A/N: I know, you all hate me for leaving you alone.

Finally had the time to update, so enjoy :)

October bloomed into cool winds and welcoming enchantment for Caroline.

Gone were over flushed cheeks. Gone were mad rushes of moving in and late summer heat. In its place grew a sense of tranquil routine that began to occupy her time. England was a labyrinth of places to explore and things to do, and she opted to see and discover as many sights as possible when Klaus was studying.

There was a balance of their time together and their time apart. Mornings belonged to both of them. Lie-ins and tangled limbs of warmth and laughter. Then, reluctant engagements – Klaus' university lectures and seminars and Caroline's day plans – would pull them away for a little while.

After settling into their apartment, it quickly became home.

Small touches like the candled alter Caroline had set up in the living room shaped the light into their own place of sanctuary. Klaus' half-dried paintings left at random on their wooden stands would often be left to soak up the light from open windows, casting colours of reds, greens and rainbows around the apartment. She'd spent moments just watching the colours dance around, feeling the work of her husband covering her in a warm embrace.

And for a short while, happiness flourished without tension.

Her father had bustled into London with a beaming smile – and also too many suitcases, which she couldn't bring herself to comment on – and settled into Mikael's unoccupied apartment, a few streets and a ten minute walk away.

And as soon as Bill arrived, Caroline finally allowed herself to grow attachments again. Attachments to her neighbours; the ever-welcoming Liv and Luke; to the supermarket cashiers who always smiled warmly, and even to the fading flowers and the wispy clouds.

Despite the threat of illness hanging over, Caroline felt at peace for a few weeks.

A small pocket of time in the grand scheme of things.

Rubbing her bare arms as she looked out the window, she looked out over the front of the campus and smiled. Thanks to her old school librarian, Tyler, she'd even found a workplace at the ironically named 'World's End' bookstore just a short walk away from campus. Spending time cataloguing books and setting up new displays gave Caroline great pleasure.

It was even easy to silence Klaus when he teased her mercilessly for hiding her favourite books away from prying eyes of customers.

They're mine, she claimed them fondly, placing them behind larger books. When confronted, she'd innocently feign knowledge of doing so.

The campus was settling into early evening night-life, with small groups chatting and laughing outside houses and shops and bringing life into the concrete surroundings. She watched a young couple walk arm in arm, took in their blinking eyes and dazzling smiles, and silently urged them on. Say it, she wanted to encourage. Say it and say it again. Tell them every morning, every night and every second in every way you can.

"Afternoon, my love."

She grinned.

Speaking of love -

Strong arms circled her waist and she relaxed into the familiar hold. Warm fingers began to rub her stomach fondly. They tickled her ribs lightly and she released a breath, slow and steady.

"How was the seminar?"

Klaus tucked his chin into her neck and her heart melted as he murmured, "Dull in comparison to you."

"Smooth."

"Good. It took me a bloody long time to come up with it."

She laughed at that, loud enough for Klaus to join in, and twisted around to face him. "Oh, really?"

As always, his openness caught her by surprise. The look in his eyes, the smile, the touches. Everything was so unguarded and so loving. Every movement moved her to tears nearly each time, and she was certain, judging by the glistening in his own, darker eyes, that Klaus felt it the same. It was raw and beautiful and she loved it, loved him beyond belief.

"So, do you get on with your professors?" She quickly asked. The intensity in his eyes shook Caroline to the core so she looked away and continued to speed up, doing anything to avoid melting further. "And are any classmates good enough to befriend Klaus Mikaelson yet? Hm? I uh, I bet they all view you as that mysterious, hot loner who secretly loves Taylor Swift-"

He gave a low chuckle, but moved closer.

"Any assignments yet?"

His hands cradled her face, cupping her cheeks and bringing her close enough so that their breath mingled warmly.

"I have better ideas than talking about my professor."

Oh.

Their lips met mid-way and Caroline was truly home.

The small rays of sunlight warming her cheeks, she breathed into his embrace and felt the tension leave her body in a slow release. This was a life she could get used to. Working and befriending neighbours and visiting her dad every other day. Acting normal and doing the groceries and arguing over who used up the hot water in the shower. They broke apart, but only so she could move closer and pull Klaus to her in a tight hug, snuggling her chin into his collar bone without speaking.

Does he know how much this means to me? She thought. How much he mean to me?

If it were possible to convey in words, Caroline hoped Klaus knew the true value of the next three words. Softly, she said, "I love you."

"And I love you."

