Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm not going to make excuses for my extended absence…Just know that I am truly sorry. Since I know I've kept you waiting far too long, on with the story!

X

"Mom! Nico and…" Dani's ears perked up when she heard her son trail off. "I'm sorry; yelling like that was rude of me. I'm Ray Jay. You are?"

Dani rolled her eyes and immediately made her way from the kitchen to the front door where she was met with the sight of a glaring Nico and blushing Juliette. She placed a firm hand on Ray Jay's shoulder and shot Nico an apologetic look.

"This is Juliette, Ray Jay. She is practically Nico's daughter." Dani had to suppress her chuckle as she watched her son's face pale and immediately drop Juliette's hand; which it appeared he was in the process of kissing.

"Right. I…um…mom you said you needed help in the kitchen? I'll just go do that now." Ray Jay spun on his heel and all but ran towards the back of the house, leaving three very amused expressions behind him.

"Well, he gets an A for effort at least." Juliette smirked from her place at Nico's side. Nico rolled his eyes and gently nudged her shoulder.

"Remember what we talked about."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. If I can't behave we'll go home. Gotcha loud and clear over here boss man."

Nico's shoulders relaxed slightly and he nodded.

"Good. I wouldn't want to have to put you in time out…or something."

This time it was Dani's turn to scoff at him and jokingly swatted his arm.

"You do realize she's 19 right? For all you know she might enjoy time out and that is not a line you want to cross mister."

Nico's eyes flashed to Dani's and a shiver shot down her spine as she caught sight of the smoldering look he was giving her. It amazed her how just a simple look from him nearly turned her knees to jelly. It was no wonder she had finally come to the realization she was in love with him. He truly made her feel things she never thought possible. It both scared her, and thrilled her at the same time.

"And this is officially awkward. Mind if I go watch TV or something?"

Dani blushed and tore her eyes from Nico's at Juliette's words. She cleared her throat and gently grabbed the younger woman's hand.

"How about I introduce you and Lindsay? She's a few years younger than you but I think you guys might get along pretty well."

Juliette nodded reluctantly.

"Might as well. I can't say I ever had much in the way of female friends. Most of them are too bitchy. Or wouldn't hesitate to screw you over for a score. God knows I've done some shit to make sure I could stay high…" Juliette trailed off, her eyes blank. Dani recognized the look on her face of someone caught up in a flashback, living it in their own head as if it were real time. She sighed and made a mental note to ask Juliette about this at their next appointment.

"Juliette, sweetie, come on back to us. You're here, with us now; surrounded by people who care about you." Dani rubbed the girl's overly thin arm through her black cardigan. Her eyes glanced at Nico and her heart skipped a beat at the adoration she saw on his face.

Juliette blinked her eyes hard and shook her head before look back up and showing a small smile.

"Thank you." It was a whisper so quiet Dani wasn't sure Juliette had even meant to say it out loud. The older woman nodded reassuringly once and wrapped her arm around her frail shoulders.

"Any time. Let's go get you settled in the living room until dinner is ready."

Dani steered her to the couch and handed her the remote control just as Lindsay was coming down the stairs.

"Linds, this is Juliette. Juliette, this is my daughter Lindsay." Dani introduced the two girls and nervously watched the sizing up between them.

"Juliette? You mean like Juliette Pittman?" Lindsay questioned skeptically.

Juliette nodded.

"The one and only."

Lindsay immediately crossed the room and pulled Juliette in to a tight hug.

"I am so sorry about your dad."

The look of shock on Dani's face was mirrored on Juliette's before she closed her eyes against the tears shining in them and wrapped her arms around Lindsay in return.

"Thanks."

Lindsay finally pulled back and sat down on the other end of the couch.

"So, I've got to be honest, I've heard a lot about you and I have so many questions for you."

The swell of pride that had filled Dani not twenty seconds ago was quickly stamped out.

"Lindsay! Juliette is a guest. You will not grill her over her personal life."

Juliette chuckled and offered Dani a sad smile.

"It's alright. Gives me a change to set some shit straight I guess. And maybe brag a little over the stuff that is actually true." She winked at Lindsay who smiled widely in return.

Dani fought the urge to roll her eyes and shrugged.

"I'll be in the kitchen. Yell if you need me." Leaving the girls to gossip, Dani made her way down the hall but stopped just before the doorway to the kitchen as she heard Ray Jay's and Nico's voices, along with her name.

"So, you and mom huh?" She heard Ray Jay question. She couldn't help the nervousness that arose in her, despite her son's assurance early that morning that he was 'totally cool' with their relationship.

"Well, I guess that depends on how you feel about it." Nico's voice was calm and she detected a hint of amusement in his tone. There was the distinct sound of chopping in the short silence that followed.

Ray Jay let out a sigh.

"I'll be honest with you man; I was a little confused when I first figured it out. I didn't think you guys were that close ya know? But then I got to thinking about the time you helped me and Linds out with that merchandise crap, and the few times I've heard mom talk about you. I couldn't be bothered to notice then but she when she did, she always made sure to say all the good you've done for the team and stuff. And how you helped get those tapes back so she didn't have to lose her practice."

Dani drew in a sharp breath. She hadn't told either of her children about the wiretapping bullshit, so how did he know? She could practically hear Nico stiffen at her son's words.

"I pay a lot more attention than people give me credit for Nico." Ray Jay quickly said. "But that's not the point. The point is you've done a lot to help her. And the past few days is the happiest I've seen her in a long time. From what I've seen, you make more sense for her than anyone so far. Even dad. You ground her. Which is saying something because she can get pretty nuts sometimes."

Both men laughed in agreement and Dani had to force herself to stay put and not barge in to correct them. She heard what sounded like a hand clapping a shoulder.

