epilogue

*5 years later *

"Uncle Elijah, you need to wake up.", Hope said cheerfully as she crawled onto her uncle's back.

"Hope.." He murmured into his pillow as he felt the weight of the child on his back.

"Uncle Lijah!" She whined as she gripped his shirt in her tiny fists. She dragged frantically at the material.

A groan escaped his mouth before he turned to lay on his back, lifting Hope up and placing her on his stomach in the process.

"You must get out of bed now uncle Elijah," hope pouted and placed her hands on his shoulders, hovering over the original.

"Hope, sweetheart it's still dark outside." Elijah said softly. Curling a lock of her light brown curly hair around his finger.

"But you and mummy are getting married today, we have to get ready."

He chuckled. "We'll have enough time if we wake in the morning, sweetheart. You should sleep some more"

"But I can't!" She pouted her underlip looking at him. She fisted his shirt on his shoulders tightly. "It's just so special and exciting" the joy started glittering in her eyes again.

Elijah sighed, smiling at her. "Okay, so let's make amends. You can sleep here if you promise you'll try to sleep." He emphasised the last word.

"I promise" Hope smiled. Rubbing her hand over her nose.

"Pinkie swear." Elijah pointed his pink in the air.

Hope giggled as she wrapped her little finger around his.

She then placed her tiny hands on either side of his face, pressing a quick kiss to his mouth.

Elijah grinned "Little brat that you are."

He lifted her and swiftly pressed her into the middle of the mattress.

"No stopp! Stoooopp uncle Elijah! " Hope yelled laughing." When Elijah tickled her on her side and stomach.

"Shhh.. You'll wake up your mother" he shushed her pressing his finger to her lips. At the same time they looked carefully to the woman next to them. Hayley murmured softly. Elijah smirked as she slowly flickered her eyes open.

"Hope.. sweetie, what are you doing here," she murmured as she rubbed her hands over her eyes.

"I'm sleeping here" she said swiftly, innocence flashing over her features.

"Oh, is that so." Hayley looked accusing at Elijah. Suddenly more awake now. He merely smiled back.

"Yes, but first I have to get mister cuddles," she said briskly and slid off the bed. Running out of the room with rapid speed.

"I thought we had all agreed that Hope should learn to sleep in her own bed," Hayley inquired.

Elijah grinned, caressing his hand over her cheek. "You know how she can be. She knows very well how to get her way, very much alike her mother,"

Hayley shoved him softly in his side. "You can't talk your way out of this. I knew Klaus would have difficulty attaining our rules. But you, Elijah? You disappointed me," she ended her sentence with a teasing tone, and a quirk of her eyebrows.

"I'm sorry sweetheart," he said grinning.

She placed her finger under his dented chin, drawing his lips closer to hers. Her plumped lips met his for a moment. Igniting a wonderful electrical blast in her stomach.

She pulled away, slowly detaching her lips from his. She murmured softly laying her head against his own.

"Are you nervous?" She murmured undecidedly against his skin.

"As much as a 1000 year old original can be nervous." He admitted, chuckling.

"Good," she whispered.

In the meantime Hope crawled on the bed again. Her weight tangible on their legs. She was clutching her little stuffed animals in her arms.

"Move up, mommy." She said bluntly as only a child could.

Hope settled in between them crawling underneath the covers finding comfort against her mothers body. Hayley pressed a little kiss to her forehead.

Elijah smiled, moving to lay against them. He draped his arm over Hope, laying his hand on Hayley's arm, caressing her skin. Although the bound he had with his little niece couldn't be better, moments like these were rare. He wished he could have them more often but Klaus was Hope's father and he would never usurp that role.

However, for once he allowed himself to just enjoy the moment.

"Don't trip, don't trip," Hayley murmured nervously to herself.

Klaus chuckled, "You're not going to trip, love. I've got you" He watched her when he felt her arm tighten its grip around his own.

She saw Elijah underneath the white flowered arbour in the manicured Bayou, the brightest smile playing on his handsome features. He was beautiful, the soft glow of the sun setting, behind him the water that reflected the glow in an astonishing way. And Hope, in her white dress holding a bouquet of colourful flowers in her hand, she danced around next to Elijah, like there was no care in the world.

Her heartbeat tempered and she then realised it. She smiled confidently. "You're right, I won't,"

She let go off Klaus' arm when they reached Elijah, sending him a smile that mirrored his own. "Hi," she whispered.

He watched her luminous eyes, "Hi,"

They both turned to Cami, who had offered to be their minister, which she undoubtedly regretted now. "So, who gives this bride away?"

"That'd be me," Klaus answered from behind them and Elijah gave him a gentle nod.

Cami smiled. "We're gathered here today to celebrate love and happiness and Loyalty and well.. in my opinion a little bit of magic." Brightness covered Cami's face and Hayley chuckled.

"To bring together two exceptional and beautiful human.. I mean supernatural beings," loud laughter followed from the people who had joined the ceremony. "I'm sorry people, I might be a little unsteady 'cause the might as well take a bit from me," Camille laughed nervously. "

"So now I ask you, Elijah, and you, Hayley, to face each other and take each other's hands."

He looked at her noticing the wisps of hair that danced in the gentle breeze. She was stunning. Her hands held his and squeezed them. His fingers brushed across her own.

