Chapter 10 Surprises
Nik's POV
Nik thought he was dreaming. He could feel someone pulling gently upon his sleeve of his shirt. It was then that he heard the voice of his son calling to him to wake up. He blinked his eyes before opening them to find his son standing next to his bedside pulling on his shirt sleeve. He wondered how his son knew that this was his bedroom. He was glad that Andrew hadn't gone exploring on his own. He sat up and smiled down at his son. "Good morning my son." He leaned over and kissed him on his forehead. "Why don't we go downstairs to the kitchen and get you something to eat?" He had heard his son say that he was hungry. He pulled the blanket back and swung his legs over the side of the bed before standing up. He smiles down at his son before taking his hand in his. "Come on let's go and have some breakfast."
Nik began to walk with his son into the doorway before stopping and closing his bedroom door behind him. They walk down the hallway and to the staircase. The original hybrid goes down the stairs ever so slowly since his son is by his side. They take each step one at a time. Finally they reach the bottom floor. He watches Andrew out of the corner of his eye taking the first floor in at least the parts that he can visually see from the bottom of the staircase. He saw Andrew as they turned to go into the kitchen notice the paintings that hung on the wall. There was one of his older brother Elijah and one of Rebekah and one of himself. He had painted them all. He was waiting almost holding in his breath for his son to ask him who the lady in the painting is.
They walk into the kitchen. "What would you like for breakfast my son?" Nik smiled down at Andrew. Nik watched as he was silent as he was deep in thought. He gave a chuckle when his son asked for pancakes with bacon and eggs. "I think that I can manage that or at least try to." Nik began getting out pans and bowls before going over to the pantry and opening it in search of the pancake mix. It takes him a little while to find it but he picks up the box and shuts the pantry door. He glances at the back of the box for ingredients needed before setting the box down upon the counter and walking over to the refrigerator opening it and taking out eggs, milk, butter, syrup, bacon and a couple other ingredients before shutting the door. He places the ingredients upon the counter and takes a measuring cup to measure the pancake mix into a bowl along with the correct number of eggs, milk and whatever else it calls for. Once all the ingredients are in the bowl he picks up a whisk and starts to mix everything together.
His notices his son watching him from a chair he is sitting upon. He takes a pan placing it onto the stove before adding slices of bacon into the pan and turning on the burner. He then cracks a couple eggs into a bowl and whisks them to make scrambled eggs for his son. The eggs will be the last thing since they only take a couple minutes to cook. He checks on the bacon before turning the slices over. He then takes another pan and places it onto another burner on the stove and starts to pour some of the pancake batter into the pan making circles. The bacon is finished and he turns off that burner and removes the pan placing the slices of bacon onto a plate. After a few minutes he flips the pancakes over so the other side can cook while he takes a clean pan and puts it onto the stove and adds the beaten eggs into it and turns on the burner. The pancakes are finished and he turns off the burner placing the pancakes onto the plate along with the bacon and then goes back to scrambling the eggs. Finally turning off the burner and removing the pan placing the cooked eggs onto the plate with the bacon and pancakes.
Nik carries the plate over to where his son is sitting in a chair and places it down in front of him. He grabs a fork, knife, napkin and brings it over to Andrew and places it next to the plate. He goes and picks up the bottle of syrup and places it onto the table. "Would you care for a glass of milk?" He waits as Andrew nods his head. Nik opens a cupboard grabbing a small glass and picks up the milk carton opening it before pouring some into the glass and then places the carton back down on the counter. He takes the glass of milk over to his son setting it down for him. "Here you go." He likes the fact that his son has manners and is polite. "You are welcome." The original hybrid can't stop smiling now that he has his son here with him.
