Alex reclined against the headboard of the bed she shared with Elijah, rubbing her abdomen muscles slowly, a grimace on her face. She had been experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions for the past two days as a result of her magic use and she was growing worried that she would go into real labor if they didn't stop.
A witch mid-wife had been by earlier to examine her, her lips pursing in concern when she had finished.
Bed rest, no magic, lots of sleep and plenty of fluids were recommended to aid in her recovery. The mid-wife had explained to her and Elijah that while the contractions weren't severe, they could be symptomatic of a larger issue.
That information, coupled with the pain that Alex had been in was enough to worry Elijah to the point that he refused to leave her side. The mid-wife had assured him that should the false contractions continue past this evening, she would be back to give Alex shots to stop the contractions and speed lung growth in the babies.
Alex was petrified that they would lose their daughters and Elijah wasn't much better. He waited on her hand and foot, bringing her food and water, rubbing her feet and back and laying by her side to watch her sleep.
She knew he hadn't been getting a lot of sleep because of how hard he had been working to keep her relaxed and out of pain, and it scared the daylights out of her to see him so worn out and worried.
Everyone in the household was worried, trying to do everything they could to keep her healthy. Freya had spelled the whole house with healing magic, intended to channel the Quarter's magical resonances into keeping Alex safe and healthy.
Rosaline and Christophe brought her herbal teas and a necklace spelled to gently alleviate pain and fever. The mid wife had approved the magic use, working with the family to make sure none of the powers or spells used would have an adverse effect on Alex.
Alex's eyes slid shut as she continued to massage her stomach, worrying about her husband. He had looked so tired this morning when he had brought her breakfast she had insisted he take a nap to regain his strength.
He had fought her tooth and nail until she had lost her temper and shouted at him, worrying herself into more contractions. As it was, he was resting beside her, one of his hands laying on her stomach as he slept, as though he was too afraid to let her go, even in sleep.
The days of confinement to a bed were slowly driving her crazy, especially knowing that with every passing day, their enemy grew closer. Esther had told her that Anders would be trying to break the spell she had cast hundreds of years ago by using her unborn children.
It was dark, evil magic that he intended on using, and if he succeeded in somehow getting his hands on her or the babies, it could spell disaster for them all. She had sworn a silent promise that she would do anything before that could happen, even if it meant using her powers and endangering her health.
God, I wish I could just have the babies, I wish they were here, safe in my arms.
Her brow furrowed as she worried, gnawing at her lip.
She just wanted her babies to have a fighting chance in this world.
She just wanted them to be happy, healthy, and alive.
It had been four weeks since Esther had been contacted, and in that time the spell work on the house had been strengthened by every witch in the quarter until only a brute force attack by the most powerful of witches would break them.
Alex was finally out of bed after nearly two weeks of confinement in which the witch mid wife had given her shots to stop the contractions and stimulate lung growth in the girls.
The air was filled with anticipation; covens, werewolves and vampires the world over had been contacting each other about the attacks perpetrated by Alis Mortis—the witch hunters. Letters and magical messages were filled with words dripping with fear and pleas for assistance.
Spells for protection were shared and tactics for fighting the invaders were spread far and wide until they began to hear news that the Alis Mortis were being slowed, their attacks stopping in the last week.
It should have made Alex happy to hear this, but in fact it did just the opposite. She worried that the retreat from attack by the Alis Mortis was just an indication that they were preparing something far bigger and deadlier.
She sat on a large couch in the study while Elijah read and Klaus painted, Hope asleep with her head on Alex's lap. Her fingers ran through Hope's hair softly, her eyes closed in a half doze, Elijah's hand resting gently beside hers on her swollen belly.
"I was thinking of the name Grace for my niece," Klaus murmured softly.
Alex opened her eyes tiredly and smiled softly at him, "That's lovely Klaus. Grace and Juliette," she murmured thoughtfully, nodding at him after a moment.
