Page 55 of Nico
Gracie nodded, clutching her favorite stuffed rabbit a little closer. "Sadie makes pancakes with smiley faces. She reads the goodnight song, even when she's tired."
Nico's heart squeezed. The room felt warmer, somehow, despite the icy world outside. "Sadie cares about you very much," he said, smoothing her quilt. "She cares about both of us."
Gracie's eyelids fluttered, heavy with sleep, but her voice was insistent. "Can she stay forever?"
He kissed her forehead, tucking the rabbit beside her. "I hope so, sweetheart," he whispered. "I really hope so."
With that, he opened the well-loved princess book, his voice steady as he began to read, the snow falling softly against the window. A gentle promise of new beginnings, just waiting to be written.
*****
"Gracie was hoping you would come up and wish her goodnight." He glanced over at her as he undressed. She had been quiet throughout supper and on their way back to the poolhouse, which had him wondering what his mother had said to her.
"I didn't want to intrude." Sitting on the side of the bed, she eased out of her boots before standing to take off her dress.
"Here, let me." He turned her around to get to the zipper. "And that's ridiculous. You wouldn't have been intruding." He slipped the dress off her and worked on sliding the bra straps down her shoulders. "What did you and my mother talk about?"
"This and that."
"Sadie." He turned her to face him, his gaze steady and intense.
"She reminded me that I'm marrying a very wealthy and powerful man." Slipping out of his hold, she went to take off her stockings and put on a robe.
"I'm still the same person." He felt fear touching his heart. She looked far different from the woman who had agreed to be his wife earlier. Which reminded him that he had to pick up a ring. "I hope you know that."
"She also asked if I would continue working."
A frown touched his brow, and he came to sit next to her. "I would never ask you to give up a job you love."
"Which is good, because I have no intention of doing so."
His frown deepened as he stared at her. "Is there a problem?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just making sure we understand each other." She rose to cross over to the vanity and sat in front of the mirror. Picking up the brush, she started sliding it through the thick strands with the intention of styling it into a simple braid for the night and he could feel the distance she had erected between them.
He watched her quietly for a moment, uncertain whether to bridge the space or let her have it. The rhythm of her brush against her hair, the hush of snow outside, and the low glow of the lamp made the room feel suspended in time. Finally, he spoke, his voice gentle but earnest. "Sadie, I want us to talk about anything that's worrying you. I need you to know that your happiness matters to me as much as mine."
She paused, her reflection uncertain in the mirror. "I know. I just-- it's a lot to take in. Your mother sees things from her perspective, but I need to find my own way, even if it's beside you."
He smiled softly, moving to stand behind her, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders. "Then let's do that. Together. No expectations, just us." For a moment, the world outside faded, and all that mattered was the quiet promise between them. A gentle reassurance that the new beginnings they'd spoken of were theirs to shape.
Putting the brush down, she leaned her head back against him and closed her eyes briefly. She could not very well stay upset with him. She had always known who he was and what he represented. When they were together he was just a simple person, the steady and often absentminded man she had fallenin love with. She would not allow the money or his status to overwhelm her.
"I like this place," she murmured.
Turning her around, he lifted her into his arms and took her to bed.
"So do I. The manor is, was home for a very long time, but I found it too stifling." He placed her against the pillows and turned on his side to face her. "I opted to live here, where I'm more comfortable. I like to know that I'm free to toss my clothing anywhere I want without feeling as if I'm breaking rules."
She lifted a hand to his face. "You do know that's going to have to change, don't you? I'm not picking up after you."
He grinned charmingly. "I thought that was one of the duties of a wife."
Her brows arched. "Think again. I also love my house. It's a legacy from my dad and I want to keep it."
"We could split time between here and there."
"No." She shook her head. "If it's just us, we could swing it, but a child is involved, and she needs stability." She stroked his cheek gently. "This place is big enough and she needs to be able to spend time with her grandparents and your sister. I've seen the way they dote on her and would never want to take that away from them."
