Hey Everyone! Sorry for the late chapter, but here it is! This one has less Klaus, but does have more Caroline with her girls. Manly Hope! As you can tell from the titles we're getting into all our TVD/TO mothers. I know it's not Mother's Day, but this is Fanfiction so...who cares. Already starting on the next chapter which would be an Add on! Not fix-it!
I've been getting messages so just to elaborate for you guys, I am so sorry about the confusion, but Fix It's: Are me taking an episode form Legacies and recreating the events and what I wished happened. Like I did first chapter with The Boy Who Still has a Lot of Good to Do.
Add-ons: Are completely off the script, they're my made-up stories that could happen in between the canon episodes. Like Separate Rooms, Separate Lives. As you can see they tough base with what is happening with canon, and even mention things in the episodes, but it's not following the episode. Hope that clarifies things.
Sneak Peak for next chapter: This would be both an Add-On. Were gonna throwback to a month after Klaus and Elijah die. Caroline's back story will be different, which will influence the twins story but everything else will be the same. The heretics Nora and Mary-Louise will feature as well as Aunt Bonnie and the Mikalelson siblings! And sorry for everyone who has been enjoying the twins and Hope's sister moments, since this is going to the beginning, remember Hizzie hates each other and Hosie are on the rocks.
Hope you like the chapter!
Celebrations were probably the biggest thing Mystic Falls was known for. For a small town, that was barely acknowledged on any US Map, getting tourist and any type of attention outside the town was an anomaly.
There were the standard decades celebrations at Mystic Falls High that the humans loved to lord over the boarding school. Showing them how normal and cool they were, which then resulted in a retaliation of the Salvatore School throwing more opulent dances that the little humans could never attend with how much security and precautions their fancy boarding school has, even though the Young and Gifted were known to crash there's. Then there were the town events. Yes, the boarding school was invited to those, but most of the students didn't want to attend some tea or sit and watch humans fake around with each other. Plus, even though it wasn't said, it seemed Alaric didn't trust the vampires too much, so he was all too happy to give them the night off, in the grounds of the school, to make up for the lack of attendance. There were the supernatural holidays. Some that the humans even take place in. Hope remembered celebrating Remembrance Day, writing more letters than most for all her lost loved ones, while trying to reign in the bitterness that threatened to creep in.
Then there were the human holidays that supernatural' 1000- or 2-years old's, still couldn't help but join in. Christmas. Thanksgiving. St. Patrick's Day. Her Uncle Kol has a ball in Ireland during March. With her family being technically associated with British, Thanksgiving was on and off for Hope. While the Mikaelsons treated it like any other day. Her mother was American, so Thanksgiving was taken place in the wolf pack. A small affair, but still the traditional dishes and pack members around a table, well...campfire. Klaus laughed at her mother's silly American traditions. The fourth of the July too. Her mother didn't give it any mind though.
Neither did her step-mother.
Though to be fair Klaus has never belittled anything having to do with the love of his life.
So, this particular holiday was handled with extra care and grace. They didn't want to step on anyone's toes, belittle emotion or disrespect anyone or their memory. Each of his four favorite girls wanted something out of this day and Klaus wanted it to go smoothly.
Mystic Falls, the Forbes/Saltzman's, and the Mikaelsons all have dabbled in the world's holidays, but this one hit a little bit closer to home.
It was May 10th. And in two days it would be the 12th.
Mother's Day.
Each supernatural and human had things in mind for it.
Alaric was eternally grateful for Caroline's presence in his daughter's life. He was well aware that the only reason he had two loves of his life was because this young women, shy of 20 years old decided to yet again be her selfless self and put her old history teacher before herself, her education, and her life, and willingly give birth and mother his twin daughters. He would be eternally grateful and always be their little subsect family. With all of that said, while he encourages his girls need and want to celebrate their mother, he didn't want them to forget about the other part. The other person they, and he himself, should be thankful that made it possible for them to be here. Jo.
Alaric always took the girls to her grave site. They would sit and talk about memories, and he'd answer questions, and show pictures. They'd leave flowers and then he would send them off to Caroline for their girly day of celebrations. It wasn't enough in Alaric's case, he didn't think it would ever be enough, but he understood that the girls wanted to celebrate the mother they knew and who was alive more than sit and be sad and cry with him in a cemetery. Especially when they were younger and didn't even really understand it.
