this is probably one of my favorite chapters i've written so i really hope you like it!

i feel like i've been putting off posting this because i'm so sad this is all almost over! this is actually the story's intended ending (the next chapter is an alternate ending that relates back to the original story) so please let me know what you think!

Take It Easy

"[I didn't] scare boys from coming to see you," Klaus, Look After You, Chapter 29

Marcel got to the bar that afternoon, the different factions busy as they prepared for their annual peace celebration. It always coincided with Hope's spring break so she would be home and he looked forward to seeing his niece as well as his nephew, Tyler, who Jade got pregnant with shortly after Hope started school. They were due to be in town the next day for the party. As he sat down at the bar, Jade was just finishing up on the phone, softly laughing to herself as she placed it back in her back pocket.

"Something funny?" Marcel asked as he got her attention and she nodded as she sat his usual drink in front of him. "Care to share?"

"Ah, the universe is just really funny," she commented, spotting Jackson and waving him over. "Just the man I needed to see."

"Oh yeah?" Jackson laughed as he sat next to Marcel. "What's up?"

"Well, I just talked to your daughter," Jade told him. "And she wants to know if she can bring a friend home over break and to the party." She nodded at him. "I told her I would talk to you about it."

"Sure, why would I..." He trailed off as he figured out why Jade was being so weird about it. "Bring someone, like a date?"

"Ohhh boy," Cami commented with a laugh from where she over heard. While they knew why Jade might find this a little funny, neither she or Marcel saw why the universe was funny.

"Yeah," Jade nodded, gauging his reaction; not good.

"Jade," he complained.

"What?" she laughed.

"She's seventeen, she can't have a guy staying at the house," he reasoned. Surely she would agree with him there.

"I know Jack, but there's so many guest rooms, it wouldn't even be a thing." She shrugged. "It's not like she doesn't date at school, this one just happens to be more serious."

"I don't like this," Jackson was telling her as Klaus was coming over to join them now.

"Don't like what?" Klaus asked curiously as he sat next to Jackson.

"Your granddaughter wants to bring a boy home for spring break," Jackson told him.

"Jade," Klaus was saying now.

"This is a conversation between her parents," Jade told him, not needing him to freak this kid out like he had done to her before; Jackson seemed to be ready to do that on his own.

"Well, her dad isn't too happy about it," Jackson reminded Jade now. "We don't even know this kid at all Jade and you-"

"Actually," Jade cut him off. "We kinda do, and you both," she nodded to her dad now. "Know his parents. Or, really, his dad specifically."

"Who..." Jackson's mind was racing. Who did they know at that school? Some of the Crescents went, but if Hope was dating someone from the pack he would already know about it. That was when it hit him. "Jade," he said seriously and she was biting her lip to keep from smirking.

"I can't believe it either," she said, laughing a little; the others were lost.

"Owen Lockwood," Jackson confirmed and she nodded; Marcel was drinking and nearly choked. After he turned, Mason had left for that pack in Florida where he met a werewolf named Jules. And not too long after that she was pregnant. Their son started at the school shortly after Hope.

"You can't say no just because of who his dad is," Jade pointed out.

"No, but again, I can say no to having her boyfriend sleeping at our house," Jackson continued.

"If it really bothers you that much I'll tell her no," Jade said, going for her phone again but she jumped when a blonde head popped up at the bar next to Marcel.

"I'll have a beer, extra root," her and Jackson's nine year old joked. While Hope had some darker features from her dad, Tyler got all of his fair ones from the Mikaelsons; he looked a lot like Klaus in his childhood.

"Honey, what are you doing home?" Jade asked.

"Hope and Owen drove us home early," Tyler motioned over his shoulder to where Hope and Owen were standing.

"Owen?" Jade questioned with raised brows; the look from her mom combined with the looks from her dad, grandfather, and uncle at the bar told Owen one thing.

"You didn't tell your family I was coming," Owen realized. He looked so much like his dad in high school.

"Ok," Jade cut in before anyone could say anything. "You two, out," she instructed. Hope grabbed Owen's hand and pulled him behind her outside. They heard her saying something how she called at the last rest stop, how she figured her mom would have won by now.

"You," she pointed at Tyler. "Go get some gumbo from Uncle Josh."

"But I didn't even," Tyler started off then he saw his mom's face. "Yes ma'am," he said, sliding off his stool and scurrying into the kitchen. Jade turned to Cami now.

"You don't say anything," Jade told her but she knew Cami wouldn't miss the chance.

"This seems like something you would have done," she commented.

"Because it was," Klaus chimed in now. "I found out about Mason when I visited her at school and found him hiding in the closet."

