February 28th, 2017
My Dearest Diary,

It has been fourteen days since Freya lifted my curse and every day is more delightful than the last. He may have been selfish, but I now believe that Niklaus truly had the best intentions when he bound my life to his. I love this man, more than anything. And on top of that, I have the most exciting news...

I laid my diary aside and slowly stood to my feet. Before heading out to find Nik, I went back into the bathroom and double checked the white stick lying on top of the sink.

Still positive.

I let out a long breath I hadn't even realized I was holding.

"Now to go tell your Daddy," I smiled as I looked down at my belly.

Taking the steps two at a time, I flew down the staircase to the central courtyard but much to my disappointment, it was empty. Perhaps they were in Nik's study. Sure enough, as I got closer I could hear the voices of four of the five Mikealson siblings, although I was sure all five were actually present.

"Everybody out!"

Rebekah clamped her mouth shut as she turned to glare at me. No doubt her and Freya had been in some sort of argument with Kol and Elijah while Klaus sat silently calculating his next move-- but I didn't care. The only person I cared to see right now, was the curly haired hybrid, sitting in his arm chair with a glass of scotch in one hand and an amused smirk on his face.

"Evelyn, my love. It would seem my dear siblings, here, have some safety concerns regarding tonight's ball--"

"I'm sure whatever you all come up with will be just fine," I said in a rush as I moved towards Niklaus, cutting him off.

"Evelyn, I don't think you fully under--"

"I understand," I argued. "I do. But right now I want everybody out!" I shouted again.

Elijah regarded me for a moment, and although I knew it wasn't even slightly possible for him to know, I was still worried he did.

"Perhaps we should discuss this a little later," Elijah agreed. "Come everyone, let's give these two some privacy."

The siblings certainly didn't like it, and Kol even grumbled how I was already acting like I owned the place, but once everyone was out, I shut the door tight. With a satisfied smile, I turned back around to face Nik.

"And what could be so important, that you felt the need to kick everyone out?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

I hesitated for a second as I crossed the floor to stand in front of him. I wanted this moment to be perfect, but I didn't even know what to say.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining or anything, but--" His words trailed off as he looked up at me. "Your not getting any pre coronation jitters, are you?"

The smile instantly fell from his face.

"No. No," I chuckled as I shook my head reassuringly. Only Niklaus would be worried that I was having second thoughts about staying with him the day of.

"It's nothing like that," I promised as I sat down in his lap.

"All right," he nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. "So then, I think we should discuss--"

"I'm pregnant."

I clasped a hand over my mouth, surprising even myself for blurting it out like that, but I couldn't hide the gidy smile underneath.

"Are you sure?"

I nodded sheepishly.

"I double checked the pregnancy test before coming down here," I told him.

He remained silent as he sat back in his chair.

"Are you angry?" My eyebrows knitted together in concern as I studied him.

"Angry?"

Relief flooded over me as a large grin broke out across his face.

"I'm not angry," he chuckled. "This is wonderful news. It's what you wanted."

Suddenly, the door flew open and a whirlwind of Rebekah, Freya and Elijah rushed in.

"Pregnant? That's wonderful!"

"I'm going to be an auntie again!"

"Yes. That's wonderful news. But now more than ever, Evelyn's safety is in danger."

Of course, Elijah, ever the voice of reason was heard clearly over the rest. I rolled my eyes with a huff of annoyance.

"Elijah--"

"If anyone finds out she is pregnant, they will come for her," Elijah cut me off, effectively stopping my protest. "Niklaus, you must know this to be true."

"I can do a few spells," Freya offered. "We can put salt lines along the door ways and no one who wishes harm upon Evie or the baby will be able to cross."

"That's good," Elijah admitted, "but it's not enough. Even our own mother had ways around simple protection spells."

A hush fell over the room as everyone seemed deep in thought about what to do.

"Aleric Saltzman!"

"And what does the simple school teacher from Mystic Falls have to do with anything?" Klaus challenged.

"Not him personally," I explained, "but his children. Shortly after you broke your curse, I went back to Mystic Falls for some time. Aleric's fiancé got pregnant with twins, but tragically, she died the day of their wedding. The protection spell cast over the twins was so powerful, it litterally transferred them from Meredith to Caroline. Perhaps Freya could--"

"You're not going to die," Klaus suddenly interrupted, his hands balling into fists as his jaw clenched  angrily. "And frankly, I'm getting sick of everyone assuming I am incompetent of keeping what's mine, protected."

"Nobody thinks that." Freya spoke softly with a gentle shake of her head. "But right now, Evie is the most vulnerable one of us all."

"I agree," Elijah simply stated. "No body here is calling into question your capabilities," he continued. "But I can't help but to think it prudent that we take certain precautions regarding Evelyn's health and safety."

"Alright-- alright!" Klaus finally relented. "Do whatever you think best," he instructed Freya and Elijah. "But I'm telling you, you're not going to need it."

***
I paced back and forth across the floor of my room, the party roaring to life just underneath my feet. We had just gotten back, Niklaus and I, from being the honorary King and Queen of the Mardi Gras Parade. I knew my presence was needed elsewhere-- but I just couldn't right now. I needed to get my thoughts together.

There was a soft knock on the door.

"There you are," Rebekah sounded relieved when she saw me, quickly shutting the door behind her. "Why are you up here?" she questioned. "Is everything all right?"

I eyed her warily before sitting down on the edge of my bed. Should I tell her? I supposed I needed to tell someone before I went insane.

"I saw him-- during the parade. He's here, Rebekah. He actually came."

"Who is?" Rebekah challenged as she came to sit down next to me. "Who's here?"

I gulped nervously, my mouth had suddenly gone dry. I was certain I didn't have feelings for him anymore, but actually seeing him, standing right there on the streets--

"Emmett. Emmett Cullen and his brother Edward were at the parade tonight," I told her.

"Emmett. He was that yummy specimen of a man from Alaska, right?"

I let out a very unladylike snort of laughter before nodding my head. "That's him all right," I smiled.

"I swear, I don't know what you see in my brother," she chuckled. "I love him to death, but I would never choose him over those delicious muscles and dimples," she said.

I playfully knocked my shoulder into hers as we howled in laughter.

"That's because he's your brother," I pointed out, rolling my eyes at her. "It would just be weird if you found him attractive," I teased. "But the truth is, I was taken with him the moment I saw him step off that train in Chicago."

"And he, you," she added. "You were just meant to be."

"I know," I agreed. "And that's why, no matter what he says or does, I have to let Emmett go."

I let out a long sigh as I laid my head down on Rebekah's shoulder.

"I wish I had just one man willing to fight for me," she sniffed, laying her head against mine.

"You will," I promised. "He's out there, somewhere," I assured her. "And when we find him, he'll be just as wonderful as you."