Kelly lingered in the shadows, her gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before her. The flashing lights of police cars and ambulances cast eerie reflections on the wet pavement, and the air was thick with the sound of radios crackling and officers shouting orders. She watched as they descended upon the warehouse, sealing off the area and tending to the aftermath of the bloody encounter.
But Kelly's mind was elsewhere, consumed by a storm of emotions she struggled to contain. The anger that had been simmering within her since Kimura's death now threatened to boil over. After years of hunting him, chasing every lead, sacrificing so much—only to have it end like this. Kimura's death felt so sudden, so anticlimactic. All those years spent tracking him down, every hard-earned step toward vengeance, only for it to be snatched away in an instant. The closure she sought, the answers she craved, had vanished with Kimura's last breath.
It all felt so hollow.
Kelly forced herself to take a deep breath, grounding herself in the present. She couldn't afford to lose control, not now. She still had Nick. The coins were safe, and she would see to it personally that they were destroyed. There were still things she could control—still battles to fight. And the most important one was keeping her son safe.
Her thoughts drifted back to earlier that morning, tailing Sean Renard through the city. She had followed him for hours, watching his every move, studying him with the cold, calculating eyes of a predator. But when Nick called, she had set that aside. Now, her focus needed to shift once more—to Adalind.
Kelly had her reservations about the former Hexenbiest. Despite Nick's trust in her, Kelly couldn't shake the feeling that Adalind was still a wildcard, a potential threat. And in Kelly's world, trust was a rare commodity, earned through action and proven loyalty, not easily given.
She had done her homework, found out where Adalind worked, and now she would make her way there. It was time to observe, to see for herself whether Adalind was truly on Nick's side or still playing some deeper, more dangerous game.
As Kelly moved away from the chaotic scene, her steps were deliberate, her purpose clear. She would follow Adalind closely, watching every move, every interaction. If there was even a hint of betrayal, Kelly would be ready. Protecting Nick was all that mattered now, and she wouldn't let anything—or anyone—stand in the way.
With a final glance back at the warehouse, Kelly melted into the darkness, her mind already working through the next steps, the next move in this dangerous game. The anger still simmered, but it was a controlled burn now, fueling her resolve as she set off to shadow Adalind. The hunt wasn't over—not by a long shot.
Adalind spent the day in a fog, her mind elsewhere as she went through the motions of her work. The previous night's sleep had been anything but restful, leaving her exhausted, and the day had been filled with back-to-back client meetings. She did her best to remain attentive, but her thoughts kept drifting to the looming visit to her mother. Her stomach twisted into knots every time she thought about it. There was an uneasy feeling gnawing at her, a sense that something was going to happen tonight. She tried to brush it off as overthinking, but the anxiety remained.
She kept telling herself that her mother didn't have a clue she had turned her back on her and Sean—at least, that's what she hoped. She tried to convince herself that her mother was just disappointed in her failure with Hank, which was why she had been ignoring her. But deep down, Adalind knew better. Her mother's silence wasn't normal; it wasn't in her nature to simply withdraw. It made Adalind anxious, fearing what lay ahead.
By the time work was over, Adalind felt drained. She went home to refresh herself and prepare for the visit, her nerves buzzing with unease. She checked on Majique, the poor cat still trembling in fear, hiding under the bed, squeezed into a corner. Ever since he woke up, Majique had been terrified, and Adalind's heart ached for him. She understood the trauma he'd been through, and she hoped that, with time and care, he'd begin to trust her.
Adalind had always wanted a cat, but her mother never allowed it during her childhood, and her life as a lawyer and Sean's partner didn't leave much room for a pet. Now, with Majique, she was determined to give him the space he needed, to let him get used to her presence. She only hoped that his fear would eventually subside and that he wasn't too deeply scarred by what he had endured.
As the day darkened into night, Adalind dressed and made her way to her mother's house. The familiar path filled her with dread, each step heavy with anticipation. By the time she arrived, the sky was fully dark, the air thick with the stillness of the night. She stood before the door, hesitating for a moment before knocking and calling out.
The silence that followed felt endless, stretching her nerves taut. Then, with a soft click, the door unlocked, a silent invitation to enter. Adalind took a deep breath and stepped inside, the familiar scent of her mother's home filling her senses, bringing with it a flood of memories—most of them unpleasant.
Unbeknownst to Adalind, Kelly had been following her from the moment she left work. Kelly stayed in the shadows, keeping a safe distance, her years of experience as a Grimm allowing her to remain undetected. As soon as Adalind disappeared inside, Kelly moved with practised stealth, positioning herself where she could observe without being seen.
