Chapter 9.
Family dinners
Alana sighed and Elijah rolled off her, pulling her towards him in their bed. Dinner was fast approaching and Alana and Elijah had taken to their bed together- a final time they could lie together before the war begun, there would be times to come, Alana was sure, when the war was over- but how far in the future were those moments? She couldn't tell.
She made to get out of bed but Elijah pulled her back.
"Elijah, we must get ready. They'll be here soon." She said quickly but let Elijah take her into his arms.
"I know. I want to look at you, just once more like this... We may not get another time for a while, my love." Elijah said honestly, teasing the sheet from her clasped hands and pulled it gently down her body, revealing her in her natural beauty and lovers after glow. Alana smiled and slipped her hand towards him, holding him, warm in her hand. Elijah sucked in a breath.
"I love you, Elijah. You know that do you not?" Alana asked holding his gaze.
"I do. I love you too, my darling Alana. Always and forever." Elijah smiled, running a hand down her body so she shivered and her skin became like goose flesh.
"Elijah, what would you say if I told one more truth tonight? In front of everyone." Elijah looked puzzled and searched Alana's face for a hidden meaning- finding nothing.
"It would depend on what it is... A good thing I hope."
"A very good thing." She said and rose nude, from the bed and went to shower and dress, leaving Elijah staring after her in a little bubble of pleasure, desire and confusion.
Klaus and Hayley were waiting with Elijah at the bottom of the stairs in the courtyard of the compound for Alana to descend. Hayley saw her first and gasped causing klaus and Elijah to turn too and stare up at the vision of beauty.
Alana smiled and slowly descended the stairs. She was dressed in a halter neck Circle skirt reminiscent of the 1950s and high heels- both were midnight black in colour and were studded in sequins and beads. Her dark hair was piled high on the top of her head in a bun and her ears and neck were adorned with the gold and onyx jewellery Elijah had bought her in the 1790s when they had lived in Paris. A vision of power, grace and beauty. Elijah was stunned as she glided forward to meet them.
"Enchantè, Alana." Klaus smiled, impressed. Alana nodded her head to him.
"You are stunning, wife. Absolutely radiant." Elijah smiled offering her his arm and led her to the dining room to await their guests, who arrived moments later.
Cassie the young witch who was currently possessed by Esther and a tall black man, called "Vincent" who was in fact Finn, Elijah's elder brother.
"Good evening, mother." Elijah said politely as she was led in by the "hired help", Niklaus had in fact compelled them but it was the same difference. Cassie smiled as Vincent followed her.
"Hello, Niklaus, Elijah." Esther said through Cassie. She then turned her gaze to Hayley and Alana, a look that made Alana stiffen. "Pray, what are your names my dears?"
Elijah moved to stand between Hayley and Alana. "Mother, this is Hayley, klaus' bride and my own- Alana." Elijah ignored the nudge Hayley gave him discreetly, Alana saw and quickly covered it by wrapping her arms around Elijah.
"Hayley and I have more of a mutual partnership, mother. Elijah is the truly married one." Niklaus covered for Hayley, his hand on her shoulder, in warning.
"I see. Alana, might I ask how long you have been a part of my family?" Esther asked, as she took her seat at the head of the table, opposite Niklaus. Elijah pulled out Alana's chair between him and "Vincent".
"Roughly a decade, mother." Elijah said quickly.
"But we have known each other a lot longer than that, darling." Alana emphasised as she gingerly took her seat, still wary of Vincent. Elijah smiled and met her gaze. He would protect her and she would protect him he knew.
"So, you were together when I held the ball in Mystic Falls?" Esther asked.
"Yes, but I was unable to attend due to family issues which kept me away. My apologises, Esther. Esther pursed her lips but said nothing. They ate in companionable silence until Alana nudged Elijah's foot with her own he turned to her and she raised her eyebrows in question and he nodded. Knowing she was going to tell her own truth.
"Excuse me everyone, may I have a moment." Alana asked and the table fell silent. She took Elijah's hand in her own, her rings from years before fitted to her ring finger once more. Elijah smiled. "Elijah and I have some news."
"Yes, dear Alana?" Esther asked through Cassie, sounding weaker. She was about to body jump, Alana could tell.
"We're having a baby." She said and raised her hand against Vincent who went for her, let ring him collapse under he power. "She's jumping, Elijah." But they were too late, Esther was gone and a young, scared and confused Cassie was left in her place.
"Where is our mother?" Klaus demanded. Cassie shook her head and blatantly didn't know what had happened to her. Klaus gave up. Elijah was staring stunned at Alana. She smiled. He had wondered why she was glowing but was sure it could not be his. Vampire's couldn't have children, could they?