CHAPTER ONE- How Did I Get Here?

Klaus Hargreeves had been a fuck up ever since he could remember. He never truly felt that he fit in—the epitome of the definition wayward.

Being raised the way he was; to be a child soldier for an eccentric billionaire and having crazy 'superpowers' just added onto the oddity that already was his life. Even still, he never truly fit the role quite like the rest of his siblings. They all had control over their powers, and had abilities that could actually change the world, make a difference.

Klaus's powers, however, were worthless. All he could do was see and commune with the dead. Sounds cool, sure - if you're a 14 year old goth kid who's obsessed with Criss Angel Mindfreak. The reality however, was that his powers were terrifying. They would never shut up; always screaming at him, begging him for help, trying to reach out and touch him—sometimes he swore they actually made contact.

He couldn't stand it.

It didn't help that his dear ol 'dad' liked to focus extra hard on Klaus and his powers, trying to get him to master them, to be able to control them, to learn more about and push the extent of his abilities. To try to tap into what he'd hoped could be an endless pit of true power. Unfortunately, the only thing Klaus or his powers never failed to do was disappoint.

Story of his life...

Not only were his powers a nuisance, but they'd plague him with nightmares both while sleeping and awake, leaving him in a constant state of fear. He couldn't take it, couldn't handle the burden of his abilities. Everyone had their own demons but Klaus's were very much so in the literal sense. After numerous nights being locked in the mausoleum, countless failed attempts to master any sense of the extent of his powers, trying to tap into so much more and failing time and time again, Klaus couldn't bare to live that way any longer.

So he learned a way to drown out the demons in his head, the forelorn souls who constantly hounded him, reaping him from any shred of sanity he ever strained to possess. Klaus learned rather quickly that if he dosed himself up with a bit to drink, or indulged himself with any type of drugs that the screaming, the shrieks and the horrific faces who surrounded him since before he could remember seemed to vanish; disappear into thin air.

That revelation excited Klaus, taught him that something as simple as self medicating could relieve him from such discrepancies in his life, and numb him from his pain. From that moment on, not a moment passed that Klaus wasn't under the influence of something, anything at all. And he loved it, every single blissful moment of it.

Unfortunately, Reginald did not...

When Klaus was 17, just a few months shy of his 18th Birthday, he'd snuck out and gone to a bar, gotten drunk and high on god knows what and returned home in the early hours of the morning. Daddy dearest had been waiting up for him and was certain to give him a special welcome home present upon his return.

Two days later, once he was finally able to peel himself off his bedroom floor, gather enough strength to shove a few choice outfits into a bag and climb over the fire escape, Klaus left and promised himself he would never return to that hellish home, to that unloving family. He would just have to make it out in the world on his own.

And he did.

Nearly a decade later however, Klaus hadn't really changed much. He was still that frightened, abused and battered little boy (or rather, stunted man child) with no one to love, no one to be loved by, who still made decisions based off of selfish vendettas. Not that it mattered, he had no one to live for, and he wasn't worth the worry, so why bother?

So he drowned his sorrows in enough booze to drink Captain Jack Sparrow under the table, and enough drugs pumping through his veins to put the Medellin cartel to shame. With no home to call his own, and no money to buy well, much of anything, he made due with having choice encounters with a colorful bunch of people in exchange for a bed to sleep in, the occasional meal, and most importantly: drugs.

It wasn't until early October, right around his 28th Birthday that this life he'd come to know and accept would forever be changed...

"I'm sorry, come again?" Klaus's eyebrows were reaching towards his hairline, shock evident in his features. Certainly he'd misheard what he'd just been told.

"I said, I'm pregnant. It's yours, Klaus. And I-I don't want it, I refuse to be a mother. Once I pop this thing out of me I'm putting it up for adoption—"

"Adoption? Foster care is no place for a baby, Avery! Are you serious? Why won't you, can't you—would your sister want it?" The girl scoffed, folding her arms across her very nearly ready to pop belly.

"No, Klaus! No one wants it! My sister has her hands full with her own kids, you think she wants to add the burden of our drug riddled bastard child into the mix?" Klaus's eyebrows furrowed at her choice of words.

"You can't just...give it up, Avery! I grew up in a similar situation to foster care, trust me, it's..it's not good. I mean, look at me, do you want that for—" His green gaze trailed down to her stomach, his HELLO hand gesturing towards her protruding belly. "It? It's just a baby!"

Avery rolled her eyes, her hands flying up in protest.

"No, Klaus! I don't want that, but I don't want it either! If you're so concerned, then you keep it!" He took a step back as he shook his head, his palm pressing against his chest.

"Me? What am I supposed to do with a baby? I don't have a job or, oh, I don't know, a house—"

"Then stop trying to tell me what to do, Klaus! You're in no position to judge me for my decision. If you don't want it, then it's—" She stopped speaking as her hands flew to her stomach, a pool of crimson laced fluid spilling at her feet as her water broke. Both of them looked down to the puddle before their surprised eyes met.

