Nikolaj awoke the next morning, the sun peaking through the curtains and illuminating the room. He groaned and covered his eyes with his arm. His free hand felt around for the other body in his bed. Gwen liked to cuddle while starting to fall asleep, but she always moved away to have her space. Nik would often rest his hand on her hip or her side, and she would often let him, but that was the limit. He enjoyed spooning when sleeping, so he took what he could get. When he found the space beside him empty, he groggily sat up.
"Gwen?" He called out. No response.
Nik got up and stretched, a few of his joints popping in the process. God I hope she didn't leave. That doesn't sound like her though. He padded through the house, glancing in different rooms to find the only person he cared about right now. He looked over the railing down to the front door, both sets of their clothes were still discarded there. Still here. Now where are you?
"Gwen? Elskede?"
He started to walk to the kitchen, but noticed the door leading out to the pool was open, a gentle breeze blowing the curtains. He walked to the dining room, then out into the warm sun. Even in February, California was already getting that summer heat he loved so well. He smiled and glanced around, catching sight of just the person he was looking for.
Gwen was pacing at the very top of the garden, explaining to Giles everything that happened last night and apologizing profusely for not coming back to the hotel. Giles insisted it was okay, his date had invited him to his place shortly after Gwen had left. That had made her feel a little better, but still guilty she hadn't even bothered to text that she was still with Nikolaj.
"I want you to stay there with him." Giles said flatly.
Gwen gaped. "What? No."
"Yes, he's newly divorced. You've been a bit... ravenous." He laughed tiredly.
Gwen hadn't forgotten what she said to Nikolaj last night. Put a baby in me. She cringed at her words and rubbed her forehead. God, am I seriously considering this? "Giles, I feel like you and I need to talk before I stay in his house."
"We're talking right now."
"No, I'd prefer if we talked about this in person."
"Gwendoline, you're making excuses. You know our rules, I'm not angry, I want you to stay there with him before you have to spend weeks apart and you're stuck with just me." He chuckled. "I'm packing your bag for you, text me the address, I'll be there at 3."
"Giles-" She started, but he had already hung up on her. She sighed and sat on the hammock. She sent Giles the address before setting her phone aside.
Nik quietly walked up the stairs to her, catching sight of her just as she sat. "Hey."
She looked up. "Hi. Sorry I wasn't there when you woke up. I just, I had to call Giles. Just to let him know I was okay." She carefully laid back in the hammock.
"Oh." He said simply, then sat on the bench beside her.
"About last night... I," She puffed out her cheeks. "I told you I wanted you to put a baby in me."
Nik paused. "Yes, you did."
Gwen talked quickly, now just word vomiting her thoughts before she could change her mind. "I don't know that I really meant that. I've been thinking a lot about children in the last few years but I always assumed it was just not in my cards... But then you said you wanted to start over with me, start a family, a-and then you said that me not having kids could be changed." She took a deep breath. "That's what I want too. I don't know if I can, I don't know if this will all work the way we're thinking, and I have no idea what Giles will think. But I do want a baby. I think. Maybe."
