Family Binds

by albwtw

Having gained so much, and created a family he loves and needs, Nick is in a place to think more on the type of Grimm he wants to be. But other forces are at play, ones aimed not just at Grimms, but at this very special family. It won't just be a fight for who he is, but for everything, and everyone, that he holds dear. A sequel to 'Family Ties' and a re-write of Seasons 5 and 6.

1. Chapter 1

Family Binds Chapter One

-G-

AN – Here we go again, folks.

Just to say, with a slight spoiler alert, I've researched and while there's some info about the Wesen Council available, it's not a full picture, so I've made my own version. As much as Hadrian's Wall brought some interesting stories into Season Five, where I've been re-visiting it in preparation for this story, I kind of thought some of those plotlines that involved HW could have been told while using the set-up of the council, which had already been introduced in the show and had some interesting characters linked to them. As I didn't use Chavez or have Juliette turn into Eve it meant I could go in my own direction, whilst also hopefully still staying somewhat authentic to the show, it's storylines and the characters from it. So, that's your heads-up that while this is an AU of Seasons Five and Six, and will be a bit of a mash up of those storylines, there will be some parts that are true to what we saw in the show but others will be very different.

I do not own any characters or stories from the tv show Grimm. Some dialogue is lifted from various episodes in Season 5 and Season 6. No infringement or copyright is intended. It's all for fun, no profit being made here.

-G-

Please be aware that this story is a continuation of the story 'Family Ties' and if you haven't read that one, some of this may not make much sense.

-G-

"They're late," Nick grumbles as he paces up and down the side room of the Spice Shop. He glances at his watch and huffs when the time shown re-enforces that the agreed time for this meeting has already passed. "If they're not here in another ten minutes, I'm not waiting any longer."

"Nick," Rosalee admonishes softly. "I know you're feeling worried and want to be with Adalind but this meeting is important too. Just give them a little longer and if they're still late, I will happily explain why you're not here. But they are traveling from Europe to come meet us, so a few minutes grace is allowed surely?" She gives him a pointed look and he sighs. He knows the conversations and back and forth it's taken to get this meeting set up, and with Rosalee acting as host within her role as emissary for the Wesen Council, Nick not being present for it would potentially reflect badly on her. He doesn't want that for his friend and he does want this meeting to happen, it just happened to have fallen on a day when he wants nothing more than to be at home.

"Sorry, yes, I know," he replies before running his hand through his hair. "I just don't want to miss anything, or not be there for her." Adalind had begun experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions early the previous day and though the doctors had been reassuring that she wasn't in labour, yet, it had also been seen as a sign that the baby could very well soon be on its way. His way. Their baby boy, the brother Diana had told them about and who she was desperate to meet.

"Hey, we get it, man," Monroe states. "If they're not here, within a reasonable time, I'll be locking up shop and coming with you."

"Monroe," Rosalee chides but as she says no more, Nick knows she'd be right there with them. They had all watched as Adalind progressed and the whole of his family, blood related, adopted and friends turned more, were all waiting anxiously to meet the new arrival. "How was Adalind this morning?"

"Ok, though still in a lot of discomfort. I wanted her to stay home but she insisted on going out, though at least it was only to Bud's. I know she's found meeting with and hearing his wife's stories of all her childbirths helpful, and I think Phoebe has a soft spot for Adalind, now she knows more of her, our, story." It had been something he hadn't understood, when Adalind hasd started having, what could best be described as, panic attacks about the baby. During the day they had been subtle, and something she had brushed aside, but at night he had only been able to watch, almost helplessly, and offer her comfort as she writhed with dreams filled with the unknown. Even Adalind had struggled with finding any reason for why, as their baby was very much wanted and she felt more comfortable and safer in her life than she ever had before.

It had been confusing for them all, and wasn't until a conversation one night, at one of the many group dinners they had had, about life experiences that shone a light on what was really going on. After all, his mother and Henrietta were the only ones, in their immediate circle, to have given birth, and both had very different experiences. What little advice they could give Adalind was based on circumstances Adalind herself would not be experiencing. None of their friends could help there either and it made him infinitely grateful that he knew Bud, the Eisbiber with his family and all those linked experiences, and so Nick could reach out to him. It had taken awhile for Adalind to unpick and then admit her fears over childbirth, not just because she had believed she'd lost the baby for those intense weeks as she'd recovered from her ordeal of being kidnapped and rescuing Diana, but also from Diana's own birth. Her description in itself was traumatic, let alone having lived through it, and they'd had multiple discussions on where was best for their baby to be delivered. Nick had been firmly on the viewpoint of it being in a hospital, with all the medical professionals there on hand to help, while Adalind had been wanting that too, but worried that she'd lose control of her Woge and make something happen.

