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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Chapter Eleven


Klaus felt like he couldn't breathe, the silence surrounding him was suffocating. His eyes unable to move away from the child standing right before him. All the images his head imagined over time did not come close to the beauty that she was. He didn't want to admit it but his daughter was completely her mothers imagine in every way except the eyes. He could see them crystal clear from his position, they were his.
And as much as he had dreamed and prayed that this day would come, he now fought internally with him. Hope was here in New Orleans and he couldn't get any words to leave his mouth.

"Bonnie;" Caroline's voice was quiet as she broke the silence. "Go meet the girls." She knew Davina was taking the twins for milkshakes and then they were walking home. The last thing they needed right now was a full house.

Bonnie struggled out of the pool. "Yeah; Marcel, come with me."

"Wait." Hope's voice caused them all to freeze up, her eyes finding the man off to the side. "You're Marcel?" This wasn't who she had pictured in her mind. "But your not little."

Marcel smiled slightly at the accusing tone in her voice. "Am I meant to be?"

"If you're my cousin, you are meant to be small. Like me." Confusion crept into her mind. If Aunt Bex had said this was was Niklaus son, and that right there was Niklaus then how was Marcel so big, already?

"Cousin?" Marcel questioned.

Klaus felt the oxygen being sucked straight out of his body. Cousin. If she thought Marcel was her cousin, then that meant she thought he was her...Uncle.
The word penetrated straight through his heart. Uncle. He hadn't expected that Hope would know who he was; after all the entire plan had been devised to keep her away from him. It was only a natural conclusion that they wouldn't tell her the truth. What he hadn't been prepared for was for her to assume that she was infact his niece.
He wanted to say something, to correct her but he didn't know how to break that news to her. To explain that her life was based on a lie. Every way he had ever thought of to explain things, now no longer seemed fitting, or right. He was lost.

Marcel's eyes flickered between Hope and Klaus, wondering if he should even respond to that. It wasn't his place to explain. "I..."

"I got it." Caroline placed a calming hand on Marcel's arm encouraging him to go with Bonnie. If she knew anything about Klaus, it was that he didn't need an audience for this. He just needed Hope.

"Wait, I have questions..."

Caroline walked over, interrupting Hope's attempt to stop Marcel. The little one's eyes now on her. "Hey Hope, I'm Caroline." She hoped that by interjecting herself between them it would ease some of the tension created by Klaus's strong silence and maybe give himself a moment to pull together. He was clearly overwhelmed; but Caroline knew that he wouldn't want to let his moment slip.

Hope titled her head, taking in this woman before her. "Is he angry?"

Caroline shook here head. "Oh, no; of course he isn't sweetie. He's shocked." Caroline quickly reassured. "You see, Klaus didn't think he would have the chance to meet you."

"That's silly. We are family aren't we?" Hope questioned; her eyes held curiosity. "Do you have the answers? My Mom and Dad don't tell me anything." Her eyes darted to Klaus as he sucked in a wave of air.

Klaus held his breath everything in him pulling and tugging to reign in the emotion, the rage that was threatening to take over. He had never once entertained the possibility that Hope would think Elijah was her father. He had not thought his brother would stoop that low. In his mind he fought to remain in control, to remind himself that he had changed. He was not out to seek revenge in this moment. Elijah would pay for his betrayal but that was not his priority.
His child was much more important and the question she asked Caroline had him berating himself. The last thing he could ever be was angry with her.

"Nik, now would be the time to speak." Caroline looked his way, trying to encourage but not force him if he was not ready.

Klaus drew a deep breath. "I am not angry with you, Hope." Her name sounded very different falling from his lips now that he could place a face to that name.

Hope crossed her arms. "You sure look angry, Mister." Her expression dared him to challenge her.

Klaus heard Caroline's foot steps retreating and he silently thanked her for the space she was giving them. "I am merely confused. How did you come to be here?"

"I came to ask questions. Not answer them. Are you related to me?"

Klaus smirked slightly, his daughter certainly held a fire within her. "Yes," He was not going to deny that fact. "Yes, I am."

"I want to know everything." Hope demanded. "I want to know who you are."

Klaus nodded slowly. "Then I will tell you." He simply hoped that she would be ready to hear it all.


"Bonnie. Marcel. What are you doing here?" Davina frowned, confused by their sudden appearance.

Bonnie faked a smile, trying to reassure them that everything was perfectly fine. They had agreed on the way over to just pretend things were normal. Caroline would talk to them when they returned home. "We thought we'd join you. Maybe head to the carnival after." The carnival had been in town for the last three days and the twins had been begging to go.

"It's a school night." Lizzie raised her eyebrow suspiciously. "Momma would say no."

"Momma's not here."

Lizzie put her donut back down. "Aunt Bonnie; are you breaking Momma's rules?! You never do that." That was Aunt Kat's job, they all knew that.

Bonnie rolled her eyes. "I am capable of being fun, you know." She could see that Davina clearly did not believe a word that was being said.

Marcel gestured to the display windows. "I feel like a donut but I need help choosing."

"I'll help. Chocolate is the best, Marcel. The absolute best." She stood up and grabbed his hand.

Bonnie gave Josie a little nudge. "Go help him out before Lizzie covers him in chocolate."

"Alright, Aunt Bonnie." Josie slid out of her seat and followed them.

"Spill." Davina demanded the second they were gone.

"Attitude." Bonnie warned her.

Davina bit her bottom lip, not used to be reprimanded especially by people other then Klaus and occasionally Caroline. "Sorry."

Bonnie nodded, accepting the girls apology without hesitation. "We had an unexpected visitor at the compound this afternoon. Your parents are talking to her."

"Who is it? Are they okay? We should..."

Bonnie shook her head. "We are going to the carnival. We are going to entertain the girls and tonight they will explain."

"Who is it?"

"Hope."

Davina froze; the information hitting her straight in the heart. "Hope," The name fell off her lips. She had long known that the day would come that Hope and Klaus would finally reunite. She just hadn't expected that it would be this soon.

Bonnie put a hand on Davina's. "Hey, it's all good." They were attempting to give Davina a normal life which meant not worrying about things she couldn't control. "Davina; don't you worry. Just try to enjoy this afternoon, alright? For the twins."

Davina swallowed, the lump in her throat slowly disappearing. "Okay." She didn't want the twins to worry especially if Caroline and Klaus weren't right here to reassure them. "Fun, I can do fun."

Bonnie squeezed her hands. "Good girl. I knew I could count on you."

"I got him to get a custard donut, Aunt Bonnie."

Bonnie smiled as Josie climbed onto her lap. "Good choice, JoJo."


"Where are you?! Hope? Little Darling, come out from where you are hiding."

