Previously in "Pages in Between", the family remembers Mikael and Eleanor by celebrating at the mansion. Finn and Sage reminisce of days gone by.
Chapter Twenty-Four
33 Years Earlier…
A younger looking Sage walked out of the gate for the passengers and immediately collided with a hard body. "Ooh, why don't you watch the bloody hell where you're going?!" she demanded as she stepped around him to go in search of her cousin.
A younger Finn eyed her curiously and grabbed her wrist. "Excuse me, watch where I'm going? You walked into me, so I think that the one who should watch where they're going is you."
"Let go of me, you big oaf!" Sage screeched at him as she pulled her wrist from his firm grasp.
Finn saw her pull away from him and when she tried to walk away from him, he stepped in front of her. "I believe you owe me an apology. For both walking into me and for calling me names. A lady should never insult a man, no matter how angry she is."
"Yes, well, pal, the Irish lass in front of you isn't going to apologize!" Sage hissed before she was saved by the blonde walking up to them.
"Excuse me, but is there a problem, Mr.?" her cousin Alexia Branson demanded of the man when he continued to harass Sage.
Finn scowled at the blonde. "I'll say there is. This little one here is refusing to apologize for walking into me and for calling me names."
Alexia scowled back. "Sage isn't little. And as far as apologizing is concerned, I don't think she owes you a damn thing."
Finn looked at Sage as he asked, "Sage, huh? Well, I must say, that is a beautiful name for one so angry." He cleared his throat. "I'm Finnegan Mikaelson, but you can call me Finn."
"How NOT so lovely to meet you, Finn; excuse me, but my cousin and I have somewhere to be," Sage said as she and Alexia linked arms and walked away. Once they were out of earshot of Finn, Alexia began to giggle. "It's not funny, Alexia Josephine! He almost knocked me over."
Lexi giggled again. "I know, but he sure is handsome."
Sage rolled her eyes and replied, "Yeah, handsomely obnoxious."
Lexi watched as Sage's glance moved quickly over her shoulder. "Oh my god, I didn't see it before! How could I have been so blind? You LIKE him!"
Sage looked at Lexi incredulously. "Like him? Me? Don't be ridiculous, Alexia. I can't STAND him!"
"Oh, come now," the blonde replied. "That's how every great love story begins."
Meanwhile, back at the gate, Finn was waiting for his 4 brothers, his father, his sister and his stepmother, plus his two half-siblings to get off the plane as well. His glance went toward the redhead almost out the door and he sighed. Would he ever see her again?
Finn's attention was soon diverted away from the door by the sound of his father calling to him and he looked to see Mikael emerging from the gate, along with Eleanor, Sabrina and Olivier. Finn smiled and went over to them. "How was the flight, Father?"
"Oh, can't complain," he replied. "Eleanor enjoyed it." He looked at his wife. "Didn't you, my love?"
Eleanor nodded. "Yes, it was lovely."
Finn bent down to his half siblings' height. "And did you two enjoy the flight?" he asked Sabrina and Olivier.
Their 4-year-old heads nodded eagerly. "We got to go in first class because of Daddy's job!" Sabrina said with an almost-toothless grin.
Finn smiled. "Wow, first class? That's exciting." He looked at Mikael. "Where's everyone else?"
Mikael nodded toward the gate, seeing Elijah emerging. "They're on their way out now."
Elijah was arguing with the very pregnant brunette beside him. She was yelling at him in French and he was yelling back in Greek.
Finn listened to Elijah arguing with the pregnant brunette, smiling slightly. It reminded him of his encounter with the lovely Sage earlier.
Later…
Finn left the new apartment he would be living in for as long as he could and instantly collided with a familiar set of curves. He glanced to see that it was the same redhead from the airport and he gave her a smirk. She scowled back at him before turning to unlock the door to her apartment, which was across from him. Stepping forward, Finn locked his arms around the redhead's waist, keeping her from doing anything else. "I can make you scream my name. Just a thought for when you're trying to sleep tonight," he whispered in her ear.
Sage felt herself shiver against her will as Finn whispered into her ear. "What if I don't want to scream your name?"
