Chapter 36
Toby rests his chin on the palm of his hand, while he props it up with his elbow.
He looks down at Happy laying next to him, with her black hair spilling all over her pillow and onto his own. And her strong arm pressed securely between her cheek and mattress.
He runs the back of his finger tips up and down her arm slowly, and watches her with a tired smile as she sleeps, cuddled next to him. Waking up at 6 in the morning really has its perks. Especially when he gets to see Happy in a state like this. So vulnerable and carefree.
"Hey little guys. I'm your daddy," he lays his head back down on his pillow, so he's laying on his side, and laces an arm around her waist, and places his hand over Happy's small and barely visible bump.
"We're gonna see you again tomorrow. After your sissy goes to school, and we're going to have so much fun," he runs his thumb over her bare skin repeatedly as he talks in a soft whisper. "Today we're going to work on our new home"
"You're mommy is probably gonna eat too much ice cream, and make me do all the work. So don't tire her out too much please, cause-" he stops talking when he feels Happy's small hand clasp over his own.
"Mornin Doc" she groans, interlacing her small fingers with his larger ones.
Toby sits up a little, and leans over Happy. Placing a sweet kiss at the side of her temple, and letting his lips linger for a minute while he breathes in the lovely scent of her hair.
"How're you feeling love?" He mumbles into her hair, and placing another kiss just below her ear.
Happy gives a pleased moan in response, and a smile creeps onto her face.
Toby chuckles, and rubs his nose along the line of her jaw. "I'm going to take that beautiful smile as a yes"
He pulls her further into his bare chest, his hand still resting protectively over her stomach.
"I love you so much Hap" he says, burying his face into her hair again.
Happy turns in his embrace so she's facing him.
She grasps the hair at the top of his head, and pulls him away from her neck forcefully, and guiding him to her lips.
He kisses her hard, and presses her into the mattress, before breaking contact.
He smiles down smugly at her dazed eyes, and goofy smile.
He kisses her cheek, and up and around her ear.
She plays with the hair at the back of his neck, and lets him kiss her.
"Love you too Toby" she breathes when he's looking back down at her again.
She yawns really big, and looks over at their digital clock on the nightstand.
When she sees what time it is, she sits up quickly, nearly hitting Toby on the head with her own.
She rubs at her eyes and looks again.
"Toby! It's Sage's first day of-," she yawns really big again before continuing, "school. I need to get her ready and make breakfast, and-"
She starts throwing sheets off her legs, and yawns some more. But Toby stops her by pushing her back down on the mattress. "Calm down sweetie. I'll take care of everything. All you need to do right now is sleep. You worked really hard yesterday on that case, and you just rest. I'll get everything ready, and come get you before we leave. Okay?" He says, kissing her forehead.
She nods her head gratefully, and starts to already relax back into the large and comfy bed.
Toby climbs over her and off the bed, grabbing a clean shirt on the way.
He steps out of the room, while placing it over his head, and messily tussles his hair.
When he gets full view of the living room he sees Sage. Fully dressed and ready. Pacing back and forth in front of the coffee table.
"Hey baby. You okay?" He asks, walking up to her and wrapping her up in a hug.
She unravels in his arms, waist of no time, jumping up, and wrapping her small legs around his waist and leaning her head on his shoulder.
"I'm just super nervous" she says, hugging him around the neck, and pressing her face into his neck.
Toby nods, and shifts her small body to his hip. Giving him a free hand to work with.
"We don't have very long. But do you want to talk about it?" He asks, walking back towards the kitchen. Rifling through the many boxes scattered throughout the kitchen. Looking for at least a spoon and bowl.
Pretty much everything they have is packed up. Everything but the necessities are at the new apartment. The couch, TV, and two mattresses are going to the curb, and that's the only furniture left in the house.
Sage shakes her head, and lays it back down on his shoulder. "No, I just want to be held right now."
Toby nods in understanding, and pours himself a bowl of cereal, and hands Sage a muffin from the counter.
He sits on the couch, with Sage snuggled beside him, as he eats his cereal while watching the news.
Sage nibbled at her muffin. Taking far longer than she needed to, to finish it.
Toby glances down at her. "Still nervous?"
She nods her head, while continuing to ear the muffin like a baby rabbit.
Toby stands up to grab something from the kitchen. Leaving Sage far more uncomfortable than she would like to be without the contact.
She hates herself right now for her nerves being so reliant on someone else's presence. It's never been that way before. She's always been good at taking care of herself. This should be no different.
Still, she feels herself be able to breath again when Toby sits back down next to her., so she can snuggle back under the crook of his arm.
He takes away her muffin and puts it on the coffee table in front of them.
"Here," he hands her some yogurt and a banana, "this should help with a nervous stomach" he says.
Sage nods, and immediately begins to eat spoonfuls of yogurt, while leaning against Toby.
He kicks up his feet on the table, and keeps a close eye on the time while they watch TV.
Sage is dressed and ready for school, and her backpack is at the door. Full of all her back to school gear they had bought a few weeks earlier.
Toby sees the time, and pats Sage on the shoulder. Urging her to stand up. "Come on kiddo. I gotta get dressed, and wake up mom"
Sage scoots over to let him stand up. He grabs her garbage, and his empty bowl of cereal and takes it back into the kitchen before heading back into their room.
He heads straight to the bed, and leans over Happy's sleeping form.
