A/N: Thank you so much for sticking with me through this story. The positive reviews really help to put a smile on my face!
I had hoped to publish this chapter before Christmas, but, as you know, the festive season can be a little hectic. Alas, I have finally found the time to finish the chapter, so, here it is!
I hope you enjoy, and, as always, please leave your thoughts down below :)
As the Mercedes came to a halt in the driveway of the Mikaelson mansion, Hayley breathed a sigh of relief. During the later months of her pregnancy, her feet had swollen considerably, making walking extremely painful. Rebekah had urged her to go Christmas shopping with her, and now with a car full of presents and decorations, Hayley couldn't be more relieved. Her stomach had grown so large that she couldn't see her feet. Her self-esteem had plummeted, and her complaints to Elijah that she looked like an overweight penguin when she walked was becoming a daily occurrence.
Winter had come earlier this year, and a thick layer of snow covered the ground. Hayley had to remind herself to be overly cautious as her balance wasn't the best despite her inner wolf.
Sitting in the driver's seat beside her, Rebekah dug around in her handbag. Her brow was puckered between her eyebrows and she huffed in annoyance when she couldn't immediately find what she was looking for. After a few moments of searching, she pulled out a scrunched-up piece of paper and handed it to Hayley, a sheepish smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Here," she said, pushing the paper into Hayley's reluctant hand. She looked somewhat apologetic, which only made Hayley's curiosity grow stronger. "Here is everything you need to do before tonight."
Hayley raised a questioning brow, making no move to read what was written on the paper. "What?"
Rebekah's eyes narrowed, and she folded her arms over her chest. "You forgot, didn't you?"
Hayley shrugged. "Forgot what?"
Rebekah gave her an incredulous look at that, raising an eyebrow when the evident confusion on Hayley's face told her that she had indeed forgotten. When it looked like Rebekah was about to speak again, Elijah came to Hayley's rescue, appearing at her window so suddenly that she jumped slightly, her hand rushing to her racing heart. "I'm never going to get used to that, am I?"
Elijah smiled, his hands tucked firmly into the pockets of his pants. "Perhaps one day." The twinkle in his eyes told her that he was messing with her.
She pulled her jacket tighter around her shoulders as a shiver ran through her. The wind had begun to pick up now, sending icy drafts through the open window of the car. Ice clung to the few leaves that were left on the trees and the frost on the ground crunched under Rebekah's stiletto boots as she got out of the car. Slamming the door with more force than necessary, Rebekah walked around the front of the car to stand next to Elijah, giving her a disapproving look. Elijah caught sight of this and sighed, moving aside to open her door.
"Come, let's get you inside before you catch your death." He offered her a hand and she took it gratefully, shuffling to the edge of the seat so that her feet could touch the ground. Shutting the door behind her, Elijah smiled to himself. "I believe my brother is waiting for you."
Hayley stopped in her tracks. "What?" she asked, slightly breathless. Klaus only wanted to see her when he wanted something or when she'd done something wrong. Which one was it this time?
Elijah, oblivious to her obvious hesitation, stopped a few feet ahead of her and turned around. She gave him a questioning look, trying her best to remember to breathe. Her heart rate had begun to pick up and she knew that he could hear it, too.
"I can assure you, Niklaus' intentions are honourable." Elijah tried his best to assure her, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't bring herself to believe that Klaus actually wanted to see her for no particular reason other than to 'check in'.
Nodding, she followed after Elijah, slower this time, as he led her into the house.
She hadn't expected what was to come next.
The hallway leading into the living room was lined with half a dozen candles on each side, providing just enough light for Hayley to see where she was going. The flames cast dark shadows against the walls and the scent of jasmine assaulted her senses as she walked by. She wrinkled her nose, hurrying faster to catch up to Elijah who had stopped just outside the closed door, his hand on the door handle.
"I know how you feel about Niklaus," Elijah whispered as he leaned closer to her, bringing his lips to her ear. "But I do hope that you'll give him a chance to change."
The cool breeze against her cheek told her that she was alone. Taking a deep breath, Hayley twisted the handle and pushed open the door.
