Claire ran her hand down the red slim fit dress while looking in the full length mirror. Her hair is braided in a bun with a small section of hair hanging loose but she tucks it behind her ear. The tall black heals barely do anything for her height, she knew her mates would still tower over her, yet it brought the dress together.

She smiled slightly at her reflection but it didn't really reach her eyes. While she felt satisfied with the way she looked, she knew she looked good, she didn't feel it. The moment she woke, her stomach felt like it was tearing itself apart. She felt nauseous. She made sure to steer clear of the kitchen afraid that the smell of the food Henrik was cooking would send her to the bathroom. If she moved too fast she felt as if the world was going to slip out from under her.

Though as she looked in the mirror, she looked fine. Her color looked good. She wasn't sweating. Her hands weren't trembling. Everything looking fine but it certainly didn't feel it. She didn't know what was going on and could only hope that whatever it is would pass.

Arms snaked around her waist causing her to jump. Despite looking in the mirror, she never saw him coming. His scent filled her nose and her body relaxed against his.

"What wrong?" He whispers in her ear looking at her reflection. He knew something was off, he and his brothers could feel it through the bond. If anything, startling her like he had only confirmed something was off.

"I'm fine" She said turning in his arms but spun too fast and stumbled. He tightens his grip around her. He leads her to the chair and sits her down. She sways slightly, closing her eyes.

"Wanna tell me the truth?" He asks. Slowly she opens her eyes. Kol smiles at her though he obviously looked concerned.

"I'm fine." She tells him grabbing his hand that rests on her leg. "Though I could use some water" She tells him.

"Elijah's bringing you a glass" He informs her having heard his older brother from the kitchen. "You look lovely" He compliments smiling at her. She grins and leans forward kissing his forehead. 

"Here you go, Elskan" Elijah says appearing with a tall glass of water. She smiles thankfully at him while sipping on the cool liquid. Elijah smiles back and places a gentle hand on her forehead. He frowns his eyes not feeling anything out of the ordinary. While that was good, it didn't explain her feeling of unease.

"I'm fine" She stress to the both of them. She sets the almost empty glass to the side. She stands up happy that she didn't sway this time. She gives them a look as if the non-swaying proved her point.

"Are you sure?" Elijah questions.

"I am." She promises him. "You both look very handsome" She said smiling at the pair of them. Kol didn't particularly like dressing up but this was a formal event. He knew if he didn't Caroline would get on Claire who would scold him in return. He wanted to avoid that. "Come on, we need to get going soon." She said walking out of the room.

"She didn't look good when I came in the room." Kol muttered to Elijah.

"You think she's hiding something?" Elijah asks.

"And you don't?" Kol raises his eyebrows at him. Elijah sighs and leaves the room. Kol follows him.

"There she is" Claire smiles at Madelyn. Madelyn giggles and holds her arms out to her mother. "Come here" Claire encourages. Madelyn giggle smiling brightly as she walked to her mother. Pride swells in Claire heart as she scoops her daughter up in her arms.

Unlike her mother, Madelyn wears a white dress with wild flowers on it. The dress buttons up in the front and fits her perfectly. Her little feet is covered with while, shiny shoes. Her growing black is pulled back with a white head band.

"Such a beautiful baby" Claire grins at her giving her an Eskimo kiss. Madelyn's face scrunches up making Claire laugh quietly. Claire kisses her forehead before turning her attention to Finn, who had been watching over her.

"Gorgeous, Princess" He compliments. He grabs her hand and kisses her knuckles. Claire couldn't help but to blush and pull him towards her. He grins and bends down pressing his lips against hers. 

"You two can snog later, we have to get going" Rebekah says coming down the steps, her heals clicking on the floor. Claire grins pulling away from Finn slowly.

"Impeccable timing, sister" Finn mumbles in slight annoyance. Rebekah gives him a taunting smile holding onto Asher's hand.

"Finally managed to pull him away from the video games, huh?" Claire teases. 

"Ha. Ha. Ha" Asher says sarcastically.

"Where's Archie?"

"Playing video games" Rebekah rolls her eyes. Claire laughs softly.

"Told mom he had a fever" Asher snorts.

"If he had a fever why would he be here?" Claire asked frowning her eyebrows.

"Exactly. Don't think mom fell for it." Asher said shaking his head. Claire rolls her eyes as Klaus and Henrik join them in front of the main door.

"Are we ready?" Henrik questions. Claire smiles and nods. The lot of them walk out to the car. Claire and Madelyn rode with Elijah and Klaus, Kol managing to slip in the back with his mate. Finn and Henrik were forced to drive with Rebekah and Asher.

"Feeling better?" Kol questions. Claire notices both Elijah and Klaus paying close attention to her answer while trying to not be obvious.

