oh look another chapter that broke my heart into tiny pieces. feels good feels organic
CHAPTER TWELVE ∙ postcards from far away, pt. 1
May 14th, 2026
Hope's breathing was shallow when she woke.
Klaus felt its constriction in his own chest, heart squeezing to mimic his daughter's panicked, stuttering beat.
"Dad—"
"Shh," he soothed, smoothing some hair back from her temple. "You're all right. You're all right."
Her rabbiting heartbeat slowed as she sat up, resting her cheek on Klaus' upper arm while he rubbed her back in slow, soothing circles. Eventually she relaxed entirely, all tension eked from her frame. Klaus released her so he could look into her eyes as he asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Weird." Hope drew her knees up towards her chest and tucked her hands under the comforter. She looked more like a tired, grumpy teen than the vessel for an unholy magic that threatened to crumble the city around them. "But not broken."
"That's always good," Klaus said, trying to keep his tone light.
"I guess."
"Maybe you should have a shower, freshen up. You were out in the rain for most of the night."
"Honestly, I'm kinda worried it'll turn to blood halfway through."
Klaus winced. "Well—"
"I'm joking, I'm joking," she said, tossing the comforter off and revealing the pyjamas Freya had helped her into. "Kinda."
"Would you like beignets for breakfast?" Klaus asked, staying perched on the edge of the bed as Hope got up to rummage through her wardrobe for clothes. "You used to like them."
"Still do." Hope stopped flicking through her coat-hangers for a moment, hand resting on the dress she'd worn to her mother's funeral. She kept going, faster this time, until she tugged out a shirt. "Mom didn't let me have them often. Said they aren't good breakfast food unless it's a special day."
"Well, today feels special, doesn't it?"
Hope eyed him curiously. "I thought you'd be madder with me."
"I'd rather save my lectures for a time you're not possessed with unfathomably powerful magic."
"Lectures, plural?" Hope bundled up her clothes and held them to her belly, looking at him with those wide blue eyes that made him want to give her the world in a bowl, and a spoon to eat it with.
"I've been alive for over a thousand years, Hope. A thousand years of tragedy, of violence, of danger. And I have never been more terrified than I was the moment I realised what you were doing."
"I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to make it all stop."
"I know, love." Klaus stood both to kiss her forehead and to hide the box of letters from her line of sight. She hadn't noticed them yet, but he wasn't certain he wanted to risk her reading them before he was finished. He had no idea how the contents would impact her at this stage of the Hollow's possession. Certainly not positively.
"Go shower," he said. "I'll have a tableful of beignets waiting for you when you're done."
"Thanks, Dad." Tucking her clothes under one arm, Hope headed off to do as she was told.
Klaus turned back to the box of letters. The ones he'd read were on a pile on the floor, just by where Hope had stepped. It was a miracle she hadn't seen them.
Stuffing them back in the box, Klaus returned to the study where he'd found them. He waited until he heard the water run in the bathroom, then retrieved the next envelope.
It was thicker than any of the others—thick with postcards, he discovered when he opened it. All were stamped with RETURN TO SENDER and bound together with a rubber band.
Easing the band off, Klaus began to read.
#
17th February, 2024
Hayley didn't spend much time in post offices. She usually just dropped the letters for Klaus in the letter-box out front and kept on walking. She vaguely remembered picking up fancy paints imported from overseas for Hope once, but that was at least three years ago now.
Ducking in, Hayley went straight for the spinning stand of postcards. She was finding it harder to fill letters without rambling and figured postcards with pictures of New Orleans on the back might be a nudge in the right direction.
Gathering a few packs of them in her hands, Hayley found herself in a line of at least ten people. It wasn't often that she had to wait for things, but it wasn't particularly difficult when she did. Life happened fast in the supernatural world, so it was nice sometimes to just … be.
