Epilogue

Its finally the day, Hope's birthday and both Klaus and Hayley were equally ecstatic and excited. The hall where once Klaus' birthday was hosted, was once again beautified, with orange lights in torch-like lampshades that flickered on the concrete walls. Rows of tables, full of savoury and sweet foods and sparkling wines in delicate, thin flutes. Vines entwined with lights were pinned on four walls all which gave the place an ethereal gaze. 'I need everything to be perfect.' The last word almost came out as a growl. 'Y-yes, Mr. Mikaelson.' 'Oh my God! Klaus there you are.' Hayley came into the hall where Klaus was ready to bleed the poor organiser dry. 'Everything looks great, Klaus is just a...perfectionist.' Hayley spoke to the organiser and not waiting for a response she forcefully pulled a crazy-eyed Klaus away. 'Stop it!''Not my fault humans are so easily scared.''The poor man was terrified. We've talked about these crazy moods of yours. Find better tactics to deal with things that annoy you.' 'Why Hayley I am a perfect gentleman, as you know.' He smiled innocently when Hayley raised a sceptic brow. 'If he had done all things perfectly, then he'd have no reason to fear me.'

Hayley took a deep breath. 'Klaus we approved on everything that is going on in this room together. Why are you acting like this now?' Klaus continued to stare right at her, but lines of tension were visible in his tightly-locked jaw. 'This isn't about the party, is it?' Hayley spoke softly reaching for his hand and threading their fingers together. 'I should've chosen another gift for Hope. Something she will surely like, maybe new painting materials, canvas. I'd be sure she liked those.' 'She'll like it Klaus, don't worry.' The said gift was a family heirloom, part of the vast collection that the Mikaelsons had bought, commissioned (or stolen) over the years. It was a beautiful piece, with 12 emeralds, square cut all encircled by blood red rubies. The emeralds were put each separately in a canvas-like golden piece which were then clasped together into a beautiful choker. Holding onto the clasps were delicate threads with teardrop shaped diamonds at their ends. A magnificent piece worthy of the royal family, though the Mikaelsons could be considered as such. 'I've only seen Hope wear simple pieces so far, maybe this one won't befit her style. And I want her to truly love this gift.' It wasn't a matter of liking the gift, truly. But it was the manner of Hope like something from him.'Klaus,' Hayley spoke calmly, soothing him in a way only she could. 'Over all the years, Hope has loved all the gifts you've brought her. I say it's the perfect piece for her sweet sixteen.' Klaus nodded and gave Hayley's hand a squeeze. 'Thank you, little wolf. I reckon I go and give it to her now.' 'Now?' A line appeared between Hayley's brows.'It's now or never Hayley. You gave me spirit, lets go before I lose it.'

A sudden knock disturbed Hope while she was blowdrying her hair with a battery operated blow drier. To a normal person's ears it would've gone unnoticed but not for her werewolf hearing. 'Come in,' she called. The door opened and both her parents came in, Hayley first then Klaus with both his hands back. 'Hi mom, hi dad. What brings you here?' They'd already had breakfast like twenty minutes ago, it was only 9:40 am, and they'd wished her a happy birthday. 'We wanted to give you something.' Hayley stated, then after a moment she added. 'Well, your dad mostly.' Hope set the blow drier on her vanity and and clasped her on the back. 'Yes?' She looked at her father expectantly. 'I thought...I'd rather give your gift now' he stammered but pulled himself together when his daughter's face brightened. 'I really hope you'll like.' He pulled his arms forwards and presented Hope with a vintage jewellery box. 'Open it up.''Okay,' Hope giggled and reached towards it with one hand. 'Oh, wow, this is heavy. Almost dropped it.'

