Night was falling just as Mikael and Elijah collapsed on the comfortable seats in Klaus and Angie's living room. They then grabbed a couple of hand towels, and Klaus headed to the kitchen, coming back with two bottles of beer, one of which he handed to his brother. "Here," he said with a grin. "Enjoy after all your hard work!"
"Well, thank you, brother," Elijah told him, cracking it open and taking a gulp. "How nice of you!"
After a few minutes of silence, Mikael glared. "And what about me, boy?" He asked. "Where's mine? Am I invisible to you?"
"Oh, I wish," Klaus scoffed. "But it's always painfully obvious to me when you're in my house. As for you getting a beer, I'm not your servant, and I gave Elijah the last one, so if you want some, there's a store down the road that has plenty." There were still plenty of beers, but Klaus thought that if he lied, it would motivate Mikael to go away. "Or, you could have water from the faucet. Take your pick." He smirked.
Mikael growled, displeased with his stepson's smart remark. Elijah, however, couldn't let it go, no matter how understandable the reason for it.
"Niklaus!" He scolded, his eyes wide. "Was that strictly necessary?"
"Yes!" Klaus replied. "My house, my rules. If you want to give him beer, go give him beer at your farmhouse because he's not getting any here!"
"Oh, all right," Elijah sighed. "I hoped you wouldn't insist on acting uncivilized, but it seems like that's too much to ask of you."
"I am plenty civilized! I told him he could have water from the faucet! That's not sending him away with nothing!"
Elijah took a few steps forward, but Mikael put a hand on his arm. "Don't worry, Elijah. I appreciate your concern, but I knew this would happen. What he says doesn't matter. They are the words of an animal."
"Is that the only comeback you have against me?" Klaus asked, unimpressed. "As angry as you are about my existence, I would think you would have more material than something I'm coming to regard as a compliment!" He shrugged and gulped down some more beer.
"Can we get back to the subject at hand?" Elijah questioned his father. "Why are you here in Niklaus' home?"
"What a good question, son! You're so intelligent to ask me such a thing!"
Klaus rolled his eyes. Of course, Mikael would praise his son in such an over-the-top way!
"I think Julian is really in transition now," Elijah remarked.
"Well, the fact that he bit you and drank your blood definitely would indicate that for sure," Klaus nodded, his tone sarcastic.
"And furthermore, since he's chained to a wall rather than a bed, his body is accepting the transition, even if his less than human mind is not.
"Well, now that you've pointed out every obvious thing you possibly could, what else could we add?" Klaus drawled.
"If you have something to say to me, boy," Mikael hissed, narrowing his eyes. "Go ahead and say it! Don't just sit there with a smug grin on your face!"
"You want me to say what I mean?" Klaus cried. "I am more than happy to tell you that I will not hesitate to throw you out of my house on your ass if you continue to disrespect me!" His voice rose as he stabbed an emphatic finger in his stepfather's direction.
"Enough!" A woman's sudden loud yell shook the house's walls as the three men went silent, quaking in their shoes.
They then watched Angelica stride purposefully into the living room with Sybil on her heels. She was carrying a few pizza boxes, which she then slammed onto the coffee table with a bang before narrowing her eyes on her mate.
"Klaus Mikaelson!" She lashed out, hands in fists at her sides. "I appreciate all you've done for me, and it means an awful lot, but…this is my home too now and I won't let you treat people who come visit like poor country farmers with no class or idea how to behave." She then turned to Elijah, blushing just a little. "I hope you get my meaning, Elijah. I didn't mean to offend you."
"Oh, none taken," Elijah replied, wide eyed. "You could hardly call me a common country farmer."
"Good," Angelica gave a curt nod before turning back to his brother. "Do you understand?" She growled, her eyes deep red.
"Yes…" Klaus trailed off as his body sank slowly into an armchair.
"Yes, what?" She pressed, using her best angry CEO voice.
"Yes, my queen?" He tried, hoping that would calm her down.
"Do I look like a queen to you?" She scoffed. "My hair's not brushed, I have no make-up, and I'm wearing shorts and flip-flops!"
Klaus shrugged, light in his eyes. "Sounds like a queen to me! Are you asking me a trick question? All right, my darling. I will behave."
She eyed him suspiciously, straightening up and crossing her arms over her chest. "You better," she told him. "Now…you all can have a beer and some water. And…" she suddenly remembered the pizza boxes and gestured at the nearby table where she'd set them. "Pizza is served!" She then turned on her heel to stride back to the kitchen before the men could say anything else.
Mikael watched the devil's daughter go before slowly turning his attention to his wife, who was just as irritated with him as Angelica was with Klaus. "Sybil," he got out. "Darling…"
"Don't you 'darling' me, Mikael!" She snapped, furiously waving a finger under his nose. "What Angelica told Klaus goes for both of you. And I especially expect more from you because you should know better by now. Do you understand me?"
"Yes," Mikael nodded. He knew he was in big trouble. "Of course, sweetheart." The Mikaelson patriarch lowered his eyes, his voice shaking just a little bit.
"Since you have entered this house, you've been nothing other than rude, pretentious, and disrespectful! And I'm not going to let it go anymore! Do you understand? You can do some much better!" She paused to catch a breath. "When your hostess returns with your beer and water, you will thank her profusely and present your must humble apologies for being such a jackass or you'll sleep on the bedroom floor until further notice."
"Or I could just go to the guest bedroom," Mikael had the audacity to reply.
"On the floor!" Sybil repeated, looking Mikael right in the eye. "I know you heard me, so don't pretend that you didn't!"
"Yes, my love," Mikael heaved a big sigh, nodding several times.
"Right," Sybil nodded and crossed her arms. "I'll go and help Angelica in the kitchen, and when I come back, I expect you to behave and be respectful!" Her voice was full of warning as she turned, her heels clacking on the wooden floor as she made her way to the kitchen.
