The Original Family

Welcome Home

Everything in life is easier said than done. It's hard to muster the courage needed for a task as huge as this. Even though I didn't want to do this, I knew I had to.

Coming back to Mystic Falls to face my family was something I never wanted to do. I was doing it because it was what my father expected of me. After more than nine-hundred years, I finally got to see my family reunited.

The doors in front of me open and I let out the breath I didn't know I'd been holding. The foyer was absolutely gorgeous. A crystal chandelier hung over everything, illuminating the room, while a massive staircase stood in the middle of the room, along with marble floors.

"Well, well, well," A voice said from the top of the stairs. "Look who finally decided to show up."

I look up and see Kol smirking down at me.

"Well, well, well," I mock. "Look who finally decided to undagger you."

Kol's smirk turned into a smile as he started down the stairs.

"Touché," he says when he reaches me. "I knew I always liked you."

"It's been too long, Kol," I smile and reach out to give him a hug.

"What're you doing here?!" an annoyed voice said from above.

I looked up and saw Rebekah leaning against the banister grimacing, not at all happy to see me.

"It's nice to see you too, Aunt Rebekah," I snort. "Do me a favor and go tell my father that I'm here."

"Elijah!" she hollers as she stalks down the hallway. "Your daughter is here!"

If I didn't know any better, I'd say her voice was full of contempt.

I look back at Kol who's smiling to himself.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing," he answers too quickly.

"After all these years, you'd think she'd get over her hatred of me," I sigh.

"You know how Becca is," Kol says. "Always the stubborn one."

"And a bitch..." I trail off.

"I heard that!" Rebekah yelled.

I look around again, taking in my surroundings. Everything was so pristine. This had Klaus written all over it. He enjoyed the finer things in life. Not that I was complaining, but I would've dialed down the luxury just a bit.

"Mary Elizabeth," a familiar voice says from the top of the stairs.

Before I even realized what I was doing, I was rushing up the stairs, into my father's arms, breathing in his familiar scent.

"Hello, father," I say, embracing him hard. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too," my father says, kissing my head and rubbing my back.

I pull away to look at him.

"I'm so glad to see you alive," I smile, fighting tears.

"Come," my father says, taking my hand. "We need to find you a dress for the ball tonight."

The ball. Ugh.

I was internally dreading it. An evening filled with dancing, cocktails and celebration; and also pretending to be one big happy family. Someone stake me now.

"Rebekah," Kol says, looking in the mirror at himself in his tux. "Tell me how handsome I am."

I roll my eyes. I'd forgotten how self-centered Kol could be.