A/N Thank you all for reviewing!

Lola loved to cuggle and Klaus, though he'd stake himself before ever admitting it, could understand.

The sound of someone else's heart underneath your ear as you rest on their chest was soothing. It was like a lullaby, luring you into a deep and comfortable slumber that you never want to wake up from. The feeling of arms around you, holding you close as well as their body pressed against you, felt comfortable.

The closeness Klaus felt was refreshing; he hadn't shared a bed with someone in a long time. Her young, human, body against his warmed his body each time she pressed closer to him.

He felt needed.

The Original hybrid slept longer than he had expected to. He was usually up late, his paranoid mind spinning up possible threats that would never happen. His mind never let him sleep, but that night, he had slept without the voices in his head demanding attention.

During the night, he had opened his eyes, somewhat at a loss as to where he was, and it wasn't until he looked down that he realised where he was. Lola had still been curled around him, head on his chest, beloved teddy tucked between them and her leg hooked over Klaus'.

For a long while, he lay there and just stared at her.

He had noticed that Lola mumbled nonsense in her sleep, that she sucked her bottom lip whenever her slumber lightened, and, at times, she smile as if she were having the time of her life in her dreams. He, like he had while he had been lured into his dreams, continued to run his fingers through her black hair. Her long locks were silky and shined as the moon danced into the room.

He also noticed that each time he touched her, Lola would respond by tightening her grip around him.

Watching her was like watching a live painting.

She was enthralling.

A pair of baby, blue eyes snapped open when laughs from the French Quarter broke into a dreamy slumber.

"Every single morning."

Lola's lower lip jutted out in annoyance as she blinked the sleep out of her eyes, long fingers brushing her hair from her eyes. Lola continued to pout as sun glared down at her as it streamed through the window, demanding that she get used to the light. She stayed in the same position for a long while as her body caught up with her mind as they told each other that it was time to start moving.

Lola didn't want to move.

She was comfortable.

Lola wet her dry lips as she looked down at her beloved Mr Cuggles who was tucked against her.

She smiled, setting aside her teddy onto her bedside table."Morning, Cugs."

The young woman slowly began to stretch her entire body, starting by wiggling her toes then making her way up her body, something she had done every single morning for as long as she could remember.

Lola let out a long breath before she looked up at the person she was still using as a pillow.

Klaus.

He was still sleeping, on his back and head resting on the pillow. He was still fully dressed but without shoes like she had demanded since she hadn't wanted her sheets to get dirty. Klaus' chest rose and fell as he still slept peacefully, one arm behind his head and the other still wrapped around Lola who hadn't moved from her spot next to him, tucked in his embrace.

Despite still sleeping, Klaus' fingers were still in her hair, her long locks gliding through his fingers.

She didn't want to move, but she had to.

The Mikaelson brother, as if feeling her head moving from his chest, tightened his grip in his hair and pulled her back down.

Lola smiled, shrugging, and happily rested her head back on his chest, just above his heart, and went to shut her eyes.

Klaus, as if approving, even so deep in her sleep, returned to toying with her long, black hair.

All was quiet as Lola began to feel the seduction of sleep.

Then, the door burst open.

"Lolly!"

Lola felt a loving warmth run through her body as Hope toddled into the young woman's bedroom, Wolfy tucked underneath in her arm. The two-year-old toddler smiled, squealing as her gaze landed on her best friend and her father.

"Daddy!"

Klaus smiled, now wide awake as Hope smiled at him. She didn't seem to connect that her father was in Lola's bed, still dazed from sleep and, even if she did, Hope didn't seem to care.

Hope giggled, hands tapping on the mattress while Lola frowned, concerned. "Kiddo, how did you get out of your crib?"

"Freya."Hope, after a lot of struggling, smiled as Lola picked her up and placed the toddler onto her bed."She made breakfast."

While Klaus seemed annoyed by the mention of his sister's name, Hope jumped happily as she bounded over to the two, landing in Lola's lap, nuzzling into the human's shoulder. Klaus couldn't stop his smile as Lola leant down, kissing the top of Hope's head as the tribrid rested against Lola, back against the human's chest as she began to play with Wolfy.