"Kol." Finn walked out of the little gas station shop approaching his brother. "The surveillance footage shows Hope walking away. She wasn't forced. She left on her own."

Kol raised his eyebrow, trust his little niece to go running off. She obviously got her Mikaelson traits from her father. Reckless and independent. "Great. She could be anywhere." He was certain that if Nik was here he would be be furious. Losing his ten year old daughter on the out skirts of New Orleans would definitely not impress his older brother. "We have to...Finn, are you paying any attention to our current situation?" Kol demanded to know.

Finn looked up from his phone. "I have to go." The text message had been quiet clear.

'Where are you? Return to me. Another piece has fallen into alignment.'

He had to get back to find out what she had done now. Hopefully not to much had occurred during his absence. He could only stop or sabotage things if he was aware of them. "I need..."

"You cannot be serious?! We have a missing niece. Is it utterly impossible for you to put this family first?!"

Finn held his hand up in surrender; he could immediately feel the guilt creeping in. He wanted nothing more then to stay with Kol and search for Hope, to be present within this family instead of on the out skirts. But that couldn't be. He knew what was coming; things that had already been set into motion. Even if he spilled the truth to them, he didn't think he had enough information to stop it. He needed more, so that this could be ended once and for all. "Of course I put my family first. I trust that you can find Hope, that you will keep her safe."

Kol shook his head, anger clouding his eyes. "Putting your family first does not mean walking away." His tone was bitter. This was his brother standing before him, not one he necessarily thought would be here but it was Finn, and this was his chance to be apart of the family. A family he always said outed him. "If you walk away, then don't you come back. You are making a choice."

Finn met the eyes of his little brother; wishing for once that he could make the choice to stay. "Find her, Kol. Remember what he told you; family may have to pay a price but it shall never be death."

"He's not here anymore, Finn; and neither are you." With his last words, Kol vamp speed towards New Orleans leaving Finn standing by the car, a look of regret crossing his features.


"You can try to replace me in their lives but it's only a matter of time before Bonnie and Caroline realize you can't change. You'll forever be selfish."

Katherine looked up, she was standing outside; all she needed was a moment to catch her breath. Trust Elena to interrupt her moment of peace. "I'm not the one who abandoned her best-friends in their time of need. I did not walk away."

Elena readjusted the baby in her arms. "I did the right thing. You stayed because you think you can build a family. They're not yours and they never will be. They despised you once and it won't take long before they remember why, and then you'll be all alone again."

Katherine's face clouded with anger through it was doubt that swirled in her mind. "We are family."

"No. Bonnie and Caroline are family, they've known each other since childhood. Stefan's family is Damon, our children and I. Eventually the time will come and they'll leave you, or perhaps you'll leave them. Katherine Pierce is good for nothing, if not betrayal."

Katherine glared, if it wasn't for the baby in Elena's arms she was certain she would be swinging to hurt. The fight would be physical. "You know nothing about me."

"Wrong. I know that in the end everyone will realize who you truly are."

"Babe,"

Katherine had been about to snap when Stefan interrupted. "Stefan,"

Stefan looked between the two of them. "Let's get going Kat. The girls will be thrilled to see you."

Katherine nodded slightly, casting a small glance at Elena. "I have a family. The question is, who do you have besides Damon and your children? You lost Bonnie, you lost Caroline...and Alaric, he's dead." Katherine didn't give her a chance to respond, heading towards Stefan with a quickened pace. Attempting to force Elena's words far from her mind.


Elijah leaned against the tree trying to pull himself together, his knuckles were damaged from hitting the trees in the forest behind him, repeatedly. The frustration and the anger taking a hold of his body. Tracing the scent had led him no where. It was as if Hope had simply vanished.
his daughter gone.

Yet it wasn't her abduction that had him in this state. He was trying hard to push away the thoughts, to pretend they didn't exist but now it was virtually impossible.
His mind kept going back to that day when she had cried in agony at the pain in her heart. Elijah had told the family, he had forcibly denied their claims that it was something to worry over. He had convinced Freya it was nothing more then a bout of indigestion. However, now he was beginning to see an error in his judgement. He had made them all think that Klaus was no threat because he couldn't admit that it was possible.

Elijah was furious with himself for not accepting it. The possibility that his brother walked the Earths surface waiting for the perfect moment to reclaim Hope.

The thought of losing her was overwhelming, and he knew that Niklaus would leave no stone unturned. He would manipulate Hope's mind until she was completely on his side. Elijah couldn't allow it.
He had to find her. He had to bring her home.

New Orleans was fast to obvious, Niklaus would not take her back there because he would expect for them to go straight there to retrieve her. He wouldn't want to be found which meant he would take her some place else. "I'm coming Hope. Daddy is coming." Elijah whispered quietly into the wind. "I won't let anyone harm you." After all that was what he had promised her.

Elijah stared down at Hope, watching her sleep soundly in her crib. It was the first time Hayley had actually left Hope alone in the room, usually she would sit quietly and read waiting for the baby to wake. Except today Rebekah had insisted that Hayley join her outside the confides of the home for a run in the fresh air. Stating that it would do the new mother good.
Elijah didn't care, he was just happy to have Hope alone in the house. The sweet little girl was sleeping peacefully, the picture of complete and pure innocence. It was exactly how he intended for her to stay.

"You are going to grow up innocent. I will never allow another soul to harm you. I promise, sweet girl. I will protect you always." He leaned down and adjusted her blanket, making sure she would stay warm. "You are this families greatest joy and our chance to prove we are decent beings. I will never let him corrupt you." He kissed the top of her head. "Daddy loves you Hope Mikaelson."

"Daddy is coming, Hope."


"Worst timing ever. Can this wait an hour?" Bonnie wedged the phone in between her shoulder and ear, attempting to multitask and hold all the girls belongings and the cotton candy she had just brought. They were enjoying their last roller-coaster ride with Marcel leaving her look after everything.

"Never going to be a good time for this news."

Bonnie's body filled with dread. She didn't think she could handle anymore bad news, especially when she hadn't told Caroline the first set of bad news. She had been holding onto a strand of hope that Kat and Stefan would find what they needed. "I haven't had a chance to tell Care why you are in Mystic Falls."

"No time like the present."

"Katherine," Bonnie sighed. "Hope just arrived in New Orleans, this is bad timing, very bad timing. Tell me you found the papers?"

"No."

"Fuck!" Bonnie grumbled; but her interest piped when Katherine didn't laugh. Since Bonnie rarely cursed except for in extreme anger or frustration, the vampire usually found it hilarious. "Do..."

Katherine cut her off. "It's worse, Bonnie. He tore it up and placed pieces in different places all over the world. Our very own scavenger hunt."

