Chapter 49
"I can't just leave!" Caroline snapped at her boyfriend. Her grip tightening around Bonnie's hand as Kol and Freya, as the Mikaelsons most knowledgeable about witchcraft, went to check on Davina the moment her throat was cut. Caroline was thankful for her human status at the moment due to her lack of reaction towards the young witch's blood.
"Caroline, love. This might take hours," Klaus soothed, gently placing his hand next to her face. Giving her plenty of time to pull away from his touch if that was what she wanted. As hard it was for him not to touch her. Lately, it had proven more fruitful to allow her the option to pull away. Caroline glanced around her face, whitening at seeing Davina's lifeless form being looked over by Kol. She could see Marcel grinding his teeth as he was forced to let Kol near his young charge.
Rebekah's gaze eased up as she recognized the emotion in Marcel's eyes. "She'll be okay," The blonde whispered towards her one-time lover.
"Magic can go wrong," Marcel grunted, not looking at the once lone female Mikaelson. "Your family taught me that."
"We once had the same family, remember" Rebekah shot back quietly, quickly glancing over all her siblings. "You were the one who never returned to us."
"Why would I leave the city I was born? To live a life on the hunt? I'm the king of New Orleans," Marcel chuckled. "I subdued the wolves and witches until you lot finally decided to return home."
Finn snorted his arm wrapped around Sage, a small smile on the redhead's face as she noticed the small breath coming from the brunette they had been charged to ensure her survival. "You mean you had a gun that only needed one bad motion for its trigger to go off."
"I had everything under control," Marcel hissed. "The vampires were doing fine."
"Except you had all the witches in New Orleans ready to lash your throat out for preventing them from being who they are. Not to mention keeping Davina locked in an attic with powers that were going to overwhelm her. Or the wolves cursed but still capable of harming your precious vampires" Sage rolled her eyes. "Now, every species has a pack and a reason not to do harm to the other. You are a lot more likely to survive with friends than enemies."
Kol looked up and grinned, "It looks like Davina Sinclair is going to resurrect in no time." Only a few paces away, Caroline could hear Sophie crying out her niece's name as the other sacrifices finally started to breathe on their own alongside Davina.
The elder witches looked around at each other; Freya and Bonnie shared a small smile, noticing the coven's uneasiness at the sudden return of life to Davina. They had obviously assumed their ancestors would punish her before allowing her to return. Caroline had stopped arguing with Klaus to catch Kol's announcement.
"She's okay?" Caroline asked the vampire. Kol chuckled, "Yes, Spitfire, her breathing has started back up again. "
"She won't be awake for a while tho," Freya shared a look with Klaus. "You should go home to rest. We will finish up here and make sure Davina stays this way."
"See love, no alterer motives here," Klaus soothed his lover. Wrapping his hands around her shoulders, softly massaging her muscles with his hands.
"Go. She will be fine" Bonnie nodded towards Klaus. "He won't be tho if your pregnant ass gets tossed into the hospital for something like overexertion."
At Caroline's questioning face, Klaus said, "You weren't the only one to read all those books you purchased."
Rebekah snorted, "We all read them."
"Far too much information any man should know," Finn muttered to Sage, who laughed, patting him on the shoulder. Leaning her head against his shoulder, the redhead teased, "this is what you get for being a psychopathic dysfunctional family. Have you lot heard of boundaries?"
Elijah's mouth twitched at his siblings' disgruntled looks, "Miss. Sinclair is in the hands of Miss. Bennett and my two siblings with superior magical knowledge. You can rest, Caroline. I insist, or we can always check you in at St. Anne's."
Caroline took a good look at each and every one of her lover's siblings, seeing their earnest faces. Combined with Nik's own personal insistence, there was something they were not telling her…again. The blonde felt her anger bubble up, muttering a quick fine and to call immediately once she woke up. Bonnie immediately agreed. Caroline felt her shoulders relax slightly, knowing that her best friend would follow through. The blonde walked straight past the numerous supernatural creatures, ignoring her boyfriend's puppy dog eyes and proffered arm. Sharing a quick look at Sophie, holding onto her just awakening niece, the two women shared a solemn nod.
Caroline had guaranteed the Mikaelsons cooperation despite Sophie's little magic trick. Now the blonde was going to ensure the witch undid the ties that bonded them together, not trusting the witches to leave her children alone. Not bothering to look back, Niklaus would be on her heels in seconds anyway.
"Love-"
"You got what you wanted, again," Caroline snapped, not bothering to hide the bitterness. "Happy? Niklaus Mikaelson once again gets all that he bloody wants. Even where his bloody girlfriend is located."
