed, holding her hands in mine. "No, but she and I, we, well, we sort of like the same guy."
"Uh oh."
"Yeah," I agreed. "He's a great guy, and the truth is," I hesitated but decided to continue with my falsehood.
"He sort of told me he liked her before he and I started to like each other."
"So now he likes you?"
"I think he might like both of us equally." I confessed.
"Well, sweetheart, what kind of person is this guy?"
"He's amazing; he's—"
"Amazing?" She asked, smiling at me.
"Yes, he's not like any of the other guys."
"Oh, they never are."
"No, I mean it; he's spontaneous and hysterical. He's got this charm that just melts my heart, and he's down-to-earth." I smiled thinking about Klaus. "He's the type of guy I didn't know existed. I thought for so long that Tyler and Matt were my future guys, that they'd play ball and retire and teach gym at our old school, but now," I sighed peacefully. "I know what it's like to be with someone who isn't just about the future but right here in the center, right here with me."
My mom stared back at me smiling ear to ear; I knew she'd never heard me talk about anyone like that before, and I'd never felt like that about anyone before either.
"What?"
"I'm just happy for you is all. But what about the roommate?"
"I get jealous," I confessed to both her and myself. "I do, and I can't seem to help myself."
"There's nothing wrong with jealousy; if he's treating you right and you're both on the same page, then focus on what you have to and not what could be."
"What do you mean?"
"Stop focusing on what he might be feeling for her, and ask yourself the important questions."
"Which are?"
"Does he treat you right?"
"Completely."
"Does he respect you?"
"I know he does."
My mom smiled. "Does he deserve you?"
"I'm starting to think he might be the only man who does." I admitted.
"And the most important one of all and the only one I need to know too."
"Go ahead," I said.
"Does he make you happy?"
I smiled and met her gaze and nodded.
I embraced her and held onto her tight. I couldn't tell her the truth, not yet; in the years to come, I might tell her what had happened in Utah, but not now. I just wanted to get my own head straight on things first.
Afterwards we chatted for a while; my mom made a shopping list of everything she needed in town to finish our dinner for tonight; we had our rental parked just outside.
As soon as I heard the front door click shut, signaling Mom's departure, I let out a sigh of relief. An afternoon to myself was a rare luxury, and I was ready to savor every minute. I planned to lose myself in the latest novel I'd borrowed from the library.
Barely a minute had passed when I heard a knock at the door. My heart skipped a beat. Had Mom forgotten something? I hurried over, half-expecting to see her familiar face, slightly frazzled, searching for her misplaced keys.
"Did you forget your keys?" I called out as I swung the door open.
Instead of the familiar figure of my mother, there was Vickie, her signature smirk plastered across her face. It was as if she had appeared out of thin air; I blinked, trying to process her sudden appearance. What on earth was she doing here, and how had she managed to track me down?
"You look good, Care Bear," she said, casting a critical eye over my attire. "Very, shall we say, at ease in those, um, rural clothes?" Her tone was teasing, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that belied her casual demeanor.
I crossed my arms, a defensive gesture to shield myself from her probing gaze. "What do you want?" I demanded, trying to infuse my voice with a confidence I didn't quite feel.
"Don't worry," Vickie replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I waited until your mom was gone. Figured I'd spare her the whole truth, let her stick with the version she needs to hear." Her insight was unnerving, and I glanced beyond her, half-expecting someone else to be lurking in the shadows.
"I'm alone," she assured me, her chuckle soft but filled with amusement at my evident unease.
I nodded, though my mind was spinning with questions. "How did you find me?"
"I have my ways," she said cryptically, her lips curling into that unsettling smile. "Mind if I come in?"
"I do, actually. Say what you need to say and then leave," I replied, attempting to keep my voice steady and unwavering.
With a sigh, Vickie took a step back. Her handbag, which hung casually over her shoulder, was no ordinary accessory. It was a Prada, identical to one I had considered buying during my honeymoon. Her appearance was impeccably polished—her hair freshly curled, makeup flawless, and her outfit a study in contrast. Her leggings clung to her like a second skin, and her short gray top accentuated her height. The heels of her boots were so sharply pointed they looked capable of inflicting serious harm.
"How about we sit down?" Vickie suggested, gesturing to the fire pit area in front of the lodge. "We can have a chat out there if it makes you feel more comfortable."
I shook my head. "No."
Her smile was unsettling, almost out of place. "It's okay," she assured, "I'm not here to stir up trouble—"
"Why are you here?" I cut her off, unwilling to let her control the conversation.
"I'm here because I have something for you," she said, her tone light.
"A gift?"
"Depends on how you see it," she replied cryptically.
I regarded her with skepticism. Her presence felt more like an intrusion than a benevolent act.
"Look, I've scheduled a cab to pick me up in an hour. You won't have to worry about me overstaying my welcome," she added, trying to soothe my nerves.
Reluctantly, I agreed, gesturing for her to sit on the far side of the fire pit. She complied, and I took a seat opposite her, my gaze instinctively scanning the area for any signs of danger.
"You'd know if there was anyone else around. We both know that," Vickie said, her voice tinged with a knowing quality.
"Some people are good at hiding," I replied, my voice guarded.
"He's not here," she said, her eyes locking with mine.
Crossing my arms, I pressed her further. "What do you want?"
"First, satisfy a girl's curiosity. Do you know what happened the night you disappeared?"
"I'm not interested in playing games," I replied, my voice edged with frustration. "I know I hurt them, but it wasn't on purpose and—"
"And you've answered my question," Vickie interjected.
"What was that?"
Vickie leaned back, her gaze drifting away from me. "There was no one left to hurt. Your little friends left that night too."
"To find me?" I asked, the realization dawning on me.
