Page 23 of Nico (Members From Money Season 2, #154)

"The first might be very difficult, but the second is doable.

" She had hung up then, deciding that her peace of mind was more important than a cold freeze from her mother.

She had then proceeded to take two painkillers to get rid of the headache.

And was determined to spend the rest of the day, just thinking positive thoughts.

She was just coming downstairs when the camera alerted her that someone was pulling in the driveway. She did not have many friends and the ones closest to her had gone away for the holidays.

Hurrying the rest of the way, she glanced at the camera and saw to her surprise that it was Nico's vehicle.

Pulling open the door, she stood there and watched as he alighted and went to open the back door.

Her hand flew to her chest as he hoisted his daughter into his arms and slammed the door shut.

As soon as they ascended the steps, the little girl wriggled free and came running towards her.

"Sadie!"

Lifting the little angel dressed in pink leggings with sparkles on the material and an adorable pink Barbie sweater, she hugged her tight, inhaling the scent of baby powder and cookies.

"Look who has come to visit." Lifting her head, she sent him a wide smile before stepping inside. "Let me get your jacket," she told the little girl as she put her down.

That started a round of conversation with some of the words sailing over her head. She caught lots of gifts from Santa Claus, her daddy, Grams and Grandpa as well as aunt Nads.

"I have nothing left to say," Nico shrugged out of his jacket and flashed her a smile.

"What are you doing here?"

"Gracie wanted to come and personally express her thanks." He caught her around the waist and stole a kiss. "And I grabbed at the excuse to come and see you."

"I was just wishing you were here," she whispered.

"Who said wishes didn't come true?" Taking the little girl's hand, he led the way into the kitchen.

"How about some hot chocolate?" Sadie asked the little girl who was busy clutching her pink elephant.

"Yay!"

"Good. I have a special recipe." She rubbed her hand up over Nico's arm before going to the fridge to grab the ingredients.

And spent a very lovely afternoon being entertained by Gracie. She fell asleep after an hour of running around and admiring the tree and playing with some toys Sadie had dug up in the basement.

"She'll sleep for a long time. Come over by the fire." Making sure Gracie was warm enough, he took a blanket and spread it before the hearth. Piling on cushions, he reached for her hand and pulled her down next to him.

"This is nice," she murmured, staring into the mesmerizing flames. "I thought you would not have a chance to come back today."

He trailed a hand up and down her back. "I had to find a way to get to you.

All the time I was there with the family, my mind was on you.

I enjoyed the excitement and seeing the holidays through a child's eyes, but I needed you with me.

" He shifted so he could see her face. "It's not the same without you. "

She smiled softly, her heart warmed by his words and the crackling fire.

Leaning into him, she let herself relax, feeling the comfort of his presence and the quiet joy that came from being together after a lonely day.

The gentle glow of the flames danced across their faces, and for a moment, the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them and the peaceful hush of a winter evening.

"I'm happy you came." Her eyes drifted to the sleeping child. Blonde curls spilled over the red cushions, a startling contrast. She slept with her hands piled under her rosy cheeks, with her long lashes making shadows on her skin. "She's so beautiful."

"My heart hurts just looking at her. And amazed that something so wonderful came from me."

"And she seems to be adjusting nicely."

"Why wouldn't she?" he chuckled softly. "She's the belle of the ball, people are falling all over themselves to tend to her.

" He told her about his parents' relaxed manner and what they were wearing for most of the morning.

"It's the first time all of us were in one place for the holidays.

Usually, the parents would be off to some exotic location and Nadine would be away with friends. "

"And you?"

Tipping her face up, he kissed her lips. "I would be either at the club or at home, buried in work. We met right after the Christmas holidays last year."

She nodded, a luminous expression on her face. "You walked into the gallery and looked rumpled and untidy."

He grinned. "And saw you standing by one of Jackson's paintings.

A violent red and blue crash of colors that tend to make the eyes hurt.

I saw only you. I walked in to see if it was somewhere I would be comfortable showcasing my art and I saw you.

Everything else drained out of my head." He touched her cheek gently. "There was only you."

She swallowed the lump in her throat or at least tried to.

She couldn't help but smile, her heart fluttering at the memory.

