The reception was now in full swing and most patrons were dancing with glee whilst I sat down at the table and moped, watching my daughter in what could have been her last moment.
Elijah sat down beside me and handing me a glass of champagne which I quickly downed, and he passed me another one he already had waiting.
"What made you change your mind?" I asked him, not taking my eyes off of my daughter.
He handed me a letter from Hayley which I read and let a smile creep across my face. "Even from beyond the grave, she still has a hold on you."
"Nothing can stop Hayley Marshall, not even death." He told me before hurting even more. "I knew. I knew who she was."
"I know." I told him to his shock. "You really think Hayley randomly disappears and I don't know about it?"
"I thought she might have kept a secret from you."
"We had no secrets." I said with a shrug. "That was what made us work."
"Do you think secrets are the reason we don't work?" He asked me.
"No." I told him with a sigh. "I think centuries of loving Klaus is why we don't work. As friends anyway. Because no matter what, we'll always be family."
"I'm sorry about Grace." He took my hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.
"Me too."
We watched Grace dance again but this time she stumbled into Keelin's arms, causing every single alarm to go off in my head. Everyone who knew about her condition, swarmed upon her and prayed that this wasn't when we would have to say goodbye.
"Is she alright?" Klaus asked in worry.
"I'm fine, I'm fine." Grace slurred.
"Yeah." Keelin corroborated. "My medical diagnosis is too much champagne."
A collective sigh of relief was heard as she stood up properly and took the glass from Keelin's hand. I felt my husband's fingers brush against the back of my hand, and I took his hand in mine and squeezed.
"Speaking of..." Grace began. "I would like to make a toast. This has been like the best day ever. And you know what? You guys all had a thousand years of moments like this one and being a part of one made me feel like I'm part of always and forever too. So...cheers."
But we knew that wasn't true.
~Anastasia POV~
"So how did it go?" Anastasia asked as she walked into Rousseau's where Declan was going over the new things Marcel had taught him.
"He made me Leader of the Human Faction." Declan said with a warm smile.
"Congratulations." She told him. "Can I see him now?"
Declan nodded and once again he was no more, leaving only an angered Ansel in his place. "Whatever you want from me, I will not do, Witch."
"Even if it means reuniting with your son?"
"He killed me."
"To keep a secret." Anastasia countered. "A secret that is no more."
"I will not be manipulated."
"I am not manipulating you. Only telling you the facts." Anastasia told him with a shrug. "Or do you really want to remain in a host body forever instead of living in peace with your son and grandchildren?"
~Fiore POV~
Grace was lying down on her bed with a bright smile, looking the happiest I had seen her in a while. And I knew there was no way I would ever be able to tell her the truth.
"How are you feeling?"
"I think I'm a little buzzed." She replied with a giggled.
"Is the room spinning?" I teased.
"Only a little."
"You should probably sit up, baby." I instructed and my daughter happily obliged.
"I had so much fun today." She told me. "I don't know, having our family together and just dancing. It was like—I just had the chance to forget how crappy my life is, you know?"
"Well you certainly looked it." I told her with a smile.
"I'll never forget that I killed someone." She began. "And every full moon will be a reminder. I'm really scared to turn. But I am happy that you and Dad will be there with me. Now did you want something or were you really just here to check that the room wasn't still spinning?"
"Nope." I said as I clutched her hand. "I have everything I need right here, baby."
"I love you Mom."
"I love you too."
And as I walked out of the room, Klaus was there waiting for me, sat on the bench with concerned eyes.
"Did you have better luck?" He asked me.
"I tried." I replied with a shake of my head. "Btu I just couldn't."
"She's our daughter." Klaus said with tears brimming in his eyes. "Fiore, I can't—"
I pulled him into a tight hug and comforted him, knowing that this was never gonna be easy for either of us.
"I know."
I felt his tears hit my shoulder, the same way I knew my tears were doing the same. And the only thing I wanted to do was the one thing I couldn't do—take away the pain.
A/N: Yeah...this is one of those teary updates.
Anyhow, don't forget to smash that subscribe button, ring ring ring that notification bell and punch the like button (translate to wattpad version I am tired)