October 31, 2020
Everything ached.
Every freaking thing, from her swollen breasts, tender beneath the thin cotton shirt, to her pounding head.
And her back?
Her back cursed her for the decision to lay on the couch.
On top of all of that, the water bottle she clutched had gone cold while she napped.
Not that it had done anything anyway.
Her bloated abdomen reminded her of its rage with each beat of her heart Sometimes being a woman sucked.
It really sucked.
She squeezed her thighs tight to relieve the throbbing pain between her legs. Why did it have to hurt so much?
Part of her, the teeny part that grew loud when her estrogen dropped, wished her birth control had malfunctioned just so she could avoid the pain for a short while, but pregnancy came with its own unique drawbacks. And then they'd have a kid they hadn't planned for and weren't ready for. And she'd have to push it out of her body which would hurt even more.
And they weren't ready for a kid.
No matter how cute the mischievous little eyes would be because any child of Kol Mikaelson would have a penchant for mischief.
She really wanted the throbbing to stop.
With a groan she turned her face into the couch cushion and hugged her cool water bottle tight just to have something to hold.
The elevator dinged. She cracked open one eye and glared at the shiny doors while they slid open. If he started anything with her today she'd light into him like a Christmas tree.
Stupid man. Stupid low maintenance reproductive organs. If he didn't make a baby he got to try again and again and again. If she didn't make a baby it was world war three in her uterus.
Stupid man.
Stupid penis.
Stupid man penis.
She was annoyed and she wanted to be annoyed, but when he stepped into the penthouse with a cardboard box in one hand and a large bag in the other intrigue stirred.
She didn't move though. As far as she was concerned her body had molded to his couch. She lived there now.
"Hello darling," Kol smiled, setting the box on the coffee table, "I know you're not feeling well."
She snorted.
"My apologies," he sat on the floor, dropping the bag near his hip. "I came home early, saw you sleeping with the hot water bottle, and I know your body hates you and is waging a bloody war."
She shoved at the pillow once and adjusted so she could open both eyes. Her frown felt a bit like a petulant pout, but she didn't care because her baby box wanted to kill her so she got to be a little petulant.
"I picked up your favourite pizza, went to the bodega around the corner and got your favourite wine, nicked some of the good candy from Hope's bucket when I bumped into her and Nik, and I got you some Midol." He arranged his stash along the glass table. "Now that I think about it, I'm not sure you should mix Midol with alcohol. It is a pain killer, after all."
She surveyed the contents of the table and then watched him flip over the box of medication to read the fine print. Her stomach fluttered pleasantly in stark contrast to the pain in the rest of her body.
He stole candy from his niece.
He got the pizza he hated and she loved.
He walked up to the counter where some teenager was probably working with a woman's painkillers in hand for her.
"Kol?"
Her heart raced, fit to burst with the words she just couldn't hold in anymore.
His mouth moved, silently twisting around words that most doctors couldn't pronounce.
"Kol?" She said his name a little louder, pushing up on her elbow. One of her fuzzy socks was just about ready to fall off, hanging from her toes.
"Yes, darling?" He reached over and tugged the sock back in place.
"I love you." She had been on the verge of saying it for weeks… months… really since the first night they made love.
And now the words hung between them.
He said it a few nights back when he thought she was asleep, and her heart had nearly leapt out of her chest, but he thought she was asleep so she refrained from saying it back. Even though she wanted to. Even though she had held it in since June.
She saw the grin breaking out across his face, but he was still Kol, and Kol wouldn't be Kol without at least one smart remark.
"As well you should."
She laughed, cracking her first smile of the day as she gave his shoulder a light shove. He caught her wrist and brought her arm up, pressing a quick to the inside of her wrist.
Leaning forward he brushed another kiss over her lips.
"I love you, too." Sitting back on his knees he waved his other hand, making the pill bottle rattle. "Where did we land on the alcohol?"
"I asked my OB that years ago," she took the bottle and twisted off the cap. Breaking the seal she shook two white pills into her palm. "She said it was okay and that the warning is there, mainly for people who have three or more drinks a day."
"You're unlikely to have that in a week," he took a bottle of water from the bag, watching as she used it to swallow both pills at once. "Shall I open the wine? Or would you prefer to stick with water?"
"Pizza and candy and wine?" She closed the water and pressed the cool plastic to the back of her neck. "You're being perfect right now, you know that?"
