The next morning, as the Mikaelson family gathered out on the porch to talk, Hayley and Audrey stayed inside to wait for the girls to wake up. Knowing what the two were like together, they decided it was best to take them out to meet everyone one by one. Hope and Mira were as close as two cousins could get, and very easily influenced by the other. If one was to get nervous, the other would swiftly follow, and the two mothers wanted them to have their own personal moments with their family.

   More specifically, with their fathers. 

   When Audrey walked into Mira's room that morning, she found Mira was already up and dressed, laid coloring in a picture on her bed. "Mommy!" She gasped as she looked up, jumping to her feet and hugging her legs. "You're home!"

   "Ooh, hello." Audrey greet as she picked her up, resting Mira on her hip as she peppered kisses all over her face. The six year old old laughed and squirmed in her arms, before leaning up and kissing her mom on the nose sweetly, making Audrey chuckle warmly. "I missed you too."

   She placed Mira back on her feet, and a thoughtful look crossed Mira's face, tilting her head. "Wait, does that mean..." She trailed off, her eyes widening as realization sunk in. 

   "They're awake, baby." Audrey told her softly, bending down in front of her. "They're all downstairs, and they're very excited to meet you."

   A mixture of emotions flashed across Mira's face, before she chewed on her bottom lip nervously. "Mom..." She began, causing Audrey to look at her in concern. "What if they... what if he doesn't like me?"

   "Sweetheart." Audrey frowned, gently holding her shoulders. "They all love you so much, your dad especially. He has loved you since the day we found out we were going to have you. You never need to worry about that." She gently cupped her face in her hands. "No one could ever not like you."

   "Really?" She asked quietly, though a small smile appeared.

   "Really." She squeezed her shoulders lightly. "Think you're ready?"

   Mira nodded with no hesitation, taking her mom's hand as Audrey rose to her feet. "I'm ready."

   Audrey led her daughter downstairs and toward the front door, to see it was already open. She locked eyes with Hayley as they approached, who just nodded down into the garden, where Hope had gone to go play. She raised a brow, but the hybrid mother just shook her head, looking worried at the crestfallen look Klaus wore. Hayley hid it as she spotted her niece, and gave her a warm smile as she moved out of the way, letting the two step outside. 

   "Everyone." Audrey spoke up, making all their eyes look over to them. Mira hid behind her mother's legs shyly at all the eyes that fell her at once, as Elijah let out a nervous breath. "There's someone who I'd like you to meet."

   Mira poked her head out and gave a small wave. "Hi." She let out quietly. "I'm Mira."

   Elijah stepped forward and bent down to her size, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Hello, Mira." He spoke with shaky voice. He'd practiced this moment over and over again in his head, but now it was happening, he couldn't shake the nerves that overcome him. "I'm--"

   "--You're my daddy." Mira cut him off and ran forward, throwing her small arms tightly around his neck. 

   And the nerves disappeared, as he picked his daughter up and held her tight, never wanting to let her go. His mind drifted back to the day she was born, the very first time he held her in his arms, and that intense feeling that had took over him in that moment. A love so intense that he thought he'd never experience, and it was there once again. He closed his eyes as she snuggled her head into his chest, and Audrey wiped her eyes to stop herself from crying. 

   This was all that either of them had ever wanted.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   *

   Eventually, Mira ran off into the garden to check on her cousin, leaving her parents to talk. Hayley took that as her chance to pull Klaus aside and talk to him, while everyone else went to find ways to occupy themselves. Though, before she left, Mira went around and got acquainted with each of her aunts and uncles. The shyness she'd felt gone like it had never even been an issue.  Audrey and Elijah sat on the steps of the porch together, hearing Mira and Hope's giggles from across the field, which made them both smile. Whatever Mira was saying to make Hope feel more at ease was working, and a smile was reappearing on Hope's face the more they talked. 

   Audrey's head rested on Elijah's shoulder, just enjoying the moment. After the last five years, she knew she never wanted to take the small moments for granted, even if it was just sitting and watching their daughter play. 

   "You've done an amazing job with her." Elijah spoke, pressing as kiss on the top her head. "You've raised our daughter into a sweet, kind, and brilliant little girl."