Caroline's heart skipped a beat at seeing the amber return to his eyes. Instead of blowing up as he was known to do, Niklaus breathed slowly through his nose. They didn't say anything for several minutes; the only sound was the click of the car door unlocking. Caroline grabbed the handle and pulled it open while Niklaus went towards the driver's seat. The ride home was silent.
Niklaus kept his hands to the wheel, his knuckles white with the power of his grip. Caroline opened her mouth to speak, only to close it shut, unable to get words out. She could feel the anger bubbling up in her. Caroline understood many things on a logical level. She had memories of being pregnant before, for god's sake! The way the siblings had simply left state lines, leaving Caroline with Sage and Katherine.
That still didn't mean she didn't feel the sting of being left behind nor annoyed at how she barely got an explanation after. Sure, Elena had once again almost gotten herself killed. By this point, it was par for the course as far as Caroline was concerned. Her childhood friend clearly had no sense of self-preservation. The blonde practically gave her a supernatural free ticket and managed to find the supernatural once again.
No, Caroline was pissed that they barely bothered to explain it, were just okay at leaving her behind then expecting her to be okay with it. Hardly an explanation when they packed up and a bare-bones explanation when they returned. Now Caroline was dealing with pregnancy hormones, her mom going to chemo, and a childhood best friend pouting at her lack of freedom. Then to top it all off, Nik wants to order her around?
Caroline saw the way Nik's eyes glowed amber. She knew his wolf was close to the surface. While she was not afraid of him, actually, it was instead the opposite. Seeing his wolf so close to the surface was more of a turn-on than a flee response. Caroline shook her head; she would not be thinking about Klaus and his amber eyes. Or the way he growled her name, or how his hands dwarfed hers and made her feel exceptionally safe.
Snap out of it, Caroline!
"Get inside," Nik muttered.
"Excuse me?" Caroline turned her head towards her boyfriend; she noticed that they were no longer moving.
"It's late. Get inside."
His sentences were short, overly pronounced, as if he was trying to hold back his temper. As annoyed with him and his family as she was, even Caroline on pregnancy hormones knew when to obey. Shooting him an annoyed look, Caroline huffed, unclicking her seatbelt as she opened her door. Using his vampire speed, Niklaus beat her to the door with an annoying smirk opening the door and bowing towards her.
"Milady."
Rolling her eyes, Caroline walked past him walking into the foyer before she noticed lights on in the backyard. "Nik?" She called, "When did we decorate the backyard?"
No answer. Frowning, Caroline huffed in annoyance at his sudden disappearance. Taking steps toward the backyard, she waited for a second before calling out for Nik again.
"Nik?"
Sliding the door open, Caroline couldn't help but gasp at the fairy lights that decorated the sizeable green yard that was the plantation. She could hear voices, walking the rest of the way out of the house. Caroline was open-mouthed when she spotted her entire vampire family out in the yard. Sandwiched between Freya and Bonnie was an awakened Davina.
"Davina!" The witch looked up and smiled tiredly, "Hey, Care. The plan worked like a charm."
Davina circled her arms around the blonde, whispering, "Thank you. We'll talk later, okay?"
Giving the younger witch a curious look, the blonde nodded before turning around to the smiling faces of the original family. Stefan, Tom, and Enzo were walking around, but Damon and Elena were nowhere to be seen. Bonnie noticing Caroline's glanced, whispered, "Damon and Elena are still being guarded. Marcel has taken over for this. Something about owing you."
"Why would-" Hearing a cough, Caroline's eyes sparked in recognition. Turning around to see's Niklaus in the middle of the yard, his siblings, her friends, and mom all talking amongst themselves.
"I did try to get Elena here for this. It seems her hatred of me outmatches her friendship with you," Niklaus said softly. His words not aiming to hurt, only to inform. His eyes were truthful, and Caroline sighed in acknowledgment.
"What is this?" Caroline waved around the yard with a laugh. "It looks like my….BONNIE!"
"You have horrible hiding places," The witch called back, earning laughter from Sage and Katherine, who smirked at the blonde.
"I knew you were a Disney princess," Katherine mocked with a playful smirk as Elijah's arm slid around her waist. The dark-haired beauty leaned into the original family. Caroline kept her gaze on Nik despite hearing both women's replies.
Niklaus scowled, "can I get on with it?"
Sage held back a laugh as she shared a look with her lover. Katherine shrugged into Elijah, smirking at the hybrid mouthing "chickening out?" Caroline laughed out loud, raising her hands to her hips.
"Nik? What's going on?"
Caroline and Nik starred at each other, neither one moving an inch until the vampire bends down on one knee. In his hand was an open jewelry box. Caroline looked between his face and his hand. Stepping closer until she could touch him, Caroline whispered, "Nik? Is this what I think this is?"
