˖*°࿐chapter twelve.
xii. OF GRAVE IMPORTANCE

———

"Excuse me?"

It was like Damon already knew it was going to be a bad idea, but he just thought that this one was completely ridiculous.

Stefan was just as confused as Damon, if not, more. "Why would Kai be willing to help Janelle?"

Oh, that's right. He doesn't know. Damon thought to himself.

After learning the new information from his sister, he knows that Kai would be the last person that Janelle would want to save her. It was already awkward enough between the two of them.

"I'll fill you in later," Damon whispered to Stefan as he went over to where Cassandra and Klaus stood. "Sorry, but you're going to have to take that horrible idea somewhere else. I'm not about to put Janelle's life in the hands of that psycho."

"He saved the Sheriff," Cassandra commented.

Damon let out a humorless laugh as he said, "Oh, and you're just gonna conveniently leave out the part where she also went into cardiac arrest and almost died?"

"She had cancer, Damon. It's different this time."

"Exactly!" he exclaimed. "It is different because we don't even know what's wrong with her. There's no guarantee that Kai's magic will even work."

"Damon," Klaus began, standing in front of the witch, "like it, or not, we're running out of options here. The spell didn't work, our blood can't heal her. This may be our last chance."

"Well, I'm not calling him, so you can forget it," Damon told them.

Cassandra smirked at him. "That won't be necessary. He's already on his way over."

Damon's face fell as he looked around the room at everyone, then narrowing his eyes on Klaus. "You don't know what you're doing."

"I can't lose Janelle, Damon," Klaus said. "I won't."

Damon shook his head at him and stormed out without another word. Stefan noticed how upset he was about this, so he went after him. Klaus excused himself from the others to go back up to Janelle's room.

Klaus meant what he said. He couldn't lose Janelle. Not after everything they've been through together. It wasn't wrong for him to see this as his fault.

Maybe if he never sent Janelle here, she wouldn't be on the verge of dying. But if she did stay, he would probably be looking at her body in a casket right about now.

No one in New Orleans cares about the risk of going against what Klaus wants anymore. And it's not because of what his mother has been doing. It's because of how big of a threat Janelle has become.

The Phoenixes were a rare witch breed. Their magical abilities were uncommon to the average witch, so they were all taken out at one point. They used to be extinct for centuries until one came out of hiding in 1746, starting up the line again.

So, when word got out that a Phoenix had moved in with Klaus, it was bound to end badly. Protecting Janelle wasn't enough anymore. Klaus had to make her disappear until people learned to respect the orders he set for his town. So that she could come back home.

He still intends to make that happen.

———

To say that Kai was in a state of panic when he arrived at the Boarding House was an understatement. He didn't want to believe that Janelle, the love of his life, was probably going to be gone forever.

The pressure set on him was definitely real. His power to siphon magic was everyone's last hope at bringing her back and that's exactly what he was determined to do.

Kai was going to bring her back.

That's also the reason Cassandra called him in the first place. She knew he would do anything for her and she was going to use that ambition. She wasn't just doing this for her coven, she did it because she really did care for Janelle like family.

Stefan let Kai into the house with a nod. No greeting, Stefan knew what he was here for. Damon had already talked to him about the whole past Kai had with his sister and he didn't have much of reaction to it.

Kai followed him up the stairs and into Janelle's bedroom. A frown found it's way up to his lips as he saw her just laying there. No movement whatsoever. It hurt him to see her like that.

But something that made him upset was seeing Klaus holding the hand of the girl he loved. Seeing someone else that close to her, bothered him. Cassandra took a glance at Kai, seeing the rage set on his face.

"Kai," she called to him, breaking him away from the couple. She gestured for him to come towards her and he obeyed, hesitantly. "I know that you're upset —"

"I'm past upset," Kai snarled at her. "You didn't tell me he was going to be here."

"Keep your voice down," Cassandra shushed him. "Janelle isn't yours anymore, okay? It was a long time ago and she doesn't even remember any of it."

"Well, I remember it," he said as his eyes cut to Klaus in a hard glare. "And I'm pretty sure the only reason she doesn't has everything to do with him."

Cassandra sighed. "Kai, she's with Klaus now. I know that's hard to hear, but I don't want it to affect your decision."

"But —"

"Do you love her?" Cassandra cut him off.

"Of course," he nodded.

"Then, the last thing you would want is for her to die," she said. "You didn't just come back to complete the merge, Kai. You came back for her. So, if you want that to mean something... you'll do this."

Kai stood there for a moment. While he's been waiting on her for the last 18 years, Janelle moved on. He didn't know how to take it all in, but if one thing was for sure; he was going to save her.

Damon suddenly came into the picture, placing a firm grip on Kai's shoulder. "Don't screw this up. Because if you do, I will hunt you down, and kill you myself."

"Ease up, Damon. There's no need to scare the boy off." Klaus smirked, going over to the two of them. "I appreciate this, mate. You have no idea what this means to me."

Kai had to take a second to calm himself down. It was all right for him to feel jealous, but with Kai, he was ready to go off. He took a deep breath and finally was able to look Klaus in the eyes.

