Page 18 of Nico (Members From Money Season 2, #154)

"I don't usually eat this late." Even though she protested, she loved the idea of rustling up something for him.

"We burned up a hell of a lot of energy." His arms were wrapped around her waist, chin propped on top of her head as he watched her scramble eggs.

"It's midnight."

"Hmm. Smells good and I'm starving."

"You're a bad influence." She switched off the flames and turned to face him.

"We needed fuel." Tucking his fingers under her chin, he brushed his lips over hers. "Besides, I'm not through with you yet."

Her heart did a long slide and dropped to her stomach.

"You're insatiable."

"Just making up for last time."

He grinned when she squealed as he scooped her into his arms and planted her on a stool around the counter.

"Now sit there and let me finish." Reaching for bread and butter from the fridge, he made quick work of putting a sandwich together.

"Wine, I think." He spied the wine cooler in the corner of the room and went to fetch a bottle.

"We can't." She protested as he grabbed a bottle of Cabernet and popped the cork.

"Why not?" Getting the wine glasses, he poured.

"It's the middle of the night and who ever heard of eggs and wine?"

"Breakfast and dinner." His charming smile had her smiling back.

"This is crazy."

"Tell me." Handing her the glass, he hitched himself up next to her and started on the sandwich.

"Tasty."

"It's just eggs, bread and butter." She pointed out as she picked up her own sandwich.

"Still." He took a huge bite as he turned around to stare at her.

"What?"

"You nibble."

"What?" She aimed a frowning stare at him as she continued to eat.

"I always noticed that about you." His eyes twinkled as he demolished the sandwich. "You take your time eating a meal, sort of delicate like - the proper lady."

She shrugged a little self-consciously. "When you grow up with a woman like my mother, table manners were part of the rigid training." She grimaced as he wiped his fingers on his shirt, leaving grease stains. "I'm surprised you weren't taught that much."

His grin spread. "You might think I'm insulted, but far from it." Picking up his wine, he took a sip, savoring the texture on his tongue. "Mother tried her best, but it didn't stick." He lifted a hand and tucked a fat curl behind her ear. "I would like you to spend Christmas with us."

"Us?"

"The family. Mother is planning her annual party on Christmas Eve, and I'm forced to attend. I usually try to get out of it, but this time I can't because of Gracie. And then there will be the family dinner on Christmas day."

Her appetite disappeared completely. "No."

"Why-"

"You can't be stupid enough to think that I could just show up at a family gathering."

His eyes darkened. "It's a step towards the future, one I want to share with you."

"They're your family and the fact that I've met your little girl is a big factor. We need to take it slow." Shoving away from the counter, she started to gather up the dirty dishes. His hand on her arm halted her.

"You're right of course." He sighed heavily.

"I'm moving too fast." Taking her hand, he drew her between his thighs.

"How about this? You come over to my place tomorrow afternoon?

I'm having Gracie over and you could get the chance to meet her.

" He rubbed his hands up and down her arms, expression pleading.

"I promise to take it as slow as you want me to, but I need you to get to know her. You're going to love her."

He held her gently, his thumb tracing small circles on her arm.

"Slow is fine. We'll do this together, on your terms." For a moment, the kitchen was silent except for the quiet hum of the refrigerator and the faint clink of glass as he set his wine down.

She relaxed just a little beneath his touch, meeting his steady gaze.

"I just need some time," she said softly. "I'm not used to... all of this."

He nodded. "I'm not either. But I want to get used to it, with you."

Her lips curved in a tentative smile. "Let's clean up, and maybe - just maybe - I'll let you convince me to try dessert at midnight, too."

He grinned, relief lighting his features. "Deal. But only if you promise to nibble."

*****

"I thought the housekeeper already cleaned?" Leaning on the jamb, Nadine watched as her brother frantically scrubbed a cloth over a priceless cherrywood table. And hoped to God their mother would never hear of it.

"She did." Nico spared her an impatient glance as he tossed the cloth and started to dig around in the creases of the sofa for any wayward clothing he had left there. "That was a day ago."

"One day and you managed to make all of this mess."