The lips that had become so familiar to her twitched into a lopsided smirk.

She raised an eyebrow in question. "Obviously."

The tension snapped as Klaus kissed her once more, before leaning back with his own grin. "Obviously." He repeated warmly.

Slapping a hand against his chest, Caroline shot Klaus the very best mock-serious look she could muster. "Seriously, though. I do want to know about your classes, Mikaelson-"

A loud, shrilling ring echoed around the apartment, cutting her off mid-sentence.

Klaus pressed his forehead against hers for a moment and sighed. "Typical." However his tone was only semi-annoyed when he spoke. He reluctantly pulled away and reached for the phone. "Even living halfway across the world, our families never fails to keep their bloody noses out of their business."

She couldn't help but tease, "Trust a Mikaelson to persist."

"Oi."

A moment later, she listened as Klaus addressed, "The Mikaelsons' place, how can I help? Ah, yes. One moment, love." He held the phone to Caroline and smiled. "Bonnie for you, sweetheart."

Her smile grew as she took the phone with a grateful nod and trailed onto the small balcony for privacy. As much as she and Klaus shared, there were some things only a best friend ought to discuss, and it always felt nice to catch up with those in Virginia.

"CAROLINE!"

Oh, lord.

She winced, gingerly holding the phone away from her ear. "I can hear you just fine, Bon."

"WHAT? CAROLINE? WAIT A SEC…"

A crackle and a string of curses – which she turned a blind eye to – bounced down the line, followed by snippets, "STUPID…CELL RECEPTION….CAN YOU HERE ME, CARE?"

I think God himself heard you.

A hand covering her mouth to hold back the laughter, Caroline waited another moment before trusting herself to reply. "I can hear you loud and clear. Greetings from England!"

"Hey, there. As your best friend, I'm entitled to know every detail about the wedding night- ouch!"

There was a sound that sounded like muffled protests, definitely not Bonnie's war cry yelps, but another woman's voice nearby. Caroline's confusion was quickly cleared when Bonnie uttered a sharp command followed by another sigh of irritation. "Okay, fine. Look...You can chat in a minute, just budge OVER, Rebekah."

"Come on, ladies." She could imagine Bonnie and Rebekah fighting over the phone speakers and suppressed a giggle. "Share and share alike, remember?"

"Tell that to Ms Couch Hogger over here."

Caroline leaned against the balcony and laughed.

Well, that sounds familiar.

"It's a Mikaelson thing." She told Bonnie, and was rewarded with two, happy laughs matching her own.

It was great to chat to her friends again. Whilst they'd be constantly texting and occasionally emailing, it hadn't been the same as actually talking. Even hearing the pair bicker bought Caroline great joy. There was something warm and natural and encouraging about going through the normal activities. Day to day conversations, without over-worried doctors and nurses fondling her like a child.

At I can pretend to be normal...

She bristled then, thinking of the first hospital appointment she'd scheduled for next week. Pushing it aside, she tuned in to the conversation, waited for a pause, and asked, "So, tell me everything that's been going on…"

x

"Look! You can see Buckingham Palace from here! Quick, look!"

"Have you ever met the Queen?"

"Seriously, babe? I'm British, not Royalty."

Caroline laughed and pressed her nose against the glass to stare wide-eyed at the city below.

It was the day after Caroline's check-up, and Liv had decided to her out for a surprise that ended up being a booked pod for the London Eye. She watched the city grow smaller and smaller, and with it, her worries seemed to fade. At least for a short while, Caroline was able to forget: to cloud away the anxieties with warm sunlight and a friend by her side.

An arm linked through her arm and she smiled across at Liv. The other girl was quietly watching her, chewing her lip rather furiously. "Did…everything go alright? At your appointment, I mean."

She recognised the uncertainty in Liv's questions and debated for a moment.

A few days ago, she'd plucked up the courage to let Liv in on the secret of her illness, and although her neighbour had taken it well and promised to help if she was ever needed, Caroline had fought with the guilt of dragging another person into the wreck. The silence grew and eventually grew too much for Caroline to bear, so she took pity on her new friend. "It went okay. As well as it can be, I suppose."

The leukaemia specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital had been welcoming and kind. They'd even delivered her recent results in the kind of take-it-or-leave-it approach that she desperately needed to remain in control.

"The leukaemia is still in stage 3." She began. As long as she kept gazing upwards, into the murky clouds, avoiding the busy reality below, she'd be able to do this. To talk to Liv.

