Sybil sighed and pouted at her reflection in the golden full length mirror in her and Mikael's bedroom before making a gallant attempt to hook her bra. To her surprise, she succeeded and let out a cry of triumph. It was definitely a victory to be able to get anything to fit her body nowadays, since she was as big as an elephant and couldn't even fit into her pretty French lingerie anymore. She let out another sigh. Oh, well. At least according to Sean, the babies should be arriving in a few weeks and then she could start trying to get back to normal, whatever that meant for her now.
She then turned around and saw Mikael grinning back at her. "Sorry," he said. "I didn't want to interrupt, but you didn't look pleased, so I wondered…" His words trailed off as his gaze flickered over her body and a hungry grin curved his lips, like she was a yummy dessert he wanted now.
Blushing, she looked him over in turn. He wasn't wearing a shirt or shoes. The only thing accessorizing his distressed jeans were ruffled hair and a hungry grin that gaze.
"Why do you keep looking at me like I'm the most beautiful thing in the world?" Sybil asked, pouting and eying her pregnant body with distaste.
"Because you are," Mikael told her. "Why should I pretend otherwise if it's true?"
"But I'm so fat!" Sybil cried, dumbstruck. "How can you be attracted to me when I'm as big as a whale? I can hardly fit into any of my clothes anymore, including all my fancy bras and underwear, and yet you still want to…" she trailed off and blushed.
"Fuck you? Eat you? Taste you? All of the above?" It didn't take many steps to find himself behind her. He put his arms around her waist. "I choose all of the above." He pulled her against his body, and began nuzzling her neck.
"Well, it's very considerate of you to say to my face, but I'm not the same Sybil who stayed with you for twenty-four hours," she said. "I'm huge! I'm uncomfortable in my own skin! And yet, nothing has changed with you! You still want to do me all day! I don't understand you at all!"
He gave her a look of concern. "Did you expect me to find satisfaction elsewhere once you didn't fit in your regular clothes anymore?" He asked. "Is that what you want?"
"Would you do it if I said I did?" Sybil asked. "I'm…I'm not worth your attention now. I'm not beautiful. I'm blubber!"
"Darling, please," Mikael told her. "Let me make something clear to you: You are not fat. You are not blubber. You are carrying our children! And contrary to what you might think, men find pregnant women very sexy because it reminds us, especially as your belly grows, we're reminded over and over that we had sex with someone we're crazy hard for!"
He gave her a smile, hoping he'd finally gotten through to her. She put her hands on either side of his face and chuckled. "Wow, you're really hoping you have me convinced, aren't you?" She asked. Then she looked down at herself and sighed. "Well, I still don't know if I truly believe you, but if you say you find this attractive, I guess I can play along." Sybil winked. "Especially after such a romantic sentiment!"
"You didn't ask me to tell you something romantic," Mikael reminded her. "You asked me to tell you how I could find you attractive at this point. And I told you." Then he slid his fingers under the waistband of her panties.
"Oh, no, no!" Sybil protested, moving his hand. "Not now you don't!"
"Why not?" Mikael protested. "Give me one good reason why I can't make you come."
She locked eyes with him. "Cause you did it less than an hour ago."
"So?" Mikael crossed his arms. "What's your point? Are you counting now?"
"No!" Sybil shook her head. "If Angelica Morningstar wasn't coming in less than an hour to give us an idea for the nursery, you know I would be more than happy to go back to bed, but…we don't want to be caught in an embarrassing position."
Mikael scoffed. "Based on her father's habits, we probably wouldn't be the first time she's ever accidentally walked in on somebody." Then he groaned. "But I suppose you have a point. All right, I'll go get out of my sex jeans and put on an outfit more appropriate for company."
"I do love those jeans, though," she called after his retreating back while letting herself enjoy a view of his bottom. "You know that, right?"
"I do," he nodded, turning and giving her a wink.
"And we can't forget that we still have to find a nanny for the twins," she reminded him. "We're very close to delivery day and I'm beginning to get worried!" She then reached for her toothbrush, which was in a stand next to the vanity sink.
"I gave you the number for the woman who came highly recommended, didn't I?" Mikael asked as he reached around her to grab his own toothbrush. "Or did I forget?"
"Yes, you did," Sybil sighed. "But she came for the first interview and…she had what seemed like ten crosses around her neck, and she asked me if I wouldn't mind her praying while the twins sleep. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against religious people, but I don't want someone calling up Bloody Mary or something," she finished, wide-eyed.
"Ewww!" Mikael winced. "I can't believe someone would refer a person like that to us. She wouldn't have come within ten feet of our children."
"Exactly," Sybil nodded after she spit into the sink and returned the toothbrush to the holder.
"If we get desperate, I could always do my work from home," Mikael offered. "That way, you wouldn't have to worry about who was watching the babies while you continued with your coursework."
Sybil smiled and ran her hands over his naked chest before throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him. "You know, you're a good husband."
Mikael chuckled. "Don't I know it, woman?" He asked and gave her a playful spank. "Now, I know that Angelica is coming, but can we please have a quickie? I don't need too long, I promise. Ten minutes."
