Heartless to Heartfelt
Authors Note/Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries or The Originals or Legacies. All credit goes to the writers and creators.
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I apologize for being gone for so long, things have been crazy hectic around here. That combined with a bit of writers block meant this chapter sat at a stand still for quiet sometime. It's still not what I wanted it to be but at least we are set up for the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
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Chapter Ten
"Hayley,"
Hayley eyes were wide, frantic with worry. "She's gone. Hope's gone." She thrust the piece of paper out in Elijah's direction. "My daughter is gone."
Elijah looked down at the piece of paper she had handed him. I have her now.
Hayley shoved him, throwing Elijah off balance. "My daughter is gone!" Her cries were loud, filled with pain as she fell to her knees burying her face in her hands, her body trembling with fear and sorrow. "My baby."
"We'll find her, Hayley. I swear upon my life we will find her."
Finn and Kol both could not take their eyes off her, here she was standing before them; a purple backpack on her shoulders and stuffed rabbit tucked under her arm.
Finn was confused, although they were complete strangers to her, she was looking at them with a wide smile.
"Hi,"
Kol was the first one to break from the silence. "Hello darling." He crouched down to her level. "I am..."
"Uncle Kol." She supplied the name for him, causing his expression to turn into one of shock. Clearly not having expected her to know that. It was a guess of course since her family had never shown her a photo and pointed them out but Aunt Bex had kept one hidden in her journal; and it had been a simple guess as to who they each were, it was just luck that she had got it right. She briefly tilted her head towards her other Uncle. "And you're Uncle Finn."
Finn raised his eyebrow; questioning how much she knew of their family. He had assumed that Elijah had hidden a lot from her. "Exactly what are you doing out here, Hope?" It was late, far to late for a child to be wandering around in the dark.
Hope lifted her shoulder in a tiny shrug. "Leavin'"
"And where might you be going?"
"New Orleans."
Kol scoffed slightly; clearly he did not expect that. "Exactly how do you expect to get to New Orleans, little darling? It is quiet the hike on foot."
Hope only grinned up at him. "You can take me."
Finn shook his head at Kol, he had noticed the mischievous look at that crossed his brothers features the moment Hope spoke. "Absolutely not."
"Finn,"
Finn saw the look in both of their eyes, the kind that told him they were both thinking the same thing. "We will not be kidnapping our niece."
Finn glanced into the rear view mirror; that line seemed irrelevant now that he was looking at the sleeping child. This couldn't get any further from his original plan; he was supposed to be uncovering and attempting to eliminate a threat; not driving towards a place he vowed he would never return to. His siblings viewed it as their home, a place that the Mikaelson's could claim as theirs. He couldn't bring himself to have a part in that, since he had been daggered their entire first duration there.
"It's the right choice, Finn." Kol was leaning back in the passenger seat, feet up on the dash. He felt relaxed for the first time since he returned; knowing that he was taking Nik's daughter home; just as his brother would have wanted.
Finn did not shift his gaze from the road; he knew that Kol was pleased with this turn of events. "What will her mother think?"
Kol shrugged. "Don't care to be honest, brother. Hayley is the reason Hope does not know Nik; if anything I'd say karma is a bitch."
Finn's lips twitched slightly at Kol's comment. "Despite that she is Hope's mother. You say it is wrong for Hayley to take Hope from Niklaus's life, yet we have done to Hayley what she did to Niklaus."
"Are you comparing me to her?"
"No, brother." Finn shook his head. He didn't agree with what Hayley had done, or their siblings but that didn't make what he and Kol were doing right. "Two wrongs do not make a right, Kol. Hayley will believe the worst. Is it fair to for her to believe her daughter kidnapped or dead?"
"Yes. Punishment for what they did."
"This is where this family goes wrong." How is it they did not see it? Instead of breaking the cycle, it was always the same. They were always looking to even the score, they never considered their options. Did he condone his siblings and Hayley's actions? No. Was he simply choosing to think broader? Yes. "I'm not saying that they do not need to be held accountable for their actions, Kol; they do. However, I do not believe taking a child from their mother without leaving a note is an acceptable response."
