No spanking in this chapter.
Mikaelson Mansion
Mystic Falls, Virginia, 2010
Christmas Day
Saturday Afternoon
"P-P-Pregnant?" Tyler stuttered. Tyler's eyes almost bugged out of his head.
"But I'm half vampire now, I can't even have kids, I-," Tyler gasped.
"I'm like three months pregnant. Ha, I guess you can have a period and be pregnant. Who knew!" Caroline laughed sadly.
"Oh my god, Car. Who else knows about this?" Tyler demanded.
"Elena, Bonnie, my mom, obviously," Caroline said.
"Do you realize that this is kind of a ...miracle? I thought after I became a hybrid, I'd never be able to have kids. Car, I mean, I'm sorry, the timing is no good, but this is amazing. Caroline, remember my dreams!" Tyler said suddenly excited.
"You mean about the wolf pups?" Caroline asked.
"Do you think it could be twins? Did you go to a doctor?" Tyler asked.
"Next week, my mom made an appointment for me. Tyler, she's not um, thrilled," Caroline said worriedly.
"Does my mom know?" Tyler asked suddenly. Mayor Lockwood was invited, but declined the invitation to dine at the Mikaelson's for Christmas.
"No, it's not my mom's place to tell her. That's your job," Caroline smirked.
Carol Lockwood was a formidable woman and Tyler was always a little intimidated by his mom.
"Caroline, what are we going to do? We're juniors in high school. We have no jobs. Oh my god, I'm freaking," Tyler asserted.
"Tyler, we'll figure it out. Just promise me that we're keeping our baby. My mom was talking about adoption. No way," Caroline said.
"Car, this kid, our kid, is going to be a werewolf. We just can't dump it off with another family. This is our baby," Tyler said. He stood and pulled Caroline to him.
"You're really happy?" Caroline breathed.
"Yeah, are you?" Tyler asked.
"Nervous. Like really nervous. Tyler, what if-," Caroline began, until Finn and Henrik burst in.
"Why are you hugging in our room, Tyler?" Finn said jumping on the bed. Henrik jumped up, too.
"Guys, off the beds. You just fell off like yesterday," Tyler said letting go of Caroline and putting them on the floor.
"I think Tyler wants to play football with you!" Caroline suggested, laughing as both boys tried to tackle him to the floor.
Klaus and Cami announced their engagement to the rest of the family at dinner. Everyone congratulated them and seemed happy, except Penny, who scowled and didn't say a word.
Since so many more people were there, it was a buffet style dinner. Freya took her plate over and sat by Penny. Sadie was trying to beg food from her, but she was ignoring her.
"Penny, hon, what's wrong? Are you upset about Klaus and Cami getting married? I know it's a big change but that doesn't mean your dad is going to love you any less," Freya acknowledged.
"He's not my real dad, he's my guardian," Penny huffed.
"No, Niklaus adopted you. That means he is your real dad legally and otherwise. He loves you and wants you to be happy. Think of it as Cami is a new...," Freya stopped before she finished her sentence.
"Mom? She's my new mom? I didn't even know my old mom," Penny clarified.
"You know, Penny, I didn't know my mom either. She gave me to her sister when I was little and believe me, my aunt was an evil witch," Freya conceded.
"She was mean to you?" Penny pressed.
"It's hard to explain. She controlled me and used me for my magic. She used to tell me that my mother didn't want me anymore, but I didn't believe her until...no one ever came for me," Freya recalled.
"No one came for me either," Penny said.
"But that's not true. We did come for you, Penny. And you are here now. Your brothers are here and you have a new family, a new chance at happiness, always and forever," Freya smiled.
"What if my real dad is out there and tries to come take me?" Penny asked. Freya thought her eyes looked like the sea, so blue, but dark and stormy.
"Hon, that's not going to happen. We won't let it. Your real dad is right over there," Freya said indicating Klaus across the room.
"Okay," Penny said, finally giving Sadie a small piece of ham. Sadie waged her tail and finally sat down.
Tyler tried to talk to Caroline alone again, but it was impossible. He finally caught Bonnie.
"So you know? Ah, congrats? I don't know what to say," Bonnie admitted.
