The following morning Abby had woken up in a panic. Not because anything was wrong or she was running late for anything but because she realized she had nothing suitable to wear to go camping. Lying in bed with Marcus who was sleeping behind her, oblivious to her distress, his arm wrapped around her middle, softly snoring as she mentally went through her wardrobe. None of her jean shorts would fit her, she was sure. All of them had less give than her slacks. And there was no way she was going to wear leggings with the heat wave they expected. She had tee-shirts, but that was about it. At the most, she needed shorts and maybe some new sneakers.

That wasn't so bad.

Raising her head up, she squinted at the clock on the bedside table. It was only after five in the morning, there was no way she was getting up now. Closing her eyes, she fell back to sleep until she woke again a couple hours later, to the soft presses of Marcus' lips on her shoulder and his hand sliding up under the hem of her shirt, his fingertips sliding over her side and hips making her shiver. She rolled over, meeting his dark eyes already filled with desire for her, and didn't mind even a little bit when he leaned down and took her lips with his.

She mentioned she needed to go shopping another hour later when they were standing in the kitchen while he made them bagels with cream cheese, strawberry for her, and honey pecan for him and Octavia.

"Shopping?" Octavia's head lifted from her phone.

She and Marcus shared smiles, and he beat her to ask, "Did you want to go?"

"Hells yeah, I do."

Once breakfast was over they all went to get dressed. She wore leggings again but kept on Marcus' thin gray UW shirt that had become hers to sleep in over the last few weeks. The heat was too much for her to keep her hair down while they were out even though she knew Marcus loved it down.

Downstairs in the pub, she and Octavia waited with Echo while Marcus quickly ran downstairs and posted the schedule for the following two weeks. When she first met Echo, Abby hadn't been sure what to make of the young woman. She gave Abby the impression she was one of those people who were closed-off until you got to know them. As it turned out, Echo was exactly that type, but there was an underlying sweetness to her Abby found endearing. She saw it in the little extra ways Echo helped Marcus out. Making sure things got done, and that he remembered things coming up. Even in the ways she took an interest in Octavia's life. A motherly protectiveness Abby could appreciate.

When it came down to it, this bar and the people in it were a family. His bar of misfits, he liked to call them.

A family of misfits that were slowly starting to warm up to her.

The mall had been packed. Close to the time parents and kids were starting to prepare for back to school, there were sales in almost every store. And poor Marcus was dragged to almost everyone by Octavia.

She kept away from the two maternity stores but took note of a few things she saw in the windows as she passed, that she'd pick up later when she was alone. She bought four pairs of shorts, two denim pairs and two cotton jersey shorts that Octavia told her she would thank her for later. Also three pairs of shoes, a pair of flat comfortable sandals and a black pair of Chucks for her and a purple pair for Octavia.

They were about to leave but then Octavia dragged her into one last store. A store Marcus was told to wait outside of, and she laughed at the look on his face that he'd want to accompany his daughter into a Victoria's Secret. While she went in to get pajamas to sleep in, she found a little more than she expected and came out with not one bag but two. Marcus had raised a brow, a crooked smirk playing on his lips but said nothing, and she smiled doing the same.

It was after four when they finally got back, she sighed as they got out, hearing Marcus do the same. Making her way to the back to help him get their bags from the trunk, she said, "You really didn't have to go shopping with me."

He shook his head. "I didn't but I wanted to, and so did Octavia."

"True, but I didn't really need quite so much." And she lifted all of her shopping bags into the air for emphasis.

"You got what you needed, and the rest you only got because my daughter dragged you with her," he paused and leaned over attempting to gaze down into the red bags in her had. "And speaking of, I never got to see what you have in those bags."

"Hey, hey…" She held out a finger while moving them behind her back. "These bags are a secret."

His face fell into a pout. "A peak?"

"Maybe," she told him raising up on her tiptoes and placing a kiss on his lips. "If you can actually behave yourself until tonight."

"I always behave." He pulled her into his arms and she smiled into his kiss, her heart knocked hard in her chest as he pulled her close. God, they were too old for this. Making out on the street like a couple of kids.

"Oh my God, if you guys are going to kiss like that, can you at least go upstairs or something?" Octavia groaned moving around them to collect some of her bags.

They broke apart grinning at each other like idiots.

"Can we get pizza?"

Marcus stepped back and frowned at Octavia. "We just had food. And we had pizza yesterday."

"Pizza is a food group. Abby, do you want pizza?"

"I could eat pizza again," she said much to the chagrin of Marcus who stuck out his tongue making a face.

"Haha, yes!"

"But how about we make pizza?" she suggested. She and Clarke used to make it all the time, and there was just something different about making it at home that made it more appealing, at least to her, and apparently to Marcus because his face brightened at the idea.

"Make it?" Octavia echoed with a glance sideways at her.

"Yeah, we can even have a fruit pizza."

The young girl's eyes widen her jaw dropping open slightly before saying, "Oh, I like that better."

From behind them, Marcus chuckled. "I guess that means another trip out to the store?"

Abby stopped walking and turned to him. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all. In fact, I'll help run these up and see if Bellamy wants to ride with me and you girls can sort out all of this. Just make me a list of the things I should pick up."

"All right," she said, watching as Marcus went around them both then Octavia's eyes as slid onto Lincoln ,who was just leaving the bar and oh, she knew that look.

The young girl's eyes followed him down the street and Abby cleared her throat and smiled, watching Octavia look anywhere but at Abby, but still hooked her arm with hers and began walking them inside and up the stairs.

Though it may have been none of her business she had to say something. Otherwise, she could see where it was headed and if Marcus caught wind of it, it wouldn't be good. "You know he's a lot older than you, right?"

