Work Text:
Fandom: Grimm
Main Pairing: Nick Burkhardt/Adalind Schade
Side Pairings: mentions of past Sean Renard/Adalind Schade; mentions of background Sean Renard/Catherine Schade; and mentions of background Nick Burkhardt/Juliette Silverton
Warnings: alternate universe; het; Catherine Schade is a bad parent; Adalind Schade is a manipulative hexenbiest ; and pregnancy
Prompt: (Word) Melody
Summary: In which Adalind Schade decided she wanted nothing to do with Sean Renard and her mother, Catherine. Enter Nick Burkhardt.
Take My Heart and Take My Hand
Adalind Schade found herself sipping an iced tea as she exited the downtown Starbucks. It was a lovely spring day, and Adalind had nothing better to do than wander around downtown despite it being the middle of a workday. A lot in her life had changed recently.
Two months ago, she thought of herself as satisfied with her job as a lawyer and a named junior partner at a local law firm, her fancy and modern townhouse in a popular part of the city, her attractive non-official boyfriend, her closet filled with designer clothes and the latest luxury car parked in her driveway. She was the picture perfect professional that her mother wanted. All she was missing was a serious boyfriend, but Sean Renard would surely make it official.
That had all changed.
Adalind noticed changes with her mother, Catherine. The woman was cold-hearted and calculating, valuing herself and her own interests above all others. Catherine had less time for her daughter, and their lunch meetings were canceled last night and her text messages mainly consisted of short replies – in as few words as possible.
It took Adalind a week to notice the pattern. When her mother was unavailable, Sean was as well. At first, she didn’t really think too much of it. Her mother and Sean were friends. It wasn’t until she saw them interacting at a joint lunch. They leaned in too close. Her mother wore a self-satisfied smirk and she was more vicious in her words.
Adalind observed the pair over the next few weeks – both apart and together. All the signs were there – secret phone calls, increased text messages, secretive meetings, and the way they fell silent when Adalind entered the room.
A hot rage had filled Adalind when she was alone.
What was her mother playing at?
What was Sean up to?
Adalind decided she was done with the pair. They could have each other, and whatever Sean was planning. All Adalind really knew was Sean was planning something for one of his detectives and was tied to the Wesen community.
It wasn’t until she was snooping around her mother’s house, looking for her grandmother’s grimoire, that Adalind learned a little more. Sean’s plans had something to do with a Grimm . Knowing Sean, Adalind assumed he wanted his own personal Grimm – one that he could keep from his father and his brother.
Honestly, Adalind didn’t even care.
But it did give her an idea.
Luckily she found grandmother’s grimoire and that book contained dozens of spells and potions – including a fertility potion. One fertility potion and a parting night with Sean later, Adalind was satisfied as she packed up her townhouse before buying a family house. In a matter of months, she would need the space as she started her family.
As she stopped at the crosswalk, Adalind’s left hand drifted to her flat stomach. She wouldn’t officially know if the fertility potion worked for a few weeks, but the grimoire gaurteen it.
“Hmm,” she hummed to herself, thinking about her future. The decision to convince a child was decided on an impulse that Adalind hadn’t bothered to stop and think about until now .
She didn’t know if she was really ready for a child – a family of her own. Catherine was a horrible mother, and Adalind had vowed never to be like her mother when she was younger. But here she was, likely pregnant out of some twisted revenge fantasy.
Something in her hardened at the thought. Adalind would prove to herself – and anyone who doubted her – that she was nothing like her mother.
“I will love you,” she vowed before dropping her hand. Adalind would be a good mother, she would love her child and raise them to be a respectful wesen , like how Adalind’s grandmother raised her – before Grandmother Diane died and left Adalind to Catherine and Catherine twisted the lessons.
A soft smile crossed her lips. If she had a daughter, her daughter would be named after Diane – maybe Diana as a first name or Diane as a middle name. Making a mental note, Adalind decided to start looking at possible baby names. She did want to start a family.
The crosswalk light changed, and Adalind crossed the street into the park blocks near the Portland Art Museum. This was one of her favorite places in downtown. It was quiet with a lovely rose garden and there were some good food places nearby.
Adalind sat down on a bench, gracefully folding her legs under her. Leaning back, she took a deep breath before closing her eyes.
A minute later someone sat down on the same bench, though she didn’t bother to open her eyes and see who it was. She was fine to let them join her as long as the quiet continued.
Three minutes later, the familiar melody of “The Imperial March” erupted from her side.
Adalind opened her eyes in annoyance as she looked over the other person.
He looked tired as he took his cell phone out and answered it, “Burkhardt.”
Her eyes ran over the man. He was attractive with dark hair, dark eyes, and dark stubble across his jaw.
“Hey Juliette,” he said, his tone warm. “Where are you?” He looked around the area.
Interest peaked, Adalind assumed he was waiting for this Juliette and they were likely meeting up for a lunch date.
“Oh,” the man said, his tone changing to disappointed. “Why didn’t you call me earlier?”
Clearly something was going on with this possible lunch date. If this relationship wasn’t serious, Adalind would be willing to join the man for lunch. She didn’t have any plans, and he was attractive.
“I understand,” the man said, his voice rising a little in volume and the disappointment changing to frustration. “I do understand that something came up, but you could have called me last night to cancel.” He sighed, shaking his head.
Listening to his half of the conversation, Adalind felt a little sympathy for the man.
“It sounds like you’ve been busy,” he said, shaking his head more. “If you didn’t have the time to call, then you could have sent a text message.” He stopped for a few seconds. “I understand work emergencies.”
His shoulders slumped a little. “Yes, I remember those times I canceled and when I was late,” he agreed, “but I did tell you before .”
He leaned forward, balancing his elbows on his knees. “I’m not trying to,” he said, “but it seems like you value that more than me.”
That sympathy grew a little as Adalind watched the man.
As if sensing her gaze, he turned to look at her.
Their eyes met, and he held her gaze.
“Well,” he began, “maybe we should take some time.” He pulled the phone away from his ear, jabbing the screen with his thumb.
“Sorry,” he said, leaning back on the bench.
“No need,” Adalind told him. “Was it serious?”
He frowned, and his dark eyes narrowed. With a shrug, he replied, “I’m not sure. I wanted it to be.”
She nodded. “Was it ever official?”
His eyes narrowed further. “Why?”
“I’m available for lunch,” she offered, flicking a few strands of blonde hair over her shoulder. “ And very interested ,” she added, dragging her gaze across his body.
He stared at her. “Nick Burkhardt,” he said, reaching out to offer her a hand.
Adalind offered him a flirtatious smile. “Adalind Schade,” she said, taking the hand. “I know a good French bistro nearby.” She dropped his hand.
Nick stood up and he took a few steps forward before stopping in front of her. He held a hand down.
Looking between the hand and his sincere expression, Adalind felt her heart skip a beat. She took the hand, allowing Nick to pull her to her feet. This was something about this man .
“Lead the way?” he offered, shifting the placement of their hands to lace their fingers together.