Astrid made her way to the kitchen, opened the curtains to let the sunlight in, and started the espresso machine before popping two slices of bread in the toaster. She used to be a horrible cook and had almost burned the kitchen down a few times before finally allowing Alistair to teach her a thing or two. Now she felt much more comfortable in the kitchen, though. In fact, she now thought of it as a very nice and cozy place to be.
She watched the coffee fill her cup for a bit before a small noise made her whip around in surprise, then take a deep breath as she realized it was only Ellie. "Good morning, Eleanor," she greeted with a smile. "Did you sleep well? Can I get you something for breakfast? I know you can't have coffee, but I know we have juice, and maybe some tea around somewhere…"
"Yes, thank you," Ellie nodded. "I slept like a baby, and if you have any orange juice, I would like that very much." She then adjusted the belt of her robe over her prominent belly.
"I was making myself some toast," Astrid explained. "I bought a new kind of strawberry jam to try with it and I'm making some eggs too. Is that what you would like?"
"It sounds wonderful, but I don't want to be a bother after you've already done so much for me," Ellie replied. "I can make myself cereal or something to go with my juice." She approached the counter and began looking around in the cupboard underneath as Astrid put a hand on her shoulder.
"I see where you're coming from," she told her. "I do. But you're going to have that baby any day now and I really…it would be my pleasure to make you something for breakfast. Please go sit and relax!"
"Oh, all right," Ellie chuckled. "If you insist, I suppose I don't mind." She grabbed a bar stool and rested her arms on the kitchen island as she watched her host. "Astrid?"
"Yes, dear?" The attractive blonde asked as she put more toast in the toaster.
"Thank…thank you for everything. I mean I know your—I mean, Alistair told…I mean, I know you were assigned to be my guardian from the Council and…" Ellie tried to explain herself. "You've always been very kind to me and never held against me that I was married to who I was or judged me for it."
"You can call Alistair my husband," Astrid replied. "Cause it's true for the moment. We're not divorced yet," Astrid winced and shook her head. "But now that he's all high and mighty at the Council, he probably doesn't want me dragging him down, so it can't be too far behind, can it?"
"You don't have to say things like that to me," Ellie said. "It's none of my business what goes on between the two of you. Although, if you need someone to talk to, I'm here…which I suppose contradicts what I said before. Anyway, the point is that I'm here for you, and I hope you know that." She gave her a shy smile.
"At least you have good intentions," Astrid scoffed. "Everyone else is just eating up what is going on between Alistair and me and gossiping behind our backs." She shrugged and heaved a weary sigh. "You're part of the Council, so you know that everyone thinks I'm the awful one, the wicked witch who utterly destroyed her husband when she turned into a demon."
Ellie shook her head, a smirk on her lips. "Oh, you're anything but. Strong-willed and a little bad-tempered, perhaps. A witch, of course. But definitely not wicked!"
"And I guess you're not wrong about me being strong-willed and bad tempered," Astrid conceded with a smirk.
"And I'm sorry to say this because it's probably the last thing you want to hear, but I just…I can't imagine you and Alistair parting ways. You've…you and he have made the magical world what it is…together."
Astrid nodded. "That's very true, and even I didn't realize until just recently all that he's done, but…if he would rather end things…I'm not going to get in the way. If it's what he wants, it's what he wants." She shrugged, matter-of-fact, but sadness at the prospect was written all over her face.
"But you don't want to end things?" Ellie pressed hopefully.
Astrid blushed and pulled the toast out of the toaster, gulped down some coffee, and then busied herself with the eggs. "Of course I do," she said. "It's what people who aren't attracted to each other anymore do."
Ellie burst out laughing. "Astrid, please find another lie to tell yourself, because it's very obvious to anyone with eyeballs that you and Alistair are still very attracted to each other."
"Fine," Astrid rolled her eyes and threw down her spatula, turning to Ellie, narrowing her eyes, and crossing her arms over her chest. "Fine," she snapped. "We had a moment, okay? In the men's room. We…we had a brief kiss."
"I see," Ellie nodded, biting her lip to hold laughter in. "A brief kiss. And what were you doing in the men's room?"
