A/N: A halloween update, filled with a bit of spookiness. Would love to know thoughts...thanks to all who continue to r&r!
Chapter 12:
Eloise reached out gingerly, wincing slightly at the stretch of her body. She unlatched the fence to her grandparent's yard. The two story white house, loomed expansive in the full moonlight.
"It is somewhat secluded, isn't it?" Elijah asked. He was behind her, carrying her bag for her.
Ella turned to Elijah, her eyes meetings his in the moonlight, "Yes. My grandparents didn't like alot of people around. But this house...it has alot of memories," she murmured.
Ella paused as she reached the steps, her foot on the first step, it creaking under her weight. "Like this one. I had to be so careful to skip this step on the way out the door at night."
"I thought you said that you weren't rebellious as a youth."
"I wasn't. But my curfew was at 8 pm and my grandparents went to bed at 8:30. It was mainly just to hang out and watch a movie with friends. I was always back by eleven which I thought was a fair curfew for a sixteen year old."
"Naturally, I'd say," He nodded. "They were quite overprotective, weren't they?"
"Oh, extremely controlling," Ella retorted, "But they were my family. And I could have been left in foster care when Mama died. They did love me, they just worried about me after my Mama dying young...not wanting history to repeat itself and all of that stuff, you know?"
"I can only imagine," Elijah looked around, "Who left the lights on?"
"I called a friend who has a key and he said he would go and make sure everything is lit since it's kind of spooky at night. I didn't realize you would be with me at the time. Keeping me safe."
"Are you concerned for your safety?" Elijah asked, his voice low.
"Sometimes, when I am here, I spook myself out. Noises, shadows, that kind of thing..." Eloise said, "Sometimes I swear this house is haunted...if I believed in that sort of thing, which I don't."
"I see, sounds quite charming," Elijah said, "Go on then."
Ella clutched the keys as she unlocked the door, pushing it open. She tossed the keys on the antique console table and then turned around surprised when she realized Elijah didn't follow her inside.
"What are you doing out there?" Ella asked, frowning.
"Yes, indeed, what could I possibly be doing out here instead of in there with you?" Elijah looked amused, his fingers tapping on his chin in mock contemplation. "I wonder..."
Eloise looked at him, her forehead creasing in contemplation, "I feel like you are making fun of me but I'm at a loss."
Elijah laughed outright then, "It must be the medication."
"What are you talking about?"
"As much as I would love to follow you into this charming, not so haunted house," he gestured, waving his arm, "you haven't invited me to do so and as such, I cannot enter."
"Oh, shit!" Eloise covered her mouth, "I totally forgot you are a vampire."
"You must be joking."
"Um, sometimes I...I don't like to think about it...and well, you are just so normal," she explained. "That's a good thing."
"Normal?" Elijah raised his eyebrow. "I don't ever think I have been called normal before."
She gave him a bright smile, "Even so, please do come in to my home, Mr. Mikaelson. You are officially and cordially invited in. And gratefully so because I'm counting on you to check every room and closet to make sure nothing is lurking."
Elijah gave her a wide smile, "Thank you." He stepped through the door, closing it and locking it behind him, her bag tossed by the stairs.
"Let's sit you down," he reached for the crook of her elbow. "And then I can check the house for you."
"I usually do so myself...but... since you are here, I think you are perfect for the job," Ella inclined her head to lead him into the formal living area. "I need to find new renters. I really want it to be someone I know...someone who I can trust around my grandparent's stuff." She pulled the sheet off the antique loveseat and then plopped down. "I'm exhausted."
"Do you really go to every room and closet and look?" Elijah asked, his hand on his chin, rubbing it contemplatively.
"Of course, otherwise, I'd freak out."
"How do you feel while you are doing so?" Elijah raised an eyebrow.
"Freaked out," Ella admitted and then smiled at him, "Glad you are here, friend."
He smiled back at her, "I just would like to know what you would do if you find someone lurking."
Ella made a face, "Never really thought that far a head because logically, I know probably no one is here. But now I know there is a whole new world of fright, I'm doubly eager to check...or for you to check, while I sit right here and try not to freak out."
He laughed, "I see. No freaking out is necessary. I'll go look around. Stay put."
"Oh, believe me, I'm not moving until you come back," Ella said, seriously.
He left her for a few minutes and came back, tossing her her cabbage patch doll at hers. "This is yours, I presume?" he asked her.
