The Only Hope For Me Is You: A Klaroline Fanfiction

25.

Klaus liked to think that since becoming a father he had learned to control his temper and mood swings. For most of his life, he had let his temper and impulsiveness get the better of him, but he knew after the first time he held the twins that he couldn't let it run him anymore. However, the last two days had greatly tested his resolve.

Ever since the night he had asked Caroline if she would be able to watch Henry and Lexi during his dinner meeting, he had been agitated and quick tempered. That night he had been unable to focus on the TV, so he had gone up to his room to bed yet found it difficult to fall asleep and once he did it was fitfully. The lack of sleep had done nothing but add to his agitation when he woke. He had gone downstairs ready for the day and was happy to see that his mood quickly lifted when he saw his children. Caroline had been there as well, but he had focused on the twins so as not to let his irritation get to him.

Within an hour of arriving at his office, his staff had become aware of their boss's horrid mood after he had lashed out at Nate for losing a highly prized acquisition and Aidan for incompetence. For the rest of the day Mindy ran interference between him and those who dared to try and disturb him. He was positive he had never seen his staff depart for the weekend as quickly as they did that Friday, as if they thought he would rip their hearts from their chests for speaking to him.

When he returned home that night, Caroline had just been returning with the twins from Lexi's practice. She seemed a bit uncertain around him, until she asked him if he had been able to secure an alternate caregiver for the following night, offering again to change her plans if he needed her. He had quickly informed her that Katherine and Elijah would be coming over to watch the twins and he did not require her assistance. She had departed shortly after to her room and he knew that his abrupt answer had clued her into his mood but he did not care. All day Saturday, his attention had been focused on Lexi and Henry and had tried not to think of Caroline but found it hard once the evening approached.

Klaus was tying his tie when the front door opened and Katherine strolled in. He looked behind her and saw that she was alone. "Where's Elijah and Daniel?"

"Hello to you, too," Katherine replied before answering. "At home, enjoying some much needed daddy/son time."

Klaus' eyebrow shot up in surprise. "And he let you come by yourself?"

"I'm a big girl, Nik."

"And getting bigger every day, which is why I'm shocked my brother didn't come with you."

"He tried, but I insisted that he stay home," Katherine stated, glaring at him for the comment on her expanding belly. "It's not as if the twins are babies or toddlers that require a lot of lifting and carrying. I thought we'd cue up a movie and have some dinner, nothing especially strenuous. Are you going to argue with the woman who is doing you a favor? Because you made it sound like you didn't have much of a choice of sitters?"

Klaus knew she was right, he didn't have much of an alternative and so he wasn't going to argue. However, before he could say anything in return, Katherine's attention turned away from him and she let out a loud whistle. "You look hot, Caroline."

Unable to help himself, Klaus looked over to where Caroline had appeared on the staircase and his breath caught. She wore a black dress that hugged her curves perfectly; her cleavage peaking out teasingly, the skirt long enough to be modest yet still displayed plenty of her creamy legs that ended in a pair of black strappy high heels. Her hair was down, spilling around her shoulders and back in large curls that bounced as she came down the stairs. She looked…beautiful.

Caroline found herself hesitating halfway down the stairs when she saw Klaus. He was dressed in a charcoal suit with a pale blue shirt. In addition to the jacket, the suit had a matching vest that fit him well. He had gone without a tie, instead leaving the collar open so that the necklaces he wore peaked out just a little. Her eyes rose from that little patch of skin and she saw that he seemed to be staring at her. The look in his eyes was penetrating but she forced herself to look away and continue down. When she reached the bottom she looked at Katherine. "Um, thanks I think."