Chapter Text
Elijah was paralyzed, it was the first time in ten years that he didn't have a purpose or a plan. For ten years he had a voice in his head that kept telling him how he was the reason for the death of the love of his life and how terrible he was as a brother. He listened to that voice everyday, that means he spent 3.650 days blaming himself for falling in love. If he didn't fall in love with Hayley none of what happened would've happened. If he realized his feelings for the girl when his brother wasn't interested in her yet maybe things would've been different. If only he found the courage to oppose to the wedding when he had the opportunity to do so maybe they would be living in a cabin in the woods with their kids, like they always dreamed about. But those are merely what ifs and the reality he was living was caused by his own actions. What remained of Elijah was an empty man; the only thing that filled him was guilt and remorse. He was guilty for loving his sister in law, he was guilty for not fighting for her, he was guilty for leaving her daughter an orphan and he would have regretted it for the rest of his life. It didn't matter that Klaus was safe and sound he still lost his Hayley and all of it was his fault. Don't get him wrong, he was the happiest man when he heard his brother's voice again but he couldn't help but think about Hayley. There wasn't a day when he wasn't thinking of the woman that changed his life for the better. As much as he'd rather forget he went back to that nefarious day ten years ago when everything went downhill and all of the emotions he felt back then hit him like a truck. That interior voice suddenly went silent, but just like the saying says silence sometimes can be louder than words. His brother was back, he spent years searching for him just for it to be Klaus who found him. He sounded different, his voice was the same but the way he spoke… That was a complete stranger. Klaus got a second chance at life. He had the possibility to reset everything, he had a new wife, new daughters and no childhood trauma. As for Elijah, he was stuck in the past. Bad or good he would always go there, oh how he wished he was the one who got amnesia. That was the only way he could be free from himself. Searching for Klaus was the only thing that kept him afloat. He was able to put all his thoughts into that mission he gave himself but now that his brother was finally found he had no choice but to go back where it all started. When he met Hayley that 4th of July. When he saw her again. When she despised him and they would fight over the dumbest stuff. When he first realized that he fell in love. When she realized she fell for him too. When he let her go because his brother fancied her too. When she went back to hating him. When he couldn't help it but pursue her. When she let him in again. When they professed their love for each other. When she learned she was pregnant and realized he had lost her. When he didn't fight for her. When they became clandestine lovers because they couldn’t stay away from each other. When she wanted to divorce his brother but he talked her out of it. When she went to him to find solace. When he would do anything just to see her smile. When he wanted to escape with her and Hope and never come back. And finally when she was gone forever because of him. All those moments violently made room into his mind now that the voice was gone, he cried. He hadn't cried back then, he could've been in denial or he could've thought he wasn't deserving of shading any tears. It was probably the second. He made it his mission to find Klaus, he prayed for the man to be alive. He didn't want his niece to grow up an orphan, he knew how much Hayley wanted her little girl to have the family she never had. Once he would have found Klaus he would've fulfilled his duty, he could meet Hayley again. His plan was to silently disappear and leave the earth without anyone noticing, he didn't want anyone to cry for him, he didn't deserve it. He had letters and gifts scheduled to be sent even once he was gone so no one would've noticed. It was easier said than done. He didn't take into consideration the possibility of Klaus not remembering he had a daughter to take care of. If Klaus didn't remember Hope he wouldn't be able to be her father especially now that he considered two random kids as his daughters. To be able to face Hayley again he had to make sure that Hope got her father back. So he had no choice but to go to Mystic Falls himself and help his brother remember. It didn't matter how hard the process would've been, he knew that remembering everything would have destroyed his brother but Hope had no faults in all that had happened and yet she was the one who suffered the most. She deserved her father back. He was aware he hadn't been there for her when she needed him the most and that the last time he saw the girl she was only seven. He knew he was the last person who could have a say in his niece's life but he cared for her more than anyone could imagine.
As soon as the phone call with Klaus ended he was already in his car ready to leave. Before starting the engine he took out a photo of Hayley from his wallet. It was a photo he took without her knowing, Hayley looked genuinely happy and so full of life that Elijah couldn't help himself but immortalize that moment. He used to take photos of Hayley everyday, he took them like only a man in love would. Despite all the beautiful pictures he had of her, the one he kept in his wallet was his favorite. It was even before the two of them became a thing. It was right there at that moment that Elijah understood that he was not only physically attracted to the girl but that he actually loved her.
