A/N:

I can't believe it's been an entire year since I started this crazy thing, and it seems only fitting that now I would finally get to Part 2. Here we are! Thanks to everyone who has stayed on board for this long ride. Part 2 ties back in to the Prologue if you need a refresher.

Extra special thanks to You'llRememberMe (don't worry, this chapter will answer many of your questions!), Lostinarwop (for being my long time greatest supporter!), Heyo, just-me-fangirl12, and Madimay1 (sorry for all the tears!) for leaving wonderful and inspiring reviews…sorry for the lack of PMs this time, real life has caught up with me lately. And to all of you who have reviewed, favorited, and followed this story along the way, my sincerest thanks. The whole reason I keep writing this thing is from the inspiration your support gives me! *takes bow* Part 2 is dedicated to all of you.

Get ready for mini!Grimm feels!

Without further adieu….

Fictional

Part 2

Present Day

"What time is it? They should be here by now," Monroe glanced for the millionth time at his favorite grandfather clock in the living room, pacing back and forth anxiously in front of the couch.

"They'll be here soon, Monroe," Rosalee reassured him as she walked into the kitchen, calling out over her shoulder. "It's at least a three hour drive from Seattle. More with traffic."

"I know, but she called four hours ago," Monroe sighed, sinking down onto the couch.

"Reed is only five, Monroe," Rosalee called out from the kitchen where she was beginning to prepare lunch for their incoming guests. "I'm sure they had to make some stops on their way."

"I know, I know," Monroe grumbled in reply. He knew it wasn't rational, but all he had done was worry since his phone call with Juliette that morning.

Reed could see Wesen. That's what Juliette had said. Monroe had never heard of Grimms inheriting their powers that young, but he guessed it wasn't impossible. Especially since those powers were hereditary, and seemed to be passed on when another family member died…

Monroe shook his head, abruptly stopping his train of thought. He couldn't go there, not now.

A sharp knocking at the door brought him out of his reverie, and he bolted off the couch, sniffing the air before he made it to the entryway.

It wasn't Juliette.

"Hey Hank," he greeted solemnly as he swung open the front door, stepping back to let the detective in.

"Hey Monroe," Hank replied, walking into the house. "They here yet?"

"Not yet," Monroe gestured to the living room, and the other man followed him in. "But we're expecting them any minute now. They were already on their way when I talked to her this morning."

Immediately after hanging up with Juliette, Monroe had called Hank, and filled him in on what was going on. Hank had promised to be at his house as soon as possible. Even with Nick no longer around, they would all still jump at anything to make sure that his wife and son were safe.

"It's been almost a year since I've seen them," Hank mused quietly, taking a seat on the couch. Monroe settled in the chair directly across from him. "I bet he's getting big."

"He was getting big when we saw them six months ago," Monroe agreed. He and Rosalee tried to get up to Seattle at least twice a year to keep in contact with Juliette and Reed, and to make sure they were doing ok. Any more than that they feared would draw too much attention, and they didn't want to jeopardize their safety.

"He's five today, right?" Hank asked then, smiling at the thought.

"Yea man," Monroe answered. "Five years old. Time has really flown by."

"Yea it has," he agreed, before his smile slowly fell. "Wow. So that means it's been five years, huh?"

Monroe nodded solemnly, swallowing around the growing lump in his throat for the second time that morning. Hank whistled lowly, leaning back into the couch, before speaking again. "You know, even now, it still doesn't feel like he's really gone. I'll think of something funny or I'll have something crazy at work happen, and I'll go to call him…and then I remember. That I can't."

"I know what you mean," Monroe agreed sadly. "I'll come across some rare Wesen, or find something in one of the books, and I'll think 'Oh I need to talk to Nick about this'…" he trailed off, not needing to finish his sentence.

"How's Juliette?" Hank said, clearing his throat in a vain attempt to hide his emotions. "I've been meaning to call her. I just haven't gotten a chance."

