Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Twilight or Vampire Diaries. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer and L.J. Smith. I do own the original characters made up for this storyline. Thank you.
Writer's Notes: Thank you munkze11 for your awesome review! I also had this terrible internal struggle about Klaus and Damon because I love them both. Probably Damon more so, but I had to keep true to Klaus because I also love him. Lol. It's a dilemma that I had a hard time with, but I managed to get past that part I feel. There is another chapter left before I write an epilogue for this story. With every story, there has to be an ending, and I really hope that everyone has enjoyed this story as much as I have had writing it. This is not the end for my fanfictions. I have a new Fanfiction you can look forward to, called, Whispers of Him. That fanfic is primarily a Shadowhunters fanfiction with some Fifty shades of Grey attributes. I have another fanfiction in the works for another TwilightxTVD crossover. It is untitled but look for it. Remember to favorite, follow, and review! Thank you all for the support!
~Salvatore Boarding House: May 31st
Bella had spent the day, so far, just trying to figure out the past few days. When they got back early yesterday morning, she was asleep. Damon made sure she got tucked into bed and that the girls were taken care of. She was grateful for Damon. He sacrificed himself to help her. She knew that his feelings for her were deeper, that he loved her, and that she had hurt him by disregarding his feelings. She loved him, and it scared her that she did love him like that. She spoke with Klaus yesterday when she woke up, and he was feeling a little better, she could tell, now that she was back in Mystic Falls. She was sure that he spoke with Marcel about the events that transpired during her visit there, and she was sure that he would question her all about it when she returned. That was what she was having trouble with. She promised that she was coming back home. She wanted to, but something in her heart just…wouldn't let her take the plunge and go back just yet.
She was hurting. She knew that it wasn't Hayley or Klaus' fault for what happened between them. She knew that it wasn't their fault, but still…Bella hurt. She hurt so deeply that she woke in the night crying uncontrollably and to Damon trying to calm her down. She must have been screaming out in her sleep because it alarmed him. He had slid into bed with her, holding her back against his bare chest and rocked her as she sobbed uncontrollably. She flashed back to last night.
"Shh Bella, it's okay." Damon's voice was gentle as he rocked her, his strong arms tight around her.
She couldn't stop crying, her face hurt, her head hurt, her chest hurt. Everything in her hurt so bad and she couldn't hold it all in. She wanted to just be over it and go home and lay in her own bed and just forget all this happened. But she couldn't. Hayley was pregnant with Klaus' son. It was a big deal than if there wasn't a child involved.
"Bella, you have to breathe." Damon coaxed her gently again. He stroked her hair with his free hand, then kissed the top of her head as he continued to rock her gently. He rocked her until her sobs subsided. He helped wipe away her tears, all while talking to her calmly.
"Damon…I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry. You're hurting…it's okay." His voice was so soft, so gentle.
Bella turned, looking up into his blue eyes, tears brimming her eyes again. She shut her eyes. "This isn't right."
"What's, not right?"
"You shouldn't be calming me down…you should leave. I'm sorry that I disturbed you." She sniffed.
"You're never a bother to me Bella. I told you I wasn't going anywhere, and I'll be here for you no matter what. This is it. I'm here for you Bella, forever." Damon whispered.
Bella's eyes shone with tears as they streaked down her face again. She buried her face against his chest and cried more. She cried until she passed out again.
She sighed, recalling the memory. He had been there for her at a great cost to his own feelings. He could have, in that moment, kissed her. He could have kissed her and that would have unraveled everything she was holding in, and she would have crossed that line she told Klaus she would never cross. Damon still, held true, and didn't take advantage of the situation. He helped her back to sleep and then he had left. She woke that morning with the bed empty and she thought that maybe she had dreamt it, but his glass of bourbon was still sitting on her nightstand from where he had grabbed her a drink in between the crying.
How was she supposed to put all the pieces back together? How was she supposed to go back home and pretend that she was okay? She would have to do it. Not for herself, but for her daughters. They needed to see their daddy. They hadn't seen him in nearly two weeks. She sighed and started packing her things. It didn't take long since she didn't really bring much with her. She had felt a little lightheaded a couple times, and she felt some light nausea, but she shrugged it off as she got Alora and Elodie strapped into their carriers. She looked up to see Damon leaning against the door frame, his arms crossed.
"You're leaving?" He asked simply.
"I think it's time to try and move past it." Bella said with a small smile. "Thank you."
Damon nodded, his eyes not leaving hers. He pushed away from the door frame and walked over to her, his hands framing her face and stared into her eyes deeply, like he was searching for something. He leaned his forehead against hers then, their faces really close, before he pulled back, looking back her. "Be careful, and you can come back anytime." He finally said.
Bella stared up at him, his blue eyes capturing her. She parted her lips to say something, but he leaned down, his lips brushing hers softly. He was kissing her. Her heart thudded faster in her chest, skipping a couple beats. His mouth was surprisingly warm against hers, and she was paralyzed like a statue as he kissed her. His tongue swept into her mouth, tickling her, and tasting her. Her tongue met his, tasting him back. His hands moved from her face, to the back of her head and her waist as he moved her body against his. His mouth drank her in, kissing her deep, like he was never going to see her again. When he broke away from her, Bella's eyes fluttered open, and she saw the glint of tears in his eyes, but he turned quickly.
"I'll see around," He muttered and then he was gone. Bella stood there, a little stunned from the kiss, but also that he was crying. Why was he crying?
Bella managed to gather herself and got her girls down to her Jeep and Stefan helped get her bags and the play pens in. "Thank you," She said and hugged Stefan. "I'm sorry that I dropped in like this for two weeks."
"It's okay. We're always here to help you anytime." Stefan said with a smile. He looked up at Elijah who had walked up. Bella looked over at him quizzically too.
"Elijah? Are you here to check in on me? I'm heading back today." Bella said with a small smile.
Elijah smiled at her. "I'm not. I'm here for Damon actually, he asked me to come by…for something."
Stefan frowned. "What for?"
"I don't think it's something he wants everyone to know about." Elijah said simply.
Bella frowned. Damon would never just request Elijah over unless it was something important. If it was something, he didn't want anyone to know. "No. No." Bella said and rushed back into the house and found Damon in the parlor drinking. "Damon! What are you doing?"
Damon swirled the amber liquid in his glass. He didn't look up at her. "I'm drinking bourbon."
"That's not what I'm talking about. Elijah is here to see you. You can't possibly be planning on doing what I think you're about to do." Bella's heart was beating frantically.
He looked up at her now. "I…I can't keep going like I'm going. Bella, I love you so much it hurts, and the only way I can…move on is to do this. I can still be your friend, I can still be there for you, but I can't…I can't be in love with you anymore."
Bella looked at him wide-eyed. She knew that it was a lot on him. That it wasn't fair, but she didn't want him to forget her. "I…"
He stood, setting his glass down and walked over to her. "I love you Bella, and I know that I'll never be with you. I've experienced a lot of heart break, but this heart break hurts the most. I could…flip my switch…my humanity, but…I could never do that to you. I called Elijah to talk about it…I haven't decided that it's what I will ultimately do, but…"
"But you want to stop feeling so much pain." Bella finished. She swallowed, tears spilling over, and streaming down her face.
Damon reached up and wiped the tears away with his thumb. "I will always be here for you. No matter what. I told you that. I meant it. I don't want to hurt you, and I'm afraid…that I won't be able to stop myself again if I have you in my arms again like last night. I never want to put you in that situation. I- "
Bella kissed him, shutting him up. Tears streamed down her face as she willingly kissed him, instigating it this time. He kissed her back, his arms steadying her as she shook. He kissed away her sobs, bringing a hand up and wiping at her face.