"Likewise," he replied, blankly.

Kai pushed past Klaus, going over to Janelle's bed. He placed the palm of his hand of her cheek, caressing it for a bit without anyone noticing, and the other on her arm.

Slowly, the magic that was keeping Janelle unconscious started to be siphoned out of her and into Kai. He knew he couldn't do this for long because it might strip away Janelle's powers, leaving her vulnerable.

"Is it working?" Elijah questioned, watching from the window sill next to his brother.

Klaus stared in wonder, not really knowing himself. "I have no idea."

Kai tried his hardest to concentrate on what he meant to be doing, but something kept bringing his mind elsewhere. He obviously wanted Janelle to live, but he didn't want her to spend her life with someone who wasn't him. His feelings for her never went away, and he wasn't going to get rid of them any time soon either.

Damon and Stefan kept a close watch on Kai. Stefan didn't trust his intentions while Damon just didn't like him in general. Neither of them believed he was capable of love. Now, or anytime before then.

Klaus was definitely growing suspicious of Kai, with good reason. Cassandra purposely didn't let him know about the past Kai and Janelle shared because it would have made him back out of the plan. Klaus got possessive at times, but it was only because he loved Janelle.

Elijah, well, he wasn't too cautious of Kai. Only because he didn't know him. But he was willing to support Klaus under any circumstances when it came to Janelle. She was practically a sister to him already.

As Kai was about to finish up, he felt something in Janelle's magic. He couldn't explain it until the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. He dropped his hands, stepping back in shock.

"Kai?" Cassandra looked at him. "What's wrong?"

Damon grabbed his arm. "Why'd you stop?" he questioned.

Kai remained quiet, not knowing what to say. He didn't want to be right over what he thought he felt. He was in disbelief about this whole thing.

"Kai, what happened?" Damon repeated to him, seriousness set in his voice.

Everyone had now brought all of their attention onto Kai, who was still struggling to find his words. "I'm not just picking up on Janelle's magic."

Stefan stepped closer, "Okay. Then, what magic did you pick up on?"

Kai's jaw clenched as he turned to Klaus, who was standing just a few feet away from him.

"Her baby's."

The room grew silent.

Cassandra gulped, nervously as she looked at Klaus, who kept his stance. He didn't care that Damon and Stefan had found out the truth, he wanted them to know. They are Janelle's brothers after all. This is what he's been prodding for her to do ever since she got to Mystic Falls.

Janelle had always wanted to start her own family. She was good with kids and loved being around them. But that dream was taken away from her when she turned into a vampire. And now that she's witch, it left open a window of opportunity.

If she was going to be protected, her brothers needed to know what they were protecting her for.

Stefan was the first to speak, "S-She's pregnant?"

"Yes," Klaus confirmed.

"You son of a bitch," Damon seethed. He vamped towards Klaus, only to be flung into the wall by Cassandra. He groaned in pain, rolling over on his back.

"You can't kill him, Damon. What's done is done," Cassandra told him as she helped him stand back up.

"How is this even possible?" Stefan asked. "Vampires can't procreate."

"No, but werewolves can and Klaus was born one. Think of it as one of nature's loopholes," Cassandra interjected. "Why else would she come back to Mystic Falls?"

"She mentioned she was in danger, but that's all she ever said," Damon said.

"That was only part of it," Cassandra clarified. "Your sister is carrying one of the most powerful creatures in the magical community. A vampire-werewolf hybrid with the powers of a Phoenix. Think about what some people would do to get their hands on that much power, what they could do."

"How far along is she?" Stefan asked. As much as he wanted to be mad like Damon, he couldn't — he was happy for Janelle.

"Seven weeks," Cassandra replied.

"So this is the big secret?" Damon frowned as Cassandra nodded. "Why didn't she say anything?"

"That is a question only she can answer. That's if she ever wakes up." Cassandra turned to Kai who still in the same position, staring at the floor, deep in his thoughts. "Kai, you have to finish. Not just for her sake, but the baby's as well."

Kai didn't like the sound of that, but he wasn't going to be selfish about it either. He wasn't angry at Janelle for getting pregnant. Kai knew that she had always wanted to be a mother.

He was just disappointed that he wasn't the first one to be able to give her that chance.

╔═

𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊

═╝

𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟑

"Lucas! Come on. You're going to be late for your first day!" Janelle yelled as she packed the twins' lunches in the kitchen.

Soft little footsteps padded down the stairs as Janelle was greeted with the small blond boy who hugged her legs.

She smiled, crouching down to his level, "Are you ready to start preschool?"

Luke shook his head with a pout, "No."

"Why not?" Janelle asked, fixing up his slightly messy hair. "You're going to show everyone how smart you already are and make a whole bunch of new friends. Don't you want to do that?"

"What if they don't like me?"

"Then, those kids have no idea what they're missing out on by not being friends with you." Janelle picked Luke up, putting him on her hip. "I'll tell you what. If you go to school today, when you come home, we'll play, eat junk food, and watch your favorite cartoons. How's that sound?"

"Yay!" he cheered, a big grin breaking out onto his face.

