The prompts seem to be done, and this has been a fun mini-drabble event for the holiday. My inbox is still open for more, but I really need to do the last minute crush on my gift fic. To kind of cap things off until the KC Winter Wonderland Exchange, I’ve been told that Once Again needs a happier entry.
I’ll go ahead and tag @caritobear, @delightfullysunny, and @margaerystaerk for their enthusiastic calls of a sequel to this mini-drabble. I hope you like it!
“I wouldn’t blame you, you know.”
Caroline glanced up and felt utterly tired at the kindness in Enzo’s face. Though she had fled Klaus’s parlor hours earlier, she had yet to find any peace after their meeting. When Enzo arrived for tea with her mother, the topic had inevitably dominated the afternoon’s conversation. Even Liz looked at her with pity, excusing herself to allow them privacy once she made it clear that it was Caroline’s decision alone.
So she was left to stare at her fiancé, a kind man who had become a dear friend throughout their engagement - even if she didn’t love him in the same, all-encompassing way she knew she was able. “He broke my heart, Enzo,” she finally sighed. “Am I supposed to just forget? To cast you aside, forcing you to bear a ruined engagement as I suffered through?”
“Forget?” Enzo shook his head decisively, reaching for her hand. “No, not forget. But there is forgiveness, a chance to learn from his mistake and rebuild the love you once knew into something greater. While I know my estate would be running in top shape with you at the helm, I think we both accept that great love has never been our path. For all his faults, your Klaus can offer more than a partnership.”
She chewed on her bottom lip, fighting the tears that wanted to fall. “Can he?”
With a wan smile, Enzo lightly rapped a knuckle under her chin. “You’ll never know if you marry me instead.”
“You’re an absolute moron.”
Klaus refused to look up, focusing instead on perfecting the line of Caroline’s cheek with his charcoal. When his sister burst in for tea without an invitation, he figured it would be best to let her say her piece without interference.
Rebekah continued to pace the room with her babe on her hip, not needing his participation to keep her rant going. “I supported you when you left, even though I told you it was the wrong choice. I tried to get you to write Caroline, made Marcel pass on her letter, but you’re too scared to face her. You don’t let me prepare her for your return, and you wait until she’s nearly married to rejoin society with a title and a home to offer.” With an angry scoff, she tears the drawing paper from his hand. “And you finally have her here, alone, and you manage to let her escape. Again.”
“What did you want me to do, Bekah?” He felt helpless, a feeling he had yet to shake since Caroline left that morning. “Trapping her here was hardly going to further my cause.”
Before she could retort, though, Klaus’s butler interrupted. “Lady Caroline Forbes, sir.”
Rebekah spun to face the door, her skirts whirling around her as Klaus stood, his heart stuttering in his chest. When Caroline stepped in, their eyes met, both uncertain. Then she turned to Rebekah, smiling automatically at the baby. “Hello, Anthony,” she greeted in a childish voice, easily lifting him from Rebekah’s hold to kiss her cheeks. “And hello, Bekah. Your housekeeper said you would be here.”
The breath escaped Klaus, as did a little hope. She was there for Rebekah, of course. But to see her holding the child as naturally as she did, all smiles as he chatted with his sister, he couldn’t help the ache at seeing what might have been his future.
As though she had been thinking the same thing, Caroline looked back to him. “I was in need of a chaperone to come visit,” she explained, “and Bekah, I know you understand the need for discretion.” Without a second thought, Rebekah swooped Anthony out her arms and swept out of the room altogether.
The bounce in her step was infectious as Klaus felt his own pulse start to race. “Caroline?”
“I’m not marrying Enzo,” she said in a rush, like she had been practicing. “He respectfully withdrew his proposal, because he knew I was struggling to break my promise to him. The way you broke your promise to me.”
His hands itched to reach out, though he restrained himself until he knew how this would end. “I know I hurt you,” he said. “I was wrong, and as Rebekah likes to point out, I made many mistakes in the name of trying to protect you.”
“You failed.”
Her petulant answer made him smile, however tightly. “Yes, I did.”
Expectant, Caroline tapped her toe against the burgundy carpet. “Well,” she sighed. “How are you going to fix it?”
He stepped forward automatically in surprise, his mouth gaping open. “Sweethe-”
“Because this is the second broken engagement in a year, and at this point, I’ll never find a proper husband to bear that kind of mess.”
Unable to hold himself back anymore, Klaus moved to kiss her, his hands coming up to cradle her face against him. “Propriety’s overrated,” he whispered into her mouth before claiming it again. “But marry me anyway, Caroline.”
She leaned into him before gently pushing him away. Still, she kept her hands firmly fisted around the lapels of his jacket. “You aren’t going to leave again.”
“Never,” he promised, his forehead pressed to hers. “My heart, my name, take it all, it’s already yours.”
They barely even heard Rebekah’s cheers or Anthony’s cries at his mother’s exuberance, as they were too busy holding each other after too long apart.
Many, many thanks to the wonderful friends liking, reblogging, and replying to the “Write Elephant Gifts” drabbles, you’ve made me smile so much on what’s been kind of a crappy holiday. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Wonderful Monday to everyone, whichever well wishes you embrace!
