Moon Over Bourbon Street
Part II:

The monsters in your head are frightening for the very same reason everyone believes they shouldn't be, they're not real. Because day in and day out you must live with the knowledge that your own mind is working against you, whispering dark things in the middle the night, disobeying your desperate cries to stop, your own mind is a murderous adversary, an enemy under your own skin and nothing is quite so terrifying.

Klaus wears the faintest smile as he looks around the busy outdoor cafe where he sits until his attention goes to Lola sitting opposite him as she laughs, "Is something amusing, love?"

Lola calms her laughter down, "I think I'm just in shock that I didn't have to drag you here. And the fact that it was your idea we come here." Lola shrugs, smiling over to him with a hint of tease in her eyes, "I guess I'm just waiting for the catch."

"There is no catch. Is it wrong that I wish to spend more time with you before the baby arrives?" Klaus sits back in his seat, glancing up at the clear sky playfully rolling his eyes, "I also figured I'd finally bring you here considering you never stop nagging about it."

Lola's jaw is slack as she stares over to Klaus who gives her a playful side eyed look, "I do not nag! Forgive me for wanting you to see outside of the compound walls." Lola's eyes and entire posture softens as she looks around the busy quaint cafe before smiling over to Klaus, "I've missed this. I've missed it just being the two of us sometimes without any other drama going on around us."

"I have a strong feeling that it will continue to be like this." Klaus mimics the same loving smile, sitting forward he reaches his hand across the table, "I promise you."

Lola raises an amused brow, intertwining her hand with his, "I'll remind you that you said that." Her brows furrow every so slightly as though there's something stuck in the back of her throat, she clears her throat, "There was something I wanted to talk to you about. Do—"

Coughing becomes more vigorous as Lola is unable to continue her conversation, she covers her hand over her mouth. Klaus leans forward in his seat, brows knitted with concerned, "Lola..."

Lola's eyes show nothing but panic as she continues to choke on what seems like nothing, the strange sensation that her windpipe is slowly closing up, "I can't breathe—"

Klaus immediately comes to a stand, rushing to Lola's side as she begins to choke on something. Her hand moves away from her mouth as blood begins to pour out of her mouth, choking even more on the blood. They both stare in horror at Lola unable to stop choking on her own blood. Klaus' eyes are dark with panic, brows knitted together as he holds Lola against himself, holding a napkin against her lips which quickly becomes stained with the crimson red blood.

Klaus' breath catches in the back of his throat as he wakes. His eyes are wide, staring out in front of him at the side of his bed as he takes deep breaths.

"Hey." The warmth of Lola's hand against his shoulder instantly makes him relax. Klaus closes his eyes, breathing out a sigh of relief before turning in the bed to face a concerned looking Lola sat up holding a book in her other hand, "You okay?"

Klaus nods faintly, he takes Lola's hand kissing her knuckles, "It was just a dream." He sits up further in the bed beside her, "Is that yet another book that came with the care package?"

"Yep, it is." Lola's attention goes back to the thick book, she flicks through the pages, "I feel like Caroline read all of these before she sent them here because she keeps calling me with what seems like pop quizzes to see if I'm actually reading them or not. Which has made me create a little pop quiz of my own." Lola shuts the book, placing it on her lap before looking up towards the ceiling, "Did you know that the oldest woman to give birth was 66 years old?" She scoffs glancing between Klaus and then to the book on her lap, "I want to find her and gloat that I've beat her record by an extra 103 years." She sighs softly, looking over to Klaus sitting beside her wearing an expression Lola's never seen before. She smiles slightly, narrowing her eyes at him, "What?"

Klaus looked at her directly in the eyes and gave her the most sincere smile the faint lines around his mouth were so prominent as his hand runs through her soft locks, finding a place at the back of Lola's head, "I love you."

He can feel Lola's smile as he presses his lips against hers. Klaus pulls away slightly to see Lola's eyes shine with love unable to wipe away her smile. Lola swipes her thumb across Klaus' lips, laughing breathlessly, taken aback by their kiss, "I love you. Are you sure you're okay?" Klaus pulls away from Lola as he sighs heavily, lowering his head to look away from her making Lola sit up further in bed, "Nik, come on talk to me. Was it something to do with the dream you just had that made you jolt awake?"

"We were at the little cafe you love so much, the day seemed perfect until it wasn't. One minute you were fine," Klaus wears a sad smile, taking hold of Lola's hand, "You were perfect but then—" Klaus swallows harshly, shaking his head, "You started choking, choking on your own blood and I couldn't help you. What if—"

"Oh no, we're not doing this." Lola cuts him off, she throws the book from her lap onto the floor. She lowers her head to catch Klaus' gaze as she takes hold of both hands, "Hey, I'm fine. I'm healthy and I'm fine. Nikita gave me the all clear and aside from the lack of sleep, everything else is okay." Lola smiles, placing a hand against her stomach, "She just likes to keep us on our toes."

Klaus' posture relaxes, smiling at Lola's stomach as he places his hand over hers, "How is our little one?"

Lola sighs as she sits back in the bed, resting against the headboard, "She is having the time of her life in there using my bladder as her own personal trampoline." Klaus lays beside her, leaving a soft kiss against her shoulder as they both look down at their hands against Lola's stomach, "We still need to think of names."

Klaus hums in thought, "How about Prudence?" Lola wears a shocked expression as she looks over to Klaus, her mouth is agape with a hint of a smile making Klaus shrug, "What?"

Lola shakes her head, laughing softly and narrows her gaze towards him, "I can't tell if you're being serious or not."

Klaus' brows shoot up in amusement before softly kissing Lola, "Maybe I'm not." His arm wraps around Lola's waist, pulling her closer to him, "However, I am being serious when I say that we should do nothing at all today but just stay right here."

"Right," Lola breathes out as Klaus leaves an array of kisses against her jaw, "Because we haven't done anything like that at all for the past couple weeks."

"I have a better idea." Klaus climbs out of the bed, grabbing a shirt. He buttons it up walking towards their window, opening the drapes more than they already were, "Allow the sunlight to radiate your beauty even further as you remain there while I do this."

Lola raises a brow as she watches Klaus walk into the adjoined living area and he walks back in carrying an easel making her laugh, she props herself up by her elbows, "Oh okay, so you create your own strange poetry and paint me laying here looking like a beached whale."

Klaus shakes his head as he chuckles, "Sweetheart, it is not possible for you to look anything but beautiful." With a teasing brow he moves away from the easel in Lola's direction, "Besides, I don't need you laying there to inspire my art because I have a perfect image of you that will never leave my mind."

Lola scoffs, laying back down on the bed, "I'm going to dread this piece of art, aren't I?"

"It's a surprise but I am confident that you will feel positive about what I have in mind." Klaus shrugs as he looks down at the paint tray in his hand before smirking over to Lola, "In the meantime, you stay there. You need to remain relaxed, remember?"

Lola attempts to fight back the urge to roll her eyes, feeling suffocated from the constant smothering, "I already told you, Nikita gave me the all clear. I am absolutely fine." She sits up in the bed, pursing her lips as she shrugs, "In fact, I am confident to go as far as being able to complete certain strenuous tasks."

Klaus raises an intrigued brow, immediately putting down his paint tray, stepping closer to Lola's side of the bed, "And prey tell," He drawls out in a low tone, his eyes light with mischief as he sits on the edge of the bed, "How strenuous are these particular tasks?"

Lola matches the same expression as him, leaning closer to him to make their lips practically touch, "You tell me."

A shiver is sent up Klaus' spine as he feels Lola's hands against his cheeks, pulling his lips towards hers; soft, warm and addictive as ever before. They can feel each other's smiles against themselves, Klaus' hands position on either side of Lola as she pulls herself and him deeper into the bed. Lola's fingers thread through Klaus' hair, pulling him closer to her than humanly possible as each other's desires kick in.

Their small moment of pleasure is soon interrupted as the doors pull open revealing Elijah clearing his throat, glancing away. A breathless Klaus pulls away from Lola, his jaw tightens lowering his head to the side of her, "Impeccable timing as always, brother."

Lola's lips form a thin line, softly patting Klaus against his chest, "And on that note," Klaus scoffs climbing off Lola before she walks towards the adjoined bathroom, "I'm going to get dressed."

As Lola looks at herself through the mirror, there's a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. A small amount of sadness weighs on her as she ponders on the thought that in a month her growing bump will be no more and instead their little miracle will be in her arms. It's a strange feeling, to miss the journey that will bring you a part of yourself and the one you love into the world. When your baby is inside you they are eternally close and makes a mother feel less fearful of things that could possibly hurt their child. The flutters, rolls and kicks are an incredible experience and though it took a while for Lola to adjust to this, she soon grew used to those little daily reminders of the miracle that is happening inside her. There have been many moments throughout Lola's pregnancy that has resulted in pain, heartache and sheer fear. But there is one thing Lola is confident that she has never felt, loneliness. No matter how hard the previous day may have been, all it takes is one little kick to make everything feel serene.

