Baby Shower
When the first rays of sunlight hit the tribrid, she buried her face in the pillow, only to discover it had grown hair. Long, silky hair with a sweet smell. When she opened her eyes she looked at the woman she was holding in her arms.
"You know, I can always tell when you're looking," Josie said, with a smile.
Hope rested her chin against her shoulder.
"seriously? How?"
"You hold me tighter," she informs her, keeping how much she loved that. Looking back over her shoulder, she met those deep blue eyes "what are you thinking about?"
"How I feel"
Josie turned in her embrace, pressing her body against the other girl's. Enjoying how her skin felt against hers.
"You feel good to me"
Hope smiled.
"That's not exactly what I meant"
"I'm sorry" She mumble without regret and tilt my head back so she can look into her eyes "how do you feel?"
The tribrid raised her hand and brushed her hair away from Josie’s face as her expression turned serious.
"happy. I feel happy"
Josie's eyes softened and she leaned closer, brushing her lips with the auburn girl, letting her lips linger for a few seconds. Then she leaned back, her hand caressing her cheek.
"Good, because I feel the same"
Josie's cell phone rang and she reached for it and rolled her eyes when she saw the screen.
"Lizzie set an alarm to remind me of the baby shower." She flopped onto her back. "I still can't believe we have accepted this"
"Jo, it won't be that bad" Hope said in a loving tone, kissing her forehead. Then Josie looked at her seriously, making Hope raise her hands in surrender "okay, I'll take it back, it will be absolute torture"
"Good" she gave her a light kiss and got out of bed "because you're coming with me"
"What?"
She put on a Hope’s big t-shirt as she spoke.
"Yeah, you didn't think you were going to get rid of this, did you?"
Hope sat up and pulled Josie to her side.
"Okay, but after the party you come back here with me"
Josie smiled at her, as she brushed a lock of auburn hair over Hope's ear.
"That's the third time this week, are you sure you're not tired of me?"
"Never" she promised, pulling her even closer. The nights that Josie stayed with Lizzie were unbearable. The bed felt empty without her body there. During those long hours of darkness, her wolf felt restless inside her until she saw her the next day. If it were up to Hope, Josie would spend every night with her, but she didn't want to pressure her. Instead, she said lightly, extending the little hook "besides, I still have to give you my gift."
Josie backed away in surprise.
"It's not that I'm complaining, but do you realize that other people are supposed to give us things?"
"Yes" she agreed "but this is special"
"Special huh?" she asked curiously "what is it?"
"Nah uh, you're going to have to wait." Hope smirked when Josie pouted adorable.
"You're just saying it so I have to come back here after the party," She charges.
Hope's hand caressed her belly over the shirt, as she spoke slowly to her children.
"She discovered my evil plan, little wolves"
Josie pushed the auburn girl onto the bed and sat on her waist, leaning toward her.
"I have ways of making you talk"
"Oh yeah?" Hope's eyes turned gold, her hands sliding down Josie's soft legs until they entered under the undershirt, stroking the soft skin there.
"Yes," Josie said as she leaned in closer, their lips almost touching when the loud knocks on the door interrupted them.
"Wolfie, open the door and let my sister go!" Lizzie's voice demanded.
Groaning Josie dropped her head onto Hope's shoulder.
"The baby shower Nazi has arrived"
Hope laughed and ran her hand gently down her back.
"I know"
"It's time to get this done" Josie said getting up from the bed.
Lizzie waited several minutes until the door opened, Josie coming out first, clearly in a bad mood, followed by Hope, who tried to contain her laughter so that the brunette's anger wouldn't turn in her direction. Josie had made her reluctance towards the baby shower quite clear and Lizzie knew it was because of Hope that she had relented.
"I'm not going to do anything without having breakfast" Josie announced, with a disgruntled expression on her face. "You can't starve a pregnant woman, you know that."
Lizzie looked at her sister with a bit of annoyance.
"fine" She accept "Fido, make my sister's breakfast" she order.
Hope looked at her annoyed.
"Don't look at me like that, it's your puppies that my sister has there" indicated Josie's growing belly "so feed her up, go on" She rushes her.
the three of them made their way to the kitchen, Hope sat Josie in front of the island, not letting her do anything. When Hope served the eggs, she handed her plate to Josie and kissed her forehead. The brunette smiled.
Lizzie watched the interaction of the girls, Josie and Hope were together now and happier than she had seen either of them. And despite MG's claim of their obvious chemistry, learning that the two were a couple had completely surprised her. Well, it was more of a shock to her.
