I'm thinking we needed to get Nico out of his element and into something new and see how he does and it was also time to get these two back together. The hotel room in Kansas seemed like forever ago, doesn't it?

Nico stared at the text message in front of him.

"My Dr.s appt is at 2PM today. Do you want to come?"

That last month hadn't been easy. Two days after the accident with Ryan, Nico had been called back to Los Angeles to take care of a security issue with one of Marshall Pittman's Triple A Teams. What should have been a few days at best had turned into 3 weeks of hell. The whole security team had to be fired, forensic accountants hired to figure out where the money was bleeding from and a new management team put in place.

During that time, Nico did his best to stay in touch with Dani. But the 3 hour time difference was a killer and sometimes it was well after midnight his time when he got back to his hotel. Phone calls were usually short, whether it was something on his end or the kids or coach on hers. Many times he just got voice mail and the few calls had left him frustrated. This trip had come at the worst time. He knew the more time she had to think about things, the more ideas she would get in her head on how to avoid the subject of marriage. For a Therapist who took such great care with others, she wasn't the best at listening to her own advice.

The call from Matt two days ago had put him over the edge asking what the hell was going on as Dani still wasn't feeling well and when Nico's name was mentioned in a meeting, she had had to excuse herself and if he didn't know better he would have thought she was crying. And then last night, Dani was too quiet. He was too far away, enough was enough.

So that night he made a decision, told Pittman that the team was ready to stand on their own and took the red-eye back to NY, arriving at 6AM. It was too early to go to her house, so he went back to his apartment, showered and texted her that he was back in NY. He hadn't heard from her until he got the text.

He called her but got her voice mail, so he left a message asking if he could pick her up. She texted him back the address and said she would meet him there, that she had an appointment with a new client.

At 1:45 pm he was waiting in the parking lot. He watched as her SUV pulled in to the covered parking. Watched as she sat there for a moment as if she was trying to muster the courage to go inside. He got out and went over to her.

Nico gently tapped on the window to get her attention. Dani jumped and rolled down the window.

"Nico, you have got to stop doing that!"

"You know Dr. Santino, 50% of carjackings start with someone tapping at the window, you really should be more careful."

Rolling her eyes, Dani responded. "Well Mr, Careles, the other 50% ends with the carjacker getting shot, so give me a bit more warning next time, ok?"

Unbuttoning her seatbelt, Dani got out of the car. She shut the door and turned straight into Nico. She would have stumbled if he hadn't caught her. It has been weeks since he held her and it felt like coming home.

After hesitating for a second, Dani leaned back in his embrace and looked up at him. Up until 5 seconds ago, she hadn't realized how much she needed this, needed him back with her. The thought scared her and comforted her at the same time. She had gone back and forth whether to have him come to this appt. But in the end, she knew it was the right thing to do. This was his child too and it would be selfish to keep him away.

Nico felt the need as well and without thinking leaned down to kiss her. What started out as a quick hello turned into a full blown, mind blowing kiss that was quickly getting out of hand when someone clearing their throat caused them to pull apart.

"Excuse me, but can I get to my car please'? The older woman clearly was not amused and muttered something under her breath about "getting a room", which caused Dani to smile back and reply, "well maybe we will do just that, but that's what got us into this mess in the first place!"

She looked at Nico who was smiling as well. Whether they knew it or not, the older women had broken the ice.

"Come on, let's go inside and get you checked out."

Taking her hand, Nico walked into the waiting room and stopped dead in his tracks. He had been in locker rooms full of football players, when he was a Navy Seal; he had been in places that he could never speak to anyone about, really scary places. But as he walked into the OBGYN's office, he was rendered speechless.

He had never seen so many women, pregnant women in his life! He had seen pregnant women before, be must have, just never really paid attention.

One woman in particular caught his attention. She looked like she had swallowed a really large beach ball. She could barely get out of the chair by herself. As she waddled into the exam room, he couldn't stop staring.

Watching him, Dani couldn't help herself, "See something you like?"

Nico turned to her. "How far along do you think she is?"

"Oh, probably 7 months,"

"So she will get bigger?"

Dani could see he was completely out of his element. She had to bite her lower lip to keep from laughing; knowing Nico probably wouldn't appreciate it. But boy she was enjoying this.

"Oh, yea, she will get a little bigger."