Josie and Lizzie both appreciated the time with Jo and Caroline. Lizzie appreciating a bit more, after meeting Jo temporarily on their birthday. Even though she didn't bond with her as much as Josie obviously did. Josie appreciated it. Seeing a piece of herself that fit in with her parent. In a way that Caroline and Alaric didn't. The grave site is sad and it brings tears to the brunette eyes more than once, remembering her namesake, but even the emotional twin could only handle so much tears, before she needed comfort, and then wanted to go begin the day with Caroline. Lizzie still felt like she was cheating on Caroline by attaching herself to Jo as much as Josie was, but after a talk with Caroline, she got over it and still went to the gravesite with her dad and sister, but didn't get too invested in it, not wanting to get emotional on what is supposed or be a day of celebration.
Caroline understood Alaric's need to not let Jo go unremembered. She herself spoke about the brunette to the twins too. She thought it was prudent. So many people comment on Lizzie and Caroline together, their mannerisms, and behavior. She didn't want Josie to feel left out. Whenever Lizzie proclaimed a 'just like mom' with them together. Caroline would smile and point out that Josie just took after the soft-spoken beauty Josette. And then joke on their less than stellar days, that neither took after their mothers and were unfortunately the spitting image as their father. Giggles and laughter soon followed after.
Caroline loved the time she spent with her girls on her day. In the beginning she really needed those days. Alaric's harsh words when they were little and kidnapped about not being hers, always caught up to her and she loved the reminder that she was the one they called mommy, and thought that she walked on water. The girls always had something planned. Nails and spa, Slumber party, tea party, shopping date, cooking and wine, (cranberry juice when they were young and then she allowed a little glass of red or white when they hit 15), picnics, and park dates. Her girls were very imaginative and it was always something new every year, with new ideas joining as they got older and were allowed to do more. Caroline loved every minute of it, and as the years passed, she needed no reassurance. They were her girls, and when her girls went with their Dad to pay respects to their bio-mom, as Lizzie dubbed her at 12, she paid respects to hers.
Caroline and Elizabeth Forbes weren't typical mother and daughter. She could think of some really great moments, but unfortunately there's even more bad moments in there. Caroline truly believed that Liz didn't care about her or love her, and Liz didn't exactly try to change her opinion while working over-time and double shifts, and never being home to spend time with her. To top it off, vampirism came into Caroline's life and open arms were the last thing she received. No, a father who tortured her and a mother who temporarily abandoned her and refused to claim her was what happened. And it took ages for that to change, and when it did it was slow, and also took Caroline practically having to sign her name in blood, that she wouldn't hurt innocents for Liz to be okay with it. It seemed a mother's love could be conditional.
With all of that, there were happy moments. Liz setting up a tea party in the backyard for her, Elena and Bonnie. Lullaby's passed down the Forbes line, sung in nursery's and stormy nights. Hugs, kisses, and birthdays. Through all their struggle and strife, Caroline couldn't ignore basic facts. Elizabeth Forbes loved her daughter, as best as she could, in her own way. Secondly, she was the parent that stayed. Through the childish fits, the teenage bitchiness, the vampirism transformation. She stayed. She loved. She died. The one person who had the power to break her, and did. She left her thanks to cancer of all things. Caroline let both her parents go without regrets, though letting Liz go was harder and took longer than Bill. Caroline was supposed to get a lifetime with Liz, even if she had to leave Mystic Falls, she was supposed to have more time. Caroline loved being a vampire, and she loved the time she had in front of her. She knew humans time tables and supernaturals were different, but she truly didn't realize it fully until a piece of her heart turned to dust and ash along with her mother.
So that's where she stands, every year. While the twins are looking at a headstone of her oldest namesake. Caroline is looking at the youngest ones. With a dozen daises, Liz's favorites, Caroline places them on the grave and catches her mother up on the last year of her life. One day she knows this couldn't be a yearly tradition anymore. Whether that's in a decade or a century, but for now, Caroline needs this. Needs to talk to her mother. Even if she can't talk back anymore.
Klaus never paid the holiday no mind to himself. Well, he ignored almost all of the holidays, but in reference to this one, he didn't see the point. His mother was an adulterous tyrant with a bone to pick with his siblings to many times to count. To say he would never celebrate her was nowhere concrete enough. Mother's Day was just another day. Until Hope.
Klaus didn't celebrate Haley. In the early years they hated each other and giving her a gift for birthing his daughter never crossed his mind. And with the distance and space between them in later years, he never thought to give it much attention, though he knows Hope has made some Mother's Day cards on and off for her mother, when supernatural business didn't disrupt the holiday, cards he knew Haley had kept till her last days. When life didn't get in the way and interrupt it, he knew the two would spend one-on-one time during breakfast, lunch, or dinner, before Haley raced off to find the cures, and later on, to reign over her wolf pack; while Hope went back to school.