But, after that initial conversation with Bud, suddenly Phoebe Wurstner was in their lives, a lot, and talking it all through with Adalind, offering her own birth stories, all three of them, as well as multiple resources from the Eisbiber community, who had a lot of members and so a lot of babies, and just being a solid, sounding board for them all, but especially for Adalind. Obviously, different Wesen had different reactions, but Phoebe's ability to understand Adalind's fears and offer suggestions had gone a long way in helping. She was thoroughly non-nonsense, a counterpoint to Bud's more anxious habits, and the pair were generous in their support.

It had had the consequence of the news of Nick and Adalind's relationship spreading through the Eisbiber Lodge, and onto the wider Wesen community, many apparently being astounded that a Grimm and a Hexenbiest were together, even more so that they were expecting a child. Nick thought he may have had more polite conversations with Wesen in the past three months than he had in the past three years. Once they'd gotten over their initial fearful reactions, curiosity had taken over and had poked him into taking action. After all, it wasn't just him anymore and for the first time Nick was able to get a glimpse of a bigger picture, one where he didn't just deal with Wesen when they popped up in his cases, but when they needed help. Actually, be part of the community and work on correcting all the typecasts and labels out there. He had started to make a name for himself, prove to the wider community that he was a different Grimm than any they'd heard of before, so now was a chance to show it.

With his mother and Trubel alongside, they'd tentatively started having group meetings with Wesen, just to test the waters and have simple conversations about what it could look like, and what would be wanted, if Grimm's and Wesen could work together and be available to each other. Stereotypes were still rife in the community, and it wouldn't be something that they could fix overnight, but Nick was hopeful they could at least move in the right direction.

Which was also partly the reason for this meeting. The Wesen council operative that they'd dealt with during the Wesenrein debacle, that then wasn't, due to Nick's meddling boss, but the council still didn't know that and they weren't telling as they all thought that more should have been done from the start, wanted a better debrief, in person, and had planned to bring along his superior, whom was here to confirm the rumours of a Grimm acting as Nick was, not being indiscriminate but actually listening and dealing with justice, rather than just sounding a death knell for any Wesen involved.

Nick had the awareness that this was all important, but really, his heart and mind were definitely elsewhere and he really did not want to miss the birth of his son, for something like this. Rosalee and Monroe talked quietly as he continued to pace, moving around the side room of the Spice Shop as they all waited.

There's a knock on the back door just as Nick has opened his mouth to call it and he frowns even as Rosalee moves towards the door to open it.

"Good afternoon, everyone," Kou Kaufman greets as he walks in, smiling at Rosalee and followed by a familiar face, who also greets the Fuchsbau with a pleased nod and pleasantries. He meets Nick's eyes with an easy smile and comes to a stop at one end of the table as Nick steps back closer. "I believe we have all met, but I will still re-introduce everyone. Alexander, these are the group I have told you about and we have discussed, our local emissary Rosalee Calvert and her husband Monroe, and their friend, the local Grimm, Nicholas Burkhardt. To you all, I present from the Wesen Council, Alexander, who holds the role of lieutenant of ceremonies, deputy to the master of rites."

"We've met," Nick states and Alexander nods at him, lips quirking up slightly.

"Indeed, though it has been a while and circumstances have changed for us both," Alexander comments. "I hope that you are all well."

"We are, thank you," Rosalee replies. "Did your travel go smoothly?" They spend the next few minutes in polite chit-chat that has Nick struggling to hide his impatience. He had previously thought that he had a fairly good manner and head for diplomacy, but today is not one of those days. They'd already discussed not to mention how close Adalind was to giving birth, Nick wanting to keep the information close for as long as possible. While there may be rumours and some knowledge of his child, the longer he can keep it to just that, the better he can protect them, as well as himself feeling better about the whole situation. Nick already feels anxious and over protective, and he hasn't even met his son yet. His emotions are too close to the surface and he knows Rosalee can read that better than anyone when she successfully turns the conversation to the main reasons why they are having this meeting.

"Yes, Mr Kaufman brought to our attention the situation you faced, as well as the evidence of the targeting you suffered and the increase in attacks, especially those linked with your Wesen natures. The council have condemned actions linked to the Wesenrein, to any who act out in cases tied to that of blood purity and these are outlawed." Alexander states and Nick can't help the huff that escapes his mouth. "Mr Kaufman has also made me aware of your previous statements, Mr Burkhardt."

"Good," Nick meets his eyes easily. "I meant what I said and it still stands now."

"And we acknowledge that," Alexander says, even as Kaufman opens his mouth to speak. "I believe, though, that we can move past this, and onwards in a more positive manner."

"We can, but what about those that can't? What are you going to do for them?" Nick asks and can see Monroe shifting as he becomes more agitated. Talking about his experiences still makes the Blutbad uncomfortable and Nick hates having to bring it all back up for his friend, but hopes that the outcome will be worth it. Kaufman and Alexander share a glance and Nick can guess that they have thrown them.