"Little April never showed up for work. Her cab ride that morning turned out to be her ticket out of town."
"What?"
She chuckled, clearly relishing the unfolding drama. "Oh yes, she left. Miss Elena followed the same night. And I'm guessing by the timing, she hadn't the slightest clue that you and April were both gone," she explained with a dismissive shrug. "She stormed off after a major argument with you-know-who," she added, a hint of mischief in her voice. "And she never returned."
"You're lying."
"I'm not," Vickie said, shaking her head with feigned innocence. "I saw Elena leave with nothing but a duffle bag and a cab. She was gone."
"They wouldn't leave Utah."
"You did."
"It's not the same."
"Isn't it? I had no idea you had run away until that very night, around the same time someone else," Vickie paused, casting a meaningful glance in my direction, "was also figuring it out. Well, I say figuring it out. More like stunned and furious."
"Where are Elena and April?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice.
"Your guess is as good as mine. I've been keeping to myself this month, not that I have much to complain about, living in my new house with a hot tub and my fiancé's credit cards," she said, her tone dripping with satisfaction.
I watched her closely, noting the slip in her story.
"You've been alone?"
Her smirk threatened to break free from her face, and she merely shrugged. "I've seen him a few times this month, and each time was brief," she said, her smirk returning with a vengeance. "Not that he can't do a lot with a few minutes."
Vickie's smirk threatened to break from the power of her face, and she just merely shrugged. "I've seen him a couple of times this month, and each time has been brief," she began to smirk again. "Not that he can't do a lot with a few minutes."
Did she just imply they had sex? My stomach rolled, and I felt sick. I closed my eyes and tried to push the image out of my mind. No, she had to have been messing with me. Klaus wouldn't do that to us. I felt cold at the reality that there wasn't an 'us' anymore—not just he and I, but our plural marriage, it seemed, had broken apart overnight for reasons still unexplained. But he wouldn't have slept with Vickie, not after everything he'd shared with us, the time we'd all spent together. Even though I had the right to say it out loud, I'd at least admit to myself that I did indeed know Klaus, that I knew... my husband.
"So, you haven't spoken to him?"
"I just told you that, but hey, if you're curious, I can call him—"
"He doesn't know you're even here." I said, certain of its truth. Klaus wasn't the type to send others to handle his affairs. It was unlikely that he was aware Vickie had been searching for me. In fact, the real truth was that there was no way Klaus was oblivious to my whereabouts. He would have known I had left for my mom's place. I'd like to think that he understood I would not return to Mystic Falls.
"I'm here of my own volition," Vickie declared.
"So you're not under his influence just yet?"
"Nope, I prefer being in control, which he knows all too well now."
"Monogamists?" She chuckled, "If I wanted that, I wouldn't be with him."
"Then why are you here?"
What did she mean by that? Did she just admit she liked the idea of having sister wives? Why would she want that?
"Mikaelson," I corrected her gently, trying to keep my voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling within me.
"Whatever," she replied dismissively. "Even that little one could see the truth, that you were in love with him. There was something between you two that neither she nor Elena could ever understand."
"They didn't need to know," I insisted, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach.
"But they did know, and I knew too," she scoffed, her voice carrying a hint of triumph. "And now," she paused, letting the weight of her words hang in the air before continuing, "I can see it clearly."
"Whatever he's told you—" I began, my voice faltering slightly.
"Right, because he's such a big talker," she interrupted with a mocking tone.
I sighed heavily. "Well, you just said—"
"He doesn't need to tell me anything for me to figure things out on my own," she retorted, tucking her hair behind her shoulder with an air of confidence. "A girl can always tell when her man is preoccupied with thoughts of another. Granted, I might not know exactly who it is, but he's distracted enough for me to notice."
"If you expect me to believe that Klaus is a mess—" I started, trying to regain some control over the conversation.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she leaned in, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "You don't have to believe it. You just have to accept that even the strongest can have their moments of weakness, and maybe, just maybe, you're the cause of his distraction."
Vickie huffed then.
"Klaus hasn't been around; the guy can barely go near those houses. He's stayed at my house four times this month only," she met my gaze. "He's been sleeping in my bed with me; I'll bet he wasn't doing that with—"
"Don't be so sure." I stated.
Vickie narrowed her eyes at me. "Anyway—"
My brows furrowed. "Four times? He's slept at your house four times this month?"
"So?"
I smirked, "Nothing." I said.
Vickie didn't realize it, but I had, Klaus, for whatever reason, seemed to be sticking to the schedule I had left behind. That this month he was supposed to be at Vickie's house a total of four times given the doubles and the date in which Elena, April, and I had left. He was still sticking to the schedule? What did that even matter now?
"Anyway, he's been distracted, and I doubt it's the freaking empire he's building that's doing it, considering he's stopped construction."
"Stopped construction?"
Vickie nodded. "Completely. He's been busy, always in suits and always writing something or on the phone, but yeah, he's just a little off his game, so I did some digging of my own." She opened up her bag and pulled out a binder and held it out to me. "Like I said, I think it's a gift if you want it to be."
"This is his; I recognized it." I eyed it. "What's in it?"
"It's all the things he's been keeping from you, well, dare I say all of us."
I met her eyes. "You've seen it?"
"Obviously."
"You stole this from him?"
"He left it in a safe that he has at the site. I went there yesterday to find him; there were a handful of guys there packing up to go. They said he'd left this morning and was heading to the airport."
I shook my head. "So you figured he was here."
"I figured he was with one of you, but the question remained with who."
I stared down at the binder for a moment. "Why did you agree to plural marriage, Vickie?" I asked.
"I'm not in a plural marriage; neither are you; none of you did that spell from before."
