Back to romance, fluff, and family bonding for this one. Enjoy! :)
I don't own "Once Upon a Time."
Chapter 19
Belle was busy boxing up antiques in the shop as Nick worked on the final tapestry he had to complete before they left for California. The shop would be closed for a month while they were gone and renovation was underway. Everything had to be put in storage or covered in order to avoid damage during the remodeling of the store. Belle kept noticing that Nick was repeatedly scratching the scarred area on his forehead; he had gotten his stitches out three days earlier.
"Nick, stop scratching it, you're just going to aggravate it more." Belle said.
"It fucking itches, what am I supposed to do?" Nick asked.
"That means it's healing, leave it alone." Belle said. She stomped behind the counter, took out her purse from the desk drawer, and pulled out a tube of cream. She walked over to Nick and started to put some of the cream on his scar.
"I don't need that, Belle!" Nick said. He made a face as she touched the scar.
"Stop being a baby. This will help." Belle said. After she applied the cream she went back into her purse and took out a small band-aid.
"What, do you have a whole bloody pharmacy in there?" Nick asked.
"I need one with you. What did you do when all of the scarring on your leg was healing?" Belle asked.
"It was in a cast for four months, not much I could do except bitch at every person I came into contact with." Nick said. Belle started to place the band-aid on his forehead and Nick grabbed her wrist. "I don't want that – I just got the bandage off, I don't want another one."
"This will just stop you from scratching it so much, the last thing you need is to get it infected. We're leaving in a week, we don't have time to be running you to the bloody doctor every other day." Belle said. "I can see why Bae was so annoyed with you during your recovery, you're being a pain in the arse. Now let me put this on." Belle pulled her wrist out of his grip and proceeded to put the bandage on. As soon as she was done, Nick put his arms around her waist, grabbed her, and pulled her onto his lap. Belle squealed in surprise, but Nick planted a kiss on her lips before she could say anything.
"Thank you for putting up with me. Even when I'm being a pain in the arse." Nick said. Belle smiled at him.
"You're just lucky you're cute, it's the only reason I let you get away with it." Belle said. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him for several minutes. They were still kissing when they were interrupted by someone who had entered the store.
"What the bloody hell kind of a shop is this?" Philip shouted as he closed the door behind him. Belle pulled away from Nick and turned around.
"Philip!" Belle squealed, and she jumped up and ran to Philip, then hugged him tightly. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm shooting a movie in a month here love, I have things to do." Philip said. "I see she's keeping you busy." Philip said to Nick, who had gotten up and made his way to the front of the counter.
"That she is." Nick said.
"I didn't think you were coming in for another week." Belle said.
"Well, I didn't either but – I have some things to deal with that required my presence in New York. Oh, and um – day after tomorrow in the evening, I've got a photo shoot set up with Tom Clark, you and me and Robin." Philip said.
"Tom Clark, are you serious?" Belle asked.
"Who's Tom Clark?" Nick asked.
"Best photographer in the industry, how did you pull that off?" Belle asked.
"I know people." Philip said.
"Oh crap – Nick and I have plans for that night – it's our anniversary." Belle said.
"Anniversary for what?" Philip asked.
"The day we met. It was a year ago that day that I came into the shop, can you believe it?" Belle said.
"It's been that long, has it? Seems like only yesterday you were sitting in my living room crying over this bloke." Philip looked up at Nick. "You should have seen her mate, she was pitiful. I kept telling her 'Call him, go back for him and shag him, good god, how much longer do I have to listen to this?'"
"Well I fell pretty hard for her, too." Nick said, putting his arm around Belle's waist.
"Philip, you should have checked with me first." Belle said.
"It's the only night he had, I didn't want to miss the chance. You guys can reschedule, right?" Philip asked. Belle looked up at Nick.
"This is your work, it's important. We'll do another night." Nick said.
"It won't be the same." Belle said.
"Sweetheart, it's one night. You do what you need to do." Nick said, and he gave her a kiss on the cheek. "So when do I get to meet this bloke that's going to be groping you in this film?"
"His name is Robin Sherwood, and he's a married man, and his wife is currently about six months pregnant and I'm pretty sure that it's his." Belle said. "But if it bothers you that much, I'll arrange for dinner with him and his wife when we get back from Hollywood. He's a really well-known theatre actor, won two Tony awards, total professional. And his wife is Marian Forrester - she does mostly action films, she could probably kick my ass AND his, even while pregnant, nothing is going to happen." Belle gave Nick a quick kiss on the cheek. "So jealous. Like you have anything to worry about." Belle pulled Nick into a deep kiss, with Philip still standing there.
"Jesus, get a fucking room!" Philip finally said. "I thought you two would have toned down the PDA by now, but you're even worse than you were when you were in California."
"Daddy, I have some more boxes where do you – want them?" Ruby said as she entered the shop, then stopped when she saw Philip, and she dropped the boxes she was carrying on the floor. "Oh my god – you're – you're Philip Prince." Philip glanced down and then looked up at her.
"Well what do you know, I guess I am." Philip said. Belle laughed a bit.
"Philip, this is Ruby – Nick's daughter." Belle said.
