Disclaimer: I do not own The Originals, all credit goes to the writers and creators.
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Chapter Sixteen - Part 2
As the memory faded inside of her mind, Freya was able to open her eyes. Her body swirling with concern as she looked down at Josie, the little brunette was curled up in her lap. There was no intense crying or loud sobs, but then Freya had always thought silent crying was the worse.
She gently rubbed the little girls back, not speaking as she tried to categorize her thoughts. The memory was one she would never be able to erase from her mind. Josie's agonizing screams and endless pleas. Freya knew for certain it would remain with her for the rest of her life.
Taking a deep breath, she attempted to mask her own reaction. "I'm all done, sweet girl." It took a lot of effort to stop her voice from trembling, making sure that her tone was calm and soft as to not alarm Josie.
Josie's grip on Freya's shirt tightened. "Don't tell mommy. I didn't mean it. I promise, Freya. I didn't mean it." Her words were frantic, filled with distress.
Freya's heart fractured at the sound of the little girls broken pleas. She knew what Josie wanted to be kept secret. "Josie," Freya pulled away just slightly so that their eyes could connect. "I know you didn't mean the words, and your mom will know it too." It didn't seem to help, Freya could see that there was a deep fear rooted inside. "You didn't say it because you believed it, you said it to survive." God, Freya knew that feeling. She had repeated multiple things to Dahlia over the years, anything to stop an onslaught of pain.
"I love you Aunt Dahlia."
"You are my only family, Aunt Dahlia."
"I am lucky to have you, Aunt Dahlia."
"I could never love them like you, Aunt Dahlia."
"You saved me Aunt Dahlia. Thank-you for saving me."
Josie's bottom lip trembled. "I didn't want him to hurt me anymore." The tears continued to flow.
Freya pulled her back into a tighter embrace, feeling the little girls magic trying to react to the emotions. "Your mom would never be angry with you Josie, not about this." Freya didn't know much about Caroline but it was clear that she loved her daughter, and Freya knew that any decent parent would not blame their child for their survival instinct.
"My daddy was mean to me. He was nasty, Freya." Josie sobbed. "I was a bad girl and..."
"Oh no, sweetheart. You are not a bad girl, never think that. He was wrong, and he never should have done those things to you."
"But,"
"Josie," Freya interrupted in a soft but firm tone. "Nothing that your dad did was your fault. You were not bad. You are a wonderful little girl. Do you understand?"
Josie's eyes glistened with tears. "But I was bad. He said loving mommy was bad." Her eyes rimmed purple as her magic tried to escape Freya's grasp.
Freya saw it, the purple trying to take over but she wouldn't allow it to. Instead, she cupped Josie's face in her hand and brought her thumb up to wipe the tears from under the little girls eyes. "You are brave, sweetheart. It was your dad who did wrong. Not you. Never you." Freya remembered what it felt like to think you deserved that pain. No child should ever feel that way. "It is not a bad thing to love your mom. It's never a bad thing to love someone, Josie. Love is special. It doesn't know boundaries. Whoever you love in this world is very lucky."
"Promise not to tell mommy?"
Freya gently stroked Josie's cheek. "I'll tell your mommy what she needs to know, okay sweetheart?" Once she received a small nod, she looked down their hands that were now linked. "I'm going to let your magic go now."
"No!"
"Yes," Freya said gently. "You are going to be fine. I'm right here, and you are strong. You are able to do this."
Josie looked panicked, her eyes wide and heart thundering. "But,"
"If you think you can't control it, then you just take my hand and I will help you. Okay? You aren't alone."
Josie frowned but nodded in acceptance. She felt the bad feeling in her tummy when her magic returned to full strength. She didn't understand why it kept getting harder. Josie didn't like it. She hated it. How come Lizzie didn't feel like this?
"How about you go and give you mommy a big hug," Freya suggested, she could feel Caroline's eyes practically burning a hole into her. It was very clear that she was an overprotective mother, and from what she had just witnessed it was very clear there was a reason to be. Bad things had happened to her daughter, bad things were still happening.
"You promise that you won't tell mommy? I don't want her to hate me."
"Your momma would never hate you." Freya saw the way Josie's little button nose scrunched up as if she didn't believe that thought. "But yes, I promise." Freya held out her hand and they both stood up. "Ready?"
Josie looked up at the witch. "Freya?"
"Yes?"
"Did she hurt you?" Josie could feel it, she saw it in Freya's eyes when she was speaking about her Aunt. Were they the same?
Freya nodded just slightly, the sadness in her eyes. "Yes."
"Is she dead?"
"Yes."
Josie squeezed Freya's hand gently. "He's dead but I am still scared."
"I am too, Josie, but I promise. It does get better." Freya slowly let the bubble down. "Go on, I think your momma needs a hug." Her lips quirked into a small smile when Josie let go of her hand and went running over to her mom.
"Mommy!"
Caroline wrapped her arms around Josie when the little girl launched into her lap. "Hey honey." Caroline planted a bunch of kisses on the top of her head. "You are so brave. Very brave. I am so proud of you." Every ounce of Caroline's being hated what she had just witnessed. Being able to see the emotions, the tears, the movement of her daughters mouth, the way she had clung to Freya, it was torture. Knowing that her child was going through something but didn't want her. She couldn't do anything to sooth Josie's pain or take it away completely. "Are you okay? I..." Caroline didn't know if the little girl would ever truly be okay, if she would ever be able to move past what happened to her. "You're not hurt? You're okay? I'm so sorry, honey."
"I'm okay, mommy." Josie buried herself into Caroline's arms, sneaking her little hand out to hold on Klaus's. "I'm okay." She repeated.
Caroline held her close, her eyes meeting Klaus's. They both heard it. Their daughter was trying to reassure them, trying to sooth them. This was her baby, it should have been the other way around. "I love you, sweet girl. I love you so much." She breathed in her little girls scent, holding her close to remind herself that Josie was completely safe. Alaric could never harm her again.
"I love you too, mommy." Josie whispered, holding on tight.
Klaus reached out with his other hand to gently stroke her hair. "You did very good, lady bug. Your momma and I couldn't be more proud." He knew that deep inside Josie had been through many bad things in her life, and he knew the pain she would be feeling having to relive it, to allow another person to see it. He didn't know if he had the will inside of him to do what she had done. "I love you."
"I love you too, daddy."
Those words melted his heart. Every single time she called him that name reminded him of the trust that she had placed within him. It was incredible. Klaus knew he had a lot of things in this life to be thankful for, and Josette Forbes was very high up in that list.
Caroline's eyes met Freya's, the witch was standing there in the place that Josie had left her, eyes diverted as if she didn't want to witness or intrude on this moment. For the first time Caroline quietly admitted to herself that maybe Freya was the right choice. She didn't like it, didn't like the idea of her roaming around in her daughters mind but she knew enough to know when something was right. It was very clear that if Josie had broken down in Bonnie's lap as she had done in Freya's then Bonnie would have broken too. The love she has for Josie, their bond, well, it would have hurt Bonnie to see Josie in such pain. It would have broken her too.
Klaus could see from his position that Josie's eye lids were dropping. The little one was worn out from the tears she had cried and the emotions that she felt. It was understandable. "I think someone could use a nap." He spoke softly, trying not to alert Josie.
Caroline didn't want to let her go, she wanted to hold on forever. But she also knew that what Freya had seen was just one part in a very long journey to save their daughters. A journey that needed to be begin. "I..." She looked down at Josie. "Honey, your dad and I need to talk to Freya for a bit. Would you like to go lay in your bed or in mine?" Caroline felt it, how tense Josie suddenly became in her arms. It was to soon, she never should have suggested it. "No, it's alright. You can stay...you can stay baby."
Josie was welling up with fear. She didn't want her mommy to know what had happened. He said that if mommy ever found out she would hate her, that she wouldn't love her anymore. Not after she said those nasty things. "Freya," Josie whimpered, she could feel the magic building inside of her, swirling along with all the emotions.
"Your mommy will hate you if you ever tell her what happened."
"She won't love you, sweetie, not after you said those bad things. You were so nasty."
"Caroline doesn't want a broken mean little girl. Lizzie is sweet and kind. Your mommy already has her."
"I am the only one who can love you Josie. No one else. Your mommy would hate those nasty things that you said. We taught you better, didn't we Josie?"
"Freya," Josie pushed herself out of Caroline's arms, stumbling across the floor to slam her hand into Freya's, her eyes squeezed shut to hide the ugly color that she knew was there.
"Josie, baby..." Caroline launched up from the sofa, hurrying over to the little girl.
Klaus was close behind her, hearing the way that Josie's heart thumped in her chest. Something was wrong. "What is happening?" Concern laced his tone was he watched Freya drop down onto her knees in front of the little girl.
"Hey, Josie, breathe. It's alright. I'm right here." She let her magic flow through their connected hands and grip onto Josie's, a small shockwave being sent through her. That was different, it was dark, spurred on by the fear. "Listen, focus on my voice." Freya frowned, trying to maintain a grip on the out of control magic. It was being spurred on by Josie's feelings.