   "Sometimes, I feel like she does it all on her own." Audrey admitted. "From the moment she knew how to talk, she was always just so loving. Curious, too." She chuckled. "She's asked so many questions, and got me to tell her so many stories about you. She just wanted to know everything about you that she could." She looked up at him. "Having you here, being able to hug you like she did, it's her dream come true."

   "She's mine." He said wholeheartedly as he looked back at her. "My days in that dream world were spent thinking about the two of you. Of who she had become. Now I have you both, I never want to spend another day parted from you again."

   "Neither do we." She breathed out, as he rested his hand against her cheek, their foreheads resting together. "There wasn't a day these last five years that I didn't think about you, that I didn't miss you. I... I never want to experience that again."

   "I give you my word." He swore to her. "You won't have to." 

   Without saying a word, Audrey connected her lips with his and smiled into the kiss, cupping her face in his hands as he did. "Mommy? Daddy?" Mira's voice is what pulled them apart, who stood in front of them.

   "Hey sweetheart." Audrey chuckled, and pulled Mira to sit on her lap. "I thought you were playing with Hope?"

   "Uncle Nik went to go paint with her." She answered. "I wanted to come spend time with you."

   "Well, I'm going to go talk to aunt Rebekah and uncle Kol for a while." She stroked her hair. "So why don't you stay and spend time with your dad, yeah?"

   "Alright." Mira nodded with a smile, moving from Audrey's lap onto Elijah's.

   Elijah smiled and kissed her forehead, making her giggle. Audrey watched them both for a moment before she left them alone, wanting to give them the day to bond with one another. Mira watched until her mother disappeared inside, before looking up at Elijah curiously, tilting her head at him.

   "You made a promise to mommy." She said after a moment, making him raise a brow at her. "I heard both. You said the words we say when we make a promise."

   For a moment, it didn't sink in for him what she meant. "Which words?"

   "I give you my word." Mira recited, making his face soften instantly. "She told me that's what you say when you make a promise to someone, and that you never break it. I say it too." She told him. "I get mommy to say it too."

   "You do?" He asked, and he couldn't describe the feeling he got in his heart.

   Almost like it was glowing, as he listened to her tell him this. When Audrey told him she'd asked about him, he never once imagined she'd take on the mannerisms he held, or the sense of pride that would build up at hearing her say it. 

   "All the time." She nodded honestly, looking at him curiously once more. "What did you promise her?"

   "Well, I promised her that I would never leave you or her again." He told her, seeing no point in lying to her. If anything, he wanted to make the same promise to Mira. "Because being with you both is all that matters to me"

   Mira took that in and pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Mommy told me that you were sick, and that was why you had to go away. Does this mean you're better for good now?" She asked him.

   Elijah stroked her hair and he nodded. "I'm better." He assured her. "And no sickness will take me away from both of you ever again." 

   Her smile brightened into a grin, and she leaned up, pressing a kiss on his cheek. "Mommy told me you like to play piano." She said after a moment. "Could you teach me?" She asked hopefully. "She tried, but she isn't very good." She bit her lip in guilt and lowered her voice. "Don't tell her I said that. I don't want to hurt her feelings."

   Elijah chuckled in amusement, giving her a wink. "It can be our secret." He whispered, and rose to his feet with her in his arms. "If you want to learn, then that is exactly what we'll do."

   As Elijah carried her inside, Mira rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck, which made that warm and glowing feeling grow. If this was going to be his life now, Elijah knew he wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

   The father and daughter spent the afternoon sat in the parlor, Mira watching closely as Elijah taught her the different keys, copying his instructions exactly. As they played, they talked, and Elijah learned everything he could about her. From the big to the small details, he took in everything that he told her, and knew he wouldn't forget a single bit of it. He learned she refused to pick a favorite color, as she thought that all of them were just as beautiful, which was the reason she made the sign on her bedroom door rainbow themed. Her favorite flavor of ice cream was mint chocolate, a taste which she'd gotten from Audrey, and she also shared in both of their love for reading and books. 

   Mira pressed down on the sequence of keys that he showed her, and gasped in delight as the same tune he played her came out. "I did it!"

   "You did." He grinned at her expression. "You'll be playing like a professional soon enough.

   Mira giggled and shook her head. "I'm not that good."

   "Yet." He corrected, shaking his head. "With time and practice, I have no doubt in my mind that you'll be great."

   "Just like you." She beamed.

