Chapter XXXIV

And now what? If Elijah sent Elena with Stefan to the hospital, and Niklaus was killed, Stefan would soon follow. There would be no one to feed Elena vampire blood, and she'd just die. Of course, he could try to get to the hospital as soon as possible, but he couldn't make any kind of prediction of how long the fight with his father would last, or even if he'd get out of that alive at all! The ideal was to contact an Original who wasn't in danger of dying to feed Elena vampire blood. His sister would be the perfect choice, but she was hiding with the children and couldn't be reached. Kol was relatively out of danger for their mother didn't have white oak to kill him, but he was needed to take her down, he couldn't just leave the Bennett witch and some hybrids go up against their mother. Finn and Sage were there, yes, but their role was to distract Esther, they weren't part of the surprise attack, leaving Kol, Bonnie, and the hybrids with the task.

Elena was bent, touching her belly. She could guess what was on Elijah's mind.

- Don't you know someone who was turned by your sister? That would be almost the same as being turned by her.

- I do, but I'm afraid I don't have a way to contact them. It's not like I keep in touch with my sister's sires…

- Then I'll take my chances waiting for you, and, if you don't show up in time, Stefan will turn me, and I'll have to take my chances on Klaus not dying, what will be less likely to happen if you go help him and Caroline now – the girl declared in ragged breaths, starting to feel the labor pains.

Elijah had no choice but to go. Oh, his father would pay for that… Especially if he missed the birth of his children and the chance to turn his wife!

Kol positioned himself and the hybrids for the attack. Bonnie wanted to be on the front with him, but he insisted she'd stay safely in the back, covering for them by using shielding spells on them whenever his mother tried to hex them. The witch suspected he had a thing for her or something, seeing how much he worried about her.

Well, he wasn't bad to look at, and she wasn't with Jeremy anymore, not since he cheated on her with his ex, his ghost ex, which made everything even more ridiculous and humiliating for her. How could a ghost be better than her, a girl in flash and bones? She shook the thought out of her mind and prepared for the fight.

Kol was really concerned about her, and why, he didn't even know. He had always had a thing for witches, they reminded him of happy times in which he could still practice magic, so it wasn't that unusual that he would care for Bonnie. But he cared a little bit too much for his own taste about that sassy witch. And she was a babe, on top of everything. That wasn't the time to think about that, though, he had to focus on a more important task: killing his mother dearest.

The Original could still hear his big brother blabbering about how much he loved Sage and yada, yada, yada.

- If we waited just a bit longer, I'm sure Finn would put mother to sleep with that boring talk about how much he adores Sage. Then we could kill her easily… – he whispered to Bonnie, some steps behind him.

She had to control herself not to laugh. Oh, gosh, that wasn't the time for Kol to be funny! Wait a second… That had given Bonnie a great idea!

- A silent witch is a powerless one! Some witches can practice magic without chanting but that's only for basic spells usually. Even the most experienced witches need to chant to perform important spells. If I take her voice, I leave her with only the spells she can perform in silence!

- Basically she could only attack with simple levitation, fire, and repelling spells. And you could block those, right? – Kol asked smiling.

- Of course! And she wouldn't have much time to think of a better spell she could do in silence, you'd have flashed to her and killed her in a heartbeat!

- You're a genius, Bon-Bon!

- Stop calling me that!

- Let's make a deal, shall we, Bon-Bon – the girl glared at him, annoyed. – If I stop, and we get out of this alive, you will let me take you out on a date.

She opened her mouth to tell him off but held herself. If she hated the date, it would at least serve to make Jeremy see she has other men wishing to be with her, her, not some ghost girl…

- Fine, but it's one date.

- That's all I need to get you head over heels for me, Bon- Bon.

She rolled her eyes. How cocky that vampire was… And hot, she had to admit at least for herself.

Mikael vampsped to Caroline, not even giving Klaus time to think. He was hoping for the worst but got really surprised by his father's scream of pain. The girl had just threw a bunch of vervained water on him. One of the perks of not being a vampire anymore, she could have direct contact with vervain without being burned. The hybrid didn't wait a second to get his wife and vampsped out of that classroom. But Mikael ran after them, staying on their toes.

They had barely turned right in one of the corridors, Elijah was there, on his way to them. He held the dagger he had brought on his hand tighter.

- Brother, the daggers do not work on him. I suspect we have mother to thank for that.

