What Now?

Chapter 14

The rest of the evening was very relaxing for Klaus and Hope. They painted together for a while just enjoying each other's company and exchanging light chit chat. They had dinner with only Freya, Keelin, Nik and Vincent since Rebekah and Marcel decided they needed a date night.

After dinner Klaus ventured to the study. It looked exactly the same as it did before Klaus and Elijah died. He ran his hand over some books on the bookcase. He walked slowly around the room. He ran his hand along the leather couch as if trying to pull all the memories from it. He turned a lamp on as he walked past it on the end table next to the couch. He saw a book laying on the small table next to the lamp. He was certain that was the last book Elijah ever read. He made sure to be very careful and not move it. He continued towards the big desk and smiled down as he took in the familiarity of it.

Suddenly the door opened and Vincent walked in. He saw Klaus looking at everything on the desk. Vincent walked over to him and sat a glass of bourbon in front of him. Vincent turned around and walked over to the couch to take a seat with his own glass in hand.

"No one ever comes in here. We have kept everything the way it's always been. One time though, Nik wandered in here when he was learning to walk and Freya had to come get him out. She was a crying mess after that. Keelin and I decided then that this room and both of your bedrooms should remain the same in both your honors."

Klaus took a sip of his bourbon and looked at Vincent who was staring straight ahead at the bookcase in front of him. Klaus used to despise Vincent. Before Klaus died though he had decided Vincent really wasn't that bad of a guy. The hatred he once felt for Vincent turned into deep respect. On top of that, he was the father of his perfect nephew.

"I appreciate that. Elijah spent more time than I did in here. We had many quarrels and bonding moments in this very room. It does give me a feeling on contemptment that it looks the same."

"Honestly, at first I didn't get it. Why everyone was so sad when you couldn't be with your siblings or your daughter? I mean it was a sad situation, but you and your siblings had a thousand years together and I thought your daughter was better off without you."

Klaus felt his body tense and his jaw clench at hearing these awful things being said to him.

"I was wrong. You ended up showing me what family really meant. I felt sorry for your siblings because they were losing you and Elijah. Then I felt even worse for Hope. She lost both of her parents within the same month. I felt worse about the situation when I became a father. There were some nights when that would cross my mind and I'd cry for you and Hope losing each other, I would absolutely risk my life for my child. I'm sorry you had to risk your life for yours. But you are one hell of a man, Klaus Mikaelson."

Klaus looked at Vincent and studied him silently. "I'm glad Freya has you as her child's father. I'm glad you two have a good dynamic. My nephew deserves nothing less than the best. You'll do well to remember that. However, my sister did a good job picking you to be Nik's father. I respect you, Vincent. You're also one hell of a man. Thank you... for taking care of my sister. Thank you for helping her with her grief and for letting her mourn. Thank you for letting her continue to be close with Hope even though you have your own lives here."

Vincent raised his glass and then took a sip. He and Klaus sat there in silence for a bit. Finally Klaus decided to ask him about what Hayley and Elijah said to him about him and Caroline. He described what they said and Vincent looked puzzled.

"Honestly man, if they're saying Ivy saw it and you truly believe it was them, I'd believe it. Her visions were never wrong when she was alive. You know Hayley and Elijah would only be trying to protect you and Hope so I'm not sure why they would be pushing you into a romantic relationship. Also, that might be a prophecy and might be why you were able to see them. Ivy may have been there to let them talk to you. The ancestors would never let one of their own go off to hang out with wolves unless it benefited them. It might be about Hope or it might be about other witches, but I would take this seriously, Klaus."