"Oh, don't be so sure," he replied. "You'll scream my name, because I know that you want me."
Sage turned around and looked at him. "Do you like being so cocky…Finn?"
Finn smirked. "Yes, I do…Sage." He then leaned in and kissed her softly, pushing her up against the door.
She shook her head in determination, pushing him away. "No. I am not ready for a relationship right now, okay?" she said softly before opening the door to her apartment and going inside.
Finn followed her inside then grabbed her elbow before she could retreat to her bedroom and to her privacy, pulling her flush against him and kissing her in a hot, demanding and passionate manner, one hand fisting in her red curls to keep her head in place. "Who said anything about a relationship?" he ground out against the skin of her neck when he finally broke the kiss and began marking a trail downward with his lips.
Against her will, Sage trembled and panted. "Damn you, Finn, why do you have to kiss the way you do?"
Finn smiled against her neck, licking and then nibbling on the sensitive flesh with his teeth.
Sage shifted a little away from him, breaking his concentration on kissing her neck then crossed her arms down by her sides. Finn realized her intention and helped her peel her heather gray blouse up over her head, tossing it onto the floor behind him.
Finn smirked. "You're so beautiful."
Sage smirked as well. "Thank you." She unbuttoned his shirt, her fingers making contact with his chest before kissing the soft skin there.
They broke apart when they heard someone outside the door calling his name. "Finnegan, where are you?"
"Who is that?" Sage asked as she grabbed her blouse and put it back on before Finn buttoned his shirt back up.
Finn bit back a curse. "Sarah!"
"That was how you and Finn met? I always thought it wasn't until after, when your dad hired him to keep you safe," Caroline said as she, Rebekah, Katherine, Lexi and Francesca all listened to her story.
The six women were gathered at Caroline's childhood home until the wedding, which was to take place the following week, close to Sage and Finn's anniversary.
Sage sighed as she drank from her tea cup. "Well, technically, yes. We fell in love after my father hired him to protect me."
Caroline nodded. "Either way, it sounds like a very compelling story. And I thought Nik and I didn't like each other when we first met."
"That was my fault," Katherine said. "I gave you crappy directions to the restaurant that night, which resulted in you getting there half an hour late. But, it doesn't matter now anyway, right? You and Klaus have been happily married for twenty years with five great kids…well six with the baby on the way, and Klaus worships the ground you walk on."
Reaching over, Katherine poked Rebekah. "Oh, that's a good story, mine and Stefan's first meeting. I'll certainly never forget it!"
Virginia State University – 22 Years Ago
Rebekah Mikaelson was in the library, doing some research on something for her class, when she saw a rather handsome young man with dark blonde hair and green eyes. She smiled as she approached him. "Looking for anything in particular?"
Her question made him look at her. "Well, kind of. I was hoping that I would find a book that would help me with a project for my Public Relations class." He smiled. "By the way, I'm Stefan Salvatore. What's your name?"
Rebekah returned his smile. "It's nice to meet you, Stefan. I'm Rebekah Mikaelson."
"Well, Rebekah Mikaelson, it's very nice to meet you," Stefan said as he lifted her hand to kiss the knuckles.
Rebekah felt him kiss her knuckles and giggled. "You're quite a gentleman, Stefan."
"My mother raised me to treat a lady with respect," Stefan said. "I'm just applying what I learned."
A dark-haired woman came running up to Rebekah and whirled her around. "He proposed! And I said yes!"
"Oh my goodness, Danni, that's so great!" Rebekah said as she hugged the other woman. "You have to let me help plan your wedding."
"Of course, because that's why I'm here; I want you to be my maid of honor, Bekah," the woman said.
Danni then caught sight of Stefan. "Bekah, who's you friend here, because he's definitely a cutie."
Rebekah smiled and turned around to make with the introductions. "Danni, this is Stefan Salvatore. Stefan, this is my friend, Danielle Nichols, Danni for short."
Stefan nodded. "It's lovely to meet you." He took her hand and placed a chaste kiss on her knuckles. "Your fiancé is a lucky man to be getting a beautiful young woman like you for his wife."
