21

What do you want, Damon?" Bonnie spit out; a little surprised at the way her voice got tainted by disdain when she said his name. It was such an immediate reaction to his voice that Bonnie couldn't help it.

Besides, who could blame her for the attitude?

Damon Salvatore was the same guy who could only see her as a walking and talking magic spell at worst and Elena's close friend at best. If Bonnie was going to be honest, he was one of the people who made her feel like shit, like her life wasn't worth a damn when compared to everyone else's. So yeah, it was a little hard to be pleasant when she was talking to him.

Klaus, who was focused on rocking the baby girl who was fighting off sleep, tensed up as soon as he heard the familiar voice. His eyes locked with Bonnie's for a moment and he raised a questioning eyebrow. Bonnie had left; allowing that city to become nothing but a place filled with nostalgic and bitter memories.

So why the fuck was the lesser Salvatore calling her on a Thursday night? If Klaus had learnt one thing, it was that his entire existence was better when the Scooby gang was out of his life.

"Whoa, you can retract your claws, witchy!" Damon said, and Bonnie could just imagine the smug, sarcastic grin on his lips. It had been a while since she last heard Damon's voice and she didn't exactly miss it.

Her mind had come to associate Damon with all the awful things that had happened to her during her teenage years, so Bonnie wasn't excited to sit down and chat with him. Especially in a night that had been going so well. She had just managed to convince Marcel, a vampire who was as stubborn as Klaus, to accept the werewolves' return to the city without having to resort to bloodbaths and chaos. This night was supposed to be about celebrating, getting tipsy on Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rosé and kissing until her lips became red and swollen. Bonnie missed that; feeling young and reckless.

Of course her perfect plans had to be foiled by Damon Salvatore.

"I can also hang up and never take your call again," Bonnie said, rolling her eyes in annoyance. If Damon thought she was the same vulnerable witch she had been a few years ago, he was in for a big surprise.

"I'm sure you'll be filled with regret if you hang up and cut this delightful conversation short."

Bonnie snorted; an unladylike sound that came out louder than she expected. In her father's arms, Amari whined a little, but settled down when Klaus smoothed her messy curls.

"And why is that?" she asked without much interest. Strangely enough-or maybe it wasn't strange at all- her mind wasn't focused on Damon and whatever he had to say. Watching Klaus interact with their baby was a much better distraction.

"Look, I know we don't always get along because not everybody can understand my distinguished personality, but-"

"Just say whatever you have to say, Damon," Bonnie urged with a bored tone before setting the phone on speaker and placing it down on the bed. Uncomfortable with her tight clothes, she shimmied out of the tight wrap skirt and walked towards the closet.

In silence, Klaus followed her every move while he also paid attention to the conversation. Even though he was far from pleased that Damon was taking up Bonnie's time when they could be doing far more pleasurable activities, it was amusing to see the older Salvatore was still a pathetic vampire who believed he was too big for his britches. Also, his witch did look adorable when her lips pursed to form an expression of utter impatience. She was quickly tiring of this conversation, much like himself.

"We need your ass back in Mystic Falls. Everyone's favorite human was kidnapped," Damon finally revealed after a short moment of silence.

Bonnie's brain, which was not expecting to be hit with that information, took a good ten seconds to properly process and understand what Damon had said. When the message was clear- Matt had been kidnapped- her body started to react. Her palms got a little damp, even though they had the air conditioner running at a very pleasant temperature, and Bonnie started to feel a little lightheaded, as if blood had stopped pumping inside her veins. Her knees buckled, like she had just finished dancing the two acts of Giselle, and she would've fallen down if it wasn't for the bench next to her.

Truth to be told, Bonnie had expected Damon to be calling for help. It had been a while, but one could never underestimate their ability to fuck things up. However, she believed he would request a spell for something to do with Elena or maybe Stefan, something she was more than ready to deny. Matt being in danger wasn't a thought that even crossed her mind. And now she was a few minutes from freaking out.

"When did this happen? Why didn't Caroline call me earlier?"

"Just a few days ago. I mistakenly believed we would be able to deal with the situation on our own, but they're all running off like chickens with their heads off and there's been a recent development," he explained; a hint of hesitation in his voice as he finished the sentence.

"What?" she inquired in a small voice, already dreading the answer.

