Kelly had long since lost the battle against the afternoon's sweltering heat leaving his parents alone on the roof under the dying ambers of the day. Adalind had tucked him in where it was cooler and easy to find some respite. While the sunset was beautiful to behold from the new garden, it didn't take long for Adalind to find other ways for them to enjoy the private space. It wasn't exactly the mile-high club but the intimacy between her and Nick more than out-classed the popular but quickie setting that often attracted couples.

"I wish we could stay like this…in our little bubble forever." She couldn't help but voice her thoughts as they lay with arms and legs entangled sweetly together, watching the first of the stars come out to shine. "I don't want to go back," referring to her house, her job and everything that posed a threat to her happiness.

"I don't want you to go back either. I will say this about us…we don't make anything easy…."

"No, no we don't but it's worth it," said Adalind, a statement as well as a question all at once.

"It is, more than you will ever know," said Nick definitively. "You belong here."

She wasn't sure if he meant his arms or the loft. Perhaps he meant both, the thought made her tingle in that familiar and expectant way that often saw her jump in head first into the unknown. In the past, she always ended up burnt but with Nick, she'd found refuge, stability…love. She was more than happy to take the plunge. They were moving too fast by anyone's standards, Adalind was floating high on a cloud to let a thing like common sense bring her down to earth.

True to form, they did things their own way, not following the rules. There was nothing traditional about them and it worked for them.

Honestly, she never once believed this day would ever come. She felt a strange but thrilling urge to stand over the edge of the roof and shout at the top of her lungs that she had defied the stars and won, forgetting that she was still half-naked, most of their clothing scattered about as they enjoyed the heat and each other.

On that roof, Adalind basked in unbridled joy, letting it wash over her with nary a thought that it could be a mirage or that someone would come and snatch it from her arms just as she was about to enjoy it. It was unchartered territory for Adalind and she loved every minute of it.

Catherine hadn't raised her to be so carefree with her emotions, especially good and happy ones, citing them as either useless or dangerous. For Hexenbiests, true happiness was never their portion in life. They either chased the unattainable or grew too jaded to want better for themselves, and if by some chance they did want better, they were too far-gone down the wrong path to turn back, A life compounded by a very healthy dose of self-centredness from which it was often impossible to escape.

…Yet Adalind did.

She broke free of those shackles, perhaps loving someone other than herself…above herself was the stronger force needed to set her free from the chains wrought over her life by the Hexenbiest. Her children and Nick were her miracle, a chance to live again.

Her thoughts meandered back to her daughter. It was impossible to imagine a good life when she still had no clue to the whereabouts of Diana. She felt the acute stab through her heart where her daughter was. This pain of losing her precious baby, she realised, would never subside, nor did she wish it to. It was a part of her story now, something inescapable, like her feelings for Nick or her encompassing love for her son.

"What's wrong?" asked Nick suddenly, as if he'd read her mind and gleaned her thoughts from the ether. "Tell me what you're thinking?"

"…Nothing." She said.

"…Liar." He smiled down at her.

"Alright, you caught me. You always do." She returned his smile, lifted her face and kissed his lips before resting, again, her head over his slow beating heart to listen to the soothing rhythmic thumping.

"So you're not going to tell me?"

"It's nothing really, nothing that you didn't know already. I still can't believe we're here…like this…together after everything. I used to think I was cursed, why things never worked out for me and now here I am, in love with a wonderful man, deliriously happy…. I didn't think it was possible."

"Are you waiting for the other shoe to drop?"

"Not exactly…."

He gave her a pointed look.

"Maybe, I don't know. How can two people who've hurt each other the most be so…."

"…Crazy in love?"

"…After everything?"

"Do you trust me?" He said.

"I do." She replied without guile. The words flowed effortlessly from her chest because it was the truth. She trusted Nick, more than anyone she knew. Probably more than she trusted herself.

"We're going to make this work." He said emphatically, as if his words had the power to the river. They were swimming against the current, defying the course of nature itself.

"…Because there's never been anything like you and me before? There isn't by the way or else I would have read about it."

"No, because we choose to make it work." He elaborated.

"Still, the world has never seen anything like us before. Tomorrow I go back to work, back to pretending I don't know you or even love you, who knows for how long that will be."

Nick hugged her tightly against his chest. It felt so good.

"If I can't leave my firm soon, we're going to have to prepare for the day the world finds out and I don't see it throwing confetti for us, a Grimm and a Hexenbiest…."

"We'll deal with it…together. We're a team now, you and me. As long as that never changes, there's nothing this world can throw at us that we cannot beat together."

"It's that simple?"

"…Pretty much."

"I love your confidence."