Since she was seven Hope saw the twins and Caroline have their Mother's Day fun. Even when Haley was still alive, they never had a whole day. She saw the twins leave and wake Caroline up in the teacher's quarters and blow streamers and throw balloons with a big breakfast on a tray. She would hear laughs and plans being made, and then the three would walk down the steps of the school like Vogue models and float out the school and into the car. They would always come back the next morning extra happy, which is saying something for Lizzie, and with great stories to share. Everyone loved Caroline at the school, she was the best, and they loved to hear about her and her life, even if it was the second source from her daughters.
Hope was always a little jealous. She didn't get those, with her mother here and gone. It was never that elaborate or long. Hope feels like she missed out on a lot of things by being a Mikaleson. She found it funny that Lizzie hated her for taking up her father's time, when Hope was envious of her bond with her mother, that wasn't like the one she had with her own. Haley was amazing. She spent most of her life trying to find her family, and then trying to help her daughters. She sacrificed and stood tall against everything and everyone. Hope's independent nature came primarily from her mom, she knew. Klaus having siblings, while could be independent, she knew her Dad liked it better with them than without them, not that he'd admit it. With all of that, Haley sometimes forgot about the fun stuff, the urge for her to just be a kid or just a girl wanting to talk and gossip with her mom. Try on clothes and get pretty, stuff that Hope did do with her aunt who was more than happy, but would have been happier doing with her mom, who unfortunately thought all the girly stuff was beneath a werewolf alpha queen as herself.
Caroline always came in after her day with the twins and gave Hope a cookie platter or cupcake box. Books, a shirt she thought was cute, or a little accessory. Sometimes a plate full of delicious homemade dinner made by herself no doubt. Not any 5-star Michelin chef, with rich, one of a kind delicacies. No, a homemade, made with love, messy but good home cooked meal. Hope always sneaked down and heated it up at midnight, and ate in the kitchen by herself. Hope loved the little attention Caroline gave. It reminded her of when she was younger, and used to spend most of her time with the blonde. The only one who seemed to miss her father, as much as herself.
While the twins were away having the time of their life with their mother. Hope visited the bayou and her mother. She sat at the bayou edge, and just listened to nature, breathed it in, and tried to find a little bit of peace that her mother said she found. Sometimes it worked, and it was like an out of body experience, just floating in between. Sometimes she was not so lucky and memories good and bad rushed forward, and the hard exterior cracked away to tears. Before she came back to school or back to the compound with Freya, she laid flowers at the tree with the mother's name carved in and pressed a kiss to her index and middle finger, before pressing it on the carved wood.
Each of them always came back a bit somber and quiet at first, before life breathed back into them and they seemed to get back in the groove of things.
It seemed Mother's Day held more importance in death than in life for his girls. This year it would be different though. Not just it was the first Mother's Day Klaus got to spend with Caroline, with their daughters, surprisingly, Hope wanted it to go a different way.
''Would it be alright for me to open a portal from here to New Orleans tomorrow?'' Hope asked her father while packing her school books in her bag.
Klaus raised an eyebrow. He knew what tomorrow was, it was the inclusion of a portal that tripped him up. Hope usually stayed the whole day in New Orleans and with the Cresent Pack, before nipping in to see her Aunt Freya and her little family with Keelan and Vincent. ''You want to come back after visiting...'' He trailed off. ''I figured you'd want to stay the day, drive back the next, I was just about to call the school to finalize things.''
Hope tucked a strand of hair behind her hair before turning to her dad. ''Well yea, I was. I usual do, but I thought you know maybe this year, I could spend most of my time here.'' Hope played on the strap of her messenger bag, while Klaus looked on curiously trying to follow his littlest wolfs thought process.
''While I would always love the pleasure of your company, you don't have to stay on my account.'' Klaus's eyes narrowed while assessing his daughter.
''I know. I wouldn't be spending the day with you. I mean you most likely will be around, but you wouldn't be in the day planned, I mean the day I had planned.'' Hope huffed, and licked her lips, while looking to the sky, as if she would find the right words to say from up above. Klaus couldn't help but smirk. He had it on great authority from a pretty blonde that that particular move is something he does a great amount when he's about to get sentimental and can't find the words.
''Hope-''
''I want to spend the day with Caroline!'' Hope rushed out.