Left alone, Klaus and Mikael eyed one another while Elijah chuckled loudly, a grin on his lips, eyes bright. "It's so nice to see that you two have gotten the perfect women to rein in your difficult ways!"
"Oh, shut up!" Klaus and Mikael snapped at him as he really tried hard not to laugh.
Ellie walked carefully along the dark basement corridor of Klaus' house, hoping she wouldn't be heard and found out, but she could hear arguing over her head, as clearly as if she were standing in the same room as the man fighting. But she didn't care about them. There was only one man in the house that she cared about, and his name was Julian Johnson!
She'd managed to escape constant surveillance at the mansion once Lucifer had headed off to the meeting he had scheduled with his financial advisor. He'd completely forgotten about it and wasn't happy to have to leave her unattended (especially since the meetings usually lasted for two or three hours at least). But he'd left, and once the door of his office had closed, she'd run for the garage, gotten in her car, and headed off to Klaus'. She knew what a mess she'd caused for Julian and she wouldn't wait one more second to see if he was all right and try and fix things the best she could…if he would let her, and that was a big 'if'. She hoped he was still alive and fighting instead of dead like his grandmother. He was a very strong man, but being turned into a vampire, especially as abruptly as he had been, was tough on anyone, and she wasn't sure how he would react.
Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest as she finally reached a half open door, the frustrated growling of a man clear to her from where she stood. Was it Julian making that horrible noise? Was he hurt?
She closed her eyes and raised a shaking right hand over her heart and took a deep breath before stepping inside the small room and getting a good look at him at last. He wore nothing except for a pair of boxers and he was chained to a wall of the dungeonlike room, although he was struggling against the restraints.
"Oh, Julian!" she murmured, absolutely heartbroken by the sight of him, not realizing that he'd heard her words as she spoke them aloud.
But he had, his whole body tensing as he lifted his head up and met her eyes.
She froze, her breathing picking up. He was clearly in transition, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to hear her from so far away. She raised her chin, swallowing hard as he maneuvered to get a better look at her, his red eyes narrowing when he finally realized who she was. She let out a cry of fear, even though she should have expected it, shivering as he let out a howl like a wounded animal. She took a deep breath, got closer, and spoke to him. She knew better, she told herself. She'd seen transitions before. "Julian? Do you know who I am? Do you recognize me?"
"Unfortunately, yes!" He snapped and tried to pull free of his restraints. "You're the reason I'm chained to this wall!"
"Yes," Ellie nodded as tears filled her eyes. "I am. I'm so sorry Julian. I know you probably won't believe it. I know you'll probably think I'm just spouting bullshit to save my own ass, but…you have no idea how sorry I am. I never meant for any of this to happen!"
"You've told me before," he replied. "And I don't want to hear the same things again! Get out of here!" Sweat was rolling down his face and bare chest.
She froze, unable to move, even though part of her knew that the best thing to do now would be to run away and let him be.
"Now!" He roared. "Did you hear me? If you don't leave now, I won't be responsible for what will happen to you!"
He was clearly further in his transition than she'd realized. And although she knew it was wrong, she found him immensely attractive this way, a big turn on.
"I…" she tried to express herself, rubbing her hands together, her head lowering in shame. "You have every right not to believe me, but…being with you really did bring me so much joy at a time I needed it most."
"And was part of that joy watching your husband murder my grandmother?" he snapped before spitting blood on the floor at his feet. "Did it bring you joy to lie to my face day after day?"
"No, of course not!" She yelled, sobbing as her heart broke for him. "But my life has been one day of hell after another. Not loved, not treasured, just…used. Drained. But when I met you, I felt in my heart that I was home. I loved you so much, and I was so happy that I couldn't bear to risk ruining it all by telling you the truth. In fact, even now, I can't even think of a way to explain Eleanor Mikaelson to you. What it's like to live outside of what you and I had together."
He smiled in a wicked way that shook her enough to make her step away from him. "Don't you mean Eleanor Morningstar? Isn't that your real name? Don't forget that I know you're the devil's wife and the mother of so many of his children. How does it feel to be the devil's whore?"
Ellie went pale as his words sunk in, and she stumbled backwards. "You're probably right," she admitted. "I acted like a selfish whore. I took advantage of you. I lied. I'm a terrible person." She didn't hold back as she wiped tears from her cheeks. "But…I chose you willingly. Nothing and no one forced you into my arms, which is more than I can say for me and my husband."
"I don't give a fuck!" Julian burst out, growling in frustration, rattling his chains with everything he had. "I'm in a cold, dark, disgusting basement, chained to a wall like an animal because of you! My grandmother, the only family I have left in this country is dead, and you have the nerve to say that you're in hell every day while you live in a mansion and people wait on you hand and foot? I'm going to become a vampire! I never wanted this! Leave me alone, Eleanor Morningstar! Go back to your husband or find some other fool's life to ruin!"
After his outburst, he lowered his eyes to the floor, taking several deep breaths as his chest rose up and down.
Ellie put a hand over her mouth so she wouldn't cry or scream in front of him. She couldn't help but notice how exhausted he was, how much all of this had drained the life from his eyes…and everywhere else.
"Julian?" Risking another rebuke, she whispered his name and took a step toward him, but he didn't answer. He just kept breathing heavily, the sound of it filling the room as his eyes remained locked on the floor.
She reached him at last and took his face in her hands to stare into his sad, blood-red eyes. "Julian…my sweet Julian."
Before she could move another muscle, he grabbed both her wrists and spun her around, ignoring her cries of fear and surprise as he shoved her against the wall.
"I told you to leave!" Julian hissed between clenched teeth. Then, unexpectedly, before Ellie even had time to back away, he crashed his mouth on hers.
She froze as he forced her lips to part using his tongue, then wincing as she tasted the mix of blood and sweat on his mouth. She was completely at his mercy, and she didn't care. He could do whatever he wanted with her. It was better than any other option she had right now.
