Page 19 of Nico (Members From Money Season 2, #154)

"The nanny is getting her things together just now." Linda pasted a genial smile on her face as she walked over to pour a glass of wine. "Would you like some?"

He shook his head and knew he was in for an interrogation.

"I'm firm on this, mother."

"I can see you are." She poured the wine and brought it back with her to take a seat in front of the fire.

Stretching her legs out, she sipped and gave an approving look around the sunny yellow salon.

It had always been one of her favorite rooms and had benefited from her expertise in finding antiques to match the décor.

Elegant white furnishings were scattered throughout.

Instead of lamps and a chandelier, she had used sconces, giving the appearance of torches flickering and casting shadows.

Her granddaughter also loved it. Unfortunately, she had had to remove a priceless Meissen vase and a few sculptures her son had created.

"I wonder if you're not making a mistake."

His eyes fired at that, and his mouth thinned. "Why don't you spit it out? You think she's not suitable."

"Darling." She sighed softly. "I've never officially met the young lady. If you recall, I asked you several times to invite her to dinner and you refused."

"I will in due time, but for now, I want her to meet Gracie." He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and started prowling. "I want my daughter's approval of the woman I'm in love with."

She gave a start and wondered that she did not feel the burst of joy. This was something she had been wishing and hoping for. But she was fearing that it was going to be a bumpy road and now there was a child involved. A child who had been hurt by her own mother.

"I was hoping you would give it some more time."

"And end up losing Sadie." He shook his head. The worry was there, even through the determination. "No."

Before Linda could press her point, they heard the sound of Gracie's lively and nonstop chatter coming down the hallway and her joyous squeal of "Daddy!" before she rushed forward and into his arms.

"And how's my favorite dwarf?" he asked, swinging her into his arms and making her giggle.

"Dwarf." She repeated the word as if trying it out and found it very funny. "I'm little."

"That's the point." He took the bag from the nanny with a nod of thanks. "Ready to go?"

She nodded. Wriggling out of his hands, she dashed towards her grandmother.

Putting down her wine, Linda scooped her up, making Nico wonder at the change in his mother. She was wearing a stunning navy-blue sweater over cream slacks but did not think about that as she cradled Gracie. "I'm going to miss you."

"I miss you too." She snuggled up against Linda. "Daddy says I'm meeting someone special."

She glanced over at her son, before kissing the little girl's cheek. "Then we must not keep daddy waiting. I'll see you tomorrow."

Scrambling off her lap, Gracie dashed across the room on her short sturdy legs and slipped her hand into her dad's.

"Ready daddy." Her complete trust and the adoring look on her face had his heart turning to mush.

"Then let's go, pumpkin."

Linda sat there in contemplative silence with her glass of wine cradled in her hands. She was still sitting there when her husband walked into the room, a few minutes later.

"I just saw Nico and Gracie heading out." He had just come from a meeting and was grateful for the chance to just relax and not think about responsibilities. After the Christmas rush, he just might persuade his wife to let them take a quick trip to the Bahamas or some other Caribbean Island.

"Yes." She lifted her head for his kiss and smiled when he lingered over her mouth. Lifting a hand, she cupped his cheek, her expression tender. "You look tired."

"That's because I am. The damn FDA is dragging its feet." He pecked her on the forehead and went to pour himself a drink.

"Dinner will be a few minutes late."

"That's fine." He glanced over at her, noticing the tiny frown on her forehead. "What is it?"

"Nico is seeing that young woman again."

"The one he was with at the function just before Gracie came?"

She nodded. "At first he thought it prudent to put an end to the relationship." She finished the wine and put away the glass. "He's in love with her."

James walked over and sat on the arm of her chair. "You don't seem to be happy about it."

She shrugged elegant shoulders. "It's not her. Truly. It's the timing. We just learned we have a grandchild. He just discovered he's a father. I don't want Gracie to feel as if she's being brushed aside."

