Disclaimer: Not mine as much as I wish. A/N: For Sandra who requested a continuation/one-shot based on her story 'The Parent Trap- The Diary of Hope Mikaelson' which acts as a prequel. I've selected a few of my favourite scenes from the second half of the Hayley Mills' (1961) movie to adapt. Hope I do it justice.
The Game Plan
There were feelings, I'd seen them, like shooting stars in space; like constellations and fireworks; like glitter on my recent art project. Excitement burst through my chest as I dropped my shopping bags on my bedspread and pulled my diary from its hiding spot. I'd finally thought of something to get my parents back together, 'operation Parent-Trap', I'd called it...but I needed all the help I could get.
I scribbled a mind-map of sorts, changed coloured pens depending on conspirators and thought of how Elijah wouldn't approve. He was in love with my mum. I appreciated how he took care of us, these thirteen years, but I think, deep down, he knew he could never replace Klaus, as my father. My hand began to ache from writing, and I frowned, scribbling out what I'd written. "S'annoyed," I said, using my made-up slang, frustrated by my indecisiveness.
"Hope! Your dad's here to pick you up!" I closed my diary and shoved it into one of my shopping bags, then walked downstairs. "I thought we're having dinner here?" I asked seeing dad standing on the porch. Mum gave me a hug and a kiss, ruffling my brown hair. "Your dad has somebody he'd like you to meet," mum explained, avoiding dad's gaze. "We'll have dinner next time, I promise." I felt sad to be leaving so soon, and suspicious of dad's guest. Was he dating again?
"Who is she?" I asked from the car. Dad sighed, looking into my inquisitive eyes. "She's a friend, you'll like her." I doubted it. "Why not wear one of your new dresses for the occasion?" he said, parking in the driveway of the plantation. I slammed the car door and marched to my room. "Is she downstairs?" I asked Auntie Bex when she came into my room with fresh towels. She sighed, helping me with my hair. "Yes, she is. Her name is Genevieve, and she's good, she's mighty good but if Klaus wants to make a ninny of himself, by all means, I'm not saying a word..." The sooner my plan was set in motion, the better off we'd all be, I thought.
After telling Auntie Bex the plan, she warned me to be careful. "Genevieve is smarter than the rest, Hope, I fear Klaus is too besotted to see the truth." I changed into my swimming costume. It was too hot to wear a dress. Walking onto the patio, I saw dad's girlfriend sitting on the chair beside the pool. Dad had gone for drinks, and I knew from her pose she had class. Her red hair glistened in the sunlight and she wore a green broach in her hair-bun. The woman turned around when I picked up a pool noodle, and introduced herself.
"Hello, you must be Hope, it's a pleasure to meet you." She extended her hand and Hope shook it, not wishing to be rude. "Your dad let me ride Athena today, I believe she's your horse?" Genevieve's eyes were bright but calculative, sizing me up. I nodded, slipping into the pool and sitting on the pool noodle. "Oh yes, I'm quite used to it by now, dad loves to go riding, one day he had FIVE different women here, but it's none of my business. If he wants to make a ninny of himself -" I kicked my feet to stay afloat, making waves with my arms, glancing at Genevieve's startled expression.
"Here you are, love, did you two get acquainted?" dad said, kissing Genevieve's cheek and handing her a glass of wine. He left a Shirley Temple on the coffee table for me, although I'd just spotted Marcel on the tractor heading towards us. My brother managed the apple plantation on the where dad had lived since my parents' split, leaving mum ownership of the Palace Royale.
"Oh yes, she made me feel right at home," I heard Genevieve say as I climbed out of the pool. "Hope, dinner won't be long, and I-we've got something we want to tell you..." My heart clenched in my chest, dreading whatever news they had. "I'm just saying hi to Marcel, I haven't seen him in ages," I lied, running off.
Marcel stopped the tractor when he saw me. "So you've met Genevieve?" he frowned. "She's a piece of work, thinks she's better than the rest of us, drives Rebekah crazy." Andromeda, our German Shepherd jumped from the tractor to lick the chlorine from my bare legs. "It's serious isn't it?" I asked about dad's relationship. "He hasn't told you?" Marcel shook bits of tree from his plaid shirt. "They're getting married in a few days." I felt like he'd punched me in my windpipe. I couldn't breathe... DAYS? "We've got to stop them!" I said, sounding hysterical.
