C.1: Always and Forever
Hi, everyone! I've recently started rewatching The Originals and thought I'd give a whirl at writing a story for it. From what I've seen, fanfiction about Klaus having another child is a little overdone but I couldn't pass the opportunity!
First chapter takes place nine years before the first season of the Originals. The story closely follows the plot of the first season. That being said- Klaus is still a huge jerk; Elijah is still honorable and noble and believes in the power of Always and Forever; my OC, Nik, is struggling to find a place in all the chaos Klaus has sparked.
I hope everyone enjoys!
~Elijah~
December 10, 2003
Elijah has not seen Mystic Falls in what seems like centuries.
The eldest Original made it a point to often stop by as the years passed by. He wished to see how his home had changed over the years. He remembers years back when Mystic Falls had been small with only a Main Street and a handful of shops well up into the early 1920's. Then, everything changed with the addition of buildings and homes were built. It became a busy little town and Elijah, if he were being honest, was sad to see it change.
Tonight, however, he has not come to see the town's change in the last decade. He has come on a much more important trip.
His brown eyes search for the address he needs. 15 Oak Lane. After another minute or so, he finds the address and turns into the home's driveway. Once he parks the car, he looks over the house in front of him. It's a two story home made of brick, decorated for Christmas. Toys litter the yard from children at play and there are a slew of bikes parked at the front of the garage.
Elijah exits the car, eyes snapping towards the window where he sees the movement of curtains. Then, he watches as the door is opened by a man with dark hair and eyes to match. In his hand, he clutches a child's bag and behind him follows a fair haired child with blue hues. He can tell the girl has been crying and she looks petrified. Elijah stops at the end of the walkway, watching as the man descends the steps.
The man nearly laughs. "I'm surprised you decided to come."
Elijah clenches his jaw. "Granted, it was short notice. I came to relieve you of your problem, since a five year old is such a burden." In fact, the girl doesn't even look five. She's the size of a three year old, much too thin and short for her age.
"You have no idea how much trouble this...this creature is," he spits, pointing to the little girl. The girl hangs her head down, ashamed of herself. "If her mother were living, maybe it wouldn't have come down to this. I could have tolerated her. But I can't have the reminder of the monster her mother slept with running around."
"She's a child," Elijah states firmly. He knew nothing of the girl until forty-eight hours ago. He received a call from the man before him- David- and he said for him to pick up the "monstrosity" that belonged to his brother, Niklaus. Elijah knew not how he came across the number or how it was possible for Klaus to have a child, but his brother has always defied nature. His curiosity led him back to Mystic Falls to see this miracle child and he knows he hasn't been lied to.
"No child's eyes glow yellow or makes things levitate. She has fangs when she's angry- she bit her brother and caused him to have stitches," David sneers. Then, he throws the bag to Elijah's feet, the blue bag rolling harshly over the ground before stopping at his shoes. David points to Elijah, looking at the girl. "Go."
Elijah would have had the man's head for speaking to the girl that way, but he can't with the girl watching. He can't with the other children needing a father.
The Original kneels down. He smiles at the girl. "Come. I won't hurt you." His eyes watch as the little girl shuffles towards him, shaking because of the cold. She edges closer until she's standing before him and Elijah studies over her.
She looks so much like Klaus that it's terrifying.
If Klaus had been a girl, this would have what he'd looked like. The girl has a small scar over her right eyebrow and Elijah can see the fading bruises over her left jaw.
The girl sniffles and wipes her eyes. She's trying so hard to be brave. "A-Are you my daddy?" Her voice quakes and Elijah smiles sadly, shaking his head.
"No, little one. I wish I was, though," Elijah says. He draws his handkerchief from his pocket, drying the girl's face. "I am your Uncle Elijah. I'm your father's older brother."
The girl gives a trembling smile. "M-My name's Rebekah, but my mom called me by my middle name: Nikol. She called me Nik a lot."
Elijah smiles. Rebekah Nikol. She was named for Rebekah and Klaus. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Nik."
"He says I'm going to stay with you," Nik says, wringing her hands nervously.
