Chapter Four: Uncertainty Resolved
Elizabeth: That handsome Grimm of yours is simply amazing! I adore any time I get to spend with him!
Sean: I concur Mother. He is rather special.
Elizabeth: Now…I don't want to mettle in your private life…
Sean: Since when?
Elizabeth: Sean Alexander Renard! Being a smartass does not become you. You know I only want the best for my boy.
Sean: Of course Mother.
Elizabeth: The topic of children came up today while Nick was telling me about Gigi. He seems rather smitten with her.
Sean: Smitten is quite right. Nick seemed to enjoy our short time with the new family very much. Watching him hold the baby sent my thoughts to us and a possible baby.
Elizabeth: Now that makes me so happy to hear Sean, because when Nick started talking about adoption I happened to bring up the Duo Patribus Unum Genus zaubertrank!
Sean: What did Nick say when you told him about that?
Elizabeth: Well after I translated the zaubertrank into English (might want to work some more on his Latin love), he was very excited. I believe his first comment was "I'D BE KNOCKED UP?!"
Sean: Mother please tell me you didn't let Nick think he'd have to be pregnant?
Elizabeth: "Of course not love. I explained that there are some things that even magic cannot accomplish.
Sean: Nick understands that it would have to be a Hexenbiest who carries our baby, right?
Elizabeth: Yes, love. His first thought was to call Adalind, but I convinced him that talking to his mate should be his first step. I'm guessing he hasn't come to see you yet?
Sean: No. He's out following up on some case leads with Hank. Maybe I should leave early and plan a special dinner. Talking about starting a family is a big step for us.
Elizabeth: That sounds like a perfect plan love. If you need me to explain in greater detail the the Duo Patribus Unum Genus zaubertrank process to Nick let me know. Or Adalind, but I suspect she is well aware of the process.
Sean: Thank you Mother.
Sean: Any luck locating Max Robbins' ex-wife?
Nick: Nada. Naught. Zero. Zilch. In the wind. No forwarding address.
Sean: In other words – you've made little progress and should take the rest of the evening off to spend with your mate.
Nick: Have you met my Captain? He can be a bit of a hard ass. I'm not sure he'd let me get off early…And now my mind is picturing said nice hard booty…and getting off *evil wink*
Sean: I'm sure your Captain would be very understanding if he knew your mate was preparing a very nice dinner and wanted a quiet evening at home with you.
Nick: Uuuhhhh…did I forget an anniversary or something that is going to make what is sounding like a very lovely night go very badly? (I LOVE YOU!)
Sean: I love you more every day Nick. I just thought we'd have a nice evening together. Maybe you can share what you and my Mother talked about?
…fifteen minutes go by without a response from Nick…
Sean: Nick?
…ten minutes go by without a response from Nick…
Sean: Nick? Did your phone die? Did you drop it in the snow again?
…ten minutes go by without a response from Nick…
Sean: Hank have you seen Nick recently?
Hank: He's sitting right here at his desk…I'll poke him for you.
Hank: I *so* didn't mean that to sound how it did, sir. I will just…throw something at him.
Nick: Sorry! I got distracted working on the case. I'll head home now. Do I need to pick anything up?
Sean: No, love. I'll have dinner ready when you get home.
Nick: Ok, be home soon.
As Nick makes his way from the squad room down to his Land Cruiser, his thoughts continue to center around his lunch conversation with Elizabeth. Nick had assumed that becoming serious with Sean would mean adoption or surrogacy if they ever decided to have a family. Now in one conversation with Sean's Mother she had brought to light an option Nick had no idea existed. Granted, the whole Wesen world was one he couldn't have imagined just a few years ago.
Now…how to bring it up to Sean? He can't really just say…'hey how about we knock Adalind up and have some babies?' Well…he could, but it's not really very romantic. Not to mention Addie would SO kick his butt for phrasing it that way… *cringe* Maybe he just needs to relax and see where the evening takes them. It seems like Sean probably has an idea of what he and Elizabeth talked about, so maybe it won't be so hard to bring it up. Not matter how badly Nick wants a family with Sean; he won't force it on Sean. They need to be one hundred percent on the same page before taking such a big step.
While stopped at a red light Nick glanced up and noticed that Spella Café was in the next block. Maybe he should stop in and get two pieces of their incredible strawberry cheesecake. If there was one thing guaranteed to put his Royal Zauberbiest in a receptive and cheery mood, it was the cheesecake from Spella Café.
The drive home went by entirely too quickly Nick thought as he turned off the engine and stepped out into the brisk December evening. Taking a deep breath he walked up the walkway as he'd done almost every night for the last year. Only tonight, just on the other side of the front door, held the promise of dreams realized or dashed depending on how Sean reacted to the idea of the Duo Patribus Unum Genus zaubertrank.
Knowing that tonight would hopefully be a memorable one for the couple, Sean set to preparing one of Nick's favorite meals once he got home from a trip to the grocery store after leaving the station. During his drive between the station and the store Sean decided upon gnocchi with wild mushroom ragu and a simple lemon, white bean, and arugula salad. Not only were these recipes Sean knew very well, but they were also the first meal that Sean made for Nick after they started dating.