Mikael stood in front of the three of them, staring in fury. Klaus took the white oak stake from Caroline's hand, pointing it at his father.

- Come on, father. Come at us.

For one split second, the Original father hesitated, and Elijah went behind him and held him still.

- Now, Niklaus!

The hybrid thought for a second. If he stabbed Mikael, he could end up killing his big brother, who was holding him from behind, his chest touching their father's back. What if the stake went through the both of them?

He pounced at Mikael. But instead of staking him, he made the physical connection the witch needed to perform the spell that would stop Mikael's heart.

He tried to resist, but the connection was made, and, in a few seconds, Mikael was turning gray, falling desiccated.

- Why didn't you stake him, brother? – asked Elijah in confusion.

- I could've killed you with him. I could never live with myself if I had done that, not when there was another option.

Elijah smiled and hugged his baby brother. When they parted, he announced:

- Well, now I have to run to the hospital. Elena's water broke when she was leaving the school with Stefan.

Caroline's eyes went wide.

- What? We have to go the hospital right now!

Klaus stayed behind to take care of Mikael's body. He had the white oak and could simply finish him off (it's not like he'd resist much desiccated as he was), but he decided he'd think about it for a while. Besides, he wanted to consult his siblings, after all, it was their father as well, and the new Klaus he was trying to be for his wife and children had to be more considerate over his family's opinion. Then he headed to Mystic Falls Hospital.

It was time for Elena to die and be reborn to bring her children to the world.

Kol was silently approaching his mother, Finn, and Sage. The hybrids were surrounding the place, there was no way Esther was going to escape. Bonnie was arranging for the Original witch to lose her voice, finishing the spell as they approached.

When Kol invaded the crypt, pouncing at his mother, she tried to hex him but her voice didn't come out. Realizing what was going on, she started to throw random spells, most of them getting blocked by Bonnie. Poor Esther didn't even stand a chance, she had barely had time to fight, Kol had snapped her neck, and that was her end… once again.

- It wasn't that hard… - he said smiling and approaching Bonnie – Are you okay, Bonnie?

- Stop calling me… - she was about to say but held herself when she realized what he had called her – I'm fine. Thanks.

She lowered her eyes, feeling a little embarrassed, she didn't know why. She then got her phone and saw a million messages from Stefan and Caroline.

- We have to hurry to the hospital, Kol – he looked at her puzzled and she explained – Elena is in labor.

They both ran out of there to the hospital with Finn and Sage.

When Elijah and Caroline arrived at the hospital and found Elena, she was in a not very healthy shade of pale, breathing with difficulty and trying to push as hard as she could, which wasn't very easy considering her state.

- I am here now, my love. I am here with you – Elijah soothed her, sitting beside her in bed.

Elena smiled at her loving husband, everything had ended up okay it seemed.

- And the others? – she asked in a low tone of voice.

The Original had to smile at her worry with everyone even when she was in such situation.

- Everyone is perfectly fine.

Stefan breathed in relief, everyone was okay, and he could pass the torch to the father and get out of the room. Not that he wouldn't be there for Elena, of course he would, but Rebekah's labor had been enough for him to last ten lifetimes…

When he walked outside, the Salvatore was attacked by Caroline and Bonnie, inquiring about her friend's state.

- She's trying, but I'm afraid Ayanna was right, she's not gonna make it. Elijah is inside taking care of her, and of everything, you can calm yourselves. I had compelled the doctor and the nurses already, and he's gonna take care of the rest, making sure no one knows Elena died in labor.

The boy sat down to wait, not only for the birth of the children, but for Rebekah's contact. The night was falling, he was sure she'd contact them soon, after all, Mikael's deadline was ending.

A couple of hours later, Stefan's phone buzzed. He read a message:

Did everything turn out alright, dear? Rebekah.

He smiled an answered.

Yes, princess. Mikael's currently desiccated at the bottom of a coffin. Stefan.

Good. But you know I can't simply trust that's you, right? I need to make sure it's you. And calling wouldn't do any good, Esther could make it seem I was talking to you with a spell and stall while tracking the call. Rebekah.

Wise and careful of you, princess. Stefan.

I'll ask you a couple of things only you would know. Rebekah.

Shoot. Stefan.

Where and when did we first kiss? Rebekah.

