For Good | Hale- TO/TW [8]

26 | Not Ready

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The streets of New Orleans are lined with people. They wear black and have drinks in their hands. As Lexi looks out the window, she can't help but think about the two wolves they are commemorating today. The two wolves would have loved the parade.

She wears a simple black dress with small diamond earrings. She has black heels on her feet.

She turns as Teddy walks into the room. He wears a dark suit and his tie hangs on his neck. "Mom, could you help me?" he asks, holding up the ends of the tie.

Lexi lets out a small chuckle as she nods. She approaches him with her hands out. She runs her fingers over the tie as she loops it, letting it rest against Teddy's chest. "There," she says in a quiet voice.

"We're all ready then," he replies.

For a moment, Lexi's heart shatters. "No," She shakes her head, "we're not ready. We'll never be ready."

Teddy sighs as Lexi looks back at the streets. "We are all dressed, I mean," he says.

Lexi's eyes move over the waiting people in the streets. "They didn't know Hayley or Laura, and yet they're here." She purses her lips and lets her head drop. "Hope won't like it."

Teddy huffs, "She'll have to deal with it."

"It's her mother that we're burying today," Lexi says, her voice cold and tense. "Be careful around her—she's not in control."

Teddy nods. "I know. But we lost two aunts. And almost you too."

Lexi tenses, her muscles becoming taught under her skin. She moves her eyes back to Teddy. He stares at her. "Do you blame me?" She asks.

Teddy stays silent for a moment. Lexi can tell his thoughts are running through his mind almost too fast to stop them. "No," he replies. "But I don't understand why you keep trying to leave us."

Lexi's heart drops into the pit of her stomach. She shakes her head as she approaches Teddy, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "I'm not trying to leave," she says. "I never want to leave you alone. Ever."

"I know, Mom," Teddy sighs as he buries his head in her neck. "I just...You scared me."

Lexi runs her hand down Teddy's back as she tries to soothe him. "I'm sorry, darling."

A cough from the door makes Lexi raise her eyes. Hope and Freya stand there, both clad in black dresses like Lexi's. The blonde wolf pulls away from Teddy and forces a smile on her face. "Look who's here."

Teddy furrows his eyebrows for a moment before turning to face the door. His eyes widen and the air leaves his lungs.

"Hey, T," Hope says. Without a second of hesitation, she runs at him. He opens his arms, gladly hugging her. Both close their eyes tightly as Lexi moves to Freya.

"They missed each other," Lexi says before squeezing Freya's hand tightly. "I heard about you and Keelin," she whispers to avoid the children's hearing.

Freya shakes her head. "I have other news. Klaus has managed to find Elijah and Antoinette." Lexi stills as she tries to control her heartbeat. "He bit the girl. Marcel and Vincent are watching over them. Elijah made a deal: his memories for Antoinette's life."

Lexi stays silent as she watches Teddy and Hope. Neither has moved as they whisper into each other's ear. "Nik gave me the Siennas. I gave him Antoinette. I can't kill my own sire, Freya. She has done nothing wrong. We can't choose our family."

"Klaus is refusing to cooperate with Elijah," Freya says as Hope finally pulls away from Teddy. The young Hale wipes a tear from her cheek. "Marcel and Vincent are doing this despite his wishes."

Lexi lets out a sigh and sends Freya a look. "We need to get going," is all she says. When she glances back, Hope and Teddy are standing there, waiting. She forces another smile on her face and extends her hands.

Teddy and Hope instantly grab on. The three walk through the compound together as Freya trails behind them. Derek and Stella are waiting near the compound's gate. When they reach each other, all six pause.

Lexi turns to Hope with a sad expression. "Are you ready for this?"

Hope shakes her head. Her expression hardens as the sounds of the streets reach her ears. "But we have to be." She pushes past Lexi and past the gates.

With a sigh, Lexi follows her out into the crowd. She hears the rest of her family following as they make their way through the hoard of people and to the start of the procession.

The tubas begin to play as Lexi passes the two caskets. She refuses to look at the white lilies placed atop the wood prisons. She pauses next to Hope, who stands behind her mother's coffin. Derek, Stella, and Teddy stand behind Laura's.

Freya pauses on the other side of Hope, looking around at the people. Several hold umbrellas, although it is sunny outside. It stinks of bourbon and vomit.

"Where's Dad?" Hope asks, her eyes roaming.

"He's just waiting on Ivy to help him with the astral projection," Freya answers.

"And everyone else?" Stella asks as she turns to see people hugging each other with huge smiles.

"Marcel will be here," Lexi says, her voice tense. She places a hand on Stella's shoulder. "Vincent too."

"There's Josh." Freya points. Everyone turns to see the vampire smiling sadly. He offers a wave. Lexi returns the gesture.

Lexi then finds the two boys who have continuously saved her life. "There's Scott and Stiles." She sends them a small smile.

As they wave back, Hope huffs, "Who the hell are they?"

Lexi sees Scott frown but ignores it. "They saved my life. And Derek's. And your's." Hope looks up at her. "With Dahlia."

Hope looks away and nods. "What about Declan?"

Freya's expression drops. She closes her eyes and lets her head hang.

Hope's eyes widen. "Please tell me someone told Declan."

"He's in Ireland," Freya says, running a hand through her hair. "I-I was so focused on everyone else—"

"Oh my god, Freya." Hope turns away and clenches her jaw.

Lexi takes the trybrid's hand and runs her thumb over the palm. "We'll fix it," she says. "Don't worry."

The music begins and Hope rips her hand out of Lexi's. With a sigh, she walks forward after the floating caskets.

I just saw the new Fantastic Beasts movie. Highly recommend if you've seen the first one. Wasn't my favorite, but it was pretty good. 

Hope you enjoyed!

-L