Hosie~ One Shots

Countrysided Love

Hope Andrea Mikaelson stared out window of her Manhattan office, watching the bustling city below. She was exhausted, not just from her demanding job as a business executive, but also from the growing strain in her relationship with Landon. She had once been madly in love with him, but now it felt like they were constantly at odds.

"Hope, are you okay?" Landon's voice broke through her thoughts. He was standing in the doorway, concern etched on his face.

"I'm just tired, Landon," she replied, forcing a smile. "I think I need a break."

"A break from us?" he asked, a hint of fear in his eyes.

"No, not from us. From everything," Hope said, though she wasn't entirely sure if she believed her own words. "I'm going to visit my parents in the country for a while. I need to clear my head."

The drive to her parents' home was long but peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos of the city. As she pulled into the familiar driveway, she felt a wave of nostalgia. Klaus and Hayley Mikaelson stood on the porch, smiling warmly.

"Hope, sweetheart!" Hayley exclaimed, wrapping her daughter in a tight hug.

"Welcome home, love," Klaus said, his voice softening with affection. "We've missed you."

Inside, Hope unpacked her things and joined her parents in the kitchen. Over dinner, she shared her frustrations about work and her increasingly strained relationship with Landon.

"I don't know, Mom. It's like we're on different pages," Hope confessed. "And work has been so stressful. I don't know how much more I can take."

"Maybe this break will help you see things more clearly," Hayley suggested. "And, Hope, you deserve to be with someone who truly makes you happy," Klaus added. "We've never been sure about Landon."

Hope sighed, feeling a mixture of relief and confusion. Her parents' words echoed in her mind long after she had gone to bed.

The next morning, Hope stepped outside, breathing in the fresh country air. As she walked towards the barn, she noticed a figure riding a horse across the meadow. The sight was mesmerizing—a graceful woman with flowing hair, guiding the horse with ease.

"Mom, who is that?" Hope asked, intrigued.

Hayley glanced out and smiled. "That's Josie Saltzman. Don't you remember her? She owns the East River Range now and often helps us with our harvest."

Hope's eyes widened in surprise. She remembered Josie as a shy girl with glasses and braces. Now, she was stunning, with an air of confidence and beauty that took Hope's breath away.

Later that day, Josie came over to help with some chores. As she approached the house, she spotted Hope and froze in surprise.

"Hope? Is that really you?" Josie asked, her eyes lighting up.

"Yes, it's me!" Hope replied, smiling warmly. "It's been so long."

The two women hugged, and for a moment, Hope felt a sense of peace she hadn't felt in years. They spent hours talking, catching up on everything they had missed. Hope told Josie about her work and her relationship with Landon, and she noticed a flicker of sadness in Josie's eyes when she mentioned her boyfriend.

"It sounds like you've had a lot on your plate," Josie said gently.

"Yeah, it's been tough," Hope admitted. "But being here with you, it feels...different. Good."

Over the next few days, Hope and Josie grew closer. Josie showed Hope around the ranch, reminding her of the simple joys she had missed. They rode horses together, hiked through the woods, and spent quiet evenings under the stars, talking about their hopes and dreams.

One afternoon, as they sat by the river, Josie turned to Hope, her expression serious.

"Hope, there's something I need to tell you," Josie said, her voice trembling slightly. "I've loved you since we were kids. I never said anything because I was afraid of how you would react."

Hope was taken aback. She had never expected this. "Josie, I...I don't know what to say."

Before she could say anything more, Josie leaned in and kissed her. Hope's heart raced, and for a moment, she kissed back. But then, reality crashed down on her.

"I can't," Hope whispered, pulling away. "I have to go."

Back in her parents' house, Hope was conflicted. She couldn't deny the feelings that Josie's kiss had stirred within her, but she was still entangled in her life with Landon. When it was time to leave, she felt a sense of loss.

On the plane back to New York, Hope stared out the window, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. A flight attendant approached her. "Once to New York, probably back home, right?"

Hope nodded absently, but inside, she felt a growing certainty. New York didn't feel like home anymore.

As soon as she landed, Hope knew what she had to do. She met Landon at their apartment and took a deep breath. "Landon, we need to talk."

The conversation was painful but necessary. She explained her feelings and the realization she had come to. Landon, though hurt, understood. "I want you to be happy, Hope. Even if it's not with me."

With that, Hope packed her things and headed back to the country. Her heart was racing as she drove, but she felt a sense of clarity she hadn't felt in years.

Hope arrived at her parents' house, but her mind was focused on one thing—finding Josie. She ran to the barn, where she found Josie tending to her horse.

"Josie!" Hope called out, breathless.

Josie turned, surprise and hope flickering in her eyes. "Hope, what are you doing here?"

Hope walked up to her, her heart pounding. "I came back for you. I broke up with Landon. I realized that home isn't a place—it's a person. And for me, that person is you."

Tears welled up in Josie's eyes as she stepped closer. "Hope, are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life," Hope said, her voice steady. "I love you, Josie. I want to be with you."

Josie smiled through her tears and pulled Hope into a kiss. This time, there was no hesitation, no doubt. It was a kiss that spoke of years of unspoken love and a future filled with promise.

The days that followed were filled with joy and a sense of belonging that Hope had never felt before. She and Josie spent every moment together, rediscovering each other and building a new life side by side.

Hope's parents were thrilled to see their daughter so happy. "You've found your true self," Hayley said, hugging Hope tightly.

"Yes, I have," Hope replied, glancing at Josie with a smile. "And I'm never letting go."

Hope and Josie worked together on the ranch, their bond growing stronger each day. They faced challenges, but together, they felt invincible. Hope's business acumen and Josie's knowledge of the land proved to be a perfect match.

One evening, as they sat on the porch, watching the sun set over the meadow, Josie took Hope's hand.

"I've always dreamed of this," Josie said softly. "Of us, together."

Hope squeezed her hand, feeling a warmth spread through her heart. "Me too. And now, it's our reality."

As they kissed under the fading light, Hope knew that she had finally found her true home. Not in the city, not in a place, but in the heart of the woman she loved.