"Yeah, I know." Octavia said, "Doesn't hurt to look though."

Abby laughed and put her hand over Octavia's. "No, it doesn't. But try to save your looking for when your father's not around."

Upstairs, Octavia got a piece of paper for her from one of those magnetic shopping list notepads that stuck to the fridge and a pen. They decided to make two different pizza's, one with different meats and veggies for the kids, and another with basil and tomatoes for her and Marcus. He took the paper and raised an eyebrow when his eyes neared the end.

"Sugar cookie dough?"

She nodded. "That's the crust for the fruit pizza."

His look was dubious, but folded it and stuck it in his back pocket. "Be back in a bit."

"All right." With a quick peck on her lips, he left her and she smiled, watched him leave then went back into his room to sort out all she'd bought.

"Hey, can Luna come over?" Octavia asked walking into the bedroom and dropping to lie on the bed.

She raised a brow at the teenager. "You're asking me?"

Octavia shrugged. "Why not?"

She felt flattered to be asked but wondered if Octavia thought she'd be easier then asking her father simply because she was the girlfriend. Well, if she did, Abby had news for her. "I'm just taking a guess but I think your dad was looking forward to it just being the four of us tonight."

"Yeah, it's cool. I kinda figured anyways."

Abby smiled and pulled one of those annoying clothing stickers from her shorts then tossed it in a pile with the others.

"I wanted to tell you, I'm glad you and dad are dating. He's been alone a long time and it's nice seeing him so happy."

She took a seat on the bed and giving Octavia a smile, reached up and took the hair falling over her shoulder and brought it back so she could see into her eyes more. "He was happy before too," Abby assured the young girl.

"Yeah, I know but this is different."

She let out a breath, and admitted, "True."

"One of my friend's dad's remarried and her stepmom is a real bit-" Octavia broke off even though Abby hadn't said anything, not that she would have but she appreciated the gesture as she corrected, "witch. Thanks for not being one of those."

Essentially saying thank you for not being a bitch shouldn't have touched her quite as much as it did, but it had. "You're welcome, but don't get your hopes up too much. I have a feeling I can be tougher than your father when it comes to parenting."

"Maybe," Octavia said with a small smirk, "but you're also the kind of parent who will make fruit pizza for dinner. You can't be that bad."

Abby swallowed. Felt a tugging around her heart for the young girl she'd been getting to know. "Do any of your clothes need to be washed before tomorrow?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, go grab them for me and we'll get that out of the way before tomorrow."

"Ugh." Octavia groaned and rolled onto her back, then after a heavy sigh, said, "Okay."

With the wash in, just as they had got out the pans and the oven was on the boys came back with arms full of paper bags.

It would take too much time for her and Octavia to make everything alone, so while Marcus and Bellamy made the regular pizza's she and Octavia made the fruit one. She chopped and sliced while the young girl made the crust and the cream cheese frosting.

When everything was done she had one slice of her and Marcus' pizza, but what she and Octavia really devoured was the fruit pizza.

"We should make these every weekend," Octavia said through a bite and licked the end of her thumb that got a bit of cream cheese on the tip.

Bellamy rose to his feet and leaning over the counter, reached for a piece, the pizza pan acting as one big shared plate between her and Octavia. "You guys know you're eating dessert for dinner?"

Octavia made a face at him. "So, it's mostly fruit. It's healthy."

"Fruit on a large frosted cookie," he said, then attempting to take another slice, had his hand smacked away by his sister. "Whoa, share much?"

"Hey the movie is starting," Marcus called from the living room as they all said they were finished but the three of them hovered in the kitchen eating more.

Abby quickly ate her last two bites and slid from the barstool. She stopped to rinse her plate and put it in the dishwasher. In the living room, Marcus was already on the couch, stretched out with his back against the arm. Looking up as she came in, he patted the spot between his legs making her smile.

Looked comfortable enough to her.

Resting back against him he wrapped his arms around her.

The previews just started to begin when Octavia let out a loud groan. "I don't know about you guys but I've got a major food baby."

Marcus dropped his head behind her. She felt his lips on her head and heard him snort softly.

"What?" Octavia asked looking over at them.

"Nothing," Marcus said and then because he was insane added, "Abby's got one too."

Her head whipped back, eyes wide. He was holding in a laugh but released it when she lightly slapped his arm that was around her keeping her in place.

"Yeah, you guys are weird."

A ding saved Abby from any further embarrassment and a moment later Bellamy got to his feet. "I'd love to stay, but I'm going out with Gina."

"I thought we were going to watch this…"

"Sorry, Dad, girlfriend trumps a movie where no one talks."

Abby heard his sigh. "Don't forget we're leaving here at one," he reminded.

"Yeah, yeah. I know," Bellamy's voice called then the sound of the front door shutting.

The movie began to play again and then not much longer just as a pair of little bare feet began to run through what looked like a deserted grocery store Octavia said, "Since he gets to go out with Gina can I go stay at Luna's tonight?"

Marcus paused the movie again. "I thought you wanted to see this too?"

"Oh, please," Octavia began sitting up, "like you guys don't want to be alone."

"We got her as long as we could," she told him patting his jean-clad knee. Her head fell back against his shoulder. He had a frown. And she got it. He wanted a night with all of them, but they would have the weekend and more nights to come and she told him as much.

"Fine, go. But be back-"

"I know, by one…" She got to her feet and coming over to them, Abby sat up so that Octavia could say goodbye to her dad but was surprised to be the one pulled into a hug. "Thanks for dinner, Abby. And for shopping today, it was fun."

Abby wrapped her arms around her. "You're welcome, sweetheart."