"Could you elaborate on that, please?" Alexander requests.

"I would like to know how the Wesen council will be supporting those that have been negatively affected by acts of the Wesenrein, and who will be impacted for the rest of their lives from those actions?" Nick questions, with both Rosalee and Monroe nodding their agreement with the query.

"If this is about the legal routes you follow, here, well then-" Kaufman starts but Monroe interrupts.

"It's about people! Our fellow Wesen!" He states strongly, eyes momentarily flaring red. "It's about supporting those who lost loved ones and had to live with the fear and the stigma that follows. It's about everything that impacts you after living through something like that!"

"We were lucky with our situation," Rosalee starts as she steps closer to Monroe and they link arms, Monroe leaning into her side. She meets both men's eyes kindly, but with that inner steel that Nick knows has got her, and them as a group, through many hard times. "But others weren't. And we had good friends to lean on after, as we worked through the aftermath of what happened. Others don't have that and the Wesen council should really be a place that offers that support."

"Especially as it's outlawed the practises, but still has issues with stopping them," Monroe adds in, tone calmer but still acerbic.

"Those are both good points," Alexander offers, again cutting off whatever Kaufman was going to say. "And you are right that the council should have more resources available for those affected. I will action this at our next general assembly, and begin an inquiry of what we could have in place that would meet the needs of those that require support." His easy acceptance makes Monroe blink and Nick meets both Rosalee and his gaze as they take in his answer.

"Well, good," Monroe states, initially sounding surprised before gaining confidence. "That's what should be done."

"Talking about what should be done, we do need to discuss several other incidents where the council should have been more involved," Kaufman segues in. "Such as the search for the child, whose existence was confirmed but that was never found, and the local incident involving Hundjager."

"We helped with both of those investigations, your investigations," Nick points out.

"Did you?" Kaufman meets his eyes and Nick straightens as he doesn't drop them, the air between them turning slightly frosty. "You are not our only informant in the area, nor are you the only Wesen who we have frequent contact with and those sources suggest you knew more than what you told us."

"Have you been spying on us?" Monroe asks, voice high and Alexander shakes his head even as Kaufman shrugs.

"Spying is a strong word to use," the taller man responds. "We were simply checking with all our available resources, to enable us to do a full and proper investigation."

"Like with the Grausen?" Nick brings up, knowing they've had this conversation but feeling like they need to have it again. "Your full and proper investigation in that case would have had you murder an innocent child. Rip a family apart and have lasting impact on all involved." His words add more tension to the room, and he can see it annoys the Steinadler further but that matter little to Nick. In his mind, it's a solid point and something that should be addressed. If the Wesen council wants to come here and question them then he has no problem asking questions right back.

"Your involvement, and help, in that case was helpful and has been noted. It is in our procedures now to check and advise the use of cold therapy for any future cases that may hint at being Grausen." Alexander confirms, and Nick is happy to hear that, though annoyed it's only coming up in a roundabout way.

"I'm glad to hear that," he nods and the other man offers him a smile.

"That you are a different Grimm is without question," Alexander concedes, with a tilt of his head. "However, it does lend to creating more queries than solving them."

"Why?" Monroe and Rosalee share a look but Nick keeps his eyes on their guests.

"The Wesen council aims to unite all Wesen and be a resource that helps all, but also enforces the few rules we have. The most important being to protect our Wesen natures and the lives we lead, as it is still generally accepted that most Kehresite would not be ready to accept such knowledge. This does mean that certain stereotypes are hard to dismiss and the lore surrounding Grimms survives. Having experienced your ethics previously I am able to talk of that to my colleagues, and though many are impressed, most are still wary." He offers another smile here and though Nick thinks it's meant to be reassuring, something about it sets off alarm bells in his head. Alexander spreads his hands and seems to indicate them all, but his eyes stay on Nick. "This does give us an opportunity though, one I wish for you to be involved in. A new position, for the new times we find ourselves in, and new friends. Think of it as being a consultant for the council, with a much more secure link and being involved in more official ways. It would be beneficial to us all and I can see-"

"Hang on," Nick interrupts. "You're starting to talk in riddles. State it outright."

"As I said, the council are impressed with your actions and see this as a time when we can implement change, so wish for you to work with us for that goal. You would hold a title within our framework and have your own agency, though still held accountable within that for actions linked to the council." Both Monroe and Rosalee are shifting, darting their gazes between him and Alexander as Kaufman stares on but Nick feels his own face go blank. "If we iron out all the details now, this role could be yours from today."

"You seem to be assuming quite a few things there," Nick starts slowly, after a minute's pause. All the Wesen look at him but he keeps his own eyes on Alexander. "The primary one being that I want to work for the council, because that's what you're really saying. You want me to work for you."

