A/N: Clavel It was not Gia whom Klaus met. Just keep on reading. Maybe you can guess from this chapter. td, my intention was people to not guess who Hannah really was. I tried to keep her and Hayley's relationship secret, plot twist, but it was impossible for the suspicion to throw out if I had to write down those flashbacks about the contract and that I really wanted to do. Everyone else thanks for the wonderful comments and I am so glad that for some of you, Hayley being Hannah's mom, turned out to be twist. :)
So it seems I was wrong. There is one more chapter after this one. I really have to control the length of the one had turned out to be pretty long chapter, it was longer before so I had to cut it short. I hope everyone got to read till the end. If not, do tell. I can post the chapter again in two parts.
Synopsis: Klaus and Hayley go visit Hannah in New York, followed by some life altering decisions. Someone from Elijah's past enters his life altering it forever in the sense he had never imagined. Klaus makes an important decision with regard to Hannah and Hayley.
He stilled, gaping at her, wondering if he had heard her correct, trying to concentrate when she asked him again "is that good enough for you?"
As soon as the words were out, her mind registered to them and she started trembling. For the first time ever she had acknowledged openly to someone that Hannah was her daughter, apart from of course to the father of her child- that subject and that ownership was taboo in her house even though Danni knew about her true relationship with Hannah. She looked down and realized that her hands were shaking. Gulping her breath, wondering what was going on in his head, wondering about the consequences of breaking the promise she had once made to her father, she picked up her bag but another set of long fingers were taking it away from her.
Klaus still in shock on autopilot took the bag from her firm grip and sat her down on the bed. His mind was running wild, trying to process this revelation. "Run pass that by me again."
She looked up and stared directly into his eyes and he noticed how vain they looked. For the first time since she had come back he saw the same shadows of sadness that he had witnessed many times during their marriage. In the past he had attributed them to be the result of being forced into this marriage but now he wondered.
"You left her." The words escaped his lips, a sharp pain hit him. Abandoned. Just like him. At the same moment the desire to lash out at for hiding such a life altering secret was so strong and straining to come out of its confinement that he had to physically take couple of steps back to control his temper.
Hayley lost all her coloring at those cruel words and of it's own accord her hand landed on his stubbled cheek with a loud smack. She gritted "I have a flight to catch."
He too gritted, the anger boiling within him "you shouldnt be traveling in this condition."
"I am not staying here." She responded determinedly.
"Let me rephrase it. You are not going especially in this condition."
"Nothing is wrong with me Klaus." She shouted back this time, frustration and worry making her edgy.
"Lower you voice. Hope will wake up. And you are not fine. You are shivering and you are cold and you are spotting." Despite the anger and the pain of deception launched in the cavity of his chest, he grabbed the throw and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"I have a flight to catch at eight tonight." She said again as if she had not even listen to him.
He studied her stillness, the expression and wondered if she was in shock.
Feeling frustrated, angry, desperately trying to get hold of this situation, he took his cell out of his pant's pocket and dialed a number as he walked out of the room.
Hayley just remained seated at the edge of the bed staring at her empty hands.
'What had she done? Her father, he will destroy her. That was the deal between them. She was never to embarrass him.'
She abruptly stood up and told herself that she was not that girl anymore. There was nothing he could do to harm her. Her relationship with Klaus was at a different place this time. He cared about her. He wouldn't be petty about this.
Hannah is her daughter. She told herself fiercely and sobbed for not being able to stand for her rights before. She had reached the door when he came back "lets go."
"Are you coming?" Was that the hope in her tone? she thought in self-disgust.
"I am not letting you face your father alone. No doubt he will be there." He gritted. She could see he was angry so she just bit her lips and protested "Hope needs you. Mia is nice but she is new. I want you to stay with her."
"Joseph is here and I have asked Rebekah to come over."
"Oh. What did you tell her?" She asked, panicking that he had revealed her secret.
"If you mean I told her your secret then no. I didnt." She waited for him to ask her, to accuse her of not telling him about her secret but to her dismay or relief, she didnt know what, he didnt.
The drive to the airport was so quiet that she was started to get nervous. He was brooding, she knew that but she was too worried about Hannah not to mention the risk of exposing their unborn child to the disease. She turned towards him and asked "has Rebekah reached home?" 'How naturally the word home had starting slipping from her lips this time around when once, two years back to be exact, she hesitated calling Haven as her home.'
"Yes" He responded without looking towards her. "She just texted me."
"Thanks." That was all she could say after hiding something this huge from him and him taking everything in stride.
For Klaus it was getting harder and harder to remain quiet. The image of Hannah's breakdown when he had first met her when she was talking about Eden was haunting his mind. He turned towards her and said "she does not know." A simple statement with accusation in his tone.
"No." Hayley whispered. "My father… he didnt want me to tell her. That was the condition."
"Of?"
"To …. to let me back in the house."
Shocked at yet another revelation, he wanted to shout at her but he just looked at her. And suddenly she said "I am not a whore, you know."
"I have never called you by that. You yourself label yourself with that."
When she kept quiet he couldnt take the silence, the suspense, more secrets anymore and bursted "so… tell me."
Hayley started talking still gazing out of the window in the dark "My father never approved of me. He wanted a son and unfortunately for him I was not. My mother had died after giving birth to me so it was only him in my life. I tried to be a son to get his approval which backfired. I became a tomboy. I rebelled at everything to get his attention. Jackson…" missing Klaus startled look and clenched jaw she contained "He was a family friend since we were kids. He was a few years older than me but he was always nice to me. His whole family was very nice to me. I always wondered how could my father be friends with Mr. Kenner. I was rebelling against my father and he was upset with his. His father had just made a business deal with a friend and he was the sacrifice" She passed for a moment and then continued to clarify even though she had her face turned away from Klaus and couldnt see the confusion on his face "the amalgamation of two companies through marriages of their kids. Long story short, we both were unhappy with our fathers so we found solace in each other arms and one thing led to another and.… Ironically that was not the end of my rebellion. I wanted to show him that I can do anything so I told him" She gave a harsh laugh "I told him and he blew his fuse. That was the day I finally came to realize that I will never able to get his approval. I will never be the son he wanted."
