A.N: Guys I have been looking at baby names for a while. Did you guys know that Karoline is a Scandinavian girl name? I'm like that reminds me of not only my favorite YouTube singer but also my favorite vamp couple!
If you haven't listened to Karoline Reynolds, you really should. As always my goal is to update once a month if not more. Apologies for the long wait!
Chapter 54
Blood lust.
It was a common enough addiction to those in the supernatural community. Witches who tasted just a bit too much power, Vampires who enjoyed the hunt just a tad too much, even Werewolves who liked the taste of flesh more than they liked the freedom of the night. The Mikaelson's were no exception. Kol's delighted laugh, more manic than delighted, could be heard even by the delicate humans within the vicinity. Rebekah could be seen ravaging the nearest traveler with a smile.
In the heat of battle, Niklaus could feel his blood pumping wildly, rushing through his body as the adrenaline spurred him on; hands reaching into the chest of his enemies only to resurface with a still beating heart. He could practically taste the static in the air, the feel of lightning dancing across his skin. A thousand years on this earth and the effect of magic never changed. It was a byproduct of his creation. Magic extended his life. It sealed his soul into his body and transformed his once human beating organs into objects that he didn't really need to survive anymore.
Magic-infused blood is what sustains him now, only requiring fresh blood to keep him going, causing a chain reaction to occur. Now his body was acutely aware of the magic in a way his human form had never been able to read. It was this sensitivity that made Kol such a strong magical tutor despite his lack of actual magic. Momentarily, his eyes rose to scan the battlefield, checking on each member of his family. His gaze fell onto the human doppelganger, Niklaus's face twisted into a grin. Hell, he was almost sad that they had Katherine stay with Caroline. That doppelganger would have been a particularly blood-thirsty sight.
Yet, recalling how devastatingly careful she had been in attempting to hide her family from him and how the brunette had bonded with Caroline made the hybrid certain that setting Katherine and Enzo up as guards was the best choice. Caroline was safe in the arms of the woman that had managed to evade him, despite Klaus's best efforts, narrowly for 500 years getting herself in and out of more trouble all the while.
He could put his full attention into the fight knowing that the most vicious vampire outside of his own family was by his lover's side.
Niklaus Mikaelson's eyes narrowed as the she-wolf howled her message across the battlefield. It took seconds for the message to take effect. With his enhanced vision, Niklaus saw the way Bonnie's brow furrowed; Freya continued muttering words, despite her shoulders tensing.
The spell was not yet ready.
Well, if he had to buy some time…
"Well, you heard the lady," Niklaus shrugged with a grin, "I'm going to be a father."
"Congratulations," Markos murmured. "It's a pity you won't be around to meet them. I wonder, will your child survive the birth? A child born of such supernatural properties would not have any magic left if it was up to me. In fact, none of your family would survive."
Niklaus knew a threat when he heard one. It took all his self-control not to react to the words of the Travelers' leader. His inner wolf struggled against his mental shields, demanding that they take out the threat to his mate. Having been blocked from his wolf for so long, it was almost like sharing his mind with another being. His wolf was a creature of instinct, it didn't understand rational human thought.
Under the stars when their chaotic household was as silent as possible, especially for a large dwelling predominately made up of beings who didn't need sleep, Caroline had confided in him about her theory of his behavior. The Mikaelson broad was quick to anger, Caroline mused that it was a product of being born during such a stressful time and of the type of man Mikael was. Niklaus, remembering the recent passing of her own father, wisely kept silent. Yet Niklaus's anger was always a bit different, almost as if it was purged out of him.
Caroline had found out about werewolves after meeting Klaus, and it helped to pass down her hard-won supernatural knowledge to them. Every single one of them struggled with their temper, wolves were creatures of instinct. Caroline's theory is that because not only was the condition activated by a kill but his was suppressed for so long that the magic which was inherited from his father, his biological father was fueling the anger. It was his body's way of attempting to merge his vampire side along with the wolf on top of what Caroline dubbed a "Traumatic Upbringing."