"Bye, Dad," Octavia said giving him a quick hug too.

She moved back against him and they were both quiet, listening to Octavia run to her bedroom and then back through the living room with a backpack until they heard the door close once again.

"You okay?" she asked, wondering if he was still in the mood to watch the movie.

He gazed down and gave her a soft smile. "Yeah." He looked at the screen then back at her. "Do you want to go to bed?"

She shook her head. He'd been really excited to see the movie and she like this, liked just being there with him and doing something as simple watching a movie. "No, I want to see this. And besides, I'm comfortable here."

He leaned toward her and kissed her forehead before dropping his against hers. "I like you here."

Closing her eyes, she fought back tears. "Me too." Tilting her face up, she kissed him then murmured, "Okay play the movie. I have a feeling something bad's going to happen and I want to see if I'm right."

He chuckled, and they both got comfortable again right before he started it again. It was the first night she stayed up through a whole movie.

Friday morning Marcus woke with a groan. He set his alarm for five so he could get up and help load the trucks and send Roan off with the equipment for camp and the festival with Lincoln, Wick, and Jasper.

Of course, nothing with his crew was ever easy and the morning became one big shit storm after another. It started with Jasper Jordan who managed to rip one of the tents by snagging it on the side of the trailer while horsing around with Wick, and he in the process, dropped a case of whiskey, and his manager somehow pulling a muscle in his back lifting one of the kegs himself. Marcus tried to insist Roan go get it looked at but the man was too stubborn for his own good and angrily brushed him off. His manager's annoyance then transferred to him and by the time they were done, every single one of them was in piss poor moods.

He needed to drop Abby off at the University and after her final, Clarke would pick her up and take them home to pack, then he would pick them up on their way out of town. After he did, he made a run to REI for another tent. But as his luck would have it, a good salesman spotted him for the weak bastard that he was and used his mood -to get in and get whatever the hell he needed and get out- against him spectacularly, and ended up talking him into a lot more than just a tent. He ended up walking out with not one but two tents. One to replace the torn one and another bigger one, with an open netted top, new camping pillows for them all, a double sleeping bag for him and Abby because why have the hassle of zipping two together and how long has it been since you aired them out last? The man was good, he'd give him that.

Two hours later, back at the pub, his mood fell once again finding his apartment empty of his two children at five minutes past one. Annoyed, he called his son first who assured him he was on his way and then Octavia who groaned and told him she was a block away and to chill.

What she didn't know was that he had lost his chill way before then and told her she had ten minutes to get home or he was leaving her there under Echo's watch for the entire weekend. Forty-five minutes, SUV packed with not two but three kids as Bellamy invited Gina along without asking him, leaving her without a way home if he said no, and one headache later, he pulled up to Abby's, relieved to find her and Clarke ready to go.

Somehow Abby picked up on his mood. She sent Clarke out to the car and pulled him into the house with her. He tried to resist at first, but she was as stubborn as he, if not more so, and when the door closed behind him and her eyes looked up into his, he apologized and then vented. About all of it and once he was done she kissed him and that'd been the end of it.

She locked up shortly afterward and they were on the road. The clouds began to break up just as they got outside of the city. While the kids chatted, he listened to the radio while Abby graded her finals. His eyes flicked over to her at every huff and sigh that accompanied every drag of her red pen over the crisp white paper.

"You guys made pizza?" Clarke asked from beside Octavia. "Awe, I missed it."

"Dude, it was so good," Octavia replied, "You should come over next weekend and we can make it again."

"Did you make it with mangos?"

"Mangos? No! Is that better?"

"Yeah, Mom makes a tropical one with mango, pineapple, star fruit, kiwi, and acai. So good."

"Yeah, that's happening," Octavia started with a finality that had him and Abby looking over at one another sharing amused smiles.

"Next week I have Friday off."

"Badass."

They pull up to the camp just as Abby was finishing her last paper. A relieved look accompanied her soft sigh.

"Are you happy with the results?"

"Eight of twenty of my students aced it and no one failed. It's been a sunny summer so I'm calling that successful."

He grinned at her. "I'd say so."

The kids got out as soon as he shut off the engine. Their two and a half hour drive that should have been an hour because of construction and other visitors making their way up, had made Octavia and Bellamy restless. They had never been great kids to take on a road trip somewhere. Anything over three hours made Octavia car sick and Bellamy was just too damn impatient. Their anxiety though was all thanks to their mother, for packing them both into a car in the dead of night and driving them from Seattle to Miami in three days.

Planes they could handle okay but put them in a car… He had them in therapy after he got them back, but they hated it so much he didn't force them to continue. Looking back now, perhaps he should have.

"Marcus…" He gazed over to see Abby watching at him. Her eyebrows furrowed a small frown of concern on her lips. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he said taking off his seat belt. "I just got to thinking…" he trailed off and she tilted her head, her look of concern never disappearing. "You know what never mind. It's all in my head."

She reached over and took his hand. "No, what?"

With a sigh, he told her. He felt foolish. Bellamy was a grown man and soon enough Octavia would be out on her own. Even so, he'd been parenting on his own so long, a part of him wanted to share his doubts and mistakes he thought that he made along the way, especially to the woman he was about to start that journey with all over again.

Her hand tightened around his. "Marcus, you did everything you could. If a little road trip anxiety was all to come out of it, I would count that as your own success. They love you, you're an amazing father."

They drifted towards the other and their lips just begin to brush when there came a rapping on the back of the SUV then Bellamy's voice.

"Dad, ya wanna open the back or what?"

He let out a long sigh. "But I can still want to drive off and leave them here while being a good father, right?"

"Absolutely," she said with a smirk and then quick kiss to his lips.