It was a day like any other, Hayley by then was already considered family and would spend most of her time with the Mikaelsons. Hayley enjoyed spending her time with the Mikaelson siblings, it was the first time in years that she felt like she belonged. She had found her people. At the time Freya just started to get more serious with Keelin and Hayley was around more often by default. Klaus and her weren't exactly in a relationship yet, he flirted with her, gave her gifts and even painted her but nothing could convince the girl to start anything serious with the younger Mikealson. It was a simpler time, they were still young and had their whole life ahead they couldn't know things would have gotten so complicated.
Hayley was at the Mikealson's house for the usual Sunday's lunch. As the Mikaelson's tradition wanted the lunch had to be cooked by different people every week and that week was Hayley and Elijah's turn. Hayley and Elijah obviously didn't start off on the right foot but eventually started to respect each other. Hayley wasn't the most skilled person in the kitchen and there was absolutely no chance that she would have been left alone. Elijah wasn't so good himself but two mediocre chefs made a good chef and at least they could be clumsy together.
“So… what are we supposed to make?” Hayley asked. It was still awkward with Elijah but at least they weren't fighting like Tom and Jerry anymore.
“Freya demanded a potato salad and meatloaf, the rest is up to us!” Elijah replied.
“She could have asked for something easier!” Hayley exclaimed, she definitely wasn't able to make a meatloaf and she didn't trust Elijah with it either.
“If she doesn’t like it she'll eat it regardless!” Elijah had no mercy for his sister. It was her idea, after all.
“You're so mean!” Hayley laughed.
“That's what she gets!” Elijah said with his usual resting bitch face.
“Wow, so heartless! Let's get started or we'll finish on new year's eve…” Hayley noticed it was getting late and Elijah nodded in agreement.
As they were cooking some oil was spilled on the pavement but none of them noticed. “Can you bring me more mayonese?” Hayley asked.
“Sure! Here it i-” Elijah slipped as soon as he put his foot on the spilled oil and ended up on the floor after an epic fall which resulted in Hayley bowling out laughing.
“Are you okay?” She was still laughing.
“I could have died and you're laughing at me!” Elijah dramatically said.
“You should've seen your face when you fell!” She couldn't stop laughing.
“ah ah ah, so funny…” As he was standing up, after he took in the pain caused by the fall, he accidentally laid his hand on the mayonnaise tube which was open and ended up spilling it all over himself. Hayley couldn't stop laughing, she was close to tears and her stomach was hurting. It was at that moment that Elijah knew. Hayley may have been a terrible thief but she surely stole his heart and he knew that he was doomed for life. As the sunshine hit her face her hazel eyes reached their full potential and she looked beautiful. Elijah was in awe, he looked so stupid standing there all covered in mayo in front of a woman who deserved to be on Vogue. Hayley obviously didn't notice his idiotic expression and she just kept laughing, her laughter was peaceful. It's a weird thing to say about someone but it made Elijah forget about the fall and being dirty and he hated getting dirty, if that wasn't magical he didn't know what else would be. It was then that he noticed his brother’s camera and he had to take a photo. He loved the idea that such a genuine moment would’ve remained intact forevermore. The thought of the future generations possibly finding that picture and wondering why the girl in the photo looked so happy made him excited, he loved the fact that it was because of him.
Elijah faintly smiled, whenever he was thinking of Hayley he would find some sort of happiness. He really wanted to see her again and only death could give him that but before doing so he had to be sure that her daughter had the family her mother wanted her to have. “I'm going to do the right thing this time… I'm going to fix everything for your daughter and then I promise to you that we'll finally be able to meet again!” He said while looking at the photo. He took a deep breath before starting the engine, “It's time to own up to my mistakes…” He whispered as he was driving towards Mystic Falls.
It was the middle of the night when Freya, Keelin and Hope heard the bell ring. They obviously got worried, who would ring their bell at three in the morning. Freya took a knife just to make sure, at that hour it could have been literally anybody and she had to protect her family. “Who's there?” She asked, her tone was a mix of fear, worry and curiosity.
“It's me, Elijah…” Elijah was ashamed to show himself in front of his sister after years of not talking to her and on top of that he probably had woken everybody up.
“Wait what?!” Freya was shocked.
“Yeah, it's me… I'm sorry for showing up at such an hour but I didn't know where else to go…” Elijah explained.
Freya opened the door and launched herself in her brother's arms, she was glad he didn't do anything to himself. She had already lost 5 brothers and a sister she didn't want to lose Elijah too.
“Wow, I didn't expect to be welcomed like that!” Elijah was surprised. He expected his sister to be cold towards him especially after all he had done.
“You're my brother, silly! It's obvious I'm going to be happy to see you!” Freya was still hugging Elijah, “Please, come in!” She continued making way for her brother to get inside the house.
