A Closer Walk with Thee

Papercuts. When someone gets a papercut, it's often that they don't realise straight away that it's there. Something as simple as using hand sanitiser can be the reminder of the cut. It makes the pain so sudden and hurt so much even though a second before that, the person had no idea the cut even existed. Healing can be exactly like that.

Sometimes you don't even know there's a part of you that's still hurt until something comes along that forces you to become aware of it. Forcing you to deal with it. Sometimes you postpone healing because the sudden pain is too overwhelming. It's a scary feeling but you have to face it. When we postpone healing we usually procrastinate to distract ourselves and it's unhealthy. The only way to solve our struggles and problems are by facing it no matter what. It won't end unless we face it and the longer we postpone, the longer we lose ourselves.

With a sharp gasp, Klaus awakens from yet another horrifying dream, possibly the worst one yet. His hands tightly grip the sheets around him as he attempts to calm his ragged breathing. Closing his eyes he isn't greeted with the usual darkness, instead visions of the dream; walking towards the coffin hand in hand with Lola, everything seemed fine until one minute Lola is clutching her throat, gasping for breath as blood flowed from a slash against her throat. Cries from a baby within the coffin and once Klaus opened it, he felt excruciating pain from white oak being stabbed through his back into his heart by no other than Mikael.

Laying on his back, Klaus continues to inhale sharp breaths before he runs his hand through his hair staring up at the ceiling. His eyes widen when he turns to the side, expecting to see Lola but instead greeted with the bed being empty. He sits up straight in the bed as he begins to panic, "Lola?" But he's greeted with almost silence, the only thing that can be heard is the soft notes of jazz playing in the corner of the room, something Lola suggested may have made Klaus' dreams stop with his mind focusing on the music.

He rushes to the bathroom, empty. Klaus opens up the doors leading to the adjoined living room which is also greeted with emptiness, "Lola!" Klaus rushes into various rooms of the compound before he breathes out a pent up breath that felt like he held onto ever since he woke up as he sees Lola sitting crossed legged in a room downstairs reading through a book. She looks over to him, completely oblivious from Klaus' panic as he steps closer, "What are you doing?"

Lola shrugs, she glances down at the book against her lap, "I couldn't sleep so thought I'd just come in here because I didn't want to wake you, and—" She is interrupted when Klaus sits beside her, crashing his lips against hers. His hands are against her cheeks, fearing if he lets go this exact moment will be a dream. Lola pulls away, a hint of smile yet looks completely stunned, "What was that for?"

"I thought—" Klaus swallows harshly, closing his eyes tight but can still see the visions from the dream. A shaky breath falls from his lips as he opens his eyes looking directly at Lola, "I love you. I've realised I've not said that enough to you over the last couple of months." A sad smile graces his lips, eyes become glossy as he pushes stray hairs away from Lola's face, "I love you more than anything."

Lola brows knit with concern, she throws the book on her lap onto the floor before one hand takes hold of Klaus' and the other rests against his cheek, "I know you do and I love you. What's brought all of this on?"

Klaus bows his head, he shakes his head as he stands up from the sofa heading straight towards the bar, "It was nothing."

"Come on, Nik." Lola sighs as she stands up from the sofa, her eyes are flooded with concern as she steps closer to him, "That wasn't nothing, you rushed in here as though you've just seen a ghost. Now it's seven in the morning and you're drinking bourbon. What happened in the dream?"

Klaus' shoulders tense up as the mention of the dream, his hands grip against the edges of the bar before slowly turning around to face Lola, "You and I walked down the church aisle towards Father Kieran's casket. One minute, you're beside me and the next you're on the floor and—" Klaus' jaw tightens, glancing away from Lola as the vision of her hand clutching onto her bloodied throat, "There was so much blood. Then I heard crying within the casket and when I opened it there was a baby. I was just about to hold the baby and felt something stab me directly in the heart from behind, I turned around to see my father."

"It was just another dream. Everything is okay, we're okay." Lola wraps her arms around Klaus' neck, pulling him closer to her before resting her forehead against his. With their eyes close, they both stand like this in a comfortable silence until Lola clears her throat, breaking away from Klaus, "You trust me, don't you?"

"Of course I do." Klaus' brows knit together, looking perplexed, "Why would you ever question that?"

Lola's lips part but clamp shut as she figures out how to say what's been on her mind ever since she found out. Glancing away from Klaus she sighs, "Were you ever planning on telling me about your little scheme with the crescents?" As Lola looks back towards Klaus, his stone cold exterior shows, his jaw is clenched as Lola shrugs, "Hayley told me."

Klaus fights the urge of rolling his eyes, taking hold of the glass full of scotch and walking away from Lola, "Hayley shouldn't have told you." He scoffs as he slumps down onto the sofa, "I was waiting for the right time to discuss this with you."

"When was that going to be?" Lola laughs breathless, "Today? Tomorrow? When I'm drugged up and having contractions?" Crossing her arms against her chest, she steps closer to the side of the sofa where Klaus sits, "Nik, come on. I thought we were passed all the secrets."

Klaus finishes the rest of the scotch, staring out in front of himself before looking to the side where Lola stands, wearing a blank expression, "How's Marcel? Have any other sidewalk chats where you agree to help him behind my back?"

Lola's eyes darken, glaring down at the hybrid, "Don't bring Marcel into this. I wasn't just helping Marcel, I was helping Kieran. Helping Cami. I told you about what happened so you can't compare what you've done to that. That was sudden and I wasn't expecting it." Klaus watches as Lola begins to pace around the room, "You've been planning this ever since you first discovered the moonlight ring, haven't you? The one your mother made for your real father." Looking towards Klaus, just seeing the solum expression on his face was the answer Lola needed. She sighs softly before sitting beside him, "Did you think I'd object to it?"

Slowly turning to face Lola, Klaus wears an unsure expression as he tries to read her, "And do you?"

Lola shrugs, sitting further into the sofa, "It's not really my place to have an opinion. Hayley thinks it will be good for her pack, so that's what I think too." Lola laughs, running her hand through her hair, "I'd like to think you would have told me soon if I'm the one making them." She looks over to Klaus, expecting him to find it amusing like her but instead he looks away, avoiding eye contact, "Oh my god." Lola breathes out, almost a whisper. She nods to herself as she scoffs, "That's why you never told me."

Klaus sighs in an annoyed way as he watches Lola stand up from the sofa about to walk out the room, "You're not strong enough to make as many as we need, love." He too stands up from the sofa, following her, "I'm thinking about what's best for you and our child!"

Lola turns on her heel as she looks in his direction, narrowing her stare at him, "Who's making them? If you say—"

"I'm still working on it," Klaus interrupts, he glancing down at the floor raising his hands up, "And it won't be who you think." He watches as Lola's annoyed stare turns into a conflicted one as she looks away from him. Klaus closes the gap between them both, wrapping his arms around her waist, "You know this is the right thing, Lola."

"Okay," Lola nods softly, she shows no expression on her face as she cups Klaus' cheeks bringing his lips towards hers, "Fine."

The corner of Lola's lips perk as her hands slowly move down Klaus' chest and abdomen, she tugs lightly against the hem of his shirt before pulling is straight off him. Her hands place against Klaus' chest as her lips crash against his, pushing him back to harshly hit against the wall behind him. Klaus runs his hands through Lola's hair, hands finding a place against the back of Lola's head, he presses her closer to him as their desires kick in.

Klaus wears a complacent smirk, arching his head back when Lola leaves a trail of heated kisses against his jawline and down his neck, "This must be a new record." Still wearing the same smirk, Klaus cups Lola's cheeks to move her away from him slightly. A low, deep rumbled chuckle escapes as he moves himself closer to her, lips practically touching, "You've never really been the one to initiate make up s—"

Lola stops him from continuing as she pushes him back against the wall, a calm expression on her face when her hands slowly move down his abdomen once again, just hovering above the top of his pants before she begins to pat him down. Klaus frowns, glancing down at Lola's hands, "What are you doing?"

Lola scoffs when she doesn't find what she wants, she leaves the room and walks towards their bedroom as Klaus follows, looking confused. She wears a smug grin when she finds what she wants on Klaus' night stand, she picks up his wallet and waves it in front of him, "Shopping."

His jaw tightens when Klaus rolls his eyes and walks towards the dresser in their room, "I should have known this was your tactic." Opening one of the drawers he grabs another shirt before gesturing it towards an unfazed looking Lola, "It's not like you haven't done it before!"