Kol rolled his eyes. It didn't matter what Finn said. They deserved this. The bullets would have put an end to their lives but this was far better. He could only imagine what they would feel not knowing what happened to Hope. The torture of it would be a much suitable punishment, death would have been to quick.
Besides he did leave a note. A note that would make them feel fear.
Caroline tossed the lunch meat onto the counter top and placed the lunchboxes down, using her right foot she kicked the door of the dishwasher shut behind her and turned to focus her attention on the girls. "Turkey or chicken?"
"Turkey."
There was no surprise in her features as they answered at the exact same time with the same answer. They might have had different appearances and personalities but their food tastes in some aspects were almost identical. "Turkey it is." She grabbed the meat before her. "Did you both finish your homework? Lizzie, you need a sweater."
"Momma,"
Caroline raised her eyebrow at the blondes immediate whine. "Not a negotiation; you'll catch a cold. Go, get one."
Lizzie scooped up another spoon full of cereal. "I'm eating." She shoved the spoon into her mouth.
"You're cheeky." Caroline glanced towards the opening. "Davina, breakfast! Homework?"
Josie glanced up, pointing at her backpack. "Finished."
Klaus entered the kitchen with the teenager trailing behind him only moments later. "Sweater." He tossed the white sweat shirt on top of Lizzie's head; making her grumble. "And don't sass your mother." He kissed Josie on the top of her head. "Little Lady."
"I'm not sassing." Lizzie pulled the sweater off her head, placing on the counter top. "It's not cold."
"Bonnie still sleeping this morning?" Klaus didn't spy the witch anywhere.
"I think so. Marcel?" Caroline sighed; opening Lizzie's backpack. "Homework, Lizzie?"
"He's out I believe."
Lizzie didn't respond, her eyes focused on her bowl in front of her. "I think I need more milk."
"Oh; that reminds me." Davina rummaged around in her backpack, pulling out a note. "I have a book report, but I don't have the book."
Caroline reached for the note, pushing Davina's breakfast towards her. "What book and when is it...Davina, this is due in two days!" Caroline briefly wondered if Klaus would think she was insane if she started pulling her hair out. "I'll get the book; but you better get the report finished. Eat."
"I'm not hungry." Davina looked down at the oat meal. "I'll eat later."
"You'll eat now."
"Caroline, I am..."
"Nik." Caroline snapped, breathing deeply because she didn't mean too.
Klaus cleared his throat. "Elizabeth, you will wear a sweater today. Davina, you will eat before school." He gave both girls a pointed look. "Stop giving your mother a hard time."
"But..."
Klaus only raised his eyebrow, but the simple gesture had Davina picking up her spoon and Lizzie tugging on her sweater. He looked down at Josie who was finishing her breakfast. "Are mornings always like this?" Klaus wasn't around for every morning since he usually went off for a run; he was always around for the afternoons though. They were his favorite time of day.
"Klaus; look at what I did today!" Lizzie came sprinting across the compound. "Look!" She thrust the paper into his hands.
Klaus took it from her; letting a small smile slip onto his face, her eyes were full of excitement. "It looks like a..."
Lizzie cut him off quickly. "It's a stunt course! Look," She pointed to the various things she had drawn. "Miss Rachel said we had to draw something that inspired us. Can we make it? I wanna ride motorbikes over the jumps. Can we?"
Klaus chuckled. "This is very well done, firecracker. Very well thought out. Tell me more."
"Do not even think of building her a stunt course, Niklaus Mikaelson."
Klaus looked across the court yard at Caroline, a small twinkle in his eyes. "Wouldn't dream of it, my dear."
"Momma. Klaus." Lizzie whined.
Klaus scooped her up, slinging her over his shoulder. "Come explain this to me, firecracker. I must hear all the details."
...
"Klaus,"
Klaus turned away from his painting to find Davina standing in entry way of his art studio. "Everything alright?" The girls had just returned home from school mere moments ago.
