Chapter Twenty Eight: La Vie en Rose

"Hold me close and hold me fast

This magic spell you cast,

Give your heart and soul to me

And life will always be

La vie en rose..."

-Édith Piaf

Ooo0ooO

"Moonstone is known for possessing healing energies; it's linked to peace and unconditional love, and like the moon, holds the power of mystery."

A book slammed shut, and Hayley rolled her eyes.

"It goes on about feminine energies, more about the moon, blah blah blah..."

Hope giggled. "You're such a romantic, Aunt Hayley."

Hayley glanced down at her rose gold rings. Then she arched her brow. "Is this one of those things were you say one thing but mean another thing?"

From the other couch, Mason snorted. "You mean sarcasm?"

Hayley threw the other twin a dirty look. Opening the book with a sharp movement, she tapped her fingertip against a yellowed page. "Diamonds symbolize a deep, everlasting love. Does that-," she closed the book again, glaring, "not sound romantic to you, little Hybrid?"

Elijah strolled in, his expression impassive. When he saw his wife's expression, he tutted. "Now, did you allow them to ruffle your feathers then, love?"

Hope and Mason burst out laughing when Hayley's expression only grew more sour. She pouted when Elijah handed her a cup of tea, but she did smile when he kissed her cheek.

"Remind me again why you wanted to know about moonstones," Hayley said, looking at Hope again with a less threatening look in her eyes.

"I was curious about Mom's new ring," Hope said. "Sapphires are meant to protect against darkness and evil, in some beliefs. It seems fitting now that the... darkness has passed, she has something new to celebrate the, well-,"

"Peace and love?" Mason finished, grinning.

Hope rolled her eyes. She glanced at her uncle. "How is she?"

"Much sicker than I remember her being with the both of you," Elijah confessed. "Bonnie and Bennett are keeping an eye on her. There doesn't appear to be anything wrong," he assured them, when he saw the concerned expressions. "Bennett believes this time is different because she's a Hybrid, and before she was still only a werewolf."

"How would that affect her differently?" Mason asked, brow furrowed.

"We don't know. This is only the second recorded Hybrid pregnancy, first with a Hybrid mother."

Mason nodded. He, like the others, knew that Bennett's birth had been kept secret for a very long time, and kept hidden from any records. But unlike Anna, Bennett's mother, who had also been a werewolf, did not survive the birth.

"Do you think it's the magic?" Hope asked suddenly.

"The magic?" Hayley repeated.

Hope crossed her legs. "Well, Mason and I are not just vampire and werewolf Hybrids. We are part witch too. If the new baby is like us, maybe the baby's magic is affecting Mom."

Elijah and Hayley exchanged a look, before Hayley nodded and stood. "I'll pass the theory along. Maybe she wants company."

When Hayley left the room, the twins looked back at Elijah.

"Do you know when Uncle Charlie's going to be back from Italy?" Mason wanted to know.

"Two days," Elijah replied. "Dante and Stella are still making their decision."

The Italian werewolves had stayed with the Mikaelsons for a week before going back to their pack. Charlie accompanied them, insisting he would be their escort while Bennett made the journey over. Charlie would then return to the states with Antonio, who would be officiating the vow renewals.

Klaus and Annabelle had extended an offer to the younger werewolves- they were welcome to stay at the Mystic Falls mansion, which had plenty of spare rooms, for as long as they'd like. Stella seemed excited about the offer, since she was eager to do more research on werewolf bloodlines to learn more about their histories. Dante had thanked them profusely, before sending a wink at Hope that made the young Hybrid blush so fiercely the red in her cheeks did not fade for the rest of the day.

"I hope they stay," Mason declared. "It'll be nice having wolves around that are our age."

Elijah seemed amused at the statement. "Tired of being around boring adults?"

Mason smirked. "Something like that."

Hope didn't answer, but merely daydreamed with a silly smile.

Ooo0ooO

Annabelle was dozing lightly when she heard a gentle knock at the door. Hope then pushed it open, giving her mother a small smile. Opening her arms, Anna smiled when her daughter crawled into bed with her, resting her cheek against the ever so slight curve of her mother's stomach.

