Chapter Text
'-thoughts
''-talking
''Cherish your human connections - your relationships with friends and family.''- Barbara Bush
Salvatore Boarding House, 8 years later
Rebekah continued to hum a soft melody as her skilled fingers danced with the emerald green yarn, creating intricate patterns in the sweater. The soft, rhythmic sound of her knitting needles echoed in the cozy room, as she sat opposite the fireplace.
The room was bathed in the warm glow of afternoon sunlight, casting a gentle glow on the walls adorned with pictures of her siblings, their children, friends, and in-laws from the past decade. Her mind wandered through those memories, each year marked by joy, challenges, and the unexpected turns life had taken.
As she immersed herself in her knitting, the aroma of fresh fruits and the subtle metallic scent of blood wafted in from the kitchen. Stefan was preparing a smoothie with ingredients carefully chosen to meet the unique needs of her pregnancy.
"Bekah, love, I've got your smoothie ready," He called from the kitchen, his voice filled with warmth.
Smiling, the blonde carefully set her knitting aside and gracefully rose from the comfortable armchair. The emerald green sweater draped over her burgeoning belly. She made her way to the kitchen, where he stood with a blender and a selection of ingredients.
Stefan glanced at her with a loving gaze, "You look beautiful," he said, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Thank you, love. And thank you for the smoothie," She replied, her hand resting on her swollen belly.
He chuckled, "Anything for my two little miracles." He handed her a glass filled with a rich, crimson smoothie.
The original took a sip, savoring the unique blend of flavors that catered to both her magical and human cravings. The room was filled with a comfortable silence as they stood together, reveling in the simple yet profound moment.
Rebekah couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the life growing within her, for the love that surrounded her, and for the magical elixir that made the extraordinary journey of carrying twins possible.
Cable News Network, Georgia
Caroline's office at CNN was a bustling hub of activity, the hum of newsroom conversations and the clatter of keyboards providing a constant backdrop. Amidst the organized chaos, she found herself engrossed in the search for her wallet, a task that became increasingly challenging as the minutes ticked away.
A knock at her office door interrupted her search, and she looked up to see Enzo standing there with a warm smile.
"Enzo," she greeted him, relief evident in her voice.
"Care, love, we need to get going if we want to make it for a dinner reservation. Elena has the kids tonight."
Her eyes lit up at the mention of a kid-free evening, and she smiled gratefully.
"I'm coming, just let me find my wallet," she assured him, determined to wrap up the search quickly.
He chuckled, a deep and affectionate sound, as he strolled over to her coat. Rifling through its pockets, he soon unearthed the elusive wallet. Caroline sighed in gratitude.
"We really needed this night out," she admitted, appreciating the chance to unwind away from the demands of work and parenting.
Enzo picked up her red coat and matching handbag, glancing at her with a teasing glint in his eyes. "Well, we're lucky to have friends close by. And don't forget the lads and I have the kids on the weekend. We're going camping," he added, his tone filled with excitement.
The blonde smirked at the mental image of her husband, joining forces with Damon, Stefan, and the Mikaelsons for a camping trip. The prospect of a weekend without parenting responsibilities brought a playful gleam to her eyes.
"Camping with the guys, huh? Good luck with that. Just promise me you'll all come back in one piece," she teased, allowing him to help her into her coat.
As they headed out of the bustling newsroom, Caroline couldn't help but look forward to the evening ahead – a dinner date with her husband and a night off watching the kids.
Mikaelson Mansion, Mystic Falls
Jenna approached the entrance of the Mikaelson mansion with a box of gourmet chocolate cupcakes. The hybrids guarding the entrance nodded in acknowledgment as she passed, granting her access to the grand residence. Niklaus despite not having a threat to his family for the last eight years, was still paranoid.
Elijah followed closely behind with their six-year-old daughter, Mya, who clutched her father's hand with a mix of excitement and shyness.
"Have a good sleepover, okay, bean?" He whispered to her.
Their daughter smiled shyly and nodded, her hazel brown eyes sparkling with anticipation, "Yes, Daddy."
She couldn't help but grin at her family. As they made their way up the mansion's staircase at a leisurely pace, Jenna took in the lively scene unfolding in the main living area.