"There's not much they can do either, but I already knew that. All they can do is monitor my blood levels and keep my diet and cell levels in count. That's about it."

"Is that…good news?"

She shrugged at that. "Sort of. They say I'm…it's …passive for the moment." Noticing the confusion on Liv's face, she quickly explained, "Oh, it just means the leukaemia is in a remission stage. It's not the same thing as cancer, it doesn't mean it will go away, but…but it does mean that it shouldn't give me trouble for a little while at least."

"Doctors give you any advice?"

A bitter scoff escaped her lips, but she regretted it. All her doctors and carers had been incredible. It wasn't their fault that she'd been diagnosed with a fatal illness. "Well," She managed a small scrape of a smile as she remembered something else. "Positive spirits is the first step to success, as my mom used to say. So at least I'm doing one thing right."

The quiet lull of the pod hummed as they soared higher and higher into the sky.

Liv squeezed her arm. "I think you're doing a lot of things right, Caroline." And though there were tears in her eyes, she cracked a grin. "More than you think."

Reaching the top of the Eye, the pod stilled for a few seconds. She took a moment to smile at her friend. "Thank you."

Liv nodded, but didn't give her friend any more time to wallow in self-despair. Pressing her nose against the window, she announced, "Whoever spots a bald man first is the winner!"

x

"And if you clooose your eyeees;

does it almost feel like youu've been here beforeee..."

Singing in the shower had always been Caroline's favourite pastime, aside from choir and reading, of course. This morning's choice was an indie tune she'd had stuck in her head for a few days now thanks to the bookstore's obsession with folk music and easy-listening bands.

The water was warm and danced across her skin in a way that made it extremely hard to turn off.

And this is why Klaus always begs you to shower second…

She snorted at the memory of yesterday afternoon. It wasn't her fault though. He'd rushed through the door and jumped in the shower before she'd had the chance to tell him about their lack of hot water. She heard his yelp all the way from the kitchen, and had laughed so hard she'd almost cracked a rib. The pale bruising on her stomach later had been totally worth it.

Just in case he was considering any form of payback, Caroline had locked the door this morning and was busy power-housing her way through Bastille's 'pompeii'.

Which is most likely why she didn't realise Klaus was beside her until it was too late.

"JESUS."

A low chuckled held her in place. "Why, yes?" He joked.

There was little time to even register that they were both now wet, and naked.

So very naked.

Ignoring the sparks of warmth settling low inside her stomach, she turned her back on him and stretched her neck. The water welcomed her decision, splashing onto her face and neck. However, it did little to cool the spreading fire, flushing and burning her cheeks did with every moment that passed. She'd seen enough – a pile of clothes and a Mikaelson grin – to know that Klaus was just as naked as she was, but she wouldn't let herself look further. Wouldn't let him get the better of her like this.

"I hate you."

"You married a man you hate? Clever move, little bookworm."

"Shut up and pass me the shampoo." She snapped, still keeping her back to him and focusing on the water, and not the oh-so naked man standing close behind.

Naked and probably staring at my-

"Forgive me."

She huffed, and was about to bite back a reply, when she heard feet shuffling and felt his hands travel across her thigh, and thankfully, dance upwards to rest on her stomach again. She let out a deep sigh in surrender. "Mm, yep. Forgiveness granted."

Klaus placed his hands on the small of her back and with agonising slowness but a firm touch, began to massage circles across the dips between her shoulder blades and lower back. With his steady hands, the tension in her body released instantly. She didn't even bother to hide the blissful sigh that escaped her lips and leaned back into his chest. She was correct in trusting that he'd been standing directly behind her. With a careful hold, he supported Caroline's weight and patiently continued to trace slow, warm patterns whilst she shampooed and conditioned.

The wait was torturous for both, but she remained calm, refusing to listen to the overwhelming pounding of blood rushing around in her head.

It wasn't as though they hadn't spent the past weeks exploring each other. With varying amounts of delicacy, fierce desperation, or gentle lovingness. So when Caroline finally took in a deep breath, and forced her feet to shift and face his, it took her a surprisingly longer moment than necessary to bravely face him.

Klaus' eyes, darkened and alight with heat, were intimately locked onto hers.

He quietly asked, "All done?"

She almost said yes.

Almost.

Alas, the aching fingers on her right hand protested otherwise. They reached out – and honestly, she didn't mind at all – when they seized control and brushed across the taunt muscle of Klaus' stomach. Warm and wet droplets of water decorated his chest, courtesy of the shower spray. He stilled beneath her touch and Caroline was delighted when his chest suddenly stilled. She felt compelled to brush her hand over his heart, just to check it was still beating and beautiful beneath the surface.