Davina shrugged; slinging her backpack onto the sofa and plopping down onto it. "Miss Kate has assigned us a task on our families history."
"Ah, I see." He placed his paint brush down, giving her his full attention. "This bothers you?"
Davina shook her head slightly. "No, yes...I don't know." The last time she had an assignment like this she was in third grade and her parents had been useless, in the end she had made up a story and pretended it was her family history. The teacher had obviously seen though it, but had noticed her sadness and let it pass.
"Would you like to begin with my side of the family tree or Caroline's?"
Caroline popped into the room, passing Davina an afterschool snack. Apple slices to dip in peanut butter, the teenagers new obsession. "My side is much less complicated then your fathers."
Klaus smirked. "That is very true." He sat down on the sofa. "Let's begin with Caroline's side."
"You are aware of my history, Nik." Caroline headed back for the door. "Just put Bon down as my sister."
"Oh, must she included?" Klaus teased.
"I heard that Klaus!" Bonnie shouted from across the hall.
Klaus chuckled. "I'm joking," He leaned over as if to whisper to Davina. "Sort of."
Davina laughed slightly. "Thank-you."
"For what?" He questioned, picking up her assignment sheet to read over the requirements.
"For helping me."
Klaus pulled her into his side. "Always, Kid."
...
Klaus moved his arm just in time for Josie to climb onto his lap, her backpack dumped on the ground by his feet. "Little Lady," He greeted as she held out her book to him. "Charlotte's web, we will enjoy this one."
Josie smiled softly. "Can we read a chapter now?" She looked at the book he was reading before she interrupted. "What are you reading?"
"Nothing nearly as interesting as Charlotte's web."
Josie sighed softly. "I have to write a book report." Her most hated task of all.
Klaus hid a smile. "Oh my." Klaus shook the book slightly in his hand. "We better get started then." He stood up, lifting her high into his arms. "Should we get a snack?"
"Ice-cream?"
Klaus chuckled. "Just don't tell your mother."
Josie smiled with happiness; the kind of smile that was becoming more frequent in their household. "Sprinkles?"
"Just who would even think about having ice-cream without sprinkles? That is a crime."
Josie giggled. "Momma doesn't eat sprinkles on ice-cream."
Klaus faked a horrified face. "Dear god; your mother is..."
"I wouldn't finish that sentence if I was you."
Klaus and Josie chuckled at the sound of Caroline's voice. "Alright, little one; ice-cream and reading time."
"Mornings are always like this." Josie confirmed.
"Not helping." Caroline scolded them both; the blonde twin and the teenager were now giving Josie the evil eye.
Klaus gave Caroline a look of innocence. "What I..."
"And what might you be doing today?" She asked him, turning her attention away from the children.
"Planning a reunion." He meant what he said, he was going to bring his daughter home. He had to devise a plan to bring her back into his life without disrupting her life. "Did you need me to do something?"
Caroline reached over to touch his arm. "If I can do anything to help..."
"I'll inform you." He promised. "What is it you need me to do?"
"Bonnie. She's been acting a little strange."
Klaus nodded. "I'll talk with her." He stood up, stretching a little. "I'll see you ladies when you get home from school." He kissed the top of all three of their heads and then placed a chased kiss on Caroline's lips. He desperately needed a run to clear his thoughts before he started to plan.
"I love you."
Klaus caught Caroline's eye. "I love you too."
"Coffee."
Caroline grinned, taking the coffee that was thrusted in her direction. "Life saver."
"You look like you could use it."
Caroline raised her eyebrow. "Are you saying I look tragic this morning?"
"Very much so."
She smacked him lightly on the arm. "I'll have you know..." She just briefly caught the time on his watch with her eye. "We're going to be late. Girls!" She hollered. "Come on."
Marcel tilted his head. "Rough morning?"
"Always." She grabbed her bag. "I'll swing back and pick you up in an hour. It'll give you time to shower."
"Are you saying I stink?"
