Family Binds Chapter Two

-G-

AN – Here's the next one folks and sorry for the delay. After hearing about the news of a Grimm re-boot, revival, future movie, whatever it will be, I'm very excited and so doing a re-watch (again lol). Anyhow, it made me do a slight re-think on some of what, or rather, how I'd written parts of this so although I've got most of this story written, there are bits I'm editing and adding to and so the updating on this isn't going to be as fast as I originally thought. But please stay tuned, I'm not going anywhere and will finish this story, as well as all the others I'm working away at too. Anyway, hope you like it.

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-

"He won't disappear," Adalind murmurs and Nick looks up to see her watching him sleepily from the bed. He's stood over Kelley's crib, just watching him as their son sleeps. They're back at the loft, having been released from the hospital and after introducing Kelley to the people in his life, his family, and his new home.

"I know that," he replies softly but doesn't make a move away from standing over the wooden structure that currently holds his son. "I just … look at him, look at what we did."

"Yeah, we did good," Adalind hums with a slow, tired smile. "But neither of us will be of any good to him tomorrow if we don't get some sleep." He chuckles at that and spends another moment just staring at his sleeping son, focusing in on his breathing and heartbeat, before stepping back and sliding into bed next to Adalind. She shuffles slightly so she can rest her head on his shoulder and Nick carefully threads his fingers through the ends of her hair, relishing in the feeling of sparks that follows the movement.

"How are you feeling?" He asks and she nuzzles into him.

"Tired, but ok," she replies, eyes already closed once more. He strokes his hand across her head and then down through her blonde strands. Even as she relaxes next to him, body easing into his own and causing a pleasant hum of magic, Nick suddenly feels wide awake again. That they're home, back in their loft, in their shared bedroom, and with Kelley sleeping peacefully is a feeling he's not used to yet. It's almost like he has to keep checking on him, especially with the worry and panic that accompanied his arrival into the world.

"That's good," Nick murmurs, mentally running through the checklist the nurse gave them for Adalind's aftercare, and all the things they needed to keep an eye on. "Did you manage to go to the toilet ok, after dinner? Do you think we need to check your wound for any discharge?"

"Nick," Adalind mumbles and brings a hand up to rest on his chest. "I'm ok, everything feels ok. Now is the time for sleep."

"I know, just … you'll let me know, if you feel any pain or wetness or any changes?" He can't help but ask and then regrets it as Adalind shifts slightly, up and away from her position against him, so she can stare at him better.

"I'm really feeling ok," she states clearly. "And yes, I will let you know, I promise, so can you relax enough to sleep now?" She smiles carefully at him and Nick shakes his head before gently tugging her back into her previous position.

"Sorry, yes, it's just … it's just I can't help but think, remember, how the two of you almost weren't here. That was pretty scary, hearing what they were saying and then watching as you were wheeled away from me." He doesn't think that sounds right, though he's not sure what words he could use to properly convey how it felt to be in that situation. Not knowing what was happening and being helpless to do anything. It was not a position he liked being in.

"I know, I was scared too," she says and Nick hugs her closer. "To hear everything they were saying, to feel that something wasn't quite right, to be taken away like that … I didn't know what was going to happen, still don't really know, there's so much that's unpredictable in our lives. I mean, there's Diana, who's Diana, and now we have Kelley, and he's the first, that we know of, so he could be a ... a … a HexenGrimm or Grimmabiest and we don't know what that might entail or bring and then there's us, and everything we've been through and I just don't … can't have anything happen to you, any of you!" Adalind's voice rises then falls into a hushed, yet still hasty and panicked, rant that Nick recognises the tone of. Her thoughts come spilling out even as she tries to contain them, and keep the volume down least she wakes the sleeping baby.

"Hey," he squeezes her as she breathes in deep, all remnants of her previously relaxed posture gone. "It's gonna be ok." Pressing a kiss to her forehead, Nick burrows down a little in bed and lines them up, bodies side to side, so Adalind is pressed securely into his flank. "I didn't mean to upset you. I guess … we both went through something traumatic, again, and now we have to focus on coming back from that. We have our family and we can put our concentration and effort into that, and make sure both Kelley and Diana know that they are loved and wanted, and that we'll be there for them."