"Just answer the question."
Vickie smirked. "I just knew it was something I was capable of, something I wanted," she paused, sitting upright in her seat. "Besides that, I was attracted to him."
The sting of her words hit me hard.
"But it's more than that too; he's so powerful, so confident," she looked away from me. "I've never been with someone like that, never been with someone who knows how to handle himself, a real man, and that's him."
"We all see him, yet we continue to see all different versions of him."
"And what's so wrong with that?" Vickie asked, "It means he'll continue to surprise those around him, refuse to be anything less than—"
"Epic." I answered knowing Klaus better than Vickie did.
"Yeah, epic."
I knew there was more to it than that; I knew that she loved the idea of him, of being able to brag about being with him, because I'd seen it in the way she'd acted in Utah. I'd watched the way she'd act when he was in the room and when he wasn't.
"Are you hoping we'll come back?" I asked.
"Do I seem like the hopeful type?"
"That's a no if I ever heard one."
Vickie pursed her lips. "Yeah, I'm thinking it would be better that way."
"Seriously?"
Vickie looked at me like I'd lost it, a smirk returning to her lips. "I enjoy competition."
"You can't think of it like that; we all have to be adults about—"
"Being mature about something doesn't change how it will play out," she said. "Sometimes you just have to let things play out, accept that there will be good times, bad times, and really, really shit ones."
I smiled thinking how April's jaw would drop at Vickie's choice of words.
"Plus I want the barrier of the spell." Vickie admitted.
We hadn't re-performed the spell since the time jump, we had been trying to prove to ourselves and to each other that our marriages were more about us wanting to be together that we overshadowed on the reality that we did need the safety of the barrier. I remember it well, I had felt so secure when it was in place. Being without it had proven to all of us, we weren't together out of necessity but love. Until now anyway.
"I don't care if he's sleeping with all of you," she held my gaze. "It won't stop me from getting what I want."
"So what? You're saying you're willing to share him?"
Vickie smiled. "There's nothing wrong with a little competition," she repeated.
"But you can't look at your marriage like that. I mean, if you and he ever do that," I said before sighing, "not that it would be my business if I were still there anyway."
"Nope, it sure wouldn't, but it won't stop me from voicing my opinion on your marriage."
"Excuse me?"
Vickie shrugged. "I'm honest; people can call me rude, but I just say things as I see them," she said.
"But what about boundaries?"
"What about them? I have boundaries."
"Like what?" I asked.
She met my gaze and chuckled, "Well, I don't know them all yet; I'll let you know when I run into one."
"I'm not the same person I was a month ago," I stated. "What makes you think I'd want to come back?"
Vickie looked down at the binder in my hands before she stood up and looked around. "I'll be back in fifteen minutes, plenty of time for you to read."
"Since when do you give someone privacy?"
Vickie tapped the binder as she passed me. "I'd get reading if I were you."
Watching Vickie walk away in those incredible shoes, I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. They seemed impossibly uncomfortable, yet they possessed a certain allure that would undoubtedly look stunning in photos. I sighed, casting my gaze downward at the binder securely held between my hands. Vickie had carried it all this way, which meant it must contain something of utmost importance, something she believed I needed to see—something potentially dangerous she had taken from Klaus.
My curiosity grew stronger as I opened the binder to discover a collection of handwritten letters addressed to Klaus from several witches he seemed to know. Each letter began with expressions of gratitude for his relentless efforts to protect them and their families over the years. Attached to these letters were pieces of information they had diligently gathered on what appeared to be the same barrier spell we had utilized months ago in Mystic Falls.
It soon became evident that Klaus had embarked on his own journey of research, not just focusing on the specific spell we had used but delving into barrier spells in general. The sheer volume of the binder finally made sense; Klaus must have been working tirelessly, dedicating countless hours to amass every piece of information he might potentially need. He had even crafted meticulous notes, listing the pros and cons of each possible method for the spell, carefully dating each entry. With each new note, the list of pros grew longer, while he systematically eliminated the cons from previous versions, showcasing his determination and analytical approach.
The dedication Klaus had shown in collecting this information was truly astonishing. Any doubts I had about the spell were addressed as I eagerly turned from one page to the next, gaining a deeper understanding of the formidable power behind our original spell. As I delved further into his research, using the dates on his recent letters to gauge his mindset and that of the witches, everything slowly began to crystallize.
I realized that for our original spell to be cast, it had to be performed on the exact date it was initially cast. This revelation meant a return to that date, similar to the time-travel endeavors that Damon and Tyler had undertaken. Yet, I shook my head at the very thought; Damon had committed terrible acts to execute that time jump spell. But as I continued reading Klaus's letters, I discovered there was an alternative, one that wouldn't result in anyone getting hurt.
Klaus had an intimate knowledge of the gap between Mystic Falls and the other side, which meant he could send spirits to the other side, wielding the power to perform the time jump first. If I understood correctly, Klaus needed to perform a spirit spell to start closing off the other side. As the most malevolent spirits began to disappear and ultimately perish, it would empower our time jump spell. We could return to the date of the memorial, and with Vickie aware of the gap's precise location, she could escape unnoticed by the spirits, just as before. Once all of this was complete, we would perform our barrier spell at the exact spot in the forest. By doing so, our barrier spell would tear apart the gap to the other side. Joined hands beneath it would completely destroy it, preventing anyone from the other side from coming after us ever again.
I was left in awe. It was clear now that Klaus hadn't been trying to bring us back to the past; instead, he was working on a way for us to start over anew. "Well, if that isn't love..." I whispered to myself, feeling a newfound sense of hope and gratitude for what lay ahead. The depth of Klaus's commitment was undeniable, filling me with warmth that spread through my chest. The depth of Klaus's commitment was undeniable. The thought of starting fresh filled my mind with questions, the more pressing one being.