"Very much so." She mimicked his previous words. "Girls!"
Marcel watched her walk towards the exit, assuming the girls would come. He was still a little confused though. "Why are you picking me up again?"
Caroline turned, her lips twitching with amusement. "Did you forget?"
"Well no, uh, maybe?" He rubbed his chin trying to hide a small smirk.
"We are running an errand for Bonnie today."
Marcel rolled his eyes, Bonnie the troublesome witch just could not let it go. "Remind me why we are getting involved."
"Because Marcel, what Bonnie wants, Bonnie gets." If Caroline knew anything about Bonnie it was that she was persistent.
"Reminds me of you."
Caroline rolled her eyes. "Just be ready. Girls!" Davina and Josie came running down the stairs. However Caroline shot her blonde daughter a look when she climbed the railing to slide down. "Cannot do anything remotely safe, can you Lizzie?"
"No momma."
Katherine despised this place, and the painful flashbacks it provided. It wasn't because she felt guilty about her time in Mystic Falls and what she had done. It was because Elena and Damon would not allow her to move on with her life. Being in this place with them was a reminder that she would never be free from them.
Did she regret some of the past? Of course. But she didn't regret it all. Katherine didn't regret doing all that was in her power to survive.
"Kat," Stefan placed a hand on his girlfriends back. He knew exactly what this place did to her. "You okay?"
"I hate this place."
"I do as well. But we are here for the girls." There was no one in this world that Katherine loved more then her nieces. He wanted to say that he was her first priority but it would be a lie.
The Katherine that almost everyone knew would call her incapable of love but there was something about Lizzie and Josie that changed her. The Katherine that would have done anything to survive now had one weakness. The girls. "We are just here to search the belongings. Shouldn't take to long." The opening of the door had both his and Katherine's attention.
"What are you doing here?" Elena asked, her tone icy. "You aren't supposed to be here."
The tone in Elena's voice was enough to let Stefan know that they were not welcome. "We need to search Alaric's things. We believe he had possession of something that could help the twins." It made sense to get straight to the point. Elena didn't want them here.
Elena crossed her arms; how dare they show up and demand to see his things. If it wasn't for Katherine and Bonnie he would be here. "So now you believe he has something that could help them? It was..."
"Elena, we are not here to argue about this again." Stefan warned her, her could see the fire sparking in her eyes, the fight about to begin.
Elena shook her head. "Argue? There is no argument. Katherine," She sneered the name. "And Bonnie killed an innocent man."
Stefan raised his eyebrow, he honestly didn't know why she could see think that. Alaric was the bad guy in this. "Elena,"
"He was separating them to save them. Not to hurt them. You should..."
"He was no innocent." Katherine snapped at Elena, interrupting her speech. "He tore his own child away from her mother and sister. He ignored then abandoned Lizzie, and hurt Josie. He was a vial evil man and you should..."
"Caroline is not their mother." Elena stepped forward as if she was going to strike Katherine but her movements were halted by another figure.
"Katherine. I should have known it was you."
Stefan eyes met his brothers, this was the first time they had set eyes on each other in a while. "Brother,"
"Brother,"
"We would like to see Alaric's belongings."
"Is that Uncle Stefan?"
Stefan's gaze flicked straight down to the little girl hiding behind Damon's legs. "Hello Jenna." He greeted her; this was only the second time he had seen her in person, the first being when she was a baby. He'd come to her adoption day because despite everything Damon would always be his brother. He wished things could be different and that he could share a relationship with his niece but reality was he didn't have the same relationship with her as he did Lizzie and Josie, and he never would.
"His belongings are in the basement." Damon gestured to the inside of the house; he could sense Elena's fury and uneasiness. The quicker Stefan and Katherine did what they needed, the quicker they would leave.
"Damon!" Elena glared at him. "They are not sifting through his things. No!"
Damon frowned. "Elena," He tilted his head in the direction of their daughter, knowing that looking at her would instantly calm his wife. She wouldn't want Jenna to see this side of her. "Go on." Damon spoke to Stefan and Katherine.
