Chapter 2
A Conversation with a pregnant werewolf.
"I'm Hayley, by the way. You should probably know my name if you're going to tell me your whole life story." The young, pregnant werewolf who sat opposite him said kindly, offering her hand to him. Elijah smiled and so he told her his family's story- how they came to be what they were, about Niklaus' fateful parentage and then about how happy they had been in New Orleans.
All the while Hayley listened and watched as Elijah's memories played through her head caused by that simple touch created by his fingertips against her temple. When he broke the contact she slowly opened her eyes and noticed him running his thumb and forefinger around a gold ring on his ring finger of the opposite hand, a motion that most would associate with a marriage. He had his back to her.
"Elijah, were you married?" She asked cautiously.
"Once. But that, Hayley is a story for another time. For now allow me to escort you back to my family's current residence, just outside of the city." He said stoically as he faced her once more and offered her his hand in a gentlemanly fashion.
"Why?"
"My brother, and I myself, feel that you would be safer where we can protect you and your unborn child. Please." He urged and Hayley complied taking his hand in hers. He dropped it as soon as she was on her feet and shrugged out of his suit jacket, placing it over her shoulders as she let out an involuntary shiver due to the chill in the air.
The following day, Elijah was accompanying Hayley around the Abattoir taking dust sheets off pieces of furniture and unpacking a few boxes of belongings and replacing them to their rightful place. Hayley watched him from one side of the room as he uncovered a small, wooden, child's cradle; it was decorated with what looked like Norse writing. She joined him as he sighed, gazing at it intently.
"What does it say?" Hayley asked as she ran her fingers over the writing at the front of the cradle.
"It is a series of names, Hayley. Each inscribed by myself. 'David', 'Kenna' and 'Zachary'." Elijah said quietly, pulling out a sketchbook from the box beside the crib. He flipped it open and handed it to Hayley to admire a very detailed and exceedingly good drawing of a woman and three children all ranging from around 10 right down to 5 or 6; but it wasn't up to Klaus' standards so Elijah must have drawn it.
"Who were they?"
"My wife and our children. I lost them long ago. The 10th century actually. I miss her everyday."
"Will you tell me about her?" Hayley asked sitting on a nearby couch and pulling her feet up under her, sketch book still in her hands.
"If you wish." Elijah joined her on the couch and began his tale, letting Hayley see into his memories as he did so. Thinking images would be easier than words. "Her name was..."