Kelly knew that Hexenbiests often put up charms and protection spells around their homes, but she also knew how to bypass them. She found a spot where she could hear what was being said inside, her heart pounding with anticipation. This was a risky move, but Kelly needed to know if Adalind was truly on Nick's side—or if she was playing a deeper, more dangerous game.
As she settled into her hiding place, Kelly's focus sharpened. She strained to hear the conversation inside, her instincts on high alert. Whatever happened tonight, Kelly was ready. She wasn't going to let anything jeopardise Nick's safety—not even the slightest hint of betrayal.
Inside the house, Adalind felt the tension in the air, a suffocating presence that pressed down on her. She called out again, her voice sounding small in the large, darkened space. Her mother's house had always been imposing, but tonight it felt especially so. She moved deeper inside, every creak of the floorboards underfoot making her flinch.
"Mother?" Adalind's voice wavered slightly, betraying the anxiety she tried to keep at bay.
A moment later, a familiar voice responded, cold and detached. "Adalind. I didn't expect to see you tonight."
Adalind's heart skipped a beat. Her mother's tone was calm, too calm, and it did nothing to ease her nerves. She swallowed hard and forced herself to respond, knowing that this conversation could be the most dangerous one she'd ever had.
Outside, Kelly listened intently, her senses attuned to every word, every shift in tone. This was it—the moment that would reveal where Adalind's true loyalties lay. And Kelly was ready to act, no matter what the outcome.
Adalind forced a smile as she attempted to make small talk, asking her mother how she was. But Catherine remained stoic, her face unreadable, which only heightened Adalind's nerves. The silence between them grew thick and uncomfortable, and Adalind knew she had to get to the point, though every fiber of her being screamed to flee.
"I… I want to apologize," Adalind began, her voice wavering. "For failing with Hank. I know Sean is angry at me, and I want to make it right. I was trying to come up with a plan, but I need your help, Mother."
Catherine's eyes narrowed, and when she finally spoke, her voice dripped with venom. "You're the cause of all my troubles, Adalind. You were the reason your father left us, you're the reason Sean doesn't have the keys, and you're certainly the reason why I had to do what I did. If you hadn't failed, I wouldn't have had to dip my hands in the dirt, and Sean wouldn't be so furious with me."
Adalind felt the sting of her mother's words like a physical blow. The tendrils of Catherine's magic pulsed with anger, hot and fiery, directed squarely at her. Adalind was taken aback, not just by the power behind her mother's words, but by the accusation that she was the reason her father left. She had always known her father's departure left a scar on her mother, but she never realised that Catherine blamed her for it.
"How… how is it my fault that Father left?" Adalind asked, her voice small and disbelieving.
Catherine's cold eyes flashed with contempt as she snapped, "You are my biggest regret and failure, Adalind."
The words struck deep, cutting through the defences Adalind had built over the years. She had known—always known—that her mother had no real love for her, had accepted that fact long ago. But it didn't stop the pain. Tears welled up in her eyes, a manifestation of the lifelong hurt she had tried so hard to suppress. All her life, she had tried to please her mother, to make her proud, to earn her affection. And all of it was for nothing. She had wasted her life chasing after something she would never have—a mother's love.
Anger surged within her, mingling with the pain, and her own magic flared in response. "Stop blaming me for everything that went wrong in your life!" Adalind screamed, her voice thick with emotion. "I wasn't the one who made you curse Juliette!"
The moment the words left her mouth, Catherine's expression twisted with rage. She backhanded Adalind with a force that sent her reeling. As Adalind staggered, Catherine stepped forward and grabbed her face, her grip cruel and unyielding.
"How do you know about that?" Catherine hissed, her eyes burning with a dark fire.
Adalind's mind raced as she tried to come up with a believable answer. "I've been keeping an eye on the Grimm, waiting to make my next move," she said quickly. "When I found out what happened, I assumed it was you. Who else could cast a spell like that?"
Catherine's eyes narrowed further as she shoved Adalind back with a growl. "Lies! Don't try to deceive me, Adalind. I know you're lying!" With a flick of her wrist, she sent Adalind flying into a wall.
Adalind barely had time to react, instinctively using her own magic to soften the blow, but she knew she was outmatched. Her mother's power was immense, far beyond her own. The room spun as she tried to gather her bearings, only to realise that Catherine had sent a sharp paper knife flying towards her head. She dodged just in time, the blade slicing through the air where her head had been.
