Thank you to everyone who has left a review. All of your kind words had me smiling for days.
Serena squalled, indignant in her current position and intent on making sure everyone within a mile heard about it. She batted at the floor with short arms for good measure, just in case anybody missed the screeching.
"I know, I know baby," Elena sighed, shaking a toy near her ear. The distraction failed; her limbs extended outwards as she kept crying. "I know you don't like tummy time, but you have to have tummy time."
She pulled the toy away so it resided in Serena's line of sight.
"Do you like the whale?" She gently pressed Serena's cheek with the blue toy. "You liked it yesterday…" slowly the indignation tapered off. "Yeah?"
Serena snuffed, considering the pink swirls in the whale's cheeks.
"There you go," Elena exhaled a sigh of relief, "we just needed something fun."
It had taken weeks to work Serena up to five minute stints of tummy time. They went through the ritual together three times a day, and three times a day her heart broke to the sound of her baby girl's tears.
"Do you know what today is?" She moved the whale aside; Serena's head turned with it. "Today you're three weeks old, and your belly button is all healed up, yes it is," she cooed. "And that's a little strange because the cord just fell off yesterday, so I need you to tell me the truth, little lady," her smile wrinkled her nose. "Did Elijah give you blood?"
Serena reached out, clumsy and slow, for her nose and banged Elena's chin instead. She liked Elijah. She liked Elijah a lot. The first time she had enjoyed tummy time was when the first time he visited. She spent the time on his chest.
She would treasure the candid photo of Elijah Mikaelson wearing a three-piece suit laying flat on his back with her tiny pink baby on his chest for the rest of eternity.
Literally.
Serena liked tummy time when she spent it on Elena's chest too, but since she couldn't do that every time they were both subjected to the upset of the floor.
"I'll call him later and get an answer."
The timer on her phone went off.
She sat up and lifted Serena, fitting her in the sling that had become a constant part of her post pregnancy wardrobe; Serena loved it, going so far as to happily coo when she was snuggled up close.
"Now we can do something you like." She got to her feet and snatched her heavy cardigan from the chair, carefully putting it on. "That's right, we're going for a little walk."
She went downstairs, adding the support of her arms to the sling, and out the glass door where a blast of fresh air hit her in the face.
"Cool, cool, cool," she sang.
Her arms closed the sides of her cardigan, trapping warmth around the baby. Then she took a small path into the woods, going twenty-odd yards to circle around a tree.
"I used to play here with uncle Jeremy," her eyes flicked upwards, "you can't see it, but there is a tree house up there. Maybe when you're bigger we can climb up. There's a really pretty view of the lake.
She started back and paced the length of the dock, giving Serena what she liked. Elena didn't understand what it was, but once Serena was fed and freshly diapered she enjoyed a turn by the lake; she loved something about the peaty smell of algae in the fresh air.
The gentle lap of water began to lull her to sleep.
"When you wake up from your nap we are gonna try something new, okay?" She stopped and kissed her cheek. "I, for one, am crossing my fingers that you like it so we don't have another tummy time fiasco."
"I love you," she breathed, pressing another kiss to her brow.
"Alright, Serena," Elena gently removed the onesie, "here's the deal: if anybody asks you mommy did not extensively google 'baby's first bath'. Got it?"
Her mouth quirked up in a reflex smile when Elena stroked her belly.
She got Serena down to her diaper and did one final check, making sure she had everything within arms reach. She tested the water twice and once satisfied with the temperature reached to remove the diaper.
Her phone, luckily in reach, lit up; she pressed two buttons in quick succession.
"Elijah," she greeted, seeing the caller ID.
"Elena," she heard the smile in his voice. "I thought you might enjoy some conversation."
"Lucky, then, that you're just the vampire I wanted to talk to." She cradled her daughter, supporting her head as she lowered her into the infant tub. "I've got an adorable little girl here with a healed belly button. You wouldn't know anything about that?"