The man in front of her had an exciting toddler stepping on his feet, grabbing at his hands and trying to get his attention. He was occupied with the package in his arms, still scribbling an address on, but he acknowledged her once or twice with, "Yes, sweetie," and, "I know, sweetie," and, "We'll be home soon, sweetie."
Hayley hid her smile at his tired tone. She missed that, almost. By the time Hayley got Hope back as a baby, she'd been sleeping through the night. She'd thought the chance to be exhausted by her daughter was through—until she became a toddler, and a magical toddler to boot.
The customers cycled through until Hayley and the young father were standing at the dual counters beside one another. Hayley kept half an eye on the little girl, who was bouncing up and down with her hands on the edge of the counter. Hayley finished her transaction first, putting her in a much better position to catch the display the little girl almost pulled down on her head.
"Matilda!" the father shouted in alarm, pulling her out of what would've been the path of an entire case of sunglasses. "What did I say about grabbing things that are higher than you?" His voice was shaky with the effort to not sound angry with her.
"Not to," Matilda replied, lower lip trembling.
"It's all right," said Hayley, setting the case back in place. "No harm done."
"Thank you," said the father. "Thank you so much." He lifted Matilda up onto his hip as the woman at the counter handed him a receipt for the package he'd posted. He shuffled away, trying to soothe a disturbed Matilda.
The woman behind the counter peered down a little, checking that the sunglasses weren't damaged.
"Hey," Hayley said, getting her attention. "Maybe get that anchored to the wall before it actually crushes someone's baby." If she let a bit of compulsion seep into her tone, well, she figured that was probably acceptable, given the givens.
Marching out, Hayley tore the plastic wrapping off a pack of postcards with her teeth.
#
17th February, 2024
Klaus,
I've decided to send postcards now. They're shorter and easier, and they make you look at pictures of the city. I know how much you love avoiding things.
Hayley
#
15th March 2024
Hayley kicked her feet back and took a long sip from her straw. The smoothie was on its last legs, stuttering with air as she slurped the last of it. The Mystic Grill's smoothies weren't fantastic, but they were the best of the drinks on offer if she didn't want to go for something alcoholic.
"Sign where I've put the tabs," Caroline said, shoving a file toward Hayley. She dropped a fountain pen on top, then grabbed her own stack of paper to look over.
DECLARATION OF NAME CHANGE.
Caroline's neat script had filled out the form on Hayley's behalf. She was half-convinced Caroline enjoyed the process. There was something giddy in the flicks of her pen as she signed her own forms.
Finishing first, Caroline peered over at Hayley, who was still chewing on her straw and staring at her forms carefully.
"Cold feet?" Caroline asked.
"No." Hayley set her empty smoothie cup on the table and took the papers in both hands. "I'm sure. It's just … so final."
"We can always undo it later. It isn't hard, what with the compulsion and all."
"I know, I know. Still weird, though."
Silence hung between them. Hayley glanced up at Caroline to find a steady gaze staring back at her, unwavering. She didn't speak—a great feat for Caroline Forbes-Salvatore.
Or Caroline Forbes, rather.
Hayley picked up the pen as if it were a loaded weapon. She signed her name on each page where indicated, until at last she was done. No longer Hayley Marshall-Kenner. De-hyphenated.
It didn't feel freeing. It didn't feel like much of anything.
"You all right?" Caroline asked.
Hayley nodded. "You?"
"I'll probably put on my wedding dress and cry tonight, but I'm fine now and I'm sure I'll be fine tomorrow." The tremble in her smile betrayed her assertion of her fine-ness. "If you want to join, you're welcome to."
"Unfortunately I didn't have the foresight to bring my wedding dress to Mystic Falls. And I have plans with Hope tonight."
"Well, then." Caroline picked up her coffee mug and tilted it forward to offer a toast. "Here's to you, Miss Marshall."
Hayley clinked her empty smoothie cup with the mug. "And you, Miss Forbes."