"You love me," he said with a cocky smile dancing across his lips.

She knew that smile so well. It made her toes curl, though it hadn't always been that way. What used to infuriate her now leaves her panting for more.

They held on to one another longer for what seemed like an eternity, until Nick spoke rousing her from the beginnings of a deep sleep. "Addie, are you still awake?"

"Mm-hmm." She said non-committal.

"There's something thing I need to tell you."

"Hmmm."

"It's important…it's about what Monroe and I found in the Black Forest…."

*/*/*

"How does it feel to be an engaged woman?" Rosalee squeed. The Fuchsbau was unable to contain herself, once they sat down for tea at the Spice Shop the following day.

"How did you…? I don't even have a ring."

"You should know by now that Nick and Monroe are like a pair of school girls, nothing ever stays secret with those two."

"Right" Adalind said between her tea sipping.

"You see, Monroe is obligated by our marriage contract to tell me everything, that's how I know. You'll soon understand."

She already did, after her talk with Nick the previous night.

"So how does it feel?" Rosalee repeated her pointed question, desperate for the details. While Adalind was eager to share the news with her friend, she wasn't that eager to share those "details" as she put it. That would remain firmly between her and Nick.

"We finally talked."

"Yesss…."

"He told me how he felt…."

"And…."

"…And I told him how I felt…."

"I already know all of that, give me the good stuff!"

A light blush covered Adalind's face.

Rosalee squealed even more. It was oddly uncharacteristic of her friend to be thus animated, thought Adalind.

"He wanted to get me a ring, but I told him no."

"That's so…progressive of you."

"Old me would have a royal fit at the thought of anything less than am 18 carat diamond but the old has assed so to speak." She mused.

Rosalee wasn't so convinced. "Do you actually want one?" She asked.

Adalind hesitated.

How did she voice her desires without coming off as shallow and materialistic? Yes, she wanted to wear Nick's ring, it was a symbol of their love, a promise to "forever" and felt no shame in wanting to whole world to know, but…

"I couldn't exactly walk around the office with a rock on my finger and not explain where it came from, why no one has ever heard of my sudden fiancé."

"Where do they think Kelly came from, a muster of stork flew by before dropping into your lap?"

"Funny but nothing quite so interesting, I know the latest water cooler talk is that his father is Kehrseite and married." There were other unflattering things spoken but Adalind didn't feel like sharing that either.

"Doesn't that aggravate you, being talked about like that? I know I would rip someone's head off for talking about my son like that."

"Honestly it's better that than the truth, not after what we did in Germany."

"Oh, that! I'd actually forgotten that whole thing."

"I wish could do the same but it's hard when Bonaparte could just as easily make a comeback in my life so long as I keep working in that office. Speaking of Germany, Nick told me about the Stick. He showed it to me."

"Oh…that also," said Rosalee grimaced, embarrassed. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you."

"Don't worry about it. Things between us at that time were rather…unsettled, I totally understand. It looks so regular and benign but I could sense its power."

"I'm glad he told you. You're engaged now, practically married, it makes sense to begin this new chapter of your lives with no more secrets, especially about a magical stick with healing powers that only Nick can touch without hurting him."

"That's weird but also expected considering it was the Grimm treasure from the Crusades that many have died to protect and keep hidden from the Royals. I wouldn't have trusted me either with something so big."

"Adalind…."

"No Rosalee, let's call a spade a spade here, I cannot blame Nick for keeping this from me, I would have done the same thing if I were in his shoes."

"…But things are different now, right?"

"I'd cut off my own arm before I betray Nick ever again. Let's hope this feeling lasts…."

"Tsk!" Rosalee brushed off Adalind's end statement. "So do you know what kind of wedding you want, big? Small and intimate?"

Adalind blanched, she hadn't given much thought past being with Nick for the rest of her life, and how they go about making it happen hadn't crossed her mind at all.

Firstly, she could count on two fingers the number of people she could call friends and her mother, who'd disapprove this union vehemently was dead, everyone else was an acquaintance at best, an enemy at worst. Sean was a no-no, altogether. Adalind didn't need a reminder of the person she used to be as she walked down the aisle to marry the love of her life.

Although Adalind had remained awkward throughout the wedding "girl talk", it belied her excitement.

As someone who'd never had any type of aspirations for true and genuine love, she also had no real girlfriends with whom to make such plans. It made her love Rosalee even more than she already did. Her heart was so full she actually thought it would burst just thinking about it. It was only a few years back when it was empty and shrivelled up like a used candy wrap and now she had all of these people in her life, people she loved and actually loved her back. She honestly didn't know what to make of it.

