Chapter 20- All I See Is You.
Josie hesitated for a few seconds before she put the key in the ignition and turned it, causing the car to purr into life. She looked over at Hope briefly and sighed, before she trained her eyes onto the road and pulled the car out from its spot. The car jutted down the highway for about ten minutes before Josie huffed and reached for her phone. She connected the AUX cable with ease and scrolled through her playlist, rightly named Hope, until she found the song she was looking for.
The car swerved slightly as Josie became excited.
"Jesus, Josie! Pay attention to the road and not your phone! I don't want to explain to your dad why you became a heretic!" Hope exaggerated dramatically.
"I am perfectly capable of multi-tasking, thank you very much. And I want you to listen to this song. Like really listen to it."
"Whatever. It'll be your funeral." Hope shrugged. She hated being this way with Josie, but she just didn't know what to say to her.
Hope was lost in her thoughts that she hadn't heard the song Josie was playing. Josie tried talking to her, but she didn't reply. Josie was pissed off again, she forcefully veered the car off the highway onto a dirt road and slammed the brakes. Keelin came flying off the backseat and fell into the footwell. Hope's hands landed on the dashboard to steady herself.
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR?!" Hope yelled as she turned to face Josie.
"BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN THE GREAT HOPE MIKAELSON DOESN'T LISTEN TO ANYBODY BUT HERSELF!" Josie spat. "I was trying to talk to you. I wanted you to understand why I've been acting off but you're so far up your own ass, that you didn't hear a word that I said to you." Josie huffed as she unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car. She opened a door to the backseats and tried to pull Keelin back up, but she struggled. "Are you going to help? Or are you just going to sit there like a moron?"
"Why should I help? this is your fault." Hope replied. Josie stared at her. Hope finally relented and got out the car. She made her way to the other door and pulled Keelin back onto the backseat in one quick motion.
"This isn't wasn't entirely my fault Hope, and you know it!" Josie retorted.
"YES JOSIE! THIS IS MY FAULT! ALL OF THIS IS MY FAULT! I SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN BORN! I'M A TRIBRID FOR FUCK SAKE! THAT ISN'T NATURAL! I WAS BORN TO END MALIVORE, THAT IS MY ONE PURPOSE IN LIFE APPARENTLY! I TRIED TO DO THAT, BUT I FUCKED THAT UP TOO. IF I HADN'T JUMPED INTO THE PIT THEN YOU WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO GIVE EVERYONE THEIR MEMORIES BACK AND ALYSSA WOULD STILL BE A BITCH AND BUT KAI WOULD STILL BE TRAPPED IN THE PRISON WORLD, INSTEAD OF RUNNING AROUND KINAPPING PEOPLE! AND HE WOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN YOU AND YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN SAFE… You would have been safe, without me." Hope couldn't stop the tears from falling. Hope heaved as she slammed the car door shut, turning her back and slid down the car, her knees bent up to her chest and she buried her face in her hands, crying heavily and uncontrollably.
Josie stood there, motionless and unable to speak, unable to process what Hope had just said. After a few minutes of stunned silence, Josie finally moved. She joined Hope on the floor, next to the car and pulled Hope's into her lap. "Baby, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it. This is not your fault. None of it is. I'd just been through a really traumatic experience which wasn't the first time and it probably won't be the last time either. And I just needed time to deal with it my way. When by bio-mom buried me alive, the first thing I did, after a shower, was have sex with Penelope. It's how I cope. Granted, I should probably learn better coping techniques, but they work for me… But I shouldn't have said it was your fault. It was stupid and I was angry. Baby, I know you, okay? You are the best person I know, and I wouldn't wish for anything different. You mean so much to me. I've always felt safe around you. Even when you hid yourself away… just knowing that you were there made me feel safe. I love you so much baby. I never want to leave you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You mean everything to me. I just wish we would both could speak to each other honestly. It's something we can learn together. I love you Hope, with all my heart." Josie draped her left arm over Hope's stomach as her right hand stroked her girlfriend's hair.
They sat like this for about an hour, neither of them speaking. Hope managed to calm her tears and regain a normal breathing pattern. Hope pushed herself up and rested her head on her girlfriend's shoulder, she wrapped her arm around the brunette's waist. "I love you too, you know. I'm sorry that I didn't listen to you. I'm sorry that I couldn't hear what you were trying to tell me. I'm sorry that I couldn't see your pain. You will always have my heart, now and forever."
Hope brought her hand up from Josie's waist and used it to turn her girlfriend's face towards her own. Hope placed a chaste kiss on the brunette's lips. "Hmm, salty." Josie laughed.