"It's never ten minutes with you, Mikael Mikaelson," Sybil reminded him, standing her ground. "Angelica is coming soon, and she will not walk in on us, and we'll be fully clothed when we see her!" She shook her head.
"Well, fine, but is it my fault that I find you so sexy I want to fuck you all the time, Sybil Vane Mikaelson?" He asked.
"Of course not," Sybil shook her head. "And I don't blame you." She gave him a look. "Are you getting dressed now?"
"Oh, all right," Mikael sighed and headed toward the closet. "I'm going!"
"Shit!" Angelica Morningstar swore as the heel of her Gucci stiletto broke while she exited her Jaguar in the parking garage of Mikael and Sybil Mikael's building. "Shit, not my new Gucci shoes!" Luckily, she had a spare pair of Dior pumps in the trunk for emergencies such as this.
Limping to the trunk, she pulled it open and exchanged shoes, wondering why she was so nervous about this appointment. She was never nervous about meeting clients. Could it be because these two were connected to Klaus Mikaelson?
She sighed, shook her head, squared her shoulders, and stomped on the floor to make sure her shoes were on all the way. They were and one crisis was averted. Onto the next thing. She sped up as much as she could. She didn't want to be late.
Sybil pulled on her peasant blouse so that nothing was hiked up anywhere and then looked at herself one last time in the mirror. She didn't look so bad. She actually looked good! Breathing a sigh of relief, she made her way to the door, reaching it just in time for the doorbell to ring. "Hello, Ms. Morningstar," she greeted Angelica. "Please come in."
"Thank you," Angelica told her. "I hope I'm not late. I broke a shoe heel in your parking lot and had to do a quick change."
"No, no," Sybil shook her head. "You're right on time. And I have to say, I love that black pantsuit."
"Thank you," Angelica smiled. "I just didn't feel like messing with a skirt today." She paused. "Am I right that you're Sybil? It's wonderful to meet you."
"Thank you," Sybil nodded as the other woman shook her hand. "Thanks for taking time to put us in your busy schedule. Can I get you something to drink? My husband should be here any-"
"Your husband is here!" Mikael proclaimed as he joined them. He studied Angelica and then took her hand. "Lovely to meet you, Ms. Morningstar. Your work precedes you."
"So do your past achievements," she returned, squeezing his hand so hard he almost winced. "There are very few people who have not heard of the notorious Mikael Mikaelson."
"I like an assertive woman," he told her. "You sound like someone who's met my daughter-in-law."
"If the daughter in law you speak of is Selina Warren, then yes, we've met several times," Angelica assured him. "She's my aunt, remember. And it's good you like an assertive woman because I tone it down for no one!"
"Good," Mikael nodded. "My wife is headstrong too, and I definitely wouldn't want her to be any other way." He then gave Sybil a wink and a kiss, paying no mind to the fact that Angelica was watching them.
"Please don't think my husband is rude," a blushing Sybil tried to reassure Angelica. "He can be very pleasant, polite, and welcoming when he wants to be. Let's not waste any more time. Come with us and we'll show you the room that will be the nursery. It's right this way." She pointed down a nearby hallway and they all made their way there at a slow, leisurely pace.
"My wife knows a thing or two about me," Mikael told Angelica. "Most of the time, my bark is worse than my bite."
"Seeing the size of her belly, she probably knows more than a thing or two," Angelica told him.
Mikael raised an eyebrow. "Are you always this blunt, Ms. Morningstar?"
"Yes, just like you are," Angelica pointed out.
"Touche," Mikael admitted. Then he said, "So from what you're saying, you've heard of me?"
Angelica shrugged. "Who hasn't?" Then she tilted her head and gave him a grin.
"And…knowing what you know of me, you're still considering taking me and my wife on as clients?"
"My dad is the devil," she reminded him. "And my paternal grandfather is God himself. Very little shocks me. And even if you did shock me, I'm not here to judge. I'm here to provide quality staging services to the people who have the taste and money to afford me. I promise you that I'm a professional, Mr. Mikaelson and I have no intention of judging you, or your wife."
They reached the empty nursery and Sybil put a gentle hand on her arm. "Please disregard my husband's rudeness, Ms. Morningstar," she said. "This is just his way of determining if you're worthy in his eyes to work for us or not."
Mikael narrowed his eyes at Sybil. "Don't tell her that! That isn't what I'm doing!"
"It so is!" Sybil shot back.
"Thank you," Angelica told Sybil. "And I hope you don't mind my keeping an eye on your husband in case he wants to stab me in the back with a knife." She gave him a wink and then went into the nursery with the other two following. "I can assure you too, that I am indeed worthy of your time."
"I would just like to clarify that stabbing isn't my style," Mikael said. "If I were thinking of being nefarious, I would offer you a drink with poison in it."
"Seriously?" Sybil yelled at her husband in frustration and stomped her foot. "You want to drive her away before we've had a chance to hear anything she has to say?"
"It's all in good fun, isn't it, Ms. Morningstar?" Mikael asked her.