"Bella…" He said softly when he pulled back. He looked into her eyes and brushed her hair out of her face. "Go home."
Bella stared up at him a moment. "I do love you."
"I know. I love you too. Go back to your husband Bella. I'll be okay. Promise." Damon smiled a small smile.
She didn't want to leave him alone with Elijah, but she had to. She closed her eyes, trying to force the tears to stop. Damon leaned in and kissed her forehead, and then released her. She turned and walked out of the parlor, her hands shaky. She looked up at Stefan when she appeared. He saw how hurt she was and how confused she was, so he didn't say anything. He looked to Elijah. "I'm going to drive Bella home."
Elijah nodded, understanding. "That's a good idea." He said and looked at Bella. "Bella, I'm sorry you're hurting so much."
Bella only nodded and got into the passenger side as Stefan got in the driver's side. They drove back to the manor. Bella sat in silence as she thought about everything she was feeling. Her heart ached so bad that she wished for it to just stop beating.
~Mikaelson Manor~
Stefan pulled up and sat there a few moments in the silence before he spoke. "Damon won't tell Elijah to make him forget you Bella. He's hurting, and I know that this isn't the way that he should go, but he has to make this choice himself. You or I can't do that. He promised you he would always be there for you. If he chooses to forget that he loves you…then that would be better for him."
She nodded. "I understand it. It's best for him to forget that he loves me." She smiled a little, looking over at Stefan. "You must think that I'm such a horrible person."
"I don't think that. I think that you're just…experiencing some confusion and pain. It's natural for you to feel this way after everything that you've been through." He explained.
"I love Klaus." She said, mostly to herself.
Stefan nodded. "I know. You wouldn't have married him, had children with him if you didn't Bella."
"But why do I feel like this?" Tears shone in her eyes again.
Stefan was quiet a moment. "Because you care. Bella you care about people with everything you are. You would give your life up for a stranger because that's who you are. Damon came into your life when you came to Mystic Falls, and he became important to you. You've experienced a lot of hurt and loss in such a short amount of time, and Damon has been there. He's…got this way of creeping into your heart. Trust me. I know. Elena…she struggled with the same feelings."
"I'm hurting so bad." Bella choked out a sob.
Stefan unfastened his seat belt and leaned over the console and pulled Bella across to him to hold her. "Hey. I know…shhh. It's going to be okay."
Bella sobbed hard. "I just…my heart…it feels like its going to explode, and I just…I know that everything that happened with Klaus and Hayley wasn't their fault, but it hurts so damn much that I can't stand it." She buried her face in Stefan's chest now.
He stroked her back and hair. "Listen, you don't have to return today. You can stay at the boarding house longer if you want to. If you're not ready, Klaus will understand."
"It's not just that." She leaned up, wiping at her face. "The girls need to be with their daddy. He's a good father. He…doesn't deserve this. I kissed Damon, Stefan…I know it was just for goodbye…for him… and me."
"I think Klaus would understand Bella, but if you're not ready…you don't have to walk through the doors today. We can try again tomorrow." Stefan suggested.
Bella thought about it. "No. I have to do this. Thank you, Stefan." She said and moved out of his embrace and opened her passenger door. He got out as well and helped her get the girls out. They got inside and Bella brought the girls up to their room. They both jogged down the stairs a little and Klaus was coming out of his office, phone to his ear, as he was talking rapidly to whoever it was on the other end. He was slightly irritated Bella could tell. He hung up with a sigh and looked up at Stefan and Bella. His eyes met Bella's, and they looked at each other for a few moments.
"I'll go get the rest of the things Bella. It's just one trip for me." Stefan said, and left out the front door, leaving Klaus and Bella standing there in the foyer.
"Are you okay?" Klaus asked her. He could tell that she had been crying. He had heard most of her and Stefan's conversation, and his heart wanted to explode too. He wanted to fix everything, and just go back in time and figure out a way to stop himself from betraying her. It hadn't bothered him like it should have hearing that she kissed Damon. He knew that she was hurting, and he knew even more that she did love Damon. When Elijah left out to the boarding house without a word, he was assuming it was just to check in on Bella, but now he knew why.
Bella swallowed. "I'm okay." She lied. "I'm sorry I stayed away so-"
"Bella…it's okay. You don't have to apologize for anything. I mean it. Anything." He said and moved towards her, his hands hesitantly running down her arms.
Bella looked up at him. He had heard her talking to Stefan. She closed her eyes, and even though she wanted to just run away and lock herself away, she stepped into him, her head resting on his chest. His arms came around her, holding her to him. She felt her chest tighten, and the threat of tears, and she pushed them back, not wanting to break down yet again. She was exhausted from all the emotions today, and she just wanted to lay down.
"What do you need me to do? What do you want Bella…If you don't…if you don't want to be with me anymore…tell me," he said, his voice almost a whisper.
Bella tilted her head up, to meet his gaze. His eyes were sad. She leaned up and pressed her lips to his softly, and then again and again, until it became hungry. She pushed him towards his office. Klaus was surprised as she pushed forward. He closed his office door behind them, he pulled away to say something, but she wouldn't let him speak. Her mouth on his, kissing him, her tongue sweeping into his mouth, tasting the slightest taste of whisky on his tongue from where he had been drinking earlier that morning. Her hands moved to his pants, unfastening them after she had managed to unfasten hers.
Klaus could sense the urgency in her, and he wanted her to just slow down and just talk about what she was feeling, but she wasn't giving him a chance. He moved her to his desk, knocking things off into the floor as he lay her on her back, pulling her jeans down to her feet and removing her panties. He freed his hard erection from his boxer briefs and then he entered her, a little rough, but she gasped in pleasure. He thrust into her slowly, her tightness squeezing around him hard.
"Klaus, fuck me…hard, don't hold back." She ordered him. She wanted it to be rough, to be hard. No slow drive. She wanted to feel…punished.
Klaus looked at her quizzically. It wasn't like her to ask for something like that. He stopped to look down at her. "Bella…"
"Klaus…please." She said, her eyes not leaving his.
He closed his eyes and moved away from her, sliding out of her. He couldn't do that. He pulled his pants on and his boxer briefs, before moving to her, pulling her to a sitting position and kissed her slow and deliberate. His hands going to her hips. He then pulled away to dip down and pull her panties up.
"Klaus…" Bella whispered, tears coming to her eyes.
"Bella, I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to hurt you because you feel like you should be hurt…like that." Klaus said and finished pulling her jeans up and fastening them for her. "I love you. I want to make love to my wife, not just fuck her like she's not worth anything."
Bella let the tears spill over. She didn't know what to say. Klaus pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her head. "Klaus…" she said his name again. She closed her eyes and then pulled away from him, wiping at her face. "I'm going to go…check on the girls." She said and left him there in his office, staring after her.
She got to the top of the stairs and she saw Kol coming from the girls' rooms. "Hey, they're okay. Playing in their cribs. Not wet or hungry." He said gently.
Bella's bloodshot eyes were the first alarm to Kol. She was pale and shaky, which was a second alarm. Bella didn't say anything as she felt herself get lightheaded. Her chest tightened and then it was hard for her to breathe. She started to fall backwards down the stairs, but Kol reached out to her and pulled her against him. She fainted, which made him swing her up into his arms.
"Klaus!" Kol called out and then moved into Klaus' room that he shared with Bella. Klaus was at the top of the stairs and rushing into his room when Kol placed her on the bed. "She just fainted." Kol said, concern breaking through in his voice. Stefan was alerted too and he followed Klaus up the stairs.
Klaus could hear her heartrate slowing down, and then what sounded like a small murmur. He felt her forehead and she didn't feel feverish. Her breathing was a little shallow, which wasn't normal for her. "I think she had an anxiety attack." Klaus finally said.