He wakes her up with several tender kisses to her face. "Hap, baby. Time to wake up" he says, pressing another kiss to her forehead.
He grabs a pair of jeans he had later the night before and pulled them over his boxers.
Happy stirs in the bed, and letting out a few groans, while Toby continues to get ready.
Happy rolls onto her back, and looks at the ceiling, spreading her limbs across the bed.
She huffs, sending a lock of hair in the air, and out of her face.
Toby comes out of their bathroom, running a comb through his hair when he sees Happy laying across their bed.
He grins to himself, and walks over to the bed. Climbing on and over towards her.
He holds himself above her, and grins down. "Morning beautiful" he says. Pressing yet another kiss to her lips.
She swats at him playfully, and he climbs back off the bed with a laugh.
Eventually she sits up, and gets out of bed. Stretching her sore muscles from yesterday.
She lazily pulls on her clothes, and joins Toby in the bathroom to brush her teeth and hair. Along with her little bits of makeup.
By the time she's done, Toby and Sage are waiting for her in the living room. They both have their chucks on, and are ready to go.
Sage sees her walk out the room, and she jumps up with a grin. "You slept in this morning. Like...a lot"
Happy smiles at her, and grabs her glass of orange juice Toby poured for her.
She gulps it down, and grabs the keys from the table. Opening the door, and waiting for the two lunatics to follow her.
Sage has on her new backpack, and holds Toby hand tightly as they walk down the stairs.
"You know, these stairs are probably the only thing I'm not going to miss about this place" Toby grumbles, as they descend the three flights of stairs.
Happy and Sage roll their eyes, and slide into the car when they're at the main floor.
They drive to the garage, since their work starts earlier than school.
And everyone is already there and busy doing their own things.
Cabe's helping himself with coffee, while Colby snoozes noisily and rather messily on the couch. Sylvester nervously preps Aidan for his first day of school. Going over his list of rules for him over and over again.
"What do you say when you need something?"
"Please"
"And when they give it to you?"
"Thankyou"
"And do you trample over other kids, and push through them?"
"No. Say excuse me"
"And do we shake people's hands?"
Aidan shakes his head in response. "Just bumps" he holds out his fist, and Sylvester nods in approval.
"And what do you do if you have to go to the bathroom?"
That goes on for a while longer, but Aidan doesn't seem to mind too much.
Paige and Walter are discussing something at his desk. His hand resting on her thigh, as she sits up on his desk beside his computer. While Ralph is sitting at his and Sage's desk, with his tablet.
Rays music could be heard in the background as they entered, giving the place a little upbeat energy.
Toby ruffles Ralph's hair as he passes to his desk. "You ready for your first day of school buddy" he asks.
"Actually it's my first day of seventh grade, not my first day of school. But yes, I am ready" he says, with a smirk. Turning back to whatever he was doing with his computer.
Toby scoffs, "don't be a smart mouth kid. That's my thing"
Sage sits next to him at their desk and looks over his shoulder at his laptop, while Toby sets up his things at his desk.
He glances to the desk beside him, and smirks as he watches Sylvester go over multiple rules and instructions with Aidan.
"I think he's got most of it Sly. Cut the boy some slack" he says, strutting over to his desk, and messing up Aidan's hair.
Aidan grins up at him. "Hi Uncle Toby" is all he says before turning back to Sylvester.
Toby grins down at him. "Looking forward to your first day of school?" He asks.
Aidan nods vigorously. "Yes. I got three new books," he holds up three fingers towards Toby's face, "and Daddy wouldn't let me read them till I-I go to school. So I get to read them today" he says, nodding and turning back to Sylvester.
Toby raises his brow at Sylvester. "He's talkative this morning"
Sylvester nods in agreement. "I think this is the most he's talked since he joined us"
Aidan frowns at him, crossing his arms and jutting out his bottom lip. "I just didn't have anything to say"
Sylvester smiles, and pats his head. "I know buddy"
He pushes him off towards Ralph and Sage. And he grins and skips over to them, with his Super Fun Guy backpack bouncing along behind him.
Toby watches him for a few steps, then turns his attention back to Sylvester. "What'd you feed that kid this morning?"
Sylvester shrugs his shoulders. "I gave him yogurt and oatmeal. It's healthy and doesn't have a high chance of disease and food poisoning. He also enjoys it so that's a plus" Sylvester says, "it's what he eats every morning"
Toby grunts and turns on his heel and walks back over to his desk.
He sits back down and opens up one of his psych books.
Across the garage Happy's setting up her things at her desk, and reorganizing her tools that she had scattered across her desk during her rush while working for the case yesterday.
Out of the corner of his eye he can see Paige walking over to his desk.
"Hey Toby. Are you planning on bringing the three kids to school. I promised Sly I would take him and Aidan today"
Toby nodded his head. "Yeah. I was planning on it"
Paige nods her head. "Thanks so much"
She rushes over to the desk where the three kids are surrounded, and kisses the top of Ralph's head. "Toby's taking you to school today"
Ralph nods his head in response and continues with his little program.
Time to leave...
Sage shakes Colby by the shoulders. Waking him up from his deep slumber on the couch.
"Wah!" He yells, sitting up straight, and blinking his eyes rapidly.
"Sage! What the heck!" He yells, pushing the heels of his hands into his eyes.
Sage smacks him on the back of the head. "Get up. It's time to go to school" she says, shrugging on her own backpack.
Colby grunts and grabs the bag laying on the other end of the couch, yawning and stretching his arms.