"Bonnie, how come I can't heard the baby's heart beat?" Tyler asked.
"Cloaking spell. We knew where we were coming, so I cloaked it," Bonnie whispered.
"Thanks. And thanks for helping. I really can't believe this. It's something I never thought would happen since I became a hybrid," Tyler added.
"How is that? The drinking blood and I don't know, turning into a bat?" Bonnie joked.
"Very funny. The blood part is hard because the thirst is so strong, it's hard to control. We're only allowed to have like one blood bag a day and no drinking from the vein, unless it's an animal," Tyler shared.
"Wow, an animal? That's intense. I think Stefan does that. Damon, on the other hand, is Damon," Bonnie said with despair.
"Where the hell is Elena? I feel bad for Jeremy. He really wanted her to come," Tyler said.
"No idea. I'll talk to Jeremy. He seems okay, though," Bonnie said looking around for him.
"Yeah, Matt's the one who has PMS. Ever since, I don't know, Connor and Erik got here, he's been such a dick to me. I don't know why," Tyler complained.
"Tyler, you were his best friend. Now you have all these wolf buddies and he is left out. I can tell you're super close with Connor, but you should try to include Matt more," Bonnie suggested.
"It's just the things we used to do, like play football and work out together, we can't really do. Even video games, my reflexes are so fast...," Tyler realized he sounded obnoxious, "I'll figure something out. Thanks, Bonnie." Tyler realized he had bigger issues that Matt being pissy with him. He was going to be...a father.
Saturday evening
Backyard
"So can we get married tonight?" Klaus said kissing Cami. They were alone in the backyard.
"Ah, no, but how about June?" Cami suggested.
"January?" Klaus pushed.
"Maybe?" Cami giggled as he picked her up and spun her around.
"That engagement ring once belonged to a queen, an empress rather," Klaus started.
"Really, an empress? Who?" Cami questioned.
"The Empress Josephine. The story goes that Napoleon met Josephine in 1795, despite the fact that he did not have much money, he splurged and bought her that ring in hopes she would accept. She did and later, the "You and Me" setting became very popular," Klaus added.
"Were they happy?" Cami asked.
"He loved her until the day he died, as I shall love you," Klaus promised. Klaus didn't mention that people thought Napoleon was the anti-christ and that they later got divorced because she couldn't bear Napoleon any heirs and cheated on him, but it was true that he loved her and made sure she retained her title as Empress until her death. Napoleon, of course, died on St. Helena, in exile.
"Are you sure this is good for your kids? I mean, I'm going to be a step mom to six kids? I felt like Penny was glaring at me," Cami worried.
"Penny? I'm sorry, luv. I'll talk to her. I think the boys will be fine, but yes, Penny has been difficult. I know I'm walking around on eggshells around her, making excuses for her bad behavior, but I keep thinking she just needs a little more time. She looks like a little princess with her pale skin, dark hair, and those eyes, but acts like a villian," Klaus conceded.
"Hey, you knew it wasn't going to be easy and you still adopted those kids. Klaus, you're doing your best and I would be proud to stand by your side and help you," Cami said.
"Will you stay over tonight? It is Christmas," Klaus effused.
"I am not disputing that fact. Yes, I think I will stay. Thank you," Cami enthused as she admired her ring again. An empress she was not, but Klaus made her feel like a queen.
Saturday evening
Great room
Erik sat on the couch in between Davina and Kol and realized he was a buffer. They kept talking to each other over him.
"So, are you going to wear your cufflinks tonight?" Davina purred.
"Of course, Darling," Kol said putting them on.
Erik couldn't take it anymore, he shouted, "Why don't you two get a freaking room? Ugh!"
Elijah frowned, "Erik, that's enough. You're being very rude."
Erik's face colored to be scolded in front of other people.
"Whatever. This is bullshit," he continued. He took his plate and slammed it on the kitchen island.
Vanessa said, "Maybe you ought to go after him? He seems awfully upset."
"Of course, dear," Elijah said patiently.
Elijah caught up with Erik going up the stairs.
"Erik, come back here please," Elijah said in a calm, but firm voice.
Erik sighed loudly and stomped back down the stairs he had marched up.