"You're a good kid Ray Jay. And I appreciate you being honest with me. I would never pursue anything that made you or your sister uncomfortable."

Instead of feeling disappointed at his words, Dani felt grateful. Yes, she loved Nico. But if her kids had said they didn't approve, she would have just let it go. It was nice to know he was understanding of that and respectful of how her children felt. It only made her love him more.

A companionable silence fell over the room and just as Dani was about to round the corner, Ray Jay spoke again.

"So, since I'm such a good kid-"

"No, you cannot have Juliette's phone number."

"Fair enough."

X

The next hour consisted of Dani, Nico, and Ray Jay finishing dinner together, along with a minor food fight. More of the flour for the home made noodles ended up on Nico than in the food, while Dani had lettuce stuck in her hair, and Ray Jay somehow managed to remain spotless.

While the girls and Ray Jay set the table, Nico followed Dani up the bathroom to clean up before dinner. He walked past her form holding the door open and as soon as he was in front of the double sink she shut the door behind her. She leaned against it and drank in the sight of him. He had on a pair of light blue jeans that hugged his hips and bottom perfectly and a dark grey button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked absolutely delicious.

In the blink of an eye, her lips were pressed against his, her fingers running through his hair and resting at the nape of his neck. She reveled in the fact that he didn't even hesitate in kissing her back. His tongue ran over her lips, which she parted eagerly. His hands gripped her hips and spun her so that her bottom was pressed to the sink counter. Without breaking contact, Nico picked her up and sat her on the sink. His hands found their way to her thighs and gently prodded her legs apart as he stepped between them, his hard length pressed against her causing them both to moan in to the other's mouth.

Frantically they kissed, the rest of the world fading away. Nico's left hand slid underneath the back of Dani's shirt making her shiver from the contact. It wasn't until his right hand squeezed her breast that she forced herself to tear her lips away from his.

"As amazing as this feels, we have three teenagers down stairs waiting and believe it or not this isn't why I drug you up here." Dani panted, resting her forehead against his.

Nico stuck out his bottom lip at her words and continued to let his hand draw lazy circles on her back.

"But it feels so good though." He prodded.

Dani closed her eyes and allowed herself to revel in the feel of his hand on her for one more minute before standing her ground.

"Quit pouting Nico, it'll ruin your badass reputation." She teased.

The sexiest smirk she'd ever seen in her life found its way on to his face and his eyes gleamed at her.

"I'd be more than happy to maintain said reputation if that's what it'll take to get you to let me keep going."

Dani shook her head and swatted his hands away. She caught his eye and framed his face with her hands.

"What's going on Nico? What happened earlier?"

The fact that he dropped his eyes and sighed heavily told her it had something big. Seeing his vulnerability touched her in ways she couldn't explain. But it also reminded her of just how worn down and tired he looked. Nico leaned in to her and rested his head on her shoulder before he spoke.

"They're reading his will the day after tomorrow."

Dani brought her arms up and around his shoulders and hugged him close.

"It'll be alright. I'll be there with you and Juliette."

His arms wrapped around her waist and he hugged her in return.

"Thank you. I have a feeling I'm going to need you there to calm her down. She's not going to be very happy with me."

Dani's brow creased in confusion.

"Why on earth would she be upset with you?"

He sighed again and lifted his head. He looked her over for a moment before plucking a lettuce leaf out of her hair and twirling it in his fingers.

"Because Marshall left her the team, along with 80% of his assets."

"I still fail to see how that would make her mad at you."

Nico stepped back and leaned against the wall opposite Dani. He crossed his arms and looked down at the floor.

"I still haven't told her. The fact that he left her all of that isn't what's going to do it. It's that Gabriel is going to be furious and I wouldn't be surprised if she fought it tooth and nail." He sighed again. "I should tell her, so that she can prepare herself, but I just can't bring myself to do it. She's got enough on her plate with his death and the withdrawals. The last thing she needs is her cunt of a mother making her life even more miserable."

Dani slid off the sink and walked over to him, resting her hands on his arms and looking him in the eye.

"We have an appointment tomorrow morning. If you want, we could tell her together. That way I can help her work through it and get her head straight. You're right; she can't go in to this blind. It's going to be hard enough and I'll do whatever I can to make sure she doesn't break."

A comfortable silence fell between them. Nico tucked a stray hair behind her ear and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Let me take you out tomorrow night. See if the kids would be willing to stay at Ray's and I can have Xeno keep an eye on Juliette. We're both in need of a break from everything."

Dani didn't even hesitate in nodding enthusiastically.

"We're way past due for a first date." She kidded and leaned in for another kiss.

A loud bang on the bathroom door had both of them jumping out of their skin.

"No making babies in the bathroom! Other people have to use it ya know!" Juliette's voice sounded through the door along with snickers from her children.

Nico grabbed a hand towel and quickly wiped the flour from his face and hair before undoing his belt. He winked at Dani and opened the door.

"Sorry about that. Food fights do weird things to me." He pushed past the three teenagers standing in the hall, leaving them to gape at a blushing Dani.

Oh she was going to kill him.

X

Ten minutes later found all five of them seated around the table talking animatedly about school, work, and just life in general. The conversation flowed so easily that it was hard to believe this was the first time all of them had been in the same room at once. Dani sat back in her chair and felt Nico's hand on her knee. She grasped it and looked at him, returning his warm smile. The sense of family was nearly overwhelming. But it was definitely something she could get used to.

X

AN: I have the next chap halfway done already and it should up in a day or two. The rating of this fic will also go up with it. You have been warned. If you don't like smut, stop reading after this update lol. I truly hope you don't stop but hey, you like what you like.

As always, thank you to everyone who has stuck by me and been supportive. You are all the most patient fans ever and I love you so much for it.

Follow me on Twitter for updates and randomness: NicAm13.

See ya next chap!