Lola wears a satisfied smile, breathing out a smug sounding hum, "And you fall for it every time." The Salvatore grabs her jacket before storming out of the bedroom, "Hayley! You better be awake, we're going shopping no matter how painful it is for us both!" Klaus blinks at the door slamming, standing there clueless as he tries to comprehend exactly what just happened in the space of five minutes.

—✤—

A sea of people fill Rousseau's as they all begin the start of paying their respects to Father Kieran with an Irish styled wake. His coffin is placed in the centre of the room where candles, flowers and framed pictures surround him. Irish music plays in the background mixed with different conversations around the bar, until Marcel stands and begins a toast to Kieran.

It's towards the end of his speech when Lola and Hayley quietly step into the bar, they stand in the corner as Marcel finishes his speech, "That was, of course, before he took his vows. But, even then, he was committed to the Quarter. He knew that this town needed him. And, we still do." Marcel raises his glass out toward the crowds within the bar, "To Father K!"

"To Father K."

Everyone in the crowd raise their glasses before the music begins to play once more. Lola's eyes soften as she spots Cami in the corner of her eye, welling up at Marcel's speech and rushes into the kitchen. Having an idea on what Cami must be feeling right now, Lola thinks it wise she gives her a moment alone first.

Lola jumps out of her thoughts when Hayley's hand rests against her shoulder, "I'll get us some drinks."

Klaus sits at a small table in the corner of the bar, Elijah sits beside them pouring them both a scotch. Klaus has irritated look on his face looking out towards the groups of people, "Seems rather uncivilised to laugh and dance around the body of a loved one."

"Yes, far better to practice your process of grief, Niklaus—" Elijah mocks, his lips twitch up into an amused smirk when he spots Lola walking over to the pair, "Denial, rage, and hoarding coffins in basements."

"I had a feeling you were talking about coffins and daggers," Lola mocks, taking a seat beside Elijah as she gestures towards her eyes, "I started to get a little twitch in my eye."

Klaus unintentionally slams his glass onto the table, his irritated stare intensifies in Lola's direction, "Where have you been?"

"I've never been to a priest's funeral before." Lola scoffs as she shrugs her coat off, "I didn't know what to wear. Plus, I was talking to Damon." Klaus freezes at the mention of Damon's name, he watches Lola's expression which looks nothing but calm. He's brought out of his worried thoughts when Lola waves his wallet in his face, "Here's this back. By the way, the pretty gold coloured one has well and truly reached it's limit."

"Damon." Klaus looks down at the table, grabbing the bottle of scotch before pouring himself a generous glass, "What did he have to say?"

Lola smiles but looks confused towards both brothers, "He was just checking up on me." She leans forward as Klaus practically finishes the full glass, "What's up with you?"

"I will warn you, Charlotte," Elijah clears his throat, snatching the almost empty bottle of scotch out of Klaus' hands, "Niklaus is in a spectacularly foul mood today."

Lola laughs slightly, sitting back in her seat, "You say that like I'd be shocked at the whiplash of his moods."

Klaus rolls his eyes, looking away from the other two, "Sod off."

"I've convinced Hayley to move back into the compound." Lola looks through the crowds to see Hayley still standing at the side of the bar, now speaking to Scott, "I don't want her in the bayou after those attacks, I'd rather her be closer to us."

Little did Lola realise, Elijah was also watching Hayley with a small hint of a smile against his lips, "I think that's wise."

Turning back to face Elijah, she spots his gaze still not leaving Hayley's direction. Lola playfully nudges Elijah, wriggling her brows, "I bet you do."

Elijah attempts to hide away his smile as he clears his throat, he looks down at the table, tapping his hand against it, "I figured that Hayley has decided to stay with us given the fact music was practically shaking the walls until late last night."

With pursed lips, Lola shrugs her shoulders not even caring at Elijah's minor dig, "It's criminal to not listen to Britney as loud as possible."

"While we're on the topic of that horrific music taste, why is the same music on a constant repeat in my car?" Klaus glares at his love in a vexing way as he points an empty glass towards her, "I told you to change it back."

"Oops I did it again is like your anthem, that should be played whenever you're a dick and dagger your family." Lola grimaces, shifting in her spot to face Elijah before flashing an innocent smile, "Speaking of my amazing music taste, maybe just be prepared the next time you go in your car."

Elijah's eyes are narrow, showing a hint of amusement towards the woman he classes as a sister, "What have you done, Charlotte?"

"Have you told him about Gimme More?" Hayley questions wearing a mocking grin as she sits alongside the trio. She pushes a glass of water towards Lola before placing a bottle of scotch in front of herself, "Lola does a really good Britney impression. Do it again."

Lola's lips part as though she is about to give in to Hayley's request until Elijah sighs heavily, resting his hand against Lola's, "Charlotte, in light of the setup we're in right now..being at a priest's wake. Perhaps it's not an ideal time to break into song."

Lola's shoulders slump, giving him an unamused glare before playfully flicking some of the water from her glass in his direction, "You're just mad because of how accurate the song is when it comes to you and your suit fetish."

Hayley twists open the new bottle of scotch before leaning towards Klaus, speaking in a hushed tone, "What's the deal with these moonlight rings? Oliver's trying to set a revolution every five seconds. People are scared, angry, and frankly, I'm tired of stalling."

"It's a day of peace, Hayley. Try and enjoy it. The rings are in progress. I will live up to my word. We will find and punish whoever launched the attack on the bayou." Klaus assures Hayley but gets nothing back but a scoff and an eye roll off her. Klaus' irritated stance appears once again as he takes the bottle of scotch out of Hayley's hand, "But, right now...I'm gonna finish this bottle," He pours himself yet another large glass, "And the next, in the hopes of drowning the demon who has chosen today to haunt me." He looks up towards the ceiling as the irritation turns to pure anger, gesturing the bottle up int he air, "Cheers, Mikael. Impeccable, Freudian timing."

Elijah tenses up at the mention of their father's name, he shifts in his seat slightly looking towards Klaus, "Elaborate. Have you dreamt of our father?"

Klaus rolls his eyes as he scoffs, "Go ahead, have a good laugh."

"I can assure you there is no piece of this that I find even remotely amusing, Niklaus." Elijah's face is full of concern, glancing between all three sat around the table who look at him confused, "Especially considering I've been dreaming of him, too."

All the colour practically drains from Klaus' face, looking at his older brother stunned, "What?"

"If you are also seeing him..." Elijah stops himself mid sentence when he looks through the crowd. He narrows his stare towards Genevieve who enters Rousseau's heading straight to the bar. Genevieve looks over to them all, smiling in their direction, "Perhaps our elusive, unknown enemy is orchestrating a further attack?"

Just as Klaus is about to start drinking straight from the bottle, Lola leans across the table and snatching it out of his hands before glaring towards the red headed witch, "Wouldn't put it past her." She passes the bottle back over to Hayley, "Scott said that it's thanks to her Thomas has been able to keep getting into my head despite the herbs."

"Well, then." Klaus wears a vindictive grin as he too looks over to the part of the bar Genevieve stands, "What better way to punctuate a day of peace than by killing someone?"

Cami catches Lola's eye as she begins to walk out with haste of the bar, not with the same heartbroken look she was wearing not even five minutes ago; instead it's anger as though pulsating red aura surrounds her. Lola looks towards the kitchen where Cami walked out of to see Francesca walking out, acting as though she is dabbing away tears but her tear ducts seem as dry as a desert.

Lola stands from her seat, taking hold of her coat and begins to walk out without anyone being able to argue, "I'm going to get some air." Lola wraps her coat around her as she steps out of the bar to see Cami a few steps away with her back to the bar, "Cami?"

Cami jumps at Lola's voice, she straightens herself up instantly, wiping away tears and taking a deep breath before she turns around to see a sympathetic looking Lola, "I know people get so sick of hearing this sort of thing when it's a funeral but I am so sorry about your uncle. I didn't know him well but he seemed like a really lovely guy."

"Yeah, he was." Cami smiles, looking down at her hands before she looks back up at Lola with a grateful look in her eyes, "Thank you for not asking me if I'm okay. I don't know how many more how are you's I can handle." She breathes out heavily, laughing nervously, "Because the truth is how can I tell people that all I can feel is guilt? Did you—" Cami clears her throat, looking away from Lola as she shakes her head, "I'm sorry."

