Keeping Up Appearances

Epilogue: Deck the Halls

Chicago, Illinois - Thursday 24 December, 5:43pm

Thanks to the lovely Rachel aka themikaelsoncupcake for the inspired chapter title…as you can tell Christmas carols aren't really my thing.

It's been fun and I have really appreciated all your reviews and love the past eighteen months, I hope you enjoy the last instalment. I have to say it felt kind of bittersweet to change the story setting from in-progress to complete : )

3 months and 5 days later

"I think I'm too old to be nanna's drinking buddy this year," Stefan groaned, dropping onto the couch next to his pregnant wife, who clearly didn't seem impressed by the disturbance. "Katherine, I'm officially passing the baton to you."

"Why me?"

"You weren't here last year, so it's about time you started to make up for it," he growled.

"I thought nanna was otherwise occupied this Christmas?" The family had been surprised when she had brought her 'plus one' to Christmas Eve Dinner. Stan was quiet, compliant and completely at nanna's whim, and they were all secretly worried for him.

"Have you met nanna?" He drawled rolling his eyes at her. "She needs a lot of attention."

"Fine, but I expect a reprieve during dinner," she added, standing up and looking hopefully into her boyfriend's brown eyes. "Fancy some eggnog, Elijah?"

"Well, apparently you haven't experienced a real Forbes Christmas until you sample some of nanna's eggnog," he half joked, standing up wearily and taking the hand she extended. "I'll warn you though, I'm a cheap drunk."

"Nanna will toughen you up, I've seen her drink a few people under the table in my time," Stefan said knowingly. "Urgh, I feel woozy already."

"Oh you're woozy? Try being almost five months pregnant," Rebekah shot back. "I thought you were going to get me some marshmallows and tabasco sauce?"

"Together? I thought you were joking," Stefan teased, Rebekah's angry glare told him his poor excuse for humour wasn't welcome.

"She's charming," Liz whispered to Caroline as they made some personal touches to the Christmas Tree.

"Rebekah grows on you, eventually," she giggled. "You know I think this tree is even better than last year."

"We both know that's impossible given I cut that one down with my bare hands," Klaus boasted, threading his arms around Caroline's waist and pulling her towards him so her back was firmly against his chest.

She snuggled into him, relishing in the happiness she felt being there with him and her family, especially compared to how apprehensive she'd felt last year.

"I think that Jesus did most of the the heavy lifting," Caroline teased.

"Probably because you did nothing, if I recall correctly," he grinned, placing a chaste kiss on her cheek.

"I was wearing my best Jimmy Choo boots and was trying not to get killed by a possible serial killer."

"A serial killer? I don't remember that part of the story, although I shouldn't be surprised. I can't believe that was a year ago though," Liz commented. "And now here we all are again, and thankfully without your cousin."

"Where is Hayley anyway?" Matt asked, fixing one of the decorations. "Not that I don't appreciate the peace and quiet without her drama."

"She's in Tokyo, dancing apparently," Liz murmured.

"Don't tell me Hayley fulfilled that prophecy I had last year about her pole dancing?" Matt asked, a cheeky grin on his face.

"Pole dancing?" Lexi asked, walking towards them and regarding her boyfriend seriously. "I'm almost too afraid to ask what or who you are talking about."

"No one important, Lexi," Caroline assured her. "All I can say is thank you to Japan for taking her off our hands this Christmas." When she'd found out Hayley wasn't going to be there she was secretly relieved, she couldn't be responsible for her actions if she tried to make a move on her boyfriend for the second time.

"As weird as it sounds maybe you should be thanking Hayley," Klaus murmured into her ear, tickling her earlobe with his hot breath.

"How do you figure that?" She asked, turning to look at him.

"Well she brought you me didn't she?"

"There's that modesty we all know and love," Lexi drawled, eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Have I threatened to fire you lately?"

"Not in the last five minutes," she chirped. "It's good to see some of your Scrooge like behaviour hasn't diminished while you've been over in London the past three months."

"It did actually, I only reserve this particular charm for you, Lexi," he shot back without a beat. "Have I mentioned how much I've missed you?" Not that he'd admit it aloud but Klaus had missed his bossy assistant. It seemed she hadn't felt the same running the New York office with ease and finding time to shack up with her boyfriend while he was away. Things were obviously getting serious between her and Caroline's cousin. All Klaus cared about was that he treated her right otherwise Matt would hear about it, he didn't care if he was his business partner or related to his girlfriend.

"Not in the last five minutes," she repeated. "It will be weird to have you breathing down my neck 24/7 now that you're back in the States for good. I much prefer your temper from a distance, via video conference or cell."

"Now that we're back in the States for good," Caroline murmured emphasising the word we're.

She'd been surprised but ecstatic when the editors at Vogue had offered her a correspondence position in America. Now she was able to return home but also to continue to progress her career, which was all she ever wanted.

