CHAPTER ONE
Nick could not take his eyes off Kelly, sleeping peacefully in his crib, without a care in the world. He was so grateful to have everyone he cared about back in his life; his colleagues Hank and Wu, his best friends Monroe and Rosalee, his step-daughter Diana, his precious son... and Adalind... the love of his life.
His mind flashed back to what had transpired in the other place. He could still hear Adalind's voice breaking as she begged him to save her children. He could still feel the emptiness that had overcome him the second the light had gone out from her beautiful blue eyes. The excruciating pain that had taken over his heart at the thought of never being able to kiss those perfect pink lips again, to feel her warm body against his, to hear her heart beating in unison with his. But most of all, he could still remember how cold her skin had felt as he held her hand to remove that cursed engagement ring Bonaparte had put on her finger... and how angry he was that he would never get the chance to replace it with the diamond ring he had picked out for her a few weeks before.
Nick's gaze moved away from his son and onto the dresser next to his crib. He made his way to it, opened the top drawer and saw his favorite burgundy sweater, the one Adalind had so gracefully unbuttoned the first time they had made love in his loft. He slowly lifted it to reveal the small blue velvet box that was going to change their lives forever. He closed his hand around it, pulled it out of the drawer and carefully opened it; there it was. He didn't know much about engagement rings, but as soon as he had seen this one, he knew it was perfect for Adalind. The delicate band, adorned with tiny sparkly diamonds, hugged the large round center stone which was surrounded by a halo, a never-ending circle. It reminded him of their relationship; how it had started with her being the first Wesen he had ever seen, how she had turned him into who he now was. And how they had gone in opposite directions, despising and fighting each other for so long, only to come back full-circle to create this perfect little life that lay sound asleep next to him. It had not been love at first sight... or had it? Maybe they were always meant to be... a Grimm and his Hexenbiest.
"Nick?"
Startled, Nick quickly closed the box without making a noise and slid it back inside the drawer before shutting it closed. He turned around to face Adalind; she was so beautiful, wearing nothing but his white shirt. She came closer and wrapped her arms around him.
"Is Kelly asleep?" she asked.
"Yeah, so is Diana."
"Well I'm not surprised... today was quite eventful. Are you ok?"
"Never been better."
He smiled at her and slowly leaned in to kiss her. He didn't want to let her go... never again.