Julian's right hand kept both her arms restrained against the wall while his left slid over the curves of her breasts. Then he began kissing a fiery trail down her neck, slowly burying his new fangs in her flesh and drinking deeply from her. It felt good, so she didn't fight it, although she knew if it went on for too long, there could be trouble. Not that she cared about that. After everything, he deserved to have all her blood if he wanted. It was an honorable way to go, dying in his arms as he took and took and took from her.
But then, she felt another strong kick and she remembered: there was the baby! Their baby. Her head cleared, she struggled to pull herself away, just as she felt a strong hand grab hers and pull her to safety while their little girl continued to kick up a storm. Whether it was because her mother was being drained of blood, or because she was excited by the sound of her father's voice, Ellie wasn't sure. She just kept breathing and held on tight to the hand of Elijah Mikaelson, even as Klaus glared at her and kept Julian from doing any more harm.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps and more people joined them. Angelica was first, her eyes filled with worry, then Elijah, Mikael, and Sybil after her.
"Mom, oh, my grandpa!" Angelica knelt by her mother's side, shocked by the injuries as she took her in her arms. "It's gonna be okay. Big deep breaths now."
"What happened?" Elijah asked, wide eyed as his jaw dropped a little.
"You won't believe it," Klaus hissed, and then glared at Ellie some more. "Damn it, Eleanor! Are you crazy? Don't you realize that now that he's had a taste of you, it's possible he'll crave your blood for the rest of his existence? You might very well become his main food source and I'm sure you don't want that!"
"I'm sorry," Ellie apologized with a sniffle. "I came here because I wanted to see if Julian was okay. I couldn't stay at the mansion while he was here suffering because of me."
"It's fine," Angelica assured her. "Elijah and Klaus are taking very good care of him. And I am too, by staying out of the way." She rocked her mother back and forth in her arms as Ellie had once done with her.
"You…you promise?" Ellie raised her head. "I know you have every reason to dislike him, but…if you're taking care of him instead, thank you. I really…I appreciate it." She let out a sob.
"Yes, I swear," Angelica nodded.
"Klaus, please make her leave," Julian begged. "Or you know I won't be able to…to…" regret was beginning to overtake him, which was something of a surprise.
"The bright side of all this is that he's fully transitioned now," Mikael remarked. "Good job, Eleanor."
"What kind of horrible thing is that to say?" Klaus snapped. "And who told you that you could speak, anyway?"
"It's all right, Niklaus," Elijah told him. "You can stand down. You'll do more for Julian and Eleanor by keeping quiet than getting in a fight, however good your intentions may be."
Klaus heaved a big sigh and rolled his eyes. "I guess you're right."
"Eleanor, Angelica and I will help you get up the stairs to the kitchen," Sybil spoke up, helping Angelica get her wounded mother to her feet. "We'll make up another pot of tea and fix up that wound of yours."
Angelica looked over her mother's head, mouthing 'thank you' followed by 'you're welcome' from the other woman.
"I…thank you, that's very kind, but I think I've caused enough trouble for everyone. Maybe it would be best of I just got back home rather than be more of a bother."
"Oh, you're not a bother," Sybil assured her as they made their way toward the stairs. "You'll give me a chance to get away from my husband while he improves his bad attitude!"
"Sybil, I…" Mikael tried to explain his way out of trouble with his wife once again.
"Don't even try it," Sybil snapped without looking at him. "Just get out of my way!"
"Well, isn't this fun?" Klaus taunted. "Someone is going to sleep on the couch tonight!"
"Oh, shut up, boy!" Mikael snapped, crossing his arms. "Do you ever know when to keep your mouth shut?"
"Mmmm…" Milo Morningstar grabbed a bowl of chips from the small kitchen counter, sampling them before glancing in the direction of the small living room and catching Natalie's eye. "Where do you want these?"
"On the table in the living room, silly!" Natalie smiled and shook her head indulgently. "And don't eat them all before everyone gets here!"
They'd invited a mall group of friends over to celebrate the fact that what had once been Natalie's apartment was now their apartment. They couldn't wait to tell everyone the news.
"All right," Milo sighed. "I'll put it on the table. But don't you have like…a table cloth or something? Or even an old newspaper or a towel would work if we're really in a pinch."
"Why you so worried about a tablecloth when you're the one who puts your dirty shoes on it all the time?" Natalie asked.
"Because this time food is involved," Milo explained patiently as he put the bowl on top of a magazine. "And my father always said a table needed to…" he trailed off and then went pale, standing straight up as tears filled his eyes.
Natalie stared and lowered everything she was holding onto the table too, before taking his left hand. "I'm so sorry, Milo. It must be so hard for you." She wiped some chip crumbs off the side of his mouth and then rested her head on his shoulder.
"It's really not," he told her. "But thank you. I'm fine, I swear." He gave her a small smile to prove it and then kissed her red hair.
"No," she shook her head. "You're not. I know that what your father has done and said has hurt you deeply, especially him telling your mother that he wanted to kill you. But that doesn't mean that you can't stop loving him."
"He wants to kill me, Natalie," Milo reminded her. "I know I'm the last kid, and was probably an accident, so I don't matter, but its still a really harsh thing to want to do to someone. How can you look me in the eye and tell me to love him?"
"That's not what I meant at all," Natalie shook her head. "There's no denying that your father is an ass. I will always believe that. What I mean is that you have a much bigger heart than he does, which means that you'll love him even when he doesn't deserve it! It's just how you are!"
He chuckled and gave her a sly look. "Is that the only big thing I have?" He asked.
"Well, no," Natalie admitted. "There's also your huge…ego."
"Oh," he looked downward. "I thought you were going to mention something else."