Henry and Faith were animatedly gesturing and chatting with Caroline's twin boys, Max and Alex, who were also six years old. The room buzzed with the energy of children enjoying each other's company during a sleepover.
Jenna reflected on the unique dynamics of their extended supernatural family. The improved immortal elixir brought forth a reminder of the peculiarities that came with their existence. While some, like Caroline, Bonnie, and Elena experienced the side effects of having twins, Jenna was content with the joy of raising a single child.
Amidst the laughter and excitement in the Mikaelson mansion, Jenna couldn't help but appreciate the bonds that had formed among the children, a testament to the close-knit community that had evolved over the years.
Elena, balancing a tray of delicious chicken wings, made her way into the room. Nik followed closely behind, carrying a stack of paper plates with a tray of mini burgers. The aroma of the food filled the air, eliciting eager smiles from the children gathered for the sleepover.
The twins' rooms at the mansion were a fitting playground for the children. Elena and Nik had taken the responsibility of overseeing the evening, ensuring that her kids as well as Alex, Max, Mya, Isabella, and Kris would have a night filled with fun.
She set the tray of chicken wings on a table, and Nik added the tray of mini burgers before he began distributing paper plates with practiced efficiency.
As the children settled into their designated spaces, Elena took a moment to organize the evening's plans. She glanced at Nik, a silent understanding passing between them. With Kol and Bonnie embarking on a trip to South Africa, Elena had volunteered to watch over the kids.
"Alright, little ones," She called out with a warm smile, gathering the attention of the excited group. "We have a night of fun ahead. Chicken wings and mini burgers are served, and we have some movies ready for later. Any requests?"
The children, already munching on chicken wings, chimed in with various suggestions, ''Lion King?''
''Moana?''
''Frozen?''
''Incredibles 2?''
Elena and Nik exchanged amused glances.
She hugged Jenna and then Elijah before waving at them as they departed for their evening, filled with dance.
''Elena? Nik?!''
Bonnie's voice echoed through the expansive foyer of the Mikaelson mansion as she called out, holding Isabella in her arms. Her daughter's name was an inside joke because of nicknames like Izzy or Bella, which never failed to elicit a playful reaction from Damon, a fact that Bonnie took immense delight in.
In contrast, Kol held their son, Kristofer or Kris, their six-year-old fraternal twins embodied a unique blend of both Mikaelson and Bennett magic.
"In the kids' room!" Klaus's voice called down from above, directing Bonnie to the heart of the activity. The Bennett matriarch made her way through the grand mansion, the faint sounds of laughter and chatter guiding her toward the designated area for the children.
Entering the room, Bonnie found her best friend and brother-in-law organizing the children for their night of fun. Isabella squirmed in Bonnie's arms, eager to join the festivities.
"Hey there, Bonnie," Elena greeted with a smile, welcoming her into the lively atmosphere.
''Hi Aunt Bonnie, Hi Uncle Kol,'' the kids greeted before turning back to the Lion King. The classic Disney movies always won out.
Nik offered a warm nod in greeting, "Glad you could make it. We're just getting everything set up for the kids."
Bonnie glanced around the room, noting the assortment of sleeping bags, pillows, and games that had transformed the space into a haven for the little ones. "Looks like they're in for a great night," she remarked, adjusting Isabella in her arms.
Isabella reached out to the other kids, eager to join the sleepover festivities. "Mum, can we show the magic later?" Kris asked, his brown eyes sparkling with curiosity.
She chuckled at the request. "Of course, Kris. You can show them the trick we taught you." She made her way further into the room, depositing Bella into a cushy chair, while Kol did the same to Kris.
She kissed her daughter's head and then her son's before hugging Elena, ''Thanks for watching them, you guys.''
''Always a pleasure Bon,'' Klaus grinned.
Bonnie grinned before kissing his cheek, ''Thanks Nik.''
For the last eight years, Bonnie and Kol had been expanding Bennett Jewels & Co. overseas, including finding other factions of magic. A trip to South Africa, then the Greek Islands seemed promising to her.
''The party is here,'' Damon called out as he walked into the mansion holding a case of root beer and bags of balloons.
Elena chuckled at the familiar presence of her friend.
"Hey, Damon, what brings you by?" she inquired, a playful glint in her eyes.
He smirked his signature charm in full swing. "I heard Bon Bon and Kol-gate are heading out of town, thought I'd swing by and volunteer my services."