They shared a warm smile and after a moment Klaus resumed painting. Alex's eyes slid closed once more and she sighed happily, flexing her fingers against her belly as her girls kicked and moved around.
She was excited to give birth and meet her children, but the prospect of her babies entering this dark dangerous world scared her to death. There was so much that could go wrong, so many enemies lined up at the doors to maim or kill.
She just wanted her babies to be safe, but this world that her family lived in seemed determined to throw every dark and dangerous thing at them until there were no Mikaelsons left. She grinned wryly; though Elijah was technically a Lafitte now, since he had taken her name.
The feminist in her was proud of that one.
Klaus cleared his throat and she opened her eyes to look at him, lifting a brow in question. He grinned and turned the easel so she could see the painting he had been working on. Her lips curled up in amusement at the painting depicting her, Elijah and Hope on the couch, as they were.
Elijah glanced up from his book and smiled, "That's lovely Niklaus. May we keep it?" he asked, tilting his head to the side to study the painting.
Klaus laughed lightly, "If you truly want it," he replied softly, his smile hopeful.
"Of course we want it," Alex replied, "We'll take it with us when we return to Norway," she told him.
Klaus's face fell at her words and his shoulders stiffened as he turned back to the painting, idly lifting a brush as he spoke. "I didn't realize you would be leaving New Orleans," he replied tightly, hurt coloring his voice.
Alex faltered for a moment, glancing over at Elijah for confirmation that what she said would be the truth. He nodded softly and glanced over at Klaus, "We have a home there Klaus and we want to return to it, to grow our family there."
Alex nodded, "Klaus, we'd like for you to visit as much as possible. We want you to be the girl's uncle, their guardian. Cami will be their godmother, you their godfather. When we have more children my family will be the godparents. We want a large, happy family, and that means you're going to come visit us as often as possible and spoil our girls rotten. You got it?" she demanded.
Klaus stared at her in surprise, her outburst taking him off guard. She had always stood up to him, pushed him around and demanded better of him. He loved her a little more because of it and was proud to call her his sister.
"Of course Alexandrine. I'd never think of disobeying you," he retorted lightly, chuckling quietly.
Alex lifted a brow as Elijah laughed along with his brother, "Huh, just remember who it was that kicked your ass repeatedly if you think you're going to be a smartass with me again," she replied tartly.
Klaus laughed harder and shook his head, "I haven't forgotten. Don't strain yourself now, we wouldn't want my nieces born too early," he told her softly.
Alex laughed sarcastically and flipped him off, though there was little anger behind the gesture. Klaus snickered and turned back to the painting, tilting his head as he pondered silently. A moment later he was pulling the painting off the easel and replacing it with a blank canvass, ready to create something new.
Alex smiled warmly and glanced down at Hope, her heart aching at the sweet look of innocence on her face. Carefully she lifted the little girl into her arms and hushed her when she roused softly.
Elijah watched her as she stood slowly, cradling Hope to her chest. He smiled up at her, "You need a hand?" he asked softly.
She shook her head and ran her hand over Hope's back as she made a soft, sleepy noise. "Good practice," she murmured, smiling happily. He nodded and watched as she disappeared from the room, carrying Hope to her bed.
"She's cute now, but she was a holy terror as a baby. Are you sure you're ready for two?" Klaus murmured teasingly.
Elijah smirked and slid a bookmark between the pages of his book, "I can't wait to be so exhausted I can barely stay awake. Having Alex and my daughters is the greatest thing I've ever been a part of," he told his brother emphatically.
Klaus smiled faintly and shook his head, "I never thought we would be fathers, did you?" he asked.
Elijah hummed thoughtfully for a moment before answering. "I could when we were young. You were so different then, before father and mother changed us forever," he replied softly. "You are a great father Niklaus, if that's what's truly worrying you," he said, lifting a questioning brow.
Klaus shook his head, frowning softly, "I just want to know that she'll turn out a normal, happy child. I worry that the violence she's already seen in this life will change her." He shook his head again, "I wake up at night in a cold sweat thinking she'll grow up to be like me," he confided.