"He's a vampire, sounds powerful and is a real son of a bitch, if you ask me. Stefan and Caroline tried to negotiate, but he refuses to tell us where Matt is and-"

"You need me to do a locating spell? I just need some of Matt's things," Bonnie interrupted as plans to help Matt started to materialize in her head. It would be hard to do a spell so far away, but her magic felt stronger, so there was a chance.

"The guy wants you, Bennett. He refuses to negotiate with anyone but you." Damon said, sounding exasperated by the fact. "His name is Johann and said you two know each other."

Johann. Bonnie recognized that name right away as she remembered the elusive man who had managed to escape both Elijah and Klaus, multiple times. Even though she had never talked to him, probably wouldn't even be able to recognize him at a police lineup, just hearing Damon utter his name was enough to make Bonnie's hands tremble a little.

At first Klaus had planned on staying quiet, and enjoy the beautiful show that was his witch putting Damon Salvatore in his place. However, he felt compelled to jump into action given the unexpected way everything was going. It was a bit humorous, the way he placed Amari on her pillow bed with so much care and proceeded to cross the room with furious steps and grabbed the phone.

"If this is a little strategy to draw Bonnie into your mess, I swear I will gladly separate your little head from your body," Klaus threatened in a low rumbling voice that never failed to raise the hairs on Bonnie's arms. He could transform in two seconds flat, go from a loving daddy to a menacing creature. If Bonnie didn't know him, how soft and gentle he could really be, she would be a little uneasy.

"Klaus Mikaelson," Damon greeted with a snicker, and if Bonnie wasn't on the brink of a small heart attack, she would laugh at the look of pure disdain that appeared on Klaus' face. It had been a while since she saw it, but she quickly recognized. "You know, I kinda missed you. Mystic Falls hasn't been the same since the Mikaelson brood left."

"It seems we have an unfortunate difference in opinion, because I would be glad not to ever see you ever again," Klaus said; his hands closing into tight fists and lip corner raised in only one side of his face. "Now, tell me what you know."

"He had Matt kidnapped and claims there will be no negotiations until she's sitting at the table. Bonnie's the quarterback's only chance."

"Keep me posted," Klaus instructed and hung up without waiting for a reply. Whatever Damon had to say could wait, but Klaus doubted the other vampire would have any useful information. Johann had proved himself to be as cunning as the best of them, and he would only reveal whatever he wished to.

"He's back, Nik," Bonnie whispered, running her hands through her hair as a way to calm herself. It didn't work. The tremble affecting her hands had now spread to her whole body as the weight of the reality dawned on her. "He sent a guy to hurt me, and that same guy killed himself because he was afraid of him."

"Love, look at me," Klaus commanded in a gentle voice as he kneeled down next to her on the cold hardwood floor. She raised her chin just so her eyes would meet his; the chestnut brown hair resembling a curtain of protection around her as it covered most of her face. With a finger, he pushed a thick strand of hair behind her ear; his hand moving to cover her right cheek. "Nobody is ever going to hurt you or our daughter. They will die a very painful death before touching a single hair in your heads. That is a promise."

Bonnie nodded at his words; his unwavering confidence able to soothe her just a tad. Her heart, pumping at an erratic rate, started to calm down as Klaus ran a splayed hand up and down her naked thighs.

"We may not get hurt, but what about Matt? Johann will kill him if we don't cooperate," Bonnie rambled; a dreading sensation filling her up as a series of images went through her mind. Matt could be killed and it would all be her fault.

"Nik, I have to go back to Mystic Falls," Bonnie murmured; the tremor in her hands returning as that realization dawned on her. The hand placed on her thighs tensed up the moment the words came out of her mouth; his fingers almost leaving a mark on her skin. Bonnie yelped, and Klaus removed his hand as if he had been shocked.

Just like that, by looking at his face. Bonnie could tell they were about to have a major disagreement.

Bonnie used to love hanging around Klaus' study. Fitted with glistening dark oak furniture that contrasted with the cream colored wallpaper, the room just screamed Klaus. Blank canvases lying around and colorful paint droplets staining the hardwood also made it obvious this was his place. And she loved it.

They would spend their evenings there, when it was just the two of them in the house. Klaus would put some Nat King Cole on the background and they talked for hours to no end. She loved being there; cuddled up on the charcoal linen couch that smelled just like him, reading a book while she watched him paint. Sometimes, when she was feeling a little friskier, she would surprise him; take out the dark green lace lingerie set she kept on the bottom of her drawer and wear it under the oversized Tulane sweatshirt. The surprised grin he flashed her that night still gave her chills.