"It is a role some Grimm's have held in the past, though yours would be personalised to be in-keeping with your own ethics, and the practical ways you work."

"But you still might come to me, with orders, to kill a Wesen if the council have deemed it so?" Nick asked, knowing what they had wanted from him in the past.

"We know you are not above killing Wesen, Mr Burkhardt," Kaufman states and Monroe rocks forward, his face flickering, as Nick turns to face him. The Steinadler is rapidly approaching Nick's limit of patience.

"Neither are the council," Nick replies, tone sharp. "We have all had to make that call. I would hope that the council employ the same due diligence that I do, when such action has to be taken."

"As you have correctly pointed out, we all have blood on our hands. By working together, we can move forward and implement change in our dealings with each other, and in the way we proceed in certain cases." Alexander attempts to smooth over but Nick shakes his head.

"You talk some good talk, but I haven't seen enough to want to be that involved with you. As you've said, working on my own, but as I see it working with my friends, has done good for the Wesen community here. I'm not going to agree to something that may limit that, or potentially put myself in a situation that I can't have any agency over." Both Wesen council operatives open their mouths but Nick holds up his hand. "You come here to talk to us but you actually share very little. Even Rosalee, as your emissary, doesn't have full knowledge about how you operate. She even has trouble getting in touch with you and often has to wait days for any contact back. If, and I stress that, IF I were to consider this in the future you would need to share a lot more information before I would ever be willing to consider such a proposal or role, as well as assurances that communication would be vastly improved." He can clearly see both of the men opposite him have different reactions to that, Alexander seeming to be more considering while Kaufman seems almost defiant, but Nick's phone rings out suddenly, the noise breaking the building tension in the air, and he has it to his ear within a second after seeing the name on screen of who's calling.

"Bud, everything ok?" He asks and both Monroe and Rosalee step closer upon hearing who is on the other end of the line.

"No-no! Adalind went into labour! She's having your baby!" The Eisbiber's voice comes through loud and quick.

"Now?" Nick asks, looking up to his friends and ignoring the presence of the other two men completely, hoping they can't hear the details of this conversation through the phone line.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, now." Bud replies and Nick nods, Rosalee moving to grab her jacket as Monroe steps right to his side. "Adalind thought it might be more Braxton Hicks, but my Phoebe was certain it wasn't, made her come here, to get the doctor to check, and she was right! Seems the little guy is in a hurry all of a sudden! It's so fast! Nothing like when my three were born!"

"Where are you?" Nick checks, stepping towards the door but halting as both Wesen council operatives step forward with questioning faces. Rosalee starts talking quietly to explain what's happening but Nick can tell by the stance of the two men that they want to hear more.

"Maternity, at St. Joes. You got to be here." Bud confirms. "Oh, Nick. It's happening. Hurry up!" Nick ends the call after reassuring Bud he is on his way and then turns to fully face the two men.

"We will have to continue this at another time," he states, giving a nod to each man in turn, ignoring their confused looks, glancing between him and Rosalee, before moving towards the door.

"Hang on, you can't just leave!" The Steinadler protests, stepping side ways to block Nick's path and earning a glare. "We've barely begun to discuss all the situations we are here to talk about!"

"I'm sorry, but I have to go, now," Nick goes to step around but the darker man matches his move and actually holds a hand up against him to stop him moving any further. It sends a fission through him, that cold flickering into life from deep within, and Nick really won't be responsible for his actions if this man continues to block him getting to his family.

"Wait here! You said-"

"If you don't move out of my way then you won't be able to discuss much for the next few days," Nick advises, tone low, his impatience getting the better of him, and sees the Wesen flinch a little.

"Nick!" Rosalee admonishes and he shares a quick look with her as she steps to his side, placing a placating, possibly restraining, hand on his arm. "I am sorry but we are going to have to call this meeting to an end, now. This is a private matter, but it involves Nick's family and we're supporting him at this time. You said you were staying in the area for a few days? Well, I'll contact you again when we are next able to meet." Her voice is firm and Monroe joins them, his married friends forming a visual reminder of the support he has from them. The Wesen council operatives share a look and though they can see the dissent between them, Alexander nods and so Kaufman bows to the obviously superior man, stepping back and leaving the path to the door free for Nick.

"We'll meet you there," Rosalee tells him and with a nod, Nick takes off, out of the door and straight to his Land Cruiser. He doesn't care if he breaks every traffic law in the next few minutes, he has to get to the hospital and to his family.

-G-

"You're doing great, sweetheart, just remember your breathing, join with me now, in and out." Adalind tries to concentrate on the voice, knowing it's Phoebe and that her words have meaning and purpose, but it feels like pain and discomfort are the only things in her world right then. The pain comes in waves, building until it's all there is then receding, yet still lingering in the background. All the while, the discomfort grows, pressure in and around her stomach, her insides feeling all wrong and the sense that their baby is restless.