"We should have tortured him. Death was a mercy." The words flowed out of Bonnie's mouth with ease. Alaric might have been human but he was a sadistic sick human being. Death was to pure for him. He should have suffered first. "Katherine," She didn't like having to ask because she knew how much Kat and Stefan were missing their family, the girls. They wanted to be reunited. They just weren't made to be parted for long.

"We can't go looking yet, Bonnie. He...the clues are places only Josie will remember." Stefan had already tried to track Alaric's passport and where he had been traveling to prior to his death but there was nothing. Nothing traceable.

Bonnie frowned, but she could already sense that this wasn't going to be good. "What is the first clue?"

"The first piece of the puzzle lies where Josie broke her first bone."

The phone fell from the position and Bonnie had to recover quickly to keep it from falling to the ground. "Do you believe in Hell, Kat? Because I hope the devil is tearing him limb from limb, fingernail from fingernail."

Katherine hummed in agreement. "We were to easy on him. I regret not taking my time with him."

"Ladies. Focus on the problem. You can't change the past."

Bonnie huffed at Stefan's voice. Why was he always the man of reason? She took a deep breath, she had to keep it together, the girls would be getting off the ride soon. "I have to tell Caroline. I cannot just divulge into JoJo's memories; I'm not even sure I can. She is guarded in ways I've never encountered."

"We are on our way to New Orleans. We'll tell Care together." Stefan's voice was soothing but it did little for for Bonnie who was already sifting through all the information in her brain. Attempting to find a way to get inside Josie's head.

"We'll figure it out Super Witch. We always do."

"Don't call me that, Kitty Kat." Bonnie grumbled, she could hear the car starting in the background. "I'll see you soon." She went to hang up but paused for a moment. "Kat?"

"Hmm," Katherine hummed.

"You good?"

"I didn't kill Elena." Katherine kept her voice level, controlled even. "We'll see you soon."

Bonnie frowned, the phone disconnecting. Something was off and it likely had something to do with Elena. Bonnie had never wanted to send Katherine back to Mystic Falls, not when she knew what that place did to her.


Klaus opened the door, looking down at Hope with a smile. "This is my art studio." He couldn't think of a better place to have the conversation that they needed to have.

Hope took in her surroundings. All the canvases, the paints, the images. The creativity was alive and Hope felt it. "I love to paint." It wasn't painting alone that she loved, it was much more, it was drawing, writing. Anything that provided an outlet. Her family...her parents and aunts, they didn't have an artistic bone in their bodies. They never understood the imagination she could use and the freedom it provided. She could dream the dreams that she wished could be real.

"Painting is a passion of mine." Klaus closed the door behind them. He had long concluded that this was a passion derived from his biological father since none of the Mikaelson painted or drew.

Hope shrugged her backpack off, letting it land on the ground with a thump, she then moved quickly to look at all the various paints scattered on the table top. "Mom and dad don't paint. Do you think I get that from you?"

Klaus felt the stab in his heart again, that name piercing through him but he did not flinch, unwilling to startle her. "It is." He acknowledged that it was a trait passed down to her though him. "May I ask what brought you to New Orleans? What are you desperate to know?"

Hope's fingers danced across the jars of paints. "I want to know why my parents didn't tell me about Marcel or you...if you are my Uncle then why have I never seen you?"

"I'm not your Uncle, Hope."

Hope turned to him, a frown crossing over her features. "But you said,"

"I said we are family."

Hope took another glance around the room. "Is that your family?" Hope pointed to the canvas on the easel. "Do you have kids? Marcel is your kid right? How?"

Klaus had forgotten that was sitting there, he had been working on it with Davina a few nights ago. "It is my family. Marcel is my son; I adopted him when he was a boy."

Hope nodded slowly; walking up to the painting. If all these people were Klaus's family that meant they were her family. Why hadn't her parents told her about all these people? She could have grown up with other kids, she didn't have to be alone. "Who are they?"

Klaus stepped up beside her; pointing his finger at the people on the canvas. "Bonnie and Katerina; Caroline's sisters. Beside Katerina is Stefan, her partner. Beside Bonnie is Marcel." He gestured to the girl in front of Marcel. "Mine and Caroline's eldest daughter, Davina."

"Who is that in your arms?" Hope wondered; how could a family have so many kids? Especially a vampires.

"Josette, mine and Caroline's youngest daughter, and standing in front of Caroline is Josie's twin Elizabeth." This wasn't exactly how he had pictured telling Hope of her family, of her siblings and stepmother, of her aunts and uncle.

"You should have put Josie in front of you. You left a big gap."

Klaus smirked. "Criticizing my artistic ability already?" He was met only by her challenging glare. "That spot is reserved."

"For who?" She knew if her Mom was here, then she would be in trouble for being nosy but it didn't really matter. She knew if her Mom found her she'd be in big trouble anyway, being nosy didn't seem that bad on the list of things she had done.

"For my daughter." Klaus admitted quietly, his voice catching a little.

"Why didn't you paint her yet?"

Klaus looked down at her; watching her studying the painting with such interest. "Before today all I had was an imagination, an image of what I thought she would look like. I didn't paint her because I wanted to wait until I knew and could see all her beauty. I wanted to make sure I painted her in the image of who she is."

Hope looked up at him; her eyes shining directly into his. "And now you know?"

"Yes, now I know."

"Can you have kids? I thought vampires couldn't? Mommy is a hybrid, that's why she can."

Klaus briefly wondered how they had explained her existence if she knew that vampires couldn't have children. "I am the original hybrid. First of my kind. My genetics allow me to have children. I only have one biological daughter, the rest of my children are adopted."

"Oh," Hope stared at him for a long time; and he stared back but it was his eyes. Auntie Bex always said she had her daddy's eyes but she didn't because her dad had brown. It always confused her...until now. The sensation in her heart bubbled slightly and she bit her bottom lip. "Why was she not here?" Hope asked the question that was bursting to be let out.

Klaus held her gaze, feeling the pull in chest. "I was in a slumber and she was taken from me." He wanted to take away the sadness that filled Hope's eyes.

"Did you find her?"

"Yes." Klaus did not know where he was going with the conversation but he continued, needing her to know. "She lived with her mother and another man, one she called father."

Hope's arms wrapped around her own body, as if to comfort herself. "Did it make you sad?"

Klaus crouched down to her height, so their eyes would remain connected. "It made me very sad; but I know that if she is happy, then I will always put that first." As difficult as it was to hear Hope call Elijah dad, or to be parted from her, her happiness would always come before his.

"Did you think about her?"

"Everyday." Klaus was quick to admit to her. "I thought of her and every second I was missing. I was worried that that next time I saw her, she would be a young lady."