"What did he do?" When she stopped talking, Klaus asked, fear gripped his heart. Something telling him that worst was still to come. Could Emerson be the kind of man who hurt his kid physically? He wondered.
Hayley smiled sadly but without looking towards him continued bitterly "he kicked me out of the house. It was late in the night and he just kicked me out without even giving into considering where I would go so late at night." She paused and glanced at him and Klaus felt as if someone had stamped on his heart and crushed it into millions of pieces. Guilt and regrets. There were no amount of words that could earn him forgiveness from her. She again looked away and continued "Finally my wish came true but I had nothing to live on. It was late night so I just got a room in a motel. I had planned to skip town the next morning but he was a step ahead of me. He cancelled all my credit cards the very next day before I could use them. Luckily Danni unknown to my father, had given me some money when he had kicked me out. I skipped town. Despite what happened, I was happy to be finally out of my father's life after accepting my real position in his life. I got a job in a grocery store as a checker. Life was good. I was enjoying it for the first time despite me often not having proper food to eat. Jackson was my first time. It didnt even occur to me so I missed the signs. I was already three months pregnant when I discovered about my pregnancy. I couldnt go to Jackson. During this time, his engagement had been finalized. Whatever circumstances of his marriage, I couldnt ruin his future. After Hannah was born three weeks before her due date, I had to stop working for a while. I tried to work it out but couldnt so when she was only four months I went back to my father, for my four month old baby. He took me in with the condition that I will never tell anyone that I had embarrassed him like that and if I ever retaliate he will throw me out with Hannah. Hannah will grow up to be his child. He threatened me that if ever embarrassed him by telling anyone about Hannah's true parentage he will ruin Jackson. Jackson was a friend, a really good friend. He was married by then. I didnt want to ruin his life so I signed a document for him."
Finally she looked towards him. Klaus ignored he strong urge to wrap his arm around her to comfort her, control the urge to fly to her father's home strangle him.
"No one knows that she is your daughter."
"Danni knows. She raised me from the day I was born. …"
"But that was not the end?" Klaus stated.
"No." Hayley gave a humorless laugh "My father still wanted to have a son to carry on his name. It didnt mater to him a son was his directly or in his line. When he told me about this marriage deal with you, finally I had something that he needed and he had something I needed." She lifted her chin slightly in defiance.
"Dont forget your five million dollars." He said bitterly.
Hayley bit her lips and looked away, once again blindly staring out of the window and it dawned on him.
He pursed his lips and said curtly "there were never any money."
"No" she looked back at him again and said defiantly. "I had to give you something to hold onto to not dwell into the real reasons for marrying you. So you see I married to get my daughter back just like you married me for your father. You and I.. we are not that dissimilar. I am not the whore you think I am. Apart from jackson, I have never been with anyone."
"I never called you by that name. You yourself call yourself by that." He paused for a moment seeing her wandering eyes and then it hit him "let me guess. This endearment" his mouth twisted in disgust "you use for yourself was given to you by your father."
She felt exhausted after all this revelation and closed her eyes.
Klaus just looked at her tired face and recalled all those times when he had called her a gold-digger and she had not bothered to correct him. He suddenly was furious with her more than he was when she had told him about Hannah. She had bend backwards to make him think that she was nothing but a gold-digger. A tiny voice protested "and you were more than willing to see her that way. If you were not you would have seen that she was not. In almost a year she lived with you, there was no proof that she loved money. She didnt ask you for those credit cards or those fancy dresses. During their marriage in fact she lived on frugal expenses. She even return her ring."
He squeezed his eyes shut in self- disgust. There was signs yet he had ignored them. He had ignored them because she made him do that. He told himself, turned away from her angrily. 'Why was she so desperate to make him think that bad about him?' He wondered furiously. Hayley kept her eyes closed and after sometime she felt like drifting but his voice brought him back.
"Why didnt you tell me?" He couldnt help but ask even though he had an idea but maybe asking will soothe his own guilt for thinking so wrong of her.
"Give me a break Klaus. We didnt have that kind of relationship." She gave him an anguish look finally opening her eyes.
"Dont say that. You could have.. damn it Eden… you let me believe…" he was so angry that he couldnt even convey what he wanted to say without feeing guilty.
Hayley startled awake when she felt a gentle nudge. She opened her eyes, feeling extremely tired but as soon as she became fully awake, she remembered everything. Hannah! She had told Klaus everything. She panicked. . She picked up her purse and got out of the car. Looking around she realized that they were at the airport.
At the check out counter, he said "wait for me here. I have to get my ticket."
"Klaus, you don't have to go with me." Hayley said half-heartedly, hoping that he will not listen to her.
When he didn't answer and walked away, she just bit her lips.
After purchasing his ticket, transferring Hayley's to first class, he checked her overnight bag and returned to her. He stopped in his tract when he saw her biting lips, her hand on her stomach, her eyes downcast. She was worried, he could see even from that distance. At that moment he desperately wished that he had given her a reason to trust her but he had not. His heart contracted for her despite the anger as he witnessed her swiping her hand over her eyes and he realized that she was crying. He shook his head, took a deep breath and said walked to her "lets go."
She looked at his face and said "Klaus I…"
"Hayley I dont want to talk right now. We have to go" he said and started walking towards the security check leaving her behind to follow.
Hayley didnt know how she passed next couple of hours but by the time they landed in New York she was bone tired and worried to no extent. When he ushered her to the waiting car, she realized that she had walked through the whole process of exiting the plane, walked through the airport to reach their car on autopilot.
He looked calm and in control of situation but she knew this clam was just like storm waiting to lash out "Where is she admitted?"
"Central Medic" she mumbled.
Klaus bit his lips as he recalled the worst call of his night so clearly as if happened yesterday not two years ago.