"Grrrrr!"Hope growled, toddling her teddy up Lola's leg.

Klaus let out a chuckle at Hope's expression as she growled.

Lola melted, resting her chin on top of Hope's head, speaking in a baby voice."I love her so much, she's so cute."

She then looked up at Klaus, biting her lip before she asked."Were you this cute as a toddler?"

"Were?"Klaus raised his eyebrows in amusement."Are you insinuating that I'm not cute now, love?"

"Yes."

Klaus' face fell slightly, and his jaw clenched as she smiled.

Lola leant closer, making sure to cover Hope's ears as if she were about to say something naughty.

She nudged him, gaining his attention.

"You're handsome."Lola quickly whispered, biting her lip again with a blush when Klaus' smile returned."You have pretty eyes."

Klaus, like before, raised his eyebrows in amusement.

"Is that so, love?"

She nodded, still hugging Hope who was watching them with a smile. Hope, pouting as Klaus and Lola stared at each other, soon became jealous and poked at Lola. The Original hybrid and Lola grinned as Hope narrowed her eyes, speaking with such seriousness that it made them smile.

"Mine pretty too, Lolly?"

Lola smiled, nodding as she looked down at Hope in her arms.

"Yes, kiddo, you have pretty eyes just like your daddy."

Later

"Lean on me, when you're not strong, and I'll be your friend. I'll help you carry on, for it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on..."

Lola crooned as she gracefully moved around Hope's nursery, her low hums luring the toddler into a slumber for her nap. The black haired young woman tidied up Hope's toys and teddies on her way, continuing to hum along to the quiet music coming from her own bedroom, the song that lured Hope to sleep.

"Please swallow your pride, if I have faith you need to borrow. For no one can fill those of your needs that you won't let show..."

After cleaning up the room, the young woman stepped closer to Hope's crib, smiling when she saw that the child was sleeping. Lola watched the little girl for a second to make sure that she was asleep and that she had Wolfy nearby because she knew that Hope would fuss if her beloved Wolfy was close by.

Lola bid Hope a sweet nap to before she left the room, making sure to leave the door open an inch. Lola made her way to her own bedroom, making sure that the door connecting her room to Hope's was open so that she could hear the child fussing.

Lola sat on her bed, picking up the book she had been reading over the past few months, ready to get some reading done.

As she opened up to the page she'd left at; a voice startled her.

"You're good with her."

Gasping in surprise, Lola turned around to see Elijah at her door.

"Thank you."Lola smiled, placing her book down beside her as she eyed Elijah."She's good with me so it makes it easier."

Elijah returned her smile as he stepped into the room when she nodded, hands behind his back."I have to admit that when Niklaus told me about hiring a mother figure for Hope, I was hesitant. It was as if he were attempting to-"

"Replace her mother?"

Elijah nodded, making Lola straighten on her bed, and she shook her head."That was not his intention; he made that clear when he offered me the job, and it's not my intention to replace her."

"Then what is your intention?"Elijah asked, a little suspicious as he walked closer."Because it seems unclear to me."

"To love her when her mother isn't here, that's what Klaus asked me to do, and that's what I'm doing."Lola said, still smiling though she felt a little attacked by Elijah."And I know you don't like me being here and I'm sorry if I bother you, but I'm not here for you to like me. I'm here for Hope, and I answer to Klaus. He loves Hope, and he wants the best for her and, I don't know what I'm doing right, but he seems to be happy with me and so does Hope."

Elijah blinked as Lola spoke, her bubbly personality remaining though her voice told him that she was serious."As long as they're happy with me and want me here, I'll be here."

Elijah tilted his head, observing her and he opened his mouth to retort, but someone clearing their throat stopped him.

"Brother, are you looking for something?"

The elder Mikaelson turned to see Klaus leaning against the doorframe, a smile on his face though his eyes made it clear that he wasn't happy with Elijah being there.

"Just getting to know Lola, Niklaus."

"It sounds like an interrogation to me."Klaus commented as he stepped into the room, eyes finding Lola."Is he bothering you, love?"

