Homecoming
The worry had not left Hope since Josie had to go back into the system. Hope was doing the best she could to stay sane and take care of the twins. Lizzie had been giving her a hand but sadly she fainted two days ago which led to her getting hospitalized. She was getting worst and Hope feared that Lizzie would not get to see Josie again. Which might be the case considering Lizzie made it clear Josie was not to find out about her being sick and hospitalized.
Her parents, of course, offered their help with the kids as well but all they wanted was their mother who sadly was still in her foster home. Hope had talked to Josie a week ago. Elliot wasn't going to sleep she kept crying asking for her mother and when Hope called Josie's phone luckily the girl answered. Josie sounded scared and exhausted, almost as if she was trying her hardest not to get caught but Hope was sure is she was just been paranoid and overanalyzing her girlfriend. Josie sang Elliot to sleep and after Elliot fell asleep Josie and Hope talked for three minutes until Josie told Hope she had to go before she got in trouble.
When Hope's Aunt Freya arrived with her father, Hope was quickly downstairs to talk to them. She could tell by the look on her dad and aunt's face that they did not have good news. They gave her the news that the judge was taking a little extra time to look over the case but they assured her that as soon as they got the okay they would go for Josie.
"This is bullshit," Hope shouted. "We know for a fact that Josie was terrified of her foster father. Penelope, Josie's ex, told us Josie use to cry in her sleep because of what she went through in the house. Daddy, please get her back."
Klaus did not answer his daughter. He more than anyone hated to see the girl in pain and he knew that these past two weeks had been hard on Hope. He wished he could have made things quicker but sadly his friend was still looking over the case. Elijah had told them he was going to see if he could pull in a favor but they were still waiting and they did not want to get Hope to have faith in something that might not come true.
"We are trying Hope," Freya told the teenager. "It late don't you think you should be in bed? You have school tomorrow."
"It 8pm." Hope snapped back.
The women turned their attention to Klaus who got a phone call. Once he ended the call Hope stayed quiet waiting for her father to say something.
"That was Elijah," Klaus explained. "He friend Judge Aya signed off. You and Keelin have custody of Josie. He will meet us there. Let's go get her."
"I'm coming." Hope informed her father.
"Hope I know you wanna come, sweetie," Klaus told her. "We don't know what we are walking into for Josie safety stay here and wait. Make sure Elliot and Emerson are ready to see their mom who I am sure they've missed."
Hope wanted to fight but she knew that he was right. She should stay with the twins because as much as they had someone to help with them it seemed that the twins were only truly comfortable with her or Lizzie and on rare occasions her mother.
Josie laid on the basement floor of her foster home. She was being punished again. She had first gotten punished for running away apparently her foster-father held a grudge. The second time she got in trouble was for getting caught using her phone when she wasn't supposed to have one. Her foster father took her phone and broke it, he also left her without food for two days. This time she got in trouble for protecting her foster brother, Pedro, who is four. He disobeyed the rules which in this house led to their foster-father punishing them. Josie decided to protect Pedro and not let her foster-father lay a hand on the boy so she took the beating. To make matters worst he threw her into the basement saying that maybe if she didn't have a bed, blankets, or food she'd learn to be grateful.
Josie had no more tears to cry. She spent the first two nights crying because she missed her kids terribly. Now, all she could do was lay on the cold concrete floor and breathe through the pain. She was pretty sure her ribs were broken. Her lip had stopped bleeding which was good.
Josie just had to hold on. Freya told her they would come for her. She believed the blonde woman so she knew she couldn't lose hope they would come for her in the next couple of days she was sure of it.
When the door of the basement opened Josie didn't bother to look up she was too tired and cold to stare down her foster-father. She knew that if she acted like if she was asleep just maybe he would leave her in peace.
"Josie?" The brunette girl managed to look up and see the body of the person kneeling next to her. It was Hope's father. "Love are you okay?" Klaus asked her.
Josie focused on Hope's father and smiled. "Is it really you Mr. Mikaelson?" She asked, afraid that she might be having a hallucination.
"It is love. Let's get you out of her." Klaus told her. Klaus gently lift the girl up and carried her bridal style. He would be lying if he said he didn't want to murder the man. Josie's knees had cuts which Klaus had no idea what they were from but he knew it was recent due to the dry blood on her knees that went down to her ankles.
When Klaus got upstairs he was surprised to see his brother talking to the police, he assumed Elijah had called the police once they got the key from him that opened the basement door.