"Alright then. It is late right now. We will go to the hotel and rest there. In the morning we will go visit her but you listen to me first." His tone suddenly became uncompromising. Ignoring her raised inquisitive eyebrows, tension etched on her tired face, he continued "You listen to the doctor about the precaution you have to take to see Hannah. If you…"
"If I what?" she challenged him. The tension in her wanting to snap at everything. The deja vu of her rebellion tactics with her father shook her and she shrank within. She couldnt go there. She couldnt make mistakes again. She told herself.
"If you step one toe out of line, You are going back." He gritted in the same uncompromising tone.
"Like Hell I am " she snapped.
"Try me." He said in a voice that she would gladly trade any day with him shouting.
She turned away from him to stare out of the window to stare at the dark sky with gritty eyes from the lack of proper sleep while Klaus instructed the driver to take him to Azure.
She was so tired and dazed not to mentioned depressed that she was unable to see Hannah right now that by the time they reached the penthouse of the hotel she just wanted to sleep. She walked through the elegant room towards the bathroom totally oblivious to the plush surroundings of the penthouse but then stopped and said to him "Can you… can you call Rebekah and ask her about Hope. I think I will go take s shower" He just stared at her as she went looking in search of the restrooms, at her concern, his heart went out of her despite the anger and resentment building in him but he nodded and taking out his cell.
He rubbed his brows after get confirmation from Rebekah that Hope was still sleeping. Thinking about Hayley despite his anger at her, concerned that she might have gotten sick inside the bathroom, he reached the bathroom door but at that exact moment it opened and she came out wearing a white plush robe. One look on her face and he knew, for some reason he knew and his heart squeezed in the cavity of his chest.
"What is it?"
When she averted her gaze, he cursed and said "that is why I didnt want you to come."
Seeing defiance on her face he grabbed her arm tightly and hissed "are you trying to lose this baby?" Hayley blanched at his question and wanted to lash out.
He wiped his face and then said "you should rest and I…" 'I need to figure out what to do to get out of this mess' He told himself silently.
To his relief she nodded and strolled towards the bed.
Facing towards the wall she continued to stare it for a long time before finally drifting to sleeping, knowing well that he had not come to bed, for the first time in the last two week ever since they had gotten back together.
Fighting the impulse to go to her and comfort her, he just stood at the threshold of the room. She could suffer for a while, he thought angrily despite a voice guilt tripping him of her condition. Unable to go and lie down next to her even though he was beat himself, he walked out of the room to the attached sitting area. After pacing for a while thinking about their marriage, her intention of revealing her identity to her father if they are having a boy everything was making sense now. Now that he knew the reason behind it, he knew that he had to do something about it. He couldnt let Hannah and her suffer any more. Both of them didnt deserve this. Hannah didnt deserve to be abandoned. He was still furious with her for letting him believe the worst about her but he was not going to make her suffer anymore. Just thinking about what she was already going through when she had that accident and their unfortunate incidence two years ago brought on anguish, so hard that he felt like snatching his own hair. He squeezed his eyes shut as it hit hm so hard the enormity of the wrong done to her by her father and by him. She was not innocent in all of this. If only she had shared with him. How could she? Your relationship really didnt allow her to do so. Anyway right now you have to right the wrong. He told himself. After some debate with himself he picked up his cell and dialed Ben's number not even giving a second thought to the time or the possibility that he might be unavailable. He paid Ben well and he expected great service at all times. Ignoring his sleepy voice, not even bothering to apologize fro calling at such a late time he told him everything. When he was done Ben said "she is her mother so she has all the right in the world. We can fight that case and easily win the custody."
Klaus said "Great I will let you know in the morning."
Saying that he put the phone down and then after checking his emails he too went to the bed. Sleep was starting to take control so he walked to the bed, shed his clothes and laid down next to her. Making sure that he does not disturb her, he pulled the comforter to cover her. He wanted to wrap his arm around her, bring her close to him, engulf her in the warmth of his body like he had been doing for the past two weeks but he was angry, he was annoyed and feeling cut off so he turned away form her and closed his eyes.
At sometime during his sleep he felt strange and before even opening his eyes he knew her arms were around him. He stared down at her hand resting on his stomach, controlled the urge to free himself of her grip and closed his eyes again. Next when his eyes opened the hand around him was gone. He looked around sleepily because she rarely got up before him. His eyes immediately spotted her, all dressed up and pacing the room. After studying the tension oozing out of her body he asked "how are you feeling?"
Their gaze met and she nodded, a nod of reassurance but it didnt serve its purpose, his heart was in the perpetual state of panic.
"I am going to see Hannah." She said as she started towards the door.
"No." He said sharply and brushed his hair out of his forehead.
Hayley spun towards him angrily "you cannot stop me from going to see my daughter. You dont have any right on Hannah."
Klaus stared at her angrily and then jumped out of the bed and gritted "I am going to change. You order something for breakfast! The menu is on the table."
Hayley stood there fuming at herself, at him, at herself for losing her temper at him. Dejectedly she walked to the phone and order some sandwiches for both of them.
Ten minutes later, Klaus was out dressed in jeans and shirt which she wondered where he had gotten from but then she shook her head telling herself that it was unimportant.
"Kara called." She told him curtly.
"what did she say?"
"I didnt ask." She said angrily
Klaus bit his tongue before he could say anything while Hayley walked towards the front door to get the room service.
Klaus dialed Kara's number. As soon as the call connected he said "Kara, how are you feeling?"
A hiss made him turn and seeing Hayley leaving the room brought on a sigh. He said "I had to come to New York for some personal reason. I will be back as soon as I can. I had a scheduled meeting with Utopia protect team later today. Handle that and fax me the documents I need to take care of to my suite fax in New York and oh… get ….Stefan and tell him to go ahead with the deal. Call Elijah and tell him we had to come to New York so I wouldnt be able to go to the board of directors meeting for Cyclone."
She replied "yes Mr. Mikaelson. Is everything alright?"
"yes." He said and looked up when he heard the front door close. He at once hurried towards it and yanked it open just to see Hayley standing outside the elevator waiting for it, tapping her foot impatiently on the ground.
He gritted "I will call you back, Kara" and cut off before listening to the other side.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the open door of elevator and gritted "come eat your breakfast."
