Chapter 12

Elijah POV

Watching the sun rise through my bedroom window over the Athens landscape was always beautiful. It was a beauty I couldn't help but appreciate as I stood there drinking my coffee.

My phone buzzed on my nightstand with an incoming call and I once again ignored it. I didn't have the want or need to converse with Niklaus today, no matter how persistent he was.

The phone buzzed once more, this time a text. With a sigh I reached for it.

Niklaus: stop being childish, brother, and answer your phone!

Niklaus: Elijah. It's important or I wouldn't bother contacting you.

I sighed and responded.

Elijah: what's important to you is currently not important to me, Niklaus. Desist with pestering me.

Niklaus: what can I do for you to get your ass down here?

Elijah: I don't know, go back in time and not dagger your family constantly?

Niklaus: very funny, Elijah. But, what about something better?

I just stared for a moment. He must be desperate to keep trying to win my favor.

Niklaus: What about Katerina's freedom?

I stared open mouthed at my phone, utterly shocked.

For 500 years he's chased her. 500 years. And he's ready to call it quits? What in the world was happening in New Orleans?

Instead of replying I dialed his number.

"Ah, my darling older brother. How's your vacation going?" Niklaus answered without bothering with a hello.

"I don't have time for your childishness, Niklaus. What do you want? What could be so important that you'd be willing to put a 500yr vendetta to rest?" I asked.

Niklaus was silent for a moment. When he spoke, all playfulness was gone from his voice.

"It's not something I can explain over the phone, Elijah. I promise you, it's not a trick. You just need to get here. Fast. I promise it's worth it," he said, more sincere than I'd heard him sound since we were children.

I considered it for a moment.

"Katerina's freedom?"

"yes brother," he said without hesitation.

"I will be there by tomorrow evening," I said before hanging up.

I put the phone down and took a deep breath, whatever I was walking into was going to be interesting.

I walked over to my bed and sat down, hand reaching out to run through waves of chocolate.

Movement and a tired groan sounded from the Bundle of sheets.

"Elijah? What time is it? And why am I awake so damn early?" she grumbled.

"My dear Katerina, we must pack up. We have a plane to catch. We're going to New Orleans," I said quietly.

"New Orleans? Right into the lions den where the devil himself is waiting to drag me to the pits of hell? No thank you I'm comfy right where I am, handsome," she said sarcastically.

I chuckled. "Niklaus has granted your freedom in exchange for my presence there immediately," I explained.

She froze.

"My freedom? Just to get you there? What kind of shitshow did he create now?" she asked, incredulously.

"Well, that's what we must find out. Up, get dressed, my love. Let's go make a deal with devil."

Caroline POV

Nik came back into the room after making his call.

"Well, I didn't here any screaming so that's a good sign right?" I laughed nervously. He gave me a smile.

"He's coming, be here by tomorrow evening," he said.

"Well that's cutting it close," I muttered.

Elijah. I would see Elijah again.

"Oh God, I feel sick. Nik, he's going to be here tomorrow. I'm going to see him tomorrow. And the babies! I have to tell him about the babies! What if things are too different? I can't be a single mom! I just learned how to use a pen for gods sakes!" I continued to ramble in a panic.

"Caroline! Calm down, sweetheart. Everything will be fine. Getting too worked up isn't good for those two little sprouts in you belly," he said, soothing me with his calm voice.

I took a deep breath.

I looked at him sheepishly.

"Sorry. These hormones are no joke," I explained

He laughed. "I can see that," then he became serious once again. "The one thing you have to remember, Caroline, is that we have lived a thousand years without you, love. To you it's been a couple days. Elijah was…..it broke him, when we couldn't find you. He not only thought he lost you but his child as well. This is not going to be easy for him," he murmured.

I swallowed thickly and nodded my head.

"Now, his flight is about 18hrs long so we have time to prepare you and your hormones for this," he joked.

I slapped his arm and shoved him playfully.

"Asshole," I muttered.

He laughed. "You've seemed to grasp the modern language so well, love," he laughed again.

"yeah well, a witch taught me everything I know," I said sarcastically. "and it hurt like a bitch."

I'm going to puke , I thought.