"Babies are remarkably resilient." His throat cleared.
"And this one had a little help from an Original," she teased, keeping her tone light so he knew she wasn't mad; at least not entirely. "You can't heal everything. Mommy and the pediatric ward frown on that."
"I will only intervene when she is in pain. Is that agreeable?" He chuckled.
"What's your excuse this time?" She paused an inch above the water, panicking for a second when she saw Serena's eyes close, but she was merely looking down.
"The injury was causing immense discomfort when she laid on her stomach. The little darling kept crying."
"E for effort," she finally got Serena in the inch of water, "but she hates tummy time, though, apparently, not the bath."
"She's not afraid of the water then?"
Serena's lashes kissed her cheek.
"Nope," she sighed. "I even got a reflex smile." She dipped a cloth in the water and gently wrung it out, dribbling warm water on Serena's belly. "Do you like the water, baby girl?"
Serena's eyes ceased their search for the source of Elijah's voice, focusing instead on her mother. Her eyes, normally the deepest of blues, glowed electric.
A scream ripped from Elena's throat.
Serena's face screwed up in response to the sound; her wails joined in the shriek.
The door flew inwards and swung, knocked off one hinge; it banged, denting the wall.
"Elena?" Strong hands gripped her shoulders.
She cut off her scream, clamping her hand over her open mouth. Words stuck in her throat. It was all she could do to grab onto his tie and dart bright eyes to her squalling newborn.
Elijah reigned in his breathing. As an Original his speed could only be rivalled by Klaus. It was no problem to cross the twenty-five miles that separated the lake house from the recently reopened mansion in moments, but seconds had been pushing it.
His ears sought any form of danger as he lifted the wet newborn, but beyond her cries he caught only the sound of crickets.
"What the bloody hell is going on over there?" Klaus' voice rose from the speaker. Kol's followed suit, reminding Elijah of the phone he had dropped.
Elena managed to stutter out two words.
"Her eyes."
Elijah paused in wrapping the towel around a slowly calming Serena. He lifted a brow, signalling Elena to continue. The phone remained silent; he could practically see both brothers staring at the device miles away.
"Th-they gl-glowed."
He cradled Serena and slammed the end call button.
Pulling out a kitchen chair, he sat and spoke slowly.
"What do you mean they glowed?" He looked down into Serena's normal, if somewhat wet, eyes as he instigated the transfer; for a single beat he feared she might reject her daughter, but there was no hesitation in her movement when she took the baby, desperation obvious in the gentle hold.
She pressed her to her breast, kissing and smelling the top of her head; a hint of terror shadowed her gaze.
"Elena?"
"Bright blue," she muttered, "electric blue; it scared me, and I… I scared her."
She stammered apology after apology meant for the baby. In between she added 'I love you' and head kisses, tapering off when Elijah pulled her into a hug.
"You didn't mean to scare her," he murmured, running his fingers through her hair.
"Why would her eyes do that?" She breathed fast, gazing down at the baby. Serena gazed right back with an expression that suggested Elena was crazy.
"I don't know. I've only heard of the Hollow having that effect on eyes." He recognized the mistake when she stiffened and pressed a comforting kiss to her forehead. "It's not that; remember that the Hollow is dealt with. Are you sure about what you saw?"
"I'm not crazy." Her phone buzzed, flashing Elijah's name.
"I would never suggest that you are," he held her face, tenderly wiping away a stray tear with his thumb. "You do have a newborn, however, and sleep deprivation can inspire hallucinations."
"I know what I saw," she shook her head. "I put her in the water and her eyes glowed. You took her out and they stopped."
"Okay," he nodded, rolling up his sleeves. He removed his watch and the silver bracelet from his right wrist.
"What are you doing?"
"Finishing bath time," he tested the water. "It will be easier to find out what happened if I see it myself."
