There was much that needed to be done and decided, of which the most important details were in what should be done about the baby. It was clear that she could not stay in New Orleans, that the enemy of the Mikaelsons would hunt her down, both which and werewolf, in order to destroy her. Hayley decided that it was best for her to leave, and after a while of deliberation, I found three pairs of eyes turned towards me, as Nik said that of all the people in the world he would entrust his daughter's safety to, there were only two. I was one, and so in that moment Nik brought his daughter over to me and placed her in my arms, whereby he then took hold of my face in order to hold our gaze. "I must ask more of you, my sweet Ophelia, unfair as it is, I can only trust you to protect that which is most precious to me."
"You don't even have to ask, Nik. I dare anyone to try and come after her whilst I'm around." My words offered him comfort as I then looked to Hayley, who was crying whilst pressing a hand to her mouth to stifle her sobs. "I'll tell her every day that she is loved by so many people, and that one day, she'll have her family together with her. She'll be safe. I give you my word." And the plan was set, so all that was left to do was make preparations and say our goodbyes. It was decided that it would be better if the world thought that I had died too, along with the baby, and so Marcel was tasked with finding not only the body of a stillborn, but that of a woman my age and build to be dressed up to look like me so that a funeral service could be held.
I stipulated that I must not be interred in the cemetery, as the witches would soon realise that my body possessed no magic, so that the body and the coffin should be cremated and the ashes scattered to the wind to make everything seem all the more believable. Our plan was quickly put together and was executed with even swifter action, so now all that was left to do was to take the baby away from the city where we were to wait for Rebekah to return. With me I had packed all of my belongings, sitting in silence all the way as Nik too had nothing to say, the emotions between us being too thick to manage words, and once we were there he cradled his daughter in his arms with a tenderness I had very rarely seen, but was not utterly devoted to her.
The sound of Rebekah's car announced her arrival, and upon seeing her again I could not help but feel more relaxed as Nik stood up and together, they approached one another. I stayed back to give them a private moment, the two siblings greeting one another after a long period of absence. "Hello, sister." Looking down at the girl's face, Rebekah fondly touched her blanket to draw it away from her cheek in order to get a better look at her, smiling all the while.
"She looks like her mother. Maybe there is a God after all." This made Nik chuckle softly, also gazing lovingly down at his little girl.
"Well, she has a hint of the devil in her eyes. That's all me." There was a moment of shared admiration for the little life in his arms, before Nik's voice turned severe and serious. "I need you and Ophelia to disappear completely. Use a cloaking spell, one that cannot be overcome by magic."
"We'll do it."
"No one can ever find her."
"I know what to do, Nik." Assuring her brother that she had everything under control, Rebekah glanced over Nik's shoulder in order to catch my eye, where we both shared a private nod of understanding as to what needed to be done before she then looked back at the baby. "Perhaps we'll get a white fence. I think that would be lovely." I could already imagine it in my head, and as I picked up mine and the baby's bag in order to approach Rebekah's car, Nik lifted the little one up so that he was face to face with her.
"This city would have seen you dead. But, I will have it your home. And every soul who wishes you harm will be struck down, just as sure as my blood runs in your veins. You will return to me." Then he tenderly kissed her forehead, and held her one last time before reluctantly releasing her into Rebekah's arms. Then he drew something small and wooden from his pocket, and placing it upon the folds of her blankets, revealed a small wooden knight that I recognised from a past description that Bekah had given me years ago. The knight that Nik had carved for her. "In spite of our differences, Rebekah, there is no one I would trust more with my daughter's life." The swarm of feelings surrounded them both as Nik embraced and kissed Bekah tenderly, all of the past now forgiven in the wake of more important things. "Be happy, sister."
"She will be happy, Nik. I promise." After a moment, Bekah then asked for the little one's name, and it took Nik a moment to think of one that suited her best, but after careful consideration and a smile to himself, he decided.
"Hope. Her name is Hope." It was a perfect name, and having placed the bags and the baby carrier in the car ready for Hope, I watched as Nik began to cry the moment Rebekah turned away in order to place her into her car. We were running out of time, so I took this last moment of opportunity to approach Nik whereby I reached out and took his hands in mine.
"She'll be back in no time. Just focus on what needs to be done." I said to him, trying to give him the strength he needed to get through this moment in time, where I expected his heart felt like it was being ripped out of his own chest. "And make sure my funeral is awesome. I expect street parades, flowers raining from the sky, booze overflowing in fountains, heartfelt tears, moving speeches…the works. Use the opportunity to make it a show for the enemy, and when the time comes, don't hold back." Speaking with truthful sincerity, I then placed my arms around him, leaning into his chest with a heavy sigh.
"What would our family do without you, sweet Ophelia?"
"I sure as hell don't know, but I'm not willing to find out." This garnered a chuckle in response, feeling one hand rise in order to stroke my hair before we pulled back from one another slightly, looking into each other's eyes. "You take care Nik. Be careful out there."
"It is you who should be taking care, Ophelia. This is farewell, but not the end. One day, I hope that you will come back, and remain a part of this family where you will be welcomed and loved with open arms." His words were touching, so I rose up onto my toes in order to kiss him tenderly with heartfelt feeling. There was no romance in this kiss, but it expressed something that had rooted itself deeply into my being as I held onto Nik for as long as I dared to until finally, I let him go.
"Always and forever?" I questioned in a soft whisper, and when his reply came, he said it with a smile and a light brush of my hair to slide it away from my face, where he cradled me in his hands with as much tender gentleness as he had held his own daughter.
"Always and forever."