Elijah takes her hands, holding them softly. "That's correct. You shouldn't worry, though. I will take good care of you and I will never leave you."
Nik gives a timid smile and Elijah smoothes her long locks. Then, he rises to his feet after grabbing her bag. He offers his hand to Nik and she carefully places her tiny hand in Elijah's palm. He begins to lead the girl back to the car and Nik looks over her shoulder a few times, leaving the only home she has ever known.
He extends his arms towards the girl once he opens the car's door. Inside sits a pink booster seat decorated in purple flowers. He had picked it up on his way to Mystic Falls, knowing that she needed one.
Nik moves towards Elijah and the Original scoops her up, gently settling her inside the car. He watches as the five-year-old goes to buckle her seatbelt, her little hands shaking violently and Elijah notices an elevation in her heart rate and her breathing.
"Easy, darling. You're getting yourself too worked up," Elijah soothes, taking one of Nik's hands and he squeezes gently.
Nik releases a trembling sob. "What about my brothers and sister? What if they're m-monsters, too? H-He's gonna be m-mean to them!"
Elijah frowns. "No, love. No one is a monster. You are not a monster." He dries Nik's tears, trying to soothe the wailing girl. He sits with her until her tears cease and he runs his hand over her head. "And he will not mistreat them."
"Why doesn't he want me?" Nik questions bitterly. Elijah can see that life has hurt her at an early age. It took her mother from her and she has been disowned from the only family she has known all her life. Even now, she poses a risk at being rejected by Klaus, who has said nothing much about the child since they discovered Nik.
Elijah only smiles. "It simply means you are wanted somewhere else. I want you."
Nik gives a watery smile in return. She looks so much like Klaus had growing up. Their father was less than nice to him. Elijah recounts the several times Mikael beat and berated Klaus during his human life and tormented him during his eternal one.
"Now, Nik, let's take you home," Elijah says, ruffling the girl's hair.
…
The drive with Nik is more pleasant than he thought it would be.
When Elijah imagined five-year-olds, he imagined endless questions and the cacophonies of "Are We There Yet," and, "I Need To Use The Bathroom." Nik, however, has proven to be a very quiet, shy child. Most of the trip, Elijah was the one to initiate conversations and ask the questions.
Through their conversation, Elijah learned that Nik's birthday was on October 30th; he learned her favorite color was teal; her favorite food is spaghetti; her favorite thing to do is ride a bicycle. Everything she revealed was that of a typical child- she enjoyed to play and laugh and have fun.
Elijah will make sure she has a normal childhood- as normal as their lifestyle will allow.
He stops for the night in North Carolina. He decides that Nik needs a break from all the driving and he can get her something to eat. He stays in a hotel no less than five stars- he wants everything to be perfect for Nik.
The Original watches Nik as she plays in the tub. He decided to bathe her and let her have dinner after. With him he has brought a slew of bath soaps and shampoo he thought were best for Nik. He brought along several bath toys for her to use, and he can only smile as she moves a boat through the water.
He holds out on pulling the girl from the tub a while longer, letting her splash about a few moments longer before he rinses her and wraps her in a towel, settling her on the tiled floor as he grabs pajamas to dress her in after she's dried.
Nik is dried and dressed in her pajamas when she looks up at Elijah, her brow furrowed. "Elijah?"
Elijah smiles down at the girl, leading her from the bathroom. "What is it, little one?"
She looks troubled a few moments. It seems that she is struggling to find her words as she climbs up into the bed, sitting with her legs crossed. "What's my daddy like? You haven't talked about him a lot."
"Your father...he's a very peculiar man," Elijah says, sitting down next to Nik. "You see...Klaus was a very kind man. There was unforeseen incidents that strongly affected his character. As years passed, he lost more and more of the side that made him human."
Nik frowns. "Does that mean he's a bad person?"
"No...no. Your father isn't bad, but his loyalties lay here and there. He's changed from the man I knew him to be," Elijah answers, trying to put it into terms that Nik can understand.
"What if he doesn't want me like David?" Nik asks, looking terrified.