"Very nice to meet you, Ruby." Philip said, and he shook her hand.
"Oh my god, I love you. I mean your movies – I love your movies. Especially the ones you did with Belle." Ruby said nervously, her voice trembling.
"Yes, those are my favorites too." Philip said.
"Ruby goes to NYU – she's studying theatre, she's mainly interesting in set design and make-up." Belle said.
"Really? Well, you know what, I have to put a crew together over the next month, I always like to hire local – have you ever considered film work?" Philip asked.
"You mean – work on your movie?" Ruby asked.
"Well do you have a resume I can look at?" Philip asked.
"Um – yeah. I've done some off-Broadway stuff but that's about it." Ruby said.
"Well, we all have to start somewhere. I actually got my start in the theatre in London. Tell you what – give your resume to Belle and I'll take a look at it." Philip said.
"I – I will. Oh thank you so much." Ruby said excitedly.
"Sweetheart, go take the boxes in the back room and start emptying what's left in the storage closet into them, I've taken everything I need for this last project." Nick said.
"Okay daddy. Nice to meet you, Mr. Prince." Ruby said.
"If you're gonna work for me, you'd better learn to call me Philip, Mr. Prince is my dad." Philip said.
"Okay – Philip." Ruby said, and she picked up the boxes and went into the back room.
"You didn't have to do that." Nick said.
"Well, everyone needs a break at some point – she seems like a nice enough girl, it'll be a good starting point for her. Plus, given her reaction to me she'll do whatever I tell her without question, I like that." Philip said, and he turned and looked at Belle. "This one is the one that'll give me problems."
"I am nothing but professional on the set." Belle said. "Most of the time."
"Well thank you for giving Ruby a break. She's a good girl, and a hard worker." Nick said.
"I have to get going, just wanted to stop by for a bit. I'll call you tomorrow with more details about that shoot." Philip said.
"Philip, can't you please see about changing the date? " Belle asked.
"Afraid not, love. Belle I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important." Philip said.
"Sweetheart, I promise – we will celebrate, it isn't a big deal." Nick said.
"Okay – I will make it up to you somehow." Belle said, and she hugged Nick tightly. Nick looked up at Philip and winked at him knowingly.
"It's a very nice place, Ashley – you were lucky to find it." Belle said. Belle was at Ashley's apartment in Manhattan, and Ashley had just finished showing her around.
"Yeah – do you think Alex will like her room?" Ashley asked.
"Oh, what little girl wouldn't?" Belle asked.
"Thanks so much for being here – I haven't had her with me in a long time like this and – well I thought she'd be less nervous if someone else was here at first. She should be here soon." Ashley said. The two of them sat down in the living room on the sofa.
"How long do you have her for?" Belle asked.
"Two weeks – I just have to check in with the social worker daily, they said if things go well they'll reopen the joint custody petition. Sean's pissed. His girlfriend went to France and he refuses to go without Alex, and so he's looking for a place in New York so that he can 'make sure I behave' while Alex is with me." Ashley said.
"Ash – not to be mean but – it hasn't been that long since you've been clean, do you really blame him?" Belle asked.
"I guess not." Ashley said. "So – how's your boyfriend doing?"
"He's fine." Belle said.
"He looked a lot better in court the other day. He's – kinda cute. For an older guy." Ashley said. Belle glared at her a bit. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna make a move on him – I'm not really looking for any kind of relationship right now. My priority is Alex."
"Well, that's good. And yes, Nick is – very handsome. I'm not sure he realizes that." Belle said.
"Is he always gonna have the cane and the limp?" Ashley asked.
"I'm afraid so. He had a pretty bad accident about eight years ago; his right leg is pretty messed up, he almost lost it, actually. Doesn't bother me though. And it doesn't affect – well – you know." Belle said, and she blushed a bit.
"Oh – do tell. I mean, he's older, more experienced – how is he?" Ashley asked.
"Ashley!" Belle said, embarrassed. "He's – incredible really. He's – very tactile and passionate and when he talks to me with that Scottish accent I just -" Belle took a deep breath and stopped.
"Geez, you're about to have an orgasm just talking about it, aren't you?" Ashley said.
"We did it on the kitchen counter at my house." Belle said, giggling a bit.
"No!" Ashley replied.
"Yeah. And in my hot tub. And – several times in the storage closet at his shop." Belle admitted. "Ashley I am so in love with this man I can barely keep my hands off of him. I mean we – practically every day, Ash. And it's not like it's too much, it's almost like it's not even enough. I thought it would die down after the first couple of months, but – if anything it's – gotten better. The more we know each other, physically and mentally it's just – I can't even explain it. It's like – for my entire life, there's been a part of me that's missing and Nick – he's that part."
"Sounds pretty intense." Ashley said.
"It's not just the sex though Ash – I mean we can sit for hours in the same room, I'll be reading or studying a script and he'll be working on something at his spinning wheel or at the loom and – it's nice just to be there with him. I'm actually sad when I'm away from him." Belle said. "Last month he had to go to a craft fair for a day in Philadelphia – I thought I would be too much of a distraction so I stayed home. He left at about six in the morning and didn't get home until almost midnight. By early evening I – I was crying. Actually crying because I hadn't seen him in almost twenty-four hours. I practically attacked him when he got home."
