Chapter Twenty

Nick.

"But daddy…"

Lucy looked up at me with wide eyes desperately attempting to do her best puppy dog stare while her fingers grasped my shirt unwilling to let go until she got her way. I however was not falling for the act, not this time.

"You're grounded." I repeated for the hundredth time pulling on my suit jacket.

"But I didn't do anything wrong dad." Lucy snapped the puppy dog stare disappearing only to be quickly replaced by a frown and pinched lips. "Mommy guessed daddy! I promised I wouldn't tell her you and Miley got married and I didn't, she asked me and I said yes! You said I should always tell the truth daddy."

I looked at my daughter not willing to budge on this,

"You and I both know what you did was wrong Luce. Just because mommy asked didn't mean you had to tell her…"

"But daddy it's not fair!" She cried stomping her foot down. "You can't ground me!"

I pulled my tie around my neck shrugging, "I'm sorry Lucy but you're grounded for two days and I'm not changing my mind! If you keep complaining I'll only add to it. Plus you still haven't apologized to Miley or me!"

Lucy just gave me a spiteful glare, her eyes filling with tears as I watched her lip quiver. I wasn't falling for it though, I always gave in to Luce and it was time I gave her some hard love treatment for a change. Telling Selena that Miley and me got married wasn't something that could just be ignored, she had to be punished and I didn't care that we were in Paris, Lucy had to learn that she couldn't get away with everything. After a few more seconds I saw the realization in her eyes that I was going to be suckered into forgiving her that quickly, the anger blossoming in Lucy's expression as she glared at me.

"I hate you!" She yelled.

With that Lucy turned and rushed off into the bedroom as I sighed pinching the bridge of my nose, great now she hated me! I felt hands gently fall on my shoulders as a kiss was placed on my cheek from behind. I turned smiling at my sleepy wife,

"Hey I'm sorry did we wake you up?" I asked apologetic.

She nodded giving a smile, "It's fine though I needed to get up. You okay?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" I asked.

"Because of Lucy?" She murmured grabbing my tie beginning to do it for me gently, "I know how much I hurt my mom the first time I said that, I didn't mean it though and I'm sure Lucy doesn't either she's just upset."

I smiled kissing Miley's cheek, "I know and I'm fine, did you get any more calls?"

Miley's expression fell and she nodded, "Demi's called," She stated quietly, "Fifteen times actually, but thankfully nothing from my sister's or dad which is a positive." I nodded in agreement as she finished my tie.

"It'll be fine, they'll understand." I responded pulling her into my arms.

"Eventually, but I don't think we'll be getting a welcome home party anytime soon."

I chuckled in agreement kissing the top of her head holding her securely against me. It had got to the point where I'd turned my phone off, Kevin, Joe, dad and mom were all calling constantly and I knew they were pissed, I'd received an email which said as much from Kevin. The thing was though I didn't really care what they thought, Miley on the other hand did and I knew this was getting her down which was why I'd organized a day for her to completely relax.

"Your itinerary for the day is on the table." I stated seriously as she looked at me hopeful,

"Does it include you?" She whispered.

I looked at her apologetic, "Not today, but you have me all of tomorrow I promise. We can do what ever you want." I responded kissing Miley's lips as she nodded smiling at me.

Miley's eyes skimmed around the hotel room, which was nothing less than luxury, her eyes searching for the table. It was hard to leave the vineyard, but when we arrived in Paris that feeling was instantly replaced by amazement. By the time we got to the hotel Miley was gaping unable to hide her emotions in seeing the new city. I was frustrated that I had to work, but I didn't have much choice in the matter. I however didn't want Miley sightseeing without me, even if I had seen everything before I wanted to see her face light up when we went to the Eiffel Tower.

"Okay sounds good, but what about Lucy? You're going to leave her here alone?"

I shook my head staring at my wife, "No of course not!" I stated eyeing the closed door that Lucy was now sulking behind. "I have brought in back-up."

"Who?" She questioned.

"Antonio."

"Antonio?" She asked confused, "But we said goodbye to him yesterday."

"Yeah but he had to return Patrick to the city for school so I asked him if he could be a babysitter for a bit." I responded as Miley frowned,

"Are you paying him?"

"Of course, and tomorrow he's taking Lucy out."

Miley yet again stared at me confused, "I don't think you understand the idea of being grounded where are they going?" She asked as I smiled smugly knowing that tomorrow's punishment would be hard enough for Lucy.

"She's doing all the museums and Antonio's teaching her French history."

Miley instantly laughed, "She's going to hate that."

"Exactly the point, make her regret blabbing to Selena about us."