#
15th March 2024
Klaus,
H & I doing well. Caroline & I de-hyphenated our names together, back to being single/not widows. For fun, we said, but I think it was more. Felt like a weight off my chest, and I think she was the same.
Missing you here,
Hayley
#
14th April 2024
Hayley resisted the urge to splash her face with water. It was a public restroom and she doubted it was clean. Not that the restaurant wasn't nice, but enhanced senses made any public place a little less nice than it would've been otherwise.
Confronting her own reflection, Hayley bunched her hair up in her hands to try to curl the ends the way she wanted. Freya had offered a spell to make the hair sit in place, and Hayley had very intelligently assured her she didn't care.
She did.
Checking her teeth for lipstick, Hayley pulled her roll-on deodorant from her purse and reapplied. She felt hot under the skin, like a thousand eyes were warming her. There was no one in the bathroom with her, but even there she felt observed. Was she doing this right? Dating was entirely foreign to her, and even after hours of consulting Keelin and Josh she still felt woefully under-prepared.
"Fuck," she hissed, giving up with her hair and tying it up instead. Holding her breath in as though it would bolster her courage, Hayley bit the bullet and left the bathroom.
It was an Italian restaurant just outside the Quarter. Hayley was almost certain Klaus had brought takeaway home from there once before declaring it an affront to his tastebuds and never returning. She hadn't minded it, though it was harder to enjoy food with nerves twisting around her intestines like twine.
Declan looked awkward, back at the table alone. He was adjusting and readjusting his shirt sleeves. His glass of water was drained, though he still looked thirsty.
But when he caught sight of her, the anxiety melted away, replaced by that easy smile, the kind that infected her lips as well.
"Ready to order?" he asked.
Hayley nodded, sliding back into her chair. "Yeah, I am."
#
14th April 2024
Klaus,
Went on a date. He's nice, but you'd hate him. Probably hate him because he's nice. Thinking of introducing him to Hope properly, and it's weird to not have you arguing with me. Guess that makes it my fault if it goes badly.
Hayley
#
20th April, 2024
Hayley flipped her collar up against the harsh, frigid wind that whipped at her skin and stung at her eyes. Winter was ebbing into spring, but the night still brought a chill with it.
The compound was oddly quiet when Hayley returned home. She dropped her keys on the table by the front door, toeing her boots off and leaving them on the pile nearby too.
Freya and Keelin's heartbeats were on opposite sides of the compound—Freya in one of the libraries working on a spell, and Keelin in the living room watching TV. Hayley headed upstairs, her socks slipping on the smooth, varnished wood as she headed for the living room.
"Hey," she greeted.
Keelin sat up a little on the sofa, resting her head on an upturned palm. "Out at the bayou?"
"Yeah. You been here all day?"
Keelin glanced in the direction of the hallway. "Mostly."
"Everything okay?"
"Freya and I are just having a disagreement."
"Oh." Hayley had little experience with that kind of thing—all her issues were the life-or-death variety, even in her relationship with Jackson. She didn't know much about the day-to-day negotiations. "Wanna talk about it?"
"I'd rather not put you in that position."
Hayley wanted to push the matter—insist that she could remain impartial, that she could help. Considering Keelin's tense body language, she decided against it.
"Okay," Hayley said, squeezing Keelin's shoulder. "But let me know if there's anything I can do to help."
"I will," Keelin promised.
Hayley doubted that. Maybe Freya would have answers.
#
20th April, 2024
Klaus,
Keelin is thinking abt going overseas for work. Freya's upset, but I think she understands. Not sure what's going on there, but I think they'll be okay. If they aren't, love probably isn't real.
Hayley
#
13th May, 2024
Hayley grunted, arms tangled in the quilt cover she was wrangling with. The comforter wouldn't fit inside, bunching down the bottom and refusing to budge.
She was an all-powerful vampire-werewolf hybrid. She should be able to make a fucking bed.