"I wish I could find that kind of love. I'm not sure I will though. But – I have Alex, right?" Ashley said, just as the doorbell rang. "Speaking of -" Ashley got up and went to answer the door.
"Mommy!" the little girl with light brown hair shouted as she darted into Ashley's arms.
"Hi sweetie – oh, mommy missed you so much." Ashley said as she gave the girl a big hug. Sean stood at the door holding two suitcases.
"Where do you want these?" Sean asked.
"Just bring them in." Ashley replied. Sean entered the apartment and went into the living room.
"Come on sweetie, I want to show you your bedroom." Ashley said, and she took Alex's hand and led her out of the room.
"Hi Sean." Belle said to Sean.
"What are you doing here, Belle?" Sean asked as he set down the suitcases.
"Ashley asked me to come over. She wanted me to meet Alex." Belle said.
"So what the hell prompted your friendship renewal?" Sean asked.
"My boyfriend. He said I should give Ashley a chance. So I am. Maybe you should too." Belle said.
"Yeah, she's had plenty of chances." Sean said.
"You know, I wouldn't judge her too harshly Sean – you're not perfect either." Belle said. Alex came running into the room and ran into Sean's arms. Sean scooped her up.
"You be a good girl for mommy, okay? I'm not going far and you can call me any time you want." Sean said, and he gave the girl a kiss on the cheek.
"Okay, daddy." Alex said, and Sean set her down.
"I want to see her a few times a week. For lunch or dinner or whatever." Sean said.
"Fine, whatever. Just call me." Ashley said. Sean slunk out of the room and left. "Alex – I want you to meet someone. This is mommy's friend Belle. We used to be roommates a long time ago."
"It's very nice to meet you, Alex." Belle said, and Alex sat down next to her.
"Do make movies like my mommy and daddy do?" Alex asked.
"Yes I do. That's how I met your mommy – we were on television together." Belle said.
"Mommy won't let me watch her movies. She said not till I'm older." Alex said.
"Well, she's probably right – your mommy makes grown-up movies, but you'll see them someday." Belle said.
"In the meantime – look what I got!" Ashley said, and she walked over to the TV and picked up a DVD case.
"Cinderella!" Alex shouted with excitement. "Do like Cinderella, Belle?"
"Oh, of course I like it – it's not my favorite though." Belle said.
"Which one is?" Alex asked.
"Beauty and the Beast, of course." Belle said, and she and Ashley both laughed.
Philip opened the door to the hotel suite and let Belle in. "Right on time, love. You look fabulous."
"Well, this is the dress I wore when I auditioned for August – brought me luck then, so – I thought it might work again." Belle said.
"Yellow – risky choice. But it works for you. Listen, why don't you go on in, he's waiting, and – I'll be there in a bit." Philip said.
"Is Robin here yet?" Belle asked.
"No, not yet – just go on in. You look gorgeous, Belle. This is going to be just perfect." Philip said.
"It's just a photo shoot, Philip, I've done hundreds of them." Belle said. "Why this big suite though – why didn't you just rent a conference room for a few hours?"
"Tom Clark prefers a more intimate setting." Philip said. "Go on – I'll be right in." Philip said. "I'm just gonna wait for Robin."
"Alright." Belle said, and she eyed him warily. "Are you up to something?" she asked suspiciously.
"Why on earth would you think that?" Philip asked.
"Because I know you." Belle said. Philip just smiled – Belle shook her head and entered the main area of the suite. It was decorated with flowers and candles, and the lights were down. "Um – hello?" Belle called out, not expecting this at all.
"Hey." Nick said, entering the room. He was wearing a black suit with a blue vest and black tie. His hair was perfectly coiffed and hanging down onto his shoulders. "Happy anniversary, love." Nick walked over to her and kissed her. "You look stunning – is that the dress I told you to buy when we went shopping that time? The one you rejected, 'no one wears yellow to an audition', you said."
"Yes it is." Belle admitted. "You sneaky bastard. You and Philip are in so much trouble, I hope you know that."
"Oh, I'm aware – you'd best add Ruby and Emma to that list, they did all of this." Nick said.
"Nick – what is this? What's going on?" Belle asked.
"I just wanted everything to be perfect tonight. Are you surprised?" Nick asked.
"This is – I mean - all of this it's – it's beautiful." Belle said, looking around the room.
"You're beautiful." Nick said. He walked over to a small table in the corner of the room. There was an old fashioned turntable set up there. "I have another surprise for you." Nick said. There was a 45 record placed on the turntable, and Nick picked up the needle and placed it on the record, and the music started playing. As soon as Belle heard the music, she gasped, and tears started to well up in her eyes.
"Oh Nick – how did you – I love this song. You remembered." Belle said.
"I remember everything you've ever told me, love. You know I wasn't really that light on my feet even before my accident and – well, you may have to lead a bit, but – may I have this dance?" Nick asked.
"Yes." Belle replied, nodding. Nick set his cane aside and offered her a proper bow and Belle curtsied back, and then he took her into his arms and they danced together, pressed tightly against one another, as the music played . . .
