I want to thank everyone for continuing to read my story. I also want to explain, that I'm a full-time college student who, besides writing, also has a other things to do. If I don't always update within a week, please don't get angry but rather show some patience.

xoxo, AllthingsAnii

Chapter 6

Elena woke up in her bed. She felt dizzy, but she remembered why she fainted. Yet again, two brothers had lied to her for their own good. How did she always get in these positions?

Slowly, not to upset her baby again, she stood up from the bed to splash some cold water in her face. She had to face it. Elena was here now, and beside the point that Klaus and Elijah had lied to her, their reasons to be here were valid. She could believe in a heartbeat what Marcel had done; his eyes were way too devious.

Walking outside, she smelled food and followed the delicious smell downstairs towards a dining area. Plenty of food was placed on different tables.

Klaus and Elijah were sitting at a decked table, talking. Elena sat down next to them. "Gentlemen."

"It's good to see you with color in your cheeks again, love." "Well, had you told me the truth from the start, my cheeks would have been full of color the entire time." "I apologize again." "It's okay. I thought about it and I came to the conclusion that I'm not mad anymore. I understand your reasons for being here, I just wish you guys would trust me more." "I will do my very best to try and get there," Klaus said. That was more than Elena had hoped for. "I apologize as well, Elena. I do trust you and I should have never kept it from you."

"Apology accepted. So, who is going to tell me why there is so much food here?" "We didn't know what you were in the mood for." "This is all for me?" "I doubt you will eat everything but we wanted to be prepared. The staff can eat the rest." "I'm glad that the rest of the food won't be wasted." "Please, there is a plate over there. Pick whatever you want."

Elena filled a plate with a variety of delicious food. She felt spoiled. They had went through so much trouble just because they didn't want to upset her again.

"Thank you, gentlemen. I feel very spoiled right now." "Don't, Elena. We are gladly doing it." She sat down next to the brothers again.

"This ball tomorrow, do I have to go?" "Unfortunately, yes. Marcel personally invited you, there is no getting out of it," explained Elijah. "What if I get upset?" "We will do our best to keep you calm and I would suggest a calming spa day and some meals to strengthen the baby and yourself." "I'm scared." Klaus looked at her, his words calming her instantly: "Listen to me, love. We are not going to leave your side. It is just going to be a pleasant evening." "I hope you're right. My history with dances isn't the best." "But you never had us by your side."

Elena spent the next day being massaged, getting a manicure and pedicure, and generally being pampered. The most delicious southern foods were brought to her, so that she could eat whenever she felt like it. While lying in the bathtub, she talked to her unborn son. "Okay little one, we have to make a deal. You have to help me stay calm. We can't afford anyone to find out about you yet." She was continuously caressing her stomach, even if no bump was visible yet. But as if the baby had understood her, she felt a burst of calmness run through her body. She was going to do this. For her son.

When she got out of the tub and walked in her bedroom, a box had appeared on her bed. Upon opening, Elena realized it was a dress. Klaus had said he had it covered, so she wasn't surprised when she found a stunning midnight blue dress inside the box.

It was made of silk, and only because Elena wasn't showing yet, could she wear the dress. It was skin tight, had to thin pieces of silk connected behind her arms that held the dress up. The rest of her back was visible and the dress connected again just underneath her lower back. It was absolutely stunning. With it, Klaus had also put some silver Louboutin strappy sandals. Claire helped Elena curl her hair and another lady, Sophie had come in at some point to prepare Elena's make-up. She hadn't protested, as it was less stressful and at least the lady knew what she was doing. When Elena was ready, her hair was pinned up in a constellation of braids and some strands fell down her head in soft curls. Her make-up was rather dark, but it looked good nonetheless. She felt a lot like Katherine in that moment. Katherine had always known how to present herself. Even if Elena didn't like her devious doppelgänger ancestor, she had always admired how she was able to magically pull everyone in.

A soft knock pulled Elena back into reality.
"Thank you, ladies. You did a wonderful job, I couldn't be more grateful." Both ladies smiled and then left the room in the same heartbeat as Klaus entered it. He gave Elena his usual grin.

"You look absolutely stunning, if it isn't obvious." "Thank you. I'm glad, I am not showing yet. This dress would have revealed everything. It still does." "Which is kind of the point. It highlights your curves and at the same time shows Marcel that you have nothing to hide." "Maybe I should hide a little more." "No one will touch you, I promise." "I'm not worried about that, Klaus. I feel safe by your side."

He held her gaze, and then pulled his arm out behind his back. "I have a little something for you. I thought it would complete the outfit." He gave her a flat, square-sized box.

"It's a necklace." Elena opened the box and found a simple, yet elegant silver chain with another chain and tear drop diamond attached to it. "It's for your back. It will stunning and give you protection at the same time." "What do you mean?" "Its diamond is laced with vervain. When it was made, I made sure it was soaked in it. No one will be able to compel you." "It's beautiful. I don't have words. But won't Marcel smell it?" "No. The process made sure that it is interlaced with the diamond itself, no smell comes from it. I can even touch it without hurting myself." "Of course you find a way to do that." "I would do everything to keep you safe." "I know."

Elena took the necklace out of the box and was starting to put it on. "May I?" Klaus asked. She nodded. He took the necklace out of her hand and gently placed it around her neck.

"I feel like Katherine." "You are nothing like Katerina." "I mean, I feel elegant." "You've always been elegant." "It's an appropriate event tonight. Katherine has taken so many lives." "I would take hers if I could." "Katherine has always just been looking out for herself. I know why you must be mad at her. She kept you from breaking the curse." "It is not that. Not anymore. Yes, I was furious that I had to wait for the next doppelgänger, but the moment I met you, it turned into something entirely different. Because of her, I had to sacrifice you." "Let go of that, I beg of you. If even one thing had gone differently, then I would not be carrying this baby. I thought I would never be able to have a child, and even though I will probably not see him grow up, I know that he will be protected."

"Listen to me, love. There is no way I am letting you go again. I will move Heaven and Earth to figure out how to save you." "I know you will. But I want you to promise me that you will love this child if I'm not surviving this." "I will love him every way my father didn't love me." "Good." Elena took Klaus' hands that were still resting on her shoulders and squeezed them. "Thank you for the dress and the necklace. And everything." "You are very welcome. Are you ready?" As if her baby recognized his father's voice, another wave of calm went through Elena's body. "Ready," she nodded.

Elijah met the two out by the car. Elena had always been taken back by how good he looked in a suit, but tonight, even he had stepped up. She smiled when he looked at her and took a deep breath.

"You look beautiful, Elena." "Thank you. I can't really complain either. I'm about to attend a ball with two very handsome brothers. I'm honored." "Oh no, we are honored." Elijah opened the door for her and held out his hand for her to get inside. Klaus felt a sting of jealousy. Elena was so much more careless around his brother.