I leaned down kissing Miley who kissed me back wrapping her hands around my back pulling me closer to her. She pulled away looking disappointed, "I want you to stay with me and I hate that you can't," She whispered leaning up and kissing my lips again, "But I understand you have to work. But you have to make sure you call me at lunch, hearing your voice might be enough to help me cope through the day."

I laughed and pointed at the desk, "Trust me you won't even want to bother calling me you'll be enjoying yourself so much."

"Really? And what exactly am I doing today?"

Miley walked over to the table picking up the schedule flicking it up. I watched her read the plan her eyes widening, "So I'm having three different massages, a pedicure and a manicure- you're right I don't think I'll have time to even consider you let alone call." She announced grinning excited.

"I thought you might need some down time."

Miley looked at me thankful, "You're right I do, thanks for this."

"It's no problem, you're my beautiful wife now I have to treat you right."

"You definitely are," She stated walking over to me pecking my lips.

"Does this mean you forgive me for working today?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes, "You were already forgiven, now go before you're late! I'll deal with little miss tantrum in the bedroom and get her some breakfast." Miley stated as I kissed her cheek,

"Thanks bye baby,"

"Bye Nick."

I stepped away from Miley moving over to Lucy's room, "Bye Lucy." I announced only to hear nothing. I wasn't surprised by the lack or response, she was mad at me I understood.

I continued out of the room adjusting my suit, not wanting to look shabby for my important meeting which was going to be utterly boring to say the least. It had to be done though, and I was happy to get it all out of the way in one day so I could enjoy the rest of the time I had in Paris with my wife and daughter. I stepped into the elevator only to feel my phone start vibrating, god damn it I thought I'd turned it off! I pulled it out only to realise it was my work only phone, I looked at the number and frowned. It was from the office, to accept or not? I sighed and pressed accept knowing well enough who might be on the end of the line.

"Hello?"

"Hey Nick," Dad stated stiffly as I closed my eyes ready for the yelling.

"Look dad I really don't need a lecture about us eloping, I know you are pissed but-"

"It's not about that."

"Well is it work related? I'm just going to the meeting now is there something you wanted me-"

"This isn't about the meeting either." Dad interrupted as I frowned pressing the button for the lobby,

"Then what's up?"

"You didn't tell me the police called." He hissed angrily.

I frowned bewildered, "What? The police didn't call, why would the-"

"About Liam being arrested, the detective was just- wait the police didn't call?"

I stood there for a moment completely confused, only half of what he'd just said made sense to me. "So he got arrested for possession?" I murmured quietly, "Looks like your contact came through finally, I was getting worried I'd wasted my money for nothing. But why the hell would the police be calling us? I made sure we had absolutely no ties to this, it was meant to be discreet that's why I paid in cash."

Dad snorted, "It was Nick, but the police are still investigating it seeing as Liam is claiming the drugs aren't his."

"Right well that makes sense, seeing as the aren't they were planted but who would believe him?"

"Liam reckons Miley set him up Nick, the Detective said he'd been in contact with her already. She didn't tell you?" He asked me concern evident as the elevator doors opened a feeling of frustration sweeping over me,

"No," I snapped, "No she didn't."

Miley.

"Luce can I come in?"

I knocked on the door gently giving a sigh, "Lucy please, look I know you're upset but daddy is just angry, he'll get over it. We wanted to tell the families ourselves and…" I trailed off pressing my forehead against the door. "Look it's just complicated Lucy."

"Why?" I heard her little voice whisper.

I twisted the door handle opening it a little peeking in to see my stepdaughter sitting on the edge of the bed with puffy eyes sniffling.

"Why don't you want anyone to know that you and daddy got married? That you're happy and in love with each other? I don't understand!" She whispered staring at me with her big chocolate eyes.

I walked in closing the door behind me moving over to the bed sitting beside her. "Luce you know how sometimes it's easier to not tell your mommy everything, like if you failed a spelling test because you know she'll get mad?" I asked as Lucy nodded listening to me, "Well this is kind of the same,"

"But they won't be mad Miley, they will be so happy! Everyone loves you."

I smiled wrapping my arm around her. " Thanks Luce, but our families are complicated, and sometimes it's easier to just keep things a secret."

The second I said that sentence I regretted it because this was not the lesson I should have been teaching to my new stepdaughter. I felt my stomach flip nervously as my mind instantly went to thinking about the Detective's call. It was a secret that I wanted to keep for now, but I knew eventually I had to tell Nick. I couldn't face it alone if anything else continued after I went to the police department.

"I thought secrets were bad." Lucy added innocently,

I smiled and nodded, "Some are, but some you need to keep. Just like us getting married, because now everyone is mad at us. We just wanted the right time to tell them you understand that right?"

"I guess," She murmured quietly.

"Don't cry though, daddy is just upset okay?"

"Okay." She whispered looking up at me, "I'm sorry I told my mom."