Elijah smoothes her damp hair behind her ear. "Whatever happens with Klaus, it matters not. Know that I am here. I cannot promise you of Klaus' intentions, but you will be mine regardless of whatever takes place."
Nik gives a soft smile before taking Elijah's hand in her little one. The Original smiles softly and takes Nik's hand, kissing her knuckles. "I promise you, Nikol. Always and Forever."
"What does that mean?"
"Years ago, when our family was together and happy, we made a promise to each other. Always and Forever. We put family above all. You have been born into that promise, and I will protect you- Always and Forever."
Nik smiles. "Always and Forever."
…
They arrive in Georgia late the next evening.
Elijah pulls up to their huge plantation house, eyes drifting to the rear view mirror to see Nik opening her eyes from her nap.
Nik was, once again, silent for most of the trip except to ask Elijah in an embarrassed voice if she could use the bathroom and when they stopped to eat. The rest of the time, Nik barely initiated conversation until Elijah began a game of Twenty Questions to hear her voice. Sometimes, he had feared he left her at a rest stop because Nik was so quiet.
"Did you sleep well, little one?" Elijah asks, smiling widely as Nik begins to fully come to.
Nik nods, her curly blond hair bobbing at the motion. "Yeah." Her blue hues flit towards the house and she looks at Elijah in disbelief. "You live here?"
Elijah chuckles. "It is one of our many homes around the world. Your father and I have been here a while to see to some business."
Nik's mouth nearly drops open, but she just grins giddily and Elijah chuckles at the girl's wonder. He watches as she unbuckles her seatbelt and Elijah goes around to open the girl's door, taking her tiny hand and he carries in their small travel bags.
He walks slowly to the house to accommodate Nik's little legs, keeping a slow pace as they walk up the steps leading to the front porch. Then, he carefully opens the door and lets Nik walk inside, following close behind her.
"This place is bigger than any house I've been in," Nik comments, looking up at Elijah with wide eyes.
Elijah chuckles. "So it is. Long ago, when this house was built, we had quite the slew of guests. We entertained people and kept them over for the night."
"So...like a sleepover?" Nik questions.
"Just like a sleepover," Elijah chuckles, placing their bags down.
Before Elijah can right himself, there's a flash of color before him and Nik. The eldest Original feels Nik rush behind him, the little girl clinging to his legs for dear life.
Elijah huffs. "You could not scare the girl when we've only first arrived, brother." He watches Klaus break out into a devilish grin, his blue hues- his daughter's eyes- staring back at them.
"Only a bit of fun," Klaus replies, grinning darkly. He leans a bit, trying to capture Nik who looks shyly from behind Elijah's legs. "So, this is the girl you rambled on about. You know, there are a lot of people with blond hair and blue eyes. That harlot could have easily lied. There's no possibility that this runt could be mine."
Elijah's eyes darken. "Niklaus. For one moment, can you stop being rude?" He takes Nik's hand, gently pulling her from behind his legs. "Go on, darling- introduce yourself."
Nik gulps, a tremor shaking her form. "I'm Rebekah, but my mom called me Nik a lot. It's short for Nikol."
"Nik," Klaus says, as if he were testing the name out on his tongue. "They called me Nik when I was a boy… Elijah still does when he feels sentimental." He kneels down before Nik, inspecting her like one would an animal. "Tell me, Nik: what happened to your mother?"
"She died in a car crash," Nik says, looking crestfallen. "Car flipped over with me and her and David in it. Mama didn't make it."
For a moment, Klaus looks thoughtful. Elijah feels anxious at Klaus' reply, knowing it can go either way with his little brother.
Klaus' eyes narrow into a deathly glare and he stands up. "You should have went with her, then. I have no need for you, you deplorable little monster."
Then, Klaus' last hope at redemption quickly flees the room and Elijah can only see red. When he comes to, Klaus is pinned against a wooden shelf and his hands are wrapped around his throat.
"Do not ever address that child- your child- in such a way again," Elijah hisses. "She has been through too much for you to bully her as her step-father had."
Klaus shoves him away, sending Elijah stumbling. "I didn't ask for her! I did not ask for a miserable attempt for redemption, because there's nothing to be redeemed. That girl is vermin- something to stand in my way."