He's up and standing next to her by the door, while they wait for Toby and Ralph.
He fixes the collar of his jacket, "are you gonna do okay today without me?" He asks, watching as Toby finishes up his short conversation with Sylvester.
"I'll be fine." She huffs, crossing her arms over her chest.
She can see Happy walking towards her out of the corner of her eye. She steps away from him and walks into Happy's opened arms.
Happy places her hand on the back of her head, pulling her closer to her chest. "You'll do good today. Anyone messes with you, just show em whose boss"
She pulls her back by her shoulders, and combs a hand through her hair in a quick move, with a grin on her face. "But be good. No need to get suspended on the first day"
Sage laughs and grins up at her. "Thanks mum. And don't worry, I promise not to get into any trouble"
Happy playfully pushes her to the door, after hearing Toby call for her.
"Sage come on. We're gonna be late!" He yells, holding the door open for all 3 of the kids.
Sage holds onto the straps of her backpack and runs to the door. She can hear Cabe's voice in the background as she reaches the door. "You'll do great kiddos, be good!"
She calls shotgun and climbs in the passenger seat, as Colby and Ralph get in the back.
Toby climbs into the drivers seat, and rests his hat on the middle console as he backs out of the alleyway, and into the main streets.
They ride most of the way to the school in silence. With the classic rock radio station playing in the background, as Toby taps out the beats onto the steering wheel.
They pull up to the school, and kids of varying sizes and ages are running and walking to the main doors of the building.
Toby sees Sage tapping on her knee with her fingers, while she nervously watches the teenagers and teachers file into the building. She taps her foot on the floor of the car, and her emotions are running wild.
Toby reaches over and pats her knee, as Colby and Ralph climb out the car. "You're gonna do fine kiddo. If something goes wrong just give me a call." He says, giving her a sweet smile.
He sees Colby and Ralph with their backs turned to the car, as they wait for Sage, and giving them a bit of privacy.
"Paige is going to pick you all up today. I'm gonna be at the office today, so I won't be able to pick you up" he says, helping her with her things.
"Oh! That reminds me! Can I please ride home on my board today. I haven't done it in forever, and I need a way to get off all the stress after today" she begs, leaning closer to him, in high hopes of him saying yes.
Toby scrunched up his nose as he thinks about it. "Emotions say no, but logic says yes." He's quiet for a moment as he decides which to listen to.
He sighs, and lowers his gaze in defeat. "As long as Colby goes with you I'm fine with it. Just go straight to the garage" he says, arching an eyebrow.
Sage thanks him, and grabs her skateboard she had hidden under her seat.
She's about to climb out the car, when she hears Toby clear his throat behind her. "Aren't you forgetting something?" He asks, waggling his brows.
Sage laughs and rolls her eyes, leaning over to give him a tight hug around his neck, and a peck on the cheek. "Love you daddy"
She climbs out before Toby can respond, so he calls out to her through the open window. "Love you too sweetie. Remember, no funny business!"
Sage laughs sarcastically, before flipping her head behind her, while walking backwards to give him a grin. "Wouldn't dream of it"
And there was no way she or Toby would forget that what they just said had a deeper meaning than what meets the eye, or ear n this case. They did have really good memory after all. And who'd forget such an important day like that. (If you do not get to what I'm referring to, I'm referring to the first day Toby drops her off at school, several chapters ago)
In the halls...
The hallways were definitely more crowded than they used to be. Sage has to uncomfortably elbow her way through several people. Following Colby as he leads them to their assigned lockers.
She can see a couple boys snickering at them, after getting a good look of her skateboard, and Sage whimpers and walks even closer to Colby, trying to hide in the shadows of his large backpack.
Ralph was behind her, and he has trouble keeping up with her quickened pace.
Colby's conscious of her movement and her reason behind it, and he sends a glare their way, silencing them instantly.
He was easily one of the biggest guys in the school. He had the build of a football player, a personality like a bunny, and as protective as a mama alligator.
Eventually their able to get to the lockers, and they glance around to see all the worried faces around them. Apparently Sage wasn't the only nervous one.
She packs her skateboard in her locker, and glances down at her schedule and map, even though she had it memorized the first time she saw it.
It was sort of like a reassurance. A back up, just in case something went wrong.
She saw a couple prissy girls a couple lockers down from her, applying several layers of makeup as they squealed about the football players across the hall.
She grimaced, and readjusts the sleeves of her jacket she stole from Happy the night before.
Ralph's waiting patiently beside her, since he had nothing yet to put in his locker, and Colby was loading up his own skateboard for after school.
He watches as both Sage and Ralph carefully and silently observe their surroundings. Looking and studying each person they see individually.
So Colby took the opportunity, and while Sage was distracted he grabbed Ralph by the shoulder and pulled him away so she wouldn't be able to over hear their conversation.
"Alright Ralph, you listen" Colby starts, gripping Ralph's shoulder with a stern frown, "I'm not going to be able to protect Sage this year. I'm not going to be able to block her from her fears as well as I used to. That's your job now. You need to look after her, and make sure she stays safe. Don't let any boy look at her wrong, and don't let any girl judge her because she's different. Block her from the uneeded criticism, and selfish judging she hates so much. You need to take care of my little sister this year. Got it" he says firmly.
Ralph's eyes widen as he looks up at Colby, and gives a fearful nod. "You'll still be around to protect both of us right?"