"I'm fine, Kol" Claire stresses grabbing his hand. She leans over and kisses him gently. He relaxes and manages to shift closer to her. She smiles pulling away and resting her head on his shoulder. He plays with her fingers periodically kissing the top of her head.

Without even noticing, Claire begins to drift to sleep. Kol sighs uncertainly. He rests his head on top of hers sharing a look with Elijah through the rear view mirror. When they arrive to their destination, Kol gently shakes her awake.

"I'm sorry" She apologizes. 

"For falling asleep?" Kol asks her amused. Claire blushes slightly. "Guess I should have been gentler with you last night" He winks causing her blush to deepen and Klaus to roll his eyes. They all climb out of the car. Claire undoes Madelyn's straps and gathers her in her arms.

Madelyn wiggles about to throw a fit. Claire sets her down and Madelyn's mood instantly lightens. Claire smiles and holds onto Madelyn's hand, the two of them walking slowly towards the party Caroline has worked so hard for.

"Do you see my sister anywhere?" Claire asked looking around while keeping most of her attention on Madelyn.

"Madelyn!" Claire looks over and smiles at Penelope. The growing teenager approaches them quickly. "She's getting so good at walking!" Penelope grins at Claire.

"That's all she wants to do, now-a-days. She'll be running in no time." Claire grins at Penelope.

"She looks gorgeous, where did you find the dress?"

"Sarah got it for her." Claire said. "She has an online store. She doesn't really sell baby clothes but she knows a few people and was able to get a few dresses that just look adorable on her."

"She looks precious" Hanna said coming up to the group. "So, how's Archie? He sounded dreadful on the phone" Hanna said sarcastically.

"He'll probably feel a lot better in a couple hours" She said knowing that was around the time when his wireless controller would lose battery.

"Of course" Hanna rolls her eyes shaking her head.

"Love, Caroline is just over there" Klaus points out quietly. Claire looks in the direction he motions too and notices her.

"Excuse me, I wanna talk to my twin. I hope you enjoy the party."

"I'm sure we will, Caroline did a fantastic job" Hanna said and Claire nodded in agreement. Claire bids her and Penelope a farewell before guiding Madelyn to Caroline, her mates in tow. Kol finds a delicious looking female and feels his hunger growing. He slips off without anybody really noticing.

"Excuse me, love" Klaus kisses the side of her head before going off to the to some of his hybrids. Claire smiles at the action. She doesn't know what he's talking to them about but is happy to see him acting more civil towards them.

"Do you want something to eat?" Henrik asks knowing she didn't have any lunch.

"Something small?" Claire suggests knowing if she said she didn't want anything then they would grow even more concerned and overbearing. Henrik nods kissing her forehead before going towards the food table. "Caroline" Claire calls out.

"Hey" Caroline greets smiling at her. "Oh my gosh will you look at her" Caroline grins at Madelyn. Claire scoops her up into her arms. Madelyn whines and wiggles in her arms making Claire set her back down.

"Never mind then" Claire mutters. Caroline laughs. Madelyn pulls at Claire's hand wanting to follow a butterfly. "Madelyn" Claire mutters to her daughter. Madelyn pouts in a mood.

"I'll take her" Elijah grabs Madelyn's hand and allows her to drag him around. Claire sighs knowing they spoiled her to death.

"You did a great job" Claire praised looking around.

"Thank you" Caroline smiled brightly.

"Where's Tyler?" She asked. Caroline's smile falters. Tyler hadn't confessed anything to her but he was acting strangely. He was even more distant and secretive. When they were together, they would blow up on each other.

"I don't think he's..." Caroline slowly stops talking as she sees Tyler. Claire follows her gaze and sees Tyler as well. Only Tyler wasn't alone. Claire's jaw literally drops as she watches him come to the party with Hayley Marshall. "I didn't think he would show up." She whispers.

"Caroline-" Caroline doesn't stick around for Claire to finish what she was saying, she simply walks away focusing all too much on the party. Anger boils in Claire's veins as she looks back to where Tyler and Hayley are.

The pair of them walk up around together. They were talking and smiling, their hands continued to brush against one another. Claire clenches her jaw, a snarl resting on her face. 

Finn pulls her into his embrace. She relaxes slightly though the anger is still there as she watches the two of them. Finn bends and nuzzles his head into her neck doing what he can to calm her down.

"I can't believe that I won" Hayley says playfully as she walks up to crown. She grabs it and places it on her head. "I just want to thank the judges for seeing past the fact that I'm a raging bitch." Tyler smiles in amusement.

"You don't want to do that. Those girls will cut you. They have nails." Tyler warns.