Not that London hadn't been wonderful and having Klaus there by her side was even better. He'd taken her to all his favourite places and they'd had the time and space to be able to settle into their relationship. Even though she loved them, it helped that they didn't have their nosy friends and family and their running commentary around to interfere.

Both of their jobs would always involve travel, which she was extremely happy about, but Caroline truly felt grounded for the first time and it was the best feeling in the world.

"I must say it's good to have my baby finally home," Liz grinned, squeezing her arm affectionately. "And that you both got your act together, whomever was to thank."

"Well, that storm brought you to me Klaus, so we probably should be thanking Mother Nature."

"Mother Nature, Hayley, Tyler, Jen, Ben, Gloria, Grumpy, Jesus, take your pick," he reeled off, sending her a wolfish grin. "Thanks for an amazing year, love."

"Well, it hasn't all been amazing, but I think we've more than made up for it the past few months." She smiled, placing a lingering kiss on those crimson lips she knew almost as well as her own.

"Must you do that in such close proximity," Stefan complained placing Rebekah's snack on her protruding baby bump, pretending to shield his eyes. "There's a turkey with my name on it and I'd like to maintain my appetite."

"Someone has his grumpy pants on tonight," Caroline teased.

"You're telling me," Rebekah yawned. "I just hope our son hasn't inherited his father's moody temperament." Caroline figured this baby had no choice given his parent's personalities. Always wanting to be organised Rebekah had found out early on they were going to have a son. Stefan was so excited it was difficult to keep the smile off his face most days, well expect when Rebekah was ordering him around which was often.

"I'm not moody," he argued. "I'm a complete gentleman, isn't that right Mrs F?"

"Well you have your moments," she chuckled, albeit sarcastically. "Actually would you be able to help lift this spare table into the dining room? I had to get another one to accommodate all of our new guests this year."

"Thank you for having us, all of us, Liz," Klaus smiled, warmly. "It really does mean a lot that you've embraced all my family and friends."

"The more the merrier, Klaus, plus it's always good to have extra distractions for your grandmother, it lessens my workload substantially." She winked at him slyly and directed Stefan over to furniture moving duty.

"I think I'm drunk," Elijah sighed, sitting down next to Rebekah. "What on earth are you eating, little sister?"

"You only had two glasses," Katherine groaned joining him. "You really are a cheap drunk, maybe I should have known about this before we go into business together, I mean what would our clients think?"

They'd all been surprised when Katherine and Elijah had floated the idea of opening their own legal practice. Caroline had warned her about it early on saying it wasn't wise to mix business with pleasure but they really had proven her wrong. Plus, Caroline figured with their combined arguing power they would be completely invincible. If she ever wanted a divorce she'd definitely visit Mikaelson and Pierce.

"How about you focus on all the client schmoozing and social events and I'll stay happily in the background?"

"Sounds like a good plan," Katherine agreed, placing a sweet kiss on his forehead.

"So, who exactly is looking after nanna?" Liz asked, looking around frantically. She was like a small child you couldn't leave her unattended for too long.

"We left her in the kitchen. I did manage to stop her from spiking the pudding though," Katherine promised.

"Is this what you're looking for?" Bonnie asked, interrupting their conversation, her arm resting on nanna's back. "I found her upstairs in the bedroom."

"Thanks Bon," Caroline said. "Were you sleeping off the eggnog already? This is earlier than usual for you, nanna."

"Uh, no she wasn't," Bonnie murmured. "I was calming the baby down when…"

"We heard noises," Kol interrupted, obviously unimpressed while rocking his gorgeous little daughter in his arms. "I think we're all scarred for life."

Harper Grace Mikaelson had come into the world a month earlier and had inherited all of the most photogenic aspects from her handsome parents including her dark mop of hair, chocolate coloured skin and deep brown eyes. Although she did have a big set of lungs, something the Mikaelson siblings all knew came from their noisy brother.

They'd been living together for a few months so it was easy to settle into parenthood after Harper was born. Kol was completely smitten with his baby girl and it was beautiful to see them together. Bonnie liked to joke it was difficult to have any time with her daughter because Kol liked to monopolise her time.

"I don't think I want to hear," Liz groaned, looking at her mother sceptically. "What have you been doing? Hang on, I don't want to know. There's some green beans with my name on them." Liz escaped racing towards the kitchen.

"Nanna!" Caroline chided. "It's Christmas!"

"What better way to celebrate during the festive season," she piped up.

"Even still you and your boyfriend…." Stefan trailed off, grimacing at the mental image in his head in the process.

"I'd prefer to refer to Stan as my lover not my boyfriend."

"Urgh," they all said in unison.

"If anyone was hungry that has all well and truly ruined their appetite." Katherine noted, Bonnie and Kol nodding knowingly after their unexpected discovery.

Friday, December 25 - Chicago Illinois, 3:59am

"Caroline?" She turned over sleepily, determined to ignore his voice. He tapped her shoulder obviously not getting the message she wanted to be left alone. "Caroline?"

