Happy New Year everyone! New Year, New Story...Sort of! This is the sequel to A Thousand Years, so if you haven't read that one, do so first or this will be fairly confusing! This chapter picks up just over a week after A Thousand Years ended. Just for bench marking reference, we are currently in the middle of VD season six and the start of TO season two. This was originally one super long chapter, but I decided to split it. So the next chapter is almost finished as well!
Enjoy!
Anika was trembling in excitement as she walked through the streets of Mystic Falls, and nearly screamed in frustration when the Sheriff stopped her, "Anika?"
She waved weakly, her heart telling her to brush off the woman and run to Mathias. Her rigid upbringing, however, dictated that she be cordial, "Hello, Sheriff Forbes."
"Hi, uh, I didn't know you were back in town." The Sheriff seemed uneasy, her hand twitching at her side as she scanned the area around them with sharp eyes.
Anika nodded, "Just for day. I'm surprising Matt." She hesitated, "I'm alone, by the way."
Liz smiled, laughing as her tension eased, "Oh, I'm sure he'll be glad to see you."
If Anika didn't tell someone, she'd burst. "I hope so, I've got some rather big news."
Liz Forbes stared at where the younger woman had a hand on her stomach, "You're..."
Anika cut her off, not wanting the news to travel on the winds. They were in a very public space after all, "Yes, and I wanted to tell him in person. Do you know where I might find him? The dome around this place is hampering me more than I'd assumed."
"He's, uh, probably in the Community Protection Program main office, just down the street." Liz informed her, an easy smile inching its way across her face.
Anika frowned, trying to remember if Matt had ever mentioned such a thing, "The Community Protection Program?"
Liz nodded, "It's been a thing since the whole deal with the Travelers. Matt's a part of it," She studied Anika, "I would have thought he would have told you that's how he's been spending most of his time."
Anika sighed, looking over at a wilting flower and wishing she could use her magic to heal it, it might make her feel a little better and less guilty about how unengaged she'd been in her husband's life since he'd left her in New Orleans. "We haven't really been talking much in the last couple months. We have disagreements about my family."
Liz grimaced, "I'm real sorry to hear that. I'm assuming that's why you've come to tell him in person about your…"
"Exactly." Anika whispered, "I'm not sure what to expect, but I'm excited and I hope he's excited, and I hope things change. I really want to make it work."
Liz smiled knowingly at her, "No one wants a marriage to fail. I don't think Matt has eyes for any girl besides you, so as long as you're both willing, you should be able to patch things up." She too looked down, "You're only in trouble when one of you gives up." Liz sighed heavily, flashing a quick smile at Anika, "Like I said, you should be able to patch things up. I'll let you go see him. Congratulations."
Anika smiled back at her, "Thank you."
Liz hesitated suddenly, holding a hand out, "Hey, just be careful around here. Mystic Falls has been a little weirder than usual since the Travelers. Tread lightly, Anika."
Anika nodded, "I will. Won't be staying long anyway. I'm hoping Matt will come with me." She gestured with on hand, "I can't handle feeling so disconnected to my…inner self."
Understanding dawned on Liz's face, "That's probably for the best. Let me know if you need anything, and if you happen to see Caroline, tell her I need to talk to her about the girl from this morning. I'm sure she'll understand. I'd say more, but…"
"Of course, I get it. I'll let her know. It was great to see you Sheriff Forbes, thanks for your help." Anika told the woman, heading down the street until she found a brick building with a sign advertising that the Community Protection Program resided inside.
Anika walked into the building, and could hear Matt's voice almost instantly. She followed it down the hallways, and smiled when she strode into an office. Matt had his back to the door, but the man sitting at the desk saw her and scowled, "Can I help you?"
"Actually, I'm here to see him." She said softly, gesturing to Matt's stiffening back.
He turned around suddenly, his face a terrible mix of joy and fear. "Ani?"
She smiled at him, "Hello, my love."
