Chapter XXXVII

Four Years Later…

It was Christmas' Eve. Everyone was gathered at the Boarding House, for that year Rebekah was responsible for the Holiday Feast. I mean, everyone but Finn and Sage, who were on a romantic Holiday cruse, Damon, because he was with Katherine and she was persona non grata there, and Alaric and Jeremy, both on a trip around the country.

The twins and Claire were four, Lukas and Sarah were five. The five of them were playing catch around the living room when Julian hit his foot on one of the legs of the liquor table and immediately began to cry, being followed by his sister. Elijah rushed to them, for all the girls were in the kitchen getting everything ready.

- What happened, lovelies?

- Julian's foot has boo-boo, daddy – Sophia declared crying.

- Hum… Let me see – he then sat on the couch and put Julian on his lap.

Elena asked what was going on from the kitchen, and the Original assured her it was nothing serious.

Sophia jumped on her father's lap as well, still crying along with her brother.

- And you, why are crying, my little girl? – he inquired her amused.

- My foot has boo-boo, too…

Elijah chuckled a little. Ever since they were born, the twins were like that. Sophia felt sick, and Julian was the one throwing up. He had tummy ache, and she would, not long after, feel the same ache.

In spite of the connection they had, they were very different. Sophia was fond of stories, it was clear for everyone to see she'd be a book worm like Elijah. Not that Julian didn't like stories as well, but long after her brother fell asleep, Sophia was still begging Elijah to read another story. Bedtime with her lasted hours, but the original patiently read story after story until she had finally given in to her tiredness.

Julian was more of an sports kind of kid. Kol often took him and Sarah to play baseball or do any other activity. Everyone could see they were the only two who had any inclination for sports. And you can add to it that Sarah was mad about Kol and Julian was pretty fond of his crazy uncle as well. They were always begging Kol to play with them. Of course Kol being Kol would teach them how to be Kol. Not only he'd play with them, he'd also teach them to prank the others. Nothing serious, obviously, so far he had kept the pranks innocent, so it was cool, but they were really funny, most of them classics like the "fart pillow" (they got Elijah with that...Kol swore it had been over 2 centuries since he had seen his big brother blush).

Back to Christmas' Eve, the Original examined both their feet. It had been nothing really. Even so, he gave them the "healing kiss" and told the twins to go play again.

Ever since she had heard them crying, Elena had stayed at the entrance of the kitchen watching Elijah and the children in the living room. The three of them were the loves of her life, and they were adorable to watch.

After she saw Elijah kissing the children's feet and telling them to play, she approached him and sat on his lap herself.

- I have a boo-boo, too, 'Lijah. Would you kiss it to make it better?

Chuckling lightly, he answered:

- Of course, my love. Did you hit your foot as well?

- No, I actually hit my face on the door…

- Your face? Was it here? – he inquired kissing her forehead.

- No, it was bit lower.

- Here? – he then kissed her nose.

- Nah, a tad lower.

He had a big smile, kissing her on the lips.

- Did I get it right this time?

- Yes, but it still hurts. I think you'll have to kiss me a little more…

They were kissing on the couch when they heard Lukas asking Klaus:

- Why are Uncle Elijah and Aunt Elena doing that, papa? Aren't they gonna get stuck?

The hybrid laughed loudly.

- No, sweetheart, they are not. They are doing that because they love each other, and that's what a couple does when they love one another.

- That's why you and mama do that a lot? – he always felt like asking his papa why would he do that to mama, but it was only seeing his uncle and aunt doing the same he had the courage to ask.

- Yes. Now why don't you go play with your cousins and sister?

- Okay, papa – and he left to join the others in the catch game.

Meanwhile, Stefan was struggling in his bedroom to make Kol pass as Santa Claus. It was the Original's idea to be the good old man that year, claiming it was the best of both worlds: he didn't have children of his own but all of the children of the family would love him better than their parents that specific night.

The only problem was he wouldn't stay put while the youngest Salvatore was placing the fake white beard, mustache, and eyebrows.

