Above It All " SEQUEL TO ABOVE ALL ELSE "

Chapter 2

His suspicions were proven correct when moments later they pulled to a stop directly in front of Steven's club, Inhibitions.

The street was strangely quiet when the driver opened the door. After emerging, Klaus waved the man away so he could assist Caroline from the vehicle himself. He watched in amusement as she stowed her phone back into her small clutch trying in vain to be inconspicuous about the text she no doubt just sent off to whomever was waiting for them inside.

Deciding to play a little game of his own he cleared his throat, "Just what are you up to, My Love?"

Caroline pretended to straighten the nonexistent wrinkles from her immaculate dress after she left the limousine, "Who me? Nothing. I just thought we'd make a pitstop and see Steven. It's been ages since we've seen him you know."

"Yes it has, but the club seems to be closed this evening and I'd much rather spend my time with you elsewhere." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully before perking up with a smile, "You know, there is that lovely little French restaurant just around the corner. How about you and I go and compel us a private table."

"Okay," Caroline hesitated as she tried to come up with a viable excuse to stop inside the club. "if that's what you want to do. But first let's go see Steven. I told him we were coming into town and he is probably busy with the books or whatever anyways. It will only take a minute."

Klaus waved her off, "Why don't you go ahead and I'll just flash over to the restaurant," He smirked as she grabbed his arm before he could even spin fully on his heels.

"No! Wait!" The look on his face said it all and Caroline's mood deflated as her shoulders sagged, "You know."

"Know what?" Klaus asked feigning ignorance before giving in to her pouting lips. "I may have figured it out." He pulled her into his arms, placing a kiss to her adorably pouting lips, "I promise to act surprised at whatever extravagant party you have planned."

"I tried so hard to pull one, just one, over on you." She huffed in annoyance.

"Well if it helps you to feel better, I had no inking to what you had in store for me until just now."

"So, I did surprise you? Even if it is just a smidge?" Her eyes lit back up as she pinched her fingers close together.

Klaus chuckled before placing a kiss to the tip of her dainty nose, "Yes Caroline, if only a smidge."

Caroline scrunched her nose cutely as he pulled away and linked their arms together with a resolute nod of her head, "Okay fine, I'll take it. But you better believe that at some point in our very long life together I will pull a few over on you mister."

Klaus laughed fully at her confidence, reveling in her firm stance that they would be together for the unforeseeable future, "Of that my beautiful Caroline, I have no doubt."

Steven and his crew had pulled out all the stops to redecorate the club. Upon walking in, amidst the chorus of Happy Birthday being yelled about, Klaus felt as though he had taken a step back in time and was now standing in a speakeasy of one of his favorite eras.

"Klaus! Come and give us a hug birthday boy!"

Klaus's lips pulled up into a genuinely happy smile as Steven's voice rang loudly above the jazz band that began playing and the loud laughter and chatter of the crowd. He pulled the human man in, slapping him gently on the back, "Steven, you certainly have out done yourself."

Steven pulled back with a slight blush and a beaming grin at the hybrid's praise, "Easy there Old Man! With such a twinkle in your eyes and the way you are all but manhandling me it might give off the wrong idea."