No One's POV

Eliza could hear the low hum of the staff downstairs in the ballroom and lower level the Mikaelson mansion as they bustled around; her final birthday party preparations were well on their way and the Mikaelson mansion transformed into yet another beautiful ball.

Freshly showered, Eliza wrapped herself in one of Elijah's dress shirt and seated herself on her large mirror to cool off before putting on her make-up and dress.

"Eliza?" Finn knocks lightly. "May I come in?"

"Oh, Finn." Eliza jumps, clearly surprised, a light rosy tint appearing on her cheeks. "Umm. Sure, come in." She turns, looking curious at the eldest Original.

"I didn't mean- I didn't mean to disturb your preparations for this evening." Finn pauses at the doorway, looking hesitant.

"It's fine, Finn. What do you need?" Eliza smiles warmly at the oldest Mikaelson.

"I-" Finn hesitates, looking down at his hands and the gift wrapped box he held, suddenly feeling as unsure as he had when he had come out of the coffin a century into a future he did not know. "I had hoped to give this to you tonight- for you to wear… With your dress." At that, he finally crosses the room to kneel beside Eliza as she sits in front of her vanity to present the gift.

"I had also hoped-" Finn pauses, taking Eliza's hand in his, now his nerves certainly getting the best of him. "I understand, Eliza, that your feelings for me, may be- may never be- what I am trying to say is, this is a token. Just a small token, of what I feel for you. And I would be deeply honored and grateful if you would wear it tonight."

"Of course, Finn." Eliza promises, her words soft. "Of course. On one condition."

"Anything." Finn promises back, his gaze looking up at hers.

"You escort me to my party."

"Eliza?" Finn questions, his tone catching a little, as if daring to hope for something that may not be there.

"Finn… You're my mate." Eliza says softly, taking her hand from his only to take both her own and place them gently on both sides of his face. "You're my mate. And- and I can't say that- that this won't be hard… Or that I have the same feelings as I do for Elijah. But- but we've spent time together. We're friends… We have a past together... And- and I know- I know deep down, there's something I feel for you… So- so I'd be so stupid, if I didn't see where it went."

"Yes, yes, yes, Eliza." Finn nods. "Anything." He offers, his head bowing into Eliza's hands, eyes closing briefly as if to savor the moment.

"I need to get ready, Finn. Okay? I'll see you later tonight."

"Yes, yes of course. I shall leave you to finish getting ready." Finn rises, quickly composing himself.

"Finn." Eliza catches the eldest Mikaelson. "Don't leave a girl waiting." She teases playfully, leaning up ever so carefully to press a whispering kiss to Finn's cheek.

"I'll see you soon, my dear Eliza." Finn whispers and then, in a flash, is gone.

Eliza puttered around her room she shared with Elijah, her make-up and hair nearly done, just the final touches to be made; the bracelet, a more modern styled one of the bracelet Finn had always meant to give Eliza Bergstrom nearly a century ago, sitting and gleaming on the vanity.

"You look beautiful, Eliza. More radiant than the stars." Elijah comments, leaning up against the doorframe, having been watching his mate hum about their room for a few moments.

"Oh, 'Lijah!" Eliza startles, dropping a make-up brush.

"I was going to give you something to go with your dress this evening… But it seems… That someone already beat me to it." Elijah comments, the sarcasm falling flat as he prowls into the room a little.

"Oh… Oh, 'Lijah." Eliza softens, walking up to Elijah.

"Have I not- have I not given you what you desire, Eliza?" Elijah asks, his gaze burning into hers, hurt hidden in the dark depths of his eyes. "Am I no longer what you want? Am I to lose you to my brother?"

"Lijah- 'Lijah, no." Eliza whispers, hands resting against his chest. "That's not it. Not at all."

"Then what is it, Elskan?" Elijah pleads, expression piercing and anxious, a hidden fragility and vulnerability behind his eyes that Eliza had never seen before, as if she had the power to break him with her very words. "Is it because- because I hurt you? Are these the last moment am I to have with you?"

"No, 'Lijah, no. That's not-" Eliza whispers. "Just- just listen."

"I love you, Elijah." Eliza begins, her fingers carefully reaching up to brush against Elijah's jaw, rubbing softly. "I love you."

"You're my mate, 'Lijah. You are." Eliza whispers to Elijah, fingers still rubbing Elijah's jaw, Elijah merely tilting into her touch like a cat seeking affection. "And I love you with all my heart. Don't for a second, ever think differently."

Elijah practically purrs under Eliza's touch, eyes closed as he tilts further into her hand.

"What I feel- for Finn…" Eliza begins carefully. "I- I don't know, exactly… I like him, Elijah. We share a past. I know this. All I know is- is that something is missing. I feel it… I can't- I can't tell you what, Elijah. I'm sorry. And- and- I- I don't want to hurt either of you… I don't want to be another Katerina or Elena. But- but I have to- I have to also follow my own self… I know, it's- it's selfish… I'm- I'm sorry." Eliza says her words gently, her head bowed a little in shame; she didn't want to be like the doppelgangers, she didn't want to divide the brothers, but it seemed no matter what she did, she was. Perhaps it was better if she just left.

"I- I understand…" Elijah finally answers. "I have… Not be fair to you either, Elskan. I know you share a past with Finn… With all my brothers. And I have been selfish as well. People can love more than one person, if not, how could we love our families." Elijah offers this with only small, quiet acceptance.

"Are we okay now, 'Lijah?" Eliza asks, looking up at the second oldest Original, unsure and hoping she would find her answer there.

"I will always love you, Elskan. I do love you, Eliza." Elijah answers. "And as long as you love me, we are."

"Of course I love you, Elijah." Eliza smiles, leaning up to kiss Elijah.

World's most frustrating chapter to write... Because honestly, there is nothing more I hate than the doppelgangers in TVD. If they were truly good people (like they often claim to be), they would have left the brothers or just chose.

I don't like girls who play around with guy's hearts, let alone TWO guys. Just decide & be done with it. It's not fair to the guys. If you truly love someone like you claim, then 1. you wouldn't love someone else & 2. you'd decide once and for all. I get it, sometimes you DO fall in love with someone else or fall out of love. But then be the bigger person & let the other person GO.

And, I struggled with this chapter. I feel like Eliza is on the verge of being the "girl who plays around with the Originals". Yet, at the same time, she doesn't remember them! It's basically like having amnesia... And basically I want to slam my head against the wall...

Sorry for the rant...

Polkadottedgiraffe11