They'd touched so many times, yet still it felt different each time they came together as one.

Occasionally it was rushed and a little humorous as they desperately pressed to be closer, and they'd once ended up laughing for at least half an hour when they took a tumble of the bed and received an angry complain from the lower-floor residents the next morning. But quite often, it was tender and slow.

Just thinking about the times it had been more heated had her blushing before the memory faded from thought.

I'll never be able to look at the kitchen counter the same way again.

"Caroline?"

The softness of his voice encouraged her closer.

With an arm still trailing down his chest, Caroline lifted the other up to cup his face and closed the distance with a gentle, lingering kiss. The shower was still on, though she'd switched it to a lighter mode, and it rained down pleasantly on her back, caressing bare skin with a slow, calming rhythm. Thanks to the bathplug, water had begun to fill the tub, and she wiggled her toes happily as the lapping water danced between their feet below.

Klaus pulled her into his arms and she gasped when she almost lost footing and fell. Luckily, he'd thought ahead, and had an arm around her waist in no time to pull her to a steady standstill.

"This is not the brightest idea you've had, Mikaelson."

He laughed, but quirked an eyebrow.

Uh, oh. Trouble ahead.

"Who said it was my idea?"

Now it was her time to raise a brow. She folded her arms over her chest in defiance, but kept close enough so their chests were pressed together still. The steady heartbeats between them grew a little quicker, but Caroline definitely didn't notice that either. Not at all.

"Excuse me, but who snuck up on who in the shower?"

He made a pointed display of feigning innocence, and even widened his eyes a little. "Well, you see. We have a dilemma, my love. The arms snaking around her waist claimed that this so-called dilemma was all part of a master plan, but she found herself grinning nethertheless. He sighed deeply. "You see, someone has a habit of using up all the hot water, so I figured why not share one?"

And so what if her cheeks were flushed by now? So were his.

Stupid shower.

Ignoring the rushing sound in her head that definitely wasn't blameable on the shower, or the steam, Caroline cleared her throat and stepped back into his arms. She was careful this time to bend her knees and retain balance. "Ah, but what do I benefit from this…shared activity?"

"Anything you want."

Unable to look away from the devotion in his held gaze, she swallowed down a sassy remark and kissed him instead. She took her time once again, drawing Klaus' lower lip between her teeth and biting down gently. He sighed, warm and waiting into her touch. When they pulled back and she replied, this time there was only certainty in her words. "I want you."

"If the lady insists."

He gave her little time to process as he lowered his head and began to work. Pressing a trail of hot kisses over her breasts, she arched and allowed a gasp to escape her lips in response. She still wasn't used to being touched like this. To being wanted so passionately. Dragging her fingers through his hair, she tugged a little too hard on his wet locks and muttered an apology when he winced. Instead of shaking it off, Klaus looked up at her and winked, cheeks as red as her own. "Don't apologise, my love. I like it."

"Oh."

She felt his words in every inch of her, spreading like fire down into her stomach. About to attempt a brazen reply, she gasped and clutched his hair for support as his lips pressed lower, just above her hipbone. He was almost kneeling know, crouched and carefully balanced before her like a king. She certainty felt like a queen, with Klaus Mikaelson bowed and desperately wanting her without shame or impatience. Just a slow, torturous spark of heat and passion that flickered between them.

The back of her head rested against the cool tiles, and she was about to gasp again, when-

Stopped.

He stopped.

Worries suddenly popped into her thoughts and she bit her lip, embarrassment staining her cheeks an even darker pink.

What if he doesn't want to-

"Love,"

She forced herself to look away, waiting for the next blow. It wasn't as if they hadn't touched each other so intimately before, but she'd always protested that she wasn't feeling too well, or that she didn't feel up to that side of making love just yet. Truthfully, she was. She'd be willing to explore it, at least. But with little experience – and free time to worry over such trivial – Caroline had shied away from this kind of pleasure because she was afraid. It would be new and exciting, yes, but also terrifyingly intimate.

She'd never even thought he might not want to…

"You don't have to, you know…" She began to say quietly, but trailed off when she caught the worried look in his eyes.

"Believe me, I want to. I, well, I wanted to check you were…okay. Feeling fine, I mean."