"The baby," she gasps out as the next ebb of pain, contraction as Phoebe labels it, retreats, only slightly.

"I know, sweetie, you're doing great and that baby is doing fine too."

"No, it feels-" Adalind clamps her mouth shut as another surge of pain rises and she pants as she clutches her stomach. There are more people in the room now and she realises she's lost track of where she even is. "Where's … oh … Ni-uh, ah … Nick?"

"We're in the maternity ward, and Bud has called Nick, he's on his way," Phoebe soothes. "Don't worry now, just feel your breathing and concentrate on that." They spend a few minutes doing just that, the older woman coaching Adalind as nurses move around her, putting on monitors and checking her, and the babies, statistics. Throughout it all, Adalind can feel this pressure, building in the back of her mind, and she feels like there's two battles happening, not one.

She remembers Diana's birth, her Hexenbiest coming back and all that happened. Items flying at Meisner, unable to control her Woge and the uncertainty of it all. She knows it's different now, she's not the same as she was then, personally or magically, and she has worked so hard to make sure this time is better. But the uncertainty lingers, builds as does the pressure, in her body and mind, and Adalind can't help but feel she's losing control once more.

"Oh, please," she asks, not even sure what she's asking for. Someone starts reeling out numbers that she knows should mean something to her, Phoebe definitely understands as her hand tightens on Adalind's, but no one says anything more to her. The door banging open and Nick appearing, with Bud hovering at his shoulder, makes her cry out. "Nick! You're here." Phoebe gives a last squeeze as Nick slides into her space, his hand wrapping around hers quickly and Adalind cries out as she leans forward to rest her head on his shoulder. "Oh!" She doesn't see Phoebe or Bud leave, just has an awareness that they have, though most of her concentration is taken up by the ebb and flow of the pain of contraction, as well as the reassuring feel of Nick's warmth and strength by her side.

"I'm here," he murmurs softly. "And our boy wants to be here too." She hiccups a laugh but then cries out as another wave of pain hits. Nick's hand counter squeezes hers, as his other arm wraps around her back, and she tries not to use the pressure building in her mind to do anything, even as her body seems to battle itself.

"Where's Diana?" She gasps, trying to distract herself and focus on a good thing. Diana was just as keen as everyone else to meet her brother, and had even taken lately to asking why he wasn't already here.

"She's with my mom, they'll come when we're ready," Nick responds, voice calm. She knows that was the plan, that Kelly would watch the young girl to give her the space to give birth, and then for her and Nick to have some time with their son before his big sister involved herself. It's been a thought and image that has brought comfort and helped sustain her through some of her darker moments, the visual of holding both her children, and with Nick's strong arms around them all. Their family.

Adalind can't help but moan as more pain hits, as well as flashback to her last birthing experience once more. Having more people to help is good but she has to hold tight to her other self, as the pain brings potential actions to mind that her inner Hexenbiest wouldn't mind actioning at all. She remembers Phoebe's calm words, her advice, and the breathing techniques, just wanting everything to go ok and their boy to be born alright and healthy. Pressure comes and goes, as does the pain, and the movement inside feels so strong until suddenly it stops. Nick presses kisses to her forehead and offers praise, voice low and calm, as she pants, body hunched over as she stretches her senses inwards, to concentrate on the baby. It's different now, and she's not sure that's a good thing.

"You're doing good. It's going good," the doctor praises her. "Just keep pushing." But Adalind shakes her head, leaning more into Nick as the sensations inside change yet the pain increases.

"Heartrate has dropped, 160 to 120," a nurse says and the atmosphere in the room seems to darken.

"Keep an eye on it," another voice orders but Adalind cries out, her body suddenly, really, feeling all sorts of wrong as she clings to Nick. He murmurs something in her ear, tone soft and comforting, but she can feel the tension in his body and it starts to leak into hers too.

"It's still dropping. Heart rate is 60, it's not rebounding."

"Get her on O2 now, and run fluids," the doctor orders and then another nurse is fluttering at Adalind's side, adjusting tubes and checking connections. Her hand squeezes tight on Nick's, and the strength in his return grip, is reassuring but also fraught as the tight lines of his body bleeds into hers. "Ok, Adalind. You're doing fine, let's relax and take a breath." The professional orders, tone cool yet strict. She moans as more pain hits, her stomach spasming as her body arcs into itself. She tries to take a deep breath but ends up panting and gasping. "Don't push, just breathe."

"What's happening?" Nick asks. "Is everything ok?"

"It's stopped," the nurse says and Adalind whines lowly as she feels something is wrong. "We've lost the babies heartbeat. Get her on her side now." Adalind feels her own heart jump as that's announced and cries out. Several hands help roll her sideways and Nick steps back, though keeps her hand in his. She meets his eyes, feeling her own wide in panic and dismay, and sees his emotions reflected back at her.