The ringing of a bell alerted them to a customer that cut their conversation short. Rosalee excused herself to attend to business. Adalind used the opportunity to get her heart rate back to normal. Her skin was burning hot from all the contained excitement.

Of late, she wasn't acting anything like her regular self and she struggled to hide the change. It wasn't like before, when it felt like treading on eggshells because she was afraid of disappointing everyone. This time around, she felt her old confidence return but with none of the bite. Nick knew what she was and loved her in spite of that.

The sound of a familiar laugh emanating from the front of the store made Adalind turn and to her surprise, Vera Fischer was the customer who'd come into the store.

"Adalind, fancy seeing you here," said the lanky and svelte woman. She was dressed in an asymmetrical, off the shoulder grey dress with a bulky belt to match her hand back and pumps. Her thick black hair tied rightly onto a sever ponytail with not a single strand out of place.

"Hi Vera, nice to see you again."

"Oh so you two know each other?" Rosalee asked as she packaged some items into a brown bag.

"It's a recent acquaintance, but one I rather enjoy," replied the other woman.

"Yes, we keep running into each other," said Adalind.

"…Like the stars are trying to tell us something," Vera gave a playful wink. "I'll be staying in town for a little longer than expected."

"Maybe it's the Portland air. It has that effect on people."

"The project I have been nursing for the last few months is beginning to take shape. I wasn't sure at first but I'm seeing a good return. It would seem too prudent to pull back now, that and it's nice being around family again.

"It's always nice to have new folks around. It keeps things refreshing."

"I was enjoying my stay and Portland does look this time of years. It would have been perfect except for those killings recently. I mean, how gruesome can you get?"

"It's so terrible," agreed Rosalee. "People are rightfully scared, this has never happened in this town before and I hate how it's turned this community upside down."

"My sister in law is freaking out. She owns a business next door to the place where they found one of the bodies. Her place has been shut up since more bodies started turning up. Actually, that's why I came here today…to get a few things for Cindy to help calm her nerves a bit. Even if I wanted to leave Portland today, I certainly can't do that now, not when my brother and niece need me."

"Oh Vera, I'm so sorry to hear that," said Rosalee sympathetically. "Hols on…I might have something else that might help," she walked round the counter to the shelves at the back of the shop.

"I'm certain the cops are doing everything they can to stop this guy," added Adalind, wanting to defend Nick even though the other woman didn't know him from a bar of soap."

"Oh I remember you said something about Kelly's father being a cop. That has to be a rough gig, with what he sees on the job daily. My brother's wife just heard about what happened and she's already a ball of nerves and my brother doing his best but he needs his little sister to help him hold the fort running all over town like I'm superwoman but enough about me. I feel like I'm holding down two jobs as it is. At this rate, I might drive myself to needing Rosalee's miracle remedies just to get through the day.

Adalind just nodded.

"Where is your beautiful son, I don't see him around."

"Oh he's over there, sleeping." Adalind pointed to the nook in the wall, just to her right. "He's had an exciting few days since I came back from Germany."

"I can only imagine. I was actually surprised he wasn't with you when we last saw each other."

"His father took care of him while I was away on business. We share custody."

"Is that all you share?"

Adalind flushed.

"Excuse me, forget I said anything, it's just…you're glowing. I figured there was a man involved and since you only ever talk about your son I assumed your ex was the only other guy in your life."

Adalind shifted uncomfortably.

"Sorry; there I go, putting my foot back in it again. I really should mind my own business. It's my job. It makes me curious about people. Sometimes I forget that my family and clients are the ones who can appreciate my little quirks I'm a complete stranger and there are boundaries. I should respect that."

"Hey, don't worry about it," replied Adalind carefully. This wasn't the time to have one hackles up, she thought to herself, mindful of how she needed to be open to new relationships and purge herself of her mother's self-destructive training to trust no one who couldn't be a ring in her ladder to the top. "It's not like you didn't hit the mark," she added self-consciously.

"I'm…happy…for you. I had someone like that myself, some time ago but it didn't work out. I gave it everything I had but apparently, I wasn't enough for him. I wasn't perfect for him. He cheated on me with some blonde bimbo."

Well, this just turned awkward.

"I'm sorry…well from where I stand, it's his loss." Adalind said a beat too late.

"That's what I say."

Rosalee made her back, "Here it is. If your sister-in-law is having any trouble sleeping, let her drink this with her tea. It's as effective as your over the counter stuff but without the harsh side effects."

"This is why I love coming here. You're a lifesaver, Rosie. How about I take you to lunch and thank you properly, Adalind can join us if she doesn't mind."

"I haven't done anything yet. Give that to Cindy and tell me how she's doing before you thank me."

"Oh please everyone in this town knows your talents, or am I lying?" Vera turned to Adalind enquiringly.