Klaus stood shocked with his mouth open.
Hope misinterpreting his expression, immediately backpedaled. ''I mean, if that's okay with you, and the twins of course! I know they go with Alaric to the cemetery to see their birthmother and then to lunch, I figured me and Caroline can do something in that time slot. Then, her and the twins can do whatever they usually do every year, and then I can hang out with you, or go to the grill or do something before dinner tonight.'' Hope rambled on and on, which brought him back to earth.
Klaus couldn't help but smile. Soft and filled with pride. Her ramblings reminding him of his love and the trait that she seemed to give to his daughter. Hope wanted to spend the day with Caroline. Though he had a feeling she was apprehensive about carrying out those plans. Whether or not Caroline would want to, whether or not he would want her too, or if the twin's possessiveness would kick in and they would have problems with it.
Klaus was glad Hope wanted to spend a part of Mother's Day with Caroline. It felt like the last solidifying part of securing his own little family, away from the original one, was finally taking place. Himself and his three favorite girls. His family. With his siblings being a part of a different part of family. But still his. His own. He knew Caroline would appreciate it. His love would be happy to spend the day with Hope.
Being parents, and Caroline having to see Hope grow up first hand, that not he, nor Haley had been able to do, he asked Caroline about Hope's early years at the school. Klaus did keep in touch for the first few months, which was enough for Hope to ask questions about her dad's pretty blonde friend that was in charge. The added security that Caroline was indeed her dad's friend, and more so, knew all the horrible things he'd done and still considered him her friend, gave Hope some peace at school. That she had someone to talk to and be around as who she truly was. Hope Mikaelson, not Hope Marshall. According to Caroline little Hope had spent quite a lot of time with Caroline when she was younger. It's when she got older and that independent streak took over, that she distanced herself. Carline understood, and Hope always knew she was there, if she needed her.
''Hope it's all right love. I think Caroline would love to spend the day with you. You know maybe even the twins wouldn't mind you to join in their fun. I could ask.''
''No.'' Hope shook her head. ''It's not that I don't think they'd let me, I just- I just want to do something with just us two. We haven't done anything just us two since I was little.''
''You really spent a lot of time together haven't you.''
Hope smiled softly and shrugged. ''You know everyone wants to celebrate here. Supernatural or not, even if most people there don't have families to come celebrate with them, they all get together and forget in their own way, I was too much of a loner to join. And mom had important pack business to attend to so aside from a phone call, I didn't get to spend time with her either.'' Hope said bitterly. Klaus sighed. He was well aware that while his siblings were scattered, Caroline and Freya were the only ones left to see her grow up first hand. However, Haley had always felt her obligations and loyalty torn between the family of her daughter and the Cresent pack. The latter he found, most of the time taking precedents over their daughter, who Haley felt, and was secretly relieved, to know was in a safe place with the founders who were a family friend, who cared about and she knew would look after her.
That didn't make up for Haley's absences, not at all, considering he wasn't around himself, hollow or not, he felt like he couldn't say anything about her struggle of balancing motherhood, when she's been spending more years than he in fatherhood.
''There were some holidays I obviously didn't want any part of. Every Father's Day, Mother's Day, or whatever, turned into our day. Or a part of it, since Mother's Day was shared with the twins. But Father's Day, when the twins were with RIk, I had her to myself. We would watch movies and eat different kinds of take-out combinations, or just go for a drive to the next town over and walk and see the Mystic Falls parallel, of small-town life.'' Hope chuckled. ''We had so much fun. Talking, laughing, she gave secrets about the school and teachers, and I told some of mine, with the promise to never tell anyone else. By the time we got back I was so exhausted, she had to carry me up and put me to bed. I never realized it when I was younger, but as I got older, I realized now, while it was fun, she exhausted me on purpose. All I had to do was wake up, find her, and the day didn't seem so horrible to get through. ''
''I'm sorry you had to go through those days, but I'm happy you had Caroline for them.'' Klaus said softly finally. Feeling the grief of the years hit him.
''Hey, were okay now. Me, you, the twins, and Caroline.'' Hope said. ''She helped me so much, I never realized she probably needed some comfort as well. Did you know her mom well?''
Klaus considered the question for a minute. ''Yes, I did. One conversation with her and I could tell where Caroline got her strength and pride from. Elizabeth Forbes was a force to be reckoned with, and that's a human I'm speaking of. She deserved more years, more years defending this town and more years with her daughter, and getting the chance to see her granddaughters.''
