AN: I own nothing but please enjoy! This story and concept mean a lot to me. I hope you guys can enjoy it all even with the secrets and twists. Everything will make sense as it is all revealed. I really hated that Bonnie and the Bennett's were never integrated in that family genre of TVD. I hated we never saw Klaus be a father. Many many things! I promise this story is filled with plenty of promising moments. Many flashbacks and drama. Enjoy! Moving the fic over here and then an update will be coming soon. My tumblr is: cancerian-woman if you want to chat or rant! Everyone has a motive here. Anyways please enjoy!
"Mommy! Stop, please, you're scaring me." Hazel pleads, breathing heavily. "I know, you're in there."
After years of playing plenty of games with magic and her mother, this one was the least amount of fun. As Hazel stuttered Latin words, magic had formed a barrier between her and her mother.
No matter what happened, her mother fought back. Bennett witches didn't back down. Hazel wasn't going to hide with the other students. She had a purpose to fight and see everything through. She's small and only seven but that didn't deter her motives.
"You will hear me." Hazel shouted, strengthening her barrier. "We have to go home! There's plenty more for us to do. I won't quit not today. Fight it!"
"Keep pushing, baby. Just keep up what you're doing. I can't lose you either. I'm so proud of you!" Bonnie replies, wanting to smile and hug her daughter. "No matter what happens."
Internally Bonnie's screaming and repeating these words on a loop.
Realistically her sweet and special little girl can't hear this. What Hazel can see is veins of dark magic covering her mother's brown skin. Their eyes for the first time in the seven years of Hazel's life don't match. Her mother's voice wasn't of her own.
"You didn't have to do this other Stefan!" Hazel replied, with a frown, flexing her fingers. "Motus!"
Caroline's screeching from down the hall in the science lab made the little witch jump. Instead of being scared, she raised her arms higher outstretching her hands in the air.
"You shouldn't mess with me!" Hazel shouted, confidently. She wasn't scared, she's a Bennett witch, she's the thing that other people fear. Magic existed in every part of her body, dying to be released. "I'm stronger than what I look! Watch me!"
Hazel's thick curly hair had been freed from their double-ponytails style hours ago. The Salvatore Boarding School was supposed to be evacuated of students but Hazel refused to follow directions. If the adults could help fight, then she could too.
Wind blew through the hallways. Doors opened and closed. The light flickered above the witch. The child witch pulled her firsts inward smiling at the whip noises made in the wind. Knives inserted into various parts of Silas' body.
"Hazel, I'm much better than Stefan." Silas deadpanned, wincing pulling the first knife out his neck. "It's rather unfortunate that we share a face." He groaned, pulling another knife out his arm. "That'll be our first lesson once you join me. I'll raise you to be better than every supernatural-being in the world."
"Hazel, sweetie, listen to me!" Caroline begged, as she trailed behind her clutching at still bleeding abdomen. "This is the last thing your Mother wanted for you, okay? You don't have to do this."
Hazel turned back to look at her vampire-aunt's hand. It could be simple; she could walk away and fall into Caroline's arms and safety. Let someone else battle Silas but she already lost her father. She wasn't losing her mother or her little sister either. If her mother left, then who would love her and her sister? There's no one else.
"You could have anything you want." Silas gloated, holding out his hand as he eased closer to the child. "I could even give your father or sister; doesn't that sound nice? Think of me as the better version of your Uncle Stefan. Much more handsome though if I do say so myself."
"I don't want my dad! Just give me my mom and sister back."
Hazel turned behind her and an army of wolves were behind her on the right and generations of witches on the left.
"Hazel, my love, do not trust him." Bonnie mentally pleaded, her body was forcing her to break the barrier Hazel held up. "He's a lying, and manipulative-"
"Control your thoughts, Bonnie. Silas warned. He looked behind and twisted his hand, snapping Caroline's neck and flinging her body elsewhere. "Those can get you into trouble just as much as talking can. Now stop moving."
Silas held his out whispering a spell that only he and Hazel could hear. Bonnie's body and magic halted as she dropped to the floor.
"What did you do to her?" Hazel asked, lowering her hands as she ran to her mom's aid.
"She's fine, little witch." Silas sat on the floor. "Now about my offer, what do you say?"
"I have a few requests."
"No, no, no," Bonnie repeated like a chant as she rose from her slumber. It was another nightmare for the millionth time this month. Bonnie removed her cellphone from her nightstand, checking the time. Middle of the night as usual on a full moon.
Rising from her bed, she grabs her emerald-green silk robe from her closet covering her pajama-short set. She peeked her head inside Hazel's bedroom.
Hazel was unharmed, as she often is after these nightmares. The child was clutching Mrs. Cuddles to her chest as she lay wrapped in her pink sheets. Snoring as loud as possible. Then she turns to her right and peaks her head into a second bedroom. Ivy, her youngest daughter was unharmed too. She preferred lavender sheets and to lay with stuffed bunnies.
Bonnie moves on, going into her kitchen she poured a large glass of wine and headed for her backyard. She sways on her daughter's swing set listening to the wind and the leaves rattle from the bushes.
Every now and then she'll hear a howl from a wolf that'll make the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Maybe it was naive of Bonnie to think that the hybrid would show up on nights like this. He could remind her what warmth felt like on the other side of the bed. She could feel safe again.
"I hate that I miss you." Bonnie whispered, taking another sip of wine. "It would be better off if I didn't have to think of you at all. You left this really great family behind, and I don't why," she says with disdain. "You don't even know your second daughter and she's amazing."