"Hm, those Lockwoods," Marcel chuckled.

"Must you?" Jade asked as she noted Jackson's face; he was furious and, granted, Hope was wrong. Maybe this isn't as funny as she initially thought. "You don't go after them," she told him.

"Jade, you can't be serious," he accused her.

"I'm not thrilled either," she assured him. "But, he didn't seem to know. And you can't tell me you can't empathize with this kid at least a little."

"What?" Jackson asked in confusion now.

"Werewolf meets tribrid, her hybrid dad hates her dating and is super intimidating," she listed. "Don't tell me you missed this fun little dynamic," she motioned between herself, her dad, and Jackson. Just then, Tyler was coming back with his bowl of soup.

"How was the trip Ty?" Marcel was asking him, breaking some of the tension as best his could.

"It was good," Tyler nodded, taking his first bite. "Owen's really nice." He noticed their curious looks. "I'm nine, not stupid."

"What can you tell us about him?" Cami asked; both Jackson and Klaus gave her a similar look, like how they could be asking him his opinion on this.

"Well," Tyler started off, finishing another bite. "He makes Hope laugh a lot." He shrugged. "He's nice, but he's not that funny," he commented and Jade tried not to laugh herself.

"What else?" Jade asked.

"They always hang out," Tyler continued. "He opens doors for her and stuff." He took another bite. "When I was in her room this morning I saw he got her flowers."

"What kind?" Cami asked.

"I don't know," Tyler said, making a face like how could he know that. "Yellow ones."

"Mhmm," Jade nodded. "Anything else?"

"I like him better than the other guys she goes out with," Tyler said. "They all call me kid," he said, making a face.

"That's probably annoying," Jade agreed with him.

"The worst," Tyler informed her. "Plus, none of them ever hang out with me."

"Owen hangs out with you?" Jackson asked now.

"Yeah, well, Hope was supposed to take me to the movies one time," Tyler started to explain. "But, she forgot she had a big test. So, me and Owen went and threw a football. We do it every week now," he grinned. "He's on the football team," he continued. "And his dad is the coach. Mr. Lockwood is really nice," he finished.

"Some things are genetic," Cami stifled a laugh and Jade nudged her.

"Oh and he met Uncle Matt this morning," Tyler tacked on as he finished his gumbo. "So, he's probably already been scared enough."

"Noted," Jade told him. "Thank you baby."

"Sure," Tyler shrugged, not sure what all he did. Marcel offered to walk home with him, leaving the others at the bar.

"That was sweet," Jade tried to reason with Jackson. Jackson really didn't care that Owen was Mason's son, he cared about the fact it was all being kept a secret then Hope pulled this stunt without permission.

"Why has it been this big secret?" Jackson countered.

"Matt probably figured we already-"

"I'm not talking about Matt," Jackson told her and like on cue Mason was calling her now.

"Hey," Mason said when she answered. "I hadn't heard from Owen, I just wanted to make sure they got there ok."

"Ah, yeah," Jade nodded. "They just...showed up."

"You had no idea," Mason realized quickly.

"How long has this been going on?" Jade asked him.

"You didn't even know they were dating?" Mason asked in surprise. "....how's that going over?" he asked and she knew he meant Jackson.

"Like a ton of bricks," Jade said sarcastically as she gave Jackson a look.

"I am so sorry," Mason said sincerely. "I was under the impression you knew."

"Well, if it makes you feel better so was Owen," Jade assured him. "This was our kid, not yours."

"Well, still," Mason reasoned. "If you don't want him to stay I definitely get it. He can drive over to Pensacola and stay with Jules's mom for the week."

"He doesn't have to go," Jackson said now, knowing Mason would hear. Mason thanked Jade before hanging up. Jade was looking at him expectingly. "She is still in huge trouble," he started off.

"Agreed," Jade nodded. The reaction to Hope dating hadn't been ok with her, but Hope's handling of it was wrong.

"I'm gonna go talk to them," he said now as he got up.

Jackson found Hope just where he suspected, at her favorite beignet place at a table with Owen; she spotted her dad first.

"Dad, I-" she tried to explain.

"You're probably tired from the drive today Hope," he told her. "You should get a coffee."

"I slept a lot of the..." She trailed off like Tyler did earlier when he saw Jade's face. "Ok," she said, getting up and going back towards the line at the counter, straining to hear.

"I'm really sorry Mr. Kenner," Owen told him right away. "I thought-"

"I know, it's ok," Jackson assured him. Jade was right about one thing, he did feel a little for this kid. He definitely knew what it was like to be around Klaus in the early days. "And you can call me Jackson. Mr. Kenner sounds weird," he laughed a little.