I was sitting at the top of the stairs, hidden from view as we awaited Elijah's arrival.

I held my stomach. I was still only about 3 months along, but because it was twins, I was starting to show. I made sure to wear a looser shirt for this purpose.

Suddenly Nik was in front of the door, I looked at him questioningly.

"I can hear the car turn into the driveway," he explained.

I nodded and swallowed, not sure I could talk.

Nik gave me a sympathetic look and turned back towards the door.

"Bloody hell, Nik! You couldn't even call me, I had to hear about your problems from Elijah!" a voice yelled as they walked through the door.

My mouth dropped in shock.

"Bekah?" Nik asked, incredulously.

"Well who else would it be, you bloody wanker? Next time? Pick up a phone, yeah?" she huffed, coming to a stop infront of him.

He looked at her seriously. "Bekah you have to leave " he said.

I could see the shocked look on her face from where I was peeking.

"Excuse me? How dare you! I ended my vacation early and sent Matt on his way so I could come back and help you with whatever shitshow you've caused this time, and you tell me to leave?" she seethed.

"Rebekah-" he started

"Don't Rebekah me! Why could you possibly need me to leave?"

"Things are a lot more complicated than they appear. Elijah's on his way and he and I need to have a private discussion," he explained.

"Oh that's just great. I'm exempted cause I'm not part of the boys club, is that it? I can't believe-" she ranted, no end in sight.

So I put an end to it myself.

I stepped out to the top of the stairs.

"Bekah," I greeted, nervous beyond belief.

Her words cut off with a gasp as she stared in shock.

"What-what is the meaning of this, Niklaus? What magic conjured this apparition? What did you do!" she demanded.

Nik stepped closer and put his hands on her shoulders, bending slightly to look her in the eye.

"Not the spell you're thinking of, bekah. But yes, there was a spell involved. 1000yrs ago. She's real, sister. As real as you and me," he told her gently.

She choked on a sob, looking back up at me.

"But that's not possible. That-is it really you?" she asked tearfully.

I made it to the bottom of the stairs and held out my hand.

She hesitated before putting hers in mine. I squeezed gently.

"It's really me, Beks," I murmured.

"But- you died! Father stabbed you and we never saw you again!" She continued her questioning.

"He did," I agreed. I stepped back for a moment and lifted my shirt to show her the long scar under my ribs from mikaels dagger.

"And I would have died if Ayana had not found me, healed me and then sent me here," I explained.

But I don't think she was listening. Her eyes were wide with shock. And focused on my belly.

"You're pregnant. You're still pregnant?"

"Yes. For me, it's only been about 4 days since I was stabbed by Mikael," I told her.

She reached out hesitantly.

"May I?" she asked, gesturing towards my belly.

"Of course, you're their family," I said.

"Twins!" she shrieked before jumping and touching my belly.

I laughed.

"Oh I have so much to buy! You my littlest loves are going to be so spoiled by your Auntie Bex! Yes you are!" she murmured to my stomach in a baby voice.

I looked to Nik and he groaned.

"As magical as this is Bekah, Elijah will be here any moment and I need to break this to him more subtly than you found out," he said, back to seriousness.

Bekah straightened and glanced at Nik.

"Well, this should be interesting. Come, Caroline, let's go back to hiding before he-" she started. "nevermind, there he is," she said, listening.

She grabbed me and sped up the stairs.

I grabbed the railing and tried to breathe through the sudden nausea from the speed.

"Warn a girl first," I breathed out.

She winced. "sorry."

I waved her off and sat as the doorbell rang. My nerves skyrocketed. Bekah grabbed my hand to offer comfort.

I peeked around the corner.

"Brother. Why you bothered ringing the bell, I'll never know. This house is yours too," Nik explained, exasperated.

"Yes, well, it's still the polite thing to do," he said.

I tried to muffle my gasp as my eyes teared up, hearing and seeing him for the first time in this time.

He looked like my Elijah but not. He was dressed in a suit that fit him like a second skin. Hair immaculately cut and styled. And way shorter than I remembered.

It was eyes that were the biggest difference. They were weary.

He stepped further in.

"Why have I been summoned here, Niklaus?" he asked without preamble.

