Dawn came slowly to the Mikaelson household, filling the corners with soft, pink light. The house was quiet; those who were awake were still abed, refusing to leave the soft sanctuaries provided by their quilts and the lovers lying beside them.
Elijah laid awake, watching Alex sleep, pondering their discussion from the day before. She wanted to leave New Orleans and start a new life together somewhere else; somewhere they wouldn't be afraid of retribution from his brother's enemies.
His deepest worry was that there was no place in the world like that; that anywhere they went they would always be in danger because he would always be a Mikaelson.
The soft touch of Alex's hand on his cheek startled him and he glanced down at her, finding her smiling softly at him, a look of concern on her beautiful face.
"Why do you look so troubled?" she murmured.
Elijah sighed, "I don't think we can leave." He lifted a hand at the look on her face, "Let me explain" he murmured. Alex sighed and nodded, tucking an arm under her head and gazing expectantly up at him.
"No matter where we go in this world, I'm still a Mikaelson. There will still be people who want to harm us, to harm you if they think it will destroy me…" he sighed deeply and shook his head, "Because Alex, it would destroy me."
Alex blinked back tears and cleared her throat, nodding softly.
"Our best hope for safety is to stay here, where our family is, where our strength is."
Alex sighed and rose up on her elbow, capturing his lips with hers, cutting off his words. Her fingers ran through his hair and she sighed happily against his mouth, pulling away after a moment.
"My turn" she murmured.
She pushed Elijah's shoulder until he had fallen back against the pillows and leaned against him, dropping a kiss onto his shoulder. "Hmm, your first point- that no matter where we go, you'd still be a Mikaelson…that's not true. When we marry, you can take my name. We'll have a ceremony of just our family and friends, and no one will be the wiser."
She smiled softly at the look on Elijah's face, "I'm an academic my love, did you expect I couldn't find a solution?" She laughed softly.
"On the second point, that staying here because it's where our family is, our strength is…We can stay until you feel strong enough to leave. But I want to tell you this; you are my family now, and I am yours. We are each other's strength, and no matter where we are, we will always have that family and strength."
She laid a hand on Elijah's cheek, her smile as sweet as honey. "Trust me" she whispered, leaning in to kiss him, smiling when his arms wrapped around her, holding her close. She tucked her head under his chin and breathed in his clean scent, running her fingers over his scars.
"I do trust you." Elijah sighed and ran a hand down her back, his fingers sneaking under her sweater. "We should get married soon. If we're going to leave."
Alex looked up at him and smiled widely, "Really? You don't mind?" she murmured.
Elijah shook his head and smiled, laughing softly. "If it means you become my wife sooner, why would I mind?" He ran a hand over her back, sending shivers over her skin.
Alex smiled, kissing his throat. "I know I don't." She laughed softly. "Where do you want to go?" she murmured, smiling up at him.
Elijah sighed, contemplating the idea of leaving, of where to go. "I've lived nearly everywhere in my long life. I would follow you anywhere."
Alex smiled, "Christophe and Rosaline grew up in France, and I loved my time there in my studies. Why not move there and they can join us? We'll have our own Lafitte compound" she joked.
Elijah smiled broadly, "I love France. You think Christophe and Rosaline would want to come with us?" he asked hesitantly. "They could be in danger if they do."
Alex sighed, "They've lived their whole lives in danger. They had to run from their own maniac father for decades." She gave him a reassuring smile, "Trust me, they can protect themselves."
Elijah nodded, "Very well. I suppose we should start planning the wedding then" he suggested, grinning at her.
Alex slapped a hand lightly to his chest, "Did you think I don't already have plans?" she teased, laughing softly.
Elijah laughed and ran a thumb across her cheek, "You're an academic, of course you have plans" he teased. Alex laughed and buried her face in his neck, enjoying the feeling of their closeness, the normality of just lying together.
Elijah ran his hand over her back, sighing softly in contentment.
They lay together in comfortable silence, the sun slowly creeping across the floor and onto the bed, warming the sheets. A knock at the door startled both occupants of the bed out of their light doze.
"Alex? Breakfast is being served in the dining hall. You guys should join us."