This was also where they had first crossed the line; when they were high on a victory and Dom Pérignon.

So yeah, she had fond memories of his study, but what was happening right now, this bullshit semi intervention was slowly making her hate this room. Sitting on the couch-their couch- next to the window while Elijah and Klaus stood up made Bonnie feel like a small deer that had just been cornered by a predator. She wasn't one to cower from either of them, but her emotional state wasn't at its best.

Her childhood friend had been kidnapped by the same vampire that threatened to kill her, after all. That was enough to mess with anyone's head.

The comforting hum of the air conditioner kicked in, breaking the awkward silence that had settled in the room for just a moment. For some reason, the sound reminded Bonnie of the days she had spent in the lake house. She would stay indoors; trying to learn every single thing there was to the little bundle that was Amari, refusing to venture outside because of the muggy, suffocating summer heat.

Everything seemed so simple then. Her whole world consisted of the tiny, cooing baby and making her happy, and her family. Now everything was muddled again.

"Bonnie," Elijah started to say after clearing his throat. Bonnie crossed her arms, bracing herself for what he had to say. He looked at Klaus, almost as if he was requesting assistance to find the right words.

Analyzing the scene before him; Bonnie on the couch with a hardened expression set on her face and a strangely hesitant Elijah, Klaus knew that he would have to step in. Usually he would leave the talking to Elijah; his older brother had a better way with words than him, after all.

"Love, I know you want to help your human friend," Klaus said in a slow and controlled tone; watching as Bonnie's manicured nails bit into the skin of her forearms, leaving half moon shaped marks.

"His name is Matt. Just like your name is Klaus and not Bonnie's hybrid baby daddy," Bonnie muttered while she rolled her eyes, causing Klaus to sigh and shove his hands into his pockets. This would be harder than he had expected.

"I am aware that Matt's situation is one that requires our attention," Klaus stated, keeping his focus on her; watching as she snorted at his choice of words.

"And what exactly is Matt's situation, Nik?" she asked with mock curiosity.

"Bonnie," Klaus said her name with a hint of frustration. Bonnie found it she didn't care if she was being difficult.

"He's being held hostage by the same man that was planning to attack me, the man who was able to run from both of you. So let's call it like it is and stop using these little words to make it better!" Bonnie demanded; furious that Klaus and Elijah could act in such a nonchalant way. They had this tendency of only caring when it came to their own flesh and blood. Bonnie had selfishly gotten used to that attitude since she had become part of the family, and now felt like she was in for a rude awakening.

Once upon a time, she had been the one who was everyone's last priority, and she refused to allow that to happen to Matt.

"Exactly, he was able to escape from our grasp multiple times and now he is calling us?"

"That could very well be a trap, Bonnie. One we would be walking right into," Elijah piped in when he saw the way his brother's face was steadily taking on a red blush; a clear sign of his growing frustration.

"That's one of my best friends out there," Bonnie whispers after a moment of silence; staring at her trembling hands. It was almost as if her body had caught up with her mind, and understood it was time to be freaked out.

"And you're the mother of my child!" Klaus replied, raising his voice by an octave, just enough to show Bonnie this wasn't a game.

This wasn't one of Marcel's nightwalkers who fancied himself strong enough and wanted to show off so he could get a ring. This was a serious threat. His hardened stance softened when he noticed her expression. Gone was the defiant woman, and in her place was a vulnerable version of his witch. Seeing that made his heart clench. God, he loved her.

"Doll," he started to say in a low voice, moving to sit beside her on the couch. Recognizing the intimate moment between them, Elijah quietly slipped out of the room to give them some privacy. As fascinating as it was to witness his brother have such a loving interaction with the witch, watching them felt voyeuristic.

"You can't do this anymore, jump head into danger without caring about the consequences," Klaus said, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She lowered her eyes, knowing he was right. "And when it comes to you, I would let the world burn if it meant you were safe."

Bonnie flinched the second the words slipped out of his mouth. For someone else, that would have been romantic. For Bonnie, these words just triggered something deep within herself.

When it comes to your safety, I don't care about anyone else, Elena. If I have to choose between you and Bonnie, it will always be you.

"Love?" Klaus asked with a frown as he watched her bronzed skin take on a sickly pale tone.

Before Klaus could even reach out and ask her if she was okay, she was gone.