He watches as his son starts to eat. Nik gives a chuckle as his son starts to inhale the food that has been placed in front of him at the table. Nik is taken by surprise as his son asks about the woman in the painting. He asks if she is his mother. He notices a sad look in Andrew's blue eyes and on his face. Nik wants to tell him the truth but at the moment he just can't. He doesn't want to lie to Andrew however for now he finds that he must. When the time is right he will tell his son. "No son. The woman in the painting is my sister your Aunt Rebekah. Right now she is taking care of your little sister Hope. However she will be joining us soon. You will be meeting her." Nik blinked back tears that were threatening to surface. He looked down at his son who now had just finished his breakfast and put his napkin neatly onto the empty plate. The next thing that Nik heard from his own little boy was so touching that he could feel his own hybrid heart beating inside of his chest. He wanted to spend time with her since he has no mommy. "I'm sure she would like that very much Andrew." He knew that his son needed a mother figure in his life. Rebekah was kind, caring and loving and he did feel guilty for keeping this secret for so long. He only hoped that when it would eventually surface that Rebekah could forgive him for what he had done.
Just then Nik heard his brother Elijah walk into the kitchen. He turned and looked at the expression on his brother's face. Before his brother could say a word Nik thought it would be best to say something to break the obvious silence and shock. "Elijah brothah, I would like you to meet my son Andrew. Andrew this is your Uncle Elijah my older brothah" Nik could see that Elijah was stunned to say the least. He knew that his older brother would recognize the little boy from the paintings he had done. "I know that you've seen him in the paintings that I have done." Nik watched as his brother walked over to his son and bent down to talk to Andrew. He wanted to explain things a little more without giving away that Rebekah is Andrew's mother but not in front of his son. His son has been through enough lately.
Once Nik felt that his son had taken to his Uncle Elijah the original hybrid decided that he needed to speak with his brother alone to explain things a little bit more. "Andrew how would you like to go back upstairs and get dressed then you can play with some of your toys in your room? I need to speak with your Uncle Elijah for a little while." Nik watched his son nod his head before kissing him on the forehead. "Thank you my son." Nik watched his son run off before hearing him climbing the stairs before reaching his bedroom slamming the door closed.
Now that Nik and Elijah are both alone in the kitchen he feels as if he can explain just a little bit more about why he suddenly has a son. Nik turns towards his brother who still has a look of shock upon his face. "I had to send Andrew away to protect him. It was too dangerous for him here. It still is which is why only family can know about him. We have to make sure he is protected. " He tried to answer Elijah's questions as much as he possibly could without dwelling on the subject of who his son's mother really is. Nik could dance around a subject. He was good at it. He didn't want to argue with his brother nor raise his voice to yell. The last thing he wanted was for his son to hear him and be scared. "I need to call our sistah and tell her that she can now bring Hope back home. I want everyone under the same roof." He turned to walk into the other room as he heard his brother say he would go and check on Andrew.
Nik walked into the empty sitting room and pulled out his cell phone. He scrolled through his contacts until he came to his sister's name. Taking a deep breath he hit the call button and put his phone to his ear waiting to hear her voice as it rang. After a couple rings he heard a click as his sister answered her phone and he spoke before she could have the chance. "Rebekah, I am fine. I'm back home now." He let out a chuckle forgetting she could hear him on the other end of the phone as a smile appeared across his face. He listened as his little sister giving him a lecture about how rude it was not to keep her informed of his disappearance. "I am sorry sistah." He could hear the relief in her voice as she calmed down. "Look the reason why I'm calling besides to let you know that I am fine is that you and Hope can come home now." He waited as there was silence at first on the other end of the line. Knowing his sister she was in shock. "Rebekah…" He called her name into the phone to get her to answer him. Then he had to hold the phone away from his ear as he heard his little sister let out a happy scream. "Ok I know you are happy but listen. I will explain more when you both arrive. Promise me that you won't rush back. I don't want anything to happen to either one of you for hurrying. Always and forever sistah." He heard her answer back before she hung up the phone excitedly.
He ended the call and put his phone back into his pocket. The original hybrid wasn't sure how he would explain things to his sister when she arrived with Hope. He isn't sure that he will make it known at first who Andrew's mother is. It would just be too damaging. It's going to be a big enough shock for her to be back home and to have to give up Hope after she has been in his sister's care for so long. However with Andrew he can only hope that she takes to him and in spending some time with Andrew will fill that role of a mother figure before he decides if he should come clean with the actual truth. Nik hears Elijah with his son Andrew so he decides to go upstairs to give them the good news.