Could we be a family again? A family that would risk going back to Mystic Falls, where anything could happen to us. Mystic Falls was where everything had begun; the idea of returning there was daunting; it would mean we were all together again, and that thought almost brought tears to my eyes. Especially given that I now knew that I hadn't been the source of their pain all these months and that there was no judgment waiting for me. Yes, the idea of Mystic Falls felt awful, almost sickening; we'd risk being back there if something happened that might change our timeline, but at the same time it wasn't just the threat. We'd have to reset again, pack up our old homes, get Jeremy set up in New York and my mom in Maine; we'd have to buy all four properties in Utah again and decorate them. Well, there wasn't much work done on them anyway; right now, come to think of it.
I closed my eyes, then recalled that night we left Mystic Falls the first time, when I'd sat inside my bath and felt like I was preparing myself for the next chapter of my life. Like everything up until then had just been a horrible dream, and now with my friends, with Klaus, with money, resources, property, determination, ambition, and the united strength of our new lifestyle, anything was possible. I wanted that feeling more than anything.
I heard Vickie's heels clicking against the stonework as she returned to the sunken fire pit area. She returned to the seat across from mine without saying a word, just settling her handbag down to the same spot before crossing her legs, her smirk gone and her eyes fixed on mine.
"You went through this?"
"Once in Utah, then a few times on my way here. Obviously I went through his stuff to find out where your mom was, after that, I compelled her neighbor in Maine who told me where to find you."
"Jesus Christ," I shook my head at her I ran my hand across the binder. "What did you think about the binder?"
"What does it matter what I think? I'm not the one who has to make a choice."
"It matters," I said. "I want to know."
Vickie pursed her lips; clearly she wasn't expecting me to desire her opinion on anything. It was clear that she'd figured if she brought me the binder, I'd just return with her, but it wasn't that simple.
"What did you think?" I repeated calmly, being sure to keep my tone in check.
"All he has to do is perform a spell, one you've read about; all it does is take the evil spirits currently on the other side and send them into the darkness."
"The complete opposite of what Tyler and Damon did that night in Vegas, Klaus is ending spirits; they murdered people."
"Yeah," Vickie said, shifting in her seat.
"I didn't know Tyler could do something like that." I admitted to her.
Vickie looked away from me but nodded in agreement.
"So how did you get your hands on this?" I asked.
"Like I said, it's safe at the site."
I smiled. "Yeah, but even vampires have limits in strength." I held her gaze. "How did you manage it?"
She smirked, "The new IDs he set us up with when we got to Utah."
"What about them?"
"I looked through your dates of birth and tried each of them as a combination, but no luck."
"So what then?"
"I tried the house numbers, but then it dawned on me: one combination, one date you'd all remember."
"...The date we moved to Utah."
"Top marks."
"And you want this barrier?"
"I want a life without fear, exactly like the rest of you."
"So why not try and convince Klaus to marry other girls?"
"Where would be the fun in that?"
I rolled my eyes.
Vickie picked up her bag, unclipping it and reaching inside, retrieving my phone; I immediately recognized my phone cover. She held it out for me to take.
"I took that too, so you'd have everything."
I took it from her, eyeing her suspiciously. "Everything being?"
"What you needed to convince you to come back and hit the restart button."
I heard a car drawing up then, and I looked over to the main road and saw a town cab approaching the lodge; when I turned back, Vickie was already on her feet.
"You're leaving?"
Vickie picked up the binder, slipping it back into her bag. "I told you, one hour was my limit."
"Not a lover of the mountains?"
"Or interrogations."
I got up to my feet as she passed me, my phone clasped in my hand. I activated the screen, finding a voicemail from Klaus dated a month ago, from the night I had left. I looked back to a departing Vickie.
"He did the research," I called out. "But what makes you so sure he wants to embrace all of that chaos?"
She didn't answer.
"What makes you so confident, Vickie? How do you know he still wants this?"
She had no intentions of answering me. She was getting into the cab, and she was out of here.
Leaving me with endless questions and a voicemail.
Klaus Mikaelson (FLASHBACK)
One Month Ago
I walked back over towards April's bed, sitting down on the side of it.
What was I supposed to do now?
I heard footsteps coming towards the door, and I looked over, waiting to see who appeared. Vickie came into view, looking over at me, her expression unreadable as I didn't attempt to hide my agony. She was wearing a short black satin robe, her hair was curled, and she was wearing a soft pink lipstick. She stared back at me; she knew they were gone; she might have even seen Elena leave just now.
She stepped into the room, holding onto my gaze as she stood a few feet across from me. She reached for the satin ribbon of her robe and began to undo it, letting the garment fall to the floor and reveal her naked body to me. I stared back at her, not knowing what to say or do. She slowly made her way towards me, swaying her hips; her skin was sun-kissed like she'd been out in it all day. She brought her knee up onto the bed as she reached me and placed her hands on my shoulders, leaning over my lap and holding my gaze without saying a word. I could feel her breath on my face; the scent of her perfume surrounded me, and I couldn't help but let my eyes wander down her body.
I looked away ashamed at my thoughts. I'd just lost everything; how could I think about this?
Vickie placed her hands on the side of my face, bringing me to face her. "Just tell me what you want, what you need," she whispered, her voice laced with desire. "And I'll do it, whatever you want."
She leaned down and brushed her lips against mine, the warmth of her touch sending a jolt through my body. She traced her fingers along my jawline before tilting my head up to meet hers. I couldn't help but inhale her scent, the intoxicating mixture of soap and sweat enveloping me as she leaned closer, pressing her naked breasts against my chest. My hands slid down to rest on the curve of her hips, feeling the smooth skin beneath my fingertips.