As Sean got to work preparing their meal he couldn't help but smile in anticipation of the changes that could soon be happening in their lives. Sean still couldn't believe his good fortune at times. When Nick first came under his command Sean had looked into his background, as he did with any transfer. He was rather shocked to learn that his newest Detective was the son of infamous Kelly Burkhardt and the nephew of much feared Marie Kessler. This family lineage spoke of the possibility of Nick becoming a Grimm, which he did less than a year after joining Sean's division. Hoping to guide the young Grimm in a much different path than the one his Mother and Aunt had taken, Sean took a chance and revealed his Royal and Wesen sides to Nick. While there was uncertainty in the beginning, Nick slowly started coming to Sean with Grimm related questions or cases. The two spent many late nights and days off translating Nick's Grimm books while Sean taught Nick Latin and German. Sean also took part in the training sessions as Monroe helped Nick learn to use the wealth of weapons left to him by his Aunt. Over the course of a year the Grimm and the Royal Zauberbiest grew much closer, until it became clear to both men that there were feeling they no longer wanted to deny. Sean counted himself as blessed every day he woke up and fell asleep beside Nick.
The sound of Nick's key in the door shook Sean out of his reminiscing thoughts. "Perfect timing love. The salad is already on the table and the gnocchi is just now finished."
Nick walked into the kitchen with the Spella Café bag hidden behind his back. "It smells amazing Sean. Does the gnocchi happen to have the wild mushroom ragu I love?"
Smiling at the hopeful expression on Nick's face Sean nods his head as he crosses the kitchen to Nick. "It does happen to have the wild mushroom ragu."
"Well I think the dessert I picked up will go perfectly then." Nick says as he holds up the bakery bag and steps closer to kiss Sean.
It was now Sean's turn to give his mate a hopeful smile. "Is that strawberry cheesecake from Spella Café?"
"Yes, sir! I thought we might like a special treat to enjoy later."
"I like the way you think love!"
Setting his fork down, Nick sighs in contentment. "That was absolutely delicious, as always Sean. How about we let the dishes sit for a bit and watch another episode of Capricia?"
"Again, I like the way you think Nick. I've actually been enjoying the way the writers handled the intertwining plots."
"Don't forget the talented cast." Nick winks at Sean as they settle on the couch,
"Yes, Addie warned me that you were rather taken with the Sam Adama character when you started watching it with her and Rosalee."
"What can I say…Sam reminds me of you. Tall, dark, and incredibly handsome!"
Sean kisses the top of Nick's head as the Grimm leans back against his chest and turns on the TV. The couple settles in to watch an episode, which turns into three episodes before Sean cuts Nick off. "We need to get the dishes taken care of and it's getting late."
Nick grumbles adorably as the couple makes their way to the kitchen to take care of the dishes. "The dishes could wait until tomorrow. I was comfy and ready for another episode!"
Sean hands Nick a dish towel and decides to ignore his Grimm's grumbles. "So, you haven't gotten a chance to tell me what you and Mother talked about today at lunch." Sean looks up after several seconds go by and Nick hasn't said anything. "Nick…"
"Oh…sorry…just thinking."
"Care to share with the rest of the class?" Sean winks at him.
"Did I tell you Hank started sending Addie flowers? He doesn't sign the card though. Says she deserves something nice on Fridays."
"That's very sweet. Is that what you and my Mother talked about today?"
"Wu saw Hank ordering them last week and was trying to guess who he was sending flowers to. The current pool has ex-wife number three ahead of the other three ex-wives by a wide margin. I can't believe no one picked Adalind! Hasn't anyone besides me noticed the sex eyes they make at each other anytime they are in the same room?"
Sean knows Nick well enough to know that when he rambles and avoids answering a question that he is worried about something. He has a pretty good idea of what is on Nick's mind given that each time Sean has attempted to bring up Nick's lunch with Elizabeth, he has changed the subject. Sean turns off the water and takes the towel from Nick. Taking Nick's hand, he guides him upstairs and into their room.
Sean settles Nick and himself on their bed and turns to look at him. "You've been rambling and fidgeting all night love. Clearly something is on your mind, but you're hesitant to talk about it. I'm going to take a guess that it's the Duo Patribus Unum Genus zaubertrank that my Mother told you about today at lunch."
Nick looks down at his hands. "You…she…uuumm…Elizabeth told you?"
Sean tips Nicks head up so he can look into his grey eyes. Sean's heart skips a beat as he sees hope and trepidation warring in his mate's eyes. "Yes, I talked to Mother briefly after your lunch. She mentioned that she told you about the Duo Patribus Unum Genus zaubertrank. Is that something you might be interested in?"
"I know a child isn't something we've talked about. Meeting Gigi made me realize how much I want us to have a family of our own. I would love to have at least two because I know how lonely it is growing up without a sibling. I figured if we ever did decide to have a family that we'd adopt or find a surrogate. Then Elizabeth goes and tells me that we can have a baby that is both of ours. I'll admit that I got really excited, but then…" Nick looks down at his hands again as he stops talking.
Sean waits a few seconds, but sees that Nick isn't continuing his thought. "You were excited, but something changed that. What happened Nick?"
"I'm still excited, but I worry that I'd be forcing you into doing something you're not ready for or not even interested in. I mean like I said before we've never talked about having a child and maybe we haven't because you have no interest in being a father. I was so excited to meet and hold Gigi, but it seemed like maybe you were just along because I wanted you to come. You didn't want to hold her which made me think that children aren't in our future."
Nick suddenly finds himself straddled by six feet four inches of Royal Zauberbiest. "Nicholas David Burkhardt I am truly sorry that I gave you even the slightest impression that I did not want to have a family with you. I can honestly say that I have pictured us having a family many times, but I didn't want to pressure you when our relationship was still so new. As for not holding Gigi, I was so captivated by watching you hold her that I didn't want to stop watching. I couldn't help but picture you holding a baby that was ours, part you and part me. If you are willing, I would very much like to do the Duo Patribus Unum Genus zaubertrank with you."
Nick takes Sean's face in his hands and gently kisses him. "Sean Alexander Renard I want nothing more than to have a family with you."
To be continued…