Chapter Three: Hexenbiest Mothers Give the Best Advice

Hank and Nick pull up to their newest crime scene on the outskirts of Portland. Getting out of their car Hank greets Sgt Wu, who had been on a well-deserved vacation for the last two weeks "Hey stranger! Good to have you back, Wu!"

"Good to be back. I think."

"We missed you Wu! Homicide just ain't the same without you." Nick says smiling at Wu as he takes a look around the busy crime scene.

"Then I guess I'm in the right place. We got two to start your day." Wu says as he motions for the Detectives to follow him inside the house. "Their neighbor Bob Gumer found them about an hour ago as he walked past with his dog. Noticed their door was wide open, didn't really pay attention until his dog ran in. Upon seeing the victims, Mr. Gumer lost his lunch over in that corner, then called 911."

"Any forced entry?" Asks Hank.

Wu shakes his head as he consults his notes. "Not that we could find. Rest of the house is intact. That's Dolores Kulikowsky. That's Monica Duncan. Roommates for about two years, according to Mr. Gumer."

Nick peers out the window they are standing in front of. "What about the car in the driveway?"

"Registered owner is Dolores. It's locked, so we haven't opened it up yet."

"What are we waiting for? Open it up, Wu."

"We were just waiting for the go ahead from one of you fine gentlemen." Wu says before heading outside with Officer Deacon.

Hank surveys the bodies lying in front of them as Nick bends down to get a closer look. "Pretty brutal. I got a ticket stub here, dated yesterday."

"From where?"

"Carnival Metamorphosia." Nick says holding up the ticket stub.

"Never heard of it."

"Says it's in Sellwood River Park."

"Just one ticket?"

"I'm checking the other jacket."

"At least we know where they were yesterday."

Following a busy morning of interviews Nick and Hank find themselves in the Captain's office updating him on their findings. "How many?" Renard asks as he looks over the file Nick handed him.

"Four murders, three years, all small towns, all unsolved. We checked the carnival's show dates. Each murder took place when the carnival was in the area" Hank answers as he takes a seat in front of the Captain's desk.

"Hmm. How far back did you track it?"

"We're working on it. Hank submitted a request to get a subpoena to get the earlier records. If they even keep them. The problem is the employees don't last very long. Some of them, couple years, others, a few weeks."

Hank nods his agreement with his partner's statement. "And they've all been arrested, everything from disorderly conduct to assault."

Nick points to the file Renard is holding. "Except that guy, he's been there for all four murders, and he's Blutbaden."

"Max Robbins. A couple of DUIs doesn't make him a murderer. Where was he before he joined the carnival? Sean asks as he pages through the information his detectives have compiled.

"Don't know yet, still waiting for the IRS to give up his tax returns. The carnival packs it up in two days. If we don't charge somebody, they're gone." Hank answers.

"As you both know if we charge someone without sufficient evidence to hold them, they may disappear for good, so you've got two days to make sure you find something solid."

"Yes, sir!" Nick says giving their Captain his boyish smile.

Before Hank or Renard can say anything further Wu knocks on the open door getting the attention of the three men sitting in the office. "Sorry to interrupt, but Captain your Mother just arrived. Should I show her in?"

Sean signs as he nods towards Wu. "I'm not sure I want to know why she is here and I have a meeting at City Hall in less than an hour, but yes show her in."

Nick stands up "Actually Elizabeth is here for lunch with me." Sean looks up puzzled at this as Nick continues smiling at his mate "I guess I forgot to mention my lunch plans to you, huh!"

Sean cannot help but smile back "Indeed. I'm sure you and my Mother will have a good time, even without my attendance."

"Oh I'm quite sure we will have a marvelous time while you're slaving away at City Hall love!" Elizabeth says with a laugh as she walks into Renard's office. "Now be a dear and let this handsome boy take me to lunch."

"Whatever you want Mother." Sean replies as he rolls his eyes.

"I'll be back in an hour-ish." Nick says as he walks out with Elizabeth.

