Chapter 22:
Everyone else was already asleep by the time Bonnie's eyes fluttered open. She jumped awake but relaxed once she realized she was in Kol's arms.
"Darling you're going to be okay I promise," Kol vowed. "You're mine now Bonnie, always and forever."
"Please tell me Jeremy isn't dead," Bonnie worried.
"He's sleeping it off on the couch downstairs."
"Elena probably hates me," Bonnie groaned.
"No, she was very worried about you, everyone was. No one was blaming you - not even Jeremy who wouldn't have come in like that if he'd have known you just turned. Nothing about today is your fault Bonnie." He held her tenderly and gently pressed a kiss to her forehead where she was cradled in his arms.
"I love you Bonnie and I'm just so glad that you're still here and that you're mine. That's my blood in your veins darling."
She leaned over to kiss him. It was tender and loving.
"I'm hungry," Bonnie said gently. Wordlessly Kol took her hand and walked with her downstairs. He opened the tube on a blood bag for her and watched with a grin as she drank that one and then another. When she finished she walked into the living room to where Jeremy was asleep.
He knew that she wanted to tell him that she was sorry so she did.
"I'm so sorry for what I did to you Jeremy and I hope that you can one day forgive me."
She left and went back into their room.
"I promise I'm going to get you through this Bonnie; anything that you want to ask don't hesitate. I promise I'll take you seriously," Kol vowed.
"I'm okay Kol," Bonnie said gently. "Right now I think I'm okay and I really just want to go to sleep." She pillowed her head on his chest and he held her possessively while she slept. As soon as she was asleep he joined her but not before being utterly thankful that she had come through this awful day okay.
Kol began to stroke his hand through her hair, hoping that this calmed her down and smiled bitterly as he now had forever with her.
"I wanted you to be changed and be completely willing to be changed, feeling no pain but instead that is what you felt." He sighed. "I wish I was there to protect you."
The next morning Bonnie kissed Kol awake as she was already dressed for the day. He smiled at her and she smiled back urging him to hurry. Finally she couldn't wait any longer and she hurried down the hall and then vaulted over the second floor railing and landed in the entry hall. It felt fantastic!
"Good morning Bonnie," Elijah greeted with a smile.
"Good morning Elijah."
Kol came down the stairs a moment later to Elijah straightening his tie in the entry hall mirror.
"She jumped over the stairwell," Elijah supplied. Kol smirked and everyone seemed to arrive in the kitchen at about the same time. In deference to her condition Kol made sure that he had Rebekah's breakfast ready first a big plate of yellow grits. Elena and Bonnie were anxiously awaiting their platefuls as well.
"I love this stuff!" Bonnie exclaimed.
"Me too and especially with cheese," Elena agreed. Rebekah picked up her plate and walked into the formal dining room. She didn't object when Stefan followed her. That was when Bonnie's face clouded over.
"She killed me yesterday," Bonnie sighed. "She couldn't even just yell at me so she just..." unable to find the rest of the words to express her anxiety Bonnie returned to her meal. Meanwhile Elijah looked concerned and almost missed the bite that Elena was trying to offer him. He smiled as he took the offering from her fork and then kissed her.
"No one wants to see just how in love you are with my sister," Jeremy complained as he watched them, disturbed. "Please, for the love of God-go somewhere out of public and do whatever you want."
Elena smirked and kissed Elijah before getting up and kissing Jeremy on the cheek. "We might do that later tonight." She said as her eyes raked over Elijah.
"How about now instead?" He suggested and she smirked at him. He stood up and flashed her back upstairs.
"I have a feeling that this isn't normal at all." Jeremy groaned as he took a bite of Elena's discarded breakfast. "Pretty good."
"Vampires tend to enjoy the finer aspects of life a little more," Kol grinned, "besides I didn't hear you complaining as you enjoyed your hot little girlfriend. Why isn't Davina here this morning? She could have a good breakfast and then I'd loan you a guest bedroom so you could woo her properly."
