Chapter Two: Uncertain

Nick leans his head back against Sean's chest as they stand waiting for the elevator to come up to the seventh floor at St John's Hospital. "Gigi is so cute! Monroe and Rosalee seem so happy."

Sean nods and kisses the top of Nick's head as his hands slide down Nick's arms to rest on his hips. "That they do. After everything they went through with the Wesenrein they deserve this happy and joyful time."

As the elevator arrives, the couple gets on – lost in their own thoughts. Each would be surprised to learn their thoughts were not really that different. While they have not discussed starting a family, both cannot stop wondering if the other is open to children. Nick knows that Sean's troubled and often violent childhood with the Royals in Vienna made his shy away from getting close to anyone besides his mother. Sean understands that losing his parents at such a young age, although rediscovering his Mother just two years prior, has left the Grimm hesitant to open up to anyone for fear of losing them as he did with his parents. They spent the early months of their relationship working through the baggage that both men had struggled with for years. They learned that both craved affection and that learning to trust often came as a struggle, but the last year had brought peace and security to their lives as their love for each other continues to grow.

After leaving the hospital, Sean and Nick decide to take care of their errands for the day before heading home to relax and enjoy the remaining hours of their weekend. As afternoon turns to evening Sean heads out to the patio to heat up the grill. Nick grabs two beers and joins him. "What's your plan for dinner Sean?" Nick asks as he hands one of the beers to his mate.

"I was thinking margherita flatbread with sun-dried tomato pesto, fresh basil, roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and parmesan cheese with a balsamic reduction. Maybe add the fresh kale & grilled chicken salad that you liked so much last week."

"Sounds perfect! I'm going to go start a load of laundry and grab a shower. Holler when you're ready for the salad and I'll toss it together."

"This will probably take less than an hour, but you've got plenty of time for a shower."

Nick presses a chaste kiss to his mate's lips before heading inside and upstairs. On his way to the laundry room, he pauses at the room across from theirs. It was currently empty, but Nick could see it becoming a nursery. The previous owners of their craftsman style home had painted the room a sage green, which would be perfect regardless of if they adopted a boy or a girl. Nick smiled thinking maybe they could adopt a girl and a boy. Both men had experienced rather isolated childhoods without siblings. Sean had his older half-brother Erik, but they were closer to enemies than siblings. Nick definitely wanted any children he had to have siblings to grow up with. Realizing he'd been standing in the doorway daydreaming for quite a while, Nick heads to start the laundry and take a shower.

Following a leisurely dinner enjoyed outside, which Nick declared deliciously and heavenly perfection; Nick and Sean took care of the dishes in compatible silence. Nick was pondering what he'd need to do to convince Sean that 10:30pm was an acceptable time to make an ice cream run. Sean was thinking about the fact that their home was rather quiet. That could be changed if they adopted a child, but if they adopted Sean would want at least two children. Growing up without anyone his own age to play with had certainly shaped the man Sean became. Before fleeing Vienna with his Mother, his childhood was filled with teasing and tormenting at the hands of his older half-brother, Erik. His father insisted that children should be seen and not heard. If Sean and Nick started a family he knew their children would be raised in a much different and happier home. He would make sure of this. Their lives may be crazy, but Sean was learning how important friends were. Thanks much in part to Nick's influence on his life Hank, Wu, Monroe, Rosalee, and Adalind had become close and valued parts of Sean's life. He knew that if they did decide to start a family, and Sean was beginning to greatly desire this, that their friends would play central roles in their children's lives.

Nick notices Sean has stopped washing dishes and is looking out the window, lost deep in thought. Smirking he smacks Sean's backside with the towel he's been using to dry dishes. "Dollar for your thoughts?"

Startled out of his musing and daydreaming by the towel to his backside, Sean glances over at his Grimm. "A dollar, well you must think my thoughts are pretty valuable."

Nick smiles and wraps his arms around his mate's waist. "Well, you are the Prince of Portland after all. I couldn't very well offer you a penny and hope to learn what is going on in that brain of yours could I?"

"Smartass! It's getting rather late and we both have to be at the station early tomorrow. Let's head to bed."

"As you desire my Prince…" Nick says with a cheeky smile. As they head up stairs Sean gives his Grimm a smack on his backside to get him moving a little quicker. After changing into PJs, the boys climb in bed. Sean grabs the book he's been reading and Nick picks up his phone and sends a text to Sean's Mom.

Nick: Hey Elizabeth…are you awake?

Elizabeth: Well hello love! Of course I'm still awake.

Nick: Are you free for lunch tomorrow?

Elizabeth: For you and my son I am always available!

Nick: Thanks, but it'll just be me. I wanted to talk to you about something actually.

Elizabeth: Is everything OK love? Is my son being difficult? Do I need to lecture him again? ;-)

Nick: LOL Sean is being rather well behaved as of late. No, nothing is wrong. Just need to talk something through and you're the best one to talk to about it.

Elizabeth: Well…I am very intrigued. Shall I meet you at the station and we can walk to that lovely little Italian place around the corner?

Nick: Sounds great! Unless a case comes up I should be free at 1:00.

Elizabeth: Perfect! I shall see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams love!

Nick: Same to you!

With his lunch plans settled, Nick sets his phone on his night stand and slides over to lay his head on Sean's chest. Sean looked up from his book and runs his fingers through his Grimm's hair. Nick signs in contentment and closed his eyes.

To be continued…