Hope breathed deeply, taking a small step forward, the tug on her heart increasing as the distance between them closed. "I feel it." Hope spoke softly, her small hand slowly reaching out to touch his chest, hovering right above where his heart would be. "I feel it, right here. Do you feel it?"

Klaus nodded numbly, the tug in his heart pulsing with pressure but he couldn't focus on that. All he could see was her. He was analyzing her movements wondering if he was hallucinating or if this was reality. He had never thought for a moment that this was how things would be revealed. Klaus never imagined that Hope would already know. "I feel it."

Hope felt her heart lurch in her chest as her hand finally touched him. "I'm her." The words were spoken with such conviction because she was confident in her conclusion. Everything made sense. Everything.

Klaus felt as if all the oxygen was leaving his body, his heart started pounding wildly in his chest and the tears he had been trying to hold a bay were now freely rolling down his cheeks. Klaus strived on containing this side of himself; but it felt good to release the tears that he had been holding onto.
She knew. Hope knew the truth and he had not been the one to inform her. She had already begun to piece the puzzle together on her own.

"Hope," The name was whisper leaving his lips, almost as if he were afraid that she would disappear.

Hope bit her bottom lip; a very important question clouding her mind. "Did you...do you love me?"

"Yes, Hope. I love you. I have loved you since the moment I knew you existed." He reached out to place a hand on her cheek, shivering slightly as his skin connected with her. He had never had the chance to hold her before; and while he wasn't holding her just yet, this seemed perfect, more then he ever thought he would get.

Hope seemed relieved by this information, the tugging in her heart easing slightly, comforted by the words spoken. "Why were you in a slumber? Why couldn't we be together?"

All valid questions and Klaus wanted to tell her the whole truth but he couldn't shatter her world. While he despised his siblings and Hayley, to Hope they were people who loved her, they were people who raised her. "I..."

"It was them." Hope spoke for him; it had to to be. It was why her family never said the name Niklaus. It was why no one had brought her to New Orleans. It all made perfect sense.

Klaus couldn't help but nod in agreement, unwilling to lie to her. "I do want to tell you the truth, I just think..."

"It should wait til I'm older?" Hope rolled her eyes. "Everyone says that. You promise you'll tell me one day?"

"Yes."

Hope nodded slowly. "Will you let them take me again?"

"Never."

That seemed to be good enough for Hope and she flung her arms around his neck. The invisible cord that connected them burst with happiness and love. "I'm happy I found you. I feel better now. Nothing hurts. My heart is okay." The tears fell from Hope's eyes; the feeling that she could never quiet shake suddenly all made sense. It was the hole that could only be filled by him.

Klaus could feel the tears rolling down his cheeks. Confusion but happiness filling his body. He hadn't expected that today he would wake and hold his daughter in his arms for the very first time. It was an extraordinary moment, one that he would cherish for every moment to come. "I love you, Hope."


Caroline wrapped her arms around him; the moment Klaus entered the room. She felt his entire body relax and melt into the embrace making her feel a little better knowing that she could provide this for him. "Nik, look at me. Talk to me."

Klaus merely buried his face into her hair. "I could not tell her." He could not use it as an explanation as to why he hadn't been apart of her life, he couldn't. She knew that that they did something, but to tell her the truth would break the image of her family. "I could not tell her what they did to me."

Caroline squeezed him to her; holding on tightly. "The choice that you made, Nik; it was an admirable one. You don't owe them anything."

"It wasn't for them. I knew if I told her, then her world would crash and I can't break her innocence. I cannot be the reason she analyzers her entire life, to rethink every interaction with them." He didn't want her to have her world ripped apart by that truth.

"Hey," Caroline pulled back, hands framing his face. "She knows now that you are her father and while she may not know the true details of what kept you away, she does know that they were the reason you could not be with her. When she is older, you can tell her the details. Right now, she is just a little girl."

He dropped his head, so that they could press their foreheads together. "My daughter is here."

Caroline smiled softly. "Yes. Yes, she is."

"I could stare at her all day. I missed ten years. Ten long years."

"You are not going to miss another second." Caroline promised. "I'll move heaven and earth to make sure you are never separated again."

Klaus pulled her back into his embrace. "I love you."

"I love you, Nik." Caroline replied; and she knew that she would continue to love him for the rest of their days. "Bonnie and Marcel are on their way back with the girls. I know you've been through a lot but we need to sit the them down."

Klaus hummed in agreement. "I have enough time for all of you. It needs to be explained to them. Hope isn't leaving."

"Did she tell you how she got here?" Caroline couldn't help but wonder how Hayley had allowed her ten year old to runaway. Surely she could have stopped her? The world was a dangerous place.

Klaus shook his head. "No." To be honest, he hadn't pushed her on the subject when it became clear she wasn't going to speak about it. His only thoughts had been of the present and trying to explain to her who he was, and why he hadn't been in her life. "I'll ask her tomorrow." She'd been tired after their conversation, and from the tears she had cried.

"The girls are home." Caroline spoke softly, hearing the sound of Bonnie's voice. "Are you ready or..."

"Yes. We need to tell them."


Freya heard the front door bang shut and she calmly tried to rationalize with herself that this was the best option. Since finding that diary entry under Hope's bed, things had begun to make sense. This wasn't a kidnapping; things were to organised. Hope had taken things from her room, things that shouldn't be missing.
Inside she knew that this was the only way to ensure that Hope was safe and did not end up hating them for years to come. Elijah was unpredictable now. He couldn't be trusted with this.
Rebekah would remain to emotional, this was Marcel they were speaking about. A man she loved fiercely.

Hayley was Hope's mother. There was no choice in the matter. She had to know.

"Freya, I need..."

Hayley's eyes were red from crying and her breathing slightly erratic as she entered Freya's study at speed causing the door to blow shut behind her.

"Hayley, what do you need?" Freya asked, but she tapped the piece of paper she was holding indicating she wanted Hayley to read.

Hayley's eyes diverted to the paper and she felt a sense of relief but also pure panic and fear as the realization of what was written swarmed her thoughts.

Hope. New Orleans. See Marcel. Don't panic. Vamp Hearing!

Hayley attempted to calm her heart rate, knowing that Elijah would come storming through the door to see what had happened. She knew that in normal circumstances it would have been useful for Freya to place a sound blocking spell around the study but all that would do right now was alert Elijah and he would become suspicious.
It was all so messy. Not at all how things were supposed to be.

"I thought we could go for another drive. Take a look. I haven't been out, so maybe I'll pick up on something."