"That sounds so … simple," she mumbles after a moment and Nick sighs.

"Not simple, nowhere near that," he states. "But better to focus on that then the things we can't control. I'm not going to forget you being in that hospital any time soon." He's seen her in a hospital bed far too many times that he doesn't think the images will ever leave him, or lose their impact.

"I didn't like it either," Adalind admits. "But it's finished now, and you're right, we have other things to focus on. Better things, like Kelley and Diana." She yawns then and they share a bemused glance before she shifts closer once more. "And also, sleep. Absolutely sleep, because if our son doesn't wake us then Diana definitely will." Nick laughs at that, aware of how excited the young girl was at meeting her brother and her bitter disappointment that he would be sharing a room with Nick and Adalind for the foreseeable future, and not her. She had grand plans for her little brother and Nick was aware that there might be some dismay when she realised Kelley couldn't do all of those things just yet.

"Go to sleep, Adalind," Nick murmurs. "Our children will be there in the morning, and we'll be adjusting to being a family of four. It's going to be a whole new version of normal." She hums against him and he hugs her closer, already picturing how Kelley will slot into their lives, how Diana will love and cherish him, the bond they will form and grow, and the kind of siblings they will be. How his mother will be with both of her grandchildren, be around in ways he can only just remember from his own childhood, and how his life will be full of family once more. Nick falls asleep with a smile on his face, the images so clear and exactly what he wants for his future.

-G-

The idyllic late-night image he envisioned lasts for just over forty-eight hours. His first two days of paternity leave are full of time spent together, hugs and feedings, stories and explanations, time with his new son and the girl he has already come to view as a daughter. Sharing glances with Adalind as they swap turns with Kelley, whether it be for a diaper change or cuddle, and spend time reassuring Diana, before collapsing into bed, exhausted but so very happy. Trying to figure out what their new routine will be, before he has to get back to work and figure it out all over again.

Then reality kicks in, with Kelley crying and screaming no matter what they do, Diana getting upset and demanding attention, and then getting so incredibly upset when it doesn't come as she expects, and even his mother trying to help but really only causing more problems.

It's a new kind of mayhem that he's never experienced and, though he's never felt exhaustion like it, Nick still can't feel anything other than happy. He wanted the family life, now he has it.

"Come on, buddy," he murmurs to his son as he rocks him after a late-night feed and change. "What's so wrong that it's keeping you awake, hmm?" He keeps his voice low, aware that Adalind has fallen back to sleep after the feed but also mindful of how alert Kelley seems to be, and that sleep might not be in his immediate future. "Let's take a stroll, shall we?" He carefully eases them out of their bedroom and steps down into the main living space of the loft.

Not much has changed, and yet, it also looks completely different. Perhaps it's because of the items strewn about, children's toys from Diana and Kelley, as well as multiple books that his mother and Trubel are studying, not to mention the numerous spit cloths and the introduction of a bin for nappies alone. It's an eclectic mix, but somehow works to make this once industrial space feel like a home. Soft footsteps sound to his ears and he turns to greet his mother as she appears in the doorway from her side of the loft.

"How's he doing?" She asks and comes in close to look down on her grandson. Kelley tracks her with keen eyes and grips on tight to the finger she holds out to him.

"Still not mastered sleep," Nick replies and his mother laughs.

"Oh, it'll be a while before that happens," she states with some mirth, and a fair amount of confidence in her words, and Nick huffs his own laugh in agreement.

"What are you doing up?" He asks and then takes in that she's fully dressed and a lot more alert than most would be at this time.

"Just going on a quick recon trip, nothing to worry about," she replies and Nick raises an eyebrow. She meets his gaze for a moment then looks away. "Don't look at me like that."

