The Missing Piece

Love and Bad Dreams (1859 Flashback)

 (Caution Warning:  This chapter contains abusive scenes. There will be an additional warning prior to the start, but it is pretty early on. Again, this chapter is not imperative to the story, however does provide insight into Cleona's backstory and how she came to be with the Mikaelsons. Please be careful when reading this.)

(Present day)

I felt my eyes flutter open and felt a light pressure on my cheek. I smiled as I turned to see Nik standing beside the bed leaning over me.

"Good morning," my voice was groggy and I cleared my throat. "What time is it?"

His thumb brushed my cheek, causing me to flinch slightly.

"It's early," his voice was soft and I now realized the lack of sunlight in the room. "Are you alright?" I nodded.

"Just a bad dream," I forced a smile.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I heard Bex and looked over to see her, and Kol standing by the door. I shook my head.

"No it's alright," I looked around, "what's going on?"

"Nothing you have to worry your pretty little head about," Kol joked, earning an elbow from Bekah.

"What Kol means to say, is we can fill you in later." She waved, dismissing Kol and walking off after him.

"Nik?" I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"It's nothing, love." He brought his hand up to cup my cheek, and I leaned into his touch with a hum. "Are you still tired, Angel?" He asked softly.

"Just a little, what's been going on?" I scooted myself up to sit against the headboard, pushing my hair back behind my ear.

"Things didn't go quite as planned with our mother," he glanced down to the floor, "but, like Kol said, it's nothing for you to worry about."

"I may not be in immediate danger, but it's my family too, Nik." I sighed, reaching for his hand. He lifted my hand to his lips, effectively getting me to smile, and roll my eyes. "And what do you want this morning?" I teased, gently pulling my hand back and sliding my legs off the bed. He simply hummed in response, laying backwards on the bed. "You're being extra sweet, especially for this early." I turned to face him after pulling my hair up and letting it fall around my shoulders.

"I've just had a long night of ifs and maybes." He put his arm out and I laid back, curling into the warmth. "I've missed this," he sighed and kissed my forehead.

"I know what you mean," I smiled, pulling his arm further around me and tracing his hand absent-mindedly. "Just simple and quiet. It hasn't felt this calm since New Orleans." He pulled me tighter and I looked up to see a small frown on his lips. "What is it?"

"Nothing, it's nothing," he smiled, I turned so I could prop myself up on my elbow and laid a hand on his chest.

"Talk to me, Nik, we don't keep secrets." My eyes scanned his, determined.

"I just realized how long it's been since it was just us."

"It does feel like forever doesn't it," I sighed and laid back down next to him with a content smile, "and yet I can still picture it like it was yesterday." I moved to look at his face. "But let's not live in the past, I'd quite like to enjoy the now, while it's here." I quickly sat up and patted his arm behind me. "And, since I was so rudely woken up," I turned to see him sitting up as well and I scrunched my nose, earning a chuckle, "I'd like to go back to sleep." I looked over at the clock, "it's not even five yet." I pulled the blanket back and threw it over my legs as I laid down.