Hayley nodded numbly. "Okay. Good. Let's go." She followed Freya through the back door of the study out onto the porch. "Car is this way." She pointed to the darkness, the silence fell over them quickly as they made their way to the car. She was attempting to keep her heartbeat steady but it was proving to be difficult. Hope was all alone on her way to New Orleans.

Freya waited until they were safely on the road heading away from the house they had called home. Knowing that they would not be returning.

"Talk." Hayley demanded once they were on their way. "New Orleans?! How can you be certain?"

"I found a diary entry. I am pretty confident Hope ran from us Hayley. I think she willingly left us."

Hayley's heart was back to hammering in her chest. "How? Why? God, Freya. We've been careful. She couldn't have known about Marcel and..."

"We've been sloppy the past few weeks. Casually mentioning New Orleans. Perhaps one of us said Marcel's name." Freya leaned back in her seat, hands gripping the paper in her hands tightly, she hadn't dared to leave it behind. "She knows we've been lying."

Hayley sighed. "She's stubborn. If she thinks we are lying then she will search for the truth."

"Hayley, we need to contact Marcel and we cannot tell Elijah."

"Why?" It was a valid question, not that she was in the habit of willingly talking to Elijah most days. The anger she felt for him was still present, only kept at bay by the knowledge her daughter was around.

"Last time you threatened to take Hope, he bound you to wolf form."

Hayley glared. "I remember you helping."

Freya bit her bottom lip. "I had no choice. If I didn't agree then he told me he'd find another witch. He said he'd bind you and take Hope. I...Hayley, I've never had any other family bar Dahlia. I was..."

Hayley shook her head, she didn't want to get into this now. It would take much more then a two minute conversation to sort though that mess. "You think Elijah will kill Marcel?"

"I think he would do it to keep the truth from being set free. You know how paranoid he is about Hope finding out about Klaus and their connection."

Hayley's hands gripped the steering wheel with anger. "I told him that Klaus was her father. I tried to correct her." It wasn't supposed to be like this. It was never her intention to keep Klaus away from Hope indefinitely. Elijah had told her that it was merely to give Hope enough time to become a wonderful person, uninfluenced by Klaus and the evils that rage inside of him. It wasn't until Hope was two that Elijah's true plan became evident. "I will not leave her defenseless. She's my daughter. We have to go after her."

Freya knew they had to go after Hope, she was ten year old child. It was only natural. Besides she owed it to Klaus to make sure his daughter was safe. "Hayley; you need to rely on the wolf. Feel her Hayley, sense her."

Hayley breathed deeply trying to center herself, trying to remain steady in light of all that was happening. "Calm, a little confused, content."

"Not in any danger?"

"No."

Freya breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. That's good."

"We cannot just leave my baby to her own devices. She is still only ten, Freya; she's a child."

"We aren't going to leave her, Hayley. I would never suggest that."

"Then what do you suggest?"

Freya knew that she part of the reason they were in this situation. She had made a brief comment to Elijah and he had ran with it, full force. She had only one hope and it was that Klaus would hold Elijah accountable for his actions when he resurfaced into life. She'd never wanted exactly this. All she wanted was time bond with her family without them being forced to choose between her and Klaus. It all seemed so trivial now, but all she had ever wanted was a family and now she was making yet another choice to divide them. "I suggest that we keep driving and we don't turn back." She clearly instructed that she thought the best idea was to keep moving forward, leave all of their belongings and her siblings behind. Their focus had to be Hope, it couldn't be Elijah.


"Momma! Look at how huge this balloon is. Auntie Bonnie brought the biggest one she could find." Lizzie's voice was filled with wonder as she ran over to show her mother the large blue balloon.

Caroline smiled. "Oh wow; it is huge."

"Where is...?"

"Hope's asleep. The journey tired her out." Klaus answered for Caroline as he walked into the living room. He had taken a moment to peek back in on Hope and to straighten himself up. The last thing he wanted to do was to alarm the girls with his appearance and expressions.

Klaus opened the door; this was a room he had once not dared to open and now a room that he wanted to remain in. He couldn't control the smile that took over his face at the sight of Hope sleeping sound and safe in Rebekah's over sized bed. He stood still for a moment taking in her features and watching her breath. Still unable to comprehend that she was here inside his home.
He walked over to the bed pulling the covers up around her body, shielding her from the night air. He never thought he would have a chance to do this, to tuck his daughter into bed and check on her in the night. He was certain he had missed that stage of her life, though it appeared not.

"Goodnight, my littlest wolf. Sleep well." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, listening to her sigh of contentment. It was everything he ever wanted and more.

"How was the carnival girls?"

"Amazing!" Lizzie exclaimed. "We got to ride so many rides and Marcel screamed like a baby."

"Hey, you weren't supposed to tell anyone." He poked her in her side making a giggle erupt from her lips. He hadn't really been scared but he had pretended as a way to make the girls laugh.

Josie walked up to Klaus and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Is Hope here?" Josie's voice was very quiet, almost no existent. It was lucky that most people in the room had vampire hearing.

Klaus hummed. "Yes, she is."

Caroline felt her heart drop at the sound of Josie's voice. It was quiet, much quieter then she had been recently. It sent off alarm bells in Caroline's head. "Let's sit. We need to talk as a family." She took Lizzie's hand and lead her over to the sofa, expecting that everyone would follow her.

Klaus could sense that his littlest lady wasn't feeling all to well, and he leaned down and picked her up. "Hey, lady bug. Did you win this at the carnival?" He gestured to the pink dragon she was holding.

"Davina did." Josie mumbled. "She gave it to me."

Klaus sat down on the sofa positioning her on his lap. "That was nice of her. Have you given it a name?" When Josie shook her head, Klaus tried to think. "Hmm, I think Amora would be a nice name. It means love. What do you think?"

Josie nodded her head against his chest but no words left her lips. That simply made Klaus worry, they had been making progress, the last thing he wished was for them to go backwards.

Klaus looked over at Caroline who was looking directly at her daughter a sense of unease in her eyes. "Girls; Hope came to New Orleans today."

Lizzie leaned forward, pushing her balloon away so that it would float in the air. "Is she here now?"

Klaus gave a slight nod. "Yes, she is asleep upstairs in Rebekah's room." Although there was a room for her to make her own, he had taken her to Rebekah's knowing that it would provide a sense of security. She didn't know exactly what they had done, which meant she didn't outright despise them. She couldn't, not when she didn't know the full story. "I know that this is going to be an adjustment,"

"Is she cool? Do you think she'll hunt tigers with me?"

Caroline rolled her eyes; but inside she was flooded with relief at how easily Lizzie accepted this reality. "Elizabeth, there is no tigers around here."

Lizzie sighed as if her mothers opinion bothered her. "Momma."