"Kol Mikaelson!" Bonnie fussed between bites as she devoured her breakfast and then helped herself to seconds. "Besides he might think it's too dangerous for Davina to be here..."
"I'm sitting right here eating breakfast aren't I? If you want me to be afraid of the fact that you're a vampire now Bonnie then I'm afraid you'll have to try harder than you did yesterday," Jeremy said trying to teasingly reassure her that he was comfortable in her presence.
"Marcel needed Davina back at the Compound away from the witches." Jeremy told him. He ended up smiling at Bonnie. "If he's giving you any trouble...I can snap his neck." He offered helpfully.
"Thanks mate." Kol deadpanned. "Didn't know you loved me that much."
"You're my best friend." Jeremy told him.
"Honestly I'd like to see you try. Damon was 167 years turned by that point and he barely took Kol." Bonnie said proudly.
Jeremy shrugged. "Damon was also cocky and tended to rush into situations in which he could have-or should have-died in."
Kol and Klaus nodded. "The numerous times that vampire nearly died and for some strange bit of luck survives." Klaus grumbled.
"The same thing about Katherine." Bonnie added as she took a bite of her food.
At that, the table went silent. Apparently, the name of the five hundred year old vampire was still a sore subject.
"She had better hope she never crosses paths with me again," Elijah growled from where he was once more at the doorway to the kitchen. Everyone looked shocked at his announcement. Katherine had finally screwed up bad enough that even Elijah wanted her head. Once breakfast was finished Bonnie slipped outside in all the commotion and walked until she was out of view from the inside of the house. Then she decided to try vampire speed. Her first couple of attempts were humorous as she scared herself in the process.
Kol's head cocked up from where he was helping clean the kitchen. He looked around then.
"Where's Bonnie?"
"She said she was going back upstairs," Klaus said.
"There's no one upstairs," Elijah replied after a moment of listening.
"Maybe she's outside." Jeremy suggested as he looked to see a blur going in different directions. "Have you all even looked?"
Elijah shook his head and Kol went outside where Bonnie ended up accidentally tackling him.
"Enjoying your new speed?" he asked and she blushed.
"I was just wanting to see why everyone liked it so much." She admitted.
"It can be very useful and of course exhilarating," Kol said.
"It's kind of scary actually," Bonnie worried.
"That's because you're thinking like a human love," Kol said. "Now I want you to run away from me." She looked at him like he was a little crazy. When his eyes darkened and his expression became menacing she took off. All she had thought about was escape and suddenly she was speeding all over the yard effortlessly weaving around obstacles to elude him. She felt pretty proud of herself. About that time she ran directly into his arms and they skidded across the grass as he held her against him.
"Are you okay?" he worried.
"How did you get in front of me? You were right behind me?"
"A thousand years of practice darling. Not to mention there is a reason that my family considers me the most lethal," Kol said honestly.
"I remembered why a few minutes ago," Bonnie said. He rubbed the sides of her arms as they were sitting up now.
"I'm sorry if I scared you. It just seems fear is a good motivator for learning how to do that," he explained. "Now for the important lesson." He led Bonnie inside.
"Jeremy I'd like to ask a favor of you mate," Kol said sincerely, "I need to teach Bonnie control while feeding on a human." Bonnie paled immediately.
"You can do this BonBon," Jeremy grinned.
"Jeremy no!" Elena protested.
"Elena he'll be fine," Elijah said gently. "We're all right here."
"Elena I'm doing it," Jeremy said firmly. He looked to Bonnie and waggled his eyebrows. "I'm medium-rare by the way." Bonnie rolled her eyes at him.