- I hope the kids love this, Kol…

- How could they not? I will be the funniest Santa Claus they'd ever seen!

Stefan sighed. He only hoped that would be worth it…

After a while, the girls served the food. They all had their meals, the children faster than ever, waiting for Santa Claus to show up and give them their presents.

Then it was the time everyone (the kids, of course) was waiting for. Kol vampsped through the living room and pretended to walk out from the chimney. The children screamed in excitement.

Sarah was the first to receive her gift. It was the most beautiful porcelain doll who looked just like her, and even had a special touch: a baseball cap on her head. The little one got ecstatic, going to her mommy and daddy to show it.

Then it was Julian's turn. He got one of those little bikes for small children, a blue one. He loved it. Sophia, on the other hand, even though she couldn't read yet, got a huge collection of books filled with children's stories. "You know she'll get you to read them until she passes out on bedtime, right, 'Lijah?", whispered Elena in his ear smiling. "Of course, my love, lucky for me, I am certain she'll tire first", he answered, adding right after "As a matter of fact, I'm certain I'll still have a lot of energy after she falls asleep", he whispered mischievously and seductively. Elena felt nice shiver through her spine, that night would be so good...

It was time for Lukas and Claire. Santa said they had to go outside with him, and Caroline raised an eyebrow. "No, he didn't", she thought walking outside with Klaus, following Santa and the children.

She then spotted two ponies with a big bow on each. "He did…".

The children were ecstatic, there was no way they were ever managing to take the presents away from them now.

- Nik, I thought we agreed the children were too young for a pony – she whispered to Klaus.

- You agreed on it. I said they were old enough.

- But I told you we should wait at least a couple of years more, and you said nothing back!

- Which doesn't mean I agreed. I simply didn't want to get into a feud with you, love.

Humpf, the hybrid and his ways!

- You mean you didn't want to argue with me then, just so we could argue now, during Christmas' Eve?

- I was hoping you would be feeling the Christmas' spirit and would let it pass… Especially after I handed you your present… - he then took a box out of his pocked – Merry Christmas, sweetheart.

- If you think jewelry will make me see past this, you are completely… - she was saying when he opened the box and she saw a key – What is this, Nik?

- The key to your own spa.

- Did you buy me a… spa?

- Yes, so you could relax whenever the children or I drive you mad, love.

Caroline was speechless. He knew she'd be fuming, so he arranged for her to relax by giving her a spa…

- They have the most fantastic Jacuzzi, we could make very good use of it while the children play in the kid's room.

A Jacuzzi? Hum…

- You could get a nice massage on your back and neck, and when you got to your room, I could massage you another way I know you love…

She knew he was manipulating her, yet she was loving the idea…

- Fine, the ponies stay. There's no way we could take them from the children now… – she conceded spotting the kids happy to hell with Santa petting the ponies – But they can only ride when daddy takes them and keeps a very attentive eye on them…

Klaus smiled and kissed her on the lips.

- Of course, love.

Caroline rolled her eyes. At least she had a place to relax now…

Stefan and Rebekah had such a connection as a couple they ended up giving each other the same present! They both got a family trip for Hawaii, only the dates were different. They laughed and kissed each other, amazed at how they thought alike!

Elena gave Elijah something she knew he loved: a book. But that wasn't any book. It was one she wrote about their love story and their family's story with photos of them. He felt really touched. His present to her wasn't that different, it was a new diary for her to fill, only it was spelled so she (or anyone with her blood, her descendants in her case) was the only one who could open it. He claimed it was for her to write their family's story.

Caroline called the children back in to give papa's present. Klaus was a little puzzled, what did the children have to do with it?

Lukas and Claire handed him two gifts.

- Open mine first, papa! – Claire asked climbing on her daddy's lap.

- Yes, my lovely.

He then opened it to find a hand print mold of his little girl's hands. There was also a photo of Klaus, Lukas, and Claire Caroline had taken the last time they went to the Zoo, in front of the wolves' cage.

