Secrecy (Hosie)

Part 105: Forevermore

"I remember. I remember...everything."

Everyone smiles, relieved as they look between the couple. Lizzie asks, "Wow. So this is what it feels like to have no more monsters, no more lunatic red heads trying to kill us...What are we gonna do now?"

Hope pulls away from the brunette after leaving a small peck to her lips, mirroring the tears in Josie's eyes as she cups her cheek gently. Tears of happiness and relief. Tears of love and hope.

She smiles sweetly at her fiancé, finally remembering all they've experienced together and all the love they have shared. And she doesn't want to wait any longer to call Josie her wife. So with that thought, she replies, "We're going to have the wedding of the century."

~~TWENTY WEEKS LATER~~

It's the night before the long awaited wedding between Hope Mikaelson and Josie Saltzman. Their families and friends are buzzing with excitement, along with the couple. The final preparations are taking place in the garden at the Mikaelson's manor in Mystic Falls, since this was the most practical location for the very pregnant bride-to-be.

The brunette lets out a sigh as she leans back in a chair, sitting on the terrace overlooking the garden. She watches in content as the Mikaelson's and their staff decorate the venue beautifully. And then her eyes fall on her fiance, and a smile forms on her lips as her hand rests against her large baby bump.

"I can't believe it's finally happening," she hears her sister say as she joins her on the terrace, leaning against the doorframe

Josie nods, "You're telling me. Tomorrow, I'll be Mrs. Mikaelson. And soon, we'll be welcoming two new members to our family."

Lizzie nods, moving to sit down by her sister, "How are you feeling about all of it?"

Josie's smile softens as she looks at her sister, "Happy. Excited. A little nervous, maybe. But I know Hope is going to be a great mom and the perfect wife."

Lizzie nods. "So will you, Jo," she says genuinely as she reaches to feel Josie's belly, something she does often, making Josie smile warmly.

"Thank you, Liz."

Lizzie nods, and then after a pause, she asks, "Does it scare you?" Josie gives a look of confusion, so she clarifies, "The possibility of never being with anyone else?"

Josie tilts her head slightly, considering the question. "Why would that scare me?"

"Well," Lizzie continues, "you never get that rush when you first meet someone, when you have a huge crush on someone. You won't have another first kiss or first date or that initial spark with someone..."

Josie nods, now understanding the question. Her eyes soften as she looks out over the garden, landing on Hope, who is talking with Caroline and Freya about something.

And she shakes her head, turning back to her sister, "That spark never died out with Hope. I still get that rush everytime I'm near her. And we may not get to have a first kiss again or a first date, but just think of all the other things we'll get to experience together. Starting a family, teaching them about magic and about life and about love, watching them grow up together...I wouldn't trade it for the world."

A smile tugs at Lizzie's lips, knowing how happy her sister really is. "Do you think I'll ever find a love like you and Hope?"

"Lizzie," Josie reaches for her twin's hand, nodding her head, "I know you will. You'll find someone who makes your heart skip a beat, who makes you feel like you're the most beautiful girl in the world, who fights for you and protects you no matter what."

Lizzie nods, her eyes filled with unshed tears, and her eyes move back out over the terrace, her eyes landing on someone in particular down below.

Josie follows her gaze, a knowing smile growing on her lips as she leans closer and adds quietly, "Who knows..maybe your person is even closer than you think.."

After a few more minutes of light conversation between the sisters, mostly Lizzie asking over and over if Josie is sure about not having a bachelorette party, to which Josie replied with a resounding, "Hell no," the two hear a soft knock coming from the doorway into the house.

"Hey, love," Hope says sweetly as she leans down to greet Josie with a soft peck.

Josie can't help the smile that forms on her lips as the babies kick gently at the sound of Hope's voice, "Hey, baby."

Lizzie smiles at the two as she stands to her feet, "I'll give you a minute before you have to separate for the rest of the night."

Josie groans, "Do we have to do that?"

Lizzie is already making her way back into the house as she replies, "It's tradition!" leaving no room for argument.

Hope shakes her head with a chuckle as she sits down beside Josie, leaning down and pulling Josie's shirt up just enough to plant two kisses against her belly, something she does everyday, multiple times a day. Then, Hope plants a kiss on Josie's temple and wraps an arm around her, pulling her close as Josie leans on her shoulder.

"Are you ready for this?" Hope asks softly, her voice filled with awe and love.

Josie smiles, leaning further into Hope, turning to leave a kiss on her neck, "I've been ready since the moment I first saw you." She turns in Hope's arms, their faces inches apart, "I love you, Hope Mikaelson."

"I love you too, Josie Saltzman," Hope replies, sealing her words with a tender kiss.

~~~~

"So, without further ado..Hope, do you take Josie to be your wife, to love and to cherish, always and forever?"

Hope smiles widely as she looks at her bride, "I do."

Kol smiles before turning to Josie, "And Josie, do you take Hope to be your wife, to love and to cherish, always and forever?"

Josie's smile reaches her teary eyes as she nods confidently, "I do."

"By the power vested in me as Hope's favorite uncle, it is my honor to now pronounce you married! You may seal this union with a kiss."

Before Kol can finish his sentence, Hope has already pulled Josie closer and brought them into an impassioned kiss while their family and friends cheered for them.

Josie pecks Hope's lips a second time for good measure before Hope places her hands on her belly and kneels down in front of her, placing her lips on one side of the baby bump and then the other side, as if kissing each of their babies, making their family and friends cheer even louder.

Hope stands to her feet, taking Josie's hand in. her own, and together they face their loved ones, making their way down the aisle, their future before them, filled with promise, adventure, and of course, endless love.

And with that, they step into their future, ready to face whatever comes their way together,

Forevermore. 

~~~~~~~~~~~