"Caroline," Niklaus said softly, reaching out for her hand. "Originally, I wanted to do this alone. However, it was pointed out to me by several annoying women, I might add," Niklaus grunted. Glancing towards Caroline's mom as the older woman shared a grin with Katherine and Sage. At the same time, Bonnie snorted into her hand, whispering to Davina, who giggled at the story.
"It was pointed out that I am a possessive bastard who will never allow you a chance to get a second proposal" At this, Klaus rolled his eyes. "So I had better make this count. I am suffering the constant input of your friends and my know-it-all siblings to ask you if you would do me the honor of being my wife for eternity?"
XXX
Davina couldn't believe that the plan worked, that she was still a part of the living and not being tormented by her ancestors instead. Marcel had given Davina permission to start attending her old school again, compelling the school to believe her absence resulted from a family emergency. He even got them to waive the missed work. Davina vowed never to tell Bonnie or Caroline about that trick.
It wasn't until her first period when the tingling sensation she had felt all morning showed itself. Stepping into the classroom as if he owned the place was a familiar face. The smooth velvety voice that had interrupted her magic lessons, obnoxiously informing Bonnie that was a horrible way to teach. She had a feeling neither would appreciate her skipping out on her work.
"How would you teach her?" Bonnie had demanded, only to regret seconds later as Kol let out a cheeky grin plopping down next to the pair.
"Hello, My family has just returned to the area; the name is Kol Mikaelson. Please treat me kindly" Kol offered up his signature grin as his brown eyes met with Davina's own. She could feel the shift in the air. The Harvest was only just yesterday leading to a steady truce between the vampire faction and witches. The wolves clearly taking neither's side but followed Mikaelson's orders for the time being.
Davina's remaining family had already been killed during the debacle that was the first harvest. She stayed with Marcel in her safe little room up in the church's attic for the time being but no longer was she held to the stay out of sight order.
"What are you doing here?" The Claire witch hissed as the cocky vampire dumped himself into the empty seat next to her.
Wiping a stray hair from his eyes, Davina tried to ignore the bumps along her skin at his piercing gaze. "A little blonde decided that it would be best if you had someone you could trust in this lovely institution with you. After all, you and the coven are not exactly on good terms," Kol winked at her.
"I only know two blondes; Rebekah could hardly be bothered to look up from her fashion magazine. Who did Caroline beat up?" Davina questioned with a grin as she leaned forward. Her eyes strayed to the front of the room, shoulders easing as the teacher ignored the chatting pair.
"Nik thought it was stupid for a vampire to pretend to be a teenager. I'm not known as the most reliable Mikaelson" Kol shrugged as if what his siblings thought did not bother him. Davina spotted the way his cheeks sunk in, his muscles tensing in his facial features. Something about his siblings and his behavior bothered him, Davina noted.
"Yet here you are," Davina murmured quietly as the teacher kept droning on about their lesson for the day.
"Caroline pointed out that our relations with the witches have been uneasy. That one witch still has Caroline locked to her life," Kol gritted his teeth at the memory of Freya. Reaffirming his knowledge that the only way to undo that curse would be for one of them to die. Cursing the other one to death without vampire blood or the witch who placed the curse undoing it.
"My coven has a nasty history with vampires," Davina frowned. "I've managed to look heavily into the lore the French Quarter coven as stalked up…. Our regent sent a messenger over last night. She wishes to see me."
"You won't be alone, darling," Kol whispered. "If anything, I'm sure my brothers have already heard, and someone will be with you."
"Will you be with me?" Davina found herself asking. She quickly wiped the shocked look from her face, seeing that she meant every word. Her shock was reflected back on his face before he switched to a genuine smile.
"You want me around a bunch of old hags?" He said in a teasing tone. Leaning forward, wholly ignoring the teacher, who had finally stopped lecturing and was pointing to something written on the whiteboard. Davina glanced up and saw that their assignment was written on the board.
"Be my partner?" She asked, pointing to the board. Kol looked up and rolled his eyes, "you do know those textbooks are all bloody wrong."
"Everything can't be wrong," Davina laughed, opening up her text. Kol shrugged, "they tend to get the big picture correct, but they leave out all the most interesting bits."
"Like what?" Davina countered. "And yes, I'd rather have you near the old hags. You know magic and have dealt with French Quarter witches before. Bonnie is great, but being self-taught, I don't think she would be of help here nor your sister."
Kol barely glanced at the assignment as he flipped through the text, "Write this down. Even though I do stand that almost every so-called founding father was a complete peacock in personality. The only one who had a lick of sense was George, and that was solely due to death. Can't face death without learning a thing or two, you see."
