A New Home

From the end of Season 5, Episode 3 – Nick and Adalind's first night in their new house…

It was about 2 a.m., and Adalind had just fed Kelly for what should be the last time until morning and gotten him back to sleep. She tried to go back to sleep herself, but she was just tossing and turning. The first night in a new place was always weird, and though she felt safer here than at Nick's old house, it was still weird.

Finally, she mustered the courage to go see if Nick was still awake. As soon as she opened the door, she could see that he was.

"Sorry," she said. "New place; couldn't sleep. Isn't it the baby who is supposed to keep the parent awake?"

"Kelly has less to worry about," Nick said back.

"I don't want to be alone, Nick. Do you think just for tonight you could sleep in our room?" she asked a bit shyly, clearly afraid of the answer. His initial look told her she was right to have been concerned. "I'm sorry," she blurted out quickly as she started back toward her and Kelly's room. "This is just too weird."

"I think we are beyond weird at this point," Nick responded as he got up and collected his phone and gun. He followed her back into the room, passing by a sleeping Kelly, which brought an automatic smile to his face.

He made a move for the left side of the bed – he had been around Adalind enough to know that she slept on the right – plus that was closest to Kelly's crib. They both settled in, not saying a word. Finally, Adalind looked back over her shoulder. "Thank you," she whispered. He looked back in her direction. "You're welcome," he finally whispered back.

Nick couldn't deny that he was softening to this woman. He cared about her. She was the mother of his child after all, and she really was a completely different person now. They had settled into a steady friendship and were co-parenting well. She needed him, and he'd be lying if he said he didn't love that. He loved his son more than anything in the world, and she was so good with him. The least he could do is share her bed the first night in a new place to offer her some comfort. After he was sure she was asleep, he drifted off to sleep himself.

The sun started peeking through the window around 6 a.m. rousing Nick from his slumber. As he opened his eyes, he quickly realized and remembered he was not alone. Clearly through an unconscious shift in the early morning hours, Adalind was now planted firmly against him. Her long blonde hair was draped over his shoulder, and she was breathing deeply with her head lying on his chest. He was an equally active participant and was clutching her close to him. When he breathed in he could smell her shampoo – minty. If Nick was being honest with himself, this felt nice. He hadn't been close with someone emotionally or physically for a while, and after everything that happened, waking up with Adalind was not the worst thing in the world. For a moment, he could pretend everything was normal, and he was simply waking up with his family.

He decided to just let her continue sleeping. About 10 minutes later, Kelly started cooing as he began to wake up. Adalind stirred immediately and realized she was plastered against Nick. She looked up at him shyly. "Sorry," she said smiling. "It's okay," he responded gently and meant it. She untangled herself from him to get the baby. "Good morning, big man," she said sweetly which made Nick smile. Nick got out of bed. "I'm going to go get ready for work," he said. "Okay," she responded. "I'll feed Kelly then make some breakfast. I stocked the fridge yesterday."

By the time Nick finished showering and getting dressed, Adalind had fed the baby and had toast and eggs on the table with a pot of fresh coffee too. They ate together as Kelly happily bounced in his swing. "Thanks for last night," Adalind finally mustered up the courage to say as they were clearing their plates. "Anytime," Nick said back and honestly meant it. He then kissed Kelly good-bye and left for work. The sudden pang he felt to do the same to Adalind did not go unnoticed and he literally shook his head as he walked out to the car. He wondered though if shaking her off was possible at this point.

Adalind once again ventured out with Kelly – this time to Bed, Bath and Beyond. Nick had done a decent job of outfitting their new house with the necessities, but she thought sprucing it up could go a long way in actually making it feel like home.

She picked up a variety of things then stopped at a Farmer's Market for fresh flowers. She spent the rest of the day hanging curtains, putting up some artwork, and setting around a few vases and other items she had picked up. She tidied up a bit too and made both her and Nick's beds, though she was hoping Nick would just put that silly cot away and sleep with them from now on. She knew the bed he had gotten for her was much bigger and more comfortable anyways. She paused when needed to feed Kelly, take care of his diaper and get him to sleep and even managed to squeeze in a quick nap of her own.