Kol frowned. "Why would she be so anxious?"
Klaus didn't answer, he sat on the edge of the bed gently and leaned in closer, focusing on her heartbeat. There was a little stutter in the rhythm, and a small separate murmur.
"What-"
"Shh." Klaus said, cutting Kol off. He leaned his head down to Bella's chest and focused harder on her heartbeat. The small stutter in the rhythm was there, but the murmur wasn't in her heart. Klaus leaned up, and then looked to her stomach. It would be crazy to think that it was possible, but he leaned his head down to her stomach anyways. He heard the murmur, the small steady beat, separate from Bella's, faster than hers. Klaus leaned up. "That…." He looked confused. "Watch over her. I need to make a couple phone calls." Klaus said and got up off the bed and walked out. Stefan looked at Kol before leaving after Klaus.
Kol looked down at the unconscious Bella. He pulled one of the armchairs by the window over to the side of the bed and sat and waited for Bella to wake up.
~Salvatore Boarding House~
"If I compel you, I can undo it at any point if I need to, but are you sure this is something you want to do?" Elijah asked as he drank bourbon with Damon.
Damon had thought about it more than once. "I think I need to Elijah. Bella…is special, and if I keep going down the same path I'm on, I'm going to do something I regret, and I don't want to hurt her. She's already hurting so much. I can't add to that."
Elijah nodded. "I understand. You don't think that Bella will leave my brother for you."
"If this was several months ago, and if Alora and Elodie weren't involve I might have answered differently. I don't want her to leave Klaus for me." Damon said and drank some of the bourbon.
Elijah raised a brow. "Oh? This isn't like you. You and Klaus don't get along. Why would you want him to keep Bella?"
Damon sighed. "Klaus has changed a lot and so have I. Still can't stand to be in the same room as him long, but he's a father now. I wouldn't take that away from him. I wouldn't take Bella away from him because…she chose Klaus. She chose him. Regardless of anything else, she made that commitment and married him. They have 2 girls together. They're wonderful, and when they were staying here, I got the honor to watch over those 2 little angels, and I just knew that I couldn't…I couldn't put Bella in the situation where she would not only hurt Klaus, or herself, but the girls as well. It wouldn't be fair to Bella if I continue to pine after her. I know how she feels now, and while I feel it could be easy to just push her my way with how shaky things are now with them, I don't want to do that to Bella. She's too important to me."
"You surprise me Damon." Elijah admitted.
Damon nodded. "Make me forget what I feel for her. I only see her as my best friend. I would do anything for her, but I don't love her romantically. She's basically family, and that's all I need to feel. "
Elijah nodded. "Anything else?"
Damon was quiet. He drank the rest of his bourbon. "No. That's it." He said, looking down at his empty glass.
"Are you sure?" Elijah asked again, setting his glass down.
"I'm sure Elijah." Damon said and looked up at Elijah. "I'm ready."
Elijah nodded, stepping close to Damon. He brought his hands up and framed Damon's face and stared into his eyes. "Isabella Mikaelson is your best friend, family. Your feelings for her are purely platonic. You would do anything for her because she's important to you. You forget any romantic feelings that you may have had for her, unless I tell you remember again." He compelled Damon, a tear sliding down Damon's face as the compulsion flooded over Damon.
Damon blinked a few times, and Elijah handed him a glass full of bourbon. "I'm sorry what were we talking about?" He asked. He just spaced out.
"Nothing important. I came by see if I could borrow one of the older grimoires in your library." Elijah redirected. "I just got here."
Damon nodded. "Ah yes." He took a drink of his bourbon. "Which one in particular?"
"The Gaelic one," Elijah said, slipping a hand in his pocket.
Damon moved over to the shelves that held hundreds of books. He went right to the Gaelic grimoire and pulled it from the shelf and brought it over to Elijah. "I think Bella has the other one." He said, handing it to Elijah.
"She does, we just needed this one. Thanks a lot, and thank you for the drink." Elijah said, lifting his glass, and drinking the bourbon in his glass and left.
Damon watched Elijah leave, and then lifted his own glass to his lips and drank.
~Mikaelson Manor~
Stefan watched Klaus pace as he waited for Carlisle to return his call. He was in surgery and couldn't come to the phone right at that moment. "What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure." Klaus bit out. "She hasn't woken up from fainting earlier."
Elijah walked in just then. Stefan looked at him. "Damon?"
"It's done." Elijah said and looked at Klaus. "What's wrong brother?"
Klaus didn't answer him, but Stefan did. "Bella fainted. We think it was an anxiety attack, and she hasn't woken up yet. Kol is up there watching over her. Klaus called Carlisle, but he hasn't called back."
Elijah nodded and then looked at his phone as Alice was calling him. He answered. "Alice?"
"Bella is going to be comatose!" Alice sang into the receiver, a panic in her voice.
"We know Alice. She has already fainted and hasn't woken up yet." Elijah said with a sigh.
"Jasper and I are on our way." Alice said and then she hung up.
Elijah slipped his phone in his pocket. "Alice's visions have started coming delayed."
Klaus looked up at the door as Carlisle came through. "I thought you were in surgery."
"I was. Dr. Fell is taking over for me. You told the nurse it was urgent." Carlisle said and followed Klaus upstairs.
Elijah started to follow, but Stefan stopped him. "Is Damon okay?"
"He's fine. I made him forget his love for Bella. He'll be okay Stefan." Elijah reassured him and started to move past him.
"Wait." Stefan said, looking towards the stairs. "Bella…I think that she might be pregnant again, but Klaus seems really worried about it. Bella didn't…she didn't sleep with Damon or anything when she was staying with us. I didn't know how to tell him, without him getting really angry. I don't think he would believe me."
Elijah nodded. "I know Bella didn't betray Klaus in that way, and Klaus would have believed you if you had told him. Either way, I don't think that's the reason he's worried Stefan. His wife is unconscious, and he's pretty sure the cause is him. He thinks he did this to her. If she is pregnant, it's most definitely Klaus'." He said and moved past Stefan up the stairs to see what was going on.
Stefan sighed and walked up the stairs to check on Bella.
Carlisle examined Bella. "Hmm. Her breathing is a little shallow, and her rhythm has some interruptions, but it's very minor. I'd have to do an ultrasound on her heart to see if there were any physical concerns, but her heartbeat is still very strong, and not weak at all." He explained.
"What could cause the stutter?" Kol asked.
"A number of things. What was she doing when she fainted?" Carlisle asked.
Kol stood. "She just walked up the stairs. I told her that the girls were okay. They weren't hungry or wet, because I just changed them, and they were playing nicely in their cribs. She passed out and nearly fell backwards down the stairs."
Carlisle nodded. "I don't think she overexerted herself. Walking up stairs wouldn't make her faint unless she was already exerted prior to that."
Elijah looked at Klaus and Klaus cleared his throat. "She was…having a hard time. She just got back home today. She found out that Elijah was going to compel Damon…to forget about his feelings for her, and she um…she's taking my infidelity hard."
Carlisle nodded. "I could tell she was a little out of it at my office before she went to New Orleans."
"She…she had a lot of nightmares at the boarding house. Damon would have to…. he would have to hold her and rock her until she would fall asleep again." Stefan said, and everyone turned to looked at him. "They were pretty frequent and sometimes multiple ones in the night. Sometimes she wouldn't wake up, and Damon would have to force his ability and get inside her dream to calm her down."
Carlisle nodded and looked back at Bella in thought. Klaus was staring at Stefan. "I…I didn't know she was having nightmares…" he said softly.
