Previously in "Pages in Between", Elijah finally meets his now adult daughter, and Katherine meets her too. Ruby and Caleb argue about Cooper and kiss.

Chapter Twenty-Six – Henrik and Francesca

Francesca was standing on a ladder in the middle of the hallway, hanging decorations and was leaning over too far when she felt herself falling, but she never heard the thud of her body meeting the floor. Her eyes opened to look at who saved her fall.

Henrik smiled at her. "Are you alright, love; any broken bones?"

Francesca nodded. "I am now, and no." She returned his smile. "Thank you for saving me, uh, what is your name?"

"Henrik, Henrik Mikaelson," he replied.

"It's nice to meet you, Henrik," Francesca said. "I'm Francesca. Francesca Leroux."

"That's a very beautiful name," Henrik said as he gently eased her down onto the floor. Francesca bit her lip as she attempted to walk on her foot.

Henrik saw that Francesca was having difficulty walking on one foot and just as she was about to fall again, he caught her. "You should probably have that foot looked at, Francesca," he suggested.

She nodded and Henrik swept her up into his arms before carrying her toward the nurse's office.

Henrik reached the nurse's office and said, "There was a little accident. The young lady was hanging some decorations and, misjudged where she was stepping, fell from the ladder she was standing on. Fortunately, I was able to catch her. However, she needs to have her foot looked at. She tried walking on it and nearly fell because of the pain she was in."

The dark-haired nurse nodded then frowned when she turned around. "Francesca, what on earth did you do?!" the woman asked her with a concerned look.

"Aunt Theresa, I think that, just before I fell off the ladder, that my foot got tangled in the ladder and I twisted my ankle," Francesca told her.

"There's no need to scold the girl, ma'am," Henrik said. "It was an accident, as I said before."

"Henrik, this is my aunt Theresa Young. Theresa, this is Henrik Mikaelson. He did save me before I could fall onto the floor," Francesca told the dark-haired woman.

Theresa smiled at Henrik. "It's nice to meet you, Henrik, and thank you for coming to my niece's aid like that. You're quite the little gentleman."

Henrik smiled as well. "My father and stepmother always told me that when someone, especially a lady, is in trouble, I should do my best to help them in any way that I can."

After School…

Henrik smiled at his oldest brother when he pulled up in the SUV he drove for his job then climbed into the front passenger's seat, grinning over his shoulder at his niece Ruby, who was in the back seat. "Hi Ruby Red, how was your day?"

Ruby smiled at her uncle. "I had a great day, Uncle Henrik." She noticed the smile on his face. "How was your day?"

"My day was great, Ruby! I met a pretty girl today, after saving her from almost falling off of a ladder," Henrik replied.

Finn listened to this. "Henrik met a girl? My little brother is growing up so fast. And what is this girl's name?"

Henrik smiled. "Francesca." He spotted her on crutches walking toward a car with the nurse from earlier. "That's her," he said, pointing her out to his oldest brother.

Finn smiled when he saw the girl in question. "She's beautiful, Henrik. I can see why you were smiling when you said her name."

"How is Sage doing?" Henrik said as he changed the subject.

Finn shook his head and decided to answer his question. "She's doing just fine."

"Oh? And she's not complaining at all because of the round-the-clock morning sickness?" Henrik asked, teasing his oldest brother.

Finn rolled his eyes at his brother's words. "She does complain, yes, but fortunately, she has me there to make things better. Though, I've been on the receiving end of a mood swing or two. Last week, I got a black eye when she opened the closet door and I accidentally walked into it."

Henrik snorted. "That sounds like a faithful husband that my brother is turning out to be!"

Finn laughed slightly. "I'd do just about anything for Sage, Henrik. I know you don't understand it now because you're young yet, but when you're older and have a wife of your own, you'll understand the lengths I go to keep my wife happy."

Henrik smiles at his oldest brother. "You, Elijah, Niklaus and Kol are all devoted to your wives, which is really great. And Stefan is a great brother in law to have around for Bekah's needs," he said as Finn pulled the SUV out of the parking lot and began driving toward the mansion.

Finn smiled. "Yeah, we are. Father is devoted to Eleanor, which is even better."

Henrik nodded. "It is. I guess I have all the role models I can get."

Francesca glanced up when she heard the door creak open to the bedroom and she gave her husband a smirk as he stepped inside.

Henrik returned his wife's smirk. "Hello, beautiful."

Francesca laughed. "After all this time, you can still make me feel good."

"I should hope so," Henrik said. "Otherwise, I failed at my duties as your husband."

Henrik joined her on the bed, one set of fingers stroking her bare thigh before leaning over to kiss the skin.

Francesca felt him kissing her thigh and moaned as she lies back against the pillow. "Oh, Henrik, that feels so good."

Henrik smiled against her thigh, kissing it again. Then he moved up further, going toward the silk hem of her negligee.