Hope playfully punched the younger girl's shoulder. "Why did you have to ruin a perfect moment with that?"
"I'm sorry baby. I didn't mean to; I just couldn't help it." Josie smiled.
"Will you play me that song again?" Hope asked.
"Sure. Let me just get my phone." Josie stood up and wiped the dirt from her ass and onto Hope's lap as she stepped over her. Hope's hands immediately grabbed Josie's slender legs, knocking her knees from under her and pulled her down onto her lap. "Argh! HOPE!"
"I changed my mind…" Hope smirked as crashed her lips into the brunette's. It was frantic and passionate. Still intertwined, Hope leaned forward and lowered Josie to the floor, climbing on top of her, grinding her hips in-between the brunette's legs. Her hands wandered across the younger girl's body.
"Babe. As much as I want this… I don't want our first time to be in the middle of nowhere, on a dirt road, with your aunt, magically unconscious in the back of a car, less than two feet away." Josie moaned.
"I don't have the best timing, do I?" Hope laughed.
"It could be a little better." Josie smiled as she propped herself up onto her elbows, causing Hope to shuffle back onto her knees. "Get my phone."
"Get it yourself." Hope smirked.
"Hmm, well you kinda have me pinned down right now."
"Ugh, fine." Hope groaned as she pushed herself up, turned around and walked the short distance to the car, taking her time to try and gracefully bend over the seat to pick up the phone. It didn't work out very well though, considering Hope's small stature and the size of the Land Rover. She huffed as she turned around and gently threw the phone to its owner.
"Thanks babe. That was… something else." Josie laughed. "Definitely special. You'll have to do it again some time."
"Oh shut up." Hope frowned, but it didn't last long before Josie's laugh infected her too.
"Come and lie here with me?" Josie smiled as she stretched her arms out towards Hope. Hope smiled as she gladly joined her girlfriend on the floor. Hope laid her head on Josie's shoulder and draped her arm around the brunette's waist.
Josie unlocked her phone and saw that she had 2 missed calls from Caroline, 2 from Alaric and 5 from Lizzie. Josie groaned. She quickly typed out a generic text to the three of them.
Josie: Me and Hope needed to talk. Keelin is fine, still passed out. Will be back in about 30 mins x
Lizzie: Ew. Gross. Just keep it in your pants.
Caroline: Okay sweetie. Hope you work everything out, see you soon x
Alaric didn't bother replying.
"Are you going to play me that song now?" Hope smiled.
"Only if you promise that you will actually listen to it this time." Josie replied.
"I promise baby." Hope placed a simple kiss on the brunette's neck. Causing a shiver down the younger girl's spine.
Josie scrolled through her playlist and found the song again. She turned the volume all the way up and placed her phone on her chest as she interlocked her fingers with Hope's.
When I look into your face, there's no more dreaming.
When I look into your eyes, there's no more words.
Butterflies, long drives and sunset evenings,
Basically you could knock me off the ea-aa-aa-arth.
Got a laugh I could catch, and a smile that,
Could take over my brain in fact it has.
Miss you when you're gone, and time drags on,
Who knew people could fall so fast?
'Cause there's nowhere else I'd rather be,
No-one else I'd rather see.
Controlling every part of me,
I love skipping a beat every time you speak.
And no-one ever made me feel this way,
That's why I wanna tell you every day.
When I look into your face, there's no more dreaming.
When I look into your eyes, there's no more words.
Butterflies, long drives and sunset evenings,
Basically you could knock me off the ea-aa-aa-arth.
Got a body to die for, eyes that I smile for.
Realised you were special the first night that I saw you,
And you grabbed me, that's when you had me.
Now you've got me anytime and I'll make you happy.
Let's go places no-one goes,
tell me things no-one knows.
I look at you just the way you like,
So you'll know what you'll do with me tonight.
And no-one ever made me feel this way,
That's why I wanna tell you every day.
When I look into your face, there's no more dreaming.
When I look into your eyes, there's no more words.
Butterflies, long drives and sunset evenings,
Basically you could knock me off the ea-aa-aa-arth.
And I must conclude, all I see is you.
I'm done being old me and breaking all the rules.
Feel you could take me, show me who.
I could be me, just be me with you.
I want you to know all the good and bad,
'cause you accept that makes me who I am.
And no-one's ever made me feel this way,
That's why I wanna tell you every day.
Butterflies, long drives and sunset evenings,
Basically you could knock me off the ea-aa-aa-arth.
When I look into your face, there's no more dreaming.