"Niklaus, it has been a month!" The bellowing voice of Elijah breaks Lola out of her daze, making her roll her eyes. Hoping that there may have been at least one say when tension wasn't constantly building up between both brothers.

As Lola leaves the bathroom, she can hear muffled conversation between them both in the adjoining living room until her phone goes off. She smiles down at her phone to see a message from Adrianna practically begging Lola to go round to her apartment in order to get her out of decorating with Nate.

"If you can so easily neglect your home, I wonder what will become of your daughter." Elijah's voice once again catches Lola's attention, "Have you forgotten what it was like to live beneath the threat of violence? We must work together, Niklaus. Let's make this city whole again."

Even as she is in another room Lola can feel the thick tension brewing between both Klaus and Elijah. She hears Klaus scoff, "Perhaps it is too broken to mend."

"If you won't do anything, I will."

Lola cringes to herself, already having a feeling that the result in that conversation is going to result in Elijah going to herself. She quickly grabs her jacket, quietly leaving her bedroom through a separate door, however jumps when Elijah is already standing by the door, "Charlotte, may I speak with you?"

Lola sighs, moving past Elijah attempting to walk away, "Elijah, I already told you that I will buy you a new god damn suit. You don't need to keep bringing up the whole smoothie suit saga."

Elijah sighs deeply, "Charlotte..." Lola stops in her step, jaw tenses before turning to face Elijah, "I need you to come with me and could you also arrange for Adrianna to come along?"

"Why?" Lola narrows her gaze, crossing her arms against her chest, "What's going on?"

Elijah wears a hint of an amused grin, stepping closer to her, "If I tell you now you won't come along."

"Or," Lola unfolds her arms, dropping them to her side, "You can tell me and then I'll decided whether or not I'm going."

"You wish to be able to bring your daughter up in a nontoxic environment, yes?" Elijah fastens his suit jacket as he begins to walk down the hallway in the opposite direction, "If you accompany me to St Anne's then I promise you it will be the start of turning this city into that."

"The church?" Lola questions as Elijah turns in his step to face her, "Is the start of this nontoxic thing going to me confessing my sins? How long do you have? Because we'll be there until the baby is born if I have to confess my sins." Receiving an unamused stare on Elijah makes Lola stop in her quip. She bites her lips and stays silent before she scoffs, throwing her hands up, "Okay fine! I'll go and get Adrianna." She turns on her heel and walks a few steps down the hallway until she twists herself round to face Elijah again, raising an unimpressed brow, "Oh and by the way, using blackmail against me so I'll do your little plan?" Her brows shoot up, lips pursed, "Nice job."

—✤—

"Hayley called last night," Lola announces as she pulls the car up to St Anne's church, she glances over to Adrianna in the passenger side as she switches the ignition off, "The herb mix worked."

Adrianna brows shoot up in surprise, "So they're all human again?" Lola hums in agreement as they both climb out of the car. Adrianna speed walks to catch up with Lola as they walk towards the church, "Are they okay with her, you know, being a hybrid?"

"Majority are, but there are some stragglers that aren't too pleased." Lola gives Adrianna a playful grin as she opens up the door to the church, "But you and I both know that Hayley knows how to stick up for herself." As the pair both enter the church, they're greeted by Elijah standing beside a table in the middle of the aisle, "Okay, Elijah, we're here. Now will you tell me why you needed us here so desperately?"

"It has taken weeks but we are finally having a meeting with various others from the supernatural and human factions to come to a new agreement." Elijah explains as he steps closer to the pair, "Niklaus no longer seems interested in the attempt to keep peace within this city but I'll not stand for the violence that has descended as of late."

Lola flashes an irritated smile, "That still doesn't answer my question."

"Yes, well if you had let me finished." Elijah quips with tease in his tone, "We have people from both the vampire and witch communities, however, I feel it may be beneficial for the two of you to also join in this treaty."

Their conversation is interrupted as a frail looking Father Kieran appears behind them, clutching hold of papers which he drops onto the floor. Adrianna rushes over to him, picking up the papers and guiding Kieran over to the table.

Lola's skin heats up in annoyance as she looks towards the entrance to see Genevieve walking in. Lola breathes in sharply, glaring over to Elijah, "You've got to be kidding me. She is the representative for the witches?"

Elijah clears his throat, gently placing his hand against Lola's wrist to turn the backs from everyone stepping into the church, "I trust you will be on your best behaviour, Charlotte."

"It should be her you're giving a scolding to." Lola scoffs, pushing Elijah's hand away from her before turning in her step, glaring towards the red headed witch, "After all, it is because of her that everything last month happened in this family and the result of that Rebekah is gone forever."

Elijah sighs deeply, lowering his head as he takes a deep breath, "I'm just as unhappy about that as you, I assure you. But nothing will get resolved if we cling onto the past."

Lola rolls her eyes, facing Elijah fully, "Fine, I'll behave if she does."

Elijah wears a gracious smile, taking hold of Lola's hand for a moment before letting go and approaching the now full table. Adrianna stands beside Lola, she follows Lola's hateful glare towards the witch making Adrianna gasp slightly, "It that—"

Lola hums, crossing her arms against her chest, "Witch bitch."

Genevieve wears a polite smile as she steps closer towards them both, "It's been a long time, Lola."

Lola shrugs her shoulders, wearing a mocking grin, "Oddly, it's not been long enough."

Genevieve breathes out pent up breath, flashing one last smile in Lola's direction before turning slightly to face Adrianna. Her smile beams from ear to ear as she holds her hand out towards her, "I don't believe we've met, I'm—"

"I know who you are." Adrianna raises a brow at Genevieve's reaching hand, she clears her throat as she intertwines her own hands around her back, "Which is why I'm going to bring this little introduction to a quick end."

Lola bites the inside of her cheek, looking down at the ground as she attempts to hold back her laughter. Genevieve laughs to herself watching as Adrianna steps away from them both until Lola clears her throat, gesturing towards the table behind them, "Father Kieran is about to begin so if you'd take a seat." Genevieve nods, turning away until Lola speaks up once again, "Oh and be careful," Genevieve frowns in Lola's direction who wears a smug grin, "Those seats are really old and I'd so hate it if one would break as you sat on one."

Elijah raises an unimpressed brow at Lola as he steps closer. Lola wears an innocent expression, shrugging her shoulders, "I'm just warning our fellow townies of health and safety risks." She gestures for Elijah to go back towards the table, "As you were."

Adrianna tilts her head, frowning at Lola who remains standing, "You're not sitting down?"

She shakes her head, her hand goes to her lower back as she stretches out her back, "Is it weird that my back hurts less if I stay standing?"

Adrianna hums to herself as she shrugs, "No, that's not weird at all. I'm sure it's quite common, probably not as common as falling asleep as you're brushing your teeth; I bet that's most common one out of them all."

Lola shoots an unamused glare over to her best friend, "I know that's sarcasm and I do not appreciate it."

"St. Anne's has long been neutral ground in our city." Father Kieran begins, "So, it's only fitting that we gather in this chamber at the behest of Elijah Mikaelson to bring harmony to this place we call home. Thank you all for coming."

"Yes, thank you." Elijah grips hold of a large scroll, smiling towards the various supernatural and human begins around the table, "And welcome. These are the rules of the city according to Marcel Gerard." He continues to wear a smile as he tears the document in half, "Which, of course, no longer apply, because I'm in charge."

"You said that if we came along, that we would get to run things by ourselves." Diego grunts, rolling his eyes, "Never mentioned anything about making yourself king."

"Well, you were each selected to represent your own communities. And I will honour that, however, any issues that arise between factions, it will come to me." Elijah continues, his tone is calm and collective, "Now, we are all responsible for the current chaos in the city. However, you have one very, very simple choice ahead of you here: you can all play nicely together, or you can leave. Shall we begin?"

Lola cringes as she watches the summit soon turn into rows between each fraction, both her and Adrianna remain silent in the back until she leans closer to Adrianna, "Do you think they'd notice if we leave?"

Adrianna shrugs, "Well..."

"This is our city, too!" Diego's booming voice stops Adrianna from continuing, his eyes show nothing but rage as he glares across the table towards Genevieve, "We should be able to go wherever the hell we want!"

Genevieve rolls her eyes, her voice raising higher than Diego's as she looks towards Elijah at the head of the table, "We would consider it an act of war!"

"We're getting nowhere." Kieran's tone turns venomous, his stature becomes more frail, skin turning pale as he slowly comes to a stand from his seat, "You vile creatures cannot agree."

"Father!" Elijah raises his voice making everyone else stop arguing, "Calm yourself, please." Kieran sighs, sitting back in his seat, "Thank you. Now returning to the issue of boundaries, you will all heed to the following—"

"—Are you serious?" The furious voice of Hayley causes everyone to turn, facing the entrance when an angry Hayley stands, glaring over to Elijah.

