Epilogue

A/N Ever since posting the last part I've wanted to write a bonus chapter/epilogue because, well why not? 😆 But I also liked the peace from not having to write or worry about writing, words not flowing etc... (I'd actually meant to post this for the fics 1st anniversary but it wasn't nowhere near ready 🫣) ⚜️

'Can't wait! Can't wait! Can't wait!' 'Calm down Hope. In a few minutes we'll land.' Hope grinned. 'I know. I'm just really excited. I mean, I've never been any further than Mystic Falls and now we're going to England. And both of you are with me.' Both Klaus and Hayley's faces softened. Even after months, the sight of her parents sitting next to each other or simply being in the same room felt unreal to Hope. And now they were flying to England in a private jet courtesy of her dad. Whether it was compulsion or he'd simply paid Hope wasn't so sure, yet she didn't think much of it. What she did think about was the reason why they were travelling. Her birthday was in ten days, her sweet sixteen.'You haven't exactly told us where we're going Klaus.' Hayley mentioned. 'You're right little wolf. Its about time I told you.' Klaus set his drink on the table beside him. 'We're going back to where Elijah and I first met Katerina, you may have known her,' he gestured to Hayley.'The vampire doppelgänger from Stefan's journals?' Hope perked up, face alight with curiosity at the new information. 'The one and only. Albeit she was still a human back then. We had-still have-a castle back there.''Cool!' 'Mr. Mikaelson,' a young woman, clad in a crisp black suit walked towards them. 'We're landing in ten minutes.' ~

Just outside the jet, a black with dark windows awaited the Mikaelsons. The day would soon be over and the sky was painted with purples, pinks and oranges. Hope turned her face towards the sun seeking its warmth while stretching her arms above her head and rose on her toes. Nothing like a good stretch for her cramped muscles. Though the jet had been comfortable, sitting for too many hours wasn't and Hope didn't want to get into another confined space just yet. The air was cool with a faint smell of gasoline. Hope breathed in deeply. Smell of gasoline was excellent.'Okay dad,' she looped her arm through his. 'Continue.' Pulling Hayley with her other arm, Hope sandwiched herself between her parents and steered them towards the car.'The castle was built by us, of course.' Klaus started, pride dripping from his voice.'Of course,' Hayley mimicked him.

'Took us about twelve years to build it, stone from top to bottom. Back then castles were build with few, small window high up to keep out bad weather and enemies alike also it created the perfect living conditions for creatures like us. I feels like only yesterday when Rebekah would bring in merchants from all over the place selling expensive carpets and drapes. Elijah-' he faltered memories of his brother cutting into him sharper than any stake. 'Elijah had his own study there.'Hayley huffed. 'Of course he did.'

'Come one, get in.' Klaus opened the sliding door of the car and gently pushed his ladies in. 'He would rarely meet us there thought, even after I'd personally reassured him numerous times that I had no interest in those crinkly, ancient books of his.' A bittersweet smile crossed Klau's face and his eyes stared ahead yet at the same time it seemed like they were lost in faraway memories. Hope reached towards him, from where she was sitting next to Hayley and squeezed his left hand. Klaus put his right hand over hers and smiled faintly. 'Though he was right to be wary of us. One time, in New Orleans Rebekah and I set fire to his study.' 'Why would you do that?' Hope asked horrified yet a little amused. 'Disappointed but somehow not surprised.' Hayley shook her head. 'Although, rest assured my dears. All the books were saved... Maybe some weren't.' He relented after a moment. 'I'm sure we can find one of those books here.' 'Why so?'

'When New Orleans burnt to the ground, in 1788, we worked hard to rebuilt the city, but even then after some decades we needed to flee. So we came here, stayed in the castle we're about to go now, briefly, and left what possessions we'd taken from New Orleans there. From there we moved on.''Do you have, um I don't know, castles and mansions all over the world?' Hope joked.'No, just on one half of it.' Klaus deadpanned, Hope tsked and rolled her eyes. 'You know, neither of you has said why we're travelling?''Why Hope its just a normal, nice family trip.' Hope cocked her head, distrustful. 'With my birthday in ten days?' 'See, Klaus, I told you your genius plan wouldn't work.' Hayley smirked. 'I'd already thought that our littlest wolf would find out, nevertheless worry not little wolf, all is not lost.' Klaus responded solemn.'Why are talking like this?''Well, Hope, let's just say we have prepared a surprise for you sixteenth birthday.' A slow grin bloomed on Hope's face and she squealed. 'I knew it.' She leaned and hugged Hayley tightly, then jumped up to hug Klaus as well. 'Thank you!'

