Close As Strangers
By: carreira
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, plots, settings etc. belong to S. Meyer and Julie Plec. I am in no way associated with the book or movie of Twilight or TVD/The Originals. No copyright infringement is intended.
Song Choice: Close As Strangers-5 Seconds of Summer
Lyrics provided by Metrolyrics No copyright infringement intended.
Author's Note: Happy Holidays folks this is my Christmas one-shot from me to you. I know the song title is not Christmas orientated but as you read the one-shot you will see why I chose this song.
There is no beta any and all mistakes are my own.
Now you're saying' everything has changed
And I'm afraid that I might be losing you
Now every night that I spend alone
Kills me thinking of you on your own
And I wish I was back home next to you
As the snow fell upon Forks, Washington Bella knew that the last hopes for Edward to return were no more. Two years have passed and yet he was right he would not return for any reason.
"It'll be like we never existed." he said, but the fact was he did exist and he just up and left her when the going got rough.
This year would mark the first time since Edward Cullen and his whole family just up and moved from rainy Forks, Washington that she could safely say she was over him. Up until then, she would always say "I'm getting better". Back then circumstances may not have been the best, but knowing now what it meant to be connected to the Cullen's Bella wished so badly she could redo her life since meeting the Cullen's.
They say dreams are your subconscious guiding you through the dark of the night up into the light.
Looking back at the last two years Bella would say the first year was rougher than the second, but where she would rather not talk or think about her first year of being single the second year was much better.
The first year after Edward left was catatonic and miserable for everyone. The screams and nightmares kept up both Charlie as well as Bella. Renee had been insistent on her returning to Florida, but Bella refused. It was around that time when Charlie called his mother Marie Swan. Marie had not expected the call from her only son seeing as how Charlie's relationship with his mother is strained. He sobbed on the phone as he told her all that Bella had been through. Charlie really hadn't understood all that Bella had been through however, Bella having her heart shattered and torn in two was enough for Charlie to raise hell. Marie tried as best as she could to comfort her son over the phone but ultimately decided to make a stop in Forks, Washington to see her only granddaughter for herself. Marie Swan flew in and immediately embraced her only granddaughter tightly. Whispering words of comfort she consoled her heart broken granddaughter with stories of the French Quarter. The French Quarter she told Bella held magical qualities that no other town could compare too. She then leads her stories to the originals starting off with Niklaus telling her she and Niklaus shared similarities of heartbreak and the bitter thoughts of being alone and not good enough. She then continued her stories going down the Mikaelson family tree only leaving out Elijah whom she had not told her granddaughter about. Taking a pause in her stories Marie looked at her only grandchild and asked: "what bothers you, sweets?" Bella not knowing how to describe her situation told her grandmother simply "I feel a pull in my heart so deep and forlorn that I feel it may never go away." Marie pondered her granddaughter's words for a few moments then spoke aloud "think not of your troubles dear, but look forward to what will be."
For months after her grandmother's visit Bella's dreams continued and Bella's dreams were anything but innocent, but what she didn't know was that her mystery man was closer than she thought he was. Her dreams were often words more than visuals. The mystery man in her dreams used to whisper "come find me." His voice as he whispered his command was enough to send her over the edge. His constant words month after month are what kept her sane. Even if she had no clue who he was.
The second year had been similar to the first, but where she was catatonic and miserable the first year. The second year proved to be better in many ways. Her dreams continued and new faces emerged with his. Voices too crooned sweet sayings like "be strong little one help is never far."
At night Bella would wait to hear the voices croon her into a blissful state. This was a good and bad thing because not only was Bella sleeping, however, Bella also depended on the voices.
This was the only change from the first year to the second. Another thing that had changed was that a bar sign had surfaced Rousseau's. The famous bar is where she knew deep in her heart where all her fears and trials would lay to rest.
At the tail end of her two years clean of Edward Cullen, Bella called her Grandma crying that she couldn't hear the voices anymore. Marie concerned told her to be patient and that she was sure that the voices would return. Sadly, they never did until… one night when Bella was at a point so low she thought about taking her life the voices returned "Come find me." And "Be strong little one." Emerged in her restless sleep. Calling her grandmother, again Bella finally broke down and called her Grandma Marie who had since returned to her home in Mystic Falls. She cried and cried whilst she told her grandmother about the man who plagued her dreams night after night for the last two years.