Lizzie was coming from the bathroom, when she looked at them, her eyes widened comically, before her was Josie standing in front of their bedroom door, wearing the same huge hoodie and shorts that she had the day before when she left the room they shared looking for Hope. Later, she had sent her a message saying that she would be sleeping in the tribrid's room. She supposed they had fixed whatever arguments they might have had.
Obviously she didn't know how accurate it had been, because it wasn't the sight of her sister wearing yesterday's clothes that kept her motionless, it was the soft, careless gaze full of love that she couldn't remember seeing on Josie, even when she was with Penelope.
Hope was standing in front of her, her mouth extended in a wide, happy smile that had been absent for a long time. A smile that told the world that she was happy with her life, that it wasn't a burden she had to carry. Lizzie's mouth fell open as Hope kissed Josie, paying no attention to the people who might be watching. The blonde looked away, her face turning red, feeling like an intruder in the moment of intimacy that was shown in front of her. Josie leaned back, leaning her forehead against the wolf, whispering something Lizzie couldn't hear. Josie touched Hope's face once more and then walked into the room. Hope watched her walk in with a smile plastered on her face.
Determined, Lizzie approached the girl.
"I guess I shouldn't ask if you and Josie kissed and made up" her voice full of sarcasm.
"Lizzie"
Lizzie took her arm and led her to a less crowded area.
"We have to talk, now"
Even before Hope could open her mouth, the blonde began
"Hope, my sister is pregnant and no matter how much She tries to hide it, she is really vulnerable right now and doesn’t deserve to play as the opening act in your drama with Landon."
“Lizzie, it's not like that” she promised “I'm not using Josie. I would never do that to her. She is not a substitute for someone I cannot have. She is my friend and the mother of my babies. Even If there was nothing else between us, I would respect her enough to don’t do that to her. But it is more than that. She is who I want to be with "
They hadn't discussed what they would say to friends and family, but Hope wouldn't let anyone think that Josie was a substitute for Landon. She was the person she planned to spend the rest of her life with, her always and forever. And she would make sure everyone knew about it, starting with Lizzie.
“Landon is my past; Josie is my future. I'm never going to leave her. I promise"
"are you sure? Like, really sure? " Lizzie wanted to believe her, but she didn't want to see her sister hurt again. “Because you can't change your mind later and say you want to be with Landon. That would kill Josie "
“I'm not going back to Landon. I want to move on, with Josie and our babies” her smile returned when she tried to reassure her “trust me, Lizzie. I want to spend the rest of my life making her happy "
"Lizzie? You're good? You have been staring into space for the past 5 minutes. You know, if you have doubts, we could cancel everything” Josie offered sweetly.
Lizzie shook her head, laughing.
“It is not a possibility, dear sister. You're not going to get out of this so easily. Now finish your breakfast, because we still have many things to check "
Josie sighed.
"Of course"
Penelope walked into the great hall of the school, which was adorned with balloons. Blue ribbons and bows. Josie's baby shower had started. She wondered if she had the strength to go on. "Welcome Mikaelson Babies" was the first thing she saw.
Josie was sitting in a chair in the middle of the room, a pile of beautifully wrapped presents surrounding her. Lizzie was sitting next to her, handing her gifts. Then the blonde got up with a smile and walked close to where Penelope was standing, but didn't notice her. Her eyes were on another blonde.
"Mom, you came, I didn't think you could make it" Lizzie smiled "It will be a big surprise for Josie"
"I couldn't miss my first grandchildren's baby shower" Caroline smiled.
"Hey Lizzie" called MG from across the room "can you take care of the video camera while I help Wade with the pictures of the future mother?"
She smiled at her boyfriend, nodding before turning to her mother.
“I don't think I've ever seen him have so much fun. She's taking being an uncle very seriously. I'd better go help him, go with Josie” She gave her mother one last hug before running to MG.
The older blonde went and gave her daughter a big hug along with a gift bag, Josie looked happy to see her mother at the party.
Penelope kept looking at Josie, she looked happy. Every time she unwrapped a gift, she held it up for the camera to see. Penelope blinked back the tears that threatened to come out every time she looked at Josie.
"Oh, there you are" Josie said smiling at someone near where Penelope was. "I was beginning to think that you had hidden yourself"
"what? And miss all this? " Hope's voice said happily.
The tribrid smiled that sweet and endearing smile that she now directed at Josie all the time. Hope stepped past her and Josie didn't even notice her. Hope walked over to the woman sitting in the centre of the room. She leaned in and kissed her.
"Never" said the tribrid.