Stefan cleared his throat. "I don't think she wanted you to know. She had asked me to not tell you about them. She…she was dealing with it on her own."
Klaus wasn't sure what to say. His wife was having nightmares and it was his fault. She couldn't come to him and tell him that she was having these nightmares. She hadn't had nightmares before Hayley, and now…it made sense that he was the cause of it all.
Jasper came through the door, Alice right behind him. Jasper immediately went to Bella's side, and gently lifted her into his arms.
"What-"Klaus started.
Alice held up a hand. "Klaus. Stop. Jake is downstairs, and he's ready to rip you apart. He doesn't know everything. He only knows what he overheard us talking about. Sarah wants her to go to the hospital. We're taking her there now. I will let you know what is going on."
Carlisle put a hand on Klaus' shoulder. "Klaus…Look at me." He said and Klaus looked at him. "I'm going to perform some tests. She's still unconscious and that's a concern. I can't do much for her here anyways. Alora and Elodie need you here with them right now. Go tend to your daughters." He said as Alora's cries could be heard.
Klaus watched Jasper carry Bella away, Alice right behind him. Stefan left to go check on Alora because Klaus looked like he was about to come undone right then and there.
~Mystic Falls Hospital~
Carlisle got Bella hooked up to some monitors and was filling out her chart when Jake slid into the room.
"How is she?" Jake asked as he looked down at his sister.
"She's still sleeping right now." Carlisle answered and then shut her chart.
"How could he do this to her?" Jake asked angrily.
Carlisle sighed. "It's not what you think Jake. You need to listen to Klaus. He wants to talk to you. There are external factors at play here. I will tell you that Hayley and Klaus did not commit this act on their own."
Jake looked at Carlisle confused. "What do you mean?"
"What I mean is there were some external factors, and this is more complicated than it seems." Carlisle said. "Talk to Klaus."
Carlisle looked at the monitors again. "I've ordered an ultrasound on her heart, and abdomen. The technician will be in here shortly for those. Why don't you let her rest? If there's any change, I'll come and get you."
Jake hesitated, looking down at his sister one last time, and leaving the room.
Carlisle waited for Jake to be gone and then he switched on the ultrasound machine in the room. He moved Bella's shirt up and moved the wand over the belly. He looked at the screen and zoomed in a few times. One of the things that Bella had him do was cut and removed her tubes so she couldn't have any more children. It was something that she decided in private. He knew that she told Klaus, and he was okay with it. This could not be a possibility, but here it was. The tubes had regrown. There wasn't any explanation that Carlisle could give. And she was indeed pregnant. Obviously, it was accelerated greatly, and from the looks of it, the baby was around twelve weeks. Which meant that this happened about three weeks prior. It baffled Carlisle that this had happened. Vampire blood could heal, but it couldn't bring back something already missing, like a limb or even an organ. He checked and made sure that her appendix was still missing. It was, so it didn't make sense why her tubes would or even could grow back.
Carlisle took some measurements, printed a few images, and then moved then did the ultrasound to look at her heart. It looked strong, no physical damage from what he could see, but he would wait for the cardiologist. He would look at her heart and tell him if there was something that he was missing.
Klaus entered the room, he was alone. "So?" Klaus asked, going to her side, and looking down at her sleeping face.
Carlisle handed him the images. "I can't explain it Klaus. This shouldn't have happened. We removed the tubes completely."
Klaus looked down at the image. The image of a baby. It didn't look like the first scans they had with the girls, instead of little blips this was a developed baby. "The baby is healthy?"
"So far. Everything appears normal with the baby. The heartrate is a little low." Carlisle said.
Klaus sighed. "Bella didn't want anymore children. That's why she asked for you to have the tubes removed. I would have been fine to have more children, but she…she said she was done. That twins were plenty to handle."
"I know. It was a procedure that normally, we wouldn't perform on women under a certain age, but Bella was a special case. Esme and I did it quietly without the hospital knowing." Carlisle said, crossing his arms, thinking. "Vampire blood is the only option Klaus. There is no other way the tubes could have regrown like they did."
Klaus shook his head. "Vampire blood has regenerative properties, but you're right. It's not usual for something like this to happen." He kept looking at the image. "Boy or girl?"
Carlisle sighed. "The baby is measuring only twelve weeks. So, the girls were born four weeks prior to that. Which means she got pregnant probably 3 weeks ago."
"Damnit. She was in New Orleans, pregnant and using a lot of magic. She was in a fight with Demetri, he was rough with her." Klaus said and sighed, looking down at her sleeping face again. "The baby is okay though." He said it as a statement.
"Yes. The baby is fine for now. When Bella wakes up, we'll be able to tell more. Like I said, the heartrate is a little low." Carlisle said and then left Klaus to be with Bella alone.
Klaus grabbed Bella's hand in his. "Oh Bella…love. Please wake up. I would do anything to just…hear your voice…to look into your eyes."
There was a small knock at the door and then it opened. Damon was there. He brought flowers. "Is she okay? Stefan said that Jasper and Alice brought her to the hospital."
Klaus nodded. "She had a big anxiety attack we believe. She was feeling overwhelmed." He watched Damon set the flowers over on the table.
"Well, she's been handling the whole Hayley thing as well as she could I suppose. Are you okay?"
Klaus looked at Damon, bewildered at his concern. Elijah taking away his love for Bella made him more sympathetic to…him? "Uhh…I'm fine. I just want her to wake up."
Damon nodded. "She was having nightmares when she stayed at the boarding house."
It was like on cue, Bella started moaning in her sleep, and her heartrate picked up as she started to thrash a bit. Damon instinctively turned her on her side, and slipped into bed behind her, crossing her arms across her chest, and then he wrapped his arms around her like so. "Bella…" Damon's voice was soothing, soft. "It's okay Bella…Shhh." He soothed.
Bella's eyes started to flutter, and Damon felt her body relax. He shifted to a sitting position, rolling her slightly to her back. Klaus watched in semi-shock at how fast Damon was able to calm her down. Bella looked at Klaus and then at Damon and was confused. She was in the hospital she could tell, and there were monitors hooked up to her.
"Wh…what happened?" Bella asked Damon, mostly. She remembered leaving the boarding house. Kissing Damon, and Elijah…he went to compel Damon to forget that he loved her. She remembered going home, Stefan calming her down and then Klaus. She saw Klaus…and he turned her away because he…
"Calm down love," Klaus said gently as her heartbeat started to increase again.
Damon smiled. "Hey, listen to your husband. He's been worried about you."
Bella looked at Damon. He was oddly calm, in the same room as Klaus, and not as snarky.
"I…What happened?" Bella asked, looking up at Klaus.
"You fainted love. Alice had a vision that you were comatose, and her and Jasper rushed you here to the hospital." Klaus explained.
Carlisle came in then. "Ah. Bella you're awake." He said and glanced between Damon and Klaus before examining Bella. Damon had stood, giving Bella space. "Hmm. Everything is looking normal. Dr. Goodin is coming in to do an ultrasound on your heart. I didn't see anything on the ultrasound earlier to warrant additional testing, but I'm not a cardiologist, so I think it'll make me feel better if he did one too. How do you feel?"
"My heart?" Bella asked.
"Yes, you have a small heart murmur, so we wanted to get that checked out." Carlisle said and then looked up at Klaus, and then back to Bella. "And Bella…we have some shocking news."
"I'm pregnant." Bella said, her eyes not leaving Carlisle's.
Carlisle looked up at Klaus. "How long have you known?"
"I didn't know for sure…it's impossible for it to be true, and yet I had some sickness earlier today, and…some lightheadedness." Bella said and looked over at Klaus. "I'm sorry."
