Eloise took a deep breath as she watched Adrian pace around the living room and swear under his breath. "Don't you do that!" She cried suddenly as Adrian picked up a nice vase Gabrielle had sent her. "I know you're mad about this, but if you break that, I swear..."

Adrian bared his teeth. "Well, if I had three tiny, cuddly people to take my mind off this bullshit with that...that...well, you know."

"Of course I know," Eloise nodded. "But I just...no offense, but I think it might be best for the girls to be out of the way until you've calmed down. Plus we need to be able to give our full attention to Ludovic and...and...hell, I can't believe this."

"See," Adrian crowed. "You're mad too. You're upset about Helene, so don't you act so high and mighty!"

"Well, Helene trapped me and starved me!" Eloise reminded him. "You just hate Ludovic cause of your macho alpha man pride!"

"And because he was part of kidnapping and starving you," Adrian added. "Where are the girls?"

"Well, so one person wouldn't go insane with all three, I sent one to the farm with your mom, and the other two to the club to stay with Noah and Roxie," Eloise said. "Is that all right with you? Or should I have asked your permission before I did it?" Her voice was heavy with sarcasm. "Or should I have answered your question? I'm beginning to wonder if you even remember I exist!"

"Oh, I'm sorry," he apologized and took her hand. "It's just...it's a lot to wrap my mind around that of all the people in the supernatural world who could be your surprise brother, it's Ludovic! And then he's with Helene on top of that, so...so it's like the past is coming to hit me in the face, and...why do you think he wants to see you?"

"I don't know," Eloise shrugged. "Maybe he just wants to talk. At least that's what I'm telling myself." She rubbed her hands nervously. "If I don't think that, I'll worry too much and that will just make things needlessly worse." She paused and squeezed his hand. "Did you hear me say that the girls are with your mom, Roxie, and Noah?"

"Yes," Adrian nodded. "It eases my mind a bit to know where they are. Not that I think you'd just send them out into the unknown."

Eloise put her hands on her hips. "Of course I wouldn't!" She paused. "Now, if you've calmed down, there's something I feel I need to say."

"Yes, of course," Adrian nodded, taking her in his arms and kissing her hair. "I don't mean to be this way around you. I'm sorry, baby."

"You shouldn't be this way, period!" she paused. "It doesn't help anything. It just...it just makes us both feel worse."

"I'll make an honest effort, I promise," he said, giving her a smile as he pushed her hair out of her eyes. "But I'm from the Mikaelson and both my parents are known for their tempers, so it might not be as easy as it seems."

"As long as you're trying, I'll help." She smiled. "The Mikaelson line of pains in the butt...I mean that in the most affectionate way, of course."

Adrian winked. "We may be pains in the butt, but at least they're nice butts!"

Eloise giggled and peered around to check. "You're right," she said. "No way around that."

"Damn, right and don't you forget it, woman!" He said and gave her a spank. "Now, what were you going to say?"

Now Eloise looked uncertain. "You promise you won't be mad? Cause it might make you mad."

"I will not," Adrian said, even though his nostrils flared at the idea and Eloise could see his body start to tense again.

Eloise took a deep breath. "Ludovic was kind to me, Adrian; He brought me food and water when that lunatic you call an ex-wife had me locked up in the dungeon. There was something about him that I was drawn to and now that I know he's my brother I...I guess I understand what it was."

Adrian growled and held her at a distance. "Well, I appreciate his part in keeping you and the girls alive, but he still had a part in the whole damn thing, so while I promise to be civil and not torpedo whatever relationship it is you want to develop with him, don't expect me to go golfing with him any time soon!"

"Fine, I won't," Eloise crossed her arms. "But I better not hear you want me to be best friends with Helene!"

Adrian scoffed. "Of course not! I hate her too, remember? And you should be mad at your mom too, for her part in this mess."

"Why?" Eloise asked, confused. "What did she do?"

"You know, neglected to tell you that Ludovic was your brother!"

"Yes, he is!" Eloise nodded. "And it is what it is. He deserves a chance. And don't be mean about my mother. She had Ludovic a long time ago and had no way of knowing what was in store for him or me. She did the best she could."

Adrian pouted and crossed his arms. "Whatever. But like I said, and I cannot stress this enough: I will never be his friend!"

"Fine," Eloise threw up her hands. "But can you at least be civil? They're gonna be here in an hour!"

Adrian smirked. "Sure, I'll be civil; as civil as you'll be with Helene."