It was in that moment that Kelly stepped in, moving with the lethal precision of a seasoned Grimm. She engaged Catherine in a fierce battle, and for a moment, the Hexenbiest was taken aback by the sudden appearance of a Grimm.
"A Grimm!" Catherine spat, her eyes widening in shock. "Adalind, how could you betray your kind?"
Adalind, her anger and hurt boiling over, snapped back, "Please, how could a mother try to kill her child?"
Catherine's face twisted with fury as she blasted Kelly with a wave of magic, sending her flying across the room. In the same instant, Adalind, driven by desperation and raw emotion, sent shards of glass hurtling toward her mother. Catherine managed to dodge most of them, but the chaos of the fight was escalating.
Just as Catherine prepared to retaliate, Nick burst into the room, having heard the glass shatter and the shouts from outside. He hadn't heard back from Adalind and grew worried when she didn't answer his calls, leading him to rush to Catherine's house. The sight before him—a battlefield of magic and broken glass—sent his heart into overdrive.
When Catherine saw Nick, her anger reached a boiling point. Her eyes locked on Adalind with a hatred that sent a shiver down Nick's spine. "You've betrayed Sean, you little bitch. You'll pay for this!"
Adalind, her emotions frayed to the breaking point, yelled back, "You betrayed me first when you slept with him! You introduced him to me, for crying out loud! How could you do that to your own daughter?" Tears streamed down her face, a mix of anger, hurt, and betrayal.
Kelly, regaining her footing, tried to attack Catherine again, but the Hexenbiest blasted her back with another wave of magic. In the frenzy, Adalind, overwhelmed by the chaos, didn't notice when Catherine sent another shard of glass hurtling toward her. Nick, seeing it at the last second, jumped in the way, taking the hit on his arm. He hissed in pain, but there was no time to stop. He couldn't let Adalind face her mother alone.
Fueled by desperation, Adalind unleashed a powerful blast of magic, sending her mother crashing into a large mirror. The force of the impact shattered the glass, and before Catherine could recover, Kelly moved with the deadly speed of a Grimm and drove a broken shard into Catherine's neck.
Catherine's eyes widened in shock, her hands reaching up to the wound as she staggered, blood pouring from the gash. She slumped to the floor, lifeless, and the room fell into a heavy silence.
Adalind collapsed to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. For all her mother's cruelty, for all the pain she had caused, seeing her dead—killed by her own hand—was a finality she hadn't been prepared for. The weight of it crushed her, every last piece of her resolve shattering.
Nick was at her side in an instant, pulling her into his arms as she sobbed against his chest. "It's okay," he whispered, holding her tightly. "I've got you. Everything's okay."
Adalind buried her face in Nick's chest, her tears soaking his shirt as she clung to him. A part of her world had just crumbled, and here was Nick, holding her together when she felt like she was falling apart. His warmth, his steady presence, was the only thing keeping her grounded.
She tried to compose herself, but when she looked up, she noticed the shard still embedded in Nick's arm. She gasped in alarm, quickly trying to find something to bandage the wound. But Nick stopped her, shaking his head. "We can't leave any traces behind. If I bleed here, it'll be a trail leading right to us."
Adalind nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Kelly, who had been watching the scene, spoke up, her voice cold and practical. "We need to wipe any evidence that we were here. Make it look like a robbery gone wrong."
Nick knew Kelly was right. He should have felt awful about covering up the crime, but looking at Adalind—so vulnerable and broken—he knew he had to protect her. He couldn't let Sean find out about Adalind's involvement in her mother's death. He had worked enough cases to know how to stage it.
Adalind stood up slowly, her eyes locked on the lifeless body of her mother. Nick approached her, wanting to offer words of comfort, but nothing seemed right. So he simply stood by her side, ready to lend a shoulder to lean on.
"I spent most of my life thinking she loved me," Adalind whispered, her voice trembling. "I worked so hard to earn it, and in the end, she cared more about that bastard and his power than she ever did about me. I don't think my own mother ever loved me."
Nick's heart ached at her words. She looked so broken, so defeated. Adalind turned to face him, a sad smile on her lips. "You're lucky, Nick. Your mother loves you so much that she went to such lengths to protect you. She may have been absent, but her love for you was always there. My mother was present all my life, but there was no love in it."
Nick pulled her into another hug, holding her tightly. Adalind closed her eyes, letting herself relax in Nick's arms, feeling safe for the first time in what felt like forever. After a moment, she broke away, wiping her eyes.
