Hayley was sitting on her bed with Hope in her lap when she got a call from him. She smiled at the caller Id and picked it up and said "Hello Elijah"

Elijah smiled into the phone and asked her "how is her day going?"

"Good. Hope started crawling today" She told him with a smile.

"Really that is great" Elijah said and then added after a pause "I will come tonight"

He put the phone down and looked at Rebekah who was smiling at her. She never wasted an opportunity to eavesdrop on any of her siblings' conversation.

"Hayley sounded happy. It is good to see her happy again" Rebekah smiled at her brother and told her.

"Yes" He said." I am happy that she is really coping well under the circumstances"

"Are you going there tonight?" Rebekah asked him sitting on the couch.

"Yes" Elijah piled up his files and papers and got up "where is Kol?"

"HE is out with Davina" Rebekah said with a smile.

"Davina!" that was a news to Elijah.

"They both have been sneaking around for the past one month and both think that they are successfully hiding that relationship" Rebekah laughed and said

"And you decided to play along?" Elijah smiled at his sister and picked up his coat.

"Where are you off to?" Rebekah asked.

"I need to meet Sophie for the drinks" Elijah said.

Rebekah looked a bit disappointed so he asked her in surprise "what?"

"Nothing. I thought you were going to…" Rebekah didn't finish her sentence intentionally.

"Going where?" Elijah asked

"To meet Hayley… and Hope" Rebekah said hesitatingly

"I will go there after meeting with Sophie" Elijah smiled and then left the study.

Twenty minutes later Elijah entered into Rouseau's and saw Sophie chatting with Cami. He smiled and went up to them. He leaned in and kissed Sophie on her lips and then asked Cami to bring him Champagne. They both sat down on an empty table. He held her hand and asked her "So how is Davina handling the normal life?"

"I think she is liking it. I think it was a great idea for her to leave this magic life one side and concentrate on just being a regular kid. She is happy in my opinion which can be…" she stopped and then continued mischievously "because of the attention she is getting from your brother"

Elijah laughed and leaned back on his chair and said "Yes I heard about that today"

"So what are you plans for tonight?" Sophie asked him mischievously

"I am going to meet Hope and Hayley later today…" he stopped when he saw her eyes narrowing.

"Sophie I told you there is nothing going on between Hayley and me. Why wouldn't you believe me?" Elijah asked her in frustration.

"Because Elijah you would be stupid to not fall in love with her. She is perfect. She is beautiful…" Sophie was saying but Elijah cut her off and said "Yes she is but she is also my sister"

"Elijah…" Sophie said in exasperation.

At that moment Cami brought their drinks. After she left Elijah picked up his glass and sipped it whereas Sophie just stared at hers. Elijah opened his mouth to say something when they heard a loud bang. They both spun in the direction of commotion. Elijah got up on his feet and moved to the table where commotion happed. Cami turned to him with blood seeping from her temple. She put her hand over there. Elijah took out his handkerchief from his breast pocket and wiped her bleeding and then turned to the two men who were fighting with each other. Elijah whooshed to them and grabbed each of them by their neck and threw them in the opposite direction. The men got up and turned to the person who had parted them with their fangs out.

Apparently they were new to town so they didn't know about Elijah so they walked to him aggressively. Elijah took off his coat and hung it on the chair nearby. The other customers scurried away and most of them walked out of the bar.

Elijah said "Gentlemen"

One of them jumped at Elijah but Elijah was too quick for him. He grabbed the man from his neck and twisted him so that he was in his arm hold and facing to the other guy. The other guy hesitated just for a second and then lunged at Elijah who dodged him so easily as if the vamp had attacked him in slow motion. He then threw the guy he was holding on the ground and said "do you know who I am?"

The man looked at him in confusion but that quickly replaced by anger and he said "I don't care who you are? How dare you…"

Elijah cut him off and said "I think you will care if you knew who I am. No one in my area fights and cause disruption to the peace. My name is Elijah Mikaelsons"

The other man jerked towards Elijah while the one on the ground stopped in the process of getting up. The anger in his eyes was suddenly replaced by terror. Of course he had heard about the 1000 year old vampire who was famous for his nobility and sense of justice. As Elijah was looking at them they both got up and scurried away.

