Chapter 17.

Nick.

"We're here..." I proclaimed looking out the window yet again in awe of France's beauty.

I waited to hear the delight from the females beside and behind me, yet instead I received nothing more than silence in response.

"Miley? Lucy?"

I turned looking to my left to see my fiancé pressed up against the door completely out to the world, her hand still clasping the coffee cup she'd bought the second we got into the airport. Meanwhile behind me Luce was sprawled across all three seats her head buried in Miley's jacket and a scarf wrapped around her eyes. I smirked and slowly drove off the road onto the gravel bringing the car to a gently halt.

I proceeded to climb out of the car, instantly overwhelmed by the cold air my arms automatically wrapping around my body. I'd warned both the girls that winter in France was different to California but neither had really taken on board my remarks and had not packed accordingly. I on the other hand had come completely prepared, I'd experienced a fair few trips to Europe during winter when the vineyards weren't in function but business was still operational. I stepped forward my feet instantly sinking into the white soft snow around, it was like I was looking at a postcard. The hills, the vineyard below and the three houses exactly the same as when I last saw them but now with the addition of a large sprinkling of white.

I turned back to the car seeing there was still no apparent movement within as I looked at the ground. I couldn't help the smirk forming on my face as I leaned down obtaining a large fluffy white mass, shaping it into a ball. I quickly made a second and opened the back door as Luce shifted a little but continued to sleep regardless of the new climate change,

Without a single hesitation I threw one at Lucy the other at Miley's head as both hit their targets perfectly.

The shrill scream that came from Lucy's lips instantly had me covering my ears in pain. Her body jumped up and she blindly flung herself out the car door falling to the ground into the snow as I burst out laughing watching my distressed daughter attempting to unravel the scarf from around her head. My eyes turned to Miley who was blinking confused her hand on her cheek rubbing it confused, her eyes falling to the snow now in her lap.

"I'm going to kill you daddy! You scared me!" Luce screamed glaring at me furiously,

I just smiled at her shrugging as I watched the realisation sweep across my daughter's expression, her eyes widening.

"Dad I'm standing on-"

"Snow..." Miley's distant voice murmured as I looked at her still sitting in the car tilting her head, "Snow?"

Miley looked at me for conformation, "Snow." I nodded in agreement,

A second later she was throwing open the car door and rushing to my side, her eyes wide and mouth open the same expression on Lucy's face.

"I told you it was going to be cold," I whispered as I wrapped my arm around Miley's waist while she just giggled staring at her feet looking giddy with excitement,

"I've never been to the snow." She whispered eagerly looking around amazed.

I smirked at her, gently grasping her waist more tightly with my fingers, "A snow virgin? Hmmm I think we'll have to solve that-"

I never finished my sentence as a cold spray of tiny fragments of the fluffy frozen ice covered both Miley and me. I turned to see Lucy holding a snowball in her hands grinning deviously at both of us as I let out a low laugh,

"Oh it's on Luce, no one can disturb Miley and me and live to tell the tale,"

She just smirked looking at me, "Funny because I'm the one holding the snowball daddy,"

"Not for long your not," Miley proclaimed pivoting a clump of snow at my daughter missing by a mile.

I turned looking at her with raised eyebrows as she shrugged apologetic, "Hey I'm a beginner! Remember I've never been to-"

Lucy's snowball smacked Miley directly in the head as I laughed again giving Lucy the thumbs up. Miley stared at me frustrated, snow dripping down her face.

"You think that's funny?" She snapped at me.

I nodded still grinning as she leaned down grabbing more snow not even bothering to make it into a ball before she tossed it at me. The snow collided with my chest as I looked at her the snow falling down to the ground,

"I thought we were a team?" I stated looking at my fiancé sadly,

She just laughed mocking me as I nodded, "Fine then, let's battle Miss Miley and we'll see who the real-"

A well aimed snowball hit my neck, Lucy instantly giggling as the cold chill swept through my body.

"Okay it's on!" I yelled lunging towards the never ending supply of ammunition.

And so the winter war began. Next thing I knew I was being hit left, right and centre with snow while Miley was trying to use the car to her advantage. Lucy on the other hand had the snowballs down, Selena took her every year to the Canadian Alps where her parents had a lodge so clearly Luce already had experience with this kind of fight. To say the least she was putting both Miles and me to shame. Ten minutes later Miley had manoeuvred herself up a hill and had a great vantage point finally getting her aim straight and hitting Lucy continually, little did she know where I was.

I moved silently between the large trees creeping up behind my fiancé who was far too concerned with my daughter's attacks to acknowledge where I might be.