"Who are we missing?" Hazel questioned, raising a brow. Her pink sheets swallowed her small frame whole. "I felt you coming into my room. Witch telepathy."
"No one for you to worry about." Bonnie dismissed, walking back towards the house. "Let's get you back to bed."
"I'll figure it out." Hazel reassures, taking her mom's hand. "Mommy, the body aches are back. It hurts my legs and chest the most."
"Let's just go to the kitchen. I'll get an herbal tea brewing." Bonnie sighed, doing a quick examination over her child. "Do you feel like howling at the moon?" She joked as they stepped into their kitchen.
"Nope, I don't want to be a wolf." Hazel complains, with her head laid against their marble countertop. "You might want to be one. Ivy would like it." She mumbles under her breath wrapping the covers over her tighter. "I won't ever be one of them."
"I heard that." Bonnie replied, clearing her throat as she laid a pot on the stove. "Honey, you aren't allowed to hate who you are."
Dark wooden cabinets and emerald marble tops covered the kitchen. Their refrigerator was decorated with her to-do lists. Family photos of her, and her daughters throughout the years.
Bonnie couldn't be without the earthy smell in her home and kept plants in every crevice. Positive affirmations posted on the walls. She even kept up some photos of her dad and Grams. Abby would make the wall and be taken down the same day.
"Why can't that be my choice?" Hazel questioned, freeing her arms from her blanket cocoon to trace over her birthmark. Three crescent moons aligned in a circle as one. The pack mark of every wolf in the Northeast Atlantic pack. The sign of Ansel's bloodline.
Hazel didn't dislike anything related to being a wolf until her father left. Memories of him were avoided completely since she was five. It was weird, she couldn't place a face to her father after his abandonment. Her mother wouldn't talk about him either. Ivy never even met their dad. It was how they functioned for the last two years without him. Hazel, preferred things this way why focus on someone who left? Her mother and little sister was all she needed.
Hazel thought their home was perfect for three people and their dog. It was three stories high. Six bedrooms not including the basement and attic. Their deck had a perfect view of the lake. A Georgian home styled the way her southern mother wanted it. After her father left her mother did debate on whether they should start anew. But, with a new baby on the way and positive memories still existing here nothing needed to be changed externally.
"Hating your wolf side won't change anything." Bonnie expressed with a sigh. "I know how it feels to be left behind." She begins again, blowing gently over the tea. In hindsight, it was just a placebo to calm Hazel down. Nothing magical about this tea.
"It's different and you know that." Hazel exclaims, facepalming. "Grandma Abby loves you."
Barely. Bonnie almost vocalizes though her daughter wouldn't understand. Abby didn't start making her presence known as a parent until seven years ago when Bonnie was pregnant the first time. Her mother still failed to be there during her pregnancies, and the smaller things counted to Bonnie just as much as the big ones. Grams' would've loved to know about her cravings, and her father probably would've purchased ridiculous gifts. The second pregnancy Abby wasn't around consistently until Ivy's birth and that only lasted for a few weeks. Abby did spend three weeks with the Bennetts and two of those were alone with Hazel when around Klaus' departure. Needless to say, Bonnie wasn't stupid, she knew Abby was as reliable as a twig. She's not a child anymore, she can't play a pseudo game with her mother's affection. Bonnie hadn't called her mother in a month but knew she was somewhere with Jamie possibly.
"Doesn't mean I don't get it." Bonnie replied, sipping her tea. "It's things you don't know about me."
Hazel doesn't know Mystic Falls the way Bonnie does. She's seen the gloomy town only through pictures and videos. Ivy was too small to care about the details of her mother's hometown. She'd rather tear at her mother's old photos than to try and make sense of it. Hazel knew Mystic Falls housed supernatural creatures and humans. She knew her mother and other Bennett witches resided there once.
Hazel smacked her lips and whistled dramatically. "Fine, no hating my wolf side." She paused momentarily. "But how am I supposed to be one when I have no examples?" The child frowned and then sipped her tea. "Can you just take it away? It's not good. My birthday was a couple months ago and…" she trailed, raising an eyebrow. Hoping her mother understood what she was getting at. "I'll be eight this year."
"Sweetheart, I can't take away who you are." Bonnie replied, moving over to hug her daughter. She kissed her forehead and swayed with Hazel closer to her chest. "You're so special, and you have so much more to do. Ivy thinks you're very cool by the way," she paused, taking a moment to admire her daughter's bright hazel eyes. "I will make sure you both love every bit of yourself. You're different, but worthy of every bit of love. Understood?"
Hazel eased into her mother's arms. Between their magical bond and her werewolf magnetism projecting. It wasn't hard for every word from her mother to sound so endearing. They were bonded, but in the sweetest way possible.
"Hey!" Hazel fidgeted, shaking her head. "No nose squeezes!" Rubbing her now reddened nose. "By the way Ivy thinks everyone is cool."
"Sorry," Bonnie giggled, lighting the mood now that Hazel smiled. Those dimples in Hazel's cheeks appeared as she laughed. "I'm just making sure you know self-love is important! Ivy, doesn't think everyone is cool but she is a huge fan of yours."
Hazel nodded, looking up at her mother. "What if I wanted to conquer the world?" she joked, nudging at her mother. "Since you think I have so much to do. I have really good ideas everyone would be happy."
"When do you need t-shirts made?" Bonnie asked, folding her arms. An ache rose in her heart knowing her daughter was just like her father. He'd never know this because he left them behind. "What slogan will you use to conquer the world? We could put Bennett's Palace on the shirts like the bed and breakfast. How does that sound?"
"Awesome!" The child cheered, jumping up from her seat. Her blanket now pooled at her feet. "We got this mommy! We will be everywhere!"