"Shit, quick." Adrianna grips onto Lola's arm, turning both of their backs from Hayley as she whispers in a panicked tone, "Do that invisible trick thing."

Lola grimaces, "It's too late we're done for."

She turns them both back around to face everyone else, including an enraged Hayley who continues glaring at Elijah, "You're dividing up the city, and the werewolves don't even get a say?"

Diego angrily stands up, pointing towards Hayley, "What the hell is she doing here?"

"Diego, sit." Elijah demands without his stare leaving Hayley, he comes to a stand, "We are not dividing the city. We're establishing boundaries—"

"No, Elijah!" Hayley raises her voice, cutting Elijah off from continuing, "There is not gonna be a peace if the werewolves are excluded. They want a seat at the table." Muffled scoffs and grunts are heard from around the table as Hayley continues, "And if they don't get one, I can guarantee that you will all regret it."

—✤—

Adrianna releases a satisfied breath, sinking deeper into the heated car seat, "You should steal Klaus' car more often, the seats are the best."

Lola scoffs shaking her head, "I didn't steal it, I borrowed it. My car is unpractical at the minute especially considering it takes me up to half an hour to get in and out of the thing."

"I'm guessing this isn't the first time you've done this considering all that's been playing is Britney." Adrianna purses her lips as she stays silent in thought before she shrugs, "Unless Klaus is a closet Britney fan."

Lola chews on her lip to fight back laughter, "I may have fiddled with the stereo to play Britney and now I sorta don't know how to make it not play her music." She turns off the ignition as she pulls up outside of Adrianna's apartment complex, "He's not mentioned it so maybe he is."

Adrianna sighs, sinking even further into her seat, eyes flashing with guilt, "Are we the worst people in the world leaving Hayley and Elijah back there?"

Lola frowns shaking her head, "Not at all. There's been some strange tension building up between them both, especially since we barely see Hayley now, she's always in the bayou." Lola climbs out of the car, grabbing hold of her grimoires from the back seat, "Plus, I said to Cami that we'll go through the grimoires I have to see if we can figure something else to try on Kieran."

"Lola..." Adrianna drawls out, smiling awkwardly as she stands opposite Lola on the sidewalk, "I know you want to do everything you can to help but I think there comes a time where you need to put your health first."

Lola's shoulders drop as she shakes her head, "What do you mean?"

Adrianna's brows knit together with concern, glancing between the grimoires in Lola's hands and her, "For the last month you've gone through all your grimoires at least three times back to front trying to figure out a cure for Kieran and nothing has worked. You're not giving up hope and I admire that but..."

"Ade," Lola sighs, "I'm not going to stop trying to find a way to help them."

"Of course not." Adrianna smiles, taking hold of Lola's hand, "Of course you're not. But, I'm just saying that maybe we should ask a witch who isn't in the last month of her pregnancy. Nikita said—"

"Nikita gave me the all clear," Lola scoffs, removing her hand out of Adrianna's grasp, "She said I'm perfectly healthy. I don't know how many times I need to say this to people."

Adrianna nods in agreement before giving her a knowing stare, "And the way to stay like that is to not overwork yourself like you have since the beginning of this pregnancy."

Lola laughs in a half-exasperated manner, "Ade, I love you but if anyone should be deciding on what I can and cannot handle it should be me considering it's my body. I'm not some battery that has to wait until they're fully charged to do anything." Her tense stature relaxes somewhat as she looks over Adrianna's shoulder to see Cami approaching them both, "Here's Cami now."

Adrianna turns to watch as Cami approaches them, she waves her over to them, "I spoke to Cami the other day, what does she mean when she said that we should trade our stories from behind bars?"

Lola bites the inside of her cheek, refusing to look in Adrianna's direction as her tone becomes high pitched, "I may have mentioned in passing about the time I bailed you out of jail."

Adrianna rolls her eyes, blinking away an embarrassed blush, "I thought we agreed to never bring that up."

Lola tries to hold in her laughter but fails to do so, which results in a small snort escaping, "It's too hilarious to not bring up now and again." Her smile widens as Cami greets them both, "Hey, Cami. I brought these again so we can try and figure out something new to try." Lola picks up on Cami's demeanour which turns awkward, looking over to Adrianna. Lola frowns, glancing between them both, "What?"

Cami laughs slightly before opening up the door into the apartment complex, "Adrianna and I have both came to the agreement that you should take a step back from this whole thing with my uncle."

Lola scoffs, walking into the complex first before turning to face the others, "You're tag teaming against me? Cami, I told you I was going to help you no matter what."

"And you will never know how much that means to me." Cami assures her as they walk up the flights of stairs, "But, Adrianna is right." As they reach the floor Adrianna, Nate and Scott live on, Cami takes hold of Lola's grimoires as she continues, "Scott told me once that a few years back he hung around a powerful coven and maybe he's still in contact with them. If he is, maybe they'll be able to help my uncle."

Adrianna then takes the books out of Cami's grasp, gesturing behind them towards Scott's apartment, "You guys get Scott, I'm gonna make sure Nate hasn't turned our place upside down with all this apparent DIY he was set on doing."

Lola follows Cami as they step towards Scott's apartment, her eyes widen slightly watching as Cami goes to open the door straight away without knocking, "Oh, you're just gonna-"

Cami opens up the apartment door, immediately stepping in, "Hey, the door was unlocked so I took a chance that..." Cami comes to a quick halt, both her and Lola's eyes widen as they looks further into the apartment to see Scott standing with his arms wrapped around Genevieve which makes Cami scoff, "You weren't with a half-naked psycho-witch. Seems I gambled and lost."

Genevieve looks towards both of the blondes smugly, "Ten minutes ago, I was fully naked."

"Oh!" Cami's tone is fuelled with sarcasm, she flashes deride grin, "Then you served your purpose. Don't let me hold you up."

Genevieve's smug attitude soon vanishes, she steps closer towards Cami, glaring at her, "You O'Connells sure do love to piss off witches."

Lola laughs maliciously, stepping in between both Genevieve and Cami, "Listen, Grenadine—"

"Genevieve."

Lola scoffs, "Genefreak. This pregnancy makes me awfully clumsy and forgetful," Lola's mocking smile beams, "I would so hate to accidentally trip while I carry a whole bottle of anti-freeze which would lead to it falling into every single food and drink item that Scott has in here and completely forget to tell you." She closes the gap between herself and the witch, eyes turn dark with annoyance, "Speak to Cami with that level of disrespect again and I may have to make that happen." She looks behind Genevieve to see her items of clothing scattered across the room, "So if you don't mind, would you gather up your trashy pieces of silk and get the hell out of here?"

Genevieve swallows harshly, as though she is swallowing anything she would have said back. Instead she picks up her clothing before pushing past Cami, leaving the apartment. Everyone remains silent until the door slams behind her.

Scott sighs, leaning against the wall as his face buries into the palm of his hand, "Seriously?"

Lola raises a brow watching as Scott runs his hand through his hair, giving Lola an unamused glare making Lola laugh, "Oh, you're giving me the seriously look? What the hell are you doing with her, Scott?"

Scott frowns, he stands up straight as he scoffs, "Oh, you think you're allowed to judge me on who I'm with? That any of you have that right?"

"Really?" Cami folds her arms against her chest, stepping closer to Scott, "She tries to blackmail me, blackmail us both to use that stupid mystical knife of excruciating pain on the father of your best friend's child."

Lola closes her eyes as she sighs, taking a seat on the sofa, "Cami—"

"No." Cami holds her hand out, stopping Lola from continuing. She glares at Scott, "This is because of what I said the other night, isn't it? You're really going to stoop that low?"

Lola laughs breathlessly, she edges forward on the sofa, "You know, I think I can hear Ade shouting me—"

"Or maybe some personal choices I make have nothing to do with what you say to me, Cami." Scott raises his voice, his anger showing just as much as Cami's. Lola cringes, sinking into the sofa as the argument carries on, "I'd like to think that you didn't come here to question me on the private ongoings in my life."

Cami's shoulders relax, she drops her head as she sighs, "It's Kieran. He's deteriorating. The pills, the meditation, Lola's magic and elixirs, they're not working. His lucidity's shrinking by the day. A witch did this, a witch can undo it. You told me you had links with a coven a few years ago, would they be able to help out?"

Scott sighs, shaking his head, "I lost all contact with them, with pretty much everyone from back then."

"Well...you seem super-tight with Genevieve..." Cami's jaw is tight, lips form a thin line, "Maybe you could persuade her to help."

"Cami, it won't be of any use." Scott's eyes darken with guilt, he sits beside Lola on the sofa, "I've researched everything I can about different hexes, this type of hex is complicated. It starts off with magic but once it takes root, they change everything. They change the complete chemistry of the brain. Lola siphoning and making those elixirs helped but only minor, it just allowed you to have as much time with your uncle as you have." Scott's eyes soften, looking up at Cami who's eyes have turned glossy, looking away from him, "I'm sorry. But, there's nothing else that can be done."