''Does Caroline miss her?''
''Every day I bet. Spending time with her daughters however brings up her spirits a ton, I'm sure.''
''I hope so. I have it all planned out.'' Hope said smiling holding up a journal that seemed to be...color coded. Klaus raised one eyebrow at his daughter, with a smirk.
''Hey, she was my parent for almost a decade, some things were bound to rub off.''
Klaus couldn't have said it better himself.
XxX
''Alright babies, I'll see you when you get back!'' Caroline said to her girls as they were coming down the stairs.
''Do we have to go.'' Lizzie groaned while plopping down in the bottom step and dropping her purse beside her.
''Lizzie!'' Josie scolded.
''What!'' Lizzie said defensively back. ''No offense! I didn't mean it like that.'' Lizzie rolled her eyes. ''Just, ugh! This is supposed to be a celebratory day, a happy day, and I want to spend it with Mom. Yes, I understand the importance to put flowers on the grave and sit for a while, especially since we actually got to meet her, but afterwards we don't even get to come back to mom. We sit in melancholy and depression, while Dad looks sad, which he has every right too. I just don't particularly want to join him.'' Lizzie finished her rant.
Josie sighed looking at her twin. While they were both devasted by the come-back and death of Jo Laughlin...the second time. Josie took it a bit harder. Instead of being on the outside of her sister and mother, in their beautiful blonde, blue eyed glory, she finally had a parent she could relate too. No one would ever doubt that Lizzie was Caroline's, blood or not, but unless Josie calls her mom, or someone watches them for a while, they would never guess that the mousy brunette could be hers.
Josie didn't mind going to the grave site, or sitting with her dad afterwards to talk. It was the one day a year that they actual go this undivided attention. Lizzie loved it, and always tried to use the time to talk about anything and everything, that Alaric usually ignores on any other day. Their dad of course answers, but manages to remind and Lizzie the day and specifically this time is about their bio-mom, and their conversations went back to her. They sat and he would answer any and all questions about Jo. Josie was the one to ask the most questions, since Lizzie was either uninterested, or just wanted food. They would talk for hours and then come back and it was Caroline's turn. Josie liked their tradition. Or at least she used too. A lot.
Things changed. Their mom was back. Not just for a visit. She has all of her things brought from Europe and moved in with Klaus and Hope. They had another parent around; they didn't have to rely solely on Alaric for attention and support. Caroline was the head mistress of the school still. Everyone's favorite, though they never voiced it out loud. She came by once or twice a week to take appointments to talk to students and faculty. Aside from that she could be found at the Mikaelson mansion or around the school with her daughters, but strictly as a Mom who gave her daughters her undivided attention. The girls loved it. Not they didn't spend time with Alaric still, but they weren't persistent in it like before.
They also had Klaus. No, he wasn't their biological family, but the twins never viewed blood as making a legitimate family. If they did, they wouldn't even be here. Klaus was their moms...whatever term they used for each other and a father-like figure to them. He took care of them, talked to them, and spoiled them rotten, to the annoyance of Alaric. So now the twins had three parents to run too for company, support, and love.
With all of that being said. The girls while wanted whole-heartedly to put flowers on Jo's grave and sit for a while, they didn't have to be sneaky and use the day to monopolize their fathers time like they needed to before. They can talk to him whenever, and if he was busy, they had their Mom and Klaus. So, the plan to spend 6 hours of the day was pushing it a little for the girls, especially when they had a mother who they could still appreciate and celebrate, living, and waiting patiently at home for them. Caroline never said anything about the time they spent with Jo, or Alaric's Mother's Day tradition. She understood completely, let the three have their time and waited till they returned to spend time with her babies. Whether she truly had no problem, with it, or didn't feel like she had a right to ask for more time on the day, the twins didn't know, but Caroline seemed fine, so they never pushed. Caroline was okay with it. It gave her time to see her own mother and she understood that the girls had another mother, whether she was alive to see them or not. It wasn't a competition, just another person to love the girls as much she does, and was touched that Jo approved her as their mother, even after that business with her humanity off, that unfortunately Jo was a front row witness to.
''Sweetie even if you feel like that, you still have to go and keep a positive outlook. If not for Jo, then your dad. This day is a remembrance for who he lost too.''
Lizzie rolled her eyes with a bit less attitude. ''Of course, mom.'' She nodded her head determined. ''We will spend time with dad and Jo and have our time at the Grill. And you,'' Lizzie trailed off with a pout, she really didn't like the thought of her mother just sitting around waiting for them to celebrate her, it sounded hurtful, like they were overlooking her, not to mention lame. ''What are you going to do besides visit grandma. I hate that we leave you alone for hours every year.''