"What's it for this time?" He asks, eyeing her closely and not dropping his gaze. "Or is it another test for yourself to see what you can do?" It's not often that his mother looks anything other than confident, and he wouldn't say she lacks that now but there's definitely a sheepish quality to the look on her face. "You know you don't have to keep doing these 'recon' trips, or exercises or tests, whatever you want to call it, right?"

"Nicky," she sighs, eye locking with his before she looks down towards the baby in his arms. He rocks Kelley in the silence and just waits as his mother gulps and looks down, her good eye focused elsewhere. It's still strange to see her with an eyepatch on, and watch as she adapted to the new way of living the injury had instigated. His ears pick up another sound further in the loft but he doesn't react, keeping his attention on his mother, as much as the little boy in his arms allows. She grimaces and Nick hears the gulp before she jerks her head up and her eye flickers to him.

"I have to. I have to know my weaknesses and my strengths. That includes nighttime drills and gaining confidence in different settings. I need to know my capabilities, as well as my weaknesses so it doesn't put me, or any of us, in a situation that could lead to harm." Kelley makes a gurgling noise and both Nick and grandmother Kelly look down to him. "There's a lot more at stake now." She says, quietly but firmly.

"Yes, there is," Nick says softly in agreement. "But we don't need you to push yourself in this quest to be better, or do better. Having you here is enough, more than enough." He means it too, knowing what it's like to not have her.

"I know, but I need this for me, too," she admits and they lock gazes, a vulnerability in his mother's eyes he's not seen before. But he gets it, this need his mother has, and understands why she has to do these things to help her adjust to her new normal.

"Just … stay safe," he requests and she nods, giving him a smile and Kelley a gentle tummy stroke, before heading towards the elevator. He stands and watches then listens as the lift engages and takes his mother away, rocking his son as he finally starts to blink drowsily.

"I'll keep an eye on her," Trubel says from her position in the shadows and Nick shares a thankful glance with her before she too leaves the loft. He's pretty sure his mother must be aware of her, especially as Trubel pursues her as a kind of tail, maybe even considers it a version of the game of cat and mouse, but he's glad the younger Grimm is willing to spend her time out following the older one. It at least gives him a sense of reassurance, and Trubel sees it as good practise, which allows him to turn away and focus on his son, rather than be tempted to also shadow his mother.

Laying him down and watching as he stretches then settles into sleep. Nick thinks again of all the adjustments every one of them are making in life and suddenly feels overwhelmingly grateful that they are all here to do so.

-G-

"And nana Kelly said that baby Kelley's hair will fall out then grows again and, and that his eye colour might change, and that's something that all babies do," Diana chatters as Adalind moves around the kitchen, getting breakfast ready. At the moment, it's just her and her daughter; Kelley still, thankfully, asleep and Nick finishing getting dressed for the day.

"That's interesting," she replies, listening as she also takes stock of what's left in the cupboards and starting an internal grocery list.

"A-huh, so we have to wait to see what Kelley really looks like." Diana states and she can't help but smile. To say her daughter is a little obsessed with her younger sibling is an understatement. Adalind had been secretly worried that Diana wouldn't cope well with the change, having had so many alterations in her young life already, but her concerns, so far, had been for nothing. Diana was doting on her little brother, trying to help where she could, and asking all the questions she could think of that would help her learn about babies and their care. "Mama, what colour were my eyes?"

"Your eyes have always been blue, they didn't change," Adalind tells her daughter as Nick comes down the step from their room to join them. She preps then hands him a mug of coffee and he drops a kiss on her forehead before taking a deep gulp.

"No, not always," Diana protests and Adalind frowns. "They purple too."

"Ah, yes," she stutters, sharing a quick glance with Nick. "Yes, they were, honey." It's the first mention Diana has made in awhile of her previous powers and abilities, and Adalind was unaware her daughter knew the change that came over her when she had used them. "But your, uh, natural eye colour is blue." She shares another look with Nick and opens her mouth to ask more, to try again to get a better understanding of Diana's knowledge of her powers and the binding she went through, but Nick's phone suddenly rings out, volume too loud, and she gets distracted, Kelley crying out at the noise. Nick hurries to answer as she rounds the countertop to soothe their son and Diana goes back to her breakfast.