Elijah walked over to Sophie who was leaning against the table and watching the fight with an amused expressions. She smiled at him and commented "well that turned out to be very interesting"

Elijah smiled and looked at his wrist watch and said "I have to go now. I want to catch Hope before her bed time"

Sophie managed to keep the flinch away and just smiled. They kissed each other and Elijah turned to leave when Cami approached him and said "Thank you"

Hayley had changed Hope for the night. She nursed her and then laid her on the bed. She started putting all the scattered stuff from the floor and put them at their rightful places. Elijah had told her that he would come so she decided to make coffee for them. She looked at Hope in her crib. Hope was sucking her hand and looking at the mobile so intently that it seemed that she was trying to figure out how it works. Suddenly she heard a knock on the door. She turned with a smile on her face and saw Elijah standing there.

She walked to him and said "Come in Elijah"

Elijah smiled and walked over to Hope's crib. She looked at him and recognition hit her and she smiled. Elijah picked her up and went to sit on the chair. He picked up a book and started to read to her with her being in his arms.

Hayley quietly left the room to make some coffee. After 15 minutes she came up and saw that Elijah had finished the book and was looking at Hope.

Elijah was looking into those beautiful eyes which were exactly the same shade as his brothers with the only difference that his brother's eyes were always filled with anguish except for the last 3 months before Hope was born. He startled when he sensed her standing close to him. Hayley handed him the coffee. She sat down on the chair opposite him and started drinking her coffee. Elijah looked down at hope and saw her beautiful eyes drooping.

Hayley got up to take Hope from him but he said that he does not want her to. So she let hope sleep in his arms. They sat quietly sipping their coffees.

Hayley loved Elijah's company because she dint have to make force small conversations or be artificial with him just like Klaus.

"So did you meet Jackson?" Elijah asked her after a while

"Oh yes he came over last week. I told him that I don't want to move to bayou but I also don't want to savor the ties with my other family. He was not happy but I think he understood me" Hayley said seriously.

"Okay that is good then" Elijah replied and then he got up with Hope still in his arms

He kissed her on her head and put her in the crib and then turned to Hayley saying "I will go now. Good night"

HE didn't realize it that he was driving to Sophie's until he stopped in front of her apartment.

He smiled looking at the building and went to the door.

Sophie was not expecting Elijah so it was a pleasant surprise for her. She showed him inside.

"How was she?" She asked him

"Oh she is growing like a weed. She now smiles and actually responses" Elijah said with a smile.

Sophie kept quiet for a second and then said "I am not talking about her Elijah, I am talking about Hayley"

Elijah looked confused to a second and then sighed "she is fine too. Can we not talk about it please?"

Sophie nodded reluctantly and sat with him.

"I love you" Sophie said suddenly. She leaned in and kissed him. Elijah kissed her back and then he felt his shirt parting and then they both lost into each other.

After that they laid on the bed. Elijah rubbing her shoulder and her head on his chest. Then Elijah got up and said "I have to go now. I will see you tomorrow"

He changed into his discarded clothes and kissed her one time and left.

Hayley got up early in the morning with Hope's voices. She laid on her bed for a while and then dragged herself out. She changed Hope, nursed her and then changed herself while Hope laid in her crib rolling over and playing with her toys. She picked her up and went down to eat breakfast. She put her on the mat on the floor so that she can play and made a coffee for herself.

She sat with her with a book in her hand and started reading it. The calming mornings were really blissful for her. Sometime she would get nostalgic as these reminded her of Klaus and her time together and today was one of the days. She was lost in her thought without really looking at the book when her phone rang. She startled and smiled when she saw Rebekah's number.

"You are up early today" She smiled to Rebekah and said

"Happy birthday" Rebekah groggy voice came from the other end.

Hayley got surprised that she didn't remember her birthday but after what has happened to her in recent months how could she.

"How did you know it was my birthday today" she asked Rebekah

"Nik told me once" Rebekah said with a yawn bringing a sad smile to her lips.