"She's good, I mean, she's doing as well as she can," Monroe shrugged. "She stays strong for Reed. He's her whole world now. Her Seattle practice is going well, and she's made a few friends…but they pretty much keep to themselves."

Hank frowned at that. "Sounds lonely to me. Has she…met anyone? Since Nick?"

Monroe shook his head at that. "No, there hasn't been anyone since Nick. She told Rosalee that not only was Nick the love of her life, but how can she bring anyone around Reed, knowing what he will become someday? She still doesn't trust anybody around him."

"Because she can't tell who is Wesen or not?" Hank asked.

"I'm sure there's some factor of that, yea," Monroe answered, putting a hand thoughtfully to his chin. "Her biggest priority is to keep him safe."

"Of course," Hank agreed. "It's gotta be hard. I can't even imagine what that's like. Not only having to protect your child from all the monsters in the world, but having to protect him from all the monsters in the world." He paused, before looking up at Monroe. "So, what's this about Reed seeing Wesen?"

Monroe shrugged, running a hand haggardly over his face. "Honestly, I don't know. Juliette only said that Reed has already begun to see them, and that she would fill us in on the details when she got here."

"Huh." Hank sat back again, digesting that information for a moment. "He's a little young, isn't he? I mean, wasn't Nick like around 30 before his abilities kicked in?"

Monroe shrugged again. "Yea, it's weird. I don't know why Reed is developing his Grimm powers so early, besides the fact that any remaining relatives of his are…," he hesitated before finishing, "…gone."

Hank nodded slowly in agreement. "So we're assuming that Nick's mom is dead too at this point?"

"I guess," Monroe sighed. "She disappeared right after it happened, hell bent on revenge for Nick, and we have never heard from her again. At least we hear from Renard every now and again, although it's not much to go on. Not a word from Kelly, though. As far as we know, it must not have ended well."

"Or she just may have dropped off the grid again," Hank countered knowingly. "She's done that before."

"Yea, but would she leave her only grandson vulnerable to the rest of the world?" Monroe replied dubiously.

"Well, she did leave Nick to fend for himself for most of his adult life, although it was to protect him," Hank shook his head. "I mean, I get it, it just…sucks. All of it."

"Yea, definitely not a happy ending," Monroe agreed. "But then again, where Grimms are involved, it rarely is."

"Nick didn't deserve this," Hank responded bitterly at that, clenching his jaw. "He should be here, with Juliette and Reed, with us…it's just not how it was all supposed to end."

"I know," Monroe replied quietly, vainly fighting the urge to woge in response to his growing emotions. If Hank noticed his eyes momentarily flashing red and then returning back to normal, he didn't say anything. "But he's gone, and there's nothing we can do."

"We can make sure that we give Reed and Juliette all the love and support that we can," another voice chimed in, and both men turned to look at Rosalee perched in the living room doorway.

"Hey Rosalee," Hank greeted, standing to give her a hug as she walked into the room.

"Hey Hank," Rosalee hugged him warmly back. "How've you been?"

"Oh you know, just hanging in," Hank replied, shrugging his shoulders. "Missing all of you guys and the craziness we used to have, missing Nick…just trying to enjoy my new life."

"We all miss Nick," Rosalee agreed, "and we miss seeing you too. How long has it been?"

"At least a year," Hank looked shamefully at her. "And that's my bad. It's just hard, coming back here. In Newberg, sometimes I can almost forget about everything that went on here, ya know?"

"We know," Monroe agreed, rising to stand next to them. "And Portland isn't getting any better. Without Nick and Renard, this place is becoming a free for all, man. You aren't missing anything."

"Except you guys," Hank grinned, eliciting equally genuine reactions from Rosalee and Monroe. "I'm glad you called."

"Of course," Monroe replied. "I didn't think you'd want to miss an opportunity to see Juliette and Reed."

"Definitely," Hank smiled at that. "I can't wait to see them."