"Did I feel guilt when my aunt was hexed?" Lola speaks what Cami was thinking which makes her sheepishly nod. Lola wears a sad smile as she shrugs, "Of course, I did. Guilt is normal when you're grieving, Cami. It's also really easy to not fully understand the feeling of grief when it could actually be regret you feel. Neither one is your fault."

"Regret is a possibility." Cami admits, she stares down at the ground wiping a handkerchief against her cheeks, "The feeling that I should have visited here more, spent more time with him."

"There's this story I remember hearing once. It's about this wise man who went up to a beggar on the side of the road." Lola begins, her tone is soft as she rests against the wall beside her. Cami too leans against it as she listens intently, "Instead of giving him money, the wise man gave him a bag. It was completely empty. The wise man told the beggar to fill it up with as many stones as he could manage and when he'd wake up the next morning, he'd be filled with a mixture of both happiness and sadness. So, he went out and collected all these stones. The next morning, he wakes up and looks in the bag to see all the stones have turned into these beautiful, priceless jewels. He realised the wise man was right, he was happy because of what he picked up but he was also sad because he hadn't picked up more."

Lola stands up straight, she takes hold of Cami's hands, "The memories with your uncle are like those jewels. It's sad because there can't be more, but then you need to focus on the happiness, comfort and peace that those memories bring you." She tilts her head to try and catch Cami's stare, "Do you see what I'm trying to say?"

Cami nods, she blinks away the stinging tears threatening to escape but for the first time today they weren't tears of sadness, they were wholehearted tears. She laughs off her tears, "Have you ever thought about getting into therapy?" Cami pulls Lola into a warm embrace, breathing out as though she's kept her breath the entire day until right now, "I really appreciate this, Lola. Thank you."

"There they are." The duos tranquil moment is interrupted when Scott walks out of the bar, smiling over to them both, "Camille, Charlotte. Everything okay?"

Cami turns her back from Scott, wiping away fallen tears as Lola smiles, nodding in his direction, "Yeah, we just needed some air. You heading back in?" Scott nods as he opens up the door, the music from within grows louder as he does. Lola turns to look over in Cami's direction, "Cami, are you coming?"

"You go ahead," Cami turns to face them both, flashing a sincere smile, "I'm fine here."

Lola mimics the same smile as she nods, as she turns around to face the bar and Scott, she hits him against his chest, "I told you I hate you calling me by my full name, asshole."

Scott chuckles at Lola's outburst, his hands go against either of her shoulders as he walks into the bar behind her, "Which is why I say it."

—✤—

A puzzled looking Hayley walks into the courtyard to find Lola pacing around staring down at her phone screen. She jumps slightly as she notices Hayley's presence who frowns towards the witch, "What's up?"

"My brothers are idiots who never answer their phones." Having failed to get through to Stefan, Lola then dials Damon's number and continues to pace, "Klaus has just spoke to Bonnie who's said the reason Mikael is tormenting him and Elijah is because something is happening with the other side." She scoffs when she reaches Damon's voicemail, she harshly slams her phone onto the table beside her, "I just wanted to make sure Stefan and Damon weren't getting themselves into more drama like they usually do but they're not answering. I knew something was up, I knew Damon was lying to me earlier!"

"Was that what the urgent business was that you text when I was only in the next room?" Hayley pulls out her own phone and begins to read off Lola's text, "Hayley, be quick!" Hayley gasps dramatically as she mocks Lola, "We have urgent business that's urgent." Hayley laughs to herself as she puts her phone back into her pocket, "I'd never have guessed it was urgent."

Lola flashes an unamused stare towards the hybrid, "No, it's not about my brothers." She takes hold of both her and Hayley's jackets from the side, passing Hayley's over to her, "We're going to see the woman who screams desperate. Did you bring my car back?" Hayley nods, taking the car key out of her jacket which makes Lola smile as she walks towards the garage door off the courtyard, "Good, you can drive. Marcel said that the bomber has debts at the casino and who owns the casino? Francesca Correa." Lola turns to see Hayley hasn't followed, instead remaining in the centre of the courtyard looking confused. Lola opens up the door leading to the garage, gesturing for Hayley to follow, "Come on."

Hayley hesitates, only for a moment, before she puts her jacket on and walks towards the garage. She unlocks the door, climbing into the driver's seat, "So—" Hayley frowns, stopping herself from continuing when she hears the car door shutting but it wasn't the passenger seat one. She looks in the rear mirror to see Lola sitting in the back seats, "What are you doing?"

"I'm the one who taught you to drive, Hayley." Lola shifts along into the middle seat, using the seat belts on either side and buckling herself in, "I'm taking precautions. Lets go."

—✤—

With a smile on her face, Francesca walks up towards her home as she reads something on her phone with a bodyguard swiftly following. As she approaches the steps to her home, her smile is soon wiped off her face as she is greeted by a eerily calm looking Hayley sitting on the steps, waiting.

Francesca breathes out an irritated breath, wearing a false smile towards Hayley, "Ah. Hayley, right? I'm guessing you're not here because you want to make a new friend?"

With pursed lips, Hayley shrugs, "I don't count terrorists as friends."

"Wow." Francesca breathes out, laughing in a sarcastic tone as Hayley comes to a stand. The woman glances to her bodyguard standing beside her, "I've been accused of everything from grand larceny to blackmail, but terrorist, that's new!"

Continuing with the calm expression, Hayley crosses her arms against her chest as she steps closer to her, "A human pulled up to our home in the bayou on a motorcycle and blew himself up."

"I heard." Francesca wears a fake sympathetic look, for a mere amount of seconds before she shrugs it off, she holds her hand out for the man beside her to place keys into her hand, "Awful." Flashing a false smile Francesca walks past Hayley towards her home, "Goodnight!"

Hayley remains standing in her same spot, she wears a malicious smirk turning around to watch as Francesca walks up the steps. Suddenly the bodyguard screams out in pain, he clutches onto the sides of his head. Francesca turns around and watches in horror as the man's neck snaps on it's own and with a loud thud he falls to the floor.

"Whoops." Lola breathes out dramatically as she uncloaks herself. Francesca whips around to see a smug looking Lola suddenly appear behind her. Lola's lips form a thin line, looking down at the now dead bodyguard as she shrugs, "Clumsy me."

Stepping over the deceased man, Lola steps closer to Francesca as she wears a fake smile, "Word on the street is, he owed a hundred grand to the Palace Royale casino! And then, after he died, the debt was erased. Just like magic."

"Jeff was a fixture at my roulette table. Sometimes he was up, sometimes he was down. I absolved his family of the debt he owed out of the goodness of my heart." Francesca explains with a slight twinge of annoyance in her tone. Both Lola and Hayley give her the exact same head tilt and narrowed stare, not believing a word she says. Picking up on this, Francesca shrugs and holds her arms out, "Feel free to sniff around. My hands are clean!" Francesca turns her attention solely on Hayley, glaring towards the hybrid, "And, I'd advise you to mind your manners. It's lucky you're still alive. You're the one the wolves all whisper about like royalty. If I was interested in hurting the wolves, you'd be my target." She wears a sinister smile, glancing between the duo, "And, when I go after someone? I don't miss."

Francesca walks into her house, slamming the door behind her. Lola scoffs as her and Hayley remain on the porch, "She didn't lock her door. You can't get in but I can." Lola nudges the dead bodyguard with her foot, "She doesn't care about her staff, huh? Is she really going to just leave him out here?"

Hayley rolls her eyes as she sighs, "Lets just head back."

The pair walk away from the house and head down the street towards Lola's car. In the distance, Monique steps away from a tree ever so slightly, clutching hold of a small doll as she watches the pair.

Hayley opens up the driver's door before gesturing to the passenger side, "Are you going to get in the front this time?"

Lola grimaces in Hayley's direction, face squirming with discomfort, "I'm still traumatised from Seattle."

"Okay, that was one time!" Hayley grunts, "It wasn't even my fault, some jackass pulled out on me!"

Lola exhales an amused breath, brows shoot up in amusement towards her, "Yeah, and as a result of that, the car was almost turned into a ferry boat. Let me just add, stolen car."

"I was just borrowing the car!" Hayley rolls her eyes as she climbs into the driver's side of the car, "I wish you'd stop saying I stole it."

Closing the door behind herself, Hayley starts the car. Just as Lola is about to open the passenger side, Monique takes a pin from her pocket, "Purger l'interieur, entiendre la lumiere," She looks down at the doll in her hand and stabs it, "Dans cette f–."

