Things tend to get busy in the fall, but rest assured this story will not be abandoned. I'm hoping at least to get chapters out once a week. Thank you for your patience!

Chapter 37: Relatives

The crisp morning air beamed on Evangeline and Elena as they approached a gray house with white shutters.

"Eva, darling!" a kindly old woman with graying hair called from the porch.

Elena hesitated for a moment as Evangeline pushed the stroller toward the house but took a deep breath and quickened her pace.

Evangeline beamed, "I have two big surprises for you." She pulled the month-old baby from the stroller and placed him carefully in the old woman's arms. "Leslie, meet Henrik Matthew Mikaelson."

"Oh, he is just precious!" Leslie gushed, cradling Henrik lovingly. "But what other big surprise could top this one?"

"Well," Evangeline stepped back and placed an arm around Elena. "Leslie, I want you to meet Elena, your granddaughter."

Leslie's face completely changed. She handed Henrik carefully back to Evangeline and stood from her chair. She walked over to a nervous looking Elena and placed a hand on her cheek. "Elena," she choked in a whisper. "My baby…" She threw her arms around her long, lost grandchild and tears fell from her eyes.

A stoic, old man opened the screen of the front door and stared hard at Elena. "So you're Eva's sister, huh?"

Elena's smile faded as she stole a glance at her stern, withered Grandfather. He looked none too pleased at the sight of his grandchildren, or even the baby in Evangeline's arms. He grunted and took the previously occupied seat on the porch.

"Don't worry about Robert." Leslie placed her hands on Elena's cheeks and gazed kindly into her eyes. "He's been an angry old man ever since Isobel went missing, bless her soul." Her eyes suddenly clouded over as her thoughts drifted to her daughter. "But, now you're all here together," Leslie cleared her throat and smiled. "My girls."

Elena had plenty of time to catch up with her grandparents as Evangeline went off to take care of Henrik, eventually making it through the awkward small talk.

When Evangeline came back into the room, she was pleased to hear Elena and their grandmother in deep conversation.

"I don't know, Elena. That Damon sounds like a real firebrand, and every woman dreams of having that kind of passion. But Stefan seems so devoted. No wonder you've had such a hard time. Two brothers…" Leslie sighed. "It seems to be the curse of our family."

"Curse?" Elena's eyes narrowed in mild amusement. "Yeah right."

"Believe it," Grandpa Robert suddenly entered the conversation. "If William hadn't gone off to California, she would have never made her choice."

Evangeline sat quietly on a sofa with Henrik, contemplating the deepening conversation with a mild sense of foreboding. But perhaps she would be exempt from the claims of such a curse.

"No more talk about romantic entanglements," Leslie interrupted. "The parade starts in one hour, and I am not getting stuck sitting with Merle on the hilltop for the second year in a row…"

"Oh, the car show is today, isn't it," Evangeline realized. "I'll call Elijah and have him join us."

"Oh good," Leslie nodded. "I haven't seen the poor fellow since Grandpa tried to shoot him."

Elena gasped, "He tried to shoot Elijah?"

"Oh, don't worry, dear," her grandmother laughed. "He shot Eva's father in the foot when he found out he'd gotten Isobel pregnant. It's just his way."

Elena bade her grandparents goodbye, promising to visit soon, but Evangeline stayed. She was excited to see the parade. They made their way to Main Street and set up some chairs along the sidewalk. Evangeline sat quietly for several minutes, holding baby Henrik in her arms. Then glancing around, she spotted a familiar face. Evangeline waved to the redhead, who immediately made her way over.

"Evangeline, what a pleasure."

"Veronica, right?" The redhead nodded. "It's good to see you again," Evangeline smiled.

"Indeed. And I see you have a new little one."

Evangeline gazed lovingly at her son. "Yes, this is Henrik Mikaelson."

"Henrik Mikaelson?" Veronica gaped in astonishment.