"Oh, yes," Angelica replied. "I've heard worse from the demons in Hell, so don't worry about scaring me off." She took her notebook in hand and looked around. "This is a good-sized room. I see you've already painted the walls."
"I know it probably looks awful," Sybil told her with a blush. "But we wanted there to be something in the room for our babies that came from both of us."
"And I think we did an amazing job," Mikael added.
"Of course, you would," Sybil replied. "Your head is huge!"
"Like stepfather, like stepson," Angelica blurted out, then pursed her lips, eyes wide as she realized her error. She paled and began cursing in her head. Damn it, there that man went ruining things for her again!
"What did you say, Ms. Morningstar?" Mikael asked, looking at her with narrowed eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"I didn't say anything," Angelica shook her head and began faking a cough. "I…I had something stuck in my throat."
"Did my hearing deceive me or did she say 'stepson'?" Mikael asked Sybil.
"Did you say something about Klaus?" Sybil asked politely. "It's okay if you did."
"No, it isn't," Angelica shook her head. "I don't usually talk about clients' family members during work, and I apologize for my lack of professionalism." She hoped this would get them past her error so she wouldn't have to think of it anymore.
"So you did mention my stepson," Mikael nodded. "I thought so. Have you met him or has his reputation preceded him also?" his voice was teasing but Angelica could tell he wanted an answer.
"We met once, for a few minutes," Angelica replied, tonelessly. "And I've answered his daughter Natalie's phone a couple of times when he's been on the other end because she's been busy working on a project for school with my brother, Milo."
"Interesting," Mikael grinned, sensing this was an uncomfortable conversation for her. "Where did you say you and my stepson met again?"
"I didn't say it at all," Angelica corrected. Her teeth were gritted, and her body was tense, something Sybil couldn't help but notice.
"Will you stop pestering her and let her do her job?" She asked after elbowing her husband sharply.
"Of course, I could," Mikael nodded. "But I also think it would be prudent to get to know the woman who could be designing our children's nursery. Make sure she's not unstable or anything." As he finished, an evil grin curved his lips.
Angelica sighed and shrugged. "There's not much to tell; we met at an ATM."
"At what?" Sybil asked, her jaw dropping a little.
"At the ATM," Angelica repeated. "Before he left the city."
"Klaus left the city?" Sybil exclaimed in surprise.
"For good I hope?" Mikael added, doing a terrible job of hiding his smile.
Angelica shrugged. "I really couldn't say, but he told me to give his regards to both of you!" She blushed at her boldness and then decided she enjoyed how Mikael went pale.
Sybil shook her head. "I just don't understand why he would leave his daughter. I thought he loved Natalie too much."
"Oh, what does it matter, dear?" Mikael asked, jumping up and down in delight. "Natalie can take care of herself! If he's gone, we should celebrate!"
"He's not entirely gone,"' Angelica corrected even though every fiber of her being was telling her to shut up. "He's talking to Natalie by cell."
Mikael smiled and took her hand. "Young lady, you're hired. Not only do I think you'll do an excellent job with the nursery, but you've also made my day!"
"I didn't intend to say those things about your stepson," Angie told him firmly. "If anything makes your day, it should be the work I do on the nursery. That's what really matters."
"I know you're working, but I hope you won't refuse a small drink," Mikael said. "What will you have?"
Angelica thought. Normally she liked a cocktail or muscato, but she didn't want Mikael to think she was a wimp like her brother Noah always did, albeit teasingly. "Scotch," she said. "On the rocks!" Then she paused. "Sans poison. Please"
"Well, all right," Mikael nodded and gave her a wink. "Since you said 'please'." Then he smiled at Sybil. "Would you like me to make you a pineapple juice?"
"Yes, thank you, dear," Sybil nodded and took his hand, squeezing it for a moment before he went to the cupboard to get some glasses.
As he busied himself getting the drinks, Angelica gestured to Sybil and spoke in a low voice, even though she knew it wouldn't stop him from overhearing. "So how do you…?" She blushed and shook her head, deciding not to ask what she'd been thinking of asking. "Sorry. It's none of my business. What does it matter how you love Mikael as long as you do?"
Sybil smiled, not at all offended by the question. "How do I love a man like him? He's my reason for smiling every day. He keeps me on my toes, he challenges me." She laughed. "Some days more than others. But the most important thing is that even though a lot of people might not understand it, he's the sweetest man in the world to me, and I wouldn't trade him for anyone."
Angelica smiled. It was all so familiar, exactly what her mother would say about her dad. And perhaps…she let herself think for a moment…how she thought about Klaus Mikaelson. No! She made a face and shook her head.
"Are you okay?" Sybil asked.
"Fine," Angelica nodded. "Just lost in thought. Sorry." Then Mikael handed her the glass of scotch and she drank it down, trying not to gag or cry out. She had no idea how her father and brother could stand the stuff. It was like swallowing fire.
"Are you all right?" Mikael asked.
"Yes!" Angelica nodded and pushed glass toward him. "May I have one more please?"
"Sure," Mikael smirked and poured it for her. "Why not have one more drink before we go look at the nursery?"
