the HYBRID queen

🌒️ ― Tears pricked at her eyes. It was painful to hear― of course it was― but that wasn’t why she was on the brink of falling completely apart. At some point in this very heated conversation, she realized why this all felt so familiar to her. When she jumped into Malivore, and after everything she’d sacrificed, returned to the land of the living and had the choice to get her life back.. she hesitated. Hell, she flat out refused. She was alone and she didn’t know how to handle it, so she chose not to. Hope kept away and for a while it felt like the right choice ― even when she knew it wasn’t. “I’m sorry you were scared, Mom,” she finally said. Her anger melting away to reveal the vulnerability it was masking. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” she instinctively reached for her daughter to bring her in for a hug.  “Life is hard... and it isn’t any easier for people like us.”  A tear rolled down Hayley’s cheek as she spoke.  She never wanted her daughter to struggle the say she did but she knew Hope was always destined for greater things.  “She was a tribrid after all.  “I should have come sooner,” she whispered as she wiped a tear away.

🌒️ ― Hope’s eyes widened, ever so slightly, in her pain and confusion. “You stayed away.. because you died?  What does that even mean?” It really didn’t sink in until her mother continued. “You gave up?” That was what struck her the most. That maybe her mom did have the choice of staying.. and that she chose not to. Something, somewhere, inside of her had made that choice. Hope’s eyes flash with anger, but her expression remained unreadable. “Fine. Why are you here?” Nothing that Hayley said made it seem like she really, truly, wanted to be. All Hope saw was shame.

“Listen, I more than anyone realize the damage I have already done,” Hayley admitted.  “Your father always had a family to fall back on.  Siblings that cared.  I didn’t.”  Hayley was never one to sugar coat her life or life in general when she spoke to her daughter.  And she certain wouldn’t now.

“I shouldn’t have left you alone.  And sure, I should have come to you sooner but I’m here now.  I didn’t come sooner because I was scared.” While she wished she could be more delicate, She knew better. Klaus was right. She wasn’t a child anymore. And she didn’t have to pretend she was.

🌒️ ― Hope pulled her seat out and took it. Her hair is fixed behind her shoulders, and she shook a strand from her face before meeting her mother’s gaze again. “For?” She wanted accountability. To hear her mom admit she was wrong, word for word, and apologize. But ultimately Hope wanted to understand what had changed between them.. to know how safe her heart was. Her mom’s return shouldn’t have turned out this way, and it was killing her that it did.

Admitting her cowardness to Tyler and even Klaus was much easier than admitting to her daughter was going to be.  But it was step she had to take for both of them.

“For leaving,” she finally said out loud.  “For causing you to have the life I nor your father ever wanted for you.  It wasn’t fair for both of us to leave you like that.  I have played the scenario over in my head time and time again and I know the result could have ended different.  But in the moment... I... I.... I gave up.” 

“It was her choice. She’s brave, like you. She did what neither of us wanted for her to save the people she loves.” Klaus explained. “She needs is both right now.”

“She always has been our magical miracle baby,” Hayley looked down as a small tear left her eye. “I’ve missed so much. I just didn’t think it would be fair. But honestly, I of all people should know better.” She felt remorse for her decision but she knew it was time to make things right.

“She turned, Hayley. I feel like I have failed her, again.” Klaus sighed. “Even if this isn’t forever, isn’t any time with her better than none?”

Hearing Klaus tell her that their daughter had become the tribrid hit Hayley like a punch in the gut.  It was never what she wanted for their daughter but always feared it was her fate.  “Who...how.....” was all she was able to muscle out...

Having those eyes on her again, it was hard not to feel fifteen all over again. A tempting escape, but Hope held firm. She was not the same girl. She wasn’t even alive anymore. Her eyes meet her mom’s and she doesn’t greet her, only letting her gaze linger a moment before she turned and opened the door; leaving it open for her to follow. Was she angry because she’d stayed away?  Or was she afraid to be the first to break the silence, flashes of the maze and the hellish encounter still so fresh in her mind. Distractingly so.

Hayley could tell her daughter was hesitant and she didn’t blame her.  Hope’s life was turned upside down by the death of her parents and she never even had a chance to grieve between her mother and father’s deathes.  The hybrid could only imagine what she was feeling.  But she followed her into the cafe non the less.  Her daughter deserved to have her mother. 

“I’m sorry,” was all she was able to muscle out as she approached her daughter.

I believe my daughter has enough family and support around her that she will do just fine as a vampire. It takes getting used to but her own father has been doing this for over a thousand years. She may struggle but she can get through it.

Of course I forgive him. He was only doing what he thought was best at the time. He had no memories of me or his family. I just hope he can forgive himself.

My greatest achievement as a mother.... was always being honest with my daughter.  It wasn’t always easy, but I never wanted to lie to her.  I spent so much time piecing together the puzzle that was my life and I never wanted that for her.  

My greatest failure?  ....I left her far too soon.  And that is something I will never forgive myself for.

I wish I could have given Hope two parents.  She has a family and one that loves and would do anything for her.  At the end of the day.... that’s what I wanted.  I wanted her to have a family.  Do I wish her life was normal?  Sure...but she was never meant to be normal.  Her father isn’t normal and hell, neither am I.  She was always destined to be great.  And while I am well aware of the pressure that she feels from that.... I just want to know that my daughter knows she is never alone.

Elijah will always have a place in my heart. He is the only one who has ever looked out for me. And I miss him every day. I just don't know if he feels the same. And I don't know if I can put myself out like that for him again.

“If she doesn’t, she will. The maze was just… crazy from what I have heard.” Klaus reassured her. Klaus nodded softly. “I’m doing what I can. Hayley, she needs her mom too. She needs you. I’m not the only one who has lost time with her.”

She knew he was right.  And hearing those words from him struck her more than it did when Tyler told her.  “I know.... I just...  I just didn’t want to disturb her.  She had such a rough time after we passed.  I didn’t want to take away all that progress away.”  Deep down she knew he was right.   Even if was it only for a moment, she would love nothing more than to hug her daughter again.

Klaus nodded. “I’m sure you had your reasons for staying away.” Though he didn’t understand them. “She’s… I think you should go talk to her yourself. I know you were in that maze together.” He said, putting his hands in his packets.

"Yeah that didn’t go over well.  I’m not sure she even believes I’m me,” she admitted as she shifted her weight.  Hell, I’m not even sure I’m me.  “I hope you two have been making up for lost time at least.”

“Listen, I know you probably hate me.” She had every right too, Tyler hated a part of himself for that choice too. He had wanted to kill a baby because he had been blinded by his hatred for Klaus. “The last time I saw you… I’m sorry.” He knew that wasn’t worth much. “I came back about a month ago. I didn’t even know you had died until I was digging into somethings.” He explained. “What are you doing hiding out here? Don’t you want to… you know, see your family.” Hayley still had people around who cared about her.

Hayley had so much more on her mind then worrying about a feud from almost two decades ago.  She sighed before answering, “of course I want to see my family.  But I know how much my death devastated Hope.”  She shifted her weight, looking down at the ground.  

“I just can’t do that to her again,” she said quietly.  “Not until I know what’s going on.  So I’ve been staying at a safe house I had out here.”