Versatile | Elijah and Katherine's Daughter [Book 1]

Chapter 38: Hi Daddy

2x8

[It's nearly dark, now, and Elijah is still sitting at his booth as the waitress from earlier slowly walks past him. After a moment, Rebekah and Adela walk into the restaurant, with Hope in Rebekah's baby carrier. Elijah immediately stands when he sees her, and she smiles at him] 

ADELA: Hi daddy [Elijah immediately hugs Adela]

[When they makes it to the booth, she sets Hope's carrier on the table, and Elijah smiles widely as he gazes at her. He and his sister share a hug, before he focuses all his attention on his niece. Rebekah sits down while Elijah picks up Hope and holds her]

ELIJAH: [to Hope] Look at you. So big. So perfect.REBEKAH: [smiles] Mmm.ELIJAH: I can't imagine the joy of spending every day with her. It's...REBEKAH: ...Quite lovely. It feels so human.ELIJAH: Yes... some would argue the most human of experiences.REBEKAH: [sighs] I know I have to give her back to Hayley when the time is right. But, she's made me realize how much I want that child of my own... that I know I can't have.

[Elijah rocks Hope in his arms happily]

ELIJAH: It's a lovely dream. Unfortunately, it's one that's just beyond our reach, considering the curse of our existence.REBEKAH: [concerned] Seems Esther's attacking with her usual fervor.ELIJAH: Yes, Mother tortured me for days with memories I thought I'd buried long ago.

[He licks his lips nervously and pauses for a moment before speaking]

ELIJAH: Then, she made an offer... to make us all mortal again. [Rebekah and Adela look stunned] You see, sister, Mother believes that by placing us in new bodies, we can then reclaim some kind of... purity. We can begin families of our own again. And, I have to confess, Rebekah... this invitation, however cruel in delivery, had a certain... appeal.

[Adela looks at him sympathetically, and stretches her arms across the table so she can take Elijah's free hand in her own. He continues to gaze at Hope, not noticing when Rebekah spots a smear of blood on the sleeve of his shirt and becomes even more worried. He notices her concern and misreads it]

ELIJAH: You needn't worry. We're safe.

[Rebekah licks her lips and puts on a fake smile before standing on her feet and grabbing Hope's blanket]

REBEKAH: Looks like this little one needs her diaper changed! Adela I need your help.
ADELA: My least favorite part. 

[Elijah stands so he can hand Hope back to her]

REBEKAH: [to Hope] Here, my love.

[They heads toward the bathroom across the restaurant. Rebekah and Adela's eyes widen in horror as they notices a smear of blood on the counter while they passes it. There's another bloody smear on the door to the kitchen. The waitress from earlier washes her hands at a nearby sink and has presumably been compelled to ignore the blood, because she does not seem bothered by it, nor does she seem to mind that Rebekah and Adela are about to enter the kitchen. Adela gently kicks open the kitchen door and gasps when she enters sees a dozen bloodied bodies strewn around the room. She turns and shields Hope's face with her blanket to keep her from seeing any of the carnage. Elijah continues to stand near their table with his back to her, oblivious to Rebekah and Adela's discovery]

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[Rebekah and Adela finally come out of the bathroom after changing Hope's diaper and returns to the table with Elijah. Hope begins to whine restlessly, alerting Elijah to their return. He stands to help her put Hope back into her carrier]

REBEKAH: Well, she is all sorted, and ready for an adventure! 
ADELA: Aren't you, Hopester?

[Elijah smiles and watches as Rebekah and Adela settle Hope into her seat]

ELIJAH: It's difficult to believe we were this innocent once. [He sighs deeply] We mustn't let the world ever hurt her.

[Rebekah comes up behind Elijah and watches him suspiciously as she rubs his arm]

REBEKAH: You're right. We mustn't.

[She quickly grabs Elijah by the chin and snaps his neck, allowing him to fall to the floor, unconscious. She sighs and looks overwhelmed. Adela looks surprised]

ADELA: A little warning next time.

REBEKAH: Sorry. Grab Hope let's go. 

[Adela grabs Hope and they leave]

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[Adela and Rebekah call Klaus from the diner on Elijah's phone]

KLAUS: [annoyed] Where have you been?REBEKAH: Nik, it's me. Something's wrong. Elijah slaughtered a dozen people, whose only sin was their terrible taste in food. I mean, when have you known him to kill when he could otherwise compel? It's the kind of act that will draw our mother's attention.KLAUS: [sighs in horror] Her torture must have affected him more deeply than I'd realized. Where is he now?ADELA: Aunt Bekah broke his neck to keep her safe, but we have no clue what to do next.

[Klaus walks purposefully down the stairs]

KLAUS: Do you recall where we dined the Christmas after we fled Mikael?REBEKAH: [confused] Of course--KLAUS: [interrupts her] Go there. Now.