Natalie grinned and fluffed up some pillows before replacing them back on the sofa. Since their first time, it was obvious that he needed to be reassured she'd enjoyed herself, which was very strange to her, considering that he had a bunch of previous experience and she had none.
But it had been very surprising to say the least to know that he'd held out for a year before sleeping with her. A whole year! For her? It was just unbelievable! She blushed, thinking about how she used to hate him and how he'd driven her crazy with all his stupid, immature comments, and pretentious ways. But eventually she'd realized that that was all just an act and that he, Milo Morningstar, was actually a very sweet, sensitive guy deep down.
"Looks matter to me less than other things," Natalie told him. "I like a sweet guy. Doesn't necessarily have to be the best ever in bed."
Milo raised an eyebrow. "Should I be insulted by the woman who rode me like a stallion last night?"
"No!" Natalie shook her head. "I said I didn't need a guy to be super in bed. I did not say that it isn't an excellent bonus!"
"Nice cover," Milo chuckled as he pulled her to him, and she blushed a deep red like her hair. "I'm just telling the truth. What's the point of lying?" He shrugged, unapologetically. "Do you want to do it again? And do you want to do it again now?
"Not now!" Natalie shook her head and gently punched him on the arm. "We have friends coming over!"
Milo shrugged. "What does that matter? We could put a note on the door that says something came up, we'll be back tomorrow, and no one would know the difference!"
"No," Natalie replied firmly, narrowing her eyes. "I know you're uncomfortable and want to avoid talking about stuff, which is why you're being so silly, but…have you talked to your mother?"
He lowered his eyes and swallowed his pride. "Yes," he muttered. "Yes, I did."
"And?" She slid her hand over his arm, hoping the gesture would comfort him. "What did she say?"
"Not much," he shrugged. "It wasn't like she was going to tell me to my face that Dad had threatened her with my death if she didn't stay with him." He shrugged.
"Right," she nodded and gave a shy smile.
"But I had to say that I wasn't coming back and come up with a good excuse why, so…. I told her you and I are living together now. That you're my girlfriend. And she was happy for us."
"I see," she nodded, then got an evil idea to play a trick on him. "Yes, we're living together now, but I would hardly call myself your girlfriend!"
"What?" He asked, his jaw dropping. "But…but I thought…"
"Relax," she grinned and squeezed his cheek. "You're so cute, thinking I was serious!" Then, as if to apologize for her trick, she stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips, turning to the door as the doorbell rang.
"Wait, before you go and get that…did you talk to your dad about us too? What did he say?"
"Oh, he's fine with it," she assured him. "I think he'll like you, eventually."
She then sped over to open the door as Milo yelled after her, "so that means you're my girlfriend, right? And your dad better be okay with us considering that he's sleeping with my sister, and I haven't said a damn thing about it!"
"Thanks for the pizza, man," Milo thanked Nico before shoveling another piece in his mouth.
Nico quickly grabbed his own piece before Milo, who had more of a bottomless pit for a stomach than anyone realized, could have it all. "Well, I couldn't show up to a party empty-handed, could I?" He winked and Natalie winked back, moving the box just out of Milo's reach.
"It was a good idea to bring pizza if you're a pig who likes greasy food," Michelle winced as she watched Nico and Milo eat.
"Are you afraid to gain a pound, Princess?" Nico asked her, wiping grease from his chin.
She rolled her eyes and gagged before turning back to her cell phone.
The group of friends, including Nico and Klaus' triplet granddaughters, Celine, Michelle, and Laurelle, had arrived ten minutes before and were now sitting in the living room, some on the floor, and some on seats.
"What's so important that you can't look away from your cell phone, Princess?" Nico asked her as he narrowed his eyes on the tall blonde.
"None of your business," Michelle replied without giving him so much as a look.
"Michelle likes someone," her sister Laurelle replied helpfully before going back to her French book so she could get in some more studying before her test the next day.
"She does!" Their third sister, Celine, agreed, gently wiping the sides of her mouth with a napkin. "What's his name again? Oliver, I think.
"No one needs to know because no one gives a damn about my private life, okay?" Michelle snapped at her sisters.
"Oh, but we do," Milo teased, giving Nico a wink.
"Hang on, Oliver? The new vampire in biology?" Nico asked.
"Yeah," Milo said. "Real nice dark eyes, soft wavy hair…yeah." He trailed off.
"Wait, him?" Nico scoffed. "You know he's gay, right Michelle?" He then had a chuckle at her expense
"He's not!" She lashed out angrily.
"You two are really something," Natalie shook her head. "Who cares if he's straight or gay? He could be bi and wanting Michelle!"
"I mean, I suppose he could be bi, but the way I caught him looking at my butt once," Milo let out a whistle. "I don't think so! Also, he doesn't look so bad himself in a pair of tight jeans…"
Natalie gave him a look.
"What? I didn't sleep with him!" Milo defended himself. "I looked but I didn't touch!"
"I don't care about that, but you don't need to pour it on so thick!" Natalie whispered.
"We wouldn't need to have this whole stupid conversation if you would just admit that Oliver has more class and good taste and you're jealous of him because you're nothing but an animal who smells," Michelle snapped at Nico.
"What? Me, jealous of that guy?" He pointed a finger at his chest incredulously. "Listen, Princess, I think it would be easier for everyone if you would finally admit to yourself that you're trying to make me jealous because you think so much of yourself that you can't admit you want me to fuck you again!"
"I beg your pardon?" Natalie gasped in shock, staring open mouthed at Nico.
"What? I said it out loud because I knew you wouldn't," Nico shrugged as he eyed Michelle, unaffected by everyone's reactions. "I know it's a truth you hate."
"It couldn't be further from the truth!" Michelle snapped as she lifted a manicured finger in the air.
"When did you guys sleep together and why?" Milo asked, shaking his head. "You hate each other!"
"Yeah," Natalie nodded, eyes wide. "What he said!"
