Fight With Me

Chapter 22

Hope's POV

After breakfast, Josie and I ran upstairs to get ready for the day, but as soon as we stepped into the shower together, things got... distracted. The plan was to be quick, but we ended up spending an hour teasing and playing with each other. By the time we finally got dressed and out the door, I could barely keep the smile off my face. Freya was already off, doing research about this soulmate bond, but I had a better idea—show Josie my favorite bar and get her to try my favorite drink.

Josie's POV

Hope took me to this cozy bar she said was her favorite. At first, we were just going to have one drink, but before I knew it, we were downing round after round, laughing until our sides hurt. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this carefree. At some point, things got a little blurry, and all I wanted to do was kiss her. So I did. Hope didn't resist—in fact, she pulled me closer, our lips crashing together like we were the only two people in the world.

Freya's POV

When the bartender called, I knew I was in for a long night. "Hope's here again," he said. "And she's with a girl. I think you might want to pick them up."

I sighed, grabbing my jacket and heading out. When I walked into the bar, I spotted them immediately. Hope and Josie were making out in the back corner, oblivious to the world. "Alright, lovebirds," I said as I approached them. "Time to go."

"Nooo!" they whined in unison, both of them clinging to each other as if I was going to separate them forever.

I practically had to drag them out of the bar, with Hope and Josie giggling like children, their hands roaming each other even as I tried to keep them apart.

Josie's POV

Back at the mansion, we raced to the kitchen, starving and still a bit tipsy. We found a box of macaroni and cheese and decided that was gourmet enough for the night. While I stirred the pot, Hope turned on the speaker, and suddenly, Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" filled the room. We started dancing around the kitchen like idiots, twirling and laughing, singing at the top of our lungs. Freya stood off to the side, smiling.

Freya's POV

It was hard not to smile watching them. The way they moved together, like they were completely in sync. Hope's laughter rang out like I hadn't heard it in years. I hadn't seen her this happy in so long—Josie really brought out something beautiful in her. After a while, they collapsed onto the floor, eating their mac and cheese and laughing at every little thing. It was as if nothing else in the world mattered to them.

Hope's POV

By the time we made it upstairs, we were a mess of giggles. We tripped over each other at least twice before we managed to tumble onto the bed. We didn't even bother changing into pajamas; we just flopped down and started jumping on the bed like kids. Eventually, we crashed, Josie wrapped tightly in my arms, and before I knew it, we were both asleep.

Josie's POV

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of giggling. Blinking my eyes open, I saw Freya, Keelin, and—was that Rebekah?—standing over us, their phones out, snapping pictures of us tangled together in bed.

"Go away," Hope groaned, yanking the covers over our heads.

"That's no way to greet your favorite aunt!" Rebekah's voice rang out.

Hope shot up immediately. "Aunt Rebekah!" she squealed before throwing herself at her. I sat up, smiling as I watched the scene unfold. It was nice to see Hope so happy with her family.

Freya's POV

We all went downstairs, and as we settled in, I noticed Rebekah eyeing Josie with a mischievous grin.

"So," Rebekah began, her tone teasing, "who's the lovely lady?"

Hope beamed, pulling Josie closer. "This is my amazing girlfriend, Josette!"

Josie blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You can just call me Josie. It's great to meet you."

Rebekah gave her a warm smile. "Oh, we're a hugging family," she said before pulling Josie into a tight embrace and spinning her around. Josie's giggles filled the room.

"Step away from the girlfriend!" Hope said with mock jealousy, wrapping her arms around Josie's waist protectively.

"Alright, alright," Rebekah chuckled. "I'm just excited! So what brings me here, you ask?"

"I didn't ask, but it seems a little coincidental that you're here right after this whole werewolf situation," Hope said, her eyebrows raised.

Rebekah glanced at Freya, who was clearly trying not to smile. "Okay, fine," Rebekah sighed. "Freya may have called the rest of the family. They're a bit concerned."

Just as she finished speaking, the doorbell rang. Freya smirked, "Speaking of family, they're here."

Back in Mystic Falls – Alaric's POV

I was sitting in my office, nursing my bourbon and trying to figure out how to bring the girls back home when the door slammed open. Caroline stormed in, fury in her eyes.

"ALARIC SALTZMAN, WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME JOSIE WAS KIDNAPPED?!"

I groaned, rubbing my temple. "Caroline, what are you doing here?"

"Don't 'Caroline' me! Lizzie called and told me everything—about Hope going off the rails, Josie being taken by Hope's family!"

"What? That's not what happened." I sat her down and explained the situation—how Freya had taken them for safety, how Hope and Josie were struggling with this soulmate bond. By the end of it, Caroline looked more livid than before.

"How could you let this happen?" she hissed. "And what the hell is going on with Lizzie? She's been lying and delusional!"

I stared at her, my stomach sinking. "You don't think... it's come back, do you?"

Caroline's face paled. "I mean... she's been showing signs."

I love a good cliff-hanger