They only had a week to prepare.

And somehow, it wasn't the only thing they had to prepare for.

"Sweetheart," said Klaus as he and Maddy came to find Hope in the Lafayette Cemetery, where she'd been sitting by the grave of the man she'd killed.

"You didn't have to come," she murmured, not turning to them. "I'm pretty sure I just drowned the memorial."

"We were worried," said Maddy. "How are you feeling?"

Hope shrugged. "I don't know why we leave flowers," she murmured, staring at the roses that had been left for the man. "Doesn't do them any good. It's not much of an apology for killing someone."

"You didn't do it on purpose," said Maddy, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You came to help us because you thought we were in trouble. You stopped that vampire from ripping out my heart."

"You helped rid the city of those vermin," added Klaus helpfully. "You have nothing to apologize for."

Hope shook her head. "Don't make it sound so noble. Yeah, yeah, I helped defeat a few bad guys but I still killed someone innocent. Well... at least he gets his revenge next week when the full moon comes."

"Hope," said Klaus, "however much you dread your first transformation, once you go through it, you're gonna feel better. Look at Anita."

"I don't know if I dread it or wish that I could just turn and never turn back. All of you say that after the pain, it's one of the best feelings in the world." She sniffled. "Did you come to tell me something else? I told you I'd be fine here by myself."

Maddy pursed her lips. "Your Aunt Freya proposed to your Aunt Keelin last night. And... I guess they wish to get married in a few days."

"Really?" whispered Hope, turning to face her. "How are we going to have a wedding in three days?"

"Well... compulsion. Your Aunt Freya has it all planned out. Finn is going to walk her down the aisle, Rebekah will be her maid of honor, Kol is going to officiate the ceremony... and all your aunts and uncles are easily able to take time off of their jobs with their compulsion, so the whole family will be here. Jenna and Ric are bringing Duke, too. I know it's been awhile since you last saw him."

Hope's lip trembled. "Do you think they'd let me skip the wedding? It's just with... the way I feel... I don't want to ruin the day."

Klaus cupped her face. "If you were to miss it, we would all be quite sad. Your Aunt Freya was hoping you and Anita would be the ring bearers."

"That's a one person job..."

"Your Aunt Keelin was also wondering if you'd walk her down the aisle."

Hope shook her head. "I think I'll pass. I have to take responsibility for what I did. No celebrations."

"Taking a moment to celebrate something very beautiful in the family isn't something you need to miss because you think you have to punish yourself for this," said Maddy reasonably. "This man... I don't think he would have wanted that for you. I think he would have wanted for you to accept what you did and... move past it to learn to use your new abilities for something good in the world. I think he would have wanted you to live in the moment. He wouldn't have blamed you, Hope."

"Are you sure my attitude won't ruin things?" she asked worriedly.

"I'm positive. This is the first formal wedding the family's had in... ever."

Hope scrunched up her nose. "Really?"

"Yep. Your dad and I got married... through a piece of paper that was sent to a judge to sign. Everyone else kind of followed suit and most of your aunts and uncles aren't legally married. I think this will be something exciting. You can finally wear that dress you've been meaning to show off."

Hope tried to put on a brave face. But deep down she didn't feel she deserved to feel any joy.

She was singing a different tune as the wedding drew nearer. Seeing the excitement, watching as everyone started to arrive at the Compound, moving furniture and bringing decorations in and out of the door as they went to prepare the venue was just too much to ignore.

The seats were filled, and everyone stood as the brides got in position. Hope led Keelin down first, and the woman was smiling as she took her place on Kol's immediate right. Next came Freya, holding onto Finn's arm and beaming at her soon-to-be wife, who was looking her up and down, liking the dress that Rebekah had helped her pick.

"Dearly beloved," said Kol after clearing his throat. "Now, not to make this all about me, but we know how families work. Sometimes it's dinner, and sometimes it's daggers."

Klaus gave a weak laugh as everyone's eyes flickered over to him. "Now," continued Kol, "I don't know why it takes something as special as this to truly wake us up, to make us aware of the beauty in the moment, during the moment, or to be grateful for what we have, while we have it. Now, I, for one, am grateful for today, and I'm grateful for all of you."

