Chapter 2
"I can't believe it!" Camille panted as they walked back to her apartment, "I just can't believe you won!"
Elijah looked straight ahead, a smirk of victory plastered on his face. "Well to be fair, I am older and stronger than you."
"I know but still. Where did you learn to play?"
"That would be in Springfield, Massachusetts in the late 1800's"
Camille stopped walking and her jaw dropped, astounded by what she had just heard. "No fair!" she declared, "James Naismith taught you! That's like an Original teaching a newbie vamp mind compulsion." She doubled her steps to catch up with him.
"Oh don't be a sore loser, Camille. I took it easy on you. I wasn't even trying," he laughed when he saw her pout beside him.
"Stop being childish Camille, it doesn't suit you."
Their stroll continued in silence. The wind blew hard, causing Camille to wrap her arms around herself. Elijah immediately wrapped his jacket around her shoulders. She thanked him with a sheepish smile.
Music blurring from a bakery they strolled past brought a smile to Camille's face. She softly hummed to the tune, then gradually started to sing softly.
"Louis Armstrong," Elijah commented.
"Let me guess, you were drinking buddies back in the 19th century," Camille guessed jokingly.
"Not quite." He shot Camille a knowing look. "I just witnessed him perform that song in a jazz club."
"Great song. Songs like this could have only been composed here, in New Orleans."
"Yes Camille," Elijah grinned to himself, "I couldn't agree more."
Elijah and Camille approached her apartment, gaily singing together,
"I hear babies cry
I watch them grow
They'll learn much more
Than I'll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself
What a wonderful world."
They ended as they reached the stairs leading to the door.
Elijah looked thoughtfully at Camille. "Is that how you see the world? Like Louis Armstrong described in the song?"
The question came as a surprise to Camille. "Well, yeah, before I knew about the supernatural world I did."
"And now?"
Camille sighed, "I don't know. I'm not sure. Perhaps a small part of me still does. Maybe that's the reason I still believe in Klaus' redemption."
Elijah looked at her blankly.
"Elijah, I'm not going to ask you to forgive Klaus now. It takes time for wounds like yours to heal. You can hate what did, but please" Camille beseeched, "please don't hate him." Elijah held her gaze for a moment. "I had a lovely evening, Camille. Thank you."
Camille smiled at him, "Hey, if you hadn't come, I would have been dozing behind my textbook."
"I will be going to the bayou to see Hayley tomorrow, care to join me?"
Camille's brows furrowed for a moment, "Oh yeah, full moon," she remembered, "I'd love to come along."
Elijah gave a small smile and planted a light kiss on her forehead. "Goodnight Camille."
Klaus had just laid Hope in her crib when he heard Elijah in the hallway.
"Evening Elijah," he greeted, and then paused when he noticed a familiar scent on him, "I trust your evening with Camille went well."
"It did," Elijah said, ignoring the hint of jealousy in Klaus' voice and making his way to his chamber.
"How is she?" Klaus asked, concerned.
"I believe you know where to find her. Do find out for yourself," Elijah said before he shut the door to his room.
Klaus rolled his eyes and proceeded to his room, but paused when he heard Elijah humming to Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World."
His eyes narrowed. "Perhaps I should find out for myself," he whispered to himself.