AN: I'm not quite sure where this particular story came from. It's not even one of the ideas that I had outlined as a potential fic, but I'll take whatever the creativity fairy allows :)

Hope you enjoy it!

"No problem. Kiss Kelly for me. Love you."

'Click'

It wasn't until dial tone interrupted the silence that Adalind's reflexes kicked in. Hitting the off button, she set the phone back on the counter.

A little bit in shock and a lot of bit in awe, she could've sworn that her heart stopped at Nick's parting words.

Now as she digested the event, she could hear the veritable rush of blood in her ears as it sped up to compensate.

He'd never said I love you before and while she'd suspected that his feelings for her were definitely growing in a positive direction, she never once thought that they might get to this point.

It had been a couple of months now since she's declared her own feelings and so much had happened since then that their relationship (or whatever one might call their current dynamic) had been put on the back burner in an effort to deal with the more pressing conflicts that kept getting thrown at them.

There'd been a moment the month before though where she'd begun to think that his like might be on the cusp of graduating to something much more. Yes they were frequently intimate after that first night, but they had yet to have a conversation about feelings or even where they thought they were going romantically.

Nick had been playing with Kelly on the living room floor that day and she'd been folding laundry in their room when he had called her name softly. Thinking she'd imagined it, she continued on, but when it came again, she'd walked to the top of the steps and peered down into the living room.

"Nick?"

"Shhh…" He'd whispered, placing a finger against his lips. "I think he's about to crawl."

She came down the stairs and watched as Kelly reached out for his stuffed fox that was placed just outside of his grasp on the blanket they sat on. Nick nudged it a little further away and the baby rocked on his knees before placing his hands on the floor and while it took a minute for his limbs to move in tandem, he let out a squeal of delight when his tentative movements brought him closer to the toy.

Adalind had gasped in joy and the baby had looked up at his mother and smiled. It was all toothless gums and drool and she loved every bit of it. She swooped down and scooped him up, crowing about how amazing he was and that he was the smartest baby ever.

She hadn't even noticed when Nick had stood up and come round to wrap his arms around them.

"That was fantastic!" He beamed, blowing a raspberry on the baby's cheeks, earning a cackle of laughter in return from the infant.

Adalind had beamed up at Nick, so taken in with the milestone. He returned the smile in kind, pulling them in tighter before kissing her sweetly.

She'd blinked in surprise. They rarely kissed outside of the bedroom, but she wasn't going to complain.

In hindsight, she figured he'd just been as caught up in the moment as she was.

That night however, just as she had set the baby down in the crib. Nick had come up behind her.

He'd wrapped an arm around her waist and dropping his head to her neck, he'd burrowed against the sensitive skin there. She'd leaned back into him, returning the embrace, her fingers idly stroking the arm that held her.

"I can't believe he crawled today. He's getting so big." He said in a hushed tone.

She'd nodded in agreement.

Now that the excitement had died down a bit, she felt bittersweet about it because while she hoped she'd continue to be there for all of Kelly's milestones, she'd felt like a failure to her first child because she would never see any of hers.

She sniffled a little as a quiet sob attempted to rend its way out of her.

"Hey, hey, what's the matter," Nick had asked. Their intimate position allowing him to feel her shudder beneath him.

She simply shook her head, willing the tears away.

Turning her around, he'd lifted her chin using his thumbs to brush them away.

"Ada-,"but before he could finish, her features had crumpled and she'd begun to weep in earnest.

He'd crushed her to him and she'd held on for dear life, taking whatever relief he was willing to give.

She pulled away after a while, whispering an apology before making her way down to the kitchen. She turned on the faucet to start the dinner dishes, tears dripping off the end of her nose into the suds below.

His hand had appeared out of nowhere, hitting the tap and turning the water off.

"Look at me," he'd gently demanded.

She'd refused, but with no real fight in her, he'd easily rotated her towards him, although her eyes remained downcast.

"Baby, look at me."

She hadn't intended to, but the foreign endearment had her lifting her gaze to him. He'd never called her that before. It was almost always her name, or on a few occasions 'Addie' when he was trying to get her attention or was simply being affectionate.

He took a hold of her hands between his own and brought them to his chest. Placing a kiss on her fingers, he looked at her and said, "We'll get her back. I will bring Diana home to you. I promise."

How he knew the reason behind her tears was beyond her, but the fact that he understood how she could be upset after seeing Kelly's achievements and want to comfort her, helped abate the tears.

