FACING FEARS

A/N: *GASP* - There is a child. Most of you have many questions and most of them, I can't answer because then I would be giving the plot away.

Florence And The Machine – Seven Devils

Holy water cannot help you now
Thousand armies couldn't keep me out
I don't want your money
I don't want your crown
See I've come to burn your kingdom down

BPOV

"You look great" Angela appraised me, taking my hand and twirling me around so she could get a better look.

When I was back to facing her, I ducked my head from her admiration. "Thanks" I replied sheepishly and smoothed down the front of the black gown.

"You should get going" she glanced at the clock.

I nodded but then glanced at the young boy sat by the TV. The small games console had slipped from his fingers and he put on his best puppy face – pouty lips and everything. "Maybe I shouldn't go" I mused and ignored Angela's disapproving look. "I mean, I don't have to go"

"Yes, you shouldn't go" my little boy concurred and I felt my resolve break.

I walked over to him and bowed down to his level. My hand reached out to him so I could run my fingers through his silken blonde locks. They were slightly curled…just like his fathers. My fingers trailed down to place on his cheek and I sighed at how much he looked like him. Even his jawline. All that he got from me were my brown eyes.

"You know I love you" I smiled warmly.

He inched himself closer and then placed his hand onto my shoulder. "And you know I love you"

"I don't think I do" I narrowed my gaze and playfully crossed my arms.

He flashed me a winning smile and revealed his pearly teeth. "Of course I love you" he exclaimed and then threw his hands up in the air. "You're my mum" he stated like it was the most obvious thing.

"How much?" I peeked at him with a speculative brow.

He widened his arms. "This much" he cried out.

I remained impassive and shrugged my shoulders as I continued to taunt him. "How much?" I asked, cupping my ear as I pretended to have not heard him.

Again, he widened his arms further and seemed to be reaching for the heavens themselves. "This much!" he bellowed with a pleased grin.

"How much?" I continued to play coy but a smile was breaking through.

Suddenly, he dropped his hands and stared deep within my eyes. "Unconditionally" he answered.

I smiled in surprise and blinked down at my wonderful child. "How and where did you learn that word?" I asked. As I was crouched, it was awkward when trying to place my hands on my hips but I still managed.

In reply to my question, he adorably tapped his nose and now adorned a small secretive smirk.

"Stop trying to be cute" I wagged my finger at him.

He placed his hands on his hips and stared me down. "I don't have to try"

I couldn't help it anymore, a laugh bubbled through my lips and my arms welcomed him. "No, you don't" I whispered into his ear while holding onto him dearly. "Okay, now Isaak, be good to your babysitter" I murmured quietly.

"…but mum…" he began to whine.

I moved back, holding him at arm's length. "No buts" I shook my head defiantly and then tilted my head to the side. "Please…for me?"

He nodded his agreement and squeezed my hand. "For you" he placed a quick kiss on my cheek and added in a lowered murmur, "Only you"

Usually Isaak was okay with me going out. In fact, he usually encouraged me but this time, he was worried about me. He had told me about the dream – actually the nightmare that he had about me and a 'shadowed man' that was going to hurt me.

What really shook us was the fact that a few of his dreams were entwined with his premonition but I knew I had to be strong. I had even tried my best to assure him and even called Elijah to try and cancel.

However, Elijah really wanted me here today so he came over and assured him that no harm would come to me. Regardless of me saying that I could look after myself, Isaak made him swear it upon his life and this lead to an agreement.

Just thinking of his love for me had me embracing him once again. My arms encasing him close to my chest as I hugged him tighter, refusing to let him go. "I won't stay too long" I vowed.

"Promise?" he pulled back so I could see the pinkie he now held up.

I accepted it, linking it with my own and nodding. "I promise" I confirmed, pulling him again as I now felt a sinking feeling at the thought of leaving him while I went to the unknown.

"Okay then, off you go" he ordered a more stern tone.

Another weak smile was offered and I placed another kiss onto both his cheeks, then his forehead and finally his hand. "Bye baby" I said and began to stand up, somehow finding the strength to walk towards the door.

"Bye mum"

-XxxxxX-

Elijah had given me directions – as unnecessary as they were. Without them, I still would've been able to make out which house belonged to his egotistical and materialistic brother. He always wanted what was bigger and better than everyone else.

What I had not anticipated was how much seeing him again would affect me. I had not expected myself to still be drawn to him – if not the connection between us seemed to have strengthened over time. Just one look at him and I felt myself become undone when meeting those blue eyes.

The same steely blue eyes had my breath hitching and my fear escalading as they reminded me of the secret I had hidden for seven years.

How on earth had Elijah convinced me to come here?

I knew him well enough to know that my being here was not welcomed. He had after all prepared himself of a night where he would charm the blonde girl.

She was pretty.

I did try.

Damn it, did I try.

I even found the courage within myself to talk to him – civilly may I had.

