Ophelia Mikaelson (Poly Mikaelsons)

Chapter 19 - I'll be okay, Son

"I knew they'd hurt you," Marcellus admits sourly on the walk to his place. "They've been doing it all along haven't they?"

I remain silent but he gets the idea.

"It's been like this the whole time hasn't it?" He asks now worried. "Even when I was young, they pushed you too far, you just hid it from me."

"I do not wish to speak of these matters with you," I say simply. "Children should not learn of their parents' quarrels."

"It's more than an odd quarrel though Mom, it's like this every day for a thousand years..."

"Marcellus, do not presume to know my life," I correct him gently with patience.

"I do know your life," he arrogantly decides to continue even after my warning. "You deserve so much better, you would be happier if you left them."

"I am still your mother, watch your tongue," I snap in no mood for this sort of conversation.

"You're as co-dependant as they are, you couldn't leave even if you wanted to," he concludes taking one look at my face. "It's sad Mom, I wish you could see how it really is."

We walk in step with each other, him over a head taller than me.

"They are my whole life," I admit with a nod. "Their joys are mine and their problems are mine too. I knew what I was getting into when we married."

"I don't think you did," my son pipes up with his own opinion. "If you knew you wouldn't have done it, nobody would be that stupid."

"Marcellus," I snap at him again. "Did I not teach you any manners?"

He falls silent again but I'm left reflecting on what he said. He's right of course, I couldn't leave if I wanted to. I'm as flawed as they are, just in different ways.

I know I enable them, I have to choose carefully what to argue over and let lots go. I wish we never fell into these toxic patterns but it's part and parcel of my life now. It's difficult to escape them.

We're all bound irrevocable together, for better of for worse. If one goes down, we all feel the ripples. But the joy they bring overrides it all. I wouldn't change who I love for anything. I just have to stop enabling their bad behaviour.

It's easier said than done but it's the only way forwards. In the last few months alone, we've all been pushed to our limits. We will crash and burn if I don't sort us out.

I have to make a change because they won't. Maybe even introduce ultimatums for awful behaviour.

My phone buzzing distracts me, it's Hayley.

My face goes white and I swallow, bracing myself to give her the terrible news. I feel so guilty but Amelia's kidnapping is Klaus' fault, I did my best.

"Thank you, thank you," Hayley cries on the end of the phone and I'm stunned to silence at her gratefulness.

I'm not sure what I've done.

"Rebekah was so gentle with her, thank you," she explains without me having to ask.

My stress levels immediately reduce as I hear Cami and Amelia in the background. Thank god.

"Are you all okay?"

"Yes, Amelia is perfectly fine. I think she's just relieved to be home."

I can hear the relief in her voice and I feel so much better. My tension headache remains, as does the ever-present ache in my lower back, but I'm not on edge anymore. Little Amelia is safe and Hayley thinks I had everything to do with it. I don't correct her assumption, there's no point.