Klaus was a prideful man. Whether it be from accomplishments or his static, that much was clear. He'd never expected himself to be filled with so much delight over a small slice of life situation. But here he was, Laying on his side, propping himself up with his arm that made contact with the floor, in front of his toddler child, who herself sat cross legged on a blanket spread on the ground, fiddling with one of the many trinkets he gave her. "That's a wolf," he said pointedly. "Wolf"
Hope only attempted to make a short howl to acknowledge, she did in fact know what the stuffed creature was.
"You're a wolf too" He said, not really paying attention to what he was saying, concentrating more on Hope.
Hope tapped her chest. "Woo?"
He smiled, kissing her head. "Yes, Woo" She giggled at that, he didn't know what was so funny, but her laugh was contagious. Hope shifted in her seat, leaning forward to reach her small chubby hand out to him. Touching his cheek.
"Woo?"
"Yes, Daddy is a woo too" Hope then grabbed her stuffed animal and pushed it over to him. "Hmm, thankyou sweetheart" he placed it next to him, still close enough to her if she wished to play with it again. Klaus watched contently as his daughter continued to do things babies do. "Although," he said, even if he was sure she wasn't listening. "You won't experience it till you are much older." he brushed her cheek. He remembered the first life he took. Remembered how scared and confused he was when he activated his curse. It pained him at the thought of her going through the transformation every month even if it was in their biology.
Maybe she'll never kill?
He was sure that wasn't true, knowing this family. "You will be so much better than me, my littlest wolf" He's made a lot of mistakes, but Hope won't be one of them. Mikael failed him, but it wasn't in vain. It gave him the perspective to be an even better father, because he knew what he would never do. He was pulled out of thought when he felt Hope start grabbing his fingers. Feeling a slight twinge of pain when she bite down. Her teeth were coming in.
He pulled away. "That hurts"
He saw her bottom lip start to tremble. Tears building in the corners of her eyes. Klaus pursed his lips. Trying to think of a way to avoid a tantrum. Then it hit him.
"Hope," he cooed. She looked up at him. He saw her eyes light up when his eyes flashed to a yellow hue. She gasped. Once again touching his face, her brows slightly furrowed. Not angry, but confused. How was this possible? Why were her fathers eyes yellow? She started poking at the veins under his eyes. Since when did those get here?
Klaus struggled not to laugh. If only his past self could see him now. For some reason, she decided that the black veins were a 'boo boo' so she 'kissed' it to make it all better like her mother did to her so many times ago. She then hummed and smiled. "Da Da" Klaus' eyes went back to their normal bluish green.
What did she just say? Did she just…
He was in utter star stuck at the word-word!- That came out of her little mouth. "What did you say sweetheart?" He asked softly, rubbing her back. He needed to hear it again, if only to ensure his ears did not deceive him.
She peered up at his familiar voice. Smiling, she repeated it proudly. "Da Da" A swell of pride and awe bloomed in his chest. Her word, her first real word was his name. A name only she got to call him. He smiled, picking her up swiftly, rolling over on his back, holding her up and blew a raspberry into her belly button, escalating a fit of giggles from her. Klaus didn't understand why her acknowledgment of him being her father made him so damn happy but it did.
"What's all this laughter about?" probed Freya as she made her way over to them. Klaus sat up with Hope resting against him. Klaus tried to calm himself.
"Oh, just her first word" He looked at Hope cradled to his chest. "Say it again, sweetheart"
"Da da!" She replied, slightly muffled by his shirt.
Freya smiled softly. Taking a seat next to them. "If only her mother could be here" There was aggravation to her tone and he didn't miss it. Klaus met her gaze. And even as he furrowed his brows, she could see a twinge of sadness flash his eyes. As he spoke though, there was only anger in his voice.
"Then she should have thought twice before trying to steal my daughter"
Freya let her eyes flutter shut, pursuing her lips. "She only meant to protect-"
"And where is she most safe? In the forest with a pack of wolves-who, I alone could kill with barely breaking a sweat-or surrounded by the original vampires? Her family."
"Hayley is family" Freya chided quickly. Klaus glanced at his daughter. It pains him even if were to be away from her for more than a few hours, but at the thought of her being taken away. To never see her again? And by Hayley no less? That ignited a rage, deep within him, far greater than he's ever known. Hayley had a chance to raise Hope with him. To be a part of this family, but she lost it due to her foolish desires to run off with Jackson.
"Not anymore"
His words were low, sharp and deadly. Freya knew there was no point arguing. He's made his stand. Hope was Klaus' everything. She supposed it was foolish to try and justify Hayley's actions to him. "Besides," He added. "She'll have all the strong female influences she'll ever need; You, Bekah.."
Freya smirked. She knew this tactic. Trying to goat and praise her to smooth the waters between them. A part of her knew he really did mean it. Which made her feel the need to respond accordingly.
"You're right. I will always be there for her..but taken from experience, Klaus, It doesn't replace the void of growing up without a mother" She saw something in his face shift, a perspective change perhaps. So, she pressed. "Do, you really want her growing up hating you for taking her mother-"
"Enough Freya!"
Within an instant, Hope started crying. The noise was too loud, too sudden.
Klaus' rage died immediately, shifting to the loving father he was becoming. He stood quickly with his child in his arms. "I don't want to hear of this again. Or I'll be forced to question were your loyalties truly lay, sister" She knew it was an empty threat. Maybe it was idodic to try and sway him, but as she saw the tightening of his throat, his uneasy eyes. She couldn't help but wonder if a part of him regretted his actions.