"And you think our son will allow that to happen?" He kissed the top of her head and had to acknowledge the tremendous blessing of having that little girl come into their lives. She was a bright spark that lit up a room with her blonde curls and rosy complexion. A Coulter through and through.

"He's in love," was her response. "What if the young woman doesn't like Gracie?"

"Can anyone dislike that child?" he mused. "You're worrying over nothing."

She angled her head to look at him. "And you're remarkably calm. Do you approve of her?"

He shrugged and sipped. "I am waiting to form an opinion. And trusting Nico's judgment. He's an adult and pretty much determined to do his own thing."

*****

He had been worried for nothing.

As soon as he introduced his daughter to Sadie, they took to each other. The introductions were merely made before the little girl was dragging her upstairs to see her room.

"I'll be there shortly," he called after them and walked to the base of the steps to watch.

"No hurry." Sadie's smile had him grinning at her.

He went to his workshop and made a few phone calls.

His agent had been breathing down his neck for the past two weeks and he needed some time off to be with his two girls.

Smiling at how easy the term came to mind, he picked up the half finished bust and studied it critically.

It was a commission from a wealthy widow who had nothing to do with her money but spend frivolously.

He had created a likeness of her Pomeranian a month ago and she had wept tears of gratitude at the incredible likeness.

Next she had paid for a bust of her beloved father who had died fighting in the Crimean war and now she wanted one of her husband.

"He was a son of a bitch, but he left me loaded. It's the least I can do." She had announced grandly. She was willing to part with her husband's hard earned money and Nico had no objections at all.

What he objected to was her constant flirtation.

The woman was older than his own mother by twenty years, but that did not stop her from hinting at a liaison.

She had actually used that word. And he had barely stopped himself from laughing.

His rejection was polite and friendly. Which was probably a mistake, since she took that to mean she could continue to press the issue.

Shaking his head, he put aside the bust and reached for the phone to call his agent.

*****

Leaning against the jamb of the room he had decorated for his daughter, half an hour later, had his heart doing a slow dive before shuddering to a stop.

They were on the floor, sitting Indian fashion and were so wrapped up in the task of putting the doll house together, they did not notice him.

Blonde curls were nestled against dark brown hair as they put their heads together to decorate the house.

Dainty cups and saucers littered the space around them and the usually elegant and sophisticated Sadie had taken off her shoes to get more comfortable. His anxiety about them not taking to each other, died a slow and grateful death.

Gracie was enchanted with her and was chattering away as they worked. It was the first time he had ever seen her interacting with a child, and it humbled him.

She smiled and listened, head angled towards the little girl and did not seem to mind the tons of questions launched at her.

His heart was so full, he felt as if any moment it was going to burst out of his chest.

She looked up then and saw him framed inside the doorway. The smile faded at the look on his face and went absolutely still.

"Daddy! Look!"

Without taking his eyes off Sadie, he reached out a hand for the little girl who scrambled towards him.

Hunkering down, he held his daughter in one hand and used the other to slide at the back of Sadie's head.

She could not speak. Her breath was caught inside her throat, and she was trembling. When he bent his head towards hers, she did not protest. As if the child realized how profound the moment was, she wriggled away and went to get her stuffed elephant, inadvertently giving them some privacy.

"I love you." He whispered hoarsely. Without waiting for her response, he crushed her mouth with his and kissed her until she was a trembling and pliant mess in his arms.

Reluctantly ending the kiss, he pressed his forehead on hers and closed his eyes as he struggled to control his desire.

"Daddy?"

For a few seconds, he had forgotten his daughter was in the room.

"Yes sweetheart?"

"I'm hungry."

He laughed shakily at the normalcy the little girl injected into the tension filled room.

"I'm sure you are." Taking her hand, he hoisted her up around his neck to her delight and had her squealing.

Sliding his hand down Sadie's waist, he helped her up and kept her plastered to his side as they made their way from the room. Neither of them spoke, allowing the little girl to chatter away as they went into the kitchen.