"Need a hand?"
Hayley pulled her upper body out of the cover to look at Declan. "I'm sure I can manage it."
His eyes creased at the corners as he surveyed the bare mattress and clean sheets still tangled up in a basket on the floor. "Well, you're doing so well so far."
"Thank you," Hayley bit back. "It's just such a nightmare."
"Does it have ties in the corners?" Declan asked, stepping forward to pick up the cover. He searched through the fabric with his hands. "No, but I can make do with some safety pins if you have them."
"Freya does up in her—" spellroom, Hayley almost said. "Study. I'll go get them."
She had just started for the door when Declan grabbed her arm gently, stopping her. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Hayley tried to sound confident, but broke quickly. "Just nervous. I miss her, but every time she comes home I worry she'll be distant again."
"You said she's been doing better," Declan reminded her. Ever since that fateful night where Hope collapsed trying to astral project to Klaus, Declan had been very concerned about her overall health. He didn't get any of the true explanations for events, so perhaps a part of his mind recognised he was being misled and redirected his attention to Hayley and Hope's relationship constantly.
"She has been. I still worry."
"I suppose that makes sense. Plus, she'll be a teenager this year."
Hayley groaned. "Don't remind me. I'm not ready for that."
Declan slipped his arms around her waist and dropped his forehead to hers. "You're ready for anything, love."
Tilting her head up, Hayley pressed their lips together for the briefest moment, then retreated. "I'm gonna grab those safety pins."
#
13th May, 2024
Klaus,
H coming home from school soon. She'll be a teenager this year, so we're planning a bigger party than usual.
Wish you could be here to make it more obnoxious,
Hayley
#
30th April, 2024
"Absolutely not."
"If you'd just consider—"
"No, Kol." Hayley glared at his image on her phone screen. "No animals in the compound."
"A girl only turns thirteen once. There should be at least a tiger there."
"At least? Not at all. We're having an intimate family celebration, not hosting a circus."
Kol sighed. "You're really not going to like my next suggestion."
"I could've told you that."
"Would you be more convinced if I told you I've already paid them for the job?"
"You're a vampire, Kol. You have unlimited funds, so don't try to guilt trip me with that shit. They've been paid for nothing."
"You don't even know what they do!"
"But I know what you do." Hayley jumped up from the sofa and headed for the library, where Freya was poring over some tomes with a pen wedged between her teeth. "He's your brother," Hayley announced, shoving the phone in her direction. "You deal with him."
Freya took the phone and beamed at the screen. "What are you doing to Hayley?"
"Trying to plan her daughter the perfect birthday celebration."
"Kol, we agreed you aren't allowed to plan anymore parties. Not after the frogs at the wedding."
"They were fun!"
"Davina asked you to order doves to be released. That was the one part of the wedding you were actually responsible for it, and you went for frogs instead."
"Perhaps not my finest hosting hour—"
"Don't make me recount others. Leave Hayley alone."
"Fine. But it'll cost you."
"You can just hang up on him," Hayley advised.
Freya chuckled. "Oh, I often do," she said, and did just that.
#
30th April, 2024
Klaus,
Kol got involved in the party planning. He can't come, but he's trying to make it as ridiculous as possible anyway. Pretty sure I'll have to turn away a petting zoo and some circus performers on the big day. I'm travelling to MF to be with H on her actual birthday, then bringing her back here for the big event. We'll see if the house is still standing.
Hayley
#
5th May, 2024
Hayley shoved her hand in the trash bag and crushed its contents down, making room for more plastic cups and paper plates to go on top. The living area was mostly clean (they hadn't exactly had tons of people over for the party, anyway), the food all packed away in the fridge to be tomorrow's leftovers.
"A rousing success by any measure," Declan praised from the doorway. He was still wearing his apron, sweat dotting his brow from working in the kitchen most of the night.
"It was nice," Hayley agreed. "I'm sorry you didn't get to spend more time as a part of the celebrations."