Sometimes we stand on the top of a hill, and we gaze at the earth and the sky
I turn to you, and you melt in my arms
There we are darling, only you and I
What a moment to share, it's wonderful, wonderful
Oh so wonderful, my love
Nick cupped Belle's chin in his hand and kissed her. "You have made me so happy, Belle. More than I ever imagined I ever would be." Belle smiled at him and kissed him, and they continued to dance as the music played.
Some quiet evening I sit by your side, and we're lost in a world of our own
I feel the glow of your unspoken love
I'm aware of the treasure that I own
And I say to myself, it's wonderful, wonderful
Oh so wonderful, my love
They remained in one another's arms for a moment after the record stopped playing, until Nick finally moved away and removed the needle from the record. "Don't want to damage it, I have to return this." Nick said.
"Where did you find it?" Belle asked.
"Well the turntable was easy enough to procure; I am, after all, an antique dealer. But the 45 – that came special delivery from Melbourne." Nick said. "I had it sent to Ruby so that you wouldn't find it."
"Is – is that my mum's record?" Belle asked.
"It is. Took a lot of work to convince your dad to send it to me; he said he'd shoot me if I didn't return it in mint condition." Nick said. "Took even more convincing with my other request, but – he finally agreed."
"You called my papa?" Belle asked.
"Well, I had to do things proper – wanted to get his approval before I asked you this." Nick said. He pulled a small box out of his pocket and carefully knelt down, placing his good knee onto the floor. "Martha Rose Francis – will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Tears began to well up in Belle's eyes again, and she smiled at him.
"Yes." she whispered in reply without hesitation. "Yes I'll marry you."
"Good. That's good. Can you help me up now, love?" Nick asked. Belle laughed a bit and helped Nick into a standing position. He took the ring out of the box and carefully placed it onto Belle's finger. Belle looked at it and smiled. It was a beautifully mounted diamond and sapphire ring on white gold.
"Oh Nick – it's beautiful." Belle said, and she hugged him and kissed him.
"I wanted something unique and – well, the sapphire – matches your eyes." Nick said. Belle kissed him again and wrapped her arms around him tightly. "Still mad that I tricked you?"
"Yes. Alright, not as much now." Belle admitted.
"The concierge should be bringing dinner soon and then – well we have the whole suite to ourselves, all night." Nick said.
"How did you afford all of this?" Belle asked.
"I had some money put away – for a rainy day." Nick said. "Plus Emma knows the head of security here so – she got me a discount." Belle laughed a bit. "We do have a Jacuzzi in here. And a vibrating bed – though I don't think we need that, I think we do well enough without it." Nick quipped, then his tone of voice changed. "Belle, I love you so very much. I can't wait for you to be my wife."
"There's nothing I want more. I love you – and I can't wait to marry you." They kissed one more time and they both smiled happily.
Later that evening, Belle and Nick sat snuggled together in the Jacuzzi in their hotel room. "Do you know what I love the most about being in a hot tub with you?" Nick asked.
"Hot tub sex?" Belle asked. Nick laughed.
"Well, that is nice, but – what I really like is this." Nick said. He wrapped his arms around Belle and lifted her up and carried her into the center of the Jacuzzi without struggle. Belle wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. "I'll never be able to lift you into my arms and carry you this way without falling and probably injuring both of us – but in the water we're both weightless. I can carry you in my arms with no struggle at all." Nick kissed her once again for several minutes. "So when are we gonna get one of these installed in the apartment then?" Nick asked, as they both sat down and snuggled once again.
"Nick – don't you think it's time we started looking for another place? I mean – your apartment is so small and it's really a bachelor pad and I can't move any of my things from California because I have no room for them." Belle said.
"Where do you want to live? I don't want to go back to Manhattan, Belle, I like being outside the main part of the city." Nick said.
"I don't either. But there has to be something out there. Something perfect for us." Belle said. "I'll call Mulan tomorrow and get some real estate agent recommendations and we'll start looking when we get back."
"How much money are we spending on this home?" Nick asked.
"Oh, do we have to have the money talk now?" Belle asked.
"You're the one who keeps saying we have to have it eventually. Belle, I've been trying to ignore the fact that you can write a check out for whatever you like without blinking an eye, but I'm unable to do that. I know what your tastes are and while I could easily adjust to that – I just don't know how comfortable I am to be living in a home that belongs to both of us, yet was paid for by you." Nick said.
"What part of perfect for US did you not understand when I said we should start looking for a place? I'm not going to go off on a whim and purchase a home for us – this is something we decide together. And Nick, I'm sorry, but I have the money to get a nice place and I WANT a nice place. That's part of my baggage and I thought you accepted that." Belle said. "I backed off of the store expansion because I know that my helping bothered you, but this has to be a joint effort because we're talking about our HOME here. Can you put your male ego aside for this?" Nick kissed her on the neck.
"I want a home workroom. And a hot tub. And a kitchen with a counter in the middle." Belle started to laugh.
"Well of course, that's a definite requirement." Belle said. "I just want a nice garden outside. My mum used to garden. She taught me how and I'm not in California enough to keep mine up. But I want that here."