"Oh, it's fine. cut the honey, Wolfie "Lizzie said and she handed her a box wrapped in light blue paper " here, open my gift "
Smiling, Hope took the gift and sat next to Josie, letting her open it.
Josie opened the box and laughed, holding the book up for everyone to see. "Pregnancy guide week by week"
Lizzie grinned cheekily.
"Now you will know when my dear nephews can really hear"
Behind the camera, MG speaks to Lizzie.
"Lizzie, give them mine"
The blonde handed them another package and Hope helped Josie open this one. Inside was a blue book titled "Mikaelson Babies." Josie looked up in surprise.
"MG"
"Lizzie you didn't have one so I just thought" he paused as he shrugged, looking embarrassed and pleased at the same time "there is also a storybook inside, Josie loved fairy tales so buy this one so She can read it to the boys "
"Thanks MG" said Hope
"You're welcome, Hope" he beamed.
Penelope watched in silent agony the scene unfolding before her. Inside she was screaming. Josie looked so happy, happier than she remembered seeing her. The question she had had been answered. Josie was with Hope now. Who took every opportunity to touch her, one hand on her back, touching her knee, leaning closer to whisper into her ear. Each gesture seemed so intimate that she felt like she was intruding on a private moment.
This was not the way things were supposed to happen. It was supposed to be her, she was supposed to be the person next to Josie. She was the one Josie was supposed to look at like that. It was supposed to be her that Josie would marry, she would have their babies, it was supposed to be the two of them. So how did it all end like this?
After she opened the last gift, Hope got up
“I'll take everything to my room. Come when you finish here "
"Okay," Josie agreed, tilting her head back to receive a kiss.
"Let me help you" offered MG, lowering the camera and taking a lot of gifts.
Hope and MG left the room carrying the gifts. Lizzie slid into Hope's empty seat, sighing.
"Well, I think it's official, my feet have died"
Josie laughed, watching her sister look at her feet sadly. She leaned in and hugged her tightly for a moment.
"Thank you, Lizzie"
Surprised, Lizzie hugged her back.
"why?"
Josie gestured around.
"for all this. I know I haven't exactly been easy ... "a snort interrupted her and she rolled her eyes "okay, I've been an absolute terror about it, but you didn't give up "
Lizzie crossed her arms and her eyes twinkled mischievously.
“It must be those stubborn genes that we share. Look Josie, you've always cared about everyone since we were kids. Nobody put you first and I'm sorry for that, that's why it was your time to shine” she seemed suddenly uncomfortable “besides, I know that I wasn't exactly supportive before and when I found out about babies… ”
"Oh, Lizzie. That was long ago"
Lizzie wouldn't let her sister look down on this as if it hadn't hurt her.
“I did, but then you needed me and I wasn't there for you. I guess… I guess I just wanted to do this to show you that, from now on, no matter what it is, I’m by your side, whatever happens”
Josie hugged her fiercely once more.
They parted ways when Hope and MG returned for the last gifts. Hope noticed the tears in her eyes, but she also saw the way Josie and Lizzie hugged each other and decided that what had happened hadn't been something that had hurt her, so she remained silent.
"Thank you for coming to everyone and for the gifts" the tribrid told the room and then turned to Josie "I'll wait for you later"
"I'll go as soon as the party is over" promised the brunette.
She winked at Josie when she left.
A girl standing behind Penelope sighed.
"Aren't they cute?"
Penelope recognized the voice of one of the witches, Anna, with whom she had shared classes last semester.
"Yes, I know" agreed another voice that Penelope did not recognize "are they always like this?"
“Yeah, don't get me wrong, they aren't always that sweet. I've heard them arguing, but most of the time, it's like they forget there is someone else in the room. "
"Didn't the other girl date this curly-haired boy?" the unknown girl asked. "what happened?"
“Nobody knows; I guess they broke up. He was dating Charlotte. "
"So, do you think She only found a substitute in the future mother? Or are they together for the babies? " the girl asked maliciously.
“Oh no” Anna protested confidently “you saw them both together, right? If I had to risk what it is, I would say love "
Unable to hear any more, Penelope walked away, inadvertently approaching Josie, who had just had a glass of blue punch. Her other hand resting against her belly.
Lizzie leaned over to Josie.
"What is the surprise waiting for you in Hope's room? Just don't say sex, please "
Josie laughed.
“A surprise for the babies. These children haven’t come out of the womb yet and she is already spoiling them. She’ll be a great mother "
Penelope run unable to take it anymore, she didn't stop until she reached the safety of her room. Once inside her breathing turned to sobs. She knew it had been a mistake to go, but she wanted to see Josie, see what she refused to admit, Josie was really happy. She had lost her forever.