"All right, all right," Astrid nodded. "We did more than kiss, but it was truly just a, you know, a goodbye thing. Easier to do in the men's room because you know far fewer people will barge in on us there."
"Astrid," Ellie tried to talk some sense into one of the few friends she'd actually managed to make in her life. "I seriously doubt that your husband kissed you or whatever else just to say 'goodbye'." She paused and gently rubbed her belly. "I think that he still has some very strong feelings for you. Why else would he ask you to be my guardian? Why else would he bring you back into the Council?"
"Oh, I'm not back in the Council," Astrid stubbornly shook her head. "I'm just helping Alistair…I mean, the Council, with a job. Once it's over, it'll be back to being…you know, whatever I was." She blushed.
"Right," Ellie chuckled.
"And to get back to how grateful you seem to be toward me," Astrid changed the subject, grabbing tow plates out of a cabinet. "I can't be commanded to do anything, Eleanor. Not even by Alistair. I decided to do this because I firmly believe that, as women, we need to stick together and help each other." She then gave Ellie's hand a gentle squeeze before setting it back down on the counter.
They smiled at one another for a few seconds, with Ellie changing the mood by asking, "I'm curious. Why didn't you ever ask me why I stayed with Lucifer?"
"I did," Astrid replied. "And you just gave me a bunch of bullshit. But that's okay because ever since you moved in, I've been piecing it all together. I'm using my wonderful mind again to put all the pieces of the puzzle together: From your life with the devil, to the trial, to the arrival of Julian Johnson!"
Ellie blushed, averting her eyes and putting her hands on her belly. "I don't…I don't know what you're talking about."
"You wouldn't have stayed with Lucifer after he killed that sweet old human if he hadn't threatened to hurt someone you loved. Your baby's father, perhaps?"
"Lucifer is my baby's father," Ellie corrected stubbornly.
"No," Astrid shook her head. "Your baby's father isn't Lucifer Morningstar, sweetie." She raised her chin. "Your baby's father is Julian Johnson."
Ellie closed her eyes, breathing heavily. "Astrid, please…don't…"
But Astrid carried on, learning over the counter to whisper insistently to Ellie. "I think you should tell him, but it's none of my business, of course. Tell him or not. Your secret is safe with me."
Ellie raised her teary eyes to her host and gave her a smile. "Thank you. It's been…so hard keeping it to myself. I'm glad someone else knows so I can talk about it. I'll tell him eventually. I have to. But at the same time…he hates me and with good reason. What if he takes it badly and the baby has to pay for it? Or…if he takes it all right but…I'm not allowed to see our child ever? I don't think I could take it."
"It'll be fine," Astrid told her firmly. "You'll make it work. And of course, the Council will be there for you if you need us. Now, to get something in your stomach. How do you take your eggs?"
A few hours later, Ellie headed back to the guest bedroom and shut it behind her, grabbing her cell phone that had been left on the bedside table. She bit her lip, then pressed down on the button that would call Julian Johnson, closing her eyes as the phone rang, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Ellie?" She heard Julian's and her whole body tensed. She really wanted to hang up on him, even though the sound of his voice was just…so wonderful after everything else. It was crazy to think she could speak to him after all she'd put him through!
"I saw your name on the caller ID, Eleanor," he warned her. "I know it's you, so don't try and pretend it's a mistake. Unless…is something wrong?"
She was surprised and very pleased to hear the worry in his voice. "Julian," she whispered. "I'm fine. I know I have no right to call you, but…but…I…"
"You're correct," he said, sounding much less worried now, even angry. "You have no right at all."
It hit like a sucker punch, even though she'd expected it.
"But I didn't hang up on you," he continued. "So…if you're calling because you're in some sort of trouble…I'll help."
"Thank you," she told him, a smile that he couldn't see curving her lips. "I…I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am about your grandmother and, well…everything else."
Her words were met with a silence that made her heart sink.
"That…that's all," she got out. "That's all I wanted to say," she added, tears filling her eyes. "I won't bother you anymore."