"Okay Bonnie," Kol was directly behind her and his arm wrapped around her waist. "Do you hear his heartbeat? Can you find it amongst the others?" Bonnie nodded and he continued, "okay I need you to concentrate on the rhythm of the heartbeat...be careful though and don't let it drive you into a frenzy. Just concentrate on it and think of someone important. You need to personalize the face before you always. It's easy in this case but not always with strangers. Now you let your senses tell you where the right place is. You'll find the best feeding spot automatically." Bonnie stared at Jeremy for a moment and then carefully leaned in. She could feel the spot on his neck calling to her. She placed her lips against his neck gently for a moment and then she lifted them. A moment later her fangs broke his skin.
"That's it darling," Kol encouraged gently against her ear as he rubbed her back. "Now concentrate on that heartbeat and as soon as the rhythm changes then it's time to pull back." Kol tried not to concentrate on the fact that Jeremy's hand was stroking Bonnie's hair. Elena's nails were digging into Elijah's skin where she had the death-grip on his arm. Kol was listening to the heartbeat prepared to pull her off if he had to and at the same time hoping she would feel it on her own. He heard the change in rhythm and a moment later her head lifted from Jeremy's neck. Kol turned her around to face him and a smile lit his face. Heat surged through Kol at the sight of Bonnie's lips tinged with blood. Now he just couldn't wait for it to be his blood on her lips for real this time!
"That was beautiful darling," Kol smiled before he kissed her. Elijah had his arms wrapped around Elena.
"That, more or less, is how it's supposed to be," Elijah whispered gently to her, "teaching a new vampire is a powerful experience particularly if there are feelings involved. I am sorry that your experience wasn't what you deserved."
"I had Damon and he just took me to a rave of sorts." Elena said snorting. "I didn't get that kind of lesson and if it wasn't Damon teaching me at a rave, it was Stefan teaching me how to drink animal blood in the woods." She shivered at the thought of animal blood.
Elijah winced and held her close.
"Well I would offer my services but I'm quite sure that you have it under control already," Elijah whispered, "but if you ever do need help with anything sire related Elena I'm here for you. I may not be your sire but as an original there likely isn't anything I haven't seen."
"Thanks mate," Kol gave Jeremy a genuine smile, "that won't be forgotten." He opened his wrist and offered it to Jeremy.
"I should have done that," Bonnie said.
"Not this time," Kol said. No way could he stomach Jeremy drinking from Bonnie first. That was a pleasure he wanted for himself.
As Jeremy drank the liquid, he did feel himself get more and more energized. Pulling back, he wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and nearly gagged.
"Next time-just pour it into a cup or a bottle." Jeremy told him.
"Such a fuss," Kol rolled his eyes. "I have the new Grand Prix racing game if you want to borrow it."
"Thanks but I don't think Davina would approve," Jeremy said. "I've promised her a picnic this afternoon."
"Bring fruit," Kol suggested with a wicked grin.
"Thanks mate," Jeremy smiled.
"Officially corrupted," Elijah sighed with a smile. "You'd better like Davina because I think you're about to be stuck with her."
"Trust me Elijah," Jeremy said grinning. "I would rather be stuck with her over any other girl I could ever meet." He was still grinning as he left to go buy some fruits for the picnic date.
Bonnie looked at Kol with a cheeky grin and announced, "once you go witch you never go back."
"Well once you go original nothing else satisfies you," Elijah smirked.
"You've got that right," both Elena and Bonnie were quick to agree.
Klaus snickered at the two. "Really ladies?" You can hear the amusement lacing his voice.
"Being with Elijah is better than my previous relationships I ever had." Elena said with a shameless smile on her face.
"The same thing with Kol." Bonnie added.
"Now if only we can convince dear Caroline of that," Klaus grinned.
Rebekah settled on the couch after lunch but could not seem to get comfortable. She tucked a pillow against the small of her back where it ached but she still felt too confined like she was going to burst. She looked around and noticed she had the room to herself. She undid the button on her shorts and then heaved a sigh of relief as she could finally breathe. She had worn the same size effortlessly for a thousand years but she had to face the facts-she was getting a bit of a belly.
