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ONE OF RORY'S FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT NEW ORLEANS WAS ALL THE CELEBRATIONS THAT WERE CONSTANTLY HELD. The Casket Girl Festival was a time-honored celebration in New Orleans that had turned to a symbol of women taking back their power from the patriarchy seeking to control them. The costumes, however, only made Rory feel more than a little whale-like.
She struggled to reach the back of the dress, hoping the gown Rebekah had given her to try on might look better properly on. It was proving to be quite difficult.
"Would you like some help?"
Rory shot at wiry grin at Klaus' reflection, used to him randomly popping up without warning. "You might need to use all your hybrid strength."
He came up behind her, his fingers deftly working the zipper and buttons until she was sucked into the dress, feeling much like a vacuum sealed bag.
"There." Klaus stepped back, taking in her ivory figure thoughtfully. "Very...bridal like."
"Thanks, but you can be honest. I look more like a sausage." Rory snorted, looking her figure over in the dressing mirror. The lace and silk gown was ancient, dug out from a trunk that had been left in the Abattoir's storage room. Rory imagined it would be more flattering if she wasn't pregnant and the fabric pulled around her waist didn't resemble a candy wrapper. "Not too many pregnant Casket Girls, I guess. All knocked up and nowhere to go."
She was well into her second trimester and aside from all the supernatural drama, she felt a wholeness she never imagined she could feel. She was meant to be a mother. She admired her baby bump in the vintage dressing mirror, caressing the curve of her abdomen with a smile. She snuck a glance at Klaus.
His head was tilted, meeting her gaze in the mirror. "You know...if you wanted the attend the festivities tomorrow night, I could join you if you wish."
She turned around to face him, her hands planted on her hips. "Hmm...I heard that before. Sure no business will come up?" Her brow arched finely, even if she wouldn't admit to herself a part of her did want to go to the celebration with him for whatever reason.
"Haven't you heard? I have an army of minions now," he joked, earning her laughter, which he shrugged at. "I'm learning to delegate."
It had been a week since Klaus had taken control of the city. He was doing a decent job at it, his perfectionist tendencies coming into use as he fully utilized every opportunity to gain favor and trust amongst the vampires who realized it wasn't all that bad to have the Originals on their side.
"As all kings are wise to do, but I've never heard of any king joining their lowly subjects in the derelict streets."
"I can make an exception."
"Why?" she bluntly asked, challenge in her pressing stare.
His blue eyes fell to her baby bump, softening as he listened to the strong heartbeat of his child. "I read somewhere that children eventually ask their parents stories of their lives together before they came along. We should be able to give her an appropriate one."