Niklaus couldn't help but chuckle at the memory. He was a being thousand years in the making, not a petulant child attacking at every slight. While he had gotten away with worse in the past, he couldn't afford for his parents' mistakes to fuel his actions,not today. If even just a hint of Caroline's future came to pass his rashness would cost them.
"I do hope she won't mind the bloodstains. Rebekah, do we have any change of clothes?" Niklaus called out towards his sister, walking towards the Traveler's leader knife in hand. Taking the fury inside him and channeling it into something useful. There could be no mistakes.
Markos had to die.
Rebekah snarled as she muttered the ancient phrase, putting an eternal end to another Traveler witch. "We didn't think YOU would be the one needing a change of clothes. Can't you kill like an adult? Without the mess."
Markos snarls as he throws his hands up as if to begin a spell. Klaus narrowed his eyes as his mind quickly tried to come up with rebuttals to whatever attack he had planned. Before his spell could be finished a flash of light, magic, struck right at him. The Traveler cried out as he winced at the wound to his hands.
Niklaus looked forward to seeing Freya panting as she lowered a hand, "End this Niklaus."
He met his older sister's gaze, "You're ready?"
Freya was breathing heavily but nodded, "We're ready. Do it."
Markos paled as he snarled, raising his hands and calling out to his people, "It's our time now. You've had your time and squandered it."
Niklaus grinned at him, his fangs on display, "I think I am going to enjoy this."
XXX
Katherine stood next to Enzo arms crossed, nose twitching in distaste at the scene in front of her. Jo Parker, the Gemini Doctor had ordered the two of them to stay near the door in case of emergency. Which particular emergency Jo didn't say? Katherine was under the impression it was so the two vampires stayed out of the way. She didn't particularly like the way Jo's eyes would soften when the doctor looked her way. Katherine growled at the fact she knew about her daughter.
It went against everything she had taught herself to allow others to know about Nadia. Yet it was hard to hide the fact, that Katherine had once been in the position Caroline was in now, mother on one end, sister on the other. It was difficult to compartmentalize yet Katherine knew she had a job to do.
She didn't fancy having to run again, not when she finally had things settled with Elijah. She was even having fun mocking the little she-wolf who couldn't help but glance in Elijah's way. Katherine's lips pulled into a smirk; the toddler had no chance, but it was amusing to see the way her husband's patience was thinning.
Thank God Hayley was not the one on the bed delivering the Mikaelson heir. Katherine would be liable to murder the wolf if that was the case. It was then that her ears picked up on the sound of familiar voices.
"Doctor?" Enzo grunted as they shared a look.
Jo Parker looked annoyed as she turned away from a panting Caroline, to look at the two vampires. "What is it?"
"Baby Daddy is finally here" Katherine kicked one long leg over her other with a playful smirk. "I don't think he would appreciate you being fingers deep in his fiancée."
Katherine had never seen Klaus Mikaelson look so terrified in his life. Not even his sharing of the tale of his brothers had held him down on the orders of their parents as their beloved mother cursed him to live as half of himself. Nor when he found himself with his hand full of his mother's beating heart and the knowledge that he killed her would devastate his siblings.
No Niklaus Mikaelson had never felt fear like this.
"WHERE THE BLOODY HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?" Caroline screeched, as Klaus stepped forward offering his future in-law a moment of rest as he took the cloth from her hands.
"Apologies sweetheart. The meeting went on longer than I would have preferred" Niklaus murmured near her ear. Caroline glanced down and saw a smidge of blood.
"Is it over?" She asked breathing heavily as the contraction faded. She knew the room was full, vaguely she could hear Rebekah outside of the room explaining the change of things to Finn as the door opened. She could hear her mother muttering to the doctor. She knew the world around her was going to shit but all Caroline could focus on was the blood on Niklaus's shirt.
"Sweetheart," She could feel calloused fingers nimbly tilt her head up to meet his fierce blue gaze. "We are safe. Our family is safe, and the threat has been neutralized."
Caroline let out a sigh of relief, leaning on Klaus's shoulder when another contraction shot through her. "How did your mother do this seven times?" She cried out practically purring at her fiancée's touch.
