A Little Too Late

Chapter 15

"Where are you off to?" Nathan asked as she walked down the hall. "You are supposed to be on bedrest, Peanut."

"I just want to get out of my room for a bit," She sighed. "I'm not trying to leave or anything."

"Would you like to go to the living room?" Nathan asked and she shrugged. "I'll pick you up and take you there. I don't want Doc having my hide for letting you walk."

"Fine," She said as he picked her up. "Do it know before I become a beached whale."

He burst out laughing, "No matter how much the babies grow, we will be able to carry you, Peanut."

"You say that now," she mumbled as he sat her on the couch and put her feet on the ottoman.

"It will always be true," Nathan chuckled. "Would you like something to snack on or some water with crushed ice?"

"What I want, you don't have," she shook her head.

"What do you want, Peanut?" Nathan asked. "We will get whatever you are craving."

"I want one of the pickles in a pouch," She pouted, "but I can't find them anymore so don't bother."

"I saw them at the gas station last week on the way to a tournament," he said crouching down to her level. "They still have them, you just need to know where to look. Do you want anything else?"

She thought about it and shrugged, "crush ice sounds good. So does chocolate but not plain chocolate. I don't know, just forget it."

"Hey now, don't cry," Nathan said softly. "We can figure this out. Let me call the chocolate expert to help, okay?"

"Okay," She sniffled.

"Hey what's up?" Luke's face came through on Nathan's video call.

"We need your chocolate expertise," Nathan said as he pulled the camera back to make sure Luke could see the both of them.

"Hey Cupcake," Luke beamed. "What would you like?"

"I don't know," she sniffled. "Chocolate but not plain chocolate."

"Okay," he nodded, "do you want dark chocolate or white chocolate?"

"White," She pouted, "but not plain. I don't know just forget it."

"Nope," he shook his head. "You gave me a challenge and you know I have to solve it now. Do you want something textured?"

"Yeah but I don't know what I want," She sniffled.

"That's fine, Cupcake," He chuckled. "You gave me enough information I can work with that. Do you want it now or when I'm done here at the bakery?"

"It can wait," She sniffled. "Nathan is about to get me some crushed ice and we were just talking about those pickles in a pouch."

"Oh yeah, I saw some yesterday. They have hot, sour, and plain ones now," Luke nodded. "Do you want some, Cupcake?"

"Please," She nodded, "and some hot Cheetos, oh and some green grapes and watermelon and cantaloupe. Oh and some cucumbers."

"I think you better let North know about that last part, Cupcake," Luke chuckled. "I'll get some sweets."

"I already heard," North said from the doorway making them turn around in surprise. "We have grapes and watermelon. I'll go to the store and get the cucumbers and cantaloupe."

"Don't worry about it," She shook her head. "It's a bother."

"I was going to meet Marc at the store anyway, Baby," North shook his head. "I just came home to get my hoodie since it's starting to get a little chilly. It's not a problem, I promise. Do you want anything else, Baby?"

"I don't think so," she shook her head.

"Okay," he nodded. "When we get home one of us will shut the door so the smells don't bother you."

"Okay," She said softly as she watched him slip his hoodie on. "Thank you."

When they got back Axel took her outside and handed her the pickle in the pouch as they sat out in the garden by the water fountain. "Thank you," she said as she took another bite and smiled in happiness.

"Of course, Doll," Axel smiled. "It's good to see you happy again."

"I don't know how you handle my constant mood changes," she shook her head. "I really don't. I'm not even halfway through yet."

"We grew up together Doll," Axel chuckled, "it's not a problem. We will do whatever it takes to keep that beautiful smile on your face."

"Yeah okay, you say that now," she rolled her eyes as she took another bite. "Seriously, this is the best. Try it."

She held it out and he took a bite then nodded, "Very good."

"Think that will be good with some hamburgers and fries?" Brandon asked as he came out there. "We can make something else if it doesn't sound good to you."

"I think it will be okay as long as he doesn't have onions or garlic on it," she shrugged. "Although Cajun fries with nacho cheese sound good now."

Brandon chuckled, "I'm sure Marc can make that, Babe. I'll go let him know."

"You are spoiling us," she shook her head. "It's okay to say no."

"It's not a big deal," Axel chuckled. "It's not like you are wanting a brand new car or house. Although I'm sure Victor would have no problem getting you one if you wanted."

"I'm fine," she shook her head. "My house and car are perfectly fine for me and the twins once they are here. Victor and Gabe don't need to go overboard."