Damon frowned. "In New Orleans, she used quite a bit of magic." He said. "I thought something was off with her though. Klaus, I swear if I knew that she was- "
"It's okay Damon. No need for apologies." Klaus said and looked at Bella. "Are you okay?"
Bella didn't know what she should say. She was fine she supposed. She looked at Damon now, and she could tell that Elijah had used compulsion on him, because he was getting along with Klaus and not brooding like he normally did if he was in the same room with him for more than a few minutes. But the pain in Damon's eyes was gone. He was just showing concern for her. "I uh…I would like to talk with Carlisle alone please."
Klaus and Damon looked at each other before leaving the room. Bella waited for the door to shut and then she placed a mute spell on the room. "Carlisle. Are you sure this is a real pregnancy?"
Carlisle nodded, turning on the ultrasound machine. "Lift your shirt up."
Bella did and relaxed back into the bed. She watched Carlisle move the wand over her belly. She looked at the screen and saw the baby. "Is it okay?"
"Well, seems healthy. I told Klaus earlier that the heart rate is a little low for my comfort. I'm not sure I can give more than that Bella. I'm waiting on your labs to come back and I'll take a look at your levels. Are you okay?" Carlisle said as he moved the wand around trying to get a better angle on the baby's heart.
"I'm not sure. I thought Alora and Elodie were it you know. That's why I had the tubes removed, but since this has happened, I don't have a choice." Bella sighed. "I've drank a lot. I've overexerted myself with magic recently. I've trained hard and ran. Carlisle…. something is wrong with the baby. I just know there is."
Carlisle was quiet. "Here. I think this is what's causing your minor murmur." He said and pointed it out on the screen. "The baby has a murmur." He counted the beats, and the rhythm onscreen, and played it back louder for Bella.
"I hear it. But why would I have the murmur?"
"Sometimes it happens. I'm not a cardiologist, so you'll have to wait for Dr. Goodin to come and check you out." Carlisle moved the wand around and looked at different angles. "It may be why the heartrate is low."
Bella was quiet for a few moments. "Carlisle. Will the murmur go away? For the baby that is."
"I don't have those answers Bella. I don't want you to stress or worry about it. Talk to me about your anxiety." He said and turned the ultrasound machine off. "When did the attacks start?"
She sighed. "I don't know. I've always had anxiety. Edward caused that in me. I've just dealt with it. I'm a huntress, there is no room for it, but I'm still just a girl."
"I understand. But Bella, you're going through a lot right now. You're a new mother, your husband had an affair, even if it wasn't his fault, he's got another child on the way with another woman, and you just executed not one, or two people, but three. One of which was a fellow witch. You lost your father, and a good friend. It's a lot on your plate. You don't have to do it all alone." He reached over and took Bella's hand in his and looked at her. "You need to focus on you. What is right for Bella. Not what is right for Klaus, or Damon, or your mom or your brother. But what is right for you. You can't keep doing the same things you're doing. You don't have to shoulder the entire world on your shoulders."
Bella looked down at her hand in Carlisle's. "What if I just want….my heart to just stop beating. To just put an end to my witch life."
Carlisle was quiet. "Are you talking about suicide Bella?"
"I…" She was quiet. What did she mean? Did she want to leave this planet completely? Did she want to leave her girls behind? Klaus? Damon? Her mom?
"Bella…if you're thinking about hur- "
She shook her head. "I could never hurt myself Carlisle. I was just thinking about becoming…a vampire."
Carlisle nodded, looking down at their combined hands. "Well. That's certainly an option that only you can make. Bella…are you unhappy?"
"I'm…just in a lot of pain. My heart hurts so much, and when I fainted…it was hurting extra because Klaus turned me away. He…didn't want me, and I just. I got to the top of the stairs, and I was lightheaded, and my chest felt like it was going to explode. My heart…" She closed her eyes, pushing back the tears.
Carlisle sat quietly as he listened. "Try talking to Klaus. I'm sure it wasn't because he doesn't want you Bella. He's probably having a hard time too. He probably blames everything on himself. He's the one that was unfaithful, in his mind, you left to New Orleans because of him, and probably an entire list he's been keeping of every moment he hasn't been perfect for you."
She thought about this. Carlisle wasn't wrong. She knew that Klaus was taking it all hard, and it wasn't fair to him for her to be like this.
"I know what you're thinking, and you have every right to feel hurt, to feel betrayed. Bella, you were violated. Your marriage was attacked by not one, but two envious women. You handled them, but that doesn't make the hurt just magically go away." Carlisle said softly.
"Damon erased his love for me. If I weren't a witch, or huntress, I could have Elijah compel me to forget all the pain. If I'm a vampire…he can."
He sighed. "You're not one to take the easy way out of anything. Bella, you would still hurt regardless. Pain doesn't get magically erased. Eventually Damon will hurt again too, it's just prolonging it. You have to work through this pain, it'll make you stronger in the end."
She knew Carlisle was right. She closed her eyes as her chest tightened. "Carlisle…it's happening again." Her chest tightening burned, becoming really hard for her to breathe now, and she felt like she was going to pass out again. Her left arm shooting pain and going numb. Her vision blurred, and she couldn't think, but the pain was intense.
Carlisle stood, looking at the monitors. "You're having a heart attack." He said and then he hit the red button, and then leaned the bed down.
Nurses burst into the room rolling a crash cart. Klaus and Damon rushed into the room too.
"Klaus, Damon, get out." Carlisle said briskly, as Bella started crashing. "Damnit." He said as her heartrate dropped, the monotonous elongated beep on the heart monitor had Carlisle moving quickly, injecting her with something Klaus didn't know what, and then the nurse handed Carlisle paddles.
"Clear!" Carlisle yelled, and everyone removed their hands from Bella, and he shocked her. Her shirt was wide open, as the paddles hit her skin for the second time.
Damon put a hand on Klaus' arm and pulled him away from the door, letting it fall shut. Damon's arms went around Klaus as he started to fall to the floor. Damon hugged Klaus to him tight. "Calm down. Hey, man it's going to be okay. Bella is going to be fine." He kept a tight grip on Klaus as he pretty much lost it. Tears streamed down Klaus' face, and his arms embraced Damon back, as he cried. Damon was calming, his voice calm and steady, and soothing.
Carlisle got Bella's heart back in rhythm. She was unconscious but breathing on her own, so he didn't need to intubate her. But he was extremely worried about her unborn child. "She's pregnant, get that ultrasound moved over here." He ordered and one of the nurses did so quickly. He moved the wand across her stomach. The entire room was quiet as he searched for the heartbeat. "No heartbeat." Carlisle murmured, and then looked from different angles. It was very rare in the first trimester for a fetus to survive that sort of trauma. Then there was the slightest of beating. He froze, zooming in on the ultrasound. The baby's heart was still beating, just not very fast. "There it is." He said mostly to himself. He watched for a little longer as he willed for the baby's heartbeat to increase, but the heartbeat was fading. When the heartbeat faded, and stopped, Carlisle moved the wand away from her stomach and moved to her chest to look at her heart. He looked at the monitor and looked for major signs of damage. He could see a slight weakness in her heart.
"Get Dr. Goodin in here now." Carlisle said and one of the nurses left the room hurriedly, rushing past Damon and Klaus. Klaus watched the nurse leave and then moved towards the door, but Damon caught his arm.
"Don't go in alone." Damon said and moved with Klaus inside Bella's room.
Carlisle looked up at Damon and Klaus. Two nurses were still in the room. "I paged Esme. I'm sorry Klaus." He said as he finished writing in Bella's chart. The two nurses were prepping some weird looking utensils that Klaus wasn't familiar yet. "Bella had a heart attack. We had to use the paddles on her, and in doing so, the baby didn't survive. It tried, but it didn't survive Klaus."