Declan opened his arms slightly, waiting for her to tuck herself into them. When she did, he pulled her tight until all the tension drained out of her frame. "No need for apologies. I'm never unhappy in a kitchen."
"But I might prefer for you to be never unhappy with my family instead." Hayley tilted her head up to look at him, her nose brushing against his chin. "Maybe I should hire a different caterer from now on. Have you here as a guest."
"Blasphemy," Declan countered in mock outrage.
Hayley laughed into his mouth before she kissed it. He tasted like the night's meal and the glass of bourbon Marcel had offered him on his break. Though he hated it, Declan had accepted the offer gratefully. Hayley knew he didn't have a full understanding of what Marcel meant to the Hayley (it was hard to spin the whole adoptive step-son story when he and Hayley looked the same age), but he had to have sensed that he was more than just Hope's big brother.
Pulling back, Hayley blinked heavily at Declan and tried to get her tired thoughts in order. "You should go to bed. I just have to finish cleaning up in here and get Hope to sleep, then I'll join you."
"Allow me to halve your task." Declan ducked around her and snatched the trash bag up. "You go see to the kid—I'll manage this."
Heart warm with appreciation, Hayley kissed her fingers and pressed them to Declan's hand before she left.
Hope was up in Klaus' old art room, curled up on the ancient, dusty sofa. Her breathing gave away her slumber before Hayley entered, too even and heavy to be wakeful. Her new sketchbook was clutched against her chest, rising with each inhale, falling with the exhale. She was still in her party dress, a cute green number Rebekah had sent over, but her shoes were kicked off under the coffee table.
And spread out on the coffee table was art, dozens of loose paper covered in charcoal pieces. Hayley recognised the hectic, angry strokes.
Klaus.
Not having the heart to wake her, Hayley carefully pried the sketchbook from Hope's grip and set it on the table with Klaus' work. She sourced a blanket from the chest by the wall and draped it over her, then switched off the lamp by her head.
She gave Hope a finger kiss, using the same movement to sweep her hair back off her forehead. "Happy birthday, sweetie."
#
5th May, 2024
Klaus,
Hope is home. The party was a success, and Kol's influence was only slightly bothersome. She knows the gifts we say are from you aren't from you, but I think she figured that out last year. She hasn't said anything yet. I still think she's happy.
Hayley
#
8th May, 2024
"Hey, Mom." Hope plopped down in the chair across from Hayley. "Sorry I'm late. Aunt Freya said to tell you it's her fault."
"That's okay." Hayley handed Hope a menu, though she was certain her daughter knew the Rousseau's menu better than its chef. "How was your morning?"
"Good. Aunt Freya and I walked Aunt Keelin to the hospital and I painted in the park for a while on the way back. How was the bayou?"
"It was good—" Hayley broke off when she saw Poppy headed for them with the pad of paper in her hand. She didn't need it—she could remember everyone's order off by heart—but she at least needed to hand the ticket to Declan so he could prepare the food.
"What can I get you girls?" Poppy asked, pen poised.
"I'll have the chicken fried steak and a Dr. Pepper, please," said Hope.
"Uh-huh." Poppy nodded, ponytail swinging. "And you, Hayley?"
"Just my usual, but switch the drink for soda."
Poppy snorted. "Sure thing. I'll be back shortly." She gathered the menus and dashed away to seat another group.
"So the bayou was good?" Hope prompted.
"Yeah, it was great." Except the part where Lisina pulled Hayley aside to tell her that Henry was struggling at school. She said he'd pulled away from her, stopped telling her stories about his time there. "How is school going?"
"Uh." Hope hesitated a little. "It's fine."
"Do you hang out with Henry much?"
"Not really. The wolves are kind of clique-y, I guess, so I avoid them."
"So Henry hangs out with the wolves at school?"
