The chapter that you have been waiting for is here! Much love to my beta AryaTimodel as always :) xox
Chapter Ten
The big day had finally arrived. There was an unsettling sense of peace between the witches, werewolves, and vampires of New Orleans. The Mikaelsons were ever alert for every strike made by the Strix or any of their other enemies. The pain Kol and Hayley bore by Davina's betrayal worsened as Lucien revealed more about her plans with the de Martels and the Strix. Klaus initially felt conflicted when he found out that Camille had betrayed him – she was his therapist (not to mention his sort of ex-girlfriend and his daughter's former caretaker), he had confided in her about his demons and fears, let her into his and Hope's life, all she knew Camille could use to her advantage against them. He couldn't help but blame himself for everything that happened to her, but Hayley and his siblings reassured him that she made her decisions and he did nothing wrong but try to keep her out of their problems. Now, Klaus was just angry that someone whom he once considered building a life with had crossed him. With Hayley, he knew he could talk to her about anything and vice versa without any judgments or fear of one leaving the other. The problem was that others knew this as well as he did and – loathe as he was to contemplate this – they would use this knowledge against him.
"So, are you excited or nervous?" Katherine asked Hayley as they were getting ready for the ceremony.
Hayley had asked Rebekah, Freya and Katherine to be her bridesmaids and share to the maid of honour duties while Klaus asked his brothers and Marcel to be part of the groom's party (Marcel had proven his loyalty to the Mikaelsons when he single-handedly defended Hayley and Hope one night from a Strix attack, and that ended with him being cut off from their organization, in addition to being branded as one of their main enemies). The bachelor and bachelorette parties were spent drinking and partying the night away (sans any sort of traditional debauchery as no one wanted any jealousy fits amidst the family so close to the wedding day).
The bride answered, "Excited, I finally feel like I'm in a really good place. Even though the whole idea of marriage came up with Ansel and for the sake Hope's protection, we are really getting married because we love each other."
"Honestly, Hayley, I've known Nik all my life and I have never seen him so content and happy with anyone. You and Hope have truly changed him." Rebekah smirked warmly.
"Thanks, Rebekah, oh, how's it looking downstairs? The wedding planners have all the decorations in order?" Hayley had a love for spring and flowers – she loved colours, the scents, and the tranquility they radiated – so when she was planning the wedding she essentially demanded that numerous flowers were a must. Although she had married Jackson at Klaus's house, this time she was getting married in their family home.
"It looks amazing Hayley! Wait till you see the garden, you'll love it and there is no sight of rain." Freya smiled as she re-entered the room holding Hope on her hip.
"Aww, and how is my little Princess?" Hope was sat onto Hayley's lap, the toddler already dressed in an adorable Ralph Lauren floral, velvet-tulle sleeveless dress with a miniature pair of gold flats and her hair braided into a top knot.
"Mummy, party today?"
"Yes! Big party today with lots of people. You look so pretty Hope."
Hope giggled, "Thank you, Mummy, you pretty too."
"Now how about you go and play so Mummy and your aunts can finish getting ready for the party?"
"Okay!" Hope jumped off her mother's lap and walked over to her pile of toys playing quietly.
Once hair and makeup were done, the dresses, shoes, jewelry, and flowers were just the final touches left. When the bridesmaids were ready – in floral printed bandeau mesh midi dresses with sweetheart necklines, nude strappy stiletto heels, gold jewelry, and their hair loosely curled – they opted to help the bride finish her preparation themselves. Rebekah nearly lunged to get to Hayley's dress first. She and her fellow bridesmaids got Hayley into her dress (one that the bridal party had to travel to Australia, where it was made, for to do final fittings before bringing it back home), veil, and heels as a compelled photographer entered the room to take candid pre-wedding photos.
Hayley's hair was curled into beach waves with a loose crown braid, her dress was made of ivory coloured lace, contoured with a straight boat neck, daring low back, the sleeves three-quarter length and the skirt going down to the floor. Placed at the crown of her head was a 2.8cm (9.18ft) long Italian tulle veil. Her shoes were a pair of open-toe stiletto heel with ankle and cross-over straps. Silver and diamond jewels decorated her form sparingly and yet were a brilliant touch. Hayley's bridesmaids stepped back to observe their work and could only stare for a few moments.