"Shit."

—-

He couldn't believe how gruesome someone giving birth could truly be. So many fluids, so many odd sounds and so much blood. Gross.

Avery screamed as she pushed with all of her might, trying to expel this baby out of her body. Klaus felt awkward, he wasn't really close to Avery, they weren't a couple, he'd just sleep with her every other Tuesday in exchange for some heroine or cocaine—funny, he'd been wondering what happened to her. Now he knew where she'd disappeared off to the last, oh, nine months, give or take.

He tried to grab her hand to attempt to comfort her in some way, but she kept pulling it away from him. He couldn't help but think that was fine, it wasn't his place to console her. He'd been the one to get her into this mess in the first place.

Just the fact that he's here right now, taking the place as a father in a birth and delivery room was enough to send shivers down his spine.

God, Klaus knew he'd made some mistakes in his life, but this one really took the cake.

"How did I get here?" He whispered to himself under his breath, brushing his fingers through his matted curls.

How had he managed to knock some poor girl up, bring another unwanted child into this world, flood the already overpopulated foster care system with yet another baby to be bounced around and potentially wind up in the exact same situation as his own?

Surely if it had powers it would wind up with Reginald. He couldn't allow that to happen...

He hated this. He hated himself for forcing Avery to face such a decision, he hated himself for putting this baby in this situation. He remembered in vivid detail his childhood, being raised exactly as this baby was about to be.

He didn't want to do that to an innocent child...

But what could he do? He was a homeless drug addict with no family that gave a shit about him, or friends. No car, no job, nothing. He owned three outfits that he would hand wash in public restrooms and dry overnight on trees in a park. It wasn't like he could raise a baby...

Could he?

No. No, he was a fuck up, if he were to take this baby under his care surely he would just ruin its life before it even got a chance to begin. What important lessons could be bestow upon a baby? Uh, hey kid, drugs are bad for you—but they sure are fun and do a marvelous job at keeping the ghosts at bay most of the time?

No. The baby would be better off in a foster home. Anything would be better than with him.

Right?

Yes, that would be what's best for Avery's baby.

Klaus never could have expected that the next three words to fill his ears would change his life forever...

"It's a girl!"

Klaus's eyes darted to the tiny, screaming human being in the doctors hands.

A baby...

His baby...

"Six pounds, four ounces! All ten fingers and toes, and my, what a cute button nose!" The nurse exclaimed as she went to hand the baby to Avery. The girl fixated her arms across her chest, immediately averting her gaze away from the nurse carrying the child.

"No, I-I'm not keeping it. I don't want to hold it." She closed her eyes and relaxed against the bed. The baby cried, craving skin to skin contact with her mother, with her parent.

"Oh, okay, dear." The nurse peered to Klaus, her smile warm and inviting.

"What about you, daddy?" Klaus's eyes widened at her words.

Daddy?

He barely had time to react as the nurse brought the baby to him.

"Oh, no, I really shouldn't, I—" Before he could finish his sentence the baby was placed into his arms, it's tiny little pink chest pressed against his own.

"There, now. Aw, would you look at her, already calming down in her daddy's arms." Klaus stiffened, he could feel the warmth of the baby pressed against his chest, he could feel her little heartbeat thumping against his own, her soft wisps of breath dancing across his exposed skin. His hands rushed to cradle her tighter when a hiccup shook her tiny little frame.

"There you go, my, you're a natural daddy! Look at you already supporting her head!" Klaus's eyes met the nurse's before his gaze shifted down to the baby in his arms.

There's a baby in his arms...

His baby is in his arms, pressed against his chest, relaxing into his touch as his heartbeat soothed her to sleep.

"Aren't you two just precious, what a good baby! She took an instant liking to you, dear. You should be so proud!" Klaus couldn't find the words to speak. He was afraid to, too scared to move a muscle and disturb the little bundle of delicate pink flesh cradled against his chest. Avery's angered features flickered to Klaus, a look of disgust played across her furrowed brows.

"Didn't you hear me? What part of we don't want it didn't you understand?" She barked at the nurse. The nurse's face fell as she addressed the frustrated young woman, before turning her attention to Klaus and the baby.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, dear. I didn't mean to push her onto you." She reached for the baby, hands outstretched towards the bundle in his arms. Surprisingly, Klaus didn't hand her the baby. Instead, he gently tightened his grip on her tiny little frame, shifting his posture so the woman couldn't reach her.

"No! I—I do." He whispered, eyes cast down to the baby in his arms.

"What?" Avery stated dumbfounded, "Klaus, you are not equipped to care for that baby. I know you don't agree with foster care, or adoption, but you can't base every situation she could face off of your own experiences. It's the best choice for her, Klaus, way better than anything either of us could ever provide for her—"

"No, you're..you're wrong, Avery."