I leaned forward almost right on top of her as she finally caught sight of me in her peripheral vision. Miley spun a little too quickly and lost her footing on the slippery slope, one leg flying out from under her as she lunged grabbing me. Although she hardly weighed a thing that was enough to bring me down too as we both toppled onto the ground painfully. I groaned Miley's elbow hitting my chest as she landed face first into the snow instantly making me laugh, the pain forgotten. Miley's head popped up and my laughter only increased seeing her face now covered in white, Miley's lips pouting sadly,

"Oh baby what happened?" I murmured leaning towards her still chuckling,

"I don't think bringing me here was a good idea, I'm already clumsy!"

"At least here you won't break anything, it's a pretty soft landing, hopefully."

Miley sat up as I moved my hand up sliding my very cold fingers down her face, removing the snow. Once I had most of it gone I leaned forward kissing her lips, then across her check taking the last of the ice off in the process. Miley looked at me in awe her hand coming up to my cheek,

"You look so hot right now, which is kind if ironic seeing it's freezing." She murmured smirking,

"I want to reply the same, but I can't agree you look..." I pulled a twig from her hair as she frowned glaring at me and I quickly assessed what I was going to say, "Cute with your red cheeks and nose."

"Good save,"

Miley leaned forward kissing me again, her hand moving up around my neck her fingers so cold they made me shiver. Miley laughed against me,

"I think we should get inside," She whispered, "Before the expression freeze to death actually applies to us."

I nodded kissing her lips again, "I agree, but then we won't be alone anymore." I groaned.

Miley pulled back and looked down the hill, "And neither is Lucy," Miley's expression brightened as she jumped up patting a small amount of snow from her jeans,

"Antonio's here!" Miley announced and walked off leaving me alone in the snow.

I shook my head and clambered onto my feet following Miley down the hill, spotting my daughter shaking hands with...whoa hold up, who was that? I stared at the boy who was around Luce's age, Antonio's hand proudly on his shoulder as I saw the look on Lucy's face. Wait? Was she bitting her lip? My seven year old was blushing? I made my decent intrigued as Antonio spotted us and grinned,

"Mademoiselle Miley, welcome back it's a pleasure to have you with us again." Antonio beamed,

He took Miley's hand kissing it as she smiled at him brightly, "Thank you for having us back Antonio, I'm in awe I've never been to the snow before and this-"

"Is a winter wonderland, thanks Antonio for letting us stay I hope we won't be a burden,"

He laughed jokingly at me, "Never Nicholas, plus you own this land now feel free to come by any time you want. I love the company."

I took his hand shaking it as I eyed the boy with the dark hair, olive skin and bright green eyes below us,

"This is Patrick my grandson, he's staying with me for two weeks. His parents are over in Africa of all places on their fifth wedding anniversary."

"Wow Africa, Hi Patrick I'm Miley" Miley announced offering her hand.

Patrick instantly took it giving her a small smile and nodding his head, "Bonjour Mademoiselle,' He spoke clearly,

"He speaks little English, he's learning it at school though,"

Antonio ruffled his grandson's hair as the boy turned to me and I offered my hand, "Nick."

"Nicholas," He corrected me nodding, "Grandfather tell much about you,"

Lucy suddenly giggled at his response as I looked at her with raised eyebrows her eyes firmly on Patrick who was grinning back at her.

"How about we get inside, I hope you brought winter coats it's pretty cold-"

"The girls didn't bring waterproof ones but Miley and Lucy have to venture into town anyway did you-"

Antonio nodded looking at me grinning from ear to ear, "I got your message and the appointment is booked for two o clock this afternoon."

Miley frowned taking my hand in hers, her fingers trembling from the cold.

"What appointment?" She asked innocently.

"To get your wedding dress of course," I responded casually.

Miley's eyes widened staring at me as Lucy let out a squeal suddenly jumping up and down,

"YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED?"

"Yep, we're getting married here. Everything is already arranged."

Miley just stared at me unblinking her mouth open, "If that's okay with you? Antonio is going to be our witness, a local priest will do the ceremony, you'll see the dress maker this afternoon in town. She is willing to make you what ever dress you desire and it will be a very small intimate wedding." I announced as Miley just looked at me in a daze, "Just like you wanted, what we both wanted actually." Miley continued to stare speechless,

"Is that okay?" I asked not sure how to comprehend her expression, 'Because if it's not and you've changed your mind it's-"

"A winter wedding, in France, in the snow..." She whispered her smile spreading as Miley's eyes sparkled looking into mine, "Perfect,"

Luce squealed excited, "Yay! Finally!"

Miley leaned towards me, "You know you're amazing right?"

"I do now," I stated and kissed her lips, "I love you and I can't wait to get married."

Miley's cheeks instantly turned a shade of red and she nodded, "Neither can I, I love you too."

"On that note how about we move down to the houses, I have breakfast set up if you're hungry-"

"Actually I like to take ergh Lucy? Around vineyeard."