"I don't think you'll have to wait much longer," Rosalee interjected, sniffing the air slightly.

"They're here," Monroe added, striding purposefully to the door.

Before anyone could even knock, Monroe flung the door open, Rosalee and Hank peering anxiously over his shoulders.

Juliette stood before them on the front porch, with two bags slung over her shoulders and an even larger one at her feet. In her arms, a sleeping little boy with tousled dark hair was nestled into her neck.

Her eyes widened in surprise to see them all suddenly staring at her, but then she broke into a tired smile.

"Hey guys."

"Why don't you lay him on the couch for now?" Rosalee said quietly as so not to wake Reed, and Juliette nodded gratefully as she entered the house and carefully set her sleeping son on the soft cushions.

"Thanks," she said as she straightened back up to look at them, an exhausted but happy expression on her face. "It's so good to see all of you."

"You too," Rosalee instantly pulled her into a warm hug. "We're so happy to have you here, even with everything that's going on."

"Yea, any excuse to see you and Reed is great," Hank added as he and Monroe brought in her bags and set them by the stairs.

"I know," Juliette agreed as she gave first Hank and then Monroe both tight hugs. "It's hard being so far away from all of you."

"We don't like it either," Monroe smiled regretfully, "but there just isn't a better solution."

"Yea," Juliette nodded absently, glancing back to check on Reed. He was still sleeping soundly on the couch, oblivious to the adults talking all around him. "I'll do whatever I have to do to keep him safe."

"All of us will," Rosalee squeezed her arm gently.

Juliette turned back to her friend, clasping her hand gratefully. "I really don't know how I'd get through all of this without you."

"You'll never have to find out," Monroe stepped forwards to squeeze her shoulder gently, as he peered down at his sleeping godson with an affectionate smile on his face. "Wow, has he grown like a foot since the last time we saw him?"

"More like two feet," Hank added in astonishment as he also looked at the little boy peacefully resting on the couch. "He's growing up so fast."

"Which leads me to ask," Monroe turned back to Juliette then with a questioning look on his face, "what do you mean Reed can see Wesen?"

Juliette frowned, biting her lower lip nervously and looking somewhat helpless. "I don't know. It all started a couple days ago."

"Come here," Rosalee gestured for all of them to step over into the dining room as to not to disturb Reed, but they could still keep a careful eye on him from the doorway. Once they were all gathered in the other room, she continued. "So what exactly happened?"

Juliette sighed, furrowing her brow in worry. "Well, we were at the bank the other day. One of the customers in front of us was really upset about something with their account, and he started yelling at the bank teller. I didn't really think anything of it, until Reed asked me if I could see the 'cat man' yelling at the 'mouse guy'."

Monroe groaned audibly at that. "Of course it would be a Klaustreich yelling at a Mauzhertz." He sighed. "So he really saw them?"

"At first, I wasn't sure, but he really saw them," Juliette nodded at that. "I thought maybe he was just making up a story, because he has such an active imagination, but then they turned and saw him."

"Wait, the Wesen saw Reed looking at them?" Hank asked in surprise.

Juliette sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Yea. And one of them yelled 'Grimm!' and he started backing away in terror."

"From a little boy?" Hank looked perplexed. "That seems odd."

"They probably thought Juliette was one too, and maybe they couldn't see her or something," Rosalee offered, shrugging her shoulders. "I'm not sure. Either way, how did Reed react?"

"He was just confused by the whole thing," Juliette said quietly, biting her lower lip. "He wasn't scared of them though."

Monroe snorted at that. "Yea, he's not scared of much."

Hank smiled as he looked at all of them. "Just like Nick."

"Yea," Juliette quirked a small smile at that. "Just like Nick." Her smile slowly fell as she continued. "Anyways, as soon as they realized what Reed was, it started a chain reaction…I could hear people around me gasp and start to back away from us…I don't know how many Wesen must have been in that bank…"

She paused, shaking her head sheepishly. "It probably wasn't the best thing to do, but after that I sort of panicked and grabbed Reed, and we ran out the door. I was really trying not to scare him but I was so scared that I just sort of reacted. Mother's instinct."