"Yes, don't judge," Ella gave the doll a cuddle, "This is Liesel."
"Intriguing," Elijah unbutton his jacket and then sat next to her. "Named after?"
"You must be kidding!" Eloise said, aghast.
"Why do I have a feeling you are going to make some pop culture reference right now, which is going to end with you insisting I watch something that I don't wish to?"
"Because I am," Eloise laughed, "Please tell me you have seen the Sound of Music."
He quirked an eyebrow at her, "Is it about an orchestra?"
"No. The Von Trapps. Christopher Plummer. Julie Andrews. It's only my favorite!" Ella told him, "I used to watch it on repeat and take a blanket and pretend it was a veil during the wedding scene. She had the most gorgeous long veil...oh now I swooned over that scene as a girl...and then a teenager..." She winced and then blushed, "And maybe as an adult, truth be told."
Elijah threw back his head and laughed, "Oh, my darling, Eloise."
"Yes, well," She showed him the doll, "This is Liesel. Named after the oldest Von Trapp. Had her since I was three."
"I would have loved to have known you as a child, Eloise. Do you have pictures?"
"I wasn't that special," Ella blushed, "And I have a few. My grandparents didn't really like to take too many."
"I'm sure you were just as charming as you are now."
Ella grinned, "I'm sure." She leaned her head back against the side of the couch, "I feel all germy. I think I might shower if that's okay with. And I'm tired. I want to go to sleep soon."
"Certainly, I have to call Niklaus and make sure he is not destroying the city or creating new enemies as we speak. Are you sure you feel up to showering?"
"I feel so much better with food and the drugs you gave me."
"But the prescription can cause drowsiness so I am not sure showering is the best idea at the moment..."
"I'll be fine," she reached out to poke his arm with his finger, "Thanks for everything. Make yourself at home."
"You are welcome," Elijah said, smiling at her, before pulling out his phone to call his brother. Eloise stood, moved her doll to sit in her spot that she had vacated and went in search of her bag to find some fresh clothes.
"It's not what I expected," Elijah said to his brother.
"What do you mean?"
"The house...it's old. And very secluded. But impeccably decorated...I don't think Eloise has any idea, but there are several antique pieces that are worth quite a bit. And has a French flair to it."
"French flair," Niklaus paused over the words, "Like New Orleans French?"
"Yes," Elijah fingered the antique dining room table, "She couldn't even afford a bed, when all her finances are tied up in this home. Besides the piano, it is as if she doesn't wish to disturb the home."
"It's her last link to her family," Niklaus suggested. "Eloise would be sensitive to that sort of thing."
"She doesn't like this house though...she said it spooks her."
"Well, as much as I do like Eloise, and I do, brother, truly...she can be a bit of a headcase when it comes to supernatural things."
"Yes, I know," Elijah dismissed him, "But then she does things like rush into protect Olivia, accompany Davina to her death, fight Kieran on his deathbed and let me feed on her...so..."
"Oh, I don't deny, Eloise has qualities that are intriguing. I wouldn't think too much of her history, Elijah. She isn't eager to explore it and I often find when that is the case, it is best to let matters lie. We have enough to sort out here in the quarter without concerning ourselves with a past that doesn't have anything to do with us."
"Yes, of course," Elijah said.
"How does she feel?" Niklaus inquired.
"The medicine is making her particularly..." Elijah coughed, "charming tonight."
"Oh, so she is being spunky, sassy, Eloise," Klaus said and Elijah could tell he was grinning on the other side of the line, "I'm so sorry I am missing the fun. She has been quite drab with us since you broke her heart."
"I would think that you would say she had too little understanding of her place in the quarter...and respect for ours."
"Undoubtably, but when she is so witty and bold, when usually, she is so reserved, it's such a charming paradox, don't you think?"
"Indeed, I do think."
"Tell her to drink your blood, though. She shouldn't be suffering when there is such an easy solution."
"She doesn't wish to."
"Yes, and we know precisely why. There is an intimacy between the two of you when you blood share."
"Oh for God's sake," Elijah drawled.
"Do not deny it."
"I haven't taken her blood since that night you forced my hand."
"But you want to, do you not, brother?"
"Goodnight, Niklaus," Elijah said, pointedly.
Klaus laughed, gleefully, "Goodnight, brother. Enjoy your evening."
Eloise fluffed her hair in a towel, before tossing it across the bath. She tugged on a t-shirt and pajama pants before leaving the steam of the bathroom to the cool air, only to find Elijah in the hallway waiting for her.