"That was my goal," he nodded sagely. "I also used my phone to queue up a few horror movies on Netflix."
"You hate horror," she smiled.
"I think the tropes are cliché."
"That's half the fun of watching," her eyes sparkled. She tilted her head and pursed her lips, nodding to herself. Yup, she definitely loved him.
"Break out the wine and be prepared for me to get really sleepy after one glass," she warned, standing up. "I'll be right back."
She left him in the living area and walked into his bathroom to clean up. Once she felt a little less disgusting she took a second to run the brush through her hair. Then she returned to the living room where he had brought out napkins, plates and wine glasses.
He selected one of the many films he found as she settled in the corner, sitting sideways to fold her legs across his lap.
She sipped at her wine and devoured three slices of pizza that he wisely chose not to comment on, plus the hot peppers he picked off his own pieces of pizza. By the time they got to the candy the pain killers kicked in and she felt pleasantly numb but aware of every dull throb deep inside of her.
At least three people had met their end by the axeman's blade when the elevator dinged. She blinked tiredly, exchanging a confused look with Kol as he paused the movie just at the moment the heroine ran for the attic.
Why did everyone always run for the attic? It made no sense.
"Were we expecting someone?" He frowned.
"We're never expecting anyone," Elena shook her head, sucking on a piece of chocolate.
She had barely crumpled the wrapper when someone slipped through the half open doors and flounced into the living room in a flurry of blue tulle.
"Hope," her eyes widened.
"Hi Elena," she smiled a broad grin that showed off all of her teeth. "What are you doing?"
"Well, right now I'm watching a movie with your uncle," she smiled, reluctantly swinging her legs onto the floor.
"Shouldn't you be getting ready for bed, bunny?" Kol cocked an eyebrow as Hope bounced, clearly on a sugar high.
Elena suspected the three year old would crash long before her head found a pillow.
"I'm not a bunny today," she shook her head.
"Of course not," he agreed, "you are a little witch." He reached out, flicking the brim of her black hat. The blue and purple bow wiggled.
"An adorable little witch," Elena added.
"A manipulative little witch," a masculine voice came from the elevator.
Elena looked up, swallowing when Lucien strutted in next to Freya. His cunning eyes surveyed the table and she braced herself for something.
"What's manipulative?" Hope scrabbled up on the couch, wedging her little body between Kol and Elena.
"Someone who likes to control a situation," Freya laughed, crossing her arms.
"Oh," Hope nodded, pursing her full lips. "How come I'm a manipulative little witch?"
"Because," Lucien crouched, "you used those big blue eyes and cute little pout to trick us into taking you trick-or-treating again."
"Oh yeah," Hope grinned. She held up the bag to her uncle's nose. "Trick-or-treat."
"I'm sorry, bunny, I don't have any halloween candy. We ate it all," he pointed to the wrappers.
"No candy," Lucien's eyes flickered over Elena's 'comfy' clothes, "I think that means you get a trick."
"If I say trick-or-treat do I get some of that wine?" Freya glanced at the table.
"She is in costume," Lucien smirked. "Are you in costume Elena? That's not your going out attire."
"Yes," she drawled, rolling her eyes, "can't you tell? I'm obviously a hot mess."
"Well certainly a mess," he smirked.
"Careful, Lucien," Kol warned, sweet smile in place for Hope.
"I only have eyes for one mate," he held out his hands. His right hand slid over Freya's velvet clad hip. "And she is the loveliest."
"Keep your hands off my sister," his eyes narrowed.
"You do realize we're engaged," Freya rolled her eyes, "and also, that I'm older than you are. Don't pull the protective big brother routine. It only works on Rebekah."
"Hello," Hope waved her arms, "it's trick-or-treat."
"How about an IOU?" Elena snickered. "You don't trick us and we'll bring you candy later."
"Reese's cups?" Hope narrowed her eyes.
"Reese's cups," Kol promised from her other side, "and a peanut butter blast milkshake with whipped cream on the bottom."
She considered them, turning her head back and forth, hitting their noses with the tip of her hat each time, before nodding decisively.
"Okay," she wiggled until her patent leather shoes hit the floor. Then she ran between Lucien and Freya, grabbing their hands to pull them bodily towards the elevator.
And for a three year old she was strong. Of course if they mentioned that to Hope she would roll her eyes and get her father's exasperated look as she declared that she was almost four.
