Flames In The Family Tree (Elijah Mikaelson)

To Love One

1821

Sleep is a blessing to which I am denied. It seems as if my mind mocks me with the past. When Emil passed away, I had constant nightmares. For a while, they went away.

My last dream was almost a year ago, but tonight, they once again haunt my dreams. Also, it's been months since I have spoken to Elijah. He has apologized and begged for my forgiveness, but I just cannot forgive him this time.

Making my way to the kitchen for a glass of water, I pass by Marcellus's room. The sound of soft cries stop me in my tracks. I open the door and find him thrashing about in his bed.

Nightmares of Father again....

Sitting next to him upon the bed, I gently touch his arm, startling him awake. When his eyes met mine, he quickly leapt into my arms, holding onto me for dear life. "Come now, Marcellus. Father again?" He nods and I sigh.

You see, since the day we both left my parents' house, Marcellus has had nightmares of the evil we call Father. I lift his chin and wipe his tears. "Little Gerard, place your hand over your heart. What do you feel?"

He places his hand on his chest and focuses. "M-my h-heartbeat?"

I smile softly and place my hand on his. "As long as your heart beats, I will be with you. No matter where you go, or what you do, no matter what the future brings, I will be right in there. Now, dry your eyes, I'm not going anywhere, any time soon."

He wipes his eyes. "Promise?"

I smile and kiss his forehead. "I promise." Accepting this answer he lays down and I tuck him in, then head towards the door.

"Mama Lizzie?" I turn around. "Will you sing to me?" Sitting beside him, I hold his hand, and sing the lullaby I sang to him as a baby.

He soon fell asleep and I kissed his head once more. "Good night, Little Gerard." I softly close his door, only to come face to face with the one and only, Elijah Mikaelson.

I jump in shock, placing my hand on my heart. "My goodness, Elijah! It is impolite to sneak up on a lady, especially when I'm already timorous!"

He smiled that crooked grin that I have grown to love and hate. "My apologies, Miss Elizabeth, but one could not help but to stop at the enchanting sound by which passes through your lips."

And there it is. Elijah Mikaelson has been trying to no end to win me over the last couple of months.

Believe me, I love him, but because of what happened between us, and the way he hurt Marcellus, he cannot have me unless he does right by Marcellus first.

"If one were not to have known you, Elijah Mikaelson, one would say you are trying to woo me." I say with a playful smirk.

With a serious expression, he says. "And what if I am?"

My playfulness falls and I frown. "Then, I would say your advances are noticed, but they are in vain. Between ones, such as you and I, could never be." I walk away to the kitchen.

As I obtain a glass of water, I hear him behind me. "Tell me the reason behind our inferior discernment. If you are still indignant at my actions months before, I have already expressed how rueful I am. I'm trying to show you my honesty, please." He places a hand on my shoulder and a sigh escaped my lips.

I compose myself before I turn to face him. "Believe me when I say to you, Elijah, that I have been thinking of moments such as this since the day we met, but in a situation such as ours, they are only dreams. You make claims of love, but to love me, you must love the boy who takes the most space in my heart." I step close to him and place my hand gently on his cheek, running my thumb over it. "Do right by Marcellus. Actually keep your promises to him. He looks up to you."

Placing both of my hands on either side of his face, I lean so that my lips are hovering over his as he places his hands on mine. "Only then, my sweet Elijah, will I give in to this love to which we both desire." I place a gentle kiss on the corner of his lips, then go my separate way, into my bedroom, leaving him to think of my words.