A/N: I'm determined to finish this story. Once again I own nothing.
Sig slowly paced the circuit around Natalie's kitchen. He was waiting for Nicole to come downstairs. While he knew she never actually ate anything, he was pretty sure he'd seen her have tea every morning. So while Natalie was out he'd hoped he could speak to her, without an audience. Giving up on waiting patiently he decided to pour her a cup of tea and take it up to her room. He'd just filled the kettle when Nicole sauntered into the kitchen.
"Hello Sig" she said, her voice still sleepy.
"Oh, good you're up" said Sig. "I was just going to bring you a cup of tea."
Nicole's eyes narrowed as she contemplated what Sig had said.
"You were planning to bring me a cup of tea?" she repeated. "Were you going to poison it first?"
"No, I was not going to poison it" said Sig. "I need some advice."
"Ah, so you were just going to pump me for information" said Nicole, with a tarty smile.
Sig grimaced at her choice of words. Nicole had been staying at Natalie's house since she'd returned from Alaska and seemed to have no plans on leaving anytime soon. She flitted through the house in next to nothing, delivering innuendo laced salvos each time she entered or left a room.
"What sort of information were you looking for?" asked Nicole.
"I want to ask Natalie to marry me" said Sig. "I want you to tell me what kind of ring she'd like."
"She doesn't want to get married" said Nicole, simply. "None of us do."
"What?" said Sig in disbelief.
"None of the Moore children will ever get married" said Nicole. "At least not for love."
"She told me she was willing to marry me, but I had to ask her properly" said Sig.
"Listen Sig, this is how it works in old English families" said Nicole. "We have to marry above our station, in order to maintain our status in society. It's expected of us and Natalie, my brother and I refuse to do it, so we will remain blissfully unmarried."
Sig didn't know what to say. He sat down heavily on a chair and stayed there until Natalie returned home.
Natalie walked into her house, depositing her shopping bags in the foyer and setting down her purse. Wandering into the kitchen, she was prepared to make herself something for lunch. But was brought up short when she saw a disgruntled Sig, stewing in one of the chairs around the island.
"Sig, are you ok?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
"Why didn't you tell me" he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Why didn't I tell you what?" asked Natalie.
"That you can't or won't get married below your station" said Sig, his voice menacing and angry.
"What are you talking about?" said Natalie.
"I asked your sister about helping me pick out a ring" said Sig. "And she informed me of your agreement never to marry."
"Did she" said Natalie, her voice neutral.
"Yes, that you can't marry unless it's above your station or some bullshit like that" said Sig. "But obviously when I said we should get married you didn't seem to think it was important to tell me you can't."
"Do you remember when we were in Costa Rica and my sister offered to help you get back into my good graces?" said Natalie.
"Yes" said Sig.
"Did she help you then?" asked Natalie.
"No, quite the opposite" said Sig.
"So maybe, she wasn't being very helpful this morning either" said Natalie.
Letting that statement hang in the air, Natalie turned towards the fridge and began removing ingredients for lunch. Sig watched her move through the kitchen with practiced grace. He wanted her so much, wanted to wake up with her every morning and fall asleep with her in his arms every night. Nicole's latest betrayal didn't even phase her and yet it cut him to the core. She didn't think he was good enough for Natalie, and if he really thought about it, perhaps she was right. Natalie was cultured, rich, and refined. He was a kid with immigrant parents who owned a fishing boat. What could he offer her? Slipping off the chair, he headed to the door. He had some serious soul searching to do. Natalie turned to offer Sig some lunch and was shocked to find his chair empty. With a disappointed sigh, she slid into her chair and began eating.
Sig sat on his couch, watching his niece and nephew play on the floor. He'd left Natalie's house and gone radio silent. Holed up in his house, he considered his options for almost a week. Finally Samantha and Edgar all but broke down his door in an effort to find out if he was still alive. Natalie had called him repeatedly as had his brothers, but Sig hadn't bothered to pick up the phone.
"So, Sig" said Antha, for the third time. "What happened?"