⚜️The castle was nothing short of grandiose, befitting the Mikaelson's and their flair for dramatics. Though to Hope it looked more like a giant stony monster in a deep slumber, waiting for unassuming mortals to wake him up. Yet the lawns around the castle were mowed, the flowers in full bloom and the bushes trimmed into nice round shapes. 'Of course I took the liberty to clean and prepare this place beforehand.' Klaus stepped beside his daughter. 'I'm sure it would've sufficed for me and your mother but as the only living creature among us, I figured you need better conditions.' 'Nah, Klaus. Speak for yourself. I still would've needed a nice bed with a soft mattress and draped velvet curtains. Persian rugs and wooden vanities crafted by the best woodworkers in the land.' Hayley quipped.'Well, far be it for me to provide anything but the best for my sweet ladies.' Klaus moved between Hayley and Hope hooking his arms with theirs. 'Shall we?' 'Towards creepy medieval mansion, lets go!'

~ 'Cool!' Hope whispered. So far she'd explored the front gardens, the room where she would stay, Hayley's room and Klaus' room. The kitchen, pantry, the servant's chambers, the music room and library. There was even a chapel around here somewhere, Klaus had told her. Her room used to be Rebekah's and was the best furnished room, of course the furniture wasn't the same as 500 years ago but Klaus had ordered new ones that were exact replicas. Hayley's room was Kol's and was thus the biggest, with a big balcony even. While Klaus rest in his original room. Shocker.

Looking for her next quest, Hope turned towards Klaus' room which she had yet to explore. She found the room in no time, one turn to the left from the music room, up the stairs. Klaus' room stood alone among many other guest rooms that had rarely been inhabited. First she knocked once, then again to make sure her father was or wasn't there. When no answer came, Hope pushed the doors open letting herself in. She gasped and her brows almost went to her hairline. The walls were coloured a dark grey - almost black - or maybe it was wallpaper, Hope wasn't sure. But painted over the rich dark colour were golden vines which started with a simple design in the bottom and twirled upwards forming a beautiful motif that continued to the center of the ceiling. The curtains surrounding the bed looked rich and heavy. Velvet most probably. With tiny golden motifs symmetrically spread over the cloth. One side of the curtains were drawn, the side towards the window, which meant Klaus had probably visited his old room.

The windows were big as to allow a great amount of sunlight in, with double curtains. Thin, white ones which kind off looked like wedding veils and heavy dark ones that were pinned at the sides. Hope looked around and saw on the furthest side from the bed, a wooden door with delicate designs at the corners. She pushed the doors open and came face to face with her father. Klaus stopped in his tracks with a big canvas on his hands. It wasn't facing Hope so she couldn't see what was painted in it. 'Oh, dad, you're here.' She sputtered, dumbfounded. 'I'm very sorry. I didn't meant to intrude. I even knocked, but when you didn't respond...' Klaus shook his head, seemingly getting over the little shock from seeing his daughter there. 'Don't worry love, you're not intruding. I didn't even hear you knock. I was a bit lost within the never-stopping course of life. I hadn't realised how many memories I'd brought here.' He must've really lost himself between the paintings, considering he hadn't even heard Hope.

For a creature with super hearing that said a lot. 'Can I come in?' Hope asked. 'Of course, yes, come in.' He ushered her inside and walked, on Hope's left, towards an object covered with a white cloth. While holding onto the painting he removed the cloth to reveal a high wooden table. There he put the picture so it would stand up-right against the wall. On her right, a wide window brought flooded the room with light. The perfect amount needed for an art room. Hope walked towards the table, beside her father, where he was staring at the picture, laconically. On the canvas, under her father's delicate touch, if his name in the corner was anything to go by, was brought into vision the image of a beautiful woman with dark hair and dark eyes.

'Oh, wow. Pretty. Who's this?' 'That, Hope, is my wife, Vivianne Lechers.''You were married?!' Hope's jaw almost fell to the ground. Klaus laughed softly. 'Yes. I met her early on when we arrived in New Orleans. She was a were-witch.'

A sudden noise of metal falling and crashing made both Hope and Klaus jump. 'Sorry that was me,' came Hayley's voice from the other room. 'Actually look what I found!'Holding a shiny sword, with a trail of dust on her left cheek and sparkly eyes, Hayley came into view. 'Look,' she slashed the sword through the air. 'Cool huh?' 'Yes very cool little wolf however I suggest you are more careful with that as it is a real sword. Don't want you to get hurt.' 'Hey mom, did you know that dad was married?'Hayley's head swivelled towards Klaus, her jaw went slack. 'Really?!' Klaus merely shrugged, obviously amused with both Hayley and Hope's horrified expressions. 'Honestly is it that hard to believe? That I could've once fallen in love and married the maiden my heart desired.''I mean, kind of. No offence but you Mikaelsons don't have good luck with women.' Hayley stated.'None taken. Though you are right to be sceptical, the ending wasn't beautiful but it felt like a fairytale while it lasted.' His voice took a far-away quality, as if his conscience was slowly retreating from the reality, inside, towards the memories of the past. For one moment it seemed as if tears gleamed in his eyes, but he squeezed them shut.Hope cleared her throat. 'I'm sorry dad.'

