"Now, what's going on, Sam?" Stefan asked him. "Why'd you call Felicity and me here?"
"I want you both to meet a friend of mine is all," Sam replied.
"And by 'friend' you mean conquest, right?" Felicity asked. "What's the point in introducing us to someone you're just gonna dump once you've gone to bed with her?"
"I can't go to bed with her," Sam replied. "Apparently, she's related to me and it's not allowed."
"What's her name?" Felicity asked. "I probably know her."
"Addison," Sam replied.
"Yep," Felicity nodded. "I do know her. We used to hang out together at the bar a lot."
"Well, that's good," Sam replied. "It means I won't have to do a lot of introductions."
"And why is it that you want to bring her here?" Stefan asked, gesturing around the boarding house. "I thought you were staying with your dad."
"I thought it would be less intrusive to hang out here," Sam replied. "Unless the two of you wanted to stay in and, you know, have sex or something."
"We can do that anywhere," Felicity replied. "If you wanna have Addie here, it's fine."
"All right," Sam nodded. "I'll bring her here tonight."
"Great," Stefan replied. "Can't wait!"
"So this is where you live?" Addie asked as Sam brought her into the boarding house.
"Yeah," Sam replied. "Sorry if it's a bit messy. My dad is the one that cleans everything up, but he's not here."
"That's okay," Addie assured him. "I like a place with a 'lived in' look."
"Good," Sam nodded. "Great. And I promise I won't show you my bedroom."
"What?" Addie asked. "I wasn't even worried about that."
"Good!" Sam replied, feeling like an idiot. "Cause you shouldn't need to be."
Just then, Felicity and Stefan approached them. "Hi," Stefan replied. "I'm Sam's uncle. You must be Addison."
"Yeah," she nodded, taking it. "But you can call me Addie." Then she smiled at Felicity. "It's nice to see you again, Lissy. You need to come back to the bar sometime. We've missed you."
"You know, I really should do that," Felicity replied. "Anything interesting going on there?"
"Well, Grandpa and Amy won the karaoke contest," Addie replied. "Laura's pregnant, if you didn't hear, and Enid is acting weird, you know? Like a school girl who has a crush. I asked her what was going on and she just kind of blushed and said that a friend of hers she hardly ever gets to see is coming to visit."
"Huh," Felicity replied. "Enid with a date. I didn't even know she did that!"
"Well, apparently she does, with someone," Addie shrugged. "Now I really wanna know who!"
"Oh, just be patient," Felicity told her. "She's your 'aunt', and she tells you everything!"
"You're right," Addie nodded. "If I just wait, I'll find out who she's prettying herself up for, no doubt." Then, she sighed and looked over at Sam. "All right," she said. "Enough of that. What's in the cards now?"
"Dinner!" Stefan replied. "I've already made something up."
"All right," Sam nodded, gesturing for Addie to go ahead of him. "Let's eat."
But dinner was slow and awkward without a lot of conversation. Finally, Addie led Sam away from the table.
"You know," she said, "if you wanted to show me your room, I really wouldn't mind."
"No, I-I really don't think that's a good idea," Sam told her.
"Why not?" Addie asked. "Cause I'm not gonna get mad at you or anything."
"But see, the thing is that I'm attracted to you," Sam blurted out. "And you know what our parents told us: that we can't act on our feelings because of being related."
"Who says anything's gonna happen?" Addie asked. "It doesn't have to. Besides, would you rather be doing stuff with me, or making awkward conversation with Felicity and your uncle?"
"Well, since you put it that way," Sam grinned and started toward her, then pulled back. "Maybe this whole thing with you and me wasn't such a good idea after all. I mean, you're a pretty girl, but I don't think I can do this. It's not fair to either of us."
"Oh, come on!" Addie cried and put her arms around his neck. "It's not so bad!" She blew in his ear and he felt himself bringing his arms up around her and sliding them down towards her butt before he blinked and pushed her back onto his bed. "No!" He cried. "I can't, this is wrong, and I think I should take you home."
"Really?" Addie asked. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am," Sam replied firmly. "Get in the car."
"Fine," Addie sighed, running her tongue across her lips. "But I really think you're missing out on something here."
"I know," Sam sighed sadly. "But that's how it has to be." He grabbed his keys, and for the first time that he could remember, drove a pretty girl home without having seen her naked first.
"Damon," Elijah said in surprise. "What brings you here?"
"I need to talk to Selina about Sam," Damon replied, striding through Elijah and Selina's front door. "Don't worry. You can chaperone if you want."
"Don't think I won't," Elijah replied.
They headed to the library and Selina started as she saw them. "Damon!" She cried. "What's going on?"
"Sam's a bit upset," Damon replied.
"Why?" Selina asked. "What about?"