"Right," she breathed. Steeling her nerves, and reminding herself not to scream, she unwrapped her gurgling baby and carefully placed her back in the infant tub. She stayed close so she could hold Serena's gaze and waited; the water swirled around her lower body.
With the baby's eyes open she saw the takeover, spreading in a circle from her pupils until the irises glowed.
Elena could admit it was king of pretty when she expected it, like bioluminescent plankton underwater, but that didn't make it less scary.
"I told you so," she leaned back, giving him room to see, but when she looked she found his gaze focused on the water.
"Did you happen to notice her feet?" His brows drew together as if working out a particularly challenging puzzle.
She followed his gaze, swallowing. His large hand cupped a tiny foot beneath the water for her inspection. The same blue that flooded her eyes danced between her toes in lines so thin she could barely see them; they disappeared when he lifted her foot above water, reappearing when he dropped it.
Serena gurgled, happy as a clam in her bath.
"Elijah, what's happening to her?" Anxiety crept up her throat.
"I don't know," he admitted, "it doesn't seem to be hurting her. Could it be genetic?"
"Obviously not from me," she shook her head. Her hands went through the cleaning motions to remain busy. "And I don't know the other way. What if it can hurt her?"
"We'll do everything we can to keep her safe, and as far as knowing goes there may be a way."
Her eyes snapped to his face.
"I know a witch who has had success in dealing with the mind," he explained, "lifting compulsion and removing memories. If she can remove them then she might be able to find lost memories trapped in your mind."
"What's the catch?" She wrung out the wet cloth.
"I have no method of contacting her. If we desire her aid the request must go through Kol, and Kol will not help without a good reason." He kept one hand in the water and used the other to hold her wrist. "I might have to reveal some of the situation to him, and as that is information you told me in confidence I will not repeat it without your permission. Know, however, that once it reaches Kol is likely to spread to Niklaus and onward to Caroline."
"How likely?" She pressed her lips together.
"It might take time, but eventually the information will slip. Kol struggles with secrets," he chuckled. "If its not Niklaus then its Rebekah, and it reaches him regardless, and he's always struggled to keep information from Caroline."
She nodded slowly, considering as a plan formed in her mind.
"I want to tell Caroline and Bonnie myself," she exhaled. "Jer and Ric too. He's back in town tomorrow."
She dried one hand and reached for her phone, declining the incoming call. Her thumb clicked out a quick message to the four important people in her life.
Lunch 2PM Grille? N2T
"Ask him please," her phone pinged with responses. "Tell him what you need to."
"As you wish," he nodded, making her flush.
"Okay," Elena leaned over, peering into the car seat, "first outing. You and I are going to get through this with minimal tears and no tantrums."
The bell jingled over the door, signalling the arrival of several deputies. A few students from the high school came in behind them. The teenagers were followed by Hope Mikaelson.
The tribrid broke off from the crowd, glancing after them as they approached the pool tables. Her analytical gaze left the group and swivelled to the bar, but paused when they caught Elena.
She straightened up and offered the girl a wave. The motion of her hand sent Hope into action, weaving through the tables until she stood behind an empty chair by Elena's empty table; determination flashed in her blue eyes.
"Hello," Elena smiled. "You look better," her fingers twisted in the loose sling. "I mean, Elijah told me you were better, and now I can see that you look it."
"Yeah," she brought her fingers to her lips, "no more creepy black veins sucking the life out of me."
"You feel better?" She tilted her head.
"Yeah," Hope nodded. "Thank you. I know how much you hate my dad."
"I don't hate your dad," she frowned.
"I read the journals in the library," she stared hard at the table. "I know what he did to you… that he was the big bad wolf."
"That might be true," Elena nodded. She lifted Serena when she started to fuss, holding her so she could snuggle against her neck. "Actually it is true, but there's one account missing from the archive because I burned it to ashes before you were born. I don't like your dad, and I'm on the fence when it comes to trusting him, but I don't hate him. And even if I did, you're not him, and I would never take my dislike out on you."