Niklaus felt his heart lurch at the sight of Caroline gritting her teeth, as the contraction ran its course over her body. His enhanced hearing allowed him to narrow in on Caroline and his children's heart rates. Outside of Caroline's slightly fast beat, they were fine. He shared a look of concern with Liz Forbes as they rallied on either side of the young blonde.
"Caroline," The doctor called out to her, as she gently separated Caroline's legs placing them back onto the ridiculous contraption that resembled a saddle more than a doctor's bed. Niklaus looked at the doctor warily, not for the first-time wishing Caroline had agreed to a home birth.
There was only so much security he was able to have installed within the hospital. They had of course easily gotten not just a private room, but an entire floor to themselves. Elijah had selected the top doctors and nurses within the unit to work on Caroline's case, reviewing each employee with care and having their younger siblings keep tabs on them before a final decision had been made.
He could hear Bonnie and Freya setting up outside of the room, with a small tube of his donated blood. Their whispers and the sounds of each witch beginning the ritual soothed his inner wolf. No matter what happened tonight his lover would survive, immortal like the rest of her family. Niklaus turned his attention back to the doctor who explained that she was dilated ten centimeters. His brows furrowed at the strange dialogue of the doctor, perhaps he should have spent more time studying medicine as Elijah had.
The door opened and Rebekah in a nurse's uniform, looking determined. Niklaus let out a sigh of relief knowing a member of his family would be helping with the birth. A squeeze alerted him to Caroline who was looking up at him with concern.
"Are you ready, love?" He asked gently.
Caroline let out a scream as a contraction rocked her body, "They take after you" she glared at him. Niklaus chuckled, pressing a kiss to her hands, not bothered by the tightness of her grip. He had seen his mother give birth, and Caroline's human strength truly didn't hurt.
"A Mikaelson family trait, I fear," He chuckled as his spare hand wiped her hair. Her mother was standing diligently on the other side. Most of the others had fled the room at the doctors' insistence. Yet Niklaus knew Enzo and all those with supernatural hearing were deliberately listening in on Caroline's beating heart.
"I can see the head," The doctor told the couple with a smile. "It's time to push, Caroline."
Niklaus pressed another kiss to her forehead, "Ready, love?"
Caroline had a genuine smile on her face as she kissed his cheek, "You are doing solo diaper duty for a month."
"Yes, Dear."
XXX
Marcel stood in front of Hayley Marshall and the werewolf factions de facto leader Jackson. The young witch protegee of his was being guarded by one of his men, as the vampires and wolves collected surviving members of the Traveler faction. Not many could be found, it appeared they linked their magic to their leader.
Sacrificial fools.
"Davina," Marcel whispered softly as to not startle the witch, who turned around with wide eyes before calming down when she saw who it was.
"We did it," Davina said, shock evident in her voice, looking out at the bodies around them. Her skin felt alive with the amount of magic that had been used in the area.
"Do you sense any more magic?" Marcel asked gently.
Davina took a deep breath, "No. All I feel is the usual current that comes from my co… I mean the New Orleans coven." She looked shyly at the vampire who had helped to save her from those who were supposed to love and cherish her.
"It's okay if you still consider them family."
Davina's shy gaze turned into curiosity, "What are you going to do now? You've always called yourself the King of New Orleans and your predecessor has returned."
Marcel chuckled, "You are not offering to help me get rid of the Mikaelsons? You must be fond of the little Bennett Witch."
"And Caroline" Davina smiled before frowning "I don't want you fighting with Klaus. I might not like him, but he and Caroline are a packaged deal."
Marcel's smile dimmed with understanding a perfect clarity how Davina was feeling. Klaus had been a father to him, raised him and protected him even from his youngest brother. Elijah had tutored him; Rebekah had a big sister until he finally understood the finer ways of wooing a woman thanks to Klaus.
He had never wanted to betray his father figure until Klaus was determined to keep him from the one woman he had always loved. Marcel frowned at the memory… he had only wanted to scare Klaus, but he never thought the entire family would flee for as long as they did. He had been full of pride and thought he had known best.
Thought that Rebekah would have chosen him. Gone back for him.
