Chapter 32

We are family

It was definitely the strangest family dinner Zora had ever even heard about. Esther was smiling warmly and Elijah was trying to explain his siblings some basic things about 21st century because apparently they had all been…well, dead. Klaus just seemed very uncomfortable. That wasn't really surprising since he was the one who had killed his entire family. Zora wasn't quite sure what to think about that. Kol and Finn looked strange wearing some of Elijah's clothes. They both had refused to accept any clothes from Klaus.

Rebekah on the other hand was wearing one of Zora's dresses although she hadn't been too happy about it. Esther had borrowed some of her clothes as well and thanked her very politely. Fortunately they would all get some new clothes in the morning. Understandably they had all wanted to change their clothes after wearing them for…who knew how long. Apparently at least Finn had been dead a while since his first reaction to cell phone had been "what kind of sorcery is this". Elijah definitely got his hands full. Zora felt like she was intruding when she sat next to Klaus and tried to eat something although she wasn't really hungry. Nathan was sitting on her other side. She was grateful that he was there.

"Wait, wait", Finn said. "So people can fly now?"

"No, no, they don't fly; they have these machines called airplanes. Remember what I told you about cars… but we get to that later."

Finn seemed confused. But who could blame him; he had a lot to learn. Kol and Rebekah were listening to Elijah as well but they didn't seem to have so much catching up to do. For some reason Esther didn't seem interested about the modern world at all. She was just chatting and smiling.

"So Zora, tell me about yourself", she said kindly.

Zora had no idea what to say. The thought that this woman was kind of her mother-in-law was just so…weird.

"There isn't really much to tell", she murmured.

"Oh, I do not believe that. How long have you known my son?"

"Not very long."

Zora tried desperately to think some excuse to leave. She really didn't want to be here.

"I think you need some rest", Nathan suddenly said.

Zora looked at him gratefully.

"Yes, I think you're right. Please excuse me everyone."

Elijah, Finn, Kol and Klaus all stood up when she did. Zora wondered why until she remembered that it was considered polite. She wasn't really surprised that they were old fashioned. They had probably been around when that whole etiquette was invented. She went to hers and Klaus' room. Nathan followed her.

"Wow", Zora said when Nathan had closed the door.

"Yeah, tell me about it. They really make the Addams family look like perfectly normal."

Zora tried not to laugh.

"That wasn't very nice thing to say."

Nathan shrugged. "Hmm but it's true."

Zora couldn't really deny that. She sat on the bed and tried to calm down. She could still feel the adrenaline rush. Nathan sat next to her.

"Are you ok kiddo?"

"Yeah, I just can't believe that Klaus did that to his own family."

Nathan placed his hand on her shoulder.

"As I have said before, please be careful with that guy. I don't want you to get hurt because of him."

"I know and I appreciate your concern but you don't have to worry. Honestly."

"I'll never stop looking after you kiddo, no matter how grown-up you are", Nathan said firmly.

Zora smiled but before she could say anything, the door opened and Rebekah marched in. She hadn't bothered to knock.

"I need another dress", she said rudely. "I spilled wine on this one."

Nathan looked at Zora.

"Excuse us", she said quietly.

He hesitated but apparently thought that it was better to leave. Rebekah didn't pay any attention to him.

"Well?" she asked impatiently.

Zora didn't really appreciate her attitude but she forced herself to be polite.

"Ok, let's see", she said and opened her closet.

"No, no, no", Rebekah kept saying when Zora showed her dresses.

"Don't you have anything tasteful? Only prostitudes used to wear that kind of clothes."

"Yeah well, we're not in a stone age anymore", Zora said before she managed to stop herself.

"What did you say?" Rebekah asked menacingly.

"What I meant was that times have changed. Nowdays women can wear pretty much what ever they want. Let me show you."

Zora didn't usually read fashion magazines but she fortunately had kept the ones that one of the maids had brought her. She handed them to Rebekah who was looking at her suspiciously.

"You can keep them if you want", Zora said.

Finally Rebekah took the magazines and started to look at them.

"This is fashion now?" she asked disbelievingly.

"Yeah, probably, I really don't know so much about fashion."

"That doesn't surprise me."

Zora wasn't offended. She would probably be in a bad mood too if she would have spent last few decades in a coffin.

"Listen, you can pick yourself nicer clothes tomorrow but right now you're welcome to take mine. Maybe you can find something…less whorish."

"I doubt that", Rebekah said but she didn't sound so rude anymore. Actually she almost smiled.

"And I need something for my hair", she added.

They went to the bathroom and Zora gave her some shampoo and conditioner. Rebekah looked at the bottles.

"I hope thise won't make my hair look same way than yours."

Zora smiled.

"Let's hope not."

There was a moment of silence before Rebekah spoke.

"So you and Nik? How do you put up with him?"

Zora shrugged.

"He can be sweet when he wants to be."

Rebekah snorted.

"He wasn't so sweet when he put a dagger through my heart."

Zora nodded.

"I can't even imagine how you must feel. But if there's anything I can do to help…"

Rebekah grinned.

"Actually, there is. Don't give him any."

"Sorry?"

"Since Kol, Finn and I have to learn all thise 21st century things, I think it's only fair if Nik makes some sacrifices as well. A little celibacy would be good for him; at least until we have all learn the basic things about this century. What do you say; could you do that for me?"

Zora looked at her trying to decide was she serious. Apparently she was.

"Ok, I can do that", Zora said.

Rebekah smiled.

"Thank you. I would just love to see his face when you tell him."

They continued talking about clothes when Klaus came in. He seemed surprised to see them getting along so well.

"You must come shopping with me tomorrow", Rebekah said when she headed to the door.

"Sure", Zora replied.

Rebekah smiled devilishly when she got past her brother.

"You have a good night now Nik."

"What was that about?" Klaus asked when she had left.

Zora smiled.

"We need to talk."

...

Nathan took a quick look to the living room and saw Elijah explaining to Finn and Kol how TV worked. They both seemed very interested. Nathan went to the dining room where Esther was waiting for him. He closed the door and looked at her.

"It is safe to speak", Esther said smiling.

Nathan nodded.

"What do you think?" he asked.

Esther sighed.

"I am afraid that the situation is even worse than I thought. This bond between my son and Zora…it must be broken."

"I agree. So do you have a plan?"

"Of course I have my dear Nathaniel", Esther said smiling. "You can leave this all to me. But there is something I need you to do."

"Sure, what is it?"

"I need you to help me find someone."

"Ok, who?"

Esther smiled.

"My husband, Mikael."