"On my grandmother's behalf, since she's not here to speak for herself, thank you," Julian answered tonelessly. "Take care, Eleanor." Then he hung up.
She closed her eyes, tears rolling down her cheeks. "He really is a good man," she told her belly. "Even if he doesn't love me, I know he'll love you…once he knows you're lucky enough to be his." She then brushed her tears away, threw her phone in her handbag, and made her way to the front door.
"Can I help you?" Astrid's voice came to her ears as she wrapped her hand on the doorknob.
"I…no. I just need to eat some fudge ice cream," Ellie shrugged. "You know how it is when you're pregnant. I promise I won't be long." She really just wanted to go outside. To take her car, drive away, and forget everything.
"Yes, but, they're forecasting a lot of bad weather and it's starting to look ugly out. No ice cream is worth that. Mayne it would be best for you to stay in for now." Astrid told her, putting her magazine in her lap.
"I promise I'll be careful," Ellie reassured her. "Fifteen minutes, tops. I'll go out, get my ice cream, and come right back."
"Since you insist, it's not like I can stop you, but please…be careful," Astrid requested.
"I will, I promise," Ellie assured her.
Klaus Mikaelson stirred the sauce for the beef bourguignon he was preparing just as he heard the front door slam shut. Putting the spoon down for a moment, he headed to the window and looked through the lace curtains at the dark clouds filling the sky. It seemed like bad weather was on the way! And of course, the rain pouring down the window gave that away also.
"Is that you, Angel?" He called. But he was met with silence as he wiped his hands on his apron.
Making his way to the living room, a chuckle escaping his lips as he got a look at his woman, standing in the middle of the room and shaking the water off herself like an animal, her hair an absolute mess and dripping on the Persian rug, her running mascara giving her raccoon eyes.
"I dare you to have a laugh at my expense," she challenged when she saw him. "Choose wisely cause it could be the last thing you do, Klaus Mikaelson!" She stabbed a finger in his direction. "It was a long, miserable day at work, I'm tired, and it's raining buckets out there. My feet are swollen and sore, your daughter has been doing the can-can in my belly all day and now I'm wet and look like some hideous poodle!"
"Actually, I would say you look more like a sheep, but poodle works too," he grinned and put a hand over his mouth to hide it.
"Really? Why the fuck do you think that matters?" She snapped as he reached her and took her briefcase.
"I'll take this," he told her. "Just take a deep breath. Everything is going to be all right."
Her lip began trembling and she began to sob wildly. "I'm wet and miserable and fat and ugly!"
"Love, you're many things," he told her with a grin. "But definitely not the last two."
"I was looking forward to going to a restaurant with you and having a wonderful evening and now…just look at me!" She continued to wallow in self-pity, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Love," Klaus took her face in his hands and gave her a smile. "There's a big storm going on outside. Can't you hear it? Didn't you notice it? It's going to be miserable for hours. The restaurant plan was off a long time ago."
"But…but then what will we eat?" She wailed. "I don't have the energy to cook! You should have said something, because then at least I could have stopped and grabbed pizza or Chinese! Now we're going to starve!"
"No, we aren't," Klaus assured her. "The man in your life has cooked a surprise beef bourguinon for you." He gave her a wink and helped her off with her wet coat. "Now let's get you out of these wet clothes and you can go into the guest bathroom and put your robe and warm socks on."
"You…you cooked for me?" She asked through tears. It wasn't like it was the first time, but it was her nature to just assume responsibility for whatever needed to be done, even if she knew logically that it wasn't necessary.
"I did," Klaus grinned and kissed her wet lips.
"That was very generous of you since I know what a burden I am. I'm not even pretty."
"Oh, don't worry about that," he teased as he threw her wet coat on a nearby armchair. "Lucky for you, I like fat, ugly women."
"See, I knew it!" She cried. "You think I'm fat!"
"I'm proud of your curves, Angel," he told her. "They scream out to the world that you and I did naughty things on a naughty island and now you're carrying our baby." He gave her a big smile.
She sniffled and wiped her tears away. "That's true." Then she got a good look at him. "Oh, my…you're naked!" Then she blushed a little, even though it was ridiculous.