Bonnie looked at the clock on the wall. "Let's get you back to bed," she bent down low to pick up her daughter's blanket. "Even world conquers need sleep. You do have school in the morning."
Hazel would've refused the claim, but she yawned. Instead, the child drowsily nodded and followed her mother upstairs.
Hazel's bedroom was decorated with a large floral mural: carnations, orchids and lilies were her favorite. Rounded witch-hazel bushes were painted behind the child's large canopy bed. The wooden desk and stool chair served as her homework and reading corner. Which often doubled as a grimoire and arts space. Her wardrobe kept stuffed animals, family pictures and her first gymnastics and dance trophy from last year.
"Can we go over the mural this weekend?" The child asked, pulling the blankets back and climbing into bed. "It needs to be brighter. I don't like dull colors."
"Sure, we can do that," Bonnie smiled, leaning in to kiss her daughter's forehead. "You keep switching out your nightstand pictures of me." she said as she picked up the frame. Bonnie ran her fingers over the picture. It was from the day she found out she was pregnant at Tyler Lockwood's wedding back in Tennessee in 2020. "I found out about you on this day." Well, he told me about you on this day.
The psychic-witch wore a pastel-blue colored strapless gown. She curled her hair into a half-up and down look. Around her neck was the lapis-moon crest crystal she found, and she wore diamond earrings. Tyler didn't have family or enough male friends to stand-in for groomsmen, so she took initiative to offer after he invited her. Bonnie Bennett was undeniably happy at that moment. Her eyes were closed, and she was laughing at Matt's disgust at the spiked punch he had drunk. Little did anyone know at the time Bonnie was pregnant.
"You're beautiful that's why," Hazel yawned again, twisting her body to pull her pillow and Mrs. Cuddles closer. "One day I'm going to be just as beautiful."
"Baby, you already are," the witch corrected, kissing her snoring daughter's temple. Bonnie rose from the bed picking up any remaining toys from around Hazel's bed and neatly placed them into her chest at the foot of her bed. "It would be nice if you remembered to pick up your things." she muttered as she continued to clean.
Bonnie could watch Hazel and Ivy forever and she'd have no complaints. October 11th, 2020, and August 9th, 2026, were the best days of her life. Watching her daughters grow and learn about life on their own was a beautiful feeling. It's been a little over eight years since her life has changed forever. She finds it unfathomable that she once argued with Caroline, jealous over her life. The witch has plenty of triumphs and failures but creating her own family was irreplaceable memories. She wasn't alone anymore, going home after a long day didn't cause her grief. Bonnie had a home, she was loved and needed. Nothing similar to her childhood. She does wish that time slows down. One minute Hazel's six months old laughing so hard that she levitates her toys and the next she wants her werewolf side binded. While Ivy went from drooling on everything to running and climbing any chance she got.
At Bennett's Palace it was recurring that guests believed Hazel and Ivy looked identical to Bonnie. Which simply wasn't the case in Bonnie's eyes. Hazel's skin was a lighter shade of brown. More freckles resided under eyes and forehead. A slimmer nose that reminded her of Rebekah. Fuller lips like her father. Dimples in her cheeks and one in her chin are another Mikaelson trait. Ivy on the other hand was lighter, her hair was a mix of sandy-brunette color. Freckles covered her face completely and her eyes were blue like Klaus. Ivy did have her mother's nose, but her father's lips. Though, she saw herself in both of her girls.
The psychic-witch gently closed her daughter's bedroom door and stepped into her own bedroom. Green, yellow and shades of brown covered her bedroom. Her large gray platform bed was covered with yellow sheets. Bonnie's white wooden bookshelf was filled with photo albums, grimoires and other miscellaneous items only a witch would own. She kept plants in various spaces of the room. It smelled of sweet rain and melted candles.
What alarmed Bonnie was her newly broken body mirror and the opened grimoire that laid near it.
"Sacrificium," the witch muttered to herself. She knew the spell's requirements thoroughly. The problem was who would need a spell like this? Bonnie glanced up at the mirror and swore she saw someone.
Silas, you saw Silas!
Her magic acted subconsciously as a warning. It would be stupid to ignore the signs. Something was happening whether she liked it or not.
Bonnie took a deep breath; with a flick of her hand, she fixed the mirror with magic. Heat fueled the witch. The air in her room felt thinner. Colder than before. She wasn't nervously sweating a few minutes ago. There was one thing she knew for certain. No, one was going to harm her daughters. She wasn't a baby witch who lost blood every time she pushed herself. She'd go to war, die and resurrect herself to defend her daughters.
Bonnie tucked that grimoire under bed and laid down. She reiterated some protection spells. Tossed and turned for another hour restless. Once she drifted off to sleep her mind dreamed of her ex-husband.
Klaus laid on top of an equally naked Bonnie. Kissing any exposed russet skin, he could find. Klaus grinned proudly when Bonnie gasped as his tongue ran over her neck.
"I can't be late today," the witch protested, wrapping her arms around his neck. "So, I need you to move. I can't let you trick me into staying."
Bonnie could've sworn this thing with Klaus would have ended in 2019. Instead, it's been filling a space in her heart she thought she locked away. The first time they reconciled after years of no contact was in August when she was in Edinburgh. That was only two months after the grand June wedding. Despite Bonnie's reluctance she made a deal to travel with Klaus. She moved into his Edinburgh home where they stayed during September and October. November followed and Bonnie decided she needed separation after Chicago and that came with goodbye sex she didn't plan to happen. Not that the Bennett witch complained. Christmas and New Year's Eve was spent in New York. Klaus never intended for Bonnie to get away from him that long and chased her down. They spent their January in Paris and celebrated Bonnie's birthday in Mexico. Now, they're back in the states temporarily.