Eloise opened her mouth to reply, then realized nothing good would come of it, then stomped off to take a quick shower and put on her best outfit cause no way would that wicked witch be prettier than her.

"Here you are," Ludovic huffed as he came upon Helene, who was reading a magazine and listening to the radio. "Didn't you hear me calling? We have to go! The sooner we get to this stupid meeting, the sooner we can leave!"

"No, thank you," Helene shook her head, rolling up the magazine and swatting a fly that had the misfortune to be on the table. "I have no desire to meet with your sister and my ex-husband. Not to mention their offspring." She'd seen him flinch as she'd brought the magazine down, something that made her bite her lip on a grin.

"Isn't it a little late to show me you hate children?" Ludovic asked, confused. "What did you do with ours?"

"Well, Nico is registering for school, Madeline is with my mother, and Braydon is with that horrible nanny your stupid, snobby mother made us hire."

"She's not horrible, she comes highly recommended."

"I've taken care of children before!" Helene grouched. "Why is she acting like I can't handle a toddler?"

"Not 'can't,' but rather, 'shouldn't'," Ludovic winced. "It's not proper."

"Proper my butt!" Helene cried. "I hate this." She looked around their new, glitzy penthouse. "I hate everything!"

Ludovic rolled his eyes. "I don't have time for this. Put the magazine down and come with me."

"Or what?" Helene asked, hands on hips. "You'll put me on your horse and show me your alpha complex? I'm not scared of that."

"Are you sure?" He asked, growling in frustration as he took her by the shoulders and pulled her to her feet, then brought her close so they were looking eye to eye. "You're my wife; and when I say 'Come', you come!"

"Oh, buzz off!" Helene snapped. "I won't be bossed around like that. I won't! Clearly no one ever taught you manners! And very kind of you to show me your true colors after I was forced into marriage with you and unable to have a way out!"

Ludovic sighed and let her go, his head hung in shame. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "I know I've overstepped. But I just...between your attitude and my parents' and all this...bullshit," he waved his hand at the room. "I just...I feel so frustrated and lost because I hate all of it and there doesn't seem to be any bright lights in the dark tunnel, you know? I mean, I don't expect you to be the happiest person in the world and I certainly wouldn't want you to repress your feelings to please me, but..." He sighed. "I hate this as much as you do, truly. However, at this point, there doesn't seem to be a way out."

Helene froze, her eyes wide with shock as she slowly sank back down on the sofa and took his hand. "You...you do? You truly hate this as much as me? I mean, I hoped you did, cause that's how the man I liked in the woods would have felt, but...I didn't know how to bring it up."

"Of course," Ludovic nodded and pushed her hair out of her eyes to softly kiss her forehead. "Why do you think I ran off to live in the woods with other average werewolves?"

She shrugged. "Am I supposed to get down on my knees and praise you for making such a noble choice and throwing off the the trappings of royalty and blah, blah, blah?"

"No!" Ludovic shook his head. "You can think what you want. I don't give a damn. But at least try not to show off the bitchy feelings in front of the kids!"

She sniffled, eyes down on her lap as a tear landed on her knee. Fuck. She'd really thought they'd been having an actual moment of connection in all this mess, but here they were again. "All right, Master," she mumbled. "I'll do as you ask."

He put his fingers under her chin and brought her eyes up to his. "How long are we going to play that game?" He asked. "Because I'm done with it."

"Just like I'm done with this stupid marriage," Helene muttered. "Set me free and I think we'll both be a lot happier."

Ludovic felt like his heart was breaking. "I know you're miserable," he said. "But even if I was able to let you out of the marriage, you would lose your freedom and the children. Do you want that? As long as you're here, I can make deals. I can obtain opportunities. And maybe...maybe when all the...passion from this horrible situation has died down, then we can go somewhere else. Somewhere nicer. Calmer. But until then, this is how it has to be...unless you'd rather be in jail with the bugs and the rats until they set you on fire and there's no Helene anymore."

She sucked in a breath. "You...you know about the Old Punishments?"

"Yeah," Ludovic nodded. "I do. I know they had the worst in store for you. And trust me, though it might not seem like it, that's way worse than having to face Adrian and Eloise for half an hour before we get to leave and move on with our lives. So...will you please get in the car?" He looked her over. "After you change, of course," he said, wrinking his nose at her outfit. It looked like something someone would sleep in. "Please don't tell me that's what you're wearing."