Marie Swan sat on her stool in her kitchen in Mystic Falls and softly told her granddaughter "it's time sweets, your mystery man needs you now more than ever." Bella's cries of joy moved Marie Swan to tears. Two years Bella had waited for her Grandma to tell her that she could go to her mystery man. Marie smiled though Bella couldn't see it. Finally speaking after a pause she told Bella that she might want to sit down because it was finally time to tell her about Elijah.
Going over all she could remember about the elder Mikaelson she then told Bella that he was a gentleman, but not pro own to show his true nature. When Bella asked what was his true nature Marie just told her granddaughter that she would have to see, but not that she would ever be the cause of it.
Over the next few weeks, Bella and Marie conversed and Marie sent her a ticket and cash to cover her trip to Louisiana. Along with those gifts was an old book that was wrapped in an old parchment paper with the crest of a Swan.
Bella fondly remembered the day when she had received the package from her grandmother, Bella in excitement and anticipation called her grandmother hoping to know what the package was. Marie smiled though Bella couldn't see it and told her it was an antique book that is passed from the Swan-woman to each other. Marie told her she must wait to open the book.
The temptation to open the book was so strong Bella placed it in her bags at the bottom so as to not be tempted to open it.
Getting to Louisiana Bella stopped by a hotel in the French Quarter and checked herself in. Showering and changing she opened her bags to get the book wrapped in parchment paper. Noticing a letter attached to the parchment that she had not seen before Bella opened the letter addressed to her. Reading the letter here's what it said.
Dear Bella,
Our family is plagued with magic so deep that it is hard to address in a letter, but what I want you to know is that when you get to Louisiana you must not trust anyone but the originals. Niklaus, Rebekah, Finn, Kol and your mystery man are the only ones that will be able to help you escape the Cullen's.
Also when you get to Louisiana you must stop at a bar called Rousseau's you mentioned the bar in your dreams. This place is where your destiny begins. Look for Camille she will have blonde hair and will have a southern drawl. She will most likely be standing at the bar. Ask her to see Niklaus or Klaus. DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!
Be strong my sweets.
All my love,
Your grandmother Marie
Arriving in Louisiana's French Quarter Bella looked for the sign Rousseau's and walked into meet her destiny. She arrived at Rousseau's around ten p.m. Looking around she spotted Camille and walked over to where she was at. "Hello darling, what can I get you," Camille spoke. "I need to find Klaus." Bella blurted out. The whole bar stopped in silence. "Darlin, I don't think you need to see him that badly." Bella, not wavering spoke more clearly "you don't understand I was told to find Klaus." At that moment a man everyone knew walked in strutting as he did so. "Hello love, what can I do for you?" Bella looking at the man blushed and spoke ever so softly "hello, my name is Bella Swan I am looking for Klaus and was told to find him and give him this. He'll know what it means." Bella clutched the book in her hands and when she looked at the mystery man, He nodded in approval. Handing the wrapped book over he nodded "I am Klaus" the man said. He took one look at the parchment paper and gasped. "Swan!" He uttered out. Grasping her hand, he pulled her close pushing her hair aside to smell her neck. "Isabelle" he murmured.
Scared Bella tried to yank her hand back when Klaus whispered in her ear "Please don't be afraid love, I'm here to ease all your fears." Bella looking up into Klaus's eyes blushed and at that moment Elijah chose that moment to walk into Rousseau's with Kol and Rebekah. Locking eyes Elijah and Bella both gasped and Bella's eyes rolled in the back of her head. Waking up Bella looked around at the decorated tree that sat in the middle of the room. Noticing a shadow she screamed "Shh darling I'm Kol ." the voice spoke. Bella relaxing sagged into the couch cushions. Another voice carried into the room "Kol please don't scare the guest." Looking towards the incoming shadow Bella saw Klaus. "Good morning love I'm hoping you slept well?" Bella peering at Kol and Klaus nodded.
Standing up Bella stretched and noticed her clothes from last night were no more. Looking at the fabric it was a soft tee and shorts to match. Looking at them she smiled. Klaus noticing her smile responded, "these belong to our sister Rebekah." At that moment a blonde walked in Rebekah looked around at her siblings and asked aloud "where is Elijah?" Kol snickering told Rebekah "he will be with us shortly." Moments later a calm and collected Elijah walked in "Good Morning Miss Bella, I am Elijah." His voice was so familiar but yet so foreign. Elijah walked forward and gently picked up her hand kissing it. Blushing madly, she peered at Elijah who was smiling at her.
