Hope Kenner

10 - A Merry Christmas

Jackson lit the fireplace once the sun was set. A nice cozy warmth to counter the chilly weather that came after dark. Hayley was in the kitchen making some hot chocolate for the three of them, and Hope walked over to the living room. She sat down on the couch, more distanced from Jackson than usual.

The kettle dinged, and Hayley pours the warm milk into three mugs, then put the hot chocolate powder Jackson bought in. She missed it in, then carried the three mugs over to the living room.

Hayley handed one to Hope, one to Jackson, then sat down in between the two with hers still in her hand. Jackson beside her held his out. He looked at Hayley, "I'd like to say how grateful I am for every Christmas we've spent together, Hayley. And to you Hope," he looked at Hope, "I'm grateful to have you as my daughter. Every year has been amazing with both of you around. Thank you," Jackson smiled.

Hayley smiled at Jackson, then looked back and forth between Hope and Jackson, "I'd like to say how happy I am. Being here in Mystic Falls, we've made a home here. Somewhere we can stay." Haley focused on Hope, "No more moving. We are settled. Mystic Falls is home."

"I am grateful for the school I've been enrolled at. Because of it, I've made friends. People I can look to. Family," Hope smiled at Hayley and Jackson. They all drank their hot chocolate.

Jackson stood up, and he grabbed Hayley's and Hope's mugs. He brought them to the sink, and scrubbed them clean, then set them in the cabinet behind him.

"I'm gonna go to bed. See you guys Christmas morning," Hope got up from the couch. She and Hayley kissed their fingers then linked them together.

Then, Jackson walked over to Hope and kissed her forehead, "Goodnight. See you tomorrow, Hope." He rubbed her head, then the witch went into her room.

Hope closed the door, then spelled is shut, and put a sound proofing spell. She pulled a drawer into her dresser open, and she pulled out a glass of black ash and the paper for the astral projection spell Freya taught her.

She twitched her hand, and a spelled drawer opened. Hope pulled out a picture. It was of her, Klaus, Freya, Kol, and Rebekah. They took it a few weeks ago before Kol left for New Orleans. The vampire should be at the Mikaelson house now though.

Hope dusted her floor with her hand, then poured the black ash in a circle around her. She made a few symbols that were shown on the paper, then got up to grab a few candles. They lit on fire, and Hope sat on her knees in the circle. She closed her eyes and whispered a chant.

"Evening, darling," Kol welcomed Hope. The witch opened her eyes to see each member of her family accompanied by someone, except her father.

"Merry Christmas Eve," Hope smiled. She wish she could hug them, but astral projection was the best she could do.

"Hope, we'd like to introduce you to some close people to us," Rebekah smiled. Rebekah tapped Marcel's shoulder. He was wearing a smooth black suit.

(Marcel Gerard)