''Sweetie I'm fine.'' Caroline tried to console her daughter.
''Actually, maybe I can help with that, if you guys don't mind that is.'' Hope cautiously walked into the room with Klaus beside her, little smiles on both faces.
Lizzie stood up from the steps and flew at the hybrid, while Josie gave a squeeze to the tribrid. ''I didn't think we would see you today, Hope I figured later, but are you joining? You totally can! That would be so great-''
''Sweetheart'', Klaus answered with a warm chuckle. He truly was charmed by the blonde, by both twins but Lizzie was like a little version of his love and her similarities to her mother always warmed him. Not to mention he loved that Lizzie adored him as much as he them. The blonde's eyes lit up when he walked in and he wouldn't be a true father, if he didn't admit that he loved that the girls were complete daddy's girls, well Klaus's girls.
''I would love to join my favorite girls, but I think this day is just for you lot. I will be the one humbly sitting by the phone and waiting for all my loves to come back to me.'' Klaus fake pouted and kissed Elizabeths head. Lizzie smiled back and shook her head okay.
''What do you mean later?'' Hope asked, remembering Lizzies comments before.
''What did you mean by Mom being occupied?'' Josie asked.
''Oh well'', Hope tucked her hair behind her ear in a nervous habit, ''I was wondering, hoping actually, uhm, maybe me and your mom, and well my step-mom or whatever, well not whatever, but you know what I mean, but maybe she would like to spend part of the day with me and then you three go about what you planned.'' Hope said in all one breath.
''Well she sure rambles like a Forbes.'' Lizzie remarked. Josie knocked her elbow into her sisters' side.
Hope gave a dry chuckle. At least she was joking. This is good. No need to ignite Lizzie's possessive side.
''That is if Caroline wants to... I mean, you don't have to, but I just-'' Hope trailed off.
''I'd love to sweetie.''
''I have the whole thing planned!'' Hope said, excited that Caroline would say yes.
Caroline walked to the tribrid and pulled her into a warm side hug. ''I would love the company and it will give us a chance to catch up.''
Hope smiled and turned to her dad, who looked just as equally thrilled.
''So, Hope, 4 o'clock work for you?''
''Wait, huh?'' Hope asked distracted.
Lizzie rolled her eyes. ''Later remember? At 2 o clock we get together and fix everything up before coming to get Mom at 4?''
''Oh! Uhm'', Hope looked genuinely confused and surprised. She couldn't believe that Lizzie was actual letting her take place in her Mother's Day with Caroline, but she was thrilled to be included. Thinking back to everything she's missed with her self-imposed isolation. Looking over to Klaus, she saw her father with a smirk on his face and lifted his shoulders to say why not. Looking back at the twins, ''Yea, that's great. 2 o'clock.''
''Great then, everything's set!'' Lizzie exclaimed excitingly.
''What's set?'' Alaric showed up confused and annoyed noticing the hybrid there.
''Mom and Hope are going to spend the beginning of the day together while we go with you.'' Josie supplied feeling the tension in the room.
The animosity was still there in the mix-matched family, but it was mostly from Alaric himself. Every time he saw Caroline with Klaus and the girls, he felt like an outsider. Klaus and Caroline were the parents and he was just this man on the sidelines. Everyone, including the hybrid himself assured him that that wasn't the case. He would always be the twins' father, that would never change. He was just another person to love and care for them. When put like that Alaric couldn't very well say anything without coming off as the bad guy, and he was still trying to regain ground and trust with his girls and Hope.
''Well, that great.'' Alaric pushed out. ''That's great. Well then, yes, let's get this show on the road.''
The twins gave Caroline, Klaus, and Hope a big hug before heading out with their dad, with a reminder for Hope to set her alarm for 2 or have Klaus remind her.
Hope turned to Caroline. ''So, we'll be going home for what I have planned. To the back yard.''
Caroline smiled brightly with recognition. From her many visits to the Mikaelson Mansion when she was young gave her a good extensive knowledge to the property. Their backyard was spacious, spanning acres and acres. Tucked to the side however was the most beautiful flower garden with a bench and pond. A bigger scale model to what they had at the school. Where seven-year-old Hope and Caroline used to get together and talk or just sit in silence, sometimes contemplating the man they each loved so much. Something they haven't done since she turned 12 and started her independent streak.