"Rosalee is brilliant, I should know." Adalind said nothing more.

"I guess I'll see you gals later. Have a fabulous day." Vera bid them goodbye as she made her exit.

"I should probably get going myself. Rosie."

"Oh no, don't call me that. My sister calls me that and I absolutely hate it."

"I should get going."

"Alright, but we're not done talking."

Adalind covered up her face with both hands hoping to escape the wedding subject. She was happy to talk about the rest of her life with Nick, just not that particular day.

"I know you two, if one's not careful this wedding is going to fly by without much fanfare. You'll end up in court standing before a justice of the peace with you wearing nothing but your dreary power suit while your Grimm is in a shirt and jeans with the forest mud desperately clinging to his work boots.

"Ugh, how did you know?" Adalind quipped, teasing Rosalee as she picked up Kelly from his temporary playpen.

*/*/*

A few days later, they did have that lunch as Vera had offered; meeting in the most posh side of Portland that brimmed with investment bankers, actuaries and a whole dictionary of financial wizards who may have well as poke a foreign language to Rosalee and Adalind, they couldn't understand half of what was said around them.

It was a warm day, a little windy coupled with the changing of leaves now in effect, the advent of the fall season, so they sat outside, under the shade.

A waiter made his way to their table and turned to their companion, "Excuse me Ma'am, you are needed at the front desk," he said.

"Sorry ladies, I'll be back shortly."

Vera followed the waiter but Adalind was too preoccupied to notice Rosalee staring at her. She had spent the past forty minutes avoiding Rosalee and her ambitious plans for her upcoming nuptials to Nick since arriving at the restaurant.

"It's the perfect season to get married," Rosalee had volunteered after Vera had excused herself to go to the ladies room. "You could have a garden wedding, with all the warm shades of Autumn…ooohh, how about the Portland Rose Garden. It's the perfect setting?"

"It is beautiful but it doesn't exactly scream 'Nick and Adalind'."

"If I could get either of you to say anything north of five word sentences straight, perhaps I could come up with something more to your taste. Monroe and I feel like we're the ones getting married here. He's already picked up his tux and has written his best man speech and I read it. It is moving." Rosalee threw her hands in the air, exasperated and accidentally shoved one of the glasses crashing to the floor by her feet.

"Oops."Adalind smiled. She didn't mean to.

Rosalee bent over to pick up the pieces

"That's not necessary, I'm sure they'll send some—"

"Ouch, just what I needed!" Rosalee hissed, in full woge after cutting her finger on one of the broken shards before said waiter quickly made his way with a broom and dustpan and swept up the broken pieces.

Instead of gloating and "I told you so," Adalind rummaged through her bag for a plaster band to help stop the bleeding.

"Well shit!" Rosalee swore, to Adalind's surprise.

"Rosa it can't possibly be that deep, here wrap your finger with this…." said Adalind as she handed her friend the band-aid but Rosalee had turned her face to the side, avoiding making eye contact.

"What's did I miss?" Vera asked as she returned to her seat.

"It's nothing, just a little accident,' said Adalind.

"Rosie, are you alright?" Asked Vera.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's nothing serious but I…I just remembered something. Monroe is out of town for the day so I was supposed to pick up his supplies across town. He's a bit finicky about these kinds of things. I was distracted and cut myself with the broken glass."

A suspicious look crossed Vera's features but it vanished just as quickly. "I know the feeling." She said barely above a whisper.

Adalind gave Rosalee a quizzical look. She knew Monroe hadn't left town. In fact, he was working from home that day, so Adalind wondered what had prompted the lie.

"Well, that is unfortunate. Adalind, you're probably needed back at the office."

"When am I never needed? I swear Berman wants to bury me under a pile of contracts as punishment for leaving the firm years ago," she made a light joke but her mind was buzzing at the speed of light. Rosalee's mood had done a whole 180 and Adalind wanted to know why.

"Maybe we can have dessert next time. The soufflé here is to die for," Vera added before asking for the check.

They all exited the restaurant. Adalind waited until Vera had driven off before turning to Rosalee and asked her what had happened inside, why she had lied and barely said two words to Vera.

"How long have you known Vera?"

"Not long, I met her several weeks ago, why?"

"Did you know she was a Grimm?"

"A what now!?"

"…A Grimm. I saw her…in there. It was through a reflection after I cut my hand. She wasn't looking directly at me so she didn't see that I had woged."

"Well shit!" cursed Adalind, mirroring Rosalee's succinct statement from inside the restaurant. "What are the chances that she's like Nick…friendly, I mean?"

Rosalee harrumphed, unconvinced of such a likelihood.

*/*/*