"And tons of closet space, I'm tired of my clothes being relegated to the very back." Nick said.
"Well yes, that too." Belle replied. "Shouldn't we be going to bed soon?"
"Can't we just sleep in here?" Nick asked, pulling her closer and sighing.
"Probably not the safest thing in the world to do. But we can get a good night's sleep and then come back here in the morning, we have the room until noon, right?" Belle asked.
"Yes we do. And I intend to use every minute of that time." Nick said, and he pulled her into a kiss.
Nick, Belle, Bae, Emma and Henry arrived in Los Angeles in the early evening, stopped at a restaurant for a quick dinner, and then went to Belle's house. "Holy shit, this place is huge." Emma said as she entered Belle's house. Bae followed behind her carrying Henry. "I'm surprised you don't have a moat around the house." The limo driver entered the house with two bags of luggage.
"Just take everything upstairs and leave it in the hallway, we'll take it from there, thanks." Belle said.
"Do we – tip him or what?" Emma asked. Belle laughed.
"You don't need to tip him. He gets paid very well, I promise." Belle said.
"So do you want the grand tour?" Nick asked.
"Is there a map?" Emma asked.
"See, I asked the same thing when I first came here." Nick said.
"It's really not as big as it looks. Come on I'll show you around." Belle said. She gave them a quick tour of the main area of the house; there was a crib and a playpen for Henry set up in the living room area. Belle then took them upstairs. "I had my assistant set up one of the guest rooms for you, and I had a crib put in for Henry in an attached room, along with a baby monitor. Oh, and I had her stock up on diapers and a few new outfits for him as well."
"Belle – you didn't have to do all of this." Bae said.
"Of course I did – I want it to feel like home here for you." Belle said.
"If you wanted it to feel like home you should have put us in the pool house, because that's about the size of our actual apartment." Emma said.
"You just let me know what you need – my assistant will get it." Belle said.
"Yes, her invisible assistant Ariel. I was here for two weeks, things would show up, other things would disappear, never once saw the girl." Nick said.
"She works for several people in Hollywood; she's a bit of a beach bum, likes to hang out there when she's not working so she doesn't stay around to chat much, she just drops off what I need and leaves." Belle said.
"Belle, really – this is too much." Emma said.
"You're my family now. All of you. I take care of my family." Belle said. "You're probably tired – I'll let you get settled in, and like I said, help yourself to whatever you want in the kitchen, please don't be afraid to make yourself at home. We'll see you in the morning." Belle and Nick left Emma and Bae's room and went into Belle's room together. "You don't think Bae is mad at me, do you? For all the things I got for Henry?" Belle asked as she started to undress.
"I think he's – overwhelmed by all of it but – he understands that you mean well." Nick said as he began to undress as well. "After all, you're going to be the boy's step-grandmother." Belle had just finished changing into her nightgown. She shot a glare at Nick and went into the bathroom. "Did I say something wrong?" Nick called out to her. Belle did not respond, but came out of the bathroom several minutes later with her makeup removed.
"I am too young to be any kind of grandmother." Belle said as she climbed into bed.
"Well – that's what you get for agreeing to marry a man old enough to have a grandchild." Nick teased as he turned off the lights and climbed into bed with her. He began to kiss her on the neck. "Grandma Belle – that has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"
"You're not funny." Belle said, trying her best to ignore his affections.
"Well what do you want to him to call you then?" Nick asked. Belle turned around and faced Nick.
"How about Marty? Nobody calls me that anymore except my papa and my friends in Australia – it'll be something special for him to call me." Belle suggested.
"Yeah, that sounds good. Grandma Marty." Nick said.
"JUST Marty. No grandma." Belle said as she climbed on top of him, then started to kiss him as she unbuttoned his pajama top. "Don't know why you even bother to get dressed for bed, I'm just going to take these off of you."
"I like that part. You taking my clothes off." Nick said. "You know you're pretty sexy for a grandmother." Nick gasped as Belle quickly reached her hand down his pajama bottoms and grabbed ahold of his penis.
"Go ahead. Call me grandma one more time. But be warned, if you do you'll be walking quite funny tomorrow, and not just because of your limp." Belle teased.
"Alright, I'll stop. You talk about my temper." Nick said. "Give us a kiss."
"No." Belle replied, her nose touching his as she released her grip on him. She smiled at him for a bit, not saying a word, then gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "There. Happy now?"
"Very much." Nick said. He abruptly pulled her even closer and rolled her over until he was on top of her. "I'm glad you're part of our family."
"Me too." Belle said, and they melted into a kiss once again.
Three days later, Belle arrived home from a day of working in the studio. Nick was sitting in the living room playing with Henry and bouncing him on his lap. "Look who's home, Henry. There's your gra – I mean, there's Marty." Nick said. Belle shot him a quick glare as Henry reached out his hands for Belle.
"Oh, come here my little sweetheart." Belle said as she took the boy in his arms. "When are Bae and Emma getting back?" Belle asked as she sat down next to Nick while holding Henry in her lap.
"Well – tomorrow?" Nick said. "I would have called you to make sure it was okay, but – I knew you wouldn't answer your phone anyway. Bae called a couple of hours ago, said that he and Emma would like a night out on their own and if we could watch Henry overnight, I didn't think it would be a problem."