"Understandably," Rosalee reassured her quickly. "That's how you should have reacted. Who knows what a room full of Wesen would have done after they realized that he was a Grimm and that you weren't."

"Yea, a baby Grimm like that would be an easy target," Monroe sighed resignedly. "You did the right thing."

"So wait a minute," Hank furrowed his brows in confusion, "why is this happening to Reed now? He's so young."

Juliette shrugged helplessly at that, turning to Monroe and Rosalee. "I was hoping maybe you guys could help with that. I have no idea what I'm up against here, and I can't see what he sees, so I can't explain it, I can't even help him…" She blinked back tears in obvious frustration and worry for her son. "How can I protect him from Wesen when I don't even know who is one? God, I wish Nick was here."

"Hey, Juliette, it's gonna be ok," Monroe said soothingly, squeezing her shoulder again. "We're in this together. I promise you that we will protect Reed, no matter what it takes."

"I know," she smiled sadly through the tears brimming in her eyes, "thank you. All of you."

"Of course," Rosalee smiled as Hank nodded firmly in agreement. "But I hate to say it, we have no idea why Reed's powers are manifesting so early. It doesn't make any sense."

"Well, Nick's powers came on when Aunt Marie…" Monroe trailed off, not wanting to finish that sentence with such a sensitive word for all of them. "Maybe the same thing is happening now with Reed."

Juliette frowned, shaking her head. "Yea. But Nick has been gone for a long time…"

"What about Nick's mom?" Hank added, looking back and forth between them. "If something just happened to her, then could the powers transfer to Reed now?"

Juliette paled slightly at that suggestion. "Wait, do you guys think something happened to Kelly?"

"No, no," Rosalee reassured her gently. "It's just that we don't really know, one way or another. None of us have heard from her since she went to Europe to get revenge on the Royals for what they did to Nick, so I guess it's possible."

Juliette nodded in response, looking at the floor and sighing deeply. "Yea, yea, I know. It's a very real possibility, with her doing what she does. But I was kind of hoping she'd make it back to us someday, so that maybe Reed could know his grandmother, at least. Foolish thinking I guess," she shook her head bitterly.

"I wish that you didn't have to go through this," Rosalee said sadly in response. "I hope that Kelly's still alive, but we may never know what's happened to her."

"I can accept that," Juliette looked up then, a new fire in her eyes and an edge of steel to her voice, "as long as she ended the bastards who took Nick from us."

Monroe nodded firmly in agreement, unable to keep his eyes from flashing red at Juliette's words. "Agreed."

Just then, they heard a small voice carry to them from the living room.

"Mommy? Where are you?"

"Right here Reed," Juliette quickly responded as she hurriedly walked back into the living room with the others right on her heels. "Sorry baby, I was just talking to Uncle Monroe and Uncle Hank and Aunt Rosalee."

Reed was sitting up on the couch now, his hair mussed and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He broke into a wide smile at the sight of his favorite uncles and aunt smiling down at him.

"Uncle Monroe!" he squealed in delight, tearing from the couch in one rapid movement and launching himself into Monroe's arms. Monroe was ready for him and expertly caught the little boy mid air, pulling him firmly against his chest and wrapping him in a tight hug.

"Reed! My favorite guy," Monroe smiled as Reed wrapped his arms firmly around his neck. "I'm so glad that you and your mom are here."

"Yea," Reed nodded enthusiastically against his neck. "But uh, Uncle Monroe, you're crushing me."

"Oh, sorry buddy," Monroe chuckled, releasing his firm grip on his godson and setting him back down on the floor. "You better give your Aunt Rosie a hug."

Reed didn't need any further encouragement as he willingly ran into Rosalee's open arms.