"Pedro," Josie mumbled out.
"He's okay," Klaus informed her. "He's in the car with Freya, for now, he will be staying with us as well." Josie did not fight the tiredness anymore and laid her head on Klaus's chest. She was safe, she would be seeing her kids and Hope soon.
When Klaus placed her in the back of the car Josie slightly groaned. She was in pain but she did not want anyone to see her as weak so she kept on smiling. Josie looked at Pedro who smiled at her, she could tell he was uncomfortable being so close to Freya. Josie pulled the boy into a hug and smiled.
"We're safe now, I promise." She assures the curly-haired boy. Once Pedro rested his head on her and closed his eyes Josie looked up at Freya. She could see the curiosity in the blonde's eyes as well as a hint of concern. "Thank you for coming for me," Josie told Freya sincerely.
"I am sorry we took so long," Freya told her.
"At least you came."
For the rest of the drive, everyone remained silent. Pedro fell asleep and Josie was in her own thoughts. She was overwhelmed with excitement about seeing her twins. The pain on her body was very much still present but Josie knew if she ignored it and focused on her kids she would be able to push it off until the twins saw that she was okay.
When the car came to a stop the adult got out. Freya was able to carry Pedro inside and Elijah followed quickly behind Freya to open the door for her. Josie took her time getting out, she sat in the car with the door open. She looked down at her legs that had dried blood.
"Here let me help you," Klaus told her as he tried to help her out. Klaus was concerned when Josie refused the help.
"I can do this." Josie assured him, "I just need to put on the pair of sweats that is in my bag because I can't go in like this. My kids can see me hurt."
Klaus opened the car trunk and went into the bag Josie told him. He got out a pair of grey sweats and handed them to the teenager. He watched as Josie struggled to reach down and put the sweats on her ankles. Klaus wanted to go back to the house and rip the man's heart out. Josie was about the same age as his daughter and if anyone ever laid a hand on Hope he wouldn't hesitate to commit murder.
"Josie I'm going to help you. It's okay to need help." Klaus kneeled on one knee and helped Josie. Once he got the sweats to her knees he let her do the rest. Josie finally stood up but Klaus knew she was struggling. "Let me carry you?"
"No," Josie said as she breathed through the pain. "My kids can't see that I am hurt. They don't deserve to have that worry aside from the scare they had when I left. If the roles were reversed and it was you that was hurt would you want Hope to see you hurt and have the constant worry that something could happen to make it wost?"
"Okay," Klaus said. He understood where Josie was speaking from as a parent. "I won't carry you but lean on me, and we'll take it one step at a time as slow as you need."
Josie smiled at Klaus. She placed her arm around his waist and kept herself balanced. When he did the same Josie assured him he wasn't hurting her. They walked inside as fast as Josie could manage.
Josie kept herself up. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. Her eyes met with Hope who she desperately wanted to run to and hug, but her attention shifted to the two little bodies that hugged her legs. Josie took a second before forcing herself to bend down and hug her kids. She would not let them see her in pain.
"I love you two so much," Josie told them as she placed kisses on their cheeks. Josie took a good look at the twins and she was certain they had grown a bit taller. "I'm so sorry I had to be gone for so long." Josie hugged her kids for five minutes but it felt like a minute to her. She wished she could have stayed hugging them but she knew they should be in bed.
"Elliot, Emerson how about I tuck you two into bed," Hayley told the twins. "I'll read you two a book and I promise your mommy will be here tomorrow with you two all day okay?"
Elliot and Emerson looked at Josie. Josie knew they were silently asked her for approval to go with Hayley. She was glad to see her kids were well taken care of. Josie gave them a quick nod. Once the kids were gone Josie looked over at Klaus who helped her up. Once he was sure Josie could keep herself up he stepped aside.
"What are you waiting for?" Josie asked Hope. "Aren't you-" Josie didn't finish her sentence. Hope had rushed over to hug her tightly.
"Careful with her littlest wolf," Klaus warned his daughter.
Hope pulled away and planted a quick kiss on Josie's lips. "Are you hurt?" Hope looked over Josie's body but she couldn't see anything that set off her worry. Josie seemed unharmed but based on what she heard when her aunt Freya say she knew Josie was putting on a show. Hope wasn't sure if the show was for her, or for the twins.
Josie prepared herself for the walk upstairs, she knew it was going to take all of the strength she had left. Josie carefully made her way to the stairs she would make it up even if it took her all night.