When I look into your eyes, there's no more words.
Butterflies, long drives and sunset evenings,
Basically you could knock me off the ea-aa-aa-arth.
Butterflies, long drives and sunset evenings,
Basically you could knock me off the ea-aa-aa-arth.
"Oh baby. That is… so sweet and lovely. I love you so much. I now realise why you got so pissed off. I wish I listened to it the first time." Hope spoke softly as she buried her face deeper into Josie's neck, pulling her closer at the waist.
"I love you too Hope. And I'm sorry I got pissed off, I need to work on it." Josie softly grazed her hand down her girlfriend's back. The two girls were content with each other right now that neither of them wanted to move. Finally Josie sighed. "Baby. We should probably be getting back to the school now."
"I know. But I don't really want to. I just want to stay here with you." Hope groaned.
"We will have plenty of time to do this later. But if we don't get back soon, I reckon your Aunt Freya and my Mom will send out a search party for us." Josie laughed as she gently pushed Hope off from her body. Immediately regretting it as she is filled with the cold breeze and the lack of body heat no longer at her side. She sighed as she sat up. She rested for a few seconds before she stood up, holding out a hand for Hope.
Hope reluctantly took the offered hand and stood up. She pulled Josie into another hug and kissed her. She dropped her head from Josie's lips and rested it on her shoulder again. After a few seconds, she pulled away. "Okay, I'm ready… Well I'm not, but we can't stay here any longer. I love you."
"When we get back and we sort everything out, we will find some time for ourselves, I promise. I love you too." Josie replied as she separated from Hope and moved back around to the driver's seat and climbed in. Hope was already sat in her seat, waiting for her.
Once Josie settled into her seat, she reached over and squeezed Hope's hand slightly before she turned back to the keys in the ignition and restarted their journey back to the school. They both seemed happier now. Gentle music flowed through the car but neither of them spoke.
Alaric, Caroline, Lizzie and Stephanie made it back to the school in one piece. Caroline had stuffed Kai's desiccated body in the trunk of the car, and they drove back to the school in relative silence. Caroline told Stephanie to call her mom to meet them at the school. Once back at the school, Caroline made sure everyone was safely inside before she called Bonnie out to the car.
"Hey Bonnie. Thanks for agreeing to this."
"It's okay, Caroline. I'm sorry that I didn't kill the bastard when I had the chance the first time. I'm sorry it came to this."
"It's fine. He's dead now. That's all that matters."
"Yeah. So what exactly is the plan?"
"I was thinking that we could burn his body in the furnace. Or we could send his body back into the prison world and destroy the Ascendent."
"We'll send him back to the prison world and destroy the Ascendent. We'll scatter pieces of it across the world. So no one can put it back together."
"Sounds good. What shall we do with him until tonight?"
"Let's do for a drive."
Caroline let Bonnie drive the car over to the old Fell Church. Caroline realised where they were going as soon as they left the school. Bonnie and Caroline didn't want to vocalise what they were doing because you never know who is listening.
Caroline took Kai's body from the trunk and dragged it down to the tomb. She stopped just at the boundary. She pulled Kai's body up to standing and pushed it across the threshold.
"Will you be able to get the boundary down tonight?" Caroline asked.
"Yes. But I might need the twin's help to send him into the Prison World and destroy it though." Bonnie replied.
"Okay. I will let them know." The two best friends covered up the tomb and headed back to the car. "Elena should be at the school by now. It would be really good to see her again. I've missed both of you so much." Caroline stated as they climbed into the car.
Once they arrived back at the school, they saw Elena and Damon were fussing over their daughter.
"Thank you so much Caroline. I'm glad Stephanie is back home safe and thank you for healing her." Elena said as she pulled her best friend into a hug.
"It's okay. I know you would have done it if the roles were reversed." Caroline smiled. "Why don't the three of you stay for Lunch? I'm sure Lizzie and Josie would love to see you."
"Yeah, that sounds lovely." Elena replied.
It took Josie and Hope fifteen minutes to get back to the school. It was around 2pm when they arrived. Freya and Caroline were waiting outside the main doors for them. Hope had sent a quick text to Freya asking her to meet them outside so they could take Keelin back in.
The two older women helped Hope unload Keelin from the car and they took her inside to Alaric's office. Josie greeted her mom with a hug before she slipped out of the office to go and find Lizzie and Stephanie and told Hope that she would come and find her later. Hope smiled at her before she turned her attention back to Freya and Keelin.