"Oh, my…" Rebekah gasped.
"Hayley, you look stunning." Freya smiled.
Katherine added with a teasing grin, "If it weren't your wedding to Klaus, I'd be jealous."
"Nik is going to have a heart attack when he sees you," Rebekah squealed excitedly. Then her smile softened and her eyes became serious, "You know the last time we did this, me giving you a wedding dress, I told you something that still stands. Hayley, you're one of us, you're still one of us, and you always will be. Now today you are officially becoming a Mikaelson." The future sisters-in-law smiled and shared and embrace before the flowers were passed out between the women and Hope, then the photographer then took formal photos before Ansel knocked on the door and entered in his ceremonial clothing.
"All of you look wonderful," Ansel complimented the bridesmaids as Hope ran over to her grandfather with her arms out for a hug.
The elder werewolf held the young girl against his chest. "And you look so beautiful Hope. Are you happy to see your mummy and daddy get married?"
"Yay!" She shouted.
Ansel put down his excited granddaughter down and took a few steps towards his future daughter-in-law. "Hayley… you look magnificent."
"Thank you, Ansel," Hayley said shyly.
"I'd like a quick word with the bride if you ladies don't mind."
Rebekah smiled at her brother's father as she ushered everyone from the room. "Of course, but hurry you're the one officiating the ceremony, after all, Ansel."
"And I cannot tell you how honoured I am to be doing so," Ansel said with gratitude to Hayley. "And to have you as part of my family."
"Thank you for everything you've done for us Ansel. I know you and Klaus didn't have the best relationship but to see you two getting along so well now makes me so happy." Hayley said quietly.
"I've had many regrets in my life, but to be given yet another chance to be with my son and being allowed to be part of his life and to see the two of you getting married for love rather than for the sake of your packs, these are all such blessings I am completely thankful for."
"Me too, thank you, Father." She tested out the foreign word. Ansel looked at her with a huge smile before kissing her forehead and leaving to take his place.
The whole celebration was being patrolled by vampires and werewolves, along with the protection spell cast by Freya and Vincent with assistance from Kol. The Abattoir was beautifully decorated with twinkling lights, ribbons and bows, elegant drapery, candles, and, of course, Hayley's desired multitude of flowers.
With all the guests (including the unexpected ones) in their seats, Ansel, the groom and his party, and the bridesmaids in place, they only had to await the lady of the hour. The violins started the wedding march tune and everyone stood up, turning toward the doors to watch the bride as she walked down the flower petal covered aisle.
As she made her way to the altar, Hayley glanced around the room. She saw that the North East Atlantic Pack and Crescent Pack wolves chose to sit on opposite sides (she would have been bothered by this but they didn't seem to be segregating because of any ill feelings), Vincent was even in attendance standing in the corner near Josh and Stefan. The bride offered a smile to the two vampires and to Cary once she passed him, after offering looks to the groom's party, her bridesmaids, and Hope – who stood between her two aunts, holding Freya's hand – she locked eyes with her husband-to-be.
Klaus was frozen – it felt like he and Hayley were the only two people in the world. He was in awe of how utterly breathtaking his bride looked. For the centuries that he'd lived he had seen and been with many beautiful women, but Hayley was at another level. He thought the dress suited her wonderfully, and the wedding planners had done a fantastic job setting up the venue. He knew Rebekah and Katherine had driven them insane with their obsession to make this wedding absolutely perfect. He shared a smile with his father and groomsmen, winked at his daughter then offered his hand to Hayley.
Hayley took Klaus's waiting hand and gave her bouquet to Rebekah.
Ansel then asked all the guests to be seated and began the ceremony. "Today there will be no dearly beloved, no betrothed, and no ancient rhyme of the married. Today there are no dead languages to solemnize vows that are very much alive and will remain so for a lifetime. Today promises become permanent and friends become family. This day is not about the words spoken or the rings exchanged, nor is it about grand pronouncements and recessional marches. This day – the day of Andrea Labonair and Niklaus Mikaelson's wedding and unification – is about love.