She has a sinister smile on her face when she sees Lola frowning to herself, feeling as though something is off. Hayley rolls down the passenger window, looking concerned towards Lola, "You okay?"

Lola jumps slightly at Hayley's voice before flashing a smile, "Yeah," She clears her throat, feeling a small tickle beginning to form. She opens up the passenger door and climbs into the car, "I'm okay."

—✤—

"You head on up," Hayley's eyes soften towards Lola who, in the space of driving back from Francesca's, has grown rather fatigued. Hayley's hand gently goes against Lola's back when she witch begins to cough rather profusely, "I'm going to make you some tea."

The pair stop in the doorway of the garage, both stunned as they watch an oblivious red headed witch walk out of the courtyard. Hayley watches as Lola's eyes darken to see Klaus and Elijah standing above watching as Genevieve leaves.

Hayley clears her throat, her hand rests against Lola's arm, "Are you—"

"I'll be upstairs." Lola bows her head and walks in the shadows towards the back stairs leading to the upper floors.

The sound of coughing from within the bedroom causes concern towards Klaus as he walks in to see a tired looking Lola with dark circles under her eyes, sitting up in their bed. She doesn't look up from the pile of letters in her lap as she fishes through them. Klaus frowns as he sits on the edge of the bed, placing his hand against her knee, "Are you okay?"

"I think it's just a cold or something, it's fine." Lola shrugs his concern off with a placid response before looking at him with a straight-faced stare, "Maybe you should sleep in one of the spare rooms."

Klaus' lips twitch up into an amused smirk as he leans closer to her, "Hybrids can't catch a common cold, love."

"No, I know." Lola has a false grin for a small moment before expression switches instantly to a hard and cold glare, "I was just hoping to use that as an excuse for you to not stay in here tonight."

Klaus sighs looking down at his hand still against Lola's knee, "So, we're still in an argument?" He clenches his jaw and rolls his eyes as he stands from the bed, "Fantastic."

Lola purses her lips as she watches Klaus step away slightly from the bed with his back to her, "Wanna tell me why I seen Genevieve walking out of here completely unharmed? Let me guess, she's the witch you're going to work with to do these rings." As Klaus turns around to face her, Lola scoffs reading the guilt-ridden expression on Klaus' face instantly. She throws the bunch of letters in her hand onto the bed, "Huh, lying to me as well. That hasn't happened for a while."

Klaus laughs in a exasperated manner as he throws his hands up in the air, "Can you name any other witch who would be willing to help?" As Lola's lips part to answer back, Klaus gives her a knowing glare as he points in her direction, "Do not say yourself. It's not happening."

Lola's eyes darken towards the hybrid before she scoffs obnoxiously. She reaches to the drawer within her nightstand but groans when what she wants isn't there. She harshly slams the drawer shut, "I wish you would stop hiding all my god damn forks! You know," She narrows her glare towards Klaus, raising her hand as her thumb and index finger almost touch, "I am this close to finding some white oak, taking a whittling course, and turning said white oak into a fork to use against you!"

Klaus' laughs in a mocking way at Lola's threat, "Why go to that dramatic length? Why not just get on with it? Cut out the middle man!"

"Perks of a fork," Lola's tone is blunt and harsh as she shrugs, "There's three points so I know I definitely won't miss."

"You can argue with me about this all you like, Lola, but nothing will change." With his hands against his hips, Klaus turns away from Lola, "These moonlight rings will be made and it will be Genevieve that will do them. You are out of the question."

"Yeah, I know." Lola breathes out in an irritated manner before rolling her eyes, "You keep saying that on repeat. After everything she has done are you honestly willing to trust her to make them?" With a shrug of her shoulders, Lola stands up from the bed and steps closer to where Klaus stands, "I mean, could it not just wait a few more weeks and—"

"Enough!" Klaus harshly snaps, whipping around himself to face Lola as his face shows nothing but rage. Lola takes a step back, eyes wide at the outburst, "How many more times will it take to get through to you that you aren't to be involved in the making of these rings?" Klaus grits his teeth taking a step closer to Lola, "You can continue to be oblivious and stubborn regarding this, but unlike you I'm done with putting my child at risk!"

Tears stung Lola's now cold eyes as she stares at Klaus blankly. Seeing the eerily calm expression on Lola's face makes Klaus close his eyes as he sighs deeply instantly regretting how he spoke to her. With her jaw tensed, Lola closes the gap between them both before harshly pushing Klaus backwards against his chest, "Screw you, Klaus!"

"Lola," Klaus sighs as the guilt hits him in the chest like a tonne of bricks, he takes a small step towards her, "I didn't mean—"

Shaking her head, Lola steps away from Klaus her eyes are dark with anger, "I understood perfectly what you meant."

The silence between the pair makes the tension and hostility grow thicker by the second. Lola taking deep breaths to push back the hurt she feels towards Klaus right now and Klaus doing exactly the same, pushing back the culpability he feels.

His entire stature stiffens when he looks over Lola's shoulder to see Hayley walking in, one hand holding onto a cup of hot tea while carrying Willow with the other. He scoffs as he glares towards her, "You must be joking."

Clearing her throat, Lola turns away from Klaus and walks back towards the bed where she takes hold of the hot tea before flashing a forced smile, "Hybrids can't catch a common cold, love."

"You best get outta here quick, Klaus." Hayley drawls out in a mocking tone, she gestures down at Willow now on the bed, "Or otherwise the scary, wicked cat may attack."

Lola smiles at Hayley's mock as she sits on the edge of the bed. Willow straight away climbs into Lola's lap which is when Lola looks up at an annoyed Klaus making her wear a smug grin, "Can't even say it's the whole dog vs cat thing because she loves Hayley. She even likes Elijah."

—✤—

The irony of grief is that the person you need to talk to about how you feel is the person that is no longer here. That's how Cami felt as she sat alone in the middle of a barely lit Rousseau's; all that's there is herself and Kieran's coffin. So many thoughts swarmed around her mind and all she wanted was so have her uncle with her to talk about everything; knowing he would have the answers to everything she wanted to know.

Her eyes become heavy as Cami can feel the tiredness starting to take over but comes to a sharp stop when she hears the door opening. Jumping out of her seat, her shoulders are broad but relax when she sees who it is walking through, "Lola, what are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep." Lola shrugs, wearing a warm smile as one hand goes against her stomach, "I don't know if it had to do with the baby pressing into my ribs, Hayley snoring really loudly or because all I could think about was you sitting here on your own. Thought you might want some company."

Cami remains standing in the same spot, not really knowing what to do with herself. She laughs breathlessly, taken aback by the kind nature that Lola is showing her, "You don't have to do this."

"I know I don't." Lola admits, she continues wearing the same warm smile as she steps further into the bar, "But I'd like to if you want me to. Here."

Cami frowns looking down at the bag in Lola's hands that she holds out in front of the therapist, "What's this?"

"Comfort food; brownies, cookies, popcorn." Lola reaches the bag further out for Cami to take which she does; with a smile on her face Cami looks through the contents of the bag as Lola continues, "Anything I could find in the pantry. I don't know if it's a weird thing to do but I brought things like sheet masks, oh and..." Reaching into her coat pocket, Lola holds out a small bottle before gesturing towards her own forehead where Cami has cuts against hers, "They look really sore, thought you might want to use this."

This is what I need. This is exactly what I need. Cami thought to herself, not realising this was the thing she needed until right this second. They both spoke about so many things, various different stories that Lola would tell about her past involving historical figures, kings and queens and right down to rock bands. The distraction of hearing about anything other than her own thoughts was the key to getting Cami through tonight.

"Come on," Lola drawls out in a teasing manner as she walks behind the bar, "No one else is here."

Cami can't help but laugh as she watches the Salvatore frowning to herself, her tongue slightly sticking out of the corner of her mouth as she looks around the various bottles of liquor in thought. Lola's brows shoot up, eyes gleam with excitement when she spots what she was looking for, "Plus, I feel like you're the only waitress that works here so that means you deserve to help yourself." Holding up a bottle of vintage champagne, Lola waves it in front of herself before smirking over to Cami, "Perfect."

"Can I ask you something?" Cami sits on the edge of her seat, "Something personal?" The second part of the question catches Lola's attention when she walks back towards the table. Cami laughs slightly as she thrashes her arms through the air, "And you can say screw you, walk out or whatever."