He faced the right side. "Keelin, when I first met you, I would have never predicted that you would become my sister. Now, you're strong and beautiful, and deserve nothing but the best in life. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are proud to welcome you into our family. And we pledge to respect you in all instances. Our sister is very lucky to have found you when she did. You two mesh well together and I think that you bring out the very best in her."

He turned to the left. "Freya, when I first met you, I had no idea you were my long-lost sister. Now, I have grown to value my family because of how welcomed you made me feel. You were the big sister I had always needed, and I had no idea. I see how you smile around Keelin and it warms by heart knowing you found someone that makes you this happy. You two, in my opinion, are really meant to be." He looked over at Hope and Anita. "The rings, please."

The girls took a cushion with the two wedding rings and handed it to Kol. Anita took the bouquet Freya had been holding and each woman took a ring.

Keelin held hers up first. "With this ring," she said, smiling, "I, Keelin, take you, Freya, to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know, I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me, through all our years, and in all that life may bring us."

Freya had teared up as Keelin slipped the ring on her finger. "With this ring," she repeated, "I, Freya, take you, Keelin, to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know, I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me, through all our years, and in all that life may bring us."

Kol clapped. "See, they didn't even have to repeat after me," he joked, making the others laugh. "Now, for your vows. Link hands."

They did. "I, Keelin," began the wolf, "take thee, Freya, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

"And I, Freya," said the witch, "take thee, Keelin, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

Kol handed the cushion back to Hope. "Now, by the power vested in me by a Franciscan monk in the 13th century, and by the Internet a few hours ago, just to be on the safe side, I now pronounce you married. You may both kiss the bride."

The two came together in the center and the attendees clapped. Hope waved her hand over the bouquet Anita was holding, whispering, "Tomar lento. Namaz amor." The flowers burst into hundreds of small white butterflies that flew into the sky.

"Time to drink," said Damon loudly as the hired orchestra started to play something more upbeat. He put his arms around Hope and Anita. "Today, you get your first sip of alcohol." He caught sight of the glares Maddy and Elena shot his way, and he held his hands up in surrender. "Champagne, okay? It's a wedding. If they don't drink champagne, it's like they didn't even attend a wedding."

"Only a little bit," said Elena. "You may both have higher tolerance now but we don't want you getting too drunk."

"Keyword, 'too,'" murmured Maddy as she went to sit by Lexi, who had been talking to Finn until he led Freya away to help her take some pictures with Keelin. "Hey."

"How is she doing?" asked Lexi, already knowing what Maddy was worried about.

Maddy sighed. "She didn't even want to come, to be perfectly honest with you. I practically forced her to."

Lexi sighed. "She gets it from Stefan. That guilt... the way they carry it so deep. You and Klaus... you deal with it, you move on. The only one who's really like that, of her blood relatives, is Stefan."

"Yeah," Maddy said, smiling as Stefan brought Alaric's son onto his shoulders so that he could touch the butterflies Hope had made. "She may be more Mikaelson than anything else, but she never stops being a Salvatore, too."

"It takes time to find peace," murmured Lexi. "But we all manage it. I spent a lot of my life with you and Stefan... helping him stay in that mindset that kept him happy. Helping him with his feeding habits. And now, look at him. He's perfectly okay with drinking human blood. You just tell her... to 'take it one day at a time, because no battle is ever won by rushing an attack.'"

Maddy held her hand. "I never tell you often enough how glad I've been that you are back. You're finding your peace here and one day... you will find it again, just like you did before. All of us will. It's been so long since we first met... back when I was a scared girl not knowing what the future would have in store for me. It's because of you that I'm a good mother, Lexi. Even when you were gone... I always remembered the things you taught us."

"You have a good kid, Mads," said Lexi softly. "A good husband. A good extended family. You won the lottery. And hey, I guess a part of me did, too." She glanced at Finn. "I have gotten so phenomenally lucky with the people who have been in my life."

"Me too," agreed Maddy, patting her hand.

They had a lot of fun dancing. And it seemed that Hope was able to forget her troubles for some time, as she swayed and tried to sneak in several slurps of champagne while Damon covered for her by distracting Maddy.

"I would like to make a toast," she said, after nearly knocking Anita into the nearest bush when she'd stumbled into her. "This has been the best day ever. And you know what? You guys got a thousand years of moments like this one, and being a part of this one really made me feel like I'm part of 'always and forever,' too. So... cheers."

