Sour But Sweet

Chapter 24

I wake up during the night screaming, burning my throat. What the hell was that?

Not again. I was dying. In Klaus's arms. It was dark and blood stained his mouth. It was the night Klaus bled me dry. I lay back down and close my eyes trying to fall back to sleep.

Something felt different as I opened my eyes today. The fear of last night still itches at me but not badly.Christmas bliss hits me like a train. I throw back my covers and slip on my slippers and hurry out of my room. It's 10:00 in the morning and no one is up! Seriously! I rush into the first room closest to mine and slam the door open. I jump on Kol's bed to wake him up. "Elena come on last night was a lot. I need my sleep otherwise I don't have my usual charm" Kol groggily teases. "NO Get up right now, it's Christmas" I ordered and rush out of his room to the next one. Rebekah is easier to get up and she joins in on my excitement. Rebekah and I annoy the shit out of Elijah and until he wakes up. I manage to get Damon out of bed as well as the others. They all look like zombies. I could've woken them up way earlier. "I need Coffee in a drip at this rate" Alaric jokes. "Come on Ric it's Christmas lighten up" I tease. There is no way I'm going to be sad today or down. Stefan had left and it was rather peaceful. "What is it that you would like for a christmas breakfast Lovely Elena?" Elijah waiters.

"Hm let's go with some sort of festive pancakes and scones" I request. Damon follows Elijah into the kitchen while I stay standing looking at my tired family. It's not that early...

"I think you've all forgotten how much our Elena loves Christmas" Caroline states. At least she embraces my excitement. Hopefully it will snow. I go up to my room to get organised and come back down.

I stare at the giant Christmas tree and think back on previous Christmases. I place my hand on my stomach and look down to my baby bump. "Merry Christmas my baby". Next Christmas will be different again. I would have a child with me in my arms. I feel a hand on my shoulder as I stay looking at the tree. "Merry Christmas Elena,"

"Merry Christmas Jer".

This is right. I have my brother by my side. I don't know if Klaus will return but I can't keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. If he doesn't return then okay. Today isn't about waiting, it's about being with my family and loved ones. Tonight all my friends and family will be gathered to have dinner together. Magical feelings will be neutral and I won't be the only one wanting someone else to be here. Ric, Jeremy, and I will be wanting Jenna. Jer and I want our parents, The Mikaelson's would want their younger deceased brother, Caroline would want Tyler here and for him to have his mother, Bonnie would want her grams. Everyone wants someone on days like this but we just can't have them.

Blueberry pancakes accompanied by berry scones and many other foods. "Elena, are you 100% sure I can't stay here forever?" Caroline says in delight of the food. "Sorry Care" I laughed back. "I thought we could head out today and enjoy the Christmas festival" I suggested.

"That would be lovely," Elijah agrees. In all agreement we finish our breakfast and all go to get ready.

I look back at my new Christmas dress to wear later and smile. Before I exit my room I go over to my bedside table and pull out my top draw. I pick a photo. A photo from life back home. This photo isn't anything like today. My parents were alive and I didn't know about the supernatural world. When Christmas was just Christmas and human-like. "I remember that girl who had come screaming into the Grill because she was so excited about the snow. It was also the same day that we had one of our insane snowball fights" I look over to Caroline who recites the photo. Caroline places her hand on my shoulder in comfort. Those days are gone and that's okay. "Let's go have some fun" I cheerfully say. With that we leave my room with the photo sitting on my bedside table.

It's time to make new memories with my family.

Christmas colours flood the streets of New Orleans. Festive music playing while us girls dance in the middle of the street. We could do anything we wanted and it would be okay. Christmas has that aspect, it's the joyful time of the year. Caroline twirls me around as I do to her. As I twirl I twirl into the hands of Damon he raises his eyebrows and twirls me away. "You seem to be enjoying yourself darling" Kol says while holding onto me. "I am," I answer back as I let go of his grip. "Elena we must go Christmas Sale shopping" Rebekah forces. I look at all the boys who roll their eyes unlike Caroline, Bonnie, and Caroline have wild excited smiles on their faces. "Okay sure, boys you're about to have a loadfull of bags to carry". The guys laugh at my agreement but Elijah and Kol are used to it. Rebekah links arms with me as we hurry our way to the mall.

The look Damon and Alaric's face as us girls pile clothes onto their arms is a sight I haven't seen. Caroline looked as if she was buying half of the shop while Bonnie and I have less than the blonde girls. "Ric, how long until we switch with Kol and Jeremy and where the hell is Elijah when we need him?" Damon complains through the struggle of holding piles of clothes. With that Caroline stacks on another three pairs of clothes into Damon's arms. Where is Elijah though? Kol and Jeremey are off buying stuff of their own so maybe Elijah is doing the same. "Jee mate, how long have you been here?" I hear Kol's voice from the changing room. I open the door from the small stall and look into the wall sized mirror. I am going to need to start buying maternity clothes in the next couple of months but for now I just need some things a little larger than my average size. "Wow" I turned around at the sound of the boys dropping. I'm in a dark green dress that shows off my bump. The dress criss-crosses around my neck and flows out. Simple summer dress. I curtsy in front of the boys and smirk. "Oh for god's sake, chins up" Rebekah hushes. I laugh in return and go change back into my original clothes.

Caroline and Bonnie were shocked by the price of all the clothes we had brought. Luckily some of us had an endless amount of money to spend. Perks of being a part of the Mikealson's. I don't want to tell anyone but I'm getting rather pettish. I'll just have to keep on shopping to distract myself. 

Elijah

Jewelry was an easy gift for a female. Elena was more than expensive Jewelry. Except I feel as If I can't find anything good enough for her. She has been wanting more painting requirements which would please her. Elena wasn't the type of girl who is high tea, she likes the simpler things. I picked out a few paint sets and essentials to answer a call from the painter of the family. As I put the phone to my ear it goes dead. I guess he lost what he was going to say. Typical Niklaus. If my brother doesn't return home tonight I will make sure that he knows what it's like to be in a sealed box. I pay for the gift and leave the little store.

I'm sure the girls are having fun shopping dragging the others around with them. When I get to the middle area of the mall I spot Marcell. Marcellous at a shopping mall that's different. "Ah Elijah I was looking for you actually" He says when I make my way over to him.

"What is it that you wanted me for Marcel?" I query.

"I have been told that he is returning at some stage tonight, thought you should know" Marcell had been keeping track on Niklaus's whereabouts this past month so it would make sense for my brother to be returning tonight. "Thank you, I'll see you at 8pm tonight" I say and leave to go find the others.