Friends

Chapter Twelve

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: They do not belong to me. I am open to negotiating for Nico however.

Author Notes: So many lovely reviews. I love writing when I know people are reading and resonating with what I'm writing. Thanks so much. It's time for Gabrielle to face herself and time for the kids to find out about their future father.

"Let me get this straight. I take over the club, try to ruin Nico's life, your life and the team, but you came here so I can talk? What are you crazy? "

Dani smiled at her.

"Sometimes I think I am. First, however, I need you to know up front that I love Nico with all my heart. If I am going to help you, then I need your assurance that you are not going to cause problems for him because of that."

Gabrielle stared at her for a minute without responding before she chose her next words.

"I'm too late."

"What?"

"I had always hoped that when I did divorce Marshall, Nico would be there waiting in the wings like he has for the last twenty years. I never once thought he would fall for another woman. He's sort of loyal that way."

"People change, circumstances change and we never know where our hearts or our lives will lead us."

"But I wanted him so much. Well, I wanted the idea of him anyway. He told me things he never told anyone else; things he wasn't supposed to tell. Has he told you what he did when he was younger? Did he tell you what he and Marshall were forced to do? No, he can't. He can never tell you because the government says he can't and so he wrestles with the demons. He regrets ever telling me. He thinks that's why I married Marshall and not him. Can you honestly say you know Nico like I do?"

"I believe that he has let me into his life in a way he probably only has with two other people; you and your husband. We all have demons. People let me see them every day in my work. I'm not afraid of what I will find in Nico. Now, do you want to talk about your future with this team or do you want to stay in here and wallow in self pity?"

Dani knew she was being tough with her, but it was necessary if she was going to help her. Gabrielle's eyes widened at her boldness and then she chuckled.

"I think I'm beginning to see why Nico lo…is attracted to you. Okay, let's talk."

An hour later Dani ended their first session and set up a time for another one. Gabrielle sighed as she stood up and smoothed her dress.

"This is really hard for me to say since I have this reputation to keep up, but I actually feel better. I want to try to make this work. I've been selfish my entire life. People have been hurt deeply by that. Can we talk about Juliette next time? I'd really like to fix that relationship first."

Dani was blown away by the change in this woman. All the past confrontations with her now took on a different meaning as she now recognized how she did those things to protect herself. This woman would need to learn a whole new way to cope with disappointments and life in general. It would be a long road, but Dani actually thought she had the strength to do it: to reinvent herself. As she stood to leave, Gabrielle spoke.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Take care of him?"

"Absolutely, but he takes care of me too."

"I know. He's really good at it when he loves someone."

"See you tomorrow. Same time?'

Gabrielle nodded and sat down in her chair again turning to the window. Dani slipped quietly out of her office. She caught one more glance of the back of the chair Gabrielle was sitting it. Some people were so broken.

Dani started down the hallways to find Nico when a strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind. She looked over her shoulder into the smiling face of her fiancé. It felt so weird to say fiancé, but she couldn't be happier.

"So, what happened?"

"Nico, you know I can't tell you."

"Patient confidentiality? Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously."

"Do you think you made progress?"

"I do actually. I just need more time with her. She has a lifetime of regrets to sort out. It's going to take time."

Nico pulled her into the empty room to their right, closed and locked the door. He pressed Dani back against the door and kissed her softly.

"What was that for?"

"For being you, for having my back and for helping Gabrielle. I don't love her anymore, but I will always care about her and Juliette."

Dani caressed his face.

"I know and I love you even more for it. Now, can we get busy with our day so we can go home and tell the kids?"

"Just one more kiss?"

"Did Nico Careles just beg for a kiss? Say it isn't so."

"Ha. Ha. Come here you."

The next five minutes were spent making out against the door. Dani finally disengaged her lips from his and moved his roaming hands back to her waist.

"Down boy. We have work to do."

Nico groaned, but let her go and opened the door for her. He bowed from the waist and swept his arm out in front of him.

"My lady."

As she walked by he smacked her playfully on the bottom. They walked down the hall shoulder to shoulder and leaned into each other briefly when they split up to their separate offices.

Dani spent the day talking with one player after another. She was able to tell them with confidence that everything was going to be okay. At the end of the day the result was everyone would stick out the season and consider returning next year. She went down to the field to tell Coach.

Nico spent the day coming up with a workable plan for managing the media for when TK returned to work.

Dani slipped off her heels and stepped into the soft grass of the football field to enjoy watching her guys. She knew it wouldn't take Nico long to find her. When she felt him next to her, she looked up. She loved how he towered over her when she was barefoot. It made her feel safe and protected.

He slid his sunglasses down and looked into her smiling face.

"What's up Shorty?"

"I think it's going to take some adjustment to get used to all these nick names you have for me now."

"Ready to go pick up the kids from Ray?"

"You mean time to face the music?"

"If that's the way you want to look at it."

A hint of disappointment crossed Nico's face, but only she caught the brief reaction before he covered it up."

"Relax you. I am so proud to tell the kids about us. I think they will be okay with it too. They know you make me happy."

Nico smiled down at her and pulled her against his side. She loved this new public display of his affection. She never thought Nico would be the type, but then she reasoned that his whole life he'd had to hide those feelings. With her he could be open about it. It had to feel good.