If it were possible to mentally slap oneself, Caroline did in that moment. She felt ashamed at having questioned his attentions to her desires. It had nothing to do with his lack of surety, but his worries over her condition at the present time. For now, all was well, and when she told him as much in-between helpless giggles, he turned her laughter into gasps and had Caroline scraping nails down his back in no time.

x

"And that'll be due in three weeks' time, so…23rd December. Tell your mom if you need to renew it, alright?"

"Thank you very much, miss."

"It's no trouble! Enjoy the book, sweetie."

"I will, bye!"

Caroline watched with a small smile as she handed the book over to the grinning girl – maybe 6 or 7 years old and flushed with excitement – and watched her run back around the corner to bombard her mother with even more books.

Leaning over the desk, she double-checked the new orders and catalogued them online before returning to the book she was currently reading.

Soon enough, another hour had passed quietly and with few customers, so her new boss, Anna, had waved her with a kind smile and the promise of closing up on her behalf. Thanks to Tyler, she'd found a new, second – technically third – home in the small, homey bookstore down the road. With regular customers and happy children, there were definitely worse ways to spend the time.

Even if it is little time.

Shaking that cruel reminder from her thoughts, she tugged her crimson scarf closer and began the short walk back to the apartment.

But she was unable to lose those quiet, niggling thoughts.

What if it happens tomorrow? She wondered, a little too sadly for her liking. I could fall down at work or during dinner and that could be it. No more world. No more family and friends. No more…me.

She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to pray, but found no words.

Anyone listening?

At times like this, Caroline's faith was tested, and she found it incredibly tough to deal with. She'd always found faith such an easy thing to believe in. It was unquestionable, that there was something larger at play that we cannot possibly understand or comprehend, but lately, she'd become guilty of neglecting prayers in exchange for angry and bitter thoughts.

I'm eighteen years old. It's not fair.

She was also unable to shake the image of the young girl from the bookstore. Her small, happy face and her small, tiny hands and growing confidence. She thought of the mother waiting around the corner, the mother who get to watch her child grow up and learn to love the world and shape it into her own dreams.

I'll never have that. I can't ever watch my children grow or chase their dreams like kites. I have no time for children or starting a family of my own. The empty streets greeted her solemnly. There's only this.

She looked up at the stars beginning to form in the skies, often having imagined her mother watching and shining down like a guardian. Elizabeth Forbes would smile and tell her baby girl about the myths and legends behind certain stars. They'd spend hours together, telescoping and laughing as they attempted to mark down as many new ones as possible.

It seems so far away now, the memories. Everything seems so far away. I seem far away.

Tonight, looking up into the navy carpet of stars, she saw only dead, wasted dust; burning uselessly in a forgotten sky.

x

He wakes at night to find her watching the stars.

"Please, just talk to me. I can help-"

But her eyes are dead as she replies. "Can you fix me? Can you, Klaus?" There is no sadness, no anger even; only a distant, dream-like voice that haunts his own dreams with fear. "Can you mend my body and give me strength? Can you…buy me time?"

"I cannot do that, but…my love, I can hold you."

So he does. He holds her to him in his arms and listens to her awful cries.

x

The next night, she stands on the balcony and looks up at the stars again. They do not shine, and are only dull remains of leftover dreams to her eyes.

He rushes to her side and gently coaxes her back to the warmth of their shared bed.

"Come back to me, my love." He whispers.

Her voice cracks and breaks as she tearfully asks, "Why?"

"Because we have each other."

"You won't have me forever, Klaus."

"I have you now, and you have me. What can I do to help you? Anything…anything at all…"

"Fix me."

"You're not broken, my love."

"Then why do I feel it?"

He does not reply, but holds her closely and whispers until she moves away from the shadows.

They repeat this conversation for fifteen nights.

x

The cutesy couple's calendar hanging from the wall read 'December 23rd: 2014" but the mood in the Mikaelson apartment was anything but festive.

Klaus, seated down opposite the elder man, clutched at his coffee mug until his fingers turned bone white. Only then did he feel the pain, and so spread his fingers sharply before he curled them into fists once again. There is silence, but it's his own fault. There is no warmth in his eyes, or his heart. There is definitely not a part of him that wishes to sing Christmas carols and celebrate the birth of Christ in two days.

"We have to do something." He repeated, for what was probably the fourth time in five minutes.

"I know." Bill replied.

Silence followed.

For a short while, the pair sipped at their coffee in quiet, eyes occasionally flickering to where the willowy, blonde woman stood outside, out of earshot on the balcony.

"She hasn't spoken for three days now. I've tried everything I can, I don't…I don't know what to do."