"Are you alright Bekah? Is there anything you need?" Stefan asked as he just appeared in the room.
"Some strawberry lemonade and a strawberry milkshake." She said as she rubbed her abdomen lovingly. "Baby wants strawberry lemonade and strawberry milkshake."
Stefan gave her a gentle smile. He was grateful that she seemed to be adapting to the whole pregnancy thing okay. He hurried to fulfill her wishes. Rebekah wondered if she was going to be able to get her pants buttoned ever again.
As Stefan went about making the lemonade and milkshake, Klaus strolled into the living room and sat beside his sister.
"How's the little one?" He asked conversationally.
"Great actually."
"It's making me pudgy already and please don't tease me about that. I've almost made it a whole day without the waterworks," Rebekah said. Klaus laid a hand on Rebekah's leg.
"You deserve this Rebekah and we're all here to help you. I promise I won't let anyone ruin this for you."
"One milkshake and I'm waiting on the lemonade to chill," Stefan smiled, "is there anything else I can get you?" It was easy to tell that he was excited at the prospect of being a father.
"A plate of stuffed shells in a pesto sauce and some Kit Kat bars." He had a look of surprise on his face at how slightly normal her request was.
"I thought that women who are pregnant wanted stranger food." Stefan got out.
Klaus nodded. "We're still in the early stages of the pregnancy. Just wait till she reaches the sixth month when the food requests become stranger and the late night food run."
"I'll be ready for it," Stefan smiled at Rebekah. He brought her the lemonade and started on her next request.
"Oh my goodness that smells so good and I can't believe I'm hungry again," Bonnie groaned as her nose led her to Stefan in the kitchen. "How is Rebekah doing?"
"Very hungry," he said as he mixed the sauce together. "I think it's okay for you to have some strawberry lemonade if you want it." He offered.
Kol was on Rebekah's other side and began to rub her belly.
"How's the new mommy to be?" He asked as he smiled at her.
"Happy." She told him smiling.
She looked at his hand on her belly, "don't start that already. According to your little witch I'm only like eleven weeks along. There's barely anything there...right?" She was becoming self-conscious.
"No sister." He told her. "You are not showing yet."
"I can't fit into any of my favorite clothes!" She said sadly.
"We'll buy you a brand new wardrobe." Klaus placated.
"Actually I kind of can't wait until I am showing," Rebekah smiled, "maybe that will make it real. Just wait until your little witch decides to make you a daddy." Rebekah prodded Kol.
Klaus had to hold in his laughter. The thought of his brother having children was absurd to him.
"I can't imagine Kol with children." He said snickering.
"Lunch time." Bonnie called.
Kol was completely blindsided by the fact that Klaus' words bothered him. Surely he didn't want children? That had been a dream long ago and he had let it go right?
The more he thought about being able to give Bonnie a child; about making a beautiful baby with her and watching her experience all the aspects of motherhood the more he realized one thing. Kol wanted to be a father and he wanted Bonnie to carry his child.
Bonnie saw Kol just stare at her and she had to prod him.
"You okay?" she asked and he smiled somewhat sadly at her.
"I'll be better in time." He whispered.
"Talk to me Kol," Bonnie whispered as she pulled him aside. "We don't keep secrets from each other remember?"
"Seeing Rebekah pregnant makes me remember that I wanted children before I turned." He admitted to her. "I never thought it would be possible but now...now I want that child-or children-to be with you."
Bonnie grinned largely and kissed him tenderly on the cheek. "I would love to have a baby with you Kol. I love you and whenever you're ready just say the word and it's done." She cuddled against him and reveled in her excitement at the thought that she might one day carry Kol's child.
He had the largest grin on his face and as he kissed her, he got out, "when we're ready BonBon; when we're ready."
She couldn't argue with that. Already, having one pregnant and hormonal female vampire was one thing-having two would be panic inducing.
They joined the others for lunch but they couldn't stop sharing secret smiles with one another.
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