"What are you doing?" Ella squealed, him scaring her.
"I wanted to listen out in case you fell," Elijah said.
"Oh, God," Ella rolled her eyes, "I told you that I'm fine."
"Are you?" Elijah asked, raising an eyebrow. "When the medication wears off, how will you feel?"
"Awful, but for now, I am fine," Ella said, wryly, "What did you say about living in the moment?"
"That is not what I meant by that."
"Uh huh," Ella grinned. "I need to grab my hair dryer. Want to come with me to my room to make sure I don't fall from the exertion of walking twenty steps?"
Elijah swatted at her as she went into her room and he followed her.
"You room is..." Elijah looked around to the boy band posters on her wall and array of dolls and stuffed animals and overflow of books all around. "I must say, I'm at a loss for words."
"Cute, right? It's like teenage Eloise frozen in time," Ella said, grimacing. "God, those were awful years." She cringed, reaching for her hair dryer.
"You can sit down, you know," Eloise said, "Wherever you want. Or...if you'd like, while I dry my hair...you can go and change the sheets...with your fancy vamp speed. There are some in my bag."
"Now, you remember my vampirism," Elijah commented, dryly.
Eloise grinned at him. "Convenient, huh?"
"Exceedingly," Elijah poked at her, "Go dry your hair. I'll make the bed for you. You shouldn't with your shoulder any way."
"Such a gentleman. Noble Elijah, they call him."
"I think the medicine is making you cheeky," Elijah commented. "It's like..."
"Like what? Like I forgot you dumped me?" She gave him a sassy look, "Not quite." She patted at his chest before leaving the room.
She came back a few minutes later. "I don't have an extra set of sheets and the ones in the closet are probably musty."
"I can sleep on the floor here."
"We have slept in the same bed before," Ella said, "Just...whatever. I don't care. Whatever you want to do." She crawled into bed and Elijah removed his shoes and socks and then draped his jacket on the dresser. He loosened and removed his tie before unbuttoning the first two buttons and crawling into bed with her. He reached over to turn off the lamp beside her bed.
She carefully turned on her side on her good shoulder, wincing as her ribs ached, "How is your brother?"
Elijah stared up at the ceiling, "He told me to tell you that you should drink my blood."
"I don't doubt it," Ella rolled her eyes. "It sounds like something he would say."
"He did say if you insisted on being stubborn, I should stay with you as long as I need."
"He can be very kind," Ella said, softly.
"Do you see that in him?" Elijah's voice was low.
"I do see it in him. I have told you before."
They were silent for a few minutes before Elijah broke the silence.
"May I ask you a question?" Elijah asked, quietly.
"Of course."
"Why did you agree to that bargain with my brother?"
She bit her lip as he turned his head to meet her eyes.
"Surely you didn't think Niklaus wouldn't tell me...gloat over your agreement," Elijah said, his eyes on her, intently.
"I guess I didn't think about it."
"Was it to make me jealous?"
"No. At that moment, it wasn't about you, Elijah. I mean...I guess it was because my heart was breaking and Niklaus was...I think he was trying to help. It's hard sometimes to tell with your brother...his motives can be ambiguous at best."
"I see."
Elijah didn't say anything else and Eloise frowned, "Is that all you have to say?"
He shrugged, "If it wasn't about me, then I doubt I have anything to say on the matter."
"So unlike you..." Ella said, sarcastically, "Usually you like to control all the pieces on the chess board until all our heads are swirling."
"Are you mixing up your illustrations again, darling?" Elijah asked, lightly.
"Wow, sarcastic Elijah. There he is..." Ella said, equally light.
He glanced over, "Forgive me."
"No," she waved him off as she turned onto her back, "I do tend to do that...mix up my phrases and such. Maybe because I'm around children not stop my brain becomes mush sometimes around adults..." she groaned, "I do not see why it is so wrong what I did."
"Agreeing to lose your virginity to my brother in three years time?" Elijah asked, aghast, "Truly, you cannot see the folly in that?"
"I like Niklaus," Ella said, quietly.
"Do you even comprehend how complicated a person my brother is? He has destroyed every person I have ever gotten close to. I do not wish for that to be your fate."
"But," Eloise frowned, gingerly turning back towards him, "I thought you and him were joking about him and your girlfriends."
"Usually I broke things off with them before Niklaus could get too worked up...all except one."