"You don't?" Hope pulled out the chair and sank into it. "Isn't he supposed to be the irredeemable villain of your story?"
"Maybe," she rubbed Serena's back, "but hatred takes up too much energy, and nobody is irredeemable. 'Anyone capable of love can be saved'." She quoted words Caroline had said years ago. "Your dad's had a weird way of showing it over the years, but he loves fiercely."
"He was going to die to save me," she blinked rapidly, eyes glistening. "Uncle Kol found white oak and got dad to admit it; because 'no ocean was deep enough'."
Words stuck in her throat.
"My mom died," she sniffled. "She sacrificed herself to save me and…"
"You nearly lost your dad too," Elena finished. She adjusted Serena into the sling so she could reach out and cover the girls hands. "I've been there Hope. I lost almost every parental figure I had. It took me a long time to realize this, but it wasn't my fault," she squeezed her hands, "and it's not your fault either."
"I'm sorry about your mom; she seemed pretty cool the one time I met her."
"She was," Hope rubbed her lips together. "It still feels like my fault."
"It wasn't," she exhaled, "and whenever you need to hear that your uncle Elijah has my number."
"I don't want to bug you."
"You're not bugging me, I promise." She saw Hope's eyes fall to the sling. "Do you want to hold her?"
She hesitated a moment before nodding and moving to a closer chair. She held out her arms, following Elena's quiet instructions to support the head.
"She's so tiny," Hope smiled softly.
"Elijah told me you were smaller." Her head snapped up when a flash went off.
"Sorry," Caroline grinned, "I couldn't resist Klaus tormenting material." Her eyes flickered to Alaric as she sat. "Come on grandpa, don't stand on ceremony."
"Step-grandpa," he rolled his eyes. "What are you doing here Hope?"
"Landon's shift ends in a few minutes," she wiggled her finger in Serena's grip. "I was gonna walk back to school with him and run more tests."
"Still no idea what he is?" Elena frowned, glancing at the baby. "Other than that, how's he adjusting?"
Bonnie and Jeremy strode into the Grille.
"He's doing fine," Caroline tucked hair behind her ear.
"He likes it better than the high school," Hope looked up, catching Landon's eyes when he clocked out. "I should get going; I'm in somebody's seat."
"And I'm taking someone's baby," Jeremy stopped at the chair, carefully lifting the baby into his arms. "Hello Serena, I'm your uncle Jeremy: that voice you've been hearing on the phone."
Hope said a quick goodbye and caught Landon's hand as they left.
"Klaus know about that?" Elena jerked her head towards the door.
"He hates it," Caroline smirked. "Rebekah's planning a June wedding."
"What did you want to talk about Elena?" Bonnie folded her arms on the table. "Is this about the… you know?"
"No," she shook her head, looking down into her daughter's face. "It's about Serena. There's something I haven't told you guys."
Unsurprisingly he found Kol in the library.
His baby brother would spend his eternity surrounded by tomes, spurred by his unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He had claimed happiness at the time to have a second chance and die a witch as he should have the first time around, and never a day went by that he didn't miss being a witch, but Kol loved his vampirism.
One lifetime was simply not enough to learn everything, so he would take as many as he could get.
"Have you ever considered putting what's in your head to use?" Elijah flipped over a book, examining the embossed spine. "I'm sure Caroline could use more teachers."
"I'd make a terrible teacher," he flipped a page without looking up.
"You taught Henrik," he turned the book over in his hands, fiddling with the cover. "You've taught spells to Hope, and, though I'm not a fan of your motivations, you taught Mary Alice Claire and Astrid Malchance."
"Are you trying to get me out of the house, brother?" He shut his book with a sigh, sending up a fine cloud of dust from the weathered pages.
"It was just a thought that you could have taken as a compliment."
Kol rose from the leather sofa and crossed to the drinks cart, pouring two fingers of whiskey into a tumbler.
