Page 25 of Nico (Members From Money Season 2, #154)

"No." She shook her head. "Will Sadie be my new mommy?" There was a seriousness about her that made her look much older than her eighteen months. In fact, the pediatrician was amazed at how clear her speech was and her grasp of words at this early stage.

He paused, surprised by the question. For a moment, Nico searched the child's face, taking in the hope and uncertainty in her wide eyes.

"Would you like that?" he asked gently.

Gracie nodded, clutching her favorite stuffed rabbit a little closer. "Sadie makes pancakes with smiley faces. She reads the goodnight song, even when she's tired."

Nico's heart squeezed. The room felt warmer, somehow, despite the icy world outside. "Sadie cares about you very much," he said, smoothing her quilt. "She cares about both of us."

Gracie's eyelids fluttered, heavy with sleep, but her voice was insistent. "Can she stay forever?"

He kissed her forehead, tucking the rabbit beside her. "I hope so, sweetheart," he whispered. "I really hope so."

With that, he opened the well-loved princess book, his voice steady as he began to read, the snow falling softly against the window. A gentle promise of new beginnings, just waiting to be written.

*****

"Gracie was hoping you would come up and wish her goodnight." He glanced over at her as he undressed. She had been quiet throughout supper and on their way back to the pool house, which had him wondering what his mother had said to her.

"I didn't want to intrude." Sitting on the side of the bed, she eased out of her boots before standing to take off her dress.

"Here, let me." He turned her around to get to the zipper. "And that's ridiculous. You wouldn't have been intruding." He slipped the dress off her and worked on sliding the bra straps down her shoulders. "What did you and my mother talk about?"

"This and that."

"Sadie." He turned her to face him, his gaze steady and intense.

"She reminded me that I'm marrying a very wealthy and powerful man." Slipping out of his hold, she went to take off her stockings and put on a robe.

"I'm still the same person." He felt fear touching his heart. She looked far different from the woman who had agreed to be his wife earlier. Which reminded him that he had to pick up a ring. "I hope you know that."

"She also asked if I would continue working."

A frown touched his brow, and he came to sit next to her. "I would never ask you to give up a job you love."

"Which is good, because I have no intention of doing so."

His frown deepened as he stared at her. "Is there a problem?"

"I don't know what you're talking about.

I'm just making sure we understand each other.

" She rose to cross over to the vanity and sat in front of the mirror.

Picking up the brush, she started sliding it through the thick strands with the intention of styling it into a simple braid for the night and he could feel the distance she had erected between them.

He watched her quietly for a moment, uncertain whether to bridge the space or let her have it.

The rhythm of her brush against her hair, the hush of snow outside, and the low glow of the lamp made the room feel suspended in time.

Finally, he spoke, his voice gentle but earnest. "Sadie, I want us to talk about anything that's worrying you.

I need you to know that your happiness matters to me as much as mine. "

She paused, her reflection uncertain in the mirror. "I know. I just-- it's a lot to take in. Your mother sees things from her perspective, but I need to find my own way, even if it's beside you."

He smiled softly, moving to stand behind her, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders.

"Then let's do that. Together. No expectations, just us.

" For a moment, the world outside faded, and all that mattered was the quiet promise between them.

A gentle reassurance that the new beginnings they'd spoken of were theirs to shape.

Putting the brush down, she leaned her head back against him and closed her eyes briefly.

She could not very well stay upset with him.

She had always known who he was and what he represented.

When they were together he was just a simple person, the steady and often absentminded man she had fallen in love with.

She would not allow the money or his status to overwhelm her.

"I like this place," she murmured.

Turning her around, he lifted her into his arms and took her to bed.

"So do I. The manor is, was home for a very long time, but I found it too stifling.

" He placed her against the pillows and turned on his side to face her.

"I opted to live here, where I'm more comfortable.

I like to know that I'm free to toss my clothing anywhere I want without feeling as if I'm breaking rules. "

She lifted a hand to his face. "You do know that's going to have to change, don't you? I'm not picking up after you."

He grinned charmingly. "I thought that was one of the duties of a wife."