"Well, he met Addie when we were at the bar the other night and the two of them hit it off. However, when Roxie and I pointed out that they were related and sex wasn't an option, they got a bit upset."
"Well, I'm sorry for them," Selina replied. "I don't mean to be a prolific breeder, but that's how it happened. What do you want me to do about it?"
"Nothing," Damon replied. "I just wanted to give you an update."
"Well, I'd feel worse if Sam thought Addie was someone he could have a future with. But that's probably not the case, right?" Selina asked. "He's the same sort of heart breaker you are?"
"Well, even if Addie was the sort of person Sam could spend the rest of his life with, we won't know, will we?" Damon replied. "It's a good thing he has that job from Hazel to keep him distracted."
"Can I just ask..." Selina began. "Do you know what the job is that Sam's doing for Hazel?"
"He's tailing some kid for her," Damon shrugged. "That's all I know."
"Well, I hope he's not gonna get himself into trouble," Selina replied. "Hazel tried to kill me once. When she wants something, she means business. I just...I'm worried Sam's gonna get himself into something so deep he won't be able to get out of it."
"Well, we can only hope that won't happen for now," Damon replied.
"Can't you talk to him?" Selina asked. "Maybe tell him that what he's doing could lead to bad things?"
"And if I do, do you really think he'll listen?" Damon asked her. "He's our kid. Did we ever listen to our parents when they thought we were doing something wrong? I hate to say this, but I think the best thing to do is let him make his own mistakes."
Selina sighed. "I guess you're right. I really hope nothing bad happens to him, though."
"Enid!" Hazel said as she entered her sister's apartment on the upper floor of the bar. "Enid! Can I talk to you?" She was prepared to be met by a very angry Enid, but instead, she heard singing, and her sister came out dancing with a smile on her face. She only saw the smile briefly however, as Enid sobered at the sight of her. "Leave it to you to ruin a good mood," she grouched. "What do you want?"
"I came to explain myself," Hazel replied. "About Joey, I mean."
"You-you can't explain about Joey!" Enid replied. "Nothing you say will make what you're doing all right. You're hunting down an innocent boy whose only wrongdoing in your eyes was being born!"
"But you started this!" Hazel reminded her. "You revived Joey when you knew it was against Father's rules to use magic to bring back the dead. I'm just righting your wrong on Father's orders."
"What kind of bull is that?" Enid replied. "Why, for once in your life, can't you look Father in the eye, tell him 'no' and follow your own heart? You know that what you're doing isn't right, don't you? If Father hadn't made a law against Joey being brought back from the dead, if it was someone other than him who made the law, would you still follow it so blindly?"
"Well," now Hazel looked uncertain. "I don't know."
"Yes, you do!" Enid told her. "I know it, Hazel. Because I know you. You'd let him go. You'd understand that he's a boy who deserves to live his life. That it's not his fault that rules were broken and he shouldn't be punished for someone else's mistake. If there have to be consequences for what happened to Joey, I'll take them on, whatever they are. But please, just...you and Daddy leave Joey alone!"
"Why are you so attached to this boy?" Hazel asked her sister. "What is it about him that's making you willing to throw your earthy existence away?"
"I love him," Enid told her. "And Addison too. I'm surprised you and Father aren't going after both of the twins."
"Father sees no need to go after Addison," Hazel replied. "Believe me, I'm curious about why as well, but I don't want to question his word."
"Of course you don't," Enid sighed.
It was then that Hazel noticed the picture on the mantle. "It's that boy you've been chasing for years. When are you going to learn, Enid, that whether men be human, warlock, werewolf, or vampire, they're all fickle? Their fickleness is what inspired you to create werewolves in the first place! Or don't you remember? Going after them and giving in to your emotions should be beneath you."
"I think you're wrong," Enid told her. "I love Owen with all my heart. He's different. I've loved him for a very long time, and I want to protect him from you and your stupid ideas. That's why I only see him for a week every five-hundred years."
Hazel snorted. "Yes, that really sounds like love to me!"
"Well, fuck you!" Enid burst out. "What do you know? You've never let yourself love anyone! That's probably why, under all your bravado, you're a cold, loveless, bitter person who can think of nothing to do with herself but make other people just as miserable!"
"I won't be spoken to like that!" Hazel said.
"I'm not sorry," Enid told her. "Tell Daddy all you want, but just get the hell out of my apartment!"
And with a burst of magic that was more like a boom! than a pop, Hazel disappeared leaving Enid alone with the picture of the love of her life.
"Oh, my god!" Laura cried, running out to Edward. "Edward! Feel! Feel!"
"What?" Edward asked, eyes wide. "What's the matter? Are you okay?"
"Yes!" Laura cried. "Just feel!"