'Don't be love.' Klaus shook his head. 'I was very happy while it lasted.' Hope nodded, then cleared her throat again, then shook her self. Her movement changed the atmosphere, like a rippling stone disturbs the surface of calm waters. She moved towards another picture, smaller in frame, where a gorgeous lady with red hair and freckles was painted.

'And who's this?''That's Lisette. Elijah's lover.' Klaus snuck a glance at Hayley, who'd moved from her stop at the door, coming closer to stand behind her daughter. She simply eyed the painting curiously. 'I'm kind of surprised you painted one of Elijah's lovers.' 'Lisette was a great vampire, a very loyal one. Took the edge of a White Oak stake for Elijah. Actually she might be the sole reason Elijah made it as far as he did.' 'Wow.' Hope turned her head from her father, towards the painting, watching the redhead with newfound admiration.'Wow, indeed. But I feel like there's more to this story.' Hayley debated.'Oh, sure there is, but let's leave the story telling for another time.' Klaus put his hand on the small of Hayley's back and gently took the sword away, throwing it on top of the table near the paintings. 'Careful, you could've cut them!' She protested. 'They're totally fine. See?' He hooked his other arm with Hope's and steered both of them out of the room. ~

After having explored most of the castle, Hope started wondering about other things. Case in point, the beautiful dinning table full of food being set in the garden by people she hadn't seen during her tour. Though she'd been left with a lot to think. Her father was a thousand years old, she knew that of course. She knew is superficially, the way the skies are blue and the oceans are wide, but today being here, it truly hit her just how many live her father had lived. How many without her or her mother even close to being born. So many things, so much life inside him, around him but never with him. She lay in her bed, with her feet dangling on the side while her head spun like a wind mill on a windy day. A knock on her door pulled her away from her musings.

'Come in.'A small smile bloomed on her face at the sight of her father. 'Hi dad.' She said cheerfully. 'Oh, I just came to invite you to dinner, if would do your mother and me a courtesy by joining us?' Klaus ended his question with a dramatic bow to the waist, his hand stretched above his head. Giggling Hope rose from her bed and took his hand, then sunk into deep courtesy. 'Why I would be delighted.'

Klaus rose with a bright smile in his face. 'Thats great news. I believe it'll be ready in maybe twenty more minutes. Time which I'd like to spend with you, if you wish of course.''Now it's a great time. I was thinking about you actually.' Holding his daughter's hand Klaus sat on the cushions at the foot of the bed. 'Really? What exactly?''Well, I was just thinking how you've lived for so long, how mom and I have been part of your life for soo little time. You met other people, maybe formed a bond, grew attached to them and you watched them being taken away from you and there was nothing you could do.

Over and over for a thousand years. How do you deal with it? Do you forget? Do you forgive? How do you manage to still hold yourself together, not fall apart and go on living again? That's a very admirable strength.' Klaus opened his mouth, then closed it again. In his daughter's eyes he saw strength and compassion, way beyond her years. She'd gone through so much in little time, but she'd come out stronger at the end of everything.

'It never gets easy,' he spoke quietly, softly. 'But our nature makes us become the only thing, steady, never-changing in a world that's constantly on the move. There's good and bad in that, just like in everything else. But throughout the days, you meet someone, you get close and eventually you let them go...you save a piece of them with you. You don't forget, but you learn to move one. To not let life run in front of you, without you, so you never get stuck. Its just the way things are.' Klaus shrugged helplessly.  'And as for you and your mother, I would live again a thousand times if I would get to live with you both again. If all the loss and gain in my life have led me here, to this moment with you, than I would live it again. And I truly hope that one day you too, will find a person for whom all the bad things will be worth it.''I have you and mom. And the rest of our family. That's more than enough.' Klaus swallowed, or at least tried to, but there was a big lump in his throat and unusual warmth flooded his veins. He simply nodded, got up, planted a kiss on top of his daughter's hair and left. ⚜️

The next nine days were arguably the best days in the whole sixteen years of Hope's life. She stuffed her face with all kinds of foods, from cotton candy to all sorts of chocolates to hand-made pasta in a traditional restaurant run by an Italian family. All were simply delicious.So far her favourite was the chocolate with cherry bits while Hayley's was the bar with caramel and biscuits. As for Klaus, plain dark chocolate.

Sure, somedays the weather wasn't good, either too rainy or too windy but staying in the castle was equally fun. Hayley brung the sword up and ganged up on Klaus with Hope until he caved in and accepted to teach them how to hold it properly. Even taught them some defense moves, which didn't really impress Hayley as she wanted to learn offence instead, but the night had ended with Hope laughing so hard her stomach hurt.

✨ A/N Vivienne and Lisette are mentioned in the trilogy written based off The Originals (by Julie Plec) and describes the first time they arrived in New Orleans. The Rise, The Loss and The Resurrection (this is by far the most ive ever written in one chapter, and im gonna have to post another part cuz it will look like too much here) I'd missed writing them 🥹