Chapter 4

He stood off to one side, his shoulder against the edge of the door as he leant on the frame, his eyes scanning the courtyard in front of him, his family, his friends dispersed through the area, lounging on the pool-side furniture, eating at the table framed by the Gulf of Thailand, the endless blue of the ocean stretching out to touch the lighter hue of the clear sky. Ray J was in the pool, Rania on his shoulders giggling loudly as together they splashed water towards where Lindsay was sitting on the edge of the horizon pool, her feet dangling into the water, a smile splitting her face as she splashed back. His parents sat happily at the huge table under the pagoda roof, the food spread across the table for their celebratory breakfast enough to feed an army. His brothers sat beside them, grinning as they traded jibes, insults and all-round good natured mockery, his grandfather of course holding center court as he sat at the head of the table, his face glowing, his eyes creased in amusement, his joy clearly shown. Bob Stevenson stood to the edge of the space, only just in his periphery, his partner Leon laughing at something Pat Stace had offered, the rich sound echoing through the courtyard. He watched as RJ gave his friend and colleague a gentle shove, the butt of the joke now clear as Bob pouted a moment before breaking into a wide grin and shoving the younger man back. He caught his own smile as he watched Xeno land a giant hand on both of their shoulders, scolding them as though they were squabbling children, the sound of raucous laughter filling the courtyard once more. Kelly and Anna were reclined on the massive daybed at the end of the pool watching the children, his children frolic, tall crystal flute glasses of fresh orange juice in their hands, smiles alighting their faces as they chatted animatedly with the love of his life, his wife. Harlan was hovering, his hand occasionally rubbing across the expanse of Kelly's baby-belly, the action drawing her eyes to his, her accompanying smile one of happiness and love. He remembered when Dani had been that big, swollen with their children in her seventh month, her movements slow, cumbersome, her skin glowing with radiance and health. He had marveled watching the changes as they altered her body, reveling in the fact that she carried their child, that he would have the opportunity to experience all the joys and heartbreaks pregnancy and infancy had to bring. He was thrilled that his friends, Dani's best friend and confidante was able to experience it for themselves too. He watched as Anna laughed a little too loudly, her body shifting precariously on the daybed, her glass rocking in her hand, the result, the spilling of juice onto her lap causing her to break into more peals of laughter. Dani caught his eye, her arms full of one of their tiny twins. He watched as she laughed along with her friends, glowing from happiness to have not only her children, their family but their closest friends at their after wedding celebration brunch. He let his eyes linger on her profile, enjoying the way the light ocean breeze played with the strands of her hair, blowing it across her face as she talked and laughed with her friends, her eyes sparkling with joy he knew he had brought her.

'You're not standing alone on the sidelines again are you my friend?' Redmond stepped up beside his best friend, his voice quiet as he too surveyed the scene before them.

'I'm not alone.' Nico gestured to the sleeping baby in the crook of his arm. He watched as Redmond took a step closer, bending down to place a kiss on the sleeping infant's head his hat in his hands, his expression reverent.

'No, you're not.' He acknowledged, straightening to stand directly beside his friend once more. 'But you should be out there in the thick of it Nico. Not here on the periphery watching.'

'I was teaching my little man the fine art of surveillance,' he looked down at his son, sleeping so soundly snuggled against his chest. 'But he bailed on me and went to sleep.'

Redmond let out a soft chuckle beside him as he lifted a hand and placed it on Nico's shoulder. 'As admirable as that is Nico, he is far too little to appreciate the fine nuances of a stake out, of observation and threat assessment.' He placed his Fedora on his head with a heavy pat, preparing to head back out into the sunny courtyard.

'We had a nappy change.' Nico acknowledged Redmond's reasoning. 'I stopped on my way back to take in the view.' He turned to face his friend then, his face sobering, his brow furrowing, the smile slipping from his lips. 'Did you ever picture this? For me?'

'I had hoped.' Redmond spoke as seriously as Nico. 'Ours was not the life that leant itself to this. But you my friend made the amends necessary.'

'I would have missed all this.' He let his eyes seek out Dani once more. 'If not for her.'

'But you didn't.' Redmond nodded his head in acknowledgement. 'And I'm glad. It suits you.' He let his features shift then, his happiness for his friend returning, his eyes sparkling with mirth as he turned back to face the group in front of them. 'Besides, I always enjoy a little time out in Thailand. And this was as good an excuse as any.' He took a few steps into the open space. 'Are you coming?' He threw over his shoulder as he sauntered towards the table as though he was the guest of honor, the king of this castle.

Nico took a moment to shake his head at the antics of his friend before he stepped from the doorframe and headed towards the table, following the path Redmond had created, the other guests of the party slowing following to join them for their shared meal.