Matt smiled back, his excitement at seeing her after months overwhelming whatever had caused his initial terror. "Ani!" He was on her an instant later, lifting her off her feet and into his arms, kissing her firmly.
He'd sat her back on her feet and was brushing hair out of her face when they realized the other man had moved to stand beside them, smiling pleasantly. "Matt, who's this?"
Matt turned to face the other man, and in doing so put Anika ever so slightly protectively behind his shoulder. Anika was never one to allow others to scare her, so she stepped up to his side, holding her right hand out to the man, "Anika Donovan, I'm Matt's wife."
"Tripp Cooke." The man said, taking her hand and shaking it firmly, "Matt never mentioned a wife, and can't say I've seen you around." He smiled tightly, "I don't mean to be rude, miss, but I'm the leader of the Community Protection Program."
Matt shifted slightly, a subtle sign of aggression she knew well enough in him. Anika rested a hand on Matt's chest to calm him. She could handle herself, "I've been staying with my brother for a while. I was sick and needed more medical care than Mystic Falls could provide. Once I recovered, I stayed to return the favor for my insufferable brother. He got a one night stand pregnant." She forced a mournful grimace, "My dear niece was not with us long. My sister and I couldn't stand the atmosphere, so we've decided to do some traveling." She smiled up at Matt, "I just had to stop in and surprise Matt."
Matt kissed her chastely, but it was a very territorial gesture, "I'm so glad you did, Ani."
"Me too, especially since I have something very exciting to tell you… in private." She could hardly contain her excitement, even though she was slightly nauseated. She looked at Tripp, "Can I steal him for lunch? I'm starving, and skyr sounds great."
As soon as she'd spoken, she'd wished she hadn't. Matt froze completely, and she knew why. Skyr was a traditional dairy product that the forefathers of their community had brought with them when they'd settled in the area surrounding Mystic Falls. It was similar to what the modern producers called Greek Yogurt, but it was something she usually didn't crave. She'd craved the traditional yogurt four times before in her life.
"You're pregnant." Matt said softly, panic returning to his face under the facade he was clinging to.
Anika grabbed his chin, making him look at her, "Matt, it's okay. I'm fine. We're fine."
His eyes were wide, "Are you sure?"
She kissed him gently, smiling, "Yes. I'll explain it all later, but, Matt...it wasn't us. It was Mother. She drugged me. She did it on purpose."
"That witch. If she weren't dead, I'd kill her." He hissed after a few moments, jerking her to him. "God, Ani. Why didn't you say anything when we talked on the phone last?"
Anika rested her head on his chest, grasping the back of his shirt in her fingers, "That's not something I could say over the phone. Not when you'd react like this. I had to be with you, and I just couldn't leave my brother yet."
He chuckled, "Yeah, you're probably right."
Anika hummed, propping her chin on his chest so she could look at his face, pleased she didn't see any hint of frustration at the mention of her family. Maybe the plans she'd made with Rebekah would go better than she'd anticipated, "I saw this little cafe on the way into town, think we could go there? Their pie looked amazing."
"You don't want to go to the Grill?" Matt teased.
Anika rolled her eyes, "No, not sure they'd have me back considering how drunk I was last time I was a patron. I'm not sure I actually paid for what I drank."
Matt kissed her again, "Good thing the friendly bartender got you home safe."
"I probably would have slept face down in the parking lot it you hadn't. That would have given my sister something to laugh about for a few years." She said, totally content in his arms, glad their arguing over the phone seemed to be a thing of the past.
"You two are uh...leaving town?" Tripp said his eyes hard in his pleasant face.
Anika felt Matt tense again under her hands, but he stroked her back gently, "Well, guess whatever she wants to eat, I've got to provide!"
Tripp nodded tightly, "Makes sense. Enjoy your time with this pretty girl."
"Thank you, it was great to meet you." Anika said with a smile.
Tripp held up a staying hand, "Before you go, could I interest you in something to drink? You look a little flushed."
Anika didn't need access to her magic or her werewolf senses to tell her that he wasn't just offering her water. She shook her head, "I'm alright, really. A little skyr should perk me right up." Truthfully, she didn't trust the man, and her mother's actions all those years ago had made her wary of offerings during her pregnancy.