"Well. Might as well get this over with and then get to the explanation. Bekah? Can you come down, please? Alone?" Nik called.

Elijah raised an eyebrow, surely confused by the alone part.

Bekah squeezed my hand once before descending down the stairs.

Elijah's smile got warmer.

"Sister," he said gently, enveloping her in a hug, a kiss pressed to her temple. "Have you been dragged into this craziness as well?" he joked.

But bekah didn't smile. She remained serious.

"Elijah. I need you to remain calm. And remember that everything has an explanation," she said seriously.

Elijah looked confused as he looked to Nik. "Consider my interest peaked, brother," he murmured.

Nik took a deep breath.

"You can come down now, love," he said quietly.

Elijah POV

I turned towards the staircase where Nik was looking.

I saw a foot come around the corner. Then an arm. Then finally….

"Impossible," I whispered, staggering backwards.

"It's very possible brother," Niklaus murmured.

The ghost in front of me made it to the bottom of the stairs.

I stared for a moment before flashing forward.

I wrapped my hand around their neck and slammed them into the wall.

"Elijah!" both Niklaus and Rebekah yelled.

"Who are you?" I seethed.

"Elijah," it gasped out, reaching for my hand.

"Elijah, let her go!" Niklaus yelled trying to loosen my hand. I loosened it but didn't release.

"I asked you a question, demon, and you will answer!" I yelled.

"Elijah," it said softly. "it's me. It's really me."

I shook my head, refusing to believe it.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to look at bekah. A desperate look on my face.

"It's her, 'lijah. She's really here," she said quietly.

I stated at her for a moment before turning back to the thing, woman, in front of me.

"Prove it," I whispered.

She smiled at me Lovingly, despite the violent position she was in.

"I have nothing to prove to you, Wildflower," she said sarcastically. "You know me. Just as I know you. Always and forever," she finished softly.

I gasped and backed up till I hit the door, tears gathering in my eyes.

Wildflower .

"Caroline," I choked out.

She smiled, tears slowly sliding down her face.

"Hello, my love," she said.

Before I could utter another word, reality crashed down on me in the form of a fiery doppelganger.

"Knock, Knock," she said with false cheeriness, walking in like she owned the place. "Sorry to interrupt but I was afraid this sugary love fest would go on too long and I've waited 500 years for this. So Klaus, got something you want to say to me?" she smirked.

I heard a gasp from Caroline.

"Tatia?" she whispered.

Katerina turned to look over her shoulder, looking Caroline up and down.

"Guess again, sweetheart. Now be quiet the adults are talking," she said, dismissively.

I heard a growl come from Bekah and Nik.

I was too busy trying to figure out how to deal with this situation.

"Katarina, lovely to see you, as always," Nik gritted out. "You have your pardon. Happy? Now get out," he growled.

"Need a bit more than that, sugar plum," she tsked.

At of the corner of my eye, I noticed Caroline lean in to whisper to Bekah.

"For someone who claims to not be, Tatia she sure does sound like the crazy bitch," she murmured.

Rebekah snorted a laugh and Katerina turned to glare at her.

"Watch it, blondie, if you wanna keep that pretty little head on your shoulders," she growled.

Niklaus had her against the wall within seconds.

"Do NOT threaten her. You want a proper pardon? Fine. I, Niklaus Mikaelson, hereby pardon Katerina Petrova. I will no longer hunt her down and attempt to end her life," he stated grandly.

Katerina smirked and went to speak but Niklaus wasn't done.

"However!" he interrupted loudly. "if she should attempt to harm or conspire against any members of my family, this pardon will be null in void effective immediately," he finished with a deadly tone.

Her smile became a bit more forced.

"Understood, Klaus," she said.

Niklaus clicked his tongue. "No, no I don't think you do. See that delightful woman right there?" he said, pointing to Caroline who gave a sarcastic wave. "That is Caroline. She is family. And you'd do well to remember that," he growled.

Katerina scoffed. "Since when do you consider your blood bags family?"

Nik squeezed the hand still on her throat

"Shes not a blood bag, she's my best friend," he growled.

Her eyes widened.

"Do we have an understanding?" he asked.

