Stefan clutched at Elena's hand from one side, and Abby on the other. Rebekah stood off from their group, her arms crossed. She wasn't put out, though, just anxious. She had pulled Elena aside when they arrived, filling her in that there was more at stake than she realized. Rebekah wouldn't disclose it all until she was certain they were safe, but Elena could tell she was sincere and grateful that the Gilbert girl had pulled through. They both knew that this was done as much as a favor to Elijah as it was to get Damon and Bonnie back. Rebekah was clearly aware that Elena's loyalty extended to her eldest brother, despite whatever digs she made.

They were watching the circle of teenaged witches in front of them, probably the same age as Elena and her friends. The moody Pacific Northwest served as their backdrop, tall trees along the perimeter of the lake and the beach. They were all barefoot - an unusual requirement that was supposed to tie them all to the earth. The cool sand under her toes was calming.

"I hope this works," Elena whispered into Stefan's ear. "If it doesn't..."

Her voice trailed off as she swallowed down a sob, and he squeezed at her hand. He didn't - or couldn't - say anything, his eyes glistening in the dim light of dusk. When the veil between the worlds was lowest, they'd said. It seemed almost like fate that everything panned out by the Summer Solstice, as big of a natural event as any to draw power from.

They'd taken a bit of Rebekah's blood and mixed it with Abby's. They were effectively tying Esther to Bonnie's will - a proposition that made Elena nervous at first. What if Esther tried to work through Bonnie to succeed at her devious missions? But one of the witches - Adam, she recalled - explained that they were doing it in such a fashion that Esther would no longer have any control. Bonnie would have her own mind and free will, just with access to Esther's power in addition to her own. Esther would effectively be her puppet, her tool to utilize on the other side. Then at the Fall Equinox, Bonnie would be able to eradicate her completely.

A cylinder of flames shot up in the middle of the circle, at least fifty feet into the air. The witches each took a half step back but the circle never broke.

"Through the water, you will be reborn."

The chant echoed through the air and the vampires all watched curiously as the flames settled. There were red hot embers left, and each of the coven walked through them, surprisingly unharmed. Now they gracefully moved to the water, wading in waist deep. Their hands remained connected as they chanted the line over and over. For a few minutes, it looked as though nothing was happening. But then Elena caught a glimpse of a dim light below the water's surface, followed by subtle bubbling.

She didn't dare blink or breathe. When she saw two crowns of dark hair break the surface of the water, Stefan had to hold her back from running toward them.

"Oh my God," she sobbed. "Thank you, God." Over and over again.

"Shhhh," he soothed, his voice low near her ear. "I know... I know. But we have to let them finish, Elena - we don't want to mess them up."

She met his green eyes, all of the pain of the last few weeks, the feeling that her world had ended, finally flowing out of her. She nodded, and then she clutched at him, drawing him into a bone cracking embrace. She was hanging onto him for dear life because she was so relieved she felt like she might collapse. She saw Rebekah watching them, and she mouthed a "thank you" over his shoulder. Rebekah gave a nervous smile, as though she couldn't breathe herself until this was all through.

The rest of the ritual was a blur, but soon thereafter Elena was in the water with her best friend and the love of her life, crying and laughing as they twirled around. Damon caught her by the waist to still her, his lean muscle under her touch, blue eyes sparkling down at her in the moonlight. She felt her knees sway, but he had her. Finally.

"I love you," she whispered, washing away her biggest regret from their last moments.

His cockeyed smirk was his response. She grinned back, just before his lips met hers and the world stopped.

oOo

"If it's the doorbell again, you may as well answer it," Klaus called from the study. "No one I know would use it."

"Not even Camille?" Elijah asked, chuckling in spite of himself as he heard his brother huff and grumble about one of the few women in their many lifetimes who had gotten under his skin.

However, Elijah truly was wary as to who may be on the other side. Could it be an ambush by his mother? Things had been startlingly quiet on all fronts for over a week. The Guerrera werewolves had been conquered, and the remaining wolves were falling in line behind Hayley, their queen who was willing to fight beside them. They'd even faced down their father, whom they'd discovered locked away under Davina's control. But the young witch was unsuccessful in separating Klaus's bloodline from him, thereby potentially damning Marcel and Josh. The Mikaelson brothers managed to call a truce with her, with some prodding by both Marcel and Cami, and horrific flashbacks provided by Elijah. Somehow Davina had also sensed a shift in Klaus, and once she'd discovered what evil she'd brought forth in Mikael, she was eager to send him back to hell once and for all. The white oak stake in his chest took care of him for good.

Hayley remained restless, a bit of a lost ship at sea without her child near. But she was trying. Winning over the wolves gave her another purpose, as did strategizing with Klaus. And Elijah had been able to keep his connection with her since that night a few weeks ago. The tensions in their family had eased considerably. Elijah had been able to breathe. As suddenly as things has fallen apart, they seemed to be drawing back together.