Rebekah hadn't known and, but in the end, had chosen to stay with her brother. She never returned to the city she had a hand in building. In turn, he had chosen not to chase after the family and rebuilt the only home he had ever known. He was proud of what he had accomplished, seeing the man who adopted him again after so many years…Marcel didn't really know what to feel.
A part of him was afraid. He had built the city back up from ruins, Marcel didn't want to release the power he held. But looking down at Davina, he wondered would the power struggle be worth it? He knows how Klaus Mikaelson could be.
And now he had children. Blood children to take care of. How would entering fatherhood once again affect him? It would be a gamble either way.
"I know. I also know those two have been of great help to you. I won't ask you to choose me" Marcel murmured quietly, wary of the wolves that walked around them. He had shelved his issues with the Mikaelson's when it became clear a threat was coming towards his city.
Though he was wary, he had let another fight his battles with the Mikaelson's before, and in turn Mikael had burned his city to the ground as his wayward children fled. This time was different though. Now that the threat against the entire supernatural world is over, what did Marcel do now?
"I'm choosing myself, "Davina corrected. "Caroline has spared no details of what it means to be a servant to vampires or friends who do not think of your well-being first. Bonnie reluctantly confirmed her stories, not that I needed it. Caroline doesn't lie."
Marcel raised a brow.
"She gets hives," Davina grins, "Don't tell her I told you that."
Marcel chuckled, "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me."
The two shared a smile, Marcel let out a deep breath as one of his minions called him over. Did he work to rid his city of the Mikaelsons? Davina had grown fond of Caroline, who would very soon be a Mikaelson. She and the Bennett witch had been helpful towards Davina, working to save her from something Marcel hadn't known she needed to be saved from. Marcel frowned.
A warm hand touched him; Marcel looked over at a softly smiling Davina.
"There is something you should know…"
Marcel looked up, concerned, Davina shudders "there is more coming. Caroline doesn't know what exactly will happen or won't, but a Mikaelson child is always going to bring attention to more dangerous beings."
Marcel frowned, "Which will bring danger into my city."
"Danger onto the child, Marcel" Davina snaps. "Correction children. All we know now is that their aunt is coming…Freya confirmed that she would be after the firstborn."
"What would you have me do? Klaus would dethrone me the moment he had a chance."
"Why must you be rivals at all?" Davina muttered to herself. "You both clearly miss each other if the panged looks when you think the other isn't looking tells us anything."
Marcel snarled, "I don't look at Klaus—"
"You are like a lovesick puppy only it's to a father figure" Davina shrugged her shoulders. "No judgment. My birth family sucked too. Why don't you, just I don't know, admit you miss the family that raised you?"
Marcel snorted.
"You do realize Caroline has already lived this. She told me EVERYTHING" Davina fake whispers.
Marcel looked rather amused, "What did the blonde cheerleader say?"
"She didn't want to traumatize me with dirty details, but she did admit you and Rebekah were together in the future."
"SHE SAID WHAT!"
Davina rolled her eyes, "Oh please, you were staring at her even more than Klaus. I'm a teenager not dumb."
XXX
The screams were an absolute nightmare. Kol decided that he would never again be near the birthing area of an expectant mother. Why the hell didn't they cast a silencing spell? They had witches in the room for Loki's sake. He took a glance towards the little witch, to find her in conversation with his long-lost sister, Freya.
"How long do we wait?" Bonnie whispered, glancing over at the door, that Klaus had only moments ago passed through. Rebekah looked moments away from joining him if only to put her long-since outdated medical training into use.
"We must wait until all of the children are born," Freya muttered. "We have to believe Caroline will be in good hands until then."
Rebekah snorts, "Caroline won't die on the table, not with the Doctor that's tending to her. Both women are far too stubborn to allow that to happen. The Doctor looks like the sort to use any means to ensure her patient survives even with an unusual number of babies in the womb."
Kol and patience had never had a close relationship. His father had once told him that of all his children Kol was the one who had never learned to stand still. His mother had laughed it off saying that Kol had magic in his blood and was not meant to stay on the ground much to Mikael's dismay. The vampires cringed as another high-volume moan could be heard from the room.
