Six Years Earlier
"Please, Sister!" Rebekah cried banging on the light blue doors of the St. Jude's Home for Children.
"We cannot help you, Ms. Mikaelson." The voice drifted out, muffled by the door between the two women. "There is a price on your head and I am not interested in endangering the lives of every child in this orphanage."
"You can cloak her."
"I can, but I will not." Joanna continued, resting her head on the cool wood of the door to alleviate her headache. "The witches of the quarter will not hesitate to slaughter anyone who helps you."
"You are duty bound by God himself!" Rebekah yelled, already losing her temper. The child let out a little whimper and she cradled Hope against her chest. "All that stuff about What Would Jesus Do, is it all bollocks?"
"I am sorry, Ms. Mikaelson." Joanna replied. "Your siblings made their beds; it is time for them to lie in it."
"And the child?!" The blonde's voice was bordering on hysteria. "The baby in my arms who knows nothing. She has made no bed, will she still have to lie and die?" The door opened with a barely audible click.
"You leave here and never turn back." Joanna's voice was deathly soft, the only evidence of the stress she'd faced showing in her eyes. "The protection spells I intend to place will last seven years. I will contact you when she turns seven if she begins asking questions." A sob clutched at Rebekah's throat. "I'll leave you to say your goodbyes." Joanna strolled back into the house and Rebekah lifted the baby so she could kiss her forehead.
"What a dilemma we face, ey Hope?" Hope gurgled with a smile that Rebekah returned. "This is goodbye, I'm afraid, but not for long." A tear slid down the blonde's cheek. "Your family is filled with the most resilient idiots I've ever met, and they will fight for you. That, I swear." Hope grinned, a toothless smile that had Rebekah full on weeping. "We love you, littlest wolf, always and forever." Unexpectedly, Joanna lifted the baby from Rebekah's arms and she sagged with relief.
"I meant what I said, Ms. Mikaelson, do not come back." Joanna's eyes were solemn. She wondered briefly how long it would take her companion to retrieve Hayley from the Bayou. "The witches of the French Quarter are ruthless and should they know of our involvement in this…" The sister trailed off, a faraway look in her eyes.
"I appreciate it, Sister." Joanna snuggled Hope and Rebekah smiled at the sight. "Her name is Hope, you know." Joanna smiled. "Take care of her, please."
"I will. I swear it."
"Thank you so much." She whispered. Hope cooed and her eyes drifted down to her perfect face. "I love you, Hope, more than my own life."
"Be on your way, Ms. Mikaelson." Rebekah bit her lip. "She will be taken care of, I promise." The two women smiled at each other briefly and Rebekah turned around and sped away leaving Joanna and Hope on the doorsteps.
A/N: The 'more than my own life' quote comes from Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer.
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