   "Better than me. I want you to be better than me in so many ways." He spoke softly, gazing at her with love in his eyes. "That's what I want for you, sweetheart. You are my daughter. My world." He touched her cheek. "You have the very best pieces of me and your mother in you, and I know you will continue to grow as the magnificent person you already are."

   Mira watched him closely a moment, before perched on her knees on the bench and leaned up, kissing his nose with a warm smile. "I love you, daddy."

   "I love you, so much, Mira." He breathed out. "Always and forever."

   "Always and forever." She repeated, touching his face in worry at the look her held. "Are you sad?"

   "No, sweetheart. Not at all." He promised her, and it was true. If he was honest, he was trying to hold back the tears he could feel forming, and they were far from sad ones. "I'm beyond happy right now."

   Despite being a little confused, Mira nodded and smiled as an idea came to mind. "Can I show you my trick?"

   He tilted his head and raised a brow. "And what may that be?"

   Jumping down off the piano bench, she walked over to the table were a vase full of wilting flowers sat, and gestured him to join her. Elijah walked over toward the table, and watched as Mira took off the bracelet around her wrist, which still held the charm of Audrey's necklace on it from when he put it there. She held hands flat above the flowers and closed her eyes in concentration, and Elijah watched as the flowers bloomed back to life in front of them, new ones of different colors appearing and sprouting upwards. 

   Mira peaked open an eye and grinned proudly, picking up her bracelet to put it back on. "Mommy and aunt Hayley don't let Hope and I use our magic." She told him quietly, clipping it back on her wrist. "But we don't always listen. It can be really fun, but sometimes it can get... scary." 

   Elijah understood why. The girls were still only young, and magic at their ages was hard to keep control of. The girls were different to a lot other witches out there, they were first born Mikaelson witches, which gave them a lot more power than any of them truly could understand. More than that, they both had vampire blood running through their veins, and Hope had her werewolf curse. Their magic something they'd need guidance and support with, so it could grow as they both did. 

   "It's a wonderful trick, Mira." He helped her to fasten the bracelet again. "I'm sure your aunt Freya will help you to learn more about it. Until then, though." He gave her a slightly stern look. "Let's listen to your mothers rules, okay?"

   She nodded in agreement. "Okay, daddy."

   A knock sounded from the doorway, and Audrey was there when they both looked. "Time to start getting ready for bed, Mira."

   "Can daddy tuck me in tonight?" She asked hopefully, grabbing onto his hand. "I want to show him the book we've been reading together."

   "I don't see why not." She nodded. "Go brush your teeth and start getting ready, and he'll meet you up there, okay?"

   "On it!" She nodded eagerly, smiling between both her parents before she left the room.

   Elijah moved closer, lifting Audrey's hand and kissed the top of it. "Meet me on the dock by the lake in an hour." He mumbled as he pecked her lips.

   Audrey slowly pulled away and raised a brow. "Yeah? What for?"

   "You'll see." He winked with a smirk, before he left to join their daughter upstairs.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

   While Elijah and Mira spent time together, Audrey spent her day keeping out of the way, wanting to give them as much time together possible. Like requested, she made her way down to the small dock that overlooked the lake within the hour, to see Elijah had managed to beat her there. It had been decorated and lit up with fairy-lights, and the table held an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne inside it, lit candles either side of it along with two glasses. 

   "How many chapters did she convince you to read?" She asked with a knowing smile.

   "I bargained her down to two." He informed her with a chuckle, glancing over his shoulder toward her. "On the promise that I read her another two tomorrow night." He poured them each a glass, before turning to hand her one. "She seems to love Alice in Wonderland."

   "Caroline got it for her." Audrey took the glass he held out to her. "She used to read it to her girls and they loved it, so she thought Mira might enjoy it." She smiled. "It quickly became her favorite story whenever she wasn't asking for stories about you."

   "I see." He mused with a nod. "Well, we made a deal, though I do have a sneaking suspicion we'll find her sleeping clutching the book and her flashlight later."

   "Nothing unusual then." She shook her head, looking at him. "She's as attached to you as she was as a baby again." She gave a playful glare. "You've once again taken the title of favorite parent."

   His grin appeared at that as he looked down happily. "Today was the perfect day." He told her wholeheartedly. "In my long life, I've never experienced a feeling such as this. She's so innocent, and I want to keep it that way."