"We need to go," Adalind said quietly. "You've still got that shard in your arm, and we need to take care of it."
Nick nodded, feeling the dull throb of pain from the shard embedded in his arm. Kelly, who had been watching Adalind closely, stepped forward. "We'll stage the scene, and take some valuable items" she said, her tone decisive. "But we need to make sure there are no traces of us left behind. Adalind, can you handle that?"
Adalind nodded, wiping the last of her tears away. "Yes," she replied, her voice stronger now. "I'll use my magic to remove any traces of us. Give me a moment."
Nick and Kelly watched as Adalind woged into her Hexenbiest form. Her features twisted and transformed, her eyes glowing with a supernatural light as she extended her hands, sending tendrils of magic throughout the room. The tendrils snaked across the walls, floor, and ceiling, seeking out any residual energy, any trace of their presence. They targeted everything—fingerprints left on surfaces, smudges on the walls, drops of sweat that might have fallen during the struggle, even the minute traces of blood from Nick's wound that had dripped onto the floor.
As the tendrils found these traces, they pulsed with energy, burning away every physical and supernatural sign that could be linked back to them. The fingerprints dissolved into nothingness, the sweat evaporated, the blood stains vanished as if they had never existed. Even the smallest, most imperceptible traces were eradicated, leaving the room as pristine as if they had never been there.
Satisfied that she had erased all evidence of their presence, Adalind retracted the tendrils of magic, her breathing heavy from the effort. She shifted back into her human form, her body trembling slightly from the exertion. The room was now clean—no prints, no blood, no sweat, no energy signature that could connect them to the scene.
Nick and Kelly exchanged a glance, both recognizing the thoroughness of Adalind's work. They knew how crucial it was that nothing be left behind that could trace back to them, and Adalind had ensured that every possible lead was eliminated.
"Okay," Adalind said, her voice trembling slightly but laced with determination. "It's done. There's nothing left that can connect us to this."
Nick placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You did well," he said softly. "Now let's get out of here."
Kelly stepped forward, looking at Nick. "I'll drive your car and follow you. Adalind isn't in any shape to drive right now."
Nick agreed, and after a moment's hesitation, Adalind handed Nick her car keys. "Thank you," she murmured.
Before they left, Adalind took one last look at her mother's lifeless body. The reality of what had happened, of what she had lost—even if it had never truly been hers—settled heavily on her heart. Nick sensed her turmoil and placed a comforting hand on her back, guiding her gently towards the door.
As they stepped out into the night, Adalind used her magic one last time to ensure that no lingering traces remained at the scene. She sent out a final pulse of energy, a sweep to erase any remaining magic, fingerprints, or physical evidence, before nodding to Nick that they were clear.
The three of them moved quickly and quietly, each lost in their own thoughts. Nick could see the pain and conflict in Adalind's eyes, and his heart ached for her. Kelly, too, seemed deep in thought, her earlier suspicions about Adalind now replaced with a grudging respect for what the young woman had endured.
Once they were all in their respective vehicles, Nick turned to Adalind, who was sitting in the passenger seat of her car, looking weary and fragile. "We'll take care of this," he said, trying to offer some comfort. "We'll make sure nothing leads back to you."
Adalind nodded, her expression distant, as if she were still processing everything that had just happened. "Thank you, Nick," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
As Nick got into the driver's seat, he glanced over at Adalind, who was already rummaging through her glovebox. She pulled out a first aid kit, her movements deliberate but shaky. Nick watched as she rummaged through the kit, pulling out gauze, antiseptic, and bandages.
"You can't possibly drive with that shard still embedded in your arm," Adalind said quietly, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her eyes. "I'll remove it now. It should be safe to bleed all over my car."
Nick nodded, grateful for her practical approach. He positioned his arm so that Adalind could reach it easily from the passenger seat. She took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she carefully extracted the piece of glass from his arm—a shard from one of her mother's vases. Nick winced but kept still, watching as Adalind cleaned the wound with antiseptic before bandaging it up.
As she worked, Nick could see that she was focusing intensely on the task at hand, using it as a way to distract herself from the horror of what had just happened. Her hands were steady, but Nick could sense the emotional storm brewing beneath her calm exterior.
Once the wound was dressed, Adalind sat back, her eyes staring blankly out the windshield. Nick wanted to take her home, but the thought of leaving her alone gnawed at him. He knew she needed someone to be with her, someone who could offer comfort beyond what he could provide in that moment.