"Cheers," replied everyone, lifting their glasses. Lexi was the first to approach Hope afterward, and Maddy smiled, knowing that Lexi would know just what to say to help ease her nerves.

"How are you feeling?" Klaus asked once he and Maddy went to check on Hope after they arrived home from the wedding, all rather tired.

"I think I'm a little buzzed," said the girl, staring at the ceiling.

Klaus chuckled. "Is the room right side up?"

"Almost."

"Next time your Uncle Damon offers you champagne, say no," said Maddy, laughing when she saw Hope making a silly face. "Come on, princess, sit up."

She did as told, and accepted the glass of water that her mother offered her. "I had so much fun today. It was just, you know, having our family together and dancing. It was like, for five minutes, I forgot... how crappy my life is."

"You certainly looked happy," mentioned Klaus, sitting at the edge of her bed.

"Yeah..." Hope sighed. "I'm never gonna forget that I killed someone. And I know that every full moon will be a reminder. I'm... really scared to turn. I'm just happy that you'll both be there with me. Anyway, did you come in here to make sure that the room was right side up or did you want something?"

"No, no," said Klaus, taking her hand, and then Maddy's. "I have everything I need right here."

"We only had one question, to make sure we make you as comfortable as possible," said Maddy. "Would you prefer we go to Mystic Falls for the full moon, or do you want to do it here?"

Hope thought about it for a moment. "I think Mystic Falls sounds nice. I don't know if I want the whole Crescent Pack nearby when I turn for the first time."

"Very well," said Klaus, dipping down to kiss her forehead. "Sleep, love. We will pack tomorrow."

When they landed in Charlottesville, Klaus went ahead to the falls to find the 'perfect' spot for Hope to turn for the first time, which basically just meant he was trying to find the exact location where he first turned, as if to come full circle. Maddy just let him, and took Hope to get some lunch at The Mystic Grill.

"Your uncles and I used to come drink here all the time when we first reunited back in... phew, 2010," said Maddy, glancing up at the umbrellas over them. "Now your Uncle Matt owns it. Back then, he was the one serving our drinks. I like that for him. He's come very far."

"Whenever Anita and I visit in the summer, we sit at this table," said Hope, tapping her hand over the surface as they waited for their meal to arrive. "We get burgers and a milkshake." She glanced at a building across the street, where Klaus claimed their family's home used to be situated. In front of it, at the park, it seemed many volunteers were setting up for some sort of festival.

Maddy glanced up as a young boy with curly hair came to bring them their food. "Peanut butter blast, whipped cream at the bottom, just how you like it," he said, smiling at Hope as he set the milkshake down in front of her. "And a strawberry banana shake for—?" He glanced at Maddy, then at Hope, "Another one of your cousins? You usually come with Anita."

Hope covered her face as Maddy laughed. "That's my mom, Landon," said Hope, which made Landon's eyes widen. He quickly wiped his hand on his jeans, extending his hand to her. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Salvatore."

"It's nice to meet you too, Landon," said Maddy kindly, raising an eyebrow at Hope. The girls usually visited Mystic Falls during the summer and any holidays. They'd never mentioned Landon before.

"It's been awhile since you last came here," noticed Landon.

"Yeah, there's been stuff back at home," said Hope.

"Oh, well, I was hoping you'd be back. I mean, you're from New Orleans, right? I've always wanted to go. It's home to some of the greatest musicians of all time."

Maddy glanced to the side as an ice cube flew out from behind him, landing on the boy's arm. She could tell someone had thrown it at him from the table nearby.

"You should go," said Hope to him, meaning he ought to visit New Orleans. "No matter where you are, there's always someone playing a Louis Armstrong song somewhere."

Landon gave an awkward chuckle. "Uh, actually, there's um, there's music in the square tonight. I mean, they do it all the time, but tonight there's this kind of bluesy vibe and I thought maybe if you wanted—?"

"Oh, Landon," said Hope softly. "I-I can't tonight. I have a thing."

"Right, yeah," he said. "I should probably pick up an extra shift anyway."

Another ice cube flew at him, and this time, Maddy caught it, immediately throwing it back, causing one of the bullies at the other table to yelp as it hit the back of his head.

"Thanks for asking, and for the milkshake," said Hope.

Landon offered her a smile, then turned to Maddy. "It was nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," she said as he walked away, before raising a brow at Hope, who just blushed.

