klaroline story

chapter 33

The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting an orange and pink hue across the sky. Caroline stood at the balcony of the compound, her hand gently resting on her stomach as she stared out over New Orleans. The events of the day still felt like a blur. Her wedding to Klaus had gone off without a hitch, but now, in the quiet of the evening, the reality of everything was starting to settle in.

She was married. To Klaus Mikaelson. And, as if that weren't overwhelming enough, she was also carrying his twins.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching from behind her. She turned and saw Klaus walking toward her, a glass of wine in hand. His eyes, dark with emotion, softened when they met hers.

"Is it strange?" Klaus asked, his voice low but filled with a sense of curiosity. "To be here, with me, like this?"

Caroline smiled, the weight of the day pressing against her chest. "A little," she admitted, but there was a warmth in her voice. "But not in a bad way. I think I'm just still processing everything."

Klaus chuckled softly, stepping closer to her. He handed her the glass of wine. "It's a lot to take in," he said, his gaze tender as he looked at her. "I know I've thrown a lot at you. But I'm not going anywhere, Caroline. We're in this together, no matter what."

She took the glass and sipped from it, feeling the coolness of the wine trickle down her throat. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable—it was the kind of quiet that spoke volumes. She didn't need to say anything more to him. He understood.

"I know," she whispered, her eyes softening. "I'm not going anywhere either."

The weight of his words—those simple but meaningful promises—settled in her heart like a promise she never thought she'd receive. Klaus had never been one for promises, but somehow, Caroline had always known that his love was the truest thing she would ever have.

Inside the compound, the rest of the family was gathering. It was only a small, intimate affair after the wedding—just close friends and family, but still, there was an air of festivity. The twins, who had been fussing earlier, were now peacefully asleep in their cribs. The Mikaelson brothers were in the corner, quietly discussing something, while Rebekah, Hayley, and Davina were seated at the table, sipping their drinks and chatting.

But the happiness in the air was tinged with something else. Rebekah kept casting glances toward Klaus and Caroline, her fingers tightly wrapped around her glass as if it were the only thing holding her together. Her face was an unreadable mask, but to those who knew her, it was clear: she was hurting.

Kol, ever observant, watched his sister from across the room, his gaze thoughtful. "She wants what they have," he said softly, leaning over to speak to Elijah, who was nursing his drink with his usual calm demeanor. "The family. The happiness. The children."

Elijah looked over at Rebekah, his eyes narrowing slightly. "She's always wanted that life, hasn't she?"

Kol nodded. "Yeah. And it's never been easy for her. She has this fear that she'll never have it. Not with Marcel, not with anyone."

Elijah sighed, his gaze now shifting to Klaus and Caroline, who were still standing on the balcony. "But it's not her time, Kol. If she wants it, she'll have to be patient. She can't rush something that doesn't come naturally to her."

Kol glanced at him. "And you think Klaus is going to be any better at waiting than she is?"

Elijah's lips curled into a small smile. "Klaus is the one who has to wait the most. He's spent centuries running from everything that matters. But with Caroline, I think he's finally ready to stop running."

Meanwhile, in the hallway, Rebekah stood alone, gazing at the picture-perfect wedding photograph on the wall. The memory of her own failed attempts at love and family hung heavily in the air, and she couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that had followed her since Caroline's proposal.

She had always dreamed of a life like the one Klaus and Caroline now shared—full of love, children, and happiness—but she knew deep down that it wasn't something she could have. She wasn't human. She didn't have that luxury.

Marcel's presence, though comforting, only complicated things further. The man she had loved and lost—had it really been lost? Was there still hope for them, or had they simply been two ships passing in the night?

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the door creak open behind her. She didn't need to turn to know who it was.

"You've been quiet tonight," Marcel said, his voice soft. He stepped closer, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. "You okay?"

Rebekah didn't answer immediately. She looked down at the floor, gathering her thoughts before speaking.

"I thought I wanted what they have," she finally admitted. "I thought... I could have it. But now I realize something—something I should have known all along."

Marcel raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

Rebekah turned to face him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I can't have a family. Not the way they do. I'm a vampire, Marcel. This... this curse is my fate."

Marcel didn't say anything for a long while, his expression unreadable. He took a step closer to her and gently cupped her face in his hands. "You're right," he said quietly. "But that doesn't mean you can't have love. It doesn't mean you can't build a life with someone, even if it's not the way you imagined."

Rebekah shook her head, but the warmth of his touch made her pause. "I'm not sure I'm ready to believe that, Marcel. Not yet."

Marcel's lips curled into a small, affectionate smile. "Then let's figure it out together."

Back outside, Caroline and Klaus were still standing on the balcony, lost in their own world. Caroline leaned against the railing, her hand resting on her stomach again, a gentle smile playing on her lips as Klaus stood beside her, his hand lightly resting on her lower back.

"So, now what?" she asked softly, her voice filled with both curiosity and excitement. "What happens next?"

Klaus looked at her, his eyes alight with determination and love. "Now? We live. We create a future. A family. And no one—nothing—will tear it apart. Not this time."

Caroline smiled, feeling the weight of those words settle in her heart. The future seemed uncertain, but for the first time, it didn't scare her.

Because for the first time in her life, she knew they were going to be okay.