"I guess that means we're going." Lucien remarked. They called goodbye from the elevator, and to his credit they made it down three floors before he opened his mouth.
"We're really not saying anything about that?"
"They'll talk about it when they're ready," Freya shook her head, adjusting her black hat.
"It's been months," he shook his head, casting his eyes to the bouncing child as she unwrapped a bright pink sucker. "Nik made her faster than those two have opened their mouths."
"Very different situation," she reached down and hoisted Hope up. Their tulle skirts mixed in a horrible clash of orange-black and blue-purple.
"So we're not going to talk about what Kol and Elena are doing," he sighed.
"What are they doing?" Hope mumbled, lips puckering at the tart burst of strawberry.
"Sleeping together," he smirked.
"Nuh-uh," she popped the sucker out of her mouth. "They weren't sleeping. They were watching a movie."
"Never grow up, kid," Lucien laughed and reached out to gently tug on a red curl.
"But then I don't get to be big and stay up late and watch movies like uncle Kol and Elena," she popped the sucker back into her mouth.
"I'm pretty sure your daddy would prefer you never watched movies like Kol and Elena," he dodged the elbow before it could dig in his stomach.
"Why not?"
"Because they were watching scary grown up movies," Freya shook her head. "You don't like scary movies, remember? They give you bad dreams."
"What scary movie did she watch?" He whispered.
"Snow White," Freya smiled over Hope's head. "That witch was really scary, wasn't she, sweet girl?"
"Mmhmm," Hope laid her head on Freya's shoulder.
"And Kol and Elena were watching scarier movies," Freya rubbed her back, "you don't want to watch those, do you, sweetie?"
"Uh-uh."
November 1, 2020
Light refracted off dozens of different surfaces, dazzling anybody who looked long enough at the display cases.
Men in expensive suits lingered near high end displays, examining watches that cost more than midrange cars, or necklaces meant for wives and girlfriends.
As he passed behind one such man he had to fight back the disgusted curl of his lip and the strong desire to take him outside and instil a lesson or five in his perfectly coifed head; the blonde was explaining how the diamond tennis bracelet was meant for his girlfriend while sporting a very obvious wedding band and flirting with the young woman behind the counter.
"Do you think she'll like it?" He smiled, draping the glittering strands around the associate's wrist. "It's to be an apology for working so much lately."
"I'm certain she'll adore it," the woman's voice strained tighter than her forced smile. Her eyes flickered over the blonde's shoulder as she replaced the bracelet in a long box.
He had saved his sisters from enough unwanted attention to recognize the desperate need to escape a situation.
If he ever acted like that he prayed someone came along to knock some sense into him. Not that he had to hope for intervention, in the impossible scenario he still had three older brothers who would gladly tell him what an idiot he was and two sisters that would happily slap him up one side and down the other.
"Pardon me, love," he leaned against the counter, flashing her a dazzling smile as he quickly read her name tag. "You are clearly a woman of exquisite taste, Monique, and I wonder if you might help me."
She sized him up quickly, likely deciding if he would be better or worse than her current client, and came to a decision.
"Of course," she turned to the left, calling as she did. "Aiden, can you ring up this bracelet?"
She slipped the box into her co-workers hand and moved along the cases.
"I do apologize if I cost you a commission," he murmured, meeting her near a break in the cases. His eyes darted to three bracelets displayed on a silk scarf, the middle would be perfect for Rebekah's Christmas present, but he still had a few weeks before he really needed to think about that.
"Don't worry about it," she sighed, relieved when he didn't try to flirt with her, "Aiden will make sure I get it, and thank you, by the way."
"You're welcome, love," he nodded, smiling, "far be it from me to leave a lady in an uncomfortable situation."
"Oh no," she pretended to groan, "you're not gonna start flirting are you?"
"No, love," he chuckled, shaking his head, "it's a force of habit. I tend to call everyone 'love'. The pet names become more endearing when I'm interested, not that I wouldn't be," he held out his hands when she gave him a bemused expression, "if I weren't happily involved, that is."
"You're Kol Mikaelson, right?" She tilted her head. "The Senator running for President?" Her eyes narrowed suspiciously when he nodded. "I didn't know you were involved. There will be a lot of heart broken women around the country when that gets out."
"I like to keep my private life private," he shrugged, "it's rather hard on a relationship when the paparazzi won't leave your significant other alone. Though I do wonder what's going to happen when they find out what I came in here to buy?"