"Let go of me." She tried to push him away.
He spun her towards him angrily and then cursed as he recalled her condition "do you want to see Hannah?"
When she glared at him understanding his unvoiced threat, he presented her the glass of orange juice and hissed "eat that bread and egg too. And keep your temper down. You shouldn't be overwhelming yourself. Dont forget that you are carrying our child."
"I am not forgetting it." She muttered. "I just want to go see Hannah."
He sighed and said "I am going to check on Hope and then we will leave."
Finally around nine when they reached the desired floor after getting the information from the front desk. Hayley immediately spotted Danni sitting in the waiting room.
Klaus said "I will ask around for her doctor."
"Okay" she replied. She walked to her and said "Danni."
Danni, lost in thoughts looking worried, looked up and at once stood up, her face lit with happiness. "Princess, you came."
She took Hayley in her big bulky arms and let her absorb that maternal warmth which Hayley was used to from her childhood. It has been one and half year since last time she had seen Danni when she had gone to try to get nanny position for Hannah before coming to Mystic Falls.
"How is she?' Hayley whispered still hugging her.
"Sleeping. She has fever which they are trying to keep down with medicines. I have been waiting for you. I have to go home now."
"Where is daddy?" Hayley asked.
"He is in California on business." Danni said, looking all of a sudden angry.
"Has he come to see her?"
No." She replied.
"Okay. Thanks for being here for her. I am here now so you dont have to come unless you want you. And please keep me informed of daddy's whereabouts." She kissed her aging cheek and stepped back.
Half an hour later, Klaus being Klaus had located the on call doctor and explained to him his relationship with Hannah. Now Hayley was sitting in his room talking about her pregnancy and the complication. She was getting furious by the minutes as the doctor told her about the precautions and took her history about the vaccinations. She wanted to go see Hannah. She was getting closer to murdering her husband and the doctor who were delaying her from seeing her daughter. But they wanted to make sure that even though the baby was quiet safe from the disease itself but she was not so much. When they were done with her, the doctor told Hayley about the complications and the treatment procedure and she felt her heart fell, her fingers tightened around the armrest. She didnt have to look at Klaus to know how worried he was.
While she was donning on the robes and mask as instructed by the doctor, the nurse said ""she woke up a while ago."
"How is she feeling?" Hayley asked with her eyes on Hannah.
"She has pains of course. The doctor has taken off the IV. She talked so that is a good sign. We just have to monitor her. You can go in but you Mrs. Mikaelson have to take care not to be in too much contact."
Hayley cursed under her breath but seeing Klaus steely warning, she nodded.
When they both entered the room Hannah turned her face towards them. Recognition shot through her eyes.
Hayley controlled the urge to launch herself at her daughter. She had grown up so much. Her heart swelled with pride at how beautiful she was. At the same time missing two years of her life, everything, hit her heart and she felt a heavy feeling in her throat. With Klaus carefully and cautiously she walked to Hannah's bed.
The little girl smiled despite the apparent confusion on her face at seeing a person dressed in gown and mask. "Mr. Mikaelson!"
"Hannah. How are you feeling?"
"I am tired and my head hurts."
"Where?" Hayley asked at once. She impulsively grabbed Hannah slender hand cursing the doctor for putting this barrier of gloves between them to hinder the skin contact.
Hannah looked at her suspiciously and then her gaze went to their linked hands. She tried to free them which she managed to do so and her eyes darted to Klaus who said "Hannah, this is my wife Hayley."
"You married again?" The girl's voice to Hayley's dismay was full of hurt.
"Yes, Hannah." Klaus replied gently.
"Why? Dont you love my sister anymore?" Hannah asked in a soft voice, her face reflecting anxiety, without looking towards Hayley who flinched.
Klaus gave her a grim smile and then seeing Hayley's expression he asked "of course I still love your sister. Tell me where are you hurting?"
Hayley's heart skipped a beat the smile Hannah gave Klaus at that reassurance. Feeling grateful for saying an outrageous lie for Hannah's sake, her eyes brimmed with unshed tears.
"over here" Hannah touched the back of her neck.
This time it was Hayley who replied feeling very anxious and left out. "Dont worry baby. The doctors will give you medicines."
Hearing the same endearment she used for Hope brought on a lump in his throat. He cleared his throat and said "I will be back but until then why dont you talk to Hayley, Hannah."
To Hayley's surprise he leaned forward and whispered something in Hannah's ear that made the little girl smile widen.
As he leaned back from the bed, the expression on his face made Hayley fell in love all over again with the man who was her husband, still was.
Their eyes met for a moment before he said "you should sit down." Saying that he brought the chair near the bed and then left the room.
Hayley just stared at Hannah, her fingers itching to touch her but she didn't want to scare her so she just sat in her chair looking at Hannah anxiously. Now that she was here, her anxiety had steamed down but not completely gone.
While Klaus was pacing the corridor giving Hayley and Hannah time to catch up or break the ice, Hayley said to Hannah after clearing her throat. Why was she nervous? Damn it! "so apart from your neck where are you hurting?"
"No." After a short pause she asked "Did you know my sister?"
"I… I didnt but Klaus told me about her. She sounds fun."
"She has died" Hannah said softly.
"Oh I am sorry. Yes I know. I shouldnt have said sounds." After slight pause she asked hesitantly "do you remember her?"
"A little bit." Hannah said sounding tired all of a sudden. "I have a picture of her and Mr. Mikealson says that as long as I remember her she is alive to me."
Hayley's heart broke listening to this despite going out for Klaus for saying such a wonderful thing to Hannah. None of her kids knew her. She stifled the sob and said "I am glad that you have that picture of her. But you should rest now."
Hannah said weakly "okay" and then opened her eyes again and asked "is my daddy here?"
Hayley gulped and said "no sweetie… He had to go on a business so he couldnt come see you."
When Hannah didnt say anything she asked, was she probing "are you disappointed?"
"No" she said as she closed her eyes.