"What do you want, Klaus Mikaelson?"
It would have been so easy to tell her what I wanted if I was the same man I was before I gave my blood to the flame, before I swore to protect Caroline, Elena, and April. I would have taken Vickie right here and now; I would have let her do all the things she'd probably been wanting to do to me all week, and none of it would compare to what I would do to her. I would have destroyed her body right here on April's bed if I had let the hybrid within me have its way and rule my mind, but I couldn't. Vickie's lips brushed my jawline before she met my gaze.
"Them." I answered, causing her to gasp as I used my hands, still firmly on her hips, to push her away.
I stood up, pushing past her, and she turned to watch me leaving the room. She watched as I walked out of the room, closing the door behind me, leaving her naked and alone. I made my way downstairs, not stopping until I was outside, standing over the pool with my phone in hand and dialing Caroline's number.
When it rolled to voicemail, I held my breath for a moment before the words came to me.
"Caroline, I'm standing in one of my favorite places," I said and turned around to look around at my properties, at my homes, and I continued, "And all I can think about is how I never told you, I never told any of you that," I paused as tears that would not quit stung my eyes. "I never told you that I was happy," I continued. "I never told you that I'd come into this with the illest of intentions, that I'd done it for my own selfish reasoning and never spared a single thought for any one of you." A tear escaped my eye then. "I was wrong for doing that, for doing a lot of things, things that made you doubt me as a man and as your husband." I wiped the tear and turned around, looking down at the pool for a moment before shifting my focus back to the houses. "I never did what I promised I would, I never gave the dedication that I should have, each of you deserved a better life than what I had given you," I nodded "Instead of giving one third of my time, I gave each of you one third of me and held back the rest, instead of doing what you needed, instead of listening, instead of loving you the way that you deserved," I chocked as tears slipped down my cheek "So I'm not going to tell you to come back, I'm just going to beg you for something else, that I would fix it all if I could, even if that gives you little comfort now please believe it with the test of time, even if it takes an eternity, know that," I ran my hand down my face "I was honored to the man you all married, that I am so sorry for not being the husband I should have, that you deserve ten times the man you thought I could be," I continued "That, you deserve a beautiful, unique, outrageous and epic life."
I hesitated. "Even if it no longer involves me," I looked to the houses one by one, "Know that I loved you, that I loved each of you, and," I stopped, closing my eyes, "And I'm going to miss you."
I ended the voicemail and slowly slid the phone back into my pocket.
I turned around to find Vickie standing across from me in the middle of April's yard.
"What now?" I asked, my voice sounding as tired as I felt.
"Why did you bring me back here that day? When you don't even want—"
"I do want you," I admitted to her, though her expression didn't change, remaining just as confused. "But I'm married," I told her before I made my way past her, not meeting her gaze as I did, "And I always will be."
Tyler Lockwood
As I stood over Meredith Fell, I could feel the heat radiating from the anger that had just consumed me. She was on the floor, a look of shock on her face, having finally handed over the blood sample she had taken from Elena. That blood—its significance in the tangled mess I found myself in—had caused me more trouble than I cared to admit.
Meredith had been keeping secrets, testing blood from someone on the brink of transformation into a vampire. She had confided in my mom months ago, a revelation that blindsided me. The thought that this knowledge had been shared and kept hidden gnawed at me. It felt like another betrayal, another layer of complexity in a world already difficult to navigate.
I had no choice but to find help outside of town. A witch, someone far removed from the chaos here, had agreed to assist me. She promised a locator spell, but there was a catch: she needed the blood of the person they were locating. All this time, Bonnie hadn't even considered finding blood samples; she was an idiot at times in my mind, leaving me no other option but to seek help elsewhere.
The room was silent now, the chaos momentarily stilled. I felt a mix of frustration and determination. I knew this was only a step in a much larger journey, but at least now, with the blood clutched tightly in my hand, there was a glimmer of hope I could hold onto.
"Tyler, please, you don't want to do this." Meredith pleaded, her voice trembling as she tried to regain her composure.
I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to scream at her, to tell her what I really thought of her and her inability to hear me.
"I didn't want any of this; don't you get that? I needed this, and now I have it."
She was shaking her head; there was no use in talking to me anymore. I stepped over her, heading for the door.
"I'll do anything if you leave half of it."
I paused; the desperation in her voice was unsettling. I knew she needed it to save lives, but so did I. I took a deep breath, trying to keep myself calm as I calmed down.
"What?"
Meredith got up to her feet a little shaky but able; she looked at me as she reached for the hem of her blue scrub top before slowly lifting it up to reveal her naked stomach and bra.
"What the hell are you doing?" I exclaimed as I watched her reach behind her back and unclasp her bra.
"If you give me half of the blood, I'll be more than happy to do whatever you ask."
I raised my eyebrows, unable to believe what I was seeing. Meredith Fell, a woman I'd known for years, a woman who was now married, was offering herself to me.
"What the hell are you doing?" I repeated as she took her bra off, tossing it on the floor and reaching for the hem of her scrubs once again.
"I want your help, Tyler."
I felt sick watching her slowly undress. "No," I said firmly, turning away. "You're not serious."
I heard her sigh as she walked over to me. "I am serious."
I turned around and backed away, holding my hand up to stop her from coming any closer. "You're not going to blackmail me with sex."
"You don't want me? You only like blondes?"
"Stop!" I growled as my eyes shifted back to their natural hybrid state.
Meredith's eyes widened with fear as she stepped back from me before she brought her hands up beneath my eyes and brushed her fingertips against them. "Your eyes are yellow."
"They are."