"Of course not – and good for them, they deserve a night on their own." Belle said. "Has he had supper yet?"
"This child eats every two hours, there is no 'supper', there's 'cry and fuss until grandpa feeds me'." Nick joked. "You sure you don't mind?"
"Of course not. Henry can stay with us anytime he likes. I can't wait until my papa meets him; he's always want grandchildren, he will adore this little boy." Belle said. Nick's eyes widened at the mention of the word grandchildren, but he said nothing. "You know, Philip needs a baby about Henry's age for the movie, do you think Bae and Emma would let him do it?"
"Well, you can ask – don't see them as too much of the stage parent types though." Nick said.
"He'd get paid." Belle said.
"HENRY would get a paycheck?" Nick asked.
"Well yes. Of course it would all go into a trust for him, he wouldn't be able to access it until he's eighteen." Belle said.
"Are you just going to have my whole family working on this film? Do I get a job too?" Nick asked.
"Your job will be to listen to me bitch for an hour after a bad day on the set and not complain about my mood."
"How much does that pay?" Nick teased.
"Well you might get a bit of angry sex out of me on occasion. You haven't seen me yet while I'm in the middle of filming. I'm not the type who acts out on the set, but I have been known to take out my frustrations afterward at home if things aren't going well. Ask Philip – he'll give you all kinds of tips on what to expect." Belle said.
"Can't be any worse than me smashing up my store with my cane." Nick said.
"When have you done that?" Belle asked.
"When I found out that Regina told the press about you being at my apartment." Nick said.
"Well I don't smash anything, I just – yell. And you might learn a few new curse words, I'm guessing there's some Aussie ones you're not familiar with yet." Belle said.
"Oh good – always look forward to expanding my vocabulary." Nick said. Henry started to wiggle in Belles arms and instinctively began to reach for her breast. Belle carefully moved his hand away. "Don't be playing with those, Henry; you have your own toys, those belong to grandpa." Nick said, and Belle started to laugh.
"Do they, really? I didn't see your name stamped on them." Belle said.
"Well it should be." Nick replied.
"Emma said she's been trying to wean him onto baby food, but he still prefers the breast." Belle said.
"He's a boy, Belle; that's what we always prefer." Nick said. Belle just smiled at him.
"I'm gonna go take him upstairs, I think he needs changing. Do you mind making dinner?" Belle asked.
"Of course. Anything in particular you'd like?" Nick asked.
"Oh, I don't know. Something messy. That you need to make on the counter." Belle said playfully.
"Well alright then. That sounds perfect." Nick said, and he gave Belle as quick kiss before she got up to take Henry upstairs.
"Well, the baby monitor is on, and he's sleeping. We should probably try and get some sleep too, I have to get up early and he may fuss during the night." Belle said as she set the baby monitor down on the nightstand and got into bed with Nick.
"Bae said he usually sleeps till at least five unless he needs a diaper change." Nick said. "He should be fine." Nick laid his head down close to Belle's shoulder. They were both quiet for several minutes as they lay together holding hands, their fingers entwining playfully.
"Do you want kids?" Belle asked abruptly. Nick glanced up at her.
"I have kids, dear. Two of them, you've met them." Nick replied.
"I know that, I mean – us. Do you want us to have a baby?" Belle asked. Nick sat up quickly.
"Belle are you trying to tell me something? Are you -"
"No, of course not. But – well, we haven't talked about that. I never really thought about it much myself to be honest, but spending time with Ashley and her daughter, and now Henry, I just – started thinking about it." Belle said. Nick leaned back against the headboard of the bed and Belle moved closer to him and rested her head on his chest.
"I wasn't a very good father the first time around, Belle. I don't want to put another child through that, you've seen the results." Nick said.
"Your children are wonderful, Nick." Belle said.
"It's taken a hefty amount of therapy bills to get them that way." Nick replied. "I'm too old, Belle. Jesus, if we had a child I'd be in my seventies when they finished high school."
"And I'd be in my fifties – I'm not exactly in my prime child bearing years either, and I probably only have a few years left to really make that decision without too much risk." Belle said.
"Is this something you want?" Nick asked.
"I don't know. Maybe." Belle replied. "I think we'd make a beautiful child, I have no doubt of that. And you're not the same person you were when Bae and Ruby were children. You wouldn't be like that, not now."
"How many did you want?" Nick asked.
"Not a lot. Actually just one would be fine with me." Belle said. Nick was quiet. "If you're not okay with it then, that's fine, I just – thought I'd put it out there."
"I would love to have a child with you, Belle. I just don't know if – it would change so much of our lives, permanently. I'm not sure I want to share you with anyone else, I know that's selfish of me, but – it took me so long to find you, Belle. I kind of want you all to myself." Nick admitted.
"We wouldn't be doing this alone, you know. I'm sure Bae and Ruby would help, I know they'd be thrilled." Belle said. "And maybe they can give you a list of everything you got wrong the first time around – you know, so that you don't do those things this time. Nick laughed a bit.