She nodded her head and he released her.

She rubbed her neck and glanced at me.

"I've got what I came for. Are you done here, Elijah? Or do you want me to meet you back in our room?" she said slyly, emphasizing the fact we were sharing a room.

"I need to speak with my siblings. Alone," I said, which is the most I was able to get out since walking through the door.

"Your siblings and Care-bear you mean. Understood , lover," she smirked. She walked up to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I noticed Caroline quickly look away.

Katerina then walked out the door.

"Well," bekah said after a long silence. "that was awkward."

Caroline barked a laugh of surprise.

It was now time for me to get some answers.

Caroline POV

I honestly didn't know what to think.

I tried to wrap my head around Elijah with another. Reminding myself that I'd been gone, in his world, for over a thousand years, was easier said than done.

"So. Anyone want to explain to me why that lovely women looks exactly like Tatia but isn't tatia?" I asked into the silence.

Nik breathed tiredly.

"Yes, yes. Let's all have a seat in the parlor and discuss recent events," he said, gesturing towards the other room.

"Wait, Nik," bekah spoke. She turned to me. "Are you sure you're up to this right now, Caroline? It's a lot of stress in a short amount of time, that's not safe," she said quietly.

I was touched by her concern. "I'm okay," I said softly.

Nik approached, leaving Elijah to stand there in confusion over their conversation.

"Are you sure, love? We can do this later if we must," he said, grabbing my face and looking me in the eye.

I grabbed his wrists.

"Promise, Nik," I smiled.

He looked for a few more seconds, trying to detect a lie. When he found none he nodded and stepped back.

"I'll have one of my hybrids make you a tea," he said, leading them into the room.

I laughed. "You mean one of your minions? I can't believe you have minions," I said, sitting down on the couch in the parlor and putting my feet up. "I remember when Bjorn the bakers son lost that bet and you made him be your servant, only you felt bad and ended up letting him out of the deal. Now look at you, all scary and bossy and shit," I laughed.

I heard a gasp from Elijah who sat down in the chair opposite from me.

"God's it really is you," he muttered.

I looked to him. "You still had your doubts?" I asked

"Of course. No one else would have known about that bet besides us, though. Gods Caroline, how are you alive?"

"Well. The short version: daddy dearest stabbed me, I ran, ayana found me, healed me, and sent me here. I woke up 4 days ago and was dragged here by witches to entice nik into a deal. Now we're here," I explained.

"Im going to need more than that," he murmured.

"Seriosuly? Now you sound like the bitch in leather," I grumbled.

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

I immediately felt silly.

"Sorry. Hormones," I said.

He looked confused.

"I saw Mikael stab you and I told you to run. How did you survive the attack?"

I took a deep breath. Anxious about the coming revelation.

"Ayana found me. She brought me inside her cottage and healed me. I don't remember much, just that it was below my ribs and that the-," I stumbled over my words "-the babies were okay." I chanced a glance up at him mouth open in shock.

He swallowed. "B-babies?"

I smiled. "Twins," I said quietly. His eyes filled with tears.

"What happened to them," he asked quietly. "How, how did it happen?"

I looked at him confused.

"What do you mean what happened to them?"

He just stared at me.

Then I realized what he meant. "Elijah," I said sitting forward. "the babies are fine. I'm still pregnant. Remember this has only been 4 days for me since I told you. The babies are right here," I said, rubbing my belly.

Elijah let out a sob and fell forward off his chair onto his knees. I was immediately on the floor in front of him.

"it's okay, Elijah. Everyone's okay," I repeated over and over.

"a thousand years I've suffered over what I've lost. My child. You. And here you are. And here they are. I just- gods, Caroline," he choked out before placing a hand on my stomach. I placed mine over his.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Rebekah quietly crying on Niks shoulder. Even Nik wiped a few of his own tears away.

"I don't mean to interrupt but we are on a strict timeline and there's lots to discuss," Nik said, gently.

Elijah sat up and I wiped his tears away. He smiled and kissed my palm before standing and reaching a hand down for me. I took it and stood before sitting back down on the couch. This time, Elijah sat beside me, arm wrapped around my waist and hand protectively over the babies