That’s my son!
I wanted to scream proudly to the world!
That’s my son!
“Niklaus!” Ava ran towards him and hugged him, coddling him as she murmured sweet words into his hair. She was worried that killing someone would leave a scar in him, that it will harm him.
But she didn’t know that it made him happy. That killing for his loved ones made him happy. He was my blood. And I knew that.
Ava was still hugging him and he looked at me from over her shoulder. He raised his brows. He wanted to know my reaction.
He did what I actually wanted to do. He didn’t see that be knew Gabriel since the last four years. He understands what right and wrong is. He trusts his instincts and doesn’t let emotions sway his decisions. He is brave enough to do what is right, even when he knows that others might perceive it as wrong.
And those are the qualities of a King.
He doesn’t know it yet but he is going to be one of a greatest King to walk in this universe. And I’m damn well going to train him and be there for every step of the way.
I nodded at him and his eyes watered.
He whispered something in Ava’s ear, low enough that no one could hear and she let him go. He stepped around her and walked to me.
He stopped a couple of feet away and then dropped to his one knee and his head lowered. “I rejected you as my father. I rejected you as my King. I disrespected you. I insulted you. I disobeyed you. I hurt you. I hurt mom. I hurt Tori. It won’t happen again. I’m sorry. Forgive me, please.”
My heart grew weary.
My son. He knew how to own his mistakes too. Goddamn.
“Stand up, Niklaus.” My tongue felt think. I didn’t need him to kneel in front of me.
He didn’t move but I saw his hands clench into fists and his knuckles turned white. His body wound tight and his shoulders shook slightly. He thought I didn’t want to accept his apology. My son was crying.
I forgot everything and everyone around me. Right now, the only thing that mattered to me was to stop my son from crying. To assure him everything was alright. It was time to make my family whole again.
And then I got to my knees in front my him and his head snapped up, revealing his watery eyes and tear streaked face. “I forgive you, son.” He cried harder at my words, like he couldn’t believe me. “I promise I won’t make your mother cry, if you promise not to kill me,” I half smiled. That was meant as a joke but he cried harder and then launched himself against me. His arms wrapped against my neck and he hugged me, crying in my neck, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry Dadda. C-can I call you that?”
I wrapped my arms around him and my chest felt tight and heart full. “Of course,” I managed to choke out.
“You are my favourite superhero,” He said and I smiled so wide that my cheeks hurt.
“Did you hear that? I’m a superhero,” I smugly asked Ava with a grin.
She had tears in het eyes. “Don’t cry, Love. I made a promise to my son that I intend to keep.”
“They’re happy tears.” I knew what she was thinking. We were finally a family. A happy family.
“I told you he is the greatest Dadda in the world! I knew he would forgive you!” Tori grinned at her brother. I backed up and extended my arm, offering her to join the hug.
“You’re all bloody and icky, Dadda.” She scrunched her nose and I heard a few chuckles.
I shook my head and stood up smiling, bringing Klaus up with me. He wasn’t crying anymore but he was still emotional.
I looked at Ava. She was silently crying. My brave Ava. My brave Love.
I owe her an apology as well.
I walked to her and following Klaus’ lead, I sank down to my knee and lowered my head, making my surrender and submission known, “I didn’t try to find out the reason behind your behaviour, rejected you, hurt you, insulted you-in front of everyone, crushed your crown,” only now was I realising the extent of my sins, “failed to protect you from Adrik,” my breath got caught in my throat as Ava’s words to Eli echoed in my mind.
“It’s fine, Nikolai, I made several mistakes too,” she placed her hands on my shoulders, trying to make me stand again.
“Please let me, finish, Love.” I said softly. I needed to do this.
“I hurt you again,” I forced her to go with me in the ATV when she was injured, “deliberately hurt you with my words,” ‘Then you must be a masochist, because you keep coming back for more.’, “t-touched another female,” my tongue felt thick as I admitted that. I still can’t believe I did that. “I made your worst nightmare true,” I truly made her my slave, I made her feel like she was beneath me. “I took revenge on you for something that wasn’t your fault. I hurt you, very much,” my breath caught in my throat. “I’m sorry, forgive me.”
“Oh, Nikolai. There is nothing to forgive.” She placed her hand on top my head, caressing softly. I shook my head. It wasn’t true. There was too much I was asking forgiveness for. I needed to hear her say it.
And I said all of this in front of everyone and not in private because of a reason too.
And then following my lead, she kneeled in front of me and took my face her small hands and made me look up at her, into her sparkling blue eyes. “You were angry and people do foolish things when they angry. I’m not less to blame for all of this. You fought for me before giving up, hard. What happened was unfortunate. You were hurt and you wanted to hurt me.” My eyes lowered. That was the truth. Goddess I’m such a dick. How can I hurt this woman? I can’t be the reason that the light inside her dims. I want her to shine brighter because of me. “But you still found a way to take care of me. You came here, Nikolai, for me. You dived in front of the bullet, for me. You died for me, again. So there is nothing to apologise for.”
I still need to hear the words.
And then she rested her forehead against mine and closed her eyes, “I forgive you, Nikolai. I love you. So much.”
And then the world was right again.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her. I claimed her in front everybody. I got reacquainted with the touch of her lips and taste of her mouth. I love you. I love you. I love you.
The sound of thunderous claps brought me back to reality. I extended my hand to Ava and she naturally took it. I helped her up as we stood up together. As equals.
I looked at my pack members. Each and every person had a smile or a grin on their face as they applauded our reunion. I even caught a few wiping the corner of their eyes.
I looked down at Ava.
And then both of us grinned at each other.
It had taken us a long fucking time to fulfil the prophesy which did prove to be true afterall-
‘When the Sun and the Moon reunite,
The Royal order will be restored again;
And their offsprings shall,
With the help of magic,
Save the universe and life as we know it’- just wasn’t in the way the High Council had interpreted it.
It also made me realise that my children were going to do something huge and meaningful with their lives. They were destined for greatness.
And it was our responsibility as parents to prepare them for it.
I looked at Ava, Tori and Klaus.
I knew for a fact that this time around, my family would live. Nothing and nobody in the whole world will come in between us or break us again.
I will go through hell and back to fight for them.