'You hold it Klaus, so Hope can open it.' Hayley suggested. Klaus took the box back and turned it so the opening was towards Hope. 'Even has a little key. You're not gonna give me a little hint before I open it?' Hope asked, smiling in anticipation.'Okay, here I go,' she reached for the iron key when both her parents responded with "no". Hope opened it up and gasped. 'No way,' she looked at both her parents wide-eyed while her jaw dropped open. Sitting in the midst of a velvety cushion stood the exquisite necklace lay. 'Thank you, guys.' Hope raised her eyes, shining with tears. 'It's very beautiful.''You truly like it?' Klaus questioned and uncertainty touched his voice. Hope simply nodded and hugged both her parents. 'Thank you, I love it.'

After staying in each other's arms for a long while, Klaus pulled apart and cleared his throat. He blinked once, twice before he was ready to meet eyes with both his precious ladies. He'd probably never find the words to say so, but everything he needed to live was in the same room with him. A world without Hayley and their daughter was a world that didn't deserve to exist. He'd burn it all to the ground. 'I'm sure you need time to get ready.' Hope nodded. 'Yup.''Well me and your mother will leave you to it.' 'See you at five.' Klaus planted a kiss on top of Hope's hair. 'Do you need help with anything, dear?' Hayley asked. 'No, mum. I've got it covered. You can go and get ready.' 'Okay, baby.' With a kiss, Hayley left the room as well, finding Klaus at the end of the hall.

Staring out of a window, sulking. Hayley joined him wordlessly,'Sixteen already. That horrific night, when she was born seems like only yesterday.' 'You're right, yet so much has happened. But we'll move on, go through much more and watch her grow into a strong, beautiful woman.' 'Like her mother.' Klaus whispered, staring at Hayley intently.⚜️

The party started at 5:30 and cars slowly started lining up outside the castle. 'God, this place hasn't changed at all.' A posh voice spoke from the main hall's entrance.'Can't separate the past from the present sister. Especially creatures like us.' Klaus responded. Rebekah smiled and threw herself on her brother's arms. 'Nik, I missed you so much.'Like her father, Hope searched for her sibling too, but it didn't take long to find him. Staying a little behind Rebekah stood Marcel, clad in a rich, dark suit with a silver brooch clasped on his breast pocket. 'Marcel,' Hope screeched and hugged him tightly. 'It is so good to see you Hope!' 'Look at you, all happy without us.' Klaus rolled his eyes at the new voice, and pulled himself away from Rebekah. 'Welcome Kol.' He walked towards his youngest brother and hugged him as well. Davina moved away from her husband towards Marcel. Soon Freya came too, her pregnancy starting to show. But Hayley asked about Keelin she apologised, saying that she'd been unable to come and that she sent Hope the bestest of wishes. After the family was finally united they started greeting their guests. Vincent as a representative of the New Orleans witches, a few wolves and vampires and at last Caroline Forbes and her two daughters.

'Klaus, Caroline is here.' Hayley whispered surprised.'Yes, I took the liberty to invite her as thank you.' He confessed.'That was thoughtful of you Klaus, I'd been meaning to thank her but anything other than in person didn't feel right.' Klaus smiled at her in understanding. In true Mikaelson fashion the party could officially start after Klaus' speech and of course the first dance belonged to the father-daughter duo, until Klaus switched to Hayley and Hope to Marcel.

⚜️'Um, attention everyone.' Hope clicked her spoon on her glass. After three hours of dancing and eating the rest of the guests were dismissed and only the Mikaelsons remained. 'I would like propose something, if its possible. Uncle Kol, Davina,' Hope squared her shoulders and took a deep breath trying to contain the giddiness. 'I know you're already married but it's not the same without a wedding.' In her left Kol rolled his eyes. Hope left her glass and spoon on a nearby table and switched tactics. 'Oh, come on, come on. Come on!' She grabbed his arm and jumped in place. 'We have everything ready, you are already dressed well, Davina looks gorgeous and the place and the food. And the family, come on!' Kol's eyes travelled from his niece's doe eyes, to his brother's murderous eyes right behind her. Say no and I'll dagger you, his eyes said. He sighed and turned around to ask Davina. 'Darling wife, what do you think?''I say I better go and get my white dress.' She grinned. 'So its settled then,' Hope chirped. 'I knew you were going to accept anyways. Aunt Rebekah, come on.' She leaned forward and grabbed Davina's arm, who was standing beside Kol, then spoke over her shoulder. 'There, would be a good place for the couple to officiate the wedding,' she pointed towards the end on her right, 'Dad, Marcel make like, a pretty arch with these vines and lights we have here. Mom, fix the chairs, one line is enough and aunt Freya can you please oversee the food? I'll be the officiant. It's time to get fancy!' Taking Rebekah with her Hope left the hall, to her room where Davina's dress and jewellery lay.~