Klaus interrupted them before they could bicker with each other. "I don't know, Lizzie, I only just met her today." He hadn't wanted to admit it but he knew nothing about his daughter. He didn't know what her favorite food was, or her favorite color. He knew that she loved art but her other traits were a mystery to him. "I'm sure if you ask her then she'll let you know."

Lizzie seemed to be thinking it over. "I'll ask her tomorrow. Maybe she'll..."

Caroline pressed a hand lightly over Lizzie's mouth. "No rants about risky things you'll be trying. Momma doesn't want to pull her hair out." Caroline warned, before letting go and tucking Lizzie into her side.

Klaus's eyes fell on Davina. "How about you, kid? What's going on in your head?" In the back of his mind he had been worried about how this day would affect Davina. After all, they had only just managed to get her settled into her place in the family, to truly accept that it was where she belonged. He wondered if this would set them back, and prayed it would not.

Davina looked down at little Josie who had one arm tucked around her dragon and her free hand gripping Klaus's jacket, her little knuckles turning white from the force she was using. Josie was worried; and that had Davina worried. Not for herself but for the little girl who was clearly struggling. "Nothings changing." Davina spoke quiet firmly. If this conversation had happened weeks ago then perhaps she would be struggling a little more knowing that they were going to need to adjust to another little human in their home.
But looking at Josie, Davina was reassured on her position. That was her little sister who was feeling out of place and Davina was certain she had to be strong because Josie needed to know that they weren't going to be left behind. Though Davina was certain that if Klaus ever did show a difference, Caroline would set him straight. "Our family is still our family."

Klaus breathed deeply. "Yes. Of course it is. I love all of you equally. No one will ever change that. I promise." He made sure to meet Davina's eye. "You are my eldest daughter. No one will take that from you."

Davina felt the tension leave her body, she hadn't realized how good it would be to hear him say that. "Okay."

"A little while ago Nik and I agreed that our family is one. There would be no yours or mine, you would simply be our children. You need to know that Hope being here will not change how we care for you all. Our love for you will never change." Caroline promised, her eyes drifting to Marcel. "We might not have the same relationship as the one I share with the girls; but I will always be here for you."

Marcel gave her a smile, the kind that showed that he appreciated it. "Been a long time since I had a mother." He admitted.

"Me too." While Davina remembered her mother, there wasn't very many good memories. Caroline's presence in such a short while had shown her exactly what a mother should be.

"It's my pleasure to fill the gap." Caroline told them.

Bonnie wrapped her arm around Davina's shoulder. "A teenage niece is a new challenge for me, I think I could enjoy it."

Davina rolled her eyes. "You could technically be my sister in-law if you marry Marcel." She laughed at their expressions. "Oh relax."

"Dear god, Bonnie could be my daughter in-law." Klaus mumbled beneath his breath.

Caroline couldn't help but giggle. "Oh my."

Bonnie looked horrified. "Okay, stop. Marriage is not on the cards. It's been a few dates. Everyone needs to calm down."

Klaus smirked but nodded, needing to send his attention back to the current topic. "Is everyone aware of their role in this family?"

"Eldest and only son." Marcel boasted, looking offended when Davina smacked his arm. "Hey."

"Don't think your special." She teased. "Eldest daughter." She clarified.

Lizzie beamed. "I am your firecracker; I role is to give Momma heart attacks and ask Klaus to do crazy things with me."

Caroline groaned, as if she didn't have enough of that with Kat and Lizzie together. "I am your mother."

"Easy. I'm the Aunt." Bonnie told them, giving Davina a glare when she went to amend it. "I wouldn't if I were you," She smiled satisfied when Davina closed her mouth.

Klaus grinned. "I am clearly the head of the family," He held his left hand up in surrender at their glares. "I mean father." He looked down at Josie. "And you, lady bug?" He felt her small shrug, and his heart dropped. His eyes crossing the room to look at Caroline, he could immediately see the tears that had gathered in her eyes but it was Lizzie who moved at lightening speed.

"JoJo." Lizzie grabbed her sisters hand. "That's easy. You're my twin. My sister. My best-friend. You are momma and Klaus's baby." She fought her away onto Klaus's other knee so she could lean her forehead against Josie's. "You are special because you have a special heart. The kind of heart that makes everyone feel loved, remember? Auntie Kat said so. Remember Josie?"

Josie nodded slowly. "Uh huh,"

Lizzie held out her pinkie. "Your place is with me, 'member?" She grinned when Josie wrapped her pinkie around hers. "Love you."

"Love you more." Josie mumbled.

The room was silent apart from Caroline's soft sobs as they watched the interaction between the twins. They might have been complete opposites of each other but their connection was like no other. Lizzie was Josie's fiercest protector when it came to her sisters emotions.

"Josette; you are so very loved." Caroline spoke softly, wiping her eyes as she moved across the room to sit beside them. "You are our baby."

Josie didn't move though, her hand still gripped Klaus with a tightness. As if she was afraid he was going to disappear.

Klaus took it as a cue, his hand rubbing Josie's back as he spoke. "Hope being here will not take my attention from you all. I will still be present; I will still make sure you all get the time you deserve." He knew it would be a balancing act but he would have to make it work, there was no choice.

Davina stood up. "We know," She motioned to Lizzie, they need to give their parents time with Josie, the little girl needed it. "Come on; I'll get you ready for bed."

"Are you going to braid my hair?" Lizzie gave Josie a kiss on the cheek and climbed down.

"Sure, only if you brush mine though. Pretty sure you got cotton candy in it."

"Did not." Lizzie tugged her out of the room.

Bonnie and Marcel both took that as a cue to stand. "We are just gonna,"

"Go." Marcel wrapped his arm around Bonnie's shoulder. "For a walk."

Klaus and Caroline shared a look the second they were alone with Josie. The mutual thought going through their minds, how were they going to tackle this?

"Sweet girl; hey, look at mommy. What is worrying you?" Caroline moved to crouch down in front of Klaus and Josie, her eyes trained on the little girl. She looked so small, so lost. "Baby; Klaus and I love you so much." Caroline's heart broke the second Josie looked into her eyes, the little one had been crying silent tears. "Oh,"

"I don't want to lose another daddy." Josie's voice was quiet but they both heard what she had to say. The pain in her voice.

Caroline placed a hand on her knee, normally Josie would have run to her for comfort but the fact that she stayed seated with Klaus spoke volumes. Josie was becoming attached. "Baby,"

Klaus tilted Josie's head up. "No one in this world will take me away from you, little lady." He wiped away her tears with his thumb. "You are very special to me Josie."

"I'm scared." Josie admitted quietly.