He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her once more.

"You're not alone in this anymore. It's me and you now, ok?"

"and Kelly?" She'd mumbled against his shirt.

He'd chuckled softly, "Well seeing as he only just discovered his toes, what say we not put too much on his plate for now?"

She smiled against him.

"But Adalind…" he began, and she pulled away to look at him.

His expression now serious and she felt like whatever he was about to say was going to be integral in how they moved on from this.

"I will do everything that I can for you. If you'll let me?"

She's slightly taken aback at the vulnerability in his voice. She knows that he meant his words to be a statement, but the up tilt of his voice at the end, morphed it into something she's wanted to ask him herself for so long.

"Will you have me then?" He adds.

She nods in assent and he leans down, gently taking her lips in a kiss that's both sweet and promising.

She pours her heart into their love making that night. Not that she doesn't usually, but she knows how to read between the lines and she realizes that when he specifically said he would do anything for her, he meant her, Adalind, not the mother of his child, but her.

In that simple phrase, she's not sure if she's ever felt more treasured.

There was a definite shift after that night. He's more open and affectionate and she would go as far to say that they were boyfriend and girlfriend, although the affectations pale in comparison to what they have.

Others recognize it as well.

Last week, Nick had called asking if she could bring him a fresh change of clothes. Apparently, he'd been interrogating a Hasenfussige Schnecke and the poor guy had been so nervous that he accidentally sprayed mucus all over the Grimm.

Knowing that he might not get a chance to eat, she'd also packed him a sandwich and dropped it off along with the clothing.

Nick had been so happy to see her that he'd kissed her right in the middle of the precinct before taking the proffered outfit and dashing to the bathroom to change. When he emerged mucus free, he'd reached for the baby, jiggling him on his knee for a bit while he ate and they chatted about dinner.

Neither one noticed the covert smirks that Hank was sending their way.

Later, he and Nick had walked her out as they had been called to another crime scene. Having left her to walk over to their own car, she was buckling Kelly in, when she overheard Hank.

"I need me a set up like yours."

"What are you talking about?" Nick had replied.

"You're living the life right now, man. Cute baby, fine ass woman, clean clothes when you need, bag lunch… sex," he added with a wink.

Nick had snickered softly.

"I have an Adalind."

"No dude, you don't just have an Adalind. You have a wife."

She'd immediately blushed at Hank's observation and ducked into the car before either of them noticed.

It wasn't the first time she's been called that either.

In the grocery store some weeks back, she'd bumped into Bud's wife. She'd never met this particular Eisbiber. Her stay at their home having been brief and during a time when the elder woman had been away with her children.

However, she seemed to recognize Adalind straight away.

She was in the produce aisle when they'd literally ran into each other.

"I'm so sorry," she began.

"Oh, no dear. I'm sorry. Is the little one okay?" Mrs. Wurstner had asked.

"No worries. He's perfectly fine," she'd replied looking down at the still sleeping baby.

When she looked up, the Eisbiber had gasped, "You're the Grimm's girl!"

Not knowing how to respond, Adalind had merely nodded.

"Oh, and this must be little Kelly!" She screeched, coming round to gaze at the baby as well.

While she'd initially been apprehensive about being recognized, Mrs. Wurstner's kindness and bubbly personality, assuaged her fears. They chatted amicably for several minutes and by the time she left the aisle, an invitation to dinner and or to babysit had been extended. Bud's wife adding that she would have to tell Nick what a lovely wife he had.

The third time was just yesterday.

She'd gone by the spice shop to help Rosalie with the inventory. They were in the back room, having just started separating the different types of Hemlock into jars when the jingle of the door being opened rang through.

Rosalie had shouted out to Monroe to answer it.

He'd greeted the person warmly and although the girls couldn't tell who it was as the person spoke in low tones, it appeared that he was known to them based on Monroe's reaction.

Pleasantries were exchanged and they could just make out the man inviting Monroe to an event before asking if Nick was there as well.

"No, he's not here right now, but I can pass along the info." He'd said.

"Please do. We'd love to see you guys. Oh, and do make sure and bring your charming wives with you," the man had added, before they heard the door open and close at his departure.

Adalind had flushed crimson. The status of their relationship was confusing other people and them mistaking her for Nick's wife was starting to become a habit.