- You can put in your studio, so you won't forget us, papa.

As if he'd forget his little angels…

- Thank you, sweetheart. But I don't need a reminder of you, I'd never forget my little ones. Papa loves you.

- I love you too, papa – Claire said back and held Klaus, who kissed the top of her head.

Claire was a copy of Caroline, not only her looks but her ways as well. She was always so bubbly, even more so than her mother, Klaus couldn't help the biggest smile whenever she was around. She loved to sing and dance, always spinning around and claiming she wanted to be a ballerina or a singer when she grows up. Klaus had lost track on how many videos he had made of her dancing, singing, or doing anything he considered adorable (which was almost anything really...). On his last birthday, Caroline and Claire woke him up with a special presentation, singing and dancing one of his favorite songs, it was very endearing.

- My turn! – Lukas exclaimed climbing on Klaus' lap as well.

The hybrid opened it and found the same hand print mold with his son's hands. But instead of a photo, one of the boy's drawings of the family was framed.

- This is you, and mama, and Claire, and me – he explained pointing at the drawing – Did you like it? Do you think I'll ever be as good as you drawing, papa?

- No, my boy, – the answer got Caroline to frown, but that was short lived – you'll be better than me, so much better. I couldn't draw this good at the age of five.

- Really, papa?

- Hum-hum.

The boy held Klaus tight and whispered an "I love you, papa" that melted the hybrid's heart.

- And I love you, my boy.

Lukas was much more like Klaus, not only in looks, but personality wise as well. He enjoyed drawing and painting, and would spend many compenetrated hours in his papa's studio watching Klaus paint. He was way more reserved than his sister, he never danced or sang around like her, but he would be often seen with a sketch book and a pencil or some crayons. He was always giving drawings to everyone, specially Klaus, who would keep them all very well guarded so they'd last forever.

But there was one thing in Lukas that was completely different from his dear papa: he was the most patient and controlled person ever. Probably thanks to his mama's control freak ways, he'd never lose his head. Claire had quite the temper when she got angry (that she got from the hybrid), but Lukas, even though he had the wolf gene and all, was usually very calm. He would spend hours indulging his sister, watching her endless dancing and singing performances, even giving her advices every now and then like "you keep your eyes closed for too much time, you should look to the public more, Claire", as the bright kid he was. It was funny and interesting what a mash up of Klaus and Caroline Lukas and Claire were, even though it was clear for everyone to see Lukas was much more like his papa and Claire was much more like her mama.

Caroline watched the scene in adoration. She couldn't ever imagine her life without them.

- Now, would you let mama give papa her present to him?

The children nodded and climbed down of his lap. The girl sat beside her husband, handing him a box. He opened it, and inside there was a watch.

- Look behind it, Nik.

He turned it, it was engraved:

You are my love

Always and Forever

- C.

He had most beautiful smile on his face before approaching her and kissing her tenderly.

- You are my love as well, sweetheart. Always and forever.

They were sharing a very sweet moment when Kol asked for everyone's attention.

- Don't tell me you're singing a song, Santa? – Stefan inquired smiling.

- No, I want to give a special present to someone here. Miss Bonnie Bennett.

The children were puzzled. Aunt Bonnie?

Santa then kneeled down, opened a jewelry box that had a huge ring inside it, and popped the question:

- Bonnie, we've been dating for four years, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?

The witch wasn't expecting it. Once she had decided to make what she and Kol had official, they had been very happy with one another. But she never thought he'd propose that night!

A tad teary, she said yes, and Kol/Santa kissed her.

- Is Aunt Bonnie marrying Santa? What about Uncle Kol? – little Sarah inquired confused.

- Santa will be our uncle? – the twins asked in unison.

- But Aunt Bonnie wasn't Uncle Kol's girlfriend? – Lukas inquired his daddy.

- Where's Uncle Kol? – Claire asked lastly.

The grown ups sighed… Couldn't Kol have popped the question after changing into his clothes?

