Duo Patribus Unum Genus
SUMMARY: Christmas has arrived in Portland! See how our favorite Grimm family celebrates the holiday.
NOTES:
Gifted to tolieawake! Thank you your inspiration and all the brain storming we've done!
Wishing all of you a belated Merry Christmas! I hope you had a wonderful holiday!
*** DISCLAIMER: I do not own Grimm or any of the amazing characters from this world. ***
If you're on Twitter, Tumblr or Instagram…say hi! TeamRenhardt
Chapter Seven: Chapter Seven: Merry Christmas!
Harp ringtone sounds
Sean groans as he is forced awake by his ringing phone, noticing that it is just after 6:00am. "This best be important."
"Now is that anyway to talk to your Mother, dear? Especially on Christmas Eve?" Elizabeth answers sounding entirely too merry for how early it is.
"Apologies Mother. What can I do for you at 6:10 in the morning?"
"Oh my it is rather early isn't it? I must still be on New York time. I merely wanted to see if you boys had heard from Adalind since our dinner?"
"Not yet Mother. I promise you will be the first person we call if she agrees."
"Very well. I should let you boys get back to…whatever…you were doing before I called."
"Sleeping Mother…we were sleeping"
"Of course you were. We shall talk later dear."
Elizabeth hangs up before Sean can dispute her assumption that her son and his mate were doing anything else other than sleeping. Sighing Sean turns back and sees that his Grimm is awake and watching him intently.
"So your Mother is very eager to know if she's going to have grandchildren to spoil soon, huh?" Nick asks as he settles back into Sean's embrace.
"Apparently, yes." Sean agrees kissing the top of Nick's head.
"You know what I realized while you were talking to your Mother?"
"That my Mother needs to look at the time before calling?"
Nick snorts at this grumble from his Royal Zauberbiest. "Well, while that is certainly true it is not what I was thinking about. This could be our last Christmas without little ones running around. Well, probably not running around next year, but maybe crawling? How old are babies when they start crawling? I bet Rosalee knows! Gigi isn't crawling yet, since she's all of three weeks old, but Rosalee read all the books so she'd know for sure. So much will probably change for us. No more sleeping in or walking around naked or random making out…"
Sean can tell Nick is getting nervous as he's started rambling again. "You're very correct. This time next year will be different if we have a baby or babies. Tell me love, are you worried about our lives changing because we might have children or are you worried because you're afraid Adalind has changed her mind about carrying a baby for us?"
"Worried? Who said I was worried? I didn't?"
Knowing the rambling will continue if Sean doesn't distract Nick, the Grimm unexpectedly finds himself straddled by six feet four inches of Royal Zauberbiest. "It's OK to be worried love. I am too. I think we've both realized just how much we want to start our family using this Duo Patribus Unum Genus zaubertrank and knowing that Adalind is the key to making this wish happen I am admittedly nervous awaiting her decision." Sean looks into Nick's eyes before leaning down and gently kissing him.
Nick deepens the kiss before pulling away and cupping Sean's face. "Thank you. I am nervous, but knowing you feel the same helps. We'll just have to be patient and maybe distract ourselves…"
"That sounds like a perfect plan love."
The sound of their doorbell ringing brings Nick out of the kitchen where he has been making his 'famous' ham and cheese sandwiches for a light lunch before they tackled wrapping gifts in preparation for the Christmas gathering at Monroe and Rosalee's the following evening. "I'll get it Sean!" Nick calls up the stair as he walks to the front door.
He opens the door and finds a teenager in a TreeHouse Children's Boutique logo polo holding a large gift basket. "Merry Christmas, sir. I have a delivery for a Sean Renard and Nick Burkhardt. Would you possibly be one of them?"
"I'm Nick. Do you need me to sign anything?"
"No, sir. Just need you to accept the delivery."
"Well, thank you! And Merry Christmas to you!"
"Thank you, sir!"
Nick closes the door behind the departing delivery person, staring at the gift basket. "Uh, Sean…you need to come down here…now…please!"
Hearing the mild panic in Nick's voice, Sean rushes downstairs to find him standing in their entryway holding a gift basket filled with what appears to be baby items. "What is that and who sent it?" He asks coming up beside Nick.
