Friendship or Love (A Klaroline Fanfic)

Chapter Twelve

After saying goodbye to Alaric and thanking him for the coffee, Esters lips twitched up into a goofy grin. Being in his presence always did put a smile on her face as well as making her forget all her troubles. So when she entered her home and heard the raised voices of her children and their friends, her smile vanished from her face as a sigh escaped her.

Mentally preparing herself for greater messes and bigger arguments, Ester cautiously followed the voices, which seemed to quieten until it came to a stop.

Feeling confused over the sudden silence, Ester scurried towards the dining room as a million different horrific thoughts leaped round her mind.

My children never stop fighting or arguing until they're literally pulled apart or a voice loud enough distracts them. She thought before she threw the door open, only to find a beautiful and mouth-watering dinner placed upon the table.

After releasing a loud sigh of relief that no-one was harmed, she asked, "What's all this?"

"Well mother, we all felt guilty after our childish display this morning, so we hope this will earn your forgiveness." Elijah answered taking Ester's hand then leading her to the table.

"Actually mother, this was all my idea as I just couldn't care the thought of you saddened." Kol sighed dramatically.

"Shut up Kol!" The whole room exclaimed.

Tears gathered in Esters eyes as she looked around the room. No words could describe how much all of this meant to her.

Before she could say anything, she noticed Caroline wasn't standing round the table with the others. Asking about her whereabouts, Klaus replied,

"She wasn't feeling too well, so she has gone to take a rest."

"Oh. Well, I hope she's feeling better later."

"Caroline actually picked out the meal." Katherine and Rebekah commented in union, then sending daggers to each other with their eyes.

"No arguments ladies." Elijah calmly warned.

"Thank you. All of you." Ester stood up from her chair, opened up her arms to bring everyone into a big silly family/friend hug.

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It's been over an hour since Ester returned home, and Klaus decided to check in on Caroline.

When he entered, Caroline had her head in her hands and was softly sniffling. Coming to sit next her on the edge of the bed, Klaus gently took Caroline's hands off her face.

"What's wrong sweetheart?" He asked, getting no reply just a 'what do you think' glare, he continued, "We had a little spat, I'm over it already."

"Well I'm not!" She cried "I was a bitch to you earlier and that is not OK."

"Sweetheart-"

"I don't want you to see me all weak Nik!"

"Caroline-"

"And I don't want to take my insecurities out on you and-"

"Caroline!" He said louder, carefully taking her shoulders and giving them a little shake, "You're strong, beautiful, full of light and I enjoy you... with or without working legs." They shared a loving smile.

"I'm sorry." She whispered snuggling into his chest.

"Don't be." He whispered back.

They sat in a comfortable silence until Caroline asked about Esters reaction to the surprise dinner.

After explaining how it went with a pleasant smile on his face, he got curious about Katherine. Caroline sighed saying she isn't going to say it more than once - knowing the others were curious too - and said it may as well be done now.

Klaus and Caroline entered the living room just in time to stop an argument from starting between the Gilbert twins.

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"Now, lets talk about Katherine, who she is and why she and Elena hate each others guts." Rebekah commented in a bored tone even though her eyes showed her curiosity.

Katherine and Caroline shared a look, silently asking and agreeing to sharing part of Katherine private life.

Caroline sighed before she began, feeling a little uncomfortable, "Well, as you know, Elena and Katherine are twins and um, growing up Kat as always the um.. 'Rebel' one, going against all the rules thrown her way." Keeping her eyes on Katherine she took a deep breath before continuing. "It wasn't anything bad, more childish than anything, but she always felt like the outcast of the family," Elena scoffed. "and I was never really close to Kat back then but at 15, she developed a drug problem and almost died not long after her 17th birthday 'cause of an overdose."

"After that my family put me in rehab and disowned me, stating I was too much for them to handle," Katherine continued for Caroline who was fighting back her tears. "Me and Care wasn't that close but she was the only person who came to see me, and she was always there after that, only left when she was forced too." She and Caroline shared a secret giggle.

Klaus tightened his hold on his love, the feeling of pride washed over him. Also Elena had the decency to look ashamed of her past actions. Elijah seemed visibly shocked and appalled over what Elena did to her own sister. Stefan and Damon both felt a little guilty over what she went through but didn't let it show in their expressions while Bonnie, Kol and Ester felt a little proud of both Caroline and Katherine: Caroline for always being there and Katherine for sorting her life out. Rebekah felt bad for her but was curious about how she knew the Salvatore brothers.

"Yeah, sad story. Now, tell us how you know Stefan." Bekah asked though her tone sounded demanding.

"Rebekah!" Caroline, Elijah and Ester exclaimed but only received a shrug from Bekah.

"No, no, it's fine." Katherine inhaled deeply. "Me and Stefan dated for a while when I was in my drug phase. He saw something good in me and I didn't like it, so I took advantage of him and went out with Damon at the same time. None of them knew I was with the other and when they found out it almost destroyed their relationship but at the time I didn't care."

"You little bitch!" Rebekah went to charge at Katherine but was held back by Stefan. "I want you out of my house and I never want to see you ever again!" She cried. "Now!" Bekah stormed out of the room, she remembered Stefan talking about the girl who almost ruined his relationship with his brother and the look on his face when he had told her made her spill a few tears. She had told herself that day that if she ever met the girl she would make her pay. But now knowing that she meant something to Caroline, she was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, which made her even more angry.

"I'll go to her." Stefan said awkwardly, leaving the room after his fiancée.

"Let's move on from that shall we." Ester commented uncomfortably.

"Um, well, uh, there isn't much more to say to be honest. I was 19 when I was released from rehab and I tried to reconnect with my family but they wouldn't even let me talk to them. Caroline helped me get my life back together, she knew this professional photographer and they needed a model so from there, my model career started."

"Oh poor Katerina. Her family disowned her, blah blah blah! You disgraced the family name, you were an embarrassment, you deserve everything you've gotten." Elena exclaimed.

"That is enough Elena! All Kat ever wanted was to be loved. Where were you when she needed you huh? You say family name? She is family." Caroline shouted angrily at Elena. "And don't even think about calling her Katerina, only her family calls her that and you are obviously not family."

And with that Caroline placed herself in her wheelchair and rolled out the room, leaving everyone that remained, shocked at her outburst.

"Nice one Elena." Katherine muttered sarcastically before following Caroline out the room...