"I just want you to be happy, Niklaus. You've been bitter for centuries. That child can be your happiness- she has already become mine," Elijah pleads. All he has ever wanted for his family is to be happy. He wants Klaus to know love again, and love from Nik would be unconditional. For years, Klaus has been obsessed with breaking the curse placed on him by their mother. It's his only drive and Elijah hoped and prayed Nik might have been enough for Klaus to let go of his silly wants and to be happy.
Klaus seizes him by his neck, eyes burning into his. "I will be happy when we have broke this damned curse. That child is little more than something to trip me along the way. Love, grace, mercy- it is all weakness, and I want none of it. So, you can stay here and play house and have the family you want. I want no part of this."
Then, the last thing he remembers is a sickening snap and darkness stretches across his vision.
…
Elijah wakes up to crying.
His eyes flutter open and he feels a dull ache in his neck from Klaus having snapped it. He would have pulled himself up by now, but a small body is keeping him from sitting up.
He sees Nik's upper body laying on his chest, her head pressed over his heart. She's crying, hard. Her sobs are almost screams and she has drowned his suit jacket in tears. Her tiny hands have taken fistfuls of his jacket, holding him tightly as though her touch might have brought him back to life.
"Nik," Elijah cooes softly. He pushes himself up, reaching for Nik who flings herself into his arms. Her head finds a home in the crook of Elijah's neck and her wiry arms wrap around him, holding him tightly. "Nik, I am right here. It's over- I am here."
"I thought you were dead!" Nik wails, sobbing so hard that she sends herself into a fit of coughs. It is hard to tell what Klaus done to her during the time Elijah was rendered unconscious. Klaus could have done anything to Nik ranging from mental trauma to physical torture.
Elijah hushes her, rocking her back and forth. "I know, love; I know. I'm right here, though." He rubs soothing circles into Nik's back, hoping to calm her sobs and stop the tears. He hates that the poor girl had to hurt even more due to Klaus. "I'm so sorry that this has happened, little love."
"I tried to find a phone to call the amb'lence," Nik cries. She wheezes painfully and holds onto Elijah tighter. "You were dead like Mama was and you were cold! K-Klaus told m-me to shut up 'cause you'd be b-back and l-left me here!"
Elijah makes a shushing noise into Nik's hair. "I'm sorry, Nik. It's over now. I know you were frightened and you were left alone, but you shouldn't be afraid anymore. It is over."
"I d-didn't want you to leave me." Nik's body shakes with another round of sobs and Elijah holds her through them, shushing her as she shakes.
"I know, but I am well," Elijah whispers. "I will never leave you, Nik. What happend was only temporary and won't happen again." Elijah cannot imagine the horror she went through at seeing his body. She's still much too little to understand what the limits of a vampire's body is and how they recover. Heavens, she barely knows what she is herself.
After a few moments, Elijah carefully pushes the shaking girl away. Her eyes are puffy from crying and her cheeks are tear stained. She's still sobbing and tears pour down her reddend cheeks. Elijah wipes her face with a handkerchief from his pocket and smoothes her hair, clenching his jaw lest he begin to cry, too.
"I apologize that this has happened, Nikol," Elijah begins. He rubs her back, hoping to bring her some comfort. "I thought that Klaus would accept you and for a moment, I began to think he would. His words were hurtful and hateful, and he had no right to speak to you in such a manner. He is lucky to have such a girl like you, even though he has proven himself unworthy of you. It matters not what he thinks, Nik. We will do just fine together, don't you think?"
Nik gives Elijah a watery smile. She sniffles and Elijah hands over the linen handkerchief so she can blow her nose. "Y-yeah."
Elijah brings the girl close, pressing a kiss to her forehead and he hugs her as tightly as he can without causing her harm. "Your father may not want you, but I want you."
Nik hugs him back, dropping her head on his shoulder. Her voice barely carries above a whisper. "I wish you were my daddy."
"I know, little one. I wish I were, too," Elijah answers back, perfectly content with holding her in the floor than anywhere else at the moment.
I want you, Always and Forever