Hey y'all! Sorry for taking forever with this chapter, but life and weddings and cousins happened plus a little bit me going the hell do i write? Anywhere, the support you've been giving me is amazing, please continue to review and tell me what y'all think!Um, we don't really get to meet Hope's school friends by my understanding, so I made up one for the purposes of this fic. Fairly unimportant if I'm being honest, but I figured I'd clarify. Do let me know if you'd like me to clarify anything else and please do correct me on anything pertinent which I have gotten wrong.

Also, a few suggestions regarding how to unbind Hayley would be welcome, lol. Because so far I got smash the stupid stone on a night when there's a full moon and idk maybe there's some spell for which Freya and/or Vincent would probably need to channel someone really powerful (aka Klaus) in order to break it. Anyway, I'm continuing the letters theme and I really hope you like what I came up with. As always, read, review and enjoy!

Dear Klaus,

Hope turned twelve today. Of course, you already know this, considering you sent her that amazing paint set. She loved it so much, you should have seen her face when she unwrapped it. (I took a picture for you.) God, she knew it was from you almost immediately - I think that's part of the reason she loved it so much. Hope can't wait to start using the paints. She's already attempted to convince me to buy her half a dozen canvasses!

Our daughter is growing up, Klaus. She's growing so, so fast and sometimes I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up. And she has so many questions, about us, about her family, about herself… God, sometimes I don't even know how to begin answering them! And soon, I don't know, she's going to start asking me questions about makeup and boys and honestly? I'm pretty sure I wouldn't mind you compelling at least some of those boys to priesthood. How do I keep up with her by myself? I'm terrified just thinking about it…

But one day at a time, right? Right now she's painting and I think I'll just sit and enjoy this as long as I can. Anyway, I thought you might like to know you're not the worst influence on her. Kol keeps sending her Shakespeare's best - sort of like 'How to Survive' manuals. At least he's trying though. We miss you.

Love you,

Hayley.

There was something so strange about attending school as if nothing had changed. As if people hadn't died, as if she wasn't irrevocably changed by all that had happened. But in the same moment, walking into math class and taking a seat by her friends, it was as if nothing and everything had changed.

Shooting a small smile towards Lily as she sat down, Hope readied herself for the sheer mundanity of what was to follow. Lily did not disappoint. The brunette launched into a rant about her current favourite show, going on about how absolutely dumb it was being, the writers disrespecting her preferred characters in favour of those she couldn't care less about - a fact not helped by their lack of development, she made sure to impress upon Hope. Not that the tribrid was particularly paying attention. She knew it wasn't right, but it was practically the same rant every single time and Hope simply didn't understand why her friend kept watching shows by this network and expecting different results. It was all too easy to tune her out and hum and nod at the appropriate times while losing herself in her own thoughts.

Because even though it seemed that nothing was different, that wasn't true. Someone had died because of choices she had made. Someone she knew, someone who had trusted her. Her mother… God, with the way her dad had reacted to her attempt to bind her werewolf side, Hope didn't even want to think of what her mother was going through because of her. And that was the worst part, wasn't it? So much bad had happened because of her. It was easy to say that people's choices were their own but it felt far too much as if she was the unwilling catalyst to many of the decisions made. Therefore, wasn't it as much her fault as anyone else's?

Didn't that mean she had an obligation to help fix everything?

Dear Klaus,

You won't believe what I found today. I found that old Polaroid camera of Rebekah's! You know, the one we took our first family picture with that christmas? You won't believe it, but it still works! I hope that one day we can take another picture with it - all of us. It doesn't matter where - here, in the Mikaelson home, out in the bayou, or even somewhere other than New Orleans. As long as we're all together… I don't think I'd mind the location. After all, Freya tells me I am incapable of looking bad in pictures!

Hope, on the other hand, just called the camera an 'antique' and asked why I'd want to use it when phones exist. Honestly? Given how ancient most of her family is, I really don't think she should be complaining about the age of a polaroid camera! But, here we are. I'm sorry, I guess by your own daughter's standards, you're practically a fossil!

I'm glad I found the camera though. Even though you're totally being a deadbeat right now, at least you can see her grow through pictures. You're not a monster. I wish you'd understand that. Pick up the damn phone, please.

I miss your sense of humor.

Hayley.