"No one make a big deal about this," Nico commanded. "It's really nothing."
"How come you didn't tell me and Laurelle before now?" Celine asked her sister.
"Why do you think I would tell you about the biggest mistake of my life?" Michelle asked.
"I would say you sleeping with Oliver would be the big mistake!" Nico replied as Milo chuckled with him.
"Oh, shut up!" Michelle hissed, trying to punch him in the crotch while Nico jumped deftly away.
"It's not that surprising," Laurelle spoke up, surprising everyone. "I kind of knew." She then went back to her book. "It's like physics, you know."
"No, we don't know!" Milo shook his head. Brainy people like her always gave him a headache.
"Well, think about it," Laurelle continued. "You put two explosive substances together and then…kaboom!" She gestured with both hands.
"Right, like you and Mr. Bathazar," Nico nodded, pointing a finger at Laurelle and grinning. "Because I don't know about anyone else, but…you really seemed into it when you did your sexy little dance number together!
"Shut up, Nico," Laurelle told him, blushing. "We were doing something for school, and he gave me a hand. There was nothing between us but a dance."
"Sure, whatever," Nico rolled his eyes. "Say what you want, but at the end of the day, if you like mature men, that's your business!"
"Whatever!" Laurelle rolled her eyes and went back to her book, telling herself not to get involved in any more conversations.
"When did this 'love night' happen between the two of you, anyway?" Natalie questioned her friend, even though she knew that she probably wouldn't get an answer. "Was it after the dance competition?"
"Please don't call it a love night!" Michelle begged with a wince.
"It was during practice for the competition," Nico corrected with a nonchalant shrug. "We were locked in the classroom, practicing our dance, and then…" he chuckled. "Then she couldn't keep her hands off me."
Michelle scoffed. "You wish!" Then she rolled her eyes as her hands balled into fists. "Does every guy in the world think that women can't be without them?"
"I can't believe you didn't say anything about this!" Celine scolded her sister. "You know, my feelings are hurt!"
"Don't feel bad, Celine," Nico told her. "The next time it happens, you'll be the first to know."
"What makes you think there'll be a next time, you jerk?" Michelle lashed out.
Silence descended on the group for a few minutes before Celine cleared her throat and caught Milo's eye. "We heard about what happened with your dad. "We're so sorry, Milo!"
"You have?" Milo asked, shocked.
"Well, yeah," Laurelle nodded. "Remember, Klaus is our grandpa and he's tangled up in all this. When he called our father to warn him, we heard everything!"
"Of course," Milo nodded, lowering his head in shame.
"Hey, man," Nico put a hand on his shoulder, something he usually avoid with Milo because he knew he would turn it into some joke.
"Yeah," Michelle added. "Your father literally lost it is what it sounded like."
"It's gonna be okay," Natalie repeated, softly caressing the skin at the base of Milo's neck, something that caught Nico's attention. Then she turned around. "What you all don't know is that Lucifer threatened to kill Milo if Eleanor ever left him.
"What the fuck, man?" Nico yelled. "You want me to have a few words with him?"
"No, no," Milo waved his friend's concern away. "I appreciate your concern, but don't talk to him, please. Just stay away. And that means all of you!"
"I can't believe he said he would kill you," Celine shook her head. "Who says that about their son? It's so cruel!"
"Wasn't it enough that he killed innocent people?" Michelle added. "And humans at that!"
"We really feel for you, Nico," Laurelle added.
"Thank you," Milo said, giving the group a shy smile. "It's…it's nice to have so many good friends."
"Which is why it's time to finally say what we brought you here to say," Natalie announced.
"Oh? Do tell!" Nico said.
"Well, I think we can all agree that after everything that's happened, it's not safe for him to stay at the mansion anymore so…he's staying with me instead." She raised her chin and waited for jokes or smart remarks.
"Hang on! I noticed you guys flirting when I got here! Not that you aren't glued at the hip but…the way you're touching him…have you two had sex?" Nico questioned. Then the whole room stared at them, waiting for an answer.
"None of your damn business, Nico," Natalie snapped, crossing her arms, although her face was bright red.
"I think that means yes," Nico grinned. "Congrats, man!" He fist bumped Milo, who couldn't stop smiling.
Michelle put a hand on Natalie's shoulder. "I'm sorry you have to watch them cheer like this. It's so demeaning toward you as a woman!"
"I'm just saying that it's about time!" Nico defended himself and held out his fist to Natalie. "Do you want me to fist bump with you too?"
"No," Natalie sighed.
"I agree with Nico!" Milo said before getting punched in the arm and wincing. "Ouch!"
"Hey, respect, remember?" Natalie chided.
"Yes, my queen," Milo replied, a little scared and aroused at the same time.
"Now," Nico said, rubbing his hands. "Where's the champagne?"
"Why?" Laurelle asked, dumbfounded.
"So I can celebrate the fact that since Milo is with Natalie, he won't flirt with me anymore!"
"Well, not as much," Milo teased. "But if you ever need a pick me up, don't hesitate to ask!" He gave Nico a wink.
"Thanks for the offer, but…no. I like women! Not guys!"
"Well, all women except me!" Michelle pointed out.
Celine watched it all from a distance, biting her nails and scrolling through her cell phone. "Milo, do you think that there's a connection between what happened with your dad and why I haven't heard from Uncle Noah in a while? I've texted but he hasn't replied for ages. The man is my godfather. He doesn't ignore me!"
"You know, Celine, if I were you, I would stop calling Noah 'uncle' and 'godfather'," Milo told her. "He's one of my few siblings that actually bothers with me, and it would be obvious to a blind man that you and he have something going on in bed. It's all over his face and yours!"
"I beg your pardon?" Celine cried, outraged.
"I have to agree with what Milo is saying," Michelle got out.
"I don't recall asking for your opinion," Celine hissed at her sister.