"No," Helene scoffed. "Not when there's a demon I have to be prettier than!" She ran off to shower and change while Ludovic let out a sigh of relief and went to start the car.

"No," Roxie groaned as she fed Laurelle some mashed up banana. "That goes in your mouth, not all over you!" She sighed and picked her up. "Let's get you hosed down." She rolled her eyes and looked over at Noah, who was engaged in blowing raspberries on Celine's belly, not paying attention to her and Laurelle at all. "We girls gotta stick together. Aunt Roxie will take care of you, Laurelle." She raised her voice. "Because it's obvious Uncle Noah only has eyes for your sister, Celine."

"That's not true, I love them both!" Noah said, shaking his head. "Not that Miss Laurelle lets me anywhere near her to prove it, unlike her sister who, as you see, can't seem to get enough of me. So I don't know what else I can do."

Roxie chuckled, wiping Laurelle's mouth with a napkin. She'd only been teasing but she had to admit that he was right about the difference between the sisters. Laurelle seemed to mostly prefer her own company, only letting a select few, such as Roxie herself and her father, come near. And other men who weren't her father? Forget about it! "It's nice to know you don't feel too slighted. Miss Celine more than makes up for the fact that her sister ignores you. She seems to love you very much."

"Well," Noah blushed as Celine held up her arms to be picked up, which he did without delay. "She likes it when I hold her and kiss her and blow on her stomach, but I don't know if you can call that love..."

As he broke off and bounced the little girl a little, Roxie got close and made a face. "That thing in her hair...what is it? She wasn't wearing it when Eloise brought her over."

"Just a cute little headband I found in her diaper bag," Noah grinned. "I thought it went nice with her outfit."

"It has feathers on it."

"What's wrong with feathers?" Noah asked. "It makes her look stylish and ladylike."

Roxie rolled her big blue eyes. "She's a baby! Who cares if she looks ladylike or not?"

"Don't listen to your aunt," Noah whispered to Celine. "She's just jealous and you look fantastic!"

"I think you're doing everything you can to make her like you so that Adrian and Eloise will make you her godfather," Roxie told him. "Don't lie."

"What?" Noah blushed. "I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Yes, you do," Roxie said. "And you don't have to work so hard. Eloise and Adrian are strongly considering you."

"Me? Really?" Noah asked, surprised that they would even put him on the list. He was a single nightclub owner who had next to no experience with children after all, especially ones as young as their daughters. He kept his eyes on the baby as he felt himself begin to blush, then he looked up at Roxie. "Are you sure? You better not be messing with me, Roxanne."

"See! I knew it's something you'd like!" She said before getting close. "And don't call me Roxanne!"

"They just finished washing the glasses," he told her with a grin. "Go help them put them away."

"Fine, Your Highness," Roxie rolled her eyes. "I'll go work while you sit on your butt."

"I'm not," Noah shook his head. "Miss Celine and I have important work to do checking all the alcohol inventory to see what we need to get more of." He kissed Celine's hair then got her settled in a carrier that he had strapped to his chest. "But don't think of having any," he teasingly chided the baby. "We're serious about drinking laws here and you'll never pass for twenty one." They giggled together. "See?" Noah told Roxie. "She thinks I'm funny!"

As he headed off, Roxie's voice stopped him. "Boss?"

"What?"

"As much as I joke, I like seeing you like this. I think Celine brings out the best in you."

"Well, that shouldn't be surprising," Noah grinned. "She's a little angel."

"Well, if anyone would know that, you would."

He blinked and headed back to the bar. "Sometimes I forget that, but you're right!"

Roxie and Noah both cuddled the little girls and then started at a knock on the door to the building. They looked up and saw a dark haired man with a mustache standing there hesitantly. "Are you open?"

"Sure," Noah nodded. "It's just that...nothing really happens until it gets dark, so we occupy ourselves with other things until, on the off chance, someone like you comes in. Want a beer? Have a seat!"

"Sure, thank you," The man nodded and sat down on a bar stool.

"I'll get it," Roxie told him. "Won't be too long to wait and I'll make sure it's ice cold for you."

"You're too kind," he said. Then he noticed the baby staring at him from the other side of the bar where Roxie had set her down. "This will seem like a strange question from someone you just met and I promise I mean no harm, but...is that beautiful little girl there one of Adrian and Eloise's triplets?"

"Yeah," Roxie nodded. She could sense the werewolf in this man so the question didn't alarm her. "I'm Adrian's sister, Roxie, and this is my boss, Noah Morningstar." She held out her hand and the man shook it. "We only have two of the girls here; the other is with my mom. What's your name?"

