Page 24 of Nico (Members From Money Season 2, #154)

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the frost-laced windows, painting golden stripes across the floorboards.

Sadie woke to the comforting weight of Nico's arm draped around her waist and the quiet hush of the house, as if the world itself was holding its breath for them.

She lay still, savoring the rare moment of peace, her heart full in a way that felt almost foreign and yet, deeply right.

Gracie's laughter drifted from the hallway, bright and bubbling, announcing the start of a new day. Nico stirred beside her, pressing a soft kiss to her hair.

"Good morning, fiancée," he whispered, the word rolling off his tongue with a mix of pride and awe.

Sadie turned, eyes bright, unable to contain her smile. "Good morning, fiancé." The exchange felt both surreal and inevitable, like stepping into sunlight after a long winter. "I should not have spent the night. What will Gracie think?"

"She's too busy enjoying the benefits of Christmas," he nuzzled her neck and focused on a spot behind her left ear.

"Besides, she just knows that her daddy is sleeping in the same bed with the woman he's going to marry.

Nothing more. A child who's less than two sees things innocently and does not complicate matters. "

She stirred a little restlessly. "We're not married yet."

"We could remedy that by taking a trip to the courthouse. I just want my rings on your finger and you bearing my name."

Her brows arched. "And if I prefer to keep my name?"

"Then you keep it. In my heart, you'll be Mrs. Nico Coulter."

"Is that so?"

"Hmm." He nibbled at her flesh. "I woke earlier and gave Gracie some breakfast. PB&J and some hot chocolate. She's in a sugar coma." He grinned at her frown.

"That's not breakfast."

"My daughter thinks differently. She thinks I'm her hero. Besides, Nadine is with her."

She popped up, almost bashing her head against his chin. "Your sister is here? In this house, right now? She knows I'm-- we're-- Oh God! What will she think? What will your parents think when they hear I slept over with Gracie present? They'll think I'm a slut. Nico--"

"Hush now." He covered her mouth and brought her back down. "You almost smashed my teeth and are panicking for nothing." He trapped her body with his when she tried to get up.

"Let me up."

"Why? I love this position." He grinned at her and ignored the poking of her fingers in his ribs.

Before she could say anything else, there was a knock on the door.

"Nico!" she hissed, mortified that his sister would come barging in along with his daughter. "Damn you."

"Yes?" he called out, keeping her trapped.

"Just letting you know that I'm taking Gracie to the main house. Hi Sadie."

"Uhm, hello."

"Thanks. Tell her I'll be by to see her later."

"All right."

"Lock up after you." He looked down at a furious Sadie. "See? Nothing to it. She's gone."

"I'm going home. Who knows what your parents will think and what if they decide to come over?" She shoved at him, but he did not budge.

"They won't."

"Because they have so much respect for your privacy?" she sneered.

"Because they will be busy tending to Gracie and my dad would never step foot inside the pool house. He thinks I'm a slob."

"You are a slob."

His brows arched. "You're hurting my feelings."

"And you're hurting me."

He shifted immediately, making her feel guilty for lying.

"Let me up."

"Was I really hurting you, darling?" His hand cupped her cheek and the look on his face had her melting.

"Damn you."

"You're right. I'm damned or I prefer to think of it as being well and truly hooked." He brushed her lips with his. "And not minding it one bit. I cannot bear to be away from you, and I don't see why I should."

Closing her eyes, she felt the anger draining away. The man was impossible and hard to stay upset with. "I have still yet to meet your parents officially."

"How about dinner tomorrow night?"

"If they agree to that, I think it's best. I need to get that out of the way." She wrapped her hands around his neck and brought his head down. "Don't try to manipulate me again."

He nuzzled her neck. "Was that what I was doing? My apologies."

"You're a moron."

"I'm your moron." He kissed her hungrily and had her melting even more.

They lingered in that newness, letting the promise of what lay ahead settle between them. Outside, the snow continued to fall, but inside, a different kind of warmth grew. One built on hope, trust, and the courage to finally say yes to happiness.

*****

"I asked my son to give us a few minutes alone and he agreed with great reluctance." Linda glided forward and went straight to the cabinet to pour two glasses of wine. "He's very protective of you."