Rosalie ever the observant, noticed Adalind's red visage and gently touched her hand.

Looking up, she was met with a gaze that was full of understanding from the Fuchsbau.

"Does it bother you? That people assume you're his wife?"

Adalind worried her bottom lip and while she meant to nod, she couldn't lie to Rosalie of all people. She'd been by her side as she'd given birth and had been one of the few people to constantly see the good in her. For that alone, she owed her more than dishonesty. So she shook her head 'no', her blush reddening even more.

Rosalie smiled wide.

"Have the two of you talked about the future?"

"Well, umm, not…. uhh, really?" Adalind had stuttered.

"Is it maybe something you want?"

Adalind looked down at the table, toying with the leaves of the Tsuga Canadensis one of the non- poisonous varieties of the plant.

"Adalind?"

She shook her head in affirmation, too afraid to say the words out loud for fear of jinxing it.

"You have to know, we all see how happy you make him and not just because of Kelly. I know you guys have this sordid past, but I think you have come a long way in building trust between you two. You're good for him. You're good for each other and I know that I don't speak for myself when I say we'd all be so happy for you both if you finally got to have that happy ever after. You both deserve it."

Any reply quickly died in her throat with the wealth of emotion that bubbled up within her. She'd tried so hard to overcome her Hexenbiest nature and to be a better person and although she's worked side by side with Nick and the group for months, Rosalie's words make her truly feel like she's finally been accepted.

So she hugs her something fierce and promises that she will have 'the talk' with Nick soon.

"And I better be your maid of honor!" Rosalie shouts at her as they return to their task.

A day later, and they'd had yet to have the talk. Now with his 'Love you' hanging in the air, she wasn't sure how to approach the conversation.

She decides to just ignore it for now.

But, his words haunt her all day.

As she takes Kelly to the park. When she makes lunch. While she checks emails. As she bathes the baby.

Love you. Love you. Love you- plays on a loop through her mind like a caustic song eroding her sanity.

So she patiently waits.

Well at least as patiently as she can. Her frustration only mounting more when he texts her to apologize, adding that he's going to be late.

When he does make it home, she's giving Kelly his last feed of the night and while she'd heard the elevator doors open and the sound of Nick's keys falling onto the kitchen table, she doesn't hear him approach until he's nearly at her side.

"Is it wrong that I'm jealous of my son right now," he asks, interrupting her humming.

She titters quietly as he bends to kiss the baby's head where he's cuddled against his mother's chest, mouth puckered around her nipple as he nurses.

She assumes Nick will rise to kiss her next, but instead of her lips, he places a lingering one just above the areola of her breast.

"Nick!" She scolds, laughing as she swats him away.

"What? Can't a father share dinner with his son?" He muses, shifting out of the way as Kelly balks at the intrusion, kicking a leg out in his father's direction.

"Kelly certainly doesn't agree," she giggles.

Gripping the baby's foot, he lightly bites the tiny toes, earning him a giggle.

"Listen, they may be yours now buddy, but they were mine first and they'll be mine after," he gently disciplines.

Its comments like that which confuse her as he alludes to an unspoken future.

She watches as he moves to his side of the bed, removing his watch and laying it on the nightstand before emptying his pockets.

He looks over and winks when he notices her watching.

A warm feeling of contentment fills her as she recognizes that it is within these quiet moments that she feels the certainty of her love for him and that she wants to give him every part of herself for as long as he'll have her.

She knows that she's never loved anyone the way that she loves Nick. Nor will she ever again. Her feelings in prior relationships pale in comparison to what she feels for her Grimm and it's why she longs for him to feel the same way. She knows too that she can go on loving him even if he never returns her feelings, but that if he was to ever turn away from her, her heart would never recover.

He ducks in to the bathroom, quickly washing his hands before coming back to take the baby. While only she can feed him, Nick tries very hard to be participatory in all other aspects of their son's life. Another reason she loves him. So whenever he's around he will always burp Kelly even with the threat of him spitting up hanging over him.

The baby is mostly asleep, milk drunk from a long feed, so he barely fusses when Nick lays him in the crib after placing a sweet kiss on his head.

She heads to the bathroom to brush her teeth as he finishes putting the baby down.

She's just put the brush in her mouth, when he comes in, stopping to give her bum a squeeze as he moves to turn the shower on.

She squeaks in response and he grins, saddling up behind her as he waits for the water to regulate.