He was surprised to be greeted by the brown doe eyes of one Elena Gilbert once again when he opened the door. She appeared nervous, though not entirely frightened.

"Elijah, hi," she said.

"Hello, again," he replied warmly, and she smiled weakly.

"I have some news."

"Come in," he said, moving aside so she could pass through. She did, but not before glancing behind her.

His mouth fell open in shock when Rebekah appeared, a swaddled bundle in her arms. It took a moment to completely register - Hope was home. Rebekah smiled widely, as did Elena, who giggled.

"You shouldn't be here - this is dangerous -" he rambled.

"Not anymore," Rebekah replied matter-of-factly. "I took care of our mother with Elena's help. Our niece is safe to return."

He stared at her for a moment, speechless as he tried to wrap his head around what his sister was saying. They didn't have to worry. And the baby was finally here.

"Hayley, Niklaus!" he called. "Now!"

"What's the matter?" Hayley said as she appeared on the balcony. Her eyes grew wide when she saw his sister standing there.

"A little girl is waiting for her proper reunion with her mum," Rebekah said.

Hayley was in the foyer within seconds, and Klaus wasn't far behind. They formed a half circle of awe around Rebekah, eager to see the infant's face. Elijah rested a hand on Hayley's back as she gently retrieved her daughter from her aunt's arms. And Niklaus stood behind his daughter and her mother, his face so full of emotion that he couldn't speak. Elijah could see that Rebekah's eyes mirrored the same emotion as she gave a watery smile to her troubled brother.

"Thank you," Klaus managed. "For taking such good care of her."

"I was honored, Nik. I do love you, you know. And that little girl."

Hayley nodded her own silent thanks, wiping away at tears. Elijah recognized an immediate peace in her that had been missing since she turned. She was back in her rightful role as mother. Klaus wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her to the study, where they could sit and dote on the tiny daughter they'd missed so painfully.

"I don't understand," Elijah said once it was just the three of them. He glanced between Elena and his sister.

"I found some witches, just as Nik said. A very powerful coven, aware of our mother's potential atrocities. They knew of a way to stop her."

"They brought Bonnie back," Elena said, now with tears in her eyes. "And Damon. Bonnie stopped your mom. When she saw Hope, she wanted to do everything she could to help."

"I'm sorry I lied to you," Elijah said, shaking his head. "It was an elaborate ruse-"

"For her protection. I'm not mad - I was so relieved when Rebekah told me she was still alive."

"Thank you," he said, and she nodded.

"After all you've tried to do for me, how could I not? You're my friend, Elijah." She smiled as she pulled him into a hug, and he could feel her sincerity radiating through. "You want the best for me, well... I want the best for you, too."

She drew away, and he couldn't help but smile at her. "You've definitely made that happen today."

"You're welcome," she laughed. She glanced at Rebekah. "So you're sticking around for a few days?"

"Yes, I suppose," his sister drawled. "Until Nik starts to get on my nerves."

"I'm sure Marcel would be happy to see you," Elijah offered dryly.

She cocked a deadly eyebrow at him, and he bit his lip on a smile. All of his dysfunctional family under one roof, but he couldn't be more relieved.

"I'm sure you'll have fun," Elena said. "But I need to get home, to a certain newly revived boyfriend. If you don't mind dropping me at the airport?"

"Sure-" Rebekah started.

"No, I'll take care of it." Elijah gestured across the room. "Go catch up. Nik's been miserable since you left."

"Fine." But she looked pleased as she turned to head to the study, and Elijah knew she had missed them just as much.

oOo

"So," Elena said as they pulled up at the airport.

"So," he agreed, smiling wryly.

"Maybe you could come to visit next time? There's a giant empty mansion that your brother left behind."

"You expect to keep in touch?"

"Of course!" She playfully hit him on the arm. "I meant what I said, Elijah. We're friends."

"And I'm sure Damon will be pleased by that development."

She tilted her head to the side thoughtfully as she unlatched her seatbelt. "I think he may be changed, a little. He wasn't expecting to find a way back."

"I'm happy for you," he said. "You're a good match."

"Yeah," she smiled. "I guess we are. And what about you and Hayley?"

"Things are improving. Probably even moreso now."

"Good. Just... be gentle with her, you know? Transitioning is hard, and she's always going to be part of your family."

"I'm well aware of that. I don't make moves unless I'm certain."

"I know." She reached down and squeezed his hand. "Keep in touch."

He gave a nod, and then she was out of the car. He watched her pass through the crowd. He made sure she was inside the airport before he pulled away from the curb.

It wasn't lost on him that she didn't say goodbye.