Colby chucked. "Course I will kid. I just won't be able to take care of her like I used to. Keep her out of trouble" he says, letting go of him, and walking back over to Sage.
He pulls her into his side, and whispers something in her ear, before walking away down the hall again. "I'll see you guys at lunch. Text me if something goes wrong"
Then he disappears into the crowd of messy, smelly, and sloppy teenagers.
Ralph walks back over to her, after Colby had left. "You ready to go to class?"
Sage nods, and readjusts her backpack, and walks beside Ralph to their first class. Trying her best to hide behind him as they walked through the halls.
Lunch was a definite nightmare for them. The free lunch given out to everyone was most likely not real food, and they were soon to realize why it was free.
No lunch tables were free to eat their disgusting lunch at, so they were kicked out to the steps outside, at the front of the school to eat their lunch in peace.
Sage grimaces and gags when she takes a bite of the school lunch. Ralph does the same, and they both set aside their trays and wait for Colby.
Her phone vibrates in her back pocket, and she shuffles to get to it. Without bothering to check who was calling. "Hello?"
"Hey sweet-pea! How's lunch going?" Toby's excited voice echoes into her ear.
She sighs into the phone, and leans on Ralph as she talks to him, and he reads his book in his lap.
"Terrible. The stuff is just slop. Me and Ralph didn't even bother to eat it" she says, looking over his shoulder to read along with him.
She hears a grunt on his end and then a loud thump and smash. Followed by some muffled cursing.
Toby ignores it and continues to talk, "you want me to bring you two lunch?" He asks, and Sage can hear Cabe's voice in the background yelling at him to do something.
And she can hear him yell back rudely. "Well excuse me mister sourpuss. But I am checking in on my daughter to see how her day is going so far."
Sage laughs when she hears his mocking voice echoing in the background.
There's a couple seconds of silence on his end before his voice comes through. "The team says hi by the way. But seriously, do you want me to drop you off some lunch. I'm leaving for the office right now"
Sage turns to Ralph and asks him if he wants some lunch, and he nods gratefully.
"Yes please. Me and Ralph want some edible lunch, and Colby would probably want some too. So three just in case" she says into the phone.
"Alright Bug. I'll be there's in a few minutes. Just hang tight" he says.
"Kay. Bye Dad" she says, and hangs up the phone. She turns her head, and groans. The noise muffled by Ralph's shirt and shoulder.
She sits back up and looks down at the detestable food at her feet. "I've eaten food like this out a garbage can, but somehow this is worse".
Her nose scrunched up in disgust, and Ralph nods his head in agreement.
They hear the opening and closing of a large metal door behind them, and they turn around to see Colby standing there with a tray of lunch in his right hand.
"Guys...this is the worst crap I've ever eaten...like ever. And I've eaten some pretty bad stuff"
He throws the whole tray in a nearby garbage can, and sits at the steps beside Sage.
"Toby's bringing us all lunch" Ralph says, looking over Sage's head, once again leaning on his shoulder, as over at Colby.
Colby nods, and they sit there in silence for a short while, before he strikes up a conversation. "So how's your day going so far?" He asks.
A deep growl emanated from the back of Sage's throat, and Colby bites his lip. "I guess that's a no then"
Ralph frowns and nods his head. "It doesn't help that we're both smaller than all the other kids here. Plus we're new, and these guys don't seem to like new kids"
Colby sneers, "tell me whose messing with ya, and I'll fix the problem ASAP" he says, driving his fist into the palm of his hand angrily.
Ralph shakes his head. "You can't do anything. It's mostly just the football players and bigger guys"
"Don't forget about those prissy little snobs" Sage snorts.
Ralph nods his head in agreement, and looks back down at his book.
"We all got PE after lunch. Then we get to go home, so that's a pretty good way to end the day" Colby says with a grin.
Ralph and Sage's eyes widen, "nu-uh, PE is not fun! It's like the worst of the worst of classes" Sage says
Colby just rolls his eyes, and stands up when he sees Toby's car circle around the entrance of the school a few minutes later.
"Wow. That was fast" Ralph says, as Colby runs to the car to grab all three lunches.
"Thanks Toby" he says, and waves him off, digging through his bag, while walking the other two back to Ralph and Sage.
"Here you are" he says, tossing each paper bag to their designated owner. Ralph almost spills his lunch on the stairs, and Sage catches hers perfectly in her hands, while helping catch Ralph's food before it lands on the ground.
They both scarf down their short meal for the next 5 minutes they have of lunch, before throwing away the evidence, and heading back inside before the bell for the next class rings.
After school...
Ralph and Sage talk at their lockers as they wait for Colby to find them where they agreed to meet.
The same football players from earlier were across the hall, snickering at them, and the girls next to them left as soon as the dismissal bell rang.
When all the teachers are out of sight, the tallest of the boys struts over to Sage and Ralph, with a smirk.
His friends follow him, and he corners Sage up against the lockers.
He leans down to her level, and grins at her. "What's a pretty little girl like you doing here?"
Sage musters up all the self control she's had to gather over the years to keep from throwing this guy over her shoulder, and beating the crap out of him for touching and talking to her in such a way.
She can see Ralph's fist ball up and his face turn red from anger beside her.
He takes a step towards him, and raises his voice to hide the tremble. "Hey! Back off!"
The older boy gives and amused laugh and cock of the head, pushing his body away from Sage, and setting his eyes on Ralph.
