SIDE CHARACTER [ 1 ]| THE ORIGINALS & LEGACIES

A L T E R N A T E ~ E N D I N G

The well anticipated alternate ending to this well beloved book

—

"Lilah, may I speak to you, my dearest daughter?"

I looked up from my journal and nodded, seeing my father standing with one arm leant up against my doorframe. Elijah closed my bedroom door and sat upon my bed. He was trying to keep a straight face but was failing. I put my journal to the side, eyeing him suspiciously, wondering what it could be that was making my father smile so wide.

He broke out in one of the biggest smiles I had ever seen since the day I told him he was my father. That being said, more crying happened that day anyways.

"What's going on, Dad?" I asked, unable to not match my smile to his.

"I think I want to ask Hayley to marry me," he said, and I gasped.

My hands flew to my mouth, covering it before pulling away and exclaiming, "Really?!"

I smacked his shoulder lightly, laughing as I said, "It's about damn time, old man."

The small smile on his face widened, and he said, "It just feels right now. It appears to me that we've been having it real good these days. I want to, what do you guys say, seize the moment?"

The smile on my face only got wider and wider.

"Does that make Hope my step-sister or my cousin?" I asked.

He frowned and glared at me, playfully. Then, he promptly laughed and said, "Both, of course."

—

S I X
M O N T H S
B E F O R E
T H E 
W E D D I N G

"Knock, knock," a familiar voice called from behind my dorm room door.

The door opened, and there she was. The lovely Hailey Marshall, a nice ring on her finger right where it should be.

"Hey, Hailey. Hope's not here, she's in clas-" I started, pointing at the bed of my cousin, her daughter.

Hope and I had moved in together since the Mikaelson house was getting more students with the help of Roman. That amazing man of mine. I was surprised how he got along with my family with what happened a few years prior. They forgave him, knowing the power of unconditional love for your family members, unwavering loyalty. No one got hurt, and that was all that really mattered at the end of the day.

Though, it took some convincing for Uncle Niklaus.

"I came to see you, Liles," she smiled, sitting down in front of me.

"This is feeling really deja vu-ish," I laughed, recalling when my dad told me he was going to propose.

"I have an important question to ask you," she said, grabbing my hands.

"What is it?" I asked.

"You've been apart of this family for a really really long time," she said. "By birth, and by presence. You helped shape Hope into the woman she is, you helped bring out soft spots in your father and in Klaus that no one knew was there. You have gone through so much I could never imagine."

"You flatter me," I teased, and she laughed.

"Stay serious! I need to ask this!" she said, shaking my hands.

"Then out with it, woman!"

"Will you be a co-maiden of honor with Hope?" she asked.

My jaw dropped. I was sure I was going to be asked to be a bridesmaid in that moment, but maiden of honor? That's a whole other title, a whole other level of responsibility and trust.

Tears started to form at the wells of my ears, and she giggled, pulling me into a hug as I let the tears fall.

"Is that a yes?" she asked.

"It's a duh!" I said, pulling away to wipe my eyes.

"One more thing," she said, and I looked at her as she got even more nervous for this. "I know, technically, you're really old and legal and don't need a legal guardian... but I was wondering if you'd let me adopt you when Elijah and I get married."

My eyes were basically bugging out.

"I haven't asked your dad yet, but... I don't know, Lilah. I just... I already think of you as my daughter, I'd love to have it documented that you are."

"Um... can I think about it?" I asked, this part of the conversation making my head dizzy.

She wanted to officially be my mom?

"And maybe... we talk to my dad about it?" I suggested, hating the fact that the smile on her face was being wiped as I spoke. "It's not that I don't want to, Hailey... but... this is a lot to think about."

"It's okay," she said, looking disappointed either way. "I'm going to let you get back to your studying. Love you."

"Hai-"

She kissed my forehead and vampire sped out, and I sighed, looking at the slightly opened door with a conflicted heart.

—

there will be more.