A/N: Thank you guys for all the reviews! I'm glad you guys like the story! Make sure you keep reviewing and give me feedback. The pace of this story will move a little slow for these first couple chapter since I really want to capture everything that comes with the birth of a new baby. The pace will pick up after a few more chapters I promise :) Also don't be afraid to give me suggestions of things you would like me to write. I have a pretty good idea of where I want to take the story but there are still a few things I haven't worked out yet. Let me know your ideas and I'll try to incorporate them however I can! Okay enough rambling enjoy the update!

Nikol had dark brown hair and a round face just like her mother. Even in her wrinkly, fresh out of the womb state she was a beautiful baby. She looked mostly like Hayley with a few shades of Klaus sprinkled in. She had his icy blue eyes, hot pink lips and two small dimples. Rebekah finally managed to get her away from Klaus, but only after several minutes of exchanging insults and Elijah intervening. Everyone else flooded Klaus and Hayley with praise for their extraordinary gift. They all swarmed Rebekah as soon as she pried Nikol from Klaus's grips, each admiring her and attempting to get her away from Rebekah.

"This little thing has only been her for an hour and she's already causing a family rift, I do believe she is your daughter Nik" quipped Rebekah to the amusement of everyone else.

"She wouldn't be a Mikaelson if her presence didn't start trouble, I think that's a trait she get's from all three of you Originals, it's no surprise my sire's daughter is the same" Marcel chimed in. He had been as anxious as everyone else to meet Nikol. He and Klaus had their ups and downs since his unexpected return to New Orleans but that didn't change the fact that Klaus raised him like a son. He was only a boy when Klaus took him in. Klaus taught him everything he knew and sired him. He loved klaus like a father at one point in time and in certain ways he still did. He was probably the most shocked out of everyone in the room to hear about Klaus fathering a child. At the time he and Klaus were at odds, even then he never let the thought of harming the baby ever enter his mind. Now that he and Klaus had began to mend their relationship he looked at Nikol like a little sister. He had never had siblings and outside of the Mikaelsons centuries ago, the only family he has ever known was the vampire community he led. Many in that same vampire community secretly questioned Klaus's intentions and many wondered if he would just raise her to be a little demon to unleash hell on them all. Marcel knew better though. He knew that Klaus had the capacity to love a child because he had experienced that love himself. Klaus didn't know it but marcel made a vow to his self before Nikol was born that he would do everything in his power to protect her, even if it meant protecting her against the same community he looked at as family.

He walked over to Rebekah and played with her little fingers. "Little Mikaelson, nice to finally meet you! I'm marcel, whenever all these originals give you a headache you just come to me" He cooed and marveled at her along with Rebekah as she peeked through her tiny eye lids at them and let out the most adorable little yawn.

"Already bored with Marcel's presence nikol? That's my girl!" she said, giving Marcel a quick nudge with her elbow. "You and I are going to have lots of fun together. Your aunt Rebekah will make sure you are the most fashionable baby New Orleans has ever seen."

"How are you feeling Hayley? After almost 26 hours of labor I'm surprised you're still awake, for a while I really thought this little thing would zap every ounce of energy you had" Sabine questioned, taking the attention away from Marcel and Rebekah's fawning over Nikol.

"She did" Hayley sighed as she moved around in her bed trying to get comfortable. "I am exhausted"

"Do you want to rest little wolf? I can have Rebekah and everyone else out of here in under 30 seconds I you so desire"

"No, Klaus it's fine. Let everyone enjoy our daughter. I'll rest a little later" She liked how accommodating and attentive he was trying to be, but she held off showing it in front of all the people in the room.

"Let me know if you start feeling anything weird or of you need anything Hayley. I'll stay here through the night in case you need my help with anything, really don't hesitate to ask"

"Thank you Sabine"

Sabine became a close family friend after helping Hayley with some of her prenatal care. She had grown really fond of Hayley and she was the one who figured out that Hayley was carrying a girl. After helping Elijah locate Hayley when Tyler Lockwood kidnapped her, she Elijah began a romance. They have been almost inseparable since then. She noticed that he was off to the other side of the room sitting quietly while everyone else bombarded Nikol with love and affection. She found his behavior strange considering how fond he had gown of Hayley and the baby after helping her a lot early on in her pregnancy. Sabine knew he was crazy about his niece already so his detachment sparked her curiosity. She walked over to him to figure out what was going through his 1000-year-old mind.

"Elijah..." She sat down in the chair across from him. "Why are you way over here, don't you want to actually see your niece up close and hold her?"

"Yes of course" Elijah let out, trying to disguise his apprehensiveness.

"Well you can't do that from way over here. Something's up with you, what's really going on?"