Bonnie wanted to be seen and heard. She wanted to be catered to and give the love back that she was receiving. From her past romances she was more hesitant to love. She spent multiple morning-after's trying to create distance between herself and the hybrid avoiding the inevitable. Now that they both confessed to their feelings. Everything had progressed for the better. Klaus wasn't supposed to have this type of effect on her, but he did. It's a new journey between them both. They're both vulnerable in this and that's a risk they're taking together. Klaus' possessive behavior did outweigh those abandonment fears she had, and Bonnie's need for consistency subsided his paranoia issues.
The couple agreed if something bad happened they'd worry about that when the time arises. Bonnie didn't want to spend too much time reflecting on her former lovers. She wouldn't put Klaus on a pedestal to Enzo, and hoped she wasn't seen as Cami. When she was with Enzo they were isolated from the world. She still gave him three years of her life but in the seven months that he'd been gone it was alarmingly easy to let him go. Did she ever love Enzo at all? She wouldn't think about that now.
Klaus circled his thumb over those exposed dark nipples. "It's not a trick when you're aware I want you to stay and agree to it." He massaged the exposed breast in his hand. "Tell him you don't feel well and can't show up," He grinned at the simple solution. "Problem solved, look at how easy that was."
Bonnie's breath hitched as Klaus sucked on her nipple. "No, it isn't!" she meant to sound angry with him. Instead, the witch was shamelessly happy. Maybe one more round or two or three wouldn't hurt. She didn't necessarily have to be anywhere until later.
"I'm sure the bride doesn't want an infection on her wedding day," Klaus said, moving up to kiss the witch roughly. "You've caught a bug now you can't leave."
Klaus was undeniably attached to the witch. He yearned for her thoughts as much as he wanted her body. Since pursuing Bonnie, Klaus had the realization he didn't want someone easier for him. During their travels, he learned more about Bonnie, not Bonnie the Bennett witch. That woman loved morning jogs, she could binge-watch Shonda Rhimes shows if you let her, had a preference for both salty and sweet meals, wore reading glasses when she was at home alone, and gardening, photography, and dancing helped her relax. The best job she's ever had was being a lifeguard and teaching children how to swim at a youth center. Bonnie's very family oriented for someone often abandoned and betrayed, it did make her reclusive. Those trust issues from her past meant she wouldn't make it easier on him even with seduction involved. Klaus loved a challenge, and he chased it and reeled in seeing the witch's walls break. Compelling and forcing reciprocation wasn't fun anymore, he needed to know someone wasn't by his side due to obligations. For once in his immortal life, he didn't want to be feared by someone. He did still care if someone listened to his rants and rages. Bonnie wasn't trying to change who he was at his core, but to understand him and help him reflect. She does expect that he will be as emotionally and physically invested in her.
He didn't care for Lockwood's nuptials. What he did care about was if Bonnie would leave him after seeing her old friends.
"That bug," she paused, as she wrapped her arms around Klaus' neck. Kissing him deeper and mewling at the intrusion of his fingers inside her. "Would just be you."
The original hybrid pinned the witch's arms above her head with one hand, licking and nipping at neck. Her minty-lavender scent and sweetened smell of her blood fueled the hybrid's senses. Bonnie whimpered as she maneuvered on his fingers.
"You're so beautiful," Klaus muttered in the witch's ear, leaving kisses on the shell of her ear. It's true, he didn't just mean it because the witch was fucking his hand or due his pending impatience to implant his dick inside her. Bonnie's crooked smile being directed at him warmed his undead heart. Her laughter was pleasurable beyond comparison. He was certain her once green-hazel eyes had casted a spell on him. He's getting delirious. "Have I told you that, today?"
Bonnie could only nod and sigh as she felt Klaus add a third finger, his thumb was performing its own ministration circling her clit. "But do remember witch you have somewhere to be, don't you?" He removed his hand and glared at the witch for her next move. "Let's shower, shall we?"
The witch couldn't even protest anything. The hybrid had sped them to the walk-in shower. Next thing Bonnie felt was the warmth from the water and the feel of Klaus bare muscled chest against her breast.
"You know I hate when you- "the witch's breath hitched as Klaus began to ascend and descend her against his cock. The original hybrid groaned at the witch forcing his mouth back onto hers roughly. Bonnie slipped her tongue into his mouth savoring his taste. Finally connected for the umpteenth time.
"You're forgiven." Bonnie jokes, laying her head against his chest.
"I thought I would be." Klaus replies, and then tilts her head up as he seals another kiss over her lips.
Two hours had passed. The Bennett witch had stumbled out of the bathroom last. She covered herself in the white bathrobe sported from the hotel. Klaus had stepped out before her and already returned with her breakfast.
"You got me breakfast?" Bonnie walked and kissed his cheek. Belgium waffles were coated with powdered sugar and a side of freshly cut fruit. "It smells so sweet. I've been extra hungry lately." she paused, looking him up and down sideways.
"What's the matter?" Klaus questioned, blue eyes scanning over the witch. "Did I forget something?" He pulled out her seat at their glass table.
"No, everything is right." Bonnie reassured, waving him off as she sat down. "Did you really leave our hotel room half naked and in a towel? Are you going to feed?"
"No one saw anything," Klaus defended, feeling prideful at Bonnie's possessiveness. "don't worry, little witch."
"Okay," Bonnie said, shrugging her shoulders. She took a bite of her food. "I'll go out next just like that."