They placed Keelin on the sofa and watched as Freya got to work, trying to figure out why her wife hadn't woken up yet. After about an hour of trying different spells, Keelin finally woke up. She was disorientated and couldn't figure out how she got back to the school. Everything seemed fine. Keelin obviously had a lot of questions. But they were all explained by Hope. Keelin pulled her niece into a hug and thanked her.
"We should go and get some food. I'm starving." Keelin stated.
"Why don't we go to the Grill? Get off the campus before we head to the airport? I'm feeling a little cooped up in here." Freya laughed.
"Sounds good to me." Hope replied. "I just need to talk to Alaric real quick, then I'll get Davina and we will head out." Hope stood up and headed off to find Alaric.
Alaric was down in the transition cellars with Dorian. "Hey Dr. S. Can I have a quick word?" Hope asked as she walked down the stairs.
"Sure Hope. Is everything okay?" Alaric replied.
"Yeah, everything is fine now. I think. I just wanted to know if it's possible if I can stay at the house for a little while longer? As much as I'm happy that everyone now remembers who I am, I just think I need some space still. After everything that has happened over the past few days, I think people are going to need time to adjust." Hope responded.
"Erm yeah, that should be fine. I'll be resuming my post as Headmaster anyway, so you'll have the place to yourself. But I only have one condition. You will need to come here 3 times a week to speak with Emma. And if you want, I can get the teachers to set you some assignments to do as well."
"Thank you, Dr. S. I will come back to the school full-time, but at the minute I think it's best if I kept my distance." Hope smiled.
"That's fine. Just stay safe. Where are you off to now?"
"Just heading out for something to eat with my Aunts. I think now that the school is safe, they are probably going to head home as well. And I need to get changed. I've been in the same clothes for the past two days. So I will see you on Friday."
"Okay, that's fine. Let me know if you need anything."
"I will do. Bye Dr. S."
"Goodbye Hope. Say thank you to your aunts for me?" Alaric smiled.
Hope nodded then quickly turned on her heels and headed back upstairs to find Davina. On her way Hope sent Josie a text.
Hope: Hey Baby. Just to let you know, I'm going out for something to eat with my aunts before they head back to NOLA. Then I'm going back to the house. Need a shower and some fresh clothes. When you get done with your family, you're more than welcome to come over :) xxx
Josie: Okay baby. Have a good time. Sure I'll come by later ;) I'll text you when I'm on my way. I love you xxx
Hope: I love you too 3 xxx
The four women arrive at the Grill and find a table. It didn't take long for the waiter to come over and they placed their orders. Once he had left, they started talking.
"So what are you going to do now Hope?" Freya asked.
"I don't know. Alaric said that I can go back to the school. But I'm not sure." Hope replied.
"Don't you want to go back to school?" Davina asked.
"I do. But I also like it at Mystic Falls High. I made a friend there. She's lovely and she didn't judge me. Granted she doesn't really know me, but it was refreshing."
"But what about your friends at Salvatore? What about Josie?" Keelin asked.
"I never really had any friends when I was there. Josie's lovely and I don't think it would bother her too much where I went to school. But I think… at least for the next few days, I'm still going to stay at Caroline's house, where I've been staying since I got back. Alaric is returning to Salvatore as Headmaster. And he said that I could stay at the house for as long as I need to. As a condition to living in the house he said that I have to come in and speak with Emma 3 times a week and he's going to get some of the teacher to set me some assignments. And me and Josie worked everything out. We all good now." Hope replied.
I'm glad you worked everything out. Believe it or not, I was actually waiting for you to bring it up. I heard everything that you said to her. Hope, I want you to know that you are not a mistake. You are loved. Especially by everyone sat here. If you ever feel lost, just pick up the phone and call one of us. Please." Keelin replied, reaching her hand across the table to squeeze Hope's.
"Yes Hope. You are loved. We wouldn't be here without you, none of us would. Without you, I wouldn't have come back to try and kill you, I wouldn't have met Keelin without you. And Davina probably wouldn't have met Kol either. So for better or worse, you're stuck with us. And we love you, no matter what. I'm sure Rebekah would have a few choice words for you as well, if she was here. And she will probably try and kill me when she finds out what happened… Well at least you have a plan. Are you going to be okay once we leave? We can stay longer if you need us too." Freya asked.
"Thank you. All of you. I love you all. Always and Forever right? Yes, I'm sure. You need to get back to Nik anyways. I'm sure he's driving Kol crazy by now." Hope laughed.
"Always and forever." The other three replied.
"Ah, I'm sure he's fine. Plus it will be good practice for him." Davina laughed.
"WHAT?!" The other three girls exclaimed in unison.