Klaus was just looking at Bella. She was so pale, so fragile looking. "What caused the heart attack?" He asked, his voice sounding broken.
"I'm not sure. Dr. Goodin is our cardiologist. He'll know for sure what is wrong." Carlisle said and looked up as the door opened and Dr. Goodin walked in. He was taller than Klaus by a couple inches, and he had dark hair, and olive skin. His eyes were an olive green as well.
"I'm Adam." He introduced himself. "Carlisle, any minor damage?" He asked, moving to Bella's right side, and shifting the ultrasound machine to take a look. He looked at the screen intently. "Hmm. Yeah, she has some damage to the left ventricle wall. She just had a heart attack?"
Carlisle nodded, folding his hands in front of him. "Yes. She's nineteen, was twelve weeks pregnant, but the fetus didn't survive. History of seizures, and GAD. Has seven-month-old twins, one stillbirth, and one miscarriage prior." He rattled off Bella's history.
"Mmm. And the scar across her chest is a battle scar." Adam studied the ultrasound on her heart a little more. "I'm going to do an EKG after Esme is done with her. This type of damage is usually referred to as takotsubo cardiomyopathy."
"Broken heart syndrome." Carlisle said with a sigh.
Adam nodded. "Yup. I'll be back." He said and slipped out of the room.
Carlisle looked at Klaus who was just staring down at Bella, so he looked over at Damon.
"Doc. Is she going to be okay?" Damon asked, lowering his voice.
"Yes. Adam is a good doctor. He'll do the EKG, but it'll confirm the broken heart syndrome. He'll end up dosing her with vampire blood to heal the wall of the heart and avoid surgery since she's supernatural. Adam is a fellow witch." Carlisle explained.
Damon nodded. "Okay. I'm going to call Elijah and have him come up here with Klaus. He's not…he's not okay."
"I know. Thank you, Damon." Carlisle said and left the room.
Damon looked at Klaus, and walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey. I'm going to call Elijah to get him up here. I know you…I know you don't want me to hang around here all day."
"Don't go." Klaus said simply. "Don't go. I…"
"Klaus, I'm just her best friend. Elijah is family. You're her husband. She needs family around her right now. I'll go get Jake, and call Sarah." Damon said, and patted his shoulder before leaving.
Klaus looked down at Bella and just cried. "I'm sorry love…I…I've broken your heart."
Sarah came up to the hospital and Jake was already there. He was running around the hospital in wolf form to blow off steam. When Damon came down and explained to him what happened with Bella, he bolted back upstairs and was sitting in the room with Klaus, and when Sarah arrived, she went to Klaus immediately and hugged her arms around him. She looked down at her daughter, who was weak looking and laying in the hospital bed.
Esme had been in earlier to assist Bella's body with passing the baby, and to give her some antibiotics to prevent infection. Adam did the EKG and confirmed what he had already said it was and they dosed her with vampire blood to help her heal. Now it was a waiting game until Bella pulled through her coma. Rebekah and Rosalie watched after Charlotte, Alora and Elodie for Sarah and Bella while they were all up at the hospital. Hayley even helped as she worried about what was happening with Bella. No one told her exactly what had happened, only that Bella had a heart attack and was at the hospital recovering.
After what seemed like hours, Bella finally started to come to. She blinked, her vision adjusting as she looked around the room. She saw her mom's face, Jake's, Klaus' Jasper, and Damon. Sarah brushed Bella's hair back, tucking it behind her ear. "There you are."
Klaus stood from his chair, taking Bella's hand in his. "Bella, love…"
Bella blinked, her vision blurring a little and then refocusing. She looked over at Klaus her brown eyes meeting his. "Klaus…" she said, her voice a little worn. "Are…." she coughed. "are you okay?"
Klaus laughed nervously, as a few tears escaped and trickled down his face. "Am I okay?" He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "You just had a heart attack, and you're asking if I'm okay."
Sarah smiled, leaning down, and kissing her forehead. "Bella honey, I'm going to step outside and give Gabby a call. She's at a friend's house and she's worried sick. I'll be back." She said and looked up at Jake and nodded her head, and he followed her out.
Damon smiled. "Welcome back Bells."
"Gave us quite a scare darling." Jasper said and then patted Damon on his shoulder and winked to Bella before leaving the room with Damon.
She looked back to Klaus, who looked a little worse for wear. "I'm serious. Are you okay?"
"Why is it you still worry about people when you should be worrying about yourself love? It amazes me." Klaus said softly.
"Well, you don't look so good." Bella said, trying to lean up.
Klaus helped her sit up better. "Well, you are looking a lot better than you did. The vampire blood heals you pretty quickly. Bella…love. The baby didn't survive you having a heart attack."
Bella was quiet. She wasn't sure how to feel. She was sad, but at the same time, she knew it was for the best. "I'm okay. Are you okay?"
"I'm just glad you're awake. I'm so sorry…"
"Why are you apologizing?"
"Because Dr. Goodin said it was broken heart syndrome."
Bella nodded, looking down. She had heard about people dying from having a broken heart. "It's okay. It's not your fault. I'm just not good…at telling others about my feelings and asking for help."
Klaus leaned in and kissed her forehead, leaning his forehead against hers now. "Still. I've put you through so much. I just want you to be happy. I don't even care if it's a life without me at this point Bella. If- "
"Klaus. I love you. I will always love you. I've had a hard time with the Hayley thing. I'm not…I'm not mad at her, or you, it's just…its stupid for me to feel…this way, but I do. I'm going to work through it. I'm going to…communicate with you more. I'll let you know when I'm feeling anxious." She said, and hopefully he would left himself off the hook some.
He stared at her, amazed at how understanding and caring she was. He didn't deserve her not one bit, but he was very thankful that he did. He leaned in and kissed her softly.
Bella kissed him back, her hand going to his face and caressing it. "I'm sorry that you're also in pain. I wanted you to be mad or get angry with me for kissing Damon. I wanted to…be punished, but that was stupid of me."
"You're not stupid Bella. I would be lying if I didn't feel some sort of pang to my heart, but honestly, I wasn't angry or upset. It's not like I didn't deserve it, and well…" He didn't say any more because she kissed him again.
She kissed him a few times before leaning back and sighing. "Can we just go home? I need to be with the girls. They must think I've abandoned them."
Klaus smiled. "Not yet. Carlisle wants to keep you overnight. He said that he just wants to make sure you're all okay before sending you home. He wanted to talk to you about…other options so we don't have any more children."
"Actually…while I was sleeping. Magic spells and incantations were running through my head, and I think there's a spell that can help. I don't know why I didn't think about it before the tube thing, because it's in an older grimoire. I believe one of Qetsiyah's." She said.
Klaus nodded. "We will visit that then. Bella…I just want you to be truly happy. I'll do anything for you. Anything, if I have to…uh…give you up to him every other month…I'll do that."
Bella stared at him. "You…you would share me?"
"When you say it like that…" He murmured.
"Klaus, you sound insane. Don't…don't talk like that." She said frowning.
He nodded. "Okay. I won't mention it again." It honestly would kill him inside if she had agreed to that.
After a few hours, Carlisle agreed to let her go home as long as she was comfortable with that, and Rebekah was there to help with anything if need be. He was worried about Bella. He was afraid that she was spiraling, and her words to him earlier before her heart attack had him even more worried. She told him not to say anything to Klaus, and because of HIPPA, he couldn't. He didn't think that she was an immediate threat to herself, so he would just have to keep a closer eye on her.
