Authors note: this is dedicated to tate4eva after their review of the last chapter hoping for some family bonding between Elijah and his new found family, so here goes. 'Hope' it's what you were hoping for! Xx

Chapter 2

Family bonding

The next morning, Elijah awoke and found the space beside him empty. He sat up confused and went to open his mouth to call for Georgiana when she emerged through the door to the ensuite bathroom and he relaxed.

"Morning." He said quietly as she sauntered back the bed, dressed in her black silk robe. She perched on the edge of the bed, crossing her legs and revealing far too much leg for public display, but here in the sanctuary of their bedroom, he didn't mind so much. He placed a hand on her thigh and she laid hers over his.

"Hello. I thought you might want to take Henry and Elizabeth around New Orleans today. They've never been before." Georgiana suggested, her British accent formal and kind.

"Yes, that is a good idea, my love. Georgiana?" Elijah nodded then asked sheepishly, looking down at the light grey sheets that lay gathered at his waist, hiding hiding his manliness from view.

"Yes, my darling?" Georgiana asked stripping off her robe, so she stood before the armoire in her lacy underwear and stockings. Elijah couldn't resist looking at her as she contemplated her clothes and what to wear.

"What do Henry and Elizabeth like? What sort of personalities do they have? I know nothing about them." Elijah complained from his place on the bed as Georgiana pulled a black pencil skirt on followed by a black silk shirt which she buttoned as she looked for a pair of heels. Finding a pair she pulled them out and sat on the chair in the corner before answering him.

"That's what today is about. Elizabeth likes dancing and shopping, what girl wouldn't? She's very much like me- she enjoys contact with people, she's very open. For instance when she hugged you, she did that not just because she knew you are her father but because she's like that. She's funny, intelligent, kind. She speaks 18 different languages- something you both have in common- she is gifted with languages. Henry is a little more like you. He's noble, protective of all, especially his sister and me. He is honourable and has a great amount of patience, something you have in abundance." She had tied her shoes and now joined him again on their bed. "You'll know when you spend time together- it will be as if you have never been apart, or not known each other at all." She kissed his lips sweetly and left the room.

When she had left, he rose to dress and join his family for a day of "family bonding" as Georgiana had so poetically put it the night before when he, Niklaus, Hayley, Georgiana and the twins had visited Rosseau's for some "mourning" celebratory drinks. He left the room and paused. Now he watched from the gallery as his daughter and son greeted their mother with open arms. Niklaus and Hayley were sat with them.

His daughter, he noticed had an air of elegance in the way she moved, and her brother end shadowed her. Although appearing relaxed, he could also see that the boy was poised to step in for a fight should anything threaten his mother or sister. He smiled, Georgiana was right, he did feel like he had known them all their lives. He flashed down to join them happily.

"Ah, Elijah. Elizabeth was telling me about her love of dancing and I have suggested that in a few weeks, when our "mourning" period is over, I will arrange a dance to be held in their honour, her's, Georgiana'/ and Henry's. what do you say?" Niklaus greeted him, flashing a bright smile at his young niece.

"If that is what she wants then she may have it." Elijah agreed and saw Georgiana smiling at h&m over Elizabeth's head as the girl leapt up to hug him.

"Oh, thank you, Daddy." She said delighted and Elijah could tell that she was going to be a daddy's girl. He also noticed that she was wearing the same clothes as she did the day before when they had met.

"We must take you shopping, both of you," Elijah said looking between Elizabeth and Henry who too was wearing his grey suit from the day before. "You need some nice clothes now you are here with us for good." Elizabeth hugged him again.

"Oh, that would be wonderful, daddy, but we haven't any money with us." She admitted quietly.

"That's not a problem, you have nothing to worry about there, we have much saved up after our many years and many businesses. Do we not Niklaus?" Elijah explained.

"That we do brother, not that we use much of it, ever. Sometimes compulsion is better than money." Niklaus smiled wickedly and Georgiana smacked the back of his head gently with her palm.

"Behave, Nicky. I'm not sure my children are able to do that and anyway its bad manners." Georgiana explained as she moved to join Elijah.

"Go grab your coats, Henry, Elizabeth," she said as the twins disappeared into the compound building from the courtyard." I told you so. I told you you'd know them. It's all a matter of trust." She whispered in his ear as she took his arm, her handbag over her shoulder. Elijah wrapped his hand around the wallet in his pocket.

"Anything my children want they can have." He whispered. "As can you." At this Georgiana smiled with glee.

"Thank you, darling."

"How do they walk in the sun?" Elijah asked now thinking carefully as he watched his children run across the sunny courtyard without burning or sizzling as others would have.

"Her necklace and his ring. Daylighters. She refuses to wear any rings until she marries so I made hers a necklace instead, it works just the same as she wears it close to her skin." Georgiana explained as Elijah looked down at his own ring and then back to his children as they emerged once more.

"I see. I think I am going to like this family bonding, malarkey." He said with adoration of his face for the woman who had bore his children and loved him more than anyone else in the world.

"Good. Lets go shopping then." Georgiana smiled with a contented nod. They joined the twins by the outer door to the compound that led out into New Orleans. Henry offered his mother his other arm as they emerged onto the street, Elizabeth took her father's offered hand and they walked together along the sidewalk and down to the shops of New Orleans, including a jewellers where he purchased Georgiana a new engagement ring and a new wedding band to replace the ones she had lost over the years, completely by accident.

Hours later they returned to the compound just before dusk and the children disappeared to unwrap and put away their purchases, Georgiana was admiring her rings and Elijah st down in the courtyard with Nikalus and Hayley.

"Went well then?" She asked as he sat beside her.

"Oh, yes. Thank you, Hayley. I have a gift for you." He handed her a small box and inside, glittering up at her was a necklace with a heart pendant inside which was written "Hope" and on the reverse "family above all". Hayley smiled.

"Thank you, Elijah." She hugged him kindly and he returned it with sincerity.

"Perhaps one day, you and Hope and Niklaus will do this..." He said as he helped her put it on. "Take part in family bonding."

"Maybe we will one day. Lets just wait and see shall we?" She said with a smile touching the pendant that lay flat against the hollow of her throat.

"No, let us 'Hope'." Niklaus and Elijah said as one. All three laughed and Georgiana smiled. She knew this family bonding thing had been a good thing for all concerned.