"What do you suggest? Dad's happy, the happiest he's been since-" Marcel broke off. I knew what he was going to say. "Since my mum? He can't marry somebody else when he's in love with mum-" Marcel shook his head. "They've had thirteen years to get back together, and they haven't, Hope, maybe that's a sign they weren't meant to be?" I shook my head, knowing they were meant to be, they just needed a shove in the right direction.
"What do you think about moving our annual camping trip forwards?" I said. "If Genevieve wants to be part of this family, she should honour our family customs!" Marcel grinned: "You really are your father's daughter. Who else have you roped in to help you sabotage their relationship?" I smiled. "Almost everyone..." I remembered Kol. "We need some honey and loads of string, oh and tell Kol to bring mum here because the Palace Royale is no place to rekindle a romance." Marcel grinned, and gave Andromeda and I, a lift back to the house.
I liked to think I'd inherited different characteristics from members of my family, like, I learnt the art of sabotage from dad; mum gave me courage; Auntie Bex gave me strength; Uncle Kol gave me my mischievous side; Marcel taught me to be a warrior and Elijah gave me my fascination of the stars. Either way we're a dysfunctional bunch, but we're all survivors. I was writing in my diary when dad came in to check on me. I was frustrated at him for giving up on mum...on us, as a family.
"I know you think I've rushed this, Hope, but when you know you've found the one, you can't let them get away. I'm happy, and I love Genevieve, and I want you to understand, things aren't going to change around here." I could hear the desperation in his voice, pleading me to understand his choice, but I couldn't, not when I knew it wasn't right. Genevieve tried to speak to me after dinner to calm me because dad had given up (I'd promised Marcel, I wasn't going to make things easy - I was not okay with him marrying a total stranger!). She'd shown her true colours when dad left us alone.
"I'm marrying your father and there's nothing you can do about it," she said. "Wanna bet!" I hissed, causing her to smirk like I was no match for her. I knew from that moment, Auntie Bex had been right all along. I stomped to my room. It was 3am when my mobile rang. I answered it on the second ring and pulled my covers up over my head. It was Uncle Kol. "'Operation Parent-Trap' is set. Your mum's coming over for lunch tomorrow, and you can tell your dad about the camping trip then."
Everything was falling into place. The next morning I was happy to see Genevieve had gone to speak to the priest, and I had two days to stop the dreaded wedding. I promised myself I wasn't going to speak to dad, let alone look him in the eye, maybe he'd get the hint I didn't approve and that I was furious with him. Dad frowned when neither Marcel nor Rebekah offered any help at breakfast. "You are all being childish! I'm going out on the plantation and when I get back for lunch you better be supportive!" We watched him storm outside, punching the door so it bounced on its hinges. Marcel grabbed my arm before I could ask Auntie Bex to give me extra strawberries on my pancakes.
"I put your things on your bed." His eyes sparkled, putting down his spoon. Rebekah pulled an enormous garbage bag from the cupboard. "What's all that?" I asked, surprised. "It's everything we need to recreate the scene, come on Marcel, I need you to move so we can put this tablecloth on." My brother sighed, taking his time, and I helped. "Why is there a violin in my seat?" he asked, returning from the sink. I put my hands on my hips.
"Tinsy favwoir?" I said, using another of my favourite words and giving him my bambi-eyes. "No, Hope, everything but that!" Marcel said, realizing what I suggested. Rebekah wrote on some name-tags. "It's important to your sister, and to me, besides every restaurant has music!" Next she reheated some Italian take-away in the oven. Marcel leaned against his chair with a long sigh. "I haven't played since I was about Hope's age..." he muttered. I cringed, the notes sounded like sparrows being strangled.
"Here-" I gave Marcel a costume which made him retreat, until Rebekah convinced him with several cuddles and kisses. I was glad when the door-bell went, hurrying to answer it and saw Rebekah putting a name tag in the centre of the table. Kol winked at me over mum's head, muttering something about helping Davina, and leaving a confused Hayley on the doorstep. "Kol told me you were feeling sick...what exactly are you two up to?" she said, feeling my forehead.
"Nothing," I lied, leading mum inside, and weaving around an excited Andromeda who could smell meatballs. Mum picked up her name tag, as I poured some red wine. "You look nice," I said. "Is that one of the dresses from yesterday?" Mum gave me a suspicious look I pretended not to notice. She looked down at the checked tablecloth. "Lunch is almost ready, and that sounds like dad now." I was half excited and half nervous to be finally done with phase one of the plan.