When Klaus peeked into the room, he took a sigh of relief when he noticed her eyes closed and apparently sleeping. He walked to the closet near the bed and took out a blanket and put it on her and went out again. He had a business to run. For the next couple of hours he was on call with a few of his clients online after locating a room with wifi available. After his last call he collected a cup of coffee from the vending machine, winced at the taste, threw it in the bin and headed back to Hannah' room to check on Hayley. He closed the door softly behind him and walked into the room. Seeing her standing standing near the window staring out, lost in thoughts with a deep forlorn expressions broke his heart. Tempering down his own resentment towards her, shooting a casual glance towards still sleeping Hannah, he strolled across the room to her.
"How is she?"
She turned towards him and said, looking very tired and worried "Her temperature is down. But Klaus…"
"Don't overwork yourself. Everything will be alright." He said to her, after pausing for a fraction of second he asked. "Are you okay?"
"Am I spotting?" She clarified.
"Yes." He said. Feeling strange to be discussing such an intimate issue, never ever happened during last pregnancy of hers.
"Yes" her voice sounded defeated.
He sighed and said "Hayley you cannot stay here. The doctor advised you bedrest. You have to go back."
"I cannot Klaus." She looked at him helplessly looking at sleeping Hannah.
He just stared at her and then said "what if…. What if…" he said carefully "I am able to take Hannah with us back to Mystic Falls."
Although hearing that he was willing to accept Hannah gave her such a hope that she just wanted to hug him, she shook her head "No. Klaus. How can we do that? If my father finds out that I told you he will… "
"Hayley, Jackson is gone. You are her biological mother. You have all the right." He said earnestly. Right now he has to be there for her, to give her all the support she needs.
"That is not the issue. If I ask for custody, I will have to reveal my identity which I am willing to do but then my father will make sure to tell Hannah everything which will rise question for which I am not ready."
"What are you not ready for exactly?" He suddenly asked angrily, holding her arm as she swayed, he led her to the chair, cursing under his breath which she didnt get.
She said in anguish as she sat down "I am not ready to tell her about our relationship and the circumstances of her birth, of her father, why wasn't he part of our lives, why I left her at my father's mercy and not stand for her." Every ounce of strength she has mustered up during the past two years to get to his point suddenly seemed to have drained from her. This was what her father always did to her. The fear of losing her unborn child as well as fear of complication about Hannah was so intense that suddenly she couldn't hold in and started to cry.
Klaus taken aback by her crying, impulsively pulled her in a hug, ran his hand on her back and murmured "shh. Everything will be alright."
But when she shook her head, her face buried in his chest he said "I didnt know you were so weak."
She looked up from teary lashes, pushed him away from her and said "damn you Klaus." Realizing her voice had risen she stepped away from Hannah's bed to not disturb her.
"What do you want me to say Hayley? You are being unreasonable!" He said frustratingly.
When she remained quiet he asked savagely "So you expect us to continue this arrangement and take custody of her under guise of her sister when you give your father that promised heir?" His tone laced with derision, he continued when she nodded "How will you explain coming back from death?" ending with taunt.
She snapped "well I have a few months to come up with an explanation. You dont have to worry about that."
He cursed at her stubbornness and asked softly "what if it is not a boy again?"
"Don't say that!" She said harshly. "Don't you dare say that!"
"Don't do this to yourself then!" He resorted in a similar tone. He was furious that she was making things difficult for herself. There was simple solution to all this. Emerson didn't have any right on Hannah. He fisted his hand in fury when she said "I think we will have a boy" her tone hopeful. He stepped closer to her and said keeping his tone reasonable "when you were expecting Hope even then you didn't consider the possibility that we could be having a girl and I remember your breakdown… disappointment when she was born. I am not going to let you do that now."
"What do you want me to do then?" She asked in anguish mingled with anger.
"I want you to consider the possibility that we might be having another daughter" A strong display of emotion on his face made her heart ache.
She asked "so what do you propose?"
"What I am proposing is that you tell you father…"
"He will never give me Hannah until I give him a male heir. He will destroy Hannah. I know my father Klaus. I cannot do this to Hannah. Not to mention there is Jackson's family too. I dont expect from my father not to drag them out with this scandal. I dont want to make this situation anymore complicated then it already is."
Klaus sighed in frustration but he couldnt say anything when she said "she is mine and it is my decision to make."
He pursed his lips and Hayley knew that she had hurt him now but she was not taking any chances. She will not complicate Hannah's innocent childhood more than it already was.
He felt cold as if she had cast him aside. He said coldly "Okay then. Now either you come with me willingly right now back to the hotel to rest and we will come back again in the afternoon or you come with me later and rest in hotel and not come back in the afternoon. Choice is yours."
"Why are you being like that?" She asked desperately.
"Because I might have to go back to Mystic falls and I cannot go until I am sure that you will take care of yourself and our son.. damn it.. our child."
"I will take care of myself"
"Well you are convincing me." He replied derisively.
"You think just because I am carrying you child you can command me. No you cannot. I am not Eden anymore Klaus. I… I will not let you do this to me."
He glared at her angrily and then grabbing her am, he practically dragged her out of the room. "listen Hayley. I am up to here with you. I understand that you want to be with Hannah but you cannot do anything right now. She is asleep and you need to rest. How many times I have to tell you this. It is for your own good and if you dont want to think about yourself and for your unborn child do this."
Hearing him making valid points she finally nodded.
During the ride to the hotel, he got a call from Kara telling him in the midst of severe cough attack that Dean Scott was willing to meet him the following afternoon so she had gotten him a flight back in the evening.
"Poor Kara." He commented as he put the cell back in his jean's pocket, before turning back to Hayley who scowled but didnt comment.
He sighed but didnt say anything.
When he finally reached his room, he asked her "how are you feeling?"
"Fine" she replied curtly and went to the bathroom. Klaus felt like marching in there and shake her but he controlled the urge. She was already going through enough.
He started collecting his documents so by the time Kara called he was already packed to go.
He sighed and looked towards Hayley who had already settled down in the bed "I wish I could stay but I have to go."
"I understand.' She replied, controlling the urge to kiss that anger off of his face. He was angry, his anger was genuine so she wanted to give him time to adjust but that didnt mean that she will let him manipulate her.