"If she grows up to be as loving and kindhearted as I know you can be, you'll have raised a wonderful person," Elijah replied, smiling when his brother looked at him in surprise. "Don't look so surprised Niklaus, I'm not totally ignorant to your gentler side," he teased.
Klaus laughed, his head bobbing in agreement. "Very well brother, I shall keep that in mind. If you need help changing diapers, I'll be happy to instruct you," he replied wryly.
"We'll hold you to that," Alex quipped from the doorway as she returned, laughing at the startled look on Klaus's face. "I find it incredible that I managed to sneak up on you, especially with the waddle I'm currently sporting," she told him, smirking faintly.
"Nonsense, you're moving with the grace of a ballerina!" Klaus retorted, smiling fondly at her. Alex grinned and shook her head at him before reaching out to rest a hand on Elijah's shoulder, pulling his gaze up to her.
"I'm going to bed, these girls are wearing me out," she told him softly. He stood and inclined his head to his brother before skirting the couch and joining her, his hand at her waist as they walked away.
As they shut the door behind them Alex sighed and rolled her shoulders, her entire body aching. Each day she grew more tired as her babies grew, fighting inside her for more space. When she slid beneath the sheets on their bed and rolled to her side to face Elijah she sighed heavily.
Elijah frowned faintly and brushed her curls back from her face, "You should stay in bed tomorrow and get some rest," he murmured.
Alex shook her head, "It's Hope's birthday party, I can't miss that!" she insisted.
"Will you at least stay in bed until it's time for the party?" Elijah asked, worry coloring his voice.
She almost balked, but she didn't want to argue, she was too tired. Instead she nodded and gave him a weak smile before wiggling around in an attempt to get more comfortable.
She closed her eyes and waited impatiently for sleep to take hold of her.
Alex slept late the next morning until she was finally roused by the sound of the bedroom door opening and a soft, high pitched laugh echoed in the room. A moment later she felt the bed jerk and then Hope's soft voice was in her ear.
"Auntie Alex, it's my birthday!" she exclaimed excitedly.
Alex grinned and opened her eyes to find Hope cuddled up beside her, her wide dark eyes glittering with excitement. "It is? Well how old are you going to be?" Alex replied softly, her voice warm with amusement.
Hope giggled and shook her head, "7, silly!" she replied with a toss of her curls.
"7?! My goodness, you're practically an adult!" Alex responded solemnly, reaching out to tuck a stray curl behind Hope's ear.
A satisfied look crossed Hope's face before she snuggled closer to Alex and gazed up at her earnestly. "Can I feel the babies?" she requested earnestly. Alex nodded her consent and a moment later Hope's small hands were resting on her belly.
The babies kicked and rolled, startling Hope as the flesh beneath her hands moved. With wide eyes she looked up at Alex and whispered, "Does that hurt?"
Alex shook her head, "Not usually. But they'll be born soon and when they're here I hope you'll help me out by watching them for a little bit on occasion," she told the young girl.
Hope nodded enthusiastically, a wide grin splitting her face. Alex grinned and ran her fingers through Hope's curls, "Good. Now, do you think you could go find your Aunt Cami and ask her to come see me?" she requested.
Hope's head bobbed eagerly and she quickly slipped from the bed to go find Camille. Alex slid up against the pillows and reached for her notepad, beginning to scribble notes and ideas for a book she was going to write when things finally calmed.
A wry laugh slipped from her lips at the idea of things calming in her life, but she remained hopeful that with time, her family and their life could resume in Norway.
Her pen moved quickly across the paper, filling it with her ideas for the book. She hadn't spoken with the family about it yet, but she hoped that they would like her idea. Most of all she hoped Klaus wouldn't object, knowing that the story she wanted to write could be dangerous if the wrong person figured out who she was writing about.
"Hey, Hope told me you needed me?"