"Mother did this seven times?" Kol questioned his older brothers whose more serious natures made them appear like stone.
"Caroline will be fine, "Elijah said soothingly. "I have full faith in Doctor Parker,"
Freya snorted, "You have full faith in Niklaus's ability to slaughter her entire family if something happens to her."
"Sister" Finn warned softly, "I'd be careful how you speak. You don't know Niklaus the way we do."
"Now go easy on Freya" Kol shot Freya a grin. "She hasn't spent 900 years in a coffin because Niklaus didn't like her girlfriend."
Out of all his siblings, Kol was the most familiar with mortals. He had continued to make connections with mortals, and witches despite how short their life spans were. Finn spent most of his time in a coffin, and the first woman he made true connections with he had turned. Elijah, while not afraid of much, hadn't made many connections over the years but had built connections where when a mortal managed to surprise him or do the Mikaelson a rare favor he would look out for their descendants.
Freya shot him an amused look, "Kol."
"Yes, my dear sweet Freya?"
"I can handle Finn," Freya raised her hand softly smirking as Kol was lifted until he hit the ceiling. Freya turned to Finn with a raised brow, "Now brother. Where were we?"
Rebekah rolled her eyes, "Freya put Kol down. As annoying as he is, Caroline needs you at full strength. Finn, Freya is a big girl who can protect herself against the big bad wolf."
Kol massaged his neck as Freya lowered him down. Niklaus didn't have friends as opposed to minions or employees. Freya's thoughts were hardly surprising when one knew of Niklaus's reputation. Especially with how little Freya had been able to interact with others until recently. Unlike Rebekah who fell hard and fast but would quickly follow on her brother's heels not allowing the precious mortals to flee for their lives if Niklaus had not already ripped them to shreds.
Kol pondered for a moment, up until recently, they were certain vampires could not reproduce. Caroline had even admitted that the only exception had been Klaus and Hayley due to the fact Hayley was, well, alive and perhaps some unexpected protection of Klaus's sperm due to the Werewolf Curse placed upon him.
Rebekah let out a loud sigh looking towards her brothers, "Can I go in yet?"
"KLAUS I SWEAR IF YOU WEREN'T ALREADY DEAD, I WOULD MURDER YOU MYSELF"
Katherine peaked out of the door, "You were saying Rebekah?"
"I need popcorn," Kol whined.
Rebekah smirked leaning forward as another wail was let out followed by Niklaus's soothing words. "How badly is my brother failing?"
Enzo chuckled, "Two fingers are broken."
Elijah's head tilted up, "Whose fingers, Enzo?"
"Klaus's of course" Katherine answered, sticking her tongue out at the growl that escaped. Finn let out a long-suffering sigh as Sage smirked over at Katherine.
"Having fun Kitty?"
"More than you, Flower-Child" Katherine paused as she turned her head inside. "Get your witchy powers on the move Dream Team. We are about to have lift-off if Caroline's glare is anything to go by."
"I'M GOING TO STAKE YOU WITH A FUCKING BUTTER KNIFE KATHERINE PIERCE!"
Katherine wiped a fake tear away, "They grow up so fast," as Enzo pulled her back inside as a scream was heard through the crack in the door.
The group was silenced, Elijah and Finn looking stone faced but Kol could see the slight uptick of their mouths. Bastards, Kol thought fondly, openly chuckling at an irate Caroline threatening his big bad brother with bodily harm.
"I'm rather impressed with her vocabulary," Elijah admitted to Finn who nodded. Freya shook her head in exasperation as she beckoned Bonnie to begin preparing to cast. The nerves were clearly written on her face, so Kol said, "Do you have enough energy left Little Witch?"
Bonnie nodded, "With Freya, I should be fine. I won't overdo it, luckily you all didn't need us as much as we thought."
Rebekah snorted, "Of course not. We have survived without witches before you know."
Suddenly Caroline's cries could be heard, along with the high-pitched cry of a baby. Sage leaned up from against Finn and Rebekah's remarks were cut off as everyone waited with bated breath.