He continued to stare at her for a moment and then said "promise me you will not risk yourself."
She smiled despite the situation "of course."
He paused for another moment and then said "James will take you the hospital whenever you want to go but you have to come back to the hotel for rest when visiting times are over. And you have to come back for lunch. I dont want you eating hospital food. If you are not back, I will take matters into my own hand." ending with steel in his voice.
Despite her treacherous heart melting for the care he was showing, she glared at him and turned away from him while Klaus stood glaring at her for a few seconds but then left. He had to handle some tasks in the hotel before catching his flight three hours later.
In Mystic Falls
Elijah got up to leave for home. He looked up when the door opened and Ashely walked in and said "Mr. Mikaleons there is a Ms Thomas here. I told her that you are leaving for home but she insists."
"Let her in" Elijah said.
A few seconds later, Elijah was gaping at the young woman who had been haunting his mind for the past seven years. One night with her was more than enough. "you.…"
"Oh. I thought.. I thought you wouldnt remember me…" she said awkwardly.
"Ashely that will be all."
After the door closed behind his PA, he motioned her to sit down, still not able to believe that she was here in his office. For the past seven years she had come in his thoughts often late in night. Her slender legs wrapped around him still gave me that tightening in his groin, that arousal. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably at the familiar signs of of arousal. Having lost his fiancé Tatia to his best friend Vincent, to escape the humiliation and deception forced upon him by two of his most trusted people he had ended up in New York, gotten blind drunk and had one unforgettable night with Gia Thomas. On finding her gone the very next day was a huge blow to him. He had looked high and low for her for the few days but then stopped and finally came back to Mystic Falls to take charge of his life once again. And now after seven years she was here in his office. At first glance he noticed the slight changes in her, her figure gone a bit more womanly over the past seven years yet she looked weaker, in fact for a moment he thought that she might be sick. The thought churned his stomach. She looked nervous too.
"Umm Mr. Mikaelson…"
"Elijah."
"I …. okay Elijah. I need your help."
"What is going on? Please have a seat" noticing that she still had not taken the seat.
"I … I don't know how to tell you this but there is not other way than coming out straight" She twisted her fingers and then taking a deep breath she continued "that night we had, I didnt know then but later I found out that I had gotten pregnant."
Elijah stared at her for a very long time as if she had lost her mind. "but we used protection."
"Yes we did but it failed." Gia responding, looking very nervous.
"What are you saying? I have a child."
"You have a son. His name is Henrik" Gia replied, looking straight into his eyes.
Elijah stared at her for a moment and then asked flabbergasted "how can you say that he is mine?"
"Because you the only person I had slept with during the past six months before that night."
"Pardon me if you think that I will not require proof of what you are claiming."
"Of course. If there were anyone else, they would have felt insulted at what you are insinuating but considering the circumstances of our last encounter I am going to give you benefit of doubt. You can get the DNA checked and everything but I have a condition."
"I dont think you are in the position of imposing conditions" Elijah said, the enormity of revelation, the deception if in fact she was telling the truth starting to force a reaction from him. But what exactly was he feeling? He didnt know. Was he still in shock, denial… what?
"My condition is that you will only approach Henrik and conduct the DNA if you have intention of being part of his life." Gia continued unaffected by his comment.
"Provided he is my son" Elijah interjected at once.
"He is." She replied softly. She opened her purse and took out a picture and placed it on the desk.
Elijah looked at her earnest expression but still didnt feel convinced. He then leaned forward and picked up the photograph and then stared. The seven year old boy was his mini version. When he looked up she said softly "he looks like you, doesnt he?"
Confused whether to believe her or not even though the evidence was staring at him "Why now? Why have you come now? You knew seven years back but you chose to keep him a secret from me, why?"
From her strained smile it was obvious that Gia clearly expected this question. "After locating your number I tried to contact you. Your secretary wouldn't connect me to you. When you didnt get back to me I thought you wanted to be left alone so I stopped trying. But now Henrik is older and wiser. Even though you might not be interested in him, he is. He wants to get to know you. For him I thought I should give it another try."
Elijah remained seated thinking of the most difficult time of his life seven years ago. Her story seemed unlikely because Jenna his secretary back then was very efficient and she wouldnt have screened the calls.
Unless you asked her to for some reason.
But this can be easily checked. He told himself. The company kept archives of all calls made to the him.
"You do know that this can be checked if you called or not."
"I didnt but by all means you can get it checked. I am not lying" She said calmly. "That is the reason I didnt leave my name when I came looking for you last month."
"It was you?" Elijah asked in surprise.
"yes."
Elijah sat there shocked, his jumbled mind trying to process what she had just reveled. He had a son! How was it possible? They had used protection yet he was remembering that night clearly, the morning after in fact. When he had left that hotel room he had a strange feeling that he had left something of his back there somewhere. Part of him just wanted to accept it without any question. And if what she was saying was right, she had deceived him. She deprived him of his son for seven years. How could she?! But she is saying that she tried to contact you. A voice reasoned. Elijah shook his head and tried in a calm voice.
"I want to meet him."
"You will not hurt him Elijah." It was a statement, not a question but there was a request in it too.
"No." He replied. "When are you going back?"
"I have to go back today. I have a flight back at nine tonight. A neighbor is babysitting Henrik. I have to relieve her."
Elijah pressed the intercom button "get me a seat on the flight leaving for New York at ten tonight."
"Return sir?"
"No" He replied looking at Gia. Flight home can be handled later after meeting his son.
While Elijah was on the way to airport with Gia, Klaus was on the way back from the airport. Suddenly he remembered documents he needed for Dean Scott meeting. Looking at the time he realized it was half past seven so thinking that he would rather have a look before going to the office next morning he told the driver to take the car to Kara's apartment. When Henry offered to take the file up, he said "no, I will go myself." thinking that he should ask Kara about her health. That was the least he could do after putting on so long hours.
He climbed the stairs two at a time. He was waiting after ringing the bell when someone said "oh hi. Are you waiting for Kara?"