''That sounds amazing.'' Caroline smiled at Hope with her eyes glistening.
The trio made their way outside and Klaus opened the door for his loves as they made their way to their destination.
xXx
''I'm sorry we haven't done this in a while.'' Hope interrupted their companionable silence.
''What do you mean sweetie?''
''This. You and I. Tea, sandwiches, and talking. We haven't done it in a while.'' Hope elaborated.
''No, we haven't. But that's okay, it's to be expected, your growing up, and it wasn't as if I've been settled here for a while.''
''True.'' Hope chuckled.
After a moment Hope gave Caroline her Mother's Day gift.
''Remember when we first met.'' Caroline smiled remembering the day Hope was talking about and nodded her head.
''And the day I first came into your office?'' Hope continued. Caroline's smile still in place, nodded her head.
''I was worried at first. Mom talked a big game about the school, but I always felt she did that so I would feel comfortable enough to go. I of course did end up liking it here, even if I wasn't always the most social kid. But...being Hope Marshall was a lot. Being fake and trying to be perfect, and act like I wasn't a Mikaelson, or the words people whispered about them didn't apply to me as well. Sometimes I just needed to get away and to breathe.'' Hope looked up from the ground and turned to Caroline. ''That's when I go looking for you.'' She said softly with a smile.
''It was nice to be around someone who knew me and my family. Who didn't expect anything, who knew my secret and my history and wouldn't judge. The fact that you cared about us was just a bonus.''
''It wasn't the first time I went looking for you though.'' Caroline looked confused. ''After a few months there, as you know Mom stopped coming around routinely.''
Caroline remembered. After a visit from Haley, Hope wasn't exactly in a great mood afterwards. Later Haley called and said she was slipping on her duties as Alpha and while she would obviously still come to the school to check in on Hope or if there was ever any trouble, but she couldn't keep coming once a week. Caroline hmm'ed and okay'ed and reassured Haley that she would make sure Hope would be okay, and she wasn't lying. While she didn't fully understand why Haley wouldn't move to the same state as Hope and let someone else be an interim Alpha in the pack, she supposes she probably wouldn't since she's not a wolf, but Haley truly sounded upset over her decision and genuine with her heartache. Whatever problems they had, they were mothers to extraordinary children, and that is what tied them together. So, she reassured Haley, and always made sure to leave her door open for the little red-head whenever she may need.
''After she stopped coming, I didn't have anyone to really talk to. My aunts and uncles were spread out and I still didn't truly know no one here. I spoke to my Aunt Rebekah one day and she mentioned you. I know Mom introduced you as Dads' old friend, but I wasn't sure. She spoke about how you knew Dad well and our family and how you wouldn't mind being there to talk to me.''
Caroline nodded. Showing she was following.
''I saved the idea and tucked it away, and then my uncle called. I'm assuming he was calling because my Aunt called him. He gave me some stories about you and dad. Some funny ones, some sad ones, some happy. But one of them, or rather a part of them gave me pause. The reason you and dad weren't together is because he came to New Orleans. To be with me. To see my Mom's pregnancy through. And then we went through drama after drama, so him coming back wouldn't have been possible.''
''He would have still been here in Mystic Falls with you, if I hadn't come. While I really did want to come talk to you, I though you would hate me, for taking him away.'' Hope whispered towards the end.
Caroline went still.
''But the weeks turned to months and I felt pent up like I was ready to blow, and by then my fear and anxiety meant nothing so I came to you,'' Hope took Caroline's hand and squeezed, ''you were great. You smiled, you didn't make me talk and when I left you gave me a piece of candy.''
''That became our routine.'' Caroline said softly.
''Then I started to talk and you talked and we talked and I didn't feel so alone anymore. I started to feel guilty a bit after a while though. Most of the stuff I talked to you about I didn't even bring up with my aunts or uncle or mom. I thought she would be jealous or hurt but, I remember one day, after a particular rough week for me, I just couldn't keep my temper in check, Mom didn't come to the school, but she called, and we talked and she asked me was I okay and if I needed to talk. I know she really was worried, but I also heard the wolves in the back begging for her attention, so she was distracted. But she mumbled a small pray, or just a thought, under her breathe, not talking to me or anyone in general, and she said. 'Thank god, you have Caroline when I'm not there. I'm glad you have her'.''