"What?" Erik snapped.
"Let's try this again, shall we?" Elijah said.
"Sorry, can I go up to my room?" Erik said more politely. Sadie ran and followed Erik.
"Erik, it's a holiday. I know this can be a hard day after losing someone. Want to talk about it?" Elijah asked.
"No really. Can I just go upstairs?" Erik said. Sadie went up with him. Maybe the dog would provide the boy with some comfort that humans couldn't, Elijah thought sadly.
Elijah relented, "Go ahead, Erik. Maybe get some rest, huh?"
Tyler, Connor, Erik's room
2nd floor
Tyler couldn't tell his dad tonight. Not when he looked so happy about Cami.
What reaction could he expect his dad to give? Happiness? Pride? Disappointment? He knew it would be hard to argue that he was mature enough to raise a child when he just got spanked earlier for acting like a brat. God, would he be doing the same shit to his own kid? Would the kid be pouting about him being unfair and mean like he had often done? At least he could protect his baby more now that he was a hybrid. Tyler guessed the kid could hate him as long as he or she were safe.
And Caroline? He would need to protect her. Would she turn? They had planned to go to college. Tyler always wanted to do something with sports or business. Would he have to work at the gas station now? Caroline talked about journalism and being on the news. Could she do that as a teen mom?
Tyler walked in the bedroom. Half of their gifts were downstairs and half on the floor in here. He said Erik playing video games.
"Hey, man. Hey Sadie," Tyler said petting the panting dog.
"What up? Not a bad haul. How much do you think they spent on all this shit?" Erik asked.
"A lot. Honestly, I used to get a lot for Christmas. You know, only child and all that, but nothing like this. I can't believe I got that guitar. Pretty cool, though," Tyler smiled, starting to change.
"Yeah, they better get cases for those iPads. I saw Henrik drop his like three times. It's gonna crack like yesterday," Erik said still playing.
"Dude, that kid needs a helmet. He fell off the bed again yesterday when they were jumping. If it wasn't for our hybrid reflexes, I never would have caught him. I'm surprised those kids don't live in the emergency room," Tyler laughed. Now wondering if his own kid would be like that.
"Back home, we didn't go to no hospital. They would just put castor oil or honey on anything. Chop off a finger, wrap it in duct tape and put some castor oil on it, good as new. Got a fever of 105, here's some honey in hot water, good luck," Erik smiled, patting Sadie who slept beside him.
"Oww, that sounds kind of rough," Tyler admitted.
"Yeah, well, there aint' too many clinics and doctors in the bayou so you have to make do. That's where our kin lived, we stayed with them when we weren't with our mama in those motel dumps," Erik revealed.
"You should write a book about your life, man. I mean maybe leave out the wolf part, but the other stuff," Tyler suggested.
"Ain't nobody want to read about my sad sack life. Hell, I guess I don't even really know half of what really happened in the past," Erik said.
"Yeah, well, look, Bro, you got all the time in the world now. And no one can mess with us. We're almost as strong as Dad and they should fear us," Tyler said climbing up to his bed.
"Who?" Erik asked.
"Our enemies!" Tyler replied.
"Yeah, there seems to be a lot of those. Problem is, I'm half Guerrera, so you see how this could be an issue," Erik exposed.
Tyler hadn't thought of it. What if the Mikaelsons were fighting the Lockwoods? Would he be so quick to want to destroy them?
"I see. I guess I never thought of that. Didn't Marcel say that none of them would concede? Maybe they can hold them in dungeons until they change their mind and come around?" Tyler suggested.
"Maybe if they know we're half Guerrera's and half Mikaelson's now, they would be more likely to make a treaty? I'd like to go down home and try to make some peace. But the last time I tried to suggest it, it didn't go real well," Erik flushed.
"You mean you tried to go back to New Orleans to help with the wolf situation? Maybe you could help?" Tyler wondered.
"Klaus said it was too dangerous. I wanted to help look for Penny...," Erik ended his game and put down the controller.
"Dude, what happened?" Tyler pressed.
"I ended up getting a whooping with that traitor brother of mine handing Dad a ruler to wallop me with, right on the bare ass," Erik added. Tyler had never heard Erik refer to Klaus as "Dad" so he supposed that was making progress.