A dark figure sat in the armchair closest to the fire, a glass of amber liquid from a crystal tumbler in their hand. Bourbon, Hayley guessed, as she crossed the room, pausing hesitantly just a few feet away from the back of the chair that was angled away from her. She couldn't see his face.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked, deciding to get right to the point. If he was going to yell at her, she'd rather get it over with.
He turned his head a fraction to look at her. His eyes twinkled as they met hers, and in an instant, he was gone. Hayley huffed in annoyance and turned around, her eyes scanning the room in attempt to seek him out. She hadn't heard the door open. He was still in the room.
"Is this some sort of joke?" Her voice was much sharper than she'd intended, but at that point, she didn't care. Her ankles were swollen and she just wanted to sleep. "I'm tired, Klaus."
A cold hand on her shoulder caused her to jerk forwards. She turned around so fast that the room spun slightly, and she had to take a second to wait for the dizziness to fade. When it did, she noticed that he held a small, rectangular box in his hands. The pattern was rather simple; a sparkly, silver design with a grey ribbon tied around it, keeping the lid in place, to form a bow on top.
"What's that?" she asked, her voice cautious, as she eyed the box warily.
"Open it." He offered her the box, and, her curiosity getting the better of her, she reached for it with shaky hands. Taking a seat in the armchair, she placed the box carefully on her lap as she untied the ribbon securing the lid. When the ribbon was out of the way, she slowly lifted the lid.
On top of the tissue paper, there was a small, handwritten card. Unsure of what to make of it, she flicked it open, and, written in cursive was:
For Hayley and baby Mikaelson.
With love, Klaus.
She could feel her emotions beginning to get the better of her, and she took a shaky breath, taking a moment to compose herself.
She moved aside the white tissue paper on the inside to find the hidden treasures within. There were a few items inside the box, and she slowly reached for the first; a beautiful white baby gown.
She fingered the delicate lace, tracing the golden ribbon that tied around the waistline, forming an extravagant bow at the front. The sleeves were puffed out, and just imagining her baby wearing such an angelic-looking garment brought tears to her eyes.
She hurried to swipe them away, reaching over the arm of the chair to grasp Klaus hand firmly in her own. At first, he seemed reluctant, but after a second, he seemed to change his mind and his hand stilled in hers. She gave him a small smile, wiping the tears from her cheeks that wouldn't seem to stop. "Thank you," she whispered in a small voice, brushing her hair from her face so that she could see him fully. "it's so beautiful."
Klaus smiled then, raising a brow in her direction when she continued to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "You're not so scary now, are you, little wolf?"
Hayley narrowed her eyes, snatching her hand back from his own to cross her arms tightly across her chest. "I was trying to be nice." Way to ruin the moment, asshole!
Shaking her head, Hayley turned her attention back to the gift box. Moving aside the last bit of tissue paper, she pulled out a small pouch that jingled slightly as it moved. She opened the soft, velvet purse, tipping the contents into her palm. Picking up one of the identical pieces of jewellery with her free hand, she studied it more closely. The two necklaces were identical apart from their size; one significantly smaller than the other. The charm was intricately carved, a lilac gem in the centre of the rose-shaped pendant.
"I had them spelled by a witch," Klaus explained, perching on the arm of chair as he looked down at her with a small smile. "As long as you both are wearing the necklaces, you will be able to feel her wherever she is. If you clutch the pendant in your palm like this –" He closed his hand around the rose pendant to emphasise his point, giving Hayley a pointed look. " – you will be able to feel her heartbeat through the stone."
Swallowing back the lump in her throat, Hayley nodded. Placing the box on the side table, she turned back to Klaus, leaning over to pull him into a hug. His stiff posture almost made her regret the idea and pull away, but then he sighed, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "I take it you like the gift?"
Hayley's arms tightened around him in response. "I love them," she whispered. "Thank you."
Klaus' chest vibrated against her cheek when he chuckled. "You're welcome, love."
Hayley didn't know how long they sat there for, her head nestled against his chest and his chin resting on top of her head. The fire had begun to die down, but neither of the pair cared. For now, this was enough.
A/N: As a side note, if there are any ideas you'd like me to consider, please do comment them down below. I am open for suggestions and would love to include some of you're ideas :)