"We see him all the time when we come," said Hope, shrugging. "He played Dungeons and Dragons with us one time and we became friends."

"You'd never mentioned him, I didn't know. I could have brought you here more often so you could see him, if he's your friend. Why didn't you say yes to the date he so very boldly asked you on? You could have gone. I wouldn't have said no, and neither would your dad."

"The full moon," whispered Hope.

"But I'm sure the festival would start well before it crests. You could spend some time with him before you have to go."

Hope shook her head, but looked longingly toward the door Landon had disappeared through.

"You know," said Maddy casually, "you're likely going to have many loves in your life before you find the 'one.' You should seize every moment you can to just have fun. Be young and happy and carefree." She grimaced as she heard the boys at the table behind him saying something to Landon, who'd come back out.

"You guys are seven bucks short," said Landon.

"No, that's your tip, Kirby," said one boy in a snarky tone. "That's negative seven bucks for the poor service that we received."

"Hey," said Maddy loudly, just as Hope squeaked, "Mom!" as if to beg her not to get involved.

The boys had been heading toward a bright red car on the side. They stopped in their tracks and turned to her, and clearly had the same assumption that Landon had, not understanding Maddy was Hope's mom. "What's up, gorgeous?" said one of the boys, which made Maddy cast him a cheeky smile before getting to her feet.

"Pay him," said Maddy simply, staring into his eyes. "I know you have the money for it."

Unable to resist the compulsion, the boy took out his wallet, handing Landon the remaining seven dollars. "Good boy," said Maddy. "Now leave. And don't come back if you're going to be such a dick next time."

"Thank you," said Landon, surprised when the boys shuffled away. "You didn't have to do that."

"In return," said Maddy, glancing at Hope, "come by the Salvatore Boarding House at... half an hour before the festival is supposed to start. Which is—?"

"Uh, five-thirty," he said, flustered.

"Cool. Be there at five, Hope will be waiting for you there."

Hope was excited, even if she wouldn't admit it. She had been more pleased when Klaus hadn't immediately stated that he'd kill Landon for even speaking to Hope.

Landon had arrived at four-fifty. He and Hope had walked down to the square together, while Maddy and Klaus prepared blankets, food, water, and anything else Hope might need once her transformation started.

They had given her a curfew of seven-thirty, when the sun would be just about to set. They got to the square at seven-twenty, and waited by the fountain, seeing that Hope and Landon were dancing, and hadn't seen them there.

"I love you," said Klaus quietly as they watched.

"I love you," replied Maddy, seeing he looked like he wanted to cry. "What's wrong?"

"She's grown up," he whispered. "Our little girl... she was born smaller than we expected... I could fit her on one arm... and now, she is going to have her first transformation, and she has become a beautiful young woman just like her mother. She's smart and kind and everything I would have wished for her to be." He smiled as Maddy wrapped her arms around him. "It's astounding to believe that I am here now, when a thousand years ago, at this very spot, Elijah and Rebekah were with me, promising to stick with me, Always and Forever. I have everything I could have ever wanted. And now, I am watching my daughter dance with a townie."

"As long as he treats her right, you know," whispered Maddy. "Eventually she'll have her epic love, just like what we had."

Hope walked over to them after ten minutes. Together, they moved into the forest with their supplies.

"It's only pain," said Klaus as the moon was beginning to become visible. "It's completely manageable. If you get scared, all you have to do is close your eyes and—"

"—sing," Hope finished. "Yeah, I know, I'll be okay."

Her ankle broke first. She let out a cry of pain, crumpling down. "It's starting," said Klaus, crouching down beside her as Maddy moved back, to give her space. "Hope, listen to me. This is going to hurt. So you need to concentrate on the air in your lungs, and the ground beneath you."

"Don't fight it," said Maddy softly, wincing as she watched Hope's leg bend itself out at an awkward angle.

"If you fight it," agreed Klaus, "it will only take longer. The pain will make you want to delay it because you think that's all you can take, but if you let it in, if you allow it to swallow you whole, then it cannot break you."

"Yeah, I can do this," said Hope.

"Yes, you can, princess," said Maddy encouragingly as Hope closed her eyes, several of her bones snapping at the same time. "Good job... you're doing it."

"When you're done," said Klaus, "run wild and free. Your mother and I will be waiting for you right here." He put a hand on Hope's shoulder, making her look up at him. "We are so proud of you."