"I have claws" Hayley replies cockily. Tyler went to respond when something catches his eyes. All playfulness and amusement is wiped from his face in a matter of seconds. Hayley frowns her eyebrows and turns, following his gaze to a small little black haired girl.

Tyler's face softens and his eyes are filled with pain. This is the first time he's seeing his daughter for a long time. She's grown so much, she's even walking and he had missed it. Regret courses through his body. He hated himself for not being in her life but Claire made it clear he isn't welcome. In fact, he knew if he went anywhere near her, Claire would kill him on the spot.

"She beautiful" Hayley said looking at Tyler.

"Just like her mother" Tyler whispers. Hayley felt sorry for Tyler. 

"Why don't you go up to her?" Hayley suggests quietly.

"I can't" Tyler shakes his head. Hayley frowns her eyebrows.

"Why?"

"Claire doesn't want me anywhere near her."

"Does she have full custody?" Hayley questions. Tyler doesn't answer. Legally they both had custody of Madelyn but that doesn't stop Claire from keeping Tyler away. "You have a legal right to see your daughter" Hayley said.

"If I go near her, they'll kill me" Tyler said looking at her seriously.

"They can't keep you from your own daughter. That isn't right." Hayley snapped.

"There's a lot about this situation that you don't understand." Tyler tried to explain.

"Is there really?" Hayley asks. Tyler nods as if it were obvious. "You want to know what I see?"

"Not particularly but you'll tell me anyways" Tyler grumbles. Hayley smirks slightly before responding.

"I see your daughter, who is a potential werewolf, being raised by three vampires, two witches and a hybrid. The only one who is even remotely capable of raising Madelyn right is Klaus. Do you really trust them to keep her protected? To help her through the transition? And what if she becomes a hybrid? Forever loyal to Klaus? A slave. Are you going to just give up on her?" Hayley asked. Tyler mulls her words over. "You love her don't you?"

"Of course I do" Tyler snapped glaring at her.

"Then do what is right" Hayley said placing her hand on his arm. "You know Claire is incapable of protecting Madelyn from Klaus. Sooner or later Klaus will force her to be a hybrid like he forced everybody else. When that happens she'll be a slave for the rest of her life. But you can prevent that."

"And what do you suggest I do?" Tyler asks. "Walk right up and take her? They'd kill the both of us before we get within ten feet." He mutters quietly.

"We wait. We wait until we can take Klaus down. Claire will be so focused on Klaus that Madelyn will be left vulnerable. We can take her then." Hayley said. "But right now, you have every right to be with your daughter."

"They don't see it that way" Tyler mumbles.

"Fuck them. That's your daughter." Hayley snapped. She grabbed Tyler and began to pull him.

"What are you doing?" Tyler asked in a panicked whisper.

"Taking you to your daughter."

"Over my dead body." Claire snapped appearing in front of them. Finn stands behind her, standing a full, intimidating height. Tyler glances at a very pissed Claire. He looks behind her to Finn and then notices Klaus slightly behind his brother glaring at him and Hayley. He then notices Elijah holding Madelyn and Henrik standing beside Elijah.

"You can't keep them separated forever" Hayley growls stalking closer. Finn and Klaus both growl in return moving closer as well. Tyler grabs Hayley stopping her. He knew that Finn and Klaus had no problem ripping Hayley throat out in front of everybody.

"Watch me" Claire snapped. She takes a few steps closer to her. Her eyes move from Hayley to Tyler. "If you and that mutt behind you are still in town by night fall, I will kill you both."

"Oh really?" Hayley asks tilting her head. "And what law have we broken to deserve the death penalty? Make you sister jealous?" Claire moves even closer. Finn growls feeling more uncomfortable but Claire ignores it. She moves so close, her lips are practically brushing against Hayley's ear.

"How angry do you think Klaus will be when he finds out you've been turning hybrids against him? Helping them break the sire bond?" She whispers in his ear. "How long do you think you'll live when he has that information?" Hayley tenses as Claire pulls away.

"So, you're too much of a coward to do it yourself?" Hayley smirks. "I never pegged you as a coward."

"When the sun is behind the horizon and the moon is in the sky, your time is up." Claire warns the both of them before turning around and walking past her mates. Finn and Klaus continue to face Hayley and Tyler, making sure they didn't get close.

"Come on, lets go." Tyler said pulling her along.

"Relax, Elskan." Elijah whispers kissing her forehead setting Madelyn back down letting the toddler wonder around.

"I want her guarded until we have the Tyler and Hayley situation over" Claire muttered.

"Of course" Klaus says walking over to her. He rubs her back soothingly. He motions for some hybrids to come over. 

"What did you say to her?" Henrik asked curiously. Claire tilts her head slightly. "To Hayley. Whatever you said, shook her up."

"That's not important right now. Right now, lets just enjoy the party." She smiles at them.