"Not sure. It looks like there is a card."
"Let's take it in the dining room and have a look." Sean starts to walk towards the other room only to notice Nick is frozen in place staring at the basket. Taking Nick's arm he guides him to a chair and sits him down.
"Do you think this might be from Addie, Sean?"
"Possibly, but unless we open the card we won't know who it's from."
"You do it."
"Of course love." Sean takes the card out of the envelope and studies the front of it before turning it for his mate to see. In a multi-colored embroidery it reads 'You're going to be amazing parents'.
Nick stares at the card for several moments before looking up at Sean smiling. "Open the card so we can see who all of this is from!"
Sean opens the card and reads the message aloud "Dearest Nick and Sean, I have spent the last day thinking about your request and I am still so very honored that you would ask me to be a part of creating your family. I am so happy to say YES! You will both be amazing and special fathers to the baby or babies to come. Please accept this early Christmas present as a sign of my excitement to go on this journey with you. All of my love – Addie"
"Wow…wow…wow! Sean we are going to be parents!" Nick jumps up and hugs Sean.
"Yes we are love. Yes we are!"
Nick: Addie! Addie! Addie!
Adalind: Hi sweetie :) I'm guessing my delivery arrived?
Nick: Yes! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Adalind: I am honored to be able to be a part of this with you and Sean!
Nick: We couldn't think of someone more perfect to help us! Thank you also for the gift basket! I'm not entirely sure what everything is in it, but still thank you!
Adalind: LOL I promise it will all be useful. Just think…you'll have nine months to read up and practice with Gigi!
Nick: Ooooo good idea! Maybe I can even get Sean to babysit Gigi?
Adalind: Now that I would pay to see. That and you getting our favorite overprotective Blutbad daddy to agree to allow Sean to babysit. He practically asked for a resume, references, and a blood sample when I helped Rosalee at the Spice Shop last week while Gigi was there and he had a clock repair appointment…
Nick: Somehow that doesn't surprise me. You'll be at their Christmas dinner tomorrow night, right?
Adalind: Of course! Elizabeth and I are planning to make a cherry cheesecake and a salted caramel cheesecake tonight.
Nick: I just told Sean about the planned cheesecakes…he moaned…I thought I was the only one who could make him make that sound *pout*
Adalind: We all know his love of cheesecake sweetie. I seriously doubt he'd replace you with cheesecake. In case you've missed the last several years – he's quite in love with your crazy Grimm butt!
Nick: Oh, he does love my butt *evil grin*
Adalind: Okay loverboy! Enough of that! I need to get some gifts wrapped before Elizabeth gets here. Have a wonderful night and I will need you tomorrow sweetie!
Nick: Merry Christmas Eve!
Adalind: :)
Sean: Good evening Mother
Elizabeth: Well hello love! Are you boys enjoying your Christmas Eve?
Sean: I'm guessing you've already talked to Adalind? Nick mentioned you two planned to bake tonight.
Elizabeth: Ever the perceptive Police Captain. Yes, she showed me pictures of the gift she had delivered this afternoon. I am so happy for you both, love! Equally excited to spoil those grandbabies!
Sean: The gift was a very nice surprise. Nick has been on cloud nine all afternoon. He even volunteered to wrap all of the presents while I caught up on some paperwork.
Elizabeth: And…you're on cloud nine also, right dear?
Sean: Yes Mother. I never really thought having a serious relationship or a family was in the cards for me. Nick has changed all of that. I am truly thankful for him and our family to come.
Elizabeth: Hearing that is the best Christmas gift a Mother could ask for.
Sean: Then I shall let Nick know to return the impossibly perfect gift he managed to find for you ;-)
Elizabeth: Sean Alexander Renard – I do believe that was humor! That Grimm of yours is most definitely an amazing influence on you!
Sean: That he is Mother. I should let you get back to your baking. Nick has an evening of Christmas movies planned.
Elizabeth: Enjoy son!
Monroe: Hey all! I know we've been a *bit* preoccupied with our bundle of adorableness, so I wanted to make sure everyone remembered what they planned to bring tomorrow night. (check your email for the latest Gigi pictures!)
