Hedda Mikaelson

Chapter 70 - Two Little Lines

I'm still depressed about Stella's death two years later. I've come to terms with the fact that it wasn't my fault but I do feel awfully guilty sometimes.

Hugh and I have been travelling the world, sometimes popping in to see family when they are close by. England has by far been my favourite.

"Can we stay here forever?" I beg Hugh before trying to persuade him to give in with lots of wandering kisses. "I want a big house in the countryside when we have children."

He raises his eyebrows but doesn't object immediately.

"The Cotswolds are beautiful Hugh, I know you love it too. Imagine having a family here."

"I'll think about it," he murmurs filling me with excitement. He can never say no to me. Like, ever.

"Why don't we buy a barn and have chickens?" I continue to daydream aloud while we cook lunch. "Our babies can grow up before we take them back to New Orleans. Wouldn't it be amazing to have our first few years as a family here?"

"Hedda we can't just buy a house tomorrow, it takes time to decide and plan," Hugh reminds me, pulling me out of my vivid imagination.

"You know we have the money not to worry," I say softly reminding him of the wealth he married into. We are so lucky not to have to worry. "Your software business is online, I've finished all my studies. There's nothing tying us anywhere."

"We can't just move here on a whim," he considers a little more. "A holiday home however..."

I jump on his idea, praising it so he thinks it was all him when in reality I said it first. If I give him credit, maybe he will definitely agree.

"Great idea Hugh, let's do it!" I kiss him passionately, almost toppling him over. "We can buy a holiday home and when our kids are little we can stay here."

Hugh sees the light in my eyes and finally accepts, "okay honey, if that's really what you want."

"It is, it is!" I squeal in happiness. "Let me ring the estate agent now, there's a barn by the river for sale that I absolutely love and I think you will too."

Hugh laughs. I've been looking at barns for sale in the area for months he just didn't know it.

"I promise you'll like it," I say enthusiastically. "Come on!"

We spend the rest of the day booking in viewings. I'm thrilled to be doing this with him, life with Hugh is just so much more fun. He perfects my lazy days.

"Do you really want to live here permanently?" Hugh asks as we get ready for bed that evening in our little rented cottage.

"I don't know about permanently," I contemplate how we will be far from family. "But for a while yes, I don't want to sell our New Orleans home though. We can move between them?"

Hugh listens patiently and spends a few minutes mulling over what I've said.

"You mentioned starting a family here," he enquires, easily remembering how I spoke of raising our children here.

"Yes I did," I acknowledge and wait for his response.

He takes me off guard as he's never brought up the topic of children by himself. It's always been me. It's not that he's uninterested, he's just far more realistic about the time frame than I am. Last time we spoke about it he was adamant he wanted me to finish my degree first and I agreed that was sensible. Now I have.

"Is that what you want?" He asks seriously now. "To raise our children in England?"

"Well we don't have any yet," I giggle slightly. "But yes, it's calmer, safer. We could give them a great life here."