"Am I?" He looked down as if he were just noticing it. "Not entirely. I took a shower and didn't feel like dressing so I put this apron on to protect wee-wee in case I had an accident in the kitchen. We wouldn't want wee-wee to get burned, now would we?"
Angelica giggled. "No, we wouldn't."
He watched her take a deep breath. "Feeling better?" He asked as he caressed her face.
"A little," she gave him a smile. "So do I get dessert or what?"
"I made a nice crème brulee for you," he grinned and raised an eyebrow. "I'm just full of good ideas, aren't I?"
"Oh, yes," Angelica nodded, eyes shining with joy. "I'm definitely feeling better now!"
"Good," he beeped her nose. "Now, feel free to go freshen up and put on more comfortable clothes while I go to finish our feast. Do you want some chamomile tea waiting for you?"
"No, I don't want to be—" Angelica stopped herself. "Yes, please," she decided. "I would love that. Thank you." She then watched him turn to head back to the kitchen, getting a good view of his naked butt.
"And stop looking at my ass, Angel. I can feel your eyes, woman!"
"It's not my fault you have a perfect ass, Klaus Mikaelson!"
"Don't I know it!" He agreed before going into the kitchen to continue cooking.
Klaus made himself busy for several minutes, stirring the sauce, pulling the beef out of the oven, and putting the burnt top on the crème brulee. Then he realized Angel hadn't come back yet.
"Angel?" He called. "Are you okay? Dinner's almost done, and I've never known you to miss a meal for no reason!"
"Klaus?" She called back, making him sigh with relief as he saw her and smiled.
"There you are! Good news, I'm almost done!" His face fell at her shocked look. "What is it, Angel? What's wrong?"
She raised her wet right hand to show him. "It seems our daughter has an interesting sense of timing," she said. "I think my water just broke. I know that messes up dinner, and I hope you can save the beef, but…bring the crème brulee, would you? I'll eat it while I wait for the baby to come. She's not keeping me from that."
Elijah Mikaelson pushed his cowboy hat down on his head, jumping from the farmhouse porch and running to the paddock where the animals were beginning to get agitated. The winds had picked up speed and the sky was getting darker and darker. He set the animals free and began urging them toward the barn.
"Let's go boys, go, go, go!" He gave the horses gentle slaps on their rears as he urged them inside to safety.
By the time he got back to the paddock to get the cows, the wind had picked up significantly, forcing him to hold onto his hat so it wouldn't blow away. "Come on girls! Hop, hop, hop!"
In the meantime, Selina was pacing back and forth inside the house along the length of the windows, where she had a clear view of what her husband was doing. She wasn't the nervous type, she tried to reassure herself as she bit into her nail. But this was different!
Her eyes widened as she looked up just in time to see a branch blow in her husband's direction. "Elijah!" She called, even though he couldn't hear her and that the universe (she had stopped trusting Steve years ago) would allow Elijah to see the branch before it hurt him.
Luckily, brought his right arm up just in time and pushed the branch away just before he got the last animals settled in the barn.
She closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief as he then sped toward the front porch, closing the shutters and throwing himself inside, slamming the door behind him.
"Are you okay?" Selina asked, both hands on her belly.
"I'm good, don't worry." Elijah set his hat down on the table and went to kiss Selina's forehead. "I managed to get the animals to safety. But it's getting really bad out there."
"Thank goodness you were able to save them," Selina sighed and leaned against him. "My heart would be broken if anything happened to the horses…and you, of course."
"I think that was implied," Elijah grinned.
"I'm glad you think so," Selina smiled back, then noticed a cut on his face that, even though it was beginning to heal, was still bleeding a little. "You're hurt."
"It's just a scratch," he kissed her fingers. "Nothing to worry about.
She smiled back, but worry was obvious on her face, her blue eyes wide.
"What is it?" He asked.
At the moment the words left his mouth, the power went off and they found themselves standing in the dark.
"We've lost electricity!" She cried, stating the obvious.