"What's happening?" She whimpers and Nick looks just as lost.

"I don't know," he replies and his hesitant response sends a wave of anxiety and doubt and fear through her. This is their baby, their boy, and she's failing him already. Failing them both. Losing him all over again. "Can someone explain what's happening?" Nick demands, voicing what Adalind is thinking, looking around at the many people gathered at her side.

"Something's distressing the baby," the doctor confirms and Adalind sobs as her fears come into play. She clenches down hard on Nick's hand and he squeezes back just as tightly. "O2 and fluids haven't helped." She states in that no nonsense tone with another glance at the monitors to the side then nods determinedly. "We're going to have to do an emergency C-section." The atmosphere in the room jumps at the words and Adalind whimpers. There's activity all around and all she can do is watch, laid out on the bed as she is, as people move and more instructions and readings are barked out.

"We're moving, now," the nurse suddenly declares. She joins the doctor between Adalind's legs and pulls sheets and the sides of the bed up. "Baby is in distress, prep OR two for C-section."

"What?" Adalind gasps but there's no time, she barely has a moment to meet Nick's wide eyes, his face pale, before she's out of the room, their hands pulled apart, with more people around her and someone is right next to her, talking too much, then another, saying too many confusing words, too quickly, before asking her to count backwards as her lower body goes numb and she sobs, the feeling of the tears on her cheeks her last conscious awareness, as she realises, she can't feel their baby at all.

-G-

AN – Don't shoot me! We have to start with a bang, right?

Kidding, but imagine if I had done that? Let's continue, shall we?

-G-

"What the hell is taking so long!?" Nick cries out, uncaring about the glances he receives from others around the waiting room. Rosalee and Monroe are sat to his side but he feels too restless to sit, choosing to pace the corridor instead. He doesn't know how long it's been since Adalind was wheeled away from him, and he heard those words declaring his son's heartbeat lost, but it's been too long, and with no news since.

"I don't know, Nick. I wish I did." Rosalee replies and he has to take a deep breath, remind himself that he's not the only person who cares what's going on right now and that exploding, or taking this helpless feeling out on those around him, isn't going to help. Monroe and Rosalee had arrived to see Nick close to falling apart, Phoebe Wurstner trying to keep him calm while Bud added to the anxiety in the air, explaining how the birthing situation had changed so suddenly. The married Eisbiber couple had since left to find some refreshments, though Nick didn't know how he could possibly stomach anything until he had some news.

"I've got to see if they're ok," he states, swinging around to go, he doesn't know where, but somewhere, but Rosalee springs up and steps into his immediate personal space.

"Nick, don't. There's … there's nothing you can do." Her voice trembles at that and he looks at her, really looks, to see her tightly drawn face and teary eyes. Nick sighs, then can't help but step forward and embrace his friend, who seems just as worried as him and let some of his emotions be acknowledged, even as he holds tight to the rest. They stay like that for a long moment, and Nick feels Monroe's hand come to rest on his shoulder as he takes, and hopefully offers some back, comfort with his friends. His phone ringing breaks the hug and he steps back as Monroe wraps an arm around Rosalee, tugging her gently to sit back down.

"Mom," he answers and hears her sharp intake of breath at that one word and how he uttered it.

"What's happened? How's it going?" She asks, but her voice is hesitant. He'd already called her, on his way to the hospital, with the news of Adalind being in labour and his silence since had possibly been disconcerting.

"I don't know," Nick replies, allowing some of his fear and confusion out into his voice. His mother won't judge. "There's complications." He explains briefly what he does know, but feels it's pitifully little. "How's Diana?"

"She's fine. We're with Henrietta, so don't you worry about any of us," she instructs. "You focus on Adalind and that grandson of mine. They'll be ok, you all will be, just stay strong." Her voice conveys her own strength of belief in that, and he tries to take that to heart.

"I'll call you as soon as I know anything," Nick promises and hangs up before moving back to his pacing. He can feel the worried stares of Monroe and Rosalee but can't offer anything to them, nor can he stop and just sit. He needs to keep moving, needs to feel like he's doing something, or else he really might go on a mad rampage.

Time passes and Nick can't help but think of the time between when he was last in a hospital, waiting for news of Adalind, and now. Everything that they've been through and more, but especially time with his family and the countdown to the arrival of their newest member. Getting his mom and Trubel settled into the loft, while helping Diana adjust to a more normal schedule and just spending time together.

Nick wasn't ever going to forget the first time he felt his son. He'd just finished reading with Diana and had put her into bed when Adalind had pulled him into their room and placed his hand over the bump of her stomach. She'd talked about the movements she'd felt but feeling it for himself? That had been amazing and he'd stood there, just staring as a little foot hit his palm, again and again.