For the last few days, it seemed that the twins both enjoyed lying with her, listening to the heartbeat of the newest Mikaelson. Klaus, after hearing it for the first time, wondered out loud how he had once again missed the wonderful sound. Anna had teased him, saying both times he had been thoroughly distracted by his oh so desirable wife and mate, to which he growled his agreement before pressing a stubbled cheek to her bare stomach.

"It's like a hummingbird's wing," Hope whispered.

Anna ran her hand through Hope's hair, marveling at how long it had gotten. "Will it be strange, having a sibling so much younger than you and your brother?" Anna asked, her voice soft yet full of sudden anxiety.

Hope sat up slightly. "I don't think so," she said. "I mean, I wasn't surprised. Aunt Rebekah told me about the loophole that 'lead to the creation of us'-," she air quoted, "and now that applies again." She shrugged in a way that reminded Anna of Klaus.

"You're my sweet girl," Anna said affectionately, touching her daughter's cheek. "And you're going to be a wonderful big sister."

Hope's cheeks flushed. "Thanks, Mom." Leaning back down, Hope closed her eyes to focus on the heartbeat again. "Have you thought of any names?"

"A few," Anna murmured, smiling. "But that's a secret between your dad and me for now."

"Going to name her after anyone?" Hope asked, thinking of her and her brother's middle names.

"You think it's a girl?" Anna laughed, shaking her head. "But, no. We did that for you both because you were our firstborns," Anna said, recognizing her meaning. "And although we have plenty of family to commemorate, we agreed it was time for a fresh start." Anna smiled, still caressing Hope's hair. "You and Mason, and your new sibling, you're the next generation of Mikaelsons. It starts again with you."

Ooo0ooO

The day of the ceremony, the sky was a deep blue and the air was kissed with the promise of rain. Although the clouds did not appear until later, the sun shined down brightly on the small gathering.

Much smaller than the wedding, the ceremony only included close family and friends. The affair was much more casual, with the men in button down shirts and dark pants or jeans, while the women wore lighter, more summery outfits. A loose half circle was formed around Annabelle and Klaus, who stood in the center in front of Antonio.

The older werewolf spoke of how love was an everlasting force, something that could not be seen but felt, and it was the reason that life was full of light and joy and hope, and it was the power to stave off the darkness.

Annabelle smiled, clasping her hands tightly in her mate's. She vowed to always give her love, her friendship, and her protection to Klaus, always and forever. She again vowed never to run, even though it might be difficult with a belly that grew more swollen by the day. That earned a few laughs.

Klaus stared deep into those gray eyes, the ones she had passed onto their firstborns, and wondered if their next child would bear them as well. When Anna finished, Klaus began.

He spoke of how hollow the family words of always and forever seemed before he found her. He acknowledged he spoke those words to a family he loved, in his own way, but he didn't understand their true meaning until she walked into his life, until he felt her soul converge with his own. When the link was made, and soul was bonded to soul, he felt it all. He vowed that for always and forever, he would love her, protect her, fight with her and fight for her. He vowed he would always find her, his light, his love, his Annabelle. He finished by saying how eternity was not long enough for him to show her the depth of his love, but he would try.

When they kissed, a warm, gentle, soft white light engulfed the crowd. Annabelle gasped, remembering how a similar light had shone when the soul bond was first being forged, and Klaus smirked at the shared memory.

The light of the soul bond then faded, leaving behind its mark on the mates, from their ring fingers twining up to their hearts, once more. The final color it would take, and it would remain, was a soft, faded white- the color associated with light, protection, and perfection.

Ooo0ooO

Disclaimer: I do not own TVD or the Originals.

Author's Note: Here's an OC fancast refresher; Annabelle Davis-Mikaelson (Frida Gustavsson), Charlie Davis (Eoin Christopher Macken), Antonio (Donald Sutherland - with brown eyes), Bennett (Michiel Huisman), Mason Davis-Mikaelson (Max Barcazk - with gray eyes), Patrick (Josh Holloway). Stella (Emeraude Toubia - with gray eyes), Dante (Matthew Daddario). Hope, of course, is Danielle Rose Russell, like on the show. As for Davis-Mikaelson #3? Stay tuned!

Two chapters left...!

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