"Be as defensive as you want, but I agree with Nico!" Milo got out. That got him a slap upside the head. "Ouch!"
"That's not any of our business what's going on with Noah and Celine," Natalie reprimanded. "So stay out of it!"
"How is what's going on with my brother and your niece none of our business?" Milo asked. "Our families pair up like Noah's Ark!"
"Nothing is going on between me and No-my godfather," Celine proclaimed, her chin raised as she gathered up her things. "Now, if you have something to tell me, Milo, would you?"
Milo shrugged. "I wish I had something solid for you, but I haven't had more than a few seconds at a time to talk to my brother since the dance contest. But maybe your Aunt Roxie will tell you what happened? She works at the club with my brother and sees him more than I do!"
"You're right!" Celin exclaimed. "I totally forgot about her! I hope she can tell me something useful, because something tells me you're not the only one in your family going through a lot right now!" She then reached the door and turned. "Sorry for all you're going through, Milo! And thanks for the invite, Natalie! I had a good time!"
"Yep," Nico nodded and caught Nico's eye. "I think she really likes your brother!"
"And yet, that's still not any of our business," Natalie waved a finger at him and rolled her eyes at the fact that she was surrounded by such nosy people.
It had happened so fast that Natalie hadn't had time to wrap her mind around it.
Nico had mentioned before they'd come that he wanted to bring two more people, and he was checking since they weren't on the original guest list.
Not knowing who the pair was, both Natalie and Milo agreed to a 'more the merrier' policy and told Nico it was all right to bring them along,
But that was before Natalie had seen Killian Mikaelson darken her doorstep. Nico had dared to let that pompous, pretentious jackass invite her personal space in her and Milo's new place!
She tried to keep calm, but it was obvious that she wasn't happy. Her hands were fists at her sides, her tangled hair and bared teeth making her look very much like an animal about to strike, something that was not lost on Nico as he watched her glare at the male guest he'd brought.
"How could you bring Killian Mikaelson here?" She hissed, hands on hips. "You know he's Mikael's son! You know that our two families have a very complicated history!"
"I swear, I didn't know that's who he was when I invited him. He just said that his name was Killian, then introduced me to his sister, Kristin!" Nico tried to explain himself when it was clear he was in big trouble.
"Yeah, his name is Killian, all right. Killian fucking Mikaelson. How many times do I have to tell you that he's Mikael's son until you remember and don't bring him anywhere near me?!" She was shouting in a way that Killian couldn't have possibly missed, and soon he was in her face.
"You called?" He drawled as he approached her. "Did you call me, Natalie fucking Mikaelson? Or whatever your real last name is? You're pretty high and mighty for being the son of a bastard!"
Natalie attempted to rush Killian, but before she could get too far, Milo put an arm around her waist and pulled her away. Even so, she made sure to make a few violent slashing motions across her throat as she locked eyes with Killian Mikaelson. She hated him as much as her father hated his father. And she was proud to carry on the tradition.
"Will you calm down?" Milo whispered in her ear. "I'm starting to feel like the adult here and it's making me uncomfortable!"
"Let me go!" Natalie struggled and snapped her teeth in his grip. "I hate him. Just let me kill him already!"
"I know, but…he's not worth it," Milo whispered. "I know that if I wanted to kill my father, you would tell me not to. And I'll do the same for you."
"You let me go too, man!" Killian shouted as he struggled in Nico's grip before he was finally let go.
"What the hell is going on?" Michelle asked, her jaw dropping in shock.
"I'm sorry," Kristin Mikaelson apologized to Natalie as she pulled her brother away. "I'm sorry, Natalie. I thought we could have a good time here tonight without trouble but apparently I was wrong."
Natalie looked at the blonde with sympathy, because unlike her brother, Kristin was decent, and they were on good terms, even though you couldn't call them best friends. "I have nothing against you, Kristin," she murmured. "You know that. But your brother is an absolute ass! He badmouths my father every place he can, especially at school, and it really gets on my nerves!"
"Well, it's not like your father is kind to mine!" Killian pointed out. "Or that you like my father!" He wiped the back of his mouth with his hand.
"Maybe not," Natalie conceded. "But I don't go on and on about how much I hate Mikael to anyone who will listen!"
"She has a point," Kristin pointed out to her brother. "She at least keeps her feelings about our father private more than you do about hers."
"Can we just stop with all this?" Laurelle asked. "Be civil to one another? Because I want to be here but I also want to study in relative peace so I can do well on my test tomorrow!"
"Since everyone is ganging up on me, I won't stay where I'm not welcome!" Killian announced to the group, crossing his arms.
"Did you want a fucking invitation?" Natalie snapped.
"Natalie, calm the fuck down!" Milo urged, grabbing her arm.
"Don't worry, I will," Natalie reassured him. "Someone has to be the better person here, and I guess it's me."
"I love what you've done with the place, Natalie," Kristin complimented in an attempt to change the subject and ease the tension in the room. "It's a very nice apartment!"
"Thanks, but since you live in a penthouse, I bet this nothing for you," Natalie told her.
"Sure, but this is your own place! Killian and I live with our parents," Kristin reminded her, trying to calm the atmosphere while forcing her brother back down on the sofa. "How's your sister, Milo? Mom said she was the one who decorated our nursery when we were babies and did a really good job!"
"Oh, she's fine," Milo replied. "Pregnant with Natalie's father's baby and fine," Milo replied dryly.
"Great!" Killian rolled his eyes. "Another one!"
"Okay, moving on!" Nico stood up and looked around. "Michelle, how about you come with me to the kitchen? It seems like the sodas need replenishing!"
"You got it," Michelle nodded, heading after him. "For once, I will follow you anywhere!"
"Oh, thank Steve," Amy muttered to herself as she shut the penthouse door behind her and collapsed on the sofa after leaving her bag and shoes in a pile on the floor. Everything hurt, and she was tired. It had been a very long day.