Hope's eyes glazed over a little. "I'm not really sure. I spend most of my time studying, anyway. Trying to pick up my grades. Caroline said that if I keep improving like this they might have to invent supernatural AP classes just for me."
"That's awesome, sweetie." Hayley meant it, despite the doubt niggling at the back of her mind. Where was Henry while Hope was holed up in her room, surrounded by books?
Her opportunity to ask was dashed by Poppy's return with their drinks, and a single daisy in a vase. "Compliments of the chef," she said, smirking and setting the flower down in the middle of the table.
Any embarrassment pinking Hayley's cheeks was smothered by the sound of Hope's laugh. "Aww," she teased, bumping Hayley's foot with hers. "That's cute."
"Shut up."
#
8th May, 2024
Klaus,
I think one of Hope's friends is being bullied at school. She says he's okay, but I'm not sure she's paying attention. Should I be encouraging her to stand up for him, or will that end badly? Unsure. I also think she's planning a surprise birthday party for me, which is taking up plenty of her time.
Hayley
#
6th June, 2024
Hayley reclined back in her chair, letting the sun soak into her skin. She didn't get to do this very often—just sit and enjoy the day, no worries, no meetings, no dramas with Hope. Just peace.
It really had been the perfect day.
"Mind if I join you?" asked Keelin. She was wearing a cute, strappy sundress, the same shade of pink that Freya's cheeks had turned when she first saw her girlfriend in it.
"Of course not." Hayley patted the chair beside her.
Keelin sat down gracefully, arranging the skirt of her dress just so. She pushed her bare feet out to the edge of the jetty as though proximity to the water's edge would cool her down better. "You look pretty peaceful."
"I feel it, too."
"Yeah, it's nice to have a day off." Keelin adjusted the brim of her hat so it wouldn't fall off when she tilted her head back.
"Mmm," Hayley agreed.
They lapsed into comfortable silence, the echoing sounds of laughter emanating from the party going on behind them.
#
6th June, 2024
Klaus,
The party was sweet. We went out to the bayou for the day. Declan catered a menu she helped him pick out, and Freya and Keelin helped her decorate a picnic area with streamers. Probably the best birthday I've ever had.
Hayley
#
14th August, 2024
Klaus,
Finally got a seat on the city's tourism board. It was hard work, but I think it's paying—
"Dad?" Hope called, her footsteps echoing down the hall, each closer than the last. "Have you seen my sketchbook?"
By the time she rounded the door into her room again, Klaus had tucked the postcards away. "No, sweetheart. Are you sure you didn't leave it at school?"
"Yeah, I've had it since." Hope sighed, her forehead creasing. Her hair was damp around her temples and she smelled like Hayley's favourite body wash. "Maybe I left it in Aunt Freya's car."
"No need to worry," Klaus assured her, breezing over to her and covering her shoulders with his palms. "I'll go track it down. You see if Aunt Freya needs any help setting the table, all right?"
Hope bobbed her head, accepting the kiss her dropped on her temple. Klaus waited for her to leave before zipping back into the room and retrieving the box of letters. He hid it away in his own room, where he knew no one else would dare to venture.
Tucking a few unread postcards into his back pocket for later, Klaus headed off in search of his daughter's sketchbook. God, he hoped that was the most difficult task of the day.
#
It wasn't. It really, really wasn't.
Klaus tried to steady his anxious breathing, desperate not to disturb Hope. She wasn't quite asleep yet, but her head rested against his shoulder and her breathing was slowing by the minute.
He should tell her to brush her teeth and change into pyjamas, but he hasn't seen her this peaceful since she was no taller than his waist, sitting on a picnic table and scribbling butterflies onto printer paper. Seeing exhaustion smooth the anger and grief from her face and leave her as what she was—a little girl in need of comfort … that wasn't something Klaus was about to ruin.
Biting back his anguish over the day's events, Klaus forced himself to calm, easing his daughter gently into sleep.
let me know what you think!