Andrew's POV
Andrew had slept through the night. He woke up hungry. He sat up in bed rubbing his eyes as he looked around his new bedroom. He spotted some toys that were left out. As much as he wanted to play with them at the moment his stomach growling made him want to get some breakfast first. He would be able to come back up to his room and play later. He swung his feet over the side of his bed and removed the blanket before climbing out of bed. He needed to use the bathroom first. He noticed that he had a private bathroom. He walked to the bathroom making sure not to make noise to wake anyone up in case they were still asleep. He turned on his bathroom light and walked over to the toilet. Once he was finished he flushed the toilet and then walked over to the sink. Using his tiptoes to reach the faucet he turned it on before washing his hands. When finished he turned off the bathroom light and walked to his bedroom door that was closed. He placed his small tiny hand upon the doorknob and turned the handle. He pushed the door open and stepped out into the massive long hallway. Andrew wasn't sure if he should go down the hallway to the stairs and down to the kitchen all by himself. The house appeared to be huge and he was just a little boy. He didn't want to get lost but more than that he didn't want to get his dad upset and angry at him.
He looked to his left and noticed that his door was almost at the end of the hallway. There was one big double door located to his left hand side. Maybe it was his dad's room. He didn't want his dad to get upset and angry with him if he was sleeping and he woke him up but he was hungry and didn't know what to do. With a shaky hand he placed it on the doorknob. He ever so slowly began to turn the handle and pushing the door open. He tiptoed into the bedroom and walked over to the side of the bed watching his dad sleeping. He paused a moment before deciding to tug gently on his shirt sleeve. "Wake up daddy. I'm hungry. Daddy wake up." He waited as Nik tried to pull his arm away before he did it again. This time his dad moved and eventually woke up opening his eyes to find him standing on the side of his dad's bed. Andrew smiled up at his dad as he was kissed on his forehead.
His tiny hand grabbing a hold of his dad's big hand and together they walked into the hallway and down the stairs. He walked down the stairs with holding onto his dad's hand taking them one at a time until they reached the bottom. They turned to head into the kitchen when Andrew had noticed out of the corner of his eye three paintings upon the wall. He stopped and looked at them . One was of his dad. The one in the middle was of a lady who had blonde hair and blue eyes. He wondered if she was his mommy but was afraid to ask at the moment. The last one was what he could only assume was his uncle.
He followed his dad into the kitchen. He was thinking of what he wanted for breakfast after his dad had asked him. "May I please have pancakes with bacon and eggs daddy?" Andrew always tried to be as polite as possible and use manners. He walked over to a chair and sat down watching his dad begin to look for the pancake mix then taking out pans and bowls. He watched as Nik took out items from the fridge. This was the first time he was with his dad in their home with his dad in the kitchen making him breakfast. Andrew sits swinging his legs as he sits in the chair while waiting for breakfast. The smells coming from the stove make his stomach rumble. After awhile Nik places a plate in front of Andrew before setting down some utensils and a napkin. He nods his head when he is asked if he would like some milk. "Yes please daddy." He waits as his dad pours him a glass of milk setting it down at the table for him. "Thank you daddy."
Andrew had been so hungry that he began to eat his breakfast almost inhaling his food that his dad had cooked for him. It tasted good as he chewed and swallowed. He made sure he didn't talk with his mouth full of food as he ate. In between bites he started to ask his dad questions about the woman in the painting. "Is she my mommy? Why don't I have a mommy?" Andrew looks up at his dad as he starts to get sad. He listens to his dad as he explains that the woman in the painting is his Aunt Rebekah. "I have a little sister." He can't wait until his Aunt and his little sister arrive. He finishes his breakfast and puts his napkin onto his empty plate as he pushes it away. He notices that his dad looks sad. "Daddy even though she is my aunt and not my mommy since I have no mommy can she spend time with me? I want to spend time with my Aunt Rebekah."