"Oh my gosh, Reed, you're getting so big!" Rosalee exclaimed as she scooped the little boy up into her arms. "I can hardly lift you!"

"That's cause I'm five," Reed responded matter-of-factly, and they all laughed at that.

"Yes, you are," Rosalee smiled fondly at him. "I can't believe it. Happy Birthday."

"Thanks Aunt Rosie," Reed said politely, no doubt in part of Juliette's good raising of him.

"Ok, ok, my turn," Hank cut in with a raised eyebrow, and Rosalee reluctantly handed him over.

"Hey Uncle Hank," Reed greeted him as Hank pulled him into a hug. "I don't see you a lot."

Hank's face looked slightly pained at that. Kids always told the honest truth, no holds barred. "Yea buddy, I know. That's my fault." He glanced over at Juliette. "But I'm going to try to fix that, because I miss you guys way too much."

"Good," Reed responded as if that answer was all he needed to be satisfied that he would see more of him.

"I hate to cut in," Rosalee said then, "but Juliette, do you think we should show Reed what's really going on?" she gestured at her face knowingly.

"Yea, before he accidentally sees anyways?" Monroe added at that. He was already vainly fighting to suppress his emotions so that Reed wouldn't see the true him before they even had a chance to prepare him for it.

Juliette looked at them both in concern. "Well, yea, if you think that's the best idea? I don't want him to be scared of you, so maybe it would be better to do it now."

"Do what now?" Reed asked curiously as he walked back over to stand next to Juliette. "Mommy, do what?"

"Come here sweetie," Juliette pulled him by the hand and went to go sit with him on the couch. "There is something very important that we need to talk to you about."

"Ok," Reed replied simply, climbing into Juliette's lap and looking at the rest of them with trusting eyes.

Monroe and Rosalee glanced at each other nervously. They wanted to do this right, so that Reed wouldn't be scared of them but could also begin to understand the world of Wesen that he would inadvertently be dealing with for the rest of his life.

Rosalee gave Monroe's hand a quick squeeze as they went over to kneel eye level with their godson.

"So," Rosalee began, picking her words carefully, "your mom says you saw something at the bank the other day."

Reed's eyes widened, and he nodded slowly. "Yea. I saw a guy. But he was a cat. And there was a mouse. And I think there was some other cats too, but now I don't 'member. We were running real fast."

"Yea," Monroe nodded, offering his warmest smile to reassure his godson, "that's right. What did you think about all that?"

Reed shrugged slightly at that, looking hesitantly back at Juliette before continuing. She gave him a nod and an encouraging smile, and he turned back to face his aunt and uncle. "I don't know. I never seen that before."

"Were they scary?" Rosalee asked carefully, patting Reed's knee gently as the little boy looked over at her.

He shook his head. "No."

"Well," Monroe added, glancing briefly at Rosalee for confirmation that he should continue, "did you know that there are more people who are like that?"

Reed furrowed his small brows in confusion. "Like cats?"

"Yea, and not just cats," Monroe replied, "but sort of like other animals too."

"Wow," Reed's eyes were as big as saucers now. "What animals?"

"There are foxes, and wolves, and bears, and bees, and all sorts of different types," Rosalee smiled brightly at her inquisitive godson. "We call them Wesen."

"W-e-s-en," Reed sounded the word out slowly, and Juliette gave him a proud squeeze from where she still held him securely on her lap. "Wesen?"

"That's right buddy," Monroe smiled fondly, trying not to focus on how much Reed looked and sounded just like Nick as a freshly minted Grimm in that moment.

"So there are all different types, and most are very nice, just like normal people, like your mom or Uncle Hank," Rosalee continued, glancing around quickly at the group for approval before turning back to Reed. "But there are also some who aren't so nice, and so you have to be careful, ok?"

"Like strangers?" Reed questioned seriously, making them all burst into laughter, causing the little boy to look even more confused.

