Chapter 13: Beside You

Agent 3 woke up from her nap feeling a lot better and was surprised to see Agent 4 beside her and he looked relieved that she was okay. "How are you feeling, Yumi?" He asked.

"Better now," she said. "How's 8 doing?"

He smiled. "Doing better now that she knows you don't blame her," he said. "She really felt upset about what happened."

"It could have happened to any of us," 3 said with a nod. "Where's Saki?"

"Pearl's watching over her while Callie and Marie cleaned the house up, Marina did the laundry for you, and the Captain and 8 are making dinner," the yellow Inkling said. "They figured you could use a break."

Agent 3 smiled. "I'm really lucky to have such great friends," she said as she got up and they headed out of the bedroom.

The green Inkling saw her friend wasn't kidding. The house looked spotless, the laundry was nearly done, Pearl was making up a new song to go with the beat Saki was making on the bongo drums, and Cuttlefish and 8 were at the stove, both looking a bit dusty with flour.

Pearl was first to notice them and smiled. "Hey, Yumi," she said, but her demeanor was much calmer than usual. "You okay?"

3 nodded. "Yes," she said. "By the way, I never said thank you for helping me get Saki back."

The singer waved a hand dismissively. "No worries," she said. "We'd do that any day for any of our friends and for our little niece."

Saki was still banging on the bongos before looking up at her aunt, who smiled. "You ready for another beat, sweetie?" She asked. "Show Aunty what you got."

The baby began slapping her hands on the bongos and Pearl began tapping her feet to the beat and beatboxing. Saki began giggling and laughing when she heard her aunt making those sounds as the singer kept it up for a bit.

8 turned around from her spot in the kitchen and smiled before coming out to see them. "Hey, Yumi," she asked. "Feeling better?"

The green Inkling nodded. "Thank you," she said with a smile.

4 went up to 8, smiling at her. "Wow," he said before gently grabbing her waist. "I knew you were beautiful, but now, you're hot."

She blushed hotly. "4, not in front of the baby," she protested lightly.

Callie came in right then. "Gonna make your move, 4?" She asked with a grin.

"What move?" 8 asked.

Pearl grinned. "Come on, girlfriend," she said. "We know you and 4 are an item."

Agent 3 smiled. "When did this happen?" She asked.

"Oh, a little before Saki came into our lives," Marie said, smiling.

Meanwhile, 4 had backed 8 up a bit until her back hit the wall and she was blushing again. Cuttlefish chuckled. "You youngin's going to just stare at each other or are you going to kiss?" He asked, smirking in amusement as both blushed. "Well, get on it with."

Pearl laughed. "Go on, 8," she said with a smile.

Blushing so red that her face now matched her hair, the Octoling bit her lip before suddenly leaning forward and giving 4 a quick peck on the lips, but he caught her before she could get away. "Come here, beautiful," he whispered, kissing her gently. She melted into the kiss and hugged him.

"About time," Callie said without heat.

"4 is much more handsome than that slimy creep Octavio," Marie said with a nod.

"Whatever made him think he had a chance with our 8, I don't know," Pearl said. "But 4, I'm warning you. You better not hurt 8 in any way or you'll answer to me."

The yellow Inkling smirked. "Sorry, Pearl, but only 8 is allowed to chase me," he said.

The singer sputtered while Cuttlefish roared with laughter. Agent 3 was unable to stop giggling at the look on her friend's face while Marina was trying to hide her laughter in her hand. Saki, not understanding why everyone was laughing, just laughed along, loving to hear the laughter of her family.

8 blushed again and playfully smacked 4's arm. "You know what she means," she said.

"I know," he said. "But I'm serious too."

Cuttlefish chuckled. "Alright, behave now," he said in a slightly stern, but amused voice.

"He's right," Marina said gently.

Saki looked around and when she saw her mother, she squealed happily and to everyone's shock, she pushed the bongos away from her. Pearl caught the drum set and put them aside as she watched Saki turn so that she was facing her aunt. The baby then carefully began sliding down her aunt's legs, holding on as she made it to the floor, standing up while holding onto the ottoman in front of her aunt.

Callie gasped. "Look, she's standing up," she said in surprise.

"I think she's going to try to walk," Marie said.

Marina smiled. "I'll bet she can," she said.

Saki, seeming to know they were cheering her on, took a step and wobbled slightly. Pearl gently put a hand under Saki's arm to help her keep her balance. "Go on, sweetie," she encouraged. "You got this."

The baby used her aunt's hand to help her keep her balance until she took another step and placed a hand on the couch, moving forward a bit. Everyone watched with smiles as the baby walked while holding onto the couch until she got to the end.

"Please tell me someone got that on video," Agent 3 asked.

"Yup," 4 said, holding up his phone. "And it's still recording."

Saki looked around before seeing she'd have to go around a chair to get to her mother. Getting a cute, determined look on her face, she let go of the couch, pausing to see if she had her balance and then, she took a step.

Marina gasped. "I think...I think she's going to walk to you, Yumi," she said.

Cuttlefish smiled. "Come on, Saki," he said, his voice full of encouragement. "Make Grandpa proud."

"Make us all proud, sweetie," Marie said with a smile.

"Show 'em how it's done," Callie said.

The baby continued taking one step at a time, pausing to make sure she had her balance before continuing. She made it around the chair, pausing to lean on it a little to keep her balance before she continued walking towards her mother, her arms outstretched to her.

Agent 3 kneeled down and smiled, holding her arms open. "Come on, sweetie," she said encouragingly. "Walk to Mommy."

Saki giggled as she continued walking, her steps growing more sure as she walked from the chair to her mother. Everyone began clapping when the baby reached her destination.

"Alright, she did it!" Pearl whooped happily.

"That's our girl!" Callie cheered.

"Mommy's so proud of you, sweetie!" Agent 3 said, picking up her daughter and hugging her, kissing her cheek.

The baby giggled happily as she hugged her mother while the others cheered. Cuttlefish smiled as he went up to the mother and daughter. "I think my little granddaughter helped us prove our point of being here," he said.

"What's that, Captain?" 3 asked.

"That we're beside you all the way," he said. "And we're here for you and Saki. Never forget that."

She smiled. "I really couldn't ask for better friends or family," she admitted.

"Good, cause your stuck with us, honey," Marina said with a teasing smile.

The green Inkling giggled. "I wouldn't have it any other way," she admitted.

Ah, I just love family moments. :)

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GoldGuardian2418