Francesca arched her back as she felt him going further up and she lets out a scream of pleasure, earning her a smile from her husband. Henrik then played with the waistband of her panties. Kissing her stomach, he said, "You're so beautiful, Francesca."

"You make me feel beautiful, Henrik. You have since the day we met," she said on a strangled moan.

Henrik smiled. "Well, it wasn't hard when you stole my heart without any effort at all."

His wife smiled back at him then pulled him up until they were face to face. Francesca kissed him passionately. "I love you, Henrik Mikaelson, with every breath in my body."

Henrik smiled against her lips and returned her kiss. "I love you too, Francesca Leroux Mikaelson, forever and always."

Meanwhile…

Savannah Fell-Gilbert (Garrison) was slowly approaching the hospital when she felt a hand clamp tightly over her mouth before she was pulled backward into an alley. Once the other person removed their hand, she let her hands beat on their chest. "Damn it, Xavier, do you mind not sneaking up on me?" she demanded in a medium volume.

"Oh, Van, you're so beautiful when you're spitting mad," Xavier said with a smirk.

Savannah growled at Xavier. "Don't call me that! You know I hate that nickname, even if it's meant to be cute."

Xavier laughed slightly. "Whatever you say...Van," he replied with another smirk.

The girl with dark blonde curls beat more on his chest before finally turning and stomping off. "How did you even know I was here?" she tossed as a demanding question over her shoulder, knowing he was going to soon follow.

Xavier smiled at her as he followed her. "Isn't it obvious? I know you work at this hospital and I thought I'd drop by to see you."

"Do your parents even know you're in Mystic Falls, Xavier Mikaelson?" Savannah asked as she headed into the hospital lobby, where she showed her badge to the guards at the front desk.

"Savannah, you wound me," he replied. "I called my parents the second I got into town, so they know I'm here."

She sent a smirk his way as she headed further into the hospital, giggling when the guards prevented him from going further in. "Sorry, Xavier, I'll see you later!" she called out as she walked backward before turning back around.

Xavier nodded as he watched her head into the hospital. "See you later, love. Have a good day."

Savannah looked over her shoulder and smiled at him before heading into the building. When she got to the wing she worked on, she was immediately greeted by the knowing smirk belonging to her almost half sister Nichole. "What?" Savannah asked as she settled herself into a chair then opened a chart that had been nestled into the wooden rack.

Nichole continued to smirk. "So, tell me, Savannah, what's the deal with you and Xavier?"

Savannah raised an eyebrow. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, girl, he's got it bad for you," Nichole said. "Why else would he come to town just to see you?"

Savannah blushed. "Nichole, stop it, will you?"

"If I stop pestering you, what's in it for me…a date with one of his friends, perhaps?" Nichole persuaded her friend.

Savannah sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. "All right, fine, I'll ask Xavier if he can get you a date with one of his friends."

"See? That wasn't so hard," Nichole said. "Trust me; you'll thank me for this later."

Savannah shook her head at the girl who looked almost similar to her in looks before the two of them got to work.

Meanwhile...

Xavier pulled up to his childhood home, a smile on his face as he thought about Savannah. She was definitely a beauty and his heart raced at the thought of her. He was about to knock on the door, but it opened to reveal Lexi, dressed in a housecoat, indicating that she and Kol had been having some fun. Raising an eyebrow, he said, "I'd ask what you were doing, but I don't think I want to know."

Lexi smiled and changed the subject. "How did things go with Savannah?"

"She was surprised to see me," he replied. "But, things went well for the most part."

His mother nodded a second time then stepped aside and let him inside. "And, are you going to see her again?"

Xavier smiled as he walked into the house. "You know me, Mum. Once I have my sights set on something, I'm as relentless as a pit bull with a rawhide bone. There is no way I'm going to let a beautiful woman like Savannah Fell-Gilbert slip through my fingers again. I lost my chance the first time and I'm not going to let that happen again."

Lexi smiled up at him then reached up and gently pinched his cheeks. "You remind me so much of your father, it's hard to tell who's who sometimes," she said with a smirk.

Xavier smiled and laughed slightly at what his mother said. "I know, it's bloody scary how much alike we are."

They both turned when Kol came down the stairs, grinning big, which Xavier returned. "Xavier, my boy, it's good to see you visiting. What is this visit for?"

"I was homesick and I wanted to see how my beloved parents were doing," he replied. "That and I wanted to see Savannah."

Kol nodded. "Yes, your mother and I both know how much you loved that girl."

Later…

Savannah and Nichole were just parting ways at the hospital and when Savannah was getting ready to climb into her car, she felt a pair of arms close around her, while one hand clamped over her mouth.

Savannah felt a sense of dread going through her, not sure what was going on. After all, whoever this was, they could have a gun on them. "Wipe that scared look off of your face, Van," the voice whispered hoarsely in her ear.

"Xavier Mikaelson, how dare you pull such a stunt like this? It's not funny when you do that!" Savannah screeched as she began hitting his chest.