"I refuse to accept that." Cami snaps, tears pool in the corner of her eyes as she glares down at him, "And you would too if you had any concept of family."

"You will never believe who I've just seen walking down this corridor;" Adrianna steps into the apartment, laughing to herself, "Half dressed and looking like a washed up wh—" She stops herself, picking up the atmosphere in the room. She glances between an awkward Lola on the sofa, a shocked Scott and a heartbroken Cami, "Oh, what's going on?"

Cami wipes away the stray tears, "It doesn't matter."

Adrianna quickly steps to the side as Cami storms out of the apartment. Her eyes are wide glancing between the door and Lola who gestures for Adrianna to follow Cami, which she does. Lola stays silent as Scott releases a heavy breath standing up from the sofa, walking over to the open planned kitchen.

"Scott..."

"You don't have to say anything, Lo." Scott grunts, opening the fridge and taking out a beer before he shrugs, "I get it. What Cami said is true. I mean, how can I understand anything about family after I made mine believe I was dead for twenty years?" He laughs spitefully, twisting off the beer cap, "I went on to live a different life while they grieved."

"Scott, you did that to protect your family." Lola's tone is soft and calm as she stands up, crossing her arms against herself as she steps further towards Scott, "What's going on between you and Cami?"

"I, uh—" Scott shakes his head, looking away from Lola as he harshly places the beer onto the kitchen counter, "I really don't want to speak about that right now. Or ever." He begins to pace around the apartment, mumbling to himself as he runs his hand through his hair. The way he holds himself right now is something Lola hasn't seen in twenty years, when Scott was unable to control his blood lust, "My mind is just going a million miles and I'd like to keep my mind level. This is what I've been doing to stay like that. Do you get the picture?"

Lola's lips turn up in disgust, shuddering at the imagine of Genevieve half naked in the apartment, "Getting the picture isn't the problem, getting rid of it is."

Scott breathes out an irritated breath, he throws his head back looking up at the ceiling, "I don't know why I even bother speaking to any of you honestly."

Lola holds her hands up, "Okay, I'll stop judging." She closes the gap between herself and Scott, taking hold of his hand, "Scott, you're worrying me. What's going on?"

Scott steps back, throwing his arms up in the air to remove Lola's grasp, "I could really just do with some alone time if it's all the same to you, Lo." He walks straight over to the apartment door, opening it before he shrugs, "Okay? I'll speak to you later."

Lola hesitates for a moment, she can see the pain behind Scott's eyes but doesn't understand the reasoning behind it. Maybe it is because of what just happened between himself and Cami, but she fears it could be something worse than that. Lola swallows harshly before flashing a faint smile, "Okay."

—✤—

If Lola had known any better, she'd have thought Klaus' shoes were glued to the living room floor as he continues to remain standing in front of his easel. Barely leaving the room for weeks and if he did, it would be in their bedroom which often lead to the easel being in there also. He looks over his artwork towards Lola who steps into the living room, grabbing hold of her jacket.

"Let me guess," Klaus drawls out as his attention goes back to the canvas, "You're going to hurl threats to that witch again, aren't you?"

Lola purses her lips, as she shrugs, "It may be too hard for me to contain them if I see her."

Klaus brow raises in amusement, he smirks over to Lola as he points the paintbrush in his hand in her direction, "Subtlety is never really one of your strong suits, is it?"

"I can be subtle." Lola says unsurely, wrapping her around Klaus' waist, "Sorta. You found the anti-freeze threat funny last night." Her eyes sparkle with tease, leaning back, "Oh wait, I know what you're thinking. We should go with something that's quicker, right?"

Klaus hums, placing his paint brush down before wrapping his arms around Lola, "A simple throat extraction may suffice. On a serious note, where are you going?"

Lola moves away from him, talking towards the desk and picking up an ivory envelope, "Finally giving them both this." She gives Klaus a quick kiss before she starts walking out of the room, "I'll be back soon."

Adrianna walks out of her bedroom to be greeted with Lola standing in the living room, chatting in-distinctively to Nate. Her smile widens, stepping closer to the pair, "Hey, what are you doing here?"

"There's something I've been meaning to give to the both of you for months but given everything that's happened..." Lola takes the envelope out of her jacket pocket, holding it out towards them, "It can't wait any longer." She pushes it further towards the couple who look unsure, "Go ahead, open it."

Nate laughs slightly as he takes it and opens it. Both Nate and Adrianna's faces turn into shocked expressions as they read the contents, they look over to Lola stunned who is fighting the urge to jump up and down with excitement, "A month long trip around Italy. It's one of your favourite countries in the world and it would be selfish if you didn't share the beauty of Italy with Nate. This was going to be my gift to you both for your honeymoon but I figured why not have the honeymoon first?"

Nate shakes his head, folding the papers up, "Lo, this is too much."

Adrianna nods in agreement, "Plus you're due in a month." She closes the gap between herself and Lola, taking hold of each others hands, "I'm gonna be here for you during it all, remember?"

"And I love you for that but you have both done so much for me and this is my way to show how much you both mean to me." Still with her hands intertwined with Adrianna's, Lola takes a step back, "If you deny my gift then I'll cry and do you really want to make an eight month pregnant girl cry?"

Adrianna laughs breathlessly, eyes start to become glossy as she looks at Nate standing behind her and back to Lola, looking unsure as she shrugs, "Lo, I don't know."

"Adrianna Marie Miller, you are the most selfless, amazing and kind hearted person I have ever met." Lola tightens her hands around Adrianna's, her smile is wide, "You gave up a wedding and your life in New York to move across the country to be here with me." Her brows turn inwards, glancing between both Nate and a teary eyed Adrianna, "You all did that and I love you all so much. Please do this, not for me but for yourself. You deserve to do something for yourself for once in your god damn life." Lola laughs softly, swiping her thumb across Adrianna's cheek as a tear falls, ignoring the fact tears are also forming in the corner of her eyes, "Besides, you won't be gone forever and when you come back you'll have a niece here waiting for you. And no doubt hundreds of dirty diapers that will need changing."

"I love you so much." Adrianna shakily breathes out as she pulls Lola into a warm embrace, "I'm sorry I made you cry."

Lola laughs as she tightens the embrace, "I made you cry too so we're even." She looks over Adrianna's shoulder to see Nate smiling at them which is when she holds her hand out, "Nate, get in here." All three of them stand in the embrace for a moment until Lola starts to squirm around, "Okay, that's enough you're suffocating me and the baby." She breathes out as they break away from each other, she takes hold of both Adrianna and Nate's hand, "I love you guys."

"We love you too." Nate watched as Adrianna breaks away from the pair, walking further into the living room before he narrows an unsure stare at Lola, "Are you okay, Lo? You seem—"

"A hormonal mess?" Lola breathes out, she laughs wiping away fallen tears, "The last month of pregnancy will do that to you."

Adrianna stops in her step, behind Lola in the middle of the living room as she stares down at the tickets in her hand, "Wait a minute, these tickets say we leave tonight. Lo, that—"

"—Gives you plenty of time to get everything you need packed." Lola smiles sincerely over to Adrianna.

Adrianna matches the same smile, "I'll accept on one condition." She holds up a small white box stepping towards Lola, "For weeks we have said we have needed to do our classic movie marathon, watching all the eighties films that we can manage." She opens the lid of the white box to reveal all of their favourite movies they'd always watch together, "We're doing that today, no exceptions. Sweatpants, junk food and you."

Lola brows shoot up in shock, unable to fight back a smile, "Adrianna Miller is letting me have junk food? No kale?" Adrianna gives Lola a knowing look making her laugh, closing the lid in Adrianna's grasp, "Deal. I'll see you back at the compound."

Just as Lola steps outside of Adrianna's apartment complex, her phone begins to ring. She taps her nail against the phone as she stares down at the called ID, once again fighting the urge to answer. The same ID has been calling non stop all morning and it's not that Lola doesn't want to answer, she worries that answering may make situations worse. Shoving her phone back into her pocket after screening the call, Lola walks the few feet towards her car.

"It's good to know you're actually alive and well."

Lola jumps at the familiar voice, she turns to see Marcel with his hood up appear out of the alley she has just walked past. She mentally slaps herself as she looks away from him, "Shit."

Marcel chuckles to himself, digging his hands into his jacket pocket as he steps closer to Lola, "And that it's just your stubborn attitude that is screening my calls."

Lola gestures her phone over to him, showing the several screened calls, "Seriously?"

Marcel shrugs, unable to wipe away his amused grin, "I needed to talk to you, Lo, but you keep avoiding my calls."

Lola laughs awkwardly, shaking her head as she frowns, "I'm not avoiding your calls." She's greeted with an even wider amused grin from Marcel before she rolls her eyes, "Okay, maybe I am."