"What's happening?" Caroline asked, her voice shaking with uncertainty.
Freya didn't answer Caroline, she couldn't. "Brown eyes, you have breathe. Long deep breaths in and out. I can't help you, if you can't calm down."
"I'm scared." Josie's hiccupped, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Listen, your mommy is right here. She loves you Josie, so much." Freya flicked her gaze to Caroline and gave a short nod.
Caroline attentively placed her hand on Josie's back, feeling the little girl shiver beneath her. "Honey, I love you. I'm right here, and I am not going anywhere. I love you so much, Josie. You are my sweet little girl...I..." She could see that Josie's body was starting to relax, the tension easing.
"Mommy,"
"I'm right here, Josie. Right here." Caroline promised, every part of her was completely terrified. She didn't understand what was happening, or why Josie was reacting like this. Her only clue was it had something to do with the memory she had had to relive. "I'm not going anywhere."
Freya felt the emotions simmering down, and her magic tightened and bound Josie's restricting it's use. "There, I've got you."
Josie felt the relief, the bad feeling that made her tummy ache was gone but it didn't stop the tears as Josie opened one eye to look at Freya, the witch smiled softly. Brown eyes. Josie thought in her mind, brown eyes.
And she turned around launching herself into her mothers arms. "Mommy."
"I'm here." Caroline wrapped her arms around her daughter and then felt Klaus's arms wrap around them. "Mommy and daddy are right here."
Klaus's eyes met his sisters as he embraced Caroline and Josie, the little girl squished in between them. He didn't know what had just happened, or why it had happened. He wanted answers, needed them but he was thankful. For the first time, Klaus found himself to be thankful for Freya's presence.
He sure as hell didn't forgive her. Not for all the hurt she had caused. But this...Josie was to important for that anger in this moment.
...
Freya sat frozen on the sofa, it should have shocked her that Caroline and Klaus had willingly left her alone in the compound but it didn't. It was very clear to her that they put their daughter above all. Comforting Josie meant more to them then watching her. That only seemed to increase the guilt that she already felt. The decision that she had made had taken away Klaus's ability to be there to comfort Hope. He had missed out on the all the moments in her younger years when she had needed a hug or a shoulder to cry on.
Freya was beginning to think that all the pain she had gone through in her life was well deserved. Perhaps Dahlia knew that she was going to be an awful sister and was punishing her in advance. She could only imagine her Aunt's laughter if she was here to witness what had become of this family.
"Of course it is your fault Freya. I told you all those years ago that they would never accept you. That he would never accept you. And look at what you have done now."
Freya shivered, shaking that voice from her mind. A terrible sister, that label was wrong, she couldn't even call herself that, she wasn't their sister. She had no family.
She practically jumped out of her seat when Caroline and Klaus entered the room, both of them frowning when they saw her reaction.
"I would say I'm delighted to see you are terrified of us, but my daughter is making you a thankyou card, so I don't think it's appropriate with her in the house." Caroline mumbled, squeezing Klaus's hand for support.
Freya breathed deeply. "She is okay?" She became very aware of the grimaces that took over their features. "Bad choice of wording. Is she settled?"
Klaus nodded. "Mm," He walked with Caroline over to take a seat on the opposite sofa. "What did you see?" He watched with interest as her hand shook slightly, unsure if she was even aware of the tremors running through her body. Her heart was beating slightly faster but it was clear to him she was trying with great effort to calm herself. Was she scared of him? Of Caroline? Or was it what she had seen.
Freya knew that they would wish to know everything that she had seen, all the little details. If they couldn't see it for themselves then they would want a detailed picture painted. Freya knew she was playing a dangerous game keeping anything from them but Josie was trusting her and Freya could not break that. Not when she could sense how fragile the little girl was. Breaking her promise would only cause Josie to retreat further from her.
"Her first broken bone was in Nashville." Freya cut straight to the point, not delaying the answer that they were looking for.
"How..."
Freya interrupted Klaus before he could ask her. "You are about to ask a question that you do not wish to know the answer too."
His expression turned from tolerance to anger in a mere second. Just who did she think she was to keep this from him, to pretend to know what he needed. Freya didn't have that right. "You do not get a choice. This is our daughter. You are here to help us, you don't get to pick and choose which information you share."
Caroline's glare was that of a mothers wrath. "Do not think for a second you get to make choices here. After all you've done, this is the least you owe us. Honesty. Or is that concept foreign to you?"
Freya shivered, uncertainty running through her veins. "I'm not trying to deny you the details out of spite or to attempt to gain a sense of control. I honestly believe knowing the details will only torture you. You will be left constantly wondering if you could have prevented any of it, wondering why any of it happened. You will be plagued with nightmares of your daughters past." Freya met Caroline's eyes, concealing her fear as she tried her best to explain. "Josie doesn't wish for you to know the details because she is scared of your reaction."
"I would never hurt her." Caroline defended herself, she would sooner die then bring any harm to her babies. She would give her life to protect them.
"I believe that, and Josie knows it. It's about the emotional impact it will have. Knowing exactly what happened will not change that it did. By remaining in dark you give her the chance to tell you when she is ready. That might be in a few months, a few years or never but you give her the chance to share it with you."
Caroline shared a look with Klaus, furious that Freya was making sense. Did she really want to know exactly what Alaric had done? It was heartbreaking enough to remember the image of Josie the day they were reunited, the bruises on her arms and legs, and now to know she had endured a broken bone at the hands of someone supposed to love her. Caroline hated that Freya was right. Remaining in the dark and not knowing all the sadistic things he had done to Josie was probably for the best. "Nik?" She questioned Klaus who looked as though he was struggling with the decision.
Klaus didn't know what the right course of action was. By knowing he would have insight into what Josie went through. Perhaps he had been through something similar and could help her to deal with it. He'd had broken bones by the hand of Mikael. Yet he also didn't think he could deal with the images of Alaric and Josie in his mind. He honestly thought there was a good chance it might drive him crazy, turn him back into that rageful monster that he was trying to leave in his past.
And he understood that Josie didn't want them to know, he understood it because he felt the same way. He didn't want his siblings to know about Mikael because he wished to spare them the pain. It was why the little girl didn't want them to know, to spare them all the pain. "Let's leave it for now. If it impacts Josie in anyway, if it seems like we need more information then we will come to you and you will share everything. Understood?"
Freya gave a slight nod. "And I won't hesitate."
Caroline turned her gaze back to Freya. "Nashville?"
"Yes, I saw the hospital sign. I suggest starting there, it's likely he hid what you are searching for in the room that Josie was allocated." Freya closed her eyes, scanning through the memory again. "Room 102. Under the alias Talia."
"You're holding something back." Klaus levelled her with a stare. He could sense that she wasn't being completely forthcoming with them. He didn't like it, he didn't appreciate it. It wasn't what she was here for.
"I am." Freya didn't bother to deny his statement, it would only give him reason to be angrier.
"You aren't allowed to keep anything from us. This is our daughter. You are here for one reason only." Klaus told her, his voice was firm with a dangerous air surrounding it. His point needed to made. This was his family, she didn't get to mess with it.
"I never intended to keep it from you." Freya told him. "I just want to be delicate. Josie made me promise not to say to much, I want to uphold that to a certain extent. Her trust is already so fragile, it would do nothing but drive her further into herself but I understand you are her parents and deserve to know." Her eyes turned to Caroline who looked as though she was trying very hard to not rip shreds into her. "How much do you know about her magic?"
Caroline's eyebrow shot up, unsure if she appreciated this line of questioning. It was something that always bothered her, that she didn't know enough about her daughters abilities. Klaus and Bonnie had shared with her that Bonnie believed her magic had been tampered with but nothing more then that. Bonnie didn't know anything else. "She's a siphon as is her twin."
Freya frowned, the knowledge not new to her as she could sense that about the little witch but it only gave her reason to be concerned. Someone had clearly toyed around with the little girl, instilled something to make her more powerful. The question is, who had the ability to do it? Very few witches possessed that kind of power, most of which were long dead.
"Part of the Gemini coven." Klaus added to the conversation when he noticed that Freya was staying silent.
Freya let that knowledge wash over her. Gemini. If they were twins, well she understood what that meant. She'd heard stories.
"Freya," Klaus prompted, he could see that she was retreating back into her thoughts. "What is it?"
"In the alley I had to restrain Josie's magic, it was out of control and she was terrified." It was obvious that Caroline had mentioned this to Klaus as he didn't look as though he was going to rip into her. "I noticed it then and today it is clearer."
Caroline's heart felt as though it was about to leap out of her chest, what did Freya know? "What became clearer?"
Freya closed her eyes, letting her magic flow through her, reminding her of what Josie's magic felt like. "She's powerful, but not all of it is natural ability. There is something else. Something dark that is lurking beneath, taking ahold. Advancing her already strong nature." She opened her eyes to see Caroline's horrified yet unsurprised expression. As if this was not really news. "You are not surprised."
