Sunshine was coming through the curtains and were tickling Elena's nose. She woke up peacefully, she had slept peacefully. Last night still ran through her mind, but no longer in a bad way. Rebecca was right. Elena owed to herself and Klaus to figure out if there was a future for them as parents together.
But, all of a sudden, Elena got a worse feeling than ever before.
She had to run to the bathroom, and her entire stomach content made its way into the toilet.
Was it fair to embark on a search for a potential future, even though she might not have one?
While she brushed her teeth and freshened up, she couldn't help but think that she should stay away from either of them.
What if they couldn't find a way to save her from dying once her son was born? Elena got pale. She absent-mindedly caressed her belly. And then she noticed it. There was a bump. A noticeable bump.
She screamed.
Within seconds, three original vampires stood in her room.
"Are you okay?" Rebecca asked, looking worried.
"No. I'm not okay. Look at this." Elena lifted her shirt. Three pairs of eyes were on her stomach, that had visibly grown.
"How do I have a baby bump? I'm barely eight weeks along."
"Calm down, love. Please. I will call Cora right away." Klaus left the room.
"It's possible that the baby doesn't grow in the same amount of time a human baby does." Elijah offered.
Rebecca got nervous: "We need to figure out exactly how fast this baby is growing."
"I was okay with dying, you know. I made peace with having nine months left. But now finding out that I might not even have that time left. I don't want to die. I want to raise my son."
Elena broke down. Elijah came close and held her. Elena just cried. Cried like she had never cried before.
Klaus returned and saw the picture in front of him. His brother holding the love of his life. He got angry. All he wanted to do was drag Elijah from Elena and throw him out.
But Elena would never forgive him. Klaus had to accept, as hard as it was, that Elijah would be a part of Elena's life as well. And if Elena had to figure out what was going on between them, he had do accept that too.
"Cora will be here momentarily. Elena, love, why don't you go and eat something. Rebecca can accompany you." Elena nodded. Rebecca and her left the room.
"It wasn't what you think, brother." Elijah started.
"I don't want to talk about that. Elena needs to figure out where she stands. I will not stand in the way of that. But I do need you to do something for me."
"What can I do?"
"There is a powerful Sharman in Vermont, but he won't follow my invitation. I need you to go and convince him to come. I think, he might have answers."
Klaus really did want Elijah to go see the Sharman, but it was also a good excuse to get rid of him for a while. Elijah knew it, but he couldn't deny that he would do anything that could save Elena's life.
"I'll leave right after Cora left."
"I expect updates."
"You always do, brother. We have worked together for centuries."
–
Elena was feeling nervous. She didn't want to even think about how little time she had left.
Cora walked into the room, her bag next to her.
"It's good to see you again. You have been drinking your tea?"
"As prescribed. I feel that it's helping."
"That is good to hear. Let's see about his growth. I need you to take off your shirt. Gentlemen, please leave us."
"We'll be right outside, love." Elijah nodded and followed Klaus.
"When did you notice the bump?"
"This morning. I guess it could have been there for a couple of days, but it was really noticeable this morning."
"Okay, lie down. Let me examine you."
Elena lied down. Cora put her hand on her stomach and closed her eyes.
"I'm doing somewhat of an ultrasound. Trying to determine how big he already is."
"Okay."
"Just relax. It won't hurt a bit." There was a wave of calm going through her body. Her baby knew that he was in a safe place.
For a minute, there was absolute silence. Cora was listening to her inner self. Then she opened her eyes, looking slightly worried.
"You're about seven weeks along in actual time, correct?"
"Yes, about that."
"Your son is about the size of a four month old boy. I'm assuming that your pregnancy will take about half the time a normal pregnancy takes."
"So I have two months left?"
"Yes. He is getting stronger every day. So I recommend you drink double the amount of tea. I will supply you with the right amount."
Klaus and Elijah came back in.
"Elijah, it is all the more crucial now that you accomplish the task I have given you." Elijah nodded. "I just need a minute with her."
"I'm done here. I will send the herbs later today. Keep her calm."
"One more question, Cora. Elena has been smelling blood, and in a good way. Do you think she will need some?" Klaus asked. Elijah and Rebecca looked slightly surprised.
"Her baby probably will. I know you are well-stocked in that department. Elena, if you start to feel weak, you should try mixing it with your food. You will continue to need human food, so a well-balanced diet is necessary."
"Thank you, Cora."
"You're welcome, darling. Call me anytime."
After Cora had left, Klaus guided Rebecca from the room, leaving Elijah alone with Elena.
"What task has Klaus given you?"
"I will need to leave you for a few days."
"Why?"
"I need to go to Vermont."
"Why, Elijah?"
"I will tell you when I get back. I assure you. But there is no reason to involve you, unless there is actual hope."
"Why are you the one that has to go?"
"Klaus was unsuccessful, he wants to make sure that the tasks gets done."
"He doesn't like us being close."
"No, Elena. He wants what is best for you and what makes you happy."
Elena started to speak again.
"Please, I will be back soon. Klaus has no ulterior motive other than trying to save you."
"I can't be mad. You guys are trying to save my life. I just wish I could help."
"We can't risk exposing you, especially now that you are showing."
"I'm scared. Won't Marcel be able to tell?"
"My siblings will do whatever is necessary to make sure he won't find out. I will be back in no time."
"Call me from the road."
"As you wish."
He left her. She already felt less safe with him being gone. She preferred having both brothers around.
–
Rebecca had helped her pick an outfit that deflected from her stomach. Elena was still scared. One wrong move, and Marcel would be able to tell.
On the way to the dinner, Klaus was quiet. Elena could tell that he was in his head too. Rebecca tried to elevate the mood, but wasn't very successful.
"Good evening my friends, come in," Marcel greeted them at the door. "Where is dear Elijah?"
"He had to tend to some business last minute. We apologize."
"That's alright. More food for us. Come in, come in."
Marcel's place was just as stunning as any other. Open spaces, lots of windows.
"It's beautiful here." Elena said.
"Thank you, lovely Elena. You're more than welcome here anytime."
"Oh come on, Marcel. That line is as old as time."
"You would know, Becca." She smiled at him.
The dinner itself was actually quite pleasant. The food was delicious, just like last time. The conversation was light, and Marcel didn't try to dig for a lot of information. It almost seemed as if they just sat together as friends. Everytime the topic went into a precarious direction, Rebecca deflected it. Marcel didn't seem to notice.
"Elena, tell me, have you made any progress in finding information?"
"Unfortunately, no. So far, all the leads we had turned into dead ends. Katherine has done an amazing job at destroying any evidence."
"Do you think there is a reason why she wouldn't want you to find out about your family?"
"It's Katherine, Marcel. She could do it out of spite, because she thinks I have everything she always wanted."
"Oh yes, the love of two brothers." He smiled and looked at Klaus.
He responded, "Indeed. Stefan and Damon were taken by her the minute they laid eyes on her."
"Of course. The famous Salvatore brothers. Why haven't they joined you?"
"Because I needed time. And I didn't need any more drama between them and Klaus and Elijah."
"I couldn't agree more. Let's move this into the library. The seats are more comfortable. We can have a digestife."
The rest of the night went by smoothly. Around midnight, Elena got tired and since she was the only human, it was a good excuse for them to make their way home.
"It was lovely to see you again, Elena. Becca, you too. Come see me anytime, I mean it."
"Thank you, Marcel."
On the way home, everybody seemed more relaxed. Except Klaus.
"Why are you not happy? This went well." Elena said. "He's up to something. He is only this sweet if he thinks he has the upper hand. We should stay altert."