"so we are celebrating today" Rebekah continued "we will come around 5 pm. You be ready by then and dress up my beautiful niece too"

"Rebekah I don't want to celebrate" Hayley said reluctantly

"No, we are so be ready" Rebekah said and then cut the call off

Elijah was in his study talking to Jackson about the new vampires in New Orlean's situation when Rebekah entered the room

"Yes I think they are from mine or Rebekah's line because Kol's and Niklaus's is gone" Elijah said looking at Rebekah who raised her eyebrows to ask what happened.

Kol entered the study and plopped himself on the couch.

"Right now we just need to keep an eye on them so that they don't raise a riot or something. I just wanted to give you a heads up. Sophie and Cami knows about them so we are all aware of them. Carry needs to know too" Elijah continued.

"Okay that is good" Elijah said after listening to Jackson "You do that"

He put the cell down and then turned to his brother and sister looking at him questioningly

"Two new vampires have come to French Quarter. They tried to pick up a fight in Rouseau's yesterday. Kol keep an eye on them" Elijah told them and then got up to leave

"Where are you going?" Rebekah asked him "it is Hayley's birthday today"
Elijah stopped and turned to her

"I think we should celebrate with her. I know this family is not used to celebrating birthdays but Hayley and Hope should not suffer from our lack of interest in celebrating birthdays"

She was ready to argue her case when she heard Elijah say "Okay. What time? I have to wrap up something with Sophie before that"

Rebekah squealed with happiness whereas Kol just rolled his eyes "Five at plantation house"

She then left the study practically bouncing on her feet. She had to do some planning for the party after all.

Elijah had been so busy all day that he didn't realize it was 4:30 pm until he got a call from Rebekah reminding him about the plans. He went home and hastily dressed up and left with them for plantation house.

Hayley changed into a peach color dress which reached her knees. She strapped low heeled silver sandals. While she bend down to strap them, an image of Klaus bending over to strap her sandals when she was unable to because of her 8 months pregnant stomach getting in the way came in her mind. She fought back the tears and got up. She could still feel his lips on hers like as if it happened yesterday. She absentmindedly brushed her lips before putting a lip gloss on it. She pulled her hair in a ponytail, stepped back and looked at her for one last time.

She picked up Hope who was wearing a beautiful white and pink dress and went downstairs.

She was putting water for coffee on the stove when she heard them come in. She arranged a smile on her face and turned towards them. Rebekah had brought a cake for her. She put the cake on the kitchen counter and hugged Hayley wishing her. Kol side stepped Rebekah and hugged her too. Elijah stepped forward and kissed her forehead and said with a smile "happy birthday Hayley"

Kol picked up Hope who was on her fours trying to crawl to Elijah. Hope whipped around and looked into Elijah's eyes which made Kol laugh. "No you are staying with me today" He said to her tickling her on the tummy. Hope giggled and fell on his chest. Kol smiled and straightened her

"So did you wish your mommy today?" Kol asked her which earned him a smile from her. Kol looked at her and then suddenly said "she has teeth now!"

Hayley laughed at his shocked reaction and said "Yes Kol kids have teeth. Hers came last week" while Rebekah went to him and took Hope from his arms. Hope smiled at Rebekah and turned her head to Elijah which made everyone laugh

"So Hayley I have made a reservation for you and Elijah in a restaurant. I want you to have a night off today. Elijah will give you company" Rebekah continued without looking at anyone but her niece who was now playing with her mouth.

Elijah looked at his sister in shock missing the smile on Kol's face.

"But we were supposed to celebrate together!" he said before Hayley could say anything

"Yes I thought about it and then I thought that I will be good for Hayley to leave the house without Hope once. And also it can be my birthday present. I will babysit Hope. You guys go and have fun. It is 'Dominiac on Magazine street" she said

Elijah looked at Hayley who was now recovering from the initial shock. Hayley said "No Rebekah, I don't want to"

"O come now. Elijah wouldn't bite you. You have not gone anywhere for the past 8 months so go please" Rebekah said with frustration.