"I don't know" said Sig. "She can't or won't get married. She needs to marry above her station."
Antha shared a confused look with Edgar, who just shrugged in response.
"So, you don't want to marry her any more?" asked Antha.
"Of course I do, but she can't marry me" said Sig.
"Because Nicole said so?" asked Antha.
"Because they all agreed not to get married" said Sig.
"Who agreed?" pressed Antha.
"Natalie, Nicole and her brother" said Sig.
"Are you sure?" asked Antha.
"No" said Sig. "But who else can I ask?"
"Her brother" said Antha.
"I don't know how to get ahold of him" said Sig. "I've only met him once and that was in Costa Rica."
"Did he seem nice?" asked Antha.
"Yes, he was great" said Sig. "He lent me clothes, told me what Natalie was like as a kid, he was really helpful."
"So, you should call him" said Antha.
"I don't have his number" said Sig.
Samantha rolled her eyes and fired off a text to Natalie. The moment she got a response she wrote the phone number on a piece of paper and gave it to Sig.
"Well, now that we've seen that you are in fact still alive, we will be going" said Antha.
"Come on kids, let's leave Uncle Sig alone to make his phone call" said Edgar. "Good luck, call us if you need anything."
"Sure" said Sig, studying the paper in his hand. "Thanks."
"She loves you" said Antha, as she walked out the door. "That's all you really need to know."
Sig dialed the ridiculously long number and waited for someone on the other end to answer. He'd held onto the number for two days before he'd gotten the nerve to call. He was afraid that Natalie's brother would tell him the same thing Nicole did. The strange ringing went on for another few minutes before a sleep roughened voice answered.
"Hello? Who's ringing me at this time of night?" asked the voice.
"James? It's Sig. Sig Hansen" said Sig.
"Is Natty ok?" asked James.
"Yes, she's fine" said Sig. "I'm sorry to be calling so late or early or whatever time it is wherever you are."
"No, mate it's fine" said James. "I'm happy to hear that Natalie's ok."
"I'm calling because I want to ask her to marry me" said Sig.
"Congratulations" said James. "But traditionally the bloke asks the father of the bride, not the brother."
"I asked Nicole for help with the ring" began Sig.
"Nicole is with you?" asked James. "In the states?"
"She's staying with Natalie" said Sig. "She's been staying with Natalie since Christmas. A lot of has happened since I saw you last."
"Sounds like it" said James. "Do you need my help with something in particular?"
"Nicole told me that none of you will be getting married. That you can't or won't, because you can't marry below your station" explained Sig.
"Did she" said James, thoughtfully.
"Is it true?" asked Sig.
"There was a time when we all agreed not to get married" said James. "I think we were just in six form or something. So it wasn't a binding agreement or anything."
"Six form?" said Sig. Shaking off his confusion he continued, "What about marrying above her station?"
"It's probably something we were taught at some point, but I doubt Natalie cares a bit about it. If she loves you, then she loves you. You could be a builder or a baron and it wouldn't matter to her" said James, thoughtfully.
"So you think if I ask her she'll say yes?" asked Sig, hopefully.
"If she loves you, then she will" said James.
"What kind of ring do you think she wants?" asked Sig, suddenly.
"One that you pick out" said James simply. "She doesn't care about material things, she cares about the person that gives it to her."
"Thanks, James" said Sig.
"I hope I get invited to the wedding" said James.
"I'll make sure you do" said Sig.
"Good luck mate" said James.
"Thanks, good bye" said Sig, hanging up the phone.
Natalie rubber her eyes, swiping the tears away. Nicole waved one last time before she climbed into the limo that would take her to the airport. They'd had a horrible fight about getting married, which culminated in Natalie yelling at Nicole for trying to ruin her life. Nicole admitted she was jealous of what Natalie had made for herself. When Natalie had reminded her sister of her status as a world famous opera singer, Nicole had retreated to her room. She'd emerged with her bags packed and announced she was returning to England to restart her career. Natalie knew it would happen and she was a little surprised it hadn't happened sooner. The limo slipped out of sight and Natalie slowly walked back into her now empty house. On the entry table were two letters, one addressed to Andy Hillstrand, the other to Sig Hansen. Passing through the foyer, Natalie headed into the kitchen where she opened a bottle of wine and poured herself a very large glass.