~Mikaelson Manor: July 10th
The girls were already saying little sounds like 'dada', 'mama', 'baba'. They tried to walk around but they could only stand for right now. They were about the size of the average 10-month-old. Alora had dark curly hair that was already so long to her ears. Her ocean blue eyes matched Klaus', and she even had his smile. Elodie's hair was brighter in color, a dusty blonde, and her eyes had significantly changed to a light brown. She looked more like Bella than Alora did even with a lighter hair color. Elodie's hair was curly too, but not as long as Alora's.
Most days Bella spent time with the girls. Hayley was still very pregnant. According to Esme, this was the longest pregnancy she had seen. Hayley was measuring 42 weeks, but he hadn't decided to come yet, but Hayley's body was preparing for it. If she didn't go into labor by midnight, Esme was going to induce labor.
Bella checked in on Hayley to make sure she was okay. She was bedridden for the moment. "Hey, you need anything?" She asked as she poked her head in Hayley's door way.
"I need this baby out of me." Hayley groaned.
Bella smiled and walked into the room. "Esme said she would induce after midnight."
"That's like 20 years away." Hayley exaggerated.
"Well, I could give your legs a massage, try to see if I can hit the miracle pressure point since Kol failed." Bella suggested.
Hayley sighed. "Sure. Go for it." She was cranky.
Bella sat on the end of the bed and took Hayley's foot and started massaging up from her feet to her ankle and then to her calves. She had been reading about the pressure point since Kol had mentioned it. He was trying to help her with having the baby as much as possible. Bella was pretty sure Kol had developed a sort of crush on her, but he denied it.
"It feels good. What's it supposed to do just miraculously send me into labor?" Hayley asked as she enjoyed the foot rub.
"Hmm. I think it's supposed to induce contractions or something like that. Did you eat a bunch of pineapple?" Bella asked as she kept massaging the pressure point.
Hayley sighed. "Yes. I ate so much pineapple, I feel like I've turned into a pineapple." She said and then she felt some small twinges of pain in her back. "Maybe I should do like squats or something."
Bella shrugged. "Could work." She got up, helped Hayley to her feet. She stood behind her to steady her as Hayley squatted. It was a struggle, but Hayley managed to do a few squats. When she bent down to squat again, she heard a popping sound and then a gush of water ran down her leg.
"Bella…was that my water?" Hayley said as she froze in the squatting position.
"Yes. That was your water. Are you okay? Any pain?"
Hayley felt the pain in her back, but it was more annoying than anything. "Well, the back pain, but I've been having that all day long."
"You've been having back pain and didn't tell anyone?" Bella said, helping her out of the squatting position.
"I didn't think it was a big deal." Hayley said and Bella helped her over to the bed. Bella pulled Hayley's wet shorts off and pulled out her phone, sending Esme a text. "I just sent Esme a text. Rebekah is downstairs. I'll grab her to come check and see if you're dilating."
Hayley nodded. "Okay. Thank you, Bella."
Bella smiled. "Of course." She said and then disappeared quickly to grab Rebekah, who was with Klaus. "Uh. Hayley's water just broke. I text Esme." She said and Bella's phone dinged.
[Esme]: I'm on my way. Have Rebekah check her out.
Bella smiled. "Rebekah your assistance is required." She said and Rebekah rushed up the stairs to Hayley's room. She looked to Klaus. "Your son is about to be born, aren't you at least somewhat excited?"
Klaus nodded. "I guess so. It's not…it's not our child though." He ran his hands down Bella's arms.
"Well, he'll be mine too because he's yours. We've all talked about this already. We have plans in place. Everything is going to be great. Promise." Bella smiled and kissed him softly. "Now come on, oh, Kol!"
Kol had already started up the stairs. "I know, the baby is coming." He said and they all got up the stairs to Hayley's room.
Hayley looked fine, like she wasn't bothered. "Ah, the gang's all here, minus Esme." She smiled. "I can't tell you how excited I am. Bella. Squats was a brilliant idea."
"Told you." Bella said with a smile.
Hayley's hand reached for Kol's as he walked over to her. "Thank you for being here Kol. I know it was weird to ask you."
"No worries. I'm here for support." He tried a smile and looked up at Klaus who was standing off in the corner. "Brother, you remember all the practice and classes right?"
Klaus raised a brow and looked to Bella, who nodded and urged him to go to Hayley, to support her. He moved to Hayley's other side and smiled down at her. "You feeling okay?"
"Such a lame question, but I'll take it. I'm fine. Just back pain, nothing compared to shifting every full moon for how many full moons. I can handle the pain. Easy peasy." Hayley said with a smile. Klaus nodded.
Rebekah nudged Hayley's knees down and looked up at her smiling. "Well you're a champ. You're almost fully dilated, and you're having contractions every five minutes."
"Oh? Really? The back pain is the contractions?" Hayley asked.
"They are."
"You've been in labor all day Hayley." Bella said with a smile. "Contractions all day, and you literally just laid in bed and complained about it taking 20 years to get to midnight."
Esme walked in then, smiling. "Alright, baby is coming today. Hayley, I would ask how you're feeling but you look like you're feeling great."
"I'm perfect. Mmm." Hayley said frowning as another contraction happened, this time wrapping around to her stomach. It was more intense than what she had been experiencing.
"Ah. He's getting closer." Esme said with a smile, after seeing the little pained expression on Hayley's face.
Rebekah moved around the room, preparing for his arrival, and got all the things Esme needed for the delivery.
Hayley leaned up moaning a little. The pain was intensifying, but she was still holding it together. She gripped Kol's hand hard, but he didn't complain.
After a few more moments, Esme had Hayley in the position to give birth. Klaus held Hayley's other hand while Kol held her other, and a few short moments later, his son was born, crying loudly as the air hit his naked skin. Rebekah bundled him quickly, and then handed him straight to Hayley.
Hayley looked down at him and smiled before looking up at Bella. "He looks perfect."
Bella smiled. "He sure does Hayley. You did great."
Hayley nodded and then lifted him to Klaus. Klaus hesitated, looking at Bella and then at Hayley before taking the bundle in his arms. He looked down at his son's face. Dark hair in straight little tuffs was fuzzy on his head. His eyes were still swollen close, but he knew that his eyes would probably be blue. Both the girls had blue eyes when born.
After a couple hours Hayley was situated. She didn't want to hold her son again, which made Bella frown, but she didn't say anything. Rebekah was helping Esme with some vaccinations he needed in the other room.
Hayley finally spoke. "Listen…I uh…I don't know what to say to you Bella. You've been more than accommodating to me even after everything that has happened. You've treated me like family, and I don't think I could ever repay you."
Bella shook her head. "It's fine. Promise. Your son is beautiful."
Hayley nodded. She looked down at her hands. "I…I don't want to be a burden on you guys here."
"You're never a burden." Kol said softly.
Hayley smiled at Kol and took his hand in hers. "Kol…sweet Kol. I am. I interrupted the flow of things here, the dynamic. I couldn't impose any longer, but I won't keep Klaus' son from him either."
Bella frowned. "Hayley you don't have to leave. You're welcome to stay here. You're part of that dynamic too."
"I've thought a lot about this." Hayley said softly.
Klaus finally spoke. "Hayley. You're wanting to leave and leave our son here."
Hayley looked up into Klaus' eyes. "I…I want to be a mom…I just. Don't want to…be a burden here."
"Hayley, you're not a burden. Listen to what I'm saying. You don't have to leave. I've accepted you as part of this family." Bella said, trying to reassure her.
Kol leaned down then and just kissed Hayley. It was shocking to see Kol be this affectionate in public, but he didn't hold back now. Hayley sighed as Kol pulled away from her. "Stay. Please."