Grabbing their bags, sleeping bags, and all the stuff he bought earlier that day, they made their way over to their usual reserved spot. He spotted Wick, Jasper, and Lincoln there putting up tents which meant Roan had everything at the festival set up.

"Look, you have to put all the poles in first…" Lincoln was telling Jasper.

"I think I got this," the young man said, straightening from where he was bent over the heap of material at his feet.

Lincoln snorted. "Sure you do."

"Heeeey, boss," Wick said spotting them and running over to them. Looking relieved to be away from the others.

"How's it going?" he asked.

"Great." Wick motioned behind him with a wave of his hand. "Most of the tents are up except a couple others and this one's who refuses any help."

"It's an art form," Jasper called out over his shoulder.

"An art form, meanwhile Lincoln and I set up four tents before yours," Wick replied. The annoyance wasn't hidden from his tone.

"Right, well, he won't have a place to sleep until he gets that set up himself, will he?" Marcus said loud enough for them all to hear. "Don't worry about the rest, Bellamy and I will set up the others."

Wick grinned at Jasper's back; no doubt happy he wasn't making him help Jasper and went off to help Lincoln with the last tent he was working on.

"Dad, are Clarke and I sharing mine?"

He looked over his shoulder. Octavia's tent already apart of the ones that had been set up by the guys. "Yep," he told her. "There should be enough room for the two of you. Bellamy, help me set up mine and Abby's and then we'll do yours."

"Sure thing."

"Well while you guys do that I'm going to make sure the girls have everything they need," Abby said coming over beside him. Her eyes were searching all around them and he looked around too like there might have been something particular she could be looking for. "But first, tell me there is a bathroom?"

He laughed at the sheer look of pleading in her eyes. "There is. It's around the trees there. They keep it cleaned and stocked."

Her shoulders dropped with obvious relief. "Oh, thank God."

He waited until she was far enough away to chuckle. He would make a camper out of her yet.

In no time at all his and Abby's tent was up and they had just finished putting up Bellamy's when Abby wandered over to their tent from where she'd been talking with the girls while they aired up their own mattresses with the portable air pump. Best frecking invention ever made if you asked him.

"It's bigger than I expected," she said.

He pressed his lips together, intended to let her innocent comment go but in the end couldn't help himself and ask, "Is it?"

She rolled her eyes at him. "I don't see an air mattress."

"It's the next thing I'm setting up." His eyes looked over her. She seemed tired. "You all right?"

Sure enough, she let out a yawn. "Fine. It was an early morning. Do you want me to help with anything?"

He shook his head. I'll have this blown up in a couple of minutes after the girls finish with theirs and then we can go over and see how Roan's doing or if you want, you can stay here and rest?"

"No, I'll come. I just need to walk around."

He reached out and placing his hand on her lower back pulled her against him. His lips falling onto her brow. "Don't you worry, they'll be plenty of time for that."

She looked up and lifting on the tips of her toes, leaned in and whispered, "You'll have to remember to be quiet," then kissed him sweetly before leaving him to look after her.

When she agreed to go on this little trip she hadn't factored in a lot of things. Things like just how hot it would be, how horrible she might feel because of it, and how her hormones would decide, only four hours in, she was done with any and all festivities. She'd been fine all morning and in the car, didn't even mind the park and the trees and the shade. At least they provided some relief from the sun.

They arrived at the festival with the sun high in the sky beating down on them. Walked through the large field filled with people and events and more people… It was the sort of thing she would have enjoyed any other time but now, with as tired as she was and the headache she was getting, only found annoying. With how she was feeling she should have stayed home. Marcus would have understood. But the idea of spending the time with him away from their lives made her willing to overlook pretty much everything.

Marcus waved at someone ahead, and her eyes scanned the crowd picking out his business partner almost instantly.

"Indra, you remember Abby, and this is her daughter, Clarke."

They exchanged their hellos, and Abby was able to push aside her mood for the moment and be pleasant. A small favor she thanked her child for immensely.

"Are you enjoying the festival?"

She smiled. Thought about how they were all there, together and what was more important were the kids and they were. "We are."

"Glad to hear it. There's a lot going on. I'm about to join my family. I hope you all have a good day."

She looked after Indra but slid her eyes on the man beside her whose eyes were on his employees. Roan and Wick were serving drinks, with Anya who had come up for the day shouting out orders to Jasper and another young man she had yet to meet in the truck. To her, they seemed to be handling things well, but she could see in the set of Marcus' chin he was itching to help.

She put her hand on his arm, and he looked down at her. "I'm going to go help them get started."

"Go." She motioned to the truck with a tilt of her chin and with a real smile, one she felt and told him, "Do your thing."

He smiled in return, and stepped forward so he could kiss her one last time. "I'll find you all in a little bit."

She nodded, and found the girls not far away. They were with Bellamy and Gina, and Lincoln. Clarke was heavily in the conversation but Octavia not so much. She only had eyes for the tan, handsome young man. It may not have hurt to look, but her looks were going to get her in trouble. With a sigh, she started off over to the small group, hating to break up all the fun.

But at her approach Lincoln made himself busy, telling them he'd see them later. Maybe because he thought she'd tell Marcus he was standing around when she was pretty sure he was supposed to be working or that she caught him staring right back at Octavia. Either way, she was glad he left when he did.

"Come on, ladies," she said taking Octavia by the shoulders and steering her away. "Let's go find something to do while Marcus helps out for a while."

They watched the piping and drumming, throwing the stones, hammers, and caber. The stones and the hammers were a lot of fun. A lot of the competitors were not only men but women and it was amusing to see some of the girls out toss the boys.