Alex smiled at the soft voice of Cami and rolled over, sliding from beneath the covers and making her way to the door. Cracking it open she smiled at Cami, "Hey, we'll be there, just give us five minutes to change."
Cami nodded and smiled, turning and heading to the dining hall. Alex shut the door gently behind her and turned to get dressed, a slow smile spreading across her lips at the sight of Elijah's naked form rising from the bed.
As soon as he was feeling better she was going to run her hands all over him….clearing her throat she smiled faintly and went to the closet, dressing quickly in red skinny jeans and a black sweater with a silver fleur de lis embroidered on it.
As she was braiding her hair Elijah stepped out, dressed not in a suit, but in dark jeans and a sweater in a dark purple. Alex stood and smiled in pleasure, laying a hand on his chest, "You look so handsome" she murmured.
Elijah tugged at the hem of the sweater, giving her an unsure look. "I'm unused to wearing anything other than a suit. It looks okay then?" he asked hesitantly.
Alex smiled warmly, running her hand across his chest, "You look wonderful. Strong, handsome, and perfect." She leaned up on her toes and kissed him, smiling as she pulled away, "Come on, let's go eat."
Elijah nodded and took her hand as they made their way to the dining hall. When they entered they found the room filled with food and their family. Rebekah rose from the table and came quickly to Alex, wrapping her in a tight embrace.
Alex looked up at Elijah in surprise, but he only grinned at her.
"Oh my dear Alex, thank you for bringing my brother back to me." Rebekah squeezed her tightly once more before pulling away and leading Alex to the table. "Here, sit by me" she said with a small smile.
Elijah sat beside them and began filling Alex's plate while Rebekah chattered on, distracting her. Alex gave him a grateful look when Rebekah turned and filled her glass with mimosa, and took a large bite of eggs, swallowing quickly when Rebekah turned back.
"Have you and Elijah made plans for the wedding yet?" Rebekah asked.
"Yes dear brother, when is the blissful union to take place?" Klaus called, leaning forward from the head of the table. Cami laid a hand on his arm, giving him a quelling look.
Alex sighed and lifted her glass, taking a large sip of mimosa. She had been hoping they would be able to get through breakfast without discussing the wedding or them leaving. It had been a foolish hope apparently.
Elijah took Alex's hand and smiled to those seated at the table, "As soon as possible. We want to have a small ceremony, here at the house. And we will need to keep word of the union's time and place from reaching outside these walls."
Rebekah gave them an incredulous look, "What? A small ceremony? That's ridiculous! We need to have a large party, invite every vampire and wolf within the quarter and possible within the country. They need to know that we are powerful and will protect our own!"
Elijah looked up the table at Klaus and the brothers shared a look, deep with meaning.
"Rebekah, I think Alex and Elijah deserve a nice, quiet, wedding. I do believe that they'll be heading off rather quickly when it's over."
Elijah gave Klaus a grateful look and squeezed Alex's hand, smiling warmly at her.
Rebekah frowned, "Leaving?" She turned to Elijah and Alex and gave them a curious look, "Not on a honeymoon I suspect."
Elijah shook his head, "No, we are leaving New Orleans and will be settling elsewhere." He turned to Christophe and Rosaline and smiled warmly, "We would be most pleased if you would join us when we settle."
Alex lifted a brow at Rosaline, "I think you'll find our new choice of home most comfortable. La maison est où le cœur est."
Rosaline grinned widely, "Oui. Of course we will come with you."
Rebekah sighed dramatically, "Very well. If it's a simple wedding you want, then at least let us make it a wonderful simple wedding."
Alex grinned and shook her head, "I doubt I could stop you if I tried Rebekah."
Rebekah smiled widely, "Excellent."
As the discussion died down they began to dig into their breakfast with relish, conversation flowing around the topic of the wedding. When the meal had come to an end Freya came to Alex's side, taking her hand.
"Please let me know how I can help with the wedding. I know Rebekah is…eager, but I would like to do what I can."
Alex grinned, "I would appreciate your help. It's going to take all of us to get things ready without letting people know what we're doing."