"It's nothing like that…" Davina laughed. "Before I came out here, we were looking into adoption. We weren't sure if we wanted to go the human route or the supernatural route. So you never know. You might have another niece or nephew or cousin soon." Davina smiled.
"Why didn't you tell us before?" Hope asked.
"Well we never really had the time to talk, especially with everything that had been going on. But I will definitely let you know when it happens." Davina smiled.
They continued to chat long after they had eaten their food. It was around 6pm when they left the Grill. Freya drove Hope over to the house and dropped her off before the rest of them headed to the airport. Hope agreed to phone them once a week and promised to keep them updated about Josie. Hope stood on the drive and waved goodbye to her aunts.
Once the car disappeared out of sight, Hope turned towards the house and unlocked the door. She stepped inside and let the door close behind her. Hope walked over to Alaric's alcohol cupboard and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. She got a glass tumbler out of the cupboard and poured herself a drink. She knocked it back in one shot then refilled her glass, taking them both over to the coffee table and dropped herself onto the sofa.
Hope sighed as she stretched her feet out onto the sofa and switched the TV on. She found a boring TV channel and let it play in the background as she decided to call Maya.
Hope and Maya's phone call:
Maya: Hey there stranger! How are you doing?
Hope: Hey! Sorry I've been MIA. It's just been a crazy couple of days.
Maya: Wanna talk about it?
Hope: Prepare for a whirlwind because you won't believe it.
Maya: Try me.
Hope: So it all started on Monday. I went to see Josie at school, she wanted to give me a tour. When we were walking around, my ex-boyfriend showed up out of nowhere and just kissed me! It was kinda my fault though, I ghosted him for like 3 months, but I definitely wasn't expecting him to show up at the school. Anyway, Josie saw that he kissed me, and she freaked out and ran off only to end up getting kidnapped by her sociopathic uncle. We managed to get her back safely, but it's just been crazy. I haven't slept properly, and I haven't changed my clothes in three days. My aunts decided to pay me a visit as well. This is the first time since Sunday that I have been alone.
Maya: Shit, man. That is fucked up. I'm glad that you are all okay. And I'm glad that Josie is safe as well. But I'm kinda diggin' the fact that this is the first time that you've been alone since Sunday and you decided to call me. I definitely feel special.
Hope: Oh, shut up. You're such a weirdo at times. I guess I just missed my bestie.
Maya: Aww, you're too sweet Hope. I missed you too. School isn't the same without you.
Hope: Well, you might have to wait a bit longer. I'm not coming back to school this week. I just need some time to myself, to process everything. If you want, you can come round on Friday? After you finish school and we can have a proper catch up.
Maya: Yeah that sounds good. I'll drop you a text tomorrow. I gotta go, mom is riding on at me about doing my homework. I'll talk to you later sweetie.
Hope: Ah. How fun. Alright, I'll talk to you later. Bye Maya.
Maya: Bye Hope.
Just as Hope had finished her second glass of whiskey and ended her phone call with Maya, she received a text message from Josie.
Josie: Just leaving the school now. Got the car from Lizzie, so should be about 15 mins xxx
Hope: Okay baby, see you soon xxx
Hope left the bottle of whiskey on the table and headed upstairs for a shower. She moved into her bedroom and got undressed. She grabbed a towel from the airing cupboard then made her way into the bathroom. Hope focused on her shower but kept an ear out for Josie coming through the front door.
Hope mind drifted slightly, but she finished her shower and started to dry off when she heard Josie calling out to her. She wrapped the towel around herself and opened the door when she heard the brunette's footsteps hit the landing. Walking straight into her. (This time on purpose.)
"Oh shit. Sorry, I didn't hear you." Hope smirked, running one hand through her wet hair whilst the other lightly gripped the towel.
"You are a terrible liar." Josie replied. "I bet you were waiting for me behind the door, weren't you?"
"Ah, you caught me." Hope laughed as she stepped closer to the brunette, bringing her lips to meet Josie's in a kiss. "Hey baby." She smiled as she wrapped her arms around the taller girl's neck, letting the towel fall to the floor.
"Hey beautiful." Josie replied. Her eyes went wide when she heard the towel hit the floor. She looked down and saw her girlfriend in all her naked glory. She looked back up to Hope's eyes and bit her own lip. "Ah, so this was your plan all along? Get me alone, drop your towel then what? Another tease show while you get dressed?"
"I was thinking about doing something else in-between that." Hope wiggled her eyebrows slightly.
"Oh really?" Josie laughed.
"Hmm. Really." Hope smiled as she leaned in for another kiss.