Chapter 23

Caroline POV

I've been to many society balls in my life; these events are things I live for. I've always enjoyed them. When I was little, I would watch with curious eyes, as the older girls would leave the dance floor to go out on the balconies to get some air. I never could fathom how anyone could voluntarily leave the center of the party. Yet here I am, looking at the beautiful dresses as they caress the dance floor with every beat of the song that the hired band plays.

"It really isn't like you to be missing a party" a voice whispers into my ear from behind.

I mustn't turn around to know who the voice belongs to, but I do nonetheless and find myself glaring into the ice blue eyes that had once seemed like home to me.

"Hello Klaus."

His lips curl into an amused smile and his eyes light up distinctly. "Caroline. May I offer you a drink?" It's at that moment that I notice the opened bottle of Jack in his hand.

"You may," I flitter demurely before snatching the bottle from his hand and bringing the tip to my mouth.

"You don't want a glass?"

"I don't need a glass; you forget who you're talking to."

Klaus nods thoughtfully. "You're right. Why don't you remind me?"

I take a huge swig of the bottle before glancing at him with indifferent eyes. "You lost that privilege a few months ago."

"Did I?" Klaus puts his hand on my waist and pulls me close to him, while staring into my eyes and murmurs quietly. "What is it that I must do to regain my previous position, Miss Forbes?"

My heartbeat rate increases rapidly and my stomach flutters violently sending sparks of euphoria, bringing to life every nerve in my body in the most pleasant way possible. I gaze up at him from under my eyelashes.

"I don't know Klaus. You tell me."

With my head held high, I take one last swig of the now almost empty bottle, hand it to him and pivot on my heel making my way to the double doors leading to the double staircases that will bring me to the dance floor.

From the corner of my eye I spot long spiral curls in auburn hair that can only belong to Katherine. For the first time tonight, a smile appears on my face. I make my way elegantly between the crowds of people, all the while observing the scene around me. Most people on the dance floor are people I do not know. However, I find it impossibly easy to distinguish who's a student at Astoria and who isn't. For one, none of the Astoria students seem very pleased with their evening, whereas the invited guests seem to be having the time of their lives. Of course, one could also distinguish them by the difference in clothing quality.

"Caroline, wait!"

God, what now? I turn around slowly and find the entire Salvatore/Gilbert clan looking at me. Being a true Forbes, I merely raise an eyebrow at the group ahead of me, refusing to make a sound. Stefan and Jeremy nudge their respective girlfriends softly while shooting them pointed looks. The entire quintet look at each other and exchange looks while having what seems to be a silent conversation.

"Look, if you have nothing to say I'll just be off. Enjoy your evening ladies and gentlemen."

"No, Caroline waits." Jeremy calls me out quietly. "I just wanted to apologize for our parent's behavior- for our own behavior. We haven't been the most respectful people towards yourself or towards your family. It was wrong, seeing as we didn't even know you people. These past few months must have been very difficult for you and I just wanted you to know that when your Headmistress comes and asks for our witnesses on your behavior, there will be nothing but compliments on my part."

"Me too." Stefan says, looking serious for the first time since I've met him. "Look, I don't really care what your name is, what you look like or where you live. I've had a great time with you Care and whether you're a small town girl from Mystic Fall, Washington or a socialite from Manhattan, you're still like a little sister to me."

"Me too," adds Jeremy.

"Thank you boys, know that I never faked anything in our friendship and sincerely do care about you both. Anything else?" I glance at the cold faces of the girls and Damon for a few seconds before deciding not to waste anymore of my time. "Well if that's all, I once again wish you all a good evening and luck in the future."

I shoot the boys one last smile before making my way to the powder room at the far east end of the room, since I no longer see Katherine anywhere and haven't looked in the mirror at all since getting dressed with Ana.

While walking towards the powder room, I can't help but feel as though someone is following me but decide to ignore it as the restrooms are always a popular destination at events where drinks are flowing.

Once in the restrooms, I occupy the biggest mirror in the powder room area and gaze at myself silently. Not a hair out of place. One could say I looked perfect. My mask hadn't moved at all. I looked exactly like the Barbie's I once saw as an idol. Suddenly, a far away figure appears in the reflection. She looks much like me, but shorter, her hair is much more dull and her figure isn't as defined.

"How dare you?"

It wasn't a question open for answers. I glance at the sad girl from within the mirror and let her continue.