"No, Klaus. I'm not. You're not in your right mind to be making such a huge decision like this. Look at you, Klaus - you're high. But me? I'm not. I'm sober, got clean so I did at least one thing right by that baby, didn't want her coming out addicted to drugs and force her through withdrawals on top of everything else we're throwing her way."

"I don't care, Avery! It's wrong! A child's place is with its family. And I...I'm her family." His words became quiet as he spoke, a mere hushed whisper by the tail end of his statement. A looming silence filled the delivery room as Klaus shifted his sights onto the baby within his arms.

He didn't know how to explain it, but looking at this precious baby girl his heart swelled with so much love. He'd never felt anything like this before, it was like a warm blanket wrapped around him, enveloping him in such an overwhelming sensation of compassion, of love and awe. He couldn't believe what was happening. How could an unexpected turn of events become such a welcoming change.

Looking at that beautiful baby girls face Klaus couldn't believe he actually made that; that he'd played such a crucial part in creating something so unbelievably precious, so pure, so perfect.

Klaus knew it was crazy to even think there was a possibility of raising that baby girl, but he knew in his heart he had to try. He couldn't abandon her, not like his family abandoned him so long ago. He couldn't chance her ever having to face a similar torment as he'd suffered his entire life at the hand of a loveless, cruel 'family'.

If he could just clean up his act, cleanse himself off of all of the substances within his system and start his life anew she would be fine. No, better than fine, she would be perfect.

Klaus may not be very many things, but he was a loving soul.

He knew in his heart he could provide the loving, nurturing environment that baby so deserved. He knew it would be hard, but he had faith he could do it. He knew he could.

He'd never cared to before, but at that time it was just to change to better himself. That was never a good enough reason, it never would be. He wasn't worth the help, not in his eyes.

But she was...

As that delicate little angel in his arms nuzzled closer, tucking her face tighter against his chest, clutching his coat within her tiny little fingers he knew in his soul that he'd come to the right decision. He couldn't just give her up, he already loved her far too much.

"I'm keeping her, I won't abandon this little girl." He stated it firmly, with confidence. Avery scoffed as she rolled her eyes before looking away.

"Fine, whatever, suit yourself."

The nurse's face lit up, a brilliant smile lighting her features aflame.

"Are you sure, dear? It's a big decision, I just want you to feel confident in the one you decide." She spoke with such sincerity, Klaus could tell she genuinely cared.

"I'm sure." He smiled down at the baby, gently stroking his forefinger down the side of her velvety cheek. He couldn't believe how soft she was.

"Hello, baby. I'm your daddy." He spoke with such a soft tone, one he didn't even know he possessed. He could already feel the changes happening within himself. He could do this for his baby girl.

The nurse patted his shoulder, their eyes meeting in a warm salutation. She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"I'll fill out the paperwork. What would you like to name her?"

A name?

"You know, I don't know." He exhaled a laugh through his nostrils.

"It's funny," He started, running his fingers softly in circles on her slumbering back. "I didn't even know she existed until a few short hours ago." He looked down to her once more.

God, she was remarkable...

So tiny, so beautiful. He wrapped his thumb beneath her palm, her entire hand wrapped around the tip of his finger. He couldn't believe how small she was, how fragile. Her little toes curled and pressed against the skin on his bare chest, it tickled and sent a warm feeling down his spine. Her skin was so incredibly soft against his own, and so warm and inviting.

She was just so perfect...

His heart fluttered as he looked into the baby's eyes, his sights focusing on her delicate features, a smile tugging at his lips.

"I think I'll call you Riley."

The nurse smiled at Klaus, taking in the picture perfect moment before her of a father welcoming his first child into the world. She felt the immediate bond. Her smile only deepened as she watched him cradle her closer, cooing sweet nothings to that precious babe as he rocked her back and forth. She laid her hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"You're going to do just fine." Klaus shared a smile with her and a nod before she left to fill out the paperwork that would make this magical moment official.

He continued to rock Riley, adjusting her so she was pressed into his loving arms. She stretched and yawned before settling comfortably within his embrace.

"I promise to love you, and to be there for you through any obstacle life tries to throw at you, baby girl. I promise to do right by you, sweetie. Daddy will always protect you. I'll always keep you safe." Klaus held her tiny hand within his own, gently running his thumb over her skin. He still couldn't believe this precious baby girl was his.

Klaus started his day like any other day; without a care in the world, not taking anyone's well being including his own into mind. Never in a million years would he have thought he'd be ending his day a changed man; as a father.

It was a welcome change, the first positive thing to happen to him since he could remember. Now was his chance. He knew from this moment forward he had to do what was best for his daughter; no more drugs, no more alcohol. He would have to figure a lot of things out for their future but for now, all he could focus on was the hole in his heart that had been filled. He could do this. He knows he can.

"Daddy loves you so much already, baby. I promise everything is going to be okay."