I was already on a plane heading toward America. I thought about going to New Orleans, but honestly? I don't think this body of Klaus is ready to find out Marcel's still alive.
So the most reasonable stop is Mystic Falls. Besides, that's where Elena would be—makes breaking my curse much easier.
That's what matters most right now. I can't have two children and just be an Original, no matter how powerful I am—far more powerful than in the show.
Which also means other vampires, werewolves, and witches are far stronger too. I wouldn't last long against a Qetsiyah, or even a Dahlia. I suspect even my own mother would be a genuine danger.
I'm certain Dahlia will come for one of my children.
Speaking of whom—the two little rascals lay on either side of me, each in their own car seat, peaceful just because I was here. These two would wail the moment I stepped away to use the bathroom and demand to be held constantly.
Arriving in Mystic Falls, step one: buy a house. Step two: fit in.
A twenty-three-year-old-looking man holding twin babies would draw way too much attention—and attention is exactly what I don't need.
A thought struck: get married. Give these children the mother figure they were robbed of.
So I bought a house—close to where the Gilberts lived—and furnished it. Nothing extravagant, nothing like the Original Klaus would do. Just the basics. And the woman who sold it to me? The Gilberts' aunt herself—Jenna Sommers. She looked at me oddly seeing both kids strapped to me in some fancy carrier.
"Hi—are they yours?" she asked, confused, glancing between them. "Sorry… you just seem so young to have kids."
"It's fine. Had 'em not long ago," I said, waving it off like it didn't matter.
"And their mother? Couldn't she come?" she asked again, studying me. "Sorry… I'm prying, aren't I?"
"It's okay. Their mother died in childbirth," I said—the sad story I'd woven for everyone, social and official records alike. "So I packed them up and left. Everything reminded me of her."
"I'm so sorry," Jenna whispered, hand flying to her mouth. "How are you managing? Do you have family? Support?"
I shook my head.
"Me and my siblings… we're basically on our own. Our mother's gone, our father abandoned us," I said, keeping the sad act going. "We were never close—fought hard the last few years… went our separate ways."
Jenna's eyes widened. It wasn't hard to see how shocked she was by such a broken family.
"I see… it's terrible when that happens," she said, her gaze drifting sadly.
"From experience?" I asked, stepping closer.
"Yeah. My older sister married and cut ties with everyone," Jenna muttered, kicking at the ground. "That idiot Grayson… he pulled her away from us."
She froze, eyes wide. "I'm sorry—I shouldn't have dumped that on you."
I just laughed and brushed her hair back.
"Relax. It's sweet," I smiled—until a distinct smell hit. "Well… I should get going. Looks like someone's had an accident."
I looked between them, trying to figure out which one—and realized the awful truth.
Both of them.
"Well… you've got your hands full, dad," Jenna laughed, turning to leave. "If you ever want to talk… or anything… here's my number."
Right. Diapers. But I decided to give them both baths instead—make sure they were properly clean.
Days passed. Word spread about the new single dad in town. Walking through the streets pushing the stroller, I heard it all: I was too young, where was their mother… everything from "poor things, their mother died" to "she was probably some whore who dumped them and ran."
Cruel, ugly rumors. Part of me wanted to silence them—but killing people over gossip would solve nothing. It'd only make my life here harder. And I do need to find them a mother.
As time went on…
I started seeing Jenna. First bars, then restaurants, then movies. Everywhere, until we agreed to be together.
She introduced me to her parents.
"It's a pleasure, Mr. and Mrs. Sommers," I said, bowing slightly.
"Let me be straight with you," her father barely greeted me. "Some idiot already took my eldest daughter and won't let us see her. Now you—want to take my youngest? And you've already got children? You don't look a day over twenty-five. Seems irresponsible, doesn't it? What will people say about my daughter?"
"Dad!" Jenna snapped, but I held her back.
"I can't control what people say about Jenna," I said calmly. "But I'm well-off—came into an inheritance from my mother. She'll want for nothing with me. And as for being young… it was an accident. Not that I didn't love their mother—I just thought I couldn't have children. Runs in the family. None of us thought we could."
"With all due respect—are you sure they're yours?" her father asked bluntly. "If you thought you couldn't…"
"Dad!!!" Jenna shouted.
"It's fine. I wondered too, at first," I told him gently. "But they are. Had a DNA test done."
"Well… miracles do happen," her mother smiled warmly. "I hope you'll take good care of our girl."
"Honey—!" her father protested, falling silent at a look from his wife.
Some time later…
I stood at the Bennett house and rang the bell.
The door opened just a crack. An older woman stood there.
"Who are you? What do you want?" she asked sharply.
"Not letting me in?" I asked, feigning hurt.
"No. Say what you need or leave," she replied.
"I need a concealment spell. For my children," I said with a sigh, hoping for kindness.
"Vampires cannot have children," she said flatly, narrowing her eyes. "And your magic… you're far older than you look. If you kidnapped them, I'll kill you."
"They are mine. I'm… special," I said. "From a rare bloodline. Their mother was a witch—had enemies. I have enemies too. They're just babies. Please."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I'll decide you're a threat to my children—and remove this entire town," I said, letting my veins show. "As you said… I'm old. Old enough to kill everyone here before they even know I'm there."
She paused. "Where are they?"
"In the car," I said, nodding toward it.
She stepped aside. "Bring them in."
Inside…
"They really are yours," Sheila Bennett breathed. "I didn't think this was possible. Their magic… it matches yours. Though one… she leans more toward being a witch with vampiric strength and healing, rather than pure vampire magic."
"You're not using a wand?" I asked, watching her weave magic with only her hands.
"Do I look like a beginner who needs a crutch?" Sheila said, offended. "Wands are for inexperienced witches, untrained ones, and humans who've barely touched magic."
"Isn't that… a bit prejudiced?" I asked. "Didn't expect that from you."
"It's simply the truth," she finished. "They're shielded from tracking. But it won't last forever—their magic will awaken around age ten. I can extend that… same trick I used for my granddaughter."
"Please," I said.
There I was… laying the same curse on my children that this body's parents laid on me. But it's for their sake. I can't let my enemies track them through my magic.