Chapter 17

Nick's pov

I quickly shut the door to my house before speed walking into the kitchen. Hank had just dropped me off since there was no need to go to the station. Adalind wouldn't be there until tomorrow. As for Monroe and Rosalee I am just assuming they made it back to the shop. As soon as I reached the kitchen I saw that it was empty.

"Where could she be?" I said to myself.

I followed around into the living room and then up the stairs finding every room just as the first. The guest bedroom appeared unchanged but still empty. No sign of my mother. Slowly giving up I made my way into mine and Juliette's room to drop off my gun. As soon as I turned the handle and entered I noticed my mother. She was sitting on the bed quietly, studying something in her hand.

"I know it was you," I started.

She didn't respond nor engage me, just further study the object that was placed in her nimble fingers.

"How did you know about the crash that just happened? How did you know that was the place to look when it happened?" I asked her.

"I had a feeling you were in trouble. It appears as if I was right."

"What were you doing there? You need to stay here where no one can find you. The Captain and the rest of the police team are out looking for you!"

"If you die, then who would take over your place?" she answered with a question.

I just blinked rapidly at her as she averted her eyes back to her hands. Her face became dead serious when she looked back up at me.

"Now it's my turn for a question. What are you doing with this?"

She rose up her hand to show me that she was talking about the diamond engagement ring that I had been planning to give to Juliette. Anger immediately consumed me as I realized what she had been doing.

"You went through my things? And what does it matter to you if I choose to get married?"

"I just want what's best for you, Nicky. She could get hurt, or worse, you."

"How is it worse if I get hurt?" I asked ashamed that she would even say such a thing.

"Like I said before. If you die, no one will be here to take over to keep things under control."

"I don't care what you want or don't want. I love Juliette and I want to marry her," I said after taking a few deep breaths to collect myself.

I could feel my mother's cold hard stare on me as I opened my palm, waiting for her to give me back the ring. She slowly rose and placed it back in my hand and went to leave but not before muttering,

"Fine, have it your way."

And with that she was gone. I was left alone in my empty room with nothing but my thoughts to keep me company. I was still furious that she would even think to be leaving the house under the terms that are currently surrounding her right now. I quietly walked over to my side of the bed and lay down carefully, placing the ring and its box on Juliette's side of the bed. The house felt so deserted and lonely without her here. I begged myself not to start crying and I promptly shut my eyes, hoping for a better day tomorrow; one filled with Adalind being locked away for good and finally being able to bring Juliette home again.

Monroe's pov

So wet. The two of us quickly shut the door blocking out the vicious bursts of wind that penetrated our already freezing senses from the pouring rain. I found myself looking over to Rosalee to see how she was holding up to find her sliding off her drenched coat and finding a blanket to keep herself warm. We hadn't really talked much since the accident considering we had to get out of there pretty quickly without being noticed. Besides, after that we just needed to make sure that Nick was going to be alright. We had headed back here after we saw him get into Hank's car, but something seemed off about him.

"Are you alright?" I heard Rosalee ask me.

"Just a little shaken up, I guess," I replied.

She patted the spot next to her on the couch where she held up the blanket for me to climb in. Removing my jacket I took the spot right next to her and immediately felt warmer.

"We should get some sleep. You should stay here for the night because honestly, I don't want you driving in this weather considering all of what just happened," she said.

I nodded my head as a smile quickly fell upon my face. I stretched to the back of the couch and Rosalee fell right in front of me. Dragging the blanket over the two of us I felt her snuggle deeper into my chest, her breathing slowly evening out. My arm found its way around her waist as if protecting her from the weather above. Soon enough my breathing began to settle down too, sleep slowly claiming me. Tomorrow would be better. Adalind would be behind bars and hopefully Nick could actually sleep again when we bring Juliette back home. But right now, I just settled my eyes on the sleeping girl in my arms because nothing has ever been more perfect. So as the rain pattered against the roof and windows, I found myself blocking all of that out as I fell into the most blissful sleep that I've had in a long time.

Hey! I hope that was worth the wait. Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I hope you guys liked it and feel free to comment. I am amazed at how well this story has done considering it's my first fanfiction. I hope you guys are enjoying this story as much as I am but I believe the end is growing near for this one. There are still more chapters to come and it's not over yet. So don't worry. Thanks again!