'You're looking decidedly refreshed this morning Boss.' Xeno quipped as he ambled past.

'Marriage agrees with me Xeno.' Nico let the words slip smoothly from his lips as Dani stepped up beside him, her arms now free of their daughter wrapping around his waist drawing him to her. He maneuvered their son out of the way and dropped a kiss onto the top of her head.

'Marriage. Of course.' Xeno let the innuendo drip as he teased his boss and his friend, he heard Redmond's laugh as he walked away, leaving Nico to hug his new wife to him.

'Let me.' Anthony stepped in and held his arms out for the baby in his son's arms. 'I'm losing out to your mother.' He smiled as he looked over to where Gigi was rocking Lyra in her arms, talking nonsense and grinning down at the infant. He lifted Flynn from his father's embrace and returned to seat himself beside his wife, their newest grandchildren safely cradled between them.

'How does it feel Querido?' Ambrosio wiggled his eyebrows at his oldest grandson and his new wife.

Nico schooled his features and gave Dani a gentle squeeze. 'She feels exactly the same. Soft and squishy, but that depends on where you grab.' He grinned widely then, enjoying the looks of surprise, of amusement that filtered through his family and friends, and relishing the soft blush that rose on Dani's cheeks. 'But in reference to marriage.' He nodded then, his face serious once more. 'It feels wonderful.' He looked down at Dani. 'I don't think I could want for anything more.' He leant forward and touched his lips to hers.

'Get a room.' Bob quipped as he saluted them with a raised champagne glass from the corner of the table.

'I've got one.' Nico raised a brow as he locked gazes with the man on the other end of the table. 'And you're in it.'

'Actually…' Bob started, his words earning himself an elbow to the ribs from Leon as the occupants at the table laughed at their antics, their affectionate teasing.

Nico pulled out a chair for Dani, seeing her seated gently before he seated himself. 'Thank you all for being here.' He stated quietly once settled. 'It means a lot.' He let his gaze roam around his family, his friends, locking gazes with each and every one. 'To Dani. And to me.'

'Thank you for making this happen Nico.' Dani placed a hand on his thigh, her thumb running across him.

'I would give you anything Dani.' He smirked then, shifting the weight of the conversation from the emotional turn it had taken as he tried to reign in his own whirling emotions. 'Even if that does mean a weekend with Mr Stevenson.' He let his smile widen as Dani playfully slapped his leg, her giggle sounding in his ears.

Bob Stevenson had the audacity to tip his head in acknowledgement as he raised another toast to the happy couple. 'I am irresistible.'

'Yes, I find it exceptionally difficult to resist the temptation to make you disappear.' Nico kept his voice, his expression stoic.

'You wouldn't?' Bob narrowed his eyes at Nico, his amusement, his enjoyment of the moment barely contained despite knowing he was once again a source of merriment.

'No.' Nico let his lips pull into a smile then. He placed a hand over hers as it rested on his thigh. 'I promised Dani.' The couple shared a look, the smiles never leaving their faces.

'Remind me to get you 'a thank you for telling your husband not to disappear me' gift when we return Dani.' Bob grinned widely.

'But he didn't.' Nico tilted his head to gesture in Redmond's direction, watching as his friend nodded, his face delighted as he bounced a toddler on his lap, Rania playing with his tie, oblivious to the devious planning happening at the table in front of her.

'That's right.' Redmond deadpanned. 'I made no such promises.'

'Speaking of gifts.' Dani dragged her teeth over her lower lip. 'You've done so much for me Nico. I only wish I had something more for you.'

'You have given me everything Dani.' Nico held her gaze. 'Everything.' He nodded, watching her blink away welling tears, seeing her determination not to cry. 'There is nothing more I need or want.'

'Ah Nico?' Ray J took the opportunity to speak up then.

'Yeah Ray J?' Nico turned to face his oldest son.

'Even though you don't want or need anything, Linds and I have something for you.' He took a step closer, his sister a step behind him, their expressions open, waiting for him to accept their gift, an envelope held in Ray J's hand.

'You guys didn't have to…' Nico's voice trailed off at the expression on the teenagers' faces.

'We wanted to.' Ray J pushed the envelope further in Nico's direction his eyes begging him to take it now.

'Thank you.' Nico lifted the gift from Ray J's outstretched hand. 'Am I to assume you would like us to open it now?'

'It's just for you Nico.' Ray J nodded.

'But I think Mom will like it too.' Lindsay added, watching as Nico re-angled himself slightly in his seat so that her other could see the gift they had given him. She took a step backwards then, her hand finding her brother's wrist as they both watched in silence as their mother's new husband slid his finger under the seal of the envelope and opened their gift. She swallowed as he pulled the folded paper from inside and unfolded it to allow his to read, his brow furrowing, his eyebrows knitting together. And then the silence became too much. 'You just have to sign it.' The words were tumbling out of her mouth so fast she couldn't stop them. 'If you want. I want you to. But you can choose. I just wanted you to know you're my dad too.' Her voice choked, her tears welling at her mother gasp.