"How dare you gallop around on your high horse? Knowing that because of you, I will once again need to live my life in the shadows. Knowing that you have taken from me the only thing that was rightfully mine."

I keep staring at the reflection of the brown girl, refusing to give her the reaction, the fight she desires.

"Do you know how hard it was for me to convince Stefan to take off all those posters of you from the walls in his room ever since we started dating? Yes, he finds me pretty but he finds you beautiful. He's always found you beautiful! My only advantage is that he thought you were an awful bratty little bitch. Now he knows you and loves you. Do you know what that means? How can I live up to that? How?"

"Elena-"

"I am perfect and he can't even realize it because of you. I have everything he needs. My life was flawless before you!"

"It still is, Elena. After this trip you will go home to your big house, fancy car, best friend, boyfriend and loving parents. You will go home to your freedom of expression, your freedom of choosing your own future and your right to privacy. Save the house, car and best friend- I have none of that. Don't you dare take those things for granted Elena. Pretty only lasts for so long."

I swivel my hips and throw my hands up in the air, bringing them down and spinning around, my head thrown back in ecstasy. A few minutes after the bathroom fiasco, I found Katherine and have been on the dance floor with her ever since.

"I love you C" Kat squeals as she throws her arms around me.

"I love you too Kat, never leave me ever again." "Never," she promises.

Katherine and I squeal as our favorite song comes on and start dancing together as if we hadn't had a care in the world. Which is how the world often seemed with Kat around. Katherine can chase away my bad dreams and fight my demons with me whilst looking fabulous. "C" she calls to me hastily.

"What?" I shout back.

"Who's that girl glaring at me? Do you know her?" I glance in the direction Katherine's looking at and see Rebekah Salvatore glaring at the both of us with her hands crossed, attempting to make her five foot frame look intimidating.

I pull Katherine in for a side hug and bring my mouth to her ear. "I'll be right back."

I walk around the crowd so that Rebekah doesn't see me approaching and lean back casually against the wall beside her.

"You know, glaring like that is considered incredibly rude in this town."

"I hear it's also considered rude to lie to a whole town for several months"

"It wasn't by choice, Rebekah. You know that."

"You really hurt my brother, Caroline. Damon's heartbroken."

I look away, unable to look at her dead in the eyes while she's so impossibly angry. "Hurting Damon was never my intention."

"Well it's been done. You're an awful person Caroline."

"Perhaps. But you're no better. Jeremy is your boyfriend not your slave. You do not control him. Before you start insulting my dating skills, focus on yours. Yes, I hurt your brother, and I will forever be sorry for that. But that's the thing. I am sorry. You aren't. You consistently boss your boyfriend around with no regrets. So yes, maybe I am a bad person, but you're no better."

"Get away from me." Rebekah glares at me with tears in her eyes. My cold blue eyes glare into her watery ones and raise my eyebrow arrogantly before granting her wish and walking back to Katherine's waiting form.

Kat throws her arms around my neck upon my arrival. "What was that all about?"

"Nothing to worry about Kat, don't you worry."

Katherine and I soon find other people from Astoria and slowly everyone's spirits start lifting. The band has left and has been replaced by a DJ playing everyone's favorite dance songs.

The DJ introduces the slow song segment and we all start to make our way off of the dance floor.

"Caroline, dance with me." Klaus calls as he makes his way to the little group we've formed.

"Bro, you hate dancing," calls out Elijah.

"Caroline." Klaus starts again, after shooting Elijah a disgusting look. "May I have this dance?"

Unfortunately, Klaus has attracted quite the crowd and denying him of his request would do nothing but give me a bad rep. "You may."

As Klaus leads me to the dance floor, Good Ones Go starts playing.

"How ironic," murmurs Klaus as he leads me across the entire dance floor (that has somehow been cleared?)

"Everyone's looking at us dance, are you not scared of your girlfriend's reaction?"

"Caroline, you're the only girlfriend I've ever had."

"Is that what I was?"

Klaus sighs and strings me through an intricate series of movements. As he leads me across the floor, I feel as though I'm flying and Klaus is the wing beneath my wings. I feel as though I'm swimming and Klaus is the water I am in. I close my eyes and try to imagine a future without Klaus by my side.

All I see is black nothing.

"C, I've loved you since I was five years old."