Davina opened her mouth to speak, only to shake her head and write down the small passage that Kol pointed out. The rest of the period passed with Kol scanning the sections and pointing out the answers while ad-libbing some not-so-known facts.
"I'll talk to my brothers. I will be the one to escort you, but they may suggest a secondary guard. Any preferences?" Kol whispered in her ear. Davina bit her lip, not aware of how Kol glanced down at the way her lip turned red as she thought over her answer.
"Bonnie or Freya. They taught me a lot even if they wouldn't be familiar with French Quarter politics."
"Two Mikaelsons might set the witches on edge. Perhaps Bonnie. The witch is annoyingly talented, but all of her ancestors were the same. Did you know it was her ancestor that gave our mother the spell that turned us into vampires in the first place?"
"That's why she was able to help with the harvest," Davina surmised. "The Bennett line would be familiar with many rituals if they had that one in their vault to give away."
Kol snorted, "Ayana never wanted my mother to complete the spell tried hard to talk her out of it."
"She still gave it to her," Davina pointed out. "Your mother may have done the deed, but it was not possible without the Bennett lines' help."
"Perhaps that's why the Bennett line can be friendly to the right vampires," Kol murmured amusedly. " We are a part of the balance now whether they like it or not."
'That and your brother is engaged to her best friend" Davina rolled her eyes.
XXX
Niklaus could honestly say that he tried. To hold in his laughter, that is. When his lovely fiancée walked into the room, which for the time being was being designated as the nursery, Caroline refused to allow him to make all-out war on Marcel. Her beautiful blonde hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, wearing over-all's that were a size too big even at his late in the pregnancy with two rollers. Bonnie and Sage walked in carrying the paint, followed by Elijah and Finn, who held the drapes to protect the floor.
Sage and Bonnie shared a look, dropping the paint, "We will leave you to it!" Sage called, grabbing Finn by the hand rushing him out of the room. Watching his sibling leave alongside Sage, Elijah began to understand how Sage had survived for so long.
She was intelligent, agreeing with her assessment of the danger. Elijah clapped his brother on the back, "good luck, Brother." All of this happened within a manner of seconds as Caroline focused on her breathing.
Her blue eyes returned to focus, noticing that the once full room was empty save for a still chuckling Niklaus. Blue eyes flashed as she took a step towards the unsuspecting vampire. Niklaus stilled when the blonde refused to say anything more. He watched as the blonde roughly opened the can of paint, dabbing the roller with it. When he was about to suggest they cover the floor first, her glare shut him up. He could only watch as she stomped with a roller in her hand and smacked him in the face.
Nik sputtered a light green streaked down his face, "You hit me with a paint roller."
"You have been keeping secrets, expecting me to just go along with whatever nincompoop concoction you and your siblings come up with. Then expect me to allow you to hover over me like a bear!" Caroline growled, hitting him with the roller again, this time on the shoulder.
"Sweetheart-" Niklaus ducked as the blonde took aim at his face once again. Not wishing to use his supernatural strength against his pregnant fiancée… at least not yet. He had found over the years that letting females get their anger out physically left them tired far more quickly than if he used his strength against them.
It was Caroline attacking him; the young woman knew exactly who he was and still was unafraid of attacking him…with a paint roller. His amusement must have shown in his eyes because she screeched in rage and slapped paint all over his shirt. The force used to attack him did sting a small amount, not that he would alert Caroline to the fact.
"I hate you," Caroline seethed. "I hate this stupid town where you are in a penis measuring contest with your own bloody son. And adoption counts Klaus" She rolled her eyes when he opened his mouth to speak.
"Yes, Marcel took over your city, but you had left! Did you really expect him to leave the only city he has ever known? Especially after he saw how safe you made it? He knew the city would be safe from Mikeal's wrath after you were gone. Yes, I can see the betrayal, but you raised him, you idiot!"
Niklaus felt the familiar feeling of anger building up, "you agreed that going to New Orleans was the right call."
"Yes, we agreed! What's happened since then? You make the calls. Finn, Elijah, Rebekah, and Kol complain but do your bidding. The rest are either bought or threatened into it. What happened to us, Nik? Because I don't see it!" Caroline yelled at him, dropping the paint roller and stepping right in front of him.
She poked a well-manicured hand into his chest, "We are a team Niklaus Mikaelson. You are not the boss of me. I get there are times when shit happens, but we decide things together, we plan things together. When shit goes down, handle it but come talk to me!"
"Sweetheart, what are you?" Niklaus was cut off once again by Caroline, who hissed.
"You left just up and left to handle Elena, then you went and disappeared for a few days!"