"I don't know about me, but I think my friend here found someone who certainly knows that chivalry hasn't died," Danni said with a smirk at Rebekah, who made a face back at her.
"Stefan did that, really?" Caroline was definitely astonished as her sister-in-law finished her story.
"Yes, he did," the other blonde replied. "Needless to say, he made quite an impression on both me and Danni. In fact, that same day, I asked him to be my date to Danni's and Vaughn's wedding. I know it was a bit forward after I just met him and all, but he accepted the invitation and we had a lovely time. There were some jealous buzzing among the other girls in the wedding party, but I didn't care, as long as I had Stefan Salvatore on my arm."
Sabrina, who had been playing a game on her cell phone, glanced up then reached over to poke Lexi. "I'm curious about yours and Kol's first meeting," she told the blonde.
Lexi blushed. "Sabrina!"
"Come on, Alexia, I want to know," her sister-in-law replied. "Please? Sage told us how she met Finn and Rebekah told us how she met Stefan. I even heard how Caroline met Niklaus. Come on; tell me how you met Kol!"
"Alright, alright, I'll tell you!" Lexi finally shrieked. "It all started at the beginning of my almost short-lived music career, during a mix-up of drinks."
New York City – 22 Years Ago
Lexi Branson stepped off the stage after her set was over. Eager to wet her whistle, she went to the bar, where she ordered a gin and tonic. When it came out, she saw that it was a different drink. "Wait, this isn't my drink. Who the hell has my drink?"
"I have it, love."
Lexi turned around and saw a rather handsome young man with dark hair as she asked, "How?"
"Apparently, the bartender is an idiot." He smiled. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Kol Mikaelson. What might your name be?"
"I'm Alexia Branson, who just finished with the band on stage," she said with a smile.
Kol smiled again. "Well, Alexia Branson, it's a pleasure to meet you." He lifted her hand kissed her knuckles. "And I enjoyed hearing you sing."
Lexi giggled. "Thank you."
"Awe," Sabrina and Francesca said in unison, both dodging the pillows Lexi threw at them.
Meanwhile…
Liam was sitting in the living room at the mansion, strumming his guitar and practicing what he was going to be doing for the ceremony and reception. He looked up and saw Carrie walking in and carrying a tray with a plate of freshly sliced apples and cheese, smiling at her. "Oh, thank you, love."
"You're welcome," she replied. "I thought maybe you'd like something to snack on." She set the tray down on the coffee table, kissing him before stealing a piece of apple from the plate. "So, how's it going?"
"It's going great," Liam said. "It was a bit tough in the beginning, but it's getting there."
Nadia came wondering in then. "Hello, cousin!" she said excitedly as she plopped down next to Liam.
Liam glared at her then softened his look when Carrie sent one his way as well.
Liam took a slice of apple from the plate. "What do you need, Nadia?"
Nadia gave him a grin identical to Kol's. "What makes you think I want something?"
"Because, you've only been known to pester ANY of your cousins whenever you want something to do, and it's not funny any more, Nadia," Carrie responded with a frown. "What do you really want?"
Nadia pouted and was about to reply when she saw Klaus walking into the room. "Hi, Uncle Nik," she said.
Klaus raised an eyebrow. "Hello, Nadia. Bothering your cousins again, I see."
"Actually, Father, we were about to ask her what she really wanted when you walked in." Liam looked at Nadia. "Now, spill it, Nadia, what do you really want?"
"Mum wanted to know if she and I could join in on the duet you and Uncle Niklaus have been planning for Uncle Finn and Aunt Sage's wedding," Nadia suggested as she picked out an apple slice, crunching into it.
Klaus smiled at that. "You know, that's not a bad idea. We could use some female vocals." He looked at Liam. "In fact, I think that's what the song was missing. That's why it didn't sound like it was complete."
"Now that you've mentioned it, Aunt Alexia and Nadia joining us could solve our problem," Liam said. "If we add them in, it won't be a disaster."
Klaus nodded. "Then, it's a good thing we didn't give up."