"I think my reaction is enough to warn you to stay away," she growled, her eyes firmly closed still.

"It's Christmas Day." Caroline peeled her eyes open reluctantly, the flashing red digits on the bedside clock telling her that it was still only 4am."

"Go back to sleep," she murmured, throwing the pillow over her head.

"That's not what you said last year, love," he argued, removing the pillow and turning on the bedside lamp only making her more frustrated.

"It was 5am, Klaus," she shot back, her growing frustration obvious as she buried herself further into the covers. "Wake me up in an hour, when all the normal people are up."

"I'm too excited to sleep," he shared, throwing off the bed covers and climbing out of bed to change.

"My, how things have changed in a year," she growled, peeling open one eye and trying not to get overwhelmed by his bare chest and skimpy boxer shorts on full display. "If you're expecting me to jump out of bed and not pull you back in, I suggest you dress yourself quickly."

"I'm just that irresistible, huh?"

"If you want me to even venture out from under these covers I suggest you do as you're told, Mikaelson."

"Well, if you put it that way then consider it done," he grinned, throwing on a cable knit sweater followed by dark jeans. "We are going to make the best snowman ever this year, I just know it."

"I thought your creation last year was a masterpiece," she snorted. Climbing out of bed, her blonde waves sticking up in all directions, her tartan pajamas slightly disheveled from sleep.

"There's always room for improvement," he said, not only referring to the snowman. "Speaking of which I'm going downstairs to gather a few items. You're not going to climb back into bed are you?"

"Unfortunately not after that wake up call," she muttered, locating her jumper as he bounced out of the room. What was making him suddenly so excited?

"Took your time," he observed, taking in her haphazard appearance as they stood by the back door. Klaus had gathered up all the props for their snowman and had been impatiently waiting for her to make an appearance.

"I seem to recall pulling your sorry ass from bed last year," she mumbled. "At least I gave you an extra hour sleep-in."

"Okay enough grumpy," he replied, smoothy down her hair affectionately. "Let's build a snowman." They walked outside the cold air hitting them immediately as they attempted to acclimatise themselves to the winter chill.

"Now, do I have to tell you how to do this again?' She asked, mischievously, grabbing the shovel from his outstretched hand.

"I know exactly what I've been doing, infact I have been studying up for months, love."

"Is that a challenge, Mikaleson?"

"You bet your ass it is, Forbes," he smiled, deviously. "Now let's see what you've got."

About a thirty minutes later a rather smug looking snowman stared back at them. His dimensions were practically perfect, so too his facial features including his carrot nose. Caroline was struggling to give him the praise she knew that would give Klaus an even bigger head than usual.

"Your dad would be so proud, love," Klaus murmured huskily, pulling her into his embrace. Caroline loved the fact that he'd taken on her tradition as his own, that was one of the many reasons why she loved him. She melted into his arms, enjoying the sensations his touch was causing, letting herself fall into his embrace. What she didn't expect was the cold feeling seeping though her hair.

Caroline looked up to realise he'd sneakily begun the usual snow ball fight early, just like her father would. The water dripped onto her forehead and down her cheek as she looked at him in shock, the only thing on her mind was revenge. "I shouldn't have told you about this part of proceedings," she admitted, pulling away, hurriedly making snow balls as he pummelled her mercilessly.

She hid behind their creation trying to avoid his attacks but failing miserably. As she attempted to make a getaway he grabbed Caroline hitting her with another snowball. She cried out in pain as it hit her calf, dissolving before her. "Did you put rocks in that one or something?"

"You could say that" he murmured, watching as the familiar black box fell at her ankle. She looked at him wordlessly before picking it up slowly.

"Now I know why it hurt so much," she smiled.

"Open it," he instructed quietly, almost willing her to do it. Caroline inhaled sharply, trying to calm her nerves, knowing what was coming next. Caroline fumbled slightly, her cold hands unable to grasp it. Once she'd gained control she popped it open, her eyes widening as she watched the ring come into view. She wasn't quite sure what to say it was that overwhelming.

"I love you so much Caroline Forbes and would be honoured if you would you marry me, love?" He asked tentatively, kneeling in the cold snow before her. "Make me the happiest man in the world?" She was speechless for a while, knowing exactly what she wanted to say but too shocked to form the words.

"You hit me with a box." Not the first words he imagined would come from her mouth.

"It sounded better in theory than in practice," he admitted, sheepishly.

"I take it you didn't run this past Lexi, because if she helped out you wouldn't have hit me with a hard object," she teased.

"Well, I was trying to be romantic and if you hadn't noticed my leg is currently succumbing to frost bite," he pleaded.

"Yes, I'll marry you," she smiled as he leapt up to pull her into his arms. "I love you too. Klaus Mikaelson"

They wouldn't know it at that exact moment but that spot would become the sight of many memorable family moments over the years with their children Harry and Olivia as they kept the tradition alive of making that snowman on Christmas morning, just as they had all those years ago when they first met.