"You mean you got beat and your brother stayed and watched?" Tyler prompted, not sure this story made sense.
"Yup. Connor stood there while I got it, handed over the ruler, and didn't say a damn word to help me. It was the first and last time I ever went for a talk in Elijah's office. Didn't know arguing would get me that. Connor was even aiming for me to get a licking, all cause I wanted to brung back our damn sister. Some brother, huh?" Erik fumed.
"Sorry, Erik. I didn't know. That sucks. I mean, I knew you guys haven't been getting along but I really thought it was more because of your mom," Tyler said. He was glad to get his mind off his own problems for a few moments.
"Tyler, I know it's Christmas and all but if he weren't my brother, I would kill him for what he done. I mean it, kill him. The other stuff is just icing on the cake. I just feel like he ain't on my side. I feel like Penny feels the same way," Erik confessed.
Tyler was alarmed. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
"Erik, I can't understand what you are going through, man. But I don't think your mom would want you guys to be this pissed at Connor. I mean she came here to us to save us, right?" Tyler said.
"I reckon that's true. But anybody coulda been the sacrifice, some fuckin' rapist or no good scumbag. My mama mighta been a whore and junkie, but that's because she was forced into it. Here's the truth, Ty, Connor didn't kill her because she told him to. He ain't never listened to shit that woman said his entire life, he did it because he wanted her dead. He was pissed at our shitty lives and he wanted her to fuckin' pay," Erik finished.
Tyler was shocked, "Erik, I'm sorry. That's some dark shit. Do you think you should talk to someone about this?"
"Why? What's done is done. The past is the past. Mama is dead and we will live forever as orphans. Merry fucking Christmas. I'm going to bed, man. Sorry for rantin'," Erik said heavily. He sounded much older than 14.
"Brother, you are not an orphan. Listen, we'll go out hunting tomorrow on my family property, okay? Maybe find a rapist or pervert, you can tear them apart and you'll feel better," Tyler was only half joking. He wanted to go to his Dad about this, but he knew Cami was here and he didn't want to violate Erik's trust. Connor seemed in the dark about Erik's deep resentment.
"Thanks, man. Maybe a hundred would make me feel better," Erik said getting in the bottom bunk. He wanted to be asleep by the time Connor came in so he wouldn't have to look at him.
Sure enough, when Connor came in both Tyler and Erik were sleeping, or pretending to be.
Penny had asked Freya to stay with her over night. The bed was huge. Davina had been staying back in the room since they came back, but said tonight she had a headache and was going to sleep in her old bedroom.
Penny woke up suddenly. She had dreamt of witches. They were hanging from trees. Fires were burning and people were chanting and throwing things. She couldn't understand the language.
Penny got out of bed. She heard something. She went into the hallway. She didn't know what time it was. No one was in Klaus' room. He and Cami were downstairs. Outside Finn and Henrik's door, which was cracked, she could tell they were sleeping. Matt and Jeremy across the hallway, sleeping. She opened the door to Erik, Connor, and Tyler's room, sleeping. Further down the hallway, she padded down on the thick carpet.
Something was drawing her to that door, it was Uncle Kol's room. She couldn't hear anything. Something was wrong. Penny slammed against the door suddenly cracking it open and breaking the door. Her new strength alarmed her and jarred her awake further.
"What the hell?" Davina shouted.
"Jesus-," Kol exclaimed.
Kol turned on the light. He was still in his suit. Davina was in her pajamas on his bed.
"Penny, what's going on?" Davina repeated.
"You broke the bloody door, you little...," Kol shouted.
"Kol," Davina restrained him. Giving him a serious look.
Freya appeared behind Penny.
"What in the world in going on?" Freya asked. "Oh, god."
"It's not what you think," Kol interjected.
Davina said, "We were just exchanging gifts."
Klaus heard the door breaking from downstairs and vamped up.
Klaus was now behind Freya, "I bet you were. Davina, you best come with me."
"Brother, we were just talking. She wanted me to put on my cuff links and...," Kol seemed confused.
