hayley marshall

Her mouth slightly opened as she processed Klaus’ words.  Was he really saying this?  Coming from Klaus, this was surprising to Hayley’s ears.  “Uh,” she shook her head, looking down to her shoes for just a brief second before her eyes lifted up toward the balcony.  Bringing up her hand, Hayley scratched the back of her neck just for a second before she wrapped her arms around herself.  “Not now,” she said with a light shake of her head.  “Too much time has passed for us, Klaus.” There was remorse and pain behind her words.

“Oh?” Hayley smirked, folding her arms over her chest as she leaned against the doorframe.  “Has someone desecrated the Mikaelson name?” Her heart raced with anticipation just at the thought.  What bloody scenario would they get into now?  Hayley was very interested in why Klaus was in the mood to kill someone, or something for that matter.   

Did he really know her that well?  Hayley never loved Klaus, not the way she was in love with Elijah, or even the way she cared for Jackson - things were very different between both hybrids.  For her, it was more of a love-hate relationship... and Klaus?  Hayley was pretty sure that if she was never pregnant with his daughter, she’d be thrown to the curb.

Hayley was hesitant at the thought.  Hope staying with someone other than herself during this time.  But then again, Klaus is her father -- and she had no reason to worry.  

After she’s brushed her teeth and washed her hands, Hayley shuffled out of the bathroom and found herself on the balcony to one of the rooms Klaus suggested she’d stay in weeks ago.  Uncertainty filled her veins as she looked out to the city, she still wasn’t sure about any of this. ( @theholyandthedamned

It was a valid thought, one that he didn’t relish in lingering over for too long. Losing her was hard, it was something he’d had to do on a few different occasions, on various levels up to and including death. Facing it wasn’t something he wanted again

“Could have,” he spoke simply, lifting his shoulders in a shrug. “And yet you didn’t. A fact I’m well past grateful for..” he released her arms and instead tugged her in against his chest, resting his head on top of hers as he held her close. “Tell me now, I’m here. This is the safest you and I have been in well over a week. Sit with me, and tell me now.”

The one thing that first attracted Hayley to Elijah was his honesty, along with his loyalty to the people he cared about.  He was so different than any other man that had walked this earth, and Hayley wished she hadn’t put him through all the grief and heartache where Jackson was involved.  If she could do it over again, she wouldn’t have wasted any time, at least not wait this long.

Her eyes shut carefully when she felt her face press against him, the warmth of being in his arms proved that she was still in fact here with him.  Behind them, a fire crackled as it lit up the almost ancient fireplace and among the dimly lit room, it was the only source of light - apart from that of the waxing moonlight peeking through the clouds.  Slowly, Hayley pried herself away from Elijah and took a few steps toward the couch to sit down, bringing her legs up to rest against the sofa. 

“I lied to myself, this whole time thinking that if I married Jack and we started a family for the crescent pack, we’d be okay, I’d be happy…” Pausing then, Hayley shook her head.  “I thought that if I were with Jack then I wouldn’t think of you, that my feelings for you would just disappear… But they never did, ‘Lijah. Because you were always the one that I wanted to be with.” Tugging against the hem of her sleeve, Hayley didn’t bother to push away the strands of hair that fell in front of her face.  “I’m sorry…” Her voice cracked as she reached her hands up and dried the tears from her face.

He almost wasn’t sure what to say. Which was a first for the original. He was normally very well spoken and able to diffuse situations with ease. But this was different. She was different. His lips tugged down into a slight frown and he dropped both arms to gently grasp her wrists and still her pacing. “You’re allowed to be afraid…” He spoke softly, validating her emotions before moving on. “But I can promise you that I won’t be going anywhere. Not willingly. I won’t leave you.”

As Elijah grabbed hold of her wrists, Hayley was forced to stop pacing, and she did.  His touch always made her heart beat fast.  Did he know how nervous he made her?  He was right, she was afraid.  Everything about this prophecy was weighing on all of them.  Hell, yesterday they almost died.  Klaus almost died, she almost died.  Hayley was scatter brained even as she stood there, not budging from Elijah’s grasp, but it was clear that her mind seemed to be elsewhere.  

Klaus was the one who told her that things with Elijah would be okay.  

She swallowed and looked up at him.  “You’re right,” and then she chuckled nervously and turned away from his gaze.  “When aren’t you?” As her chuckle died down, she let herself sit on the arm of the couch.  “We almost died yesterday, Elijah,” shaking her head the young mother fought back the tears she felt pricking the corners of her eyes.  “Klaus told me to tell you how I felt, how I’ve always felt…and I was going to.  When he handed me his phone, I was going to answer and tell you everything,” she couldn’t stop the trickle of tears down her cheeks as she closed her eyes and took in a shaky breath.  “What if I never get the chance to again?”  Now Hayley lifted her saddened and scared eyes and looked into Elijah’s.