My eyes turned to Patrick who was staring at my daughter who was nodding excited,

"Okay-"

"No," I cut in, 'No way am I letting-"

"Nick," Miley hissed in my ear while Lucy looked at me disappointed, "Can't you see- she's crushing on him!"

"I can see that and I don't like it! She's seven."

"She's a kid Nick, he is too, you don't need to get over protective yet! Wait until she's a teenager, let them go it'll be fine."

"No I'm not-"

Miley gave me a look pouting, "It's her first crush," She whispered. "Just let her go Nick, don't make her hate you, plus if they hang out we can be alone and..."

Miley raised her eyebrows as I instantly caught her drift and I looked to Patrick unimpressed. Miley was right though, they were kids and I remembered my first crush, for that one day that girl meant everything to me until I learned about girl cooties then the crush was over in a second. Luce would be the same, she was seven a cute french boy was in front of her, i suppose I couldn't blame her. I grudgingly nodded,

"Fine but Luce be-"

"Bye dad!"

Lucy grabbed Patrick's hand and instantly they were off disappearing down the hill,

Antonio laughed patting my back, "Nick he's a good boy, don't worry-"

"It's not his intentions I'm worried about." I groaned.

"Come on let's go, let the kids play Nick." Miley stated kissing my cheek, "And the adults get inside where it's warm because I'm about to freeze."

Miley.

"And then Patrick showed me the frozen lake, he said we could go ice skating on it! Well I think he did? He was speaking French so it was hard to tell-"

I looked at Lucy who hadn't stopped talking since we left the vineyard, specifically about Patrick. I couldn't help but smile at how happy she was, I remembered being just like her when I had my first crush and I even had memories of my dad acting exactly like Nick did today. Dragging Lucy to come shopping with me for my dress had basically been a chore since she wanted to spend time with Patrick, but after some bargaining I finally got her in agreement on the promise that tomorrow she could spend the whole day with Patrick which was absolutely fine with me and hopefully Nick.

"Here we are," I announced.

I looked at the small quaint little shop that was one of many brick buildings lining the main town street. I hadn't had the opportunity to spend much time in the closest town to the vineyard last time, and I was definitely regretting it now, it was gorgeous and every second I just fell more in love with rural France.

"Wow can you get that dress?" Luce asked pressing her nose against the glass window looking in.

I stared at the gown, one that was almost identical to the one I'd worn on the fateful wedding day.

"No, I want simple, I've been a princess already for a day now I just want to look classy."

Lucy looked at me unimpressed, "But as the flower girl, maid of honour and bridesmaid you can pick whatever dress you like to wear Luce."

"Really?" Lucy asked grinning as I nodded, "Awesome! I want a big one! I wanna be a princess!"

She rushed in opening the shop door as I followed her sedately closing it,

"Miley?" A new accented voice announced,

A woman walked out looking dazzling moving towards us, "Antonio did you no justice, you are more beautiful than I imagined!" She proclaimed as I felt my cheeks heat up politely offering my hand, "I'm Angelique, it's a pleasure to meet you the future Mrs. Grey."

"Thank you so much Angelique for doing this at short notice,"

She smiled, "Nonsense, eloping is very French you aren't the first nor will you be the last, and this must be Lucy-"

"I want this one, I wanna look like a princess." Luce announced pointing at the dress in the window.

Angelqiue nodded, "Okay then, I think we can do that and what about you Miley, what would you like?"

I smiled and began to explain my new dream dress. This wasn't about looking amazing for the hundreds of people in the church, nor was it about trying to act out a fairytale because I already had that and I didn't need a princess like dress this time. I wanted white, I wanted sleek and nothing else. This time it was less than more because at the end of the day I knew Nick would love me regardless of what I was wearing, and I wanted to feel confident in myself and although wearing a big dress last time seemed right, now everything was so much more simple and I wanted a dress to reflect that.

"Well I have something..." Angelique proclaimed once I'd explained,

She turned and moved away as I gazed around the room frowning at Lucy who was touching the dresses,

"Lucy don't,' I warned her as she looked back to me, "No touching the dresses."

"You sound like my mom,"

"Well get used to it,' I responded smiling at her. "I'm going to be your wicked step mom soon,"

Lucy laughed at me, "You'll never be my wicked step mom, I love you Miley, you're my mom too."

I stared at her biting my tongue basically speechless, how did I get so lucky?

"I love you too Lucy,"

"How about this?" Angelique asked,

She held out a white dress as I instantly shook my head apologetic, "No I'm sorry that's too-"

"Okay I have another," She stated simply,

And so it continued and by the fifth dress I was getting worried. Finding my wedding dress the first time had been so easy, I'd basically designed it and when I went to the fitting there was my dream dress however this time I felt like I had more demands than last time even if I did want simple. Eventually I was starting to grow tired as was Lucy who was now sitting on a seat her head perched on her hands dismally,

"I just don't-"

"Like it, no I understand you want it to be perfect." Angelique murmured a little frustrated too.