"I once read that, 'If love is not all, then it is nothing: this principle, and its opposite, collide down all the years of my breathless tale.' Andrea and Niklaus, your breathless tale is about to begin. If love is not all, then it is nothing. Its opposite – If love is all, then it is everything – is going to be the basis for every aspect of your relationship. All you have to do is simply love each other and that love shows through in everything you do for each other and how you treat each other, in good times and bad times.
"Love isn't just a word; it's an action. Love isn't just something you say, it's something you do. Love is genuine, honest, and open, compassionate and kind, passionate and blind, love doesn't know space or time, nor look through jealous eyes. Love never dies. There are many different kinds of love, almost if not all of which are represented here today. There is romantic love, the love of parents and children, of brothers and sisters and family, and love among friends.
"Not only do Andrea and Niklaus love each romantically – and they do, you can see it in every look, every touch, every moment they're together – they also love each other as friends. In fact, they're best friends, constantly laughing and taunting and teasing and very plainly and obviously enjoying their time together. That love and enjoyment of each other as best friends will sustain them through this marriage. In addition, the love collectively in this room, from friends and family, will help sustain and support the promises they make today. All of us here will help solidify this bond, as these two individuals are joined as husband and wife.
"This new journey will be at times richly rewarding and extremely difficult, but, most importantly, it will be a journey you take together. Marriage is much more than your signatures on a legal contract, this ritual that will unite your werewolf packs, and making the two of you and your daughter an official family. You are promising, in front of all these people you love, that you want to be with each other and only each other for the rest of your lives, and that you will do everything in your power to honour the promises you are making here today. For their part, the people who love you will also do everything in their power to try to help you hold up your end of the bargain." Ansel spoke so passionately about love, Klaus and Hayley felt how strong the words meant to them. "Please face each other." Klaus took hold of Hayley's soft hands and looked at her directly in the bright hazel green eyes. Ansel bound their joined hands with enchanted ivy and irises. "And now speak your vows."
"Andrea, I have been living on this earth for over a millennium and have never felt with anyone else the irrevocable connection that I share with you. We have had our fair shares of disagreements but as they say, all is fair in love and war. I never thought that you and I would be here today or that my soul mate was always right here with me. We've fought our enemies together, been each other's enemy, are raising and protecting our daughter and now the future is waiting for us. I am truly blessed to spend my days with you by my side as my wife whether you go by Hayley or Andrea. You are my best friend, the mother of my daughter, the most amazing, intelligent and beautiful woman I have ever been with." He saw tears leaking out of Hayley's eyes and squeezed her hands gently.
Hayley giggled quietly and blinked the tears away. "Niklaus, I never thought my life would ever come to this moment. I've never had a real family or friends until I came to New Orleans and saw you again. We have gone through turmoil to protect ourselves and our daughter from the world's dangers, and even hurt each other without realising the disastrous consequences, but we made it. It took us a while to finally get it right, but we did and now we're here. With you as my husband, I'll never be alone again, my daughter will never be without her father and I will never be without the love of my life protecting me and loving me the way I've always wanted to be. You are also my best friend, the father of my daughter, and the most incredible man that I have ever met and been with."
Everyone in the room had a smile on their face, several had tears in their eyes as the bride and groom said their vows with so much love.
Ansel took a moment to compose himself before addressing, "Do you, Andrea Labonair take Niklaus Mikaelson to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honour, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only to him forevermore?"
"I do," Hayley responded with a soft smile.
"Do you Niklaus Mikaelson take Andrea Labonair to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honour, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only to her forevermore?"
"I do."
The werewolf elder looked to two Mikaelsons closest to the couple. "Can we please have the rings?"
Klaus turned to Elijah who handed him a thin platinum wedding band encrusted in diamonds and repeated after his father, "With this ring, I marry you and bind my life with yours. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting friendship, and the promise of all my tomorrows." He slid the stunning ring on her finger.
Rebekah undid the ring from the 6mm platinum wedding band and handed it over to Hayley and she repeated after Ansel, "With this ring, I marry you and bind my life with yours. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting friendship, and the promise of all my tomorrows." Hayley looked back up at Klaus and saw him smiling adoringly at her.
Ansel then removed the handfast binding and handed the groom and bride a small candle each to light their large unity candle. "The both of you have passed all the trials and rituals of werewolf unification, now having heard the vows you have made to each other, by the power vested in me as the werewolf elder of the North East Atlantic Pack, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Son, you may kiss your bride."