Marcel speed walks slightly to keep up with Lola as she starts to walk away, "You know, if I'd know any better I would say you miss me just as much as I miss you and that even though Klaus and Elijah hate my ass, you don't and you never have." He stands in front of her to stop her from walking further, "I also know that you have never been one to let others control you."

Lola scoffs, arms folding against her chest as she narrows her stare, "If I'd know any better I would say that this is the start of your stupid speech before you try and tell me what to do."

Marcel places his hand against Lola's arm, gently moving her to the side of the path, "All I need is a simple little boundary spell."

Lola looks down at Marcel's hand against her arm before she moves it away, "Has please escaped your vocabulary? Why the hell do you need a boundary spell?"

Marcel's face drops, turning more serious, "It's for Kieran. The hex is getting worse and last night he attacked Cami."

"He what?" Lola's face twists with concern, looking to her side where the apartment block is, "Is she okay? Where is she?"

"I haven't seen her, I've just heard that's what happened." Marcel shrugs, also glancing over to the block, "I was going to go and see her after I hopefully convince you to do a boundary spell to keep Kieran in the attic." Marcel's shoulders slump as he steps closer to Lola, eyes full of plead, "Come on, Lo, please? It's not for me, it's for Cami."

Lola remains silent in thought, comparing this scenario to the saying a fork in the road. Everything in her being is telling her to help, she feels no negativity between herself and Marcel and would do anything she could to help him and Cami out. Yet in doing so, she is going behind the back of Klaus and Elijah after Elijah exiled Marcel from the quarter. Lola pushes back away the thoughts of the impact this will create between herself and the Mikaelsons, knowing this is the right thing to do.

She looks over to Marcel who continues to wear the same pleading look, "Fine. Don't do that to me again."

"What?"

"Those stupid puppy dog eyes." Lola pushes Marcel away from her slightly, "It's my number one pet hate."

Marcel steps back as he smiles tilting his head, holding his hands up, "More than losing croquet?"

Lola slashes her arms through the air as Marcel begins to laugh, "Okay, you know what?" She stops herself as she looks over to Marcel who's eyes show nothing but sincerity making Lola playfully roll her eyes, "I hate you."

Marcel chuckles, wrapping his arm around Lola as they walk towards her car, "No, you don't."

"Before we do anything," Lola stops in her step, eyes are full of guilt, "I want to speak to you. Well, to apologise. Truth is I am avoiding you but it has nothing to do with what is going on between you, Klaus and Elijah." She throws her hands up, laughing awkwardly, "I'm an asshole. When I first came back here I was on Klaus' side about getting the city back when it wasn't even ours to take back in all honesty. I was cold towards you when I should have been apologising from the start about 1919. I should have been happy that you were here alive and well but I wasn't." Her brows knit together, stepping towards him, "Marcel, I am so sorry for how I've been with you."

Marcel smiles slightly, he shakes his head as he holds his hand up, "Lola, you don't—"

"No, I do." Lola cuts him off, "I just want you to know that whatever you have going on with the rest of this family, just know that I will never turn my back on you again. I promise you." Lola's green orbs lock with Marcel's brown ones, she smiles sincerely at him taking hold of his hand, "You're still my family, Marcel. You always have been and you always will be. The night of that charity event you said to me that I was the one that understood you the most all those years ago and I want us to go back to that." She playfully nudges him, "Plus, I have missed you."

"I've missed seeing this side of you, Lo." Marcel chuckles, once again wrapping his arm around Lola as they walk, "The side that isn't always ready with a fork to attack with."

"Oh, that side of me is still here and it will never go away." Lola laughs as she shrugs, "I guess I've just realised that I don't always have to use that side to get my point across."

—✤—

There were many things Lola expected to see as her and Adrianna both sat as they begin their movie marathon, one being Adrianna starting to cry like clockwork at the same part of The Breakfast Club that she always does.

However, there is one thing she definitely didn't expect to see. Lola's eyes widen as she looks over to Elijah who enters the living room, "Oh my god." She begins to choke on thin air, brows knitting together as she tries to calm herself down. Elijah frowns stepping closer as he grows concern, Lola calms herself down, eyes still wide, "You're not wearing a suit."

Adrianna glances between an unimpressed, casually dressed Elijah and Lola who looks like a deer in headlights. She fights forward, lightly patting Lola on the back, "Uh, Lo. You good?"

Lola nods, moving Adrianna away from herself as she takes a dramatic breath, "I'm just in shock."

Elijah sighs, remaining silent before he switches the television off in front of them making Lola scoff, "What the hell, Elijah?"

"Yes well, I'm afraid your little movie day has to end prematurely." He gestures towards the door before giving Lola a knowing look, "I acquire your assistance."

Lola rolls her eyes as she sinks further into the sofa, looking over to Adrianna sitting beside her, "Screw Nate, I'll go to Europe with you instead." She throws her hands up as Elijah remains standing in his spot, arms against his chest, "I've already said I'm coming to this party tonight, even though I don't exactly have a choice. What else do you need me for?"

"Come with me."

She watches as Elijah begins to walk out of the living room, she scoffs as she comes to a stand, "If I'm not back in ten minutes alert the emergency services." She follows Elijah into another room where Klaus is already sitting, he glances up at Lola attempting to hide his amusement. She raises a brow between both brothers, "Is this some kind of intervention?"

Elijah clears his throat, sitting down opposite the sofa Klaus is on. He gestures for Lola to sit beside his brother, "I spoken to Genevieve earlier today..."

As Lola sits beside Klaus, he leans closer to her wearing an entertained grin, "You're in trouble."

"She claims that a certain someone in this family threatened to poison her with anti-freeze." Elijah attempts to hide his impatient expression behind a fake smile looking over to the pair, "Any ideas whom that someone may be?"

Lola's lips form a thin line, she leans closer to Klaus, "I told you we should have gone with something that was quicker."

"Charlotte," Elijah sighs dramatically, looking down at the desk he sits at, "I am trying to create peace between everyone in New Orleans and I would hope that you'd help me by signing the treaty. In doing so, perhaps, threatening to put anti-freeze into a certain someone's food isn't the best way to show the peace."

"Why not?" Lola quips receiving laughter from Klaus. She gestures to him as she wears a smug grin towards Elijah, "See, even Nik agrees with my tactics."

"Charlotte..."

Lola slashes her arms through the air, cutting Elijah off as she stands up from her seat, "Okay, one; Genefreak is a snitch. Two; as long as she stops talking down to those I care about, then you will never see anti-freeze in my hands. Three; she cures Kieran from this hex and I won't kill her. Those are my demands that need to be dealt with before you see my signature on any kind of treaty. Now if you don't mind," Lola clears her throat, straightening her shirt before she begins walking out of the room, "Adrianna needs stitch me into my dress because I am the size of a hot air balloon."

Klaus continues to chuckle once more making Elijah sigh, "Something amusing, brother?"

Klaus clears his throat to hide his laughter, he shakes his head unable to wipe away his smile, "Lola's mood swings can be rather amusing when they're not directed at myself." However, Klaus' amusement quickly vanishes as Lola throws an apple in his direction which he catches instantly without barely moving a muscle.

Elijah raises a brow in his brother's direction, "You were saying, Niklaus?"

—✤—

Dressed in a mid-length black dress, Lola steps out of her room and looks beyond the balcony to see people flooding into the compound. Music so loud the walls are practically vibrating, fire ignites in the fountain as everyone cheers.

She smiles to herself as she can feel the heat from Klaus' touch slowly move from the top of her arms, down to her hands. Reminding herself to breath as she feels Klaus' breath against her skin, "You look ravishing, love."

Klaus steps beside Lola, wrapping his arm around her waist as he leaves a soft kiss against her cheek. Lola blushes, shaking her head, "I certainly don't feel ravishing, but thank you." She raises an intrigued brow, her hand slowly moves down Klaus' chest, "Nice suit. All black once again, is there someone attending that you hope to impress?"

"As a matter of fact there is." Klaus narrows his eyes further into the crowd as he grins, "She should be here any minute."

Lola elbows his side as she laughs, "You're a dick."

Elijah approaches the pair, he smiles to himself as he looks down at the crowd before handing Klaus a glass of champagne. Klaus holds it up, grinning at his elder brother, "I'm impressed, brother."

"Yes." Elijah drawls out, "Now if I can just keep them from tearing one another to shreds."

Klaus tries to refrain himself from rolling his eyes, his tone seeps with disappointment, "Well, then for your sake, here's to a spectacularly boring evening."

The couple watch as Elijah steps away from them, walking down the stairs into the middle of the crowd. That's when Lola's attention goes towards Adrianna, Nate and Scott walking in together. She presses her lips softly against Klaus', "I'll be amongst the chaos brewing."

Klaus chuckles to himself, "Wouldn't expect you to be anywhere else."

Lola steps down into the middle of the courtyard, standing beside Adrianna who is glaring towards Genevieve as she enters, "I didn't realise this party was going to include a trash-walk for the puttana's of the city."