"Which one?" Ella asked, softly.
"It doesn't matter."
"Maybe it does, Elijah," Ella pressed. "Does it?"
"Perhaps," he said, cryptically.
"Please tell me." Ella bit her lip. "I wish to be your friend."
"I'm sorry. I cannot."
"Cannot have friends?" Ella asked, softly.
"I cannot."
"Then why are you here?"
"You needed me."
"Really. It just seems like a friend thing to do...to be here."
"I do not deny it...but I do have my limits, Eloise...limits of what I am willing to give to you."
There was more silence between them, Ella contemplating his words, when finally she said,
"Elijah," Ella whispered, "Why do you do this to yourself?"
"I cannot say. Years of shutting myself off...and then you bump into me that rainy day...and you make me feel again. And you are too beautiful a person to be destroyed by our life."
"Do you really think Niklaus would hurt me?"
"I think Niklaus likes you...very much, Eloise. And that knowledge has been what has allowed me to take risks again...to hope of something that I truly can never have."
"Then what changed?" Ella asked, pressing him.
"After everything that has happened in the quarter, Niklaus is teetering on the edge, Ella. And when he can get paranoid, delusional and when he does, he is dangerous to all who are close to him...and all who are close to me."
"So, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying to tread carefully with Niklaus, Eloise."
"Niklaus getting close to someone, showing a tenderness towards someone not his family, I think it is something you should encourage...he needs to realize that real life isn't deception and betrayal..."
"And I do wish to encourage it...but I feel as if I should warn you...I do not doubt that he would turn on you, if it was to his advantage to do so."
"Noted, Elijah. I'll be more careful to watch my words and actions around Niklaus."
"I'm not saying not to become close to him, if that is what you wish...because you...as well as Camille...do bring a tenderness out him, a characteristic that I thought was long gone...and I can only hope is heightened by the birth of his child. You are good for him, as Camille is...but just do so, carefully."
"Okay."
"No argument?" Elijah asked, searching her eyes.
"None at the moment."
"Good."
"I just wish you would talk to me," Ella reached out to touch his face, but Elijah jerked away.
"I'm sorry," he rolled out of bed, "I think I need to go downstairs."
Eloise sat up, wincing, "Are you upset with me?"
He sighed heavily and then sat back down again on the bed, next to her. "Of course, I am not. And I do not wish to hurt your feelings."
"I know. And yet you do such a good job of it," Eloise said, almost bitterly, causing Elijah to wince.
"Darling, Eloise," he shook his head, his eyes closed. "I am trying to protect you. Don't you see?"
She shook her head, "I don't see, Elijah. I think you are trying to protect yourself..."
"From what?" he opened his eyes to look at her.
"I haven't quite figured that out, yet."
"Well, when you do, will you let me know?" Elijah asked, dryly.
"Sure."
"Good," he smiled at her and she gave him a wobbly smile.
He leaned to kiss her forehead, "Get some sleep, darling. I'll be in the other room."
"Okay. Will you be able to sleep?"
He nodded.
"Can I get you anything?" Ella asked and then shifted, wincing as she did. "I just realized. You haven't eaten. Will you be okay?"
"Of course. I stole a few blood bags from the hospital while you were getting dressed."
Eloise fell back into bed, her head, landing on her pillow and and melted into peels of giggles. "Oh my God. Really?"
"Why is that so funny?"
"I have no idea. I just find it hilarious at the moment."
"You need sleep. You have clearly been through an ordeal today." Elijah said, amused.
"Clearly," Ella laughed more. "I need sleep."
"Ah, yes, you do."
"Make yourself at home."
"I will do that," Elijah leaned down once again to kiss her forehead, adjusting the covers on her, pulling them tightly around her, "My hesitancy for closeness with you, Eloise, has nothing to do with you. I am deeply broken and horribly flawed."
Eloise sobered up, "I thought you were under the opinion that the definition of broken suggests that things can be fixed...or does that only apply to Niklaus and not yourself?"
He paused, stricken by her words, "I have never had my own words used against me so brilliantly and eloquently, Eloise."
"then perhaps you have not been associating yourself with the right people," Ella said, "Goodnight, Elijah."
"Goodnight, Eloise."
And yet, after Elijah left, Eloise found herself tossing and turning before being awaken to the house being shaken with wind, pelting rain, thunder piercing the air. The power went out.