"I'm Alcazar," the dark-eyed man replied. "Then he looked at Noah. "You're Lucifer Morningstar's son, aren't you?"

"One of them," Noah nodded.

"Well, I'm friends with Eloise's mom, Gabrielle, and her brother, Ludovic."

Roxie nodded, and sucked in a breath. "Oh."

"I understand," Alcazar nodded ruefully as she set a beer down in front of him. "Now I'm persona non grata because Ludovic and your brother don't like each other."

"Oh, no, no!" She shook her head. "It's nothing like that. It's just kind of..."

"Awkward," they both finished at the same time.

Noah watched as he took another drink. "You like your beer?" He asked. "Roxie always makes a great choice."

"Oh, yes," Alcazar nodded and smacked his lips. "Her streak continues." He got out twenty dollars and put it on the table. "Thank you so much for your hospitality."

"Keep your money," Noah smiled at him. "First beer on the house. It's our little way to encourage people to come back."

"Well, it's working!" He raised his glass. "Cheers!" His eyes then landed on Laurelle, who was staring intently from her carrier.

"Does that one...does she stare at all men like that?"

"Oh, no," Roxie shook her head. "In fact, you're the first man I know of other than her father that she's shown any interest in at all. It's surprising. Don't take that the wrong way."

"Don't worry," Alcazar shook his head as Roxie took Laurelle out of her carrier and brought her over. "She has good taste. Don't you, little one?" He squeezed one of her little feet and brushed her cheek, making her grin widely.

"Wow, this is just...I mean it when I say that you're the only other man she seems to like besides her father," Roxie insisted, looking at baby Laurelle in surprise.

"And speaking of her father," Alcazar continued, "I wouldn't worry about him and Ludovic too much. Give it time and I think everything will work out."

"I doubt it, but I hope you're right," Roxie nodded. "Or we'll be in for some very awkward Christmases."

"Are you going to bite my head off if I open the door?" Eloise asked in response to the doorbell. There was no doubt that Ludovic and Helene had arrived at last.

Adrian shrugged. "You might as well get them in here; It's not like they'll go away if we pretend we're not home."

Rolling her eyes, she opened the door and found Ludovic staring at her, open mouthed. "Are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah," Ludovic nodded and ran his fingers through his hair. "I just wasn't expecting you to answer the door, that's all. I'm not very good at small talk."

"That's all right, there's not much to say anyway," Eloise reassured him.

"Come in now before a bunch of bugs get in the house," Adrian snapped.

Ludovic then turned to gesture at Helene.

"No, it's okay," Helene shook her head. "I think I'll stay out here."

Eloise's eyes narrowed. "You just want to deprive me of the chance to be the bigger person!" She cried. "Well, that won't work! Since you're here, you might as well come in...although if you offered to sit on the floor instead of tainting one of my sofas, I wouldn't turn you down."

Helene scoffed and pushed her way in. "Well, how thoughtful of you!"

Once they were in, all three stood in front of Adrian, who made a show of ignoring them and checking emails on his phone.

"Adrian, they're here," Eloise pointed out at last and poked him several times before he looked up. "Let's get this over with so we can move on with our lives."

Adrian looked up. "Well, I'm sorry if we're not equipped to give Their Highnesses a parade, but we're a very small house and we just don't have the resources!"

"Hey," Ludovic cried. "I mean, I expected you to be rude to us, but you could at least pretend to be polite for your wife's sake! Help her out a little instead of just doing nothing."

"You want me to be helpful to my wife?" Adrian asked, eyebrow raised. "Well, control yours before you start correcting me!"

Helene shook her head and clicked her tongue. "So typical of you. You can't admit fault, so you just keep blaming everyone else."

Adrian bristled. "And just what does that mean, Helene?"

Eloise moved away and sighed, muttering to herself. Maybe she should have just taken Helene up on the offer to stay outside after all.

"What?" Helene turned. "What did you say?"

"Nothing," Eloise shook her head. "I didn't say anything. Mind your own damn business!"

"You know what gives me great joy, Eloise?" Helene asked. "The knowledge that after this little honeymoon period is over, you'll quickly realize what a pain in the ass it is to be married to Adrian Mikaelson. Mark my words, one day he'll try and kill you, and if you live through that, then maybe, once you come crawling to me on your knees and apologize, we can have a cup of coffee and a civilized conversation."

