Nick placed Alex in the play area next to the couch and made sure he was occupied before turning his attention to an eager and patiently waiting Grace. "Well, you know" he began. "Since my mom came to Middleton that one time I've spent the last part of winter holidays with her in New York." Grace nodded in understanding. "This year was going as good as normal," he continued "until the party last night."

Approximately 12 hours earlier in a stylish New York City condo: Linda Wallace was frantic; her caterers had completely messed up.

"Relax, Mom," Nick said trying to calm the oncoming storm he knew the catering company was going to experience. "Why don't I run to the shop down the street? Maybe they have some frozen appetizers or…" Linda stopped her son. "Nicky, don't finish that sentence. What has your father and step-mother been teaching you about hosting?!" She asked rhetorically.

"Actually," Nick answered honestly. "Stephanie always caters Cassie and…" Nick saw his mother's glare and decided it was best not to continue. "Never mind. How can I help?"

"Nick, I'm sorry. I just need some space to get this fixed."

"Right. Ok."

Not quite noticing the slight disappointment in her son's response, she continued, "Go ahead and mingle. Chat. I am sure someone would be interested your history stuff you're studying at university."

"It's my ancient civilisations course, Mom."

"Right, yes. That!"

"Ok." He shook his head. "I'll be in the main room, if you want me." But Linda had already moved on to another catering catastrophe. Nick rolled his eyes and went to join the rest of the guests. Some were friends of his mother from when she was married to Sam, but many were business acquaintances, new and old. But, there was one face he certainly recognised, Geoffrey. He had heard they had gotten back together not long after Linda's return from Middleton, but he had not seen him since before leaving New York.

Geoffrey's big smile gleamed at Nick from across the room. "Hey, Nick," he called out from across the room, waving him over. Reluctantly, Nick made his way to his mother's on-again-off-again boyfriend. "Hey, Geoffrey, how are you?"

"Better now that your mom's back," he said, clearly a bit tipsy from his consumption of alcohol. "Everyone, this is little Nicky Radford. Linda's son." Nick didn't appreciate Geoffrey's introduction, but smiled nonetheless. "Oh, I didn't Linda had a son," said a voice. "Yep, he lives in Smallville, USA now with his dad and evil stepmother, well according to Linda," they laughed.

Nick frowned. "It's Middleton and Cassie is a great stepmother," he said trying to hold off his growing annoyance and anger. "Oh, sorry. Nicky does wuv his step mommy," Geoffrey taunted drunk. They laughed louder this time. Anger was beginning to bubble over within Nick, and the adolescent games continued. "What kid would defend a stepmother over his own mother," Geoffrey challenged. "Good thing she didn't waste time over a custody battle all those years ago when she has such an unappreciative son."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Nick bit back.

"Oh, you don't know." Geoffrey smugly replied.

Nick got impatient. "If you have something to say, go ahead, say it," he challenged loudly.

"Well little Nicky, when your mom and dad divorced all those years ago, your mom decided to take a job in London rather than stick around battling it out with your old man over who got custody," he said smugly.

"You take that back!" Nick said loudly as he launched himself forward to come face to face with Geoffrey. Nearby guests had already stopped their conversations and were focusing on the brewing argument, but the stares intensified.

"Why? Your mom told me herself when we first starting dating."

"You're a liar!" Nick yelled. This time the room stopped, the attention on him and his mother's boyfriend.

Geoffrey saw his opportunity to end the conversation. "You didn't know, did you? Well…"

"You are a f—king liar," Nick said sternly. However, by this time his mother had also noticed the confrontation happening between her son and Geoffrey and was right there to hear his final word. "Nicholas!" She cried, stunned. "What are you doing?!"

Nick had not noticed his mother enter the room and was speechless for a moment. "Mom? I…He…" he finally stumbled.

"How dare you speak to Geoffrey like that," Linda admonished.

"But, Mom he…"

"I don't want to hear it, Nicky. You apologise, please, right now!"

"Me? Apologise? Don't you even want to know what happened? What he said?" He pleaded.

"I don't care what he said," she scolded. "I only heard what you said and that was enough."

Nick glared at his adversary and then at his mother. "No. I won't," he said and took off towards his room.

Nick fell silent after his story. Grace waited, taking it all in. "She lied," he finally said, breaking the silence. "I believe him. She lied."

"Your mom?" Grace queried.

"Yeah, she told me my dad 'stole' me from her. My dad said they came to the decision together. They both lied, I guess, though my mom's was more severe," he confessed.

"So, you believe Geoffrey told the truth?"

"Yeah. She essentially gave me to my Dad after the divorce. She took a job in London rather than wanting to take care of her son," he said looking dejected and bent down to pick up his brother. "You, little bro, are lucky that your mom loves you so much. Don't take that for granted." Alexander smiled, reaching out to touch his brother's face, giving him a burble for an answer. Nick pulled him to his chest, hugging him.

Grace could see the pain in his eyes, though he didn't say anything. "Nick, I am sure that was difficult to hear, but…"

"Grace," Nick interrupted. "Don't. Your Dad loved you, heck, my Dad loves you. You don't understand. No one would." With that, Nick seemed to shut down. He took Alex, a few toys, and headed toward his room. "Thanks for listening, but I think I want to be alone now."

Grace opened her mouth to object, but Nick stopped her. "Ok, not alone. Alex is coming with me," Nick retorted grabbing the boy's play crib.

Grace pondered the story and situation. The revelation had clearly hit Nick hard and she knew she couldn't help him—not on her own anyway. She was lost in thought when Sam and Cassie came into the room, Elizabeth in her father's arms. "Grace, I thought you had Alex?" Cassie asked her eldest.

"Uh, yeah. Nick is taking care of him," she said still lost in thought.

"Nick's here?" Sam spoke up.

"Yeah, he's been back for a bit."

"How is he?" "Where is he?" He said looking around the room.

"In his room with Alex."

"Grace, why didn't you let us know?" Sam asked.

"Well, I just felt he wanted to talk to me first," she explained simply.

Sam had learned to trust Grace's 'feelings' as much as her mother's. "Ok," he said nodding with understanding.

"Did he tell you anything?" Cassie asked.

"Oh yeah. He told me everything."

"And?" Sam queried.

"Long story, short." Her parents nodded. "He said his mother took a job in London rather than work out custody all those years ago, Sam."

"Oh dear," Cassie said.