Freya nodded, "It all needs to be done in secrecy, I understand."
"Why don't we start making some lists today, Cami, Rebekah and Rosaline can help us."
Freya nodded, "We can work in my rooms, it's going to be quieter there."
"I'll meet you there shortly" Alex said with a smile, turning to find Rosaline and Cami. The other women had left the room and she was fairly certain she had seen them heading towards Cami's rooms.
She laid a hand on Elijah's arm, "I'm going to go find Rosaline and Cami so we can work on wedding details. Will you be alright on your own?" she asked softly.
He gave her a reassuring smile, squeezing her hand. "Go. I will speak with my brother." Alex nodded and leaned up, kissing him gently on the cheek. Giving him one last smile she went after her friends, leaving Elijah with his brother.
"Well brother, when can I expect your hasty departure from our home?" Klaus asked, leaning back in his chair, smiling wryly.
Elijah sighed and wrapped his hands around the back of a chair, leaning against it for support. Truth be told he was tired, even after being awake for only a short time. "As soon as the wedding is over."
Klaus lifted a brow but nodded. "Well, I guess that just leaves the bachelor party to plan then" he said with a sly smile.
Elijah laughed softly and shook his head, "I'd much rather enjoy a quiet evening with you and Christophe. We won't have much more time together as a family."
Klaus nodded, an understanding look on his face. "Very well."
Alex sank back against the pillows on Freya's bed, enjoying the chatter of the women around her. Her friends were taking the lead on how to procure the wedding license, a priest, and decorations for the compound without alerting anyone to their plans.
Alex sighed and leaned forward slightly, "I don't think we need decorations." When her friends gave her incredulous looks she smiled tiredly, "I just think any extra decoration would draw attention to the house and could put us in danger."
Freya lifted a hand and waved it around her head with a smile. A moment later the canopy above the bed filled with soft glowing lights, hanging delicately in the air. Flowers sprouted from the wood of the four posts, twining on vines down until they reached the bedcovers.
The women stared in wonder, reaching out to touch the lights and flowers, murmuring in awe. Freya smiled softly at Alex, "I do believe Rosaline can help me with decorations." Rosaline nodded happily.
Alex smiled ruefully, "Very well. I wanted to tell you ladies that special dresses aren't necessary anymore though." She sighed, "I don't want to make you unhappy, but it's just going to be us now."
Rebekah shook her head, "Nonsense. We don't need new dresses, but I surely think we all need to wear something special." The other women nodded, murmuring softly.
Hayley leaned forward, smiling. "What color should we wear?" she demanded.
Alex smiled at her friends, warmed by their support. "I suppose I would like it if you could all wear lavender. If you don't mind" she rushed to add.
Her friends quickly assured her they would be happy to wear whatever color she chose, and they soon moved on to other topics.
A headache soon began to pound in Alex's head as the afternoon wore on, despite a filling lunch. She gave her friends a weak smile and stood, wincing at the bright sunlight streaming in through the window. "I need to go rest, I have a headache, I'm sorry."
Cami stood and took her arm, "Come on, I'll go with you" she murmured. Alex nodded and waved weakly to her friends. Cami pushed the bedroom door open and went to close the blinds while Alex lay down, groaning softly.
A few moments later she felt Cami's fingers around her own, pushing pills within her hand. "Take these" she murmured.
Alex nodded and took them, swallowing them down with the water Cami handed her. Slumping back against the pillows, she closed her eyes, "Thank you" she groaned.
"Get some rest."
Alex heard the door shut a moment later and sighed, she hadn't expected the headache, but she should have. Expending as much power as she had had taken so much out of her, more than she had expected.
As the painkillers kicked in she drifted into a gentle doze, her limbs softening with sleep.
After being convinced to go purchase new suits for the wedding and spending the day drinking, Elijah finally managed to pull himself away from his brother and Christophe. He went to Freya's room, seeking out Alex, but only found his sister, working on some arcane spell.
"She went back to your rooms about an hour ago. She had a headache." Freya frowned, "She expended too much power getting you back and healing you. She's going to be sore and have headaches for a few days I imagine."