"I explained that when I came back," Niklaus soothed, trying to pay a stray hair only to be pushed aside. Well, Caroline attempted, and Niklaus allowed it, sensing that Caroline was distraught.
"Not well enough," Caroline said bitterly. "You've gotten on me about everything I do-" This time, she was interrupted by Niklaus himself.
"You forget that you are pregnant and still act as if you are nearly invincible," Niklaus whispered. Grabbing her by her shoulders forcing her to look him in the eyes. Two pairs of blue eyes stared back at each other. "You said you understood what it means to be with me. I don't take orders. I give them. I've managed so far to include you because of the depth of my feelings for you."
"I know who you are, Nik," Caroline murmured quietly, leaning into his hand as he reached to touch her cheek. "But we are a team."
"And you are pregnant. You can't keep going at this pace. I know you wanted to help that teenage witch. You have, and we have working relationships with both the witches and the wolves. I think you need to rest for the duration of your pregnancy."
"There is still so much...Dahila," Caroline started, only to look out of the corner of her eye and blink. Nik observed her closely," Darling? Are you?"
Caroline's eyes rolled back as her body gave way. She would have hit the floor if it wasn't for Niklaus catching her. Immediately he began yelling out instructions knowing that every vampire in the house would hear him. The hybrid didn't pay any attention to the commotion that erupted with his orders. He focused on the five slow beating heartbeats that alerted him that she was safe; their children growing inside her were still safe.
"Sweetheart, we are on our way," Niklaus whispered as he flashed out of the house. Vaguely hearing Rebekah order Freya and Bonnie onto guard duty to ensure their houseguests were dealt with. If he could focus on anything else, he would have been proud at the way his family knitted together. Kol alerting Liz Forbes gently, how Finn and Elijah spoke with their rather irritating partners to keep an eye on their various projects in case something came in. That is, if he focused on anything other than five heartbeats.
XXX
Portland, Oregon
"Still no word?" Joshua Parker, the aging coven leader of the Gemini coven, asked his youngest daughter Olivia. He stood in front of a tall window outlooking the forest that surrounded their home that resided in the city's outskirts. Olivia stayed quiet, momentarily starring at her father. Her fists tightened thinking about her older siblings, the twins that were supposed to battle for leadership.
Yet it had been evident that Kai had an advantage; being a siphoner would absorb his sister's power, killing her for the coveted spot. In order to stop him from obtaining leadership, her parents kept trying until Olivia and her brother was born. Only a set of twins could merge and create a leader for the coven.
If Kai hadn't been born with such a lack of empathy, perhaps her father would have allowed him to become the leader. Her father could be resting, her mother might still be alive. The blonde teenager frowned before nodding, "I'm sorry, Dad. There hasn't been a word from her in weeks."
Joshua sighed, fearing the worst, "Have we located Hazel?"
"We've managed to locate her in Denver, Colorado. Exactly where she said she was in her last communication," Olivia informed her father.
Joshua looked out the window, deep in thought. He had sent one of the covens best witches to keep an eye on the doppelganger they knew by the name Tom. Whispers had been running through supernatural circles about how the originals had broken a curse. A hybrid walked among them now.
"Location of the Traveler's?"
"In movement, according to Susan. They look to be heading towards New Orleans." His daughter's words caught his attention.
He glanced over at his youngest, "Do we have a reason as to why?"
Olivia let out a sigh, "We haven't been able to gather much. We know that it's been a supernatural haven since its inception. However, the reason for the Traveler's movements is still unclear."
"Have you located the boy? The doppelganger? Or his other half?"
"It appears like his signal, the one Hazel put on him, was disrupted; the last location he has for him is, " Olivia looked down at her notes. Her eyes widened as she read the readout from the spell.
"Liv?" Joshua prompted softly, turning his body towards his daughter. Olivia looked up when she felt his hand land on her shoulder.
"Olivia, what is it?"
"The locator spell…placed him in New Orleans. We never had the Petrova doppelganger's location; tracking their descendants became impossible after Katherine Pierce disappeared."
The leader cursed, turning towards the door, "Olivia, call a meeting for this evening. Include everyone."
"Even Josie?" Olivia asked.
"Especially Josie. We may need her after all."
Despite not looking convinced, Olivia went straight to her phone, sending out a mass text message to those members in the city. Next, she quickly called her elder sister.
"Jo?" Olivia spoke softly into the phone.
"Olivia? What's going on? Is Dad alright?" Her sister's voice brought back memories, especially of that night. The night where their beloved older brother had decided to kill his siblings to lead the coven. In anger at his parents for giving life to another set of twins that could take that right away from him.
"Dad's called a full coven meeting," Olivia found herself saying instead of hello. No small talk, or I miss yous.