"What the hell is that smell?" Dad saw me and frowned. He had twigs in his hair. I opened my mouth to warn him we had a guest, but he'd seen mum, and the shouting began. I crept behind the curtain and shoved Marcel outside to break up the argument. "I apologise in advance..." Marcel began to play the violin, dressed as a gypsy. Dad chortled into his wine while mum let Rebekah put a plate of spaghetti bolognaise in front of her. "What's this, I hate Italian!" Mum slapped him in the arm.
"Don't you get it, yet? Our daughter is trying to create our first date. Candles, the checked tablecloth, Italian...don't you remember? Martinelli's?" I heard the gentleness in mum's voice, but dad seemed too blind to care. "Why the bloody hell would she want to do that?" I sighed. "Marcel, you're making my ears bleed, I'll give you a raise if you stop playing," dad ordered. Marcel stopped, but not before giving him a hint. "You're getting married soon, maybe Hope wanted to make sure you'd tied up any loose strings, so to speak." Marcel gave mum a pat on the shoulder, and left, while I sat myself down at the piano.
Marcel announced me, pulling back the curtain. I played a bit of piano and guitar, remembering the lessons I'd had with Elijah. "Let's get together what do you say? We could have a swinging time! We'd be a crazy team, why don't we make a scene, together?" Mum clapped the loudest once I'd finished. "Why don't you come and join us?" she said, wiping sauce from the corners of her mouth. Dad picked at the spaghetti with his fork. "Yeah, join us, there's plenty of glop!" I shook my head, saying I'd make a sandwich in the kitchen but I did have something I needed to get off my chest.
"Dad, you told me you're getting married this weekend. Mum, you seem fine but I know you're not, so I vow, and Marcel, Rebekah and Kol agree with me, to bring forward our family camping trip on the condition that, if we do this, I'll stop treating Genevieve like the gold-digger she is-" Dad looked mad, but I needed to be heard. "And it will be your last chance to prove you both still don't love each other." I left them to talk. I just needed mum to tell dad exactly how she felt, and vice-versa. Marcel and Auntie Bex joined me in the kitchen, and the three of us took turns at listening at the door.
I was in a good mood, having helped Marcel pack dad's car with all our regular camping equipment. Mum had borrowed one of dad's t-shirts and wore a pair of Rebekah's shorts and boots, as well as a broad smile, swapping stories with Rebekah. A car drove up, and my heart sank when I saw Genevieve climb out of it, running up to dad and getting into an argument. "Of course Hayley's coming, it's a family camping trip, we do it each year! No, I didn't plan this, it's something Hope wanted. I know it's our wedding rehearsal but this is important to her-" I put some fishing rods in the back of the car, and shut the boot.
Marcel messed up my hair, and got into the car, calling out the window for mum and dad to join us. I waved at Rebekah, returning her smile, catching Father Kieran enjoying the drama. "Don't be silly Klaus, of course you can't leave Genevieve behind, she must come with us!" Klaus glared at Hayley, rubbing his temples. "You can borrow one of Klaus' shirts, he has plenty. Don't be silly, it will be a great way for you to get to know Hope, and, you know what, I might just stay home, and catch up with my sister-in-law." Mum gave me a warm smile and ignored my look of disgust. There was no backing out for any of us, we were going camping: Marcel, dad and Genevieve.
"Yeah, I heard it from an old scout, if you clap two sticks together like this-" I brushed my brown hair from my eyes. "It scares the mountain lions away." Marcel clapped some sticks together, his eyes shining with mirth, they both knew Genevieve was listening. They were about half way up the mountain, and Genevieve was resting on a rock, begging for water. "It's Genevieve, she's not used to the outdoors, honey." I turned around, hiding a gleeful smile behind my hand and resuming my shocked face once I'd turned back.
When we finally reached the top of the mountain, I needed a swim, not only to cool off but because I'd another funtastic idea. Marcel had the same idea, pulling off his shirt and diving into the lake. Dad set up the fishing rods while Genevieve massaged her sore feet. He encouraged her to soothe them in the water. I beckoned Marcel over, and he raised an eyebrow. I pointed at Genevieve, and he nodded, reading my mind. He gave me a leg up, and I stood upon his shoulders, making it seem like I was standing in shallow water.
"Come on in, it's not deep!" I yelled, encouraging her forwards. Genevieve gave me a suspicious look, then she walked straight in, disappearing with a squeal. I laughed, Marcel swum up to the surface, grinning and both our faces turned blank when Klaus came running. For dinner we had trout, which dad caught and cooked on the coals. "Are you sure you don't want anything?" Marcel asked, trying to serve her the last trout. Genevieve shook her head. "How many times do I have to say it, I detest trout! What are we having tomorrow?" Klaus sighed, while Marcel's cheeks grew red from putting up with her attitude. I ate my trout without any fuss.