"You want something from me," he spun, raising the glass to his lips. "Out with it."
"Very well," he placed the book on a low table. "I need you to call Davina."
Kol scoffed, breath fogging the glass. "Why would I call my ex-girlfriend?"
"Because she has a spell that help Elena…" Kol's laughter cut him off.
"In that case it's a resounding no." He slammed down his glass.
"Kol…"
"Not happening," he shook his head and strode for the door.
Elijah grabbed his arm. He pulled away, rounding on his brother.
"I wouldn't ask if…"
"No, Elijah," he pushed a finger over his heart. "That woman killed me, and the only reason I haven't returned the favour is because of your involvement with her. There is literally nothing you could say that would make me want to help her."
He moved to leave again, got halfway to the door, and stopped up short at the sound of Elijah's quiet voice.
"Luta Flosadóttir." He allowed the name a moment to sink in and conjure the right images. He saw her as he suspected Kol saw her: golden hair stained with mud, once cheerful eyes haunted. She had been meant to be his wife before her ruin and the fear that settled in her bones.
Her attacker fell to Kol's sword; Luta to his teeth.
Kol turned to face him, the ghost of his first love in his eyes. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Ten months ago she lost time, a handful of hours," Elijah slipped his hands into his pockets. He had instantly regretted the low blow, but it had achieved the desired outcome. "Not much in the grand scheme of things, but those missing hours resulted in Serena."
"And now she wants to remember it?" His eyes narrowed. "Luta would have given anything to forget."
"Personally, I think she would love to put it behind her, but last night Serena demonstrated a supernatural ability that makes finding the man imperative," he tilted his head, pursing his lips. "And once she understands her daughter's needs, I would like to know who was responsible, it would be a shame to castrate the wrong man."
"Davina hates you," Kol clenched his teeth.
"She doesn't hate you," he lifted his chin. "Bonnie could do the spell; she just needs to know the spell, and you can get it. And," he added, "if it helps, Elena does regret her part in killing you."
"I know," Kol snorted.
"You know?"
"She apologized," he rolled his eyes, "however, since she was under the influence of heavy painkillers I have elected no to accept it."
Realization lifted Elijah's brows. "You were in the delivery room."
"For a moment," he sighed. After a beat he reached into his back pocket for his phone. "What is she? The baby?"
"I don't know." Glowing eyes flashed in his mind. "I'm hoping Elena's memory will shed light on that."
Kol turned over his phone, considering the screen before clicking the name.
She answered on the third ring.
"Bonnie," he greeted, "are you up for a little road trip. I have a spell you might be interested in… yes… I'll pick you up at four."
He hung up and met his brother's eyes.
"Thank you."
"I'm not doing this for her."
She waved a soft toy around, brushing a hand and tickling an ear. The repaired door swung open. She spared it a glance.
"You might consider locking your door. There are dangerous people in the world." Elijah hung his jacket in the closet.
She pushed up to sit and brought Serena, pleasantly warm and lethargic from tummy near the fire, into her arms. Her face tucked under Elena's chin.
"Arguably the most dangerous people in the world have an invitation that no lock could keep out, but I will start locking the door on one condition."
He crossed the open concept and sank down, folding his legs to sit comfortably in front of the fire.
"Are you negotiating with me?" He tilted his head, amusement showing in the corner of his mouth.
The question brought a warm smile to her lips.
"Isn't that our thing?" The fire cast orange light over his features.
"I suppose it is," he nodded slowly. "What would you ask of me tonight?"
She shifted her weight on her hip, kept one hand firmly on Serena's head, and slipped her fingers into her pocket. Warm metal touched her skin.
The fire cast a glowing reflection on the ceiling.
"A key?" He lifted an eyebrow, eyes flickering from it to her.
Her thigh brushed his leg, sending a jolt of electricity through him; nothing compared to the fire of her fingers placing the key in his palm.