"And what're you gonna do about it pipsqueak?" He says right in Ralph's face, and popping his bubble gum loudly.
Ralph stands up straight, as he sets his glare at the boy that is much taller than him.
And now it's Sage's turn to get angry.
"I don't think kindergarteners are supposed to be here, kiddo. So why don't you skiddadle back to your little preschool" he snarls, slapping hands with his friends behind him.
"That's it!" Sage yells, and attempts to throw herself onto his back, but a strong arm grabs her backpack, and pulls her back into his chest.
"I don't think so" he says, and Sage recognizes the voice instantly.
He pushes Sage behind him, blocking her from the view of the over confident football players.
Colby grabs the boy by the shoulder, and swings him around to be face to face. Standing at least a foot taller than him.
"I hear your messing with my little sis" he threatens, crossing his arms in front of him, while Sage grabs onto Ralph's arm pulling him towards her, behind Colby.
They both peek around Colby's large body, at the group of jocks standing on the other side.
The leader takes another step towards Colby, with an amused smirk.
"Whatcha gonna do about it tough guy?" He threatens, spitting on his face.
Colby shakes his head in amusement, and wiping the saliva off his face, before dropping his grin into a frown, and rolling back his shoulders, and swinging his fist right at the boys face. "This!"
There's a loud echo through the clear hallway, as Colby's fist connects with the boys jaw, sending him flying backwards into the arms of his friends.
Sage and Ralph snicker at his dazed expression as he recovers. And Colby pushes at their backs, yelling "run"as he takes off down the hallway.
So they run down the hallway, and to the front of the school, where the parents wait in their cars for their kids to come out and take them home.
Ralph spots his ride towards the back of the line, and pushes his way through the crowd of students, after waving bye to Colby and Sage.
They wave back, and grab their skateboards they retrieved from their lockers, and walking to the end of the school parking lot.
Their pace starts off slow as they enjoy riding for the first time in a while.
And Sage digs the toes of her shoulders into the cement to get better leverage and speed.
They go a few blocks before Colby strikes up a rather uncomfortable conversation. "So...you like Ralph or what?"
Sage's face turns red, as she turns to look at him, and nearly running into a woman walking her poodle on the sidewalk.
When she recomposes herself she gapes at him, "what're you talking about?"
Colby innocently shrugs his shoulders. "I don't know, you guys get a long really well. You stayed back a grade to be with Ralph, made your schedule exactly the same...and you stay over at his house a lot"
Sage huffs, and raises a finger to make her point. "First off. I stayed back because I found out I'm a year younger than I thought I was, and I want to be around people my size and age. Two, I made our classes exactly the same because he's the only person I know in seventh grade. And lastly, he's my friend and friends stay at each other's houses and play video games and eat ice cream"
Colby raises an eyebrow. "How come you never come to play video games with me anymore?"
Sage mocks pains and shock, "I do to! I...play video games with you all the time"
Colby scoffs. "Yeah. At the garage. But you never come over to Cabe's place to play video games with me, or have sleepovers"
Sage huffs, "yeah...well. Paige makes awesome muffins in the morning" she yells, pushing harder against the ground, and speeding ahead of Colby. Ending there conversation.
Colby chuckles and struggles to catch up with her.
He finally catches up with her at a stop at a busy intersection. He sees Sage looking down the street, at passing cars.
"Hey, what's wrong?" He asks, waving his hand in front of her dazed face.
Sage points a finger to a black ford down the street. "That car has been following us. License plate 969JCY. Every intersection we cross its there"
Colby narrows his eyes at the car fading in the distance.
"Well let's take a back road then. See if we can loose them. If not we both have some awesome fighting skills" Colby grins at her, turning his body to start riding down the sidewalk perpendicular to the previous one. Leading down into an alleyway.
Sage rolls her eyes and follows him.
They're a few blocks from the garage, and are staring to get a little worried since the car was still appearing around them. So they started riding a little faster, and weaving in and out of streets. But they couldn't loose the car.
So for the next half a mile they rode as fast as they could back to the garage. They needed to tell the team what was going on.
Sage was off first. Not bothering to stop her board as she jumped off, and it skidded into the brick wall in front of them. Colby slammed his heel into the back of the board, driving the front up and into the palm of his hand. Causing a few minor sparks to fly around his wheels.
They both ran in, with heavy breaths.
Ralph was on the couch. Lounging as he finished up his homework. While Paige and Walt were at their desks. Nobody else in sight.
"Mom! Dad!" Sage yelled, as she ran into the garage, the heavy door slamming behind them.
Paige and Walter both stood up, taking notice of Sage's heavy breaths and Colby's semi frantic eyes. While Ralph peeked up and leaned over the couch to hear what they had to say.
Sage looked around at the multiple empty desks, and when she found none of her preferred consulates. She settled on Walter and Paige.
Paige ran up in her fancy red heels, and Walter did his awkward half walk half run across the garage.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" He asks, as Paige checks both of them over.
Sage doesn't bat her hands away as they roam over her face, checking for sign of injury. Instead she points to the door.
"We were followed. Some creep in a black ford kept passing by us, even when we went into the back alleys. They were always at a distance, but following us here"
Paige looked up at the door, and turned to look at Walter.
He nodded his head, and ran back to the computer, and Ralph replaced his previous spot.
"License plate?" he calls, and Sage replies. Relaying the numbers she had spoken earlier.