Nico turned to look at Dani, imagining what she would look like when she was that far along. It was as if all the sudden he realized what having a baby was all about.

Lowering her voice so he had to lean in, Dani whispered to him. "You did realize when you made love to me about 12 weeks ago that this is what happens sometimes?."

Before he could answer, the nurse called Dani in and she told Nico to take a seat, that she wouldn't be long. Restlessly flipping through a magazine that he wasn't even looking at, he was about to take a walk when the Nurse called his name and said that the Dr. wanted to see him.

Not knowing what to expect, he was surprised when he walked in to see Dani, alone in the room, wearing a blue paper gown and laying on an exam table.

Thinking the worst, he went over and took her hand.

"Dani, what's wrong. They said the Dr. wanted to see me. Is everything ok?"

"Yes Nico, everything is fine. Just thought you might want to hear something." At that moment. The Dr. walked in. Reaching out his hand to Nico he introduced himself as Dr. Kirsky. He was far too young and good looking for Nico's taste and his eyes narrowed when he turned back to Dani.

Dani could read him like a book. She'd never admit it, but she liked when Nico got jealous, although in this case he was over reacting.

'Nico, Dr. Kirsky just finished the exam but I wanted him to redo one thing with you in the room."

"You know Dani, this may not be a good idea…" Nico wasn't sure what was going to happen, but this whole thing was not in his comfort zone. He was so caught up in everything that he didn't notice the Dr, taking an instrument from the table and moving towards Dani."

"Ok Dr, Santino, you know the drill. If you can just move your gown a little to the right."

Dani did as she was told exposing her stomach, now just slightly rounded by the growing baby. Nico watched fascinated as the doctor squirted some gel on the head of the device and gently started running it over Dani's stomach in a pattern. And he forgot that he was jealous of Dr, Good-looking the minute he heard something coming from the attached speaker.

The unmistakable sound of an incredibly fast beat filled the room. Nico's eyes flew to Dani's and held her gaze while the Dr. repeated the pattern, the heartbeat getting softer and louder as he moved the device.

"Is that what I think it is?"

Dani squeezed his hand. "Yes, Nico, it's a heartbeat, the baby's heartbeat. It's the best sound in the world, isn't it?"

Nico turned to the Dr. "It's so fast, should it be that fast?"

"Yes, that is perfectly normal. Dani is in great shape and everything is going according to plan. Dani, I'm going to have you come back next month and at that point we should be able to get a pretty good picture of this little guy. But for now, keep doing what you are doing"

After saying goodbye, Dr. Kirsky left them alone.

Nico had become quiet. "Nico, are you okay? You heard him right, that everything is all good. I wanted you hear the baby's heartbeat. Thought it would help make everything real, just in case you have been feeling a little left out of things."

Nico was in awe and the only thing he could do was lean down and kiss Dani on the forehead and whisper in her ear, "Thank you." Then before she could say anything he left the room, leaving Dani to get dressed and follow him out.

Nico walked Dani to her car in silence. He was overwhelmed with what he had heard. His child was inside her. He had been blessed more than he deserved to be.

"Nico, are you sure you are okay?"

"Yes. It's just, a bit overwhelming. You know to hear your baby's heartbeat." He placed his hand on her stomach and leaned over to give her a quick kiss.

They stood for a moment. Dani didn't want to leave him, but she needed him to ask her to stay.

Dani was about to get in the car, when Nico stopped her.

"Dani, are the kids with you tonight?"

"No, I sent them to their Dad's. I didn't want them around asking questions. But they are starting to get suspicious and the time is coming that I'm going to have to talk to them otherwise my little stalkers are going to start following me."

"Then do you want to take a drive with me? There is someplace I want to take you."

"Oh Nico, I would love that. What about my car?"

Taking out his cell phone, Nico dialed Xeno's number and arranged for him to come get Dani's car. Taking her hand, he led her to his car.

Two hours later they pulled up in front of a small beach house. Built in the Cape Cod style; the gray boards gave it an aged graceful look. The first floor house had a center entrance with two wings on each side. A separate garage with an apartment was set off to the left of the main house and a pathway to the right, led around the side of the house.

"Nico, whose house is this?"

"It's mine Dani. I've had it for years. I come up whenever I can, which isn't as often as I would like. This place helps me get clarity. Come on, I'd like to show it to you."