Elizabeth: Addie and I have dessert covered! Two cheesecakes, pumpkin pie, and brownies.
Wu: roasted veggies as requested
Hank: Aunt Margie's famous antipasto platter
Juliette: Holiday Apple Salad and Glazed Carrots!
Nick: Sean and I are bringing baked brie, pears with blue cheese & prosciutto, and broccoli with toasted garlic & hazelnuts. I promise Sean did all of the cooking.
Sean: You were a fabulous helper Nick :)
Trubel: I'm bringing Juliette's perfect mashed potatoes!
Nick: Are they perfect because they are really good…or are you just flirting with the pretty redhead?
Trubel: shut up…or I'll tell everyone that thing you said about Sean last week…
Rosalee: Oh! Do tell Trubel!
Hank: No…no…HELL NO! I don't need to hear it *again*… once was MORE THAN enough.
Juliette: Hank knows? Now you have to share with the rest of us!
Trubel: I'll tell you later Jules!
Rosalee: And you'll tell me when you find out…right Juliette? *wink*
Juliette: Of course!
Nick: HEY – NO! NOT YOUR STORY TO TELL TRUBEL *pout*
Monroe: Ok, this group text has wandered from Christmas dinner planning to embarrassing our local Grimm. While I am generally on board with said embarrassing – everyone remember dinner is at 5:30 tomorrow night. Gifts are not expected! Well Gigi might be hoping for something! Feel free to spoil her!
Rosalee: No, seriously everyone…Gigi has PLENTY! A certain Daddy cleaned out most of the baby boutique by our house over the last few weeks. Your company and tasty dishes are all that is needed tomorrow night.
Juliette: Dibs on cuddling Gigi!
Nick: Nope! Sean and I already called dibs on Gigi cuddling
Juliette: Uh huh…since when are you interested in cuddling babies?
Monroe: Have you seen my daughter? How could anyone not want to cuddle her? (check your email – more pictures!)
Rosalee: We will let anyone who wants in on the cuddling with lil Ms. Gigi have a go!
Wu: Count me in!
Hank: Count me out – no offense.
Nick: Don't mind Hank. He's still grossed out by that baby to projectile pooped on him last month :-x
Hank: Grossed out fairly understates it. Traumatized. Disturbed. Shocked. Horrified.
Monroe: I promise no projectile pooping by my daughter at Christmas dinner.
Nick looked around the table at the people who, over the last several years, have become his family. The feast the group has assembled has been bountiful and delicious. Now that everyone has finished the meal, they are enjoying dessert and coffee while chatting in smaller groups. Elizabeth, Addie, and Rosalee are discussing the merits of bramble leaf versus comfrey leaf for a potion Elizabeth is helping Rosalee perfect for a difficult customer. Juliette is taking her turn holding Gigi and currently trying to convince Trubel to hold the squirming baby. Wu and Monroe are debating chickpeas being superior to tofu. Hank and Sean are discussing the proposed new shotgun models the City Council wants Sean to get for the department.
Having given up on convincing Trubel to hold Gigi, Juliette starts passing her back to Rosalee when Nick steps over and takes her. "Uncle Nick needs a turn with Ms. Gigi!" Nick takes his precious bundle and takes a seat next to Sean, who looks over as Nick sits down.
"Well hello Gigi!" Sean says smiling at the infant. "Wait until you see all that your Uncle Nick got you for Christmas. He may have gone a bit overboard, but he assured me that you'll enjoy all of it."
"Nick! I said she didn't need any presents!" Rosalee protests
"Technically you told me that after we'd already been shopping, so…"
Rosalee can't help but laugh at the Grimm puppy dog eyes that are being cast her way. "You're as bad as Monroe! This little one is going to have all the men in her life wrapped around her pinky!"
"It's not just me!" Nick laughed as he protested "A certain Royal insisted that Gigi needed the bib with princess on it!"
"I will confess to that charge Detective Burkhardt if you confess to insisting that Gigi needed all four stuffed toys."
"Oh! I forgot about the fox and wolf we got her! Here take her so I can go get that bag! Gigi is going to love them!" Nick gently places Gigi in Sean's arms and runs to the family room for the gift bag containing said wolf and fox. The sight he comes back to makes him stop short. Sean is cradling Gigi while telling her all about the toys her Uncle Nick got her.