While stands were shaded, provided some relief from the heat, it wasn't enough. She started feeling drained of more energy than before making her want to lie down somewhere and sleep.

"Mom? Are you okay?"

Straightening in her seat, she gave her daughter a small smile. "I'm fine, it's just hot out." Reaching down beside her foot, she grabbed her bottle of water and drank the last little bit left then frowned at the empty bottle. "You know what," she began, getting to her feet, "I'm going to go find Marcus and get some more water. Stay together or text one of us if you go somewhere else."

Twin, "We will's" came from both girls, and Abby made her way from the stands, back across the field. She didn't know how long Marcus wanted to stay and help out, but if he was going to be much longer she was going to walk back to camp and take a nap.

She found him easily enough, talking with a group of elderly gentlemen in kilts and thick accents, so thick Abby was having a hard time keeping up with what they were saying. Whatever they were talking about it must have been funny because Marcus grinned, and his eyes crinkled at the sides right before he burst out laughing. She stood back and watched, happy to be a silent observer.

Soon though, the men began to disperse, one by one shaking Marcus' hand and wandering out amongst the crowd. She hadn't gone as unnoticed as she thought she had as his gaze slid on her, a small smile pulled his lips up right before she started towards her.

She pushed herself away from the tree she'd been leaning against, and took a step and then another meeting him just under the edge of the tree.

"Hey," he said, drawing her into an embrace. She hummed a contented sigh, dropping her head against his chest and closing her eyes. He smelled good. Like pine and a small hint of the cologne he wore. She could take a nap right there standing up while he held her. "Where are the kids?"

"Bellamy went with Gina somewhere, and Octavia and Clarke were going to stay and watch the dancing."

She felt him drop a kiss to the top of her head. "I'm glad the girls are getting along so well."

She hummed again, sleepily. "They are."

"How are you doing?" he asked, with a soft chuckle.

Her head rose and she let out a breath. "Honestly? The heat is killing me, I'm so tired I could fall down and take a nap right under this tree, and if that wasn't enough, I'm hormonal but other than that… peachy."

He frowned slightly, then his lips pursed together right before he looked back at the truck then back at her. "I have an idea. Do you trust me?"

Something in his voice gave her pause. Slowly, she replied, "Yes, why?"

"I want to take you somewhere."

"Where?"

"Somewhere where we can cool you off and then have that nap."

"A hotel?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "Afraid not, but better."

Better than a hotel? She doubted it. Had a feeling what she considered to be better were vastly different from what he did. But still, she trusted him. And so she let him take her hand and with a quick goodbye to his staff they made their way from the festival.

He took her to the car and drove out of the park, the way back from where they came. He had her send texts to the kids telling them they were going back to camp for a couple hours. She got replies almost instantly. All of them busy having their own fun. As an afterthought, she sent Clarke a text to watch Octavia and make sure she didn't go off on her own with a certain tattooed young man. Clarke sent her back and LOL and I noticed that too. I promise I won't let her out of my sight.

With the assurance the kids were okay and the air conditioner on her annoyance finally began to dwindle, guilt slowly replacing it. She should be able to control her moods better. Yes, she was pregnant, yes it was hot, but it wasn't his fault. Well, okay he shared an equal responsibility in it, but not for the way she behaved.

A few miles down the road, he pulled off the road under an alcove of trees. There was nothing and no one around, and it had her looking over and raising an eyebrow at him but he was already out of the car.

She followed, albeit reluctantly. Holding out his hand, she took it and let him lead her through the trees. They walked for maybe a minute and then the sound of water over rocks and they came out of the trees and her to a halt.

The sight before her was beautiful. There was a large stream with a beach looking bank that cut through the trees. And while the deep greens and blues were enchanting, his words from earlier came back to her. He couldn't be serious.

"A river, really, Marcus?"

He was serious though because the next thing she knew, his shirt came off and he was unbuttoning his jeans. Her eyes raked down his toned chest and abdomen. Followed the trail of hair down until it disappeared beneath the black material. "It's shallow and never gets higher than your knees. Come on, take off those shorts and get that sexy arse of yours out here."

There was no one around but she felt the heat rise in her cheeks regardless. "My underwear is not a swimsuit."

He chuckled, tossing his pants and shirt on a nearby rock. "We can pretend it is." She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. Watched him as he walked out in nothing but his boxer briefs and sat down in the middle of the stream like he owned it. The top of the water just barely hitting his upper abdomen. "Come on, Abby, you know you want to."

"You know, the air conditioner in the car was cooling me off just fine."

"Ah, but you can't beat the view here. And I've already kissed you in the car."

She rolled her eyes but her heart wasn't in it. "Do you have a list of places you want to kiss me or something?"

"I may have. You'd have to come out here to find out."

She tried but failed to glare at the smug handsome man in the water. The air was cooler by the river than it had been back at the festival but it was still hot and damn him the water looked like heaven. She dropped her hands and sighed. "I hate you, Marcus Kane."

"Nah, you love me and you know it," he replied. His offhand comment had her pausing, but only for a second. Her shirt came off first and then, looking around, she removed her shorts.

He grinned at her as she made her way out to him. "Looks like a swimsuit to me," he told her, making her shake her head. The water was cold and felt amazing, but if he thought she was going out there and sitting on some random rock or God knows what else, he had another thing coming. Stepping on either side of his legs she lowered herself down and straddled him. He grinned at her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Better?"

She smiled, then giggled as he leaned forward and captured her lips with his. "Better," she murmured against his lips moments later.

"How about some food before we go back?" he asked Abby glancing over at her in the passenger seat. Her hair brushed to the side over her shoulder, the ends still wet from the river. "Have you eaten today?"