Klaus smiling softly at the two's exchange motioned for Rebekah and Kol to follow him into the kitchen.
Elijah and Bella sat in silence until Elijah cleared his throat speaking he told her "I've waited a thousand years to be reunited with you." Bella looking deep into his eyes nodded speaking too she told him "I've had dreams of you for two years." Smiling Elijah lifted her head with his fingers "I cannot tell you how much I have missed you." Bella softly told him "And I cannot tell you how much I have needed you." Elijah chuckled "I know."
Bella and Elijah sat talking for hours about anything and everything. Elijah was intrigued to learn of her dreams and told her that he never meant to cause her pain. Laughing Bella told him he was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Softly telling him her dreams of him are what kept her sane. Embracing her he told her "I will never forsake you, but I am not an easy man to live with." Bella peered at him through hooded lashes "I know this I too have a past and may not live to see it through until the end." Elijah's curiosity peaked and he asked why. Telling him about the Cullen's took time and a few breakdowns that Elijah saw her through leading to a very surprising kiss. It was sweet but passionate at the same time. For years Bella had dreamt of the moment where she would meet her mystery man and it was everything she thought it would be. It wasn't cliché or over dramatic, but just right for them.
Over the time span of a year Bella and Elijah spent time together as much as they could, but with Marcel on the loose and Klaus wanting power back, it was limited. Elijah and Bella secretly wrote postcards to each other and left them in each other's respected rooms. Bella having gotten close to Klaus whom she called Nik was moved to the compound. Hayley never liked Bella, but Nik told her whilst she was a guest in the compound Bella was family. That shut her up.
Oh everyday
You feel a little bit further away
And I don't know what to say
Are we wasting time
talking on a broken line
Telling you I haven't seen your face in ages
I feel like we're as close as strangers
I won't give up
even though it hurts so much
Every night I'm losing you in a thousand faces
Now it feels we're as close as strangers
The time spent alone lead Bella down a road that held severe depression. She grew close to Klaus who always seemed to cheer up with long talks about her life's happenings. Kol was a close friend to his easy going lifestyle and childlike persona often lead them on day trips around the French Quarter exploring shops and restaurants. Finn and Rebekah usually stayed out of her life's happenings. Bella was okay with that too because Finn gave off a weird vibe and Rebekah was just bitchy.
On a day like today Bella Swan walked down the French Quarter in the chilly December air she suddenly felt safe and secure. This feeling has been reoccurring for some time now. At first, it was the feeling of someone closely watching her that made her uneasy, but then it was the feeling that this person was protecting her from the elements of the French Quarter. It was widely known that the French Quarter was a feeding ground for vampires since Marcel's takeover after Klaus left.
A year together and she had hardly seen Elijah. Elijah had always told her that he would always be watching her even if she didn't know it. It's like they're close as strangers. So close yet so far apart.
It was now Christmas Eve and the last time Bella had seen Elijah was at a party for Hope. Hope was the daughter of Hayley and Klaus. The party had been less than pleasant because Hayley kept advancing on Elijah and Bella had left early to escape. Kol had found her on the balcony and together they sat drinking a bottle of champagne that Kol had nicked off the bar table. Next to Klaus Kol and Bella were the closest.
Going to bed on Christmas Eve Bella laid down and cried for the first time in months. Her separation from Elijah was beginning to be too much. This is when her dreams started to pick back up again. In her dream this time Elijah had spoken these words "I'll be coming back for you." True to his words ever Elijah was that night Bella was embraced by Elijah and on Christmas morning the next day Elijah proposed.
It was neither elaborate or over the top, it was simple and just what Bella needed. The reassurance that Elijah would always return to her even if they were close as strangers.
The next Christmas a year later Bella and Elijah wed. Elijah and Bella's wedding was simple yet classy and everything they hoped it would be. Elijah and Bella wrote their own vows and in Elijah's last line he said: "It's like we're close as strangers." The fact was years ago they were just as close as strangers.
Author's Note: Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas Everyone!
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Thank you
carreira