"I'll gouge out the eyes of the first person who sees any slips of skin." Klaus said, snuggly flashing his amber eyes at her. Veins appeared under his eyes and his witch kept laughing. "I'm not finding the joke in this!"
Bonnie looked over to her ringing phone. "That's probably Matt, Tyler or Elena. I'll get it in a few minutes. Are you going to eat?" She looks at him eyes wide. "Do you plan to stay here while I'm gone?"
Klaus was distracted by the sound of the double heartbeats radiating from Bonnie. It sounded heavenly; she was undoubtedly with his child.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
He noticed this three weeks ago on her birthday. They were in a good place in their relationship, but he wasn't sure when to tell her or let Bonnie figure it out. Now that she's going back to be around her friends again it was best to tell her the news.
"You're pregnant, Bonnie." Klaus said, bluntly, listening to the increase of her heartbeat. "I noticed back in Mexico."
"What?" Bonnie paused, she grabbed a napkin nearby and wiped her mouth. "You're not just saying this because I'm leaving you alone today. Mexico was three weeks ago! I drank on my birthday."
"I switched out your drinks." Klaus defended. He compelled the bartender to serve Bonnie non-alcoholic beverages only. "I didn't tell you this three week late just to hold over your head!"
"Then why did you wait?" Bonnie asked, resting her head on her hands.
"I read your journal entries from before." Klaus confessed, with his arms crossed moving away from the table walking back and forth. "I figured opening a journal has nothing on the other things I did before."
"That's not answering my questions. Sit back down, please." Bonnie said, irritably face palming. Her nose crinkled. "Why lie about this? Invading my privacy, you had a reason for doing that."
"I read how you detailed your apprehensions about me." Klaus replied. His eyes narrowed at the witch, retaking his seat. "I said nothing because I thought you'd get rid of the baby since it's mine."
Bonnie nodded and softened her gaze at him. "Ours." she corrected, removing herself from her seat, and sitting on his lap. "The baby isn't just yours. The baby is half mine. Ours. I wouldn't get rid of anything you gave me, no matter what happens."
"You'd keep our child." Klaus repeated with a slow nod. He tugged the witch closer and secured his hold on her. "Thousands of enemies, and bloodshed to my name. Doomed Mikaelson name and lineage. You'd still keep your baby."
"Ours," Bonnie repeated, kissing him deeply. She toyed with the curls at the back of his head. "I trust you in this as long as you trust me." She paused hesitantly. "Is this too soon after…"
"No!" Klaus disagreed, too quick for his own liking. "You shouldn't desire not wanting our child because of my past. I trust you more than you know."
"Just be honest with me, that's all I ask." She said and removed herself from his lap. "I'm already off to being a terrible mother! I should've known that's what my two-hundred and nineteen vision meant! Today would bring me good news! I need to see a doctor and confirm some questions."
"You're not going to be a bad mother."
"Thank you, but until I get word from a doctor about all of this. Our daughter could be harmed." The witch did notice a change in her sleeping patterns, and appetite but no nausea as of yet as far as she could recount from January and now.
"I can help you find a trustworthy doctor here in Tennessee for the day." Klaus said, pulling the witch back into his arms. "Our daughter will love you."
"You think so?" she asked, grinning at his compliment.
"No, doubt in my heart about you." he replied, pulling their overlapped hands to his mouth to kiss.
Bonnie did a light tap on her youngest daughter's bedroom door before entering. Hazel woke up in the morning easily while Ivy took more convincing. The one-year-old was wrapped up in her lavender and green sheets.
Bonnie eased into the bed, kissing at the child's face and tickling her sides. "Goodmorning, sweetheart." Ivy groaned, and rolled over, knocking down her stuffed rabbit. "Baby, you have to get up, mommy has work and Hazel has school."
Ivy's room had followed a whimsical approach. She loved the butterflies, dragonflies, and lilies on her emerald, green wall. She chose a canopy bed copying her sister's taste. Ivy quoted that the design reminded her of a swamp setting.
"No thank you," Ivy argued with a yawn. She pushed Bonnie away with her hand and turned over again.
Ivy's room was slightly neater than her sisters. Thanks to Bonnie's consistent cleaning. She kept her stuffed animals and toys in one corner. In various spaces of the room, you'd find crayon marks on the wall which was Ivy's special art. Ivy enjoyed bean bag chairs and her coloring books at her desk. Ivy's dresser was detailed with hand drawn butterflies by Hazel and her mother. On top of her dresser were more family photos including Bonnie's maternity pictures and group photos of Ivy and Hazel. The youngest Bennett was too small too to have her own grimoire just yet.
Bonnie removed the sheets from her daughter's body and sat her upright. Ivy fidgeting and pouting at the change.
"Hazel's awake and will eat all the waffles downstairs if you don't get up," Bonnie said, bouncing the child on her lap. Ivy whined loudly but scooted off her mother's lap and into the bathroom.
Bonnie and her girls bathed the night prior to cutting down time in the morning. Hazel enjoyed having independence and created her own morning routine. That included brushing her teeth and cleansing her face with her mom's aloe vera plant as she waited for breakfast. Ivy being younger required assistance. Bonnie brushed the child's curly hair into a ponytail, cleaned her teeth and face. Bonnie kept the blue nightgown on the child in case she spilled her breakfast on herself.
"Say good morning," Bonnie said cheerfully, she shifted Ivy from her hip and into the chair next to her.
"Good morning," Ivy muttered slowly, putting her head on their dining table.