"I was working in here." He muttered, looking seriously baffled when he came up with a pair of jockey shorts and one black sock. "How did this get here?" He shook his head and searched for more. When he came up empty, he turned in a circle to see if he had missed anything.

"What's this for? Gracie doesn't care about the mess."

"Sadie does." He caught her surprised look and nodded. "Yes, we patched things up and before you say anything or hand down judgment - I don't give a damn. I was lost without her. I asked her to marry me. Eventually." He lifted his shoulders in a shrug. "She turned me down and said we should wait."

"I agree with her there. She's a smart woman.

" Nadine stepped into the room, the scent of pine and Lysol assailing her nostrils.

For the first time since he was living by himself, her brother had gotten a Christmas tree.

The Douglas Fir was almost touching the concave roof and decorations crowded the branches.

Over at the manor, there was even more madness.

Gracie had brought a change in their lives.

Every room had a tree, and an expert had been hired to decorate and string lights.

During the night, the place was ablaze with colored bulbs and was like a beacon. They had taken Gracie shopping and the presents under the tree in the main living room could not be counted.

"It looks like Christmas exploded in here," Nadine said, her eyes sweeping over the abundance of twinkling lights and garlands.

She couldn't remember a time when the house had felt so festive or so chaotic.

Nico paused, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips as he surveyed the transformation.

"Gracie insisted. The more decorations, the merrier.

I think she's trying to make up for all the holidays we never had before. "

Nadine's gaze softened as she took in her brother's efforts, the mess and the magic mingling in the room.

For the first time, the house felt less like a museum and more like a home.

She reached out, straightening a crooked ornament on the tree.

"Well, it's a good kind of chaos. Besides, it's time we embraced a little madness. "

Nico laughed, the tension in his shoulders easing. "You might be right. And who knows? This Christmas will be the start of something new for all of us."

"I have a feeling it already has." She hesitated, not sure how to word what she wanted to say.

"How about I make us both some coffee?" she suggested.

He glanced at his watch and saw that he had time. He was going to fetch his daughter shortly, just before Sadie arrived.

"I have cookies." He grinned at the look on her face.

"Mrs. Hunter made Gracie's favorite." He started the coffee while his sister rooted out cups and fetched plates.

The place had a homey feel to it, not like before and it amazed her even more that the once forlorn and messy pool house could be so utterly transformed.

All because of one little girl. It occurred to her that one never realizes what was missing until it was right there.

"Harry does the same for her." She remarked, referring to the housekeeper at the manor.

The enticing aroma of coffee brewing soon filled the air. Pouring the steaming liquid into two cups, he handed one to her.

"Let's hear it."

Picking up the cup, she blew on the steam and took a sip. "I don't want to rain on your parade," she began.

"Then don't." His tone was sharp, his expression growing cool.

"Are you certain this is the right time to introduce a woman you're seeing?"

The cool turned immediately to ice and had her regretting the way she had worded the statement.

"The woman. And for the record, she's the one.

This is not some fleeting affair. She's the one.

The only. I'm completely in love with her and irrevocably committed.

If it was left up to me, I would be rushing her to the altar.

And I did not ask for any advice or need your permission to have her over.

She's my woman and Gracie is my daughter.

I get to decide the way to go. And I've decided it's time they get acquainted. "

Putting down her cup, she found herself well and truly chastened. Her brother was never one to lose his temper, which was because he possessed a very formidable one and preferred to keep a leash on it.

A heavy silence hung between them, broken only by the soft clink of porcelain as she picked up her cup again.

Nico's words echoed in the air, firm and resolute.

She took a steadying breath, searching his face for a trace of the brother she'd always known, the one who rarely showed this kind of vulnerability.

"I just worry," she said quietly, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. "For Gracie, and for you. You've both been through so much. I want this to work out, truly."

Nico's expression softened just a little. "I know," he replied, his voice gentler. "But you have to trust me. Gracie deserves happiness, and so do I. We're ready for this."

She nodded, understanding there was nothing more to say. The coffee warmed her hands, and she let the comfort of the moment settle around them, grateful for the new beginnings Christmas might bring.

*****

"I already had an argument with Nadine about this, don't start another one."