Page 41 of Nico
During the night, the place was ablaze with colored bulbs and was like a beacon. They had taken Gracie shopping and the presents under the tree in the main living room could not be counted.
"It looks like Christmas exploded in here," Nadine said, her eyes sweeping over the abundance of twinkling lights and garlands. She couldn't remember a time when the house had felt so festive or so chaotic. Nico paused, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips as he surveyed the transformation. "Gracie insisted. The more decorations, the merrier. I think she's trying to make up for all the holidays we never had before."
Nadine's gaze softened as she took in her brother's efforts, the mess and the magic mingling in the room. For the first time, the house felt less like a museum and more like a home. She reached out, straightening a crooked ornament on the tree. "Well, it'sa good kind of chaos. Besides, it's time we embraced a little madness."
Nico laughed, the tension in his shoulders easing. "You might be right. And who knows? This Christmas will be the start of something new for all of us."
"I have a feeling it already has." She hesitated, not sure how to word what she wanted to say.
"How about I make us both some coffee?" she suggested.
He glanced at his watch and saw that he had time. He was going to fetch his daughter shortly, just before Sadie arrived.
"I have cookies." He grinned at the look on her face. "Mrs. Hunter made Gracie's favorite." He started the coffee while his sister rooted out cups and fetched plates. The place had a homey feel to it, not like before and it amazed her even more that the once forlorn and messy pool house could be so utterlytransformed. All because of one little girl. It occurred to her that one never realizes what was missing until it was right there.
"Harry does the same for her." She remarked, referring to the housekeeper at the manor.
The enticing aroma of coffee brewing soon filled the air. Pouring the steaming liquid into two cups, he handed one to her.
"Let's hear it."
Picking up the cup, she blew on the steam and took a sip. "I don't want to rain on your parade," she began.
"Then don't." His tone was sharp, his expression growing cool.
"Are you certain this is the right time to introduce a woman you're seeing?"
The cool turned immediately to ice and had her regretting the way she had worded the statement.
"The woman. And for the record, she's the one. This is not some fleeting affair. She's the one. The only. I'm completely in love with her and irrevocably committed. If it was left up to me, I would be rushing her to the altar. And I did not ask for any advice or need your permission to have her over. She's my woman and Gracie is my daughter. I get to decide the way to go. And I've decided it's time they get acquainted."
Putting down her cup, she found herself well and truly chastened. Her brother was never one to lose his temper, which was because he possessed a very formidable one and preferred to keep a leash on it.
A heavy silence hung between them, broken only by the soft clink of porcelain as she picked up her cup again. Nico's words echoed in the air, firm and resolute. She took a steadying breath, searching his face for a trace of the brother she'd always known, the one who rarely showed this kind of vulnerability.
"I just worry," she said quietly, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. "For Gracie, and for you. You've both been through so much. I want this to work out, truly."
Nico's expression softened just a little. "I know," he replied, his voice gentler. "But you have to trust me. Gracie deserves happiness, and so do I. We're ready for this."
She nodded, understanding there was nothing more to say. The coffee warmed her hands, and she let the comfort of the moment settle around them, grateful for the new beginnings Christmas might bring.
*****
"I already had an argument with Nadine about this, don't start another one."
"The nanny is getting her things together just now." Linda pasted a genial smile on her face as she walked over to pour a glass of wine. "Would you like some?"
He shook his head and knew he was in for an interrogation.
"I'm firm on this, mother."
"I can see you are." She poured the wine and brought it back with her to take a seat in front of the fire. Stretching her legs out, she sipped and gave an approving look around the sunny yellow salon. It had always been one of her favorite rooms and had benefited from her expertise in finding antiques to match the décor. Elegant white furnishings were scattered throughout. Instead of lamps and a chandelier, she had used sconces, giving the appearance of torches flickering and casting shadows.
Her granddaughter also loved it. Unfortunately, she had had to remove a priceless Meissen vase and a few sculptures her son had created.
"I wonder if you're not making a mistake."
His eyes fired at that, and his mouth thinned. "Why don't you spit it out? You think she's not suitable."