"Intriguing." Lola narrows a teasing stare towards the other blonde as she begins to unwrap the bottle of champagne, "You can ask me anything."

Cami rests her arms against the table as she leans towards Lola, her interest has built more ever since earlier today when Scott was outside with them, "Earlier today, Scott called you by your full name and you were annoyed about it. But, you're never like that when Elijah calls you Charlotte. I don't think I've ever heard him not call you by your full name."

Lola smiles to herself, humming in thought as she pours Cami a glass of champagne, "There's a long history between Elijah and me."

"As in...before Klaus..." Cami's lips twitch up into a smirk, pointing towards an oblivious Lola, "You two..?"

"Oh, god no." Lola blurts out, sounding more offended than she intended. She laughs softly, pushing the glass towards Cami, "Nothing like that. Elijah was the first one out of them all that I opened up to, before Rebekah, or even Klaus. I remember introducing myself to them all as Charlotte and as I got to know them all, they started to call me Lola." Lola smiles to herself thinking back the first years she spent with this family as she sits back in her chair, "But not Elijah. He asked me once why I started to call myself Lola and I said that when I was first turned I wanted a fresh start. This was my chance, you know? To create a new life for myself and there was this girl who started to call me Lola just before I turned and it just sort of stuck."

Cami listens intently, growing more and more interested in the story as she edges further on her seat, practically perched onto it, "So, by shortening your name it was your way of creating a new sort of identity?"

"In a way, yes. I wanted to leave Charlotte and my past where I thought it belonged, the past. But Elijah would then say to me that I should never hide my past because that's what created the strong woman that I am right now." The gentle smile hasn't left Lola's lips, behind the teasing of each other she knows she is always able to count on Elijah being there for her no matter what, "Elijah calling me Charlotte is his way of reminding me that."

A warm feeling runs through Cami's chest as she watches how Lola relaxes whenever she talks about the Mikaelson family. Despite all the horrifying stories about that family, it's obvious that when they care about someone they'd do anything for them, "You two seem like you have such a great bond."

"We do." Lola nods faintly, she thinks back to the time she had no memory of the family during the forties yet she still found comfort in Elijah when all she seen him as was a stranger, "He's one of the very few I've always known I could rely on ever since I met him." Lola sits up straight, looking down at the clock on her phone, "It's four in the morning, I should really get back and have a couple hours sleep." Her hand rests against her stomach as she comes to a stand, "She has finally settled down so when I get back hopefully Hayley's snoring has settled down too."

Cami watches as Lola collects her things before she also comes to a stand, "Lola? This may be asking a lot but after the church, would you walk with me during the procession?" Lola's shoulders relax, lips are parted looking slightly stunned at Cami's request, "I know it's a lot to ask but I could really do with someone by my side after feeling so alone." Cami flashes a genuine smile, shrugging her shoulders, "You're the only one I truly trust right now."

"Of course." Lola breathes out, she walks up to Cami with the same smile on her face as she pulls Cami into a warm embrace, "Of course, I will."

—✤—

Walking into the bedroom, Klaus can hear a running faucet within the bathroom. As he steps closer it's then he can hear what the faucet attempts to hide; he sighs about to knock on the door wanting to see if Lola is okay but is cautious after last night. He heard her leave in the middle of the night and arrive back several hours later only to be moving around in the room as her cough continues to get worse.

He steps back as the bathroom door gets flung open and his heart sinks to see how drained Lola actually looks, a weight begins to form against his chest as the look seems all too familiar from one of the very first dreams he had. Lola says nothing to him as she walks past him further into their bedroom, she sits on the edge of the bed as she puts on her shoes.

"You need to rest, love."

Lola looks towards a saddened looking Klaus before she shakes her head, "I'm not staying here." She walks towards the corner of the room, reaching into the closet and taking out a long black coat, "Cami wants me there so I'm going, I don't care about me."

"Well, I do." Lola scoffs at Klaus' caring side that suddenly showing, she tries to walk past him but Klaus holds his hand out to stop her, "I care about yours and our child's well-being. Which is why it's best you stay here. Cami will understand if you don't attend."

"Oh, she's our child again." Lola laughs spitefully, she shrugs her shoulders as she catches a look of herself in the mirror. Dark circles underneath her slightly bloodshot eyes, skin looking paler than usual, "Yes, I feel and look like crap. But I know that Cami feels a lot worse than I do so I really don't care about me." Lola moves past Klaus, grabbing her purse from the side, "I called Nikita, explained how I was feeling, she said the baby is fine and how I'm feeling will just be feeling run down with being so close to full term." Lola turns to face Klaus, the certain look on her face makes the room grow thick with animosity as she scoffs, "But why would you trust me about that after all I can't help but put my daughter at risk, right?"

—✤—

Church bells are rung as the crowd pools out of St Anne's church after the funeral service, they all congregate waiting for the coffin to be carried out and placed onto the horse drawn carriage. Lola breathes out a sigh of relief as she gets hit with the fresh air, starting to feel slightly claustrophobic within the church walls.

Hayley stands beside Lola and the Mikaelsons when she notices Francesca standing from afar, pretending to wipe away tears from her cheeks, "Do you think I was the target of those bombings?"

"Of course you were the target!" Klaus mocks, "Were I to wage a war on the wolves, you'd be my first kill!" Hayley glares at the original which makes him smirk, wanting to bite further, "I would string you up, for all your worshipers to see." Hayley rolls her eyes at the hybrid before pushing past him and walking over to where Scott stands.

Elijah frowns as he notices a flushed looking Lola who begins to cough once more, "You alright? You look—"

"A hundred months pregnant and pissed off at the world?" Lola remarks, coughing once again before she sends a glare towards Klaus, "But mainly pissed at your brother."

Elijah smiles softly, he places his hand against Lola's back, "I was going to say you look lovely."

Lola matches the same smile as Elijah, mentally thanking him for his kind words but her smile wipes off her face when she hears Klaus scoff, "You can be annoyed at me all you want and refuse to speak to me, Lola, but I refuse to turn into a father as destructive as my own. You can't blame me for looking out for you."

She remains silent, glaring towards Klaus before the glances to Elijah by her side, "I'll be with Cami."

Klaus watches as Lola walks away from the pair before he shakes his head, "This is ridiculous."

"Yes well, Charlotte knows you mean well deep down." Elijah clears his throat, fastening his coat around himself, "Perhaps, not smothering her like she is a child may have made the situation just a touch less hostile."

Klaus scoffs, rolling his eyes as he looks away from his brother; stuffing his hands into his pockets, "Might have known you'd take her side."

"There shouldn't be any sides, Niklaus." Elijah's attention goes towards the front of the crowd as the solemn jazz music begins to play, "This is what has been played out because of your actions."

Klaus tenses at his brother's words, a spark of annoyance ignites through him, "Can you honestly blame me?"

"There are other ways to go about this, brother." Elijah looks ahead to see Lola standing beside Cami as the marching behind Kieran's coffin begins, "Charlotte is smart enough to know what her limit is. You should trust her on that."

Lola takes a deep breath before taking hold of Cami's hand, "You ready?"

Cami stares out in front of her when she nods, "Yeah."

The pair begin to walk following the coffin, they're at the front of the crowd alongside the priest who spoke at the funeral. Cami's hand tightens against Lola's, the witch turns to face Cami who refuses to look anywhere but ahead of her. Lola places her other hand on top of their intertwined ones, "Amongst all of the grief just remember how strong you are, Cami."

The procession turns the corner of St Anne's and continues along down Royal Street towards Lafayette cemetery. Lola frowns as she feels a sudden rush of heat run through her. She covers her mouth, clearing her throat which catches Cami's attention, "Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm okay." Lola breathes out, she presses the back of her hand against her cheek that looks flushed, "I think it's just the heat." Her hand goes against her throat as she attempts to coat her dried up throat before looking over her shoulder to the crowd behind which is when she sees Francesca. Lola turns back towards the front, threading her arm through Cami's, "Before Kieran died, did he say anything weird about Francesca Correa? I think that she may have been involved in an attack in the bayou."

Cami scoffs as she laughs in a spiteful manner as she remembers her confrontation with Francesca in Rousseau's, "It honestly wouldn't surprise me, she's a real bitch. If I hear anything about her, I'll let you know."

"Thank you." Lola inhales sharply, starting to feel light headed. She breaks apart from Cami, gesturing behind her, "Are you okay to go ahead? I just need a second—"

"Of course," Cami smiles graciously towards her before she continues to walk ahead, "Thank you."

