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n the Medbay of the Timeship, Hope Mikaelson carefully examined one part of the Firestorm Matrix, still reeling from the recent events that had unfolded in 1920s Chicago during Al Capone's reign.
"Professor Stein, are you sure you're going to be okay?" Hope inquired with genuine concern. "That was quite a blow to the head you took."
The astrophysicist appreciated the Tribrid's worry but wasn't one to be easily rattled. "Mrs. Mikaelson, I've endured worse situations. I once found myself held captive by a zealous Soviet scientist and an immortal tyrant at a gulag for a grueling 24 hours with barely any nourishment. This is child's play in comparison."
Somehow, Hope found herself believing him. "You're right."
"Although, I should be asking you that question," Stein remarked, making the auburn-haired Tribrid raise an eyebrow in curiosity. "I've heard about your unfortunate encounter with your father. It must have been a challenging experience to meet a past version of your paternal figure, indulging in his sinful habits."
Hope let out a sigh as she recalled the moment. While trying to rectify the critical mistake Ray had made by handing Elliot over to the corrupt Chicago PD, she had the misfortune of seeing her father indulging in his darker inclinations in a nearby alley. For a moment, she felt like the 10-year-old girl who had been exposed to her father's dark side for the first time all over again. "It was. I mean, I knew my father wasn't a good man. When you hear about the things he's done in his extended lifetime, it puts a damper on things. Klaus Mikaelson, the great evil. That's all you ever need to know."
Hope scoffed and continued, "I resented him for a long time for abandoning me when I needed him the most. I remember those days when I wished he could just be a normal dad, taking his little girl to ballet or worrying about who she should go out with."
"And despite your obvious resentment, you still loved your father dearly," Stein assumed.
Hope nodded somberly. "I do. I just wish I had realized it sooner, back when he sacrificed his life to protect me."
Stein couldn't relate to her more in that moment. "Mrs. Mikaelson, I too had a father who wasn't the ideal paternal figure during my adolescence. I still remember cleaning the used whiskey glasses he would leave behind after gambling away our family's fortune. It's why I initially didn't want children, fearing that I would repeat the cycle of neglect." He paused, reflecting. "But I soon learned that fearing that your parent's path will become your own doesn't mean it's destined to happen. Forge your own path."
Stein placed his calloused hand on her shoulder, locking eyes with her. "Only you can shape your future, Hope Andrea Mikaelson."
The Original Tribrid was deeply moved by his words.
XXXX
The jovial sprit of the Holidays was on full throttle as most of the Legends were having a Christmas feast by eating turkey and exchanging presents. Hope and her Wife Beth, a werewolf/vampire hybridwere swaying slowly to the Christmas songs played by Gideon in the background.
"Well, that's one holiday written down for the record books." Bucky mused, sipping a cool beer supplied by Mick no less who was on his fourth.
"You said it, Buck." Sara replied clinking her beer with his in toast. It brought back some some pleasant holiday memories, like the first Christmas they celebrated together after their first meeting during kindergarten after the Peter Pan incident during school play. "So what gifts did you get for me?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing, Sara." he said. "I hope it's not some league of Assassins sword you had from Nanda Parbat because we got plenty of sharp ."
Sara snorted."Nah, I got something better."
She went to get something underneath the table and handed him a neatly wrapped present. He opened it only to see a picture of her grandmother standing next to JFK at the Oval Office of the White House, five years after the end of WW2. It brought a sad smile to his lips. "Thanks Sara."
Bucky went to retrieve a letter from underneath the table and handed it over to the former League Assassin.
"This is my Dad's handwriting." Sara noted, unfolding it only for her eyes to be brimming with tears. Inside the letter was a picture of her, her father and Laurel taken the summer before Laurel's senior year with a note written in Quentin's writing.
"Happy Birthday, Kiddo."
XXXX
As presents were exchanged, Hope was writing down her wish, continuing the long family tradition while Beth had her arms wrapped around her waist with her chin placed on her shoulder and placed it under the Christmas tree.
"Make my own destiny than the one that has been written for me."
"Merry Christmas, Hope Mikaelson." Beth murmured into ear as the Tribrid leaned into her.
"Merry Christmas, Beth Sanders-Mikaelson."