We were taking a stroll, the kiss happened midway, after I gave you a bracelet and told my plan to make Elijah see Tatia was a class A strumpet. Stefan.

When our daughter was born, on the first night we had her with us, how many times did she wake us crying to be fed? Rebekah.

Trick question. Clever. None, princess. Over two hours after she was last fed passed and she never cried. So we were the ones to count the time and take her out of her crib to feed her every two hours, fearing she wouldn't "tell us" when she was hungry. Our little girl has given us a hard time to eat ever since she was born ;) Stefan.

It's you! Where are you, dear? Rebekah.

Hospital. Elena's in labor. Stefan.

I'm on my way with the children. Then you take Sarah home and Nik can take Lukas. See you in a few hours. I love you. Rebekah.

I love you too. Can't wait to see you. Stefan.

Stefan told everyone Rebekah had made contact and was on her way with the children.

Klaus and Caroline were very happy to hear it, they wanted to see their little boy. They weren't completed happy though, the hybrid was mad at his wife for putting her life in jeopardy so foolishly back at the school. He insisted she should've gone out of the classroom to safety with Elena, and she countered claiming she had stayed to help him and had effectively done so when Mikael was about to stake him and she smashed the vervained bottle on his face. They were at odds and hated it. Caroline wasn't about to let him die. And he was pissed because she could've been killed along with their unborn child. The discussion only didn't escalate to yelling because they were in the hospital and had to control themselves, but they both knew an argument from hell was waiting for them when they got home.

Elena's labor was much more difficult than anticipated. The poor girl was really struggling, hours of labor. Elijah was feeding her his blood every once and while to help her resist, at least until the children could be born, but she wasn't strong enough to push them out herself and the doctor declared they had to go to surgery.

Everything was set, and Elena was moved to the surgery room. As quickly as possible, for the children were already suffering as well, the doctor made the procedure. But as prophesized by Ayanna, Elena couldn't make it, dying with Elijah's blood in her system (the Original made sure of that, no taking any chances and feeding her more than enough). He compelled everyone in the room to believe she had made it, so her body was taken to her room. The babies were to be cleansed and, if everything was fine with them, taken to the girl's room. Poor Elena didn't even had the chance to see them.

Elijah, though, was looking at the little ones in wonder. He had mixed feelings, sad about his dead wife, who was soon to wake in transition, and happy about his children, healthy and very strong according to the doctor. The little boy was pulled first, being the firstborn. Elijah looked from him to the girl, not knowing which was the most adorable.

Rebekah arrived at the hospital right after the children were born. She knew Elena was going to die but felt sad about it anyway. After Stefan and Klaus went home with Lukas and Sarah, she went to Elena's room, waiting for her to wake up along with Elijah. Caroline, Bonnie, Kol, Finn, Sage, and Jeremy (who had arrived not long ago) were watching the newborns through the glass. They were still under observation, but soon would be taken to their mama's room if nothing out of the ordinary was noticed. It was just a normal procedure they had to do to make sure the children were fine.

Bonnie and Jeremy weren't exactly feeling comfortable being so close to each other, and Kol only made it worse. If it wasn't for Caroline to lighten the mood, the situation could've been even more awkward. The Original was completely clueless, and kept talking about his date with the witch, aware Elena's brother was her ex. That was typical Kol, and Bonnie was almost regretting agreeing to go out with him. On the other hand, she kind of felt a wicked sense of satisfaction watching the cheater ex-boyfriend so annoyed at the fact she was going to have a date with another guy, even if that guy was an Original who didn't have the slightest notion of what 'clue' was…

The children were finally taken to the room. Everyone except for Elijah stayed in. Rebekah had gone home so Stefan could go back to the hospital. He was worried about how long Elena was taken to wake up, even though his wife assured him that not everyone took the same amount of time to wake up, and poor Elena was extra weak and exhausted when she died.

Almost midnight, the girl opened her eyes, gasping for air. Elijah was right beside her, a blood bag in hand, waiting.

- Elijah! – she exclaimed – Oh, how are the children? Are they fine? – she inquired, not even minding the burn she was feeling in her throat and the fact every little noise seemed a lot louder, like drums on her hears.

- They are both fine, my love. Come and see them, if you like.

She didn't even need any help to get up, she almost ran to the little ones in a cradle in a corner of the room.

- They are perfect… - she said, tears in her eyes, touching her kids' faces, both of them asleep, like little angels.