"He's strong," Adalind had murmured, a soft smile on her face and eyes full of love. "Like you."

"Like us both," he'd replied and then spent the night wrapped around Adalind, his hand resting on her stomach. It had been a position he often found himself in, hand resting on Adalind's increasing stomach and feeling their son, so much so that it had become a running joke between their friends and Wu had even gotten a mug that declared Nick 'the man behind the bump'. Despite his best efforts, that mug had been on Nick's desk for the remainder of Adalind's pregnancy, no matter how many times he disappeared it.

There was a moment of slight unease when the captain had seen it and Nick had explained that he and Adalind were expecting, but his superior had taken the news in stride, offering congratulations before making a comment about Diana being happy. They'd all been working on improving their strained relationship, mostly for Diana's sake, and Nick wasn't going to allow something like that to overshadow the joy he felt about his son, and the increase to the size of his family.

The only contender that came close to his attachment to watching, and feeling, his son grow was Diana. She was almost constantly by Adalind's side, talking to her stomach and eagerly telling her little brother everything that was going to happen when he finally joined them. Adalind had to repeat, several times, and somewhat nervously after experiencing the growth spurts her firstborn had gone through, that how Diana grew was different and how her brother was going to be a baby for a lot longer than Diana was, so some of the things she was talking about would have to wait until the baby was the right age. Instead of getting annoyed, Diana almost seemed thrilled by that, learning and then talking about baby growth stages as if she was looking forward to experiencing it as she watched her brother age.

"Babies babble as they learn to talk," she stated one evening, when Nick had come home and they were having dinner. Apparently, she'd taken as much interest in the new baby book Nick had been given as he had. "They repeat sounds they've heard and use it to communicate in their own ways."

"We can copy what they vocalise too," Nick replied. "And have a conversation, or something that sounds like it. It won't mean much, though."

"It will," Diana had argued. "And I'll understand everything that he says." She'd been adamant about that, as she had about several other things and both Nick and Adalind had just taken to accepting that Diana had this sense and there was some truth behind her words. She'd been right about the sex of her sibling, and though her extra powers were now bound, she still had access to a larger amount of magic ability than most her age so if that helped her 'sense' things others couldn't, neither Nick nor Adalind would question it.

Kelly was different in that aspect, questioning everything and seeming almost to test the young girl. With them all settling into more normal routines, Nick returning to work and Adalind and Diana no longer having to hide away, while they all lived together, meant his mother spent more time with the ladies than he did some days, depending on the cases he caught and the time they needed. His mother knew things from her travels, as well as whispers of possibilities from her years as a Grimm, and so had more of an awareness of things that could be, so was much more willing to assess and evaluate what Diana could possibly do. Adalind was much happier to focus on her health, mental, emotional and physical, and was so happy to see no more rapid growth spurts, as the months of her pregnancy passed. It was probably something they would always have to be wary of, but as a group they could at least share it between them.

Their family dynamic was a unique one, but it worked, and Trubel seemed to slot right in, learning from Kelly as well as setting down roots with them that she'd never had before, or rather, not had in a long time. Coming home from a difficult day to see all his ladies gathered around the dining table, having some kind of debate or discussion and then getting a lively re-telling from Diana, or a plea from Adalind or Trubel to back them up against his mother, made his heart warm and feel like the home he had always wanted. The regular talk of the baby meant he already felt like a part of his family, someone already there and so loved, that although Nick knew it would be different when the little boy actually arrived, as a baby there would definitely be a noise increase, those evenings felt complete.

He couldn't, didn't want to, imagine that nights like those weren't going to be part of his future. That there would be a haze on them, because someone was missing.

"It will all be alright, you'll see," Phoebe states, as she presses a warm cup into his hands as she arrives back. Nick can't help but stare at her, wondering how she can have so much confidence and hoping, desperately so, that it will turn out that she is right.

"I never bet against the wife," Bud comments, clearly interpreting the look on Nick's face. "I mean, I know I shouldn't anyway, she's my wife and she is my better part, and you know the saying, happy wife, happy life, but she really is never wrong. I wouldn't let her say it, you know, if I thought there was a chance she might be wrong." Nick can only nod but catching Phoebe's eye, the older woman smiles softly and he can see nothing in her face other than calm confidence. It's reassuring, even if she has no facts to go on, scientific or magical, but maybe it's that motherly intuition that has helped settle Adalind in these past few months, so Nick can't help but take some comfort from her words.

Meeting her eyes again, she just smiles and nods, cool, calm and confident, and as if by magic, the doctor is reappearing and inviting him back into the room. It's both the shortest and longest walk of his life so far.