Freya gave Davina a firm look, "Davina, did you enchant those cufflinks?"
Davina giggled nervously, "It's a new spell I learned. I just wanted to see if it worked."
"What the hell is going on? Davina, are you-?" Marcel thundered.
"Marcel, we were just talking!" Kol exclaimed.
"Oh hell, no! Davina, get your butt upstairs right now, young lady," Marcel thundered.
"Son, take it easy. Let's find out what happened," Klaus said putting a hand on his shoulder.
Freya again looked hard at Davina, "Did you use magic on those cuff links? Tell me the truth. You know I can figure it out."
Davina began to cry, "Just a little. It was nothing big. All it did was let us spend some time together. Kol, you understand right?"
Kol didn't until Freya went over and unfastened the cuff links.
"Brother?" Freya said gently, cupping the magical cuff links in her hand.
"What happened?" Kol said dazed.
"We'll explain later," Freya said glaring at Davina.
"Davina, darling, what's wrong?" Kol said getting up.
Marcel held up a hand, "Just stop there. She's in enough trouble. We are going home tomorrow. We'll deal with this then."
Klaus winced when Marcel said "home."
Marcel noticed and said, "Papa, you know what I mean. We got to get back anyway. Father K. called. Some shit went down today."
"On Christmas Day? Those Guerreras? What a pack of thugs! Do what you need to, son," Klaus offered.
Marcel took Davina firmly by the arm and marched her upstairs. She tried to turn and look back at Kol, but she didn't have the chance.
Freya turned to Kol and Klaus, "Brothers, let me take these cuff links. Kol, I don't even know what kind of spell she concocted, but you are blameless. I'm going to get Penny back to bed and I'll take a look tomorrow."
Kol was stunned and had no idea what happened to the door. At this point, he didn't want to know. He took off his suit, throwing it on the floor and went to bed. Elijah would later reprimand him for not taking proper care of his clothes, but for now he didn't care.
Klaus went downstairs and tried to fill in Cami. He hoped she understood what she was getting into with his family.
Freya walked Penny back, "Honey, what woke you?"
"I dreamt that I was in a clearing. There were witching hanging from trees, their heads were shaved. There were fires burning and dirty people yelling. Freya, I'm scared. It seemed so real," Penny shook.
Freya put her arm around her, "I'm sure it's just a bad dream. The boys shouldn't be watching those scary movies around you."
"But it felt so real, I couldn't understand the words. Something, something Malleus Maleficarum, I don't know," Penny babbled.
"Did you say Malleus Maleficarum?" Freya stopped.
"Yes, why?" Penny wondered.
"That is a book from the 15th century on how to torture witches, it is translated as The Witches Hammer," Freya said slowly.
"How do you know?" Penny whimpered.
"They captured me in 1620 and tried to burn me at the stake for being a witch. My aunt had put a spell on me and I could not die. My aunt Dahlia came and killed all of them. Burnt them to a crisp. But now, that spell is off. I am no longer immortal. I wonder...," Freya whispered.
"What?" Penny demanded, getting scared again.
"I wonder if they are back and this time they mean to kill me for good?" Freya asked.
"But Freya, how did I get this vision? I'm not a witch," Penny scoffed.
Freya shook her head, "Penny, I'm not so sure about that. We don't know exactly what your background is, you could be the first tribrid. A witch, a wolf, and a vampire. Henrik has shown signs of becoming a seer, so I doubt you are too, but you are something. It's very rare. But you were able to suck a memory from my consciousness from 400 years ago and we don't know why. You were also able to sense Davina's magic in Kol's room...Let's go to sleep. I'll see if Bonnie will help me test you tomorrow."
"A tribrid? People better not mess me, though," Penny smirked.
"Penny," Freya warned, "Back in bed. Don't think this will let you get away with murder around here. Hurry up or I'm going to count to 3. One." Penny scowled, flipped her dark hair back and got into the bed stiffly.
Freya was sensing that this child, who just sucked out her second darkest memory, was going to get more challenging. She needed a strong valerian, lavender, and lemon balm tea right now, but lacked the will to get up. Freya lay awake and thought about the time she burned alive, but could not die, until the sun came up.
Christmas was over.