Fortunately for Nick, for what felt like the first time in a long time, it was a quiet day at the office. The captain had finally agreed to let him come back, but it was a non-eventful day and he spent most of it catching up on some super behind paperwork. He, Hank and Wu had even gone to a diner for lunch.

He called Adalind to let her know he would actually be home on time and asked her if she wanted him to pick something up for dinner. She said she had something she could make for dinner instead and would see him soon.

Nick arrived home and couldn't deny being struck by yet another overwhelming feeling of extreme normalcy. It was refreshing. Kelly was happily cuing in his pack-n-play staring up at the mobile that Monroe had put together for him while Adalind made dinner. For a moment Nick accepted that he could get used to this. Coming home to his baby and even Adalind, who was no doubt a beautiful girl. And, she was trying so hard. He knew that. She was a great mom, and she had tried to be there for Nick as well.

"Smells great," he called out to let her know he was home and walked over to visit with Kelly. "It's almost ready," she responded. Nick took the opportunity to shed his coat, gun and phone on his cot. It was then that he really looked around and noticed what Adalind had done in terms of decorating. "It looks great in here," he said. "Thanks," Adalind said smiling over her shoulder from the stove. "I hope you don't mind I spent a little money to spruce the place up."

"Not at all," he said as he continued to look around touched by the care she had taken. "Feels much more homey," he chimed in.

He played with Kelly and could hear the dishes clanging in the kitchen. "Can I help?" he asked. "No, I'm good," she responded." Ready in five."

She called him over when she was finished. He had just changed Kelly's diaper and placed him back in the pack n play. He turned Kelly's mobile back on, and the baby happily stared at it. They had been so lucky with his demeanor. He was a happy little guy.

Nick approached the bar counter that was their dining room table to see that Adalind had made salads and bolognaise. He smiled remembering their conversation about a month ago at this point when she mentioned she could make that and he noted he liked it.

"I hope it's okay," she said. "It's been a long time since I've made it."

"It looks great," Nick responded, and they both dug in. "This is delicious," she said smiling at her. "Thank you," she responded.

The rest of the meal was full of small talk. Adalind told Nick all about her day and he was happy to share that he had little to share for once. They had just finished when Kelly started crying. "Guess someone else is hungry," Adalind said laughing. "Go ahead," Nick said. "I'll clean up. Least I can do."

Adalind got comfy on the couch and proceeded to nurse Kelly. Fortunately, they had both gotten over any embarrassment about that within the first few days of coming home from the hospital. Kelly ate so many times throughout the day, and Adalind kept disappearing to her room when it was time to feed him. Nick knew it was probably much preferred to stay downstairs where at least she could watch TV and have some company when he was there, so one day, he just said, "Adalind, I really don't mind if you nurse him down here – that is if you are comfortable." He had seen the relief wash over her face. It was still awkward for maybe a day, but after that, it was so commonplace, it was just part of daily life.

Nick washed, dried and put away the dishes then joined Adalind and his son on the couch. They had a TV but no cable hook up yet, but he was able pull up Netflix – thank goodness for the Internet – and they agreed on a movie. Kelly fell asleep in Adalind's arms not long after he had been fed. "Can I hold him for a little while?" Nick asked. "Sure," Adalind said smiling and gently transferred him over. She loved watching Nick with him. Nick held Kelly until the movie was over the got up to take him to his crib while Adalind got ready for bed in the bathroom. It was getting late, and Nick knew it was about time for them to turn in.

"Your turn," Adalind said as she emerged from the bathroom, and Nick walked toward her to head in himself. She was just about to swallow her pride and ask Nick to sleep beside her again when Nick said, "I'll wash up and be right in." Adalind smiled widely. He had obviously read her cues, and maybe just maybe he wanted to stay with her anyways.

Nick joined her a few minutes later. He smiled down at Kelly then climbed into bed beside her. They didn't touch, but they did lay facing each other this time. "Thank you," Adalind said again. "You're welcome, but you don't have to thank me" Nick said. "I want to be here." Adalind smiled and drifted off to sleep quickly. Nick stayed awake a while longer just watching her sleep. She looked beautiful. He wasn't lying about wanting to be there. It felt right to share a room with his son and the mother of his child.

After that, no words were needed to clarify their arrangement. Adalind and Kelly's room became all of their room from that night on.