The tears fell before Bonnie could stop them. They hit the cotton pillowcase, forming dark and damp spots on the pale pink fabric. Just as she was wiping at them, she felt Klaus' unusually warm hand rest on the uncovered skin of her hip. Knowing he was there was comforting in a way, but she was still feeling a bit embarrassed for her outburst earlier. In theory, Klaus words had been fine and were in line with what she had expected him to say. But they caused such a visceral reaction in her that she had actually felt nauseous.

"How are you feeling, love?" he asked with an easy voice, and Bonnie figured he was being careful not to push anymore of her buttons. Bonnie was upset with the news and that was understandable, but he was still worried. The way she had been walking around for the last few days; glazed eyes and vacant expression that only lit up when she was around Amari, got his attention.

"I don't really know," she answered truthfully as she shrugged her shoulders. Because honestly, she had no idea what was going on inside her head.

A part of her felt like absolute shit that her mess had tainted others. Especially Matt. She would feel bad if it was Tyler or Elena, but they had the means to take care of themselves and survive another day. Matt, while amazing, was still a human.

He wasn't a vampire that could have his neck snapped over and over again, wasn't a hybrid whose bite could kill other vampires. No, he was fragile and could be gone in a finger snap.

Dread zipped through her spine as she envisioned Matt; his bright blue eyes dulled and his pale blonde hair caked with blood. Was he being tortured? Was he being treated well, serving as bait?

This was the same guy who watched scary movies with her and stayed with her when Grams was busy and her dad was traveling for work. The thought of him being dead because of her made Bonnie's guts twist in a painful way she hadn't experienced yet.

While Bonnie wanted nothing more than go out there, rescue Matt and make everything alright, she was scared. As much as she wanted to ignore his words, Elijah was right.

Johann, the so elusive Johann, was a threat and by going out of his way to seek out Bonnie's friends, he was sending a clear message.

He might have had failed in hurting Bonnie in the past, but he hadn't given up.

The witch could still remember the way his little disgusting minion looked at her and his ominous words. 'Johann was right!' he had said with wide eyes when he saw her bend down in pain, grasping her belly.

Returning to Mystic Falls meant Bonnie was about to walk into a trap, and she was willing to do that.. But could she do that knowing her daughter might be at risk?

Was she being selfish for thinking that? Old Bonnie would already be on the road by that time.

"Weighing your options doesn't make you a bad person, love," he murmured after a moment of silence; the palm of his hand wiping away the remaining tears on her cheeks.

"But it feels that way. He wouldn't be in this position if it weren't for me, for us. I just can't be so cold, Nik. If he dies, I don't even know what I'll do."

That young girl who was usually hidden by the strong woman who had managed to get what she wanted out of Marcel without even lifting a finger showed up as Bonnie looked lost. At that moment Klaus knew she needed him at his strongest. Even though she had come very far, Bonnie still carried insecurities when it came to her friends back in Mystic Falls.

After years of self sacrificing and believing her own life wasn't worth as much as others; it was hard to Bonnie to completely break out of the mindset.

"Rebekah and Elijah will go, love. And then we can go there when everything is settled," Klaus offered, craning his neck to watch the expression on her face.

"And act like a coward? Whatever happens to him is on me, Nik. I'm not going to stay here, tucked away in freaking mansion while he's there!" Bonnie cried out as she sat up against the pile of pillows that had been cradling her neck.

For a moment Klaus felt furious with her lack of self preservation. Why couldn't she see that it wasn't about being a coward or a hero? He just wanted to keep her safe; couldn't imagine his life without her in it. The thought of Bonnie stepping foot in that place and having something happen to her was his worst nightmare. He wouldn't tell her that, but he'd rather let that entire city burn to ashes than risk losing her.

"Coward?" Klaus hissed in a low tone, barely containing the cold fury that had taken over him. Cupping her chin, he moved her head so she was looking him right in the eye. "That's what you worried about? That your little ungrateful friends will finally see that you're more than an ace in their sleeves?"

He regretted it when he saw her green eyes widen as if he had attempted to hit her or something like that. The last time he had seen this look was the day she had told him she was pregnant with his child. That night was still fresh in his mind, as he had promised to himself he would never be the reason why she looked like that, so vulnerable.

"You're not being fair, Nik," she murmured in such a soft voice that something inside him ached for a second or so. "It's not about that and you know it."