Of course at the time, it might seem as though we were simply keeping up pretences. The conversation no longer flowed. This time it was strained, forced as there were a million other words surrounding the small talk. So many secrets and so many lies stretched between us, making us further apart than we were.

What could we call ourselves now?

Friends..?

The label was amusing.

However, it was less amusing and more horrifying now, as I crouched by my son. I should also mention that the not-so-clueless father was only a few feet away.

At that moment, my life seemed to reel past me and I was losing the connection with myself. Everything around me was fading to black and I needed a few seconds. Just a few seconds that would help in getting back to reality ad not in this limbo state I was trailing off too.

I needed to ground myself.

Only way that was happening was to lean on my saviour and my rock.

My son.

My hands desperately held his shoulders as I forced myself to peek up at him. "Where's your babysitter?" I scolded, gulping down the other more distracting emotions that seemed to bubble within me, threateningly.

Isaak remained oblivious to my inner turmoil as he shrugged off my anger. "She didn't even have the decency to drink vervain" he retorted with an entertained sneer.

"Isaak…" I breathed tiredly, not because he had disobeyed me by compelling the babysitter but because I wished he knew the kind of position we were now in.

He crossed his arms and coolly addressed me, "You undermine me mother" he shook his head at me as if in disappointment and that seemed to glimmer my sense.

"Next time, I'll seal you in" I teased, tickling his sides gently.

He dropped his arms and sighed in an exaggerated manner. "Oh how you love me so" he played along, laughing lightly at the torture my fingers trailed up under his arm.

"I do" I smiled warmly, the motherly part of dissipating my anger at the sight of his adorable grin. His happiness was a weakness of mine and I could help but drop whatever

"What is going on here?"

Back to reality!

I whirled around, standing up on my feet when his thundering demand caught my attention. For a few moments I watched as his nostrils flared, his eyebrows were creased and his youthful expression grew sullen, ageing with his confusion. A steel edge had hardened his blue eyes which now glared at me and I had an idea of what he was thinking.

"Nik…" I whispered lamely.

"What is going on here?" he repeated in an even more angered tone. Something dangerous laced beneath the words, making me step in front of Isaak as a means of protecting him.

"Is that…?" Niklaus' sister – Rebekah shuddered, her hand covering her mouth. The woman next to her was unrecognisable but I knew who she was – Esther, my mother-in-law. Oh, how many times had I fantasied how we would meet and I would work my ass off to get her to like me. Just my luck that this was my first impression…

The other Mikaelson – Finn - I remembered, approached the commotion, along with other civilians. Most of the oblivious humans were distracted by the fight happening a few feet away but the Mikaelson's were fixated on me and the boy peaking from behind me.

Thankfully, I found strength and loyalty with Elijah who now advanced towards me, understanding my desperation for an ally.

Before he could actually take my hand, another claimed his attention. "Uncle Eli"

Everyone now watched as my boy ran towards Elijah. We watched as my Isaak rested his head in the crook of Elijah's neck. We watched as Elijah bent down and accepted the embrace like it was the most natural thing. We watched the love and bond that both of them shared as they clung to each other.

"Oh God!" Esther Mikaelson gasped and her eyes widened, horrified and dismayed.

"What…?" the question fell from Finn's lips but remained unfinished and unanswered. Like his sibling, his eyes had widened, gaping out of their sockets while trying to make sense of what was happening.

Several eyes fell onto me but I was only focused on one pair. They continued to bore into mine with a newfound despondency while seeking for an explanation.

This was my fault and I would accept the consequences.

With the decisive mind, I straightened up and rolled my shoulders back. "Isaak…" I called and immediately he whipped around to me. "…come here" I demanded and he sensed the wariness in my tone so he obeyed.

"Yes?" he asked, slipping his small and fragile hand in mine. He looks at each of the family members

I made a feeble attempt at an assuring smile before looking back at the people that would most likely be integrated in his life. Too many times, my son had questioned me about family and with my discretion, he wondered as to whether I was ashamed of him. Now was the time to prove to him that I did care. Now was the time to face my fears and lay it all on the line.

"This wasn't how – well actually I didn't-" I shook my head, trying to clear it and find structure in my words. The only thing that gave me solace was holding my hand so I looked down at him. "Isaak…this is…"

However, Isaak wasn't focusing on me, his eyes were staring straight ahead. "My father"

A/N: FAQs: Some questions I got from the last chapter.

Was Bella a vampire/human when having the baby?

Really want to answer this but I can't – not yet. It links into something else so please bear with me.

Is Bella a vampire or a human?

Can't answer this either because again, links to the one above.

Are Bella and Klaus still married?

Yes, they're still married – just not together if that makes sense. Backstory/Flashbacks will be coming very soon.

What is the pairing?

Pairing is Bella and Klaus – some Elijah intervention but we'll have to wait, read and see.

A/N: What do you think of mummy Bella? What about Isaak?