She stood and came to Elijah, lying a hand on his forehead, "How are you feeling?" she asked, looking worried.
Elijah frowned, "I'm exhausted. I want to go rest; I've been out all day with Klaus and Christophe."
Freya nodded, still looking worried, "Are you in any pain?" she asked softly.
"My head and body aches. My wounds are paining me" Elijah admitted.
"Take some painkillers and go rest. Drink plenty of fluids."
Elijah nodded and gave her a thin smile before turning to go to his rooms with Alex. Shutting the door behind him he smiled tiredly at the sight of Alex, snoring softly on the bed in the dim light.
He kicked off his shoes and walked silently to the bathroom, downing two painkillers swiftly before washing his face off, feeling as though his skin was layered with grime.
When he lay next to Alex he groaned softly and closed his eyes, resting his arm across his eyes. Alex rolled into his side, making a soft noise and he smiled tiredly, contentedly as he wrapped his other arm around her.
Despite the pain he felt, this was exactly where he wanted to be.
Alex woke some time later, stretching luxuriously, sighing in contentment when she felt Elijah's arms around her. Rolling over to face him she smiled at the sight of him sleeping, looking less troubled and tired than he had seemed that morning.
"Are you watching me sleep?" Elijah murmured, smiling softly, his eyes still closed.
Alex grinned, "I was. You snore you know."
Elijah's eyes popped open, a look of indignance wrinkling his forehead. "I do not!" he protested.
Alex nodded solemnly, "Drool too" she assured him.
Elijah laughed and shook his head, "If I am that bad, perhaps you shouldn't be sleeping by me. I would hate to interrupt your snoring."
Alex giggled and reached up to flick his nose gently, "I wouldn't let you. We'll just snore together."
Elijah smiled happily, "Agreed." He leaned in and kissed her softly, a soft noise of contentment escaping him as her arms wound around him, drawing her closer. Alex's fingers dipped under the collar of his shirt, skimming across his skin, sending shivers over his body.
After a moment he pulled away and smiled softly, "We should get to supper" he murmured. Alex looked vaguely confused, drawing her hands over his chest for a few moments before she looked up at him, a hesitant frown on her lips.
"We could be a little late" she murmured, running her hands beneath his shirt, again sending shivers over his body. Elijah sucked in a breath and shuddered, pulling back from her, a look of regret darkening his face.
"I-I can't" he whispered. Alex scooted back, nodding, but she wasn't able to hide the look of hurt on her face. It wounded Elijah deeper than any of the things that the Strix had done, and again he cursed them for what they had taken from him.
"It's not that I don't want you Alex." He reached out and took her hand in his, trying to give her a reassuring look. "Please trust me, I do. But I can barely tolerate the touch of others for too long. I need time. Please understand that" he begged.
Alex sighed deeply and leaned in, pressing her hand against his cheek, nodding as she blinked back tears. "Of course, of course I understand." She wiped hastily at the tears and gave him a strong smile, "I love you Elijah, I would do anything for you."
Elijah lifted her hand from his cheek and placed a firm kiss to her palm that sent a spiral of fire through her, leaving her aching. He smiled sweetly at her, "I love you as well Alex, more than I have words for."
He tugged on her hand and pulled her to the edge of the bed, "Come, let us go to dinner." Alex smiled happily and nodded, following him from the room, wrapping her fingers around his.
Her heart ached at the thought that her touch troubled Elijah. It made her glad she had destroyed the Strix, but she wished she had someone left to give them every blow they had laid upon her love.
Her fingers clenched around Elijah's and he glanced down at her, giving her a questioning look. She smiled reassuringly and followed him down to dinner, anger swelling inside her.
The Strix should be grateful they were all dead and not here to face her wrath.
As she looked around the dinner table, feeling an emptiness settling within her; she would miss her friends and family dearly when they left. She hoped they remained safe by her and Elijah's departure.
If the supernatural world was smart, they would leave the Mikaelsons alone.
AN: Hello lovelies! I hope you enjoy this chapter, it's a set up for the wedding, Alex and Elijah leaving, and more. Please review and thank you all for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting.
