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Mikaelsons are known for having the biggest and most lavish parties, so when news of a ball was floating in the wind, the entire population of New Orleans was talking.
They were celebrating the 50th anniversary of Caroline’s arrival in New Orleans.
Flashback ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Caroline first arrived in New Orleans, she found out that Klaus was the “king” of the city.
She found his house fairly quickly considering that it was smack in the middle of the city and the biggest house on the streets.
She waltzed in through the gates, seeing him in deep discussion with a few of his hybrids. After seeing her, he quickly dismissed them with total disregard to the way that they bowed slightly before leaving. Of course she noticed it and wasn’t going to let it slide by unacknowledged.
“Hello, love” he said with a smile specifically reserved for her.
“Hello your majesty” she said while bowing and extending her arms outward with a flourish. On her way up she grabbed his hand and placed a kiss on his knuckles.
He stood there staring at the space between his hand and Caroline. He could still feel her touch imprinted on his skin.
“Helloooo?” She said, snapping her fingers in front of his face.
Shaking himself out of his momentary stupor, he questioned “What are you doing here sweetheart”
“Well once upon a time, a certain someone told me that I would be knocking on his door in a year or in a century and its been 88 years since I last saw that certain someone.”
“Oh really” he said shifting his feet slightly, ducking his head with a small smile creeping up the side of his face still a little shocked that she was standing in front of him.
“Mhm, to be honest I did think I’d last longer but alas, here we are. I heard that that person is still handing out personal tours as well” she replied walking up to him so that they were standing toe to toe.
Klaus grinned down at her smugly. “You remembered.”
“You owe me a tour”
He held his arm out for her to take, “I know just the place to begin”. At her pursed lips and narrowed eyes he smirked, and added “that is not upstairs two doors to the left” She rolled her eyes, taking his arm. He leaned in so that his breath tickled her ear “You know, I only made mention for your own future reference” He straightened up, smiling smugly at the slight shiver that she tried to hide.
Attempting to distract herself as they walked out the gate she said “You know that having a gate doesn't necessarily guarantee safety even if you are invincible….and its super weird”
Present---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hybrids and compelled vampires were flitting in and out of the compound all day. Caroline and Rebekah at the top of the stairs directing everyone for what goes where.
Later that day, Caroline was standing in front of her vanity putting on a pair of dangling diamond earrings when Klaus walked out of his closet dressed in his suit.
Caroline was wearing a silver floor length dress with a slit on her left leg that went all the way up to mid thigh. As an added bonus, the dress was backless with only slim criss-crossing strings of fabric holding it securely to her body.
Klaus walked over to her, wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.
She looked up meeting his eyes through the mirror. He gave her a brief kiss on her neck and then her cheek, before whispering “You look stunning sweetheart”
She blushed, turning around in his arms and wrapped her own around his neck. She leaned in and gave him a peck on the lips. She whispered back “Thank you Nik,” Taking a step back she looked him over, smiling and said “You don’t look too bad yourself”
“I know” he replied, smirking. He suddenly shifted his demeanor and became serious as he walked back into the closet, emerging a few seconds later with a small parcel in his hand. He walked up to her and paused for a few moments while thinking about what to say.
Taking a deep breath, he softly took her hand, running his thumb across her knuckles. “Caroline, when you came here 50 years ago I didn’t know if you were going to be staying for a few years or if you really meant forever. I didn’t dare get my hopes up in case you decided that I wasn’t worth it and left. But now it's been 50 years and I now realize that you are and have been here through the ups and downs. So, now on the 50th anniversary of you walking through my gate, I want to give this back to you,” He let go of her hand to open the small box and turned it around so she could see.
Her cerulean eyes widened at the sight of the infinity link bracelet that she had thrown in his face over 100 years ago. She lifted her eyes to meet his, searching for something that he did not know, but hoped she was able to find.
Taking her hand again, he said “I would like to place it back where it belongs”
She took the bracelet with a smile, placing the case on the vanity, and held it out to him, gesturing for him to place it on her wrist.
With a wide smile he took it and clasped it on her wrist and brought it up to his lips to lay a kiss just below where the bracelet sits.
She reached up cupping his neck to bring him closer and gave him a deeper kiss than she had earlier, she wanted to make sure he felt all the meaning behind it. .
She pulled away looking into his eyes saying “I love you Nik, so much more than you know.”
He rested his forehead against hers, needing to be as close as possible to her “I love you too sweetheart.”
After standing there for a few moments Caroline asked “Are you ready to go downstairs and greet our guests”
“Now I am” he replied smiling.
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Elijah presented them to the crowd, as if they needed any presentation, and then they walked down the stairs, arm in arm.
They made their rounds through the throng of people occasionally stopping and making respectful small talk before moving on.
They met with Bonnie who arrived looking no older than 45 thanks to some witchy magic alongside her fiance Marcel. Stefan had also arrived with Rebekah in tow, recently having returned from their third tour around the world.
Standing by the bar sipping on a flute of champagne, Caroline fondly recalled a fond memory of a younger and more unpopular Klaus referring to champagne “their thing”. I guess it is, he was right all along she mused. Feeling Klaus approaching, she turned around, placing her glass on the counter.
“Would you like to dance sweetheart?” he asked, holding out his hand. “I would love to My Love” she answered with a smile. He pulled her gently to the dance floor, spinning her around and resting his hand on her waist. Hers landed on his shoulder, keeping their hands clasped together.
The room slowly drifted away as they spun around the room. After six dances, Caroline leaned in close and whispered in his ear,
“Want to get out of here?” and then slowly pulled away from him with her eyebrow raised.
He nodded, smiling softly at her, he would never deny himself the opportunity to get her alone. Scanning the room quickly, he searched the crowd for Elijah. Once they made eye contact, he shot him a small nod. Upon receiving one in return, he guided Caroline out of the gate and away from the ongoing party. After over a thousand years as brothers, Elijah and Klaus were able to communicate without need for words or even noticeable gestures.
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They walked down the street hand in hand talking about everything and nothing. One of the many privileges an eternity together provided them was that there was rarely any need to rush.
They came across a small band playing in the street. There were two other couples swaying softly to the melody.
Klaus and Caroline looked at eachother, smiled and walked to the makeshift dance floor.
She pulled him closer wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head against his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her waist and they stood there, gently dancing, while holding each other as soft, yellow lights blanketed them in a soft glow.
“Happy Anniversary Nik” she said softly.
“Happy Anniversary my love” he replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Quietly they stood there swaying to the soft music pouring from the instruments, floating into the night sky.