"That was ages ago!" Adrian reminded her. "We were just kids and I said I was sorry. I would never allow the same thing to happen to Eloise."

"I don't believe a word you say," Eloise replied, squeezing Adrian's hand tight. "And I'll never be able to be civil to you. Not when it goes without saying that you kidnapped me, starved me, and tried to make me miscarry my girls!"

Ludovic caught Helene's eye. "And what do you have to say about that?"

Helene just shook her head, shrugged, and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "You tell me what you have to say first because it's not like I did the whole kidnapping alone!"

"Well, at least he tried to make up for his error by bringing me food and water," Eloise cried. "And that's certainly more than you can say!"

"All right," Helene shouted. "So I wasn't angelic and perfect like you are. But you just wait a few years, and you'll be just as messed up as I am, since it was my marriage to him that did it to me!"

Eloise scoffed. "Oh, I doubt that. You were with Adrian ages ago. I think at this point, all there is to conclude is that you have a screw loose somewhere and you need to face that, rather than blame my husband for your problems!"

"You say that like it's such an easy thing to do but it still cuts deep!" Helene shouted back, tears filling her eyes.

"I'm sincerely sorry for all the hurt I caused you when we were kids, but...I'm not that man anymore, Helene," Adrian told her. "I raised a little girl that I adored, then we got married and had three little girls of our own."

"Well, hooray for you. Nice to know I wasn't special."

"And here we go again," Ludovic threw up his arms. "Make up your mind, Helene: Him or me?"

Helene's jaw dropped, her eyes going wide with shock. "And just what sort of a stupid question is that?"

"What I mean is instead of letting yourself stew in all this anger about what could have been, maybe you should let yourself move on and start building on the good things you have now!" He paused. "Especially since you and I know I'm much better suited for you than he is. I know this, but if you'd rather just stew in misery about the past, don't let me stop you."

"Oh, you think you're better suited?" Helene raged. "The man who lied about being a prince? Once again, I'm the butt of some joke. Some stupid playboy werewolf takes advantage of me for his own amusement. I get it. It's a great pattern I'm in."

"Okay, that's it," Adrian yelled. "You got a problem, go see a therapist. If there's an actual fucking point to you two being here, say what it is or go away!"

"Actually there is," Ludovic cleared his throat. "I...I wanted to ask Eloise if she'd like to build a relationship with me, since we're brother and sister and all. I'd love to have a chance to get to know my nieces."

"If you're waiting for me to give you permission, that's not gonna happen!" Adrian cried. "I will not allow the man who had a part in the kidnap and attempted murder of my wife to have access to her or my girls!"

"Well, it's not just your decision is it?" Eloise muttered.

Adrian looked at her in shock. "What do you mean? You're not actually considering giving him what he wants!"

"I know you probably don't understand because you've had access to a mother, father, and siblings all your life, Adrian, but...he's my first brother," Eloise said. "And I...I would like to have a chance to know what family means. My own family. Not only people who I gained by marrying you."

"You do realize that when you have a relationship with him, it will include Helene too?" Adrian reminded her. "Are you prepared for how miserable she'll make that?"

"Of course," Helene huffed. "It's always my fault!"

"Because it is!" Adrian snapped. "Would you get off your pedestal and try and show humility for once in your life?"

Eloise ignored the other two and locked eyes with Ludovic. "I...Adrian has a small point; I don't think I'm ready for a big family gathering just yet, but...I think I would love to meet you for lunches and coffee from time to time, to start out with. Is that okay? Would you like that?"

"Yes," Ludovic smiled. "I would like that very much. Thank you, Eloise."

"Well, there you go!" Adrian said, beginning to pace again. "Now that you've made your little plans, the two of you can leave!"

"Well, great!" Helene added. "This was so much fun! Don't forget to send me my Thanksgiving invitation so I can assure you that I won't be coming!"

"I...I heard you're a mother now," Eloise got out, looking her in the eye.

Helene stopped mid-tirade, her jaw dropping as she blushed. That was not something she'd expected to hear. "Y-yes," she got out. "An older boy, and then a little boy and girl. They aren't babies, though. Their parents died and we adopted them. Their names are Nico, Brayden, and Madeline."

"Well, that's something we have in common," Eloise said. "It's a start."

"I'll call you," Ludovic promised. "Then we can decide on our first coffee date."

"Sounds good," Eloise murmured. "I'm looking forward to it."

"Adrian."

"Ludovic," Adrian gave him a nod. "Don't you two let the door hit you on the way out."