Lola's knees start to feel too weak to keep her upright when she starts to feel even more dizzy. She stumbles out of the crowd, stepping onto the pavement where the grabs hold of a lightpost.

Scott notices her straight away and breaks away from the crowd, running over to her, "You okay?" Lola covers her mouth with her hand as the coughing becomes more intense, as though she's choking on something. An anxious looking Scott stands in front of her, kneeling to try and catch her gaze, "Lo, you're okay."

Lola's knees buckle beneath her, the colour completely drains from her face as she continues to choke. The coughing becomes more severe as Lola hunches forward, moving her hand away from her mouth as blood pours out of it. Her eyes are wide staring down at her blood covered hand, still unable to stop choking. A horrified Scott, stands up looking past Lola into the crowd, "Klaus!"

Klaus immediately turns to face where Scott's panicked shout comes from, his eyes widen in horror as he watches Lola become faint and collapses into Scott's arms, "Lola!"

With Lola in his arms, Klaus rushes into the compound with Elijah and Scott soon following him. Genevieve rushes in behind them, watching as a shaken Klaus gently lays Lola across the table.

Genevieve looks on at the scene concerned, taking a step closer, "I can help."

Elijah stands in front of the witch, he reaches his hands out when his tone is harsh, "Don't you touch her!"

Klaus' brows are pulled inwards, he kneels by Lola's side, running his hand through her hair before his eyes darken, glaring up at Genevieve, "If this is because of you—"

"If you want to save the mother of your child I suggest you stop this foolishness!" Genevieve snaps abruptly, stepping towards Lola, "There's a spell I can do. Klaus, get chamomile from the pantry." Genevieve looks down at Lola before glancing at Elijah by her side, "She's trembling. Your jacket, Elijah."

"She's not breathing," Elijah's voice is shaky as he quickly removes his jacket, placing it over Lola as Genevieve presses her fingers against Lola's neck to check her pulse, "I can hear the baby's heartbeat, but not hers."

Lola gasps awake, she sits up promptly, clutching hold of her stomach as she stares around a deserted compound. Her entire body is trembling, her attention goes towards the corner of the courtyard when a figure appears. The blood running through her veins run cold as she quickly climbs off the table, "This isn't possible."

A malicious laughter escapes Mikael's lips as he steps out of the shadows, "On the contrary, my darling, this is very real."

With her eyes closed, Genevieve presses a bunch of chamomile against Lola's forehead, "Coeur blessé, battre avec mwen. Coeur blessé, battre avec mwen."

Klaus aggressively runs his hands through his hair as he franticly paces around. He soon grows impatient that Genevieve's spell isn't working, he steps forth pulling his sleeve back before biting into his own wrist. He presses his shaky wrist against Lola's mouth, "Come on!"

Klaus looks over to his brother in fear who looks just as agitated, "She's still not breathing." Elijah grabs a table from the side as he angrily smashes it against the brick wall behind them, "It's not working!"

All of their attentions go towards Scott who rushes back into the compound, clutching hold of his phone. Klaus vamp speeds towards him, pressing him against the wall in a fit of rage, "Where is she!?"

"She was on the other side of the city, Klaus!" Scott snaps as he pushes Klaus away from him, "Nikita said she is getting here as quickly as she can!"

A terrified Lola continues to back away from Mikael who steps closer wearing a vicious grin, "It's been a long time." He vamp speeds behind her, wrapping his arm tightly around her neck. Lola gasps at his force, her hands instantly go to his arm attempting to pull him away, "Welcome to my hell—stuck in an eternity of watching over that hideous creature my children call brother!"

"You're dead!" Lola's voice trembles like her entire body as she struggles in Mikael's grip, "How can I be here?" Her entire body stiffens, eyes are wide are she realises, "Oh my god! No!" Lola using all the strength she has to continue pulling away from Mikael as she cries out, "No! The baby!"

"The baby?" Mikael seethes, his tightens his grip around Lola making her scream out, "That kid never had a chance!" He laughs manically, "The deathless vermin, fancying himself a daddy?"

Lola screams out once again, "Ossox." Mikael releases his grip, he screams out at the pain of both his legs breaking. Lola gasps for breath, hand going towards her throat before she kicks Mikael in the face forcing him to the floor, "She's not dead! I'm not dead! If I was dead, you wouldn't be trying to kill me!"

Elijah paces by Lola's side, growing more and more anxious. Each second feels like an hour as they wait for her to wake. He scoffs, stepping closer, "I'm taking her to a real doctor."

"If you move her from here, my spell will break!" Genevieve snaps, "There won't be enough time to get her to a hospital."

Klaus' eyes darken as he attempts to storm towards the witch but is blocked by Scott. Klaus glares at her, pointing in Genevieve's direction, "If this is your doing, your end will be merciless."

Grasping hold of his younger brother's shoulder, Elijah pulls Klaus away from the scene. Klaus bows his head, a shaky breath escapes his lips, "I can't lose them, Elijah."

Elijah's grip tightens, bringing Klaus closer to himself, "I won't lose them either."

"...battre avec mwen. Coeur blessé, battre avec mwen." Genevieve opens her eyes wide, looking ahead of her stunned, "I know what to do. Get my bag, the gris-gris pouch!" She gestures towards her back and over to Scott, "Now!"

"You're dead, Mikael." Lola taunts as she wears a mocking grin, "Your son already beat you! You failed that time just like you failed trying to kill me as well."

"He is not my son!" Mikael bellows through gritted teeth, "He's a scourge, a walking symbol of weakness!"

Lola shakes her head, the looks away from the original as she laughs in a spiteful way before glaring back at him, "Even when you're dead you're still this pathetic piece of crap who blames your son for your own anger! This version of Klaus that you've had in your mind for a thousand years is not his responsibility." As she holds her hand out in front of Mikael, he grips the sides of his head screaming out in excruciating pain, falling to his knees. Lola has a sinister smile on her face as she steps closer to the man, "You're the failure, not him."

Mikael's breathing is ragged and harsh as he attempts to block out Lola's magic. He slowly comes to his feet, still clutching to the sides of his head, "You still think of the bastard as someone you can trust, someone you can rely on. You're a bigger fool than he is. There is no saving that atrocity festering in your womb. Klaus will destroy it, one way or another. Better it dies now, and you along with it!"

Just as Mikael launches himself towards Lola, she presses her back against the wall behind her, "Invisique." Mikael looks around clueless at Lola's sudden disappearance. He screams out as he feels something sharp impale him from behind. Lola uncloaks herself as she grips hold of a piece of wood, "Our daughter has an advantage Klaus never had. She will never," She presses the wood deeper into Mikael's flesh, "Ever know you."

Lola stumbles forward as Mikael is thrown to the side away from her. Her eyes are wide looking at the now destroyed walls where Mikael was pushed through. She slowly moves her stare to where the impact came from which is when her breath catches in the back of her throat, "It's you."

Scott anxiously paces at the edge of the courtyard, not daring to look behind him to see one of his closest friends lying helpless. He breathes out when he sees Nikita rushing into the compound, "Tell me everything."

Scott follows Nikita as she rushes over to the table where Lola lays, "One minute she was fine but then she started coughing up blood and collapsed."

Klaus remains standing as still as a statue, not daring to blink away from watching Lola. One of his biggest fears was coming true; that the dreams he has been having are turning into reality and he can't help but feel a strong weight of guilt about it all. Fearing that the last conversation he may have had with Lola was an argument, fearing he will never be able to make amends with the love of his life.

He slowly looks up from Lola when Nikita comes into view, "You told her there was nothing to worry about." Klaus quickly steps towards an unfazed Nikita who takes the stethoscope from around her neck, placing it against Lola's chest. Elijah presses his hand against Klaus chest, backing him away, "You need to do everything in your power to save her and our baby!"

Nikita moves the stethoscope to one side, she gently opens up Lola's eye, flashing a small light into her eyes, "Her pupils are dilated, breathing is there but irregular I need to start CPR." Nikita pulls her jacket off her, dropping it to the floor before giving Genevieve standing opposite her a knowing glance, "Whatever you're doing is working, keep going." Intertwining her hands, she presses them against Lola's chest, "Come on, Lola, I know you can hear me."

"It's really you."

Lola eyes instantly turn glossy, her smile is wide as she rushes over to Cora who stands with her arms reached out with a loving smile, "My sweet girl." Cora breathes out a sigh of relief as she holds Lola in her arms again, "You don't realise how long it has taken me to get through to you."