"Good. And who's the best?" Janelle teased, placing a finger on her chin.

Luke pretended to think it over, "Janelle?"

"Yes. I've taught you well." She placed Luke back on his feet and handed him his lunch bag. "Now, go. Dad is waiting in the car." Luke nodded, kissing Janelle on the cheek. He waved at her before leaving out the front door.

"Olivia! I hope you're dressed and ready." Janelle started to walk out of the room until she was brought to a halt when she saw Liv as the end of the staircase.

"I'm ready," she smiled, with her pink backpack in her hand.

"Aw, you look so cute," Janelle cooed, admiring Liv's pink dress. "Don't be surprised if a couple girls get snobby because you got all the boys."

Liv scrunched up her nose in disgust, "Ew. I don't like boys. They have cooties."

"I like your thinking. Keep saying that til you're 30." Janelle winked at her playfully as she gave Liv her lunch bag. "You're gonna look out for your little brother today, right?"

"Yep," Liv smiled, going towards the front door. "Bye, Nelle."

Janelle whined at the little girl, failing her arms up like a child and stomping her foot. Liv playfully rolled her eyes and ran back, remembering to give her a kiss goodbye.

"Love you. Have fun," Janelle said following after her and leaning against the door as she watched Liv get into the backseat of the car. "Bye!" She waved at twins as they pulled off.

Janelle was just about to go back inside until she was startled by arms wrapping loosely around her waist. A giggle escaped her lips as she felt the person nuzzling their face into her neck.

"They love you," Kai groggily said to her, still tired from just waking up.

Janelle shrugged her shoulders, staying in the same position. "I've always been good with kids. It just comes naturally, I guess."

"Well, I can't wait until we have some of our own one day — you'd be a great mother," Kai told her, kissing her head with a yawn before going into the kitchen to make some breakfast.

Janelle closed the door from behind her and leaned against it with a frown. "One day," She murmured to herself.

The one thing Janelle didn't like about their relationship was having to lie all the time. She knew that having a child would never be a reality for her and Kai because she was a vampire.

She hated having to hide this side of her from him.

———

Kai's thoughts were interrupted by a loud breath of intake being sounded off into the room.

Everyone looked over to the bed, seeing Janelle starting to wake up.

Klaus was the first one to get to her. "Love?" He looked over her face. "Are you all right?"

Janelle suddenly grabbed his arm in a tight grip, snapping her eyes open. But something was off about them. They flamed out and turned pitch black, making Klaus move back a bit.

"I-I feel like I-I'm dying," she managed to say as she brought her hand up to her throat, indicating that she couldn't breathe.

Damon and Stefan joined Klaus, neither of them understanding what was going on.

"What's wrong? What's happening to her?" Klaus asked Cassandra worriedly.

"Something is suffocating her," she said. "My magic still won't heal her."

Cassandra's palm accidentally touched Janelle's shoulder, sending her a premonition that she was only able to view for a few seconds.

Damon helped sit Janelle up as she started to cough uncontrollably. "So what does this mean? She's going die right here in front of us, and there's nothing we can do about it?"

"B-Blood," Janelle choked out. She dug her nails into Klaus' skin, letting him know what she meant. "The baby needs y-your blood."

Klaus almost immediately bit into his wrist, holding it out for her. Janelle slightly opened her mouth, gulping down the blood that had a familiar metallic taste that she didn't miss, but it was strengthening her.

Janelle's skin was fading back to her its usual complexion and her eyes turned back to their normal dark brown color as well. When she felt like she wasn't as weak anymore, she pulled away from Klaus, wiping her lips with the back of her hand. He sighed in relief, taking Janelle into his arms.

Damon didn't say anything to her as he laid his head on her lap. He was just glad that she was okay. Janelle's gaze shifted over to Stefan as she saw him simply staring at her; she could already tell what he was feeling.

"Aw, Stef." She let go of Klaus and scooted over to her little brother, bring him into a hug. Stefan lingered a kiss on her temple, whispering to her how much he loved and missed her. "I love you, too."

Janelle allowed him to stay like that, knowing that he needed comfort right now. Her eyes wandered over the room, seeing Kai standing there along with everybody else.

"Thank you," she mouthed to him.

No one knew it, but Janelle was aware of everything that was going on around her while she was asleep. She was watching over her family, making sure that nothing crazy was happening while she was gone.

She knew Kai was going to save her, and she knew that he was eventually going to find out about the baby, along with her brothers. And now that they understand her situation, she feels better about not having to hide it from them any longer.

But it seemed like someone else couldn't shake one thing about that. Cassandra was thinking about what she just witnessed with Janelle. Her eyes turning black; she's only ever seen that happen once in her lifetime of being a witch.

Janelle noticed the uneasiness on her face, which made her wonder what was going on with her. "Cassandra? What is it?"

"I had a premonition about the baby," she stated. "It seems that by stepping over the boundaries of Gemini magic and having you go into the prison world they created, it's altered your child's nature in how it chooses to manifest its powers."

"A-Altered?" Janelle stuttered out, nervously taking hold of Klaus' hand. "Altered into what?"

"Evil."