"Adalind," Nick said softly, breaking the silence. "I want to call Rosalee, see if she can stay with you tonight."
Adalind shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll be fine, Nick. I don't want to bother her."
Nick leaned in closer, his tone gentle but firm. "Rosalee would hate that you think you're bothering her. You two have become close—I know she'd want to be there for you."
Adalind hesitated, the weight of the night pressing down on her. She didn't have it in her to argue, and deep down, she knew Nick was right. With a small, resigned nod, she agreed.
Nick quickly dialled Rosalee's number, his voice hushed as he gave her a brief summary of what had happened. Before he could even ask, Rosalee interrupted him, her voice filled with concern. "I'm on my way, Nick. I'll be there soon."
Nick felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. "Thank you, Rosalee," he said, ending the call. He turned to Adalind, who was still staring off into the distance. "Rosalee insisted on coming," he told her gently.
Adalind didn't reply, her gaze unfocused as she processed everything. Nick didn't push her to talk, understanding that she needed time. Instead, he focused on the road, driving towards her apartment with Kelly following close behind. The silence between them was heavy, but Nick knew that simply being there for her—being a steady presence—was what she needed most right now.
As they neared her apartment, Nick glanced over at Adalind again, hoping that the presence of a friend like Rosalee would help ease some of the pain she was feeling. He knew that tonight had changed everything for her, and he wanted to make sure she didn't have to face it alone.
As Nick pulled into Adalind's parking space, he turned to look at her, his voice gentle but firm. "We're here."
Adalind nodded, her movements slow and mechanical, as if she were on autopilot. They both stepped out of the car, the cool night air wrapping around them. Nick glanced over and saw his mother, Kelly, pulling into one of the empty spaces nearby. He gave her a brief nod, knowing she wouldn't follow them up but would keep a watchful eye on the area. His focus now was getting Adalind safely back inside her apartment and waiting for Rosalee.
Once they were inside, the familiar surroundings of her apartment offered a small measure of comfort, though the atmosphere was still heavy with the events of the night. Nick closed the door behind them and immediately turned toward Adalind, concern etched on his face as he quickly began inspecting her for any injuries.
"Are you sure you're not hurt?" he asked, his eyes scanning her for any sign of pain or discomfort.
"I'm fine, Nick," Adalind replied, her voice quiet and tired. "I'm not hurt."
Nick wasn't convinced. "Adrenaline can mask pain. You might not even realise you're injured."
Adalind sighed but allowed Nick to fuss over her, his hands gently checking for any bruises or cuts. Despite everything, she felt a small warmth in her chest at his concern. When Nick finally seemed satisfied that she was unharmed, she offered him a strained smile, the weight of the night still pressing down on her.
Just as Nick was about to say something, there was a knock on the door. He knew immediately it was Rosalee. With a reassuring glance at Adalind, he moved to answer it, leaving her to sit on the couch.
Nick opened the door to find Rosalee standing there, her expression a mix of worry and determination. "Where is she?" Rosalee asked, her voice urgent, not waiting for Nick to speak.
He tilted his head toward the living room, and Rosalee didn't waste a second, brushing past him and making a beeline toward Adalind. Nick watched as Rosalee hurried to her friend, her presence bringing a sense of relief to the tense atmosphere.
As Rosalee approached, Adalind looked up, her eyes filling with tears she had been holding back. Without a word, Rosalee sat down beside her, wrapping her arms around Adalind in a tight, comforting embrace. The dam broke, and Adalind finally let herself cry, the sobs wracking her body as she clung to Rosalee.
Nick stood by the door, his heart heavy with the sight of Adalind's pain. But seeing her in Rosalee's arms, he knew she was in the best hands possible. Rosalee had a way of soothing even the deepest wounds, and right now, that's exactly what Adalind needed.
Rosalee whispered soothing words to Adalind, holding her close as she let out the grief and anguish she had been holding back. Nick stayed quietly in the background, giving them space, his mind already working on how to protect Adalind from the fallout of what had happened.
After a few minutes, when Adalind's sobs had subsided into quiet tears, Rosalee gently pulled back, brushing a strand of hair from Adalind's face. "We'll get through this," she said softly. "You're not alone."
Adalind nodded, wiping her eyes as she took a deep, shuddering breath. The presence of her friend brought her a measure of peace, even if only for a moment.
Nick approached them, his voice soft. "I'll stay if you need me, but I think you're in good hands." He glanced at Rosalee, who nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Nick," Adalind whispered, her voice raw from crying.