"I'm no longer a part of the coven," Olivia wanted to cry. Jo had pushed her magic away to ensure if her deranged brother ever got loose, he wouldn't be able to get her magic. She sacrificed a part of herself to ensure her coven was safe. It meant it was safer for her to be far away from them.
"You will always be a part of this coven, Jo," Olivia murmured. "Something big is happening. Dad requested you join in the meeting. We may need you."
Over the phone, Olivia could hear her sister sigh and the sound of someone over the speaker. "Listen, I have to go. I'm off work in about five hours. Will that work?"
Olivia knew that her father would not be pleased, but it would have to do. "I'll make sure to change the meeting time. Just answer your phone when it rings, okay?"
"Fine. I'll talk to you later, Liv. I… I love you. You know that, right?"
Olivia Parker felt her lips pull themselves into a smile, "Love you too, sis."
XXX
"Have you been experiencing any prolonged forms of stress lately? Any infighting among the relatives? Perhaps school or work?" The doctor asked, looking over Caroline's medical file.
Upon admittance into the hospital, Klaus and Caroline were ushered into a private room within a VIP suite of the hospital once her identity was verified. Luckily Elijah had managed to meet them within seconds was allowed entry into the room. Elijah noticed that his brother was an inch away from pulling the nurses' intestines out.
"Brother, perhaps you should let them do their work," Elijah warned. Niklaus had glowered at his brother, muttering, "I was about to decorate the room red, brother."
"You really need to get your temper in control, brother," Elijah sighed as he grabbed Niklaus by the forearm. "Think of Caroline before we need to compel an entire hospital."
It was an hour later when Caroline finally woke up to her mother's concerned face with Niklaus pacing the length of the room. Once she was noticed, the doctor was called, and all blood Mikaelsons stumbled into the room. Before she knew it, Caroline sat propped up against multiple pillows, the blonde having a suspicion that Rebekah had taken them from a neighboring room. Based on how the Mikaelson siblings crowded the room, refusing to leave as Niklaus and her mother sat on either side of her, Caroline thought her suspicions were correct.
At the question, the pregnant woman glanced over at the guilty-looking siblings; Caroline let out a small laugh, "nothing more than the ordinary."
The doctor hummed, "that's good. Have you noticed an increase in headaches? Vomiting or Nausea"
"I'm pregnant. I eat like a whale, so sometimes I feel like vomiting," Caroline deadpanned, raising a brow at the barely concealed laugh from Kol.
"Why did she bloody faint?" Niklaus demanded, his hand squeezing hers as his patience reached its limit. Caroline's hands automatically clasped with his offering him a small smile. Liz Forbes crossed her arms and looked at the couple with pride.
"Yes. Why did my daughter faint?" Liz Forbes repeated.
"We took some tests, and based on your answers, we will need to double-check the results to be sure. Most likely, it's nothing, but we need to wait for the lab results to be sure," The doctor explained as a nurse hurried in.
"The lab results, Doctor," The nurse said in a breathy voice, clearly having raced from the lower levels of the hospital. Reading over the results, the doctor looked up and smiled, "The good news is we know what happened. Miss. Forbes, you have preeclampsia which is essentially high blood pressure in expectant mothers. It is very treatable."
There was only one thing Caroline needed to know, "Will I be able to go home?"
"I would like you to stay the night to get a baseline on your blood pressure and the babies. We can discuss treatment options, but most likely, we will need to induce labor as soon as they are fully developed."
XXX
The room was dark with the drapes pulled close; the only sound coming from the two figures in the bed were grunts and moans. A tan back was revealed behind curly dark locks as Katherine Pierce proudly looked down at her partner. Elijah gave a soft grunt as his pale hands wrapped themselves securely around her waist, bringing her sex fully against his own. Their movements stilled as flashes of pleasure rushed through both of them.
A cell rang from Katherine's bedside table. Groaning in irritation, the brunette reluctantly released Elijah from her grip as she reached over to grab the annoying technological device. Elijah's hand gently traced her delicate back as she pulled herself barely out of his arms. Eyes danced across the screen. The brunette turned to her partner and whispered, "Nadia."
Katherine's voice was sultry even as her daughter's name flashed on the screen. The five-hundred-year-old vampire leaned against a warm chest as solid arms wrapped around her.
"You should pick it up," Elijah murmured against her neck, pressing warm kissed along her soft skin. Katherine closed her eyes to his gentle pressure leaning to the other side just so enlarging his access.
"It feels like I'm using her for my own gain," The seductress admitted softly, surprising the other vampire enough to pause his ministrations.
"In a way, you are, but then again, so is she," Elijah spoke softly, thinking each word over in his head. As his hand reached out and pressed the answer button forcing the brunette to talk. Her brown eyes flared with irritation, saying her daughter's name into the speaker.