“Thank you…” Elijah couldn't even bear to look her in the eyes. “What's a knife doing here?” He asked, noticing the knife laying on the doorway.
“It's 3 a.m.! You could have been a thief or a serial killer!” Freya said.
“I'm sorry about that… I s-” Elijah's apology was interrupted by Freya, “Please don't be, I'm just glad you’re back!” Freya started, “Did you bring anything with you?” She asked, noticing how her brother didn't have any bag with him.
“I didn't… I got a call from Klaus… I know he is here… I just jumped on the car and drove all the way here… I should have called you…” Elijah hadn't packed anything, he just followed his guts and he didn't realize how late it would have been once he arrived.
“I assume he told you everything already…” Freya said, not happy about the whole situation they were in.
“Yeah… that's why I'm here. I want to help him remember…” Elijah said.
“Are you sure you want that?” Freya whispered not wanting her niece to suspect anything. The young girl didn't had to know that her mother wasn't perfect and that her father had been drinking that day.
“Hope already lost a mother, if I can give her her father back, I will. I don't care if he'll hate me! I just want him to be a father to her. The rest doesn’t matter!” Elijah was also whispering.
“Fine… I just don't want to lose her…” Freya said referring to Hope knowing damn well that the girl would hate her if she were to find out that she knew all along and never told her anything.
“You won't!” Elijah was sure that Hope would never hate Freya, she would probably hate him but never his sister. She raised her, she was more than just a aunt to Hope. She could be disappointed at first and act like an angsty teenager but eventually she would forgive her.
“I hope you are right…” She said.
“You know I am!” Elijah gave her a reassuring smile.
“Babe, who is it?” Keelin had a sleepy voice and her eyes weren't used to the light yet.
“Hey Keelin! It's been so long!” Elijah happily said.
“Elijah?!” Keelin half screamed.
“Shhhhh, you're going to wake Hope up!” Freya said, knowing the girl had school tomorrow.
“I'm already awake!” Hope said as she walked down the stairs.
Elijah hadn't seen the girl in years, she had grown up so much that she was basically a woman now. She looked so much like Hayley and he smiled, he was glad a part of her could still live through her daughter. “You look so much like your mother!” Elijah couldn’t keep his thoughts inside his head.
“T-thank you…” Hope wasn't close with her uncle, she hadn't seen him or talked to him in years. He did send her letters but it was still awkward since she couldn't write back to him. Also who even writes letters in 2025. Actually she was mad that he came back just now that her father was found. She knew he had been gone because he was looking for him but he didn't have to disappear from their life completely. She didn't give it much importance but her aunt really felt his absence and it was evident she suffered once he decided to completely cut her out. She respected him and his love for her father but she didn't like how he treated his sister. She hated the fact that he didn't even think of contacting her before showing up so early in the morning. It seemed like he remembered he had a sister just when he needed something from her. If he was fine he wouldn't even care to ask if Freya was doing well.
“What are you doing here?” Keelin wasn't fond of her brother in law either. He always gave her the ick especially for how spineless he was when it came to his brother. If he actually had some guts back then Hayley might have still been alive.
“I know I should have called but when Klaus told me he'd want to see me I had to come… I'm sorry for waking you up…” Elijah explained and apologized to both Keelin and Hope.
“Don't worry… you're Freya's brother which means you are always welcomed in this house. No matter the hour or circumstances.” Keelin actually didn't mean any of what she said but she knew Freya was happy to have him back and despite wanting for her wife to put herself first and to make herself respected instead of letting anyone take advantage of her kindness, she knew she craved for the family she fought so much for to be reunited and that time had finally arrived.
“Thank you so much!” Elijah smiled.
“You two should go back to sleep. I'll bring him to the guest room!” Freya suggested and both women bid goodnight and went to their respective bedrooms.
Later that morning breakfast was quieter than usual, Elijah was still a stranger after all especially to Hope. “I know my presence is cumbersome so from tonight I'll stay in a hotel and I'll try to find a house as soon as possible.” Elijah read the room.
“Don't worry… you can stay all the time you want.” Freya laid her hand on Elijah's to reassure him. “Or at least stay till Wednesday!” Freya continued.
“What's happening on Wednesday?” Elijah frowned.
“Klaus, his wife and her daughters are coming here for dinner. It can be a great opportunity to introduce you to him and them!” Freya explained.
“You've got a point… Then if it's not a problem for Keelin and Hope I'll stay till Wednesday.” Elijah agreed.
“It's totally fine with us!” Hope said.