Klaus turned to face an older kind looking woman.
"yes."
"You are her husband. You should have the keys. You can go inside."
"Oh I think there is a misunderstanding. I am not her husband."
"Young man, marriages are not broken because of one fight. Come, you have to give her another chance. She is such a sweet girl."
He just stared at her wondering about the sanity of the older woman.
"I have an extra set of key to her apartment, you know."
"No. I don't need it."
He startled when he saw Kara climbing up the stairs towards them. For a moment he wondered if he saw her flinch as she stopped climbing at once but then she resumed and her pace quickened. She reached them and said rather breathlessly "oh Mr. Mikaelson. I was not expecting you. Betsy darling have you had your medicines?"
"My medicine? Oh yes dear. I did. I like him." Whispering into her ear in the end.
Kara blushed and then gently ushering Betsy towards the door next to her own apparent she turned back towards Klaus and said "Betsy lives in her own world. I am sorry if she caused any problems."
"No" Klaus laughed "for some wired reason she thought that you and I are married."
Kara said "oh" she laughed too but Klaus could see it not reaching her eyes.
"I should be going. I came to get the document for Dean Scott but what are you doing out of bed?"
She smiled "I had to go out some thing but I have faxed you at your home office. I knew you would like to look at them tonight."
"Oh you are gem Kara." He smiled "Goodnight" before going back to his car.
When he sat back in his car, he looked up at the apartment building and laughed at Hayley's suspicion about Kara when she didnt even invite him in her apartment.
He was so tired by the time he reached home, he went to bed straight after stripping off his clothes and after debating whether to call Hayley or not then deciding against it thinking that she must be sleeping.
New York
In the meantime Elijah walked into an apartment after Gia unlocked it. She said "come in."
He had hardly taken a step inside the threshold when a little boy, well not so little but to him he was little, ran to Gia and hugged her "mommy you are back"
"Hey sweetie. You are still up."
He stepped back from her and turned to Elijah curiously but said "I didnt want to sleep before saying good night to you. Who is he?" His curiosity very apparent.
Gia held his hand and said "lets go inside."
Elijah walked behind them in trance. The boy was spitting image of him. No one could doubt his parentage. A strong surge of emotions overflowed his heart. He looked around reluctantly to notice the small but tidy apartment. A few cars and boy toys showed the presence of a child in there. Gia smiled at an older woman walking toward them "Mrs. Stan. Thank you so much."
"No problem deary. You know how much I love this boy."
Looking back at the boy who was staring at him openly, he knew that his life was going to change for ever. There was no need for DNA test. The boy was his. He knew it in his bones. His curiosity making him look vulnerable and then he heard him ask "are you my daddy?"
Before he could respond and gather the strong emotion that were bombarding his heart, he heard a soft gasp. He spun around to stare at Gia who had obviously come back after seeing her neighbour out and had heard her son's question.
Mystic Falls
Next morning when he reached office Kara was already there, looking prompt and efficient. "How are you feeling now?"
"Much better. Thank you." She smiled.
"Connect me to Ben."
Twenty minutes later he put the phone down after talking to Ben about this new complication. His repose was same as he had expected "If they wanted to keep the identity secret then there was no other way they could adopt Hannah. Her grandfather had rights over the husband of child's mother."
He got up and started pacing. An hour later, finally he came to gut-wrenching decision. He didnt want to do that but he knew that he had to. He had lusted and worked after that company for so many years. Now it was his but for Hannah's sake he was willing to make that sacrifice. He will not let her feel that she was abandoned too. She didnt deserve that man to be part of her life. But before that he had to talk to Elijah. He told Kara to connect him to Elijah. When a few minutes later he was informed by Kara that he was having a personal day off he was a bit taken aback. Since when did Elijah have personal days?
Hayley put the cell in the back pocket of her jeans feeling dejected at Klaus's detached tone. She had been in New York for the past three days and Klaus had called her every day, sometimes twice but just to inquire who she was feeling, any more spotting which to her relief had stopped, how Hannah was feeling. He didn't talk about what she expected him to which told her that he was still upset with her. But what could she do, she reasoned with herself. Her father had threatened her not to mention that her and Klaus relationship was never such that of great confidences. She took a deep breath, rubbed her stomach absently and then headed back to Hannah's room feeling ironically relieved that her father had not made an appearance to see Hannah. She didnt want to face him at all even under the guise of Hayley Mikaelson. During these past three days she had gathered that the nurses and the doctors were pretty disgusted by the father of child not coming to see his child so the risk that they might tell him about her visit to Hannah was minimum. Thanks for Danni she knew about her father's was still in California even though he was informed about Hannah's condition. The goosebumps in her arms had stood up when she thought about Hayley lonely in her bed with no visitors if she had not been able to visit her. When she entered Hannah's room she beamed at her. They had managed to break the ice between them which Hayley knew partly had to do with being Klaus, Hannah's idol's, wife. Feeling happy that her temperature was down, the neck pain getting better she walked around the bed and sat next to her.
"Look what I got for you." Handing her the electronic game player.
"OH I love it. A friend in my class has it. Thank you Hayley."
"Now dont get too excited. You need to rest." Hayley said as she watched Hannah trying to get up.
"Where is Mr. Mikaelson coming back?"
Hayley sucked in breath, she had come to realize how much Hannah idolized Klaus but why, that she was unable to understand.
"Soon. He had some important business to take care of but he asks about you a lot. Tell me about him. How do you know him?"
Hannah looked at her with a shy smile and then started telling Hayley about his visits and their talks about her sister. By the time she was done, she looked tired and Hayley feeling very emotional. He had done all this for Hannah then why not during their wedding. Could it all be because of just guilt?
She looked up when Tina, the nurse entered the room with a big smile on her face. "Time for your medicines Hannah."
While Tina attended to Hannah, Hayley composed her thoughts and emotions. Why was he making it so difficult for her to not love him?
