Later that day, Hope is on a plane back to Mystic Falls. She orders a bourbon and leans back in her first class seat with her AirPods in. She hasn't had much time to process all her emotions about the upcoming week. She's sad and feels guilty for losing contact with the whole Saltzman family just because she couldn't bare to see her friend happy with someone else. But mostly she feels like a huge asshole because as much as she is grieving the man that treated her like one of his own, all she could think about was seeing Josie again.
Hope arrives in Mystic Falls around 5pm and drops her things off at her mom's house before she heads straight to Caroline's. After a brief conversation with her mother this morning she had concluded that was where everyone would be. Hayley had not heard the news either because she was in Europe visiting Rebekah for the last two weeks. She wishes her mom was home right now. But she told her not to worry and she would keep her updated.
Hope pulls up beside the house that was like her second home during her younger years. Memories of sleepovers with her best friend come flooding back to her and she can't help but tear up a little. She gets out of her mother's car and slowly shuts her door. She takes a deep breath as she walks up the pathway to the front door. When she finally looks toward the front porch swing she sees her. Josie Saltzman is sitting on the swing, hands in her lap staring at the ground in front of her. She doesn't notice or look up until Hope is standing right in front of her. The look in the brunettes eyes completely breaks Hope's heart.
"H--Hope?" Josie's voice breaks and she can barely get her name out.
Hope kneels in front of Josie grabbing both of her hands. "I'm here." Is all she can say without breaking down.
Suddenly Hope is knocked back a little by two arms wrapping around her body tightly. Once she adjusts to the new weight she holds the brunette just as tightly. She finally feels like she is home.
They stay like this for a while until someone clears their throat behind them. Hope looks over her shoulder and sees the one person she was hoping not to. Penelope Park is standing in the doorway holding a plate of food looking at her with surprise.
"Mikaelson, didn't think you would ever find your way home again. But it's nice to see you." Penelope says without malice.
Hope stands to sit on the swing taking Josie with her in the process, not breaking contact even for a second. Josie is now sitting beside her and Hope has her arm around her waist and the younger girls face is tucked in her neck. The brunette doesn't even acknowledge Penelope when she arrives.
"Park, It's nice to see you too. Even under the circumstances." Hope says and then she pulls Josie closer to her in an almost possessive manner. Penelope doesn't seem phased.
"Here I made JoJo a plate. Can you make sure she eats please?" Penelope shoves the plate toward Hope and huffs while walking back inside.
Hope sets the plate down and turns her head towards Josie kissing her temple while rubbing her back gently as she quietly sobs into her neck. She doesn't know what to say. Honestly she doesn't know if Josie will even hear her if she speaks. After a few minutes, Josie slowly pulls away and looks up at Hope.
"I can't believe you're here." Josie says so quietly she almost misses it.
"I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner. Maya called me last night to tell me. I didn't know, I'm so sorry Josie. What can I do?" Hope says while wiping tears off the brunette's face.
Josie Looks down and then back up at Hope, "Just this. You're doing everything I need right now." Hope intends to hold her friend for as long as she needs until she hears the younger girls stomach rumble.
"Jo, when's the last time you ate?" Hope asks with concern.
"I ate dinner Monday night, why?"
"It's Wednesday evening. Why don't you eat some of this food Penelope brought for you?" Hope asks as she reaches for the plate.
"I'm not hungry. I would like a beer though."
Hope laughs a little and squeezes Josie's side. "Ok I'll get you us a couple beers if you eat something, deal?"
Josie grunts a little but Hope knows she'll give in. "Fine but don't leave me alone please. I don't want to be alone right now."
"Do you want me to get Penelope to come out her with you while I grab us some drinks?"
"Penelope and I broke up. I'd rather you stay with me if that's alright." Josie tells her with a sigh.
"Oh. I just thought since she was here, never mind. I won't leave you." Hope is a little taken back.
The front door opens again and MG walks outside followed by Lizzie talking behind him. "Jo, come inside, Mom wants you to....Oh Hope, I didn't know you were here." Lizzie finally notices her presence.
"Yeah I got here a little while ago. I haven't made it inside yet. I'm so sorry Lizzie." Hope looks at the blonde twin with upmost sincerity and Lizzie starts to tear up.
"It's ok, It's been a long few days for all of us. I'm really glad you're here. Especially for Jo." Lizzie replies with a small smile wiping tears from her eyes.
"Can I bring ya'll anything?" MG asks.
"Can you bring us a couple beers? I'd get them myself but I promised not to move at the moment." Hope looks at MG and smiles.
"Sure thing, I'll be right back." MG kisses Lizzies forehead as he passes her on his way back into the house.
Lizzie turns back to Hope and mouths "thank you" as she ducks back inside.
Hope is pleasantly surprised when Josie starts to eat the plate of food she's been holding. Josie is halfway done with the food when she looks over at Hope who is smiling at her.
"What? You promised me beer if I ate." Josie says with a small smile.
"I'm glad I came home." Hope pulls her a little closer.
"Me too."