She smiled and before slapping me hard across my face.
I let out a low growl as I looked at her with an expression of surprise. "What the hell was that?"
She did it again, and this time she hit me even harder.
"Are you insane?" I screamed as she began to hit me again and again, until I finally grabbed her arms, stopping her from hitting me again.
"Why are you doing this?" I yelled as I held onto her tightly, trying to keep her from hitting me again.
She tried to pull her arms away, but I kept hold of her, refusing to let go. I could feel the anger rising within me, my frustration quickly turning to rage as I stood in front of her.
"Why are you doing this?" I asked again, struggling to control the urge to hit her back.
She looked from my eyes down to my lips and back again before she stuck out her tongue, flicking the tip against her own lip.
"Don't..." I said through gritted teeth.
Meredith leaned closer to me until her lips were millimeters away from my own. "Don't what?" She whispered seductively.
"Just once, and if I don't make you forget Caroline, you can keep the blood."
"Or I could just take it." I replied.
"You could..." she said, trailing off. "But I know something that could convince you to leave half of it behind."
I let go of her arms, pushing her away from me as I stepped back. "You're crazy."
Meredith stepped forward, and before she began sliding down to her knees, she said, "When I was in college, my boyfriend called me his Dyson. Do you want to find out why?"
I shook my head as I watched her unbutton my jeans. "No, stop."
"Stop or go?" She whispered as she unzipped them before reaching inside my boxer briefs, grabbing hold of me.
I clenched my jaw as she began to move her hand up and down my length.
"Does he like me? He's so big."
I looked down at her as she pulled me from my pants and slowly began to take me into her mouth.
"Oh, God." I groaned as she began to suck harder.
I closed my eyes, "Caroline," I moaned before squeezing my eyes shut and taking a fistful of her hair. "Do it."
Meredith did as I asked and began to suck harder while moving her tongue around my length. I felt myself stiffen, growing harder as she continued to please me.
"Caroline." I moaned as I began to harden in her mouth.
After I was done here – I was going to hunt Elena down for answers about what she and Caroline had done.
But for right now…I was busy being rewarded for being the man I was.
Meredith's grip tightened, and she leaned back to look up at me with a smug smile. "Good boy," she said, before taking the head of my cock into her mouth. The warmth and wetness of her mouth was almost too much to handle, and I had to bite back a shout of pleasure.
I watched as she began to bob her head up and down, her eyes never leaving mine. Her tongue danced around my tip, teasing and swirling as she took me deeper with each pass. My legs felt weak, and I had to brace myself against the counter to stay upright.
The room was silent except for the wet sounds of her mouth and my ragged breathing. I felt the tension in my body coil tighter and tighter, the need for release becoming more and more urgent.
Meredith sensed my impending climax and quickened her pace. She looked up at me, her eyes glazed with desire, and I knew that she was enjoying this as much as I was.
Elena Mikaelson
My eyes flickered open to my dark New York apartment, faintly illuminated by the street lamps outside. Their light crept through the curtains, casting shadows that seemed to dance across the walls. Even in the deep hours of night, the city was alive, a constant murmur of life humming gently in the background. I lay there, absorbing the distant sound of cars and the sporadic clatter from the street below, each noise a reminder of the world outside my window.
Gradually, I turned over in bed, my breath catching at the sight before me. Klaus was sitting at the edge of my bed, his eyes fixated on me. It was as if time had paused, and the room held its breath alongside me. His presence was both unexpected and strangely familiar, stirring something deep within me. I couldn't tear my gaze away from his, a thousand unspoken words hanging in the air between us. Why was he here and not in Utah with the others? I didn't think he'd come and look for me, though these last few days I began to wonder what I would do if he did. His presence was both unexpected and strangely familiar, stirring something deep within me. I couldn't tear my gaze away from his, a thousand unspoken words hanging in the air between us. Why was he here and not in Utah with the others? I didn't think he'd come and look for me, though these last few days I began to wonder what I would do if he did.
With his eyes on mine, his expression stern, I pulled down the bed sheets, revealing that I only had on a white tank top and my dark blue thong, which I began to take off, keeping my eyes fixed on his. By the time my thong reached my knees, Klaus reached down to his belt buckle, unbuckling it.
I bit my lower lip as I slid down onto the mattress, and he pulled himself over me with his coat and shoes still on as he lowered his boxers to his ankles, the material of his coat brushing against my skin as he moved. I brought my hands up to his chest, tracing the outline of his abs beneath his black shirt as I felt him hard and ready. The anticipation was agonizingly sweet as he aligned himself with my entrance, his tip pressing against my swollen clit. I held onto him even tighter, my nails digging into his skin, urging him closer. He didn't need any more prompting. With a powerful thrust, he entered me, filling me to the brim, and I cried out in pleasure. The sensation was overwhelming, his girth stretching me open as he began to move, his hips rocking back and forth in a rhythm that was as ancient as it was irresistible.
His strokes grew more intense, and I could feel his muscles tightening beneath my hands. The sound of the rain outside was drowned out by the slap of our bodies coming together, the wetness of his cock gliding in and out of me mixing with the rainwater that still clung to our skin. The mattress beneath us protested with every thrust, the headboard slammed against the wall in time with the tempo we'd set.
I held onto him, my legs tightening around his waist, as he leaned back slightly to watch where we were joined. The sight of him disappearing into my body made him growl with desire, and he leaned back down to kiss me again, his tongue delving deep as he picked up the pace. Each time he filled me, I could feel myself getting closer to the edge, my orgasm building like a storm waiting to break.
The rain continued to fall outside, the sound of it mixing with the labored sounds of our passion. His eyes bore into mine as he slammed into me, the intensity of our connection palpable. His hands found my breasts again, squeezing and pinching my nipples until I was writhing beneath him. I held onto him, my body arching off the bed, my hips pushing up to meet his every thrust.