Without hesitation, Klaus pulled his new wife into his arms and kissed her deeply. Everyone stood up in applause and cheers.
"I love you," Hayley whispered against his lips.
"As I do you."
In that moment, there was a surge of power that surged through their bodies and their eyes glowed bright gold. The eyes of the other werewolves in the room glowed too, the members of the North East Atlantic and Crescent Wolf Packs felt the wolves within them strengthen and remain present in their consciouses. It was the feeling of being newly turned and yet completely one with the beast inside, in control and free. It was done – their werewolf packs were now united as one.
Hayley had a huge smile on her face as Klaus led them down the aisle and followed the wedding planner out into the extended garden away from where the reception would be held. The guests would be served canapes and pre-drinks while the wedding party and family would take photographs outside. Their property expanded when they purchased the vineyard from an old Italian couple a couple weeks ago. Immediately, Rebekah called in gardeners and farmers to get the vineyard presentable for the wedding.
They spent about forty minutes taking photos with the family and individual portraits before Hayley and Klaus were left with the photographer for final bride and groom pictures. The two were wrapped in a close embrace as the last of photos were taken.
"I've never been so happy in my life, aside from having Hope." Hayley rested her chin on Klaus's shoulder.
"Me too, Little Wolf. Shall we head to the reception?" He asked the photographer. The man nodded and they walked to their garden reception where the wedding party was being introduced.
"Would you please put your hands together for Mr. and Mrs. Mikaelson!" The M.C announced.
The reception was going smoothly! The food was excellent, the drinks flowed, Rebekah and Elijah gave heart-warming speeches and everyone from both packs were mingling and seemed to be getting along amazingly well. Kol wasn't surprised to not see Davina at the wedding – she came up with some excuse to go to visit some sick friend. He didn't want anything to do with her anymore – her betrayal was worse than his brothers ignoring him or even Finn killing him. However, the wildest Mikaelson did his best to keep his dark feelings to himself, this was Nik and Hayley's day and he was happy for the couple. He and Nik were reconciled and were thick as thieves, the same with Hayley, Kol considered her another sister and so he wanted nothing to ruin this for them.
"It's now time for the bride and groom to have their first dance." The D.J announced. Klaus was wearing his white shirt with black detailing and a bowtie, leaving his jacket off. He stood up and held his hand out. Hayley handed over Hope to Kol (who lovingly cuddled his giggling niece) and took hold of Klaus's hand and was led onto the wooden dance floor. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he rested his hands on her hip feeling the French lace of her dress.
If our love was a fairy tale
I would charge in and rescue you
On a yacht, baby, we would sail
To an island where we'd say I do
"So, Rebekah told me you chose the song for the first dance?" Hayley mused.
Klaus smirked. "I did indeed. I thought it would show a rather more romantic side."
"Yea, you actually can be very romantic." Hayley grinned.
And if we had babies they would look like you
It'd be so beautiful if that came true
You don't even know how very special you are
You leave me breathless
You're everything good in my life
You leave me breathless
I still can't believe that you're mine
You just walked out of one of my dreams
So beautiful, you're leaving me breathless
And if our love was a story book
We would meet on the very first page
The last chapter would be about
How I'm thankful for the life we've made
And if we had babies they would have your eyes
I would fall deeper watching you give life
You don't even know how very special you are
You leave me breathless
You're everything good in my life
You leave me breathless
I still can't believe that you're mine
You just walked out of one of my dreams
So beautiful, you're leaving me breathless
You must have been sent from heaven to earth to change me
You're like an angel
The thing that I feel is stronger than love believe me
You're something special
I only hope that I'll one day deserve what you've given me
But all I can do is try every day of my life
"Oh Klaus, this song is beautiful. The lyrics are just…" Hayley whimpered as tears for the hundredth time today threatened to fall.
"I know. That was one of the reasons I chose the song – because of the lyrics. The other reason was because of how much the song represents how much you mean to me." Klaus said honestly.
Hayley let herself shed a tear. "I love you, Klaus."
"I love you, Little Wolf." He chastely kissed her lips.