Stefan nodded a quick thanks. He knew that Damon didn't completely agree with Elena's stance on everything, but she was his wife, the mother of his children. Damon took her side in things because he loved her, not because he agreed with her. Stefan knew that him letting them into the house was his way of meeting half way, of doing what he could.
He placed his hand on the lower part of Katherine's back and gently guided her through the front door and into the house.
Jenna reached out and grabbed ahold of Katherine's jacket; she looked just like her mommy. "You're pretty."
"Jenna. Come here." Elena immediately demanded reaching for her daughter.
Katherine knew an insult even if it wasn't spoken directly, though she didn't let it bother her. Instead looking down at the little girl with reddish hair. Katherine had never met her before, she had not been invited to the adoption day. "Not as pretty as you little one." Katherine told her before Stefan lead her away. Lizzie and Josie had made her soft, but in a good way she thought. It was not a child's fault that her parents were imbeciles.
Stefan took one look at the boxes packed in the corner of the basement. There wasn't many of them, but the five boxes that sat stacked up were overflowing, a lot had been stuffed into them.
"Where do we start?" Katherine asked as she opened one of the boxes, dust particles flying into the air. "Great; I just washed my hair."
Stefan shook his head at her. "I'll help you wash it again tonight." He shuffled a couple of things aside in one of the boxes, chucking the few pieces of non essential items onto the old rocking chair. "Katherine, there is a chance..."
"That he burnt them." Katherine finished for him. "Yes; but we can't leave here until we are certain."
Bonnie walked through the doors of Klaus art studio and flopped down on the couch.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your lovely presence?"
"You summoned me." Bonnie shot at him but her temper simmered when she actually looked at him. "Hmm, your painting. Are you devising a plan for world domination?"
"Perhaps next week; for now my focus is to kidnap my daughter."
"Intriguing. However, your siblings did kidnap her first so I suppose you'd simply be bringing her home."
He tilted his head in her direction. "Something on your mind?"
Bonnie hummed. "I have a dilemma."
"Don't we all. What is it?"
"You first." She wasn't sure if she should mention anything to him yet, she hadn't had a chance to tell Caroline. That was a lie, she had; but she had chosen not to say anything because she was worried.
Klaus saw the tactic for what it was but chose to play along. "I want nothing more then to bring Hope home, to have her be apart of my life but I am very concerned about how I pursue that without ripping her away from her life. I cannot phantom how upset this will make her."
"She's your daughter. She'll understand given time, especially once you explain the situation to her."
Klaus placed his paint brush down, drawing in a deep breath. "What if I don't?" It was the first time he had admitted that thought out loud. He couldn't bring himself to even mention it to Caroline until he was sure it was a path he was going to take.
Bonnie frowned; this was a new approach. "You have too."
"What if I chose not too? What good will it do for her to know the truth. They are the only family she had known. To find out what they have done it would be painful for her."
Bonnie sat up, so she could look him directly in the eye. "It might be but it will also give her insight into where you have been, otherwise you will have no explanation for your absence." Didn't he understand that they had done the wrong thing, that Hope deserved to know who her family really was.
"I..."
"What they did was unforgivable and one day Hope will be aware of the truth. Secrets can not stay secrets forever, they always come out." Bonnie buried her head in her hands. "I have to tell Caroline."
Klaus arched an eyebrow at the sound of Caroline's name. "Bonnie?"
"They are her children; she deserves the truth."
Klaus could hear the distress in Bonnie's voice which was not something he heard very often. "Bonnie, what has happened?" His voice was slightly more firm, demanding even.
Bonnie glanced up. "I don't know how much she's told you about the twins and the..."
"Merge, yes I know about it. What has happened?"
"Stefan and Kat found out some information. Information that would devastate Caroline, but their her daughters. She has to know I just need her to stay positive and I'll fix everything."
Klaus frowned, did she always assume it was her job to fix everything? "Bonnie, what is it you know?"
"I know that the information we need is gone. Alaric had it before, and Kat and I killed him."
