Beloved | Hope Mikaelson

06 | SWEET SIXTEEN

SEEING AS LIZZIE AND Josie's sixteenth birthday party was currently being set up around the school, I was resting with Lizzie in their room, laying on Josie's bed with Eve, who was getting chubbier and chubbier by the day. Those big brown eyes and round cheeks were going to be the death of me.

Lizzie was pacing around the room, too excited to stay still. Josie opened up the door and walked in. I was wondering what she was up to.

"Hey. I didn't see you guys at breakfast." Josie said as she walked in.

Lizzie ran over to her. "I'm too excited to eat," she said, before pulling Jo into a hug. "Happy birthday to us. Isn't it a beautiful day for a party?"

"You're... cheerful," Josie said, skeptically.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Lizzie asked happily. "Mom's coming home. I had sex with Raf, my pores are practically invisible..."

My face dropped at the exact same time as Josie's did. "Lizzie, you had sex with Raf?" I exclaimed. "Please, please tell me he wore a condom." I motioned down to Eve. "You don't want one of these right now."

"You had sex with..." Josie trailed off bewildered, and clearly upset that Lizzie had slept with the guy she had a crush on.

"Last night," Lizzie replied, turning around. "And, yes, Essie, he wore a condom. You know how Mom always says that things work out in the end the way they're supposed to? She's right. I wouldn't have time to represent the witches now with a boyfriend, so you getting the consolation prize is perfect. Okay. I need you guys' help. I'm going for Meghan Markle tasteful." She said, grabbing two hair accessories and putting them on top of her head.

Before Esme could answer, she was cut off by Penelope Park in the doorway. "Woot, woot! Happy birthday, witches." She was holding two cupcakes in her hands as she stood there. I rolled my eyes.

"Oh, look," Lizzie said. "It's Satan in a crop top. Come to burn my world down?"

"Retro," Penelope said. "Princess Di before she got style. I dig it."

Lizzie, offended, touched the clip in her hair in shock.

"What do you want?" Josie and I asked at the same time.

"Oh, just to wish the twins a happy sixteenth, of course!" Penelope smiled with a false-cheerful tone.

Lizzie swiped a hand forward, using magic to slam the door in Penelope's face. I rolled my eyes. "That girl is so annoying. Come on, let's go to Dad's office to see when Mom's landing and getting dropped off here."

I picked Eve up, putting her on my hip, and with Josie and Lizzie, I walked to Dad's office to ask about the details of Mom's arrival. However, when we got there and tried to open the door, it wouldn't budge.

"Uh, Dad?" Lizzie said. "Why is your door locked?" she yelled.

"And where is Mom?" Josie asked.

"She's... she's almost here," Dad called back. "There, uh, there was a delay in her flight so she's getting here later than expected."

The twins and I shared a confused look.

"She couldn't compel a pilot and hop on a private jet?" Lizzie questioned.

"It was storming, Elizabeth. She can't compel Mother Nature to stop. She's flying now and she'll be here an hour or two later than planned." he explained. "But right now, I just need you to go because I am wrapping your presents."

"No, you're not. You're lying through your teeth," Josie yelled.

Lizzie and Josie shared one look before pressing their hands to the doors of the office. A faint orange glow emanated from their hands as they siphoned the doors open.