Lola can't help but laugh as Adrianna's Italian insult. Adrianna frowns as Lola nudges her side, she follows Lola's gaze. Lola laughs to herself as she sees Diego approaching the group of wolves, glaring at Oliver. She threads her arm through Adrianna's, "Oh, here comes our entertainment."

Diego purposely pushes past Jackson, causing Oliver to close the gap between himself and the vampire. Diego scoffs, looking down at him, "What's up, little man?"

Both Lola and Adrianna's mouths are agape, failing to look as though they're not enjoying the drama that continues to bubble up within these four walls. Lola takes out a hundred dollar bill from her cleavage, waving it in front of Adrianna, "Bet you a hundred bucks that mop head will start a scene first."

Adrianna looks down at the hundred dollar bill in Lola's hand before matching the same devilish grin, "You're on and I'm gonna win because I just know it will be Marcel's little henchman."

Lola puts the bill back down her cleavage before shaking hands with Adrianna, "May the best bitch win."

Both of them jump as they hear a heavy breath being released behind them, "Charlotte..." They turn to see Elijah wearing a blank expression, but underneath the facade you can see a hint of irritation as he looks into the crowd, "I do hope I can count on you to help with the peace I am trying to create."

"Elijah, you're lucky I'm even here." Lola gestures down to her dress, "I am wearing a dress that I can barely breathe in, if I move to the side I will knock all the hors d'oeuvres off that table and I am also wearing heels that are slowly cutting off my circulation. If I had my way I would be upstairs wearing sweatpants, watching comfort movies and eating curly fries with my best friend before she goes away for a month."

Adrianna shrugs her shoulders, leaning closer to Lola, "I could always stay."

Lola gives her a stern glare, "Not an option."

"Come with me."

She looks down at Elijah's hand holding out for her to take before showing a fake pet lip as her shoulders sink, "Let me guess, I'm banished to the dungeon?" She takes hold of Elijah's hand before looking behind her to Adrianna, "It's been wonderful knowing you, best friend." Lola frowns towards Elijah who leads her into the middle of the courtyard, "What number lecture is this?"

Elijah twirls Lola around before pulling her towards him, raising a knowing brow at her, "Behave yourself and it won't be a lecture."

Lola hums to herself, amused, as they begin to dance along to the music, "You're either trying to create peace, lecture me or organising your suits in colour order. If I was you I'd see to taking a vacation."

Elijah smiles, he looks over Lola's shoulder to see Klaus in the crowd standing beside Nate, "I could only imagine the chaos I would return to if I was to leave the city in the hands of Niklaus."

"Better than his hands only being focused on that artwork he's barely looked away from." They both look over to Klaus as Lola sighs, "If only we figured out throwing a huge ass party would have tore him away from it, we'd have done this weeks ago."

"Yes, it seems that only a sizeable soirée is enough to tear my brother away from his efforts at the easel."

"He's been like that for the past week or so." Lola wears a somber expression, eyes turn dull as she turns her attention back to Elijah, "Klaus once told me that his painting was a metaphor for control over a hundred years ago. For achieving his vision through sheer force of will."

"Well, truthfully, I'd be shocked if he didn't have at least a dozen or so of those visions swarming around in that insidious skull of his. I do hope your daughter inherits her mother's..." Elijah holds onto Lola's hands, stepping back away from her. He wears a teasing smile in her direction as he shrugs, "Everything."

The blonde grinned as Elijah pulls her back towards him. She leans her head back narrowing her stare at him, tilting her head, "Elijah Mikaelson giving me a compliment. I never thought I'd see the day."

Elijah chuckles softly, "You can blame the several glasses of champagne." His posture tenses as he looks through the crowd to see tension quickly building between Diego and Oliver, "Excuse me."

Lola nods and watches as Elijah vanishes into the midst of the crowd. A smile graces her lips as she watches Jackson walk over to her, "We finally meet again."

Lola brows raise as she nods, "And you're less hairy." Jackson laughs at Lola's jest as he stands beside her, "It's good to see the elixir worked on you all."

Jackson's eyes soften looking over to where a laughing Hayley stands with Adrianna, "Hayley never stops speaking about you and Adrianna, you know? You're always welcome to come to the bayou, to see the other part of your bloodline."

Lola smiles as she exhales, taken back by Jackson's kindness, "I didn't think I'd be entirely welcome." She shrugs as she laughs awkwardly, hand going against her stomach, "After all, I am an ex-vampire now witch, pregnant with a miracle baby who's father is Klaus Mikaelson."

"Our ancestors welcomed you into our family once before," Jackson's smile is genuine, something Lola never expected from any wolf during the current situation, "I don't see anything wrong with continuing that. Your blood runs in Hayley's veins; that makes you family. I know Hayley would be happy if you came to visit."

Lola smiles in the direction where Hayley stands, "I'll take that into consideration." Lola inhales sharply, she matches the same genuine smile as the wolf, "Thank you, Jackson. I wanted to apologise for the night at the plantation, I wasn't exactly welcoming."

"You did walk in on a conversation where I said Hayley was supposed to be my wife." Jackson laughs in a nervous way, his hand rubs the back of his neck, "I can understand the hostility."

Elijah wears a cold smile as he approaches the pair, he stands by Lola's side holding his hand out towards Jackson, "Welcome to my home."

Jackson takes his hand, shaking it, "I wouldn't be here if Hayley hadn't forced the issue."

"Yes. It's rather unlikely that you'll experience an outpouring of kind sentiment here. The vampires in particular view you as..." Elijah glances around the courtyard, he tilts his head as he narrows his stare at Jackson, "Well, barbaric."

"Hayley tells me that this peace treaty is important to you."

"Yes, it certainly is. So much so, in fact, that if anyone threatened to dismantle what I'm building here, I'd destroy everything they hold dear." Elijah flashes a false smile, "Have a wonderful evening."

Jackson watches speechless as Elijah walks away, "He's—"

"Constantly wearing a stone cold face?" Lola attempts to finish Jackson's sentence, she folds her arms against herself as she shrugs, "Abrupt? Got a fetish for tailor made suits?"

Jackson laughs as he runs his hand through his hair, "I was gonna say straight to the point."

"Oh," Lola purses her lips before she hums, "Well yeah that too."

Jackson places his hand against Lola's arm, wearing a sincere smile, "I'll catch up with you later."

As Lola watches Jackson walk away, she locks eyes with Scott standing on the opposite side of the compound. She smiles over to him but is greeted with a blank expression. When Lola tries to walk towards him, Scott lowers his head and immediately walks away. Lola watches the direction he walks in when she sees Genevieve wearing a sadistic smug grin in Lola's direction before taking hold of Scott's hand and walking away.

Lola presses her back against the wall where Nate stands, she sighs heavily resting her head against the wall. Nate clears his throat, wearing a cocky smile, "Don't you look cheery."

Lola rolls her eyes, "Scott is avoiding me."

Nate shrugs as he glances down at the glass of champagne in his hand, "Probably because you threatened his girlfriend with anti-freeze."

Standing up straight, Lola scoffs obnoxiously, "Is he seriously calling her his girlfriend? I—" Her mouth is gaped about to go off on a tangent regarding Scott's new relationship until she receives a knowing glance. Lola aborts everything she was going to say as she leans against the wall once more, "Have no comment on the matter." She perks up instantly as Hayley approaches the pair after dancing with Jackson, "Hayley!" She glares over to Nate as she threads her arm through Hayley's, "Thank god, someone who can hold an intellectual conversation."

Nate closes his eyes, breathing in sharply as he mimics stabbing himself in the heart; until Lola pushes him to the side.

Hayley raises a brow in Lola's direction, glancing at her up and down, "You look like crap, Lo."

Lola's shoulders sink, not needing the reminder that she most likely looks as drained as she feels, "I don't know why I bother."

"Hey." A perky Adrianna approaches the trio, her smile drops glancing between an amused looking Nate and Hayley then an annoyed looking Lola, "Why do I keep walking into weird awkwardness?"

"Hey, wolf boy." Diego's blunt tone gains their attention, they look over to see him standing beside Francesca Correa glaring over to Oliver, "Should have had them put it in a bowl for you?"

Adrianna bites her lip to hide her excitement, "Here we go."

Oliver smiles manically, shrugging one shoulder, "Well, yeah, if you want me to crush your skull with it."

"Please, boys. At least fight over something interesting." Francesca attempts to intervene, she attempts to smile flirtatiously at Diego, "Me, perhaps?"

Lola scoffs, her lips turn up in disgust at the woman, "Is her middle name desperate?"

Diego laughs slightly, shaking his head, "Nah, you don't want to get involved with his kind." His stare turns cold as he steps closer towards Oliver, "See, they got this nasty little habit of going berserk and ripping innocent people to shreds."