Before Evangeline could reply Elijah appeared, joining her side. "What have I missed?"

Evangeline peered at Veronica with an apprehensive expression, but Veronica appeared to be perfectly content. Evangeline wondered if she had imagined the outburst. "Uh… I was just catching up with a recent acquaintance. Elijah, this is Lucy's granddaughter, Veronica."

"My apologies about your grandmother. She was a good friend to Evangeline." Elijah held out his hand politely.

Veronica took his hand but flinched slightly. "Yes, she was dear to us all. I'm sorry… but I just remembered I have to speak with my brother. If you'll excuse me." She turned abruptly and dashed away.

Veronica passed along the sidewalk for several blocks. She ran through a small crowd of parade watchers and gradually plowed her way to a small clearing where two young men and a woman sat lazily on the grass.

One of the men with light brown hair and clear blue eyes looked up and immediately gauged Veronica's shocked expression. "What is it, V?"

"Originals," she breathed, and his reaction suddenly stiffened.

"Klaus?" His eyes widened.

"One of the brothers. With Evangeline Flemming."

The young man stood swiftly. "Well, sister. You must introduce me to your new friends."

The parade was nearly over when Veronica returned with a handsome man not much older than herself. "Forgive me for taking off so quickly," she apologized smoothly. "I had matters to attend to with my family. This is my brother, Alexander."

Alexander shook Elijah's hand firmly, then he turned to Evangeline. "The muse of the nursing home. I'm so glad to finally make your acquaintance. Lucy spoke so highly of you." They shook hands, and Alexander paused, his face flickering for a moment.

Veronica sat beside Evangeline and cooed at the child. "He's so cute." Then she reached out and touched his finger. The moment her hand touched his skin she recoiled in fear, like she'd received a mild electric shock.

"What's wrong?" Evangeline pulled her son to her chest.

Veronica couldn't compose her features fast enough. Alexander grabbed her arm in alarm.

"Veronica, go now." He frowned seriously.

But his sister was frantic. "He's from the Original family. How is that possible?" Her eyes moved to Elijah, but her gaze fell on Evangeline in incredulous disgust. "What are you?"

"V, let's go!" Alexander tugged her arm furiously, and they quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Elijah's face grew taut. He looked as though he would follow, but seeing frightened disbelief on Evangeline's face stopped him short. "We must leave."

Evangeline said some rushed goodbyes to her grandparents and hastened to Elijah's side, holding Henrik tightly. They made it to Evangeline's car and swiftly threw the stroller in the trunk.

"What's going on?" Evangeline was nearly shaking as she fastened Henrik into his car seat. "How did they know about Henrik's lineage?"

Elijah said nothing until they were on the road. "They are clearly from a powerful line of witches. However, from which line they descend I'm not certain. Do you have anything in your possession that belonged to Lucy? Something personal?"

Evangeline furrowed her eyebrows. "Well, yes. She gave me this necklace." Her hand rested on the glittering sun pendant, and she sighed pensively. "It belonged to her mother."

"Good. Bonnie should be able track Lucy's line and tell us more about who we're dealing with."

Alexander and Veronica hid behind the windows of a dilapidated salon. The blinds were closed tightly. The odor of burning sage wafted around the room.

"Didn't you feel it when you shook her hand?" Alexander rubbed his palm as he marveled the events that had just unfolded.

"She wasn't a vampire, werewolf, or witch. How was I supposed to know?" Veronica pouted angrily.

"V, you need be more in tune with nature. Evangeline Flemming has drawn power from an encounter with death. Now, are you certain the child wasn't a half-breed?"

"I'm absolutely positive. He had the blood of the Original Witch flowing in his veins."

"That is fortunate for us, but it doesn't negate future risks. She may possess the ability to breed the cursed."

Veronica frowned. "What has to be done?"

Alexander thrust open the curtains of one of the windows, and sunlight poured in. "She must be destroyed."