They left and Eloise and Adrian breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, we got through it."

"We did," Eloise nodded.

"And don't say I could have been politer," Adrian remonstrated as she opened her mouth again. "He left here alive and in one piece so I think I behaved very well."

"You did," Eloise sighed. "Good job. Now, are you going to interfere with my getting to know him as my brother?"

"No," Adrian shook his head. "As long as you don't bring him into our house, I'll leave you be."

"Deal," Eloise nodded. "Same with you and Helene."

"Duh," Adrian rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't let her come near here if it wasn't necessary."

"Good," Eloise kissed him softly. "So...we're alone here. No girls. What do you want to do?"

Adrian grinned back and took her hand. "You know, I think we should go to bed."

"Yeah," Eloise nodded as they made their way toward the bedroom, a yawn coming out of nowhere. "I could use an uninterrupted nap myself."

"Who's that?" Madeline asked as the doorbell rang. "Should I get it?"

"No, sweetie, stay here," Astrid told her. "I'll go see who it is at the door." Leaving Madeline playing happily, she answered a knock that was becoming more and more insistent.

"Oh," she sighed narrowed her eyes when she saw her husband. "It's you."

"What, you were expecting Malachai, perhaps?" Alistair asked, his dark eyes bright as he stuck his foot in the doorway before Astrid could fully shut him out.

"Go to hell," she hissed.

"Now, now," he clicked his tongue and ran his fingers through her hair. "I didn't come to cause trouble."

"Are you sure?" Astrid aske suspiciously. "You better not! In fact, why don't you just leave? I think that would be better for both of us."

"Believe me, I would love to, but...there's still the fact that you're carrying my child to deal with," Alistair reminded her. "I hope you don't think I'd forget that."

"Oh, not this," Astrid groaned. "I don't have time; I'm very busy. Please leave and we'll discuss it later!"

"No, why wait when I'm already here?" Alistair asked. "Let's just save ourselves the pain and get this discussion over with."

"You're not gonna go no matter how much I insist, are you?" Astrid asked. "Fine. But Madeline is here, playing with a doll I got her so be polite and behave."

"Right, I promise I won't make a scene," Alistair swore. "Helene already told me the little one was here."

"Right," Astrid crossed her arms and raised her chin. "So, what is it that you want?"

He crossed his arms. "I want to know what your intentions with my baby are," Alistair replied. "I think that since it's mine, it's not a unfair request."

"Your baby?" Astrid spat. "Don't forget that I am the one who is carrying this baby. You didn't just make it on your own!"

"Well, I have questions about if I made it at all!" Alistair cried. "I want proof I'm the father!"

That made her slap him hard as tears welled up in her eyes. "How dare you!"

He rubbed his reddening cheek and glared at her. "How dare I? You're the one who was shouting from the roof that you had an affair with Malachai!"

"That was a lie. Malachai told you that already!"

"You think I believe a word he says?"

Astrid's nostrils flared. "Well, maybe you should! You are so darn stubborn!"

"Why would you lie? Especially about something like this?"

"Because I was mad and lonely, okay?" Astrid spat. "I don't expect you to understand, but..."

"I do," Alistair cut her off without meeting her eyes. "I do." He paused. "How do you think I felt all those times that you were working and I was just...home putting time and energy into a lovingly cooked dinner that sometimes you didn't even come home to eat because the five hundred dollar work dinner was more important?"

"You weren't complaining when it got you the fancy watch and the new car!" Astrid spat.

"I wouldn't give anything about them if it meant I got to see my wife instead!" Alistair cried. "Do you understand that? Do you see? Or are you just going to continue to be blind and act like you're the only one who was ever wronged? That none of this was your fault? That you-"

Suddenly, the color drained from Astrid's face. "I...Alistair, I don't feel well..." He caught her just as she fainted.

"Astrid?" He cried and shook her, praying she would wake. "Astrid, are you all right? Darling, speak to me!"

"What's wrong with Grandma?" Madeline asked, one hand clutching her doll. "Is she sleeping?"

"No, dearest," Alistair sighed, setting Astrid down on the sofa as he tried not to show the little girl how scared he was. "She's not feeling well. You hold her hand to help make her better and I'm gonna call an ambulance. Will you do that for me?"

"Yes," Madeline nodded. "I will."

Sybil sighed as her phone continued to ring and paused stirring the bowl of macaroni and cheese. It wasn't the fanciest lunch or the healthiest, but it was something she could afford and that made it the best option for her. Finally, she picked her phone up and answered.