A long day of being told to do this, that, and the other thing and having no room to just tell people to fuck off. It was bad enough at work. And now Lucifer was causing trouble too. And of course, she couldn't not worry about Ellie. Her visit to the mansion had made that clear.
She knew she was lucky to be where she was. A lot of the magical world had lost trust in her after she'd become a vampire, but Astrid had stepped up and given her a secretary position for the Council, so she'd have a way to earn money. It wasn't much, definitely not as much as when she'd been a therapist and life coach extraordinaire, but she would get back there, eventually.
She smiled and shut her eyes. It would happen someday…the good old days come back. All would be right with the world.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Amy stood up and went to get it, coming face to face with a courier who held out a box and a clipboard with a pen attached. "Sign here, please," he told her, holding the clipboard out.
"But I didn't order anything," she told him.
"Are you Amy Burke?"
"Yes," she nodded and signed for the package.
He grinned as he handed it to her. "Well, someone likes you very much, Amy Burke. Have a good day."
"You too," Amy gave the man a smile and shut the door behind her. She stood in the doorway for several seconds and looked at the box all over to see if a card had been taped to the edge or something. Not that she needed to know who would send her what seemed to be such an expensive gift. Kol had sworn to her that he was going demonstrate how romantic he was, and apparently, it began now.
Opening the box, she found a bright red rose. It was beautiful and it smelled nice. But she couldn't take it. It didn't mean anything. Not when the sole purpose of the gift was to prove his own stupid superiority and made her feel like an idiot!
Scoffing, she threw the flower in the garbage, moving on to see what else he planned on bribing her with.
Pulling out the second box, she readied herself for some lingerie or some sex toys, but was surprised (and pleased, if she had to admit it to herself) to find some beautiful black Louboutin heels instead. They had red underneath, which was a beautiful contrast. And, taped inside the box, was a note.
Hello, darling,
I can just guess what the look on your face will be when you get this package. You'll probably think that I'm trying to be sneaky, but I promise I'm not. The heels aren't just for the bedroom (although if you wore them there, I wouldn't mind one bit). They're for…the future. I know you don't like where you are now. I know you miss being more. How you used to be. How admired you were. You'll get there. And these are the shoes you'll wear when you do, although you'll always be sexy and amazing to me, shoes or no.
Also, I hope you like the flower. Red always makes me think of you.
Thinking about you and our boy every day.
All my love,
Kol
"Damn," Amy whispered, then let out a groan. "You did it again!" She got up, picked the rose up out of the trash, and found a nice vase for it and a place of honor on the kitchen where the few people who came to visit her could see it, a smile of satisfaction curving her lips because the flower gave a new splash of color to the room.
Then she headed back to shoe-box, opening it again, taking the shoes out, and putting them on before carefully (very carefully!) making her way to a nearby mirror and grinning and giggling at her reflection.
For the first time in who knew how long, she felt pretty in the shoes. Powerful. Like a woman who had some control over her damn life! And it was wonderful! Kol had to know she'd feel this way when she put the shoes on and looked at herself. He knew her too well not to. And so, she decided, when he got home, she would thank him. Only once, because there was no reason to make a big deal about it, but one thank you wouldn't kill her. Not when he'd made her feel so good.
Smiling one last time, she then went back to the sofa and took the shoes off. Then, as she went to put them back, she noticed one more thing in the box, smaller than her shoes had been so she'd missed them.
Overcome with emotion, she pulled out a pair of tiny little black baby-sized boots, similar to the ones Kol wore. One of them contained another note.
Obviously, these aren't for you. But I thought as long as I was keeping you in the height of style, I should do the same for my son. Keep them safe for him, will you? I can't wait to see how he looks in them. Probably as good as I do in my boots!
All my love and more,
Kol
Biting her lip on a grin, Amy put both pairs of shoes back in the box and gave them a safe spot under her and Kol's bed. Then she went back to the kitchen, made herself a quick omelet, and ate it as she looked at the rose, and smiled to herself.
It took a very long time, but finally, Julian Johnson fell asleep on the dungeon floor, with Klaus putting a blanket on him to warm him up in the cold basement. Though his transition had kicked into high gear after Ellie's visit, he'd still endured many miserable, painful hours and Klaus couldn't help but feel bad for him.
Once he was sure Julian was asleep and could be left safely alone, Klaus made his way to the basement door, turning the key to open it, and making his way up the stairs to the main floor of the hacienda, breathing a sigh of relief when he realized that everything seemed quiet and Elijah was gone, as well as Sybil and Mikael, who hadn't even needed to be there in the first place and had just come to stick his nose in where it didn't belong.
He just reached the living room when the quiet was broken by the sound of sobbing. Coming a little closer to the noise, he saw that his Angel was sitting there with her back to him, her whole body wracked by sobs and shaking, while she wiped tears away with the back of her hand, even as they fell down her cheeks and neck and wet her t-shirt.
"Angelica…" he whispered softly, to get her attention but not frighten her.
She turned around slowly to face him. "K-Klaus," she sniffled once more. "Sorry, I didn't hear you." She wiped more tears away, cleared her throat, and stood up straight. "You can probably tell that everyone who was here before went home. Do you want some wine after all your hard work? Or I could make us a pot of tea? Or…"
"Love, come here," he insisted, holding out his right hand and giving her a kind smile. "You know you don't need to be like this with me. Come here."
She looked at his hand for a few seconds, then backed away, shaking her head. "Thank you, but…I don't need to bother you." She raised her chin proudly. "I'm Angelica Morningstar. I'm strong. I don't cry for anything!"
"Yes, well, I'm Klaus Mikaelson and let me tell you, I've cried quite a few times in my miserable life." He shrugged. "When everything around me was shit and I felt hopeless, I cried. It's not something to be ashamed of, love. I bet you'll see me cry lots of times during our long life together."
