Morning Sickness and Cravings 🤢🥒🍫
Nova woke up with her head buried under the pillow, groaning. Hope sat beside her, rubbing gentle circles on her back.
"Bad one?" Hope asked softly.
"Ugh, I feel like I swallowed swamp water," Nova mumbled.
The morning of the shopping trip started hadn't started off well with Nova leaning over the bathroom toilet, then over the sink, glaring at her own reflection as if it had personally betrayed her.
"This. Is. Not. Just. Morning. Sickness," she grumbled, glaring at Hope with watery eyes and whining, "This is your fault," her voice hitching as if she might cry, before doubling over the toilet.
Hope, already behind her, held her hair back with one hand and rubbed her back with the other. She gave Nova a small, sympathetic smile, trying to soothe the guilt and blame in her watery eyes. "They really should rename it 'Anytime It Feels Like It' sickness," she said softly, leaning in just enough to press a reassuring kiss to her temple.
Nova groaned. "Remind me again why we thought it was a good idea to leave the dorm today?"
Hope pressed a kiss to her temple. "Because Lizzie would've broken down our door if we didn't."
Once Nova's stomach settled, Hope helped her back into bed, fetching water and a cracker. "Slow sips," she instructed like the world's most overprotective nurse.
Hope chuckled. She leaned over and brushed Nova's hair back. "I'll get you some ginger tea."
Nova peeked out, pouting. "And pickles. And a brownie."
Hope arched a brow. "At the same time?"
Nova nodded without shame. "Don't judge me. Your daughters are demanding it."
Hope laughed and kissed her forehead. "Then we'll make it happen. No one argues with the bump."
By the time Nova finished her tea and questionable snack combo, the nausea had passed enough for her to curl up against Hope's side. Hope didn't complain—if anything, she seemed to love how clingy Nova had become, keeping her close and rubbing her belly like it was second nature.
"I swear you're more protective now than before you found out I was pregnant," Nova mumbled between sips.
Hope smiled. "Yeah, and it's only getting worse."
They made it to breakfast, though Nova's idea of "breakfast" was a pickle dipped in whipped cream followed by half a chocolate muffin. Hope didn't bat an eye—she just fetched more pickles.
"You're enjoying this way too much," Nova accused with a playful glare.
Hope leaned in, brushing a kiss against her cheek. "I'm enjoying you."
By the time Lizzie knocked on the door, Nova was dressed in one of Hope's hoodies, leggings, and a beanie. Hope had insisted on comfort over style—though she'd still tucked Nova's hair behind her ear and whispered, "Hottest pregnant woman alive."
Getting Ready to Leave 💋🧥👜
Hope stood in front of the mirror, gently adjusting the sleeves of the oversized hoodie she'd chosen for Nova. "Comfy?" she asked, tugging the fabric so it sat just right over the curve of Nova's bump.
Nova nodded, tugging the strings of the hoodie playfully. "It smells like you. I'm keeping it."
Hope smirked and leaned down, brushing her lips over Nova's neck. "Good. That way everyone knows you're taken before they even get close enough to look."
Nova rolled her eyes but smiled. "Possessive much?"
"Always," Hope replied without hesitation, pressing another kiss to her jaw. "Now, be honest… do you want to wear the beanie or the headband?"
"Beanie," Nova decided. "Hides my bedhead."
A loud knock at the door interrupted them, followed by Lizzie's voice: "Shopping day! Let's go! Also, Nova, you're eating something before we leave—no fainting in a boutique!"
Nova sighed, glancing at Hope. "She's bossy."
Hope chuckled. "She's Lizzie."
Within minutes, Lizzie was in the room, already chattering about their first store. "We're hitting the maternity boutique first, then shoes, then accessories. And snacks. We're not repeating the 'Nova eats fries in a changing room' incident… although if it happens again, I'm documenting it for memories."
Hope helped Nova slip on her sneakers, stealing one last kiss before handing her a bottle of water. "Hydrated and adorable. We're ready."
The Shopping Trip 🛍️🍰💬
The streets of Mystic Falls were alive with weekend energy as the group spilled out of two SUVs, an entourage that could have easily passed for a fashion magazine shoot… if you ignored the fact that half of them were armed with magical wards and emergency snacks.
Nova stuck close to Hope, but her eyes lit up when Hayley, Rebekah, Freya, Davina, Keelin, and Cami joined the already buzzing group.
Hayley hugged Nova warmly. "You look beautiful, sweetheart."
"Thanks," Nova said shyly, her fingers tightening around Hope's.
Rebekah gave a once-over and smirked. "You've got the glow. And you're carrying Mikaelson twins? You'll be spoiled rotten."
Keelin winked. "And we mean spoiled. You've got a whole army of aunts now."
The first stop was a maternity boutique, where Lydia and Lizzie immediately began pulling outfit after outfit from the racks. Hayley and Rebekah hovered nearby, offering tips on comfort and style.
Davina, holding up a flowing sundress, smiled. "This would look amazing on you. You could wear it in the spring when the babies are here."
Nova blushed, realizing they'd all just casually said the babies like they'd already claimed them as family and they had.