"No, no, no. Okay, look." Oliver begins, "If my people wronged you in any way, you have my condolences, okay?" His head tilts as he wears a mocking grin glancing to Francesca, "Though I'd be surprised my kin could choke them down, being half as ugly as him."

Diego's anger begins to rage, he picks Oliver up throwing him across the courtyard. Oliver falls against a table harshly, the sound of his fall as well as several glasses of champagne shattering catches everyone's attention. Lola rolls her eyes, taking out the hundred dollar bill out of her cleavage and handing it over to a smug Adrianna. Diego vamp speeds over to where Oliver attempts to stand, yet Oliver reacts quicker than the vampire and pushes Diego harshly against the brick wall.

Before anything else can happen, Elijah rushes over to the pair. He pushes Oliver away from Diego, slamming Oliver's head against a table, "This ends now." He presses Oliver even further against the table as the wolf attempts to fight back, "I won't ask again."

"Oh, we'll end it all right."

Everyone looks over to where Jackson stands, next to Diego as he presses a stake against the vampire's chest. Lola breathes out, trying not to laugh, "This got really dramatic, really fast."

"What's stopping you?" Hayley shouts out as she steps away from everyone. She shows no expression as she shrugs, "Kill him."

Nate places his glass down on the table beside them, "We should stop her."

Adrianna holds her arm out in front of Nate, stopping him for stepping any further. Lola grips hold of his arm, giving him a stern glare, "Don't you dare." She warns in a hushed tone.

"Go ahead, Elijah." Hayley continues walking over to the chaos, "Do it. I mean, it's not like he doesn't deserve to die."

Klaus watches on amused as he approaches where Lola is standing. Francesca's brows knit with concern as she stands beside him, "Shouldn't you intervene or something?"

"Why would I?" Klaus quips, not even bothering to hide his amusement, "This party just got interesting."

"I mean, it was Oliver who handed Rebekah over to the witches so they could torture her." Hayley turns slightly in her step, pursing her lips, "But, then again, wasn't it Diego who led a werewolf massacre last month? And the witches cursed the wolves, while the humans stood back and let it all happen." She laughs in an exasperated manner looking around everyone within the courtyard, "So, when you think about it, everyone here deserves to die."

Elijah's nostrils flare as irritation grows, "Are approaching a point?"

"My point, Elijah, is this—" Hayley gestures around the crowd, "If we can't all learn to get along, if our families can't create some sort of community, then what's the point? Kill each other and get it all over with."

Elijah reluctantly releases Oliver from his grip, making Jackson release Diego from his. Lola can't help but smile at Hayley, feeling a sense of proud in seeing how far the young wolf she took in all those years ago has grew into someone so strong.

Klaus watches as Lola slowly holds up her hands, he takes hold of them, pushing her hands back down, "If you are about to applaud, might I suggest not."

Lola rolls her eyes, moving her hands out of Klaus', "Since when did you come the boring one in this relationship?" She clears her throat, threading her arm through Adrianna's as she leads her towards the stairs, "As fun as that was, if I continue to stand in these heels I think you'll have to surgically remove them."

The duo go to the kitchen first to finish the rest of their movie marathon snacks away from the thick tension of the crowd. Once done there, they head upstairs into Lola's bedroom to change her shoes over.

Lola breathes a sigh of relief walking towards her bedroom with her heels in her hand which makes Adrianna laugh, "I told you from the moment you put those shoes on that you'd last less than an hour."

"Well jokes on you because I lasted two." Lola quips, her posture stiffens as they stop in the middle of the hallway to see Genevieve standing nearby Lola's bedroom, "Did you not get enough snooping the last time you were in my home? The party is downstairs, you know."

Genevieve flashes an awkward smile, stepping closer to them both, "Truth be told, I was looking for you." She turns her attention to Adrianna, "We haven't properly been introduced."

Adrianna flashes a false smile, "There's a reason for that."

"I know what you both must think."

Lola laughs in a mocking way, "Trust me if you did, you wouldn't have been looking for us."

"We have history, Lola," Genevieve sighed, shifting slightly in her spot, "And I would really like it if we could move past it all."

"Hm," Lola's lips form a thin line, pretending as though she thinks about Genevieve's proposal which she quickly diminishes, "So just forget about everything your family has done to mine and also ignore the fact you spent every breath of your previous life trying to flirt with Klaus?"

"The way he looked at you was the way all women wanted to be looked at." The witch grinned, a hint of blush appears on her cheeks, "I was envious, I was never fortunate to share that kind of connection with anyone."

"And you think I'm just going to think that everything is fine just because you were having a little pity party for one because no man gave you attention?" Lola's jaw tightens as she steps closer, glaring at Genevieve, "Whatever game you're playing that involves Scott ends now. You're not involving him in any of your cruel games."

"I know you won't believe anything that comes out of my mouth but what I feel for Scott is real." The red head hopes that the sincerity in her tone would make the duo think twice but it's clears from their faces, they never will, "We have a strong connection with each other."

"Oh, please." Adrianna scoffs, not buying it one bit, "You've known the guy for less than a month. Do you really expect us to buy this strong connection you claim to have with one of our closest friends?"

Genevieve releases an annoyed huff before flashing a smile at them, "You can believe what you want but I know the truth. I just want Elijah's treaty to work so we can all live in peace within the Quarter. Enjoy the rest of your night."

Genevieve steps between them both, forcing them both to step to the side as they watch her walk down the hall and head back downstairs. Adrianna scoffed, the anger glare never leaving her face until Genevieve completely goes out of view, "La cagna più grande che abbia mai incontrato."

Lola huffs, crossing her arms against herself as she turns on her heel, continuing to walk towards her bedroom, "You took the words straight out of my mouth." She turns to face Adrianna as she opens the bedroom door, eyes sparkle with tease, "You also forgot troia."

Adrianna laughs, falling onto Lola's bed, "I was saving that for you to use."

Paranoia quickly intensifies as Lola frowns glancing around her room, "You don't think she was in here, do you?"

"If she wants to live another day then I'd like to think she didn't." Adrianna grunts, "I'd happily volunteer to stop her from living if need be."

"If anyone asks," Lola breathlessly says as she puts on some different shoes, "You don't know where I am."

Adrianna bites her lips to stop herself from attempting to stop whatever it is Lola is planning. She watches as Lola grabs a jacket, swiftly putting it on, "At least tell me where you're going."

"I want to check on Davina. I never got chance to speak to her before she vanished." Lola quickly grabs her purse, pressing a quick kiss against Adrianna's cheek, "I'll be back before you leave, I promise."

—✤—

Lola stops herself from walking into the greenhouse where she knows Davina will be when she can hear Josh speaking, "I used to hate myself for that, but the thing is, I don't really care what they think anymore. If your family doesn't like you the way you are, screw 'em! You got me, Cami...even Marcel. If you want."

Davina laughs softly before she shakes her head, "Marcel used me."

"He used you to fight the people who were trying to kill you. And, you know, he also saved you from those people. So you don't have to trust the guy, but he does love you." Josh wears a warm smile as he playfully nudges Davina against her arm, "And P.S? So do I."

"He's right, you know?" Lola's voice makes both of them jump slightly, looking behind them to see her leaning against the doorframe. She wears a soft smile as she steps closer to them both, "There's a lot of people that care about you. Myself included."

Davina's smile widens, standing up from her seat, "What are you doing here?"

"One minute you were at the party and the next you're not." Lola shrugs, placing her purse against the table beside Davina, "I had a feeling it had something to do with Monique. Wanna talk about it?" Davina hesitates to reply but it is obvious from her eyes that she wants to speak her mind to Lola which she picks up on, "Josh," Lola reaches into her purse handing Josh some money, "Do you mind giving us a second, please? I don't know if it's just because I'm growing a person but I'm starving and craving sugar. There's a lovely beignet cafe around the corner, would you—"

Josh eyes widen as Lola places a hundred dollar bill in his hand, "Are they coated in gold or something?" His eyes widen as he looks over to the blonde, mentally slapping himself for thinking out loud, "I, uh—" He laughs nervously as he begins to step backwards, "Yeah, sure thing. You pretty much terrify me, so I will do anything you ask. Sugary, gold coated pastries coming up."

Lola wears a confused expression watching the young vampire rush out of the greenhouse. She turns on her heel looking at Davina who is laughing, "I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or not." She watches as Davina takes a seat, sadness seeps through her expression, "What's going on?"

"I feel worthless, like I don't belong here." Davina's eyes turn glossy, the fiddles her hands against the table, looking down at them, "Monique has made it clear that she doesn't think I belong here either."

"Why on earth would you agree with anything she says to you?" Lola sits beside Davina, placing her hand on top of Davina's, "You're Davina Claire, one of the most badass witches I've came across."

Davina smiles slightly, she shrugs looking over to Lola, "Not really badass if I can't do magic anymore."