Amy brushed tears from her eyes as she stared down at the envelope she held in her shaking hands. She was sure it was her and Klaus' divorce papers. Natalie had told her that he had left the city, but no one knew why or for how long. So she had been very surprised to receive them, signed with what was definitely Klaus' signature. And then, so she could be extra certain, her lawyer from the Council confirmed it too: She and Klaus were officially divorced.
Amy sighed, feeling tears well up again. She had no idea why she was so emotional; It wasn't like she was still in love with him or that they would ever get married again or anything like that. She didn't wish him death or anything, but she was glad to no longer be matched to a man who had never made her genuinely happy. Yet, at the same time, it was so daunting to think that such a big part of her life had come to an end and now she had to figure out what to do next. Very daunting and very sad.
She shoved the papers back in the envelope and strode to the door of Kol's penthouse. She raised a fist to knock on the door, then decided against it and turned to head back home.
"Does it have to be this way?" Said Kol's voice, which made her freeze and turn to see him leaning against his open doorway. "Because honestly, it's getting exhausting." He then gave her a smile to try and lighten the mood.
She turned to look him over. He had clearly just got out of the shower and wore nothing but a pair of distressed jeans.
"Does what have to be this way?" Amy asked and then wiped some tears from her eyes.
"You are knocking and then running away because you got scared, thinking that will make it so I won't know you came. But I can sense you. So, knocking isn't necessary." He gave her a smirk.
"Did you put a spell on me?" She demanded. She was sure he didn't have that sort of power himself, but he had many friends in the magical community so it wouldn't be hard for him to find someone to do it in his place. It was a shocking admission.
"Oh, yes," Kol drawled. "I got one of my friends from the magical community to put a spell on you so you'll think I'm irresistible, and that's why you're looking at me now like you want to kneel in front of me and eat-"
"Kol!" She cut him off, her eyes wide with shock. Then she was blushing and avoiding his eyes. "You can't say stuff like that!"
"Why not?" He asked, his eyes sparkling as he crossed his arms over his bare chest.
She stomped her right foot on the floor. "Please tell me that you're only joking about having a spell cast to make me like you and that you didn't actually have it done."
"Why would I do that?" Kol asked. "You're already crazy about me without the spell!" He gave her a wink.
She blushed again, but this time he caught a small smile curving her lips as she looked down at the floor.
"A-ha!" He cried. "I made you smile, little witch!" He pointed a finger at her. Then he snapped his fingers like one would at a dog. "Come inside!"
"I…no," Amy declined. "I'm a mess and terrible company now. You wouldn't want me around. I would just be a bother."
Kol rolled his eyes and tried to keep calm. "Are we playing at two steps forward, ten steps back?" He questioned. "Because it's really starting to get on my nerves. I hate it with a passion! You continue like this and I will have no choice but to pick you up, carry you to my bathroom, strip you naked, and put you in a warm bath, do you hear me? You'll never be a bother to me. Do you understand? Because I will keep telling you until you do."
"What?" She'd lost track of everything when he'd mentioned stripping her naked. "Did you say something about a bath? Because I just took a shower, so I don't need to be clean again."
"Who said anything about bathing?" Kol asked. Then he noticed the envelope behind her. "What do you have there? Are those the divorce papers? All done and signed?" He ushered her inside and once he'd shut the door behind them, she looked at him in surprise.
"How did you know that?" Her eyes were wide.
"Lucky guess," Kol shrugged. "You have tears in your eyes and you're clutching an envelope for dear life." He gave her a look and buried his hands deep in the pockets of his jeans.
She looked him over again and realized he was right; she could just kneel in front of him and eat him right now. That's how good he looked. The beard just…really made him look sexy and wild and went perfectly with his dark eyes. "The divorce is final," she said. "I shouldn't be so self-centered that I come here and put all my feelings about it on your shoulders." She shook her head and swore in frustration as she realized that she was crying in front of him. It was the last thing she wanted to do.
"Amy, darling," he murmured, wiping tears from her cheeks. "A part of your life ended today, and it's okay to be sad about it. The fact that you want to be here with me to share in that sadness, it means you want me to be part of your future."
She nodded and encouraged by this, he kissed her palm and then took her over to the sofa so they could sit side by side.
"How do you feel about it?" Kol asked as he pushed some strands of her red hair out of her eyes.
"I…I know that's good to be able to move on," she said. "But I'm sad too, and also scared as can be about what the future will bring."
Kol nodded and said nothing until he was sure she was done talking. Then he asked, "you don't still have feelings for my brother, do you?"
"Not romantic ones, no," she shook her head and gestured for him to lean in close. "In fact," she whispered. "I'm seeing someone else right now. He's really intense and I feel a lot of things, but…" she blushed. "I'm also eager to see where it leads me."
"You don't say," Kol smirked. "Must be some guy. You forgot to mention if he's sexy though. That's very important."
"My bad," she smiled. "But on a more serious note, I'm surprised he actually signed them and that I got them back so fast because he left the city not too long ago."
"He left the city?" Kol asked, his eyes wide with shock. "So typical of my brother." He rolled his eyes and patted her hand.
