Disclaimer: I own nada.
Chapter Thirty- Eight
The feel of soft puffs of breath across his chest brought Klaus out of his nightmare. The first thing he noticed as he woke up was the feel of a soft overly warm body curled into his side. The sound of a steady heartbeat. The all too familiar scent of his wife filled his nose as he inhaled purposely, he had waited until he knew she was asleep before he came to bed last night. She must have gotten cold during the night and sought out warmth. He didn't want to wake her up just yet. He needed to hold her for a little while longer. The weight of the events the past few days was nearly suffocating.
He did the right thing by letting Rebeka take care of Hope until her home was safe for her. He thought of why Layla was here and guilt swam through him. If he let her keep the memory of what he told her she'd be in danger. If he compelled her to forget he'd lose her forever. He carefully untangled his self from her as he considered both options. No one knew that she knew. It wasn't like anyone had reason to believe any deferent. Years of having Mikeal trying to kill him made it nearly impossible to trust anyone.
He walked out on to the balcony as he thought about not compelling her. She would have proof that he trusted her. He wouldn't lose her because of his own paranoia. He sighed, but his enemies would come after her. Memories of Hayley dyeing in his arms flashed before his eyes. He could not survive if that happened to Layla. Knowing that she went through something as difficult as her first change without him there to help her was hard enough. He could live with her hate and anger, but not if she didn't live.
"I see Layla is still proving to be every bit as stubborn as you." Elijah commented as he approach his brother. He heard them arguing last night and knew this was hard for Niklaus. On one hand he had a wife who wanted his trust on the other hand he had a daughter who he had to protect. It was a very difficult choice he had.
"It seems I am torn between letting her keep the knowledge that my daughter still lives and taking it from her as a means to protect her." Klaus stated as he stared blankly out into the city below.
"I can understand your delima as you have never had to put someone else before yourself." Elijah replied as Klaus stalked back into the study and he followed.
"Anyone else would be a bloody mess." Klaus swore as he slammed his hands down causeing the desk to creak." To think I only saw her as a distraction at first now she has become everything." as the words left his mouth he realized the truth he'd been fighting.
" Then why push her away?" Elijah asked as he drew his brows together in confusion.
"To protect her!" Klaus stated in frustration as he turned to face Elijah." You saw what happened to Hayley. We gave up our daughter to protect her. If I can't protect my own daughter how can you think I can protect my wife?" he saw the understanding in his eyes.
" Perhaps you should let her decide if she needs to be protected now that she's a wolf." Then an idea occurred to him. " She may can help us take back New Orleans." Klaus eyed him curiously. " She's a new wolf and Jackson is someone she trusts very much. If we can get him and his pack on our side it would give us a great advantage." Klaus considered his words.
" She wouldnt want Jackson to get hurt." He said as he thought about asking Layla to talk to Jackson she would rather stake him now. "Besides she's a little upset still." Elijah nodded.
"I have observed this marriage and at first I thought it was doomed, but then I saw an enormous change in you." as he spoke they heard a noise from Niklaus's room.
"She's awake." he couldn't help the smirk as he prepared for he wrath.
"Perhaps you should try a deferent approach if you want to earn her forgiveness once more." Elijah suggested as they no longer heard her in the room. The both looked at each other before it hit them what had happened.
"Damn it!" Niklause swore. She had climbed over the balcony.
"I'll go after her." Elijah said as he saw the hurt on Niklaus's face. " Don't worry I'll make sure she comes back." he touched Niklaus's shoulder then went after Layla.