NEVER LET ME GO

EPILOGUE

Damon sat in The Grill spinning his empty glass. Why anyone had thought he was the one to ask this was beyond him. This was not a good idea. 20 years…that's how long it had been since he had last physically laid eyes on her although some people had seen her ten years back when the town just about went to hell…literally.

"Another round?" Tori asked holding up the bottle.

"I think I will," Damon said smiling at the woman he had become friends with over the years.

"Now remember Tori his tab is on the house." A familiar voice said from behind him and he tensed.

Tori smilied and walked away.

He slowly turned around and took a deep breath. She hadn't aged, but when he looked in her eyes they showed her true age.

"You haven't aged a bit." Damon said smirking.

She raised an eyebrow, "I see gray hair on you," she replied. "No longer the eternal stud."

"My wife might disagree." Damon said showing off his wedding band.

"I heard also heard you have a couple little ones…congratulations." She said sitting on the stool next to him.

"You look good Bella." Damon said.

Bella smiled, "Humanity suits you Damon."

"The right woman suits me," Damon replied laughing.

"So what's the deal Damon?" Bella asked, "Why did you call me?"

"I drew the short straw," Damon said. "That and your bff Caroline likes to torture me…still."

"You sort of deserve it." Bella pointed out.

"Bella the last time we saw each other…" Damon started.

"I was an angry new vampire who didn't know who she was." Bella said. "I forgave you a long time ago."

Damon was shocked, "Why did you stay away then?"

"You needed time," Bella said simply. "You needed to know what you wanted and it wasn't me. We were never going to work Damon."

"I know," Damon said quietly remembering the hurt he had caused her.

"It worked out well though," Bella said smiling, "You got the girl, you got the life, you got a cute little chubby babies that Elena can't stop sending me pics of through the years."

Damon laughed, "So you have talked to everyone, but me."

"There's one other person," Bella said quietly.

Damon became quiet, "Have you heard the rumors?"

"You mean that he has been killing his way through Europe." Bella said, "I've heard. I also know his daughter goes to that school Alaric, Stefan, and Caroline run."

"Speaking of." Damon said.

"Not you too," Bella said groaning, "That's why you called."

"The school could really use you. I know everyone would be happy to have you back." Damon said, "Including me. We started a friendship some years back before I screwed it up. I would like my friend back."

"God being human has made you all mushy." Bella teased, "It's really hard to resist you when you're being sweet."

Damon gave her puppy dog eyes.

Bella groaned again, "What the hell am I going to teach?"

"You can help Jeremy and Matt teach defense and don't think I don't know where those photos that are hanging in my house have come from." Damon said. "You could offer photography as an elective."

Damon, Alaric, Stefan, Caroline, Elena and all the others had discussed keeping the other reason for asking Bella and the majority had decided to keep it a secret, but Damon didn't want to make the same mistake twice.

"Bella I need to give you full disclosure," Damon said, "There's another big reason we want you there and it's for Hope."

Bella tensed.

"Klaus hasn't contacted her in 7 years. She's about to be 15 Bella." Damon said, "Her mother doesn't know what to do and Hope's acting out. She needs someone who understands."

"Understands what?" Bella asked.

"What it's like to be hurt by him," Damon said.

"There's a long line of those people yourself included." Bella pointed out.

"But we were never close to him like you." Damon said, "You can understand her."

"Damon," Bella started.

"Please," a female said appearing next to Bella. "I don't mean to scare you. I'm…"

"Hayley Marshall," Bella said, "I do still talk to Rebekah and Kol."

"Don't be mad at Damon." Hayley said.

"I'm not." Bella sighed.

"I need your help Bella." Hayley said, "Kol and Rebekah are the ones that told me about you. They said you know Klaus better than anyone. Hope she's….she's like him in so many ways. She needs someone to understand her. She doesn't have many friends. At the school among the witches…she's been an outcaste."

"By the Saltzman twins," Bella said and Damon looked shocked, "What I've spied. Those two are just as bitchy and bratty as their mother was in high school."

"Hey I resemble that remark." Caroline said annoyed.

"Truth hurts baby girl." Bella said smiling and stood up to hug her friend.

"It's good to see you Bella." Caroline said squeezing her tightly.

It had taken years and secret meet ups, but finally things between Bella and everyone had been sorted and forgiven.

"Can't believe you're talking shit about my kids." Caroline said.