Earlier that day...'Davina, hey this is Hope.''Hi dear, happy birthday!' Davina's cheery voice came from the other side of the line. 'I wanted to ask you something. Are you on the plane yet?''Oh, no. We have two more hours until we board. Why are you asking? Do you need something?' 'No, no! I hope I didn't worry you calling this early,' it was only 8:30 am after all. 'But I had an idea, if its okay with you of course. Um,' she hesitated. 'I was wondering if we can make a little wedding for you and uncle Kol tonight. I know that you've been married for years but, we didn't get to live through it. Of course if you don't like it, its ok-' she stammered.'That's a very sweet idea Hope.' Hope let out a breath of relief. 'Really?! I was hoping you'd like it.''I do, in fact. But having a wedding, means family getting together, my father walking me on the altar, but, well the witches don't really like me. And you know how things were with the Hollow when we got married. That's why we chose not to do a wedding.''I understand but aren't things different now? You are family now, no need for the witches. And now we can be together after years, only our family will be there, Marcel too, of course. He can walk you down the aisle.' She added hopefully. 'Hope...' Davina trailed off, causing Hope to tense. Oh, this had been a horrible idea! Of course she wouldn't think of the Mikaelson vampires as family after what they'd done to her. 'You know what, there's a really beautiful dress I've been eyeing in a boutique two streets down from here. But what about Kol?''If you've decided to go on with this plan I doubt he'll refuse.'Davina's laugh made Hope smile. 'You're right. He could never deny me anything.'~

'Okay, what do we start first with?' Hope felt fizzy with all the excitement coursing through her veins, like a shaken soda can, while Davina sat on the vanity equally excited. 'Your waves are simple, darling.' Rebekah pointed out. 'I was thinking half up, half down, I have all about the hair.' Reaching towards the vanity, Rebekah pulled a big, iron chest and opened it to reveal all sorts of jewellery goodness. Hair pins, delicate with colourful gems on top, hair clips, earrings from simple studs to threaders to cluster and chandeliers. Then Rebekah pulled up the cushion where all that lay, to reveal more jewellery, but this time rings and necklaces. 'Sorry I couldn't find many bracelets.' She apologised. 'I had little time to gather all of this when Hope told me.'

According to Hope, obviously a Mikaelson bride needed all sorts jewellery and adornments from any century. What's the point of living so long if there are no family heirlooms? 'Davina, I think you make up looks pretty lovely.' 'It clearly needs to be retouched, Hope.' Rebekah interceded before Davina could respond. 'I was actually thinking to add a bit more shimmer to my eyes, just here to the inner corner and some gloss.' Davina picked up one of the many make-up palettes Hope had laid there soon after Rebekah had arrived. 'Now love, I'll take care of that,' Rebekah took the palette from Davina's hands and did her magic. ~

'Marcel! Marcel! Come here!' Rebekah whisper-shouted. Marcel stood near the entrance of the hall with his back towards his wife. Finally he turned. 'What?'Rebekah rolled her eyes. 'Come here I said!' She ordered.Amused he obliged and gasped when his eyes took Davina in. Immediately a strange sparkly sheen covered them. 'Now, now, don't cry Marcel. How do I look?' Davina spun on her heels to show her dress. She was wearing a gorgeous mermaid-shaped gown with an off the shoulder neckline and a bodice threaded with pearls. Her hair spilled in waves on her shoulders and the diamond hair clips twinkled every time she moved her head. Chandelier earrings and a matching pearl necklace adorned her neck.