Matt's soothing hand on her shoulder told her she'd made the right choice, and they exited quickly. Matt only slowed down once they were in his truck, "How far along?"
"Four months." She replied softly, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, it just wasn't safe."
He scoffed, looking out the window in disgust as he started the truck's engine, "Typical."
Anika scowled at him, "What's that supposed to mean?"
His eyes snapped back at her face, "Nothing, except for the fact that your whole damn family isn't safe! Vampires aren't safe, you shouldn't be near them, especially pregnant."
Anika resisted the sudden urge to slap him, "I'm sorry, but those 'vampires' are my siblings, and in case you've forgotten, I'm half werewolf. All I want to do right now is stay close to my pack because pack means safety. The only pack I've got right now is…" She cut herself off. She'd been about to say Hope's name, but it wasn't safe yet, and they had drawn the attention of several people in the parking lot, including Tripp, who was watching them with sharp eyes. Anika set her jaw, "Please just drive."
"Fine."
Twenty minutes later they pulled up in front of the diner, and Anika was attempting to curb her temper, a hand on the bump that had seemingly appeared overnight half way to Mystic Falls, "Rebekah is inside waiting with our niece."
Matt stared at her, "Your niece? I thought she died."
"That was the point. You are now part of a very small number that know the truth, her name is Hope, and she is very much alive." Anika told him, opening the door and easing out of his truck, instinct screaming at her to get back to Hope.
If Matt followed or not, she really didn't care, shooting her sister a smile before scooping Hope up out of her car seat, "Hello little one!"
Rebekah was grinning at her, "You were gone less than two hours."
Anika nodded, rocking Hope in her arms, breathing in the baby's sweet scent, "I know, but that's forever for a pregnant werewolf. And God, that town is horrible now. Completely cut off from my magic, all my wolf instincts completely smothered. God, I felt deaf, blind, and sick the whole time."
"You're talking about my home." Matt growled from behind her.
Anika turned to him, choosing to put an apologetic expression on her face instead of snapping back at him. She really didn't want to fight. "It was my home too, Matt, long ago. I know you haven't triggered your werewolf gene in this life, but surely you can tell the difference in that place. I know our son can."
Matt went completely still, "Our son?"
She let a smile spread on her face, "Our son." Matt sat down heavily on the diner booth bench, eyes wide. "Kind of incredible, isn't it?" Anika said, sitting down next to him, Hope still in her arms, the little girl scrunching her nose up at some of Anika's hair tickling her face. "A whole new generation of Mikaelson's. Hope and our son."
"And you're sure everything is okay?" He asked, taking one of her hands in his.
Anika nodded, "Beka compelled an OB/GYN to check me out two days ago, and everything is fine." She looked up at her sister, "Would you mind handing me the…"
Rebekah waved a hand, "Yup, I've got it, hold on just a minute."
The vampire handed her sister a small square photograph after a few seconds of digging through the baby bag, and Anika handed it to Matt, "He's not as photogenic as Hope yet, but this is his first picture. I'm pretty happy with it. The technician said not all babies are so cooperative."
Matt stared at the sonogram, "I'm gonna be a dad." He shook his head in disbelief, "To a little boy." Anika nodded, and he grabbed her, kissing her deeply, "I love you so much."
Rebekah sighed dramatically, reaching between them to take Hope from Anika's arms and hold out a key, "I got you two a room at the motel on the other side of ours. Enjoy."
The couple stood quickly, Anika brushing a kiss to her sister and niece's foreheads, "Bless you, Beka. I owe you big time."
Rebekah just nodded, "Hope's next poopy nappie has your name on it."
"Deal." Anika gasped out, pulling herself away from Matt long enough to glance at the room number on the key and steer them that direction.
Hope you liked it! Next chapter will probably be up in the next week, but I'm back at work this week and a friend of mine is getting married, so no promises!
Review please,
-Jenn