"You are with the original again, aren't you?" Came Nadia's surprising reply. Exasperation with a hint of disgust. The Bulgarians tone was what Elijah would expect of a grown child coming across their parent in a comprising position. Personally, Elijah never saw his parents act in any form of intimacy despite having long known the realities of bringing a child into the world.
"How's that Traveler you are so fond of? What's his name again…Trevor…" Katherine retorted with a playful smirk on her face turning to face her lover. The brunette slid across his lap, grinding into his lap, causing the man to utter a low groan.
"Gregor" Nadia's tone turned into disgust. "I would appreciate my mother not having sex while I am on the phone with her."
"You are no fun," Katherine pouted, pausing in her gratifying actions, earning a look from Elijah that promised future retribution. Katherine's brown eyes glazed over slightly at the thought. "You obviously have an update; speak."
"Nice to hear from you, Nadia. It's torture being away from my only daughter after such a long separation," Nadia muttered to herself. Earning an eye-roll from the ancient vampire as Elijah's mouth tilted up, amusement clear in his eyes.
"Nadia," Katherine sighed.
"We will be hitting the city limits just after Thanksgiving. I've managed to slow our progress, but I can't do any more without drawing suspicion towards me."
Katherine was forced back as Elijah slid up, taking the cell from her hands, "Where are you, Nadia?"
"Mystic Falls. I managed to talk the others into waiting to descend onto New Orleans until more of their numbers return," Nadia informed. Sounding much more like a soldier than a daughter on the hunt for her mother.
"Come to us once you hit city lines. Until then, keep us updated on their progress," Elijah ordered before his tone softened. "I'm returning the phone to your mother now."
"Nadia," Katherine spoke her daughter's name in a rush, as a rare emotion flared up inside of her for another being, concern. "They don't suspect you?"
"I'm a vampire they hardly trust me, but I do have traveler blood. I'm capable of performing their spells. Mama, will you leave with me once all this is done?" Nadia asked. "We can finally be a family."
Katherine let out a long sigh as Elijah pressed a kiss to her forehead, not saying anything despite being able to hear every word Nadia said. "Nadia, where would we go? I'm finally no longer running from Klaus. Elijah has forgiven me" The brunette shot the vampire a sultry look as her nails dug into his chest, creating a hissing sound escaping from the man's lips.
"You want to stay."
Katherine offered a rare soft smile towards Elijah, "You once told me that I killed your mother. Don't you want to get to know who that woman was? I'm free for the first time in centuries, Nadia. I have my freedom, and I'm using it to try and find your mother again. I left her when I left Elijah, Nadia. If you really want to know me, the one under the centuries of running and mistrust, then stay and find out who she is."
"He's that good in bed, Mother?" Katherine could see the eye roll in her mind; by her daughter's tone, Nadia would come to terms with her decision.
"Careful, Nadia, or I'll have half a mind to give you a stepfather," Katherine retorted. Hiding her laugh by moving the phone away from her as she watched the vampire beneath her look at her with amused eyes.
"Fine. I will see you after Thanksgiving. Give my stepfather by goodbyes," Nadia murmured as Katherine could make out people in the background.
"When did we decide to get married, Katerina?" Elijah asked with a smirk on his lips. Katherine shook her hair off her shoulder, leaning down with her waist to press a bruising kiss against the Mikaelson's lips.
"I wanted to see how she would react," Katherine admitted. "I was never given a chance to be a mother by the time I had the chance; she was untraceable. She's a grown woman who can make her own choices, but she chose to find me. The least I can do is be honest about where I want to be. As much fun as it is traveling, I want a home, Elijah."
XXX
She could feel her heart thump against her chest as she walked down the stairs to the basement, Damon's current abode. Not a single minion was watching the basement door, sending warning bells inside Caroline's mind. Niklaus would never allow Damon to be unguarded, especially with Elena so close. The vampire would do anything to get back to her.
Standing in front of his cage was Enzo, who looked up with a grin.
"Why if it isn't Blondie" Damon snarked cheerily, waving a hand dismissively towards her. Enzo shot the dark-haired vampire a glare for his treatment of the woman who was the mastermind behind his escape from Whitmore.
"Enzo, you can go," Caroline squeezed the vampire's arm. "I got this."
"Doll, I love you, but even I know not to mess with an original. Your boy toy ordered me to stay no matter what."
"And do what? Watch as Blondie talks me to death? It's not like I'm in a position to hurt her. Klaus has me bloody well into a coma with the amount of vervain in my system" Damon rolled his head against the wall as he glanced between the bars.
"It's Damon. I know him I will be okay," Caroline reasserted. "If it makes you feel better, you can stay close."
