Chapter 3
Klaus POV
A/N: Tokophobia: fear of pregnancy & childbirth.
Just in case someone doesn't know what that is.
Chapter 3 | Klaus POV
Pulling around the driveway to her home I notice something: her humvee is gone. Has she left? Is she running from me? She should know that won't work.
The front door is open and the dogs are running free. Judging by the sound of it, everyone is in the backyard so we invite ourselves around the back of the house.
Sean and Val are here. Bree and Frye are not. Then there are six hybrids playing in the pool with a giant beach ball.
"There's a wicked witch on the way and you're playing water polo? I hope you're enjoying yourselves." I snap.
"I was. Then I saw your face and saw everyone else with you and it's ruined my morning." Sean growls. "She's not here."
"Then where is she?"
"And what wicked witch is on the way here? The wicked witch lives here. Here, it lives." Frye gives a laptop to Val.
"Thanks."
"We wouldn't have this problem if you listened to me."
"Yeah, yeah. I heard ya the first million times. Klaus, a word alone, inside."
"I don't trust you alone with him." Elijah's attempt to follow is blocked by the fact he's not been invited in.
"It's not me he needs to worry about."
"The rest of us are in this too you know." Hayley says.
"And if I were you, I'd never speak to her unless you want her to lash out at you." Val calmly states and Hayley makes a face.
"It's not like they were together."
"You spoke to her the day you were leaving his house afterwards. Until you've been there, I suggest you shut up."
I can see the gears click in Hayley's head. She remembers the moment I'm only just now learning about, and horror crosses her face before she looks pitiful.
"She hates me, doesn't she?"
"Do I even need to answer that?"
I follow Val into the kitchen and the others remain in the sun-room at the back of the house. Hayley and Elijah get the joy of Sean's uncomfortable silence.
"Lets hear it. You just wanted to give me the protective dad talk, right?"
"It's taken her a long time to become functioning again. Longer than it did when Johnny died and when Addie burned that bridge. You weren't here for the aftermath of your selfishness." And then he jabs me in the nose. "Then when she decided to go looking for your stupid ass because one of you stubborn idiots has to make a move, she finds her leaving your place and stinking of you! My question is, and you best answer me honestly, was Roxanne your side dish?"
I've seen Val disappointed. I've seen him angry. But I have never seen this look in his eyes.
"Side dish?" I grab a paper towel for my bloody nose.
"The chick you went to while you were waiting on Hayley to take you back. In other cases it's the chick you're with while you're waiting on the one you want."
"No." I snap my nose back into place so it can heal faster. "Hayley and I don't have a history like that."
"Well that's sure as fuck what it looked like to her and I'm not sure I believe you."
"She ever tell you about Tyler Lockwood?"
"No."
"He was the first hybrid I made. He and Hayley conspired against me to break the sire bond between the other hybrids and myself. Tyler's in the wind. Hayley went back to Louisiana and I had promised someone in Mystic Falls I would piss off and leave them all alone. I went to New York, I met Roxy. When I left I went to New Orleans, Hayley and I ran into each other. There was witch issues, vampire and werewolf drama, and there was a moments weakness mixed with too much alcohol. It was one night."
"That's all?"
"That's all." I confirm before washing my face in the sink and toss the bloody Bounty towels in the trash.
"I hadn't seen Hayley for weeks afterwards. Next thing I know the daddy bomb is being dropped on me while I'm trying to retake my city. Then Dalilah's back from the dead and is trying to kill my first born, and what a shock it was to learn Hope isn't it."
If she had been there sooner- one fucking day- ONE DAY! And so much could be different right now. So much.
"When she and Hayley spoke, do you know what was said?"
"Rox said Hayley must've thought she was a street kid because she asked if she was alright. Judging by the state of Roxy when she got home, I think she was in too much shock to just kill her. You," He flicks me in the nose and it makes my eyes water. "broke her. She does not break easy. Do not force your way back into her life."
Flick me again and I'll snap your neck.
"Dalilah-"
"Wants your kids. Blah blah blah, we know. Freya told Roxy all about that yesterday. We've been informed. I know what a spiteful bitch Roxy can be and if you force your way back into her life, what makes you think she won't make her hand them over to Dalilah just to spite you?"
"She wouldn't."
"She's tokophobic. Your compulsion failed and you left her. She spent over a year just sitting around doing nothing because she went numb and she may as well have turned it off. You're a father after how long and you think I don't know that terrified you? How do you think that was for her? And knowing now you got someone else knocked up and you were there for all that? Can you even conceive how much you've hurt her?" His voice raising the longer he speaks.
"I left because I didn't want to hurt her!" I bark.
"And you think that very act wouldn't hurt her?!" He yells back.
I hadn't considered it because I didn't know she was immune to compulsion.
"How is she immune?" I ask.
"I don't know. She's never said and I don't care to know. My point of this conversation is to back the fuck off. If you want any chance of seeing those kids, you will ease back into her life and you will do so without your family or the were-bitch up her ass."
"We don't have time for that!"
"We're immortal. There is always time. You know I'm right about this, Klaus. You've seen how she reacts to threats and being forced to do something she doesn't want to do."
"Hostility and violence. I know." I run my hand through my hair. "Has she ever mentioned me to them?"
"No."