She took his hand and put it on her stomach.
"Well, what do you know?" Edward said, grinning after a few seconds. "There's a baby in there!"
"Yeah, there is!" Laura replied. "It took me awhile to realize it, though. At first, I just thought I ate something funny. Then it hit me. Isn't this exciting? We should go tell my daddy!"
"You should," Edward corrected. "He doesn't want to see me yet."
"Oh, sure he does," Laura said, pulling the sleeve of Edward's jacket. "He throws fits like that all the time and is in a forgiving mood the next day!"
"Are you sure?" Edward asked.
"Yes," Laura replied. "I swear, he's forgiven you by now. Come on!" She got a look on her face that caused Edward concern. "What's going on?"
"Nothing," Laura shook her head. "Just the baby again. They want you to come too."
Edward sighed. "Well, all right," he said. "I guess I have no choice but to go then."
"So, did that egg project we did for school actually help you?" Laura asked him as they made their way out to the car. "Or did it just make things worse?"
"Well, I was panicked for awhile, as you know," Edward replied as he helped her into the car. "But now I'm more worried about your father."
"Oh, don't be," Laura told him again. "Mom's probably ordered him to play nice by now. I don't think you have anything to worry about."
"All right," Edward nodded. "If you're sure."
They drove to Elijah and Selina's, where Elijah met them at the door with more enthusiasm than Edward expected.
"Care to explain the cordial greeting?" Edward asked Selina when a jubilant Elijah retreated to the kitchen.
"My ex has been coming to visit lately and having him around upsets Elijah," Selina told him. "I guess Elijah's just glad you're not him."
"You mean Uncle Klaus has been visiting?" Laura asked. "Why would Daddy be upset to see him?"
"Not your uncle," Selina shook her head. "My other ex."
"Well, pardon me for asking," Edward replied. "But just how many exes do you have that Mr. Mikaelson is wary of?"
"Only two," Selina replied. "Now, what was it that sent you over here?"
"Baby's kicking," Laura replied. "And I'm so glad I'm not sick anymore!"
"It's nice, isn't it?" Selina replied.
"Hell, yes!" Laura nodded. "It makes work a whole lot easier. Enid will probably let me off when I start to get bigger, though."
"And your graduation is in a couple of months," Selina added. "What do you want to do about that?"
"Well, I would prefer a small party, very informal," Laura replied. "You know, burgers, shakes, maybe a cake from the bakery. Dad'll probably want to do something big and fancy, won't he?"
"Probably," Selina nodded. "But I'll try to talk him out of it."
"Talk me out of what?" Elijah asked, coming back into the room.
"Laura only wants a small graduation party," Selina told him. "Not one of your big, fancy paloozas."
"Oh, why?" Elijah asked, looking sad.
"Cause I just don't understand why there needs to be all the fuss when something small is just as good," Laura replied to her father. "Don't you think?"
"I guess," Elijah sighed. "If it's what you want, Laura. Is that how you feel, Edward?"
"Sure," Edward nodded. "That would be fine."
Elijah had clearly been counting on Edward to back him up, but he took it in stride. "So," he began. "What is-"
"Baby kicking!" Laura interrupted. "Wanna feel?"
"No, thanks," Elijah replied. "I'll just believe you." He gave her a hug. "I'm happy for the two of you."
"So, are you gonna go see Enid so she can tell you what you're having?" Selina asked.
"I kind of want to be surprised, actually," Laura replied. "We'll paint the room sunny yellow, cause that's a color for either sex, then whatever comes out will come out."
"That's very practical," Edward told her. "I'm amazed."
"Well, sometimes, I'm just full of surprises," Laura told him. "I can be practical sometimes, even though it's not my favorite thing. That's what I have you for!" She giggled.
They stayed a little longer, then left because Laura and Edward both had homework to do.
"It's not fair," Laura whined. "Why do I have to be pregnant and do homework too?" She peered at Edward, who was driving. "Remember when you did my homework? That was nice."
"I'm glad you can't compel me," Edward told her. "Cause I have a feeling that if you could, you'd do it right now."
"No, I wouldn't!" Laura replied. "I would just complain vociferously until you gave in."
"That wouldn't happen," Edward told her. "I'd never give in."
"Are you sure?" Laura asked.
"Yes, I'm sure," Edward told her. "The sooner you start your homework, the sooner it will be done, and you won't have to think about it anymore."
"Fine," Laura sighed. "I'll do my stupid homework. Even the math. But I won't like it."
"I know," Edward told her. "But that's not new. You never do."
They arrived home and Laura went straight to her side of their room. "Tell me if you need any help," Edward told her.
"I will," Laura sighed. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Edward replied. "Good luck.
"Yeah," Laura nodded at him. "Same to you."