Even though she should feel tempted by blood, with her children, all Elena felt was love, there wasn't an inch of her body feeling tempted about the little ones' blood.

- Do you wish to complete your transition now, my love? – Elijah asked, offering her the blood bag – Oh, and everyone but Rebekah and Niklaus are outside, they want to see you.

- I'll drink the blood then, and you call everyone, 'Lijah.

When everyone got in the small room, they felt relief seeing Elena watch over her babies. Stefan called his wife to get there with Sarah so she could meet her little cousins. Rebekah got ecstatic, she wanted to see her sister-in-law anyway, and ended up managing to drag Nik with Lukas. Not that Klaus didn't want to see his little nephew and niece again, but he was still mad at his wife.

- What are the names, 'Lena? You never had the time to reveal them during that disastrous baby shower – Caroline asked smiling at her friend, who couldn't take her eyes of her kids.

- Say hello to Julian Grayson Mikaelson. Do you want to do the honors of revealing the name of our little girl, 'Lijah?

- Of course, my love. This is our little Sophia Miranda Mikaelson.

Caroline asked them to get together for a family photo. Bonnie offered to take it, claiming she wasn't family and could do it, but the blonde said it was nonsense and searched for anyone out of the room, coming back with a nurse.

Elena got little Julian in her arms, Elijah got Sophia, and everyone gathered around them. Klaus had Lukas in his arms, and Stefan had Sarah. Kol, in his usual childish ways, wrapped his arms around Bonnie and glanced at Jeremy, who could only stare in fury, since there was nothing he could do, the witch wasn't his girlfriend anymore. Even Finn and Sage joined the family photo, glad things turned out that way so they could live happily ever after with each other. Sage would help him live as vampire, they had agreed not to hurt people and had compromised with that peaceful lifestyle, that was the only way Finn could cope with it.

Not even half an hour had passed after the family photo, the doctor came to see his patient and the children. With the help of a little compulsion, he declared Elena was more than fine (even though she was pretty much dead). The children he truly examined, and since they were more than perfect, he said they could go home.

Drama over, they headed home. I mean, drama over for some, because for Caroline and Klaus, it was only beginning.

- I beg of you two, please, take the argument to your room, which is spelled with a privacy spell, so you won't be heard by the rest of the house and wake the children – asked Elijah politely before going upstairs with Elena and the children.

Klaus was about to answer but felt Lukas, who was asleep, moving in his arms and decided not, it was better to take him to his crib first.

With his little one sleeping soundly in his nursery, the hybrid went to his room ready for a fight. But when he opened the door, he found Caroline sleeping. Those had been a few exhausting days for her. Being kidnapped a few days before, spending almost two days at school with his lovely father, and one night and almost an entire day at the hospital, besides the fact she was pregnant, had drained her of any energy. The fight could wait one more night. Still, he wouldn't sleep with her, if he did, he'd let all his defenses down and wouldn't have the courage to stand his ground. He had experienced the fear of hell! Never in his life had he felt so frightened, he thought he'd lose it when Mikael walked over to Caroline to kill her in Alaric's classroom. And she had to know it, she had to know how foolish she had been, how stupid it was of her to risk her life like that. And not only hers, but her unborn child's life as well.

Author's note:

The fic is approaching its end, guys. There will be just two or three chapters more to wrap up the story, after all, Caroline is still pregnant, Kol has yet to take Bonnie out on a date (I adore the Kennet pairing, I wasn't planning on even hinting the both of them in this fic, but it happened, I just coudn't help myself)... The last chapter will jump a few years, showing the children a little bigger.

I've been thinking about writing now and then some drabbles about their lives as parents, with common domestic situations and some special events, such as birthdays. The story WILL have an end, the drabbles would change nothing, and they would just happen when I have a good fun idea (i.e. the parents trying to explain their nine or so year old children why the other parents at school look much older then them when questioned about it in the middle of a Christmas school performance ; - or simply one of the Originals' birthday). What do you think about that? If you think it's a good idea I'll write and post, but if you dislike it and prefer the story ended with no post events (which, as I stated, will change nothing in the story - if they do change it will be for the better, let's say, if I decide to marry Kol and Bonnie, and write about their bachelor and bachelorette parties, their wedding...), say so and I can just write them for myself and not post. Speak your mind about it in the comments!

XOXO