"Don't think I'm going to go easy on them just because they're yours. The same goes for Hope." Bella said looking at Hayley.

Everyone froze.

"You're taking the job?" Caroline asked.

"As if you would ever accept no as my answer. Plus you sent a very human very adorable, very sweet Damon at me I was a goner," Bella said pretending to be annoyed. She turned and looked at Hayley, "We need to talk alone. Tori a bottle and two glasses."

"Sure thing boss," Tori said and handed her the things she wanted.

Bella placed her hand on Damon's shoulder, "We'll finish talking later." She said and looked at Caroline, "I want the big room with the separate office in the west wing with the balcony that has the secret staircase to the library."

"I am on it!" Caroline said and headed out with Damon.

Bella led Hayley to a booth in the corner and poured them each a shot.

"I need to know everything that has happened. I've heard things. Rebekah, Kol, and Elijah they scooted over details, but for me to do this to understand Hope I need to know it all." Bella said.

Hayley nodded and so she began from the start.

Three days later.

"Oh what's wrong Hope," Lizzie Saltzman said, "Poor little lost girl."

"Go away," Hope said continuing to draw.

"What are you drawing freak?" Josie Saltzman said and took the spiral away.

"Give that back," Hope hissed trying to grab her spiral, but the Saltzman twins' posse held her back.

"Oh she's drawing the daddy she wants." Lizzie said hatefully.

Suddenly the spiral was out of her hands and a brunette with a ponytail and steely eyes stood in front of the twins.

"You know I hate entitled little bitches." The girl said.

"Who the hell are you?" Josie hissed.

"Your worst nightmare," the girl replied grinning.

"Be careful vampire," Lizzie said.

"Oh is the little witch gonna hurt me." The woman replied in a sarcastic voice. "Give it your best shot baby girl."

Lizzie and Josie locked hands and focused on the woman trying to fry her brain…but nothing worked.

"Having trouble girls?" The woman asked. "Rule number one know who you're going against before you go against them. What the hell are Matt and Jeremy teaching you?"

"Who are?" Josie asked backing away.

"Oh I'm the person who doesn't take any shit from anyone that includes self entitled little bitches. You two are just like your mother was at your age and I didn't take shit from her either in fact I kicked her ass. I'm also your new teacher and your godmother." The woman said.

"Bella Swan," Lizzie said shocked.

"Ding ding little girl." Bella said and turned to look at the other girls. "I don't like bullies so back the hell off of her."

All the girls immediately moved away from hope.

"Witches are supposed to lean on one another," Bella said handing Hope her spiral, "They support one another. They sure as hell don't bully or hurt one of their own. Only evil witches do that." Bella said and looked at the girls "And I kill evil witches."

"You killed Esther Mikaelson." Josie said her voice shaking.

"Yeah," Bella said, "Bitch didn't stay dead, but I put her down for a while." Bella gave each girl a pointed look, "I'm only going to say this once. Don't fuck with a sister witch. I catch you bullying or hurting anyone vampire, werewolf, witch, hunter, human, hell even a fucking leprechaun I will make your life hell and as you can see your magic doesn't work on me which means you have no defense. Now get to class."

All the girls except Hope ran from the library.

"Bella did you really have to talk like that to my kids," Alaric said walking in.

"I already warned Caroline and told her to tell you. Your little girls are fucking bullies they need a swift kick in the ass." Bella said.

Alaric wrapped Bella in a hug, "It's good to see you."

"You too," Bella said smiling.

"Hope Marshall this is Bella Swan," Alaric said introducing them.

"Hello Hope," Bella said smiling.

Hope was shocked. She had read about Bella in her father's journals. She had heard Kol and Rebekah mention her. She knew the story of what her father had done to her. She had expected Bella to look at her with disgust and anger, but Bella's eyes only held kindness and understanding. Then again she probably didn't know who Hope really was.

"Hello Miss Swan," Hope said.

"Bella's gonna be helping Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Donovan with the self-defense class, but she's also going to be teaching a photography class." Alaric explained. "All the photos here are her doing. Including the one of the castle you like."

"You shot that?" Hope asked surprised.

There was a photo of The Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers in France covered in ice. It was hauntingly beautiful and she had drawn it several times.

Bella nodded, "Do you photograph?" she asked.

Hope shook her head, "I draw and paint, but I do like photography too." She answered.

"Maybe next semester you could take the class." Alaric said. "It's filled up this semester."