Nick gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Call me if you need anything," he said, knowing that right now, what Adalind needed most was Rosalee's comfort.
As Nick prepared to leave, he caught one last glance at Adalind, sitting with Rosalee on the couch. The sight of them together, supporting each other, filled him with a sense of resolve. Whatever came next, they would face it together.
Nick made his way out of Adalind's apartment and down to his car, where his mother sat waiting in the driver's seat. As he opened the passenger door and slid inside, he couldn't help the questions swirling in his mind. He turned to Kelly, curiosity and concern etched on his face.
"Mom," he began cautiously, "how did you end up at Catherine Schade's house? I never mentioned what Adalind was planning to do… So I was surprised to find you there, fighting with Catherine when I walked in."
Kelly sighed, the sound heavy with the weight of everything that had happened. She looked at Nick, her expression a mix of apology and determination. "I wanted to focus on keeping you safe, Nicky. After Kimura was gone, that became my utmost priority. And… I didn't fully trust Adalind, so I followed her around, just to make sure."
Nick leaned back in his seat, absorbing her words. "You didn't trust her?"
Kelly shook her head. "It's hard to turn my suspicions off, especially after everything I've been through. I've spent so many years on the run, hunting down threats, that it's become second nature to question everyone's motives. But even I was surprised by what happened between Adalind and her mother. I wasn't going to step in, but when I saw that Catherine intended to fatally attack Adalind, I couldn't just stand by."
Nick nodded slowly, understanding where his mother was coming from, even if he wished she had told him about her plans. "I get it, Mom. I really do. But I wish you'd told me. Still… I'm thankful you were there to protect Adalind."
Kelly reached over, placing a hand gently on Nick's arm, her voice softening as she spoke. "Catherine was… everything a Hexenbiest is expected to be. Cold, calculating, incapable of love. She only ever sought power and influence. But Adalind… she's different. She's… an anomaly, and that's not something you can fake. I saw the pain she was in, Nick. Real, raw pain."
Nick sat in silence for a moment, his gaze distant, as if he were looking at something far beyond the horizon. The weight of his mother's words settled heavily on him, stirring emotions he had long kept buried. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and filled with a quiet vulnerability. "I know you did what you did because you thought it was the only way to protect me… but it doesn't erase the hurt. Finding out you were alive after all these years—it's something I still can't fully process. I'm glad you're here, but… I don't know how to go forward from here."
Kelly's heart ached as she listened to her son's words, the pain evident in his voice. He continued, his tone tinged with empathy and a deep understanding. "In some ways, I can see what Adalind is going through. I thought I lost you before, and that was hard enough. But what she's facing… her own mother tried to kill her. I can't imagine how that feels."
He paused, taking a breath as if to steady himself before he continued. "I want to forgive you, Mom. I think I do. But it's going to take time to rebuild what we lost. I want to know you again, the person you've become, because I know you've changed… and so have I."
Kelly's eyes filled with tears, her defences crumbling as she heard the pain and the hope in Nick's voice. She reached out and pulled him into a tight embrace, her voice trembling with emotion. "Oh, Nicky… I'm so, so sorry for all the pain I've caused. All I ever wanted was to keep you safe, but I know that doesn't make up for the years we lost. I want to be in your life again, and I'll do everything I can to make it right. I promise."
They stayed like that for a long moment, holding each other as if they could somehow mend the past through the strength of their embrace. In that moment, it felt like the wounds that had festered for so long were beginning to heal, and a fragile but genuine bond was being restored between mother and son.
When they finally pulled away, Kelly wiped her tears and took a deep breath. "Before I can stay, I want to destroy the coins first. Kimura slipped through my grasp, but I need to put my efforts into destroying those coins once and for all."
Nick nodded, understanding the importance of her mission. "I get it, Mom," he said, his voice firm. "It's something that needs to be done."
He knew he couldn't join her on this particular mission—his responsibilities in Portland and the challenges he faced as a Grimm kept him tied to the city. But he also knew how crucial it was to destroy those coins, to prevent them from causing further harm.
Kelly saw the understanding in his eyes and gave him a small, grateful smile. "With that, we can finally lay your father's death to rest after the coins are destroyed."
They both knew how much Reed's death had weighed on Kelly, and this mission was as much about closure as it was about safety. With a sense of renewed purpose, they drove back to Nick's house in comfortable silence, the night air heavy with the promise of the challenges still ahead, but also with the hope of rebuilding their relationship.