''That was big. In my opinion. Mom, and Dad I guess are, were, possessive over me, and in general, so the fact that she was grateful that I had you, even when she wasn't here meant a lot. Caroline you really are great, and practically perfect'', Hope chuckled, ''and I'm sure without her saying it, you and I would have made our way to an amazing mother and daughter relationship, I didn't need my mother's approval to move on, but at the same time...''
''It was nice to have.'' Caroline nodded with a soft smile. ''Yeah,'' Hope replied.
''Dad always says your full of light, you were his only light before I came along. Shining, and breaking through all his darkness and letting him bask in your light too. What I wanted to say in my long-winded story telling way-''
''You just pulled off a phenomenal Forbes ramble, it's okay you can be proud of it.'' Caroline nudged her shoulder causing the young tribrid to laugh.
''Well you did help raise me.'' Hope said, bringing the conversation back around.
''With all that being said. Thank you for raising me in your light as well. I don't think Dad and I would have made it without you. I love you Caroline.''
Caroline's eyes were misted, before they were flooded, and a few emotional tears came sliding down her cheeks. She opened her arms and the equal emotional teenager flew into them, letting her stepmother rock her back and forth. ''Thank you, little dove.''
''I knew about you before you were even here.'' Caroline murmured softly. Hope pulled back a smidge and looked up at her stepmother surprised, before resting her head back down to her chest.
''You were probably 4 months along in Haley's stomach when Tyler Lockwood came barging in the grill and telling us Klaus Mikaelson was going to be a Dad. My reaction while I completely understand your apprehension, really wasn't needed. Oh, little dove, I've loved you from the moment I found out about you.''
Hope looked up shocked.
''Your father and I's relationship was more than complicated with various and differing interchanging labels and definitions we gave to each other, but, in the simplest of definitions, and easiest translation are the facts: He was my friend. And I loved him. And for the longest time, the man who viewed love as a weakness and kept everyone out while simultaneously trying to create his own family was getting the best love in the world. And unconditional one. I was so happy for him. Of what you would give him. He may have had doubts of how he would become father, but I knew. Deep down, passed the thousand years of hatred, betrayal, and blood, he's learned tough lessons and those lessons would be the reason he didn't repeat mistakes and would be an amazing father.
Hope had tears in her eyes and falling down her cheeks. She knew the story of her conception and birth. It wasn't romantic by any means, and if it was just two random humans and not the powerful Original Hybrid or werewolf, it would even be called cheap and dirty. Neither her father or mother knew what to make of having a child. Her mother rocked back and forth with terminating the pregnancy, and her father rocked back and forth between killing her mother. While her Uncle Elijah always wanted her, it wasn't because of her, it was because of this vision he had for a peaceful family, where her father would somehow turn into an upstanding citizen of supernatural society all because he was a father know. Which obviously didn't happen.
No. Caroline, this woman who never met her, disliked her mother, and was separated from her father, loved her the moment she heard about her. Yes, because of the happiness she would give to Klaus, but not out of any divine redemption or new plan for the Mikaleson glory, but because she thought Klaus deserved it all, love, happiness, respect, and family. Temperamental and devious, crown on his head and deadly. All parts of him. And when he was drying blood off his hands and coming home from massacres, he deserved to have a little piece of heaven.
''You said your thankful to me for shining my light for you and Klaus, and your welcome dove, but you were his light too, when I wasn't there. You kept his heart filled with it too. And now mine. Your worry of me hating you wasn't warranted. I've loved you, your whole life, and I will love you for the rest of mine.''
Hope was sobbing now. She didn't care that she was a MIkaleson and they don't show weaknesses. She didn't care she was a Marshall and they were always supposed to remain strong no matter what. In this moment, she felt so loved. In only a way a Forbes could provide. While she wasn't one, she was raised by one, and Forbes were tough and proud, with their hearts on a sleeve bigger than the sun, and they felt, and cried, and celebrated. So here and now in the arms of Caroline Forbes, Hope's guards went down and she let the past years melt away, knowing she was going to be okay and knowing that while she doubted it over the years, she knew now she was 100 percent truly loved. From the very beginning.
The Mikaelsons while loved fierce and hard, didn't show it in the softest of ways, didn't express feelings well either. So Caroline was well aware of the fact that while Hope didn't give a wrapped gift with bows or a card with a poem in the inside, or a piece of jewelry to add to her set. She gave her something that Mikaelsons don't give easily, and rarely do.
Their trust. Their emotions. Their truth. Their heart.
It was the greatest gift she ever received.
Settled after a while and Caroline humming a lullaby in her hair Hope smiled against her shoulder.
''Happy Mother's Day Care.''
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