"I didn't want to seem too, how shall I put this…eager to get my hands on her. Niklaus has expressed to me before his fears of me somehow replacing him in his child's life as a father figure. I don't want to provoke those insecurities, especially tonight of all nights, by appearing too excited about his child's birth, so I thought it best I just take a backseat to everyone else, there will be plenty of time for me to get to know her"

Sabine knew what he was trying to achieve but it still bothered her that he would try to pretend that everything that was happening wasn't a big deal. "But Elijah you can't just sit here the whole time, this is an occasion to be celebrated by everyone, I'm sure Klaus-"

"Brother you are more than welcome to join in on the festivities over here"

An awkward silence invaded the space between the two brothers. Klaus could hear Sabine and Elijah's conversation from where he was sitting on the bed and he had been listening in from the beginning. He internally rolled his eyes; amused that Elijah would think he would be concerned with him on today of all days. Sure he had is fair share of complexes when it came to Elijah but no one, not even the oh so noble Elijah, could ruin this occasion. "I mean really, I insist upon it. The quicker everyone has had their opportunity to marvel at her the quicker Hayley and I-" he motioned over his shoulder to where Hayley was seated only to see that she was sound asleep. He smirked. "-well I would get her all to myself again. So come along now, you wouldn't want to deprive a new father of his daughter all night would you?" Klaus turned his focus to Hayley, admiring her as she slept peacefully curled up at his side. For a woman who had just been through 26 hours of agony that included blood, sweat, and tears, she was still incredibly beautiful to him. He started to reach towards her to gently caress her angelic face but the sound of a moving chair quickly broke him out of his trance and reminded him that they weren't alone.

Elijah slowly started making his way towards the group with Sabine in tow. When they finally reached where Rebekah and Marcel were standing he looked out the corner of his eyes to see Klaus watching him closely. Rebekah looked up disappointedly, she wasn't ready to hand her niece over just yet but she knew she couldn't be selfish. "Well hurry up and take her Elijah we aren't going to wait around all day while you just stare". She slowly extended the child out to Elijah, who gently eased her into his arms. "She's a tiny little thing brother"

"She isn't a thing brother, she's my daughter you will show her the proper respect or I'll have you daggered in a box by sunrise" Klaus joked. Everyone else in the room rolled their eyes; Klaus couldn't fight the urge to threaten at least at least one of his siblings no matter the occasion.

"I do apologize my dear brother, I didn't mean the ruffle the delicate little feathers your pride is made of…She is a tiny little person, have I now shown the proper respect?"

"Yes I believe so"

The entire room erupted in laughter. The banter between the original siblings never disappointed.

The loud voices caused Hayley to shuffle in her sleep. Klaus felt her arm wrap around his waist, he thought about moving it for a second but he didn't want to interrupt her slumber. "It seems the little wolf finds our voices to be a disturbance, maybe we should go into the great room and give her sometime to rest in peace"

"She looks pretty peaceful right now to me Niklaus. I would even venture to say she's wouldn't want us to leave right now given how confortable she seems to be" Rebekah nodded her head in Hayley's direction. Drawing the attention of the room to Hayley entangled in the sheets and Klaus. They all looked on, not daring to say another word about the level of intimacy they have watched them shared tonight. Leave it to Rebekah to fill the room with awkwardness.

"Would you all please do as I say before I make you exit not only this room but the entire compound." He had hoped that he would be able to hide the tenderness that Hayley had brought out of him tonight, but of course it would be Rebekah to notice the even the slightest shift in his interactions with Hayley. He didn't know why the thought of them thinking they actually might have feelings for each other bothered him so much. There was something special about what was brewing between he and Hayley that made him want to protect it. Or maybe it had something to do with the fact that Hayley and the baby threatened to tear down every brick of the 1000-year-old wall he had built around his heart and soul. He wasn't even sure of how he felt about it but he knew that he couldn't let anyone see him in such a weakened state. He wasn't ready to let go of the façade.

Everyone started to leave the room and make their way to the great room. Klaus stayed behind for a few moments to make sure Hayley was okay. He bent down to brush her hair out of her face and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Sleep well little wolf". He placed the covers of the bed over her shoulders and reluctantly left her in the room to join the others. When he arrived in the great room Rebekah had one of his best bottles of scotch opened with a glass poured and waiting for him.

"Ahh sister you read my mind, you know me quite well!" He took the glass from Rebekah and stood in the center of the room. " I'd like to propose a toast." He lifted his glass proudly and continued. " To the original family…for 1000 years we never thought we would see a day like this one, now our line continues…always and forever"

Rebekah walked over to Klaus and Elijah handed Nikol over to Sabine so that he could join his siblings. They each raised their glasses. "Always and forever" they said in unison before downing their drinks.

"Well would you look at this, the Mikaelson family is having a moment, I think hell may have frozen over" Marcel Interrupted, raising his glass he joined in on the toast. "To the original family"

For the first time since the day they were all turned into vampires, they all felt incredibly human, and normal, and they each had to admit it felt good. Over time they had become disconnected from the human existence they once knew, but here they were, basking in one of the most human things imaginable, new life. They each exchanged glances; unsure of what to do next, they didn't want to moment to end but none of them knew how to really exist the way they currently existed. They had existed in such a dysfunctional state for so long that normalcy felt foreign. Rebekah was the first to break awkward silence. "Congratulations Niklaus, I'm quite jealous you get to call that beautiful little girl yours"

"Thank you little sister"

"To echo our sister's sentiment, congratulations little brother. I remember the day we told you about Hayley's pregnancy and you're reaction, it wasn't pleasant but I knew that if you could just open yourself to this child it would be just what this family needed to begin to heal, I'm glad you did. I believe fatherhood just might suit you well Niklaus"

"Oh Elijah, still a sentimental fool"

"I have to agree Nik but Elijah seems to be rubbing off on you, I wouldn't be too quick to rub it in his face considering your behavior today"

"And what do you mean by that sister?"

