The dance had been a blast and everyone had a good time. Caroline had really outdone herself, probably due to the fact it would the last time she would organize a school dance, but she was already onto the graduation party and planning it. She had managed to sucker Bonnie and Elena into helping with it.
"It's hard to believe we graduate in three weeks, so what are you two planning after graduation?" Caroline asked Elena and Bonnie.
"Well grams wants me to learn how to control my magic and teach me what I don't know, so college is on hold for now" Bonnie said.
"I'm going to college as planned" Elena said.
"Ok you two I got to get going, I promised Grams I would spend time with her tonight instead of hanging out. So I'll talk to guys later" Bonnie said as she gave each of them a quick hug and headed off.
The last few weeks of school went by fast, and it was graduation day. Elena was so excited she barely slept and Kol barely slept thinking about the engagement ring sitting in his top dresser drawer and worrying she would say no. The hours seemed to crawl before it was time to head to the school, thankfully it was a beautiful day out considering graduation was taking place outside. Nik, Elijah, Rebekah, Freya and Kol had dressed up for the occasion to watch Elena get her diploma.
After the party Kol was ready for some quiet time with Elena and they headed out to get to the lake house before it got to late. If someone would have said to him a year ago that he would want to marry Elena Gilbert he would have laughed in their face, yet here was was wanting to do exactly that.
"Quiet at last" she said as they walked in. Thankful they had brought everything they needed the day before.
"And now I have you to myself" Kol said as he wrapped his arms around her waist and bent down to kiss her.
"That you do, now tell me what has been bothering you the past few days" she said concerned.
"You know how to kill the mood, don't you" he said with a chuckle.
"Hey...I just noticed you seem...distracted" she said looking up at him.
"The only thing distracting me is you, now let me get a fire going" he said.
"Ok, while you do that I'm going to grab a quick shower" she said as she stood on tip toe to give him a quick peck before heading upstairs.
While she was upstairs Kol got the fire lit and reached into his pocket and pulled out the little black box, opening it to see the marquise cut diamond ring. He had opted for a silver ring rather than gold and hoped she liked it provided she said yes. Lost in thought he hadn't heard her come back downstairs until she spoke behind him. Kol quickly closed the little box and as he turned to face her slipped it in his pocket, deciding it was now or never.
"Have I told you yet today how much I love you?" Kol asked pulling her into his arms.
"Hmmm....not since this morning" she said smiling at him.
"I love you. In fact more than I ever thought possible. I've waited a thousand years for you it seems, no one has ever got me to feel what I feel for you Elena" he said looking down at her.
"I love you too Kol. Maybe I was waiting for you to find me" she said with a smile, then she noticed him getting down on one knee.
"Elena...will you marry me?" Kol asked as he pulled the box out of his pocket and opened it.
"YES!" she shouted with a big smile on her face, as he put the ring on her finger.
"I hope you like it" he said unsure of what she thought of it.
"It's beautiful" Elena said holding up her hand to look at the engagement ring on her finger.
"Just know, I don't mind a long engagement if that is what you want" Kol said relieved she said yes.
"Thank you. But I don't want a long engagement, how about New Year's Eve?" she said looking up at him.
"New Year's Eve it is" he said picking her up and heading upstairs.
The next morning they headed back to Mystic Falls, wondering how everyone would take the news of their engagement and that the wedding would be at the end of this year. Elena knew eventually it would come up about her staying human or being turned. Little did Kol know she had made the decision to be turned when she said yes to his proposal. Until the time came she was going to enjoy being human.
"Did you two enjoy your night away?" Elijah asked when they entered the living room.
"As a matter of fact we did and since you are all here, there will be another Mikaelson at the end of the year" Kol said with a big grin on his face.
"I told you she would say yes, now lets see the ring" Rebekah said excitedly.
"Now you've done it Elena, she won't leave you alone now until she has planned your entire wedding for you" Nik said smiling as Elena held out her hand for Rebekah and Freya to look at the ring.
"It is beautiful" Freya said.
"Thank you" Elena said smiling.
"You will make a stunning bride Elena" Elijah said giving her a hug.
"This calls for a celebration. Our baby brother is getting married, and we'll have another Mikaelson. So we shall have a party tomorrow night, be sure to invite your friends Elena" Nik said happily.
"Welcome to the family Elena" Freya said hugging her.
"I'm all for a party, so I'm going to get started on that and welcome to our crazy family Elena" Rebekah said with a smile.
"Do you plan to invite the Salvatore's? They are your friends and would be welcome to celebrate in your happiness" Elijah said in his usual calm manner.
"I would like to invite them if that is ok" she said hesitantly.
"Love regardless of the past, Elijah is right. They are your friends and if you want them here, I'm ok with that" Kol said taking her hands in his.
"As long as you are ok with it I'll invite them, if your not say so and I won't" she said looking up at him.
"I'm fine with it, I know who you love the best" Kol said with a smirk.
"Well I guess I better get everyone I want here invited for tomorrow" Elena said.
"I'm going to make sure Rebekah doesn't get overly carried away" Freya said, then left the room.
"Do, otherwise she'll have everyone in Mystic Falls invited" Nik called out to his sister.
"What do you two plan on doing today?" Elijah asked looking at Kol and Elena.
"Well beings our engagement will be announced tomorrow, I figured we would stay low key for the day. Unless Elena wants to tell her friends today" he said.
"We can wait until tomorrow, staying low key sounds good actually. In fact I'm going to head upstairs to unpack" she said and headed out into the hallway.
"I'm happy for you Kol. I thought I would never see this day, your a different man" Elijah said to his younger brother.
"Believe me brother, I never thought I would see this day either. She brings out the best in me and I couldnt' be happier" Kol said.
"I just got off the phone with Marcel and he said so far no one been asking about what was once our little problem" Nik said noticing how Kol reacted as did Elijah.
"Kol, you did what had to be done. Had either myself or Niklaus been there, one of us would have done it. But what is really bothering you is that she saw you do it...correct?" Elijah asked.
"It does, plus at one time he was her friend" Kol said not looking at either brother.
"Kol, you did the right thing and it was unfortunate she saw it. That girl upstairs loves you regardless and is going to be your wife. Now lets have a brotherly toast to your happiness" Nik said handing each brother a tumbler of bourbon before picking up his own.