"A list? Sweetheart, it would be a fucking encyclopedia, in several volumes." Nick said. Both of them were quiet for a bit again. "You want a baby, don't you?" Nick asked, finally interrupting the silence.
"I think I do. Yes." Belle admitted.
"Only one." Nick said.
"One is enough. I'm not sure I could handle more than that myself, I can be a bit high maintenance at times." Belle said.
"A BIT? Your picture should be next to the word in the dictionary, dear." Nick teased. "Boy or girl?"
"I didn't realize we had an option." Belle joked.
"Which would you prefer?" Nick asked.
"It doesn't matter, really, as long as we have a healthy child. But I have always wanted a little girl." Belle admitted.
"Good. You can take her shopping then." Nick said, and they both laughed a bit.
"So – are you saying yes to having a baby?" Belle asked.
"I'm not saying no." Nick said. "If we had a child Belle, you know I would love that child, and I would do my damndest to be a good father. If this is what you want – then we can try. See what happens. But if we're going to try, we're going to wait until after we're married to do so. I'm not going to have the press speculating that we married one another for any other reason than love, you know they're looking for one." Nick said.
"Okay – but we can practice trying until then, right?" Belle asked.
"Practice does make perfect, doesn't it?" Nick said.
"Yes it does." Belle replied. Nick pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
Bae and Emma arrived home at about eleven the next morning. Belle was on the living room floor playing with Henry while Nick sat on the sofa reading a book. "There's my baby – oh mommy missed you." Emma said. She got down on the floor with Belle and scooped Henry into her arms. "I thought you had to be at the studio today."
"Change of schedule; one of the actors from Ireland flew in today and August wants to get his overdubs done, so – I'm off till tomorrow." Belle said.
"Well thanks for watching him, we really appreciate it." Bae said. He sat down next to Nick on the sofa.
"It's never any trouble watching my grandson." Nick said. He put his book aside and glanced at Bae's left hand. "What is that?" he asked.
"Oh – it's a wedding ring." Bae said casually. Belle looked at Emma's left hand and noticed a small band on her finger as well as they both stood up, with Henry in Emma's arms.
"Where did you go yesterday?" Nick asked.
"Vegas." Emma said. "We were just driving around and we were gonna do another day of sightseeing and Bae just blurted out, 'You wanna go to Vegas and get married?' and I said yes before he decided to change his mind."
"You got married? Fuck, Bae – why didn't you tell us?" Nick said, and he reached out and gave Bae a hug.
"Oh my god, congratulations!" Belle said. "So did you get married by an Elvis impersonator or what?"
"No, it wasn't like that – just a nice little chapel off the strip. Sorry we didn't say anything but – we just wanted to do this without all the fanfare." Bae said.
"We didn't want to step on your toes either, we know you guys are planning your own wedding." Emma said. "It was nice – we had it recorded, we can watch it later."
"Well, we'll do some kind of celebration with everyone when we get back to New York; maybe a nice dinner or something." Belle suggested.
"That sounds good. Thanks." Bae said.
"So are you doing a honeymoon or anything?" Nick asked.
"This is pretty much it. And I just spent 24 hours with him, I don't need that much togetherness." Emma joked.
"Yeah, she's already getting on my nerves." Bae replied, and he stood up and gave Emma a quick kiss on the cheek, then gave Henry a kiss.
"Well since I have the day off you want to go shopping? I need to start looking at bridesmaids dresses." Belle said.
"Shouldn't you do that with your bridesmaids?" Emma asked.
"Well I was hoping you'd be one of them." Belle said.
"Really? You want me to be in your wedding?" Emma asked.
"Of course I do. Will you?" Belle asked.
"Yeah – of course." Emma said. She handed Henry off to Bae. "Don't you dare get me pregnant again until after this wedding, I don't want to be stuck wearing another clown suit." Emma said to Bae.
"Come on let's go – I assume you two can manage on your own." Belle said.
"Better you than me, Emma – text me with an SOS if it gets unbearable and I'll send help." Nick said. Belle gave Nick a quick kiss.
"You boys behave." Belle said, and she and Emma left. Bae sat back down with Henry.
"So – you're a married man with a child, I'm engaged – who would have seen any of this coming a year ago?" Nick remarked.
"Yeah, it's been pretty damn surreal, that's for sure." Bae said. "You hungry? I assume the girls will get lunch and dinner and forget all about us for the rest of the day."
"You're probably right about that." Nick said.
"This little guy looks like he's about ready for a nap." Bae said.
"Why don't you get lunch ready and I'll take care of Henry." Nick suggested.
"Sure." Bae said. He handed Henry over to Nick and left the room. Nick stood up and carefully took Henry over to the crib that was set up just a few feet away from the sofa, and set him down in it.
"You know, you look quite a bit like your father when he was a wee little babe. I used to sing to him sometimes, you want me to do that for you? I warn you I'm not a professional so if you don't like it just cry, I'll stop." Nick said to the little boy, and he began to sing.
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond
Where me an' my true were ever wont tae gae
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond
Bae came back into the room when Nick started singing, and he walked up behind Nick and began to join him in singing after the first verse.