Her brows arched. "Think again. I also love my house. It's a legacy from my dad and I want to keep it."

"We could split time between here and there."

"No." She shook her head. "If it's just us, we could swing it, but a child is involved, and she needs stability.

" She stroked his cheek gently. "This place is big enough and she needs to be able to spend time with her grandparents and your sister.

I've seen the way they dote on her and would never want to take that away from them. "

He was amazed at her sensitivity and humbled by it. He also wondered how it could be possible for him to love her even more than he already did.

"You're perfect," he whispered hoarsely.

"No." She shook her head. "There will be times when I wonder what the hell I'm doing." She sighed. "I love you very much, Nico, and am willing to compromise because that's what loving a person means."

"So am I." He brushed back a wisp of hair from her cheek. "And I'm grateful that you want to spend the rest of your life with me. I was thinking three weeks from now."

"What?" She blinked.

"Getting married. The end of January. It does not have to be anything big. Mother is going to want the ceremony to be at the manor, I hope you don't mind."

"I cannot plan a wedding in three weeks."

He frowned. "You want something lavish. We could--"

"No," she shook her head. "I certainly do not want a circus. But three weeks? That's just impossible."

"Nothing is impossible if you have the resources. We'll hire a wedding planner and I'm sure my mother and sister would be delighted to be part of the planning."

Her heart took a slow dive. "I'm going to have to tell my mother."

He watched the trepidation come over her face. "Or we could tell her after we come back from our honeymoon."

She rolled her eyes and had him sneaking in a kiss.

"I wish I could agree to that. She's going to make a big deal out of it, out of you. This is what she had always wanted. And I'm giving it to her." For a few seconds, she felt anger churning inside her. "She wanted me to marry a rich man and now it seems I am giving her what she most desired."

"And that upsets you."

"Damn right." She looked at him and felt her anger easing off. "I'm sorry, I know how that sounded."

"There's no need to apologize. I have no idea what you went through, having never gone through anything like that myself." He stroked her cheek gently. "All I can assure you is that I will be there for you. And suggest you try not to allow her to have that much power over you."

"Easier said than done," she muttered. "I love you."

His expression softened. "I know that."

"When I start behaving like a raging bitch, I want you to remember that."

He cocked a brow. "Will I be getting any advanced warning?"

"Just look out for that side of me when she arrives.

Right now, she's in Tuscany at the tiny vineyard, as she puts it, trying to acclimatize.

We had words on Christmas Day, so, now I'm not her favorite person.

" She shook her head. "Sylvia Greene thinks the world revolves around her and considers herself to be a victim. "

Bending his head, he brushed his lips against hers. "She did one thing right at least."

"What's that?"

"She made you. Whatever faults she has, she created an exceptional woman and for that I will always be grateful to her." He cupped her face between his palms. "You've found your own way, darling."

She blinked at the tears. He always knew exactly what to say to make her feel better.

"Am I ever going to find any fault with you?"

He smiled crookedly. "You already do. You said I'm messy."

"I said you were a slob."

"Did you expect perfection?"

"You come close." She touched his face again. "Three weeks?"

"Three weeks," he asserted. "I'm not willing to wait any longer."

"The press is going to have a field day," she pointed out.

"Let them." He peered at her curiously. "Do you mind?"

"I guess not." She wrapped her hands around his neck. "I suppose I'll have to get used to the attention."

"Small price to pay for loving me."

She smiled at that. "Do me a favor."

"Anything."

"Make love to me."

His eyes darkened. "I was expecting to slay dragons or take on a whole biker gang for you. Nothing this simple."

"Biker gang?" She laughed throatily. "Really?"

His grin was sheepish. "That just popped into my head. I would probably end up offering them some money and getting the hell out of their way."

"I'm certain you could hold your own." She slid her hands over his shoulders and chest. "You're very strong."

"Hmm." He was already dismissing the conversation and concentrating on the silky-smooth skin. "I love the taste of you."

"Don't stop doing that," she whispered as he slid his tongue over her throat.

"I won't," he promised.