"Elijah, will you take Hayley to be your wife, and one true love. For an eternity."

"I will. Always and forever." His lips curled in a smile as he squeezed her hand.

"And you Hayley will you choose Elijah to be your husband. Will you choose him to be your one true love as long as you both shall live?"

"I choose you to be the one to spend my life with." The permanent smile that Hayley wore grew impossible bigger.

His eyes remained on her face as he slipped a platinum ring on her finger. Complementing the ring that already rested their. Hayley's hand quivered lightly. And she was utterly relieved when she managed to slip his ring onto his finger.

"If you have vows for each other you may read them now," Cami inclined her head towards them.

"I have something I want you to hear," Elijah said, and Hayley nodded nervously for him to begin. He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Today is the day my life begins. I have lived for a thousand years, but all my life I have felt like something missed. Something wasn't like it should be. That was until I met you, Hayley Marshall. You make me feel more alive than ever. You were the thing that I missed. And I have to admit more than anything that I'm so very happy that I'm allowed to be your husband. Because you Hayley Marshall." He shook his head smiling. "You're the most beautiful and intelligent person I've ever met. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. "You gave me Hope," he looked down at the little happy girl. You gave me love, he looked back at her. And for that I want to thank you. Every day again."

Unshed tears glistered in the corners of her eyes. "I love you," she whispered. She cupped his face and already leaned in to kiss him.

"Wait not yet," Cami interrupted them. She smiled when she saw the softly irritated eyes land on her. "Okay," she chuckled. "I hereby pronounce you wife and husband."

"Now?" Elijah asked amused.

"Now." Cami said smiling.

Elijah's eyes met Hayley's, his wife's,

He pressed his lips against hers without hesitating. She cupped his cheek, her other hand caressing the hairs on his neck. He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her against him. They both drowned in the moment. Remembering and cherishing it till the day they died. The loud clapping in the background all but faded away.

"Why did you have to do special today of all days?" Hayley moaned.

"Shush, we're almost there."

She squeezed his hand and pulled him closer. She drew her face closer, noses nearly touching. Her hot breath collided with his lips "Elijah, you're ruining my shoes and my dress." She said with a nagging tone.

Elijah sighed "Close your eyes," she raised her brow confused but did what he said. She felt his arms coil around her, a whoosh of air, and a moment later she opened her eyes again. What she saw was an enormous red tent. The outside was ornate with white and red flowers. From the entrance came a homey glow of light.

Her hands rested on his black suited chest. She looked amazed at him. "Come on, take a look inside," He said smiling broadly. She took his hand tightly, forcing him to follow closely. She gasped once she was inside greeted by a comfortable warmth.

There was a bath, with damping water situated in the middle of the tent. Behind it was a huge bed, with countless cushions resting on what looked like the most comfortable, and soft sheets on earth. She looked around and saw the tent was decorated with all kind of luxurious furniture and accessories. Also here several kind of flowers could be found scattered around the room.

She wrapped her arms around Elijah's neck. "It's perfect, thank you. Husband." she added teasing.

"So you have realised that stroll through the Bayou was worth it." He grinned at her, teasingly. "You also need to thank Niklaus. I imagine he must've realised that if our wedding night had taken place in the compound he wouldn't've closed an eye." His finger lazily trailed over the skin of her arm.

"Knowing Klaus, he had his self-centred reasons." Hayley watched him with an intense gaze.

Elijah's lips met the skin of her forehead. His hand cupped her face, his finger caressing her tender skin. His lips brushed against her temple until they reached her ear. "Let's not talk of my brother any longer, but about that beautiful dress I've been craving to release you from all evening long." His voice was low and warm against her skin. He heard her release a breathy sigh and smiled. She turned around, his fingers travelling to the zip at the back of her gown. In an agonizing slow manner he zipped it down. The dress foundered from her body, and hit the wooden floor, leaving her in her undergarments. He pressed his lips in the crook of her bare neck. His hands brushed over her arms.

He unclasped her bra, slowly pulling the straps down with his fingers. She shivered. His fingers then travelled to her hair, pulling out the pins that supported her put up hair. Her locks tumbled down her back in long curls once he'd released them.

He cupped her throat, directing her lips towards his. She met his lips, passionately, demanding. His arms coiled around her body, underneath her swollen breast. His body pressed against her back, and she could feel his stirring groin. She turned towards him, pushing of his jacket, her hands pulling at the knot of his tie, sliding it off. Her fingers unbuttoned his shirt, jerking it off. Her lips never left his.

He picked her up, gently laying onto the middle of the bed. His lips met hers again, tongues colliding. His naked torso pressed against her own. Her swollen breast pressed against his skin. Her nails rasped over his shoulders, forcing a deep groan from his throat. His lips travelled down her throat, his finger sliding over her plumped lips.

He descended further down her body, his lips tracing kisses along her stomach, long sweeps of his tongue forced slight moans from her throat. His smile was evident against her skin. Hayley gripped her hand in his hair, pulling at his soft dark brown locks. She flipped them and straddled his lap. He reached up meeting her mouth again. "I love you," he whispered against her ear. "Always and forever," she replied with a soft voice.

this was the final chapter of this story. i hope you enjoyed it and I want to thank you guys for the continued support.

I will of course still post one shots here :)