They then sat in silence as Amy squirmed uncomfortably.
"You hate being reminded that he's my brother, don't you?" Kol guessed. "Because that tells you that you've been fucking yet another Mikaelson and I guess it's not something you like to think about."
"One day I hope to put all that aside," she said, rubbing her hands as she always did when she was nervous around him. Then she gave him a small smile. "Just to be clear, you fucked me more than I've fucked you!"
Kol chuckled. "I love it when you show you have a dirty mouth," he told her, nuzzling her neck. "When you swear, it's so sexy!" He grabbed her by the belt loops of her jeans, kissed her soundly, then pulled her onto his lap. "You're a real siren, Amy Burke."
"You don't mind when I swear?" Amy asked. "Really?"
"Can't you feel that I don't?" He asked with a smirk. "I react strongly, but not in a bad way!"
He took the envelope from her and tossed it onto the nearby sofa, then began nibbling on her earlobe while she ran her hands down his bare chest. "Kol, stop it! That tickles!"
He moved his lips to her neck. "You want me to stop now?" He asked as his lips blazed a trail of fire. "We should celebrate!"
"What are we celebrating?" Amy asked in surprise. "The fact that I'm divorced, or something else?"
Kol winked. "The fact that you're finally dropping the 'frigid Amy' act with me."
"Oh, I am not frigid!" Amy protested vehemently.
"Really?" He teased and cupped her breasts. "You'll have to do a better job of convincing me than that."
He leaned in close to kiss her, but then quickly turned away and faced the penthouse door.
"What?" Amy asked. "What is it?" She was feeling alarmed.
"Was Natalie planning on having any male visitors today?" He asked.
"Yeah," Amy nodded. "She and Milo Morningstar were going to come and work on their paper."
He stood up and let her go as if she were potatoes.
"Well, all right then," she said and straightened her shirt, a little perturbed that Kol was letting himself get distracted by nothing.
"I'm sorry," Kol apologized. "I just…I can't focus on anything else until I've talked to the Morningstar boy and made sure of what his intentions are with my niece."
Amy scoffed. "Probably the same as what your intentions are with me."
"Exactly," Kol nodded. "Which is why, with Nik out of town, I have to take my uncle duties very seriously."
"Wait a minute!" Amy called, hurrying after him. "I was kidding!" Damn! This was not gonna be pretty. If anything happened to Milo, it would be somewhat her fault. She only hoped Ellie would be merciful.
Natalie led Milo out of the elevator as they made their way down the hall to the small apartment. "Wow," he said as he looked around. "I can't believe you live here with your mom. It's so luxurious!"
"You don't have to pretend, Milo," Natalie told him. "Ours is just the small apartment that belonged to the butler of the last guy to own the penthouse. It's nothing. And I don't know what you're so amazed for, considering the size and luxury of that giant castle you live in! Not every can live in the lap of luxury!"
For the first time, Milo felt a little embarrassed by his family's wealth. "Well, just because something isn't huge doesn't mean that it can't be impressive," he said. "Why are you always thinking the worst of me? I don't care if you live in a mansion, or a house, or under a bridge, as long as I'm…" he trailed off and they stared at each other for a little bit before looking away.
"Yeah," Natalie nodded, grateful that they'd finally reached the penthouse door. "Look, we're here."
They got inside and immediately Milo heard a voice call out. "Natalie, honey? Is that you? Are you and Milo here to work on your project?"
"Yes, we are," Natalie nodded.
Not long after, Natalie's mother emerged, and smiled at them both. Her uncle was behind her mother, but he didn't smile at all.
Milo took one look at Amy and suddenly, all his famous bravado melted away and he found it hard to meet her gaze. "H-hi, Miss Burke," He managed to get out. "Its…it's so-so nice to see you."
Amy smiled and took his hand. "Nice to see you too, Milo," she said, squeezing the hand she held gently. "You can look me in the eye, you know. I don't bite."
"Yes, I know you don't," he said, meeting her gaze. "It's just…this is a little nerve-wracking…and…"
As if to make things worse, Kol, who had been standing silently, suddenly yelled, "What's the matter, Morningstar? Do you make a habit of ignoring people?"
Milo swallowed and turned, extremely grateful to feel Natalie's supportive hand on his back. What he didn't see was that she was struggling awfully hard not to laugh.
"No, of course not, Mr. Mikaelson," he said. "But though it might not seem like it, my parents raised me to have some manners. I just thought it would be best to greet a lady first. Hello, Mr. Kol Mikaelson, how do you do?" He then looked at Natalie. "Do you think he wants me to bow and keep talking like an idiot?"
"I think I would stop talking if I were you," Natalie replied.
Just then, Kol strode over to them, close enough that he was very much in their personal space and took Milo's hand in a tight enough grip that he thought his fingers would break. "Naturally, I don't share your enthusiasm, young man," he said. "But you don't have to worry; I wouldn't injure you with Natalie and her mother standing right here. You're extremely fortunate."
Wide-eyed, Milo scooted over so he was behind Natalie and tried not to look Kol in the eye. He was brave, but not an idiot.