Hazel waved at her sister, reaching out to hold her hand. "Good morning, Ivy!" Hazel said smiling, she reached for the syrup applying it over her waffles. "Do you want juice or milk? I cut your waffles already."
Bonnie placed her hand over her heart. "Aw, thank you Hazel for helping." Bonnie said, sitting down across from her girls. Hazel just gave her mother a thumbs up in response.
"Milk please," Ivy said, sliding her elephant straw cup over. She then proceeded to pick up her fork and eat.
"You know sometimes you should try other things," Hazel mentioned as she poured the milk. "I know it's your favorite though."
"No juice," Ivy defended, shaking her head. "Just milk."
"But there's other things to try," Hazel argues, as she eats her waffles. "I just want you to try everything."
Bonnie was once worried that her oldest daughter wouldn't bond well with her sister given their age gap of five years. Hazel proved her wrong completely. She enjoyed having someone to play with at home. The seven-year-old did have friends from school and would play with any kid at the bed and breakfast but having someone at home was even better. Which was such a relief to Bonnie since her second pregnancy was much more stressful than the first.
"Thank you, Hazel," Ivy said, smiling for the first time since she woke up this morning. Once the straw cup was in her hand she clapped and bounced with glee as she ate. Which opened the drawers and levitated kitchen utensils.
"Mommy, look at what Ivy did again!" Hazel said, pointing to the levitated utensils. "Her magic is random."
Bonnie flickered her hand undoing what Ivy had done. "All magic starts off that way when it's uncontrolled. When I started, I was lighting up candles and setting cars on fire," She informs and then sips her strawberry-lemonade. "You used to lift things up all the time when you were happy. Then knock all the power out if you were down. But now you're older and have control and as your power grows with you so will that control as long as it's managed. Ivy's only one so her mistakes are expected. In fact, mistakes are always okay with magic."
"You're good at this mommy," Hazel says proudly, as she cuts into her waffles.
Bonnie vowed that she'd never be who her parents and grandparents were. She wanted to accept her children as they were and for who they would grow to be. Her father was the parent who "stayed" sometimes but didn't love her enough since she was a witch. Her mother jumped ship as early as she possibly could and when she was around it was short-term. Bonnie loved her Grams' and was grateful for all those years she put in, but it wasn't her job to be her parent. Bonnie took everything she had been through as lessons for her daughters. She'd put them first always and made sure they knew they were loved. She'd protect and shelter their innocence.
"Thank you, baby!" Bonnie replied, and then paused. "You are not allowed to blow up any cars and do not say the i-c-e-n-d-i-a spell around her."
"No, bad spells around her," Hazel repeated, with a nod.
Another half an hour passed before the Bennett's were ready to leave. Ivy had taken it upon herself to go to sleep in her car seat while Hazel was enjoying the ride.
"You know if you spent less time thinking of conquering the world and refusing sleep," Bonnie teased, looking up at her mirror as she drove. "You'd have plenty of time to make sure your lunch bag is in the perfect order as you like."
Hazel scowled at her mother. "I just want things the way they should be," The smaller witch argued. "Chicken parm sliders should not be next to fruit slices! It's just as nasty as lunch food!" she gagged, sticking her tongue out. "We need to blame someone!"
"Lunch food was pretty disgusting when I was your age." Bonnie sighed, shaking her head. "I used to have my Grams make my lunch or use leftovers. I couldn't stand it."
Hazel went silent for a moment. "Mommy, the school's talent show is coming up and I was wondering…"
"If we could do magic together?" Bonnie questioned, looking up at the mirror once more. "Impress the students and teachers? Make it look like you're flying while doing your gymnastics?"
Danger could be at any corner. Denying her daughter should be easier. But the thing is Bonnie trusts Hazel with her magic. Hazel, unlike Bonnie, had the spirits on her side. She knew how to control herself. She was a prodigy in her own right. That was only the witch side. Bonnie had no whims that her daughter would struggle with the other sides. Hazel was tactful in everything she did.
The problem was Hazel did attend a non-supernatural school. She was the only tribrid in existence and at her school. The other kids didn't know that. She wore a plaid uniform just like everyone else and that's all they saw. The plan was that Hazel would be treated like a normal child and be allowed to grow that way. The supernatural world will always have their damned way. That's what made Bonnie upset. She didn't want either of her daughters to not have a childhood because of what they were. Bonnie was never intending on hiding that aspect of the world from her daughter! But her child deserved to be a child.
"Something like that!" Hazel nodded, leaning forward in her seat. "Showing them my witch skills and gymnastics." The child turned to look at her sleeping sibling. "I can't wait to see what Ivy likes too."
"Right now, she'll like a lot of things she sees us do," Bonnie said, checking her mirror examining both girls. "Dance, art, gymnastics and more. But we just have to expose her to things and learn her likes and dislikes. It's a process."
"Remember when we had the talent show at the bed and breakfast last summer?" Hazel asked, leaning up. "It was so much fun, all the kids' got awards. I hope my school's talent show is like that."
"You all earned them that's why," Bonnie replied, which made her daughter smile. "Your talent show at school will be just as fun."
"So can we do magic then in front of others?" Hazel asked, fiddling with her thumbs. "I just want to show my talent so maybe one or two spells. Nothing too big, Mommy."
Bennett's Palace show-and-tell day did open Bonnie up to more changes at her business. A complete renovation was made the following winter. Despite, the success seeing that joy and confidence on her daughter's face was everything.
It was July 16th, 2027, at the bed and breakfast and the guests had come to Bonnie with an idea for the kids to have a talent show. Since families rented rooms and would participate in activities around the bed and breakfast. Kids from different families would often play together. Bonnie loved the concept; she wanted her business to be a safe community for families. A space people would want to return too and remember their joy.