Bella rolled her eyes, "One more student won't kill me and it's my class I can decide how many I can handle." She said, "Hope would you like to take it?"

"Yes," Hope said.

"Then it's settled." Bella said, "Be outside by the fountain at 10 sharp tomorrow." She turned to Alaric, "Now show me to my kickass room."

For the next two months Hope studied Bella. She saw her around campus, she listened to her in class and she followed her when Bella went to take photos. It was Saturday and Hope was watching Bella as she walked around the Falls photographing. Hope shook her head she had officially become a stalker.

Hope had tried to get the nerve up to talk to Bella several times, but she always chickened out. Hope sighed and decided to head back to campus. When she turned around Bella was standing in front of her and took her picture.

"You know if you wanted to talk you don't have to follow me." Bella said smiling.

"I…I…" Hope stuttered.

"It's okay," Bella said, "Hope Mikaelson."

Hope's eyes widened in shock.

"Don't be so shocked. You know who I am did you really think your Aunt Rebekah and Kol don't talk about you. Hell they sent me photo after photo of you." Bella said laughing.

"I thought you would…." Hope trailed.

"Not like you because you're Klaus' daughter. The daughter of the man I left 20 years ago." Bella said. "I don't judge because of who your father is." Bella started walking, "If you want to talk you better hurry up and follow the lighting is perfect."

Hope quickly caught up to Bella.

"Why haven't you said anything?" Hope asked. "I mean if you knew I wanted to talk to you."

"I was waiting for you to be ready," Bella said and raised her camera snapping several photos of some otters playing.

"I read about you in my father's journals," Hope blurted out. "I saw his paintings of you."

"So you know our story." Bella said quietly raising her camera again.

Hope looked out over the water and heard the click of the camera.

"I know his version." Hope said.

"I talked to your mother," Bella said lowering her camera still looking at Hope.

"They asked you to come here." Hope said piecing it together. "To help me."

Bella laughed, "Your mother asked yes, but I'm here because I want to be Hope. If you've read your dad's journals you know I don't do anything I don't want to do."

"Unless you're under my father's sire bond," Hope mumbled.

Bella tensed, "He wrote about that?"

Hope nodded looking at Bella.

Bella sighed and put her camera down in the bag and zipped it up.

"Your father is a lot of things…ruthless, vicious, impulsive….." Bella trailed.

"Psychotic," Hope supplied. "I hear the stories that he has lost it."

Bella nodded, "They aren't true," she said.

Hope's eyes snapped to Bella's, "What do you mean?"

Bella chuckled, "Your father is all those things, but above all else Hope he's protective of his family. Your Uncle Elijah has no memory of any one. He's vulnerable. Your father is making sure there is no threat to him." Bella said, "Not the most practical, but it gets the message across that no one should fuck with him."

"Have you talked to him?" Hope asked.

Bella shook her head, "Not since I left."

"He said in his journal…" Hope started.

"Don't," Bella said. "I don't want to hear what he wrote."

"Why?" Hope asked.

"Because what he wrote is private. It was for him…if he wanted me to know he would tell me." Bella said.

"Can't really tell someone something when they disappear." Hope said bitterly.

"You want to know my story with your father?" Bella asked.

"Yes," Hope said.

"Then let's go get some lunch," Bella said picking up her bag, "I know a great place."

Four hours later Hope sat stunned in the booth at the grill as Bella finished her drink. She was letting Bella's version of their story sink in.

"Well now I know why you hate him," Hope said quietly.

"I stopped hating your father long ago." Bella said.

"Then why stay away?" Hope asked confused.

"Your uncles and Aunt didn't tell me everything that was going on Hope. They kept me in the dark which let me tell you I will be speaking with them when I see them and I will probably kick their asses, but that's not important right now. The important thing is that you need to understand your dad." Bella said, "For all his faults, misguided decisions, and reckless actions there is one thing that matters above all that."

"What?" Hope asked.

"He loves you," Bella said, "Time after time after time he has proven he loves you. He has sacrificed so much for you even now. I know you see it as he doesn't care, but I know why he doesn't call you."

"Then explain it to me because I don't get it." Hope said angrily.