"I'll put some logs in the fireplace and make up a fire," Elijah said, giving her a wink she could hardly see before he eased her into a chair. "We'll be fine, Selina."
"I don't think there's time for you to do that, Elijah," she replied as she bit her bottom lip nervously.
"What? Why?" Elijah frowned.
"Well, you can't see it in the dark, but…there's a puddle of water near the kitchen island." She pointed.
"Darling, I know I can be a neat freak sometimes, but right now, I couldn't care less about a little water on the kitchen floor. We'll clean it up later."
"It's not just any water," she continued. "It's my water. From me." She hoped he could see her smile so he didn't start panicking.
"Your water?" Elijah repeated in shock. "You lost your water. I see. Well, it seems like I'm going to bring another baby into the world. Don't worry. We both know it's not my first rodeo." He took her hand and caressed her hair.
"Normally, I would agree," Selina told him. "But I…I've lost blood too." Tears began filling her blue eyes. "And I…I hurt so much. It's worse than anything I've felt before."
Elijah winced. "All right. We'll go to the hospital."
"I know it's terrible timing and it might not mean anything, but I'd rather be sure at the hospital, you know? That way, if it is something serious, the doctors can take care of it."
"Right, where is your hospital bag? Your coat? Your rain boots?" He tried not to be too worried, for her sake. But it was hard.
"Don't worry about the coat and boots. They're in the closet by the door. I'll get them. My bag is on a chair in our bedroom. And Elijah?" She added as she watched him move away. "Please remember to breathe!"
"All right, all right." He paused and came back to give her a kiss, then ran to the bedroom to grab her bag.
Elijah had parked the truck as close as possible to the farm house, but with the weather, even getting somewhere close was a chore. He pushed the driver door open and rushed back to the porch as strong winds and rain hit his face and body. When he saw Selina, he grabbed her by the waist and practically dragged her to the truck.
Suddenly she cried out in pain, doubling over.
"Selina, are you all right?" He did his best to hold her steady so that she wouldn't fall over.
"I'm fine," she said and tried to breathe. "It's just a cramp. We can't stop! We need to get to the truck!"
He growled and picked her up to walk with her the rest of the way, something she was not happy about.
"Will you put me down?!" She cried. "We're not in 1864 anymore! Hell, I probably would have bitten anyone who tried to pull this crap even then!" She yelled as rain hit her face.
"Well, if you weren't willing to put up with this even in emergencies, you shouldn't have married me. You know who I am by now," he teased as he got them through the storm.
Finally, he reached the truck, where she pulled the passenger door open and he slid her onto the seat before taking his place at the steering wheel. "Okay, we're inside. At least we did that." He then put the key in the ignition. "Onto the next thing."
"Elijah!" Selina pointed at a dark funnel cloud forming ahead of them. "What if that hits the ground? What about the animals? We don't want cows flying around like the one in Twister!"
"Don't worry about that," he assured her, gently squeezing the hand that was on her belly. "The animals are safe and no one will be here if it hits the house. That's what matters."
"But the farmhouse is our home!" She cried, tears filling her eyes. "I can't lose the first place that ever felt like home!"
"Everything will be fine, I promise," he swore to her, kissing her cheek before putting his foot down on the gas pedal.
Alistair Fale made his way down the hall to his office, briefcase in hand. He raised his head, eyes narrowed on the man who was standing there and staring straight at him, leaning against the wall, with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Kol, you coming here won't change my mind about what I need your wife to do," Alistair told him and heaved a sigh as he pulled some keys from his blazer.
"Hello to you too, Mr. Fale," Kol greeted almost too cheerfully. "Won't you invite me into your office?"
Alistair rolled his eyes and stuck his key in the lock. "It surprises me that you don't have better things to do with your time than hang around outside my office. But since you took the time, and probably won't go away unless I do something for you, please come in, Mr. Mikaelson."
"How kind," Kol smirked. "Don't mind if I do!" He strode past Alistair and flopped into one of his chairs, the very sight of him making Alistair sigh again. Of all the Mikaelsons, this young man was the most difficult to deal with, and that was saying something!
