Her Last Love

"Elena you look beautiful!" Bonnie says to Elena as she looks in the mirror holding the sides of her dress turning from side to side. "You really do, If Damon doesn't shed a tear when you walk down the isle I just might have to snap his neck" Caroline says. The three best friends laugh in unison. If you asked Bonnie and Caroline ten years ago if they would be at Elena Gilberts wedding to a vampire, and especially one with Damon Salvatore's history they would have called you insane. But here they were, standing in the dressing room with Elena. Bonnie and Caroline both dressed in beautiful bridesmaid dresses. Caroline thought she would be the one getting married first. But again things change. After Cade's reign on Stefan and the collateral damage, and too many broken promises Caroline decided it was best for her to end things with Stefan. Although they are still good friends. Things sometimes don't work out, but she was okay with that. Bonnie is engaged to Enzo. Through everything they stayed together and now that Bonnie was a vampire their love would be for eternity and although it scared Bonnie a little there's no one else she would rather have by her side. "Glass of champagne anyone?" Bonnie winks and they both gladly accept. They reminisce their high school years, and the life that could of been but were thankful that it turned out this way, they wouldn't have it done it any differently. Caroline decided she needed a minute of fresh air after having the glass of champagne. "I'm gonna go outside for some air I'll be back, don't drink it all without me!" She laughed. "No promises!" Both Elena and Bonnie yelled. Caroline walked outside taking a deep breath. She decides to check her phone wondering if Alaric needs any help with the girls. Nothing. She is in her own thoughts, back faced towards the exit of the building. She hears someone walking up and assumes it's another guest so she ignores, but to her surprise it wasn't just "another guest" "Hello love" her eyes widened, back facing toward him so he couldn't see her reaction. It couldn't be she thought. Would Damon and Elena really invite the original family to the wedding? "Klaus?" She turns around trying to calm her facial expression so he can't see. "Long time no see" Klaus says with a smirk. She stares at him trying to not give it away in her face that she's surprised. She can't let him know. "Caroline are you going to say something" Klaus says wondering if she's okay. She gave it away, crap she thought. "Hello Klaus" she gives a light smile. "I didn't know you were coming" Klaus tilts his head and takes a step forward. "Ah yes, Damon invited me and the rest of the family, we all couldn't seem to pass up the opportunity of seeing Damon Salvatore getting married, never thought I'd see the day" Caroline laughs "Trust me neither did I" Klaus laughs and stares at her subtly. God has he missed her. Still the same bubbly Caroline he's always known. They haven't spoken since the phone call almost 3 years ago when Stefan left his phone. Stefan, Klaus thought. Were they still together? Did Stefan keep his promise? He recalls the time back in the New Orleans cemetery "I promise I'll only do right by her" "How's Stefan?" Klaus asks her trying to seem sneaky, even though Caroline has always been able to see right through him. Caroline sighs "He's good. We broke up about a year ago. Still friends of course" Klaus is in disbelief. He would have to have a talk with Stefan later but all that mattered right now was Caroline. She was right in front of him. After all this time. "Oh I'm sorry Caroline I didn't mean-" She stops him. "It's okay sometimes things just don't work, and that's okay. It really is" Klaus smiled knowing he broke her, and he didn't know hurt him. But he knew she was strong, full of light. She could get through anything. "How are the girls?" He asked Caroline smiled, she loved talking about the twins, and she loved that he asked when she knew he didn't have to care, but he did. "They're great, growing up just fine, going to have to get a handle on this witch stuff soon, but that's nothing Bonnie can't help with. "How's Hope?" Klaus could never admit it but he loved talking about his daughter, and the fact the he was talking about her with Caroline only made it better. "She's great, but I think we have to get a handle on the witch stuff too" He laughs. "But that's nothing Freya couldn't handle" He smirks. "Klaus Mikaelson are you trying to one up me on witches!" They both laugh. Caroline knew about Freya, but not much, only that she was the long lost witch sister. The things you miss in New Orleans. So much time has passed between them, but they were still bantering like they used to. Although both of them would ever admit it, it was nice. Reassuring. Klaus missed Caroline indeed, and Caroline missed him too, but she would never admit it, not even to herself. "Well I guess I'll see you in there" Caroline said with a reassuring smile. "Tell Hayley, Rebekah, Elijah, Kol, and Freya hello for me" Klaus nods. She turns around taking a step forward, but not inside yet. He can't let her go without saying what he needs to say. "Caroline" he calls out to her. She turns around. "Yes?" She looks at him in confusion. "Caroline I want you to know that offer is still on the table" She tries to recall what he's talking about. She stands and thinks for a moment. She remembers. The voicemail. "Caroline, I'm standing in one of my favorite places in the world surrounded by food, music, art, culture, and all I can think about is how much I want to show it to you. Maybe one day you'll let me" She wished that she had called him back that day, and accepted his offer, but sadly she was too consumed with the life she had in front of her. There were days she almost picked up her phone and dialed his number to tell him she was ready. But she didn't, and it was different now. They both have kids. Different lives. She couldn't. "Klaus I" she paused. Klaus knew what she was about to say and he stopped her. "It's okay Caroline, we have all of eternity I just hope one day you'll change your mind" She knew he was upset, and she didn't mean to make him feel that way, she just didn't know what to say. She has two kids. He has one. How could they just take off? It's not that she didn't want to. She did. Hell she wanted to since the day he left that voicemail. She frowns, and turns to walk away, and leave the conversation unfinished. But something stops her. Maybe it's impulse. Maybe she isn't thinking or maybe it's the champagne, but right now she didn't care. She loved him once years ago although she could never admit it. Maybe she never stopped. "Klaus" she says softly. He looks up, his eyes widen. "I think I would like to take you up on that offer" She smirks. His eyes widen more as if they are about to pop out of his head. Did she really just say yes?

Flash Forward

It's been a year since Damon and Elena's wedding. They are now expecting their first child, and the finally got that loft in Tribeca, and of course Damon runs the bar downstairs and Elena is in the OR every chance she gets, but not too much for Damon. A year since Caroline finally accepted Klaus' offer. Elena and Bonnie originally had been shocked but were happy for her. Stefan was too and she was glad. Klaus and Caroline walk out to the balcony of his room. The girls are with Freya learning to control their magic. They both decided it was best they waited to travel until after the girls are in college. The twins switched back and forth between Caroline and Alaric and it was working perfectly. They stand out on the balcony looking into the city smiling, then looking at each other. Klaus' arm around Carolines waist, and her head buried into his neck. She never thought she would be standing here. But Klaus knew one day she would be, and that day happened to be today. They smiled and both reminisced the day of graduation when Klaus told Caroline he would be her last love. At the time she thought he was wrong. So wrong. But it's funny how things change. "Thank you Caroline" Klaus smiled. "For what?" She asked. "For bringing out then best in me. You brought me back Caroline" She smiled, and he swore he's never seen anything more beautiful in the hundreds of centuries he's been on this earth. "Anytime Mikaelson" She winked, and he laughed. Klaus took a deep breath and before she could say anything else he spoke. "I told you I would be your last"