Kol tried to keep his mouth straight and said "yes I think it will be good for you Hayley"

Hayley looked at Elijah who just shrugged and then Hayley nodded.

"Okay then, she is fed, changed so she should be okay for an hour or so. If she gets hungry there is form…" Hayley said

"I know Hayley. Don't worry about it. I will take care of everything" Rebekah cut her off with a smile on her face.

As soon as they left the house Kol turned to Rebekah and asked her "do you know what you are doing?"

"Yes I know Kol. Now get out from here" Rebekah told him while carrying Hope inside.

Kol looked at her thoughtfully and then left.

On the way to the restaurant Hayley was very quiet. Elijah asked her "what is wrong? Rebekah will take care of her don't worry"

Hayley smiled and said "I have not left her alone before. I am just nervous"

"There is always a first time Hayley" Elijah said.

He parked the car outside the restaurant and they entered the restaurant. On stepping inside Hayley stopped and looked around in shock. One look around told her that it was not a family friendly restaurant. With dim lights, the waitresses dressed in fancy dresses, couples snuggling against each other, romantic music playing in the back ground told her that they have walked into some kind of trap set by Rebekah. She looked at Elijah who was also starting to look uncomfortable. She felt sorry for him and then linked her arm through his arm and smiled at him.

"I am sorry Hayley. I had no idea" He said to her

"I know" Hayley said "Don't worry about it. Let us go and eat something. I am famished"

The waitress led them to their table and they had a wonderful enjoyable evening talking about Hope, Sophie and his dealings with every faction.

Elijah relaxed after a while but he could see her still self-conscious. The couple sitting next to them was snuggling and kissing each other continuously which was making them very uncomfortable. The couple on the other side had not broken their kiss for a while now. They both tried to block everything out and focused on their conversation and delicious food.

On the way home Hayley thanked Elijah for showing her a good evening. The entered the house and they went inside. Rebekah was not in the living room so they went to her room

"So how was it?" Rebekah looked up from the book she was reading.

Hayley didn't answer her and went to check on Hope who was sleeping in her crib while Elijah just glared at Rebekah.

Rebekah smiled and asked "did you two have fun?"

"What are you doing Rebekah?" Hayley snapped at her

"I thought that you two…." Rebekah looked at her and Elijah in confusion. Hayley could feel her face turning red.

"You thought we were what?" Hayley asked

"Hayley listen to me …" Rebekah started

"No I will not listen to you. How dare you play match make for us?" Hayley screamed.

Her yelling woke Hope up so Elijah turned and walked to her crib and picked her up. He put her against her shoulder and tried to calm her down. Hope immediately calmed down and went back to sleep again. Elijah put her down in the crib again and came back to them and looked at Rebekah with cold stare and said "I think we should go down"

Hayley glared at Rebekah and left the room with Rebekah and Elijah following her.

Hayley started pacing the living room once she got down. She was fuming at Rebekah. She loved Rebekah but what she had done today was out of line. 'How could she?' Hayley thought.

She turned when she heard Rebekah and Elijah come in. before she could say anything Rebekah said in a serious tone "Hayley, I want you to be happy"

"I am happy" Hayley yelled "I have Hope, I have you guys. I have his memories"

"Hayley you are young, your child is so small. You cannot live your entire life on those memories. You need to…" Rebekah started

"No... I don't need to do anything. No one can replace Klaus. No one" Hayley said "and if you try to do what you did today again Rebekah I will take Hope away from here"

Rebekah gasped but Hayley ignored it and then turned to Elijah and said "I am sorry Elijah. I never felt that way about you. You are like a brother to me". She started to go upstairs when Elijah pulled her by her arm and said "and you are a sister to me Hayley. I never thought of you that way. I never intended to take Klaus place in your or Hope's heart" He bent and kissed her on her hair. Hayley looked up into his eyes and let the tears fall which she had been controlling since morning Elijah pulled her into a big hug and said "Things will get better with time I promise".

A/N : This event took place 8 months after Klaus's died to protect his family. It is one of the days in the duration of my fan fic "Getting to know you"