My eyes automatically fill with tears I refuse to shed. I shake my head and try to shake out the words that have entered my ears before my brain can process them.

"I have." He insists. "It just so happened that my brain, heart and dick weren't really all on the same page."

At this, I bark out a laugh. "You don't know what love is."

"And you do, C? Who do you have as an example, your parents? Mine? Katherine's? Face it C, we've never had any real idea what love is, how can we expect to be experts when we live in a town where love and marriage don't coexist. I don't know what love is, but I know what love is and I want to discover it, C. And I want to discover it with you."

In the back of my mind I see Klaus and I in a penthouse apartment on 5th Ave with a Blonde haired children with ice blue eyes running around in designer clothing for babies.

"Okay Klaus."

Klaus's smile deepens and his eyes brighten. "Really?"

I lean up and bring his face down to mine, resting my lips on his and murmur quietly. "Yeah, baby."

Soon, the DJ ends the song and Klaus leads me away from the dance floor. His arms wrap around mine and he pulls me into a breathtaking hug and kisses me fiercely. "Babe, can we go home?" He asks eagerly.

"Sure, go get the car I'll wait for you on the patio."

I push him lightly and make my way to the patio, away from his teasing eyes and squeal happily. I raise my hands high above my head and spin around childishly as all my childhood dreams come true.

"You know," A soft velvety, voice states from behind me. "Even after six months with me, I've never been able to make you so happy."

I pivot on my heel and come face to a pair of haunted blue eyes, looking at me with a hollow expression that physically hurts me to look at.

"Damon, I'm sorry. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you."

"He's a lucky man. I hope he treats you right. Better than I ever can-"

"Damon, no. You're a wonderful guy and the perfect boyfriend. One day you'll find a girl that will be deserving of all that you can give her, but I am not that girl."

"I wish you were."

Damon and I look at each other, both of us remembering the good and bad times that we've gone through. Damon walks up to me, leans down and kisses my forehead softly before smiling a broken smile and walking back to the ballroom.

Klaus's driver pulls up in the limo and Klaus steps out and holds the door open for me. I put one foot inside the car before remembering that there was one vital thing I forgot to do.

"Damon, wait!"

Damons retreating form pauses and he looks at me curiously. "Thank you, Damon."

A flash of confusion settles on his hollow features and he looks at me, lost. "Thank you? What for?"

"For teaching me how to love."

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Chapter 24

10 Later

Caroline POV

If someone had told me that at 27 I would be living in a 45 million dollar home in the heart of the Upper East Side, I wouldn't have believed it. Of course, I never could've imagined that my grandfather had left me with such an extravagancies in his will. Thanks to him, I've inherited several properties throughout the world as well as a large amount of money. With my family's help, I was able to open my very own dance therapy centre in the heart of New York City; The Forbes Institute of Dance. The institute is separated into two wings. The west wing focuses majorly on dance therapy. Patients with psychological or psychiatric needs can come in and get professional help by our specialists by using dance as a healing method. The east wing on the other hand is dance schools that trains a couple hundred people and helps them reach their goals of permanent dancers or other. As founder of this company I try not only run the business but also work in both wings as often as possible.

Klaus on the other hand has decided to follow the real estate path, to an extreme. Mikaelson Hotels is now the third largest hotel chain in the country and is growing internationally at a rapid pace. Klaus's goal is to become the CEO of the largest hotel chain in the world before he turns 30. In all honesty, there is no doubt in my mind that he can do it. Trust me when I say that once a Mikaelson puts his mind to something, little can stop him from getting his way.

On January 25th Klaus brought me to the rooftop of his newest hotel and went down on one knee to ask for my hand in marriage. On July 16th we had a hugely publicized wedding at the Plaza Hotel (much to Klaus's displeasure) and we've been happily married for the past three years.

"Momma!"

Seconds later, my beautiful little princess comes running in, chased by her twin brother and a flustered Ana. "I'm sorry Miss Caroline; I tried to tell them to keep quiet!" She explains, shooting the unapologetic twins a stern look.

"That's okay Ana, I was done my work anyways. As for you too, you need to keep it down, you'll wake up your little brother."

"But momma, he stawted it!"

Five months after our wedding, I gave birth to a beautiful set of fraternal twins. Derek Nicolas and Candice Adriana Mikaelson were born five minutes apart on December 28th. Both blessed with my deep blue eyes and Klaus's jet blonde hair. Unfortunately for us, they were also gifted with my stubborn traits and Klaus's mischievous attitude.

