"So Adalind chose not to terminate her pregnancy." Sean Renard said it like a statement.
"With all due respect, sir, maybe you should talk to Adalind about this." Nick did everything in his power to remain calm, but the look on his always expressive face showed irritation at his captain.
Renard sighed. The last thing he wanted was to get on the bad side of a grimm, especially one that worked for him. But he had to know what exactly was happening and how it might affect his own life.
"This is not an interrogation, detective. I have no interest in getting into a pissing contest with you. My only reason for wanting to talk to you alone is to keep our private lives from being a part of the gossip around here. I heard rumors that you were with a beautiful blonde you had once saved, and who was now pregnant. Everyone saw Adalind storm out of my office, and saw you chase after her. Of course, a place full of detectives, everyone is trying to finger out the story."
"Most are assuming Adalind is pregnant with my child. And that she stormed out of your office after she requested that I not be put out in the field, so I wouldn't be in danger, and you told her no."
"That actually might be the best story to go with. Adalind might be in harm's way if my father's side of the family thought I was the father of her baby. I'll have to tell my mother, of course. But I rather wait until it's closer tot he due date for that."
"I hope you don't expect Adalind to believe you told her to get an abortion for her own safety."
"I don't plan on having this conversation with Adalind. She would likely skin my alive the second I opened my mouth. I just wanted to inform you on some events that could be happening, since you've taken on the roll of Adalind's protector and honorary father to the baby. And to ask if you planned on taking paternity leave when the baby is born?"
"I wasn't sure if you would let me, since you know the real story."
"Risk the wrath of a hexenbiest? I think I've pushed my luck far enough. When the baby is born, you can have six weeks off. That's as long as I can spare you. As a detective anyway. As far as you're grimm duties are concerned, you might want to talk to your wesen friends about that one."
When Nick returned home that evening, he gave Adalind the good news.
"Renard is letting me have six weeks off when the baby is born."
"That's awfully generous of him. What's the catch?"
"His mother might insist on being involved."
Adalind sighed and snuggled closer to Nick as that sat on the couch.
"I suppose it would be cruel to keep her away from her grandchild, just because her son is a schmuck."
Nick tightened his hold, kissed the top of her head and smiled, "It never hurts for a child to be surrounded by lots of people who love them."
Adalind nodded her agreement. With her own mother dead, and her father not having any contact with her since she was four, it would be nice for the baby to have at least one grandparent involved in their life."
"I wonder how Sean's mother will react when she discovers that her son told a woman to get an abortion? And now another man is essentially taking care of his child."
"I'm guessing that he's going to be leaving out a lot of details. He already told me he thinks it better for everyone if his royal side of the family does not know he's going to be a father. He said he believed you were safer with everyone thinking the father of your child is a grimm."
"I seriously doubt that was the reason he behaved the way he did. He's a selfish bastard who only ever thinks about himself. He only cared about obtaining power. Everyone else is disposable."
"I warned him you wouldn't believe his excuse." Nick's grin was wide. "If his mother is half as perceptive and clever as you, Renard might finally have someone knock him down a few pegs."