It had been seven years-- Seven years since Elijah and Adeline found Klaus's lifeless, grey, desiccating body at the altar where they wed. Seven years of blaming herself, hating herself, trying to be okay for her daughter but inside she never was. Hope was twelve now, she was nearly a teenager and the older she got, the more she felt like her father's death was her fault.

Adeline still lived in the compound at New Orleans, she could never bring herself to leave. She hadn't touched a thing on Klaus's side of the bathroom or moved a shirt from his closet. It was depressing, she knew that, but she just couldn't do it. Elijah lived with them, helping Adeline raise Hope. He loved them both deeply, he wanted to be like a father to Hope and like a husband to Adeline though he knew he could never replace Klaus.

She took a trip to Mystic Falls shortly after burying Klaus in the family crypt at the quarter. She almost killed Caroline-- she was angry with her, angry that she didn't warn her or tell her. She went behind her back, knowing what Klaus was going to do. She said he forced her, because otherwise Adeline would have stopped her and she was right, she would have.

Stefan came to visit often; Hope knew him as Uncle Stefan. He loved Adeline, he always had and seeing her so sad, so unable to move on made him feel sick. Rebekah and Marcel were married, they two took up a permanent residence in New Orleans, keeping close watch on Adeline-- caring for her and Hope. Kol and Davina did the same, they were married and happy, but nothing felt the same without Klaus.

Adeline was staring out the window of her bedroom when Elijah walked in. He was dressed in the usual suit and his hair was slicked to perfection.

"How are you today Adeline?" He blurted.

She looked back at the original, with low unchanging eyes.

"Seven years Elijah-- seven years today." she breathed.

"I know." he nodded.

"Why does it still hurt this bad? Why won't it get better?" she wept.

He walked towards her, wrapping his arms around the distraught girl before him.

"Because you loved him deeply." He whispered into her hair. "But we have forever to try and make you feel okay again."

"I don't think I'll ever feel okay." She admitted.

Elijah caressed her cheek, turning her head up to face him. He gave her a sympathetic, looking into her light blue eyes he loved so much. It was a bad day for this, he knew that but he couldn't help it, he leaned down and placed a kiss gently on her lips. She didn't jolt or pull away. She gave him a small peck and a smile.

"Elijah." She whispered.

"I'm sorry— I don't mean to make today worse." He breathed. He loved her, deeply. Sometimes he resented himself for it and felt guilty but other times he thought it made sense, it would make Klaus's death make sense, maybe they were meant to end up together in the end. But he knew that was wishful thinking, Klaus was her soulmate.

"You didn't." She smiled. She wished she could love Elijah the way he loved her— maybe this would all be easier if that was the case. She tried, to let herself go there but it never felt the same.

"Why don't I take Hope to school today, and you get some time for yourself?" he offered.

Adeline agreed. She didn't want her daughter to see her like this, so upset. Hope knew what today was to, she expected it to be harder on her mother then others. When she heard the door shut and she could be sure she was alone, she let out a painful sob. She didn't want to live like this anymore, she didn't want to live in pain knowing this was forever, she would live forever but it didn't mean as much without him here. She was glad to be here for her daughter, she did the best she could for her. They traveled, they loved, they laughed but there was still always pain.

She picked up the photo that rested on her nightstand—it was a photo Rebekah snapped of them at a party held at the compound to celebrate their anniversary, just before everything blew up in their faces. Memories of that night flooded her head:

"How do I look?" she smiled, spinning around in front of Klaus wearing a gold dress that sparkled under the lights.

"Beautiful." He smiled, reaching his hand out for her.

"I guess we should get going now—greet our guests."

He stopped her from walking, pulling her into his chest and leading her out onto the balcony off their room. The stars were hung perfectly, dancing in the midnight blue sky.

"I think they can wait another minute." He smirked pulling Adeline into his chest. There was a saxophone player on the street below, playing some smooth calming jazz. Klaus's face lit up. "Dance with me."

Adeline laughed under her breath, a smile playing across her red stained lips. "How long is it going to be before you realize I'm not a good dancer?"

"Well, we have nothing but time so it could be a while love." He smirked, and they began to sway on the balcony, dancing underneath the moon and stairs. He dipped her down and pulled her back up, both of them laughing with one another—both of them lost in the moment.

--

She wiped the tears from under her eyes, sat the picture back down in its place and headed for her closet. She always kept the door shut, be shade of what was inside. It wasn't just clothes, it was boards, maps and pictures. She had been working for years to try to find where this all power ninth ward coven was hiding. It was there fault the Hallow was resurrected, it was their fault her life ended up this way.

She hadn't got a new lead in a long time but this morning, she got one. She went to do her research, looking over her maps and reviewing old information. Stefan and Damon had a talent in this sort of thing— tracking people down. They had to do it a time or two for each other so they were helping Adeline with this. She didn't want to tell Elijah because all he did was worry about her as it was— worry she was obsessed and would never be able to move on.

She pulled out her phone and dialed Stefan.

"Stef— do you really think I could find them there?" She questioned.

"I'm not sure, but it's the only lead we have had in weeks." He answered.

"Okay, I'm going to check it out then."

"Let me know how it goes." He insisted. "And don't go alone."

"Thank you." She smiled.

"I love you addy." Stefan breathed.

"Love you." She hung up the phone and took a deep breath.

She got herself dressed in dark jeans and a black jacket. She had followed so many leads searching for this coven before, none panned out but still each time she got nervous, she got hopeful. She tried to keep her emotions in check because it always ended in disappointment.

****

When Adeline got to the spot Stefan sent her too, there was an old restaurant. It didn't seem like very many people were here as the parking lot was sparse with cars. She walked in the doors and the breath was almost knocked out of her chest. She was greeted by a witch she had seen, a witch she saw photos of from Stefan.

She was the regent of the ninth ward coven.

She was shuffling through cards, claiming to be a psychic to make money. I'm sure she thought no one knew who she was, because no one did. It took Adeline years to find her name and even longer to find a photo.

"Welcome." The old witch greeted. "Care for a fortune reading?"

"Actually, I have something else I need your help with." Adeline answered coldly.

The witch look up at her with raised eyebrows. "What can I do for you?"

"I need you to resurrect my husband." Adeline put bluntly.

"Only a supernatural has a chance at being resurrected, sorry darling. Wrong place. Try going to church, pray for some peace." She scoffed.

"He is supernatural." Adeline kept a straight face, the witch now looked at her with curious eyes. It almost looked like she was excited and amused. She looked back down and continued to shuffle with her cards, writing Adeline off.

"Well alright then. Who's your husband?"

"Klaus Mikaelson."

All the cards in the witches hands dropped to the floor, her eyes looked like they were about to pop out of her skull. She was breathless. She knew who he was, how could she not?

After all, he was a legend.