Their only interactions for a few weeks now have been the lonely nights. Around three o'clock, he would always awake to her standing outside on the balcony, white curtains streaming behind like angel wings, and eventually lifted her into his arms and wrapped her back up in the warm sheets. He'd managed to keep up his course – thanks to Bill protesting against his plans to drop it and take care of Caroline – and spent the time to gather what remained of his strength to help his lonely wife.

Something must've happened to her, but what?

Klaus ran a hand through his hair, exhausted and broken. "She doesn't let me in anymore."

"We can't give up."

He looked up then, and fiercely promised, "Never."

Bill nodded and they drank in silence for a few more minutes.

They'd all done their best to help Caroline to open up and find comfort in her friends, and family. After admitting that he couldn't do this alone, Klaus had spoken tearfully to Bill and they'd made it their mission to get Caroline back to living her life. Everyone had banded together and for weeks had been phoning and emailing and writing letters –

Everyone.

Everyone is…gone.

A smile grazed his lips for the first time in weeks. He looked across at Bill, then the phone, and said, "I have an idea."

"Tell me."

x

The stars are lonely this morning, she thought; their emptiness wearing Caroline down like torn, tattered clothing.

I'm lonely too.

She considered throwing a shawl on, or the silk nightgown Rebekah had sneaked into her suitcase, but embraced the goose bumps instead.

Why do I feel strong? It's just an illusion.

I might as well give up. There's no way out of this.

So tired...

She hadn't even registered what time it was.

Klaus normally came out and fetched her whenever he noticed her disappearance – not that she relied on it or anything – but this morning, he hadn't.

If she cared enough to react, she would, but Caroline remained rooted on the balcony, the double doors closing the rest of the apartment out of her sound and sight. It was light, probably late morning by now, yet the early rays of sunlight didn't cheer her in the slightest.

An ache in her stomach made her wince and clutch at her already-bruised skin with an unforgiving grip. There was an emptiness that had begun to gnaw a giant hole in her life, and heart, and despite her silent pleas to whatever god was out there – she'd taken to believing in as many as it would possibly take to create a healing miracle – Caroline had found no cure worth fighting for.

Everything feels...

No. Everything just feels.

And Caroline didn't want the pain anymore. The pain of having no future dreams and hopes to build upon. Her doctors had still given her an estimate of a year, year and a half, but who knew how accurate it would be? Even the stars did little to calm her today, so she shook her head and turned around and slowly tugged open the double doors-

A loud rustle, and many voices suddenly exploded the apartment with colour.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, CAROLINE!"

"SURPRISE!"

She blinked, taking a step back in hesitation.

"HAPPY CHRISTMAS!"

The room was filled with people.

People she knew and loved and recognised instantly.

Why is everyone here…?

Transformed with streamers and decorations of red, green and white, there was a large crowd of people all dressed in jumpers and big smiles and waving and beckoning her into the center. Caroline blinked a few more times as she allowed her eyes to wander around the room, taking in the festive –

The calendar's red-ringed date hit her like a sucker punch.

Christmas.

She'd completely forgotten.

Amidst the shadows of emptiness, she'd lost track of time and become a shell who couldn't even fathom enough excitement up to celebrate Christmas. Blinking away the tears, she bit down on her lip until an iron taste spread in warning.

How did I forget?

The gathered group, her loved ones – my family – gave her little time to remain sad. A cheerful tune was playing from the kitchen stereo, and a small, but growing, ember of warmth began to flicker somewhere inside the heart she'd allowed to darken.

"Caroline?"

That voice.

His voice; pulling her out by the shadows, bit by bit.

Whatever bravery she'd been searching for, Caroline found it now, deep and buried inside the optimistic girl she used to be, and the optimistic woman she would become. With a little help, she would live again.

Feeling stronger than ever before, Caroline took a step forwards, slowly, and met the eyes of the friends and family who had flown out just for her support. There was Bill, and Klaus, standing side-by side at the front of the group with hands hesitating to reach out. There was Rebekah, and Bonnie, Stefan and the other Mikaelsons.

Even Elijah and Katherine, she thought with a happy cry.

They exchanged small smiles and raised a glass to the tearful blonde.

She finally found her voice, even if it was timid and small. "You all came…for me?"

Nods and smiles greeted her in reply.

She took another step forwards.

Taking that as a hopeful sign, Bill and Klaus met her halfway and had her in their arms, a hug that lasted long enough to bring light back into her eyes. They held her tightly for what felt like hours, and she squeezed her eyes shut, savoring the moment. When they finally pulled back, she kept a hand in her father's and the other linked with her husband's hand, the support she'd blindly abandoned.