She watches as Walter did a few things on the computer, and saw as his eyes widened, "oh boy"
Before he could tell them what was going on. There was a loud slam from the back of the garage. And Toby's loud and recognizable voice reaches their ears.
"I'm telling you. If you put a chickens head under its wing it'll pass out" he says, randomly.
Sage perks up when she hear the four sets of footsteps in the background, and eventually the faces that appear at the main part of the garage.
Toby gets one look at all their faces and sees that something's up. "What's goin-" but Walter interrupts him.
"Toby there's something you need to know" he's about to continue but a loud knock comes from the front door.
All heads turn that way, and Sage wastes no time cracking it open and peeking her head out. Despite the many protests from the ones behind her.
"I'm sorry miss, but can you leave please?" She asks politely after realizing who it was.
"No. I'm sorry, but I can't."
They see the door budge a little, but Sage jams her foot in the bottom of the frame and keeps it in place, while leaning her body on it.
"Sorry. Can't come it. All you do is cause trouble" she says, with an innocent smile, trying to force the door closed, but struggling against the weight the woman's putting against the door.
"Sage! Let them in" Toby says, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Sorry dad. You probably don't want me to do that" Sage says with a guilty smile over her shoulder.
"Oh for goodness sakes" Cabe yells, marching over to the door, and pushing Sage away and opening it up himself.
He gets one glance at the woman outside and widens his eyes too. Trying to slam it back just like Sage did.
"Let me in!" She yells.
Toby recognizes the voice and groans. Collapsing into his chair at his desk, as Amy pushes through Cabe and Sage's barrier and into the garage.
Everyone groans. And Aidan joins in after seeing everyone else do it.
Sylvester mutters to himself, and grabs Aidan's hand and drags him upstairs, Colby and Ralph following close behind.
Paige reaches Toby's desk before Amy sees him, and she mouths the words 'play nice' to him, before running for cover in the kitchen.
Amy huffs in the center of the room, and stares at Toby sitting at his desk with a scowl on his face.
"I can't believe how hard this place is to find. I had to follow your daughter home from school just to talk to you" she exclaims, placing her hands on her hips, with her dainty purse hanging at her wrist.
"You what !?" Toby yells, angrily standing from his chair.
Cabe and Sage wince, and glance at each other regretfully. While Walter stands there awkwardly stacking papers very slowly.
Happy's just fuming with anger behind Amy, as she tries to keep her cool.
"You heard me," Amy points an accusing finger at Toby, "don't even try to act like this is my fault. Your the one acting like an immature child, who won't talk to me and work things out like a normal person"
Toby's stunned silent, "you-your really blaming this in me" he asks, with a shaky voice as he tries to keep from getting all worked up.
He moves from around his desk, and walks slowly up to Amy.
She nods her head, "yes, this is your fault. All I wanted was to catch up, and maybe go back to the way things used to be" she says, reaching out to grab Toby's -arm.
Happy snarls, and marches up to stand next to Toby, shoulder to shoulder,staring daggers at Amy.
Who just huffs in annoyance, and retracts her hand. "All this is your fault" she says, pointing at Happy.
"You're the one who stole my fiancé" she yells at her, while Happy and Toby stand motionless with straight faces as Amy continues to yell and accuse Happy of many things.
Cabe covers Sage's ears as Amy yells inappropriate things at the pair. And she just rolls her eyes at him.
Once Amy finishes with her rampage, she says something extremely vulgar to Happy, which sets Toby off on a rampage.
Setting off a yelling match between the two, once again.
Sage gets antsy and uncomfortable as the yelling gets louder, and more violent.
Cabe notices and wraps a protective arm around her shoulders, and leads her to the kitchen. A little farther away from the fight in the main room.
"You left me to go be with Jerkhead. And as soon as my life is in it's prime you come skipping along wanting to tear it apart, just to have what you want back! You don't care about me or Sage, or anyone! Just about yourself" Toby yells.
"No! I do not think only about myself. That's you Toby! All you did every night was gamble, and gamble! And all of a sudden it's my fault that I broke up with you! And saw the good in you, and came back for you! Is that all really my fault?!"
Even Happy eventually got extremely uncomfortable with the conversation and escaped to the kitchen where Cabe, Paige and Sage were sitting. Waiting for the fight to end.
Walter was trapped at his desk. Every time he would make a move for the kitchen, Toby would raise his voice even louder, or Amy would get upset and kick something. Sending him retreating back to his desk.
Sage sees Happy sit down at a kitchen chair, and she runs to sit with her.
She leans her head on Happy's shoulder, as Happy violently taps her fingers on the tabletop to calm her nerves.
Eventually Amy storms out the garage in anger, slamming the door behind her. While Toby throws his hands in the air, and spins on his heels to match back to his desk.
Sage retreats upstairs with the guys, and gives both Happy and Toby some cool down time.
The three young boys are already busy with the tv, while Sylvester stands by with a watchful eye.
Colby sees her walk in, and he lays down his controller and stands up. "Hey, is everything cooled down there"
Sage shakes her head, and squishes between Aidan and Ralph.
"No, dads kinda pissed, and I don't think he's gonna feel better anytime soon" she says, grabbing her control lazily.
"You can sleepover tonight if you want" Ralph offers, noting her discomfort with the situation.
"No. I-I think it would be best if Sage goes home tonight" Sylvester stutters out from behind them.
Colby turn around on the couch and raises a brow at Sylvester.
His eyes widen and he frantically retreats downstairs with the rest of the team.
