Too young, too fragile (Klaus Mikaelson ff)

Chapter 6

After the visit Caroline decided to stay with the Mikaelsons and help Elijah out. Months passed quickly and it was time for Hope's 4th birthday. Klaus and Caroline enthusiastically planned it together for the little girl to be perfect. It was just a small family party but they invited all of Klaus' siblings and their kids over, some friends of Klaus and the two friends Hope wanted to invite, Lizzie and Josie.

On the big day Klaus got up early and together with Caroline they made the special cake for Hope. Vanilla sponge cake with strawberry cream and white chocolate frosting. Klaus even scribbled 'Happy birthday Hope' on top with melted chocolate.

As they finished they set the table, and put the festive food in the middle. Hope's favorite foods. Klaus was proud of his little girl, the beautiful and smart girl she was growing into.

As they finished the door opened and Hope with the biggest smile you can imagine ran in the house instantly taking her way to the kitchen, jumping to his father who barely managed to catch her and sat down instantly taking her to his lap.

-How was your day my big four year old? Tell me everything!

-I got to choose our play because I have a birthday and then later everyone sang me the happy birthday song and I got a special cupcake with a candle on it that I could blow out!

-That sounds great, littlest wolf!

-And you haven't heard the best part yet!

-What would be that?

This was when Elijah catched up to her with Henrik following closely behind him.

-Imagine daddy, I met grandma and grandpa when we were on the playground! And they said they would like to come to my party too! Can they come daddy? Please?

Klaus' face went emotionless and his arm fell from Hope's shoulder. Elijah took action.

-You know what sweetheart? Go upstairs with uncle Henrik and choose a dress for your party. I need to talk to daddy a bit. - Hope nodded and ran upstairs, Elijah turned to Henrik - Help her choose something nice

-Of course.

-Nik...You know I won't let them around you, right? I didn't know about what Hope said. They can't come anywhere near you. Nik? Please say something...

But no answer came, Klaus was just staring ahead of him, as he was sleeping with open eyes. He was totally lost in all the sudden memories that flooded his mind. Elijah tried to shake him but no change, so Elijah decided to carry him to his room. He let down the shutters and put a blanket over Klaus who was still just staring in the nowhere.

-Try to rest brother. Everything will be okay and Hope's party is starting soon. I'll come and get you when you're ready. - he blew a kiss on his forehead and left the room

Elijah knew that he no longer can postpone the explanation of her grandparent's absence to Hope. He needed to find a child-friendly way to explain a piece of the horror of their childhood to a toddler...

-Hey children. - he opened the door slowly as if he knew they were behind it - Henrik I need to talk to Hope a little alone, can you please go downstairs and make sure Kol helps Rebekah and doesn't slack off.

-Understood.

-What do you want to talk about uncle Elijah? - her curious blue eyes focused on Elijah's brown pair

Elijah grabbed three dolls from the toy chest.

-Imagine this prince doll is daddy, this Shrek doll is grandpa Mikael and the Queen of Hearts is grandma. Can you follow? - Hope nodded - So when daddy was young, like you, grandpa used to be mean to him - he motioned Shrek hitting the prince several times - when grandpa was mean, that made daddy sad and scared.

-Like the dentist makes me?

-Yes, something like that sweety, just a little deeper. So when grandpa was mean, he would ask grandma to help - he motioned the Queen of hearts doll closer - but grandma wasn't helping him. There was a time when grandpa was especially mean to daddy, he couldn't even go to the market with us - he laid down the prince - but when he did, a kind stranger noticed that daddy had some nasty booboo on him and called some good people to help daddy.

-What did they do?

-They came to our house - he grabbed a policeman doll - and took grandpa somewhere he couldn't hurt daddy from. Then grandma became angry, she said no-no words to daddy, then left us. Since then uncle Elijah - he grabbed a power ranger doll - has been taking care of daddy and uncle Kol. Aunt Freya took uncle Henrik and uncle Finn took aunt Rebekah, but aunt Rebekah moved in with aunt Freya to be closer to you sweety and your daddy.

-Uncle Elijah I like how you tell stories, can you tell me another one?

-Maybe later. Do you understand now why it is dangerous to go near grandpa and grandma?

-Yeeees. But they seemed nice to me. Grandma gave me some candy too.

-Sweety, you have to promise me that you won't go near them anymore. And please, please don't accept candy from strangers.

-But they aren't strangers...

-You're right, but anyone can say that they are related to you. You know, fibbing is a bad thing and some people do it for fun. Next time tell them, you have to ask your daddy or your uncle if they know them. If you're on the playground and see them, go to the teacher and tell her, you see them. I'll inform her about the situation so you don't have to say anything else.

-Okay. Do you think daddy will like my dress? - she turned around in the pink dress which had fairy wings and rainbow top

-I'm certain he will. He is not feeling well right now, but when he joins us you can show him.

When Elijah led Hope down the stairs like a real princess, the guests were already there. Kol was holding a big stuffed bear tied with a red bow, his face was barely visible from the huge stuffy. Finn sat on the couch, accompanied by Rebekah and Keelin. Freya was standing by the stairs offering a hand to Hope. Henrik sat in the armchair fidgeting with his trousers. Josie and Lizzie stood by the door excited.

They ate together, sang the happy birthday song to Hope and started giving the presents.

-Uncle Elijah, where is daddy? I want him and my birthday's crown... - she was staring into her lap

-I'll go and get you your crown sweety and see if daddy feels better. While I do that, aunt Freya will help you open your presents.

-Okay... But please hurry...

Elijah went upstairs, but had no idea what he was searching for, so he went to Klaus hoping he is feeling better now.

-Nik? Can I come in?

He waved for him to come in.

-Hope's party started, she is missing you and her birthday crown, whatever it is. Do you know where it is?

Klaus sat up and motioned towards his desk.

-In its drawer? -Elijah opened it carefully just to find the poorly made pink crown, with toy diamonds glued to it loosely it looked worn - Do you think you can come down? - he nodded - Okay, let me help you. - he offered but Nik refused - Then just let me walk beside you

They slowly walked to the living room when Hope already opened most of the presents. Her face lit up when she saw Niklaus, he put the crown on her head and kissed him, no words needed for her to know what he meant. They sat down on the floor in the living room and started playing. Hope showed him every toy she got and Klaus watched her play with them with Lizzie and Josie. Elijah went to sit at the table with everyone else. He could barely sit before Henrik spoke up.

-How long will we pretend that everything is okay and our family is normal? He is sick and no one seems to care about actually helping him not to destroy himself. How can you look in the mirror? -and just like that he stormed out

Niklaus got up and went after him. He motioned Elijah that he is not needed there and he will solve it