𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 59

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise smiled at little Hope who was cooing on the floor on top of a blanket with toys surrounding the child as the heretic played with the Mikaelson baby.

"Aren't you the sweetest." Anna held a tender and adoring gaze towards the baby. Hope giggled as she reached for a pacifier. Hope was the only one other than Elijah who could get the heretic to act in such a soft and gentle way.

Annalise had become more angsty since the passing of Francis. She had been returning back to her old way, and she wasn't quite proud of it.

Hope wailed her little arms as she crawled over to her wolf plushie Annalise had gotten her for her 2nd birthday. Little Hope had made it clear it was her favorite toy. The heretic smiled lovingly as the small child cooed softly before cuddling the stuffed animal.

Hope looked over at her aunt and slowly crawled over to her before tumbling into her lap. Annalise chuckled as Hope smiled brightly, the brunette held the girl in her arms before beginning to tickle the baby Mikaelson.

Hope broke out into loud giggles as Annalise scrunched up her nose in adoration. The original heretic cared so much for Hope.

The door to the nursery opened as Freya and Elijah stepped into the room. The vampire's gaze softened upon seeing his beloved play with their niece.

Freya smiled at young Hope who was still giggling, "She's getting bigger by the second."

Annalise nodded, "That she is." Elijah gazed at his lover intently, "Seems as if you two enjoy the others company."

The heretic glanced over at Hope who was chewing on her pacifier, "Hope loves to entertain."

Elijah slipped his hands into his pocket as he watched his soulmate, he had been growing worried for her. The heretic had joined him in the fighting rink where Marcel had been testing the mettles for those who wished to join the vampire community.

The Martin heir let out steam there, so much so, that Elijah and Marcel pitied any person who ended up in the ring with her.

Freya glanced between the couple before speaking, "Tomorrow's the full moon. I can help you two bring Hope to Hayley, if you'd like."

Elijah shook his head at his sister's request, "Do not fret on that." the vampire then walked over as he kneeled before Annalise to play with little Hope who seemed overjoyed at the sight of her uncle.

Annalise held a loving glint in her eyes as she watched the male she was so deeply in love with play with the young child.

But all happiness died out as an unwanted appearance walked through the door before speaking up, "I'd offer to accompany you myself, but I fear my fragile ego could not endure the litany of insults Hayley has no doubt prepared."

Elijah stood once again as he narrowed his eyes at his brother, "Yes, I doubt that your presence is particularly welcome anywhere."

Annalise didn't bother to even acknowledge the hybrid as she began to stack up building blocks with her niece.

Klaus feigned an offended look, "My own brother, greeting me with such disdain." he glanced over at the heretic, "And the other who won't even look at me."

The heretic grit her teeth but kept from lashing out in front of Hope, "This 'other one' has a name you egoistic bastard."

Klaus almost flinched at the harsh words he had received from the person who had once been his friend. Annalise had no problem insulting the hybrid to his face, and she did not intend to hold back.

The original hybrid turned towards Freya who looked caught in the middle, "What do you think, Freya? Are they still angry for my part in Hayley's curse? Need I remind them it was my ploy to keep her alive."

Elijah glared at his younger sibling, "Of course, forgive me. So, you would call this an act of heroism even as you bask in her torment?"

Annalise handed Hope a teething toy as Klaus looked unamused with his brother's words, "Or perhaps I'd be more sympathetic if Hayley apologized. After all, it was her that tried to run off with my daughter."

The blonde Mikaelson groaned in frustration, "Oh, if you two must poke at one another, may I suggest doing it elsewhere?"

Annalise leaned over at she placed a kiss to little Hope's head before standing on her two feet before gazing at the hybrid who looked shocked to see her even looking at him, "I will be leaving now, surely you can take care of Hope. The least you could do is be a good father." Anna gazed at the small child who was pouting upon seeing the heretic leave her side. The brunette strut out of the room followed by Elijah who went after her.

Freya glanced at Klaus who looked severely upset, "Forgiveness doesn't come easy, Klaus. Your actions have consequences. At this rate, you'll drive the entire family away."

And with that being said, the Mikaelson witch left.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise gripped Hope's stroller as the baby held onto her stuffed wolf as Elijah set up a rather hearty feast upon a picnic table for the Crescent wolves in preparation for the full moon.

Anna gazed at her lover in amusement upon seeing him set out various assortment of foods, "I could get used to this view."

Elijah, who had his coat placed upon on a chair as the sleeves to his white button up were rolled up to his elbows with his eyes set into a concentrated look, faltered his movement before glancing up at Anna who was smiling innocently at him.

The vampire couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped him, "Glad to know I still have an effect on you, my love."

Annalise pursed her lips as a light hue of pink dusted her cheeks, but the two soulmates tensed up upon hearing a truck begin to pull up.