The small smile she gave him looked… guilty right before she looked away. "I shared a scone with Clarke this morning, so food might be a good idea."

Looking back at her, he gave her his own look, but her attention was out the window at the scenery they passed. He shook his head and thought, not without a little sarcasm, Might be a good idea. Might also be a good idea for him to check on her more. He really couldn't believe it. The woman was amazing at taking care of everyone around her but horrible at taking care of herself.

He was just going to have to make taking care of her his priority then. A simple task for the woman he loved carrying his child.

Blinking at the road in front of him, his thoughts came slowing to a halt. Octavia teased it, he felt it, but he hadn't so much as thought it. And now there he was, thinking them so cool and casually like he had been all along.

Back at the festival, they got out of the car, and Jesus, between the sun and how relaxed they'd come back from the river, even he felt like taking a nap. And she looked just as tired as she had been before. But first, he needed to get some food in her. With his arm around her shoulders, her arm wrapped around his waist and they ventured lazily over across the field.

When they approached the line of vendors, he kept walking, leading them over to his truck because he knew they could find something there they both liked. Spotting Indra and her daughter Gaia, he raised his hand to wave but Abby had come to a stop before he could. He looked over and was she paler than she had been?

His brow furrowed, concern for her made his chest tighten. Her eyes shifted from him to a table beside a truck that was cooking sausages and steaks and… shit. He knew what was coming before it happened.

"Marcus, I..." but whatever she wanted to say he didn't get the chance to hear. She put her hand over her mouth and darted back the way that they had come.

"Abby?" he started, and had every intention of following after her, but a voice behind him had him pausing and looking back to find Indra staring up at him with a curious stare.

"Is she sick?"

Oh, well, fuck. He swallowed, and let out a breath. While they would be telling their friends and family soon, they still hadn't told their kids, and, though he knew Indra wouldn't say anything, he thought it only right that their family heard the news first. With a shrug, he adopted the look he gave most people when they asked him how he was doing after his divorce and lied, "She just started feeling a bit under the weather. Could be a bug."

Indra's head tipped to the side. Her eyes narrowing. "Why do you have that look?"

A chuckle, something rich and deep bubbled up from his chest as he tried to escape her acute observation for bullshit. "What look?"

"The look you get when you're keeping something from me."

Indra, like Abby, was never one to beat around the bush. "I don't keep things from you." Her eyebrows rose, and he amended, "All right, sometimes I withhold truths."

"Just like you are right now…" she began, slowly.

"Indra, Abby's fine," he interrupted, because she was and because he needed to end this conversation and go check on her. "And if there were something, I'd hope you'd trust me to say something when the time was right."

His friend eyed him. Didn't believe a damn word he said, but judging by the way her eyes softened, decided she'd let him off the hook. "All right, friend. But you're both not fooling everyone."

He blinked at her. "I wouldn't be so bold as to think we would."

"Go," she told him with a tilt of her chin in the direction Abby had gone. "Check on your girlfriend."

With a nod, he left. It took a little bit of searching, but he found Abby standing over beside his trailer, leaning against it with her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes closed.

"Hey, you all right?"

She took a deep breath through her parted lips then another and nodded. "It's the smell of the meat that got to me. It's been happening a lot lately. I think your child is a vegetarian."

He had to laugh at the idea though it wasn't really funny, not in the least. "What can I do?" he asked while gently reaching over and rubbing her back.

"I'm hungry but I don't want to go back over there. I didn't throw up, but I don't want to risk it."

"That's fine. I can get us something. What do you want?"

"Anything without meat. The thought of it…" She pressed her lips together and shook her head. "Just no."

"Okay, stay here while I grab us something and then we can go back to camp for a while."

She nodded and he left. The search for food that didn't have some meat proved to be harder than he imagined, but in the end, he managed to find a few different things. One of which he knew she'd enjoy even if it wasn't the healthiest. When they got back into the city he'd be sure to make sure she ate something more substantial, but for now, it would do.

He arrived back and found her sitting on the grass, on her phone. Still looking tired but not nearly as pale as she'd been. She smiled seeing him, and got to her feet. Her eyes widening at the four food containers and two large bottles of water he carried.

"What's all that?" she asked, tone full of amusement making his spirits lift.

"I got you waffles with powdered sugar and strawberries, and sweet potato fries, and a pretzel."

"And what did you get?"

"I got myself the same."

Her shoulders dropped. "I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"For this. For ruining this weekend with my bad mood, and exhaustion, and my aversion to meat."

"Abby, it's not your fault." He set their food on the top of the hood of the truck parked next to them and pulled her to him. "Hey, come here. It'll get easier eventually."

His heart ached for her. Made him wish there was something he could do for her other than just hold her even though she'd told that it helped. He still felt useless and he hated it.

"I know." She sniffed and drew away with a soft growl.

He chuckled lightly at the look of annoyance on her face that was directed at her tears. "You're allowed to be upset. Why don't we go back to camp and eat and get you a nap."

She looked up at him, nose red, eyes wet from her tears still knocking him breathless with her beauty. "You're really wonderful, you know."

He laughed and bent to kiss her forehead. "I try."

On their way back to camp, they called their kids. Clarke and Octavia were just about to start a pie eating contest and Bellamy was off with Gina at the lake not far away. He hadn't minded they left but whatever they were up to (he knew what they were up to) he hoped they were being safe. Abby raised a brow at him when he told her, and yes, the hypocrisy was not lost on him. Even tempted him to use themselves as an example later. This was what happened when you don't use precautions.

But even then, he and Abby weren't the best illustration because for them it worked out. The baby may have been an accident but brought them together again, but he had no doubt they would have made it there anyway. They weren't young, like Bellamy and Gina. Their lives were set. So he felt damn justified telling his son to be careful.