"That's where I think you're wrong. I think that what the ancestors said to you on the other side is still lingering at the back of your mind and also you're taking the absolute nonsense Monique is blabbering on about to heart when you shouldn't. If you let go of all that and take a step back, you'll realise you are worth more than anything what they've said to you." Lola leans back, looking around the greenhouse with a strange feeling of nostalgia. Though she has never stepped foot in this place until now, it made her think of Cora's cottage. She wears a warm smile with a hint of sadness to it, "There was this saying my aunt said to me once; you were handed the life you are living because you are strong enough to live it. I'll be by your side whenever needed to remind you of that."

"Marcel was right about you." Davina narrows her gaze at Lola, smiling faintly, "He told me that despite the history and your connection to the Mikaelson family that you are trustworthy. He said that you are never one to give up on those you care about." Davina blushes slightly, looking away, "There was honestly a part of me that doubted whether I should side with Marcel's opinion or not when I first met you."

Lola hums to herself as she shrugs, "I remember saying to you before that it's down to you to make your own opinions on people." She locks eyes with Davina, flashing an encouraging grin, "No one else."

"Thank you, Lola."

The pair can feel themselves relax as Davina pulls Lola into a warm embrace, until their moment of peace is interrupted when Josh walks back in holding onto a paper bag full of pastries.

Lola pulls away from Davina, taking hold of her hand, giving her a reassured squeeze, "Enjoy the beignets." She grabs hold of her purse and begins to step out of the greenhouse until she softly pats Josh against his cheek, "See you around, Joshua."

Without even caring how awkward she parks Klaus' car on a busy street of the Quarter, Lola climbs out rushing over to where Nate and Adrianna stand beside a cab, "Hey, I told you I'd be back!" She looks between the couple and the trunk full of their luggage, "You ready?"

Nate nods as he closes the trunk, "Everything is all packed in the cab." Both he and Lola watch as Scott calls Adrianna over to him. Nate takes hold of Lola's hand to bring her attention back to him, "Thank you, Lo. Neither of us say this enough to each other but you're my family. You're like a really annoying younger sister, even though you're older than me."

"You actually say that a lot more than you should." Lola teases, she pulls Nate in an embrace as she sighs, "You're going to have the most amazing time." She breaks away from him, once again taking hold of his hand, "There's the most perfect pasta spot on the Amalfi Coast, it's Ade's favourite. Ask for Alessia or Santino and they'll do anything for you." Lola's eyes quickly become glossy as she looks over Nate's shoulder to see Adrianna and Scott both hugging, "Look after her for me."

"You know I will." Nate smiles, placing his hand against Lola's cheek, "Make sure you look after yourself too."

Adrianna walks over to them both, cheeks are already stained when she laughs, "I promised myself I wouldn't get upset again."

"Hey, no more tears." Lola cups Adrianna's face, her thumbs wiping away the fallen tears yet doesn't care one bit about the tears falling down her cheeks, "It's just one month, Ade. And I expect regular, if not daily, calls and video calls to tell me everything that you've done over there."

"I can't believe I'll come back and she's going to be here." Adrianna's hands go against Lola's stomach, wearing a beaming smile, "I'll have my phone by me every minute of every day waiting for that call. I love you." She kisses Lola's cheek before pulling her into a tight embrace, "Look after yourself."

"I love you so much." Lola breathes out, closing her eyes as she takes in the last time in a while she'll see her best friend. Clearing her throat, she breaks away from Adrianna gesturing towards the cab, "Go on. Before you make it impossible for me to let you go."

Adrianna blows a kiss over to Lola, mouthing I love you before she climbs into the cab. Nate smiles over to Lola, who now has Scott standing beside her, before he too gets into the cab. They both wave to Lola and Scott standing on the sidewalk as the cab drives them away.

Lola exhales a deep, shaky breath before wiping her fallen tears away. She glances up at Scott who has the same sad look in his eyes that he did yesterday, "We okay?"

Scott's eyes are heavy with guilt as he stands to face Lola, "I'm really sorry how I spoke to you yesterday and how I've been avoiding you ever since. Things aren't great right now, Lo." Something Scott would always do it smile when he feels uncomfortable which is what he is doing right now before running his hand through his hair, "You're the one who would notice straight away and try to get an answer out of me."

"Only if you wanted me to." Lola shrugs as she smiles at him, "It's obvious something is bothering you but if you don't want to tell me, that's fine. I'll be here if you ever feel up to it."

"It's just us and Hayley for a month out of our little family, huh?" Scott wraps his arm around Lola, both watching the night traffic as he sighs, "Who do you think will crack first?"

"You."

"You."

The both lock eyes as they say it in unison, both laughing at the other. Scott pulls Lola in closer to him, kissing the top of her head as Lola wraps her arm around Scott. Holding onto this moment for a little while longer before they part.

—✤—

Klaus can't help but smile to himself as he walks into the living room where the only source of light is a small lamp in the side of the room and the brightness from Lola's laptop screen. Lola lays across the sofa, covered in a thick blanket where you can only see her eyes as she watches Dirty Dancing on the screen.

"The somber expression on your face and the headache on the screen means one thing and one thing only;" Klaus sighs as he sits on the armrest of the sofa, "Adrianna has left."

Lola brings the blanket up even further as she frowns, her stare not leaving the screen, "You can't call a film that you refuse to watch a headache."

"There was the option of extending the flights." Klaus tone is warm and soft, he runs his hand through Lola's hair as he looks down at her, "They could have gone after the baby is born."

"I can't be selfish and keep them here when they've done so much for us. They deserve some time away from the city." Lola sits up on the sofa, allowing Klaus to sit beside her which is when he wraps his arm around her, pulling Lola towards his chest. She relaxes in Klaus' hold, resting her head against his chest, "The party is finally over, I'm slowly gaining the feeling in my toes again, I've signed Elijah's stupid treaty and now I'd like to just stay here and continue being miserable that my best friend is gone."

Klaus smiles as he rests his head against the top of Lola's, "How much longer shall I expect this sorrow to continue?"

Lola shrugs, her brows pull inwards as she attempts to blink away more tears, "At least a couple more days."

"A couple more days." Klaus repeats in a whisper, he raises his head before once again running his hand through Lola's hair and leaving a soft peck against Lola's forehead. They both stay in each other's hold for a while longer until Klaus shuts the laptop screen, stopping the movie and then coming to a stand, "Come on."

Lola glares up at him, gesturing towards the laptop, "Hey, what the hell? The best part was about to come on!"

"Take my hand." Klaus holds his hand out towards her which Lola eventually takes. He wraps his arm around Lola's waist, pressing her against himself. Shivers are sent up Lola's spine as Klaus rests his head against hers, his lips hover against her ear, "I'm sure I'll be able to refresh your memory how our dance moves from the fifties are far better than the ones in that movie."

"Possibly," Lola breathes out, unable to fight back her smile as the pair begin to sway around to no music, "But there aren't many I can do when I'm eight months pregnant."

"If memory serves, there is one part of that movie that we'd easily be able to recreate." Klaus breaks away from Lola, stepping to one corner of the room where a record player is, "For that," He turns slightly, his eyes sparkle with mischief as he smirks taking hold of a vinyl, "We need music."

"How would you know that?" Lola narrows her stare at the hybrid, crossing her arms against herself, "You always refuse to watch it when I ask."

"Only because I've seen the entirety of the movie in portions because every time Adrianna leaves lately," Klaus points towards Lola's now closed laptop, "You put this on to wallow."

As the vinyl begins to play, Lola smiles and raises an amused brow, "And you just so happened to have this record handy?" She gasps when Klaus rushes over to her, wrapping both arms around her as they move along to the music. Lola bites the inside of her cheek as she feels Klaus' soft lips in the nape of her neck, "If it was that scene you wanted to recreate then that would require you without a shirt."

Klaus swoops Lola into his arms, picking her up bridal style which makes her shriek. He walks them both towards their bedroom, wearing a smirk, "Perhaps, we skip the entire thing and get to the interesting part."

It's often said that when two people are in love with each other, you can see it in their eyes. The way they look at each other, the way they stare at each other, it's all there. Their eyes are full of admiration, of attraction, of undying feelings for each other. Their eyes twinkle, their eyes are smiling. Even if they didn't say a word about it, there's this invisible thread connecting them both together. There was no denying that this type of love is what Klaus and Lola shared, though it may not make sense to some — all that matters is they have each other.

As Genevieve stands in the greenhouse, alone, there's a weighed feeling against her chest. Is it guilt? Is it jealousy? She couldn't figure it out, especially as she grips hold of a dream catcher, staring through the woven centre when a white flash appears making her able to see into Klaus and Lola's bedroom to see the couple laughing along with each other. She slowly raises her phone to her ear, harshly swallowing the unknown feeling that has moved up into her throat, "It's done. Are you able to see?"

"I can see perfectly. I'll be in touch."

—✤—

ohhhhh i just LOVE a dramatic ending

SO many emotions throughout, oh my lord

hope you're still liking the story!

holly x