Chapter 36: Babies & Other Business

Lake Lugano Switzerland: Mikaelson Casa Signorile

[Damon's POV]

Elijah's place is huge, even for my standards. The Greco-Roman style mansion is cut out of the mountain and uses the native rock for the exterior walls. It has a magnificent view of the lake below. We are spending a lot of time in or near the indoor pool. The water relieves some of the weight pressure Bella and Angela feel from the babies. Bella is due at any moment. I keep a close eye on her, but far enough away that she doesn't pop me for hovering. I laugh. Nik and Elijah are keeping an eye on their mates Caroline and Angela also.

Finn, Sarah, Sage, Elżbieta, Caroline and Enzo are playing water volleyball at the far end of the pool. They are taking into account that Sarah isn't up to their speeds.

"Nik when the girls are napping after lunch, we need to discuss a few things." Finn looks up at me to remind me that Enzo and Elijah want to be in our discussion also. I nod back to him. I pull out my phone and dial Stefan's number; "Hello, Stefan."

"Damon, it's late. What do you want?"

"Heads up the family will be back in Mystic Falls late tomorrow afternoon, air out rooms for us. Tell Elena hello." I hear Stefan groan in aggravation as I hang up. I love tormenting my brother. Making him do a few chores is a little payback for the shit he put me through over the years. The family still makes him nervous and Elena will have the opportunity to torment him for me, win-win.

Lafourche Parish: Southeast of Thibodaux LA

[Pete's POV]

It is close to sundown. We are definitely going to have bad weather, there is a green tint to the entire area that we are in and it's not just the green overgrowth that we are wading through. Tornados are a definite possibility. We need to get our asses out of here as soon as possible. Charlotte is walking in front of me. She is leading the way to where the Dark shard is located. I feel the small hairs on the back of my neck rise the closer we get to the damned thing.

"Charlotte, we are close enough." She nods. I motion for everyone to stop at this point. We are still on dry land. Freya, Jacob, Bonnie, Henrik, Amara and Silas quickly set up a casting circle. Jasper, Charlotte, Kol, Rebekah, Charlie and I are standing guard outside the circle an added protection for the Witch's magic. The amulet around my neck is warming up. The wind starts to howl through the trees. Leaves and small branches are falling. Lightning strikes a tree nearby. It startles everyone. "Let's get this done and we're out of here." Everyone nods back at me.

I feel the Leylock energy flow from me, and feel our combined magic joins with the other types of channeled magic as it surrounds the Dark shard. Its power diminishes to a faint level of detection. Charlotte asks us to channel our Leylock energy to help lessen the wind forces of Hurricane Karla. I feel the energy calming the force of the storm. It's time for us to get out of here. "We need to port to the Boarding House now!" I wait a minute to make sure everyone ported. I feel the winds pick up and see a tree being uprooted about a hundred yards from me. I port.

Salvatore Boarding House

[Charlotte's POV]

Pete ports in behind me. I turn around and pop him hard on the arm. "You could have been hurt waiting that long." He infuriates me taking chances.

He pulls me into a hug, before I can pop him again. "Love you can't get rid of me that easily."

"You are sleeping on the couch tonight. You are not invincible."

He kisses me on the head and goes to get some sheets and blankets out of the closet. He knows to take me seriously.

Lake Lugano Switzerland: Casa Signorile Del Mikaelson

[Sage's POV]

We are using the enormous hot tub as a birthing pool for Bella and the babies. Twin one's head is crowning. I gently hand the baby over to Angela. I prepare for the next one. She exits crying loudly. "Congratulations Bella, two healthy girls." I finish the process and help Bella out of the pool. I pull out a warm soft white robe for her to wear and gently support her as we take all three to her and Damon's suite. Once the babies are taken care of she will want to nurse. Bella looks at me, "Our first girl is Marie Lillian, and the second one Charlene Renée."

I laugh. "Charlotte will be pleased." Bella nods back. "Wonder who won that bet?"

