Long after Nickolas left her house, Grace went over the conversation they had. after a shaky start, things had gone easier than she could ever imagine.
Yes, things were not yet smooth between them. but they were on the same page about one thing: they both wanted what was best for Neill.
the conversation had not been just a conversation with words. talking to him had liberated her. they had gotten through the past with honesty and transparency.
It was funny how things always turned out different from how she imagined them. in her mind she saw daggers flying mid-air when she thought of how things would go when the day came to meet Nicko again.
There were no daggers.
And Grace enjoyed the afternoon she spent with him, and when Nicko held up Neill for the first time, the image was overwhelming.
Now the sun was setting and the sky already turning into a beautiful golden orange. for some reason, she felt good about herself, as she strolled through the French doors and sat on the steps of the porch, looking at her backyard,
she had not felt that free in a long time.
"You seem happy," Nickolas had commented earlier
"Why shouldn't I be?"
"It's nice to see, a lovely change from the last time we spoke at Meyer Mansion." his hands linked with hers and he gave it a gentle squeeze.
she had walked him to his car then. and watched as he slowly drove away from her driveway and into the town's lane.
If she could take anything based on how today's meeting went, was that they were off to a good start, they even agreed on him visiting Neill whenever he was free to fly out.
Rose left early and it was just her and Neill in the house, she was in an easygoing mood. she thought of painting but it was a good night to be outside, and in the end, painting won her heart.
*****
Nickolas lay in his small bed at the guest and looked at the ceiling, today had been better than he had hoped. now he scolded himself for not seeing her sooner. his dream of a family not only seemed closer but it was attainable.
with two days left, he needed to use them to smooth out some things with Grace before he left. he got up and grabbed his car keys, and left the room, he might as well start now.
*****
After Grace had all her tools laid, a knock disturbed her.
she sighed in annoyance.
she wondered if Rose had forgotten something as she went to open the front door. when she got to the door, Nicko stood at her front door looking serious. his features glowed in the evening light and her heart gave a doodle dance.
"It's a beautiful night to be out".
" I know." he seemed different somehow "Want to go for a drive?"
she hesitated before she answered him, tempting as that offer was, she turned her head into the house. and he got the message.
"Will take him with us."
she smiled and then hesitated
"I don't know, the thing is. I don't want to disturb his nap time. maybe I can ring Rose to come up and look after him for a few minutes."
she went back inside and called her on her telephone. Rose answered on the second ring. she told Grace she would be delighted to look after Neill. she and Nicko could take all the time they needed. she was bringing her knitting kit just in case... Grace never asked Rose for favors after dusk. she wondered if her enthusiasm and willingness to help at such short notice had anything to do with Nickolas being the so-called 'Prodigal son of Culmore.'
When Rose arrived a few minutes later, Grace got into Nickolas's car and they drove away. the drive was silent and she wondered what was so important he wanted them to be alone. was it something he forgot to mention earlier?
they found a secluded spot next to the church. the spot was far enough from prying eyes but close enough that they could see the whole town below.
Nickolas opened his door and got out.
"Come outside, Grace."
she wavered at his bid. he appeared serious. "has anything happened back home?"
"Not that I've heard." he opened her door and offered his hand to her. "come outside."
"Ok." this side of him was intimidating, and she felt edgy.
"I was thinking if anyone saw us, we would be the talk of the town by tomorrow morning,"
"Grace, I didn't come here to discuss being the town's gossip." they were standing on the bonnet of the car and looking at the town below "I want to talk about Neill." he cleared his throat. "Grace I want my son with me."
she chuckled " I don't know what you mean."
she rubbed a nervous hand on her arm.
"I thought we agreed this afternoon that you could see him anytime you want."
"I don't want to visit him, I want him with me, at Meyer Mansion in London." he put his hands in his pockets and looked ahead. his eyes dark.
"I want us to be a family."
she stiffened at the idea. "I didn't know you were into that kind of stuff."
he turned his body and looked at her
"What kind of stuff?"
she folded her arms in front of her.
"The kind where a man stays with two women under the same roof."
he let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. and started laughing. his burst of laughter startled her.
"If you're worried about Amelia, don't, she won't be a problem."
he was still laughing, the picture of Amelia and Grace sharing the same house was laughable.
but Grace had not yet caught on the joke.
"what do you mean she won't be a problem?"
"It means she and I are no longer together" the laughter was gone from his eyes.
"We broke up."
"Oh" she felt her body relax some
"Well..it was not a mutual agreement, I left her a note when I came here."
"you what?" she was starting to see the funny side of things now. "and how did she take the news, being dumbed with a note."
"I have no idea," he answered honestly, "James said she threw a few tantrums."
"And you want to bring Neill into that jumble, just because you don't think my parenting skills are good enough?"
"I'm not saying you're a bad parent, this has nothing to do with your parenting abilities. I'm asking, I want Neill to grow up with both his parents." He moved in front of her and held her shoulders.
"I know you have no reason to believe anything I say, if you'd prefer, I can leave you to think it over."
she looked away from him and when she looked at him again, he was still standing, his eyes hopeful. "What if things don't work out, again?"
His mouth formed into a smile then.
"Will never know unless we try, that's all I'm asking, for us to try."
She took a deep breath. "I would like that very much."
He kissed her forehead and held her for the longest time, enjoying her warm body again.
"I'll fix this. I promise."
all she could do was nod. she couldn't think of any place she'd rather be at that moment.