The two lovers gazed at each other in worry before Annalise moved to fix Hope's blanket before softly quieting down her coo's. The heretic placed rather comfortable ear muffs on the child's ears, just in case.

Elijah's demeanor hardened up as a man with an assault riffle strapped to his chest stepped out the vehicle and approached them.

The man glanced between the vampire and heretic, "Hell of a spot for a picnic."

"Yes, if you can tolerate the mosquitoes, it's actually rather serene." Elijah politely spoke even if he was rather upset with the male who had walked in, "Finger sandwich?"

The hunter blinked in response, "Trouble is, you're trespassing. This whole area is now property of Kingmaker Land Development. In two years, it's gonna be golf courses and condos."

Annalise suspiciously watched as two other armed males joined the first across from herself and Elijah. Neither of them seem amused by the news.

Anna narrowed her eyes ever so slightly, "Wild predators?" The first man nodded, "Wolves, if you could believe it. Killed a half dozen last night."

The heretic clenched her jaw as she casually turned around Hope's stroller so the small child would not witness what was about to happen. The hunter held up his riffle into the air, "And this baby can take a head clean off."

Elijah looked over at Anna who nodded firmly, the couple took a step forward. The brunette gave the males a fake smile.

"Anyway, I'm gonna need you and your wife to clear out of here asap." The man spoke but he made a foul move when he clapped Annalise on the shoulder which, angered Elijah, to say the least.

The original vampire grabbed the male by the arm before spinning him around, twisting his arm so far back at a loud snap of the bone could be heard.

The other two hunters held up their guns but Anna clicked her tongue. She sped quickly before gripping the barrel's of the riffles and bending them upwards. The heretic used the heel of her shoes to kick the males knee backwards before gripping the other's neck, "Call off your men. You leave this place. You find another line of work. No more dead wolves." Annalise attempted to compel him.

The male began to shake in her hold as he sputtered out, "I'm just an independent contractor. There are other teams out there. I don't have the authority to—"

Unsatisfied with his answer, Anna's eyes went bloodshot red as she bared her fangs before sinking them into the males neck, draining him completely of blood.

Elijah turned his attention towards Hope who was smiling as she played with her stuffed animal.

Annalise retracted her fangs as she dropped the limp body, she wiped the corner of her mouth that held blood. The heretic turned towards Elijah who was watched a sleepy Hope.

The vampire met his lovers gaze, "Take Hope. I have errands to run." Annalise furrowed her brows, "I'll accompany you—"

"Hope cannot come with us. This is not something I want her to bear witness of." Elijah gently told the brunette who reluctantly gave in.

The Mikaelson male smiled walking over to her, he reached up as he cupped her cheek and gazed intently into her eyes, "I will return."

Annalise held onto the vampire's wrist as she nodded, Elijah leaned down as he placed a longing kiss onto her soft lips.

The heretic closed her eyes in contentment before she no longer felt her lover's warmth. She peered open her eyes to find the vampire, gone.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise stared blankly ahead at Francis' tombstone. She swallowed down a lump in her throat in hopes to contain her emotions.

The longer she stared at the grave, the more she realized it was her fault he died. Tears began to cloud up the heretic's vision as she attempted to blink away her cries. The brunette softly trailed her finger tips over her old friends engraved name.

Francis had been the only person she'd had left from her past, and now? Now, she had absolutely no one.

Even her father she had to kill with her hand once again. Why did she keep have to losing people?

The heretic attempted to push away a nagging voice in her heard that kept whispering to her, she had been upset about Francis' death because it also cost her Klaus. Her friend who had been there for her for the past three hundred years.

The hybrid who always lent her a shoulder to lean on. The person she had fully and undoubtedly trusted through it all.

But now, she couldn't even look at him.

Annalise sensed someone approaching and she quickly straightened up as she held a calmed expression.

Marcel stepped into the heretic's side as he gazed down at the witch's grave, "You don't have to pretend like this doesn't hurt you. I promise, I don't judge."

Anna pressed her lips into a firm line as memories of Francis flooded her mind, "I just— really miss him. Even his snarky remarks."

Marcel stared at the heretic's eyes which began to gloss up, "It's okay to cry. We all need to cry sometimes."

Annalise's lower lip trembled as she breathed heavily. Marcel moved as he slipped an arm around the brunette's shoulder, and with that simple comfort, Anna began to shed tears.

The vampire felt awful for what had happened to her friend, so he wanted to make sure she was alright. Annalise needed someone other than Elijah, she needed a friend.

Marcel was more than happy to be there for the heretic.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

a/n:

I'm sorry it's a short chapter the next one will be longer. Marcel and Annalise are strictly platonic, Marcel does not have feelings for her, I promise. They will only be friends which I am excited to write. Also, THANK YOU LOVES FOR 140K READS. I am so happy to see people reading this book and I hope you're all enjoying it xx

-b