"What's up with him!" Colby scoffs, turning back to the game.
"I don't know, but I do think it's best for me to go home tonight. Moral support I guess"
Ralph shrugs and the four of them continue their game silently.
It takes three hours for any of them to build up the courage to go downstairs. And they're all starving.
They usually would've had dinner and hour ago, and no one has told them to come down and eat yet.
Sage ventures down first, and looks over the railing at all the empty desks. All the desk lights are off, and there are muffled voices coming from the very back of the garage.
She waves Aidan, Ralph, and Colby down, and sneaks around back, peeking around the old rusty Jeep Happy hadn't gotten around to yet.
All the geniuses, Paige, Cabe and Ray, were sitting around a table with cards in their hands, and a large box of pizza in the middle.
Paige throws her hand of cards down in front of her with a frustrated sigh. "You geniuses make playing cards 100 times more difficult" she complains, as Cabe rubs his chin while he tries figuring out his hand.
Toby laughs and gives Paige a playful side hug, "looks like you aren't getting the last piece of pizza"
Paige glares at him, and huffs.
Sage sees the almost empty pizza box in the middle of the table.
She gasps, "I can't believe they didn't feed us"
All four kids stick their heads around the corner to get a look at what she's talking about.
"Come on. Let's go get some food" Colby says, pulling at the ends of his sleeves, and marching out into the open.
Followed by Ralph, Sage, then Aidan.
They march up to the table, and look accusingly at the nearly empty pizza box.
Toby plays a card from his hand, and leans back in his chair, pointing to the stove. "Relax. Your pizza is on the stove"
Aidan licks his lips, and darts over to the pizza box.
"He-Hey. Wash your hands" Sylvester calls when he sees him about to reach for the first piece.
Toby swats on the shoulder. "Let the kid live a little Sly. If you hold onto the leash too tight, he'll just pull harder"
Sly narrows his eyes at Toby, and grudgingly allows Aidan to eat his dinner without sanitizing and disinfecting his hands multiple times.
The kids sit around the table and watch as the geniuses finish the game. Ray abandoned the game just a few hands in, and Cabe and Paige gave up pretty quickly. Leaving the four geniuses hard at work.
After half an hour of back and forth bickering and challenges, Toby wins the game by a hair.
He stands from his chair, raising his arms triumphantly over his head.
Sage leans over to whisper in Paige's ear, "I guess he's feeling better then"
Paige nods, "yep. I forced them all to play a game or two together. And that seemed to cheer both of them up a bit" she says, nodding at both Happy and Toby.
Happy tugs at the hem of Toby's shirt. "Sit down before you fall and hit your ego"
Toby smirks at her, "you're just jealous you didn't win" he teases.
Happy growls at him, "watch it Doc" she threatens.
Toby raises his hands in front of his body in self defense, and backs away from the table. Grabbing his winning slice, and taking a large bite out of it.
Happy stands too, "you better share that with me Curtis" she yells, chasing after him.
There's a bit of commotion and banging that the 8 members can hear, and they roll their eyes, while cleaning up the game.
"Your parents are crazy" Colby says, handing Sage a stack of cards he gathered from the table.
"I know. But you gotta love em"
OoOoOoOo
The Quintis household drives home on the busy streets, and Sage tells them about her first day of school. Leaving out specific parts.
She's so busy talking she almost doesn't notice when Toby turns into the wrong street home.
She pauses mid sentence, "uhh, dad? Where are we going?" She asks, leaning over the center console, and peering through the front window.
Toby grins, and Happy hides a smirk. "Guess" he says. As if challenging her to get it right.
Sage's eyes widen. "No way!" She squeals. "We're all moved into the new apartment?"
Toby nods his head excitedly. "Yep. The team helped us move all out stuff there, and even started unpacking a few things, but there's still a lot left to do"
Sage bounces in her seat excitedly. "Ooh, I'm so excited. That place is sooo awesome"
She hadn't actually been taken to the new apartment yet, she's only seen pictures of it. And from what's she's seen, it's pretty amazing.
Happy grins and nods her head.
Toby can see Sage twitching in the backseat after a few moments of silence. "What ya thinking bug?"
Sage shrugs before getting to her point. "Does our new apartment allow animals? Cause I was thinking about getting a dog. Like...one of those big dogs."
Toby's eyes widen comically, and Happy nods her head in consideration. "Maybe a German Shepard. Or a Chocolate La-" Toby cuts her off.
"Are you guys seriously considering this. We can't afford a dog, or give it the attention it needs, and not to mention all the potty training, and chewing, and slobber. Plus big dogs like that could be dangerous to babyaaoons. Baboons" he fixes his mistake quickly and messily, glancing over at Happy.
"Really? Baboons is the best you could come up with?"
Sage eyes the both of them suspiciously. "What's up with you two. You've been acting kind of weird lately. Not your normal weird, but a weird weird"
Toby laughs uncomfortably. "Oh, look. We're here" he says, pulling into the well kept parking lot, and into their assigned space.
Sage climbs out in a ball of excitement, while both Happy and Toby take there time exiting the car.
Sage runs into the main lobby of their building, and looks around while Toby and Happy follow close behind her.
She hadn't been able to get a good look at it previously. She'd only seen pictures of it, from Toby's phone.
She feels a hand on her shoulder, guiding her to the elevators.
"Come on. Let's get to the new apartment" Toby says.