Elizabeth is also taking in the scene before her and it warms her heart to see her boys bonding with Gigi. "You boys are certainly getting in some good practice this evening with the adorable Gigi!"
The rest of the room stops talking and looks at each other and then Elizabeth in confusion. Nick, who had sat back down next to Sean to show Gigi the toys, looked up at the sudden silence in the room following Elizabeth's comment. Taking this has the perfect opening to share their news, Nick blurts out "We're gonna have a baby!"
Hank is the first to recover his powers of speech. He looks back and forth between his Captain and his partner. "Do you mean? Are you talking about? Is Nick? How is it? When? Uh…"
Nick can't help but be amused at Hank's confusion. "Not sure what you're asking there partner since you've yet to get out a full sentence."
"No one likes a smartass Nick." Hank deadpans.
Wu, never one to shy away from awkward conversations, asks "So, are you pregnant Nick?"
"It's funny that you say that, as it's the first thing I thought when Elizabeth told me about the Duo Patribus Unum Genus zaubertrank, but no – I'm not pregnant."
"So…you plan to get pregnant?" Juliette asks.
Trubel starts laughing. When the group turns to look at her she blushes. "Sorry, I was picturing Nick hugely pregnant chasing a Fuchsteufelwild or a Löwen. "
"Haha. Highly not amusing." Nick says "The Duo Patribus Unum Genus zaubertrank name translates to two fathers one family. It allows two fathers to conceive a child that would be of both their DNA and requires a Hexenbiest to carry to baby or babies."
"Oh Nick! Sean! Please say you'll allow me to assist in making the zaubertrank?" Rosalee asks tearing up a bit. "Sorry…hormones, but I am so excited for you both."
"We would be honored for you to help my Mother and Adalind with the zaubertrank Rosalee."
"Who did you talk into getting knocked up?" Wu asks.
"Wu, you can't ask them that!" Juliette whispers.
"What? You all were wondering too!"
"It's ok Juliette. Nick and Sean honored me by asking if I would take part in the zaubertrank and carry their baby or babies." Adalind says smiling at the couple. "I said yes. Rosalee we will definitely need your assistance at the Spice Shop once Sean and Nick are ready to perform the zaubertrank."
Juliette hugs Nick and Sean. "This is a wonderful Christmas surprise! You are going to be wonderful parents!"
"Thanks Juliette! We are very excited!"
"Indeed." Sean says taking Nicks hand in his and smiles at his mate.
Gigi chooses that moment to let out a high-pitched and very loud wail. Monroe regards his daughter who is still in Sean's arms. "Just imagine soon you'll have your own howling bundle of joy."
"Well…maybe not howling. Our baby won't be part Blutbad." Nick says laughing and Rosalee takes her daughter and heads upstairs to feed her.
"Hilarious Nick." Monroe says as he heads to collect coats so the group can begin leaving.
Hugs and goodbyes are exchanged as the group steps outside and goes their separate ways.
Juliette: Thank you for a lovely evening Monroe and Rosalee!
Wu: Yes! One of the best Christmas evenings I've had in Portland.
Hank: I will definitely be visiting that vineyard for more of the spiced wine. It was incredible!
Trubel: I never thought I'd say this, but Monroe you made tofurky a new Christmas tradition!
Elizabeth: A wonderful evening that I am thankful I was able to enjoy.
Adalind: It was an amazing wine wasn't it, Hank!
Nick: Thanks for hosting dinner Monrosalee!
Trubel: Monrosalee? Are you really too lazy to type out Monroe and Rosalee?
Sean: Nick has become slightly obsessed with portmanteau…
Wu: Is that even an actual word?
Juliette: It is! It's the combining of two words. It's become poplar to combine the names of a couple. Monroe and Rosalee are Monrosalee. Nick and Sean are… Nican? Seack? Renhardt? Burkard?
Adalind: I like Renhardt!
Rosalee: Me too!
Monroe: Happy all had a good night. Gigi is sleeping, so her parents are going to go pass out.
Elizabeth: Good night loves!
Adalind: Sweet dreams!
Juliette: Good night!
To be continued…