Nick hesitates in the doorway, almost afraid to step in, even as he hears the doctor's positive report on how the operation went. Adalind is fine, the baby is fine, though he had some unexpected movement at the end, his arm having moved to above his head, blocking him from coming out. He takes it all in even as it feels like all his concentration goes on the image in front of him; Adalind in the hospital bed and cuddling their newborn child. He exhales then moves forward, so ready to step into this new phase of his life.

"Hey," he greets quietly and Adalind looks up. She looks tired, so very tired, but also like she's glowing. "You okay?"

"Better now," she replies and smiles. He steps right to her side and threads a hand through her hair as they both look down at their son. "He's here." There is no hiding the happiness in her words and Nick feels the same elation as he slowly reaches out to stroke a finger gently over his son. His face is still a little red but Nick thinks he can already see traces of Adalind in his rounded cheeks and deep-set eyes.

"Diana will be pleased," he jokes and she huffs a laugh, Nick glancing up at her to see her smile before looking back down again. They both just stare and watch as their little bundle moves as Adalind gently rocks him.

"I love you," Nick blurts out as he looks back at her again and sees the wave of emotion wash over her face. "I am so happy to see you and him and that everything is ok."

"I love you too," she murmurs back and he uses the hand in her hair to tilt her head back so he can kiss her, soft and slow. "I'm sorry that-"

"No saying sorry," he interrupts. "He's ok, you're ok. That's all that matters. We're going to be ok." He kisses her again and feels her exhale and nod as he pulls back, coming to rest at her side as they both look at their new son again.

A nurse comes in to give some more information, awareness and instructions for Adalind as she recovers from the C-section, as well as the babies first readings.

"Do we have a name yet?" She asks and Nick shakes his head but Adalind looks thoughtful.

"I did think of a name for him," she confesses once they are alone in the room once more.

"You did?" Nick asks, a bit surprised. They discussed it a little, but both agreed to wait and meet him before choosing a name. "Don't you think we should-"

"How about Kelley?" She interjects in a rush and Nick pauses. She bites her lip and looks anxious but Nick can't look away. "I know it might be a little confusing, but once I thought of it, well I just haven't been able to think of anything else. I owe my life to your mother, and the lives of both my children. Honouring her this way just feels right."

"You said it a little differently," he says slowly as he thinks it over.

"If we spelt it K-E-L-L-E-Y, then it would be said a little different," she acknowledges. "Plus, the meaning behind the name is that they are lively, bright-minded and a brave warrior. All things I think are in keeping with who our son comes from and might grow to be." Staring at her Nick can see she's nervous but he can't help but take this moment, and think how far they have come. How much he loves her and this family they have built. Slowly, he reaches forward and strokes her cheek, Adalind turning her head to press a kiss to his palm before shifting slightly, and then passes their son into his arms.

He's a tiny weight, yet somehow also mighty too. Nick feels like his world is changing once more, in all the right ways, and he is so ready to focus on this tiny being's wants and needs, as well as his family life as they introduce him to the world and help him grow.

"Hello, Kelley," He murmurs and hears Adalind's exhale of relief at his acceptance of the name. Rocking his son gently Nick stares at his face, already trying to memorise everything about it, even knowing that it's going to change. Know that then he'll memorise it all over again. "I will be here for you, whatever you need. I will love you and protect you and do everything I can so you know your family will always be there for you."

-G-

Somewhere else in the world …

"Sir," comes the breathless message. "Sir, it has happened. The third gem, the light, it's glowing." A deep exhale is all he allows as finally, finally, he gets the news he has been waiting for.

"Then it is time. The third child has been born." Only years of controlling every part of his self keeps his voice calm, and even then, his tone is uplifted. But it cannot be helped, this is exceptional news. "Do we know when?"

"We have reviewed the tapes and have the timestamp," the reply comes, and at least they have that much. They can work with that.

"Then review all births, worldwide, at that time. Track every one that you can. When we find this child, we will find the others and then, we can truly begin. We have been in the shadows for too long, but with these three, we will have the power to bring the might of our destiny to us all." He orders and received a swift affirmative reply.

"Yes sir, Occultatum Libera." The phone lines goes dead but he keeps his grip on the phone, allowing himself a small smile.

"Restituet Potestatem," he breathes and knows the time, their time, his time, will soon be here.

-G-

AN – Let me know what you think! Thank you for staying with me and I hope you like this first chapter, and what's to come.

Re the name, I went back and forth several times on whether to use Kelly again, as in the show, but it still felt right to me, especially with the relationships I've built in this story. After some research I found the Irish/Celtic version, which has the meanings as written above and thought that fit quite nicely. So, baby Kelly is now Kelley (and the fact that the different versions of the name spelling will hopefully help keep clear who is being talked about is a pretty nice bonus). For those wondering, it is pronounced differently; Kelly sounds like 'Kel-lee' while Kelley sounds like 'Kel-lay'. Hope that helps.

Thank you for reading!