It had been three day since he had left Hayley in New York. During this time he had tried to lose himself in work so that he didnt have to think about the complications in his personal life. The shift of focus was a welcoming distraction. Last two months events and revelations, had finally pushed him over the edge where he had realized that he was not going to resolve anything unless he was clear headed. And to do that he had to shift his focus to something else. What other best way to lose himself in work, work from very early in the morning till very late, making yourself so tired that you dont have energy to think when you lie on the bed. The only thing that he had indulged himself of during these couple of day was to call her consistently and inquire about her and Hannah's health, keeping his inquiry limited to just two topics and nothing else not indulging the feeling that she wanted to talk to about other stuff. His fear that she would disappear from his life any day was so tangible that it often woke him up during night and after debating, contemplating texting her to find out how she was doing, he had just sufficed to pacing in his room.
When he entered the reception area of Mikealson Corp, a few hours later, the security guard smiled at him. He inclined his head in acknowledgement but continued towards the elevators.
Ignoring Elijah's new secretary's "Mr. Mikaelson you cannot go in there. He is in a meeting" he turned midway to his room and headed to the conference room, nostalgia plaguing him- he had worked so hard to get to this office four years ago but it was all a waste. He was going to talk to him today.
When he opened the door with force, a few people including Elijah turned towards him.
Elijah addressed his personal assistant "that is fine Ashley" who had followed him in and said "I am sorry Mr. Mikaelson…"
Elijah walked towards Klaus after saying "excuse me gentlemen."
"I have to talk to you urgently."
"After the meeting" Elijah said pointedly after he reached him.
"I will wait in your office then." He could use this time to gather his thoughts and catch up with Hayley.
By the time Elijah joined him in his office, half an hour later he had taken his daily report from Hayley and formulated how to approach Elijah.
"What is going on?" Elijah asked as he walked behind his desk to his seat.
Klaus asked "where were you for the past three days?"
"Some personal business to take care of." Elijah replied but Klaus couldnt help wondering if Elijah was not meeting his eyes.
"Okay so here is the deal." By the time he as done telling Elijah about Hannah and Emerson and his plans, Elijah was leaning back in his chair, astonished at the revelation, his own complicated situation compounded by another one.
"So let me get his straight. You want to offer Emerson Cyclone in exchange for Hannah."
"In case he does not listen to simple logic." Klaus replied. "Since we both are partners I felt obliged to tell you this."
He stood up and started pacing and continued "Elijah that girl deserves her mother. She was abandoned by so may people. Eden and her dont deserve this."
Elijah studied his brother knowing the hurt their parent had caused him "What about the employees? How are we going to back up this decision? We just purchased the company. This will not have a good impact on the business."
"I know but this is the risk I am willing to take. I assumed you would too." Klaus said "Was I wrong in that assumption?"
Elijah just glared at him,anger at Gia, at his taunt made him want to punch him but realizing that it must be hard for Klaus to make such a decision since he knew how much he wanted the company, he said curtly "it is not me you should be concerned about."
"I am not any longer concern about father's approval Elijah. Of course you can have partnership with Emerson if he is willing to do that."
"No." Elijah at once said. "No. If you have decided to sell you shares to him then I am in too. Emerson is not the sort of person I want to do the business with."
"Okay perfect. Now tell me what is going on with you." Klaus said as he strolled to the chair feeling relaxed and happy even though he had just lost his company.
Elijah leaned back in this chari, his finger linking , chin resting on them. He took a deep breath after a few seconds and then opened the drawer and took out something from it. He threw it on the desk. Klaus walked to the desk and stared at the picture of a young boy. He picked up the picture. Was it his imagination or the boy really looked like Elijah.
When he looked up at Elijah, he knew his suspicion was right. He asked quietly "how?"
Elijah shrugged his shoulder, took a sigh and continued "eight years back after Tatia cheated on me, I was in New York where I met Gia…."
"Gia.. Thomas?" Klaus asked in confusion.
"Yes?"
"She is Hayley… Eden's friend. Her son is…was Hannah's friend." Was she visiting Mystic Falls? Was it Gia who had met her that day? He wondered.
Elijah's eye narrowed further "what a coincidence?!"
"Why didnt you know until now?"
"She thought I didnt want to know. A case of lost calls." Elijah replied sardonically.
Klaus laughed at the irony but then said "So why now?"
"My son…" he stopped as the emotion of what he had said passed on his face. For the first time ever in his life Klaus knew exactly how his very controlled brother felt since he felt the same away about Hope. "Henrik…. has stared to ask a lot of question."
Klaus contineud to study the photograph and then said "I would show my doubts but any blind man can see that the boy is yours."
"The boy's name is Henrik." Came a curt response.
Klaus looked up, gave Elijah a big grin seeing the fury on his face, probably for calling his son 'boy'
"Well I guess congratulations are in order. I assume that you met the boy?" He continued in the same tone and with the grin still plastered on his face wondering about the scowl that had suddenly appeared on Elijah's face.
When he inclined slowly, Klaus asked carefully, observing the scowl "Have you told father?"
"No." Elijah replied. Just hearing that told Klaus the stress Elijah must be in.
"brother I wish I had not put you in yet another difficult situation."
Something about his comment cleared Elijah's mind "nothing about both situations is unresolvable. Challenging but not unresolvable. Family always comes first. Always and Forever."
Klaus smiled at his brother's age old motto.
"Okay good. I should be going on. I have a few meetings to attend and then set the wheels in motion. When are we meeting Henrik and this Gia?"
"Soon" Elijah replied. Klaus inclined his head in acknowledgement realizing that Elijah does not want to discuss further.
As he reached the door Elijah asked "how is she now?"
"Hannah is getting better but it will take time."
"I am asking about Eden…Hayley."
"I dont know." Klaus replied as he turned back to leave but stopped once again when Elijah asked "Niklaus what are you doing?"
"I know what I am doing Elijah." Saying that he left.
A/N: Hmm how do you like this chapter? I am not sure how I feel about it. It has everything I wanted to convey but still something is lacking. I dont know what.
Anyways what do you think of Gia/Elijah story? Kara's neighbor, what was she talking about? And Klaus decision, will Emerson willing to do what he wants?
Last chapter last for sure lol.