"So it's gone?"
"I don't know. It could be with his belongings at Elena's, Stefan and Kat should be in Mystic Falls right about now to sort through his things." That was just another thing for her to worry about. Then last time Katherine set foot in Mystic Falls, Elena had tried to kill her. Granted it had been years but it didn't make Bonnie any less concerned. That on top of the way Kat felt when she was in that place, Bonnie knew that if it wasn't for the twins, she never would have sent Katherine back there. Damon and Elena didn't understand that Katherine was a different person now, that below the hard exterior was someone who was broken and mending.
"It could be gone though?" Klaus broke through her thoughts.
"Yes it could be gone. He could have destroyed it." Bonnie didn't know how she was going to tell Caroline. "There are a few scenarios for why Alaric took that information, and none of them are good."
Klaus approached her slowly; as unusual as it was, he could see the distress in Bonnie's eyes. This was clearly weighing on her heavily. "Bonnie, if there is one thing I know about you, it is that you always find a way. This is a small bump in the road and you are not alone to fix this for Caroline or the girls. "
"It's not just the information, Klaus." She breathed deeply. "I haven't wanted to approach this with Caroline because I know how she would react, but the truth is Alaric had her all to himself for a long time and we don't know what he did with her."
Klaus frowned; sweet little Josie coming to the forefront of his mind. "What are you implying?"
"I don't know. I just know that Josie is the opposite of Lizzie; but what concerns me most is her use of magic. It's almost completely non-existent. She only uses it when she is instructed to."
Klaus crossed his arms, attempting to keep hold of the sudden temper that was rising. "You believe he tampered with her magic?"
"I'm saying it's possible. Truthfully, I can sense that there is a difference in their magic, I just cannot seem to identify what that is." Bonnie breathed deeply. "This is going to crush Caroline."
"Bonnie, we will be there to catch her. To help her. Nothing to going to harm those girls, I'll never let it." He slowly reached out to touch her shoulder. "You must not shoulder this alone. We will tell her together, tonight after the children are in bed."
Bonnie had many feelings towards Klaus, many thoughts over the years but the longer she lived here in the compound. The more she saw of him with his children, with Caroline's girls, it had her brain turning. This moment was just one that had her realizing this Klaus was completely different from the one who had come to Mystic Falls. "Thank-you." She truly meant it.
"Anything for the ladies in my life."
Hope's eyes were focused on the two of them, standing outside the gas station arguing. She knew that it was about her, it was the only natural conclusion. Uncle Kol had wanted to bring her to to New Orleans, Uncle Finn had not been so inclined.
Yet she was here and now Finn was even more worried except this time it was in reference to someone called Marcel.
The name had been spoken over and over again; but it had turned into hush argumentive whispers once Kol announced that Marcel was living at the compound.
Marcel.
The name was weighing on her. She was certain she had heard it or seen it.
Reaching into her backpack she plucked her Aunt's diary free. She had taken it with her when she had chosen to run, knowing that it would eventually come in handy.
Flicking in a few pages she tried to sift through and find that name.
You'd be proud of Marcel, Nik. He chose you over me, exactly what you thought he would never do.
There it was that name. There had been more written but Rebekah had scribbled over it making it impossible to read. Hope remembered she had read that but then her mother had come home and she had stuffed the diary away. Her eyes scanned the page again, finding the words written below all the scribbled out words.
He chose you because you are his father.
Hope drew in a deep breath. How had she missed it before? Marcel was her...cousin? She had never had one of those before.
And yet the knowledge did nothing to settle her. It only brought forward more questions. Why would he want to keep the family away?
She had known in the pit of her stomach that something wasn't right. Was this it? Had her family done something to Nik? Something that would make Marcel want to hurt them?
Hope knew she needed to find out.
Looking back over at her Uncle's, she could see them still arguing. At this rate, they would make no progress. Stuffing the journal into her backpack, she knew what she had to do. They'd forgiver her for this.