"You know," she shrugged, meeting his eyes. "In case she scares me again, and I scream, you won't have to knock my door down."
"In theory your idea is sound," he huffed a soft laugh, dropping his eyes to the key, "but if you're screaming I'm still…"
His eyes snapped up at the feel of her soft lips against his mouth. The key fell, muffled by the baby blanket, as he raised his hand to her cheek and slid his fingers into her hair. Every gentle movement felt familiar and new, lasting an eternity and ending far too soon; she went for second, quick, peck and leaned back to breathe.
For a long moment his gaze remained locked on her parted lips, mesmerized by the soft gasp of air that made his head spin. Until then he hadn't realized how much he had longed for the kiss, and to see how differently she would react with emotion in place.
Only he couldn't concentrate on her emotions for the spin of his.
Saying he could and taking the initiative herself were different things.
"Elena," he breathed, longing to see into her thoughts. "Why?"
"I missed you," she echoed his words from a lifetime ago in a teasing voice that earned a chuckle. The amusement turned serious, coupled with dark searching eyes. "And I wanted to."
"And you're doing what you want these days?" A few strands of hair tickled his wrist.
"As long as it's not harmful to my health," her lashes fluttered, lingering against her cheekbone, "or anyone else's health."
"I see," his fingers slid to her throat, skimming her hammering pulse. "And what would you like to do now?"
"About a million and one things," she breathed, inching closer, "but right now I'd like to do that again."
His lips were on hers before she stopped talking, cutting off her words with a slow kiss. His tongue traced the softness of her mouth and coaxed shivers from her body. A short squall brought him crashing back to earth.
He broke away, lips swollen, to cast his eyes upon her breast.
"I think something wants your attention," his voice came out low.
Serena's squall morphed into a full-blown 'I'm-hungry-feed-me-now-please' cry. He had learned to differentiate during the first week when he began his daily visits to the lake house; he knew the sounds that indicated hunger and a dirty diaper, as well as indignation and a need for immediate comfort.
So far only Kol had mocked him.
"Like clockwork," she smiled, glancing at his watch.
Elijah shifted back, giving her some room to adjust her hold. While she unfastened the buttons on her shirt he pocketed the key and lifted the soft blanket, offering the cotton to Elena.
She draped it over her shoulder; Serena squirmed until it fell away.
"How did lunch go?" He asked, watching the fire to afford her some privacy.
"Well, she didn't try to expose me to the Grille when she was hungry," she frowned when Serena squirmed, more focused on the too warm blanket than feeding.
Elena tossed it aside.
"Does that make your first outing a success?" He looked to find Elena watch Serena eat.
She ran a finger over her cheek.
"In terms of baby's first outing, yes. Mommy's first outing, on the other hand…" she chewed her bottom lip. For a moment the only sound was Serena's greedy suckle. "I told them… I told them what I told you."
He lifted an arm over her shoulders; she leaned into his side, accepting the kiss to the top of her head.
"As predicted Caroline wants to hop a plane back to Brazil and burn the village down for answers." She pressed her cheek to his chest. "Ric doesn't know what to say, but he was furious. I spent twenty minutes convincing Jer that what happened has no bearing on how I feel about Serena. And Bonnie went off somewhere with Kol after promising answers."
Her finger moved up and down the baby's cheek.
"Does her skin feel dry to you?"
The question took him by surprise and he looked down. His eyes found the spot in question, dull and red beneath Elena's hovering finger.
"That wasn't there a moment ago," he skimmed the dry patch. "It feels dehydrated."
Serena turned away from his finger, losing her latch.
"She shouldn't be dehydrated," Elena licked her lip. She cupped Serena's cheek and attempted to help her reattach, but she refused to cooperate.
"Why is she dehydrated?" Hysteria laced her voice.
"I don't know, Elena," he found her chin, coaxing her face up to meet his eyes. "Breathe, lovely; I'll get the baby oil."
She sucked in a deep breath and felt some of her tension ease.