"No. We know that the twins magic is different, that something or someone has tampered with Josie's. We do not know the extent of it." Caroline knew what Bonnie and Klaus had been able to tell her, the basic outline but no detail. Although it didn't take a lot of brain work to understand that this was Alaric's doing. Another reason to wish she could murder him again. One more chance to make him feel all the pain that Josie had felt.
"What is it? You know that there is darkness, any specifics?" Klaus studied her, trying to get a good read on what she was thinking. He didn't think that Freya would risk telling them any false information but in reality he didn't know Freya, it could be something she would do. After all, she did bury him in the ocean and stead his child.
Freya shook her head. "I can only tell you that it's been there for some time, whatever it is, the longer it stays the more powerful she will become. It isn't in control of her magic but it's reactive to her emotions. If she upset, angry then this power is feeding off that. Calm, happy, it seems almost dormant. With each outburst it gains a stronger hold." Freya warned them, she couldn't tell them much more, not without research and exploration into Josie's magic. And she was absolutely certain, they would not like her to participate in that.
Caroline closed her eyes, bracing herself. "Is she powerful enough to be the remaining twin?" She felt Klaus squeeze her hand, and she took comfort in knowing he was right there with her.
"Without knowing Lizzie, without feeling her magic I couldn't..."
"Based on what you feel from Josie."
Freya met Klaus's eyes, unsure if she should give her opinion, but he gave her a short nod. The approval to say what she truly thought. "This is just my opinion based on what I've felt." She reminded them, the last thing she wanted was for her words to spark rage on their part.
Klaus could sense the fear rising in the air, but he found it unnecessary, at least for now. "Just say it Freya."
"I'd comfortably say that Josie's always had the natural ability to be the surviving twin. She's quiet powerful in her own right. Whatever is lurking inside of her is likely plan b or," She paused eyes lingering on the way Caroline had turned to bury her head in Klaus's chest, her brother wrapping his arms around her.
"Or," Klaus prompted.
"Someone put it there for an entirely different reason."
Kol studied Katherine from across the table, his interest peaking the longer he stared. He couldn't quiet piece together how she had come to be a part of Caroline and Bonnie's circle, nor how she could be in a relationship with Stefan. From memory Stefan had been quiet angry with her about their past. Although, Katherine did have a way of charming people, worming herself into their lives, so it wasn't farfetched to think Stefan took her back. It gave him a sense of hope, that if Stefan could forgive Katherine after all she had done then perhaps Davina would in time forgive him. "So, Bonnie, how did you end up with this one?" He tipped his drink in the direction of Katherine.
"It's a long story." Bonnie sighed, leaning back against the booth to get comfortable. "Murdering Alaric together kind of sealed her place among us, right Kat?"
Katherine didn't respond, her eyes were glued to her phone. It was lit up with a text message from Caroline.
Nashville.
Katherine knew exactly what that one word indicated. Freya had obviously been successful in retrieving the information that they needed. Katherine knew what it meant for her and Stefan now, they had only been back with the family a short time and now they would need to leave again. This was the part that Katherine despised. The good-bye. It was always intended for them to be gone a short while but it often happened that a week would turn into a month or two, sometimes longer depending on the circumstances.
Caroline and Bonnie accepted her into the family, called her their sister. Caroline allowed the twins to see her as an Aunt, encouraged the bond that formed. She knew that this was for them, to keep their family together but it hurt to leave the people that had accepted her, that her taught her that love and family still meant something. She was thankful for Stefan, their love and that he would follow her to the ends of the Earth. It was he who made it easier for her.
"Everything alright, Kat?" Bonnie noticed that Katherine's expression seemed distant.
Kat nodded, taking a sip from her wine glass before standing up. "I have to go." She leant over and kissed Bonnie on the cheek. "I'll let you know what we find."
Bonnie's eyes lit up with realization. "Be safe. Call me." She knew that Katherine hated this part. Leaving the family even for the reason that they did, did not make it easy. Not when this for the first real family Katherine had had in a long time.
Katherine took one last look at Kol. "I might not be here but I'll hear everything. Be good to Davina, Kol, she deserves it." With that Katherine walked away knowing this would be the last time she'd see Bonnie for a little while.
Kol turned his attention back to the witch once the vampire was gone. "Marcel huh? Didn't see that one coming." He struggled with effort to keep the bitterness out of his voice when speaking about Nik's adopted son. It still plagued his thoughts at Marcel had been here in New Orleans with Nik while he had been out hunting their siblings. "I thought for sure Damon, hell, back in Mystic Falls even I..." He forced the thought of Marcel out of his head, choosing for focus on something more lighthearted.
Bonnie raised her eyebrow. "Don't even say it, Kol." She prewarned, not wishing to go down that road with him. Not wishing to think about the time that she had considered what it would be like for just one night.
He chuckled. "Fair enough." He took a sip of his drink. "Seriously though, you and Marcel?"
"Yes, me and Marcel. What is it about that you don't believe?" Bonnie questioned, she knew what it was that drew her to Marcel but why did it seem unbelievable to him.
Kol shrugged. "Nothing." He admitted reluctantly, not voicing aloud that he wasn't sure Marcel would ever move on from Rebekah. "You and Damon, you two didn't manage to make it work?"
Bonnie finished her own drink and then reached for Kat's still half full wine glass. "Right person, wrong time."
Kol rolled his eyes, witches always had a way with words, saying nothing but everything all at the same time. "In other words, he chose her."
Bonnie clicked her tongue. "He chose to commit himself to her feeling like he had no choice, when I gave him the out, he chose not take it. He chose to burden himself with a life with her. I chose to move on."
"Good for you, Bennett, but Marcel, of all the vampires in the world you chose the one Nik calls son."
"You're a little old to be bitter, Kol." Bonnie observed, seeing him drop his eyes to his drink. "I'm not going to pretend to know the ins and outs of your messed up life, of the relationship you have with Klaus or Marcel, but you're his brother, he loves you. Isn't that enough?"
"I..." Kol couldn't answer because he didn't know what to say, or how to say it. It wasn't that it bothered him that Nik loved Marcel, but...well Kol didn't know why he felt jealous. He just did. For so long Nik had been his, the one who kept him safe and practically raised him since Mikael just didn't care but when Marcel came into the picture it was someone he had to share Nik with. Someone to take away from their time together. Sure, he had to share Nik with Rebekah but that was different, he didn't know why, it just was.
Bonnie saw the internal struggle. "Marcel never took your place Kol, just think about it."
Hayley followed Finn through the front door, taking in her surroundings. The apartment was bare, little furniture, no decoration. Although he had called it his home, it was very clear to her that it was no more then a place to retreat to. It had taken some convincing on his part to get her to agree to this. Her entire body, heart and mind combined screamed at her to be with Hope. Except for the first time since she found of she was pregnant with Hope, it seemed as though the her little girl was best off without her.
It was a lot to process, Hope being gone, Klaus having risen again...Elijah.
There was so much anger inside of her. Fury that she ever thought he was a decent man. She had her own brain, her own thoughts, why hadn't she used them?
Initially his plan had come across as achievable. Klaus would slumber for a few years. Hope would flourish and live a normal life. Pure. She'd be a happy child experiencing everything life had to offer without Klaus's influence, and enemies that wished to harm him or his family. The plan was to wake him once they had already instilled in her a good foundation for the person she would grow into.
It only became aware to her after Klaus was already gone that Elijah had his own agenda. That Hope would never experience anything they had discussed.
Her reason for not leaving Finn and setting course for Hope was simply because Hayley wondered if she was better off?
"You can stay here. It is relatively secure." Finn interrupted Hayley's thoughts.
"Relatively?"
"There is no telling if my mother knows about this place, I doubt it but one can never be sure. She has a lot on her mind."
"Mmm, like trying to murder your siblings."
"Yes." He turned on the kitchen light. "There is few non-perishables in the cupboard.
Hayley leant against the wall, watching Finn with careful eyes. "How?"
Finn turned around, leaning against the counter to watch her expressions. "I'll tell you the details in exchange for your cooperation. Hope is to stay with Niklaus, no interference."
Hayley frowned. "She is still my daughter."
"Hope is safe. Send her a letter but let her be."
"Hope is ten."
Finn nodded shortly. "Mm, and at ten she is more mature and grown up then any ten year old should be. Elijah saw to that. Do I have your cooperation?"
"Pretty certain I have no choice."
"You do." He reiterated. "There is a always a choice, free will. I cannot control your moves, I just wish for you to consider this. Do you believe you will be well received if you proceed to New Orleans?" He could tell by the way her features tightened that she was aware of the fallout that would occur. "I understand your desire to see Hope, Hayley, you are her mother. No one can take that away from you." He understood the maternal nature within her but she needed to override that. "Undoubtably Hope had already been told their version of events, or she has at least figured out a lot of her own. There is a reason she went to New Orleans. Give her a chance to sort through her feelings before you reenter her life." He saw that although she wasn't speaking, she was indeed taking in all he was saying. "By staying here, you are helping to save Hope's family, that will count for something in the end Hayley. It will not fix the damage you have done, but it will give her more time with them. It'll count."