Unclipping her seatbelt, she opened her door and grabbed her backpack with one hand.
She took one glance back at the address her Uncle Kol had programmed into the cars gps. "Alright, Marcel, here I come."
"Davina!" Lizzie jumped off the swing grabbing her backpack and rushing over to the teenager. "You came."
Davina rolled her eyes. "You seriously doubt me, don't you kid?"
Lizzie grinned. "Maybe."
"Where is Josie?" Davina looked around for the other twin, spotting her not far from them.
Josie slowly approached them, her backpack jiggling slightly. "I'm here."
Davina smiled down at her. "You ready for milkshakes?" She had promised them that she would take them out afterschool since Caroline had asked her to pick them up today.
Lizzie crossed her arms. "How are you going to pay for them?"
"Seriously, Elizabeth; the doubt coming from you is intense." She gestured for them to follow her. "Your mom gave me money this morning."
Lizzie bounced into step beside her on the side walk. "Good. I want a chocolate one. Josie gets strawberry."
Davina glanced down the brunette walking silently beside her. "How about we let Josie decide what she wants. What do you think you would like Josie?"
"I like strawberry." Josie commented quietly.
"Sounds good." She turned her attention back to Lizzie. "Sometimes we have to let others speak for themselves." She understood that Josie was the shy twin and that Caroline and Klaus were both working to make her more comfortable which was working. She seemed to be better in the compound, she felt comfortable there but when they weren't in the safety of the house she was a little more reserved.
Lizzie groaned but nodded. "Fine. Can we get donuts too?"
Davina ruffled the blondes hair. "I guess." She watched Lizzie fist pump the air and even Josie had a bit of pep in her step, making her quickly realize she wasn't going to deny them anything. "Come on." She pointed the the shop up ahead. Originally she had told Caroline she didn't want to do this, take the twins out but she was slowly coming to realize she didn't have much of a choice when it came to Caroline, the blonde was very persistent. Now she had to admit this was what she needed, this was normal.
She had never had little sisters before; she'd never had a proper family but now she did and Davina didn't want to take that for granted.
"Davina,"
Davina looked down at Josie. "Hmm?"
"Can I get a strawberry donut?"
Davina pulled the door open for the twins to enter before her. "For you? Of course."
"And can I try a chocolate milkshake?" Josie asked, Davina had said she could decide and she wanted chocolate. The only reason she always had strawberry was because he had always said it was her favorite and when she finally get to be with momma again she had told her strawberry was her favorite.
Davina smiled widely. "I think chocolate sounds lovely."
"Thanks!" Josie beamed. "I've never tried chocolate before."
Davina closed the door behind them. "What are sisters for, if not to encourage new experiences."
"That was the last box."
"Stefan,"
Stefan turned away from the box he was repacking, his eyes fell on Katherine who held a white envelope in her hands. "What's that?"
Katherine turned it over to show him the other side, her hands holding it tightly.
Caroline.
Stefan stared at the big bold print in the center of the envelope and only one thought came to his mind. "That cannot be good." He watched as Katherine started to open it. "Kat, we cannot open it. It's not addressed to us."
"It's either open it now or wait until we get back to New Orleans. If this could lead us to what we need then I say Caroline will forgive us."
Stefan frowned. "Katherine,"
"Stefan she'll bitch at me a little about privacy and then she'll get over it." Katherine opened the envelope, and as soon as her eyes had a moment to scan the paper she cursed . "That bastard."
"Babe?"
"That sick twisted evil monster..."
"Katherine," Stefan interrupted her ranting.
"He tore up the pages."
Stefan leaned heavily on the wall behind him, the news that he had not wanted to hear but had kind of expected it after searching the boxes. If the pages were gone then where did they go from here? What was their next move? He wasn't sure but he knew they could not give up. "We'll have to find another way." He had to say the words to convince himself that they would. He had to convince himself that this was just another bump in the road.
"No, Stefan listen, he tore the pages up and scattered them. It's a scavenger hunt and clues."
Stefan didn't like the way Kat's face paled. "What is it?"