"Oh, crap," Ella shuffled over to look in her desk door for matches and then lit the candle on her desk, holding it and opening the door.
"Elijah?" Ella jumped as the thunder clasped again.
The house shook, creaking in the wind.
Ella hated storms to begin with, but especially storms when she was alone in this creepy old house. When she was little she would crawl in bed with her grandparents, who would console her with stories of far away places that they had visited when they were younger. She checked each room for Elijah but he wasn't in the two other spare rooms.
She panicked, the feeling deep in the pit of her stomach.
"Elijah!" Ella went downstairs, finding Elijah lying on the couch asleep.
The door slam and the house shook again.
"Elijah, wake up!" Ella said, reaching out to shake him with her free hand, but he didn't budge.
Ella's light blew out. "Shit, what is happening?" she jumped, dropping her candle.
She went into the kitchen to find the door, swinging open and closed, erratically.
Ella froze as she stepped towards the door, rain pelting on her face, blowing in from the open door.
"Eloise," a shadowy figure appeared, her hair flying in the breeze.
Eloise's heart nearly stopped. "Mama?"
"Eloise, sweetheart. I am here."
"But...this isn't real. You aren't real. I don't believe in stuff like this...all this supernatural stuff."
"But you do, Eloise. Elijah, Niklaus, Rebekah...they have come into your life for a purpose. They have shown you that this world does exist. And it is important that you know...and understand."
Eloise shook, her knees knocking as she leaned against the counter, "Okay," she acknowledged, "so vampires, witches and werewolves are real, but not ghosts...they are totally fake. This can't be real. I must be hallucinating from the medication."
"Oh my darling," Amelia Trahan laughed, "I have missed you, my ladybug girl."
It was the pet name she hadn't heard since the last time it was uttered from her mama's lips. And it nearly brought Eloise to her knees.
"Mama?" she shook, trembling, "Are you really here? Am I dreaming? It's been so long."
"Shh," She put a finger to her lips. "You must listen to me. I do not have much time. The Mikaelson baby...the witches will not stop until she is dead. They will not allow the child to live. But she must live, Eloise. Do you hear me?"
"I don't understand. How do you know this?"
"The ancestors...they are plotting...well, one in particular...Elijah..."
"Elijah?" Eloise bit her thumb, "What about Elijah?"
Lightening filled the sky as thunder shook the house again, causing Eloise to yelp.
"You never did like storms, did you, darling?"
She shook her head, "What about Elijah?"
"You must warn him that his..." Amelia Trahan screamed out, "No..." she fought, thrashing about, screaming in pain.
"Mama!" Ella reached out for her mother as long dark fingers clawed her back, "Mama!"
She reached for the knife on the counter, grabbing it frantically, "Mama!"
But the dark hands turned on her, reaching out and grasping at her neck, choking at her, causing her to cough and gasp for air. She fought to hold on to the knife, trying to thrash it in the direction of the force.
"Be gone from her!" Another hand reached between them, jerking off the hand. "Now!"
"Grams?" Eloise gasped for air as it filled her lungs again.
Her grandmother put her hand to her lips, "Eloise...my darling..."
She shook, trembling, falling to her knees. She felt the room spinning out of control as she collapsed to the floor, shaking as her head filled with darkness.
Eloise, my darling.
Ella jerked back to consciousness, the feeling of Elijah's hand, weighing heavily on her head.
Tears streamed down her face, "Where am I?"
"In your bed at your grandparents' house, remember?" He frowned, "The power just went out. There is a terrible storm. The medicine must have caused you to have night terrors. You were screaming in your sleep. I had the hardest time waking you."
"Elijah," Ella reached out for him, "Please tell me it's you."
He pinched her arm, causing her to yelp. "You aren't dreaming."
She began to sob, wracking sobs, her whole body shaking.
"Eloise, what is the matter?" Elijah gripped her face.
"Please help me." she begged him. "I don't know what is happening. I am so scared."
He immediately took her in his arms, gathering her and holding her against him, tightly. "You are safe, Eloise. I am here. You don't have to be afraid."
"I'm not safe. We aren't safe."
"Yes, we are. It was just a bad dream, whatever it was. I am not going to let anybody harm you. Don't you remember?"
"I'm so scared," She sobbed. "She was there."
"Who was there?" Elijah asked, his hand cradling her head.
"My mother."
"Your mother?" Elijah's voice was even.
"Yes, and she was trying to tell me something about the baby...about Klaus's baby..."