'And I was too old.' Ray J added to the outpouring of emotion. 'I wasn't allowed to get the papers. But I could do a Name Change Form. So I did.' He shook his head then, watching as the comprehension finally dawned on Nico's face. 'But I can change it back if you want me to…' he finished lamely.

The tension surrounding the table was palpable as Nico set the papers down onto the table. He felt Dani's hand squeeze his leg tightly. He turned to face the teenaged children that had just handed him adoption and name change papers. 'You did this? For me?

'Yes.' Ray J stated quietly. 'We hoped it make you happy.'

Nico was on his feet then. In two steps he had his daughter and his son in his arms, hugged securely against his chest, his face buried between theirs. He held them tightly for a moment longer as he brought his raging emotions under control. 'You have no idea how happy this makes me.' He let his words demonstrate his joy, his sincerity as he straightened to look between them, letting his tears flow unashamed. He placed a hand on each of their cheeks, his palm against their skin, his thumb stroking away their tear tracks. 'Is this what you truly want?' He whispered, his eyes holding theirs.

'Very much so.' Lindsay spoke, her voice thick with emotion. 'We wanted you to know we chose you too.'

'We love you Nico.' Ray J offered the endearment freely and easily. He saw his sister nod in agreement.

'And I love you guys so very much.' Nico hugged them tightly to his chest again, his eyes closing in contentment.

'Me loves Daddy too.' Rania piped up, jumping from Redmond's lap to wrap her arms around her father's thigh, her head coming to rest against him.

'And I love you too baby.' He stated as he lifted her into his arms. He let his eyes roam from his children, standing before him, wrapped in his arms to the two sleeping peacefully in their grandparents' embrace to finally land on Dani. He noticed her brushing the tears from her face, her smile tremendous as she watched him embrace their children. 'You have the most amazing children Dani.' He nodded, catching each of their gazes once more. 'I have the most amazing children.'

'We have the most amazing children.' Dani corrected him, shifting to stand beside him, her arms wrapping about her little family, watching as her loved ones, their friends and their extended family acknowledged their moment, proud to be a part of it, no person present untouched by the significance of what had transpired. She watched as Kelly brushed at an escaping tear, her hand closing tightly around Harlan's. She watched the normally stoic detective cup her best friend's stomach as he rubbed their own growing family. She smiled slightly as Bob leaned into Leon, their shoulders touching, their matching expressions one of joy. She saw RJ scrub at his tears, pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes sockets as he fought and lost control of his emotions. He watched as Xeno gave the younger man a pat on the back, the action designed to disguise his own response. She saw Stace straighten in his chair, adjusting as he too gave himself time to reel in his thoughts, his emotions. She watched as Anna sniffed softly before chugging back her glass of champagne laced orange juice. She let her eyes fall to Redmond, smiling as he saluted her with a nod, his elbows on the arm rests of his chair, his steepled fingers resting against his lips. Her gaze landed on Ambrosio then. His expression, one of such pride, radiating from him as he watched his oldest grandson with his small family. He caught her eye, mouthing his gratitude as he took in the scene. She felt herself blush at his praise, his appreciation, knowing that no matter how many times they thanked her for saving Nico, for bringing him to life, she knew with such certainty that he had saved her, he had brought her back to life. She let her gaze wander then to her newly made in laws. Anthony held Flynn soundly in his arms, her infant son snuggled against his chest while Lyra was cradled in her grandmother's arms. Their heads were close together, their gazes on Nico and not on the infants sleeping so soundly in their arms, missing the family bonding entirely.

'All I ever wanted.' Nico whispered against her hair, having pulled her closer to him, his gaze still on his children. 'All here in front of me. And it's perfect.'

'It couldn't be more perfect.' Dani acknowledge quietly.

'Well, there could be cake.' The sentence was spoken from somewhere in front of them, the timbre of the voice deep, scratchy and filled with emotion, its exact owner hard to pinpoint, but it's effect immediate as laughter overtook the setting, the occupants of the courtyard relishing each other's company as they celebrated the humor, the life and the love that filled their space, the very essence that made them all family.

AN/ well that's it folks... the end of the saga. I hope you all enjoyed it and that it answered all your questions and gave you all the outcomes you had hoped for.

I'm not saying this will be the last thing I write... but for now... I wanted to thank you all for reading...

So...Thank you again for spending the last 18 months letting me manipulate the NR world and take you all on a journey. I hope, despite the diminishing feedback that you all enjoyed the ride as much as I enjoyed writing it for you all.

Until next time...