~ Chapter 12 ~

Temporary

For whatever reason it was, Beau had convinced her mother to go visit a friend's house with him. Daniel heard her questioning and asked why he wanted, Beau had it all planned out by saying he wanted to borrow a book that he needed for school. Luckily, Wilhelmina wanted to see the mother of Beau's friend, since it's an old friend of hers; so she agreed.

And that gave Daniel time to prepare for their surprise for her. He was in the kitchen helping with the food, and he also checked the garden to see if the big table was set up since that would be where they will eat for the night. He kept checking his watch to be sure that he knew exactly what time it was. It was 5 pm already and Nico was still not present. Daniel felt slightly worried, what she said about wanting her family to be complete when they were in the garden were all flashing back in his mind. He could remember how sincere and vulnerable she sounded, it was like a poor girl asking her parents to buy her something which they couldn't afford, or someone who lost someone close to them.

Daniel knew that was how she felt, she knew her daughter Nico hated her, so why would she live with someone she hates.

The doorbell rang and that brought him back to the world of reality. Daniel panicked thinking it was Wilhelmina, but when he opened the door. He was relieved to find Nico there.

Hopefully this would get him in to Wilhelmina's good books. Nico looked around the house, her suitcase in one hand.

"So where's my mother?"

"She's out with Beau. I asked him to distract her while I set up here." Nico understood so she nodded.

"Alright. I'll just go put my things in my room, then I'll help you." she said and patted Daniel's face twice.

"Ooh, that doesn't sound like you."

She turned to him.

"I've grown since you last saw me Danny."

"That Nico was sure a lot shorter than you.." he smiled and told her to go. He showed more of a fatherly side to him.

Although he would hate to admit it, he really wanted to be some kind of father to Nico, he was that close with Wilhelmina's daughter. Too bad it didn't work out like he and Nico had hoped.

--

For Nico, it felt like going in a stranger's house, she hasn't been home for the past two years, her excuse was always university, her mother understood that, but Nico knew he mother wasn't that stupid, she knew her daughter didn't want to spend time with her. Maybe with Beau, but for her it's a definite 'no.'.

Her room also was weird, she felt some type of cold atmosphere, probably because of the memories in it, which she couldn't really remember since it's been a long time from when she laid on the bed, or used the shower or looked out of the window of her room. She breathed out a sigh and then put her suitcase on the side, then raked a hand through her hair while sat on the side of the bed.

After a few more minutes, Nico grabbed a different footwear; some flat slippers, and took her uncomfortable heels on, so she can wear the more comfortable one around the house, since she said she would help Daniel with the preparations.

--

"Danny." she said with her hands on her hops, waiting for Daniel to tell her what to do. She didn't really like being told what to do, just like her mother, but today was not a normal day.

"Oh. What can you do?"

"That sounded harsh by the way.. What's on your list that I'm capable of?"

"Can you set up the table? You know, just do some tweaking around. We got candles, flowers, vases, cloths etc.." he said while gesturing to where the stuff were. Nico smiled lightly and nodded.

In the garden, she went to do her job. She kind of knew what she was doing because she sometimes watch people do it in school, and she knew a thing or two about art. For someone who's studying photography, she better do.

--

In the car with Wilhelmina and Beau. They were on their way home. Wilhelmina was looking outside, Beau wanted to break the silence between them so he reached for her hand.

"Mom." he got her attention.

"I think Daniel likes you." Beau said, Wilhelmina laughed softly while she shook her head.

Imagine her and Daniel together again, if the first relationship was bad, what could this one be like.

"I'm serious." he said, and when she didn't take him seriously, he looked away.

"Look, Daniel doesn't like me sweety. We hate each other."

"That's what you think Mom. But he really does like you, believe me."

Yeah, believe. That's what Daniel told her when he said he loved her. 'Believe me when I saw this Willie, I love you.' she could still picture him stood in between the doors of the elevators because she was running away that time. She shook of the thoughts and focused ahead. Beau didn't bother her.

--

Daniel carefully put down the last of the plates while Nico lit the last of the candles. The sun was fading, and it was beginning to feel more like evening. Daniel looked at Nico on the corners of his eyes, his hands crossed across his chest, she looked at it proud.

"Perfect?" he asked not looking at her, but looking at the table they had set up.

"I'd say so." Nico smiled feeling some kind of accomplishment. Hopefully her mother would appreciate it too.

They finally looked at each other when they heard the doors of a car closing, which meant that Beau and Wilhelmina were home. Daniel told her to go upstairs to get changed quickly, while he went to distract Wilhelmina.

"Hey, where have you been?" he asked. Wilhelmina looked at him and sat on the sofa, feeling exhausted. Beau saw Daniel winking at him, he looked confused.

"Who's room is the one next to my room Wilhelmina?"

"That's Nico's. Why?"

"Oh, nothing. Just curious." he said and gave Beau a go signal.

Daniel sat next to her on the sofa, but let some space for her not to kill him.

"Kids these days, they grow up so fast don't they?" he said out of nowhere. She turned her head towards him with a small smile of her lips.

--

"Hello?" Beau knocked on the door. The door opened and there stood was Nico, all ready to go.

"Hey.. How are you Junior?" she said and pulled her brother in the room. He smiled.

"I'm fine. Thanks for coming."

"Well, how can I miss this for the world? You're here and Danny's here."

"How about mom?"

Nico went quiet and smiled, levelling his height.

"This place isn't for me Junior, this is just, I guess temporary. You know what my relationship with mom is like." she said while squeezing his hands. Beau nodded in return.

"Still, thank you."

"No problem, I guess."

They chatted some more, until Nico realized that Beau should better get ready. Following her orders, he did - he changed into some dark clue jeans and a white polo shirt and he wore a black tie. He met up with Nico in front of her room, her sister wore a black strapless dress, powered by some shiny glitter stuff on the V-line.

--

"Come, I've got something to show you." Daniel finally said after a long silence. She eyed him weirdly, but he got her off the sofa in seconds by carrying her in his arms. Though to his disappointment, it didn't last for long, because she squealed and hit him on the head to be put down.

"Follow me." he looked at her to make sure she was following, which she was.

They reached the door to the garden, he stopped walking and had his hand on the handle of the door. Grinning at her like an idiot.

"Wasting time Daniel."

"Mom!" they both turned around to see Beau running down the stairs, dressed in casual clothes. Now, she looked confused.

Daniel opened the door. Her eyes went straight at the perfectly set up table, it had lighted candles, flowers and it was in the middle of the garden, everything about it was perfect.

A/N: Not much to say really, thanks for the reviews and enjoy this chapter. And yes, Nico is finally in the story.

Next: Willie's bday evening, mother and daughter talk, & some midnight lovin' xP