Hope for the Future

‚Alright, sweetie, your turn. Just sit on Santa's lap and tell him what you want for Christmas.' Rebekah let go of her adorable niece's hand and watched the five year old walk up to the smiling man after casting her one last dubitative glance.

Rebekah Mikaelson decided she liked that Santa Claus. He had a genuine smile, had put a lot of effort into his costume and, from what she had overheard with her vampire hearing, paid special attention to every single one of his tiny customers. As Hope clumsily climbed onto his lap she had to smile. It was easy to forget that the little girl with blond pigtails, ridiculous blue eyes and a flashy pink jacket was a powerful hybrid, a queen in the making, a child whose natural authority will not be subdued for very long. For now, however, she enjoyed playing all day long, exploring the world, riddling her aunt with questions about anything that came to her mind and most of all, she enjoyed laughing. From the moment Rebekah had first held her in her arms she had noticed warmth spreading from the tiny little baby. Hope had been an appropriate name for this child, born into darkness and raised in the shadows. She reminded her of days when Nick was happy, and of moments when Hayley seemed to let her guard down and show real emotions.

Rebekah focused on the conversation her niece was having with the fake Santa.

'That is wonderful Hope! What else do you want?'

'I want everything to be covered in snow and all the candy in all the stores, aunt Rebekah never lets me have as much as I want…' She babbled on, bubbly, cute, a normal girl. The man in costume seemed to take a liking to her too. Then suddenly the expression on his face froze and Rebekah tuned her ears into the conversation again, a dangerous suspicion forming in her mind.

'And I want for my dad to kill all the vampires in New Orleans so I can go live with them again…'

'Vampires, Hope?' The Santa Claus shifted uncomfortably. But the little girl went on, unperturbed.

'Then I will be able to eat humans and drink their blood…'

It was time to step in. Rebekah Mikaelson was at her protégé's side in a few strides and stared the horrified man in the eyes.

'Everything is fine, she wanted ponies and the ability to fly. She was just an adorable little girl and you can forget all that business about vampires and killing, alright?' She grabbed Hope's hand who hopped off the man's lap, smiling. The fake Santa nodded, dazed.

'Time to go, sweetie, other people are waiting for Santa too!' The original vampire said loud enough for the surrounding people to hear.

'Okay.' Hope smiled and they disappeared in the crowd.

'Hope.' Rebekah started, when they were out of earshot. Her niece knew that whenever her name popped up in a conversation, things were serious. She tried putting on her innocent angelic face but Rebekah had learnt to see through that a very long time ago. 'You can't go around telling people about your dad's business, or your desire for blood.' She said, cutting to the chase.

'Why not?' The little girl pouted. 'I can compel them anytime I want.'

'But you didn't.' Her aunt said sharply. 'Any moment the man would have caused a scene while you were happily chatting away. You have to learn to be subtle. Do you understand?'

Rebekah wondered if this was the moment Hope would realize that she had a will of her own and could do as she pleased. When that moment came, Rebekah knew, there would be no one who could stop her. Except for Nick… She shuddered when that thought hit her again, that recurring thought that one day there would be a fight and she would have to choose a side. Nick or Hope. It scared her that she was even considering the possibility. But the monstrous power the child displayed even now would slowly, but surely, become a liability…