Damage Control

Chapter Twenty-Eight

A long night of catching up with her aunt had Hope and the twins practically dragging themselves up the flight of stairs to their rooms. Freya had insisted on listening to everything that happened since she left the Salvatore school all those months ago, so they took turns telling her. To Hope's surprise it was Lizzie who ended up asking her aunt the most questions about her life, about being a witch, how New Orleans was doing. Hope was not surprised to hear her aunt Rebekah and Marcel owned the compound and kept tabs on the city while they were away, on whatever adventure they were on.

The city's factions were still led by the council Freya and Vincent created years ago, only now a new Crescent alpha and vampire representative took the vacant places. Freya has since taken more of a back seat role, Vincent was the more prominent role, he wanted his son raised away from the drama going on, as did both of his mothers.

Kol and Davina, as Hope knew, still lived in San Francisco, but they made it back to the city every now and again to visit. So basically Hope's family was still divided but living their own lives in happiness, which made Hope happy but she couldn't help but think about how happy their lives were since her father died.

Hope's room was beautiful. Her walls were a pale pink beige colour with a dark wood floor. Her bed and dresser from her old bedroom were in there, as well as her easel and art supplies. She loved her old room, it was her home, but it was as if her aunts took that room and added more warmth and love to it, that was this room. "Do you like it?" Freya asked over her shoulder, Hope could hear Keelin talking to the twins down the hall in the guest room.

Hope sat on her bed, feeling the familiar texture of the bedspread. "I love it," Freya joined her on the bed. "You brought all of this from the compound?"

Freya placed her arm around Hope's shoulder and brought her closer. "When you're ready we can send it back." Hope didn't want to tell her she didn't think she would ever be ready to go back. "I like Josie, Lizzie will take some getting used to but they are both very nice."

Hope snickered. "Thank you for letting them come, I need all the support I can get."

Freya pursed her lips. "Are you sure you want to do this spell?"

Freya offered to essentially put her to sleep, put her into her own mind, her own memories to relive them, to experience them again and heal from them. The catch is they had to do it in the compound, it is the home she had the deepest connection to. "I want to do this, I have to do this."

"Well I was thinking," Freya looked her in the eye. "I have enough energy to send another person in there with you, especially if I have help, so maybe Lizzie would like to help me with the spell and you could bring Josie along with you?"

That made Hope's heart beat faster. At first she was afraid, her past isn't something she wanted to show Josie so soon in their relationship, especially the trauma she has experienced. On the other hand she knew she would want someone by her side and if Freya was going to be doing the spell, Josie was the next best person to have with her.

Hope gave a small smile. "I'll think about it."

"Okay." She kissed the top of Hope's head. "Our room is two doors down if you need us."

"Thank you aunt Freya." They said their goodnights, Keelin popped in to say night as well on her way to their room. Hope laid in her old bed, feeling the familiar contours of the mattress and tried her best to fall asleep.

Hope woke to the door opening, light from the hall seeping in. She tensed up, laid as still as possible and waited for the right moment. She sprung up and held out her hands, spell on her lips. Thankfully before she spoke a word she recognized Josie, who froze on the spot. Hope let out a long breath. "Josie," She breathed. "You scared me." She laughed.

Josie's face turned red as she gave a shy smile. "Sorry, I didn't think I was going to wake you." She was wearing a long black shirt and pajama pants, her feet bare.

Hope smiled at her. "Why are you sneaking into my bedroom in the middle of the night?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd see if you were awake." She looked away momentarily, causing Hope's smile to grow.

She slid over in bed and made room for Josie to join her, her heart picking up speed as Josie got in the bed. This was the most intimate as they had been since they started their relationship, it was odd but exciting and calming at the same time.

Hope laid back down and rolled over so she was facing Josie, and Josie did the same. "Is Lizzie asleep?"

Josie nodded slowly. "She passed out almost the moment she laid down."

"So then why can't you sleep?"

Josie looked like she was debating telling her. "I was worried about you." She finally admitted. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

Hope wondered if she ever stopped smiling in Josie's presence. "It is defienty odd to be back in the city, with my aunts, but it feels right, it feels like home." Her smile faltered a bit. "But I am worried about tomorrow, about this spell, I am afraid that instead of being relieved of my anger and sadness, it will only make it worse."

Josie reached out and touched Hope's hand. "It will be okay, I'll be there, so will Lizzie, Keelin and Freya. Everyone will be there for you."

"Well there is a way you can be there more for me if you want." Hope swallowed as she explained what Freya told her.

"Absolutely." Josie concluded. "Without question."

Hope leaned in and gave Josie a slow kiss. "Thank you Jo." Hope rolled over at the same time Josie moved in to wrap her arms around Hope. Hope settled her back into the curves of Josie's body, feeling even more at home than she did before. She was asleep in minutes, the most familiar voice greeted her dreams. Hello Sweetheart.