   "We will." She agreed, placing her glass down to lace their hands together. "I've never told her more than she needs to know. She knows what we are, what the rest of her family is. Everything else can wait for now. I don't want her to grow up worrying about the things that she shouldn't." 

   Elijah kissed her hands as he gazed at her. "Once we leave here, and we've settled somewhere more permanent..." He held up her left hand. "It is more than time that I place another ring on your finger." He stepped closer, slowly grazing his fingers across her cheek. "And more than time that I get to call you my wife."

   "Yeah?" A teasing smile appeared on her lips. "Well, seven years is a long time to wait. Maybe I've changed my mind."

   "Hmm." He smirked. "Is that so?"

   "Mhm." She nodded innocently. "You were just too slow,Mr. Mikaelson."

   "Then allow me to change your mind, Miss. Gilbert." He pressed his lips to her neck,  pulling her flush against his chest. Audrey breathed heavily as she closed her eyes, her arms slowly snaking around his neck. "I do believe Mrs. Mikaelson sounds better." He whispered in her ear, as he slowly pulled away.

   Audrey felt her skin tingle and she looked up at him. "Don't stop."

   "Never." He mumbled.

   Lifting her up, Elijah rushed them both inside, kicking the door of their room closed behind them. He laid her back on the bed and hovered above, pressing kisses down her body as she pulled her shirt over her head. Lifting up slightly, Audrey grabbing onto the end of his tie and pulled him closer, tilting his head up so their lips connected passionately. Her hands lowered and fiddled with his belt, a small, and breathless moan escaping from her lips. After five years, both of them craved each others touch, and they craved this moment more than they could put into words. 

   And now, they felt complete.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

   Mira Mikaelson rubbed her eyes as she sat up in bed, clutching her white bear blanket to her chest. She grabbed her flashlight from the nightstand and shone it around the room, pointing it at the drawings that were scattered across her desk with her pencils. Each of the pictures were the same, the serpent eating it's own tail, and Mira had no idea why she had drawn it. It was just what kept coming to mind. 

   Pulling herself from bed, she set the flashlight down and made her way out into the hall, heading toward her parents room. "Mommy?" She called out as she knocked on the door. "Daddy?"

   After a moment of shuffling, the door opened and Audrey bent down in front of her daughter, wearing Elijah's shirt. "Sweetheart, what are you doing up?" She asked her softly. "You should be asleep."

   "Mom, I don't feel so good." She mumbled as she shook her head.  "My head really hurts."

   Audrey's face instantly fell in concern, pressing her hands to her daughters forehead, who was stone cold to the touch. "Elijah!"

   Elijah appeared behind within in seconds, looking at them both in concern. "What's wrong?"

   "She's stone cold." She let out, not for a second taking her eyes off Mira. "I don't understand. She's never gotten sick."

   "I saw these blue lights." Mira told them, rubbing tiredly at her eyes as she paled. "I don't know what they were, but they felt... bad. And there was this man, with other kids. He was hurting them."

   The two parents looked from their daughter to each other, both at a loss as to what do, especially as they saw a line of blood beginning to run from her nose. Shouting from the living room pulled them from their thoughts, and Elijah picked Mira up, the three making their way downstairs to see what was going on. When they walked in, they found Hayley sat on the couch with Hope in her lap, who was bundled up in a blanket.

   Looking just as pale as Mira did.

   "Hope, too?" Audrey let out in worry. 

   Hayley nodded with a frantic look. "We don't know what's wrong with her."

   Freya pushed up from where she knelt beside Hope, and walked over to her brother, Mira clinging to him. "It's okay." She gave her a small smile as she touched her cheek, closing her eyes in concentration. "It's the same with both of them." She said after a moment, looking around at the adults. "This is a magical affliction. It feels I don't know, it's hard to explain. Almost cold."

   Hayley frowned deeply at that, before she patted her pocket in confusion, pulling out a piece of paper. She unfolded it and scanned the words on the page, looking up at everyone in surprise. "It's from Vincent Griffith. He knows what's wrong with the girls, he can cure her." Her face faltered at what she read next. "But we have to go back to New Orleans."

Yeah... I'm sorry. 

We're heading back to New Orleans next chapter to find out what's wrong with Mira and Hope. But before all this happened, we had some really sweet bonding between Mira and Elijah, which melted my heart to write. Audrey and Elijah also had their own special moment, which I feel was long overdue. 

I hope you all enjoyed!