That hurt. I'm not gonna deny it. I love her. I was foolish and selfish, but I was trying to do right by her damn it! Why does no one see that?
"Do you love her?"
"Don't start with me."
"I'm not asking to pick at you. I'm asking because I want to know."
"What's it to you if I do or don't?"
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm the daddy figure. You've got a daughter now. Maybe now some part of that idiot brain of yours can comprehend why I'm asking. Because if you don't, then I don't want you around her."
If some boy did this to my daughter, he's dead. I wouldn't ask questions. His head would be on a stick and his body left out for the crows.
"He does. He's not actually that stupid. He's just being a stubborn jackass." Rebecca's invited herself into the house and to the fridge for a drink. "Ooh, pink lemonade."
Roxy doesn't like lemonade. Says it tastes different than the pink lemonade and she won't drink anything that looks like pee. So ridiculous, it's just dyed pink!
"I don't believe I was asking you and this is a private conversation."
"It's hot out. I'm thirsty. Deal with it grandpa."
"Someone ought to spank that attitude outta you."
"And I suppose you're gonna be the one to do it? I'd love to see you try. I'm an original."
"And you say that like it means I give a damn. courtesy, blondie, learn some. Or after all those lifetimes, you must be the origin of every dumb blond joke in existence?"
She glares at him and I can see black veins appear just a little bit.
"Rebecca,"
"Klaus."
"Any suggestions?"
"First of all, stop bringing your were-bitch with you. It's like rubbing salt in the wound. Second, tell Elijah to shut up. She don't like him. Third, fucking apologize for being a weak, impulsive little dick."
Rebecca snickers. "And you're taking that from him? She really must be something."
"And from what I hear of you, blondie, is you have no love in your life. Is that why you're so focused on his? Or are you too vain and needy? Desperation has a smell you know."
"Fuck you. You don't know anything about me."
"You'll learn I can read people exceptionally well. It was my gift as a witch and I hated it."
"You were a witch?"
"My now ex-wife thought it'd be a good idea to spring it on me during our honeymoon."
"What an incredible love life you lead." Rebecca drawls.
"It was the 20s. Every guy you date know what you are?"
Rebecca doesn't answer.
"Didn't think so. Now, as I was saying before she decided to stick her big ass in here-"
"My ass isn't big."
"Talk to her. You do it alone and you be fucking honest with her and you apologize. Beg if you have to because chances are that's what it's gonna take for her to believe you. Am I clear?"
"Crystal. Now let us get something clear: I will let that slide because of her, but do not think that if you continue this attitude with me that I will let it go without some sort of punishment."
"I dare you. I'm daddy. She can always find another boyfriend. Maybe she already has."
"What?"
He puts a hand over his mouth like oops and says no more. We return to the patio where Elijah is on me.
"So?"
"He gave me the protective dad talk. Nothing to be worried about. New rules until further notice: Elijah, Hayley and Hope are not to be in her presence."
"Now she's- Hope's just a kid! She didn't do anything!"
"One I created with someone who's not her. How would you like it if Elijah got someone else knocked up?"
"Finally! It took you long enough!" Freya cheers.
"He's a bit dense." Rebecca comments.
"Maybe mother dropped him on his head when he was a baby." Kol adds.
I smirk and ask Kol, "Then what's your excuse? Just plain stupidity?"
"Yep." Rebecca answers.
"Bite me."
"And the other rules?" Elijah inquires.
"I'm to talk to her alone and the rest of you will just have to wait."
"We don't have-" Elijah begins but I cut him off.
"Time. I told him that. He insists and I can't say I disagree with him. Roxy doesn't give in when people use force. She'll put up with your shit and when she has the chance, she'll get you. She'll get you good and you won't see it coming. Val suggested I ease back into her life."
"Considering how you left things and how you've come back, I'm just going to say duh." Freya replies. "Did I use that phrase right?"
"Spot on." Kol tells her. "If we gotta wait for Klaus to make nice with her so she'll not give us the horns, I'm gonna get naked in that pool."
"Please don't." Rebekah pleads.
"Too late!"
"Ah!" The hybrid women both squeal.
"My virgin eyes!"
"You're a virgin?!"
"I was until I saw your turtle neck pecker!"
"Hey, there wasn't circumcision in my day and don't dis the turtle neck. A lotta girls find it cute!"
"Eeh!"
"Put your shorts back on! No body wants to see that!" Val barks. "Put 'em on or I'll do it for ya!"
"You and what army?"
All the hybrids turn quiet and look at him.
"You were saying?"
Kol growls but puts his shorts back on before diving off the board into the pool, purposely splashing the girls who are already soaked.
"In that case, we will return home and see you later." Elijah tells me and tells Hayley to go ahead, he will be there in a moment. "Your plan is what exactly? We can't wait forever for her to forgive you. You did nothing wrong. Aside from breaking your promise about the compulsion. You and Roxanne were not together when you and Hayley happened."
"And? Go on brother. I know you've got more to say."
"Hayley is right about us, Niklaus. We can find happiness if we allow ourselves to. What you did wasn't just to protect her from your enemies but to protect yourself from heartbreak you were expecting, but in doing so you did to her what you wanted to avoid from her. It was selfish and cruel, and you're being stupid."
"Feel better?"
His smirk grows into a smile but he says nothing before leaving. When I hear his car pull away from the road, I take mine into town.