"We're not gonna have a long life together," Angelica shook her head. "I'm a selfish pain in your ass, my whole family is a problem for you, and…" she broke off and began sobbing again. "…And after the baby is born, I wouldn't blame you for throwing me out."
Klaus lowered his head and chuckled. "You think you're the only one with a family who's a pain in the ass? Did you hear me argue with Mikael earlier? Before you scolded me for it? 'Pain the ass' is the middle name of every Mikaelson, Angel." He grinned at her. "As for not being together for long, I beg to differ." He held his arms out and looked at her hopefully. "Do you need some cuddles?"
She stared at him for a few seconds and sniffled before rushing at him and throwing herself in his arms.
"I got you," he assured her. "I got out." He wrapped his arms tightly around her while he gently caressed her hair and the base of her neck, closing his eyes and trying to relax so she would too.
"I'm sorry," she sobbed, letting it all out. "I'm sorry I yelled at you and probably embarrassed you. Ordinarily, I would be a hundred percent behind you giving Mikael crap and I'd probably help, but now…now I don't want anger or fighting. I just want peace, and calm. I've had enough fighting for a while."
"You don't have to keep up appearances with me," he promised her. "And to be honest, I don't know what you're even apologizing for!"
"Well, it's because I bring you heartache," she sniffled. "And because in our relationship, I take and take and take and I don't…don't give back," she stammered through her tears.
"No, love," he gently held her at a distance so he could cup her teary face. "Angelica, you, my beautiful, fucked up Angelica Morningstar, bring me nothing but happiness. Do you hear me?"
She nodded, but still continued to sob.
"I know today has been awful for you, and you need time to deal with all the feelings inside of you and the thoughts that send the hamster turning in his wheel, but…I'm here for you while you do that. You can talk to me! We're a team, right? Ever since that day at the ATM, we've been one without knowing it." He grinned and kissed her forehead gently.
"You were an ass that day," she reminded him, giving an adorable pout.
"Yes, and you were such a pain in mine." He chuckled. "And yet, after all that, here we are."
"Here we are," she repeated, a ghost of a smile appearing on her lips.
"So talk to me, please," he urged, bringing her back into his arms. "I know what your father did today has hurt you deeply."
"It's absolutely gutted me," she confessed. "My father pushed me, Klaus! To the ground! Like I'm nothing! Like I don't exist for him! Maybe I'm just being a brat or something, but I'm not used to that! That's not how he treats me!"
"Listen," he murmured. "You know very well that your father is not my favorite person. But I…I've been where he is now. I know what it feels like to be a beast who doesn't know how to control themselves. At this point, there's nothing you can do for him but stay clear and let what happens happen. Otherwise, he'll drag you down with him even more than he already has and destroy you."
"I know," she agreed with a nod as she sniffled her pain away. "I realized that today, and it's why everything is hurting so much. All my life, I've been a help to my father, regardless of how dysfunctional that made things between us. But now…now he's truly in trouble and I can't do anything for him!"
"It'll pass," Klaus assured her, hoping he didn't sound too callous. "In time, we'll make a new life together and you'll learn to concentrate on yourself, us, and the baby that's coming."
"Do you think?" She asked, looking at him hopefully. "Because I would love that very much. Will you help me? You're painting a beautiful picture for us." She buried her brown eyes in his gray ones.
"Do you have to ask?" He questioned, smiling back at her. "And of course I'm painting a beautiful picture. It's what I do."
"I know I don't, but…I'm learning." She shrugged and bit her bottom lip.
He chuckled. "You know, I like the idea of having a student to teach many things to." He winked at her playfully.
"And while we're dealing with our new life, we can't forget my mother…and Julian Johnson." She sighed.
"Yep, that's the real elephant in the room, isn't it?" He teased with a smirk as he pushed a few loose strands of hair back from her face.
"Part of me used to think that my mother was responsible for her and Father's breakup," Angie admitted, feeling very ashamed.
"But I hope you don't think that now," Klaus said, eyes wide. "Because your mother is a good woman who went through a lot with your father. More than she deserved, really. Absolute hell."
Angelica sighed and looked down at her feet, then up at him, "I don't think that anymore. I know she was unhappy. And also…that Julian was misled about everything that was going on. He's a victim just like me." She paused and gave a sad laugh. "I mean, I'm still not okay with the fact that he's her lover, but…"
"Is that so?" Klaus drawled mischievously. "I had no idea you didn't like him."
"Ha ha," Angelica replied, eyes narrowed. "But I'll give him the benefit of the doubt," she muttered through clenched teeth. "But only because I could feel how worried Mom was for him. And that there's something real between them, not just a cheap affair. It would be wrong to mess with that."
"What was that you said?" Klaus asked, putting a hand to his ear. "I don't think I heard you."
"You heard me damn well, Klaus Mikaelson!" She snapped, crossing her arms. "Don't rub it in my face!"
"I think you're a good girl," he told her. "And I'm not suggesting you get all chummy and have a coffee date with him every Thursday. But he's a wonderful man, Angie. And after everything…he deserves a break."
She nodded and brushed the last of her tears away. "And there's the other news: Mom's pregnant with Dad's child again. How is it possible? You think…you think he abused her or something? In the mood he's in, I wouldn't put it past him." She shuddered.
"I'm not sure," Klaus replied. "But I think there's more going on with that than we know. Let's talk about something else, okay? Please?"
She yawned. "I really don't think I want to talk about anything anymore. I'm so tired!"
"I know you are." He gently caressed her hair, then slid his arms under her knees and picked her up. "Up you go, Angel!"
"Where?" She mumbled, practically asleep already as she lowered her head in the crook of his shoulder before slowly closing her eyes.
"To bed," he whispered. "To sleep snuggled in each other's arms." He kissed the top of her head and made his way toward the stairs and then began climbing them.
"I like that," she said with a smile. "It's the best offer I've had all day."