"What about Niklaus's baby?"
"The witches, they want her..."
"We already know that, sweetheart," Elijah said, patiently, his hand holding her head against his chest. "Just breath. In and out. There we go. You must have gone to sleep thinking about what we discussed about Niklaus."
Eloise shuddered, "No. I don't think it was that. I mean, I know we know the witches are after her, but we haven't ever figured out the reason why."
"Yes, but..."
"It's the reason, Elijah...it has something to do with the reason...well, she didn't get to tell me, but she told me I needed to tell you...that you needed to know the reason the witches want the baby."
"And so you have," Elijah soothed.
"And then..."
She pulled away and started clawing at her neck, "It tried to hurt me, choke me to death and my grandmother, she stopped it...whatever it was."
"Stop doing that to yourself," Elijah said, reaching to grab her hands and restrain them. He frowned at the irritation on her neck, "Does your neck itch?"
"I don't know...I think I am having an allergic reaction the medication. Or a panic attack. I'm so confused."
Elijah immediately rolled up his sleeve but Eloise reached out to stop him, "No." she said, firmly. "No vampire blood."
"Ella," Elijah frowned.
"Just...stay with me, okay? I'll be okay."
He nodded and then gently laid her down on the bed, laying down next to her.
She turned her head to rest the top of it, tucked down, buried against his chest.
"Breathe," he said. "Or I will force my blood down your throat."
"You are so damn controlling at times, Elijah Mikaelson."
"You have no idea the accuracy of your statement."
"I'm pretty sure I do." She struggled.
"No, I am fairly accommodating with you, Eloise."
"If you say," Her breath hitched again.
"Until your safety is involved. Then I am controlling. Haven't we established this already? Now breathe," he snapped at her. "Or blood. Those are your choices."
She struggled for a breath and then another until her breathing evened.
"Elijah?" Ella's voice shook.
"Yes? What is it?"
"I don't think it was a dream. Or maybe it wasn't just a dream."
"If that was the case, Eloise, then how would your mother, of all persons, know about what the witches were plotting?" Elijah asked, his voice low.
"That I don't know."
The thundered boomed again, shaking the house.
"Then logically..." Elijah started but Ella interrupted, "But I'm being snuggled by a vampire...how is logic even involved in all this?"
"You do have a point," Elijah said, "I'm not saying that you couldn't have been visited by your mother. I do know that does happen."
"Really?"
"Yes, I thought you were jesting when you said you didn't believe in ghosts."
Ella groaned, "I don't know what I believe any more."
"Yes, well, I was just going to say logically, it doesn't make sense if it was real because your mother couldn't have knowledge of witch business."
The house shook again as thunder erupted.
"Do you think we are going to have a tornado?" Ella asked, anxiously.
"No, I think it is just a wicked storm," Elijah said, "Relax. You are so stiff...it's like every nerve is on edge. Your heart is beating so quickly."
"I'm terrified of storms...always have been," She said, softly. "And it has stuck since childhood."
"Why do you think that is?" he asked.
"I don't know." she snuggled deeper into him. "I just...I can't get myself together."
"Here," Elijah gently tugged her back. "Close your eyes."
"What are you doing?"
"Hush," he chided as he reached out to put his hand on her temple and press.
Her world shifted until they were sitting out in the sunshine, among flowers on a hill, overlooking a villa.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"A tranquil place. Do you like it?"
She smiled, "I actually do. How is this possible?"
"How is anything possible, Eloise?"
"God help me. I have no idea anymore," Eloise said, wryly.
He reached out to grip her hand, "It's eating at you...your dream."
She nodded. "It felt real. And then it was like I couldn't get it...and the panic...out of my head. Until now."
He studied her, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I hope." She looked around, "This is helping. Is this a real place?"
"Ah, yes, it is."
"Where is it then?"
"France. A little villa I hope to return to one day."
"Really?"
"Yes, when Niklaus finds whatever he needs to be stable."
"This is where you want to live."
"Yes."
"Alone?"
"That is how I often find myself."
"Hum," Ella leaned back to lie in the grass. "It's so beautiful here. It's good for the soul."
"Yes." Elijah leaned back to lie with her.
"What would you do here with your life?" she asked, and then said, quickly, "No, I want to guess."
"Go ahead then," his hand in hers, "What do you think I would do with my future?"
"Play piano in a nightclub. Not a happening one, but one of those old fashioned ones. Just play beautiful music, night after night. Just a quiet existence. No drama."