Abby made it through her waffles, the fries, and a few bites of her pretzel then gave in. "Stuffed," she had said then laid down on the air mattress her back against the side of the tent, closing her eyes and nearly half asleep before he set things aside and joined her.

Under the many large evergreens, their tent had stayed cool shielded from the sun and it wasn't long before she drifted off against him.

Pulling out his phone, he set his alarm for an hour and a half, so they could go join the kids for the bagpipes and the bands that would play at the end of the day. Kissing Abby's brow, he closed his eyes and fell asleep until the sound of Bach woke them.

Later that evening they sat around a campfire, all eating the food Roan, Jasper, Wick, and Lincoln brought back after they closed up for the night. The crew still needed to go back and finish cleaning, but we're taking a well-deserved break back at camp with them for a while. The sun was dipping down low on the horizon, and with it the temperature. So much so it had him going back to their tent to find his sweatshirt for Abby to wear and the girls to get theirs from their own.

For the last hour, the kids had all been trying to see who could talk with the best Scottish accent. It'd been quite hilarious. Roan and Abby both refused to play. Abby because she was embarrassed and Roan, well because he was a grumpy bastard. And he had been excluded for obvious reasons. Octavia was the best out of them all, but even then they called foul because she had spent time in Scotland with him recently. Wick and Gina, bless them, were shite, but surprisingly, Lincoln and Clarke came in right after Octavia with Bellamy somewhere in the middle.

"Boss, tell us some Scottish phrases," Jasper said waking up from his nap against a fallen tree.

"Phrases?" He broke off a piece of wood from the stick he had been drawing with in the dirt and tossed it into the fire. A chuckle left him. He knew many phrases, the hard part was thinking of some that were semi-appropriate. "Oh Jesus, give me a minute on that one."

"What is it you called Jasper that one time?" Wick asked grinning over at Jasper probably talking about the day Marcus had got called outside of the bar because Jasper had backed the pub's truck into Marcus' car. It'd been just after he bought the damn thing and he was bit pissed.

"Bawbag?" Jasper said.

"What is that?" Gina giggled, next to his son.

Bellamy grinned. "He called him a dick."

"Not a dick," Marcus corrected, grinning. "I called him a scrotum. There's a difference."

Everyone erupted in laughter except Jasper who flipped him off though Marcus knew it was given with love.

"Let see-" he began.

"How about just the Scottish insults?" Wick suggested.

Marcus laughed. "Well, mostly everything in Scotland is sarcastic or an insult in one way or the other. Okay, there's, shut yer geggie, meaning, shut your mouth."

"Boriiiiiing," Jasper called cupping his hands around his mouth drawing it out like a fog horn.

"How about that thing you said on New Years that nearly made me piss myself." This came from Roan. He was sitting on the other side of the small fire beside Echo, who drove up after her shift to surprise him.

Marcus scoffed. The night came back to him without having to think of it. It's been a crazy ass night. Everyone was pissed drunk before midnight, not giving a good God damn about the time, and he'd decided to help out behind the bar. Late into the evening there had been a woman, or he assumed as much, who came in and sat at the end of the bar nearest to him giving him the eye. Roan refused to help her, made Marcus refill glass after glass just so he could sit back like the bastard he was and watch her try to flirt with Marcus. There had been bright red lipstick on her teeth, and she wore a sheer white dress that had been stretched over her like a summer sausage leaving damn near nothing to the imagination.

He threatened to fire his manager more times than he could count that night.

He cleared his throat, very aware that Abby was watching him with a curious little stare where she was tucked up beside him, and said, "I wouldnae ride her in tae battle," he said doing his very best to bring some all of his Scottish inflection into it.

Most everyone got what he said almost immediately, but not all because it took Gina and Jasper a moment to process the meaning. Abby however, hadn't missed it and slapped the inside of his thigh playfully.

"That's horrible," she said through a smile.

He grinned and leaning in, he murmured into her ear accent and all, "I'd ride ye into battle," loving the way she hummed a delightful sound then hid her face into his arm directly after.

"There's bonnie," Octavia said, "Grandma uses that all the time."

"She does, bonnie or braw means pretty or beautiful. Like saying, my bonnie lass." He looked over at Abby and kissed her cheek. "Probably one of my favorite ones."

"She also uses eejit," Bellamy supplied.

Jasper's head shot up and his eyes widened. "I know that one."

"All right, my crew, let's go clean up," Roan said rising to his feet.

Jasper and Wick moaned but got to their feet, followed by Lincoln who shared a handshake with Bellamy. It seemed everyone was anxious to go do their own thing as Octavia and Clarke stood, even Gina and Echo.

Marcus looked at Abby who nodded and he stood, calling out, "Hey our kids, can you guys stay here for a few minutes? Abby and I want to talk to you."

Gina and Echo made their ways towards the tents and the others took their seats once again.

"What is it?" Bellamy asked a bit too impatiently for Marcus.

Abby stood beside him and took his hand, her touch helping to calm the nerves that began to build. "This won't take long," he assured his son, then tightened his hand around Abby's before taking a deep breath having all their attention on them now. "We wanted to talk to you all together and thought this would be a good time to share with you something we've been waiting to tell you. You see, Abby and I-"

"I knew it, you're getting married, aren't you?" Octavia beamed up at them. One of the biggest, brightest smiles he could remember seeing on her in a long time. His chest tightened, and he opened his mouth to correct her when she turned to Bellamy and said, "I called it! Bell, pay up!"

Bellamy cursed and reaching for his wallet began to give her hell for being around all the time and had inside information.