"What?" She yelled. "Mikael, what do you want?"

"Well, hello to you too," he said. "How did you know it was me?"

"Cause only you let the phone ring and ring and ring until I want to smash it on something hard!" Sybil cried. "And don't try and tell me I'm wrong."

"I'm grinning right now," he told her. "You always know how to make me smile."

"Yeah, well, you have a strange sense of humor," Sybil retorted. Then she heard the creak of springs. "Is that...are those bed springs? I hope you're not making me hear things you know I wouldn't want to hear."

"Of course not!" Mikael cried, genuinely shocked. "How could you suggest that?"

"I don't know," Sybil shook her head.

"Why did it take you so long to answer me?" Mikael asked. "I was scared to death!"

"Why do you need to worry about me?" Sybil retorted. "I'm a big girl and I can-" Then she broke off, remembering how relieved she'd felt to see him after the fire, and how grateful she'd been that he'd rushed over without her even needing to ask. "Sorry," she said. "Really, I am. But I...I was making dinner and my hands were all messy. I didn't mean to frighten you."

"All right, Facetime me, please."

"Sure," she replied. "Give me a second." She paused and smiled back when she saw his face. "There. Hi!"

He smiled wider. "You look beautiful!"

"Oh, please," she blushed and laughed. "No make-up, my hair in a bun, sweat pants and a pair of your socks on!"

"You've never been sexier," he complimented. "And I sincerely mean that. You really look better in my clothes than I do."

She looked at the ceiling and blushed. "You're obviously blind!"

"What are you making for dinner?"

"You know, macaroni and cheese!" She paused. "The cheesiest one! Kraft is the best, but...you know..."

Mikael scoffed. "Are you kidding? The fridge is full of gourmet frozen dinners, the best cuts of meat, and the tastiest vegetables, and you...you're eating that garbage?"

"I know, but...it all looks too fancy for me, so I...I made myself a small grocery list of things I felt more comfortable eating and put it on your credit card. Don't worry, it's like, fifty-four dollars. I'll pay you back."

On the other end of the line, Mikael's eyes were shut tight and he was pinching the bridge of his nose to calm himself down. "That's one battle I'm never going to win, am I?"

"Nope! And don't act like it's a tragedy. I love mac and cheese! How's Canada? Everything going well?"

"It's going well and if things continue the way I want them to, I should be back by the end of the week. How's school? Any new and fascinating developments?"

"It's still the beginning, but I'm learning a lot," Sybil told him. She was still imagining his look of disgust about the mac and cheese and smiled down at her casserole dish. "Oh, and by the way, along with the groceries, I also brought: a twenty dollar pair of jeans, and a few sweaters for a hundered dollars. I'll pay you back for that as well."

Mikael growled in frustration. "Woman, you are getting on my last nerves! Did you get some packages today?"

"Yes, and I brought them in? Designer bags, correct? I put them in your room for when you get back."

"Well, take them out because they aren't for me, they're for you!"

Sybil nearly dropped the phone. "What? Mikael have you lost your mind?"

"Why would you think that? I just bought you some necessities: a few cashmere sweaters, pants, shirts, shoes, and lingerie. All your size, I promise. But put everything that doesn't fit in a pile so I can exchange it."

"Tell me you're joking!" Sybil yelled. "That stuff was from Prada and Louis Vuitton, for god's sake!"

"And what's your point? What's wrong with that?"

"I can't reimburse you for all that!"

"You don't have to! They're gifts, and you can't refuse gifts, woman! Didn't anyone teach you that?"

"But...I can when the gifts are way too expensive!"

"Cashmere!" Mikael reminded her. "You wouldn't want to just throw away a bunch of your favorite cashmere sweaters, would you?"

"Damn!" She muttered. He knew her too well! She thought a moment. "All right," she said at last. "I will accept one cashmere sweater from you as a gift."

"You're being so childish!"

"I don't care!" She cried. "This is all too much and you knew that!"

"I do, but...I won't take the clothes back. They're yours. You don't have to wear them now, but maybe, someday, you'll be able to accept them in a way you can't now."

"I don't know what you're babbling about, but fine, I'll keep them. I'm sure there's some place to put them for now," Sybil sighed. "Malachai called me, just so you know." She grabbed a plate out of the cupboard.

"Oh, yes? What did he want?"

"He just...he'd heard about the fire and because he's a kind man, he asked if I was all right and if I'd found a place to stay."