- Kol had to confuse the children… Sarah is not going to like it… – Rebekah said annoyed.

- Our brother's way of thinking is, as usual, without equal… - Elijah whispered to his sister.

- Relax, by tomorrow the children will not remember a thing about this – Klaus said to them congratulating his brother.

Elena and Caroline were all over Bonnie, not even minding how Kol had proposed. Caroline was going on and on about how she'd plan the perfect wedding for her friend while Bonnie couldn't stop smiling.

The children gathered around "Santa". The twins asked him if they'd get special treatment since he'd be their uncle. Kol, of course, had to be Kol:

- Of course, little ones! Being in Santa's family means you'll get Christmas' presents everyday!

The kids got ecstatic, the parents just rolled their eyes. Now the children wouldn't easily forget that… The only child who wasn't happy at all about it was Sarah. She and Kol shared a special connection, she was the apple of Kol's eye.

- I don't want presents everyday! Aunt Bonnie is Uncle Kol's girl! Santa bad! – she declared running out of the room.

Rebekah got up to go to her daughter and talk to her, but Kol said he'd fix it and went after the little one.

He found her in her room, seeming very annoyed.

- I don't want to see you, Santa! – she exclaimed giving her back to Santa.

Kol sat on the bed beside her. He pulled the fake beard and mustache and showed his face to Sarah.

- It's me, darling.

The girl shot her eyes wide open.

- You're Santa, Uncle Kol?

- No, I'm just helping him. You see, he has to travel the entire planet in one night, it's a lot of work. So he asks for help sometimes, from regular people. I mean, not that I'm regular – he declared smugly – but you know what I mean. He asked me to give you children your presents on his behalf today. I just forgot to change into my own clothes when I asked Aunt Bonnie to marry me.

The explanation seemed to ease the girl's worries. So Uncle Kol was marrying Aunt Bonnie then… Okay…

- We can keep our little secret for today, and tomorrow when I give the same explanation to everyone else, you can say "I knew it already"! How about that? – he inquired winking at her.

Sarah gave him the biggest smile and nodded in approval.

- I'm happy it's you marrying Aunt Bonnie. I know you like her a lot, Uncle Kol. If she was marrying Santa, I know you'd feel sad – the girl said holding the Original, who held her as well and kissed her forehead.

He felt touched about her concern for his feelings. That could only be his baby sis' little girl. Sarah was as kind, good hearted, and sensitive as Bekah.

- And I'm happy someone would stand up and face Santa for me if he was marrying my girlfriend. Do you realize how brave you were? What if Santa had put on his naughty list and never got you a present again? – Kol joked, still holding her.

- I don't care about presents if they come from someone who makes you sad, Uncle Kol.

That did it. He held her tighter and whispered an "I love you", hearing an "I love you too" back. That girl was definitely making him the softest of the vampires, he concluded with a smile dancing on his naughty boy's face.

When they headed back to the living room, Rebekah and Stefan were relieved to see everything seemed just fine with Sarah. Kol was her favorite uncle by far, and she would fight with anyone for him, even Santa Claus.

Sometime later, all the children were asleep in their parents arms. They waved their goodbyes, each of them happily returning to their home.

Nights like that were the ones that got them truly and utterly amazed by the blessing they had received. The Originals wondered if they even deserved such happiness after so many centuries of cruelty and darkness, but at the same time believed it was a miracle granted to them to give them the chance to change their ways and become better people. They realized (specially Klaus) love wasn't a weakness, it was the most powerful strength anyone could possess. Love was life, even for immortal undead creatures like them.

As for Bonnie, Caroline, Elena, and Stefan, they learned no one is a hopeless case, and that love and forgiveness is the fastest way to happiness.

Their lives were no fairy tale but they knew, deep inside, they'd be happy, not for ever after, but for always and forever.

THE END

Author's note:

This is the end, guys! Hope you liked it! Sorry about he delay, but I had been very busy, moving to a different house etc. But I finished it! I still intend to write some drabbles, but they'll happen only eventually and with no notice.