Oh, ye'll take the high road, and I'll take the low
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye
For me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
"You used to sing that to me when I was a boy." Bae said.
"You remember that, do you?" Nick replied.
"Yeah. It's a fucking depressing song." Bae joked.
"But it's a beautiful song. Your grandfather taught it to me." Nick said. He gazed down at Henry for a few more moments, then looked up at Bae. "I wasn't a total shite father, was I? I took you to see all three of those Star Wars movies when they got re-released in the theatre, even though you'd watched them all about a hundred times at home."
"And you hated them and complained about it the entire time." Bae said.
"I went to your football games – some of them." Nick said.
"It's called soccer here dad, and I sucked at it and I only did it because you liked soccer and I was trying to do any damn thing that would impress you, and after the third game you attended you told me I was a 'disgrace to my Scottish heritage'." Bae said, imitating Nick's Scottish brogue at the end.
"I wasn't ready to be a parent back then, Bae. But I did love you." Nick said. "I still remember the first time I held you, Bae. Such a wee little thing you were. I was out of town for work when you were born, I wish I hadn't been, I wish I had been there. Milah had already brought you home by the time I got back. I took you in my arms and sat down and held you, and I sang that song to you, and you reached your little hand up toward me and –" Nick stopped, and fought back tears. "I missed so much, Bae – with you, and Ruby. So much time I'll never get back. And I'm sorry about that, I really am."
"Well, you um – you have Henry now. You can spoil him all you want. That's what grandpas are for." Bae said.
"Belle wants to have a baby." Nick said bluntly.
"Shit, dad is she -"
"No – no, she's not pregnant. But she wants to have a baby – after we're married. We hadn't even talked about that until – well, after she spent some time with Ashley and her daughter and now Henry – she brought it up. Bae, how can I deny her that? She's still young enough to have a child and – well, I already have two grown children and I didn't do too well with that, did I?"
"So what are you gonna do?" Bae asked. "Do you want to have a baby with her?"
"I don't want to fuck it up again. If we have a baby you'll tell me if I'm fucking things up, right?" Nick asked. Bae laughed a bit.
"You gonna tell me when I'm fucking things up with Henry? Cause I'm sure I will, and I'm sure someday he and I will be having a similar conversation to this. Kids don't come with an instruction manual, dad – you do your best and hope you didn't screw up that much. And besides – I don't think I'll need to point out your parental shortcomings, I think Belle will be perfectly capable of doing that. No, you weren't the best dad on the planet, but mom wasn't exactly mother of the year, either. She was too busy screwing the doorman half the time to be bothered with me and Ruby."
"The doorman, really? Didn't know about him – I knew she was sleeping with the building maintenance guy, but that was it." Nick said.
"Oh, I knew about him too – they actually got in a fight over her once, but – you were out of town." Bae said.
"Well it's too bad I missed that, isn't it?" Nick said. "I don't know how you and Ruby turned out as well as you did with the two of us raising you."
"Luck, I guess." Bae said.
"You're right about Belle though – she'll be a good mum. And she definitely won't be afraid to tell me when I'm fucking things up." Nick said.
"No, I think she'll make it clear pretty early on." Bae said.
"You don't think I'm too old, do you? To do the whole thing again?" Nick asked.
"You know what, dad? That kid won't give a shit how old you are, as long as you're a good dad. And I think you will be. Henry likes you." Bae said.
"Henry likes Belle better than me. Any time I'm watching him, the minute Belle comes into the room I may as well be chopped liver." Nick said.
"Well come on dad, I mean Henry is a pretty smart kid – if I had a choice between some weird looking guy or Belle French, who do you think I'd want to go to?" Bae teased.
"Well I guess you're right there, I really can't blame the lad." Nick said, and he sighed. "Shit, Bae – diapers, waking up at all hours of the night, trying to feed them and they throw food at you."
"Did I do that?" Bae asked.
"More your sister – she was a moody little thing. Jesus, one time your mother and I got into it and she took off for three fucking days and left me with the two of you, Ruby was barely over a year old, she told the nanny to take a holiday and even paid her for it before she left just to piss me off, and there I was alone with two kids; that was a fucking nightmare." Nick said.
"Oh, I think I remember that. You didn't know what the hell you were doing, did you?" Bae asked.
"Not a damn clue; that's what happens when you're a part-time parent at best." Nick said. "I suppose I deserved that little venture – first time in my life I was glad to see you mother when she decided to come back."
"It'll be different this time, dad. Belle's not gonna take off on a whim for three days, I have a feeling she'll be pretty hands-on with parenting." Bae said.
"Yeah – she will be. Alright then. I guess I can't get any worse as a parent, can I?" Nick asked.
"No, I doubt you could." Bae joked.
"Listen, Bae – I was wondering – will you stand up for me at my wedding? Be my best man?" Nick asked.
"I'd be honored to, dad." Bae said, and the two men hugged one another tightly.
As far as the music goes, the song that Nick and Belle danced to is called "Wonderful, Wonderful" as sung by Johnny Mathis and you can find it on You Tube if you want to hear it. "Loch Lomond" is a traditional Celtic song and there are a million versions of that on You Tube as well (though if you search the title I recommend the second one that comes up in the search).