"Sounds about right," Elijah said, smiling.
"Do you speak French?"
"Of course."
"Ah, I'm so rubbish with languages."
"Are you really?"
She laughed, "Yes, horribly so. I managed some Spanish, but I wasn't very good."
"You should have learned as a child. It is much easier then."
"I should have." She paused, turning her head, "It sounds perfect, Elijah."
He turned to look at her, "Not quite."
Her heart fluttered and they fell silent, enjoying the peace in their surroundings and between one another.
And when Ella spoke again, her voice was a whisper. "I have a request."
"What is it?"
"Take me back here one day. Even if I am like eighty five and on my death bed, even when you still are as handsome as you are today...find me and take me here. Will you do that?"
"Of course, if that is what you wish."
"Really?"
"Yes, I'll find you, Eloise. And I will take you here...in person, before your life is over."
"Which let's hope is when I am eighty five and not oh, twenty eight."
"Indeed." He paused, "What are your dreams?"
"I thought I knew...even a few months ago, I thought I knew. Teach. Marry. Have kids. Be happy."
"What changed?"
"A chance encounter...and the knowledge of a complexity and shades of morality that I didn't even know existed."
"Do not tell me I took your dreams from you. Marriage and children sounds very sweet for you, Eloise. "
"No, you didn't, Elijah. The witches did...they took my faith in humanity...in the good in people. You, on the other hand, made me realize that I have yet to discover my dreams. Marriage and children...yet, I do want that. But I want to discover new things. Soak things up. You awakened something in me...and no matter what, I'm grateful for it."
"I didn't do anything. You had plenty of curiosity and appreciation for cultural endeavors before you met me. You just lacked experiences."
"And I still do."
"So change it, Eloise. Go. Explore. You are young."
"But it is so much more fun to do that with someone."
"Do you really think you can't find someone if you just put yourself out there?"
"I have...it doesn't work. And I don't want anybody...I want someone who gets me...beyond my shyness, and quirkiness, and fears...you know?"
"Yes," Elijah cleared his throat, "I do know."
She sighed, closing her eyes, "I am tired."
"Then go to sleep, my darling. That was the point of this." He sat up and then tugged her up. "Put your head here in my lap and close your eyes. Feel the fresh sunshine on your face...and just..."
"Melt away," Eloise murmured as he stroke her hair, tenderly. "Melt away."
"Yes."
And when she did, Elijah released his hold on her temple, Eloise's room coming into focus again. She was asleep, snoring softly, causing him to smile. He leaned over to kiss her head as the rain gently tapped on the roof, the worst of the storm passing.
Eloise made her way down the kitchen, where Elijah was cooking up eggs and bacon. "That smells delicious. Where did you get all that?"
"We got groceries last night, don't you remember?" Elijah asked, reaching over to hand her a cup of coffee, "Drink. You need this."
"Bless you," Eloise smiled as she gripped the cup and slid into a chair at the counter. She took a sip, "Amazing."
"You and your coffee," Elijah smiled as he scrambled up the eggs. "How are you feeling?"
"Exhausted and groggy," Ella admitted and then blushed. "Hey, Elijah?"
"Yes?" he plated the eggs on two plates with bacon, "What is it?" he handed her the plate as he sat down next to her.
"I'm sorry about last night. It's so embarrassing that I got that freaked out about a silly dream."
"No worries," Elijah said, studying her, "Eat. You need food."
She took a bite, "You do cook well. Perhaps you should run a little restaurant in France when you are able to retire from..." she twirled her fork, "well, you know..."
He chuckled, "Yes, I do."
She took another bite, them eating in silence.
When she had eaten her plate clean, he reached out to put a hand on her arm, "Tell me, something."
"What?"
"Do you think your dream was just that?"
She nodded, "I do. The medication...I mean, logically, it has to be that."
"It's just..." Elijah paused, "Your neck is red. And when I woke and came to the kitchen to make breakfast, there was a knife on the floor."
She froze, stricken. "Really?"
He nodded, "And I have never seen you that upset, Eloise. You were inconsolable. Whatever happened last night, had a profound effect on you."
She bit her lip, "The thing is...I don't really remember my mother. I mean, little bits and pieces of her," she stood, "Will you come with me?"