"It's in my bag," she nodded towards the couch.
Serena wailed suddenly. The new sound made Elena's heart pound.
"I don't understand; babies don't dry out like this."
She cuddled her close, offering comfort while she waited.
"Don't some have dry skin?" He reached into the diaper bag, closing his fingers around the bottle. "Could it be eczema?"
"Doesn't happen this fast," she shook her head, lowering Serena to the floor.
She took the oil, spreading it on the widening patch; it soaked in with no visible effect.
Serena's limbs flailed; she cried harder.
"It's okay baby, shh…"
Panic settled beneath her breast when her eyes followed a dry patch down her neck.
Her fingers trembled as she pulled the zipper all the way down to Serena's foot. Dry spots in various stages of dehydration dotted her belly and exposed legs.
"Oh God," she slapped a hand over her mouth. She looked up; tears leaked from her eyes. "What's wrong?"
He could only shake his head.
Elena worked her tiny limbs free as gently as possible. Her eyes dropped to Serena's feet; spots of blue glowed and vanished rapidly as they had the previous night.
Her brain scrambled, connecting the dots from the scant information.
"Shh, sweetie, shh," she tried to pick her up without touching dry skin, but she seemed to be composed of nothing but dry skin. "Did anything like this happen to Hope?"
"No, but Hope has vampire blood," fear glittered in his eyes, "she's never been sick except for when the Hollow was in her. Do you want me to heal her?"
She struggled to hold the tenuous grasp she had on self-control as a desperate idea took shape in her mind.
"I want to try something first," she murmured, climbing to her feet.
She felt him on her heels as she hurried into the kitchen. She twisted the taps, forcing herself to wait until the temperature was right before putting in the plug and removing the dry diaper.
Her hands supported Serena in the sink. The few inches of water absorbed into her skin, halting the level from rising.
The screeching turned to tears and finally sniffles before stopping.
"She needed a bath?" Elijah frowned, scooping water over Serena's torso. "Why does she need to soak in water?"
"I don't know." Her stomach trembled. She kept a firm grip on the baby as she curled her little arms over her belly. "Does this mean I'm supposed to bathe her everyday? All of the books say that dries babies out."
"I think Serena's a special case."
Glowing blue eyes watched him carefully. It took several passes of water before the blotches vanished, more to return her skin to a healthy pink.
"Are you sure you've never seen this before? Anything like it?" Elena spread water up the baby's back, breathing slow as he shook his head. "What about one of your siblings?"
"It's possible," he nodded, frowning, "maybe. I could take some pictures and ask them."
"Use my phone," she nodded to the living room, "I can print them and delete the digital copies."
"Are you certain?" He dried his hands. Water dripped from his cuffs.
"She's something," her teeth sank into her bottom lip, "and maybe whatever spell Kol brings back doesn't work. Maybe I never remember. And maybe that's better; I don't know. All I do know is that she was in pain and a lucky guess made her better. What if next time I'm not lucky, and you're not here to heal her?"
"Maybe I'll never leave," he held the button down to open her camera.
"If you never leave you might get sick of us," she tried to smile.
"I will never 'get sick' of you Elena," he swore, kissing her temple, "or her."
Serena turned her head from side to side, following the conversation with her eyes.
He zoomed in and captured an image of her eyes then took one of her toes.
Serena looked towards the slow stream of water where it flowed into the adjoining sink.
The water bent at an angle, hitting her belly and hands.
Elena gaped, wide eyes staring at the impossibility before them. Thin blue lines glowed between Serena's tiny fingers.
She gurgled happily.
"You might wanna get that too," she breathed out, turning to see the camera already raised.
One of my favourite things about fan fiction, and fiction in general, is the ability to play around with mythology. With that in mind I have used the lore provided in canon and taken inspiration from a bunch of different sources for this story, including legends, mythology and other television shows. It's going to be several chapter yet before answers are forthcoming though.