"...ok," Owen agreed. He had figured Hope's dad would probably kill him.

"Tyler had a lot of good things to say about you," Jackson continued. That had been a bit of a turning point for Jackson too. Obviously, Hope would do nothing but talk up her boyfriend. With Tyler saying nothing but good things though, and the fact that Owen actually tried with Tyler, that helped Jackson warm up to him a little faster.

"Yeah, he's a fun kid," Owen smiled. "I don't have any brothers or sisters, so," he shrugged. That, Jackson knew. His parents split up when he was a baby, then Jules passed away when he was around seven. Jade had suggested the school for Owen and a job for Mason to help the struggling dad out.

"Well, I'm sure Hope would be willing to loan him to you," Jackson said lightly. This reminded him a lot about a talk he had with Klaus once, about how they needed to get along to make Jade happy; now he was on the other side of it.

"I don't have to stay," Owen offered. "My grandma doesn't live too far from here and-"

"Owen," Jackson stopped him. "It's ok. I talked with Hope's mom and we agreed we would like you to stay-" He stopped as he felt Hope arrive behind his seat, quickly leaning over to hug him.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou," she was saying quickly.

"Hope's just gotta learn not to eavesdrop," Jackson said as Hope released him, returning to her chair. "We all just have some adjusting to do," he finished. He wasn't used to Hope dating for sure, but he was glad for now it was someone like Owen.

"Thank you," Owen said now and Hope was beaming.

"Sure thing," Jackson nodded. "Have you ever been to New Orleans before Owen?" The teen shook his head. "Hope should show you around," he nodded at the door.

"You're the best dad," Hope grinned as she hopped up from her seat and kissed his cheek.

"Glad you think so," he told her as Owen got up now. "Before you head out, make sure you stop by the house and get your brother."

"But dad, we," Hope was saying, meaning they wanted time alone.

"Ah, I see," Jackson nodded. "Well, Hope, while your mom and I agreed Owen could stay we also agreed you're still in trouble." He smiled at her. "I would get used to seeing Tyler a lot this week. Especially you," he nodded at Owen.

"Dad, not the-"

"Bunk beds," he finished for her with a nod; his face told her he wasn't kidding around.

"...ok," she said, taking Owen by the hand to go pick up her brother.

The next night everyone was getting ready for the party, coming and going from the house. Hope headed for her parents room alone, hearing her mom and Cami getting ready.

"You're really about to make Theo my favorite step parent," Jade was joking as she came out of the closet in her short black dress. "Hi honey, all ready?" she asked Hope.

"Pretty much," Hope nodded, zipping her mom's dress for her before joining Cami in sitting on her parents fluffy bed. "Mom, can I ask you a favor?"

"Your brother is headed to the bonfire with the other Crescent kids," Jade already told her, the big party not really any of the younger kids' thing. "You have a few free hours."

"Thank you," Hope breathed a sigh of relief. Tyler was a good kid and Owen really did like him, but having a nine year old shadow got exhausting.

"I could have gotten you more," Jade continued. Hope had figured this was coming since she had only gotten talked to about it by her dad. "Because when you first called I was going to tell your dad you were mature enough for this." She motioned to her. "What were you thinking?"

"I'm sorry mom," Hope apologized. "I just knew dad would say no and I really wanted you to meet Owen and-"

"You didn't even tell us about Owen in the first place," Jade reminded her, waiting for that explanation now; Hope hesitated.

"Dad's...weird about it," she started off.

"Your grandfather was way worse," Cami told her, making Jade laugh a little at the memory.

"Not that," Hope shook her head. "He gets weird about the Lockwoods, I've noticed. And I didn't know if it was some rival pack thing or what but..." She tried to study her mom's face. "Mom?"

"Jade," Cami said seriously. They had been talking about how she couldn't hide her and Mason from Hope before Hope got to the room.

"Mom," she said at Cami with a tone but she knew she was right. "Honey, your dad doesn't like the Lockwoods because of me."

"What do you...you and Mr. Lockwood?" Hope realized. Of course! After all, to turn into a hybrid he had to have known someone in her family.

"...yeah," Jade nodded, gauging her daughter's reaction. It seemed like she was taking it ok. "Mason and I dated before I moved here and met your dad."

"You broke up with him for dad?" Hope asked.

"Actually, I moved here and ended up meeting your dad because he broke up with me," Jade explained.

"Oh," Hope nodded.

"It wasn't the cleanest break up," Jade said, not needing to get into the Sage details or anything with her child. "Your dad knew I had been hurt and he didn't like that."

"They even got into a fight at the bar over her," Cami tacked on now.

