What Now?

Chapter 17

The next two days came and went. The family bonded and didn't leave the compound at all. They just all did their own things but with the comfort of all being under the same roof.

On the last day Klaus and Hope were painting together. They were both quietly working while listening to classical jazz. It was all the contentment Klaus has ever wanted. He felt so much peace here in this moment with his daughter.

Suddenly Hope's phone started dinging. "Lizzie is blowing up my messages. I'm going to go handle this crisis real quick. I'll be back." she said with a smile as she walked out of the room shedding her painting jacket on her way out.

Klaus went back to his painting. He's been working on a countryside landscape since he's been in town.

"Are you ever going to say something, little sister?"

Rebekah appeared slowly from the hallway. "That's beautiful, Nik. It looks warm and peaceful. Is that how you're feeling?"

"Are you attempting to bombard me with ridiculous questions so that I won't ask you why you haven't taken the cure for vampirism in which you begged so long for?"

"Don't be grouchy, Nik. You know I love to analyze your art." Rebekah chuckled.

"Hmm. Dodgy. Interesting."

"I'm not ready yet. I love being a vampire right now. I get to do whatever I want with the love of my life. I'm having fun. Genuine fun. For the first time in I can't tell you how long. I love my life with Marcel. I'm not sure I want to take it without him."

"I know, Rebekah. You're not being selfish. You deserve to be happy, but just remember that you have the option if and when you're ready. I want you to be happy no matter what version of you that entails and I know Marcel feels the same way. I'd love for you to spend another thousand years with your favorite big brother though."

"Ugh. I'm not sure I could handle another thousand years with you. I do enjoy your company right now though. Happy, in love, at peace, headed towards what have you been calling it... redemption. It makes me glad I'm around to see it."

"Oh spare me this heart to heart. Promise me you and Marcel will come visit me in Mystic Falls? With Hope in school again, I'm not sure what I will entertain myself with. I'm not sure what will keep me out of trouble in that little one pony town."

"Oh Nik, please! You've got another blonde for that! Plus, you'll have Hope every weekend until she inevitably gets tired of you. By that time it will be summer and you can come back unless vampire Barbie keeps you there." Rebekah said with a grin.

"You know, as fun as this was, sister I'm well over this chat." Klaus sarcastically joked.

"Of course we'll visit, silly. I miss that huge house and despite what you think Caroline and I are friends now."

"Thank you, sister."

Rebekah leaned over and kissed Klaus on the head and she walked out. As she left Klaus' phone started buzzing. He flashed to the study to get Caroline's list and a pen for the answers.

"Brother! Are you ready to see me tomorrow evening?" Kol shouted as soon as Klaus answered.

"Surprisingly, yes I am. Are you busy?"

"Just sitting in the garden with my beautiful wife. Why?"

"Freya tells me you've taken a liking to a siphoner from the Gemini coven. Before you respond, no I don't want to kill her. I do however have some questions for her, well Caroline has some questions for her. Her daughters are also siphoners from the Gemini coven. Could I speak with her?" Klaus rattled off rather quickly so Kol couldn't object.