𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬

𝟻

Aeliana woke up the next day and was greeted with what felt like contractions and exhaustion. However, before she could ponder on it too long, she realized the spot next to her was empty and there were voices downstairs.

She made her way down to see Elijah, Nik, Hayley and Cami. Upon making her appearance, they all looked at her.

"Good morning sleeping beauty, care to join us on the downfall of Finn?"

She slowly walked downstairs, but her husband could see she was struggling so he sped over to her and carried her down.

"I can walk, you know."

"That was more like an unsteady waddle. Rest, my sweet. You're growing our supernatural baby."

She rolled her eyes playfully as he sat down on the couch with her. "Fill me in on the downfall of Finn. And what happened to your mother?"

Nik gave the pregnant vampire a smirk. "We've entombed our newly turned vampire mother, I intend to finish making the city safe for our girls. Which, to start, means dealing with the lingering problem of Finn."

Cami finally spoke up. "Oh, once he figures out what you've done to your mother, he's gonna go off the deep end."

"That's exactly why we need to keep you out of harm's way. Hayley and I will return home and take care of my wayward brother. Elijah and Aeliana will remain here with you. He's been experiencing some side effects since his ordeal as our mother's captivite. Best he stay here and convalesce. Plus, our dear Ali is struggling with this pregnancy no thanks to Finn."

"A single few flashbacks and one never hears the end of it," Elijah scoffed out, only to earn a smack from his wife.

"These are more than just flashbacks, Elijah. It's called PTSD, and I would rather have this resolved before our daughter is born. Besides, Cami has a way with minds plagued by demons, just take a look at Nik!"

Nik gave the girl a look and laughed sarcastically. "Well, if you excuse me, I best be on my way! Rebekah should have already woken up in the body of Angelica Barker. Once she has cut the ties of Miss Barker's former life, she'll make her way directly here. You should expect her shortly."

"Always a pleasure, Nik."

Aeliana tried to give up and give hugs, but Hayley sat her back down. "You stay there, I will come to you." She gave her a quick hug and whispered in her ear softly enough for no one else to hear. "I promise we will raise our girls in a safe place, no matter where it is."

They parted and gave each other a smile as she and Nik walked out, leaving her with Elijah and Cami.

"Well, I'm guessing you guys know where the good booze is?"

Aeliana laughed at Cami's statement and tried to get up again, but was greeted with more pain.

"You need to stop getting up, my sweet." Elijah then turned to Cami, "We don't have any. I have pressing matters to attend to, such as why hasn't Rebekah called yet."

"Elijah, they left two seconds ago. For once, focus on yourself."

Cami walked off to the kitchen, so he immediately pulled out his phone and began to dial a number, which rang for a few minutes, only to be greeted to a voicemail box.

"Rebekah, it's me. Please call."

Before either of them could speak, Cami emerged from the kitchen with a bottle of bourbon.

"Yahtzee! If there's one thing I've learned about you people, it's that there's always a bottle of booze around. You want one?"

Elijah rolled his eyes. "Sounds delightful. And after that, Camille, then what? We have another, and another, perhaps another after that, another after that. Before long, I find myself opening up to you, or baring my damaged soul, as it were. It's an old trick, Camille. Not a particularly clever one."