'You look magnificent,' Marcel looked like he'd meant to say more but the strange vibration in his voice said otherwise. 'Gonna walk me down the altar?' Marcel tried, and failed, to discretely wipe away his teary eyes. 'I'd be honoured.' Like a cloud of tulle and lace, the dress trailed behind Davina while she walked on the makeshift aisle. Having improvised, the place looked surprisingly good. Kol had changed his suit to a new tux and had restyled his hair. Beside Kol, stood Hope beaming at her and a few steps behind Hayley was holding a brand new set of wedding bands. Klaus, Freya sat and soon enough Rebekah and Marcel joined them after he gave Davina's hand to Kol.

'Ladies and Gentleman,' Hope cleared her throat. 'Dearly beloved. We are gathered her to celebrate the matrimony of our family by blood Kol Mikaelson to our family by memories and love Davina Claire. Though usual wedding vows promise "even after death do us apart" Davina and Kol have already fought death more than once to be united and so shall they remain for eternity. With that, I think it's time to let them speak on their love. Davina if would go first.' Holding both of Kol's hands in hers she nodded. 'Before we met I loathed the vampires and Mikaelsons with all my might. Even when I had two amazing vampires whom I considered family, it wasn't until I met you, the craziest of vampires,' she let out a watery laugh. 'At a time when I felt like the whole world was on my shoulders you were brought to me, in a bit of of a twisted way,' Kol scoffed. 'And it was the best thing ever.'

Hope discreetly wiped an errant tear and mentioned Kol to continue. 'Words can never be enough to express how my life changed the moment I first saw you. Weirdly enough I only have mother dearest to thank for the best thing that has ever happened to me.' Kol nodded at Hope to let her know he was finished with his speech.'Alright, Davina,' Hope held out one hand and took Davina's in hers. 'Uncle Kol,' she repeated the same with him. 'Have you come here today of your own free will to declare your commitment to one another?'We have.''Do you promise to be there for each other in the good and the bad? To grow with, understand and respect one another during your life together?''We do.' Both responded solemnly.'Then please face each other and share your vows.' Kol turned around to where Hayley stood with the wedding bands and took one. Then raised his hand until it aligned with Davina's. 'I promise you a life full of love where you'll be cherished, in good and bad. I promise to do so even if does us apart.' And he slipped the ring on her finger right beside the ring Davina already owned, and raised her hand to his mouth for a chaste kiss.

Davina reached for Kol's ring as well and shared her vow. 'I promise to always be there for you, in good and bad, even if death does us apart.' She slipped the ring in his ring finger and raised her teary eyes to meet his. A lone tear slipped from his eye and she caught it. 'May your love, strength and resilience be strengthened a thousand-fold by the promises you've made today.' Hope announced. 'And now by the power vested in me, by myself,' Davina cackled. 'I pronounce you husband and wife. Uncle Kol you may kiss you bride.' Holding her face in his hands, Kol lowered and gave his wife a sweet kiss, until Hope's cheering and clapping brought them apart, with huge grins in their faces. Out of nowhere white and red petals rained over them. Stunned they turned to the chairs, where the rest of the family had been sitting; but Rebekah and Freya were on their feet, each holding a basket full of roses. Beside Klaus was sitting Hayley having finished with her ring-bearing duties; when he put his arm on her shoulder and pulled her close. Hope sprinted to the nearest table and loaded a tray full of cupcakes, while Marcel gazed lovingly at his wife. Done with the petals Rebekah was moving the baskets away while laughing at something Freya said. Slowly Hope took in her family, basking in their joy and happiness, from the newly-wed couple whispering at each other, to her aunts, to her brother and finally her gaze landed on her parents. She beamed at them and they smiled back.'Best birthday ever!'

✨A/N I checked my notes and where I'd written about how I wanted to end this fic, and about the epilogue: Kolvina's wedding or Hope's birthday. Now I got to write both and 🥹 now its finally the end