Klaus, with anxieties clear in his dark eyes, leaned across and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. He squeezed their clasped hands and murmured, "We all came for you, because we love you."

Her father nodded firmly, tears in his own gaze. "Everyone is here for you, my darling." He said quietly. "You need someone to lean on, and we're all here to help carry your burden and to remind you of the most important thing." His lip trembled, and Caroline felt the anguish begin to wash away with every passing moment. Bill gestured to the merry, tearful group waiting for her to join them, and when he turned back to face her, there was only encouragement in his smile. "You'll never be alone, Caroline."

Bonnie burst forwards and cheerfully added, "And no one should celebrate Christmas alone!"

The group laughed as Bonnie clamped a hand over her mouth, but it only made Caroline laugh harder.

Her friend lifted her chin, dignified. She stood closer to Caroline and as her small smile began to quiver, Bonnie sniffed and tearfully said, "I'm sorry, I…I just really missed my best friend…"

She pulled her into a tight hug and they both cried together.

"You have nothing to apologise for, Bon." She said, wrapping her arms around her friend and desperately trying to make amends for the past few weeks. She'd abandoned her friend without so much as a reason why. Everyone was affected by her illness, and she'd gone and left her best friend in the dark. She'd left herself in the dark, too. Caroline kissed her friend's cheek and smiled. "Really, it's okay. I promise. I'm so sorry for pushing you away, I…I've been a complete fool…"

"Yeah, you kinda have."

"Rebekah!"

The Mikaelson girl shrugged, but Caroline couldn't help but grin when Rebekah refused to meet her gaze. "You have a point." She admitted, and then Rebekah was also tugged into their embrace and the three ladies were soon crying and laughing over their mistakes.

After tearful embraces were shared and in some cases, repeated, and unnecessary apologies were given to all and everyone, the group finally began to settle into an atmosphere more appropriate for celebrating.

The music was turned up and presents under the tree – a gorgeous, real pine that Klaus and Bill had set up in the center of the lounge – were directed into piles. Caroline took a seat on the carpet, legs folded into a seating position as she'd always done back at home. Often it had just been she and Bill celebrating, and looking around the room at everyone laughing and bickering like the messy, wonderful family they had become, she realised there was nothing more beautiful than love.

Klaus sat beside her, but Caroline was shamefully aware that he was giving her space.

His shoulder brushed hers, but only just, and his palm laid open and inviting on the wool carpet. Threading her fingers through his felt like the naturalist of gestures, and so did resting her forehead against his when she tilted his chin to hers and kissed him, slowly; testing the barriers she'd foolishly built up between them. Her grief had tested their relationship once again, and it was only her responsibility to repair it.

"I'm sorry…for…well…"

"For what, my love?" He cut her off quietly, running a hand through her hair. It was one of those small gestures she'd come to adore. "For dealing with grief in your own way? Or for being the incredible woman I fell in love with? Because all you owe me is the pleasure of your company, and the pleasure of being yours where and whenever you need me."

She kissed him again, but with a smile threatening to burst across her face, they pulled back and settled into a comfortable hug instead.

Rebekah sat down opposite them and made a face. "Ew, get a room."

"This is our apartment, little sister." Klaus chuckled, and made a rude gesture that Elijah looked at disapprovingly. "Go find your own room."

"Maybe I will."

"Good."

"Fine."

A large, rectangular box was shoved onto Caroline's pile and an eager Bonnie took the space next to her and sung, "PRESENNNNNNTS!"

A few moments later, everyone had tucked into opening presents, and quiet and loud exclamations and joyous cries of 'thank yous' and 'oh my gods' filled the apartment.

For a while, Caroline sat still.

She looked around again and smiled at everything and everyone. She really had lost track of what was important with the little time she had. She'd forgotten the love that filled her to the core. Her father, her friends and family, and the simple pleasure of being loved, was all she needed, not just to survive, but to live.

Cards began to fill the empty fireplace, and the list of loved ones only grew longer and longer with each relative and friend sending their best wishes. There was a surprise when she tore open peach-coloured paper to reveal a greetings card from Elena. The girl had sent her a signed book copy of Daughter of Smoke and Bone, along with a thoughtful note;

Dear, Caroline,

We never had the chance to get to know each other, and I know there isn't much I can do to change that now. I spoke to Tyler and he told me this is your favourite book, so I managed to get a hold of a signed copy from the author – who by the way, was a total bitch to track down. Still, I hope it makes you smile.