Hope was in literature class when a knock on the door had every head swiveling to look at the source of the disturbance. A boy she somewhat recognised but didn't really know, poked his head through the doorway. "Uhh, Hope Mikaelson? You're being called to the office?" He nodded once and, having delivered his message, left. Now everyone turned to stare at Hope, a dark flush rising to her cheeks as the students started whispering amongst themselves. Quickly stuffing her books in her bag and standing, the tribrid left the room and made her way to Caroline's office, wracking her mind for anything that could have gotten her into trouble that wasn't already dealt with. Coming up with nothing didn't alleviate her nervousness at all unfortunately, only serving to increase it.

Reaching the office, Caroline called her in before she had even knocked, the simple action causing her heart to beat slightly faster. Until the blonde smiled gently at her, that is, the simple action putting her at ease faster than any words. "Hey, Hope," the vampire began. "I'm sorry I had to call you during class, but I really don't have any other free time and I figured this was important."

"Uh, what is?" The teenager couldn't help but ask. "Is everything ok? Did something happen to my mom?"

"Hayley's fine," Caroline reassured her. "We're here to talk about you. After everything, I wanted to know how you were doing."

"Me? I'm fine." The words slipped out easily, Hope slumping in her seat and offering up a smile of her own. Unfortunately for her, Caroline had seen that smile far too often in the mirror to believe it.

"Hope," she began, swallowing delicately as she thought of how to continue. "I don't know if you know this, but I first met both your parents when I was a little older than you are now. Not everyone will admit to this, but they both generally know what they're doing. Even when it seems wrong. Especially your dad. And I know that being a teenager can suck, especially when one of your parents isn't around and bad things are happening. And you feel like you have no control over anything in your life. I've seen people die too, my friends, people I love. So trust me when I say, I know what you're going through. And I know that sometimes you need someone to talk too."

"So, what? Your door is always open? Thanks, but I think I got it covered." The initial surprise fading away, Hope found herself speaking, sarcasm falling from her lips before Caroline could repeat the cliche. The blonde, however, didn't so much as blink before continuing.

"My door is always open, yes. I don't know all that you're going through, but I'd love to listen when you're ready to share. Till such a time though, I am mandating that you have regular sessions with the school counselor, ok?"

"Why? I told you, I'm fine!" Hope knew she was being bratty, but she couldn't quite make herself stop.

"And when you can look me in the eye and tell me that, I'll believe you. You're dismissed, Hope. Thank you."

Hey Daddy.

So Mom never sends any of the letters she writes, but she always looks… happier-ish, I guess, after writing them, so I thought I'd give it a try too. I'll probably keep this in one of her envelopes. I don't know what else to do with it.

So… I'm fourteen now, and um… I don't really know what to say. [Uh, write?] Mom writes so many of these that it shouldn't be this hard for me to figure out what to say, right? But it is and I don't know why.

Maybe it's because I feel like I don't really know you. I mean, I know that you're my dad and I know that I love you and, um, I know that I miss you. It's weird to me that I can love and miss someone this much when I barely know them… but I do. I really, really miss you.

Well, Marcel sometimes tells me stories of you, so I guess I know that you're brave. And that you'll do anything for our family… But I don't just want a fairy tale prince anymore. I just want you. I just want my dad. I want to know your favourite color and song. I want to know what food reminds you of home. I want to know what you look like in your wolf form - and if my own wolf form will be more like you or more like mom's. I want to know what you smell like, if it's anything like the city. I want to know your hobbies and where you go to relax and where you go to enjoy yourself. I want to sit beside you and paint and ask for advice. I want it all… but I think it's too much to ask. I keep thinking maybe someday it won't be too much… but it's been forever and I'm starting to think someday might never come.

I'm sorry if the reason you don't talk to me or to Mom anymore is me. But I'd give anything to be able to talk to you again. If family is Always and Forever, doesn't that mean you'd do anything too? I wish you would. I love you Daddy.

Hope.

Well, I really hope y'all enjoyed that. I gave Caroline a bigger role cos I enjoy her character and I feel like she would understand at least some of what Hope's going though. Also yes the kid is getting therapy cos she needs it. And yes, she's a brat about it because as a teenager, she hates asking for help. This is not only canon for the show but for real life because as a teenager, I can tell you, sometimes asking for help is the hardest thing to do. Sorry for the lack of Klaus and Hayley interacting physically, but I really wanted to get this done and I was super excited for the letters. I'm also super excited for what's to come. See you next time! Please leave a review on your way out!