The talent show was planned for that following Friday. Bonnie had her workers clean and move the rounded tables to the side so the children had all the space that they needed for their performances.
"I'm scared," Hazel said, laying her head on her mom's chest. Her arm was slouched over her mom's mid-section. They were having a Disney movie night in bed in Bonnie's bedroom. "What if I mess up?"
Ivy was eleven months old then. She had fallen asleep during the middle of Brandy's Cinderella. She laid on Bonnie's chest resting.
When it was just Hazel, Klaus and Bonnie they'd do this every other night. Hazel would lay between them, and they'd pick a movie or show. The family enjoyed bonding in multiple ways. Whether that be through their arts and crafts or appealing to the child's supernatural abilities. It was important to them both that Hazel had good memories from her childhood. She should be able to share stories of going hunting with her father or dancing at night on the beach with her mother. Not stories of anguish.
Things had to shift. When Bonnie became a single mother, she searched for familiar activities to do that included both girls. Not wanting to isolate one child from experiencing. She'd be lying if she said everyday was easy trying to raise a five-year-old and an infant, but she made her way. Ivy napping most of the time did make things more simplistic but Hazel enjoyed helping or playing with Ivy at her own pace.
"It's just for fun," Bonnie reminds Hazel. "You will be just fine." She turns and places a kiss on her daughter's forehead "You've practiced your routines several times."
For Hazel's performance she wanted to balance the two things she loved doing outside of magic. Gymnastics and ballet. She'd start off her performance with a small ballet routine and finish with some gymnastics. Hazel wanting to do activities that kept her physically active wasn't a shock to Bonnie. Grams was a dancer, she herself took up cheer and other forms of dance. Rudy played baseball in his youth and college days. Then there's Abby who was known for running. Bonnie was just happy that Hazel had amazing reflexes due to her werewolf heritage.
"What if I ruin it?" Hazel asked, frowning. "Everyone is going to laugh."
"So?" Bonnie shrugged her shoulders. "Let them laugh, remind them that they can't do what you did. They aren't even half of you. You don't have to be afraid of anything. Putting yourself out there isn't easy, but you can do it. I know you can, and you will be great, who cares about everyone else."
Hazel nodded and smiled. "I believe you, mommy…thank you. How are you so good at this?"
Bonnie would wait until her daughters were older and could understand more details about her upbringing. Maybe then she'll be in space to speak of their father to them. She never wanted this for them. But the witch wouldn't be who she is without planning. Every detail about her daughters was kept here and in another safe location in case of the worst.
"I'm your mom," Bonnie said with a grin. "In fact, how about we put Ivy in her crib, and I will show you the signs we made."
"You made signs!" Hazel said, eyes widened in shock. "Wait when?"
"Witches don't reveal every secret." Bonnie says, shushing her daughter. She picks Ivy up and then she walks with Hazel into her daughter's nursery. Ivy wails a little at the lost contact, but with a pat on the back from Bonnie and Hazel she drifted back off to sleep.
Bonnie maneuvered to the closet hallway. "Baby, get the stool out the bathroom please?" She asked, and Hazel ran to their second-floor bathroom and back. Bonnie stood on the stool reaching for the rolled-up poster paper. "Here it is "
Bonnie had written "Go Hazel," and "Good luck," in bubble letters. "We love you, lots!" Then colored each letter with yellow and pink highlighter.
"Ivy did the stickers and glitter spots everywhere, didn't she?" Hazel asked, tracing one of the unicorn stickers. "Thank you!"
"Yes, Ivy was very proud of her work." Bonnie agreed, as she rolled the poster back up. "But you're welcome. Now, if we believe in you don't you think you should believe in you?"
Hazel nodded and hugged her mom's legs. The following Friday her mother dressed her in a baby pink leotard and leggings. Bonnie styled Hazel's hair in a bun, and she applied a small amount of blush on her cheeks. Bonnie then dressed Ivy in a pink leotard and tutu, she wasn't performing but she could look the part. Bonnie wore a simple pink sundress. She wasn't as insecure as she was post Ivy's birth nearly a year ago.
At the bed and breakfast Hazel agreed to go last. She thought it was fair since her mom ran the place. Hazel not going first meant she got to be in awe of other talents and explain things to Ivy.
When it was her time Ivy kissed and caressed her sister's cheek for good luck. Hazel could've done without the baby drool. Her mother kissed her head and praised her one final time. That was all she needed.
"Hi," Hazel said wearily, nervously waving. "My name is Hazel Cordelia Bennett and I'm almost seven! I like gymnastics and ballet."
"Can you say good job?" Bonnie said, standing her daughter on her legs. "Want to wish your sister good luck? Hm?" Bonnie asked, holding her daughter by her torso, she leaned and kissed full cheeks.
Ivy blew Hazel kisses for good luck. It was her favorite thing at the time. Hazel began her performance with a first position. The child then waited until she received silence from the clapping crowd and continued gracefully.
"You see your sister!" Bonnie said, enthusiastically to Ivy, letting her stand on her lap again. "She's doing great. That move she's doing now is called an arabesque. Big word for you so don't worry about repeating."
Ivy removed her drooled covered hand to wave and clap for her elder sibling. She cooed and jumped on her mother's lap. Bonnie kept her grip on the baby's torso spotting her.
Hazel pointed her feet downwards pirouetting, once she finished, she bowed. Hazel grinned at the praise from the crowd of guests and her mother's comments.