It was then that Andrew looked up and noticed a man in a suit and tie walking into the kitchen. It was the same man from the other painting. Andrew watched as Nik introduced the man as his Uncle Elijah. He waited as his uncle walked over to him bending down to his level so he could talk. "Hi I'm Andrew and I am 5 years old. It's nice to meet you." His uncle had extended his hand and Andrew took his tiny hand shaking his uncle's hand. He tried not to stare at his uncle and smiled at him. He knew that he looked like his daddy. His uncle dressed differently than his dad. "I draw just like my daddy." Andrew was proud of his artistic abilities and would always want to share his drawings with others. This made his uncle chuckle. His uncle was impressed. He listened as his uncle spoke to him. He was happy when his uncle told him that he would love to see his drawings. It made Andrew happy that he had an uncle.
He had noticed that his dad was watching them. Just as he was about to ask if he could go get some of his drawings his dad asked him nicely to please go upstairs and get dressed then he could play with his toys. He knew that his dad and his uncle were going to talk like grown ups. Andrew nodded his head. "Yes daddy." Andrew turned to his uncle as he stood up. "Goodbye I will see you later Uncle Elijah." Andrew smiled up at his dad as he kissed him on his forehead. He then turned and walked quickly out of the kitchen and up the stairs to his bedroom to go get dressed and play.
Elijah's POV
Elijah had awoken the next morning. He reached over picking up the book that he had been reading as he fell asleep closing it and placing it onto his nightstand next to his bed. He pulled back the covers and climbed out of bed. He remembered hearing his brother Nik arriving home late last night. He had been drifting off to sleep at that point. He wanted to go and check in on his brother but first things first. He hurriedly took a shower and dressed in one of his suits complete with dress shoes and a tie. After he was ready and looked at his reflection in the mirror he walked out of his room and started to walk down the staircase. A smile was on the noble original's face. His brother was home. He wondered to himself what or where Nik had been but all that mattered was his brother was finally back.
He had heard noises coming from the kitchen and he could smell the aroma that was coming from the kitchen. Elijah turned and headed for the kitchen but came to an abrupt stop dead in his tracks at the sight that was before him. His brother was home and it appeared he had been cooking. However his attention was turned towards a little boy who was sitting in a chair at the table. The little boy had blonde hair and blue eyes just like the one in the paintings that Nik had done. Before Elijah could say a word his brother had decided to introduce him.
He could feel the little boy's eyes upon him. Not wanting to scare him as he approached he bent down to his level. Elijah couldn't help but smile at the sight of this little boy. His brother said his name was Andrew. He listened as Andrew said hello to him. "It is nice to meet you Andrew. I am your Uncle Elijah. I am your father's older brother." He extended his hand out for Andrew to shake. He wasn't sure a hug would be the best thing since he was just meeting his nephew for the very first time. Elijah shook his tiny hand as he placed it into his big one. He let out a soft chuckle. He loved hearing that his nephew was artistic. He definitely takes after Niklaus. Elijah didn't want to stare but it was almost as if his nephew resembled his brother but there was something someone else. However he couldn't put his finger on it at that moment. "I would love to see your drawings Andrew. I bet they are good enough to put in an art show." Elijah noticed that Andrew had a smile on his face. "I look forward to seeing your drawings sometime."
It seemed as if they had hit it off. Elijah was enjoying talking to his nephew and listening to his nephew talk to him. He needed to talk to his brother alone. He stood up as his brother asked Andrew to go upstairs to get dressed and play with his toys. He watched his nephew being polite to his father. "Good bye Andrew. I will look forward to later." He was touched as Niklaus kissed Andrew on the forehead before he ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs to his bedroom. Elijah could get used to having his nephew around.
Elijah still had a look of shock upon his face. He had questions that he wanted to ask his brother lots of questions. "Niklaus I don't recall you ever having a son. When did this happen?" He was still trying to piece together why he couldn't remember. He out of everyone would have recalled Nik having a son. Unless he made sure that it had remained a secret. "You know that I will do everything in my power brother to make sure that Andrew is protected and safe." He wanted to ask who Andrew's mother is. However he felt that this wasn't the time or place to do so. If Niklaus wanted to tell him he would. Obviously he would be finding out more at a later time. Right now he was just amazed at how well his brother had taken to being a parent.
