Page 42 of Nico
"Darling." She sighed softly. "I've never officially met the young lady. If you recall, I asked you several times to invite her to dinner and you refused."
"I will in due time, but for now, I want her to meet Gracie." He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and started prowling. "I want my daughter's approval of the woman I'm in love with."
She gave a start and wondered that she did not feel the burst of joy. This was something she had been wishing and hoping for. But she was fearing that it was going to be a bumpy road and now there was a child involved. A child who had been hurt by her own mother.
"I was hoping you would give it some more time."
"And end up losing Sadie." He shook his head. The worry was there, even through the determination. "No."
Before Linda could press her point, they heard the sound of Gracie's lively and nonstop chatter coming down the hallway and her joyous squeal of "Daddy!" before she rushed forward and into his arms.
"And how's my favorite dwarf?" he asked, swinging her into his arms and making her giggle.
"Dwarf." She repeated the word as if trying it out and found it very funny. "I'm little."
"That's the point." He took the bag from the nanny with a nod of thanks. "Ready to go?"
She nodded. Wriggling out of his hands, she dashed towards her grandmother.
Putting down her wine, Linda scooped her up, making Nico wonder at the change in his mother. She was wearing a stunning navy-blue sweater over cream slacks but did not think about that as she cradled Gracie. "I'm going to miss you."
"I miss you too." She snuggled up against Linda. "Daddy says I'm meeting someone special."
She glanced over at her son, before kissing the little girl's cheek. "Then we must not keep daddy waiting. I'll see you tomorrow."
Scrambling off her lap, Gracie dashed across the room on her short sturdy legs and slipped her hand into her dad's.
"Ready daddy." Her complete trust and the adoring look on her face had his heart turning to mush.
"Then let's go, pumpkin."
Linda sat there in contemplative silence with her glass of wine cradled in her hands. She was still sitting there when her husband walked into the room, a few minutes later.
"I just saw Nico and Gracie heading out." He had just come from a meeting and was grateful for the chance to just relax and not think about responsibilities. After the Christmas rush, he just might persuade his wife to let them take a quick trip to the Bahamas or some other Caribbean Island.
"Yes." She lifted her head for his kiss and smiled when he lingered over her mouth. Lifting a hand, she cupped his cheek, her expression tender. "You look tired."
"That's because I am. The damn FDA is dragging its feet." He pecked her on the forehead and went to pour himself a drink.
"Dinner will be a few minutes late."
"That's fine." He glanced over at her, noticing the tiny frown on her forehead. "What is it?"
"Nico is seeing that young woman again."
"The one he was with at the function just before Gracie came?"
She nodded. "At first he thought it prudent to put an end to the relationship." She finished the wine and put away the glass. "He's in love with her."
James walked over and sat on the arm of her chair. "You don't seem to be happy about it."
She shrugged elegant shoulders. "It's not her. Truly. It's the timing. We just learned we have a grandchild. He just discovered he's a father. I don't want Gracie to feel as if she's being brushed aside."
"And you think our son will allow that to happen?" He kissed the top of her head and had to acknowledge the tremendous blessing of having that little girl come into their lives. She was a bright spark that lit up a room with her blonde curls and rosy complexion. A Coulter through and through.
"He's in love," was her response. "What if the young woman doesn't like Gracie?"
"Can anyone dislike that child?" he mused. "You're worrying over nothing."