"What? No, Octavia, it's not… we're not…" Abby began trailing off because it seemed like only Clarke was the one listening and gazed up at him with a pleading look in her eyes.

"We're not getting married," he called and held up his hand to gain their attention back on him.

"Oh." Octavia's shoulders deflated. "Then what? Are you moving in together?"

He looked down at Abby who gaze lifted to his. They'd never talked about it before, and truth be told they would have to start thinking about that sort of thing soon but that wasn't what they were there for.

"Maybe later..."

His brows rose up, as did his lips to Abby's comment. "They're not making this easy on us, are they?"

"What else could it be?" Octavia all but whined. "Just tell us."

Abby took a deep breath from beside him. "You guys, your father and I," and to Clarke, "Marcus and I are going to have a baby."

Silence.

Eyes darted from one to the other almost as if they hadn't heard their ears right, confirming silently between them all that they had.

It was Bellamy who finally spoke. "I'm sorry, but what?"

"Abby's pregnant," he said feeling like the ground may open and take him at any moment.

"So you're going to have a baby," Octavia said slowly as if speaking to children, "but you're not going to get married or move in together?"

"It's a little too soon for that, Octavia…" he began.

"But having a baby isn't?" Bellamy interrupted.

They were valid points. Ones they were prepared for.

"We realize this is a surprise, it was a surprise to us too," Abby told them.

Clarke spoke up, "So this wasn't planned?"

"No," he told Clarke in the gentlest way possible knowing for her this would be more difficult to accept than Octavia and Bellamy. "But it's happened and Abby and I," to his kids, and to Clarke, "your mother and I, are having a baby and raising it together."

"Wow," Bellamy paused. "I mean, I'm happy for you both."

"I am too." Octavia nodded. "But you know grandma's going to flip her lid…"

Eyes widening, Marcus cut her off with a, "Let's not talk about your grandmother right now."

"Just saying…" she started again but the look he gave her had her leaving her thought where it was.

"So when can we expect this bundle of joy?" Bellamy asked.

"Mid February," Abby told them.

They all grew silent again, and he could see them all doing the math in their heads. They'd expected them to.

"Well awesome, a baby brother or sister for us. Great." Octavia smiled. "Can we have s'mores now?"

Marcus frowned. He might as well have just told them they were going to Tri-Cities for Christmas for as much enthusiasm as they all had. "Yes, go ahead." It was only slightly disappointing but it was better than them being upset he supposed. With a sigh, he turned towards Abby and let out a heavy sigh. "That went well."

Reaching up, she pulled him down and kissed him lightly. She could tell from his tone he'd wished for another reaction. "They'll be okay."

His smile was soft, knowing. "I know."

From the corner of her eye, she saw Clarke get to her feet and come toward them. Her heart pounded in her chest, her stomach tightening into knots at the thought of what her daughter might think of her. Her eyes were already filled with tears when she reached her. Clare had been the quietest, the most reserved and it had killed her not being able to read on her what might have been going through her mind. She whispered a quiet, "Hey, honey."

Clarke smiled at her and over at Marcus. "I just want you both to know I'm happy for you. It doesn't sound like something that was planned…"

The knot in her stomach tightened. Clarke knew. She'd counted the months back to know it was around the anniversary of her father's death. "It wasn't…" Abby's voice cracked and with it, her tears fell.

"I know…" Clarke murmured back and pulled her into a hug. The stress of the last few weeks, of the day, of everything, finally broke, and with it a sob. "Mom, stop. It's okay, okay?" She pulled away, nodding feeling Marcus' hand on her lower back as Clarke looked from him then back to her. "I'm glad you guys have each other."

"Thank you, Clarke," Marcus said.

Clarke hugged her once more, and Abby breathed her in, letting go of the weight she carried worrying about this day. And when her daughter pulled away she saw her eyes bright and happy. "I'm going to go watch the bonfire."

Octavia sprung to her feet. "I'll come with you."

"Me too," Bellamy said.

They watched their kids leave, then Marcus stepped away from her, back into the chair he vacated and smiled up at her.

"I've got a seat for you right here."

She settled into his lap, back against him with a sigh. His arms wrapped around her warming her. "Do you think they're really okay?"

"I do," he whispered, his tone so sure she almost let herself believe him.

She sat there with him while twilight became night and thought over their conversation. How accepting they all had been and how much harder she thought it would be. Though she thought she sensed some hardness to Bellamy that could have been something else entirely.

What did really make her wonder was Octavia's comment about Marcus' mother and how very quick he was to have the young girl drop the subject.

Curious, she asked, "What was Octavia talking about, about your mother?"

One of his hands rose to pinch the bridge of his nose and she was sure that if he could have kept Octavia from mentioning her, he would have. "She's very religious. She saw my divorce as a sin, and it took her a long while to get over that."

"So our baby…"

"I don't want you to worry what my mother might think," he interrupted, taking her hand with his, running his thumb over her knuckles before raising it and kissing the back. "She's a long ways away and her opinions about our life and our child don't matter."

Settling back against him, she let her head rest against his shoulder and looked up. The view of the stars was so much clearer than in the city. "It is beautiful out here."

She felt his nose nudge against her temple right before he placed a kiss to her cheek as he said, "It is."

She looked over, found him gazing at her. A laugh bubbled up from her chest. "Stop it and look at the sky."

"I've seen it," he replied.

Oof, he was good. A slow smile spread across her lips right before she leaned forward and kissed him.

"The kids are gone. They will be for a while."

Another chuckle. "What did you have in mind?"

"Our tent has a view of the sky too."

"Well then," she began and then with one last light peck, got to her feet. Holding out a hand she raised a brow. "We should probably use our time alone wisely."