"Hank," Nick greets into the phone and she hears his half of the conversation as Kelley settles into the crook of her arm. "Uh-huh … yeah, what's up?"

"What time?" He asks and she can feel his gaze on her. Slowly walking back to the main living space, she sees Nick's eyes glance over her and Kelley before their eyes meet. He motions towards her hold of Kelley and she shakes her head at him, knowing he's worrying about her carrying the weight of their boy after her surgery, and everything the doctor said, but it feels fine, and natural, to hold him like this. She gives him an eyeroll but softens it with a smile and he looks unrepentant before his focus goes back to the phone call. Walking over to the counter to sit next to Diana, who instantly leans closer to her brother, she looks back to Nick. He's frowning but also alert. Covering the mouthpiece he grimaces. "Hank needs me to go to the precinct." From his tone and look Adalind gathers this is Grimm business rather than official, back to duty detective work.

"We'll be fine," she states, as confidently as she can, knowing that this is going to be what life is like. Nick here but also at the beck of call of others who need him too.

"I'll be there," Nick says into the phone. "Half hour, at most." He ends the call but the grimace doesn't leave his face and Adalind can see him wavering in his decision.

"We'll be fine," she repeats and he nods.

"If you need anything, just … call," he states and she nods. He steps up close and encircles her and Kelley in his arms, taking a deep breath before leaning down to kiss her, lips soft on her own, then stepping back. Nick lingers there, one hand still around her while his other fingers spread out across Kelley's tummy and she takes a deep breath, trying to still and hold this moment. But it finishes, as it must, and Nick steps fully back, turning to make his way out. He drops a kiss to Diana's forehead, who gives him a beaming smile, before moving quickly through the loft and into the elevator. They share another look across the space before he disappears from sight and as if on cue, as if knowing that his father has properly left for the first time, Kelley begins to fuss.

"We'll be fine," Adalind murmurs once more and sways her son in an effort to soothe him as Diana starts talking, making her own suggestions of what could help.

-G-

"I think he's a Quijada Vil," Nick states as Hank walks into his side of the interrogation room. He's just watched, through the two-way mirror, as his partner has put a potential murder suspect through some added pressure, to push either a confession or a Woge. It had worked and Nick had been there to witness it.

"Have we dealt with one?" Hank asks, tilting his head as he considers the terminology he's just used.

"No, but I've read about them," Nick confirms and Hank's eyebrow raises.

"Capable of ripping a throat out?" He asks next.

"Oh, yeah," Nick says and they fall into discussion about the case and, the very much confirmed but unable to prove, for someone without Nick's gifts, Wesen element. Things take a turn after that and suddenly what was a, relatively, simple murder case has become one involving the U.S marshals and leaving them without a suspect but Nick with more worries. Something just doesn't add up, he can feel it in his gut, but has to accept that all he can do is warn everybody. Hank and Pogue are first, with his partner backing him up even though he isn't even technically working right now, and then especially the marshals, who laugh it off much to his chagrin. Nick is debating following them, though he would much rather just go back home to his family, when his presence at the precinct is fully noticed by the captain and he's called in to his office.

"What part of 'time off' don't you understand?" Sean asks as Hank follows them into the room.

"Sorry, captain. I had no choice but to bring him in. Marshals picked up our murder suspect for a prior but he's Wesen." Hank declares and gets a curt glare for his effort.

"'Our' should apply to you and the partner you have for this case, Detective Pogue," he says sharply. "Get back to work." There's a moment of silence where they all just stare at each other before Hank leaves, shooting Nick a look as he closes the door behind him. He meets the captain's eyes calmly as the other man exhales. "You shouldn't be here," he states as he moves round to the other side of his desk.

"My partner asked for help, that's all I was trying to do, not get actively involved in the case," Nick starts. "But we need to warn the marshals; they have no idea what they're dealing with."

"Wesen?"

"Quijada Vil," Nick repeats and sees a look of recognition flash across the captain's face. "I have to go after them."