Lola wraps her arms around Cora even tighter, her eyes shut as tears fall down her cheeks, "I'm so sorry but I had to take those herbs so Thomas—"

"Yes, I know. I'm proud of you, my darling. I just—" Cora frowns slightly, she pulls away from Lola taking in Lola's appearance, "Oh, Charlotte." Warm tears fall down Cora's cheeks as she gasps, bringing her hand against her mouth as she looks at Lola's heavily pregnant stomach. Not seeing her or knowing that her niece was pregnant until this exact moment, "You look so beautiful."

Lola laughs softly between her cries, she glances down at her stomach, placing her hand against it, "I'm living the life you told me I would have." Cora closes the gap between them both, her loving smile feels like a permanent fixture against her lips as her hand softly goes against Lola's stomach, "I don't think I'd have got to this point if I didn't have your words from our last day in the back of my mind."

Both of Cora's hands now place against Lola's stomach as she sighs in a calm manner, "She is going to be so loved."

The Salvatore's eyes shine brighter than they have in so long towards her aunt, "You know she's a girl?"

"Of course I do." Cora's eyes show nothing but love towards her niece, but a small hint of sadness begins to seep through as she rests her hands against Lola's cheeks, "And I have no doubt in my mind that you are going to be the most amazing mother to your beautiful daughter." The sadness comes through Cora's eyes more as her smile starts to fade, "It's a pity I won't be here to see that."

Lola frowns, she removes Cora's hands away from her face, intertwining them with her own, "What are you talking about?"

"Things are changing over here. I don't know how much time I have." A shaky breath falls from Cora's lips, "You shouldn't be here, Charlotte. You—"

"Lola!"

Cora smiles and breathes out a sigh of relief hearing Klaus' desperate cry out for Lola. Cora tightens her hands against Lola's, "He's waiting for you, dear. You can tell Klaus he should feel lucky he won't be getting an interrogation off me."

"No." Lola shakes her head in disbelief. Her heart drops when she sees the same heartbroken look in Cora's eyes when she told Lola of her sickness, "No, this can't be it, Cora. I've just got you back."

"I'm afraid it is, child." Cora swipes her thumb against Lola's cheek, wiping away fallen tears before pulling her into a loving embrace, "Let us not dwell on that, I just want to enjoy this moment for the little time we have left."

"Cora, I think Thomas is back." Lola can feels Cora tense up at the mention of the Wetherby. Lola looks frantic as she pulls away from Cora, "You have to tell me if you know this is true or not. Cora, please. I'm scared."

There are so many things that Cora wishes to say but fears she is soon running out of time as the air changes. She inhales sharply, "Can you remember the broach I gave you for your twelfth birthday? Do you still have it?"

Lola frowns in confusion as she nods, "Yeah, it was your aunt Violet's broach. I still have it. Why?"

"The broach opens and what is inside is what you need to—"

With a sharp gasp, Lola wakes in the real world. Elijah rushes to her side, guiding her up, "Charlotte."

Lola is shaken, her eyes are wide and stinging with tears. She's completely speechless staring out in front of her. Klaus exhales a heavy breath, sitting on the side of the table and pulling her into an embrace, "You're okay, love." He breathes out, almost convincing himself as well as Lola, "You're okay."

"No." Lola's brows furrow slightly, she starts to shake her head profusely, "No, I—"

Klaus pulls away from the embrace, his hand rests against Lola's cheek, pushing away stray hairs from her face, "What happened?"

Lola's stare goes directly to the same wall that Cora pushed Mikael through with her magic, deep down hoping the same hole would be there but it isn't. Lola glances around every face standing before her, stopping when she notices a sheepish looking Genevieve standing behind everyone.

"I saw him," Lola practically whispers, still looking towards Genevieve, "He tried to kill me."

Elijah frowns, glancing between a panicky looking Genevieve and shellshocked Lola, "Who?"

Seeing Genevieve's reaction was the answer Lola intended to get from Cora regarding Thomas. Lola looks over to Klaus, taking hold of his hand, "I saw Mikael."

—✤—

Even beautiful things have endings, but it doesn't mean they have to be forgotten. Moments are memories, no matter how broken, complicated or messy those moments may have been. Lola sits on her bed, staring down at the childhood picture of herself and Cora, fearing that the chapter of their lives is ending and thinking the healing will be unimaginable. But with a small kick from her stomach, Lola is reminded that beautiful beginnings are coming.

A soft knock jumps Lola out of her thoughts, she glances over to the doorway to see Klaus smiling towards her, "You've proved quite resilient. Fighters, both of you."

"I guess we've had to be." Lola smiles sadly, "Especially lately." Her lips begin to quiver as tears flood in the corners of her eyes. Klaus sits on the edge taking hold of her hands, he frowns looking down at Lola's hands when she opens them up to show the small jar of herbs she has been grasping onto. Lola closes her eyes as she attempts to calm her breathing, "It wasn't just Mikael I seen over there."

Her brows pull inwards, nothing but heartbreak shows on her face, "It was Cora, she helped with Mikael. She didn't know I was pregnant until that moment, I seen the look in her eyes. I wasn't just blocking her from speaking to me, I was blocking her from even seeing me. She was probably over there seeing nothing but darkness and it's all my fault." Lola scoffs looking down at the jaw in her hand before throwing them against the wall opposite her, "Because of these stupid herbs!"

"Lola—"

"I don't even know if she's going to be okay over there!" Lola's tone is quick and panicked as she comes to a stand. Her entire posture shakes as she paces around the room, "We didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to each other. I might never see her again."

Klaus softly shushes her, wrapping his arms around Lola's waist he pulls her closer to him. She buries her face into his chest as she takes deep breaths to calm herself down. Klaus leaves a soft kiss on the top of her head, "You once told me that nothing is impossible anymore. So I don't find it impossible that you won't see Cora again. I have faith you will."

Breaking away from the embrace, Klaus walks towards their bedroom door, "Come with me." Lola remains in her same spot, looking confused towards the hybrid who wears a soft smile, gesturing her to follow, "Please? I want to show you something."

Klaus' smile widens as he takes hold of Lola's hand, guiding her towards the room opposite theirs. It as though all the air in Lola's lungs completely evaporate as she steps into a beautifully decorated nursery. She looks around it in pure amazement, feeling at a loss for words when her eyes catch the bear Damon gave to her when she was in Mystic Falls, sitting on top of the baby's crib.

"There are many things in this nursery that tell a story." Klaus says softly as he steps further into it, he gestures towards bureau, "These are the ones that tell the story of you and your brothers."

Lola can feel her eyes starting to well up looking at the few books standing up, all different stories about the three musketeers. She laughs slightly, noticing a little toy bunny rabbit, no doubt a little dig towards Stefan. But it's as though her heart falls out of her chest when she spots something in particular, "The horse." She picks up a small wooden horse on the side, "It looks just like—"

"I must admit, the whole tale of this wooden horse between yourself and Damon does intrigue me." Klaus stands behind Lola, smiling to himself as he looks at the horse in her hands, "Even more so when Damon contacted me and said he was having this shipped over to us. He was feeling rather smug he found an exact replica."

Lola's lips are parted in shock as she turns to face Klaus, "You and Damon spoke to each other without threats?" She laughs breathlessly, "And spoke about the nursery?"

"Your brothers and I may disagree on a various list of things but there is one thing we can always agree on," Klaus takes hold of the horse, placing it back on the side before cupping Lola's cheeks, "Wanting what's best for you. One more thing,"

With a warm smile, Klaus pulls away, he steps to the side slightly so a piece of art comes into view. Lola bites the inside of her cheek to stop herself from completely breaking apart when she sees the painted version of the childhood photograph of herself and Cora hanging up on the wall.

Klaus wraps his arms around Lola's waist, hands rest against her stomach and chin against her shoulder as they both look towards the piece of art Klaus made, "This will be here so you can show our daughter a picture of the most important woman in your life. Are you happy?"

"Of course I'm happy!" Lola turns around in Klaus' hold to face him, she crashes her lips against his before wrapping her arms around him and pulling him closer, "Nik, this is beautiful. How— When did you get all of this done?"

Klaus hums in thought, pulling away slightly, "You'd be surprised what I can get up to when you're off somewhere being chaotic." Lola looks away as she laughs until Klaus his hand to place Lola's chin between his thumb and index making her look at him, "I know things haven't been ideal between us both at the moment, Lola. But all I wish is for us to live together here with our daughter and give her all the love that we never received as children."