Hayley sucked in a deep breath, a lot of what he said made sense and Hope did deserve time with her father. "Alright." The word came out with a great sense of reluctance, not ready to admit to herself that Hope was where she needed to be. "How is your mother planning to slaughter them?"
"Coffee?" He questioned, moving around the kitchen to make a pot.
Hayley huffed, taking a seat at the kitchen table. "Sure, coffee but try to speak while you make it."
Finn glanced over at her. "I am not privy to all of her plans. She does not like to keep all her eggs in one basket. I do know that she has given a vial to an enemy of Niklaus's, that said vial is filled with dark magic."
"Well he has a substantial amount of enemies, any clue which one she has brought into this mess?"
"Lucien. Niklaus will think him a friend placing him into a prime position."
"His purpose is to take down Niklaus?"
"No."
"Then who? What else does she have instore?"
"There's a weapon already inside the compound. I just cannot figure out what it is."
"Freya. Rebekah. Kol...Klaus...She just wants to kill them all? They are her children, does that not count for anything?" Hayley could not fathom it. There was nothing on this Earth that she would consider murdering Hope for.
"It counts for nothing. She no longer holds love for them. So yes she does wish to kill them, but first she wants to test them. Then tear them apart. Before the final act."
Hayley raised her eyebrow. "And why do you not go to New Orleans and tell this to Klaus?"
"One, I doubt he'd believe me. The entire family believes that I work quiet closely with my mother and believe in her quest. That might have been true at one point in my life but it is no longer. Two, if I went to Niklaus and told him, my mother would be aware of that. She would then change her course of action and I would not know how to stop what was coming. Third, I have no idea what weapon is already in New Orleans, I cannot risk my position until I discover what that might be."
Hayley accepted the coffee cup that he passed her. "Well, what do you need me to do?"
Finn looked down at his coffee cup as if he was unsure about this next move. "My mother wants to test Niklaus's love for Rebekah. She was always his favorite, my mother wishes to know if he has any humanity left in him. If he will indeed save her life."
"Why would she want to know that? Why bother if the outcome is still the same?"
Finn couldn't answer that question because he didn't know. He never truly knew where is mothers mind was at. In recent times, he had only come to assume that she probably was more twisted then she assumed Niklaus was. "I don't know. I wish I did. I think it might be simply to put them, no, him through more." He knew his mothers feelings on Niklaus, this had to be just another move to torture him.
Hayley frowned, taking a small sip from her coffee up. "How do I factor in?"
"Any werewolf that comes across Rebekah is unlikely going to be unable to stop at one bite, they'll tear her to shreds. Aim to kill, believing they are able to. They'll torture her repeatedly."
Hayley had the decency to look horrified. "You want me to bite her?"
"Mother was prepared to have her body dumped in bayou, allow the wolves to do their duty."
"It won't do anything, a werewolf bite cannot kill an original."
Finn turned away from her. "My mother knows this. It's not to kill, Rebekah, it's to infect her."
"Where is Rebekah now?"
"In a coffin with our mother." Finn admitted. "She's enacting a curse, one that will allow Rebekah to be infected by the wolf bite. We know it won't kill her but her body won't be able to heal itself."
Hayley raised her eyebrow. "The pain..."
"She'll only be cured by Niklaus's blood. If he'll give it to, and in there lies the test."
Caroline found Stefan packing his bag. She wasn't convince that he and Kat had fully unpacked considering they hadn't been in New Orleans that long. This was the part she hated, having them back for a brief moment and then sending them off again. Caroline couldn't control the guilt that she felt knowing they were out there doing the things she should have been, though rationalizing that if she left her daughters to find answers that guilt would be a million times worse.
"Are you just going to stand there?" Stefan questioned, he placed the last of his clothing into the bag and zipped it shut. "Everything okay?"
Caroline's lips quirked slightly at the concern that laced his tone. "I'm just really grateful to you and Kat. I know this isn't easy you just got here..."
Stefan rolled his eyes, they went through this every time but his answer always remained the same. He'd do anything he had to to keep the girls safe. This here, the people in this household were the only family he had since leaving Damon behind. "It shouldn't take us more then a few days." He slung the bag down next to Katherine empty suitcase, she would have to quickly pack when she returned. "Care, we've been over this before."
"This time it is different."
"How so?" He raised his eyebrow, not being able to piece together how this was different. "How is this different from any other time we have ventured off to find something?"
"Because he left this there. He made this map. I am..." Caroline paused, swallowing the invisible lump in her throat. Knowing that she couldn't have been the only one who had thought of this. "What if he has left some kind of trap? What if the places he has hidden these pieces are just a revenge plot to hurt us?"
Stefan placed a hand on her shoulder, their eyes connecting. He could tell this was playing on her mind, that she had considered all scenarios. "We'll be careful, if it seems dangerous then we will consider a different approach."
"He thought it would be me to go looking. That means if there is a trap it's built for me."
"Kat and I will be fine. We'll come back." He pulled her into a hug. "Listen to me, Alaric might have been an absolute asshole," He heard Caroline's muffle giggle at his curse. "With some serious issues but deep inside he was a coward. If he planned something with the intent to hurt, Kat and I will will spot it from a mile away."
Caroline held onto him, Stefan was the brother she had never had. "What I would give to murder that man again."
"Hmm, I would certainly enjoy it." He rubbed her back. "I promise, we will be safe."
"It's a big ask, I wanted to be certain that you had considered all the possibilities."
"I don't where this is coming from, or why you are worrying but you don't need to. Kat and I do this because we are family, a village set to protect the twins." He placed a kiss on the top of her head. "I don't regret anything."
Caroline squeezed him. "I don't what I did to deserve such wonderful people in this life."
"The kind of person you are draws kind people in." He pulled away from her. "Now, are you able to hold it together? I have to go and help Marcel and Hope finish setting up."
"Is this a prank for Lizzie?" She saw his sheepish look. "Stef,"
He chuckled. "If you hear her screaming, don't run, I promise she'll be fine."
Josh stood leaning against the counter, his shoulder pushed up against Aiden's, both of them were staring intently at Freya who was in a very restless sleep on the sofa. It didn't go unnoticed by either of them that she had looked drained when returning from the compound, barely saying a word as she slid onto the sofa.
Josh didn't want to be concerned, he was as pissed at her as anyone else but the way her facial features knotted together, tense, and the murmurs that came from between her lips. It was slightly concerning.
"Should we wake her?" Aiden finally voiced the thought that was on both their minds.
Josh didn't move. "I don't know. I shouldn't care, not after all that she has done."
Aiden raised his eyebrow at his boyfriend. "She's still human, Josh. This entire Mikaelson family is messed up decades of trauma, and punishing each other. Isn't it time to break that? Shouldn't they break that cycle."
"It isn't my, or our business."
Aiden scoffed. "You are imbedded with that family now, a friend to them." He put his coffee mug down. "I need to go, I have a shift but think about it Josh. She's human." With that he pecked his boyfriend on the lips and headed out the door to work.
Josh stood staring, unsure of his next move. She'd clearly witnessed something traumatic, but it seemed like a little bit more then that was making her so restless.
"Dahlia..."
Josh almost flinched at the same, it was spoken so lowly, that he almost didn't hear it. Why would she be dreaming of that awful witch.
"Mathias..."
Josh frowned, another name escaping her lips. "Who the hell is that?" He whispered to himself.
"Dahlia. No!"
Freya bolted upright, her heart racing as she tried to capture her breath. The sound of her babies cries echoing in her ears. "Okay. Okay. I'm okay." She whispered repeatedly to herself.
"Freya."
Freya startled at the sound of Josh's voice, quickly darting up from the chair to the bathroom before he could say anything.
Josh stared at the sofa, frowning. "What the heck just happened?" He questioned, the concern he was feeling, seeming to be something more then just a flutter now.
"This is not going to end well."
Klaus fell into step beside Katherine who was leaning against the railing overlooking the courtyard. "You are not on the attack, and Lizzie screamed."
Katherine jumped at the sight of Klaus. "A little warning if you don't mind."
Klaus chuckled, he had every intention to have fun with the idea of Katherine still being scared of him. Take a little advantage of the situation until she finally realized this was a safe place. "Seems I haven't lost my edge,"
"If that is your attempt at scaring me then you've seriously declined in recent years." Katherine was still cautious turned her attention back to the courtyard.
The corner of his lips quirked. "I scared you."
"You hunted me for hundreds of years. I am entitled to be a little cautious." She glanced over as another scream echoed out. "Yes Lizzie screamed, in reaction to a prank that two of your children and my boyfriend thought would be funny."