Natalie was on her third glass when someone rang her doorbell. Dragging herself off the couch she walked unsteadily to the front door. Opening it she smiled at a very anxious looking Andy Hillstrand. He swept her into a crushing hug, spinning her around twice before setting her down.
"Where's your sister?" he asked. "She told me she had something to give me."
Nicole's smile fell as she realized that Nicole hadn't told Andy she was leaving. With a grim look on her face she invited Andy into the living room. Settling him on the couch she walked into the foyer and grabbed the envelope. Handing him the letter she walked into the kitchen and fixed him a large Crown and coke. When she returned to Andy, she could see the combination of rage and hurt in his eyes.
"I brought you a drink" said Natalie, handing him the glass.
Andy took it and drank it in one swallow.
"How could she just leave without saying goodbye" said Andy. "I thought I meant something to her."
"She left you a letter" said Natalie, helpfully. "And truth be told, I've never seen her voluntarily write anyone, ever."
"She said she was sorry that she couldn't say goodbye in person, but that you would make it up to me" said Andy.
"She said what?!" exclaimed Natalie, grabbing the letter from Andy.
Sure enough Nicole had suggested that Natalie would indeed make him feel better.
"Ugh, she is the worst" said Natalie.
"So, do I get to pick how you are going to make me feel better or did you already have something in mind" said Andy.
"I didn't even know I was going to be required to do it, so no I don't have anything in mind" said Natalie, still holding the letter. "What do you want?"
"Right now, I just want to hold you" said Andy.
Natalie acquiesced and settled herself next to Andy on the couch. He pulled her into his lap and snuggled her into his chest.
Natalie seemed to be waiting for the other shoe to drop, but Andy was content to hold her in his arms and she eventually fell asleep. Andy felt her breathing even out and then looked down at the woman in his arms. In the light of the room he could see how much the twins looked alike. But Natalie was different, her features were softer, more natural. She wasn't wearing makeup and was dressed in casual pants and a t-shirt. Nicole was always dressed to the nines, make up and hair perfect. Andy contemplated that if given the choice he would have chosen Natalie over Nicole. He liked Natalie's easy going attitude and work ethic. Andy realized that he'd used Nicole as a substitute for the unavailable Natalie. Sighing he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Natalie's cheek. She smiled in sleep and for a moment he considered taking it farther, but knew it would just end badly for both of them. Laying Natalie on the couch, he covered her with a blanket before grabbing his letter and leaving.
Sig sat stoically in one of Seattle's most expensive jewelry stores. His sister in law Antha sat next to him, examining a large selection of rings. Once Sig had heard from James that all Natalie wanted was something from the heart he'd sought out Antha to help him. He looked at the collection of rings and frowned, none of them seemed right.
"I don't like any of these" he said glumly.
"What my rude friend means, is that none of these are quite what we are looking for" said Antha, to the affronted employee.
"Do you have anything that looks like the ocean?" asked Sig, suddenly.
"We have a Tanzanite stone" said the employee. "It is a very rare stone, very expensive."
"Can we see it?" asked Antha.
"Of course" said the employee. "Let me get the key from the manager."
A few moments later the most brilliant, round cut, blue stone was set in front of Sig.
"This is it" said Sig. "But it needs diamonds around it."
The employee called over one of the designers and together they decided on the specific details of Natalie's ring.
"So when will the ring be ready?" asked Sig.
"We can have it finished in two weeks" said the manager.
"Can you have it done in a week?" asked Sig. "I don't mind paying extra if it can be finished sooner."
"We will definitely see what we can do" said the manager. "We will call you as soon as it is finished."
"Come on Antha" said Sig. "I'll take you to lunch."