Katherine's hands shook. "The first piece of the puzzle lies where Josie had her first broken bone."
Stefan paled, his heart falling into his chest. "How could he...why would he..."
Katherine folded the piece of paper not wanting to risk crushing it in her hands. "He wants us to ask her. To make her relive it." Sweet Josie sprung to the front of her mind making Katherine want to throw up at the thought of what he had done to her.
Freya had been sifting through Hope's room looking for something the kidnapper may have dropped. She didn't know exactly what she was looking for but she knew that anything would be of help, even something as little as a hair would work.
Though she couldn't but think there was a different reason for her to be in this room, she couldn't shake the thought that there was something else in this room.
Elijah and Hayley were out looking in the surrounding areas and Rebekah was placing a few calls to people they had met around town. They were all hoping that something would show up or someone would have seen something.
But she was here in Hope's bedroom because a gut instinct told her she should be and now she knew why.
Reaching under the bed she pulled out of the scrunched up papers beneath Hope's bed. Usually it would have been normal but Hope was a rather clean child and she never left messes like this, it was rather unusual.
Unfolding the piece of paper she tried not not to rip it; once opened she realized way it had been thrown under there, it was scribbled over in what had obviously been frustration or anger. It was going to be difficult to read but she knew she had to try.
Diary
They lied to me. All of them. Mom and Dad said we have no other family but I know they lied.
Who is Niklaus?
Freya gasped, her eyes frantically scanning the rest of the paper.
Who is Marcel? And what is in New Orleans? I want to know everything.
Klaus stood with his arms crossed, staring at the display in front of him. He was certain he had said no, infact he remembered clearly stating that this was not allowed to happen and yet, here it was. he didn't understand how after their serious conversation this morning he could still walk into this. She clearly understood the balance of fun and seriousness.
"Bonnie Bennett." He hissed the name. "Menacing witch."
"I did nothing." Bonnie defended herself from the balcony above.
Klaus glanced upward. "I highly doubt that. I want it gone."
"And waste all that water, it would be such a shame." She walked down the stairs to join him, taking in the view of her handy work. It wasn't exactly what she wanted but she figured a blow up pool would be a good start at warming Klaus up to the idea, perhaps then they could get a customized pool built.
"You're evil."
Bonnie laughed. "That title belongs to you."
His lips twitched slightly, although he hated to be called evil he knew that this time it wasn't said by her in malice. "It's not staying."
"I think you'll change your mind."
"Doubtful." He heard the sound of giggling and looked over at Caroline who was standing with Marcel in the shadows. "Were you in on this?"
Marcel held his hands up in surrender. "I did nothing."
Bonnie pointed to them. "Lie."
"Are you tattletaling on me?" Marcel raised his eyebrow.
Caroline merely giggled a little more at the situation. "Nik, Bonnie is very persuasive."
"It's not staying."
Bonnie sighed. "I think it is. Admit defeat."
"Never." He took a step towards her, watching as she took a step back. "However, this will make me feel better about the current situation."
Bonnie raised her eyebrow. "What will?"
"This." Before she could do anything about it, he vamp sped and picked her up, tossing her straight into the freezing cold water fully clothed.
"Niklaus Mikaelson!" Bonnie shouted his name when her head emerged from the water. "I am gonna kill you."
Klaus laughed; the kind of laugh that rarely sprung from his lips. "I wish you luck in that endeavor."
"It's not nice to threaten people."
Klaus spun around at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. His eyes finding the small child standing across the the courtyard.
His eyes were immediately drawn to hers, something familiar about them. "I..." His heart lurched forward in his chest, aching and tugging. "Hope," He had imagined this moment and each time he imagined it a little differently but he had never imagined that she would be the one to find him. He felt all the oxygen inside his body disappear and his head felt like it was spinning, his heart lurching in his chest as if begging for his feet to run towards hers. "Hope," Her name let his lips in a quiet whisper, relief flooding through his body.
She was here, his daughter was here.
Thoughts?
Much Love. x