Klaus sighed, hands wrapping around the railing and bracing himself. "That will not end well." Caroline had mentioned there was possibility a prank happening and to not be on alert if Lizzie was screaming.
"Of course it won't, Lizzie has the best pranking partner, and there will be retribution."
"Retribution. Any chance this will not get out of hand?"
Kat shook her head. "Absolutely no chance."
His eyes wondered over the pool at the still taking up a large amount of space in the courtyard. "How long do you propose it will take for Bonnie to get rid of that?"
"She won't. It winds you up which is exactly why she has left it." Katherine smiled. "The more you ask the longer she will leave it, and the longer she leaves it the more likely you are to let it stay."
"That's her strategy?" His lips quirked. "Crafty little witch."
"You could always remove it yourself,"
"Manual labor?"
Katherine giggled. "Yeah, don't do that. Might throw your back out in your old age."
Klaus looked offended. "Old age?"
"Oh, come on. What are you pushing now a thousand and eighty?"
Klaus looked mortified. "Excuse me?"
Katherine smiled innocently. "What? You might look like your in your twenties but reality is your old."
Klaus stared at her for a moment not exactly certain how to respond to that, maybe instilling fear into her was a good thing. Would keep her from making comments about his age. "You are old too." He finally blurted out, almost rolling his eyes at how that came across. He should have had more dignity then that. "Five hundred and fifty."
"Hey." Katherine looked offended. "I am not that old! No, more talking about age."
"You started it."
"Well I'm finishing it."
"Children." Bonnie chided from behind them. "Who would have thought you two would be arguing like children."
"We are not arguing."
Bonnie only laughed when they spoke at the same time. "Yeah sure, you aren't. Come on, Kat, let's pack your bag." She looped her arm through Katherine's. "And for the record you are both old." She snickered.
Stefan placed the last of the stuffed turtles onto the bed, a grin spreading across his face. It should have troubled him that he was this excited about pranking his niece, that this could possibly be a traumatizing event but the childish nature in him couldn't help but be impressed with himself. Out of all the pranks Lizzie had pulled on him over this was the first time he was able to get her back, to give himself a little laugh.
"Do you think she'll be mad?" Hope questioned, looking up at all the balloons that were floating on the ceiling.
Stefan laughed. "Oh yeah, she is going to be mad."
Marcel adjusted the position of the chair sized stuff turtle on the floor. "She is going to kill us, you know that right?"
"Oh, yeah, she is going to try." He heard the sounds of footsteps in the distance and he pointed to the closet. "Come on, get in." The three of them shuffled over to the closest and climbed in, crouching down with Hope crammed in between them.
"Why do vampires have to have muscles?" Hope whined, shifting in between him to get comfortable.
Marcel chuckled. "Whose are bigger? Mine or Stefan's?"
Hope scrunched her nose up at him. "I'm not answering that."
Stefan rolled his eyes, pulling his phone out to poke it in the gap of the door. He needed to record this reaction. It looked as though she lived in a turtle exhibit. Turtle bedding, cushions, stuffed animals, balloons. If there was merchandise with a turtle on it, well it was safe to say they had brought it.
"Why didn't we get a real turtle?" Hope asked, Stefan had briefly mentioned the idea.
Marcel glanced at her. "Because Stefan and I came to the conclusion that Caroline would kill us."
"That's an exaggeration." Hope rolled her eyes. "So dramatic."
"Alright, mini adult." He teased her choice of words, ruffling her hair. "Don't believe us?"
Hope tilted her head away, trying to smooth out the mess Marcel had created. "No. Caroline is nice."
"Caroline is scary." Stefan injected into the conversation.
Hope didn't believe him. "I don't think so."
"Alright, bring a live animal in the house. Test it out. I dare you." Stefan whispered. "Word of advice, don't bring a kitten. We've tried that."
"You tried to get a cat?" Marcel seemed surprised by the choice in animal.
"Key word tried. Bonnie and I got a lecture on irresponsibility, apparently Caroline didn't like being responsible for another living thing."
Hope's expression screamed idiot. "You think? You and Bonnie brought a cat, that's your responsibility."
"But Care's a good mom."
Marcel chuckled. "To kids, not a cat."
"Shhhh. She's coming." Hope interrupted them.
Stefan hit the record button as the door opened. "Ready?"
Hope and Marcel pulled down the masks to their turtle costumes. "Ready."
"MOMMMMMMMMMMY!" Lizzie let out a blood curling scream when she stepped into her room, dropping her backpack and books onto the ground. "DADDDDDDDDDDY! AAHHHHHH." She tripped over her own foot and feel down, head popping up to stare straight at the giant turtle in front of her. "AHHHHHH!" She flung herself back onto her bottom and scooted backwards out of the room. "THERES A TURTLE IN MY ROOM! MOMMMMY!"
"Got you!" Stefan yelled out as the three of them sprung out of the closest, Hope and Marcel wheezing with laughter.
"You should see your face!" Marcel laughed, clutching his stomach.
Lizzie grabbed one of the books from the floor and flung it across the room, straight at Marcel's head. "TURTLES! TURTLES! I HATE TURTLES! WHY ARE YOU A TURTLE?!" Her entire face was bright red both from embarrassment and anger.
Marcel rubbed his head. "Shit. Lizzie. Damn it." He kicked the book across the floor.
Lizzie glared at the room in front of her, not taking a step back inside. "I'm going to get you back, Uncle Stefan. I will!"
Stefan pointed at Marcel. "His idea."
"Was not!" Marcel defended himself, glaring at Stefan. "You are not blaming this on me."
Lizzie placed her hands on her hips. "Take it out! Take it all out!"
Hope took a step forward, getting ready to try and sooth Lizzie but the blonde eight year old took a giant leap backwards, pushing herself up against the railing that overlooked the compounds courtyard.
"WHY ARE YOU A TURTLE?!" Lizzie screeched in confusion.
Hope frowned, looking down. "Oops." She took off the turtle mask. "Come on Lizzie. It was just a little bit of fun." She pulled out the hand that was behind her back and held it out fist closed. "Look, I brought you a present. Here, I'm sorry."
Lizzie glared at her, cautiously taking a step forward when Hope opened her hand to reveal a turtle necklace. "ARHHHH. Not fair!" She shrieked. "Payback for all of you." She declared, seeing the smile on Hope's face. "Just you wait." She turned around and stomped down the hall, muttering something about colored hair and stink bombs.
Marcel turned to Stefan. "I thought we were a team."
"Yeah, sure we are. And as a very important member of this team. I will be leaving for a few days."
"Really?" Hope looked at him like he had grown a second head.
Stefan glanced at the room behind him. "Oh yeah, she's going to kill us. I'm leaving." He took a step back seeing their raised eyebrows. "Don't worry. I'll send you the video. Did you see the way she almost face planted into the turtle?" He laughed. "Hilarious."
Hope rolled her eyes, looking up at Marcel. "He's leaving us with the mess?"
"Apparently."
Hope tilted her head. "I wonder what he's scared off."
Marcel smirked at her scheming look. "I like your thinking, kid, I like your thinking."
"Alright, tell me how much you are going to miss me." Kat pulled Davina in a hug, squeezing her tight. "Come on, say it."
Davina spluttered. "I have to breathe! Not fully a vampire, Auntie Kat." When she didn't let go, Davina huffed. "I'll miss you."
Kat rolled her eyes. "So dramatic, you must get it from Caroline." She teased, letting go of her.
"Because I am the dramatic one in this family." Caroline raised her eyebrow, the disbelief clear. "You are the most dramatic person I know, Miss Pierce."
"Don't listen to her." Katherine stared at Davina. "I expect a fully detailed report of all things high school, cheerleading, parties and boys when I return."
"Definitely no parties." Klaus interjected, the one that Katherine had almost allowed her to go to was enough. He wasn't ready to deal with everything that came along with high school parties.
Katherine waved him off, receiving a giggle from Davina. "Don't listen to him." She leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Or to Kol. Rock your shit, little witch. You're amazing without him."
Davina couldn't help but smile at this wild, semi insane but kind Aunt. "I'll have all the details for you." She found herself being pulled into a hug by Stefan. "Any advice from you Uncle Stefan?"
"Do your homework?"
"Boring."
Klaus chuckled. "Now that is good advice."
Caroline nudged his shoulder. "You're such a dad."
"Why do you have to leave?" Josie wrapped her arms around Katherine's waist, burying her head in her stomach.
"You know why, my little honey bee, the big important mission awaits." She scooped Josie up in her arms. "But your Uncle and I will be back in a few days, should I bring you a new stuffie or a something different?"
"A rainbow stuffie." Josie whispered latching her arms around Katherine's neck and squeezed her into a hug. "I love you, Auntie Kat."
"I love you too, my little honey bee." She planted a kiss on the side of her head, passing her over to Stefan to say goodbye. "And you," Katherine looked down at Hope who stood in front of Caroline, the woman's hands on her shoulders. "We haven't had a chance to talk, have we?"
