Chapter 6
Damon walked into the grill, holding Ottilie's tiny hand firmly in his. Stefan was in front of them and made his way straight to the table where Elena sat with Caroline, Matt, Tyler and Bonnie. 'Hey you!' he said, kissing Elena on the cheek. He sat next to her and beckoned at Damon to come to the table. 'Damon and I have someone we'd like you all to meet. I know she's already met Elena and Caroline,' At this, Elena looked up sharply. 'Everyone, meet Ottilie. She's staying with Damon and I at the boarding house.' Ottilie looked up at them all and was reassured by Caroline's friendly smile and the interested but kind looks that the others gave her. Well, except for Elena, of course, who was staring at Stefan with something that looked like betrayal in her eyes. 'When did Caroline meet her?' she asked. Caroline bent down to pick Ottilie up and place her on the seat next to her. 'Well, we went on a shopping trip, didn't we, Otti? She has the best taste I've ever seen from a little girl.' She said kindly. Ottilie smiled shyly and sat as close to Caroline as she could. Damon took the seat next to her. 'So you met her before I did?' asked Elena. Caroline shrugged.
'I guess so? Ottilie needed clothes, didn't you sweetheart?' She smiled down at the little girl next to her. Sensing some tension, Damon announced that he was going to order some food and drinks. 'Anyone want anything?' he asked. He went to place the order and came back with a large glass of bourbon for himself, and a glass of lemonade for Ottilie.
'So, Ottilie,' said Bonnie, 'how did you meet Stefan and Damon?' The little girl liked Bonnie. She had an air of goodness about her, as if she were well-meaning. Ottilie answered quietly, 'Mr Damon found me in the woods and asked if I wanted to live with him, as my last place wasn't very nice.' Bonnie smiled at her and placed her hand on top of Ottilie's. They both gasped as a sudden shock went through them. Bonnie, pulling herself together, quickly reassured Ottilie with a gentle smile. Their food arrived and the small girl was soon tucking into a large bowl of pasta. Damon smiled down at her, pleased that she was eating so well. He hoped that she'd soon put on a bit of weight so that she wouldn't look so frail and thin.
Just as they were finishing, a group of people walked into the grill. 'Well, if it isn't our favourite mismatch of vampires, humans and werewolves…' came a teasing voice with a strange accent. Damon quickly silenced him with a look, having noticed Ottilie's confused face. 'He's such a joker,' whispered Stefan to her.
'Hello, darling!' said the man, now noticing the small child sitting with them. 'Who would you be?' Damon introduced her quickly.
'I'm Kol,' said the man. 'And you are the sweetest little thing I've ever seen.' He teased her gently and she smiled up at him. 'These are my brothers, Klaus and Elijah. And my sister, Rebekkah.' Ottilie waved shyly at them. They joined the group at the table. Ottilie studied them carefully. 'Kol is fun,' she thought, 'Elijah is very serious, but I think very loyal. Rebekkah seems very kind, and Klaus, he seems a bit sad.' Klaus noticed her staring at him. 'You know, it's not polite to stare,' he whispered. She looked down at the table, suddenly nervous. 'I'm sorry, Sir.' She stammered. Klaus' face broke into a big smile.
'Sir?' he joked, 'I like this one! Cheer up, love. I'm not cross with you. What were you thinking?' She looked back at him, as if checking that he wasn't indeed cross with her.
'I was thinking that you look sad, Mr Klaus' she said, gently. His smile faded slightly, and he took her hands in his. 'I was a little,' he said quietly. 'But then I met you, and I think we will be friends. And that makes me happy.' She smiled at him, and he knew instantly that she was precious, and to be protected at all costs. 'So, Miss Ottilie,' said Elijah. 'Tell us about yourself?' She shrugged.
'There's not much to tell, Sir. I don't know much about me except that I used to live with a family near the woods. And I ran away and now I live with Damon and Stefan.' He smiled at her kindly. 'I'm sure they will look after you well.' He said.
The afternoon passed without incident and the large group of friends all chatted happily, their feuds and quarrels long forgotten. Ottilie climbed onto Damon's knee and snuggled into him. Before long, he noticed that she was fast asleep on him. He was pleased that she felt safe and relaxed enough to let her guard down and sleep. He stood up, gently holding Ottilie so as not to wake her. 'I think I should get the little lady home,' he said. The others said their goodbyes, and Elijah and Klaus accompanied him to the door. 'She's special, that one' said Klaus, gently. 'I can tell.' Damon nodded.
'You don't have to tell me,' he said. 'I can't understand why I feel this connection to her, but I do, and I want to protect her at all costs.' Elijah ruffled her hair gently without waking her. 'I'm looking forward to getting to know Miss Ottilie, You will let us all be a part of her life, won't you?' Damon agreed readily.
'I can't think of anyone better equipped to protect her than the Mikaelsons and the Salvatores' he joked. With that, he sped off back to the mansion, and put Ottilie in her little room, and placed a gentle kiss on her head. 'Sleep well, little lady.' he whispered.