This chapter is kind of short but it contains a sweet flashback/dream of when Natalie was still a human and small child. I hope you like this chapter as much as I did. Enjoy!
"It's been 3 whole days. Why isn't she awake?" Caroline sighed as she sat by Natty's bed.
"Sophie said her body needs time to heal. The white oak stake almost grazed her heart." Elijah spoke from the window he'd been staring out.
"I can't believe Nik was able to break through the barrier. What did Devina say again?" Rebekah asked from the sit on the opposite side of the bed from Caroline.
"She said that Klaus was able to break through because of pure love. The love of a parent for their child. It was the only reason he could have gotten through." Caroline said softly knowing Klaus could hear from his study.
He'd locked his self in there for the past 3 days. Ever since they told him how he was able to get through. Caroline knew it had scared him deeply. Not only to have almost lost his daughter but to know he could love so purely. That's what scared him the most, loving pure. He saw himself as a monster, as did almost everyone, and to learn that he could love like that terrified him.
Caroline only fell more in love with him when she found out. She wanted them all to be a family. It's what her heart had always wanted. She loved Klaus and love Natty, even Elijah and Rebekah. All Natty had to do was wake up.
Klaus sat at his desk and contemplated his siblings and Caroline's words. Not that he hadn't heard them before. He knew how the barrier had been broken he just didn't believe that he could have broken it. He couldn't love purely, maybe selfishly, and with lustful intentions like the love he had for Caroline. Not this pure parent love he had for Natty. No it simply couldn't be.
Flashback/Dream
Natty ran through the woods laughing her dress swaying in the breeze and her long hair tumbling down from its upkeep. She giggled more as she watched Kol pretend to stumble behind her and fall. "Get up silly." She laughed playfully.
Kol grinned and said, "I'll get you little Natty." He vamp sped towards her and she let out a yelp as her Uncle swung her up into his arms. "There's my little girl."
"Put me down Kol." She grumbled and squirmed in his arms.
Kol laughed and said, "No. The birthday girl has to stay with me today while everyone else gets ready for your surprise party. Opps. I don't think I was supposed to tell you that." Natty giggled again as he let her down and said, "Tag, your it." She ran after him as fast as her little legs could go.
After tag with Kol they went back to the camp and were meet with torches, streamers, and flowers everywhere. Natty saw a wooden bench with presents wrapped in wool just for her. She ran towards the table when she felt strong arms grab her up, "I don't think so little one." She looked up into Uncle Elijah's eyes and laughed.
"I wasn't going to open them."
Elijah smiled down and said, "I bet. Why don't you go in and see if Aunt Rebekah has the cookies ready for you." Natty smiled happily and ran off into the hut.
"What do you think you're doing? No cookies tell after supper and present opening."
"Aww, but Bekka, please. I'll love you forever." Natty cried with big eyes and pouting lips.
Rebekah smiled affectionately and said, "Alright, but just one." Natty greedily took the cookie and shoved it into her mouth and Bekka laughed.
"Always…" Rebekah said.
"A..n..d for..eeeeverr." Natty finished around her cookie.
Natty watched the adults around her as she opened up her presents. They smiled and laughed when she was so excited that she jumped up and down. Everyone was there, Uncle Finn and Sage, Uncle Kol, Aunt Rebekah and Uncle Elijah. She frowned when she realized that Daddy wasn't there, like always. She watched as Elijah looked at her with sadness and then smile as he pulled her into his arms and said, "Happy 8th birthday princess. I love you."
She sniffed as she softly said, "I love you too."
"How could you miss her birthday?" Elijah yelled. "She looked around for you, you're her father."
"You and I both know that I might not be. Why should she care if I'm here or not she has you and your good enough, right?" Klaus laughed out.
"This isn't a game Niklaus. You hurt her today."
Natty listened as a silence went over the hut. "She's a child Elijah, she's resilient. She'll get over it."
"Will she Niklaus? Did you get over what Father did?" Natty continued to listen as she heard someone leave the hut. She wasn't sure if Daddy or Uncle Elijah had left. She could feel the tears on her eyes as she lay there wondering why Daddy didn't want her or love her. Uncle Finn, Kol, Elijah, and Aunt Rebekah loved her; even Sage so why didn't Daddy?
Natty felt her eyelids getting heavy and darkness fall over her. She barely heard someone enter the room and pick her up and rock her. "You'll be the death of me, love." They whispered quietly. "I was here little Natty listening and watching. I can't be close to you. My enemies will use it against me my precious angel. I'll always love you even when I hurt you. Happy Birthday my little Natty!" She felt soft lips kiss her cheek and move her back to her bed where dreams came to life.
How'd you like the flashback/dream that Natty's experiencing? Does it help you understand the tension and strained relationship between Natty and Klaus?
The next chapter won't be up for a few days but if you guys like the flashbacks there will be more and you can get to know a little more about how Natalie grew up.
Thanks for reading! Go watch the Originals tonight!