"He has been deprived of the basic joys of fatherhood. He never got to see your first steps, he didn't get to see you grow into the little girl he met 7 years after he gave himself up for your mother, you and his siblings. He has missed out on your entire life Hope." Bella said, "Because of what…power hungry assholes. He has to stay away from you even now and it kills him, but he does it because he loves you. Because it is the only way to keep you safe. Klaus has always had Elijah with him and now he is alone. Can you imagine the pain he must have felt that first year of being separated from you? He had just gotten you back and then he had to give you up again. He doesn't call because hearing your voice is painful, seeing you through face time doesn't even compare to seeing you in real life. He is trying to fight temptation and his temptation is greater than Rebekah's or Kol's because he is your father."

Tears were falling down Hope's face. She had never looked at it this way.

"He should call." Bella said, "He should face time you send you birthday cards, he should make an attempt, but for him he fears doing that because it would only make him want to come to you more." Bella took Hope's hands, "He draws for you and puts it in a safe so that if that day comes that you can be reunited you will know he never stopped loving you."

"You've seen him," Hope said shocked.

Bella nodded, "I check in on him every once in a while." She admitted, "He doesn't know I'm there. He has a photograph of you he keeps with him at all times. I understand your anger and pain Hope, but you need to understand his pain and anger. He can't do anything about his, but you can do something about yours."

"Do you still love him?" Hope asked.

Bella smiled, "I never stopped loving him," Bella said, "But sometimes love isn't enough Hope. I needed more. I needed his trust, I needed him, but he wasn't ready to give me that and I understand that now and part of the reason for that is that I was lost. I woke up to this vampire life months after I took a stake for him. I never wanted to be a vampire, but I never have regretted saving him."

"I know," Hope said, "Dad's journal."

Bella nodded, "I was part of the problem too Hope. We needed more than just love and we couldn't get those things if we stayed together so I left." Bella explained. "It was the hardest thing I have ever done because I love him more than I ever loved anyone, but when he used the sire bond against me I couldn't do it anymore. No matter how noble his intentions were he broke my trust." Bella downed her drink, "I learned a long time ago a broken heart is easier to mend then broken trust. Broken trust that wound runs deeper than anything else. I had to let him go." Bella smiled, "But it all worked out because if none of that would have happened Hope you wouldn't be here and you are an exceptionally amazing young woman."

Hope giggled as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"No matter what Hope," Bella said, "Know this…your father does love you even if he doesn't show it the way you want."

That day after the Grill Hope and Bella became close. Bella taught Hope all about photography and Hope became good at it. Hope found someone to confide in that understood her father and how she felt. She started focusing more in school, she and her mother grew closer as she stopped resenting her mother for always being there and Klaus not. Summer had come and Hope knocked on Bella's door.

"Come in," Bella said.

Hope walked in smiling and saw packed bags in the corner.

"You're leaving," Hope said sadness filling her voice.

Bella smiled, "It's my dad's anniversary in a few days." She said.

"Oh that's right," Hope said. "You're going home."

Bella nodded.

"But you're coming back right?" Hope asked.

"I'm going to go visit some people." Bella said smirking.

"Who…"Hope started and her phone started ringing.

"Hello little wolf," Kol said his face popping up.

"Uncle Kol," Hope said surprised. "What's up?"

"Can't I call and say hello to my favorite niece?" Kol asked.

"Um yeah," Hope said, "Sorry you just caught me off guard I'm talking to one of my teachers right now."

Bella had an amused look on her face.

"My favorite teacher actually," Hope said smiling at Bella.

"Really," Kol said.

"You want to meet her?" Hope asked walking towards Bella who nodded in approval.

"I don't think that's wise darling," Kol said, "No one at that school knows about you and us."

Bella threw her arm around Hope's shoulders and came into view on the phone.

"Don't worry Kol I mean after all we are family still." Bella said.

KOl's eyes widened. "Bella," he said shocked. "You're…you're there with Hope."

"Yep," Bella said, "And apparently I'm her favorite teacher." She said looking at Hope and winking. She turned back to the phone, "You and Rebekah have a shit ton of explaining to do."

"Ah yes well you see…" Kol started rubbing the back of his neck.

"Save it," Bella said, "I'll be in Dublin in 2 weeks to meet your new wife. By the way thanks for that invite too asshole." She said, "I can't wait to meet her. You better let her know though I'm kicking your ass when I see you."

"Uh…." Kol started.

"And don't even think about running. You and Rebekah are on my shit list." Bella said pointing at him. She looked at her watch, "My flight leaves soon I gotta head out."

"You're coming back though right?" Hope asked.