"I'm assuming jewelry of some kind," she smirked. "Probably the type that very loudly declares intentions."
"You would assume right," he followed as she motioned him down a few more cases.
Keys jingled as she slid open a display case, mingling with the chatter of the till spitting out a receipt. A woman's manicured nails tapped the top of another case a few feet away.
"Something like one of these," she laid out a tray of precious stones cut in a variety of styles.
He examined them carefully, scrutinizing each one as his stomach sank. None of them were right. His eyes shut for a moment as he sighed, when he opened them he spotted a small selection of rings towards the back of the case.
"Can I see those?" He nodded.
"Of course," Monique replaced the first set and pulled out a second tray. "Most of these rings are a vintage style, but a couple of them are actually antiques sold to the store."
She smiled when he picked up one. It wasn't a classic ring, but the opal's subtle colours would catch anyone's attention. Flecks of palest green and softest purple glinted in the bright store lights; several small diamonds decorated the rose gold band.
"That one came from an estate sale," she explained quietly. "It's from the twenties, and just a little art deco."
"You could at least admit to dating her before picking out expensive jewelry."
"Of all the jewelry stores in all the world," Kol stiffened at first, relaxing when the familiar voice clicked. A smirk tugged up the corner of his mouth as he turned. "Why would I admit what everyone clearly already knows?"
"Because we've all been waiting for you two to say something," Klaus held Hope's hand. "It's been an unspoken agreement."
"So Caroline didn't keep her mouth shut," he shook his head.
"No, we all heard about the FaceTime call." Klaus smirked, mirth glittering in his eyes.
"Oh bloody hell," Kol hung his head.
"What's that?" Hope pointed to his hand, stretching up on tiptoe to look at the ring between his fingers. "It's pretty."
"You think so?" He crouched, holding the ring up for Hope's inspection. He could sense Monique and the security guard watching him and would have bristled if it weren't standard procedure and if he weren't so nervous.
He was pretty sure the butterflies on Hope's sweater were fluttering in his stomach.
"Uh huh," she nodded, rubbing the opal with her finger. "I like the colours. Is it for auntie Bex, or auntie Freya?"
"I've got other people I buy jewelry for bunny," he smiled.
"Is it for me?" Hope's eyes went wide.
"I think you might be a little young for a ring like that, sweetheart," Klaus barked a laugh and bent, lifting Hope to rest on his hip.
"I'm too little for everything," she sighed.
"You'll get bigger," Kol promised, eyes glinting, "and give daddy heartburn and a headful of grey hair."
"Never get that big, Hope," Klaus held the back of her head and looked in her wide eyes. "Stay daddy's little girl forever, please."
"Okay, daddy," she nodded, smirking.
"What are you doing here anyway?" Kol turned his attention back to the ring, the slightest inklings of doubt clung to the back of his skull. "Picking up a 'thank-you-for-dealing-with-my-sugar-high-little-witch' gift for Freya."
"Not enough diamonds in the world," he rolled his eyes. "I was picking up a Christmas present for Caroline."
"So you two are on again?"
"I can't just buy her a gift?"
"You can," Kol nodded, "but most gifts in this store send a message." He turned the ring over in his hands. "Do you think she'll like it?"
Klaus plucked the ring from his little brother's hand and held it up. He could see it on her hand, sitting proudly like it was made to be there.
"I think she'll love it," he hummed. "And I think I'll hear just how much she loves it from Caroline a few days before finding ring catalogues in with my mail."
"You're not going to tell me it's too soon, or say I'm rushing into things?" Kol tilted his head.
To him it didn't feel too soon. He had known for a while how he felt about her. He had dreamt of her dressed in white too many times to count, and he had woken up next to her enough times to realize he never wanted to wake up with anyone else. And after she had skillfully bribed a sugar high Hope he had known he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her and one day deal with their own children.
Their children with her bright smile and his mischievous eyes.
Man, their kids would be a handful.
He couldn't wait.
"Too soon?" Klaus scoffed, handing the ring back. "Freya called it that day she shoved you in the mud. You two have been twenty-eight years in the making. So no, brother, I don't think it's too soon."
"Twenty-eight years, really?" Monique spoke up, a dreamy smile on her lips. "And she pushed you in the mud?"
"More than once," he smiled fondly at the memory. "I'll take this one Monique."
"Will you need it resized?" She locked up the display case and set the ring in a velvet lined box.