Alex glanced up at Cami and smiled softly, nodding. "I was hoping you wouldn't mind getting me some breakfast. Elijah is making me stay in bed until the party starts," she told her friend with a slight look of annoyance.
Cami grinned, "Of course he does, he doesn't want anything happening to you or the girls. Neither do I for that matter," she replied softly. "I'll be back with food," she murmured, giving Alex a warm smile before disappearing through the door.
Alex sighed softly and pushed her curls out of her face, turning her attention back to her notepad as she continued to write. She wanted to have all the details of her storyline written before she showed it to Elijah or Klaus, knowing they would have more than a few questions.
She was fairly certain she had most of the details formulated, but smaller ideas kept popping up and she was frantic to get them down before her pregnancy brain made her muddled.
"What are you writing?"
"Plot points and ideas for a book I want to write," Alex replied distantly, still scribbling away as Cami sat next to her on the bed with a tray of food. The scent of pancakes and bacon made her tear her eyes from the notepad and turn eagerly to reach for the food.
Cami laughed and set the tray on her lap, "What kind of book?" she asked, stealing a slice of apple from the tray and reclining against the pillows beside her.
"Hmm, about the world of the supernatural; werewolves, vampires, and witches and how they are working together for the first time in modern history to fight back against a threat like the Alis Mortis."
Cami's brows shot up, "So…it would be the truth about everything? You would risk exposing us all?" she demanded.
Alex frowned and shrugged, "I want to talk to Klaus and Elijah about it, but sort of. If they don't want me to go about this honestly, I'll change the names of the covens, the wolf packs and the vampire families. I think that if we show to the world that these people exist it'll make all our lives easier."
"Have you never seen any of the X-Men movies?" Cami exclaimed. "This won't make supernatural people's lives better, it's going to lead to persecution!" she waved a hand emphatically, "I mean, come on, look at who we have for a president, he's the leader of bigotry and hatred of all those who could be classified as different," Cami told her with a deep frown.
"Yea, well just because he's a bigoted, sexist piece of shit doesn't mean that everyone is. How many people come to New Orleans every day just to search out a bit of mysticism, hoping that there's something else out there that has remained unknown or hidden from our vast body of modern knowledge. How many people seek out Wiccans for a cure to whatever ails them? How many secretly hope that there is something else new and exciting in this world?"
Alex sighed and shook her head, "Maybe if I write this book people will stop being afraid and hateful towards everything different and they'll see that there is an entire world of possibility waiting out there for them to discover."
Cami's brows remained lifted high, skepticism pinching her face. "I'm sorry Alex; I just don't think you're thinking about this realistically. I don't want you to get hurt because of this," she told her friend softly.
Alex bit her tongue and smiled tersely at Cami, choosing instead to eat her pancakes and let the subject drop. After a few minutes in silence she sighed and shook her head, "Maybe you're right, but I need to hear what everyone in the family has to say about it. I'm not giving up on this until its dead in the water," she told Cami.
Cami nodded and stole a slice of bacon off the plate, laughing when Alex gave her an indignant look. She shifted down the bed and pulled Alex's feet into her lap, rubbing them gently, alleviating some of the swelling and aching.
Alex smiled at her friend fondly, "I know we haven't talked about this, but will you be the girl's godmother? We'd like to name one of them Grace Camille," she told her friend.
Cami stared at her friend in shock and then burst out in excited laughter, nodding enthusiastically. "Oh my god, yes! Oh, I'm so excited!" she exclaimed. Alex grinned and laughed, overwhelmed with pleasure at the idea of her friend helping raise her children.
"Klaus will be their godfather, and we'll have the legal papers drawn up so you can sign them and when they're born we'll do the whole baptism thing," she told Cami.
"So Grace Camille…huh, what about the other one?" Cami asked curiously.
"Juliette Rose," Alex answered happily.
Cami awed and grinned, "They're daddy is going to spoil them, I hope you know that. He's already wrapped around your finger and when they're here…ooo boy!" she teased.