"I don't want to hear it! Both of you need to get dressed if you want to go for a walk to the park to feed the ducks before dinner!"

"With daddy?"

"Yes, Ade. With Daddy."

And just like that, my baby girl's face lights up as if I just handed her a life sized teddy bear. Nick gets up and runs up to Ana, his sister following suite to get their coats on.

Annabel decided to leave my mother's apartment when I did, insisting that she finish off her years by my side, which couldn't please me more. As much as I tried to be the main mother figure in my kids' lives, while also managing a business, a friendly helping hand is always a blessing to have.

Within minutes, the kids and I are in the middle of Central Park, or if you ask Derek, the "bestest" place in New York (simply because there are no rules). I bring the kids down to the peaceful green patch near the duck pond so that Candice can feed the ducks while Derek runs around to his hearts content. I, on the other hand, allow myself to just stand back and enjoy the rare moments in life where I have nothing to do and can just enjoy living.

"Momma, who the strangwer tawking to Nick?"

I spin around and catch sight of Derek with a smirk on his face talking to a large man who's back is towards me. I scoop Candice up into my arms and rush at a semi-graceful pace towards my son.

"I'm sorry if he was bothering you sir, Derek? Come on, let's go play other there." I bristle politely while holding Derek's hand in mine and gently nudging him further left.

"No, no it's okay. He's a sweet kid, he was just asking me if I wanted to throw the ball with him, wait. Caroline? IsaCaroline Maxfield, uh Forbes?"

For the first time since arriving at the scene, I look up towards the offending stranger; none other than Stefan Salvatore with a football in his hand.

"Stefan?" I giggle/squeal and give him a great big hug before letting go of the tight grip I had on Nick. "I haven't seen you in like 10 years! How have you been? You still play football? Don't tell me you livein Manhattan and this is the first time we see each other!"

Stefan booms out a laugh, just like old times and shakes his head. "Same old Caroline. No, I don't live in Manhattan, I live in Miami, I play for the Dolphins, and we're here for a game against the Giants."

My eyes widen. "No offense, but I hope you lose."

Stefan blinks, and guffaws, throwing his head back and clapping. "Wow, C, It's been a decade and you haven't changed one bit. Except for the whole husband and wife thing, obviously. Thanks for the wedding invite." He says, narrowing his eyes semi-playfully at the last bit.

I frown. "You're welcome, thanks for not coming."

Stefan's eyebrows join in confusion, and he squints his left eye a bit like he always did when he was completely lost. "What are you talking about, I was never invited."

"Of course you were; your entire family and Jeremy's. They were returned with a prompt refusal to attend on both counts."

"What .." Stefan's eyes widen with recognition and light up with anger. "Those psycho bitches."

Two identical gasps sound out from both my sides as the kids pull gently on my coat. "He said a bad word momma."

Stefan looks at me sheepishly before apologizing profusely and handing both kids crisp one-dollar bills as an apology. To which Candice decides to examine profusely, since she's never seen it before.

"So you're saying, you never got the invitations?"

Stefan looks at me sadly. "After we left New York a few years ago, Elena started acting really crazily. She was obsessing about everything, I mean, Lena was always an overprotective girlfriend, but not to this point Caroline, it was almost psychotic. She would freak out at any point in time when I wasn't with her. I couldn't do it anymore. She even turned my own sister into her little spy."

"And where is Lena now?"

"Brothel in Vegas."

Excuse me, what?

Clearly, all my years of poker couldn't help me mask the expression on my face, which Stefan caught on to quickly and promptly explained.

"Elena needs the attention to be on her at all times. She needs to feel loved. The moment she turned 21, she set off to Las Vegas with Rebekah and never came back. When Rebekah returned she told us all that Elena had stumbled upon a brothel and fell in love with the idea of it. It was the first time Rebekah had ever seen Elena truly happy."

"That's not true Stef, I know happiness and what you and Lena had was happiness."

Stefan shrugs and kicks at a rock on the floor. "It wouldn't be the first time my sister created a few white lies."

"Say Stef, why don't you ditch the ten dollar meal and come join us for dinner?"

Stefan bursts out laughing and throws his head back, "lead the way C."

"So what's everyone else in Mystic Falls been up to?"