"What I know is that I want you by my side," Klaus said, moving to rub his lips against her skin, right behind het ear. Perhaps this would be a more effective way to get her to really listen to him. Her little moan, so melodic and delightful, made him smile. "I want you safe, love. Don't you want that?"

Bonnie sighed out and closed her eyes; letting herself fall for his little seduction plan even she knew good and well there was some strategy involved on his part.

"Of course I want that. My life is here, Nik. Unlike what you may think in that hard head of yours, you and Amari are my priority," Bonnie assured him when she saw that glint of doubt behind his eyes. Even though Bonnie had his baby, told him she loved him, she could tell Klaus still questioned himself when it came to their relationship. Maybe he still half expected her to pack up her things and leave with the baby, which she would never do.

"Then let me do this, love. Please, don't let your guilt force your hand," Klaus said; a hint of pleading in his words as he looked her in the eye. As a response, Bonnie averted his eyes, exhaling loudly as a quiet sense of frustration filled her up. He just didn't understand.

"Nik, I know what it's like when you're not anybody's priority, when you know your life is expendable to others," Bonnie started to say as she remembered some of the words Damon had uttered to Elena in the past, and then his own words to her earlier in the day. "That's probably how Matt's feeling right now. Every hour that goes by and he's out there and I'm here, living in a nice house and playing with my baby, he's there and probably making peace with the fact that nobody's coming."

A sensation, unknown and uncomfortable, spread through Klaus' body, prickling at his skin. The thought of Bonnie feeling so unloved and not being cherished like the proper queen she was made him feel furious. Furious with those pathetic people in Mystic Falls for only caring about the doppelgänger, and with himself for not seeing her worth the moment he laid eyes on her. He wondered if his life would have been easier, if he had just really looked at her instead of letting himself get caught up by all of the distractions. Perhaps he would have had another kid by now; another little girl with Bonnie's bright smile and thick curls just like Amari. Maybe he wouldn't have had the regrets that sometimes plagued him in his sleep.

Klaus couldn't change any of that now, as much as he wanted to go back and rid Bonnie of all of those feelings. He could help her now, and that was what he was going to do. Even if his analytic mind screamed at him that this was a stupid move.

"That won't happen, love. No harm will come to Matt, I promise you," Klaus said against his better judgment; caution thrown to the wind when Bonnie looked up at him with those still-wet-with-tears eyes and smiled. Fuck, he would do anything for her if it got her to smile. "But I won't watch you put yourself at risk and stay silent. Do not expect that from me, love."

With a small nod, Bonnie moved her body closer to his so her cheek was resting on his chest.

"You're right, me thinking that I can just go there and solve everything was a stupid idea. I promise not to run into the line of fire, but I'm not skipping the battle."

He snickered at her words, because what else did he expect? His little witch was a fighter just as much as a lover. And that was what had attracted him to her in the first place. She would never let someone fight her battles for her.

"I know, love. Let's just be careful about this. This Johann was good enough to scatter like a little rat from Elijah and I. If he's seeking us out, the bastard must have a plan."

"Would you look at that?" Bonnie asked with a bright smile. At his confused expression, she gestured in between them. "A few weeks ago you would be the one itching for a fight and I would try to pacify you."

"You know what they call this very interesting turn of events?" Klaus asked with a quirked eyebrow as he ran a sneaked a hand under her t-shirt and caressed the small of her back.

"What?"

"Character development," he answered with a straight face, and Bonnie couldn't help laughing at that. These small moments, when he was silly and looking so young; that was when she loved him the most. The only version of him that could top this was when Klaus was around Amari. Surprisingly, her big bad hybrid had taken to fatherhood easier than anyone could ever expect.

"You're absolutely ridiculous," she muttered with a snicker, but leaned over to kiss him anyways. Bonnie had to give it to him; he could always make her feel better. Nobody had the ability to make her smile with just a few silly words.

Closing his eyes, he breathed her in; inhaling the fruit scented aroma coming from her shampoo that he had come to associate with Bonnie. His splayed hands ran all over the expanse of her warm skin, and he wished she wasn't wearing a tank top and denim shorts.

"I love you so much, Nik," she whispered against his lips and he felt the words before his enhanced hearing could even pick them up.

"I love you, doll," Klaus replied without a hint of hesitation, and for just a second, his mind marveled at that. The last time he had admitted his love was thousands of years ago, when he was a small child who was still open with his feelings.