He reached down, sliding his hand between our bodies, and found my clit, rubbing it in tight circles as he continued to take me. The sensation was exquisite, and I could feel the tension coiling tighter and tighter, my body straining towards release.
I held onto him, my legs shaking with the effort to keep him close, my voice a whimpering plea for more. His strokes grew erratic, his breathing harsh in my ear, and I knew he was close as well. The room was a blur of sensation, my eyes rolling back in my head as the first waves of my climax crashed over me.
As I came, my muscles clenched around his cock, and he groaned, sliding out of me and hooking his arm around me, turning me around until I found myself on all fours, my breasts hanging down and brushing against the wet fabric of the mattress. He slapped my ass once, a sound that echoed through the room, and then plunged back into me, his thrusts deep and demanding. The new angle sent waves of pleasure through me, and I moaned, pushing back into him, eager for more.
I held onto the headboard, my knuckles white as I took his punishing strokes, each one pushing me closer to the edge of ecstasy. The headboard banged against the wall in a steady rhythm, matching the tempo of our frenzied coupling. The rain outside had turned into a gentle patter, but in the cocoon of our passion, it was nothing more than a distant lullaby, serenading our lovemaking.
With one hand, he grabbed a fistful of my hair, pulling my head back as he leaned over me, his breath hot on my neck. His other hand slid down to my clit, rubbing it in tight, rapid circles that had me gasping for air. I held onto the headboard, my knuckles turning white, as he fucked me from behind, his hips slapping against my ass. The sensation of his cock filling me up, combined with the exquisite pressure on my clit, was almost too much to bear. He picked up the pace, his cock driving into me with a ferocity that bordered on pain but was so deliciously pleasurable that I didn't want it to stop. I held onto him with all my might, my body moving in perfect sync with his, our skin slick with sweat and rainwater. Each stroke sent bolts of lightning through my core, my orgasm building to a crescendo that threatened to shatter me into a million pieces.
He spun me back onto my back, causing my hair to splay out like a halo on the damp pillow. The motion was swift and sure, and my breath caught in my throat as he positioned himself at my entrance once again and slid back inside before leaning down and taking my right breast into his mouth. The contrast of his wet hair against my skin and his warm, wet mouth on my nipple was exquisite. I held onto him, my nails digging into his shoulders as he began to pump into me once more, the force of his movements making my breasts bounce.
With every thrust, his pubic bone ground against my clit, and the tension grew unbearable. I wrapped my legs around his waist, locking my ankles together to hold him as close as possible. He groaned against my skin, his teeth grazing my nipple as he picked up the pace, his hips slapping against mine in a relentless rhythm that seemed to match the beat of my racing heart.
My eyes remained glued to his, the blue of his irises darkening with lust as he fucked me. I could feel the muscles in his back tense under my hands, his arms bulging with the effort of holding himself above me. I held onto him, my fingers tangled in his hair as he kissed down my neck, his tongue tracing a wet path to my collarbone. I arched my back, offering more of myself to him, begging for his mouth on my skin. His teeth found the sensitive spot at the base of my throat, and I let out a cry of pleasure, my pussy clenching around his cock. The sensation was so intense that it was almost painful, but the kind of pain that makes you crave more. He groaned into my neck as he began to come, and I gripped his hips before burying my head into his shoulder as he filled the condom with his hot seed. His thrusts grew erratic, his muscles spasming as he emptied himself inside me.
Klaus slid out of me, and I began to fix my clothes as he got out of the bed, buckling himself as he made his way over to the window, and I tried to get a grip on my breathing. I fixed my hair as my mind began to race. How the hell was I going to face him after this? What had I just done? I couldn't be with him; I'd left the family. Wasn't this like him cheating on Caroline, April, and Vickie right now? Had I just slept with my husband or with a married man? My eyes widened, and I ran my hand through my hair, trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do.
I looked up at him as he turned away from the window, looking at me, the light from the street lamps outside illuminating his face, and I wished I could tell what he was thinking.
But instead of seeking answers, I did what was right, not what I wanted but what was right.
"You should head back to Utah; I don't want them worrying about you—"
"They're gone." He cut me off before I could finish. "You all took off the same night, without any of you being aware of the other's actions."
"That's, no that's impossible."
Klaus made his way back over to the bed and placed a kiss on my forehead before he began to head in the direction of the door. I found myself speechless; I wanted to tell him everything, but the words failed me.
I watched Klaus open the apartment door, his hand gripping the edge of the door, the light from the hallway outside causing his face to be cast into shadows as he looked at me from over his shoulder.
"I missed you." He said to me without giving me even a split second to respond before he closed the door behind himself, leaving me alone with my thoughts and fears.
Klaus Mikaelson
I returned to Utah from New York just after eight that morning. The sun shone brightly here, casting a warm glow over everything. This was quite the opposite of the gloomy streets of Manhattan that I had left behind. Pulling into the garage, I leaned my head back against the headrest after activating the garage door, watching as the room gradually dimmed around me. Exhaustion clung to me like an unwelcome shadow; my eyes stung from lack of sleep, and my throat was dry from the stale air of the airplane cabin. I could have easily drifted off to sleep right there in the car, but I knew there was too much waiting for me inside.
It still pained me, that I hadn't even noticed Caroline's car missing that night.
My eyes fluttered open at the sudden, jarring sound of my phone ringing in my pocket. With a sigh, I retrieved it and held it to my ear, pinching the bridge of my nose in an attempt to ease some of the fatigue that was threatening to overwhelm me.
"Hello?" I answered, my voice a little hoarse from the long journey.
