klaroline story

chapter 32

The soft morning light spilled through the large windows of the Mikaelson compound, casting a warm glow across the room where Caroline sat, staring at the engagement ring on her finger. It was real. She was really going to marry Klaus.

A whirlwind of emotions swirled within her, and it wasn't just the excitement of her impending wedding. It was the life she was building with Klaus—a life she had never imagined but now couldn't picture any other way. And yet, there was a sense of fear at the edges of her mind. The past always seemed to follow them, lingering like a shadow that threatened to darken their happiness. But for now, she was determined to hold onto the joy of this moment.

She had her hand on her stomach, feeling the faint flutter of the twins inside her. Klaus's children. Her children. The weight of it all was overwhelming, but in a way, it was also comforting. This was her family. And no matter what came next, she would protect them with everything she had.

Downstairs, Klaus was already awake, pacing back and forth, his mind racing through the details of the day. He knew there was no turning back now. This was the moment he had been waiting for—no more running from his feelings, no more hiding from the future. Today, he would marry Caroline, and nothing could stand in their way. But still, a sense of unease gripped him. The truth was, he'd never done this before—this whole wedding thing. He had never really had anyone he wanted to share his life with until now. It was one thing to be a powerful immortal, feared by many, but to be a husband and a father was a completely new territory for Klaus.

Elijah, ever the calm and collected older brother, walked into the room, his eyes filled with a quiet understanding. He could sense the tension radiating from Klaus and knew it had little to do with the wedding itself. Klaus was simply scared.

"You're pacing again," Elijah said, his voice calm but laced with humor. "Is that how you plan to get through the day, brother? If you keep walking in circles, you'll have burned all the energy before the ceremony even starts."

Klaus stopped mid-step and turned to face him, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I just want everything to be perfect, Elijah. This is it. I've never been more certain about anything in my life, and yet, this still feels like the biggest gamble I've ever taken."

Elijah nodded, understanding. "I know. But you've been preparing for this moment your whole life, even if you didn't know it. Caroline is the one you've always needed, whether you wanted to admit it or not."

Klaus looked at him, his face softening. "I don't deserve her, Elijah. You know that."

"Maybe," Elijah said with a small smile, "but she sees something in you that nobody else ever has. She's chosen you. That counts for something."

Klaus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just hope I'm enough for her. I'm not sure I could survive losing her."

"Then don't lose her," Elijah replied simply. "But don't push her away with your insecurities, either."

Klaus nodded, his mind still swirling with thoughts. He knew Elijah was right. But still, the weight of his fears was hard to shake.

Meanwhile, Caroline was downstairs, getting ready for the ceremony. Hayley was helping her with the final touches, adjusting her dress and making sure everything was in place. Caroline felt a mix of nerves and excitement. The day had finally arrived, and with it, the promise of a new beginning.

"You're going to look amazing," Hayley said as she zipped up Caroline's dress. "Klaus won't be able to take his eyes off you."

Caroline smiled, looking at herself in the mirror. The dress was elegant but simple, a perfect fit for her. She never thought she'd find herself in a wedding dress, especially not to someone like Klaus Mikaelson. But here she was.

"I just hope I don't trip or do something stupid," Caroline joked, trying to calm her nerves.

"You won't. Trust me," Hayley said with a reassuring smile. "This is your moment. You deserve this."

Caroline took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I just want everything to go smoothly. No drama, no complications."

Hayley chuckled. "You know, this is the Mikaelson family we're talking about. Drama is basically part of the package."

Caroline laughed, though she couldn't help but worry. The past had a way of showing up uninvited, and she hoped that today, at least, it would stay away.

Down in the living room, the rest of the Mikaelson family was gathered, finalizing the last-minute details for the ceremony. Freya, Davina, and Rebekah were taking care of the flowers, while Kol and Marcel were setting up the space.

Klaus and Caroline had chosen a small, intimate venue—a secluded area in the woods outside the compound. It wasn't traditional, but it was meaningful to them. It was a place that held memories, both good and bad, but ultimately, it was a place where they had found each other.

As Klaus walked into the living room, his eyes locked on Caroline, who was now standing at the top of the staircase, looking like a vision in white. Her hair was styled perfectly, her smile soft and serene. She was everything he had ever wanted, and he felt his heart skip a beat at the sight of her.

She caught his gaze, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away. There was only him and her.

Caroline started walking down the stairs, her steps slow but steady. Klaus moved toward her, his heart racing. When she reached him, he took her hands in his, his touch gentle, as if he feared she might disappear if he held her too tightly.

"You look incredible," Klaus whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

"Thank you," Caroline said softly, her smile wide. "You don't look so bad yourself."

Klaus chuckled, though there was a hint of nervousness in his smile. "This is it, Caroline. No turning back now."

Caroline nodded. "I know. And I wouldn't want to turn back. I'm ready for this, Klaus. For you. For us."

He took a deep breath and kissed her forehead. "Then let's make this the start of everything we've always wanted."

As the ceremony began, the Mikaelson family gathered in the small venue, the air thick with anticipation. Hayley, holding Hope, was the first to walk down the aisle, followed by Rebekah, who carried the twins. Then, Caroline and Klaus walked together, hand in hand, toward their new life.

The vows were simple but heartfelt. Caroline spoke first, her voice trembling but strong. "Klaus, from the moment we met, you've been my constant. You've shown me love when I didn't believe I deserved it. You've given me hope, and now, I'm giving you my heart, forever. I want to be your wife, the mother of your children, and your partner in this life. I love you."

Klaus's voice cracked with emotion as he spoke. "Caroline, you've changed me in ways I never thought possible. You've seen the man I can be, and you've given me the strength to become him. I love you, with everything I have. And I will never stop loving you. I want to spend every moment of my life with you, as your husband, the father of our children."

They exchanged rings, their promises sealed with a kiss. And as they stood there, hand in hand, they knew that this was just the beginning.