Hope shook her head, she wasn't oblivious. Katherine was around, she was Stefan's love but Hope hadn't actually spent any time with her, or really acknowledged her presence. Stefan had showed her how to plan a prank, they'd at least spent some time together. "Have a good trip," Hope mumbled awkwardly because she wasn't sure what else to say.
Katherine crouched down slightly, so that she was eye level with the youngster. Despite hugging Davina when initially meeting here, Katherine knew that wasn't the way to approach this situation. Hope was cautious and rightfully so, she already had two Aunts and as it turned out they had done horrible things. "I will. Any special requests, are you to old for stuffies?"
Hope's eyes widened slightly, confused. Why was this woman asking if she wanted a present? She wasn't her niece, not in the same way that Lizzie or Josie were. Not even the same way that Davina was. Hope barely knew Katherine, why would she offer...why would she do something kind for someone she didn't know? "I..."
Davina turned away from the the chat she was having with Stefan. "How come I don't get a present?" Her protest interrupted them.
"I'm bringing you makeup home." Katherine told her as if it should have been obvious.
"Makeup? Katerina, must you..." Klaus stopped talking when Caroline placed a hand over his mouth.
"Pick your battles." She warned him, removing her hand and wrapping her arms around his waist.
Katherine looked at Hope. "How about some art supplies? You paint just like your dad, am I right?"
Hope gave a small nod. "How do you know..."
"I'm supposed to know these things, Hope, just like I know Davina will love make up, Josie a stuffie and Lizzie a new candy she hasn't tried."
"But you don't have to get me anything, I don't..." It wasn't right, it wasn't her birthday or Christmas. She didn't need to get a present just for no reason. That wasn't how the world worked.
"Uh," Katherine held a finger to her lips, hushing the little girls protests. "Aunties get the privilege of being able to spoil their littles." Katherine was almost certain that Hope's eyes couldn't get any wider.
"Auntie?"
Katherine smiled brightly. "I might not have spent time with you, Hope, but you're my niece and that means I get to spoil you. So my little artist, would you like paints or oil pastels?"
"I've never had oil pastels." Hope whispered, ignoring the flutter in her chest at the new nickname she had received.
"Pastels, it is." Katherine opened her arms. "How do you feel about a hug?"
Hope looked up at Klaus and Caroline, seeing there smiles. "I think that would be okay." She stepped forward, and although she had seen the way Katherine had hugged the other girls, this was different. It was gentle and tender as if she knew exactly how Hope would like it.
"Hey, if she gets Auntie status, then I get Uncle." Stefan grinned.
Hope fixed him with a glare. "You left me and Marcel to clean the mess. You're on probation."
"Probation? I get probation Uncle status?" He heard the laughs around him. "I swear, it's a Lizzie 2.0."
"Speaking of, where is my little tornado?"
Kol entered the courtyard with Bonnie and Marcel trailing behind him. "Up on the balcony." He supplied, glancing at around at the people in the room, keeping his eyes adverted from Davina.
Katherine's eyes darted up to the balcony above, Lizzie was standing up there glaring down at them. "There you are, Lizzie, come say goodbye."
Lizzie shook her head. "No!" Her voice waivered. "I don't want to say goodbye. You just got here. It's not fair. You have to stay."
"Lizzie," Caroline's tone held sympathy but warning, this was easy on none of them. "They will not be gone long."
"They always say that and then they are gone forever."
"Lizzie,"
"I hate this." Lizzie grumbled, turning around and running back down the hall. "I hate you."
Stefan sighed, lowering Josie back to the ground. Katherine's expression crumbling. "I've got this." He spoke first and then begun walking away allowing no one the time to protest.
Klaus stared up at the spot where Lizzie had just been. He had thought about going himself to find the missing pieces but it didn't sit right with him to leave with Freya being so close to his family, or to just leave his family in general. He knew he would feel the guilt either way but Caroline had made it clear to him there was no choice for him. Katerina and Stefan were capable of taking care of this.
"I should go. They are my daughters now too. If anyone is to risk there safety it should be me."
Caroline looked at him as though he had grown a second head. "Absolutely not. You need to stay here with me, with the girls." Caroline told him, her voice was stern and full of conviction. There was not one chance that she would left him leave them. Not with his psycho family out there somewhere, perhaps even on their way here to retrieve Hope. Not with Freya in New Orleans. No, she knew that Stefan and Kat could handle it. They had been for years. "You cannot leave us."
"Caroline, this going to save our daughters."
"This is not a debate. Stefan and Kat will do it. I trust them to find what we need to protect the girls, to save them. When they are out there doing that I need you here. I need you to help me to raised them, to protect them in this moment. Do you understand?" She placed both hands on his cheeks, making sure their eyes connected. "We are family now. My daughters call you daddy. You don't get to leave. I don't get to are bound here with them."
"I feel helpless." Klaus struggled to admit. He hated knowing that there was nothing he could do to end this now, to make this problem disappear.
"I know." Caroline told him, her tone changing from firm to soft. "I know how it is to feel guilty. To feel as though you could be doing more but you have to trust them to do their part while we do ours. We are a family working towards a common goal, our twins survival." She placed a light kiss on the corner of his mouth. "You aren't helpless. Right here, you are everything you need to be."
Klaus pulled her into a tight hug. "You, my love, are very strong."
"I wouldn't be without the help of my family. Without you." She leant against his chest. "Maybe it is selfish on my part but I need you here, Nik, you can't wander off. I need you."
"Then I'll stay right here."
It was hard for Klaus to let someone else be in charge of the situation, but looking at the faces around him, he knew Caroline was right. This was exactly where he needed to be.
"Daddy,"
Klaus looked down at Josie, feeling her hand slip into his. "Yes my little lady?"
"Are you okay?"
He saw the concern in her eyes. "I am just fine." He told her, tickling her stomach, hearing the small giggle made his heart beat faster.
"Now that I've said goodbye to Uncle Stef and Auntie Kat, can I pop out to see Bianca?" Davina smiled pleadingly at Klaus and Caroline. "Just for a milkshake."
Klaus gave a slight nod. "Then straight home, your mom and I have a date tonight."
"Yes." Davina kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks dad." She didn't stick around to give him time to process the words she had spoken. Not wanting to give them time to make a big deal out of it, she didn't want that. Davina just wanted it to be natural.
Klaus was almost certain he saw stars. Dad. He didn't think it would ever get used to all these girls that called him dad or daddy. It was...it was pure bliss. How did he get so lucky? "Did she just..."
Hope giggled. "Yep. You should see your face. You're red."
Bonnie dissolved into giggles. "You're blushing. Klaus is blushing. Quick, Marcel, snap a picture."
"Oh, shut it Bennett." Klaus muttered, trying to ignore the laughs around him. The word, Davina's face still running in his mind. They had come so far, hadn't they.
Kol retreated backwards, the words, the scene, the people all floating within his mind. The word dad striking him down. Things had changed since his death, changed in more ways then one. Davina was apart of this family without him, and even if they never entered a relationship again, she would always be apart of the family as Nik's daughter. It was a lot to process, to think about.
His brother had a family, a whole family. A partner, daughters, a son. Kol stopped at the bottom of the step. Did he fit in here anymore? Was he wanted here?
...
"Lizzie," Stefan called out her name, following the sound of sniffles that had lead him to the library. "Honey, can I talk to you for a moment?" He pushed the door open just slightly to find her curled up against the corner of the sofa, head buried in her arms crying. His heart broke for her.
"Go away." Came her muffled reply. "Just leave."
"I can't leave if you are upset." He crossed the floor to sit on the coffee table in front of her. "Besides, I thought you wanted us to stay."
Lizzie didn't look up at him. "Then I'll be upset forever." It seemed logical to her, if she remained upset then they would never leave.
"I wish it worked like that, kiddo. I really wish it did but Auntie Kat and I have to go on our secret mission." That was how they continued to explain their absences to the girls over the years.
Lizzie scoffed, toes curling in her socks with anger. "There is no secret mission. Your just leaving cause Josie told you something. It's not fair. I'm not a baby anymore." She roughly swiped at her tears, still refusing to met his eyes.
Stefan raised his eyebrow, over the years they had tried to conceal what was happening but it was clear that Lizzie knew more then they wished of her too. "You're right, you are not a baby but you are a little girl, Lizzie. A brave, strong, little girl who is so loved. The mission is real, and your Auntie and I wouldn't leave you unless it was really important. I promise we'll be back soon."
Lizzie lifted her head to look at him. "You always say that and then you are gone for ages! It's not fair. Auntie Bonnie gets to be here all the time, why can't you?"
"It just doesn't work that way, honey. I wish it did." He reached out to take her hands in his. "Sometimes things in life just aren't fair. I know you want us all to be together and I promise one day Auntie Kat and I will be around so much that you'll want us to leave."
"I'll never want you to leave." Lizzie declared.
"Get back to me on that when you're eighteen." He squeezed her hands gently. "Want to know something?"
