Fated Bonds

34

Sabrina sat in a rocking chair in Niklaus' art room, gently swaying back and forth as she stared at the lifelike drawings and paintings of herself that adorned the walls. Each brushstroke captured her essence, but as she looked closer, a wave of melancholy washed over her. There would never be a painting of her pregnant, no paintings of small children running around their home, and most likely, no wedding portrait. She realized she would probably stay in Mystic Falls with them for a few years before they had to move. The thought of aging while they remained forever youthful gnawed at her. How long until they no longer found her attractive? These worries, coupled with the oddness in the air, made her feel rather sad.

"Good morning, love," Niklaus said sleepily, pushing his hair from his eyes as he entered the room.

Sabrina managed a smile. "Good morning."

"Rebekah has a trip planned for you. Such excitement as you're heading to the building of a new bridge," he spoke sarcastically, waving his hands dramatically.

"That sounds great," she replied, getting up from the chair.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, concern etching his features.

"No, I'm quite content today. But be careful; I sense something," she whispered, kissing his cheek before she left to get changed.

Niklaus watched her go, a hint of worry in his eyes. Sabrina's words lingered in his mind. Something was off, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the calm they had enjoyed was about to be disrupted. He moved to one of his easels, his mind drifting as he picked up a brush, trying to lose himself in the familiar rhythm of painting.

Sabrina, meanwhile, dressed for the day, choosing a simple but elegant outfit. She couldn't shake the nagging thoughts that plagued her. The life she had envisioned seemed like a distant dream, replaced by an uncertain future. She headed downstairs, finding Rebekah waiting with an excited smile.

"Ready for our adventure?" Rebekah asked, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Sabrina replied, forcing a smile. She appreciated Rebekah's attempts to keep her spirits up, but the unease in the pit of her stomach remained.

The trip to the new bridge was uneventful. Rebekah chattered away about the history of Mystic Falls, the importance of the bridge, and various other topics. Sabrina listened, nodding at the appropriate moments, but her mind was elsewhere.

As they stood by the construction site, watching the workers, Sabrina's thoughts drifted back to the paintings. She loved the Mikaelsons deeply, but the future felt so uncertain. Would she always be their cherished human mate, or would she eventually become a burden, a relic of the past?

"Sabrina, are you okay?" Rebekah's voice broke through her reverie.

"I'm fine," she said, mustering a smile. "Just lost in thought."

Rebekah frowned slightly but didn't press the issue. Instead, she linked arms with Sabrina, pulling her closer as they watched the workers together.