𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 ⚜️ ELIJAH MIKAELSON

[ The Loyalty ]

CHAPTER 26
[ New Orleans, 2013 ]

Hope's giggles echoed through the small, dimly lit motel room as Hayley propped up her phone on a stack of books. The toddler's face lit up when the video call connected, revealing Georgia's warm, smiling face on the screen. Hope immediately started babbling, her chubby hands reaching out as if she could touch the witch through the screen.

"Gee-gee!" Hope squealed, her pronunciation of Georgia's name still a work in progress. She waved her tiny fists enthusiastically.

"Oh my goddess, look at you! You've been gone 2 days and you're already growing up on me!" Georgia gushed, her eyes sparkling with genuine affection. "And look at those curls—you are just the cutest! Are you being good for Mommy?"

Hope responded with more unintelligible babble, punctuated by squeals of laughter. She clapped her hands, as if she understood Georgia perfectly, and then pointed at the screen, a serious look crossing her tiny face.

"She's trying to show you something," Hayley said with a laugh, nudging Hope closer to the phone. "What is it? Show Aunt G"

Hope grabbed a crumpled leaf she had picked up during one of their roadside stops and thrust it towards the camera. Georgia laughed, leaning into her screen as if inspecting the leaf.

"Wow, a very magical leaf, I see," Georgia said in an exaggeratedly serious tone. "Did you enchant it yourself? Maybe I'll teach you a spell or two when I see you next."

Hayley chuckled, settling beside Hope and brushing a stray curl off her daughter's forehead. "Careful. I don't need her picking up your tricks before she's old enough to control them."

"Oh, come on, Hayley. A tiny fireball here or there couldn't hurt," Georgia teased, her eyes crinkling with mischief. Then her voice softened. "She looks happy, you do too, I was worried about you guys."

"Yeah," Hayley said, a little sheepishly, before straightening her posture. "Don't let her fool you though—she's been keeping me on my toes, and dealing with klaus on top of it all? It's like having two toddlers."

Georgia smirked knowingly. "Speaking of Klaus... I'm surprised you haven't murdered him yet. I would have put money on it. He's like a professional button-pusher."

Hayley rolled her eyes, leaning back against the headboard. "I'm about three snarky comments away from losing it entirely. He's been hovering like a helicopter"

Georgia nodded sympathetically. "Classic Klaus. Paranoid as ever."

"He's like the definition of paranoid"

Georgia laughed, the sound warm and infectious. Hope joined in, clapping her hands even though she clearly didn't know what the adults were talking about. The sight of her daughter's joy made Hayley's irritation melt, if only for a moment.

"Don't let him get to you," Georgia said, her tone softening. "If he gets too unbearable, call me. I'll put him in his place."

Hayley snorted. "Oh, I'd love to see that. You've always been good at putting him in his place."

"Exactly," Georgia replied with a playful wink. "You just focus on taking care of Hope—and yourself, okay?"

"I promise," Hayley said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Georgia."

Georgia leaned closer to the camera, blowing a kiss toward Hope. "Alright, little one, you take care of Mommy, okay? And don't let your daddy boss you around too much."

Hope babbled something unintelligible, clapping her hands again as if in agreement as Hayley waved and hung up the call.

Georgia sat in silence for a few moments, a small smile on her lips as she lent back against the pillows. Elijah pushed open the door to the room with his usual deliberate grace, though the tension in his shoulders betrayed the unease he was trying to suppress. The quiet hum of New Orleans nightlife filtered through the window, the only sound breaking the silence between them.