He nodded and she led him up the stairs to her grandparents bedroom. She pulled out a key and opened up a drawer to the dresser, "I had put all the pictures in here and locked them up. There are journals and such upstairs in the attic, but I wanted to sort through all of this and put them in albums, I have just not gotten around to it."
She shuffled through the pictures and found one of her mother, holding her as a toddler. Ella was dressed in a ladybug costume, her hair in pigtails with an adorable antennae headband on her head.
"Oh, my," Elijah took the picture, "You look just like your mother, Eloise. And this...you as a child is everything I pictured. It is no wonder that your grandparents sought to shield you so much."
She nodded, "In my dream...or vision...or whatever, mama called me ladybug girl. She used to call me that and it was a reference to this time...this picture."
Elijah turned it over, examining the back for clues, "I am not certain, Eloise, of what all of this means."
"Do you think it was a dream?"
He paused and then looked her in the eye, "I think if it wasn't, then there are more questions than answers at this point. And those questions and lack of answers affect you as well as my family."
She nodded. "The thing is..." she turned around to lean against the dresser. "My past...it's the past. I can't get bogged down in wondering what all this means. I could become obsessed with finding answers...that frankly, I don't think I want to know. The only reason I would do so, if it would help you...and Niklaus, Hayley and their child."
"I do not think it would," Elijah said, gently. "Or perhaps, those answers would take too long to find. Hayley is weeks away from giving birth. We shouldn't factor into this decision."
"Then, I think I wish to sell the house instead of finding renters again."
"Are you certain of that?" Elijah frowned.
"I can't come back here again, not after last night."
Elijah reached out to finger her face, "What are you so afraid of?"
"If my grandparents knew of everything...about New Orleans...they were so angry with me when I came to school and then stayed...if they knew, which I am pretty certain they did, then what if...my mom's death was supernatural in nature?"
"A vampire? Or a witch?"
She nodded, "I couldn't handle it, Elijah...what if it was someone we know? Like Niklaus? Or you? Or Rebekah? Or Marcel?"
"The chances of that are slim. I, for one, know I never saw your mother. And given that you look so much like her, I doubt Niklaus or Rebekah has either."
"But I don't know where she was when she died. I don't know anything. I just know there is something weird about everything. And for her to come to me in that vision or dream or...whatever it was, I don't know..."
He paused, "Very well. It is your choice. I just do not want you to regret your decisions because you are acting out of fear."
Ella turned to look back in the drawer and then took the picture back, closing it firmly, "I don't think I will."
"Still, I'd like to request that you wait...before making decisions...at least in regards to the house."
"Keeping up with this house is expensive."
"I can only imagine, but...just give yourself a few weeks to see how you feel." He looked into her eyes.
"Okay."
"Okay?" he laughed, "Is that it? No more arguments."
"Yep, none here," she smiled at him, "can we go back to the city today?"
He nodded, "If that is what you wish."
"I don't want to spend one more night in this house," she said, "Not at the moment at least."
Another week past and Spring Break was on the horizon. Eloise was glad for the time off, but when she was walking home from the school the day it let out for break, she was met with a surprise.
She turned over her shoulder, "Why are you following me?" she asked a woman.
"I thought we should meet finally." The woman sideswept her to stand in front of her. "It has been too long, but I have been keeping my distance, because, well, I didn't think it would be looked kindly upon."
"Okay," Eloise said, slowly. "Who are you?"
"My name is Celeste. And there are things you should know...:
"Know? About what?" Eloise frowned.
"More about whom," Celeste said, cryptically. "You and I...we are a part of a club."
"What type of club?" Eloise said, her frown deepening even further as she shifted her back off her shoulder.
"The club of women who let Elijah Mikaelson get too close and were destroyed by him."
Eloise sighed, "so, you must be the..."
"The old girlfriend who has been body jumping, that's me," she held out her hand and Eloise shook it, "It's nice to meet you. Do you want to get a drink with me?"
Eloise let out a long breath, "Yes. Let's go."
But as she said so, she knew it was a decision she would end up regretting...because the truths about Elijah Mikaelson...they were sure to be difficult.
And yet, something compelled her to go. And so, she did. And she listened, intently, soaking in the information about Elijah.
And then she despaired, agonizing over the revelations told.
But after sulking for most of her Spring Break, she did something she hardly ever did. She got dressed up, put on make up and decided to go out, leaving her bracelet at home, tossing it on the table.
She was going to have fun tonight...whatever that might entail...with whomever that might entail.
And Elijah Mikaelson would have nothing to do with it.