Nothing Dark Can Stay, Either

Chapter 75

Every goodbye hurt.

Beatrix had been asleep the entire ride back to New Orleans. Hope rode in the front with her father, exhausted from her transformation and leaning back in the seat. Elijah had Beatrix on his lap and was stroking her hair soothingly.

She dreamed of her mother.

They were in the Bayou where Beatrix had grown up. Instead of the abandoned carpenter's workshop, there stood their little house, just as they had known it. Beatrix walked up and opened the door, seeing her mother there.

"Mija," she breathed when she saw her. Ianira ran to her and pulled her into a tight hug. "Mi cielo..."

"Hola, Mamá," said Beatrix as they embraced. "It's good to see you."

"The Hollow's magic is inside of you again," she whispered, holding her daughter's face. "At the very least, it means I can see you. But..."

"I'm dying, Mamá," Beatrix whispered. "I'm going to die."

"I know, mi preciosa," she sighed, kissing her forehead. "And I am so, so proud of you. I'm so sorry that your life had to come to this. I should never have taken that magic to get away."

"It's not your fault," said the Heretic. "It isn't. I was happy. I lived. And I'm grateful that you brought me to term against the wishes of those who tried to stop you."

"You turned out better than I could have hoped," sighed Ixazaluoh. "And when it's time, I will be there to catch you when you arrive. You will be at peace. I know it. Though I wish you could have suffered less, I am so happy that you grew the way you did. You make me feel as though I did something right." She kissed her head again. "Wake up, my darling. Say your goodbyes."

She had awoken to being carried into the courtyard by Elijah. Clearly, they had already let the others know, because a hoard of people rushed to her side.

"Beatrix," said Vincent. "Beatrix, can you hear me?"

She mumbled sleepily. "Yes. So loud..."

"Set her down, Elijah."

He let her body rest gently on the couch beside the fountain. "Please," she sighed, looking up at them. "Don't... waste your energy."

"What can we get you?" asked Rebekah, her hands shaking. "What do you need?"

"Just... food."

"Alright," said Marcel, kneeling beside you. "How about this. Klaus and I can get the best chefs to cook you some of your favorite food. Anything you want."

She smiled. "Enchiladas. Pan dulce. Beignets. Atole. Please."

Marcel and Klaus shared a look before rushing off.

They were all clearly hurting. They spoke to her gently as if she might break any second. They could see that she was in pain, but she tried to pretend she wasn't. She wanted to enjoy her day with them, just knowing they were there for her.

So they ate. A feast was made and they chatted and teased as if it were any other day. It felt good to see them all together. Kol and Davina joked with Rebekah and Marcel. Freya and Keelin were having a fun conversation with Klaus and Elijah. Vincent and Hope had asked Beatrix to tell them more about the food they were eating.

Rebekah had proposed for them to do a wish burning ceremony. Though she was frail, Beatrix was able to walk out with Elijah's help, tossing her wishes for them into the fire. None of the others spoke their individual wishes around. She knew, however, that they were all wishing something along the lines of finding peace. So that she could rest after centuries of life.