"What song are you two doing for it?" Nadia asked as she picked up the notebook from the table.
Klaus and Liam looked at each other and then Liam looked at Nadia. "A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. It's the perfect song for Uncle Finn and Aunt Sage, since it describes their relationship perfectly."
One Week Later…
Nadia and Liam stood beside each other, with their respective parents behind them, as they all watched Sage glide down the stairs. Nadia began to sing first:
Heartbeats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
Lexi took the chorus and the next verse:
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
As Sage took Finn's outstretched hand from where he stood at the foot of the stairs, Liam strummed his guitar then began to sing with a clear, beautiful voice:
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I love you for a thousand more
One step closer
Finn and Sage walked to the makeshift altar, where Pastor Young was standing, and when everyone was seated, he said, "We are gathered here to witness the renewal of vows of Finnegan Cooper Mikaelson and Sage Victoria O'Reilly Mikaelson. They have each written their own vows that they will share now."
Finn took Sage's hands and said, "Thirty-three years ago, I was honored to call you Sage Mikaelson and today, I get to have that honor again. I love you just as much now as I did then and will keep on loving you every day for the rest of my life."
Sage smiled and said, "It's been a blessing to have you as my husband, Finn. You have made me the happiest woman in the world and until my last dying breath, I will thank you for making my life complete. I love you, now and forever."
As they exchanged eternity rings, Lexi and Klaus joined their voices together to finish off the song for the couple:
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I love you for a thousand more
At the reception later on, Caroline smiled at her husband and son. "You guys were amazing. I was crying the whole time you sang."
Meanwhile…
Ruby was outside getting some fresh air when she sensed a presence standing there and turned to smile at an unfamiliar face. "Can I help you?"
The man Ruby spoke to turned and smiled at her. "I was looking for a Ruby Mikaelson."
"I'm Ruby Mikaelson. Why? Who wants to know?"
"You've been served, Ms. Mikaelson," the man said before placing the envelope into her line of vision.
Ruby blinked. "I'm what? Who the hell sent you?"
"Caleb Steward," the man replied simply before turning and walking away.
Finn saw how upset Ruby was when she came in. "What's wrong, Ruby Red?"
"Your former son in law is going to fight me for custody, that's what's wrong!" Ruby said, holding out the envelope in anger.
Finn took the envelope from her. "Well, if it's a fight he wants, it's a fight he's going to get!"
"Agreed," a long-lost voice said from the doorway, and everyone turned to see a face they weren't expecting to see.
Ruby gasped when she saw..."Colin?"
Colin smiled as he walked in, Tanya at his side. "Yes, cousin, it's me. I got a text from Bridget after we got back from our honeymoon and we couldn't miss out on seeing Uncle Finn and Aunt Sage's vow renewal."
Another familiar face appeared behind Colin and Tanya, and Sage let out a sound that fell somewhere between a gasp and a squeal. "COOPER, YOU'RE HOME!"
Colin smiled. "Yeah, and to reiterate what Uncle Finn said, if it's a fight Caleb wants, he's going to get one. When he messes with one Mikaelson, he messes with all the Mikaelsons."
Sage pointed over Colin's shoulder to her only son as she began to cry silent tears of joy. Their nephew turns and greets the cousin he brought home as a surprise for his Aunt Sage, knowing that the redhead missed him dearly. Cooper shook Colin's hand then moved over to his mother, opening his arms to her as she fell into them, muffled sobs escaping her as he rubbed her back comfortingly.
Cooper kissed his mother's forehead as he said, "Happy anniversary, Mum."
Sage sobbed a little more. "Thank you, Cooper. I missed you so much. I'm glad you're here."
"I've missed you too, Mum," Cooper said as he finally turned to his father as he approached the hugging duo. "And hello to you, Father; happy anniversary."
Finn smiled at his son. "Thank you, son, it's good to see you."
Author's Note: Because you all are great with the reviews, here is another update from your two FAVORITE collaborators, Katie and Erin! We have already discussed it and we'll be planning out more chapters after 25, so be on the lookout soon!