"We set up a room for you downstairs," Klaus explained. "Freya texted Hayley in the car, that way you won't hurt yourself trying to make it upstairs. Once you are healed, we will get you a room upstairs so you can be closer to the kids. Keelin is in your room waiting for you she is going to examine you." Josie looked at the man in fear. "Only if you are comfortable and no one has to be in there, it can only be you and Keelin, love. I promise you're safe." Klaus clarified.
"Thank you," Josie said sincerely. She knew Hope's family had no obligation to her but she was thankful for what they were doing for her. Josie leaned on Klaus and together they went to the room. Josie thanked him when he helped her sit on the bed.
Left alone in the room were only Josie, Keelin, Freya, and Hope. Josie looked up to see Hope smiling and Josie knew that was Hope's way of assuring her everything was going to be okay.
"Josie, do you mind if we take picture of your injuries?" Freya asked her. "We are going to make sure that son of a bitch never gets to hurt anyone again."
"Do you have to?" Josie asked softly.
"Yes," Freya nearly yelled. It was a little too loud for Josie's liking. "The picture will serve as evidence for the police."
Josie nodded and looked down. She didn't want to say no to Freya after all Freya was the reason she was no longer in that horrible place.
"Freya, my love," Keelin said softly. She had noticed how sensitive Josie was to the loud speaking. "I love you but you need to get out of this room. I will take pictures if and when Josie is comfortable." Keelin smiled when her wife pouted but made her way out of the room. Keelin knew Freya meant well but sometimes the lawyer in her could overpower her. "Hope you gotta go too, sweetie."
"Can she stay, please?" Josie hated how weak she sounded but right now the only thing that made her feel safe was Hope.
"Of course," Keelin answered with a warmed smile. "Make sure the door lock Hope."
After Hope made sure the door was locked she made her way to the other end of the bed. She wanted to make sure she wasn't in the way but close enough to assure Josie she wasn't going anywhere.
"Okay," Keelin said. "This is going to happen at your pace okay love?" Once Keelin saw Josie nod she continued. "Klaus filled me on on your knee injures let start there. Can we get your sweats off?"
Josie gently lifted herself up and slipped the sweats down her thighs. She sat back down and pushed them all the way done. Keelin helped her get them off her ankles. Keelin folded the pants and placed them next to the girl. She examined the cute on Josie's knees, some of the cutes were a couple of days old, but some were fresh like if they happened a couple of hours ago. Keelin had no idea what made all the random cuts on Josie's knees. She grabbed an alcohol wipe and cleaned the blood of Josie's legs.
"Can you tell me how you got these?" Keelin asked. She took out her phone and took photos once Josie gave her permission.
"It was a punishment," Josie explained. "I was kneeling on uncooked rice and granola."
"For how long?" Keelin asked.
"I don't know," Josie told the doctor honestly.
"Alright, the cuts are not that deep but just in case tomorrow Freya will go get you some anti-biotics. Klaus mention you were having trouble breathing?"
"It's nothing. If I breathe slowly it hardly hurts." Josie assure.
"Do you mind taking off your shirt so I can see what we're dealing with?" Keelin knew this was hard for the teenager which is why she wanted to make sure she asked her for consent every time. When Josie slowly took off her shirt Keelin made sure to keep a straight face. Josie's skin was a mixture of purple, green, and black. "Your rips must be bruised. I'd like to do some x-rays on you tomorrow is that okay?" When Josie told her it was okay she took a couple of photos.
"I don't want to go to the hospital please."
"Fine," Keelin told her. "But you have to promise you'll let me examine you daily to make sure you're healing properly." Josie agreed.
When the examination came to an end Keelin excused herself. She let Josie know she would be sleeping on the living room couch if she needed anything. Josie thanked the doctor. She put her shirt back on and turned around.
"I'm okay," Josie assured the teary-eyed girl.
Hope climbed onto the middle of the bed and sat down. She told Josie to get closer. Josie was exhausted and did as she was told. She got closer to Hope. She placed herself in between Hope's legs and laid her head on Hope's chest.
"What can I do love?" Hope asked.
"Just hold me." Josie managed to say without crying. She liked the sound of Hope's heart it was calming and she needs to calm down.
They sat in silence for a while now. Hope wanted to say something but when she looked down she realized Josie was asleep. The girl seemed like she was at peace. Hope placed a kiss on Josie's forehead.
"I promise I'll take care of you. No one will ever hurt you again." Hope told the sleeping girl.