"Yes, just like that," Juliette kissed the top of his head affectionately. "Never talk to strangers."

"Your mom is a wise woman," Hank added with a grin from where he was standing off to the side of the couch, receiving a grateful look from Juliette.

"Exactly," Monroe agreed, grinning at Reed's baffled expression. "The big difference between regular people, and these other people, the Wesen, is that only people like you can see the other side of them. The animal side."

"So how come I can see?" Reed asked curiously, glancing back and forth rapidly between Rosalee and Monroe.

"That is a great question," Monroe smiled at him, and reached over to pat the back of his head. "It is a special gift that you have, that not many other people have." He paused to look at the rest of the group before he continued, letting out a deep breath. "Your dad had it too."

"My dad?" Reed blinked slowly at him, letting all of this information sink in. "So my dad could see the animal people, and I can too?"

"That's right," Rosalee squeezed his knee again, looking at Monroe as she did it. They both tried not to notice the tears welling up in Juliette's eyes as they fought back their own. "You are just like your dad."

Reed nodded at that, as if it all made sense. "That's what Mommy says." Juliette kissed the top of his head again, trying to hide her tears in his hair.

Monroe smiled ruefully at him, clearing his throat to hide the emotion in his voice before he spoke, desperately fighting down a woge so he wouldn't scare Reed before he was ready. "Your dad would be so proud of you Reed."

Reed looked back at him, still processing everything. "Yea."

"So, we need to show you something," Rosalee reminded them all gently then of their initial purpose.

"Reed," Monroe looked at him seriously, "there is something very very important that I need you to remember. It's going to still be us, you need to remember that, ok? I don't want you to be scared."

"You know we love you and we would never hurt you," Rosalee added reassuringly. "Remember that too."

"Ok," Reed responded earnestly as he looked back at them, voicing his understanding.

"Ok, on the count of three," Monroe glanced over at Rosalee, who nodded in agreement.

"Just remember, no matter what you see, it's still Uncle Monroe and Aunt Rosie," Juliette whispered in his ear, and Reed nodded at her words.

"Ok, here it goes," Monroe muttered, and he and Rosalee counted together.

"One, two, three!"

They both woged simultaneously then, looking carefully back at Reed to judge his reaction.

Reed startled slightly as he saw their faces change, the faces that he knew and loved so well. But he didn't shy away, staring back at them intensely, and it was unnerving to see that infinite black darkness in the eyes of their beloved godson. He was way too young to already be immersed in the dark and bloody world of his ancestors.

"See, it's still us," Rosalee responded in her Fuchsbau form, smiling while trying to hide her fangs.

"Yea, no big deal," Monroe added, hoping that his fearsome appearance wasn't traumatizing for the young Grimm.

Reed nodded, still looking at them curiously, his eyes deep pools of black that didn't belong on a face so innocent. "Can I touch?"

Rosalee nodded enthusiastically. "Of course!"

Reed reached forwards tentatively, with Juliette's gentle urging, and gently stroked the orange fur on the side of Rosalee's face. "It's soft."

"Yea it is," Rosalee smiled at him, relieved that he didn't seemed to be scared of them so far. Then Reed turned to Monroe, and he froze as Reed reached out for his face as well.

But instead of pulling away in fear or repulsion, Reed gently fingered the wiry brown hair around his face, not reacting any differently to his appearance than he had to Rosalee's.

Seemingly satisfied, Reed sat back, still looking back and forth at them and taking in their appearances. After a moment, he smiled at them both. "Ok. I'm done."

Rosalee and Monroe both chuckled, reverting slowly back to their human forms.

"So, what did you think?" Juliette asked, as the four friends glanced anxiously at each other, wondering if this was the right move to prepare Reed for the life he was about to face.

"Good," Reed shrugged, seemingly unfazed by the whole thing. "Not scary. It's just them."

For the second time in his life, Monroe had never been more relieved to receive that type of reaction from a Grimm.

TBC