Hope let out a loud scream as she allowed the rest of her bones to break, all at the same time. Maddy was scared that she'd pass out, but next thing, her eyes glowed, and suddenly, a white wolf was standing in front of them. Klaus took Maddy's hand, as if to show the wolf that she wasn't a threat. The wolf merely looked at them, and they both smiled before it took off, running through the woods and howling.

They found her at the edge of the forest, curled up in her human form a few hours later. Maddy quickly covered her up with a blanket, and Klaus scooped her up. They took her back to the Boarding House, laying her on one of the beds. She woke up briefly, and Maddy helped her clean up and eat before she went back to sleep.

"Good morning," said Maddy, bringing her breakfast in bed when she sat up the following morning. "How do you feel?"

"Surprisingly good," said Hope, smiling as Klaus walked in with some orange juice that Maddy forgot to put on the plate. "Thanks. That... was not as terrible as I thought it would be."

"You did very well, my littlest wolf," said Klaus. "We do need to have a talk, however."

"I know," said Hope, already figuring out what they wanted to say. "As of today, I have full control over two parts of myself. One day, I might trigger my vampire side."

"When you're ready," said Maddy, the two sitting beside their daughter. Maddy brought out a small envelope (A/N: Recall in Ch. 79, they wrote this letter at the Willoughby Lake House). "Your dad and I wanted to read this with you. We wrote this back when you weren't even a year old, and we wanted to have something left behind for you, in case we didn't make it to your first birthday. After today... we think it's time we read it as a family."

They positioned themselves so that Klaus was hugging the both of them, and Maddy had her arms around Hope, who'd taken the letter in hand after having some of her toast. She read it aloud in a clear voice as her parents leaned forward, giving her a kiss on each cheek.

"'Our dearest Hope,

The version of you reading this might not be someone we have met yet.

Currently, we are in our bed at the Willoughby Lake safe house. Your dad is holding you while I write what he dictates, as he insists that my handwriting is neater than his. We decided we wanted to have this letter ready for you, in the event that one or both of us is no longer alive when this finds its way into your hands. You aren't even a year old yet, and already your life has been marred with chaos. Everything is uncertain, and as much as it pains us to think that we may not be here at your side when you read this, we need to be prepared for anything.

We don't know how this letter will find you. As a child full of wonder, a teenager full of opinions, or a woman with the world at her feet. We don't know if we'll be sitting behind you as you read this, laughing as you tease about how cheesy this is, or if perhaps we might not be here anymore, and one of your many aunts or uncles is holding you when we're unable to. In our life experience, there have only been a few times when ghosts could interact with their loved ones, and given our ruddy luck, this may not be one of those times.

It feels like forever ago that Jo told us you were going to be a tribrid. Honestly, it was the biggest shock we have ever experienced in our lives, in a moment where we were already nervous about how the pregnancy would go. Given all we have been through, we were unsure whether we were going to know what to do. How best to help you learn and thrive with the power you were born with. Your father is both werewolf and vampire. But neither of us are witches, and I especially will never fully understand what it's like to be a werewolf. Regardless, we have every intention of making our finest effort to the parents you deserve. We want the very best for you, and we hope, whether we are here with you or not, that you believe we have done (or did) a good job being your parents.

You, our beautiful daughter, are our pride and joy. You are a Mikaelson witch, the daughter of an Original hybrid and a Salvatore vampire. You are the legacy our (gigantic) family has always desired, and fought to protect. One day, maybe one that has already passed, or one that will come soon, you are going to tap into your full potential. Use your power wisely. And know that whatever you do in life, whatever decisions you make, we are always going to love you. You are the greatest supernatural to ever walk the planet. We can only imagine how you will change the world for the better.

Never forget your roots, or the people who have helped you along the way. Be considerate. Compassionate. And please, allow yourself to be happy. Allow yourself to make mistakes and to experience every beautiful and wondrous thing life has to offer. You were meant to do great things. And we are proud of you no matter what. Your names were chosen for a reason, Hope. And though 'Mikaelson' doesn't have a set meaning, you should reflect on what the family has built. How their name represents loyalty. You are a Mikaelson. And you are also a Salvatore, which comes from the Latin word meaning 'savior.'

We love you so, so much, our sweet girl. You are, and always will be, our hope and our savior.'"

A/N: Keep reading for the Final Author's Note!