"Kol, stop this at once!" Amy commanded, stomping her foot on the floor. "It's almost as if you're enjoying tormenting that poor young man when he, so far, has done nothing to deserve it."
"Not before Mr. Morningstar explains to me why he was dragging Natalie around forcefully by the arm!" Kol demanded. "I won't stand for anyone injuring her or treating her badly." He paused. "Explain yourself, make it good, and then possibly I'll let you live another day."
"What, that?" Natalie asked before Milo could say a word. "Uncle Kol, that's nothing. It's our…thing or whatever you want to call it. I drag him, he drags me, I punch him, he punches me…it's how we operate, and I swear it doesn't hurt, even a little bit. It's nothing to worry yourself over, but I'm very touched by your concern."
"Is this true?" Kol asked Milo. "Or did you ask her to lie for you?"
"It's true!" Milo nodded. "Anything I do to her, she does to me, and I make sure she's okay with it first!"
"See?" Amy smiled. "There you go, Kol. Everything is fine. You have nothing to worry about."
"No, you don't, sir," Milo insisted. "Now…can we go please? We really need to work on our paper."
They then ran off before Kol could say another word and once they were safely in Natalie's bedroom, Milo let out a breath. "That was so fucking terrifying!"
"Sorry," Natalie sucked in a breath. "Would it make you feel better if I told you, I expected the same sort of interrogation when I came to your house?"
"Yeah, but you didn't get it because Mom and Dad weren't home," Milo reminded her. "And Angelica doesn't give a crap."
"Well, I still think an interrogation is coming the next time we work at your house, but…" Natalie patted his shoulder. "Clearly my uncle is nuts, and I don't want you to die or be injured or whatever, so…we don't have to work here anymore if you don't want to. For you, if you want, I will face my fears and take the risk of being in your mother's presence."
"Careful, Mikaelson," Milo chuckled. "I might start thinking you like me or something."
"No," Natalie shook her head. "But you looked terrified and like you were about to wet yourself, so call it mercy."
"Never tell anyone about that," Milo demanded, eyes narrowed.
"Fine," Natalie smirked and pulled her books close and squeezed one of his cheeks. "It'll be our little secret."
Angelica practically threw herself into her bedroom suite and shut and locked the door, leaning against it and letting out a relieved sigh. She was free from work at last! Her feet were killing her. She wouldn't be surprised if there was a blister somewhere, at least for a little while. Her witch nature slowed down the healing power of her vampire side, so she always had to endure more pain than she felt was necessary and she didn't think it was fair. And that was on top of how much the whole Mikaelson-Vane nursery situation had drained her. Sybil had been lovely, of course, but Mikael…he was something else, that was for sure. Not unlike his stepson.
She kicked off her shoes, threw them under her small sofa with a grunt, reminded herself to zap the heel back on the other shoe before tomorrow, and then gloried in the feeling of the soft carpet under her feet and toes. She flexed her dark-painted toes, turned on some music to do a little dancing and thought about how if it were up to her, she would just walk around barefoot or in socks or cheap flip-flops instead of the fancy, and sometimes uncomfortable shoes she had to wear to convince everyone she was an amazing businesswoman that people should give tons of money to. It would be so much more comfortable.
She looked at the time and decided she could do one more thing before she called it a day completely. She called her office and got ahold of her assistant, Cecelia.
"Hello, Ms. Morningstar," she greeted. "Everything okay? Did you forget something?"
"No, I just…I wondered if any calls had come in from Japan yet. You remember about the account with Shane Cheng." As Angelica talked, she reached inside her mini fridge and pulled out a bottle of peach rose, along with a glass, which she filled almost to the top.
"No, nothing yet. Sorry. I know how much you're looking forward to expanding to the Japanese market, and the partnership with Mr. Cheng in particular."
"It's okay," Angelica assured her. "It's still early in the process. We're not done by a longshot. I know I'll get that contract." She paused. "And last time he called, you gave him my cell number and told him to call me personally, correct?"
"Of course, Ms. Morningstar."
"Thank you, Cecelia, I appreciate it," Angelica told her, then made a mental note to get the woman some flowers. It was a small thing, but hopefully it would let her know she was appreciated.
"Anything else?" Came Cecelia's voice.
"Oh, no," Angelica said. "I'm calling it a night. You turn off your phone and have a good, restful evening. You earned it."
"So have you," Cecelia replied. "Have a good evening. Goodnight!"
"Goodnight, Cecelia."
She grinned to herself as she put the phone down and hung her blazer on the bedpost of her fourposter bed. Now she was truly done with work, which meant it was time for her to relax! She took her rose in one hand, her phone in the other, and then went into the bathroom to run herself a bubble bath with some good loud rock.
She sighed with satisfaction as she submerged her body in the nice warm bubble bath. It all smelled like roses and along with the rose wine and the music blaring from her headphones, this tub was her own little piece of heaven. She shut her eyes and smiled. No more worries, no more cares, and no more Mikaelsons! Just the possibility of a phone call from Mr. Cheng and with her phone nearby, balanced on bottles of shampoo and conditioner, she was ready to hear that he was giving her the contract. And between the depth of the tub and the fact that her hair was in a bun, he need never know that she was bathing while they talked. She was an excellent multitasker!