Lola's eyes soften towards the man before her, unable to wipe away the loving smile gracing her lips when she nods faintly, "That's all I want."

With a smile on his face, Klaus watches as Lola breaks away from him and continues to take in every little detail of the nursery. His smile soon fades as something on his mind keeps itching for him to bring up, "You said you saw my father." Lola turns to face him and is greeted with a conflicted stare towards her, "What did he say to you?"

Lola smiles warmly, she walks over to Klaus and closes the gap once again as she shakes her head, "Nothing true. You're a man in a way that your father never was." She breathes out a sigh as she pulls Klaus in another embrace, the pair remain like this feeling the tension drift away from them both, "I'm not going to stand in the way of you getting these moonlight rings made. Not anymore."

—✤—

Scott stands in the doorway of Lola's bedroom, he watches for a moment as she looks through an old box before softly knocking against the doorframe. Lola jumps slightly before smiling towards the vampire as he steps in, "How's the patient?"

Lola nods as she pushes the box to one side, "I'm okay." Standing up from her bed, she takes hold of a white envelope off the nightstand and holds it out towards Scott, "I got something for you."

Scott's brows are furrowed, he smiles as he opens up the envelope, "This is a ticket to Arizona." Scott looks confused over to Lola, glancing between her and the ticket, "What's in Arizona?"

"Your brother, where he's getting the treatment he needs." Scott's eyes widen, his lips part about to say something but Lola takes hold of his hands as she continues, "Sal called me a couple days ago and told me everything about his condition."

After the phone with Sal everything made sense. The aimless outbursts from Scott, avoiding everyone and not being himself; it all made sense. Sal explained to Lola how he has a serious heart condition and has for a number of years, as soon as he told his younger brother, straight away Scott said he will sort out whatever treatment is needed to aid his brother. He would even say that his vampire blood may have healed him but Sal, at first, was adamant that he wasn't going to accept any form of treatment at all. He's lived his life, a happy life and it was as though seeing Scott again after thinking he was dead for all these years — it was as though that was the peace Sal needed.

"The Mayo Clinic is the best in the country, one of the best for cardiac cases. I know he refused when you said about getting him better treatment but after getting some sense in him, he realised it was the wrong thing." Lola's heart breaks as tears stream down Scott's cheeks who stares down at the plane ticket in his hands. Lola rests her hand against his cheek making him look towards her as she smiles, "He wants to live, Scott."

Scott laughs breathlessly, holding the ticket up as his smile beams, "I'm gonna pay you back for all of this, Lo."

"You'll do no such thing." Lola shakes her head, giving him a stern look, "The money isn't even on the list of things I care about, it means nothing to me. What means something to me is Sal getting better and you being there by his side."

The smile on Scott's face drains as he shakes his head, starting to pace around the room, "I can't—" He runs his hand through his hair as a shaky breath falls from his lips, "I can't see him like this, Lo. He's going to look so frail, attached to all sorts of wires and machines, I just—" His jaw tightens, as he tightly shuts his eyes, "The last time I was this scared was when you were in the hospital, attached so all those wires and us not knowing what was going to happen." He laughs in a nervous way, shaking his head vigorously, "I made it look like I was fine but I was freaking out and all it takes is for me to have a bad day and I picture you like that again and then I'll be doing the same with Sal—"

"It's okay to be scared, Scott." Lola interrupts him, taking hold of his hand again, "Trust me I know you think by avoiding all of this, you can think it won't hurt as much as you know it truly does. But deep down you know it's going to hurt even more if you don't go and see Sal. He needs you and you need him." Scott becomes hysterical, he nods to himself staring down at his hand in Lola's grasp. She sighs as she pulls Scott into an embrace, "As soon as you see your brother, the setting what you'll be in won't even matter to you."

—✤—

My sweet girl,

I am so sorry that our time together was cut so short. There was nothing that I wanted more in this world than to take you away from the darkness this family has cast upon you. I only have a few regrets in my life and the biggest one was creating the spell on you to stop who you truly are. If I could go back in time I would have took you away from the start and never looked back on the misery.

Your mother did not want me to tell you the truth regarding my sickness, however, your mother has the tendency to doubt your strength. But I know your strength, and I know that you will be able to handle what I am about to tell you.

I was hexed. A witch from a different coven hexed me which was caused by a long conflict with them. They're called the Wetherby coven. At the back of this letter are coordinates which will lead you to a secluded part of the woods where you will need to dig. There will be a box which will explain everything that you need to know about this coven. Read everything, don't miss out any of the information. I hope that this may never come to light but one day you may cross paths with that coven and I need you to be ready. They have took too much from our family already and I will not allow for them to take you as well.

You were handed the life you are living because you are strong enough to live it. Never forget that.

I love you more than anything in this world, my darling. Until we meet again.

Yours,
Cora

Lola folds the letter back up, pressing it against her chest as she closes her eyes for a moment. She exhales a long shaky breath as she relives the words on that letter that Cora left behind, remembering the exact day she discovered it; the day of Cora's funeral. Lola was heartbroken, after having to bury the one person she loved most when she was younger and all she wanted to do was to feel closer to her aunt once more. So, she hid up in her room after the funeral; Damon would try and get Lola to speak but it wouldn't work so he left her be.

She sat in the corner of her room, reading through the Jane Eyre book that Cora gifted her, the one last thing they done together before she passed; she still remembered the last page she read out to Cora which is where she continued reading that night. Until, her father stormed into her room telling her how unladylike it was to hide herself away when people were gathered. In a fit of rage, he snatched the book out of the child's hands, ripping it up right in front of her.

Lola sat there for what felt like hours, tears streamed down her face as she stared at the remains of the last thing she had off her aunt; or thought she had. That was when something caught her eye, a small envelope that was sticking out of a part of torn up book. That night she made a promise to herself and to Cora that she would never forget to live up to Cora's words.

As Lola opens her eyes, the distant sounds of crowds below catch her attention; she watches them silently for a while until she senses someone standing in the doorway. She smile, turning her head to the side slightly when she notices it's Elijah, "If I died and someone threw a party, I feel like I should be pissed." Lola purses her lips in thought watching the crowd, "But then I think I'd just be more pissed that I'm not at the party because I died."

Elijah has a pained look on his face as he step further into the nursery, standing beside Lola, "You almost did." His voice breaks slightly, he swallows harshly before his glossy eyes look to his side at Lola, "In a thousand years, I can't recall a time I felt so...frightened."

"Can you remember what your reasoning was behind always calling me Charlotte?"

The warmth in Lola's eyes meet Elijah's pained stare which softens as he remembers, "To remind you of how strong you are." He wraps his arm around Lola, pulling her closer to him as they both look down at the crowds, "Today has proven me right once again."

—✤—

Walking down the stairs leading to the courtyard, Klaus breathes out a satisfied breath as after numerous attempts calling Damon, he gets an answer from Stefan, "Good, you're alive. Now I don't know the extent of what you spoke about with Lola when she came to visit but I had hoped you said you'd have came to this city to see your sister by now. As much as it strikes a nerve for me to say this," Klaus pauses for a moment as he takes a deep breath, "She needs you both with her so I suggest you get here as soon as possible."

He's greeted with more silence until Stefan exhales a heavy breath, "Klaus..."

"If Damon so much as tries to find an excuse to not come here, you can tell him I will drag him here myself."

"I'm already on my way to New Orleans, I'm just crossing Georgia." Stefan's tone changes instantly, it's quiet as though if he raises his voice any more he will completely break, "But, Damon..."

Klaus' jaw tenses, feeling the same horrifying feeling he felt during a conversation with Damon just two days ago, "If Damon isn't in that car with you, Stefan, believe me you will both regret it."

He's greeted with silence once again, a sinister kind of silence. It's so silent he can practically hear Stefan's heart drop, "Damon's dead."

—✤—

baby brother stef has arrived, ahhhhhh

so idk if stefan being in new orleans at this time even lines up with demon plec's timeline but it's safe to say that hers isn't exactly spot on so i'm changing it to suit my own

plus i miss stefan more than anything and need more of him

the next two episodes will be up within the next week..I HOPE, i'm going to try and get them out back to back but i'm not making any promises because once again i'm ill. are we shocked? are we fuck.

...just get prepared eek

hope you're still liking the story!!!

much love,

holly x