Alex snorted softly and nodded in agreement. She was well aware that Elijah was wrapped around her finger and would soon be the same with their daughters. What she really wanted was to know that the world she was bringing her children into was a good one.
Sighing, she leaned back against her pillows and munched on her apple as Cami continued to massage her feet. She glanced up as the bedroom door opened and Klaus lounged against the doorframe.
"My, my, what an appealing tableau," he teased, his lips curled into a familiar smirk. Alex wrinkled her nose at him and shook her head.
"I don't know how appealing swollen ankles and back pain could really be, so I'll assume you're talking about Cami," Alex replied tartly.
Klaus chuckled softly and shook his head as he crossed over to kiss Camille warmly. He crossed his arms over her chest and smiled at Alex, "You look lovely Alexandrine, don't believe a word otherwise."
Alex grinned wryly, "And who would be saying these words?" she snarked.
"I've really stepped into this haven't I?" Klaus replied tiredly, smirking. "You are beautiful and sweet and intelligent Alex, and I can't wait to get out of this conversation," he murmured hastily.
Alex laughed and shook her head, "It's fine Klaus, baby hormones make me a little hyped sometimes," she told him, glancing sneakily at Cami, "You'll find out soon enough."
Cami gave her a sharp look and squeezed her foot tightly until Alex was laughing and wriggling to try and free it. She swung off the bed and snatched the tray off Alex's lap, glancing pointedly at the notepad resting beside her before slipping out of the room.
Klaus leaned against the wall beside her and pointed to the notepad, "What's this about?" he asked lightly.
Alex sighed and shook her head, "I want to write a book about the supernatural communities and what they've been through in the last hundred years, and most recently their battles with Alis Mortis. I want to write the truth about these communities and share it with the world."
Klaus stared at her, incredulous. "You realize what a terrible idea that is, right?" he demanded quietly.
"I realize that the world we live in is only going to grow uglier if we don't share our differences, show people what makes us special and try to bridge the divide between supernatural and natural. I realize that I am bringing two daughters into this world that will judge them based on their sex, how attractive they are, and demean them as sluts, idiots, and sexual objects. If they're witches, they'll have to hide an all important part of their identity, not to mention if they're bisexual, lesbians, asexual, or any number of other identifiers that the world deems lesser. Klaus, I want the world to know that my daughters, and yours, and all the other children of the supernatural world have value and that they should be treated with the same respect afforded to non-supernatural people. I want more for our communities."
Her chest heaved slightly at the long winded response and her jaw was firm as she stared up at her brother in law, waiting for his response.
Klaus stared at her for a long moment before shaking his head and turning away, shutting the door behind him firmly. Alex slid down against the pillows and closed her eyes, rubbing at them behind her glasses as a headache pounded behind her temples.
Rolling onto her side she snuggled Elijah's pillow against her and inhaled the comforting scent of her husband, trying to relax.
Maybe she'd just stay in bed all day, birthday party be damned.
Eventually Alex rolled out of bed and slipped on a long sleeved wrap dress that lay gently against her belly without constricting it. Her damp hair was finger combed and supplemented with leave in conditioner before she applied a thin layer of makeup to hide the dark circles under her eyes.
She reached into one of the many drawers in her walk in closet and pulled out Hope's gift, smiling softly at the silver wrapping paper. Soon she would be doing this with her own daughters.
"What are you thinking about?"
Elijah's soft voice made her raise her eyes from the shiny gift paper to smile sadly at him. "Just remembering how little Hope seemed just a few years ago. She's seven today, and soon our girls will be here and will be grown up before we know it," she replied softly, sadly.
Elijah gave her a sad smile and stepped across the room, pulling her against his chest with a soft sigh. "Our daughters will be incredible women because their mother is strong, beautiful and a genius. We'll give them everything, and I'll make sure you want for nothing," he told her urgently.