Hope was in her room when there was a knock on the door.
"come in"
Landon walked in and found her leaning over an oak crib. With details of wolves, forest and a crescent moon carved in the wood.
"I knew you were impatient, but I didn't expect you to follow me so quickly…" Hope jokes.
Hope got up. Her voice trailed off when she looked at Landon standing there.
"Landon? What are you doing here?"
But for once, it wasn't Hope he couldn't look away from, it was the cradle behind her.
"it’s beautiful"
She looks at it, unable to contain her smile.
“Yes, this crib was made by my mother's late husband for me when I was little. I thought Josie would like it”
"I'm sure she will"
"thanks"
"Hope, I actually came here to talk to you."
" okay" said the tribrid without knowing why she suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Hope watched him walk around for a few seconds, clearly wanting to say something, but hesitating.
"Did you ever think that we would be where we are now?"
Hope thought about how her relationship with Josie had been and what it is like now and had to smile, shaking her head.
"no, I didn’t do it"
"Me neither, Hope. I don't know how we ended up here” He tried to calm his nervousness. "And I'm not sure that's where I want to be"
Hope was confused.
"what do you mean?"
Landon took a deep breath.
“When we were together, I let the secrets you had driven me away. I thought that being less honest meant that you didn't love me the way I love you "
Landon didn't care about secrets anymore, he just wanted the girl back.
Hope's breath caught.
"Don't you mean 'loved'?"
"No" he took a step closer and took her hand "no, I mean love, because I still love you Hope"
In shock, Hope asked.
"What about Charlotte?"
“I don't love her, as I love you, we’re done. And with everything that has happened, it has made me realize that I don't want to waste any more time away from you "
"Landon, what about Josie and the babies?" she couldn't believe the boy ignored them so easily as if they didn't matter.
Landon swallowed hard and said firmly.
“People don't have to be together to raise a child, Hope. And I would love any child of yours. We can be a family together "
"And Josie?" she asked, wanting to know how far the boy would go.
Landon clenched his jaw, trying to deny what he saw with his own eyes.
"I know you care about her, but I also know that you don't love her like you love me" he approached with the intention of kissing her.
Hope's hands went to his shoulders and she gently pushed him away.
“You're right, what we had is not the same as what I have with Josie. My feelings for her aren't like anything I've ever felt before and I'm not going to put that in jeopardy. "
"For the babies?" Landon whispered.
"For the babies," Hope admitted and Landon felt hope in his chest at the words. Then he took a step back. “And for Josie. She means a lot to me, she is what I want to be with "
"Today," Landon added bitterly. “She is what you want today. I just want to say that if you keep ... this with Josie, I don't know if we can find our way back to us”
Hope nodded, looking at his face.
“You're right, we can't go back, Landon. That is not the way life works. We have to move on and I'll do that with Josie. "
Landon couldn't speak and, even if he wanted to, he has a huge lump in his throat that wouldn't allow it. So he just nodded and walked to the door. Hope's voice stopped him for a moment.
"Landon, if you ever need help ..."
He laughed grimly. Of course Hope had to play the hero.
"No, Hope. I don't need you to save me” he said feeling the purpose of each word.
Hope nodded and watched him go. It was over. She could feel the last remaining bonds between them untangled. She knew this moment would happen. They finally had the closure they needed. sighed, her heart felt light. She went back to the crib, finishing assembling it and putting on the light blue bedding.
“So, Hope. Where is that surprise that I heard so much about? " Josie entered, making Hope cover the crib immediately. "Hey, are you okay?" Josie asked when she saw the other girl so serious.
"I'm fine" Hope smiled "Are you ready for the surprise?"
Josie nodded with an excited smile.
"I'm ready"
They took a few steps forward and Hope uncovered the crib.
"Hope, it’s beautiful"
"This crib was mine. my mother's late husband, Jackson, made it for me” She explains while taking Josie's hand “I think my mother would have loved for us to use it for our babies. Jack spent so much time on this, he put so much love in it that I can't believe that love isn't there yet.” She looked a bit embarrassed. "I wanted them to have something good and a bit of my mother"
"Andrew" said Josie through tears "one of the babies will be named Andrew, like you and your mother, is the closest thing to Andrea" she said, remembering the story that the tribrid told her behind their names.
Hope smiled.
"really?"
"Yes" Josie nodded.
"Then it’s only fair that the other will named Lucas like you" said the tribrid remembering Josie's middle name.
"Then it's decided, Lucas and Andrew"
Hope took her in her arms.
"Thanks Josie, for everything"