Who: Tyler and Caroline What: It's Caroline's belated birthday celebrations! When: Thanksgiving weekend Where: Napa Valley Rating/Warning: Low/none Status: Complete
So far, Tyler thought that Caroline’s much-delayed birthday weekend was going pretty well. He hadn’t been able to do anything for her on her actual birthday, but had surprised her before Thanksgiving with a trip to Napa. Planning everything had been a breeze, though he was sure that a big part of the ease came from his powers of compulsion, which had guaranteed him the best hotel at a hell of a deal, and even managed to arrange for a private hot air balloon ride.
He’d booked Caroline a day at the spa, joining her for a couples massage but letting her get the rest of it by herself, mostly so he could spend the afternoon setting up everything else. The roses in the hotel room, and, of course, a bottle of champagne for the hot air balloon.
He hadn’t told her where they were going when he picked her up from the spa, just grinned when she had asked. “Almost there,” Tyler said, pulling up toward the field. In the middle of the field, the balloon sat waiting.
Caroline had to admit, she had been a little upset when her birthday went by almost unnoticed. But then it wasn’t a huge deal. It was the first birthday that she wasn’t particularly looking forward to. It wasn’t like she would actually be turning a year older. She was stuck at twenty-three forever. And then there was the fact that it was her first birthday without her mom. It was a lot of firsts, ones she wasn’t sure she wanted to celebrate. So it was probably for the best that Tyler was busy with work anyway.
However, he had more than made up for it now. A private weekend just the two of them was the perfect way to celebrate. That was all she needed anyway. The day had been amazing, starting with a relaxing couples massage and then she got pampered herself the rest of the day while Tyler went off to set up whatever the hell he was setting up. She got the works, mud bath, mani/pedi, facial. Now she was glowing and ready to meet her boyfriend.
The whole car ride Caroline tried to get details out of Tyler to no avail. It wasn’t until they drove up to the field and Caroline saw the balloon that it cliqued. She couldn’t help but gasp. “Are we - did you - that’s for us?”
As the approached, Tyler kept and eye on Caroline just so he could see the exact moment when she realized what they were doing. He was not disappointed by her reaction; the gasp of surprise, the sudden light of realization in her eyes.
“Just for us,” Tyler confirmed. “Well, and the pilot. I don’t know about you, but I have no idea how to work one of those things.”
“Didn’t I mention I took a hot air ballooning class at Cornell?” Caroline teased still beaming. She still couldn’t believe Tyler had done all of this for her. The trip was more than enough. Just having time the two of them, away from Orange County - away from Klaus. She didn’t need anything else. But she had to admit she loved it. The fact that Tyler had put so much thought and effort into the trip just made her love him even more.
“I think you must have left that part out,” Tyler teased, pulling into a parking space. He opened his door, stepped out, and in the blink of an eye was at Caroline’s door opening it for her. “I’m sure you aced it, but I think I’d rather your attention on me than making sure we don’t crash into a telephone line or something.”
“Well that’s why it’s a good thing we are immortal,” Caroline teased holding Tyler’s hand as they made their way to the balloon. “But I’d much rather keep my attention on you,” she added following it up with a kiss.
It wasn’t long before they were in the air. Caroline settled against Tyler letting him wrap his arms around her. “This definitely beats my dream birthday,” she commented with a smile as she took in the view.
Tyler buried his nose in her hair, taking in the scent of her shampoo and the crisp, clear air high above the ground. “I’d hope so,” he said, attempting to keep his voice light but not quite succeeding. He hadn’t nearly killed her in this life, but the thought of it still haunted him sometimes. “I don’t think it could be any worse than me nearly killing you.” Or any worse than Klaus needing to swoop in and save the day.
That was very true. Her dream birthday was probably the worst birthday anyone could have. “Well you did get me that cute bracelet,” she reminded him, always looking on the bright side. Even if Klaus did try to outdo Tyler by giving her a more expensive bracelet. Not exactly something Caroline wanted to think about right now.
“How about this,” Caroline continued with a small smile. “This birthday completely wipes out my dream one.” Because it did. This was the best birthday she could have ever asked for and Tyler had done it all for her. That was way more important than any mistake he made in the dreams.
Tyler couldn’t help but smile. Of course Caroline would remember a charm bracelet he’d given her over the whole almost-accidental-murder thing. “Deal,” he said. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever forget it, but it wasn’t really him who’d bit her. He wasn’t sure what he’d do if Klaus ever told him to bite her here, but he imagined he’d probably lock himself away before he ever went near her again.
“Though, before we entirely forget it,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder and turning her around. He reached into his pocket with his left hand, and took her hand in his right. Then, gently holding it between both his hands, he clasped the charm bracelet from their dreams around her wrist.
For the second time that day Caroline gasped. “You got it?” she asked immediately recognizing the bracelet. It had to have come from the dreams. She highly doubted Tyler went out and had that exact bracelet made.
“A while ago,” Tyler confirmed. “I wasn’t sure what to do with it when it first showed up, since you were still out of town.” He’d been dating Blossom at the time, but he couldn’t give it to her. It wouldn’t have been fair to either Blossom or to Caroline for him to regift her Birthday present. “Do you like it?”
“I love it,” Caroline replied with a large smile. “I love you,” she added wrapping her arms around his neck. It didn’t take long for her lips to find his. She didn’t even care that the balloon pilot guy was right there. Caroline kissed her boyfriend like there was no one watching.
“I love you too,” Tyler muttered back before Caroline’s lips found his, not a single thought spared for the operator. He no doubt had seen the same thing happen a thousand times, and if he had a problem with it he could just focus on flying their balloon. “Happy birthday, Care,” he said, breaking the kiss for just a moment before bringing his lips to Caroline’s again.