Starting Over

Chapter 31

"First place goes to Nathan Griffin!" The announcer said and Marie clapped loudly. Nathan looked through the crowd and smiled softly spotting his Peanut supporting him. It made his heart skip that she came to support him. She rushed down the stairs ignoring Axel's warnings and he opened his arms to catch her as she jumped and wrapped her arms around his neck. He chuckled and lifted her up more so she could wrap her legs around him.

"You were so awesome Honey!" She beamed as she pulled back slightly to look at him.

"Thank you Peanut," Nathan smiled. "This is a great surprise! How did you know I had a tournament today? Does Mr. B know you are here?"

"Same way I knew your tournaments when I was hiding," she shrugged and giggled. "Owen knows that Axel brought me to surprise you."

"Well, I'm so glad you did," Nathan smirked as he rubbed his nose against hers making her giggle again. "Thanks Axel," Nathan said and Axel nodded. "Okay down Peanut," he said trying to release her but she shook her head and tightened her grip. He laughed, "Let me go change then I'll come right back to you," she pouted but got down. "I'll be super quick Peanut, I promise," He kissed her nose and she went back to Axel to wait.

Sure enough in less than ten minutes Nathan was coming back over to them, "Honey!" She squealed in happiness and leapt into his arms again.

Nathan chuckled, "Hi Peanut, I told you I would be super quick." She nuzzled into his neck as he carried her out to the parking lot. "I don't see your car Axel, where did you park?"

"Marc gave us a ride since he was heading into town to do something at his shop, we figured she would want to ride back with you," Axel explained.

"Were you missing me Peanut?" Nathan asked and chuckled when he realized she had fallen asleep holding him. "Did she not sleep well last night?"

Axel shook his head, "From what I heard she slept fine with Silas and North. She was worried about your tournament and had a headache earlier. I think her nerves just got the best of her and now that she can relax it's all caught up to her."

"I'll be glad when she doesn't stress out so much about us," Nathan mumbled as they drove off.

"Yeah but with everything that has gone on, can you really blame her?" Axel asked and Nathan shook his head.

"No and I also don't mind her clinginess one bit lol," Nathan smiled. He sighed, "Look man, I know you are wishing she would be that way with y'all, just keep giving it time. She wasn't like that at the beginning, it just took time and look at it this way, she's more comfortable with you than when you first met, that's huge for her."

"True," Axel sighed.

"Just lay her in my room, I have some work to do anyway," Owen said as Nathan carried her inside.

The phone ringing is what woke her, "Ugh five more minutes," she groaned then froze when she heard chuckling. "Sorry Darling," Owen said pushing her hair out of her face then grabbed his phone. After a few moments of silence, "Are you sure? Ok, let me speak to my team." He hung up and groaned in frustration. He looked down and saw Marie looking up at him, he sighed and kissed her softly. She moaned when he tilted her head back for more access. He groaned and pulled away, "Oh Darling, the things you do to us."

"What?" She asked confused.

"Another time Darling, another time," Owen groaned. "I have to call an emergency family meeting."

"What for?" She asked as he picked her up and carried her bridal style down to the living room after sending out a group text.

"What is going on?" Luke asked as everyone got together.

"I just received a phone fall from Dr. Roberts," Owen said tightening his grip on Marie as she leaned into his hold even more. "There is a need for our group to go rescue another one."

"What?" She asked confused and panicked.

"I'm sorry Darling but they need us," Owen said.

"The whole team?" Kota asked and Owen nodded.

"But what about Baby?" North asked.

"We will stay here," Axel said while the rest of the Toma team nodded.

"How long?" She asked softly.

"I don't know Darling but we will try and not be gone long," Owen said running his fingers through her hair. "They need us Darling."

"Okay," she whispered as she snuggled against him. "Just be careful. Come back to me all of you."

"Of course," he nodded. She hugged him tightly then went to snuggle with everyone else before they left. She kissed each of them then watched them leave.

"They will be back in a few hours I'm sure Doll," Axel said walking over to her as she stood in front of the living room window. She nodded and he led her away once the cars were out of sight. "Why don't you pick out a movie and I'll go make some popcorn, Doll? Any movie is fine with us."

"Tim Burton?" She asked and he nodded.

Shortly after starting Tim Burton's Batman they noticed that she was antsy so Corey decided to pull out a puzzle and see if that would help keep her distracted. They were about halfway through when they noticed she was starting to fall asleep.

"Come bed Kitten," Raven said as he picked her up.

"No sleepy," she pouted. "My men no home."

"We're here Kitten," he mumbled as he placed her in her bed. She snuggled closer to him and he chuckled softly.