"I'll be back in March," Bella said, "There are a few things I have to do." Bella hugged Hope, "Stay out of trouble and if the Twins give you shit remind them you're my favorite student."

Hope laughed and Bella looked at the phone, "Be seeing you soon Kol."

Bella left the room with her bags and Hope sat down on her bed.

"I think you need catch me up." Kol said.

Hope nodded and started to tell Kol how she met Bella.

October 2017.

Klaus had just returned to his hotel from another evening of killing potential threats to Elijah. He tossed his coat on the bed and walked by the table, but paused. On it sat an envelope. Written in very familiar handwriting were the words;

She needs you too.

Klaus inhaled and smelled a familiar scent. He opened the envelope and saw several pictures of Hope. One in particular saw her looking out over the water deep in thought. On the back of the photo was a number. He quickly pulled his phone out and dialed.

The ringing stopped and he heard breathing on the other end.

"It's been you," Klaus said walking over to the balcony. "All these years sending me her photographs and little notes. You've never left your scent before…why now."

"She needs you," the woman on the other end said, "She's amazing Klaus. She's so much like you."

"God help her," Klaus said ruefully.

"It's not a bad thing," the woman said chuckling, "She's got your tenaciousness. She has your heart too. You both have the same fears the same misconceptions."

"How do you know this?" Klaus asked.

"I've been her teacher for the last 8 months." The woman replied.

"Is she….is she okay?" Klaus asked.

"She understands the sacrifices you're making Klaus, but sometimes a girl just needs her father." The woman said her voice choking up.

Klaus realized what date had recently passed.

"Bella…" he started.

"Don't," Bella said, "It's not about me. It's not about you it's about her. I know it's hard for you Klaus I know it will be hard, but she needs you. She needs to know to have that verbal confirmation that you love her."

"What if I can't stay away?" Klaus whispered.

Bella was the only one that could disarm him that could make him feel vulnerable. That could make him open up even just for a moment.

"You are stronger than you know." Bella said, "I can't imagine the pain you go through every day just to keep her safe. You have been deprived of being the amazing father I know you are. It's not right. It's not fair, but it doesn't mean you have to go full radio silence on her."

"But it's what I deserve." Klaus said, "My enemies became hers. My sins were brought down on her head. She has to hide who she is because of me. She suffers because I hurt those closest to me."

"No one deserves what you have had happen to you Klaus. You deserve to be with you daughter. No matter the sins you have or the blood you've shed." Bella said.

"Not even for what I did to you?" Klaus asked.

"This isn't about us." Bella said, "But since I know you so well and because you're stubborn and need verbal confirmation here it is….not even because of that do you deserve to be separated from your child."

"You've always been too good for me." Klaus whispered painfully.

"Call her Klaus," Bella said. "Do it because she needs you. You don't have say anything, you don't have to talk back, just listen to her."

"How will she know it's me?" Klaus asked.

"She'll know," Bella said. "Goodbye Klaus."

"Isabella Wait." Klaus said, but the call had already ended.

He held his phone in his hand for several minutes until he hit the speed dial number 3 button and put the phone to his ear.

"Hello," a young woman's voice said.

Klaus didn't answer.

Silence.

"Dad," Hope's voice asked in a whisper.

Klaus inhaled deeply.

"I get it," Hope said sniffling, "But please don't hang up. Let me just talk you don't have to say anything."

Klaus nodded silently tears falling down his face and began to listen as Hope spoke.

A/N: The end of another journey my friends. I apologize for such the long wait to the conclusion of this story, but as we all know real life comes up and between having a baby, moving, losing some close friends and family my inspiration to write was gone.

The original ending I had planned just seemed empty like it had no soul to it. This ending I like it because it may not be an ending or maybe it is. If one day I am inspired to write again within this storyline then I have an opening. Or if it never comes then I feel like this ending is like many endings we all face. There's some closure, but still unanswered questions. When I write I pull from what I feel and right now I feel while maybe some things have ended some haven't. I can't really put into words how I truly wish for it to come across, but I hope you understand.

Thank you to all you wonderful readers, reviewers, amazing people. I have enjoyed writing this story so much and it was truly a labor of love. I hope you enjoyed it and who knows maybe one day a new beginning will appear. For now though I bid you goodbye and with the simple epithet that speaks volumes to me:

Goodbyes are not forever, Goodbyes are not the end.

They simply mean I'll miss you, until we meet again.

Lots of love Emeraldphoenix23