whirlwind

Fifteen - Loved

If there was one thing Cara had learned, it's that being a Callaghan was hard work.

Granted, she wasn't the one doing much of the work, but that didn't matter.

Nicolas, Alexander, and Elizabeth did the heavy lifting. The business, the fighting, and all that came with being leaders in a city such as Chicago. Cara however, was the one to patch up their faults, and in Nicolas' case, patch his ego.

Adeline was nearly a year old by now. Word had spread quickly — very quickly — about their daughter. This caused many problems, obviously. Chicago wasn't exactly a safe place to raise a child. But it was Cara's home. It was the Callaghan's home. So they decided that they could tough it out. And they did.

Surprisingly, many of Nicolas' enemies actually took to Adeline. Cara supposed it didn't really surprise her; in her eyes, she was an angel and only a fool could not like her.

Benjamin was her fairy godmother. Well, godfather. Whatever. He loved her as much as they did, and spoiled her even more than Nicolas could — Cara didn't even think that was possible.

Cara's brother met her, too. Him and his girlfriend were estatic. Cara was happy for them, and he was happy for her. For one of the first times in their lives, they were finally seeing eye to eye. It was odd that arguing and fighting was what it took for them to finally be siblings, but she had no complaints. He was a wonderful uncle. Her mother finally came around, as well. She did so first out of Cara's parents. It wasn't hard to locate the Callaghan's home, it was the most lavish, most beautiful in the Chicago. She walked right up to the front door one day, knocking on the iron cast fences, asking for her.

She fell in love with Adeline, just as others had. Cara didn't think she expected to have a grandchild so young, but circumstances aside, it was hard for her not to love the beautiful baby. Cara likes to say that her daughter takes after Nicolas, and that's why she's so beautiful. However, Alexander and Elizabeth beg to differ, often times telling her that if it were not for her, Adeline may have come out looking a little rough. No matter.

Cara's father eventually came around, too, though it took a lot longer. He wasn't too happy. And the two are not close, but she does understand that he is family and family is always and forever. He will one day hopefully understand that Cara made sacrifices for her family just as he had tried to do by keeping her from Nicolas. She supposed they weren't so different after all.

Once a week, Nicolas and her went on a so-called 'date night.' It took them at least five months to actually admit it, that they were in love. Well, it took him five months to admit it, it was pretty obvious of Cara's feelings. So now, strolling along the city side of Chicago, Cara's hand interlocked with her lover's, she can't help but think that perhaps she got her fairytale ending.

Of course, she didn't believe it was the end of the story. There were too many questions to answer. What will happen when Adeline gets older?Would she remain in Chicago? Would Cara?

While Cara didn't know what the future held for her, she knew that she would love Nicolas for forever. She also knew that she didn't want to let him go, and she didn't think he would let her go easily, either.

"What are you thinking of, little dove?"

His words broke her thoughts, and she turned to look at him, a smile on her lips.

"You."

He roared with laughter, quickly using the leverage on her hand to pull her to him, dipping her as she was pulled against his chest, lips divulging to hers.

Cara grinned as he pulled away.

"You're quite spontaneous for an old man," Cara teased, only laughing as she saw Klaus' over-exaggerated face of shock and hurt.

"Well, love, this 'old man' can show you quite the spontaneity."

With a wink, he scooped her into his arms.

This was Nicolas Callaghan, the father of her child, and the love of her life. This was her whirlwind life. It wasn't perfect, but it was hers.

And she wouldn't change it for the world.

END.