While Nova browsed, Lizzie caught Lydia's eye and smirked before slipping two hanger bags into Nova's pile—lace-trimmed maternity lingerie in rich, deep colors. "For Hope's benefit," Lizzie whispered, grinning like the cat who got the cream.
When Nova reached the changing room, Hope followed, slipping in behind her before the curtain closed.
"Hope—" Nova started, but Hope silenced her with a slow kiss, her hands sliding under the hoodie.
"Just making sure it fits," Hope murmured against her lips, her voice low and teasing.
Nova laughed softly, trying to push her away, but Hope's mouth trailed down her neck. Then Hope's hands were tugging at her waistband, pulling her pants down just enough before she pressed forward and entered her in one slow, claiming motion. Hope began to thrust her cock gently into Nova, her free hand coming up to cover Nova's mouth to stifle the moans threatening to spill out. The next thing she knew, a breathless moan still managed to escape against Hope's palm.
Outside, Lizzie's eyes widened. "Oh my God…"
Lydia smirked knowingly. "Called it."
Hayley just shook her head with a sigh, though there was the faintest trace of a smile. "They're impossible."
Keelin grinned and elbowed Rebekah, who arched a brow but said nothing.
Davina blushed furiously, turning her focus to a rack of dresses. "I'm… gonna pretend I don't hear that."
Penelope, smirking from across the store, added with dripping sarcasm, "It's not like she can get more pregnant at least."
After a few more muffled sounds, gentle thrusts, and whispered laughs, Hope finally emerged from the changing room looking far too smug, followed by Nova with pink cheeks, slightly mussed hair, and that dazed, satisfied look that made it obvious why Hope was so pleased.
"Fits perfectly," Hope said innocently.
The rest of the group didn't even bother to hide their smirks.
---
Bonding Moments ❤️💬👭
The group didn't just shop—they bonded. In the shoe store, Freya knelt to help Nova try on a pair of slip-on sneakers, murmuring a charm under her breath to keep them extra comfortable. "You've got enough to worry about—let the magic handle your feet."
In the café section of a department store, Cami was the one who noticed Nova's energy dipping. She handed her a smoothie with a smile. "Being part of this family means knowing when to rest. And knowing when to bribe you with something sweet."
Keelin told an outrageous story about Hope as a kid trying to "wolf growl" at a neighborhood dog, making Nova laugh so hard she nearly snorted her drink.
Rebekah took Nova's arm while browsing handbags, lowering her voice so only Nova could hear. "You don't have to try with us. You're already family."
By the time they reached the last store, Nova wasn't just tagging along—she was laughing. She was teasing Rebekah about her taste in handbags, sharing a pastry with Hayley, and letting Davina and Keelin convince her to try on a leather jacket "for post-baby badass mom vibes."
Hope stood back for a moment, watching her girlfriend joke and smile with people she trusted most. There was a warm ache in her chest—Nova wasn't just hers anymore. She was theirs. And she fit perfectly. Still, a flicker of possessiveness stirred in Hope's mind, the thought flashing unbidden: Wait, no—she's still mine.
Lunch Together 🥗🍰😂
By the time the shopping bags were loaded into the SUVs, the group was starving. Hayley suggested a local café with a big sunny patio, and soon they were all seated at a long table, menus scattered, drinks ordered.
Nova sat beside Hope, still warm from the laughter and easy affection of the morning. She was halfway through sipping her iced tea when Lizzie leaned forward with a wicked grin.
"So…" Lizzie began in a tone that instantly made Hope narrow her eyes. "Was the fit perfect because it's comfortable, or perfect because Hope tested it herself?"
Nova nearly choked on her drink, blushing red. Hope just smirked, unbothered. "Both."
Lydia rested her chin on her hand. "You know, I've been on a lot of shopping trips, but never one with an audio track coming from the fitting rooms."
Davina covered her face, laughing softly. "Oh my god, please…"
Rebekah's voice was pure mischief. "You should have seen Hayley's face. She looked like she was debating dragging you two out by your ears."
Hayley took a slow sip of her coffee. "Still debating."
Keelin leaned in toward Nova. "Don't worry, kid—every Mikaelson couple has their public moment. You just got yours out of the way early."
Hope squeezed Nova's thigh under the table. "What can I say? I'm an overachiever."
The conversation drifted into shared stories, the older Mikaelsons swapping tales of family shenanigans—some from centuries ago, others from Hope's childhood.
Freya smiled warmly at Nova. "Hope used to follow me around with a spell book twice her size, demanding I teach her something new every day."
Hayley added, "Or the time she insisted on making 'wolf stew' by adding sticks, mud, and mystery berries to my kitchen pot."
Nova laughed until her cheeks hurt, wiping at her eyes. "Why do I feel like the babies are going to be a handful with stories like that in their DNA?"
Cami, smiling knowingly, reached over to squeeze Nova's hand. "Because they will be. And you'll love every second of it."
Hope leaned over, kissing Nova's cheek. "I already do."
As the meal went on, it stopped feeling like "Hope's family" and more like theirs. Nova didn't have to try to fit in—they were making space for her, and it felt natural. Like home.
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