You leave me breathless
You're everything good in my life
You leave me breathless
I still can't believe that you're mine
You just walked out of one of my dreams
So beautiful, you're leaving me breathless
You leave me breathless
You're everything good in my life
You leave me breathless
I still can't believe that you're mine
You just walked out of one of my dreams
So beautiful, you're leaving me breathless, breathless
Just as soon as the song ended, chaos broke loose. The reception was intruded – everything happened within seconds, werewolves knocked unconscious, the necks of vampires snapped, and the few witches at the wedding reception were put down. With the servants and compelled human help all cowering in the corners, only the Mikaelson siblings remained and they immediately vamp sped to the newlyweds and their daughter was wrapped in her father's arms.
"Well, well... I never thought I would see the day that Niklaus Mikaelson would ever get married, let alone to a werewolf." Aurora walked up with Tristan right at her side. Aya and the Strix witch coven close behind them.
"Hybrid," Hayley snapped. "And you don't want to mess with me."
Davina then walked over to stand by Aurora with no emotions on her face.
"I'm sure all of you are well acquainted with the newest member of our ranks." Tristian smirked towards Kol, "Some much more than others."
Kol narrowed his sharp gaze at his elder brother's sireling, not saying a word, but his sister was not so quiet. "We've known for quite some time now. You were like family to us, you were a daughter to Marcel, how could you Davina?" Rebekah glared at the young girl.
Davina seemed as though she was about to respond, but her blank gaze became unfocused, at which point Hayley felt a strange sensation come over her, making her head heavy, swaying her forward. Those closest to her attempted to catch her but found themselves unable to move.
Cami then shot forward from the group of Strix using her vampire speed. She snapped Hayley's neck, picked her up, and fled. The Mikaelsons could only stare with horror on their faces.
Aurora giggled manically. "You see, Niklaus, happiness is ever fleeting for you, the moment you find it… poof, it's taken away, as it should be given the terror and heartbreak you've caused." She smirked, "You don't have to worry about your lovely new hybrid wife, Cami and I are going to enjoy spending some nice quality time with her."
Klaus was seeing red, he tried to step forward but the Strix witches kept him and his family in their place.
"I suggest you concern yourself with the Strix and forget about your precious wife... Your daughter might be the next target." Aurora walked away with her brother, Aya and the witches behind them, leaving Davina to keep the Originals back. Once she had them neutralized enough to be unable to fight, falling to their knees before her, she stopped. With a swish of her black cloak she left, not looking back at Marcel's unconscious body or Kol's hardened gaze fixed on her.
Klaus slowly got to his feet and looked down at his daughter, checking to see if she was harmed, thankfully she wasn't, physically anyway. The toddler's glassy blue eyes and her whines for Mummy told her father that she was aware her mother was forcibly taken from them. Klaus was FURIOUS. The one day that he could live in peace was his wedding and now it turned to absolute shit with his wife taken by the hands of that blonde bitch. Yes, he officially thought of her as a traitorous bitch.
Freya used her powers to wake up those who had fallen during the Strix assault, Elijah took to collecting anyone who was dead, Kol would have helped but he could tremble with fury and hurt at Davina. Rebekah barked orders at the servants while explaining to everyone what had happened.
Klaus then stood before his and Hayley's united packs and the vampires of New Orleans. "I don't care how it gets done, we must fight for our Queen, find her, and protect our Princess. I don't care who you have to kill but if I find my wife dead in the hands of our enemies, you will all feel my wrath." Klaus shouted before vamp-speeding off with his daughter into his bedroom that he shared with Hayley. No one dared rise to his words or follow him. He didn't even notice Lucien who'd been lurking in the balcony.
All he wanted was to have his wedding night with his wife, have their daughter sleeping peacefully in her nursery, their families and friends celebrating their union. However, his life was a never-ending cycle of misery and suffering, his past sins would always come back to haunt him and those he loved.
Merry Christmas EVERYBODY! WHAT A CHAPTER!
Hope you enjoy this little Christmas present. It had everything didn't it. I would love to link you the dresses but, I can't because doesn't let me :( IF you want to know, just PM me and I can find a way for you to see, but other than that...use your imagination !
I just wanted to take the time to thank everyone who has stuck with this story, all the followers, all the reviews both guests and FF users, and all the reads. I could thank each one of you personally, but it's too hard. I love you all so much :)
Catch you at the next chapter :) Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ;)
xoxo Caz