It was his almost daily visit to check up on them at Bud's house. Nick listened to the soft voice floating down the hallway as he approached. Who was she talking to? His hand reached for the doorknob, but halted when her words became clear.
"...kind of incredible. Sure, he kind of terrifies me, but he's also protecting me. Well, protecting us." There was a brief pause before she continued. "If it wasn't for him, neither of us would be here right now. He could have let me die when we first met, you know."
Nick withdrew his hand and quietly leaned against the wall, curious to see where this was going.
"But he didn't. You're dad's one of a kind."
Hearing Adalind of all people talk up his best qualities was a novelty he couldn't tear himself away from, and so he listened on.
"He's kind. And for a Grimm, that's sort of insane. But, he does what's right... even if it costs him-everything." She sighed. "I cost him everything, Noah."
His heart skipped a beat. She named him? It was annoying that she had done it without him, but the name rang through his head and resonated in his heart. Noah sounded just right. He'd have to look up what it meant later.
"And he just keeps on doing it, the right thing." She sounds dejected. "I don't deserve it."
It's quiet for a moment, then he hears what sounds like a sniffle before she continues. "He's doing it for you, you know. He loves you. I don't know what's gonna happen when you're born, but I know Nick will take care of you."
More sniffles. Nick doesn't have the heart to enter now. What would she say if she knew he was standing outside her door listening? What would he say to a sniffling woman who represented everything that had gone wrong in his life?
Nick turned away. Back down the hall where he'd come from. They were alright. That's what he'd come to find out.