"Have to? Nick, need I remind you that you are on paternity leave." The captain's voice is momentarily rough and Nick tries not to interpret why that might be. Things with the captain aren't great but they're working, both of them able to put cases and police work first when at the precinct and remain cordial in other settings. He knows there's deeper feelings present, both his own and the captains, and it's definitely a mix of positive and negative, but sees no need to upset the calm balance they've managed to settle into to label anything specifically.

"I know that but based on what I know of this Wesen and what Hank said happened at the murder scene? These guys aren't going to make it to where they're taking him."

"Alright, I can call the marshal office, tell them there's a death threat on their fugitive. They'll beef up security themselves." He offers and Nick see it as a compromise he can accept. It's not like he wants to go chasing after a potentially dangerous Wesen, not when he could, and should, be at home with his son, but now he knows that this individual is here he does feel some responsibility to make sure there isn't another murder victim. Nodding his thanks he goes to leave but pauses as the captain asks him to wait.

"As you're taking some liberties, then so can I," Sean states and Nick meets his eyes head on. "I want you to talk to Adalind about visitation with Diana." That was not what he was expecting to hear and so Nick can't quite keep the surprise off his face.

"What?"

"You heard me," he states as Nick looks at him. They'd all known that the captain hadn't been fully happy with the terms Adalind had set out for Sean to see Diana, but it had also seen like he'd understood that it was what was needed to re-build all the relationships involved after what happened. So, Henrietta's had stayed the neutral ground and Diana got to spend time every week or so with her father there, but always with someone else present, if not in the same room, then definitely in the house with them. Nick had only done it once, with Adalind or his mother usually the ones to stay, and normally returning with some opinions about each visit but Diana always came back happy. Nick had thought it was going alright but probably should have guessed that it wouldn't stay that way for long.

"I would like to see my daughter more. I would like it to be an option that it's somewhere other than at Henrietta's. I understand that some trust was broken, but nothing has changed in these last few months and I think I've proved enough to at least be able to show my daughter the room I have for her at my house." Sean expands, his voice rising slightly as he talked. Nick looks away, imaging having to discuss and schedule visits with and for his son, the thought not sitting right with him. But then, he wouldn't do anything that would put his son in danger the way the captain had done with Diana. Those mixed-up feelings rise up and he tries to take a more objective view, rather than the instant denial he feels on the tip of his tongue.

"I can have that conversation, but I'm not going to make any promises," Nick offers slowly, feeling unsure. "And just because I may see your point and would be willing to talk about it, doesn't mean anyone else will. I really doubt Adalind will feel the same. But we'll talk about it." He can already guess how that conversation will go. Sean nods with a grimace, as if his thoughts are along the same lines as Nicks.

"That's all I ask," the half royal says and with a nod himself, Nick leaves the office. Suddenly, as much as he wants to be going home and back with his family, he's not looking forward to the conversation he's going to be having.

-G-

"No."

"Adalind-"

"Hell no," she growls and turns away from him. He watches as she leaves their bedroom and takes a moment to check on Kelley, who's obliviously asleep, before following her. He'd deliberately waited until both children were settled for the night and they were in the privacy of their own bedroom to have this conversation, not wanting Diana to pick up on any tension nor his mother to get too agitated. It wouldn't be fair to Diana, but he can acknowledge his mother's feeling would be valid. He's trying not to focus too much on his own views and emotions, wanting to keep his family close and safe, but knowing that, as her father, the captain did have a right to see her, though his own new father status might be influencing that opinion. The thought of visitation and Diana being elsewhere … how that would, or could, be arranged was definitely a topic with attached feelings for everyone. His attempts at objectivity are wavering, even in his own thoughts, and he knows their situation is anything but simple. Adalind is where he expected her to be, standing in the doorway of Diana's room and watching her daughter sleep. He slips his arms around her waist, a slight tingle of magic registering on his senses, and joins her in looking at the little blonde girl's chest rising and falling in restful slumber.

"After what he did-"

"I know," Nick interrupts and Adalind sighs, relaxing back into his hold and increasing the feel of magic between them.