But I also wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas, and love to you at your new home in London. You should definitely hit up some West End shows whilst you're there. My parents took Jeremy and I to see Wicked years ago, and I think I cried the entire journey home! Also, Phantom of the Opera and Rent are beautiful too.

I regret any hurt I have caused you, and I definately won't insult you by asking for your forgiveness, but I sincerely wish you the best of my love and hope for the future.

I've never prayed in my life, but I will for you. Every day and every night.

Love, Elena.

Closing the letter, she smiled as something inside her washed away with the girl's note. A sense of closure and gratitude warmed her heart. She kept the note in a small drawer and made sure to make a note of replying to Elena as soon as she had time to.

Turning back to the group, she laughed at the look of awe on Klaus' face when he unwrapped a new set of paintbrushes and watched him quietly, appreciating his fluid movements and smirks and quiet curses. This beautiful, stubborn man was all hers. He was utterly devoted to her, and she to him, and well…wasn't that all she cared about?

I'm the luckiest woman alive-

Ow!

A sudden, stab of pain shot through her stomach and she winced again.

"Ouch." She muttered, rubbing her stomach as it tensed.

"Anything the matter, my love?"

She shook her head at Klaus but gritted her teeth behind the smile. "Just need the bathroom." Caroline looked apologetically at the group and excused herself. "Back in a moment, you guys carry on!"

Thankfully, she made it to the bathroom before she vomited her guts out.

Her stomach convulsed and gurgled and she groaned as quietly as she could so as not to alert the others. It was Christmas, they didn't need to be reminded of her illness. Not today, of all days. She threw up again, and then again, washing it away down the sink and leaving no traces or evidence behind.

Her hands were braced on each side of the sink as she sighed, breathless.

Control your breathing. She instructed herself. Breathe. One, two, three, release. One, two three, inhale…

It went on like that for another minute until she could finally relax again.

Luckily, no one noticed her length absence, or if they did, they were hopefully giving her the required space, so Caroline waited a little longer until her vision began to clear and the taste of vomit was rinsed completely away.

But no matter how hard she scrubbed or swallowed, a hint of irony sweetness consumed her.

It's okay, you're okay. She reassured herself. It was just a one-off. Nothing to worry about just yet.

Her stomach still feeling like it had been punched from the inside, Caroline closed her eyes and forced herself to look up and into the mirror.

She looked okay.

Pale, and damp from the water she'd splashed onto her face, but otherwise manageable to pass off as normal and not entirely unwell. Sure, there were bags under her eyes and her hair hung in limp, blonde waves, but if she could just manage a smile…

Oh, god.

She snapped her teeth together in shock.

Blood stained her front row of teeth, oozing from her gums like bullet wounds.

It was a sign, and not a well-received.

Stage 3…stomach aches, nausea, bleeding from the gums…

Caroline rubbed off the blood hastily; washing away the stains until only white remained.

No, no, no.

Blood swirled down the drain.

This doesn't mean anything. It just…it's a reminder, that's all. You still need to stay positive. It's okay, it's all okay…

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Caroline? Are you coming back out soon, love? Everyone wants to see you."

She jumped with a start, glad that she'd remembered to lock the door. Plastering on a fake cheer, she raised her voice and replied, "Of course! Be out in a minute."

The blood was gone now, but the image remained in Caroline's mind.

I can get a check-up booked soon, but…

She decided something then and smiled bravely.

This will not define me, and it is not going to ruin my Christmas. She concluded, a shift in her soul beginning to sing and saddle up what felt like battle armour.

Not for me, my family, or anyone. You're going to go back out there and live like it's your last day on Earth.

Chainmail mentally clicked into place.

Everyone you love is here.

Spears and weapons of determination were handed out and she gripped them like Boudicca.

Go out and celebrate with them.

And so, double -checking her features and smiling as widely as she could, Caroline stepped out into the light and enjoyed what could possibly be the last Christmas she ever had with her loved ones.

As it turned out, she'd be facing a lot more surprises, and fairly soon at that...

Long time, no see!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and as I've finally finished writing it, I shall hopefully update more regularly until it's finished :)

A friend of mine has a mother in remission, and she spoke to me about depression during her cancer, and I decided to include it more in Caroline's life as I felt, after the good things have settled down, it would make sense for her to begin to ponder the things in life she can never have.

But, as always, there is hope :)

xx