Lizzie nodded, her tears slowly drying. "Uh huh,"
"I think that Auntie Kat already feels upset about leaving, and maybe your words didn't help her feel better."
"I was mad that you are leaving."
Stefan smiled sadly. "I know, and it's okay to be mad Lizzie, but your momma and us guys always taught you not to take that anger out on other people." He wasn't mean or reprimanding when he said the words because he understood that at her age Lizzie would still be getting a grip on her emotions and how words truly effected people. "I think Auntie Kat could really use a hug."
Lizzie slowly uncurled from her position and moved into his lap. "Do you think Auntie Kat is mad?"
"No, I don't think she could ever be mad at her little sidekick." He kissed the top of her head. "This is hard for everyone, Lizzie but it's really hard for you isn't it?"
"Uncle Stefan,"
"Yes, honey?"
Lizzie's hands twisted in her lap. "When Mommy was looking for Josie with Auntie Bonnie, you and Auntie Kat stayed with me, I don't like it when you leave me."
He thought back on that time, Caroline had never been an absent mother. She loved Lizzie with her whole heart but finding Josie had been important, there would be times were she would be gone, never for long, twelve to twenty four hours at a time but it seemed Lizzie remembered those moments. "I don't like it when we leave you either."
"How come families don't stay together?" Lizzie didn't say his name, but she remembered. She remembered that Uncle Damon sat with her and read books, she remembered playing on the jungle gym with him. Lizzie remembered that he was Uncle Stefan's brother and Lizzie knew she could never leave Josie, so why did Uncle Stefan leave Uncle Damon? Why didn't their family stay together then? If it was easy to leave Uncle Damon behind then was it easy for Uncle Stefan and Auntie Kat to leave her?
"Hey," He tilted her head so their eyes connected. "Just because we aren't here, it doesn't mean we aren't right here." He pointed to her heart. "Okay?"
"Okay. I love you, Uncle Stefan."
"I love you too, wild one." He kissed the top of her head, hugging her close.
Katherine hesitantly stepped into the room drawing both their attention. "I'm sorry, Lizzie."
Lizzie jumped up and went running across the floor throwing herself into Katherine's arms. "I'm sorry Auntie Kat. I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart."
"Stupid!" Davina threw the math book towards bedroom door, groaning when it slid out into the hall. Math had to be her least favorite subject, some of it made sense, the other part it felt as though they expected her to be a genius. At this rate she fully expected to fail any exam placed in front of her.
Throwing herself backwards on her bed, she sunk into the pillows. "School sucks."
"At one point in my life I loved school."
Davina's head flew up at the sound of the voice, eyes finding Kol who was leaning down to retrieve her book off the floor, his eyes skimming the page. She felt her stomach flutter with what she couldn't determine. Kol was here, alive, in the compound. His presence practically unavoidable but Davina didn't want to be subjected it. Honestly, she just wanted him to avoid her because when faced with him, her mind and heart were torn in two different directions. "Thanks." She mumbled briefly when shut the book and popped it at the end of her bed.
Kol glanced down at the cover of the book. "Math. If I remember correctly, it isn't your strong point." He tried not to read into it when Davina didn't answer him. It was very clear to him that if he wished to be friends with her then a lot of effort was going to need to come from his part. "What topic are you..."
Davina cut him off. "We don't need to do this. Just...you can leave Kol." To her own surprise there was no fury in her voice, just plain exhaustion.
Kol took a step back, feet shuffling slightly. He looked awkward which was unusual, he was used to oozing confidence. "Davina, I'm sorry..."
"Kol,"
"No, just hear me out. Okay? Five minutes."
Davina rolled her eyes, turning her head away from him. She couldn't look in his direction, to see that guilt and hurt, it would only make her wish she could forget what she was feeling, but knowing she didn't want to. "Two minutes."
Kol breathed relief when she agreed to hear him out. "I'm sorry for everything, and I understand that we cannot pick up where we left off, or if we ever will be able to." He thought back to Bonnie and Katherine's words. "I can't be your boyfriend now, you deserve better then what I did to you. I hurt you, and I have to live with the consequences of that." His eyes flickered around her room, landing on the cheerleading uniform that was hanging up. "This is a time for new adventures for you. I'm just hoping we can get to the point where we can be friends." He pretended not to notice the tear that was rolling down her cheek, knowing the last thing she would want is for him to attempt to comfort her. "I apologize for letting you down, Davina." He went to turn around.
"I don't know if we will ever be friends, Kol, you hurt me." Davina mumbled, wiping at the tears. Kol didn't deserve to have her crying over him, not anymore. "I love you."
It was evident the surprise in his eyes at those words. "I..."
"No listen. I love you. I'll probably always love you but it isn't an excuse to forgive what you did." She reached out to grab her book from the end of the bed. "I'm not implying it will always be this way, I just...it's all still fresh, Kol."
"I know." He whispered, voice sounding small and soft. "But I'm not giving up Davina, even if we are never together again. I want to be your friend."
"I should get back to this." Davina spoke, signaling an end to the conversation. She needed a moment to process, she couldn't that with him here.
Kol nodded, acknowledging that she needed space. "The answer is A, just so you know."
Davina raised her eyebrow at the back of him as he retreated out of her room. "Uh,"
He reached for her door knob, giving her soft smile. "Don't tell Nik." He shut the door behind him. He still wondered where is place was but the words that Katherine and Bonnie had spoken to him get making it into his mind. Maybe he could eventually hold a place as Davina's friend.
Bonnie stood at the foot of the girls beds watching them sleep soundly. She wasn't eager to leave them alone. Not after the day that Josie had gone through and the sadness that Lizzie was feeling. Both of them were still so fragile. Neither of them knew exactly why Stefan and Katherine parted from the family so often. They only knew it was about a secret mission.
They had attempted to keep them in the dark but it was clear now that Josie knew it was about a little bit more and Lizzie was suspecting that things were being hidden.
Bonnie knew that Caroline wished for the twins to remain ignorant to it but it was beginning to become increasingly apparent they could only continue to hide it for a little longer.
"There you are."
Bonnie startled slightly as Marcel's arms wrapped around her body. She didn't pull away or flinch, instead finding herself comforted by his touch. "I was just checking on the girls."
"You look like you saw a ghost. Everything okay?"
Bonnie smiled, but it failed to hold her usual strength. "I can't lose one of them. They are a big part of my life." For the first time in a long time, she found herself able to open up. Marcel was the first person she had allowed herself to fall for since Damon. The first person she found herself able to be honest with. It was different, and Bonnie found herself scared. Terrified of losing someone who she had grown to care about, to really like, scared that he would leave her the same way that Damon had.
"They are." Marcel agreed with her statement, watching her as she pulled herself out of his arms and made her way over to tuck both of them. Placing Lizzie's right leg back under the blankets and removing the arm that she had thrown over her eyes, kissing her softly on the head before moving over to Josie. Taking the stuffie off her face and tucking it back in under her arm then adjusting the blanket around her, kissing her softly on the cheek. Bonnie was a wonderful Auntie to the girls, and it had him wondering if she had ever thought of her own future. "You are a really great Aunt Bonnie, they are very lucky to have you." He wrapped his arms back around her once she came within his reach. "Do you think about it?"
"Think about what?"
Marcel looked down at the top of her head, steadying his own breathing, it was about to go one of two ways. "Kids?"
Bonnie bailed out of his arms like they burned her. "What?" She hissed, grabbing his hand and dragging him out into the hall.
Marcel wasn't surprised by at the reaction he received. His question was completely left field but seeing the look in her eyes whenever she spoke about the twins or the way she was so tender with them, it made him wonder. He was a vampire, but Bonnie had a whole future ahead of her. "Bonnie,"
Once they were a good distance away from the girls door, Bonnie dropped his hand and turned around to face him. "Where is this coming from? We haven't even discussed what we are, if we are anything..."
"Bonnie, I have feelings for you. You know that, and I know that you reciprocate them. We've been on a few dates, we enjoy each others company." Marcel really liked Bonnie, he saw the beauty in her, the sweet and fiercely protective nature. "It's an out there question, but one that is perfect before we label ourselves. I cannot give you that, so you need to think about what you want before we really start something."
Bonnie frowned, at the information just being thrown at her. They weren't a couple yet but Bonnie really liked him, this wasn't...they weren't in the right place for this conversation but yet he looked very serious as if this was a question he needed to be answered. "There is more then one way to create a family, Marcel. Being a vampire does not mean never having a family, it just means the finding the right pathway."
"That didn't answer my question."
Bonnie raised her eyebrow. "Are you certain you want the answer? This is a loaded question, one that once we talk about we can't take back."
"I want the answer."
"Then yes." Bonnie didn't hesitate to answer, although it was a painful reminder of the past. "I thought about having a family, and the man I thought would be beside me. Turns out fate had other ideas." It didn't surprise her when his facial expression changed to that of curiosity. They had yet to talk about past relationships but it appeared that this was going to be as good of a time as any.