He realized that their sister Rebekah could now bring Hope back to New Orleans since Hope wasn't the oldest child. Elijah would do whatever he could to protect both his nephew and his niece. He didn't have to ask about Rebekah and Hope when his brother had informed him that they would be coming home. He had missed his little sister immensely as well as Hope. "I shall leave you to make that phone call brother. I shall go and check on my nephew." The noble original turned and made his way out of the kitchen and up the stairs towards Andrew's bedroom.
Rebekah's POV
Rebekah had just sat Hope down on a blanket in the middle of the family room to play. She had joined her niece on the floor when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw that it was her brother Nik. She nearly screamed but held back knowing that she might scare her niece making her cry. She didn't hesitate picking it up and answering her phone. "Bloody hell Nik." She was interrupted by her brother who began to speak cutting her off. She automatically rolled her eyes forgetting she was on the phone. "You do know how bloody rude it was not informing your sister or even your brother of your whereabouts. I was sick with worry. I know you are a hybrid Nik but you can't go disappearing on us. If I didn't have to take care of Hope and protect her I would have gone out there to look for you.
She heard him laugh on the other end of the phone as if it was funny that he was receiving a lecture from his little sister. If she wasn't on the phone and actually in New Orleans she would be doing more than just lecture him at this very moment. She glanced down and smiled softly as she noticed that Hope was staring up at her. She began to relax a little bit when her brother apologized. "It's ok Nik but never ever do that again." What she heard next left her in complete and utter shock. Her brother was telling her to bring Hope and to come back home. This couldn't be happening. Was it for real? She became silent for a moment trying to hold the phone and not drop it. She finally realized that she wasn't dreaming and let out a happy scream looking down at Hope who started to giggle and smiled up at her aunt clapping her hands as if she knew why Rebekah screamed and was so happy.
She began to calm down. She listened to what her brother instructed her to do. "Ok I will make sure we don't rush back brother. Always and forever brother. We shall see you, Elijah and Hayley as soon as we possibly can." She ended the phone call. She stood up and bent down to carefully pick up her niece holding her in her arms. "Well love it looks like you and your Auntie Bekah will be taking a trip to New Orleans. It's time to reunite you with your mommy and daddy." She smiled softly down at her niece before kissing her on her forehead. Rebekah was happy to be going back.
She carried Hope upstairs and into her nursery where she placed her down to play while packing some of her things as well as a diaper bag. When she was finished she picked her up and carried the bags downstairs before coming back upstairs. She carried Hope into her aunt's bedroom placing her onto the floor while she packed a bag for herself. Most of the stuff would remain. Rebekah thought it would be a good idea in case they ever needed a safe place or if Rebekah ever wanted to come back one day. Once she was finished she carefully picked up Hope and carried her and her bag downstairs. She retrieved the stroller and placed Hope inside strapping her in. She took the diaper bag placing it underneath the back side of the stroller and grabbed both bags before picking up her purse and her car keys.
Standing at the front door she took one last look around the room as if to memorize every single detail. "Here we go love." She opened the front door and began to push Hope outside carrying the bags as she turned to close the front door locking it before walking down the pathway to her parked car. She wheeled Hope to the back and opened the trunk placing the bags inside and closing the trunk. She wheeled Hope around to the right side behind the front passenger side and opened the door. She unbuckled her niece from the stroller and picked her up carefully gently placing her into her car seat strapping her inside before placing her diaper bag and her purse on the seat next to her. She collapsed the stroller and shut the car door before placing the stroller behind the driver's side.
Rebekah then opened the driver's side door and climbed in. She sat down shut her door and buckled her seat belt. She started the car and put the car in drive. As they backed out of the driveway of the place they had called home for so many months Rebekah glanced at her niece who was sitting in her car seat. "Here we go love." She took one last look at their home before driving off down the street and to the highway.