New Orleans had never been a safe place. Mystic Falls had ceased to be one long ago as well. You spent the first weeks of your pregnancy constantly on the move, changing safe houses more often than either of you cared to admit. Klaus trusted no one. Not witches, not werewolves, not his enemies... and he had more of them than he could count in an entire century. Even so, the two of you eventually returned to New Orleans. It was his city. His home. If there was anywhere he intended to protect his family, it would be here.

The first trimester was taking far more out of you than you had expected. The exhaustion never truly left. Even walking across the living room was enough to drain your strength, and you spent most of your days wrapped in a blanket on the sofa, listening to the rain striking the tall windows of the compound. It was already late afternoon when you heard the front door open.

Klaus stepped inside with quick, purposeful strides and shut the door behind him with a single firm motion. Even from the other side of the room, you noticed the dark stains of blood on the collar of his shirt. A few drops had already dried on his cheek as well. It wasn't his blood. One look into his eyes was enough to tell that someone had made a very serious mistake.

Slowly, you walked toward him. For a long moment, you simply looked at the blood without asking a single question. Your expression alone was enough. Klaus noticed it immediately. The look on his face softened almost at once. Without a word, he placed his hand flat against your stomach, as though reminding himself what truly mattered.

"Go and sit down, little wolf. Rest... and have some tea. Our child doesn't need you worrying about me."

He leaned down, placing a gentle kiss against your forehead. For a brief moment, he didn't step away at all.

"Listen to me carefully, love."

His voice was quiet, yet it allowed no room for argument.

"Until I return, don't open that door for anyone. I don't care if they look human... or, worse, if they don't even bother pretending to. No one. If anyone wishes to enter this house, they'll wait until I come back."