"Hi." Caroline's voice came through, clear and familiar, and my heart skipped a beat at the sound.
I sat forward in the seat, the exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Caroline?" I asked, needing to be sure it was really her and not a trick of my weary mind.
"Hi," she repeated, her voice carrying a softness that made me smile.
I couldn't help but smile in return. "Hi."
A long pause followed, and I could hear her taking a deep breath, as if she was gathering the courage to say what was on her mind, something that had been weighing on her for some time.
"I didn't think I'd hear from you," I confessed, breaking the silence that stretched between us like a taut string.
"I wasn't planning to call either," she admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.
I ran my hand around the steering wheel, trying to stop myself from asking questions I knew she wasn't ready to answer, questions that might break the fragile connection we had managed to reestablish.
"Did you know where I was?" she asked, her voice tentative.
I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Yeah," I replied, my voice gentle.
"...This whole time?"
"Does it bother you?" I asked, unsure of how she might feel.
"No," she replied quickly, almost as if the words had been waiting on the tip of her tongue. "I just didn't think you'd want to after what happened."
Silence hung between us once again, a silence that spoke more than words ever could.
"I miss you," I admitted, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
"I miss you too," she replied, and my smile widened at her confession.
I wanted to ask her why she left, what her plan was, but I held back, afraid of ruining the moment, of pushing her away again.
"Have you been okay?" I asked gently, concerned for her well-being.
"Klaus?" she said, her voice a little shaky.
I switched the phone over to my right ear. "Yes?" I responded, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Can I come home?" she asked, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and vulnerability.
I closed my eyes, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. "When can you get here?" I asked, my voice filled with longing.
Caroline laughed and sobbed at the same time, and I sank my head back, a smile plastered on my lips.
"I'll see you when I get there," she asked, her voice full of promise.
"You're my wife, love. I'll meet you at the airport," I assured her, knowing that this was the start of something new for both of us. The promise of her return filled the space around me, making the garage seem a little less dim, a little less cold. It was a moment of clarity, a moment where the future seemed a bit brighter and more hopeful than it had for a long while. As I sat there, still in the car, I allowed myself to feel the warmth of that promise, knowing that soon enough, everything might just be okay again.
I hung up the phone with Caroline, and I immediately went to work on booking her on the next flight from Maine to any airport remotely close to Sandy. I purchased her a first-class ticket and got her on the next flight that would be leaving tomorrow morning, giving her plenty of time with her mom to say goodbye. I got out of the car with an energy I'd not felt in weeks, my tiredness suddenly gone and my focus clear. I cut through the kitchen and crossed the backyards towards Vickie's house, my attention fixed on my phone as the ticket confirmation came through as I slid open the door, letting myself inside.
Vickie was in the sitting room doing some form of yoga pose that involved her standing on one foot with the other leg extended above her head. I watched, taking deep cleansing breaths, perfectly aware of my presence without her even batting an eye.
I didn't want to tell her about Caroline yet, so instead I slid my phone back into my pocket and placed my suit jacket over the back of her white leather couch before I sat down on it, watching her as she did her routine.
After a while she opened her eyes, focusing her gaze on me. "You're home." She said without much of a greeting.
I didn't respond; I couldn't seem to focus on anything besides her white, tight trousers and matching bra clinging to her tanned skin.
"Are you going to watch?"
I looked up at her. "What else is there to do?" I asked with a shrug of my shoulders.
Vickie smiled before turning around and getting onto her knees with her chest against the mat that was spread out on the floor as she began to stretch out her arms. "You could always help me." She suggested as she began to look over her shoulder at me.
I watched as she stretched and then got back up to her feet to stand on one foot with the other one behind her, her hands pressed together in front of her body. She began to move, sliding her hands down her leg and then back up her body as she slowly moved the other foot from behind her until both feet were flat on the ground. She kept her eyes closed, her face relaxed as she continued to move her hips slowly, her hands moving over her body.
My eyes followed her every move, my gaze lingering on her exposed skin as she continued to move, her movements slow and sensual. I watched as she bent forward, placing her palms flat on the ground before leaning back slowly, her back arched beautifully. The sight was mesmerizing, and I couldn't tear my gaze away from her body. I wanted nothing more than to touch her, to run my hands over every inch of her skin, but I stayed where I was, letting her take her time.
I got up from the couch, unable to resist any longer, and made my way out of the sitting room and upstairs into the master bathroom. The shower felt refreshing, the warm water cascading down, washing away the restlessness that had lingered all afternoon. I had a few suits here at her house, neatly hanging in the closet, but I didn't live with her the way I had once lived with Caroline, Elena, and April.
Though my attraction to her was undeniable, an invisible line remained, one I would never cross. Not back then, and certainly not now.
After getting changed, I headed back downstairs. Vickie was in the kitchen, busy with her morning ritual, blending one of those workout drinks she swore by. The blender whirred, a constant reminder of her determined lifestyle. It was the first time I'd ever exceeded the usual amount I allocated each month, but she had insisted on that blender.
When I finally arrived at Caroline's house, I moved towards the garage door located within the kitchen, ready to collect my luggage from the car. Just as my hand reached for the handle, a soft knock resonated from the front door, causing me to pause. Curious, I retraced my steps through the dining room, the sitting room, and finally reached the hallway where the door stood. With a gentle turn of the lock, I pulled it open smoothly.
April stood on the other side, her gentle blue eyes meeting mine. Her expression was weary, a shadow of sadness etched across her features. She looked so tired, as if the weight of the past month had left its mark. For what felt like an eternity, we stood there, gazing at each other, the silence speaking volumes.
Then, I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her close. She clung to me tightly, as if drawing strength from the embrace.