Sage loves riding in the elevator. She can only remember one time in her life when she rode in an elevator, so this was a totally new experience for her. And she loved it.
She looks around at the fancy interior, as Toby presses the button for the fifth floor.
They wait, until a ding chimes, and the doors open, revealing a carpeted hallway with 2 doors on either side.
Their condo is 5A on the right, and Sage runs up to it, bouncing on the balls of her feet, while Toby finds the keys.
The door is finally pushed open, revealing the beautiful scenery inside.
Sage steps in slowly, examining each room she can see.
As soon as you step in the door your invited into the living room with grey couches, and a nice flatscreen hanging over a stone fireplace.
Walking around the couches would lead into the dining room, and kitchen area. At least three times the size of the old one. With polished granite countertops, and smooth spruce table and chairs.
The scene that could be seen out of the wall of windows is amazing. Looking to the left you can see the final setting of the sun on the ocean, and to the right you can see the city of Los Angeles, and the streetlights against the dark expanse of the night.
The white walls, are illuminated by the bright lights built into the ceiling, and shining over the island between the kitchen and dining room.
Sage is wandering around the kitchen, when she hears Toby's voice behind her. "It's even cooler on the other side."
Sage turns around and is immediately overwhelmed.
There's a white staircase built out from the wall, leading up to room on the second floor, and the balcony. The polished oak floors stand out against the black bookcases lining the walls, and glass railings leading to the bathroom at the end of the hall.
Underneath the extension is another sitting area, with a coffee table and small tv opposite the wide hallway leading to the master bedroom and guest bedroom at the end.
It's not as big and open as the rest of the condo, just about the size of the living room at the previous apartment.
Sage puts her hands to her mouth, and is stunned silent. It was way better in person than in the pictures.
"I don't like all the fancy decor and stuff. We still gotta move a lot of stuff around, but this is pretty much the basis of it. What do you think?" Happy asks, glancing around the expansive living space.
Sage just hangs her mouth as she continues to gaze around.
"I honestly don't know how we afforded this place" Happy says, eyeing Toby, who innocently shrugs his shoulders.
Sage drops her eyes to look at the two standing in the middle of the living room, on the black rug.
She runs up and gives them both a hug, and pressing her cheek into Toby's stomach.
"I love you guys so much" her voice is muffled from speaking through his shirt, but they understand.
Happy grabs her hand, and starts pulling her up the stairs. "Let's go look at your room" she says excitedly, as Sage's giddy eyes agree.
Toby smiles as he watches Happy and Sage disappear around the corner of bookcases and into Sage's room.
Sage's enters her room, and her breath hitches, as her hands fly to her mouth. "Oh my goodness" she whispers, as she looks around the huge room.
There's a low to the ground bed with a light blue and grey comforter and pillows, with a black headboard. On the opposite wall is a whole line of white shelves. With plenty of room to keep clothes, books, and anything really.
Across from where the two of them are standing there's a giant window covering the whole wall, with light grey curtains pulled back to the sides, revealing an amazing view of Los Angeles.
On the right side of the door, is a another door leading to her closet for all her clothes, and to the left, is one of the biggest desks she's ever seen.
All her drawing supplies and markers, and sketch pads, and school books are laying on top, with a blue desk chair rolled underneath. The back of the desk, crawls up the wall, providing shelves and drawers to keep her things in.
The room is empty except for the boxes in the center of the room containing her few belongings.
"Woah. This is amazing" she says under her breath, as she falls back onto the bed.
"Thought you might like it" Happy says with a grin, laying down next to Sage on the bed.
"This place is awesome!"she says, pumping her fists in the air.
"It sure is. It's just the right size for us. Not too big, and not too cramped. It's perfect" she says.
Neither of them see Toby leaning on the door frame with his arms crossed as he watches the two of them.
He sees Happy's hand rest protectively over her stomach as the two both stare at the ceiling.
He waits a minute, before clapping his hands together to get their attention. "Alright! Sage you got school tomorrow, let's get ready for bed" he says, helping Happy stand from the bed, to let Sage get dressed into her pajamas.
They both head downstairs to their own room, and get changed too.
Happy places a hand over her bare stomach as she looks in the standing mirror in their room.
She frowns at the growing bump on her belly. "I don't want to get fat" she pouts.
She can see a shirtless Toby shimmy up behind her, and wrap his arms around her waist, and rest his chin on her shoulder, as he hums into her ear. "You aren't gonna be fat, you're going to be absolutely," he kisses her neck, "positively", then shoulder, "beautiful"
Happy rolls her eyes, as he unwraps his arms from around her waist, and pulls on a plain white t shirt for bed.
Happy moves away from the mirror, and pulls on one of Toby's oversized shirts to hide her growing belly. "Pretty soon I won't be able to hide these little nuisances anymore"
Toby gasps behind her. "Do not call our children a nuisance" he says dramatically.
He kneels down so he's eye level with Happy's belly, and places a hand on both hips, holding her steady as he kisses her stomach, right above her belly button. "Don't worry. Mommy didn't mean that, she loves you both so so much" he says, kissing her stomach again.
Happy laughs, and runs a hand through his curls, as he stands up, and pulls him towards her for a quick kiss. "You're a dork. You know that?"
Toby grins at her, as he rests his forehead against hers. "Yeah. But I'm your dork" he says.
And she just rolls her eyes and kisses him even harder.
So what did you guys think? Have any suggestion? Leave a comment and let me know
Love ya :)