"Since it's very obvious why you're here, let's cut to the chase and get this conversation over with because I still have a long day ahead of me. Please have a seat, Kol."
"Right to the point, I like your style," Kol smirked. "I want you to find another therapist to replace my wife in the Morningstar case. I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult."
"And how do you think your wife will feel about that?" Alistair wanted to know, joining his hands in front of his face. "I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate you coming here and making decisions for her without her knowledge or consent."
"Oh, of course she wouldn't," Kol agreed readily. "We've been down that road already." He shrugged nonchalantly. "But I'm sure that if it came from you that she was being replaced for her own good, she would realize that's in her best interest to do something else with her life and she'll bow out gracefully."
"Well, in this case, I need the best, and I see no reason to deny myself when Amy is right there and agreeable." Alistair smirked.
"But it's for her own safety," Kol murmured. "How would you feel if she were killed doing this?"
"I appreciate your concern and of course we'll do everything we can to make sure nothing bad will happen to Amy as part of her work. But I won't change my mind. Your wife will remain Lucifer Morningstar's therapist because it's too important a job to give to anyone else."
"I see," Kol grinned. "I expected that much. I didn't want to force your hand, but I suppose I have to."
"What do you mean by that?" Alistair asked, sitting up straighter.
"Well," Kol shrugged. "I hear Chicago is a beautiful city to live in. I'm sure starting my family there would be wonderful." He gave Alistair a smug look.
Alistair's eyes widened and his jaw hit the floor "You know Amy will kill you with her bare hands for this."
"It's for her own good," Kol shrugged. "I'll take my chances, Mr. Fale."
"Hello, Gerald," Amy greeted the building security guard in the lobby of the penthouse as she juggled groceries, an umbrella, and just trying to stay upright with a large belly.
"Mrs. Mikaelson!" Gerald jumped to his feet and ran toward her. "Let me help you with those grocery bags. You've got enough to carry with that baby of yours. Not too long before the birth, is it?"
"Any day now, according to the doctor," Amy winked. "And by the way, Gerald, please call me Ms. Burke. Or even Amy is all right with me."
Gerald blushed and lowered his eyes as he took her bags. "You…your husband asked me to call you Mrs. Mikaelson."
"Well, you may in front of him, but when he's not here, please call me Ms. Burke if you insist on formality."
"Yes Mrs.-Ms. Burke," Gerald managed to get out as he led her to the elevator doors and pushed the button before looking out the window. "It's getting awful out there. I'm so glad you made it back safe."
"Yes, me too," Amy nodded. "The winds are absolutely ghastly. Her voice was full of concern. "I wouldn't have gone out if it weren't absolutely necessary and I was very lucky to get back without much trouble." She paused. "I hope my husband will arrive soon." She bit her bottom lip, her eyes full of worry.
"Oh, I'm sure he will," Gerald said. "I bet he won't want you to worry and is on his way right now. He's a good man, your husband."
"Yes, he is," Amy agreed with a smile as she caressed her belly.
As the elevator doors opened, Gerald got the bags inside and turned to ask, "do you want me to come with you up to the penthouse, Ms. Burke?"
"You're very kind, Gerald, but I think I can manage from here," she smiled and went in. "Thank you very much for your help."
"Any time," Gerald put his fingers to his cap in a small salute. "Don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything else."
"I will if it's needed," Amy assured him, thank you." She gave him a smile and a wave as the elevator doors closed.
She pressed the penthouse button and watched the numbers light up as she ascended, putting a hand on her back to try and relax it. She was eager for the baby to arrive, considering how hard pregnancy had been on her body recently.
Suddenly, there was a jolt and the elevator just seemed to stop. She reached the panel, getting ready to push the emergency button just as the electricity went out. She reached for her handbag and cell phone to at least give herself a little bit of light and call Gerald. But she couldn't get a connection.
She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. "It's okay, Amy," she told herself. "Everything will be okay. Gerald knows you're inside."
Suddenly, she felt wetness, then looked down with a frown and raised her skirt, feeling wet fabric and wetness on the inside of her thighs. "Shit," she muttered. Apparently, the baby was on his way!