Elizabeth and Nick walk the short distance between the station and Mama Mia Trattoria in companionable silence. Each enjoying the crisp December air during the quick walk to the restaurant. Once inside they are swiftly seated and have their orders placed.

"So love, I have been exceptionally curious since you texted me last night as to what you might want to chat about today."

"Well…you know that Monroe and Rosalee were expecting a baby, right?"

"Of course! Are the poor dears still waiting for their bundle of joy to decide to make an arrival? I should have been prepared for a rather stubborn son given that he was over two weeks late making his own appearance into the world."

Nick's eyes light up as he begins talking. "Their daughter was born early yesterday morning! They named her Gabrielle Alice and are calling her Gigi. Sean and I went up to St John's and met her yesterday! She is the tiniest and most adorable baby Elizabeth!" His eyes fall to his water glass as he says "I held her, but Sean wouldn't…"

Elizabeth places her hand over Nick's to get his attention. "Is this what is bothering you and prompted our lunch date love?"

Nick starts to shake his head and then shrugs. "No…maybe…"

"Sean has not exactly had much experience around babies, as I'm sure you're aware Nick."

"Neither of us have any real experience around babies. It just felt like he was only there because I wanted him too. I mean…I know he's happy for our friends, but he didn't want to hold Gigi. Finally getting to meet Rosalee and Monroe's baby made me start thinking…"

Nick pauses as the waiter brings their lunch order over. After the waiter leaves Elizabeth waits for few seconds to see if her son's mate will resume what he was saying. "So you've been thinking since meeting your friend's new baby…" Elizabeth prompts.

"Sean and I have been together for over a year now, but I realized we haven't talked about if either of us wants children. Meeting Gigi made me realize that while I know we can't have a baby of our own, maybe Sean and I could adopt. I would love to have at least two. I know how lonely it is growing up without a sibling. It's just…after seeing Sean's lack of interest in holding Gigi…maybe I'm the only one who has an interest in having children…"

"Oh love! I know for a fact that Sean does want children. We've talked about it several times over the years. The last time was shortly after you and he started dating. He didn't want you to feel pressured, which I am sure if why it isn't come up yet. Since you haven't yet spoken about having children, I'm guessing he hasn't spoken about a Duo Patribus Unum Genus zaubertrank either?"

"Uuummm…no?"

Elizabeth can't help but giggle at the slightly confused and elated expressions that are warring for dominance on Nick's face. "I'll take that as a no! I understand that Sean has been teaching you Latin. Do you know what Duo Patribus Unum Genus translates to?"

"Two…something…one…something?"

"Well, I can see my son's tutelage has been marginally successful. The zaubertrank name means 'two fathers one family."

"Ok…I'm still not clear as to what it does?"

"Basically it allows two fathers to conceive a child that would be of both their DNA."

"I'D BE KNOCKED UP?!" Nick blushes when he realizes that he's not only said that out loud, but practically yelled it in the rather crowded restaurant.

Elizabeth laughs "No, love. There are some things that even magic cannot accomplish. While we can make it possible for you and Sean to have a child that is completely yours, you would need to find a Hexenbiest willing to carry the baby." Nick smirks and opens his mouth, but before he can say what he's thinking Elizabeth continues. "And no it can't be me. Unfortunately I am a bit past the time where I could carry a baby."

"Adalind! We can ask Adalind!"

Nick reaches in his pocket and pulls out his phone, but before he can dial Elizabeth takes the phone from his hands. "Maybe you should talk to Sean before you talk to Adalind. While I am confident Sean will be fully on board, it is only right that you talk to him about this first."

Glancing at his watch Nick smiles. "You're right Elizabeth. I do need to talk to Sean about this, but right now I should be getting back to the station. Thank you for meeting me for lunch and for telling me about the making babies zaubertrank!"

"I am always happy to see my boys! And if I can help them along to making me a Grandmother I am more than willing to help."

To be continued…