He bows to nuzzle the side of her neck, before placing a row of kisses along it, sending chills of pleasure up her spine. His tongue peeks out, skirting the edge of her ear, before he pulls the lower lobe into his mouth, sucking it gently. His hands slowly shifting her nightgown up around her waist.

"What has gotten into you tonight?" She asks. A small breath of anticipation escaping her as his large hand moves across her now exposed stomach.

"Come take a bath with me," he whispers huskily. His fingers playing with the edge of her underwear.

"I already took one." She proclaims, eyeing him defiantly in the sink mirror. She knows her traitorous body is already blooming with arousal for him, but she still wants to make him earn it.

With a shocked gasp, he yanks her night gown from her body before lifting and then depositing her into the now steamy shower. He pulls the curtain closed as he steps in, taking her in his arms.

"I'm sorry I was late," he apologizes, bending to place a peck on the tip of her nose. "I missed you today," he continues softly.

She melts a little at his sentiment and wrapping her arms around his neck, she perches on the tips of her toes to kiss him back.

"It's ok. I know how important your job is to you and that things come up last minute. I don't hold it against you. It just means you're a great detective."

He moves to pull the clip from her hair, letting the blonde waves cascade down her back. Carding his hands through it, he cradles her head before taking control of her mouth.

Lowering his hand to her hip, he bunches her underwear in his fist and gives it a swift tug rendering her completely bare to him.

"Hey! I liked those!" She shouts in surprise.

"Shhh… the baby's asleep," he warns teasingly.

He slides his fingers down and around, rubbing circles into her warm flesh before plunging his fingers into her.

"Mmmm, is this from me or the shower?" he questions at her moist heat.

"You'll never know," she pants, legs weakening under his possession.

He pulls his fingers away suddenly and she whimpers at the loss of contact. But, he's only stopped so that he can drop to his knees on the shower floor. He lifts one of her legs over his shoulder, nibbling on her heated skin as he makes his way to where she wants him the most.

"God, you're perfect," he says, just as he brushes her intimately with his mouth.

"I could have you forever," he adds, before opening her up and feasting on her in delight.

Hours or perhaps minutes later, they lay in bed, thoroughly replete from their debaucherous shower activities. Not bothering to put clothes on, they'd merely towel dried each other before climbing in.

She knows that they need to speak, that they really should, especially after some of the more tender comments he's made that night. A part of her worries that she's reading more into the situation than is there as he only says thing remotely leading when they are in the throes of intimacy. She wonders if all he sees in her besides mother to Kelly is a willing bedmate.

She doesn't want to dwell on that though. The mere thought makes her want to turn over and cry desperately into her pillow.

But, her thoughts circle back to his words that morning.

They weren't being intimate then.

In fact they hadn't done anything for a couple of days.

"Perhaps that's why he was so amorous tonight," she muses, as Nick had a very healthy carnal appetite that she was only too happy to feed.

He'd said he loved her and it hadn't been tied to anything remotely sexual. She wants to hope his feelings are genuine, but past experience has taught her to be careful believing in love especially in the expectations of having it returned.

She turns her head to look over at him. His eyes are already closed. She knows he's had a long day. She has too for that matter, but she almost wants to wake him so that she can finally question him about the intent behind his words.

He mumbles softy and reaches for her, drawing her snuggly to him.

He breathes her in, tightening his hold and she relaxes into his warm embrace. He kisses the top of her head and just as she's starting to drift off, he mumbles, "I love you."

She fights through the drowsiness, rearing back to look at him, but he's asleep. He might not even have realized he's said it.

He might not even realize just what he's done to her.

She feels like her heart is about to explode in her chest. She's stunned and terrified, but above all else she's elated.

"You love me," she whispers, ghosting her fingers across his lips.

She allows inertia to pull her back as she mumbles to herself over and over, "he loves me."

Somehow, this confession feels more real to her.

She remembers as a little girl, her grandmother telling her that there were two times where people spoke the truth: In anger and just as the mind slipped into slumber. She'd reasoned that when one removes the complications of too many emotions, it allows the truth to rise to the surface.

She lays her head against his broad chest, stopping briefly to kiss the firm surface.

"I love you too," she replies, closing her eyes.

She sleeps well that night. Telling herself that she doesn't need him to explain his feelings to her.

She already knows them.

AN: Just a heads up, I've already started on a sequel to this from Nicks POV :)