The room was quiet except for the soft crackle of the fire and the gentle breathing of the sleeping child.

For a long moment, they simply lay together, letting the warmth of the hearth and each other's company fill the silence.

Finally, Sadie turned toward Nico, her eyes shining with contentment.

"I never thought I'd find this," she whispered, her voice barely more than a sigh. "A place that feels like home. Not just a house or a season, but this, us."

Nico brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead, his gaze tender. "You are my home, Sadie. Wherever you are."

She reached for his hand, threading her fingers through his. The connection was as natural as breathing now, as if it had always been there, waiting to be discovered. Outside, snow began to fall in slow, lazy flakes, dusting the windowpanes with a delicate white veil.

Sadie glanced over at Gracie, her heart swelling with a mixture of love and gratitude. "She'll wake up and want more hot chocolate," she said with a soft laugh.

Nico smiled, pulling Sadie closer. "Then we'll make it. Together."

As the fire burned low and the world outside faded further away, Sadie rested her head against Nico's shoulder, savoring the peace of the moment and the promise of many more to come.

After another few minutes of contented silence, he spoke.

All the way to her place he had been thinking and planning.

He needed her with him. She could argue and put up all the obstacles she wanted to, but he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

He was going to come at her until he wore her down.

He knew what he wanted. A life with her, not just a mother for his daughter, but he wanted her in his life for always.

"Marry me."

Her head jerked upwards to stare at him.

"You cannot be surprised. I've asked you before."

"And we planned to wait."

"You suggested waiting and I said I would give you time." His fingers gripped her chin. "I know what I want. And you said you loved me."

"Gracie..."

"She's already taken with you."

"Your family." She tried to make another point, but he simply shook his head.

"No. You, me and Gracie will be a family and further down the road, we'll have children of our own. A brother or sister for her. I'm sure she would love to be a big sister."

Sadie's breath caught, a thousand thoughts swirling in her mind, fear, hope, disbelief, and a tender ache that felt like longing finally answered.

The firelight danced in Nico's eyes, painting his earnestness in gold and shadow.

For years she'd built walls, made bargains with her heart, and yet, here he was, steady and sure, offering her everything she thought she could never truly have.

She laughed softly, the sound a little shaky, and blinked away a sudden sting of tears. "You make it sound so simple."

Nico smiled, brushing his thumb across her cheek. "It is simple, Sadie. I love you. I love Gracie. I want our life, all of it."

Outside, the snow fell thicker, turning the world into a quiet sanctuary. Gracie murmured in her sleep, and for a moment, the only sound was the soft pop of embers.

Sadie closed her eyes, letting the warmth and certainty of his words sink deep. When she opened them, her voice was steady, full of wonder and resolve. "We could continue as we are."

"No." his voice was resolute, expression stamped with stubbornness and determination.

"I want to show my daughter that the next step after meeting the person you fall in love with is marriage.

" His hand drifted to her throat. "That's my next step Sadie, marriage, a union with you, binding us together as a family.

I want to commit myself to you for the rest of my life.

Anything less is simply unacceptable. I want everything. "

"But..."

"Quiet," his voice was firm and had her blinking.

"I'm not done. I spent most of the day wishing you were sharing the moments with me.

" His eyes flickered to the sleeping child.

"The way she tore into her presents, the laughter and joy on her face.

I wanted to share it with you, and you weren't there. I am not going through that again."

"Am I allowed to speak now?"

Instead of smiling, he simply nodded, bottle green eyes trained on her face with an absorption that had her heart thundering. "I want to say yes."

"It's one simple word," he pointed out.

"There are so many people involved. I don't think your mother likes me."

He smiled at that. "She's cautious. I'm her son and like any good mother, she thinks no one is good enough for me.

We can get past that. She'll accept you as soon as she realizes how I feel about you and they do.

" Using his thumb, he traced her lip and felt desire stirring into flames.

Soon, he would take home his daughter and return or persuade the woman in his arms to come back to his place.

But he was certain there was no way they were sleeping apart from each other tonight. "Say yes."

"I need time."

"Say yes."

Rolling her eyes at him, she smiled. "Yes. And if I disappoint you..."

"Never," he whispered before crushing his lips to hers.