Elena couldn't help but grin at the casual use of "Kol-gate".
"Awee... you just want to see your favorite niece and nephew," she teased.
Rolling his eyes with an exaggerated sigh, Damon followed Elena upstairs, where the kids were gathered for their night of fun. The children's faces lit up as they spotted him.
"Uncle Damon!" the kids chorused, crowding around him with hugs and excitement. He playfully ruffled Max and Alex's hair, poked Henry's cheek, kissed Faith's forehead, and side-hugged Mya.
"Uncle Day-Day!" Kris called out, holding up his hand for a high-five, his brown eyes widening in joy.
"Uncle Mon-Mon!" Bella shrieked, glomping onto Damon's leg, her emerald eyes staring up at him with adoration.
He grinned, reveling in the affection of his favorite niece. As they settled into the night, Damon couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart, never in his lifetime did he think he could have this type of adoration.
As the night progressed, the children eagerly waited for the adults to step away, although the term "heading to bed" was more of a formality than a necessity for the supernatural beings in the Mikaelson mansion. Vampires, after all, rarely needed sleep.
Kris and Bella exchanged glances with their friends. With a nod, they gestured for everyone to form a circle in the spacious room. Faith, quick on her feet, grabbed a feather pillow and unzipped it, letting the feathers spill onto the floor at the center of their impromptu gathering.
With anticipation in their eyes, the children held out their hands, creating a unified circle around the pile of feathers. Smiles spread across their faces as cousins grabbed each other's hands, forming a connection that would amplify their magical abilities.
The room buzzed with excitement as Kris, Bella, and their friends focused their combined magic on the feathers. Slowly, the fluffy white plumes began to lift from the ground, defying gravity under the influence of the children's shared powers. Feathers floated and danced in the air, much to the delight of Alex, Mya, and Max, who watched in awe as the enchanting display unfolded before them.
Laughter echoed through the room as the children reveled in the magic they created together.
Elena observed her husband as he worked on his artwork in the study. The laughter and hushed conversations of the children in the adjacent room provided a charming background to their conversation.
"It's really cute that they think we can't hear them," Elena remarked, a fond smile playing on her lips.
Klaus paused in his artistic endeavors, acknowledging her comment with a smirk. "It's best to give the children this illusion until they start attending the school."
Elena shifted the topic, her curiosity piqued about the plans for the supernatural academy. "How are plans for the Academy coming along?" she inquired, taking a sip of her bourbon.
"With the help of Cary and the hybrids, the school should be completed in a week. We already have a roster of qualified teachers, Sage was interested in teaching the children her kickboxing, Finn volunteered his swordsmanship skills while my elder sister Freya wanted to focus on magical history and the children should be in a safe place to learn," He responded.
She considered his words, knowing the importance of providing a secure and nurturing environment for their children to develop their abilities.
"Did you think of a name?" she asked, her gaze fixed on Nik.
He grinned and teased, "I was going to leave that up to you, love."
Elena tilted her head, contemplating the possibilities. A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes as she suggested, "What about the Mikaelson School of Magic & Mayhem?"
The hybrid chuckled at the suggestion, appreciating the playful touch. "Magic and Mayhem, huh? I like it. It has a certain ring to it. The Mikaelson School of Magic & Mayhem it is."
As they shared a smile, the prospect of their supernatural academy took on a lively and exciting aura.
Elena sat down with a diary in hand, a quiet moment of reflection amid the supernatural hustle and bustle of the Mikaelson mansion. She took note of a peculiar aspect of her existence—physically, she was twenty-nine, turned two years after giving birth to the twins. Mentally, she had experienced almost four decades of life, combining her life as Melissa and her present self as Elena. It was a unique perspective, one that highlighted the intricacies of being isekai'd.
As she wrote, she considered the years that had passed since her transformation. The challenges, the victories, the losses—all woven into the tapestry of her life. She acknowledged that labeling her life as "epic" might be a stretch, but it had been undeniably rich and transformative.
Mentally aged at thirty-nine, Elena found a sense of contentment that eluded her during the tumultuous years of her human existence.
She was finally happy.
'Epic is a stretch, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.'
Closing the diary, the former doppleganger couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the life she had, the love she shared, and the peace she had found.