Alex smiled faintly and nodded, "I know, I just worry about what life will be like for them. Especially if we can't stop Alis Mortis. They'll inherit a war and be raised in a world that hates people who are different."
Her voice broke and her eyes watered as she continued, "I just…I'm so scared that something will happen to them because of us, Elijah," she whispered brokenly. "I used to think that danger and darkness surrounded your family, but it's both of us, and we can't escape it!" she told him, her large indigo eyes filled with fear and tears.
Elijah hushed her softly and pulled her closer, "Nothing will happen to our daughters, I swear to you. I'll die before I let someone hurt them."
Alex nodded, knowing he was telling the truth, but still worry ate at her. Their lives had been unpredictable from the start, why should it be any different now? They stood together, holding onto each other until finally, she pulled back and smiled shakily up at him.
"We should head downstairs for the party," she whispered.
Elijah nodded and bent his neck to kiss her softly, one of his hands cradling her cheek, the other cupping her belly.
They parted after a long moment and Elijah took her hand in his, guiding her out of their room and down the stairs to where the party was taking place. Klaus looked up at them from where he was helping Hope bat at a piñata, his expression troubled for a moment before breaking out into a stiff smile.
"Did you and Klaus have a disagreement?" Elijah whispered, glancing between his brother and his wife uncertainly.
"Sort of. I'll tell you about it later," she replied softly.
Elijah lifted a brow but chose not to pursue the subject, knowing that the last thing they needed was for a fight to break out on Hope's birthday. He watched as Alex and the other women at the party filled their plates with food and sat laughing and talking while Hope swung at her piñata.
He eventually made his way to stand beside his brother, not saying anything. If Klaus had something to say, he would certainly let him know.
Alex chatted softly with Hayley, Cami, Rosaline and Freya, watching as Hope batted at her piñata and giggled at something Klaus was saying. She had been worried that when she came downstairs Klaus was going to make a scene, but he had remained focused on Hope.
The small table in the large family room was filled with brightly wrapped gifts of different shapes and sizes, all being eagerly eyed by Hope. She edged toward the table, setting her bat aside in favor of being able to run her fingers over the wrapping paper.
"Would you like to open your presents now my sweet girl?" Klaus asked, crouching down beside his daughter. She nodded eagerly and smiled brightly when Klaus grabbed a large box wrapped in red paper.
"This is from me," Rosaline told Hope, leaning forward to watch as the young girl unwrapped the present eagerly.
A soft noise of approval ran around the table at the drawing pads, colored pencils and a small portfolio for storing her finished works. Hope looked up at Rosaline gleefully and ran around the table to hug her.
Hope continued opening her presents until there were just two left on the table. Hope picked up the silver box from Alex and eagerly opened it, letting out a soft yelp of excitement when the box lid was removed.
Hayley and Klaus lifted their brows but remained silent.
"A book of spells?!" Hope squealed, running over to Alex to hug her.
Alex laughed softly and nodded, "If you're going to use your powers you should know how to do it properly. Aunt Freya, Aunt Rosaline and I will teach you so you know the right way to use magic."
Hope nodded solemnly, her eyes large as she stared up at Alex. Alex smiled softly at her young niece and ran a hand over her curls, before glancing at the last package on the table. A frown crept over her lips; all the other family members' gifts had been opened, so who was this from?
Hope darted over to the table and picked up the small black package, frowning at it curiously. Slowly she pulled the black ribbon off the package and opened it, lifting out a small onyx cross on a dark metal chain.
Hope wrinkled her nose and held it out, "Who is this from?" she asked indignantly. Freya frowned and held out her hand, wiggling her fingers until Hope handed it over.
"Hey, there's a note here too," Hope declared, lifting it from the box. Her gaze narrowed as she read it out loud.
"Be seeing you soon…Anders." She glanced up, confused, "Who's Anders?"
Alex's stomach dropped and her eyes flashed to Elijah's, fear paralyzing her.
He was coming for them.