She let the words of the Bon Jovi song wash over her before singing a few words herself: "I want to lay you down in a bed of roses. For tonight I sleep on a bed of nails…" she was about to continue but her senses picked up the vibrating of her phone over the loud music.
Opening her eyes, she frantically pulled her headphones off and tossed them onto the bathroom floor, then tried to position herself so that whoever was calling wouldn't notice she was in the tub. After she got settled, she took a deep breath and accepted the call.
"Hello, Mr. Cheng? It's such a pleasure to hear from you!" She hoped she sounded cheerful enough.
"Close, love, but not quite!" came a voice that nearly made her scream. "Who's Mr. Cheng? Do I have a rival?" He asked cheekily.
"Damn it, Mikaelson, what the hell?" She cried, taking deep breaths as her hands balled into fists so she wouldn't give into her feelings of rage and break something. "How did you get my number?"
"You don't think I have my own special ways of getting what I want?" He asked her, putting a hand on his heart. "Angel, that hurts me deeply!"
"You know, I'm hanging up right now," she told him. "I've had enough from you Mikaelsons today! Your stepfather is as big a pain in the butt as you are!"
"That was the point of my call, actually," Klaus told her. "I was going to ask if you'd had the meeting, but you definitely sound like someone who's met Mikael. Were he and my stepmother well?" His voice was sickly sweet, and Angelica didn't like it. She knew his caring tone was all bullshit.
"Oh, will you stop pretending like you give a flying fuck about either of them?" Angelica cried, arms flailing everywhere. The movement knocked her phone from its perch, and she quickly rose up in the water to grab it before it hit the floor, thus exposing her body to Klaus more than she had intended.
"Language, love," he chided her as she set the phone back on the bottles. He shook a finger at her and smirked. "Are my eyes deceiving me or were you planning on taking a business call in the tub? Have you expanded you endeavors into phone sex? Let me know what you go by and I just might call you, since you have no shame when it comes to ways to drum up new business along with wearing shirts with low-cut necklines and nothing under your blazer. Now are you going to let people see your nipples too?"
"I hate you!" She hissed as he smirked. She gathered bubbles to covered herself up with and scooted a little more under the water.
"You don't need to act so skittish, Angel," he assured her. "I've seen my share of naked women. You don't have to act so prudishly. You're not even my type!"
"I'm not?" Angelica's eyes lit up. "Nice to know we have something in common at last! It's lucky because if you and I were stuck on an island and it was a choice between you and a chimpanzee, I'd ignore you and make the chimp human in a heartbeat." She smirked. "And of course you've seen your share of naked women. You're like Casanova the vampire! 'Come and get it ladies! Let me fuck you, marry you, and traumatize you for life'!"
He was looking at her with narrowed eyes now, all traces of good humor gone. "I'm gonna hang up now, Casanova," she hissed. "Farewell forever because you better not get it in your big fat head to call me again!"
"Wait," he cried, surprisingly desperate to keep her talking. "So…are you a bath person?"
"Why does that matter?" She asked.
"Well, because I'm more of a shower person, being the Casanova I am, as you so clearly put it," he told her. "I prefer to do it standing while the warm water caresses our bodies. Do you feel the same?" He didn't expect her to answer; he just loved her wincing and the color the question brought to her cheeks.
Angelica Morningstar was a mystery to him few of his lovers had ever been before. He was positive she wasn't some prudish woman, or she wouldn't be willing to dress so provocatively just to get ahead. Everything about her screamed sex and power, and he was just trying to rile her up with his words. But for all that, she seemed very pure and untouched too.
"I'll stay in my bathtub, thank you very much," she told him, wincing at his words. His words and the fact that he was talking about naked bodies in the shower…it was all making her realize, to her horror, that she wanted him…at least physically.
It's only because you're in the middle of a dry spell, she told herself. It doesn't mean anything.
"Oh, yes," Klaus said. "Some people like to have sex in the tub and that's good enough in its own way, I suppose. That is, if the thought of semen floating around in the water doesn't ruin the mood while you're cuddling in the bath with your lover."
"Ewwww!" Angelica shouted. "Could you be any more disgusting?"
"I could," Klaus said. "Would you like me to try?"
"No!" Angelica cried, full of enough indignation that she rose to her feet, thankfully covered in enough bubbles that he didn't see much of anything. Then she carefully climbed out of the tub and wrapped herself in a towel.
But he was laughing like a madman now. "Oh, come on," he said when he could catch a breath.
"Stop acting like a virgin. I know that especially without Sammy now, you must be masturbating a lot in your bath. Am I wrong?"
"The fact that you even think I would dignify that question with any kind of response makes me want to throw up!" She cried. Then she began rubbing her right temple.
"Oh, my Angel, you amuse me," Klaus purred. "Why would I watch television when I can just talk to you and be much more entertained?" He chuckled.