"Well, Jeremy joined the army and is overseas at the moment, Lena is in Vegas, Rebekah is … well yeah. Damon became a doctor and works in Seattle."

"What happened to Rebekah?"

"She has permanent residency at the insane asylum. She completely broke down a couple years ago and claimed to be able to see people's future and read their thoughts."

"Aw Stef, I'm so sorry," I turn right towards our home and fetch my key from my pocket.

"No way. You live here C? Jesus, how many bedrooms are there even in here?"

I giggle at his awestruck expression and lead him towards the mudroom for him to put his coat down as the kids go off at full speed. "If ever you and Jeremy are ever in the area, let me know, ok? My home is your home."

"Thanks C, now if only you can find me a woman." Stefan says while punching my shoulder mockingly and ruffling my hair as if I was still seventeen.

"Haha," I sneer at him while running my fingers through my tresses trying to restore them to their original form. "Why don't you go make yourself at home? Ana will come get you when dinner's ready."

As Stefan leaves the room, I pull out my phone and send a quick text to Katherine.

Caroline Forbes:

Hey girl, instead of moping around in your apartment, come to mine for dinner? & look pretty x (declining the invitation isn't an option)

I store my phone away and walk into the home theatre where the kids are with Stefan. "Daddy and Kat should be here soon, then we can eat dinner."

"Kathr's comin?" asks Candice, her words even more muffled than usually due to the pencil she's biting on.

"Candice, take that out of your mouth, it's dirty." Candice takes it out promptly and gives me a sheepish look. "Yes, Katherine is coming."

"Who's Katherine?" asks Stefan, looking up from his iPhone.

"Oh, just my best friend. My very beautiful, extremely single, not fame whorish best friend." I say teasingly.

Stefan's eyes widen in shock before narrowing to send me a half-hearted glare. "I wasn't being serious C."

"Be careful what you wish for, Stef."

Annabel walks in with two glasses of water for the kids and sets them on the table before turning around to face me. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes and Mr Forbes has just arrived."

I nod promptly, thanking Ana and motion to Stefan with one hand. "Ready to go meet my husband?"

"I've already met him, C" he replies with an over exaggerated eye-roll.

"Yeah, in high school." I stress, while leading him towards the main foyer. "The main foyer, C? How many foyer's do you have?"

"Shut up, Stefan."

A few steps away, I spot my husband wiping his shoes out on the rug and handing his coat to Ana. Even now, I can easily say that there is no man or woman in this world that will ever know me as well as Klaus does, not even myself.

"Hi babe how was work?" I ask, leaving Stefan behind me to go greet my husband with a not-so chaste kiss that my mother would be appalled to know we shared in front of guests.

"Great, we've nearly sealed the deal on the Vegas location." Klaus's ever so icy blue eyes are shining with certain warmth and excitement the public so rarely gets to see.

I squeal quietly, "I'm so happy for you baby, I'm so proud." Klaus kisses my forehead, and I kiss his chin before pulling his hand and leading him towards Stefan.

"Klaus, this is Stefan. He lived in Mystic Falls and-"

"Yeah, babe, I know who he is. We've met before."

I groan and tilt my head towards the ceiling. Men. "Come on boys, dinner is served."

I lead the way towards the dining room, feeling like the world's most powerful woman with two men flanking my sides for a few moments. That is, of course until one of the men see's his kids and becomes a huge teddy bear.

"You can just sit right there, Stef. Don't worry, that seat beside you won't be empty forever."

Stefan gives me a dirty look and goes to sit down in front of me on the big table. The kids sit side by side at the head of the table (we alternate) and Klaus comes to sit beside me. Just as Ana sets the last plate on the table, the doorbell rings.

"Who's that?" Klaus asks me, puzzled. I ignore him and set my narrowed eyes pointedly on the empty seat beside Stefan.

"kathy!" squeals Ade from beside me.

"Hi Kat!" I greet her excitedly. "You can sit right there, beside Kat."

Katherine's eyes fixate Stefan and her cheeks redden slightly before she shoots be a glare of death and goes to sit by him. Despite her reluctant attitude, Stefan immediately begins talking to her and just like that, I can see it happening. Happiness.

"Oh, Is." Klaus chuckles into my ear. "Matchmaking, again?"

I look at him with wide innocent eyes. "Me? Why, never."

The end.

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3/06/2014