From his place working with a line of defensive guards, Matt watched the exchange between the two lovers. He sighed. It was obvious he never stood a chance. They were both head over for each other. The intimacy between them was obvious to anyone who watched them. It was time to move on.

The newly engaged couple headed to the car and went to pick up the kids. Tonight Juliette was coming for dinner and she wanted them dialed in before they told Juliette.

Dani chuckled when she rang Ray's doorbell. She could see through the side glass and watched as Ray jumped off the couch and sprinted upstairs yelling.

"RJ, Lindsay, you're mom is here."

The kids trotted down the stairs and as RJ opened the door they both laughed.

"I don't think Dad is ready for round two Nico."

"There shouldn't ever have to be a round two. Are the two of you ready to go?"

"Definitely ready. Hey Mom."

They grabbed their packs. On the way home Dani decided to start the conversation they needed to have.

"We are having a guest for dinner tonight. Nico and I want you to meet Juliette Pittman. She's sort of Nico's adopted niece and since he and I are together, we want the three of you to get to know each other. That sound okay?"

"Sure Mom. How old is she?"

"She just turned twenty."

RJ was all ears now.

"Is she pretty?"

"Ray Jay, this isn't a hook up. Tonight is about getting to know each other better. Things are going to change a great deal in the next six months."

"How so Mom?"

Nico parked the car and they headed into the house.

"Could I get both of you to sit down on the couch?"

"Uh oh, this is bad. Things never go well when you sit us on that couch."

Dani sat on the coffee table facing them and reached for Nico to join her.

"Kids, I need to tell you something important."

Lindsay was getting scared. This had to be really bad news.

"What?"

"I know this is going to seem really soon, but Nico and I have developed some very deep feelings for each other."

"You love him don't you?"

She reached for Nico's hand and smiled at him. He returned the smile with a gentle one of his own. His heart was in his throat though. If her kids hated the idea he knew Dani would back off.

"Do you love her?"

"With all my heart."

"So what's the problem then?"

"We hope it isn't going to be a problem. That's why we're talking to you. We…we want to get married."

The silence in the room was deafening. You could only hear outside noises for a minute; birds, cars and a lawnmower somewhere close by.

"Wow! That's fast."

"Are you sure Mom?"

"Very sure."

"Where are we going to live?"

"Right here. Nico will move in with us."

Again with the silence. They watched as the kids exchanged looks and nonverbal communication for a minute. Finally RJ spoke up.

"Okay then. We'll make this work."

Nico released the tight hold he had on Dani's hand and took a breath. He hadn't realized he'd been holding his.

"What's for dinner?"

"Does Juliette like video games?"

The two adults in the room looked stunned. Could it really be this easy? They hoped Juliette reacted this way too.

After the kids headed upstairs to do homework, Nico took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. Dani loved the way his muscled forearms looked as he helped her cook dinner. She loved cooking with him and lost all track of time when they heard the roar of Juliette's little sports car whipping into the driveway.

"Our neighbors are going to love her."

Nico frowned.

"I'll speak to her about it."

"Don't be silly. They could use some spice in their lives. Besides, RJ will have a field day letting everyone think he has a hot girlfriend."

Nico cocked an eyebrow at her and continued stirring the vegetables he was stir-frying.

The knock on the door brought RJ hurtling down the stairs.

"I'll get it."

Dani wiped her hands and followed him to the door. He yanked it open and just stood and stared at Juliette.

"Uh. Hi."

RJ was speechless.

"Hi Juliette. Come on in. The mute boy is my son RJ and this is Lindsay."

Lindsay had just reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Hey."

"Hey."

The rest of the evening went really well given that RJ never spoke more than three words all night. Juliette smiled at her "uncle" and did a great job making small talk and actually asking RJ questions, which he answered with yes or no answers. It was cute, sort of.

When Dani served dessert Nico told Juliette about the engagement. The young woman made her feel so great when a huge smile lit up her face.

"I knew it."

"Really?"

"Oh, yeah. I know my uncle really well and I knew he was in love with you the minute I saw you two together."

The rest of their time was filled with when and where questions and would they get to be bridesmaids and where would they honeymoon. Dani could tell Nico and RJ were just not that into it. They gave each other a look and slipped out right around the color scheme discussion. Dani could hear RJ explaining the video game he was playing to Nico and smiled when she heard Nico actually playing the game against RJ and winning. Things were going to be fine.

At the end of the night as Juliette drove off waving and honking too long and too loudly, Dani turned to Nico who looked uncomfortable for the first time that night. She knew what was on his mind.

"You. Tall, dark and mysterious. Upstairs to our room right now."

The kids smirked and wished them goodnight before heading up the stairs. Nico hesitated.

"Are you sure Danielle? I mean the kids just found out we're getting married. How will they feel if I stay?"

"If you don't stay they will think it's weird. Now stop analyzing everything and just go with it, okay?"

She reached for his hand and started up the stairs. In her most seductive voice she encouraged him.

"I'll make it worth your while."

No other words were spoken as he swept her off her feet and took the stairs two at a time.

A/N: Okay, I think one more fluffy chapter and an epilogue. Thanks for staying with the story you guys.