"I'm a little scared too. I bet Momma is as well." Klaus looked at Caroline who nodded, though her entire expression showed how saddened she was by this. "It's all new to us; but we are going to get through it, I promise. I love you."

"I'm not going to take your daddy, Josie." Hope's voice floated into the room.

Klaus's head moved at speed, he had been so wrapped up in Josie that he hadn't heard her footsteps. "Hope,"

Hope only gave him a small smile, as she moved further into the living room. Her eyes meeting Josie's. "I'm not going to take him away. I just want to get to know him. Is that okay?"

Josie hugged her pink dragon closer to her chest, her eyes flickering to Klaus and then Caroline, and then back to Hope. "He's your daddy."

"I think maybe we could share." Hope told her quietly.

Josie smiled softly, her eyes looking up at Klaus. "Umm, okay?"

Klaus kissed the top of her head. "I love you, little lady." His eyes flickered back to Hope. "Hey; you are one brilliant little girl."

Hope shrugged. "I know."

Caroline laughed through her tears. "Oh, she is so your daughter."


"Davina,"

"Hmm," Davina ran the brush over Lizzie's hair for what felt like the millionth time, it was soothing though and she wasn't quiet ready to stop.

Lizzie played quietly with the tassels on her cushion. "Do you think our family will stay together forever?"

Davina blinked, eyes concentrating on the back of Lizzie's head. She hadn't expected that question, nor how vulnerable Lizzie would sound when she asked it. "Of course I do." Davina's words were steady as she tried to reassure Lizzie. "Our family isn't going to break apart."

Lizzie frowned. "My family did, then I got a second family and now that's broken too."

Davina continued the soothing motion of brushing Lizzie's hair, not wishing to break this moment. "What do you mean?"

"My dad was a very bad man and he broke our family but mommy said we could build our own family but now that is broken too because Uncle Stefan and Auntie Kat are gone. I miss them, so much. What if this family breaks now? What if Hope makes Klaus go away?" Lizzie turned around at quick speed, the brush falling from Davina's hand. "Hope has another family what if Klaus takes her and they go be with them?"

Davina pulled Lizzie onto her lap. "Slow down, you are on hyper speed. Klaus isn't going to leave us."

"How do you know?"

"Because Klaus has never loved someone the way he loves mom. He'll never leave her, or us. He loves all of us." She stroked her fingernails through the little girls hair. "When Klaus told us we were his family he meant it. He doesn't leave family behind or forget about them."

Lizzie snuggled close. "I like having a big sister. I don't want to lose you."

Davina kissed the top of her head. "Lizzie, even if our family broke, I promise you would never lose me. We are sisters now and forever."

"Promise?"

Davina held out her pinkie, feeling Lizzie's surrounding it. "I promise."

"I like having Klaus around. I've never had a dad before." Lizzie admitted.

Davina leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Don't tell him I said this but he's the best dad I've ever had." Lizzie giggled a bit and Davina smiled. "He loves you Lizzie; and he always will. No one could make Klaus laugh as loud as you do."

"Do you think Hope will like us?"

"Yes," Davina tilted Lizzie's head up. "And anyone who doesn't like you isn't worth your time, Elizabeth. You are smart, beautiful and utterly hilarious. The best kind of combination."

Lizzie smiled. "Sorry for being silly."

"Nothing to be sorry for and it is not silly to have feelings." Davina told her with firmness. "No one, not even Hope is going to drag us apart."

"I believe you." Lizzie leaned over and grabbed the brush passing it to Davina. "Can you brush me hair some more?"

"Sure thing."


Marcel sat down, sliding Bonnie's drink across the table to her. "Bon, you okay?"

Bonnie looked up as if she hadn't realized he'd gone and then returned. "Yes,"

Marcel raised his eyebrow. "Bonnie, look at you."

Bonnie glared. "Are you saying I look terrible?"

"No. I'm saying you've had something on your mind since the carnival."

Bonnie sighed; she couldn't shake that phone call with Katherine out of her mind. It was all she could think about. After that family meeting it had only got worse. She saw how vulnerable Josie was; the tears that Caroline choked back knowing that Josie was sad. Bonnie couldn't bring herself to tell Caroline anything, she was terrified of telling her friend yet more bad news without having a plan in mind to fix things.

"Bonnie," Marcel shifted in the booth until he was next to her. For the first time since she arrived in New Orleans, Marcel could openly see the hopelessness in her eyes. "Let me help."

"You can't help."

Marcel used his hand to tilt her chin in his direction, so that their eyes connected. "Talk to me."

Bonnie blinked back the tears that came rushing to her eyes. "I am going to fail Caroline, I am going to fail my nieces. I can't save them. I wish I could...but every time I think we are close it only gets further away."

Marcel wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest. Bonnie had briefly mentioned the merge to him and that they had a time frame to beat. "Hey, you are not failing Caroline; you are doing your best. She is well aware of that."

"Then why do I feel so terrible. All I do is bring her bad news and false hope."

"Bonnie;"

Bonnie pulled back, looking up at him. "No. I'm failing on all fronts. I sent Katherine into a bloody snake pit, I sent her to Mystic Falls, to Elena...I'm a terrible friend. I still haven't told Caroline where they are. I..."

"Bonnie. Breathe." Marcel met her eyes. "You are doing your best; Caroline would never think otherwise."

Bonnie shook her head. "You don't know Marcel, you don't understand what I have to do next."

"Whatever it is; we will face it as a family." Marcel told her, grabbing a hold of her hand. "You said the merge wouldn't occur til they reached the age of twenty two, that is fourteen years from now. We have time."

"What if time isn't enough?" Bonnie leaned heavily on Marcel, the tears falling from her eyes. "What if he burned all the important pieces? What if he already altered Josie's in ways I cannot undo? What if I break Josie when I look for the answers?" Bonnie heard the sob leave her lips, and she couldn't help but feel relived when Marcel held her tightly.

Marcel didn't understand exactly what she was saying; but the fear within him spiked. None of it sounded good, and all he could picture was Josie and Lizzie in the front of his mind. "It's going to be okay, Bonnie; we will save them."


Kol grabbed her pushing her into the side of the building. "What are you doing here?" The bitterness in his voice was thick, the rage simmering in his eyes.

Freya dropped her phone, yelping at the pain in her shoulder. "Kol?" Her eyes widened; panic filling them as she realized how tight he was holding her, keeping her pinned to the wall. "Kol, you're alive."

Kol's hands tightened around her arms. "You call yourself a Mikaelson? You are not one of us. You never will be." He snarled. "It is because of you I will never see my brother again. You traitorous bitch, I should have killed you when I had the chance. You are going to regret..."