Xavier smiled and gently pushed her up against the car. "Would you rather I do this instead?"

Before Savannah could say anything, he captured her lips with his in a deep, passionate kiss, hearing her moan against his mouth as she reluctantly returned it.

But she was soon letting her reluctance go as her hands sneak up underneath the material of his shirt. "Xavier, take me to your place, please?" she pleaded hoarsely after breaking their kiss.

Xavier nodded as he replied, "As my lady commands."

He then helped her into the car and they drove off toward his house so that they continue their play.

Once they got there, Savannah pushed Xavier up against the front door, kissing him passionately as her hands went for the buttons of his shirt.

Xavier growled playfully against her lips. "Savannah, do you know how much I want you right now?"

She gives him a nod. "Show me, Xavier," she whispered before turning to unlock the front door with the keys she found in the pocket of his jeans then pulled him inside, shutting the door behind them.

Her arms crossed down by her sides and Xavier assisted her before crushing his mouth to hers, walking them backward toward his bedroom after ridding his body of his now open shirt then speared his fingers up into her dark blonde hair, his tongue sweeping every crevice of her honeysuckle sweet mouth.

"You're so beautiful, Savannah," Xavier said. "I fell so hard for you the moment I met you."

Savannah moaned as his hands moved up and down over her ribcage and breasts. "I did too, Xavier…"

She moved backward out of his embrace then sat down on the bed, scooting back onto it. Xavier followed her, a sort of predatory look in his eyes as his hands, curled into fists, settled on either side of her.

Savannah giggled. "Oh, Xavier, you're so sexy when you look at me like that."

He responded by kissing her passionately, his arms banding tightly around her. Savannah's arms wrapped around Xavier's neck, her legs wrapping around his waist as they began to roll around on the bed, alternating domination.

While Xavier and Savannah were alternating domination, they also continued to remove their clothing. Once they were completely naked, Xavier grabbed Savannah's hips and plunged his throbbing member into her core, thrusting slowly at first so that she could get used to him and then gradually picked up speed as he went.

Two Hours Later…

Savannah fell back onto the opposite side of the bed, her head at the end and her feet touching the wooden headboard in front of her. Xavier lay beside her on his stomach, one arm bent at the elbow as he looked at her.

Savannah smiled at Xavier. "That was amazing."

"It was," he replied. "You were amazing yourself, my dear."

"I don't want to take all the credit," Savannah said. "You were amazing too, mister."

Xavier laughed. "Okay, we were equally amazing just now, how's that?"

"That works great for me," Savannah said as she turned on her side then kissed him softly on the lips.

Xavier returned her kiss. "You're beautiful, Savannah. I know I said that already, but I can't help it."

"Well, you'll always know that I think you're downright sexy," Savannah said with a smirk.

Xavier smiled and placed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I love you so much, Savannah. I was a fool to let you go the first time and I swear to you, I won't lose you again."

Savannah nodded as she moved closer until she was spooning in front of him. "I was a fool to push you away, Xavier. I had tried my hardest to get you out of my mind, but I couldn't do it," she said softly.

Xavier got up from the bed and went to his discarded jeans and took out a box, going back to the bed. "Savannah Grace Fell-Gilbert, I come before you as a man to ask you this question." He opened the box to reveal a beautiful diamond ring. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Yes. Oh, yes, I'd be proud to be your wife, Xavier Mikaelson," she said with a tearful smile.

Xavier smiled as he placed the ring on her finger and kissing it before moving up to her lips, wiping her tears away with his thumbs. "I love you so much, Savannah."

Savannah smiled against his lips and returned his kiss. "I love you, Xavier."

The Next Evening – John & Meredith's House…

Savannah bounced up the front steps and greeted her father with a fierce hug as he stood in the open doorway. "Hi, Daddy," she said excitedly.

John smiled as he hugged his daughter. "Hello, Savannah. How is my little angel?"

Savannah stepped back and showed her ring. "I'm engaged."

"Congratulations, sweetheart; I'm happy for you," John said as he hugged her again.

Meredith came in just then, having heard what they were saying. "Did I just hear that my little girl is engaged?"

Savannah nodded. "Yes, Mom, I am. I'm engaged to Xavier."

"Oh, honey, that's great news!" Meredith said as she also hugged her daughter.

Savannah returned her mother's hug. "Thank you, Mom." She sighed. "I always knew that one day, Xavier and I would be together, but I didn't want to admit it for the longest time. It took seeing him again to realize how wrong I was to keep him at arms' length."

Meredith nodded as she led Savannah into the house. "I always knew Xavier was the one for you, from the moment we had that masquerade ball at the Mikaelson mansion to raise money for the hospital," she told Savannah.

"You did?" Savannah said. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't mean to keep it from you," Meredith said. "I just thought you'd figure it out on your own."

Author's Note: Time for another update! How long do you think it will take for Savannah and Xavier to walk down the aisle? Let me know in your reviews!