Mikael tensed. "And what did you say?"

"You'll be mad."

"No, I won't."

She took a deep breath. "I told him I was here, but that you were out of town for business."

Mikael chuckled. "Brilliant! I can't wait to hear his answer!"

Sybil smiled. "I thought you would say that so I wrote his answer down word for word. Just a minute." She stopped and cleared her throat. "And I quote: 'Tell Mikael he is a fool and an asshole for leaving you alone and not taking the opportunity to be with you'."

"Says the man who held the love of his life at arms length!"

"I was his date more than once to make her jealous."

Mikael chuckled. "Didn't know you had a thing for him."

"No, it's not that!" Sybil said. "I was just feeling really lonely when I came back to Earth. And he asked me to go with him to a restaurant a few times to get Avery's attention. I initiated nothing whatsoever."

"Good, cause I don't see him as your type."

"Oh?"

"Yes, I mean, he's not me, is he?" He winked.

Sybil scoffed but smiled. "Nice to see you're as full of yourself as always, Mikaelson!"

"Plus, could you imagine being in a relationship with a man who takes an hour to pick cereal to eat? Or half an hour to choose a pair of socks?"

"Oh, you are so mean to your friend!"

"I'm just telling the truth!" Mikael shrugged. "I know him very well, after all."

Just then, Princess Leia jumped on the counter. "Well, look, pretty girl," Sybil chuckled. "Grandpa Mikael is on the phone!"

"You'll pay for that!" Mikael cried. "Woman, when I get back, I'll slap your butt so hard you'll beg for mercy!"

"I won't because by the time you get back, my apartment should be ready to live in again, and I intend to go back as soon as possible." She sounded very certain, but also, if he listened real hard, very sad.

"Well, all right," he sighed. He had hoped she would still be there when he returned. "I'm glad you'll be able to go back to your apartment soon."

"Yeah, it's great," She lowered her eyes to the floor and watched as tears splashed on the kitchen tile.

"Sybil, are you all right? What is it?"

"I just...nothing you need to worry about. I've had a bit of an upset stomach all day, but...it should go away once I eat something."

"Is it...do you think it's something left over from the fire? Did you inhale smoke?"

"No, I don't think that's what it is," Sybil tried to reassure him.

"I'll call Sean and ask him to come see you, just so we can be sure."

"Thank you, but it's a bit of an overreaction. Mikael, I promise you that I'm fine!"

"Just humor me, darling, please?"

"Oh, all right," Sybil said. "I'll make time to stop by for a check-up." Sybil smiled wickedly and put the bowl of mac and cheese where Mikael could see it. "Doesn't this look wonderful and tasty?" She asked.

"No, it looks disgusting!" Mikael winced, thinking of filet Mignon and mashed potatoes. "I wouldn't eat that glop if it were the last nourishment on Earth!" He paused. "But you go ahead and enjoy. That stuff probably tastes even more awful when it's cold. What are your plans for the evening?"

Sybil shrugged. "Eat and then...maybe take a really long bubble bath. No sense in wasting all the wonderful bottles under the sink!"

He groaned. "If only I could be there to take a bubble bath with you. I would make it so much more enjoyable!"

"Well I can handle myself, at least for a little while."

"Or you could face time me again after you get in the tub," Mikael suggested. "And we could..."

"You just want to see me naked!"

"Of course I do," Mikael replied. He looked around his hotel room and began undressing.

"What are you doing?" Sybil's eyes widened. But she didn't turn her phone off.

"I'm showing you that I'm willing to return the favor," he told her very seriously. "I don't want you thinking I expect you to give without receiving."

Sybil's eyes traveled down his body and she whimpered a little as her hand slid under her waistband, rubbing herself gently for a little while as moans continued to escape her lips.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, his voice sounding like music to her ears. But all of a sudden, the phone ran on his end.

"What the hell was that?" She asked.

"Call waiting," he said apologetically. "It's probably a work thing." He quickly dressed. "So sorry to cut this short."

"Oh, you better be!" Sybil said. You owe me! And don't forget to call Elijah about my project. I don't want to show up and look like an idiot if they're not expecting me."

"I won't forget if you don't forget to eat."

"I won't," Sybil said and began shoveling mac and cheese in her mouth. "Have a good night, Mikael."

"Have a lovely bath, darling. And pleasant dreams." He gave her one last smile and ended the call, then she finished her dinner and went to fill up the tub as she thought of nothing but his beautiful blue eyes.