“That's great!” Elijah smiled, he was happy that Hope talked to him. “Do you want me to drop you to school?” He added.
“No, thank you… Actually! If you don't have anything to do… would you let me drive your car to school?” Hope asked mischievously, she knew he was desperate to have her approval so there was no chance he would've turned down her request.
“Do you actually know how to drive?” Elijah raised an eyebrow, he completely forgot she was already seventeen.
“Of course! I've got my driver's license last year!” Hope said.
“Did your aunts taught you how to drive?” Elijah asked.
“No, actually it was Enzo!” She answered.
“Who's Enzo?” He asked confused.
“He's my best friend and collegue.” Freya explained.
“He's actually the closest thing I have to a father…” Hope added. “He didn't just teach me how to drive... When I was younger he also showed up on the fathers at school day. He really is the best!” She continued, she was grateful to have Enzo in her life.
What Hope just said made Elijah realize how Enzo did what he was supposed to be doing from the moment he learned what happened to Klaus and Hayley but he decided to run away jeopardizing his relationship with Hope forever. “I'll give it to you but be careful!” Elijah said, throwing his keys at Hope.
Hope stood up excitedly and was already at the door but she stopped before exiting the house. “Actually, I was thinking that we should invite Enzo on Wednesday. He is part of our family after all.” Hope wanted to introduce Enzo to Klaus because he was one of the most important people in her life and she wanted her father to get to know him too.
“Sure! I'll ask in the group chat if they are okay with it.” Freya said with her phone already in her hand.
“There's a group chat?” Hope was confused, they met literally two days ago and they already had a group chat and she wasn't part of it. Not that she would've wanted to be texting Lizzie.
“Oh yeah! But don't worry we didn't exclude you, it's just a thing between us adults!” Freya reassured her niece.
“Can I be added to it too?” Elijah joined the conversation.
“Oh, so you do know how to use a phone!” Hope sarcastically said.
“HOPE!” Freya didn't like the way Hope had been treating Elijah. “Apologize to him!” She continued.
“Freya is right, he's your uncle, show a little bit of respect.” Keelin said to back up her wife. She actually didn't want her niece to apologize because she would have wanted to say the same thing. As a matter of facts, while the two other adults in the room weren't looking at her, she mouthed ‘well done’ to Hope. Hope smirked, she knew Keelin was on her same page when it came to bashing Elijah.
“She doesn’t need to apologize. She's right after all!” Elijah said aware of the fact that he hadn't called in years.
“But she shouldn't be sarcastic and rude!” Freya was still angry, it was her brother after all.
“Fine… I'm sorry!” Hope rolled her eyes.
“Oh! She's already texted me back!” Freya suddenly said, as she noticed the notification.
“What did she say?” Hope asked hopefully.
“She said it's okay and that she'll also bring a close friend.” Freya told her niece.
“Amazing! I have to go now or I'll be late.” Hope said.
“Have a nice day honey!” Freya and Keelin said at the same time as Hope left.
Helen and her kids were also having breakfast, all of them were agitated and thinking about the last phone call they got from that creepy man.
“Guys…” Helen sighed, “I think you should go to live with your father.” She wished there was another way but her kids were in terrible danger and she would never risk their lives.
“Mom, we are staying with you!” Maya said and Ethan nodded.
“That man is a psycho, he's going to kill all of us!” Helen tried to reason with her kids.
“Mom, you know he's going to kill us regardless. We know too much!” Maya wasn't wrong, if there was a thing that man hated were loose ends and there was no way he would let them go on with their lives when they knew all the illegal things he was doing.
“Fine, but you have to be all in! I know you are fond of that girl but you have to tell me everything she does with her father and when you are at it keep her away from him.” Helen said.
“We will!” Maya said determined.
“No! Maya, how could you possibly agree to such a thing! Hope deserves to stay with her father!” Ethan couldn't believe his sister.
“Ethan, I also really like her but you have to understand that it's either us or her… mom and us are just pawns in the hands of that man. We are disposable like trash. If he thinks that we are useless he will just throw us away!” Maya was serious; she knew that there was no way they could outsmart the devil.
“It's all because mom killed that man while on service and instead of accepting her fate she turned to the help of a drug lord and organ trafficker!! I'm not ruining a girl's life just because my mom is spineless!” Ethan was furious and out of anger he left. “Ethan! I'm your mother, have some respect for the woman who feeds you! If you hate me so much go and leave with your good for nothing father!” She screamed as Ethan banged the front door.
“Mom, he will come around… I'll talk to him!” Maya reassured her mother and immediately went after her brother.
“I hope he does or we are all going to die…” Helen said between herself.