"I know this will be hard because any sane woman on the planet wouldn't want you by now, but…find yourself someone else to mock and mess with! Get yourself another hobby, cause I want no part of you!" Angelica spat.
"I can think of one part you might be interested in, considering how tense you are," he told her.
"Klaus!"
"All right, all right," he said, putting his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "I shouldn't have said that and I'm truly sorry. Now, I ask for real, how did the meeting with my stepfather go?"
"You seriously think I'm going to answer you now?" She asked. "Well, what I will repeat to you is that you and your stepfather are both giant pains in my ass!"
"So it went well then," he said with a smirk.
"Screw you!" She shouted.
"I told you that you weren't my type!"
"Au revoir, salute, goodbye, adios! I'm ending this stupid call now!"
"Until next time then, my angel," he said while grinning at his phone.
She ended the call and pressed the power button to turn the phone off harder than she intended to before draining the rest of what was in her glass in one gulp and then heading to the fridge for a refill. She needed alcohol now. Lots and lots of alcohol! And she admitted as she eyed her neatly made bed, perhaps a little masturbation wouldn't hurt. A few good orgasms would make her forget that she had ever wasted any time on stupid Klaus Mikaelson.
As she removed her towel and settled herself under her covers, she took another sip of wine. Was it really Klaus Mikaelson she wanted to forget? Or just the fact that he was turning her on?
The knock on the door was a welcome relief as it gave Mikael an excuse to focus on something else than the mountain of work that lay before him. "Come in," he called.
A few seconds later, Sybil poked her head in. "Sorry if I'm disturbing something important," she said as she rubbed her hands nervously. "I know you have a lot of work to do and I don't want to put anything else on your shoulders, but-"
Mikael rose to his feet, a look of panic in his eyes. "What's the matter, my love? Is it the children? I'll call the hospital and then we'll get you in the car, and-"
"No!" Sybil shook her head and did her best to calm him and stop his momentum. "It's nothing like that. The babies are fine and still very much wedged in here." She put her hand on her belly and smiled.
Mikael kissed her hair. "You know, sometimes when you talk about the babies, I still can't believe their mine."
Sybil was touched by the sentiment, but she also couldn't help snorting. "With your sex drive, you better believe it pal! You don't do it with someone for several hours straight and hope to come away with nothing happening. I mean, it's not like we made every effort we could to protect ourselves."
"No," Mikael grinned and cupped her bottom, squeezing gently. "I have to confess that my mind was on other things during those twenty-four hours." Then he gave her a shy smile, "But you know what I mean, right? I love you, we're married, and we're about to welcome twins into this world!"
Sybil smiled and squeezed his hand. "Yeah, sometimes I have trouble believing it myself. But in a good way. It's amazing."
"Now, was there something you needed?" He asked.
"Well," Sybil stared down at her shoes and blushed. "You know how hard it's been to find a good nanny for the children."
"Yes," Mikael nodded. "Everyone we've interviewed has been too unreliable or too strange to be allowed anywhere near them."
"Well," she coughed, looked up for a moment, and then went back to looking at the floor. "In case things got desperate, I gave my email to someone I trusted. She told me she would be in town for a while and would be…" Sybil paused and coughed. "…would be more than happy to take the position until we're able to find someone on a more permanent basis."
"Are you all right, dear?" Mikael asked. "Why do you keep coughing like that? Are you ill? And why can't you look me in the eye? This is marvelous news!"
Sybil nodded. "Yes, except…" Just then the doorbell rang. "That's probably her. Just a minute."
"Already?" Mikael's eyes widened and, work forgotten, he rose to his feet to follow her to the door and see just who she thought was worthy of watching their children.
"Mikael, wait," Sybil tried to tell him. "I have to tell you who-"
"No matter, dear," Mikael interrupted. "I trust your judgment. If you think they're good enough, I have no complaints."
"Thank you, but that's not the problem," Sybil tried again.
Mikael just smiled and grabbed the front door handle, pushing the door open all the way. "Welcome," he said to the person on the other side without really seeing them. "Welcome to our home!"
"Hello, Sexy Man!"
Suddenly, Mikael lost his smile as he was shoved out of the way and Nana made her way into the house. "Hello, Beautiful Sybil! Here I am!"
"Why…why does she have a suitcase?" Mikael hissed angrily at Sybil.
But Sybil ignored him. "Hello, Nana," she said and gave the tiny woman a hug. "Thank you so much for coming. You're really helping us out, and we couldn't be more grateful." She eyed her husband, who was standing frozen by the door with his eyes narrowed and his arms across his chest. "Mikael, won't you greet Nana? And nicely, please."
Nana grinned. "Don't worry about it, dear Sybil. I know he's happy to see me but too full of raw emotion to say so."
"I doubt it," Sybil muttered under her breath. Good thing she was pregnant, or he probably would kill her.
"I need alcohol," Mikael groaned, coming back to life and dragging himself to the kitchen like a zombie. "Lots and lots of alcohol!"
"Don't you worry that handsome head of yours, Mikael!" Nana called after him. "Nana is here now! Everything is well."
Sybil sighed and strode back to bed. She needed to lie down and think about just what she'd done.