Chapter 7: Oh Maker of Mine
"7, stop pulling!" Zara attempted to escape Rebekah's fingers but her belly wouldn't allow her to move fast enough. The baby inside her seemed to hum whenever Rebekah was near, and punished her insides less with little to no kicks at all. "Shouldn't I be worried about you hair? It is you and Marcel's mating ceremony, not mine." Zara looked at her through the mirror; of course her hair was already perfect. She didn't hold her gaze through. Zara grabbed her wrist and turned to face her, "Becks, what's wrong? Are you having second thoughts?" Rebekah's gaze remained elsewhere, not only did she seem nervous; she seemed totally unnerved as well. "No…"-her voice trailed off and Zara gave it no second thoughts. The sounds of bells chiming let them know the service was beginning. Elijah's face appeared in the doorway. "There you are. Its time." With ease, Zara lifted from the chair. Elijah glanced at her belly warmly. "How's he doing?" Zara smiled. "He's strong and stubborn. His father's son." "Heaven's help us." Came his reply. This happened every discussion about the newest member of the growing family. Though Rebekah smiled with them, it was weak and she was faint, hoping to at least make it through the day.
The Ceremony
Festive music played, the ceremony had been beautiful as Rebekah and Marcel tied knot, jumped broom, and exchanged blood as the sun set. Elijah commended the service, Niklaus stood behind Marcel, sending telepathic messages and images towards his mate Zara who tried to do her best maintaining a straight face as she stood behind Rebekah. As people danced the night away, Niklaus found Zara amongst the younger witches and werecubs, showing them magic tricks and fireworks. His arms wrapped around her bulge, causing the little children to giggle and run away. The baby moved under his father's touch. "I plan on keeping every image you've seen come true tonight," his whisper along her earlobe. Zara smiled and leaned into him, turning her head slightly to capture his lips with hers. "You'll make him a splitting image of you." She accused. He grinned wickedly, "Knowing my intention, still you love every minute of it." And their lips were together once more. –Zariya.- the kiss was broken. Zara blinked before closing the mental connection she shared with Niklaus, a little too late. He heard it to. –Marie?- Zara questioned, pulling away from Klaus but not far. His hand grasped her, his eyes curious. –Marie? Girl, we NEED to talk. Now.- her aunts voice resonated with bite and pulsed with an angry rim. The image of the summer home came into her mind. "It's my aunt." She said breathlessly. The last time they'd seen or heard from her was at their own mating day. Niklaus's eyes searched the crowd. "Not here, at the summerhome." His wicked grin appeared again. "I'll take you." Zara swatted him away playfully. "You're needed here. We'll be fine." With a brief kiss, she was gone but not before sending him a provocative image of her in his mind. Coming from the teleportation, Zara nearly passed out on the cold coble stone of the garden. The baby kicked his distaste, his sever dislike for teleportation. –I'm sorry little one- his mind wasn't strong enough to send a reply, but the kicking subsided. "Zariya AnaNarei LaBeau." Came her aunt's signature heavily accented voice. Zara turned with a smile but immediately cringed once she saw the intense disappointment written across her aunt's features as she glanced down at her belly before turning towards the house. "Come. We have much to discuss, and very little time."
Meanwhile
"We should say something." Rebekah's nerves finally got the best of her, watching Elijah dance with women and Niklaus turn many down. Marcel saw no need. "Its been years. I think it didn't work, we're fine. We're together. Finally." His words were soothing but only for the moment.
Niklaus made his way towards the bar finally. There were many women throwing themselves his way, but he didn't see them. Only the graven on image of his wife, though heavy with child, his child, she was still the most pleasing sight and satisfaction. A sharp prick to his back made him freeze. "And here I thought the beast was a one of a kind womanizer." The voice. That voice that stilled his blood. "Father-" the blade, the eternal dagger pressed deeper into his flesh now. "You're no son of mine boy and you know it. Face me." Niklaus turned slowly. His father Mikhail smiled coldly. "I hear you're to be a father soon yourself. Tell me. Where is the ungodly scourmaid?" Niklaus's jaw clenched as the blade tapped his chest, but he said nothing. Merely looked past his father's head to where Elijah was still dancing, unaware of the enemy in their midst. "Well boy? Where is she?" Mikhail pressed the dagger in deep, Niklaus grunted a little as his blood hit the air. "She's safe. And you'll never lay eyes on her or my son." The digging stopped. Niklaus could see from his peripheral that Marcel and Rebekah had joined Elijah and they were trying to evacuate partiers subtly without gaining their father's attention. "Your son?" Niklaus's eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened. "Yes…my son. You've never been much of a father to me; I will not make the same mistake you did. My son will be loved. My wife is not here, she's safe. So. Father. Do what you will. Try to break me if you can." Mikhail studied the bastard he raised for several seconds. "As you wish." His unoccupied hand rose slowly and waved. A building across from them exploded into flame and shattering glass. The screams had begun.