Bonnie whispered, "What's happening?"
"They got the first baby out," Kol reassured the witch, his eyes focused on listening in. "Caroline is having a bit of a meltdown, but Mama Forbes and my brother appear to be calming her down. Oh gross…"
"What?" Bonnie asked.
Kol's nose twitched, "She pooped on the bed."
XXX
Caroline woke up with a gasp of breath, her throat killing her. Warm hands wiped her hair out of the way as a seductive voice urged her to take a drink. Without thinking, Caroline was so thirsty the blonde took a gulp and winced. The taste was a bit bitter, but it soothed her throat. Feeling her strength returning Caroline took the liquid from the warm hands, barely recognizing the chuckle.
"Careful love. I'd hate to have to explain a blood spill on your chin."
Of course, Caroline wanted to throw her head back and groan. She was drinking blood, a voice that sounded eerily like her younger self saying "B-positive! Get it?" Taking a peek, she noticed that Niklaus was by her bedside.
"They're fine" He answered quickly, "take a look for yourself."
Feeling her breath hitch in her throat, Caroline was grateful for the way Niklaus's hand covered hers. On the other side of the bed were four incubators, with monitors attached to them. Caroline wanted to cry when she felt Niklaus's lips on her forehead.
"Kol gave them some blood. They took to it immediately, love. The doctors were startled about the amount of progress they made" Niklaus's voice was filled with pride. "Elijah will deal with the human doctors. Our children will be fine."
"They all made it?" Caroline asked quietly.
"I do believe they would like names, love."
"Can I?" Caroline asked.
Niklaus smirked, "Go on. I won't tell you if you won't."
Caroline laughed, throwing the covers off of her, and walked straight to the first bed. She gasped when Niklaus walked up behind her and placed her hand through the hole that had a glove that would allow her to touch their baby. "Let's not give the doctor's a heart attack yet, love."
The baby's head turned to look at her and Caroline felt her heart explode with love. Blue eyes stared back at her, and if she didn't know better, she swear that the child's eyes flashed amber.
"Did he just?" She whispered.
"Did he what, love?" Niklaus murmured in her ear both of his arms wrapped around her.
"Nothing. I…" Caroline paused as the baby boy smiled at her, "Conall."
Niklaus's mouth tugged "Conall?"
"Conall Mikaelson. I read in one of the baby books it means ``strong as a wolf". The baby gurgled as one of his tiny hands gripped her finger. Caroline cooed at the child; she had a feeling this one would take after his father.
"Then this one shall be Ingrid" Niklaus smirked over at Caroline, "means beautiful."
"Scandinavian" Caroline murmured as she gently smiled at her baby boy, Conall, then looked over at the basket Klaus was referring to. Inside was the tiniest baby girl wrapped in pink, as if she knew she was being stared at she opened her eyes to look at her mom and Caroline almost wept at the twin blue eyes that stared back at her.
"Hello Ingrid" She greeted.
"I'm going to enjoy murdering all the boys who break your heart, sweetheart" Niklaus murmured.
"No murder talks until they're at least twelve!"
"Seven" Niklaus countered.
"I'll make it twenty" Caroline's eyes narrowed, "you can't murder everyone who looks at them funny."
"We still have two nameless children my love" Niklaus changed the subject, earning an eye roll from his beloved. Smooth, real smooth, she thought. Deciding not to continue the argument, which they would definitely be speaking about later. Caroline turned her attention towards her third child, a baby with Rebekah's pouty lips.
"Elise" Caroline murmured, "It's sometimes used as a way to shorten Elizabeth, right? A way to honor my mother."
Niklaus kissed Caroline on the head, "Noble, what a beautiful name. Elise Mikaelson." Then he turned to the fourth baby, this one wrapped in blue.
"And what shall we name you little lord?" Niklaus whispered.
"Henrik," Caroline suddenly blurted out. Immediately she thought better of it pressing her hand against her lips.
Klaus's eyes looked thoughtful, "I can't say Henrik would've hated that." Then he turned to look at their last remaining child, "Welcome to the world little Henrik Mikaelson."