"Do I need protection?" Sadie felt the nerves crawling inside her but managed to portray a serenity she was far from feeling.

The manor with its faded red brick walls and lush grounds was intimidating enough, and then you stepped into the huge foyer with its dripping chandeliers and silken walls.

Linda Coulter was a classically beautiful woman with a timeless face and creamy complexion.

Her blonde hair was coiled at the nape of her neck.

She was wearing diamonds at her throat, ears and wrists.

Her dress was an ice blue cashmere that molded a carefully toned body.

Bottle green eyes were direct and assessing as well as unnerving. She had told Nico that she was all right talking to his mother, but she had lied.

Linda handed her the glass. "A good red.

We own vineyards in California and Tuscany.

" She took a sip and eyed the young woman over her glass.

She admired the ruby red wool dress she had on.

Her hair was loose around her shoulders and brushed away from her face.

She could see the appeal of course. What man could resist a face like hers?

"You're very lovely."

"Thanks. So are you."

Linda smiled. "My son tells us that he asked for your hand in marriage."

"He did, yes."

"Are you prepared to mother another woman's child?"

"I happen to love Gracie and it's not her fault that her mother left her."

"No, she's innocent." Linda smiled whimsically. "She's only been here for a couple of months, and I already love her." She stared at Sadie. "You have a very demanding career."

"I do."

"And you intend to go on working."

"Why should I stop?"

"Gracie needs a lot of attention."

"And she's getting it from her family. I'm not cut out to be a society wife."

"You'll be the wife of a multi-billionaire."

The clutch in her stomach made her feel weak. "I'm aware of that."

"You won't need the salary."

"I do it for more than the salary. I love being around art. And I'm sure Nico does not have a problem with that. It's between us."

Linda nodded sagely. Turning her head away, she allowed her gaze to sweep around the room.

"I inherited this house. This place has been in the family for several hundred years.

" She walked over to the cherry wood table with the Faberge egg resting in the center.

"I had to get rid of some things, not entirely get rid of them, because the furnishings are handed down from one generation to the next.

" She turned to face Sadie. "Family heirlooms, priceless and timeless.

" She gestured to a magnificent mahogany side table.

"I brought that with me when I married James.

I wanted to add pieces of myself, and I was given the go ahead to replace what I wanted to replace. "

Taking a sip of wine, she turned to look at Sadie. "You're marrying into a very old family, my dear, and on top of that, you're inheriting a daughter. Are you prepared for what that entails?"

Sadie felt the clutch getting tighter. Inside the pool house, she could almost pretend that Nico was just a normal guy.

The place was a mess most of the time and he did not stand on ceremony.

There were a few treasures here and there, but not much.

He was also not into designer labels. His clothing was shabby and well worn.

But behind it all, he was an heir to a fortune and would one day inherit all of it. Or most of it.

She wanted to sit and process. She loved him to pieces, but she was going to be required to take on a lot.

Sadie took a slow breath, feeling the weight of expectations settle in the room.

She glanced at Linda, searching for some sign of reassurance and found only that steady, assessing gaze.

"I know it won't be easy," she admitted, her voice low but unwavering.

"But I also know what I want. I want a life with Nico and Gracie.

I want to find my own way to fit into this family, even if it means learning as I go. "

Linda's lips curved into a thoughtful smile. "Learning is good. It's how we've all managed to survive here." She paused, letting the words hang. "Just remember, love is the easy part. It's everything else that takes work."

Sadie nodded, accepting both the warning and the possibility woven into Linda's words. Outside, the snow kept falling. Inside, Sadie felt herself stepping forward into a future that would demand everything she had, but one she was finally ready to claim.

Upstairs, Nico sat on the edge of the princess bed and smiled at the little girl tucked securely under the pink and lavender quilt. Her hair was brushed back from her rosy face, and she was looking at him as if trying to decipher his thoughts.

"I want the princess book."

"Aren't you getting tired of hearing that story over and over again?" he asked softly, running his finger down her left cheek, amazed at how soft her skin was. She smelled of powder and baby oil and he could feel the love flowing inside his heart.