"You were with someone?"
"Never officially. We never labelled it but we had it all, the chemistry, the love. He was the one I thought I would spend the rest of my life with, but it wasn't enough for him."
"You still love him." Marcel didn't know whether to be hurt by that, or whether he accepted it because he understood what it was like to love someone. He loved Rebekah, and he knew that a piece of him always would. The type of love he felt for her didn't erase, not even after all this time.
"I'll always love him." Bonnie wasn't shy about acknowledging that fact. "I'm just not in love with him." She reached out to grab Marcel's hand. "I think you know a thing or two about that, right?" She saw the understanding in his eyes. "It took a while for me to realize, I won't ever be to him what he is to me and I can't, I won't settle for being second prize so I let him go. I've moved on. I found you."
"Bonnie,"
"Does that answer your question?" A small nod from him. "Well, it is only fair you give me an answer. Is having kids something you would like in the future?"
Marcel blushed slightly, tugging her closer to him so that he could wrap his arms around her. "I have never considered it, I always thought being a vampire meant no future. No family to carry my name." He pushed some of her hair back from her face. "But with you? I think I would consider any path."
"Slow down, cowboy." Bonnie teased, searching his eyes. "What does this mean for us?"
Marcel smiled. "Bonnie Bennett, will you..."
Bonnie looked mortified. "Don't you dare."
"Be my girlfriend?" He finished, a cheeky smile appearing on his lips. "What did you think I was going to ask?"
Bonnie smacked him on the shoulder. "You," She whispered threateningly, but it died on her lips when he leaned down and pecked her lips lightly. "I'll consider it." She mumbled, lips pressed against his.
Marcel pulled back, a half assed offended look on his features. "Consider?"
"Payback." She planted a quick kiss on his lips. "I'll be your girlfriend. I just need to take things slow."
"Slow sounds perfect."
"Awe, so cute."
Bonnie and Marcel's heads whipped around to find Davina and Hope standing in the doorway of Davina's room, clearly they had been spying on the two of them.
Marcel rolled his eyes. "Sisters."
"Nieces." Bonnie muttered.
Davina giggled. "I told you. You'll be my sister in-law soon enough."
Marcel laughed at the look on Bonnie's face. "Get back in that room." Marcel told them, before he learned down and kissed Bonnie, this time a little more passion to it.
"Ewww!"
Marcel smirked against Bonnie's lips when he heard the girls voices and the door shut firmly. "If only we weren't babysitting." He listened to her giggle against his lips. Everything seemed just perfect right about now.
"I wish my mom was here." Caroline leaned against Klaus, staring down at the street from their advantage point on the roof, observing the nightlife that was New Orleans. With everything occurring inside, everything that their children had been through today, it didn't seem right to leave the compound. Instead settling for a quiet picnic date night on the roof of the house. Marcel and Bonnie looking after the children just below them, it meant they were close by if they were needed.
Letting her gaze wander over street, her eyes were attracted to the grandmother sitting on the outdoor bench with a little girl in her lap, they were sharing an ice-cream. It was an image she would never see with her own girls and their grandmother. They wouldn't get to experience the love from any grandparent.
Klaus's lips quirked, the image of the sheriff coming to mind. "Your mother hated me."
"She hated the old you." Caroline tilted her head, looking up at him. "I think she'd quite like this version.
"I'll have to take your word for it." He gently rubbed his fingertips up and down her arm. "Parents are not my strong suit. Mine have tried to kill me, numerous times."
"Like I could forget that." Caroline could not fathom how the minds of Esther and Mikael worked. How they could think of doing such a thing. Parents were supposed to love their children unconditionally, it was just part of bringing another life into the world. However, for some unknown reason that did not apply to the Mikaelson were the reason their children had become vampires, and they used that exact aspect as a reason to justify attempting to kill them.
She had seen Mikael's hatred, heard his words and seen the anger. What he felt for Nik was rooted deep, there was more to it but Caroline didn't want to pry into it yet, if there was anything she knew about Klaus it was that he needed time. When he was ready he would open up to her.
Klaus pulled her closer to him, adjusting the blanket thrown over their legs. "Would you believe me if I said I was saddened by your mothers passing?"
Caroline raised her eyebrow, unsure if she should laugh at that or not. "Nik,"
"Fair point, I didn't care to much before I was buried but now, I'm sorry that she isn't here to see this, who you have become."
"I'd like to think she'd be proud of me, all I have achieved, the family I have built."
Klaus placed a kiss on her temple. "Of course she would be proud of you. You are an amazing woman. She probably wouldn't be thrilled about your choice in a life long partner."
Caroline reached for her glass of wine. "I think she'd be just fine with who I chose." A smile appeared on her lips. "All those letters you sent when you first moved to New Orleans, she tried to hide them. Didn't want you trying to influence me into leaving."
The corner of Klaus's lips quirked. "Couldn't have influenced you if I tried, love."
"You gave it your best shot. All those promises to show me the world through your eyes, the best experiences life has to offer." Caroline reached for the bowl of strawberries. "Promises you intend to keep, correct?"
That brought a chuckle from him. "Oh yes, indeed I do. When our girls are grown, I intend to show you the world, every inch of this Earth and what it has to offer."
Caroline popped the strawberry into her mouth, eyes twinkling with delight. "When they are grown? Oh, please tell me there will be vacations in-between, both with and without the children. I love New Orleans already but there is more to see."
"Of course, anywhere you wish to go." He stole the next strawberry from her fingers, watching her nose twitch.
"Disneyland? You'd look adorable in a pair of mickey mouse ears." She couldn't help but laugh when he just about choked on the strawberry. "What? That idea doesn't appeal to you?"
"Not in the slightest." He took a sip of his whiskey. "Unless, I can hire the entire park out for a day."
Caroline rolled her eyes. "Always have to take it one step further, don't you?" She placed her glass, along with the strawberries to the side, pushing Klaus to lay down on the blanket so that she could lie down with him and stare upwards at the stars. "And after we see the world, when there is nothing new left to do. What then?"
"There is always a new adventure waiting, my love." He ran his fingertips soothingly through her hair. "Any big dreams in mind? Things you wish to accomplish."
Caroline let her eyes wander over the pattern of the stairs. "I had a dream once then I became a vampire, went through a lot of crazy experiences, got magically impregnated, went through some traumatic experiences and eventually wound up here where there is so much still to endure."
"Where do you see yourself after here?"
Caroline smiled. "I'm never leaving here, not without you. But maybe," Her voice trailed off, unsure if she should voice the thought she'd had a year ago. The one that she buried in the back of her mind because it didn't seem nearly as important in comparison to everything she had going on. Besides with a whole future ahead of her she always thought she would get there one day.
"Sweetheart, what is it?" Klaus tilted his head, to look at her, watching her do the same so their eyes connected. "You know you can share anything with me."
Caroline's eyes connected with his, she saw the honesty. Those eyes held all the comfort she needed, all worries ceased when he looked at her as he did now. "One day, in the distant future. I hope to build a school, for all children that our gifted like ours. A safe environment where they don't need to shield who they are."
"What brough this on?" It should have shocked him, but the kind of person Caroline is, is the type that would explore the possibilities of something just like this. It wasn't something he would have thought of it, but he knew the moment he had fallen for her, he'd do anything. If that meant building her a school then he'd do just that.
"I'd thought about it before, but it was something Hope said." That intrigued him, she could see it. "How she didn't think she could go to school because she has magic. Her circumstances are different, as it was Elijah inflicting this upon her. But it just got me thinking, how many kids out there don't get an education because of who they are?"
"So in ten, twenty, thirty years, you want me to build you a school?"
Caroline's eyebrows shot up, surprised at how easily he took her dream and just rolled with it. "You build it with your bare hands?"
Klaus chuckled, leaning in to peck her on the lips. "That is a dream that will remain a fantasy. I will however hire the best contractors in this world."
"Nik,"
"Caroline," He interrupted her. "We have eternity in front of us. Every dream you ever have, I'll try to make possible."
"Space travel?"
"I'm sure I can find someone to build us a rocket." He kissed her again. "Anything for you."
Caroline ran her fingertips across his cheek. "And what of your dreams?"
"This is my dream. You are my dream."
Damon looked down at his cell phone, Caroline's contact right on the screen, his hand hovering over the call button. It had been so long since he had spoken to her, would she answer his call? Surely she would. There was only one reason he would call her, well two reasons he amended.
"Damon,"
Damon locked his phone and quickly shoved it into his pocket, turning around with quick precision, a fake smile plastered on his face but pure disgust rotting him from the inside. "Alaric."
What did you think?
I apologize for being gone for so long, a lot has been happening in life.
I do hope you enjoyed this chapter. I started it not long after I posted the last chapter but it's really only been the last week that I have sat down and really poured some time into it. An insane amount of words later it's done.
Did it meet your expectations? I hope so.
Much Love. x