"That's easy Charlotte did," she responds.

[Elijah's POV]

As we arrive at the landing strip at the airport; Bernadette one of my Paris aides is standing by the ramp to one of the family's private jets holding a brief case. She spots me and walks forward. She is distracted when Damon helps Bella out of the limo. She recovers quickly and hands me a briefcase. I didn't request anything from her and my business associates always contact me via email. My eyes narrow with suspicion, "What are you doing here?"

She smiles, "Aya sent some files for you. There are problems in New Orleans that require your family's immediate attention."

My first instinct is to take out the threat. Aya Al-Rashid is stepping out of line and her messenger might feel my wrath shortly. She is looking past me to watch my family as they exit the limo walking towards us to board the plane. Sage is carrying little Marie in her car seat. Caroline is holding Charlene while Enzo is carrying her car seat. Angela is distracted talking with Sarah.

Bernadette is paying too much attention to our newest additions. Damon has his arms wrapped around Bella. "Damon, I didn't know you are slumming these days with a little human." She comments. I watch as Damon glances up to see her and his face transforms into vampire mode. Damon is going for the kill. Before he can react Nik has Bernadette by the throat against the planes entry ramp. He compels her: "You delivered a briefcase to Elijah, you only saw him with me. That is all you remember."

"I only saw you with Elijah." She blinks. Finn walks over and looks in her eyes. "Return to Paris; you completed your task." I hear the Leylock command in his voice also. I quickly glance around to see if anyone notices our exchange with her. All of the members of the ground crew are busy checking over the jet in preparation for takeoff. The plane's crew is inside prepping for takeoff.

Damon nods to me leading Bella up the ramp and into the plane. He allows Bella to enter ahead of him. He looks me in the eye and states: "I am worried that more vampires from our past will notice our family has expanded and want to manipulate that to their advantage."

"I agree with what you are saying. We need to develop strategies to deal with other supernaturals from our past." He nods to me and enters the plane. I wonder what Aya hopes to gain from this little encounter she planned. I don't think she will like my reaction.

All of us except Niklaus and I will exit the plane; when it lands to refuel in Madrid. The rest of the family will port from a private lounge in the airport to the Salvatore Boarding house. This way when the plane lands in Raleigh it will confirm what Bernadette reported to Aya.

[Sage's POV]

We have to keep up 'human' appearances, hence the jet. The charade of appearing human is entrenched within the family. We have new small additions and soon to be another in our family. Angela is due any day now. Our children will need a high level of protection until they reach the point that they can protect themselves. Our children will always have our protection; it will just be easier when they can protect themselves.

Thank the goddess that Angela, Bella and her children are Leylocks. We are able to fly from Italy to Madrid with day old infants. I am going to have an old friend visit Bernadette: she will not ever be a problem for my sister Bella or the babies. I'm sure we will have a family meeting when we convene in Mystic Falls.

New Orleans French Quarter

[Aya Al-Rashid's POV]

I drive to the old wooden church where the Strix witch coven has set up their magical pool. I need them to scry on Elijah and the rest of the Mikaelson family. Something is not adding up. Bernadette called; she handed the briefcase to Elijah and the only person to board the plane with him was Niklaus. I enter the channeling room.

Damn it to hell: all I see are thirteen dead witches floating in the pool.

[Marcel's POV]

Davina convinces me that she wants to join the witch covens to complete the Harvest ceremony. She will sacrifice herself to save all of us. I escort her to the ceremony site. I will keep watch. I really hope Davina survives.

I take in a deep breath. Thank god, all four girls rise from the ceremony. In the downpour, I make my way back to St. Anne's church. I need to talk to someone. The weatherman announces that Karla has been downgraded to a category two hurricane and the eye of the storm is veering off towards Mississippi and will come ashore there. I sigh in relief. We still need to prepare for tornadoes and flooding from the storm.

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A/N: Added scene with Damon's reaction to his babies in What Damon Would Do-Alternative Views - Mel