Secrecy (Hosie)

Part 41: Heartbeat

The party guests have been slowly filing out for about an hour, and now that the last are walking out the door, all that remain at the Mikaelson Manor are the Mikaelson and Saltzman families and Rafael.

Lizzie and Josie have already gotten out of their gowns and showered while Raf catches up with Hope's family members downstairs until they return.

Hope headed upstairs just a few minutes ago to also shower after helping the witches of her family with a spell to clean up all of the party decorations.

The Mikaelson's, Raf, Alaric and Caroline all change the subject of conversation when they see Josie and Lizzie making their way back down the stairs. Hope told them her plans to reveal her true identity to Josie tonight, and they'd hate to slip up mere moments before Hope gets the opportunity.

Josie gives them all a warm smile as she takes a seat beside her mom on one of the couches, "I can't even begin to thank you all enough for tonight."

Lizzie nods in agreement, "Yeah, thank you again. This really means a lot to us both."

"Anytime, girls," Marcel offers a joking smile to Josie, "and thank you again for letting me steal your date for a dance. I hate to admit she outdid me."

Raf let's out a laugh, "Yeah, me too. I think I may have stepped on her toes a few too many times. Plus, she was leading the entire time."

Josie chuckles at them, glancing toward the top of the staircase, aching to see and talk to Hope again. It's only been a few minutes, but she can't get enough of her, and she can't contain the anticipation she has for their talk later. It seems important to Hope, and usually that means that she's wanting to open up about her life. Josie always loves hearing more about Hope's upbringing and the things that have made her who she is today.
She grins as thoughts of her love swarm her mind, "Yeah, she told me how her aunt taught her ballroom dances when she was growing up, but I didn't realize she was that good. She's full of surprises."

Rebekah tries to hide the proud smile she gets from hearing that, but she fails miserably.

Luckily, everyone is distracted by a voice coming from the direction of the staircase, "Understatement of the century."

Josie smiles widely as Hope descends the stairs and approaches them all, now wearing a simple t-shirt and her pj shorts.
Her smile grows impossibly wider as Hope bends down to leave a sweet kiss on her cheek before asking quietly, "Do you mind joining me upstairs? There's something I need to show you."

Lizzie mumbles under her breath, though Josie, who sits beside her, and everyone with supernatural hearing can make out her words, "Oh, I bet there is."

Josie shoots her a glare as Hope just rolls her eyes as she extends a hand out for Josie, who gladly accepts the gesture and rises to her feet. As they turn to head toward the stairs, Hope glances toward Alaric and Caroline, receiving a nod of approval. Then, she turns to her family members, who offer her the same validation.

With that, she guides Josie up the stairs and into her bedroom. Josie sits comfortably on the bed, leaning against the headboard, while Hope walks over to her dresser, turning to face Josie, feeling her nerves start to attack and dismantle the confidence she felt moments ago.

Josie notices her trepidation, "Hope, you can tell me anything. You know that. Nothing you say to me or show me will make me stop loving you."

Hope fiddles with the rings on her fingers for a brief moment, nodding her head, "Yeah, I know that...And um—I also know that you've picked up on the fact that I've been...holding back some things about my life and my past." Rebekah told Hope about her conversation with Josie during the party, about how Josie figured out they've known each other prior to Josie meeting her.