This is Us [ Elijah Mikaelson ] 2

thirty-four

"There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart."

-Mahatma Gandhi

When Giulia was finished setting up she had began the spell. Watching her, sent shivers up Penelope's spine and anxiety spiked. She had to remind herself that she was safe, and the magic wasn't being used against her but for her. "Who am I looking for?" Giulia asked after what felt like an eternity of silence, her eyes still closed but her eyebrows were wrinkled, as if she was looking for Penelope's mother.

"Uh...Elizabeth Darling," Penelope answered nervously. When Giulia didn't say anything right away, Penelope feared that maybe her mother wasn't around anymore, maybe she had fully passed on...or even worse, became evil like Giulia said.

"What's in the room to the right of this one?" She asked and Penelope frowned in confusion.

"My room why?"

"Because that's where she's waiting for you," Giulia said with a smile as she slowly opened her eyes. Penelope's heart skipped from happiness as a grin spread on her face, then she turned to Elijah.

"Go," He whispered gently to her.

"Don't you want to see her too?" She asked and Elijah gave her a small smile, shaking his head.

"I said my goodbyes to your mother twenty years ago, my love," He whispered. "This is your time, go," He nodded his head to the door and Penelope hugged him tightly. After a few seconds she kissed his shoulder before pulling away and walking to the door.

"Penelope," Giulia called to her, causing the girl to stop. "I can't keep the veil down for too long," She started. "I don't know how much time you'll have with her," Penelope nodded and gave her a smile before leaving the room. Taking a few steps down the hall, she took a deep breath, staring at the door to her reading room before opening the door.

Stepping in, Penelope held her breath as she stared at the figure in front of her. The woman gave her a smile and Penelope felt tears sting her eyes. She was a few inches taller, with long, golden blonde hair in loose waves, with blue-green eyes. Her mother looked just as Penelope remembered her before she got sick.

"Mom?" Penelope whispered in disbelief, the woman nodded with a smile.

"Hi, sweetie," Elizabeth whispered.

"Can...can I touch you?" She asked breathlessly, afraid if she spoke any louder her voice would crack and any kind of control she had would crumble. When Elizabeth nodded, Penelope ran to her, and wrapped her arms around her tightly. For the first time in eleven years, Penelope felt her mother wrap her arms around her in an embrace, it wasn't warm, it was cold... but it was a hug that she's desperately missed and craved. A sob broke from Penelope as she buried her face in her mother's shoulder.

"Shh, it's alright Penelope," Her mother whispered soothingly as she held Penelope tighter. For a few more minutes, Penelope enjoyed the comforting feeling of her mothers embrace as she cried.

"I've missed you so much," She whispered as she pulled away. Elizabeth gave her a small smile as she wiped Penelope's tears from her cheeks.

"I know," She replied with a sad smile. "And I am so sorry, my sweet girl."

"What for?" Penelope asked, frowning in confusion. Elizabeth gave her a small smile as she guided Penelope to the window bench to sit down.

"For you growing up way to soon," She answered.