"No way," Hope laughed and Cami nodded. "Who won?" she laughed.

"Honey, come on," Jade laughed now, meaning obviously Jackson.

"You and Mr. Lockwood seem ok now," Hope said, remembering how Mason got his job at the school. She also remembered her dad not being thrilled about it.

"Well, your dad will never admit it," Jade said as she sat on the other side of Hope. "But, he's got a bit of a jealous streak in him."

"But you've been with dad forever," Hope said like her dad had no reason to be jealous.

"I know," Jade agreed with her, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. "But, from your dad's side of things, Mason was my first big love. I had other boyfriends, but Mason was a serious one. Someone I had thought about having a life with."

"Oh," Hope said uncomfortably.

"What your dad doesn't seem to know though," Jade continued. "Is that Mason might have been my first real love, but your dad is my epic love story."

"How did you know he was?" Hope asked cautiously. "Was it after the fight?" she asked lightly, trying to hide she was nervous to ask.

"Well, that's when your grandfather knew he loved him," Cami joked, making Hope and Jade laugh.

"I don't know when exactly Hope," Jade told her now. "But at some point I just knew it wouldn't ever be anyone else."

"Ok," Hope nodded in agreement, smiling a little.

"Come on," Jade nodded at the door. "Let's go."

"I hear you stuck Hope with a nine year old chaperone," Klaus commented that evening as he sat at a table with Jackson while the party was going on.

"Well, I didn't fly her mom in from out of state," Jackson said, recalling what Klaus had done when he and Jade started seeing each other. "But, I think I did ok," he laughed a little and Klaus laughed as well. Across the room Hope was introducing Owen to Davina and Kol.

"Did you say Lockwood?" they heard Kol asking.

"I never got why you didn't like me, not till now at least," Jackson said as he took a drink, being the dad now instead of boyfriend.

"You won't like any of them," Klaus told him honestly. "You just tolerate some better than others. For that reason," he nodded to where Hope was laughing at something Owen just said.

"Just tolerate?" Jackson joked, raising an eye brow.

"If you're lucky one will really grow on you, he'll feel like family," Klaus admitted. "Hope's plenty like her mother, I'm sure you'll be fine."

"She's definitely her mother's daughter," Jackson agreed, noticing now that Hope and Owen were no where around. "They've got to add teenage daughters to what can kill hybrids," he said as he got up, convinced something was going on.

"Agreed," Klaus assured him and Aiden was coming over.

"They went for pizza with Henry and Megan," Aiden told him right away, with Megan being his and Josh's adopted daughter. "You can relax," his friend joked.

"We're parents, I'll never relax again," Jackson joked back though they both knew he was right.

That night after the party was over and everyone was home where they were supposed to be Jackson fell back onto his and Jade's bed, exhausted. He thought Hope was tiresome when she was a crazy little one but this was definitely worse; at least he had fun when she was a wild child.

"Who's idea was it to have kids?" he said lightly as he heard Jade at the sink in their bathroom, brushing her teeth as she got ready for bed, already in her pajamas.

"You wanna get technical?" Jade asked as she leaned against the doorway with a smirk, reminding him both their kids were a surprise.

"Ha ha," Jackson said as she came over to sit on the bed, with him laying there still. "Maybe Tyler will be easier," he murmured as he rubbed one of his eyes.

"I'm gonna say based on the stories Mary told me about you, Aiden, and Oliver as teenagers, I'm gonna have to go with no," Jade told him as she stretched out next to him on her side.

"Oh no," Jackson laughed as he turned onto his side to face her now, reaching out and taking her hand. "We're really in for it aren't we," he joked.

"Afraid so," Jade nodded with a soft smile. "Would now be a bad time to point something out to you then?" she asked.

"What?" Jackson asked, not sure what she meant as he looked her over. That was when he got a slight inkling as he had been looking for her all night. And, when he saw her, she never had a drink in her hand. Once the inkling took hold, the realization really hit him just like it had with Hope and Tyler.

"You're pregnant?" he asked to confirm and she nodded with a grin. "Jade!" he said happily as he leaned over to kiss her, smiling. Maybe their kids weren't anyone's plan so to say, but they were the best.

"I'm happy too," Jade grinned as he kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you too," he smiled as he already got the sense that they were going to be having another little girl.

thanks for reading, i really hope you liked it! and also i realized about halfway through and using tyler's name a bunch of times that oh yeah, there's tyler lockwood lol but oh well!

again i really hope you liked it, this is the end of the story! i have one more chapter left, an alternate ending that ties this story to the original one it's based off...anyway let me know what you thought! i LOVED writing this chapter