"He can't just expect to demand this," she starts again and Nick gives her a squeeze.

"He wasn't demanding, just stating his wants and asking for a conversation, that's all," he replies and she scoffs. "I'm not saying I agree with him but I do think now is a good time to start thinking about how we should proceed. Maybe get something down officially so he can't use any grey areas against you and Diana has more of a routine around seeing him." Adalind huffs again but stays silent and he can almost hear her mind as she thinks through what he said. He's happy to just stand there, the quiet of the moment meaning he can hear across the loft, both children's sleepy breathing as well as the heartbeats of all in residence. It had been a nice evening, his mother and Trubel both home for dinner and so the meal was full of lively conversation and multiple arms willing to hold him when Kelley got a little fussy and Diana soaking up the attention.

"You can tell him we've started, started, the conversation," Adalind emphasises. "So, he'll have to wait for our answer. Meanwhile. I'm going to draw up one hell of a custody agreement."

"Okay," Nick agrees, kissing her head.

"I can't … I won't have anything happen to her," she whispers next and he pulls her back tighter to his chest.

"No one wants that," he replies softly. "And he won't survive if he pulls another stunt like he did. But he's talking to us, telling us what he wants up front which gives us some time to prepare."

"Forewarned is forearmed?" She asks and Nick shrugs.

"I happen to know a kick-ass lawyer, have heard stories of what she was like when working at her old law firm," he says, giving Adalind another squeeze to indicate he's talking about her. "If Sean is serious than we can use that to get sorted, arrange things how you think is best for Diana and work from there." She nods but any other response is cut off as his phone starts ringing from the other room. Stepping back, Nick quickly jogs to pick it up but isn't fast enough, as Adalind follows on his heels to collect Kelley, who's been woken from the noise.

"Marshals never got out of Portland," Hank declares as Nick answers the call and he feels his stomach drop at the news. He knew something was going to happen.

"Where's Wemlinger?" Nick asks, remembering the name of the Quijada Vil.

"We're following a lead and Wu just got an address," he states and Nick looks over to Adalind who meets his eyes with a knowing look.

"I'll meet you there."

-G-

"I hear something. Electric motors … a lot of them," Nick says as they gather by the front door of the apartment linked to the Wesen that Wu had uncovered.

"Know what they might be?" Hank asks and he shakes his head. The noise is a little irritating and makes it hard to tell what else, or rather who else, might be inside. "Ok, I'll call it out with Nick, Wu you open it up and then stay back to cover the entrance." They nod and fall into place. Wu breaks the door so Hank and Nick can move forward. "Portland Police!" There's a yell, another body, a Woge and then Nick is following the Quijada Vil out of the fire escape as Hank and Wu go to follow from behind. It's a messy fight, Wemlinger vicious in his attacks and Nick trying to take him down so he stays alive to answer some questions but ultimately having to take more decisive action when he gets a hold of Hank. His partner staggers back, gasping from the chokehold he was in, and they both watch as Wemlinger gurgles something, as if he's attempting to say a phrase before using his own blood to make four-line marks on the wall before slumping against it and dying.

"What the hell?" Hank asks, still breathing heavily, and Nick stares, studying the unfamiliar marks, before moving to re-enter the apartment.

"Stay here and call it in," he says to Wu who nods before he breaks out into a jog. The body from before is a woman, still in the apartment and working furiously at the computers the electric motors are powering.

"Hey!" He calls out. "Get away from the computers, now!" Hank, having caught up, moves beside him and they creep forward as the woman steps back.

"Not even a Grimm can stop what's coming," she states, her gaze focused on Nick before she Woges, her face taking on the appearance of a Drang-Zorn. "Occultatum Libera!" She cries the last two words and then, with a burst of speed, rushes and jumps out the window before Nick or Hank can reach her. They move to the shattered opening and both stare down at her broken body and then turn to each other.

"What the hell?" Hank repeats and Nick feels a wrench in his gut that they've just stumbled upon something big and very, very bad.

-G-

AN – Let me know your thoughts and thank you for reading!