"It doesn't matter if we're here, in London or Mystic Falls, I'll still love you," Bonnie assured him, finally putting some space in between them to look at him.

She knew him well enough to recognize this was one of the reasons why he was so adamant in staying back in New Orleans. He was scared she would go back to her old life and forget him. That possibility sounded ridiculous to her, and she wanted him to know there was no way that would ever happen.

Her home was there, in a plantation (of all places!) right outside New Orleans; sharing kisses with Klaus by the pool, cuddling with Amari on her queen sized bed, laughing with Rebekah and learning how to make dinner with Elijah.

Klaus didn't say anything, just pulled her closer and held her tighter. Bonnie knew he understood the meaning behind her words.

They finally-finally!- agreed on something. It took them another three hour discussion and Bonnie almost cursing Elijah out for being a complete stubborn ass, but they worked it out.

Klaus and Elijah started getting ready by making phone calls, lots of them. They didn't know what expected them back in Mystic Falls, and wanted to round up their vampire allies to assess the threat. Seeing them with their game faces on low key freaked Bonnie out, even if she didn't want to admit it. She was used to threats; had spent the better part of her third trimester hiding away at the lake house because of Marcel's vampires.

Something felt different this time, though. They didn't really know the enemy and would have to find the right balance between offense and defense.

She felt nervous but kept quiet, deciding to follow their lead and pretend she was ready for whatever they would face. So she got busy with whatever she could to keep calm and the only thing that could mend her frayed nerves was being with her baby.

"You don't want to take a nap, pup?" Bonnie asked when the baby squealed in displeasure when she tried to set her down in the crib. Realizing that it would be useless to continue trying, Bonnie maneuvered her so the baby was upright; her pudgy warm cheek resting against her chest. Amari whined a little, but settled down as Bonnie rocked her side to side in a gentle motion, patting her diapered bottom. It seemed like the baby was clingier to her, which was unlike her.

Even though Amari was a newborn who spent most of her sleeping than anything else, Bonnie could already tell she was a sunny baby. Maybe it was because Rebekah, Elijah and Klaus had been spoiling her ever since she was born. The little girl couldn't even let out a peep of displeasure without having one of them right beside her, offering a bottle or soft spoken words of comfort.

"What do you want to do instead, huh?" Bonnie ran her fingers through the baby's thick curls, amazed at how much hair she already had and noticing how much lighter it was when compared to a few weeks ago. Her heart tightened when she looked at Amari's face, taking in every little detail; pudgy cheeks, big blue eyes just like Nik's, framed by long and dark eyelashes. "Mama loves you so much, pup. I hope you know that."

It was silly, but a part of Bonnie wished Amari could reply, could reassure her she knew she was loved. She knew that feeling of her heart settling in the pit of her stomach was nothing less than guilt. Guilt for leaving the relative peace New Orleans offered them, for bringing her infant daughter into what could easily turn into a dangerous mess. The baby cooed quietly, bringing a tiny closed to rest on her shoulder. Bonnie smiled, taking the small sound as a response.

Still rocking her, Bonnie walked over to the recently assembled infant swing, hoping it would be enough to distract Amari for some time. She strapped the baby to the swing, and let out a relieved sigh when Amari didn't complain, just looked up at the colorful elephants attached to the equipment.

Pleased that Amari seemed to be content on her new swing, Bonnie moved to the dresser, figuring she should probably get started to get ready for their trip. They still didn't know how long they would have to be in Mystic Falls, but Bonnie knew one could never be too prepared when it came to babies.

That was how Rebekah found her twenty minutes later, sitting on the daybed and sorting out baby clothes.

"There you are, witch," Rebekah greeted her quietly as she slipped into the room, closing the door behind her with a click. Sparing the cooing a baby a gentle smile, Rebekah joined Bonnie and started to fold baby clothes.

"I figured I should get a head start, considering we're leaving in a few days," Bonnie said, smiling when she saw the teeny tiny white and pink polka dotted onesie. Amari could barely fit in it, having outgrown most of the newborn and preemie clothes that filled her drawers.

"It feels like it's been years, right?" Rebekah asked as her fingers touched the pair of frilly white socks she had bought at an upscale baby boutique in London. It was really a shame her niece was as stubborn as Nik and refused to wear them.

"Yeah," Bonnie agreed.