"Oh nothing Nik." Rebekah smirked; she knew she was dangerously close to pushing one of his buttons. She told herself she would save that conversation for another day.

Just as the tension was about to build between the three siblings Nikol started to cry. Marcel was holding her and looking at the wailing child in confusion.

"Marcel what did you do to her!" he asked angrily as he made his way to where they were seated.

"Klaus I swear I didn't do anything!" Nikol's screams grew louder and panic took over Klaus's face. "Well someone do something!"

"Give her here marcel" Sabine reached over and took the screaming child from his arms. She attempted to calm her down but it wasn't working. "Here Klaus take her, let her know everything is okay, she probably just wants her father." She handed the baby over to Klaus, who looked absolutely terrified.

"What am I supposed to do?"

Rebekah laughed at how overwhelmed Klaus was, it was a rare sight.

"This isn't funny Rebekah! Since this is so amusing to you what do you suggest I do?"

"Oh Nik just rock her or something, that's what mother used to do with Henrick"

"Does anyone here know anything useful about babies?"

Silence filled the room. None of them actually knew a thing about babies. Sabine knew a little bit but she has never really cared for a child past the birthing stage. Nikol's screams grew even louder and she started to kick her little feet out. Klaus held her cupped in his hands. He was getting a crash course in fatherhood and life with a newborn. So far he was failing miserably. He sighed and bowed his head carefully placing her on his shoulder. "Nikol, would you please stop crying, no one is going to hurt you I promise". His pleas fell on deaf ears and she continued screaming. Just when he was about to give up and compel her to stop crying he heard Hayley's voice

"Give her to me Klaus"

He turned around to see Hayley in the doorframe observing his attempts to calm their daughter. She had woken up when she heard Nikol's cries fill the compound. She wished she could stay asleep but she was a mother now and her daughter needed her so she peeled herself out of bed and made her way to the main room where she found Klaus unable to calm her down.

"Hayley, you should still be in bed"

"No Klaus, she needs her mother"

"So you don't think I'm capable? Well that's nice to know Hayley" He sighed and handed Nikol over to Hayley. It drove him mad that he couldn't get her to stop crying. It wasn't that big of a deal but it made him feel unqualified to be a father. How was he supposed to raise her if he couldn't even get her to stop crying?

Hayley didn't have time to tend to Klaus's wounded ego. "Could you not wallow in self pity right now? It's not that big of a deal she's probably just hungry"

Klaus just looked at her, he was angry, as usual. She rolled her eyes and lightly patted her daughter on her back. "Shhhhhh, mommy is here Nikol, it's okay." She slowly started walking towards the door to head to the nursery.

"Well don't let me get in the way of your motherly duties" He stormed past her in the hall, stopping at the table by the door to grab a bottle of scotch.

"She hasn't even been here for a day and you're already leaving her to drink away the pain of your bruised ego, typical Klaus, typical"

Hayley knew she was being a little harsh he was behaving like such a child. Still, part of her regretted her reaction because she knew it would only push him away. Why did he have to be so easily provoked? She thought to herself. Is this what she had to look forward to? Him walking away from them, his family, whenever he was upset?

He paused at the door and turned to face her. Nikol was still crying and he could see Hayley fighting back tears. What was wrong with him? Why was he being so selfish? Why was he so easily wounded when she did nothing wrong? Guilt was starting to hit him.

"Well don't just stand there leave if you're gonna leave!" She yelled out as she retreated to the nursery to feed Nikol. She knew she probably shouldn't have said that but she was angry and she wasn't some weak wounded girl who cried when people walked away from her. She could dish it out just as much as he could.

He turned and opened the door, slamming it violently on his way out. He knew what he was doing was selfish but he didn't care. The need to drown away his sorrows in alcohol far outweighed the guilt he felt for leaving.

"Well he didn't waste anytime reverting back to the Niklaus we all know and reluctantly love". Rebekah said, taking a much-needed sip of her drink. She and Elijah had witnessed the entire altercation from the great room, both disappointed in his behavior. "So I assume you'll be headed out to find him and teach him the error of his ways, isn't that your life's mission Elijah?"

"On the contrary sister, I'm going up to bed. Niklaus isn't a child. I believe he needs to teach himself the error of his ways; otherwise he'll never be able to successfully parent our niece. He'll be back soon enough, he has a daughter to think about now that should mean something to him"

"You my dear brother have entirely to much faith in Niklaus"

"Well he's proven me right before, I'm sure he will do it again"