Chapter 8

As the days passed Elijah grew more and more nervous. He knew deep down that the drama with the three doppelgangers would come back to haunt them but he couldn't understand why they had it out for him. The curse was placed on Klaus and had already been lifted.

He was still upset when Klaus showed up one day after work looking smug.

"What did you do?"

Elijah asked but Klaus, predictably, changed the subject

"Did you hear about Katherine and Edward's honeymoon?"

"No and I don't care Klaus"

"So you DIDN'T hear about Edward's company going under and him flying right back here to find out what was going on?"

"WHAT!?"

"Yeah, turns out the success of your satellite caused a lot of investors to pull out of Cullen Tech. They bombed overnight"

Klaus began a solo on the guitar

"Told you I'd fix our mess brother. I got a date tonight with Caroline so I got to get going. Wish me luck!"

"Only you'd get the girl after life changing decisions Klaus"

Klaus gave him a brilliant smile and left. Laughing aloud Elijah slumped on the couch before remembering he had a date with Bella.

The mall was busy with children as a new playground had opened. Bella was flooded with 2 kids as they played around with the sounds of Abba coming from the overhead speakers

"Hi"

"Oh hey"

She gave him a brilliant smile before turning to the shy kids

"Guys this is my friend Elijah, El these are my best friend kids, Phillip and Leia"

"Hi guys"

Elijah knelt to their height and shook their tiny hands

"Ang is lost somewhere in there. She'll be back in a minute"

"It's okay. I happen to like kids"

Elijah told her as he began horsing around with the small kids. Bella was looking at them fondly when Angela emerged from the store with a card and raised her eyebrows

"You owe me explanations bells"

"As soon as I have them myself Ang"

Elijah had one boy hanging on his back and the other one was attempting to put a clown nose on his when he turned to meet the kids mother and found himself face to face with his maid

"Hello Angela"

"Mr. Mikaelson. I was going to tell you tomorrow but since you're here. I can't continue working with you but I'll send another girl in my place"

"Am I too demanding?"

Elijah asked but Angela shook her head smiling

"No. I should stick behind my desk for about seven more months"

"again!?"

Bella exclaimed as she hugged her friend.

"Congratulations"

"Thank you"

"Remind me to get you a TV for your birthday Ang"

"You think three kids are too many?

Angela regarded her friend with a humorous smile. It was no secret that Bella was in no hurry to procreate

"Let me guess you have a big family"

"Six siblings"

"Single births?"

"All of them"

"I feel so happy to be an only child right now"

Bella mused and pulled the kids off Elijah so Angela could return them home and get some rest

"I do want kids, just not yet"

"I belie you"

Elijah nodded. In truth he wasn't in a hurry for kids himself, not that he knew if he could have them with the cure and the vampirism. They were broaching the topic of relationships past when a pair consisting of two of their former worst halves parked next to Elijah's car.

"Bella"

"Edward"

Bella addressed the driver, unable to hold the uncaused smile off her lips. So much for never seeing him again after the end of their relationship.

"I heard you guys had a rocky honeymoon, so I'll make you a deal. Don't interfere with Bella and me, and I'll return the favor"

Elijah addressed Tatia or Katherine as she preferred but it was Edward that replied to him.

"Don't talk to my WIFE that way"

"Upset over your beating heart Edward? It's okay; it doesn't have to beat to be cold"

Bella told her ex sweetly as she pointed Elijah to his car. She didn't like confrontations.

"I can't believe you went out with that Edward"

Tatia smirked as she goaded her husband. Bella turned to Elijah

"On a second thought, he's all yours. Without special gifts and all that jazz"

Edward growled in indignation and attacked Elijah just as Tatia attacked Bella. Both fights gathered a large crowd around them. Remembering his teenage fights with Klaus, Elijah 'borrowed' a long walking stick from a watcher and beat up Edward with no remorse. A few steps away Tatia shook violently as 5000 volts went through her body

"Doesn't feel so good to be on the receiving end, does it?"

Bella smirked as she cupped the taser her father had given her in high school. All around them, people began laughing and a tall, burly man was collecting his winnings

"You made bets?"

Bella asked incredulously. The man grinned at her and handed her one third of the large stack in his hands

"I always knew you'd make a fierce newborn"

"I'm not a newborn Emmett"

"Still fierce"

She laughed and rolled her eyes before skipping over and putting the wad of cash in a children charity. Elijah was smiling as she returned to him and wiped the end of her lip that had been ripped open by Tatia's nails.

"I think it's best if we call it a night. How about I come over tomorrow" "it's a date"