Just a few days ago they had been lounging on the pool, sipping on margaritas (at Bonnie's insistence, because Rebekah just 'hated those fruity drinks') and making plans for the rest of the summer. They wanted to go on a beach trip, but mostly, Bonnie just wanted to breathe and recover from the supernatural shit storm that had been raining upon them nonstop for the last few months.

"I hate this," Bonnie confessed, breaking the silence that had set in the room. Some of the weight settled on her shoulders let up a little as she voiced her emotions. For the past few days, Bonnie had been trying to keep it together by swallowing down her fears. Needless to say, that hadn't been working out very well for her. "I hate that we can't have one moment of peace without something coming to fuck it all up."

"I know," Rebekah said with a nod, despising how helpless she felt in this situation. The witch was a tough cookie, but even the toughest of them all would struggle with this. She was a child, barely in her twenties, and already had a baby of her own. That in itself would be enough to freak out anyone, and Bonnie still had to deal with rogue vampires on top of it. "This is most definitely a clusterfuck, but we've been through worse. My own mother tried to kill me, and my darling brother kept me daggered in a coffin for hundreds of years. What's another psychotic vampire with a complex?"

"I guess," Bonnie muttered, even though she didn't feel as optimistic as the blonde.

Rebekah raised her eyes from the pile of baby clothes to focus on Bonnie. Even under the flattering sunlight streaming from the open curtains, Bonnie looked pale and her eyes looked slightly dulled, without the usual glint.

And that just wouldn't do.

"Come on, witch," Rebekah said as she got up and unstrapped the baby from the swing. "Let's show your mama what I've got for you."

"What are you talking about?"

"Chop, chop, Bennett."

"Okay, what's that?" Bonnie questioned in utter surprise, pointing to the display set up on the antique oak dining table and wondering if this wasn't twilight zone or something similar.

Because seeing the three Mikaelson siblings standing next to a pink cupcake tower and a pile of gifts wrapped in colorful paper was definitely unexpected.

"I figured we needed a little something before going back to that hellhole, and miracle baby here is about to be a month-old and we should celebrate," Rebekah replied with a grin as she looked at Amari, who was currently in Klaus' arms, peacefully sucking on a pacifier. Her little frozen heart swelled up when she noticed the serene expression on her brother's face as he kissed the top of the baby's head and patted her back. It was a sight to see, and one she had never expected to witness. Rebekah's eyes met Elijah's for a moment and the two of them shared a wistful smile.

"Oh, pup! Mama's sorry!" Bonnie cried out as she walked to the infant and kissed her chubby feet as a form of apology. The baby probably cared more about her giraffe rattle than her mother forgetting her upcoming milestone, but Bonnie still felt bad. She wanted to be the best mom she could be, and break the awful mold her own mother had set.

"Oh, no witch. I believe our daughter is quite traumatized by your blatant neglect," Klaus intoned in a serious voice, but Bonnie saw the hint of a smile; skin crinkling around his eyes. "It seems like I am the front runner for favorite parent, love."

"Bonnie, please light up the candles so Nik can do all of us a favor and stop talking," Rebekah pleaded as she finished topping each pink-frosted cupcake with a little candle and smirked when she saw the look of indignation on Klaus' face.

"Hey, don't throw me in the middle of your sibling rivalry!" Bonnie said with a chuckle and focused on channeling the magic inside of her to perform the simple spell.

They sang happy birthday in an awkward rhythm, and Bonnie figured that the three Original siblings weren't probably used to birthday parties that involved cake and singing. It didn't matter, though. Seeing Elijah, in his pristine white shirt with the tailored black suit, smiling and singing happy birthday was enough to make it all worth it.

Bonnie blew out the candles, making a wish for each one. Keeping her eyes closed, she wished for peace, and nothing but blue skies and happy days for her baby girl.

"We've managed a month with no destruction," Bonnie told Klaus when she was finished with her wishes. "Think we can keep doing it?" she asked him; a bright, pearly fixed on her face as she dragged her index finger over the dark pink cream cheese frosting and ran it over his lips. Just as he was about to grumble, she covered his mouth with her own and got both of them dirty.

Eyes closed, Bonnie inhaled his citrusy cologne and tried to commit every single detail of this moment to her memory; from the way the strawberry cheese cream frosting was sticky and sweet on their lips and noses to Rebekah's bright smile as she snapped pictures of them.

Mostly, she just hoped this wasn't the calm before the brutal storm.