Taking the hand he offered, Dani followed him through the main doors which led into the great room. What struck here was the comfortable furniture, the warm colors and especially the floor to ceiling windows that framed the back of the house and led out to a pool and beyond that the Ocean.

It was just starting to get dark, so he turned on lights as he went further in the house. He pointed out two bedrooms on one side, each with its own bathroom, the library, the gourmet kitchen and the family room off the kitchen.

As Dani watched him go into the kitchen, she realized how much she had missed him. The last month, more than anything else, she had missed touching him and being touched. She missed him.

She wandered into the last room of the house, the master bedroom. The sun was just beginning to set but it was still light enough that she was able to see the room as it was meant to be enjoyed, with natural light coming through the windows.

Dominated by a king size bed that looked out to the ocean, the colors were warm and masculine. Peaking into the master bathroom, she noticed a full steam shower and a bathtub big enough for several people. Wandering back to the bedroom she went to French doors that faced the ocean. That's where Nico found her several minutes later.

She looked so beautiful. How did he get so lucky?

Coming up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her and drew her up against him.

"Are you hungry, can I get you anything? I read somewhere that pregnant women want to eat all the time."

"Nico, if I eat all the time, I'll be 200 lbs before this over. I'm good for now thanks."

"Thank you for taking me with you today. I know we have a lot to settle, but it was nice to be included."

Turing in his arms so she was facing him, she cupped her hand to his face. "Nico, no matter what happens with us; this is your child too. We are going to figure this out; it's just going to take time. I need you to be patient."

"Patience is not my strong suit Dr, Santino and you said yourself, we are going to need to start telling people, starting with your kids." He placed his hands on her stomach. "He's not going anywhere."

On Dani's insistence, they hadn't told anyone. She wanted to wait until 3 months had passed just in case. He had agreed, but had made her promise that after that they would start with the kids and work their way out from there.

The kids. He still had no idea what they were going to tell them. The last time he had seen them was in the basement of the stadium when they have been caught selling T.K's stuff and he had to lecture them on lying. How you went from that to telling them that you were going to be the father to their new baby brother or sister he had no idea. Good thing Dani had experience in family counseling.

"I know. But we don't have to tell them tonight, do we? As Dani was talking, she began to unbutton the top button of his dress shirt, followed by he next few.

"Dr. Santino, are you trying to change the subject?"

"Is it working?"

"Every time Dr. Every time." With that he lowered his head and took Dani's mouth hungrily.

"I've missed you" Nico said breaking the kiss long enough to pull the burgundy sweater over her head. Dani reached behind her and unhooked her bra, letting it slide down to the floor.

"I've missed you too." With a husky laugh, she unbuttoned her jeans and stepped out of them, along with her panties. They continued to kiss and Nico turned her gently towards the bed and laid her down. She was incredible. If anything, being pregnant made Dani even sexier, if that was possible.

As Dani watched, Nico finished unbuttoning his shirt, followed by the rest of his clothes. He really was magnificent. The way he looked at her made her feel incredibly beautiful and very wanted.

Dani opened her arms and Nico came to her. Starting with her forehead, he kissed every inch, stopping along the way to suckle each breast until Dani was panting. He continued down to her stomach and placed a kiss where the baby was and then continued down until he found the sweetest part of her. Using his tongue, he worshiped the very core of her until her pants turned into tiny cries of pleasure.

"Please Nico, please now, I need you inside me now."

Just the sound of Dani's voice almost put him over the edge. In one motion he came up on top of her and entered her swiftly. Dani wrapped her legs around Nico and arching her back forced him deeper.

"Dani, this can't hurt the baby can't it.?" Nico stilled to look Dani in the eyes.

"No Nico, but it will hurt me if you stop." Smiling against his mouth Dani kissed him and began the dance that would end with both of the reaching their breaking point at the same time.

As Nico spilled her into, Dani cried out her own climax.

Nico rolled over and took Dani with him, pulling the discarded sheet over the both of them.

While they caught their breath, they held each other close, neither wanting to break the spell. Gradually, Nico felt Dani's breathing slow and shortly after he knew she was asleep.

He realized that she had succeeded in closing down the subject about telling the kids and the others in their lives that would need to know. When she woke up, they were going to come up with a plan. He had played by her rules long enough, now it was going to be his turn to start setting the pace.

Like Dani said, he was not a patient man,