I smiled at Luce kissing the top of her head, "It's fine Lucy, just remember next time okay? Now how about we get you something for breakfast before your minder arrivers?" I asked her smiling.

"A minder?" She groaned, "But I'm old enough to look after myself."

I gave her a look running my hand down her back, "I don't doubt that, but it's not safe for you to be alone. Plus you're going to enjoy who's coming to look after you." Lucy's eyes instantly looked at me intrigued.

"Who?"

I smirked, "Well you'll have to wait and see, but I just called them and made a slight alteration to what daddy wanted." I announced giving her a smirk, "But you need to keep a secret from daddy okay?"

Lucy nodded looking at me ecstatically, "Who is it Miley?"

"Pinkie promise first?"

I held out my finger as Lucy quickly looped her one around mine shaking,

"I promise I won't tell daddy."

"Good, today you're going to spend the day here grounded." I explained as she nodded waiting for more, "And tomorrow you're going to go the museums and learn some French history." Her expression instantly dropped as she looked completely disgusted by the idea, "Luce," I warned.

She gave me a weak smile, 'I suppose it's better than sitting in here for two days, who am I with Miley?"

A heavy knocking sounded on the hotel door as I smiled watching Lucy's head spin,

"Go check the door."

Lucy leapt to her feet and ran to the door as I stood up stretching my arms out pain radiating, I was definitely in need of a massage. I suddenly heard her let out a squel as I walked out to find Lucy hugging a smiling Patrick, while Antonio hovered behind them grinning down on the youngsters.

"Hey Antonio, thanks for this."

He waved his hand at me shaking his head, "It's fine Miley, Patrick doesn't go back to school until next week and I think he would much rather spend the day with Lucy than doing his homework." I laughed in agreement.

"And Nick-"

"I won't tell him, I swear." He winked as I smiled.

"Thanks again, I'll get going then."

"I'll take good care of Lucy, well Patrick will…"

I picked up my bag nodding, "Fell free to order any food you want, oh and Lucy please eat something healthy for breakfast no chocolate croissants!" I announced, as she just nodded not even listening to me her mind still distracted by looking at Patrick ecstatic.

I shook my head and left them alone my mind solely on relaxing. I hopped in the elevator pressing the button as I checked my phone. I was surprised that there were no new calls. Maybe things were beginning to die down back home? Still I faced the problem though, how the hell was I supposed to tell my sisters? My dad? I closed my eyes not wanting to even consider that idea at the moment it was far to scary.

By the time I got to the spa I was trying to block so many things out from our wedding to Liam. I was thankful that the second the massage on my back began I drifted into another world. Six hours seemed to disappear in a matter of minutes as my body was pampered to the extreme, I literally felt like I was in heaven. Nick was right this was exactly what I needed, time alone to relax and think everything through. It was so hard to leave the spa that afternoon but the second I opened the door to hotel room I was relieved to find Nick was not only back from work, but also he had a sleeping Lucy sprawled across him.

"Hey," I greeted walking over,

Nick looked up giving me a weak smile, "Hey yourself, you look more relaxed."

I gave a small quite chuckle nodding, "I feel amazing, looks like someone had a big day…" I trailed off looking at Lucy as Nick frowned confused.

"Yeah Antonio left a few minutes before I got back, Luce was acting a little-"

"Crazy?" I offered as Nick nodded looking at me curiously.

"Yeah…" He murmured his expression changing, "She even apologized,"

I moved sitting down beside him as he instantly wrapped his arms around me, "She apologized to me too," I added as Nick kissed me gently, "I guess we're back to being a happy family again, well to an extent minus the home front." Nick nodded in agreement his eyes watching me. "So how was work?"

He nodded, "Yeah good, good, good" He repeated distracted.

"Well that's good." I added as he just kept the same strange look on his face.

"Anyone call?" He asked suddenly as I shook my head,

"No, no one why?"

Nick watched me and nodded, "No reason, you're okay right? You'd tell me if something was up right?" He basically asked out of the blue. I looked at my husband completely confused sitting up a little, where the hell was this coming from?

"I'm fine Nick, the massage was exactly what I needed."

Nick stared at me for a moment longer and nodded carefully moving Luce off him.

"I'm going to have a shower, I think we should just have dinner in the room tonight."

"I could use a shower-"

"I want to be alone Miley."

Without even looking at me he walked off as I sat there confused, what had I done? What had happened?

AN: Hey sorry for the delay but I've been working at the Australian open on day and night shift so basically it screwed around with me big time! I ended up writing half of this last week when it was like 35C/95F and i was stuck outside at a desk, the other half I wrote at 3am when one of the tennis games hadn't finished. Regardless this chapter was crappy but hopefully it makes sense- if not go back to chapter 16 and read Nick's POV which will make it clearer. :)