Her eyes skimmed me and she pursed her lips, "You know what maybe I do have the dress you're looking for..." She trailed off.

Yet again she disappeared as I looked at Lucy, "Miley can't you just pick one already? They all look pretty!"

"I will when I see the right-"

My eyes caught the dress in Angelique's hands as I moved over looking at it.

"Yes." I whispered without hesitation relief washing over me, "Yes this design is perfect."

I looked at Angelique who just smirked proudly, "This was my wedding dress Miley, I should have thought of it sooner-"

"This is yours? You wanted simple too?" I asked surprised,

She nodded giving a small laugh, "After making big dresses for so long I wanted to be different, like you. How about you try my dress on, I'll get your measurements and we'll work from there- good news is I made my own dress so I know it back to front." She announced as I grinned,

"Thank you so much,"

"It's no problem."

Another hour later and everything was finalised, the dress would be ready in about four days along with Lucy's. I'd made some minor changes, but I loved her wedding dress and I was honestly honoured she'd allowed me to use the design that I assumed she hadn't allowed for anyone else. Lucy was happy too, she wanted big and puffy and that was exactly what she was getting. I was at least starting off as being the timid and nice step mom letting Luce get her way,

"He's gonna love you in that dress," Lucy announced as we arrived back at the vineyard to see Nick waiting patiently at the door,

"I hope so,"

"He'd love you in anything Miley,"

"I know and I'd love him no matter what too."

I climbed out of the car as suddenly seemingly out of know where Patrick came up to the guest house on a horse. I stared at him surprised and shocked as he grinned looking a lot like a young prince charming on horseback ready to take Princess Lucy away,

"Bonjour Miley, Salut Luce,"

Nick's face clenched as I moved over to him, "Nick calm down," I whispered kissing his cheek, "It's fine, it's-"

"He's already calling her Luce," He hissed through gritted teeth, "He's known her what like half an hour?"

I kissed the side of Nick's lips, attempting to distract him to no luck. We watched Luce interact with Patrick until she finally turned towards us,

"Daddy can I go down to the vineyard with Patrick on the horse?"

"Hell-"

"Of course you can," I cut Nick off as he just looked at me, "Are you a good rider Patrick."

"The best," He responded smiling charmingly at me, "I won junior equestrian in my city town home," I nodded a little confused.

"Okay have fun Lucy, be careful, both of you."

"No, no she's not going, she's-"

"Fine Nick, give her some indpendance for once. You and Sleena baby her too much, she's seven-"

"Exactly," He snapped at me pointing towards Lucy, "She's seven Miley, not thirty!"

"So you're basically saying you aren't letting her date or go near boys until she's thirty."

"Yes- No I mean..." Nick huffed looking at me, "I just don't want her to get hurt, she's my baby and-"

"She'll be fine Nick." I whispered kissing his cheek, "Plus she'll hate you forever if you say no, it'll be fine."

Nick huffed and nodded, "Fine, only an hour lucy! Hear me- an hour-"

I pushed Nick into the guest house giving Lucy a wink, "And when he says an hour he means an hour and a half Lucy."

"No I mean an hour!"

Lucy grinned at me as I slammed the door and Nick just looked at me,

"I don't like you sucking up to my daughter,"

I smirked grabbing his shirt, "Would you rather I suck up to you?"

I instantly pulled a face regretting the innuendo I'd unintentionally just proclaimed. Nick started laughing looking at me,

"Wow I'm not going to even say anything right now."

"But in refrence to that situation, I think we should wait until the wedding night for the bedroom- more romantic that way?" I announced as I looked at Nick.

He instantly looked disappointed but nodded regardless, "Sure Miley whatever you want beautiful." He murmured kissing my head.

"I definitely want a shower though! I'm sooooo cold," I announced changing the topic slightly.

Nick still looked disappointed nodding, "Okay sure,"

I kissed his lips and walked past him towards the stairs walking up them slowly only to stop,

"The bedroom may be off limits, but I could use more than the hot water to warm me up though,"

I looked down at Nick bitting my lip, raising my eyebrows subtly in his direction,

Nick's face instantly looked excited the grin spreading as he nodded, "I think I could help you out with that Mi."

"I bet you can."

I smirked taking the rest of the steps two at a time.

A/N: Hey guys I finally got around to updating and I know it's a little rushed and disjointed along with completely fluff but I did write it at 11pm so forgive me :) I shall update again hopefully before christmas if I get the time :) Thanks for the reviews!