Lola shook her head, hands in her lap as she answered."No, he was just expression some concerns, it's fine."

"It's not fine if it makes you feel uncomfortable."

Elijah, hands in his pockets, turned to his brother."Niklaus, it was not-"

"Lola is here to take care of my daughter, Elijah, she's a guest in my home, and she is to be treated with respect."Klaus stated, turning to his brother with a cold look."Respect that I'm sure you lost for me when you assumed that I would let someone into Hope's life that doesn't have the best of intentions."

Elijah looked away, clearly not wanting to make a scene.

"Now, if you don't mind, brother, I'd like to be alone with Lola."

Elijah merely glared at his brother before he offered Lola a polite smile."I apologise if I made you feel attacked, Lola, I merely wish the best for Hope."

Lola, completely understanding, smiled and nodded at Elijah.

The Original's smile fell as he stared at his younger brother before he turned and left.

Klaus watched his brother leave and listened until Elijah was out of earshot before he spun around and looked down at Lola who was still sitting on her bed. His fake smile dropped as he shut the main door to the bedroom, listening near the other door to make sure that his daughter was sleeping peacefully.

Lola, as if silently hearing Klaus' question, offered him a smile.

"I'm sure he was just worried about the stranger taking care of his niece."

Klaus didn't seem to be soothed by her words as he stated."There is no excuse for him to imply that I would allow someone who doesn't have the best intentions for my daughter near her."

Klaus' tone became upset as he wiped a hand down his face."I would never let her be in the presence of someone who had less than utter adoration for her."

Lola got to her feet as Klaus' voice became more distressed and unsettled as he continued.

"Klaus, I'm sure he didn't-"

"He has no right to question my love towards my daughter since he had a hand in trying to take her from me!"

The hybrid paced back and forth, mumbles spilling from his lips as he continued to rant, his offence toward his brother until Lola grabbed his hands that were clenched in fists.

"Klaus, please, calm down!"

Klaus came to a stop at her voice, and he turned toward her, hands shaking in her grasp. His eyes were wide with anger that also had a vulnerability as he finally let his gaze settle on Lola.

"It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. It matters what Hope thinks, and she knows how much you love her."Lola whispered to him, squeezing his hands as she offered him a smile."Hope knows that you would never let anyone near her that doesn't adore her."

Klaus nodded slowly as Lola's words slowly began to replace Elijah's ones that had been repeating in his head.

"You need to believe that because if you don't, you're mind will never settle and Hope doesn't need that. Happy daddy, happy baby."

Lola smiled as Klaus began to calm down, his hands leaving hers before they settled on her face. She didn't pull away as Klaus leant closer, his forehead resting against hers as his anger began to fade from his face and his hands stopped shaking with anger.

"Happy Klaus, happy Lola,"Lola whispered, a small smile on her face as the light returned to Klaus' eyes.

Klaus blinked before he met Lola's eyes, his hand moving down her face until the hand settled on her neck, finger splayed as his thumb brushed back and forth.

She chewed on her bottom lip as Klaus' nose brushed her cheek, a sigh leaving him as the human's heart began to race at his touch. Lola's eyes fluttered closed as lips touched her cheek gently before Klaus pulled back an inch.

The hybrid began to lean forward, lips ready to capture Lola's but, just before their lips brushed, something in his mind stopped him.

It wasn't time.

Klaus almost swore at the noble-minded part of him.

He almost growled in annoyance. He needed to claim her, but it wasn't time. The Original let his lips brushed Lola's again, just a light touch but not a kiss then he pulled away again.

He looked down at her as her eyes opened, eyes pinned to Klaus' as he gazed down at her.

The human tilted her head, not offended by Klaus' hesitance.

She observed him for a long moment, taking in the dark look in his eyes as well as a drained look on his face due to his emotional outburst.

Lola grabbed his hand from her throat and interlocked their fingers together before she stepped away from him, hearing a sound of protest.

She pulled him with her, eyes still on his as she led him toward her bed.

"Come on."

This time, Klaus didn't object as he followed Lola to her bed and he let his mind and body rest.

Thank you for reading, I hope you liked it!

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