"It's amazing, Ms. Bonnie's child has time for extracurriculars…did you hear her husband left her? While pregnant!" one guest whispered to another.
"A single mom of two. That's so much to handle. One child isn't even one yet. Bless her heart." the other guest replied back.
Stupid werewolf ears. Hazel thought to herself. Hazel glared at her mother who was dancing Ivy on her lap in the poses she was doing. The child-witch performed a backflip and ended with a split.
"Thank you, everybody!" Hazel said proudly, she waved to all the guests and ran to her mother.
Hazel looked up and saw her mother standing to her feet. She had moved Ivy to her hips. The infant kicked and squealed, showcasing her few teeth with her smile.
"We're so proud of you!" Bonnie repeated, leaning low to kiss her daughter's cheeks. "You did amazing with your routines! A true talent."
The families were taking group pictures with the awards Bonnie made and had her workers pass out the guests. The witch felt too prideful in her daughter's confidence and enjoyment.
"We need a picture from this day!" Bonnie said, gleefully watching her daughter's swing their hands together. Hazel held the peace sign up, as Ivy waved to the camera.
"Say cheese, Ivy!" Hazel instructed, removing Ivy's fist out of her mouth. "Like this!"
"Wait, this is too cute to miss!" The witch paused, turning her heels to acknowledge the elderly woman's judgmental gaze. "Do you have a problem?" Bonnie kept up her sweet and calm persona in front of her daughters. Her fiery attitude wasn't dimmed with motherhood.
"Not at all," The woman defended, falsely coughing. "You have a lovely family."
"Thank you," the witch said, nonchalantly. Returning to her business. Instead, she motioned for someone else to hold the camera as she joined her girls.
"We can do magic together." Bonnie began with a sigh. Not wanting to fight with her daughter. To humans' magic is only make-believe anyways. "But, remember the rules, okay? I created them for a reason."
"Rule number one," Hazel sternly copied with her mother's southern accent. "Never let anyone know you're a witch!" Her hands were at her waist. As she bobbed her head to the side her curly ponytail swung. "Wait no...that's not one."
"That isn't how I sound!" Bonnie scoffed. Forgetting to go over the list in full. She parked her car in front of Hazel's school then got out to free both of her daughters. Ivy, as expected, was annoyed with the changes. "Do you really think I talk like that?"
"Yes," the child nodded quickly. "All the time." Hazel spread her arms out. While Bonnie thoroughly checked her for any mishap on her clothes from breakfast.
"Not true,"
"Yes, it is all the time."
"You're making that up, Hazelbear."
"Good morning, Mrs. Terry!" the child witch grinned as she waved at her teacher. Who was holding hands with an active child. "My classmates are about to go in!"
Bonnie crouched low, holding her and Ivy's arms out. "Give us some love before you go."
"Ow!" Ivy winced, caught in the middle of the hug that Hazel flung herself in. Hazel kissed her mother's cheek. Once they were apart, she held her mother's and sister's hand. "Love you," the youngest witch repeats.
"I predict that something big is going to come. It'll be new for us all. Sounds cool right?" Hazel questioned, then beamed at her mother's agreement. "It's going to be huge!"
"Have a good day, my love." Bonnie replied, watching her daughter run to join her class. "Remember to give the office and your teacher the notes I left in your bookbag!"
Hazel gave a final thumbs up and disappeared into the building.
The notes detailed photos of Stefan and everyone from Mystic Falls with strict orders on what to do if someone else tries to pick up her child.
Years had passed but Bonnie wouldn't deny that Stefan has become any less attractive. In fact, with a slightly older face, he's even more handsome than she remembered. The witch didn't do relationships right now, but she could admire people as she chose.
Once Bonnie and Ivy were back inside her car she headed towards her bed and breakfast. Bennett's Palace was only fifteen minutes away from her daughter's private school. She scrolled through her missing calls dodging her mother and went straight to her new guest: Keelin Malraux.
"Good-morning, Keelin, my apologies for getting back to you forty-minutes late." She leaned into the phone squinting. "You're in the dining hall, that's great!" she replied, leaning back in her seat. "I thought you were canceling your reservations from your phone-call."
Keelin cut another piece of her Belgium-waffle and disagreed. "I had plans on canceling since my fiancé and I called the wedding and honeymoon off. Instead, I decided to make it a solo-forget-my-ex trip."
"Well, I'll be there in five minutes." Bonnie said, checking the time. "I can give you the full tour and the bar is surely open just tell them I sent you. So, terribly sorry about what happened and thank you for understanding. I was taking my daughter to school. Single-mom stuff."
"No worries, I had an old friend who was a single mom. My ex-fiancé had a niece. It's just the way life goes."
"Thank you for understanding."
Bonnie couldn't deny that and ended the call. She took a deep breath preparing herself for the day her guests will give her.
With her eyes shut she saw his face again along with a crowd of witches.
She wouldn't scream, she wouldn't let Silas win this round. Maybe Keelin wasn't the only one who needed a day drink this time.
Bonnie's phone pinged twice. It was her group chat with Caroline and Elena. Life had changed completely since she left Mystic Falls and Bonnie wasn't always the most active when it came to her old friendships. Yes, she loved them still, but they didn't and never would matter more than her own family. She regressed plenty of emotions from growing up in Mystic Falls and sometimes Caroline and Elena are reminders of that. It's not their fault the witch will be mature enough to admit but letting go isn't her specialty.
Elena was detailing Stefani's interest in science courses and her date night with Damon. Caroline discussed having interest in one of the newer teachers at the boarding school. Then the topic of who and when Bonnie would date came up.
The Bennett witch is going to need that drink sooner than later.