"Trout," Klaus said. Genevieve sighed, excusing herself for bed. Klaus gave her a kiss, and after a few minutes, turned around to see her clapping two sticks together. Marcel and I hid our faces, while he questioned her. "I'm frightening away the mountain lions...?" A piece of Genevieve's red hair fell over her frazzled pink cheeks. Klaus raised his eyebrows. "There aren't any, are there?" I stuffed my cheeks full of trout and avoided dad's gaze. Marcel tipped his hat over his eyes. Genevieve threw the sticks down and stomped off to her tent. I was glad she was gone, and denied any involvement.
Marcel woke me up at 3am. Klaus was fast asleep near the smouldering campfire, and we crept inside Genevieve's tent. I gave Marcel the string and he eagerly went to work, wrapping the string around the tent poles while I squirted honey over Genevieve's feet, over her sleeping bag and out the tent opening. I grinned, lightly tapping Marcel's hand, and returning to my tent, where I would sleep soundly. The next morning we were awakened by several screams. I emerged from my tent, seeing some baby bears licking Genevieve's' toes.
Genevieve was on the warpath, I guess if you submarine a person, that was what's expected? Dad wasn't there, he was shaving down by the lake, but he must have heard the commotion. Marcel ducked, shouting at her to calm down. "I HATE THIS PLACE! I HATE NATURE, I HATE ANIMALS, I HATE TROUT!" She threw our tinned food tins at her tent, and shoved Marcel back when he tried to stop her. "What's going on?" Dad had arrived, looking around at the mess.
"What's going on?" Genevieve voice faded, and she marched up to me. "Why don't you ask your daughter?" Marcel stood beside me. "You're siblings? Do you share everything?" We nodded, united by our dislike of her. Dad watched, clearly confused. "Then you can give your brother, his share of this!" She slapped me across the face and I almost fell to the ground from the force. Genevieve glared at dad, and she threw her engagement ring at his stunned expression. Then she was gone.
We drove back home to the plantation after that. Dad had ranted in the car while Marcel and I looked out of the window, denying our involvement, but I'm sure he saw through us. I went upstairs to have a shower, exhausted, giving Marcel a grateful smile for his help, and felt guilty for making my dad miserable. After my shower, I changed into my pajamas and saw Auntie Bex and Marcel embracing. I heard music on downstairs, and fixed my hair, stopping right before I entered the kitchen. I'd just witnessed dad's expression, and saw mum standing on a kitchen chair reaching for some plates.
I held my breath, leaning against the door. "Is that stew I can smell?" dad asked, when mum stepped down from the chair, wearing a blue apron. She smiled. "You're back early, I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow? What happened?" Dad sniffed the stew, tasting some from the wooden spoon. "Don't pretend you don't know," he said, frowning. Mum raised her eyebrows. "Genevieve decided I was too much trouble, I suppose. Although I have an inkling our daughter and my son, joined forces." Mum went to the stew and ladled some into the bowls.
"How horrible!" she said, while I smirked, watching dad smile. "Won't you help me out of this apron?" mum asked, turning her back to him. Dad sighed, staring at mum's neck as she moved her hair over her shoulder. I felt the sparks again, and if I could feel them from where I was standing, I knew I wasn't making things up. Dad leaned down and kissed mum on the nape of her neck. "I've missed you," he whispered. Mum smiled, resting her head against his, and her chest heaved in anticipation. "I've always loved you," he whispered. Mum stopped him before he could kiss her.
"Why did you never say anything?" He sighed, "I suppose I thought you deserved better." I gasped, muffling my excited squeak while I watched them embrace. Marcel and Auntie Bex, crept up to me, and I pointed, grinning, surprised to see Kol and Davina there. Kol ruffled my hair and Andromeda came running, totally blowing our covers with loud, booming barks. Mum and dad broke apart. "Hope Mikaelson!" Dad said, using his disciplining voice. I stepped into the kitchen, nervous, and hung my head in shame. "How do you feel about being our flower girl at our wedding?" He smiled, a mischievous glint in his eye. I ran over and hugged them, relief shot through my veins. I'd done it, 'operation Parent-Trap' had worked and it had brought everyone closer. "That would be amazeballs!" I said, hugging them close, happy to see sparks flying like shooting stars in space; like constellations and fireworks; like glitter on my recent art project.
A/N: Please review! I'm going to cry...Mikaelson Family FEELS! Please point out any typos, many thanks! x