Hayley looked at Kol, a tear sliding down her face. "Kol. I'm sorry. I can't. You've been….so amazing and supportive, but I can't…lead you on that way. It wouldn't be fair to you. "She looked over at Klaus. She was quiet a moment. It was funny how a love spell put her on the path to Klaus, and that this had all happened because of a witch after her own man, and a cold one after revenge. She looked at Klaus, who seemed to be broken everyday that Bella was gone, and how amazing he was with his daughters. How he was with Bella. He not once turned his attention away from Bella to look at her, and she was glad that he didn't, but while watching him, she realized that she was slowly falling for him.
Bella looked at Kol and Klaus and then to Hayley. "Kol, Klaus, leave us alone for a moment." She said and Kol and Klaus left, Kol hesitating briefly. When the door shut, Bella cast a mute spell on the room. "You're falling for Klaus."
Tears rushed down Hayley's face. "I'm so sorry Bella. I-"
"It's okay. I understand…" Bella said with a smile. "I understand more than you know and it's okay."
Hayley wiped at her face. "I'm so stupid. I should have just gone back to the pack as soon as you got back, but I got comfortable here because it's a nicer life than I had in the pack. Rebekah buys things for me and makes me feel like a princess when I know I'm not."
"You're not stupid. It's okay to want a better life Hayley." Bella said and wiped a few of Hayley's tears away.
"I promise you Bella I didn't love him or even remotely have feelings for Klaus when this all happened." Hayley said through a broken sob.
Bella nodded. "I know you didn't. It's okay." She said and pulled Hayley into a hug. "I understand what you're going through. It's a struggle. I know this because I've struggled with my emotions for a while now. I've worked through all the pain, and I've accepted it. Hayley, you're part of the family now. There isn't anything that I wouldn't do for you."
"I don't deserve it." Hayley sniffed.
"But you do. You deserve to be happy Hayley. What do you want to do Hayley? I'll support whatever it is you want to do." Bella said with a smile.
Hayley looked at her. "I…I just want to go back to New Orleans and start fresh. I…I love my son…" she started crying again. "But…"
Bella nodded. "I want you to be a part of your son's life. He's going to grow up fast because of his hybrid nature. He'll be all grown up before you know it, and I don't want you to miss out on those moments. No mother should miss out on their child's journey in life."
"But…I don't think I can just stay here with you and Klaus…and Kol." She sniffed again.
"You don't have to. We can get you a house, or whatever it is you need, and make everything okay." Bella said softly.
Hayley thought about it but then sighed. "I can't stay in Mystic Falls Bella. I just can't."
Bella was quiet a moment. "What do you want us to do?"
Hayley had thought this through many times. She loved her son, but she didn't want to be there in Mystic Falls anymore. "I'm going to give him up Bella. I…I can't do this."
"How about this. Rest for a few days and think about it. This isn't a decision you should make lightly." Bella said gently.
"I've thought about it a lot. Since the day I showed up and met you, I've thought about it." She said and sighed. "I'm not cut out for this sort of life. I belong with my pack…with Leon. Even if he hurt me."
Bella nodded, understanding. "Just stay the night. We'll talk about it in the morning okay?"
Hayley nodded, defeated. "I suppose I need to rest anyways." She said, feeling the fatigue a little.
"Right. Get some rest. I'll look after…your son, and I'll check on you later okay?"
"Okay Bella…thank you." Hayley said with a smile.
Bella left the room, shutting it behind her. She looked at Klaus and Kol. "She needs rest. Leave her be Kol." She warned and then looked at Klaus. "I need to talk with you."
Klaus nodded and followed Bella down to their bedroom, where she shut and spelled the room. "Hayley has started to fall for you Klaus."
Klaus was quiet. "I swear I didn't try to lead her on or anything Bella. I would never do that to you."
"I know. She knows it too. She wants to leave Mystic Falls. She doesn't want to stay here because she says her pack needs her in New Orleans." Bella explained.
"She's going to take him with her? I can travel to see him, I'm not opposed to that, since I travel to New Orleans frequently." He murmured, thinking it through in his head.
Bella sighed. "She doesn't want to keep him. She…said she wants to give him up."
"She…wants to give our son up." He echoed Bella's words.
"She loves him, but doesn't…want to be a burden, and doesn't want to take him away from you." She explained. "I told her to rest and that we would talk about it in the morning. She's really tired, so I figured that sleep would do her some good. I tried to reassure her that I was okay because she was apologetic. It was never her intentions to love you like that."
Klaus nodded, taking all this in. "What do you want to do?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, what do you want to do? This isn't just about me or Hayley or the baby. You're in this too. What do you want to do?" He asked. "I'll do whatever you want me to do."
Bella was quiet a few moments. "If she leaves him here with us, then we'll just take care of him. Raise him with the girls, and just love him Klaus. He's a baby and he's your son. He'll carry on the Mikaelson name." Bella said and then smiled, touching a hand to Klaus' face. "I love you okay. I'll love him as well."
Klaus shook his head in disbelief. "You never cease to amaze me you know that?"
Bella smiled and leaned in and kissed him softly. "That's what will happen when you have a wife that is amazing."
His mouth found hers again, this time the kiss was deepened, his tongue sweeping across hers, drinking in a small moan. Her body responded to his, pressing against him, her firm perky breasts fitting in his hands as he moved them under her shirt to unhook her bra in the front. Her hands pulled his shirt up over his head as they moved towards the bed, locked together, pulling at each other's clothes. She landed on the bed on her back, naked, their clothes in a trail from the door to the bed. Her skin was smooth under his touch as he kissed her from her jaw to her hip, nipping in some places, getting her to arch up against him again. His mouth sought below her bikini line, his breath hot against her clit as he moved his tongue across her once. She grasped the sheets in her hands, twisting them as he flicked his tongue over her again, and again. Her hips bucked up against his mouth, begging for a release, but he teased, holding off, dragging it out. One hand stroked her hip as she other slipped two fingers inside her, stroking her from the inside. Her insides yelled at her as she twisted up inside, climbing the pinnacle of pleasure, and pleading for release. But he backed off again, moving away to the inside of her thigh, kissing her there, sucking there, and then he bit into her. She moaned loudly as he drank her in, her very essence before he moved back to her center, flicking a tongue over her again, getting her to writhe in the sheets.
"Klaus! Please…" she begged for her own release. He moved up her body slowly, kissing from her hip to her jaw, and then her neck. He kissed her there, suckling a little before his mouth covered hers. She could taste herself on his lips, as his tongue washed over hers, drinking in her moan as he pushed his throbbing erection inside her, sheathing himself fully inside. He moved very deliberately, quick rough motions, her hips greeting his as he thrust. Her climax reached her finally, liberating the tension built up inside as she came. Her fluids washed over him, her moans echoing in his ear as she closed around him. As he moved faster, his hands tangled in her hair as he drove into her, chasing his own release.
As he drew closer and closer, he felt her tighten around him again as she moaned, her body shuddering under his as she met her next climax. He moved his mouth to her neck and bit into her gently as he pushed faster, holding on to his control barely as he filled her full of his own seed. He moved into her a few more times before he came to a stop. He removed his mouth from her neck, his tongue licking over the puncture marks before his mouth came to hers and kissed her. She kissed him back, her hands in his hair as her tongue whipped out against his.
He pulled out of her, shifting his weight, and then pulled her into his arms, her head resting on his chest.
"Pretty mind-blowing." Bella said and then kissed his bare chest.
He drew circles on her back as they lay together. It was a good feeling to lay together like this, and he missed it. It was one of the rare times that they were like this. The past month and a half Bella was spending more time with the girls, and they rarely were this intimate. There were the couple times in the shower, but it was quick and over with. This time they made time for each other, and it made him feel like they were getting back to a form of normalcy.