Freya breathed a sigh of relief when Kol fell to the floor with a thud, her eyes meeting Hayley's. "Thank-you." Her entire body trembled as she used the wall as a prop to help her keep upright. This was her brother. Her youngest brother and he had tried to harm her. Her mind spun.

"They'll never accept you."

"Their allegiance will always be to Niklaus."

Dahlia's voice floated in her mind and she tried to force it out, but a small thought fluttered inside her mind. Maybe she was right. They could not love her the way they loved Niklaus.

Hayley looked down at the original; it wouldn't be long before he woke again. "Hope is here. Kol is here." Hayley looked around at their surroundings. "He's supposed to be dead. I...do you think she ran or did he take her?"

Freya rubbed her arms where Kol had grabbed her. "I don't..." Her voice was shaky, unsteady. He had startled her. "I don't know."

Hayley looked towards the car. "Let's get him in, before he wakes up. I know somewhere we can take him." She looked down at him; if Kol had taken Hope then she would stop at nothing to find her.


Klaus slid into bed beside Caroline, wrapping his arm around her body and pulling her close. Feeling her body against his was enough to relax all his muscles. He never imagined that having someone to hold at night would be as soothing as it was. "You are an amazing woman, Caroline Forbes." He pressed a kiss to the side of her head.

"I've heard that a time or twice before."

Klaus breathed deeply. "No second thoughts?"

"On what?" Caroline mumbled; breathing in his scent. "I know you're not asking me about our relationship, Niklaus; because I thought I made myself clear."

Klaus shivered at the sound of her voice. "Yes, love; you certainly did." He tilted her chin and kissed her. "You deserve the world; I want to show it to you." But he couldn't. Right now this was the most important time in his life. His daughter being in this house with him. He had ten years to catch up on.
It secretly worried him, to know that there was so many people depending on him. Waiting for his time. He worried that he wouldn't be able to give them all that they deserved, even if he tried his damn hardest.

"We have a lifetime, Nik; it can wait a decade or two. Right now; all I want is to be here with you."

He kissed her again, his time with more force, more need. "I love you."

"I love you." Caroline kissed the corner of his mouth. "Do you think they are coming?" It was a question that she knew had to be asked.

"I don't know." He told her quietly, his forehead resting against hers. "I honestly hope they do not."

The knock at the door made them both sit up straighter, wondering who it would be this time.

"Come in," Klaus called.

Marcel opened the door, immediately covering his eyes. "Geez, Klaus. Could have mentioned you were in bed!"

Klaus chuckled at the horrified look on Marcel's face. "We weren't doing anything, Marcellus."

Marcel shook his head. "Not the point. Not the point at all."

"What is it you need?"

"To speak to Caroline."

Klaus raised his eyebrow, clearly not expecting that. He had endured thoughts over the last few weeks about how Marcel and Caroline's relationship would develop. After all, Marcel was not a child. He was a fully fledged adult, who could make his own way in the world. It wasn't going to be as easy as bonding with Davina. But he still remembered Caroline's statement when he brought up his concerns.

"It's not the same with Marcel, Caroline; I'm worried about how you two might bond. I wish for my son and my future wife to have a good relationship."

Caroline pulled her pajama top over her head; looking at Klaus with a suspicious look. "Is that your way of proposing?"

Klaus shook his head, sitting down to take his shoes off. "No Caroline; I do think I may be able to pull some romance out when that occurs."

"I should hope so, Nik; or I might say no." It was a clear teasing statement.

Klaus smirked. "I recall telling you once, I don't take no for an answer."

Caroline laughed. "Clearly I've never been the person telling you no." She pulled back the covers and climbed into bed; waiting for him to do the same beside her. "You must not worry about Marcel and I, we'll have a relationship and it'll be a wonderful one."

He raised his eyebrow. "How can you be so sure?"

"Beside every boy needs his mother, Nik. Even grown ones."

Caroline sat up, her attention now fully on Marcel. "Is everything alright?"

Marcel nodded slowly. "I just..." He didn't know if it was right for him to be here but he knew that Caroline deserved to know and he felt as though this was the best course of action to help Bonnie. He had felt the pain coursing through his veins as she cried in his arms; and it was not a short burst. Those tears had fallen for what seemed like hours, until she had no more to cry.

Caroline could see his hesitation, and she immediately swung her legs out of bed. "I could use a walk." She grabbed her jacket, pulling it over her pajamas. "Come on." She cast Klaus a small glance, yet he merely gave her a knowing look. Right now Marcel wanted her, not him.

He waited until they were downstairs before he turned to look at her. "I don't want to betray her confidence but you need to know."

"Bonnie." Caroline knew immediately what this was about, she could see it in Marcel's eyes. "What happened?"

"She's distraught, Caroline. Worried about everyone but herself."

That was Bonnie, always worrying about everyone else until the point when she could eventually take it no more. "Where is she?"

"Asleep. I know I shouldn't betray her..."

"Hey," Caroline placed her hand on his arm. "If it comes to the well being of someone in this family, you need to talk. Bonnie would never ask for help; so if she opened up to you, she must truly need it. You are doing the right thing, Marcel."

He breathed a little easier at her words. "Bonnie thinks she is failing you."

"No, of course she isn't."

"It's not just you Caroline; it's your girls and Katherine. It's eating at her." He paused, unsure if he should say much more.

Caroline could sense his hesitance, her eyebrow raising. "What else?"

"At the carnival she got a call from Katherine; I don't know what was said but it messed with Bonnie pretty bad. She was talking about him burning pieces, and worrying that she may break Josie looking for answers."

Caroline sucked in a deep breath; trying to keep her racing heartbeat calm. She had not expected that, not at all. What on Earth was Bonnie talking about? Her mind wanted to divulge into the darkest and twisted scenarios but she had to keep herself in the moment. "Thank-you for bringing this to me."

"She looked broken. She believes it's her responsibility to save the twins."

Caroline had thought she had gotten through to Bonnie. This wasn't just her war. It was all of theirs, as a family they would fight to keep the girls safe.
She squeezed Marcel's arm. "It'll be alright. I'll take care of her."

"If I can do anything, you'll let me know."

Caroline smiled softly; though there was now worry filling her body. "Marcel, she is really lucky to have you."

Marcel shrugged. "I think I'm pretty lucky to have her. Night Caroline." He leaned down and gave her a quick peck to the cheek and then meet her eyes again. "Klaus couldn't ask for a better partner."

"Well; I don't think anyone else could put up with him."

Marcel chuckled. "Yeah; that's about right." He moved towards the stairs. "Hey, how many times has Bonnie thought she almost had a resolution?"

Caroline closed her eyes. "Twice." And if this one didn't work; Caroline knew there was no third time.


Thoughts?

Much Love. x