"Right outside the door," Enzo vowed, seeing that there would be no changing the girl's mind. He glanced over at his one-time friend and shook his head, muttering insults under his breath.
"Love you too, brother," Damon hollered as the door shut. Once alone, neither one of them said anything. Damon acted as if the blonde was not even there save for the casual glance towards her every few seconds. Caroline leaned against the wall by the cage, taking over the position Enzo had just held.
"What do you want, Blondie? Come here to gloat?' Damon scoffed bitterly. "I'm caged while you are about to sprout satans offspring."
"I don't hate you, Damon."
The vampire glanced over at the blonde. His blue eyes displayed more emotion than Caroline personally knew he was comfortable with. "Sure you don't."
"I did. Hate you for a long time, actually, but that's the thing about being a vampire we have all the time in the world" Caroline chuckled. "You know that after Tyler's bite, I sort of knew things?"
Damon rolled his eyes, "it was also about the time you started shacking up with the great evil."
"When Tyler bit me, I woke up from the year 2090, Damon. It's why I knew so much. The Bennett line wanted me to safe Bonnie," Caroline admitted. "It's why I can say that I no longer hate you, but I definitely still had things to say to you."
"If you lived until 2090, why didn't you say anything before? Chicken?" Damon said in his usual banter that was half cruel, half-humorous.
"I wasn't really a large part of your life after you took the cure to be with Elena." Caroline wanted to laugh at the way the vampire stilled, for a moment honestly acting like the immortal being that he was.
"There is only one dose of the cure," Damon muttered. "I wouldn't have drank from Elena hell; I never want to be human."
"But Elena did. She chose you initially to hurt Stefan. It tore him to pieces to admit that she had something with you too. Stefan and I got together, even managed to get him down the aisle, only for Katherine to be a bitch. And the only way to permanently destroy her was to sacrifice someone long enough for them both to die. Stefan, of course, knocked you out and forced the cure on you so you could live a human life with Elena. To be fair, you planned on taking the cure before the whole wedding from hell leading to Elena in a coma thing-"Caroline rambled off so fast that even Damon had a hard time following along.
"Slow down, Barbie," Damon winced, looking at Caroline with a seriousness that she hadn't seen since they put his brother to his final resting space.
"Elena chose you. Typical Mystic Falls shit keeps happening, leading to death, rebirth, and more death. Stefan and I got together until he played hero to make sure you got a happy ending. I have been pushed aside. Despite her witch heritage, Bonnie is still human, and Elena finally developed self-preservation" Caroline rolled her eyes.
"That's insane" Was the only thing Damon could mutter.
"I gave birth to Alaric's twin girls; their biological mother was killed by her twin," Caroline explained quickly. "Klaus had a daughter with Hayley, and the three of them were following into our stupid footsteps when I woke up in the past."
"Why are you telling me this?" Damon asked skeptically. "Elena is clearly set on moving on."
"So, you can finally move on," Caroline sighed. "You in one lifetime were my rapist, friend, brother-in-law, and enemy. I don't hate you, Damon. I just think you have a habit of choosing women who were never capable of really choosing you."
"You just said Elena did."
"Yeah, after a whole bunch of bullshit. You nearly go on multiple murder sprees again once she is out of the picture, even just temporarily. You lose yourself to the doppelganger, Damon. First to Katherine, then to Elena. I want to see what you can be when you aren't under their spell," Caroline said honestly. "I actually had fun bantering with you in my past. I hated you, but you gave as good as you got. "
"You are insane," Damon grumbled. Him, human again with Elena? Ignoring everything she had said because he just couldn't talk about it. To get that, he would have to lose his brother, which actually hurt him once again to get it as well. Damon felt torn, and he hated feeling torn.
"The one good redeemable thing about you Salvatore brothers is that you love each other. You might not love anyone else as selfishly as you love Stefan, but you love someone. If someone is capable of loving someone, they are capable of being saved," Caroline told him.
"Damon, don't spend your life chasing someone who was never meant to be yours. I know where that life leads, and maybe you were happy, but I know how much you grieved for that life in the process. Is Elena worth giving up your brother?" Caroline whispered as she leaned forward, walking straight to the door without looking back.
She walked straight into Enzo's chest, the dark-haired man grinning as he held her shoulders. "That was some speech, Blondie."
"Shut up, Enzo" Caroline stuck her tongue out. "I didn't do a thing."
'Sureeee, you didn't."
XXXX
A.N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story so far! Sorry for the late update. I will still make an attempt to do a monthly update but I will not make any promises. The story has not been forgotten and it is being worked on when I have a spare moment and inspiration. Please let me know what you think of recent developments in the story!