Progeny

Chapter 14

Brooklyn wished he could be helping the clan patrol and do what was needed to take down baddies on the streets, but he was strictly confined to the castle grounds. Now that he was back, aside from Bronx, unless he was really needed, one of the other clan mates would stay behind with him.

He found it better to be safe than sorry. It might get annoying, but he didn't want someone hanging over his shoulder every moment of every night.

Brooklyn stayed in his room most nights anyway, reading his baby book. Well, he had decided on names by now. Now he just needed to study baby care. That was usually Lex's department. He had become a baby expert while taking care of Alex. He still did.

It was alright with Fox and David if Brooklyn wanted to take care of Alex to get more experience. He did practice some skills taking care of him some nights while his parents went out, at least when Lex or Owen weren't doing it.

This would be the first time the clan was planning a baby shower for one of their own. Normally, baby gargoyles didn't need much. But times had changed, and more human ideas were being adopted to gargoyle customs too. There was so little of what remained of the old, ancient ways of the clan left. Hudson included. He still remembered them though, the most.

Brooklyn's baby would be the first one born to modern day Manhattan. Anymore babies wouldn't be born until 2018, if on regular breeding terms. Unless more were born like this way. The next breeding year was 2008. And Brooklyn and Lexington still needed to find mates for themselves. They hoped they would before that time.

Hudson was so old that he was stuck in the way that he didn't want another mate. Goliath had Elisa now, but would they be able to have kids? Good question.
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Weeks later, the surprise baby shower was ready. It would take place in the dining area. It had some good space and there was a meal going to be served.

Brooklyn had no idea what his clan and friends had been planning behind his back. They were hoping for a good reaction without causing too much stress to the situation, given how sensitive he was right now.

Brooklyn was now 28 weeks along. He was only at the beginning of the last trimester, but he was in the final stretch of the pregnancy.

Gifts were being brought into the dining area on a table from what the clan and friends had gotten Brooklyn for the baby. Some food was also being served on the table; healthy snacks.

Brooklyn had been in his room reading while the clan was getting the surprise ready. He knew breakfast would be ready soon. His child moved within him and knew it was hungry, like he was. He gave his belly a rub.

When everything was ready, Angela was sent to go get Brooklyn.

"I think he'll like this. Don't you?" Lex asked.

"He should. He was so happy when he got back, all the attention we gave him." Goliath replied. He had been curious to see what a baby shower was all about. This would be the first time something like this was being done for one of his clan and it was honoring the first gargoyle child being born in the 20th century of their clan, in these modern times.

Brooklyn was still reading when he heard a knock at the door. It popped open. He looked up and saw Angela. "Dinner's ready." she said.

"Thanks, I'm coming." he replied. He tried to push himself up. It was getting harder to maneuver just right to get up when he was lying down. Angela noticed.

"Do you need help getting up?" she asked.

"I think I've got it. Thanks anyway." he said, getting to his feet.

They both walked to the dining area together. "So what's Broadway got for tonight?" he asked.

"It's a surprise." she replied with a smile.

When they got there, she got behind him and let him go in first. As soon as the door opened, the lights came on and a big "Surprise!"

Brooklyn was in such a shock, he fell back into Angela. She knew that was a precaution and had been back there. He had nearly tripped on his own feet. He held a hand to his chest, trying to breathe.

"Are you okay, Brooklyn?" Goliath asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine, but what's going on?" he asked curiously.

"You're getting your very own baby shower." Fox stated happily.

Brooklyn saw all his closest friends were there. His clan, mutates, the Xanatos family, Elisa and her family, even Beth. And Owen. This was an event he wouldn't soon forget. He couldn't help it that tears came to his eyes and fell.

"What's wrong?" Elisa asked.

"This just, makes me so happy, guys." Brooklyn replied, smiling even though he was crying.

"That's good. We thought you were upset." Broadway said in concern.

"That's normal for something like that to happen." Fox stated. "Pregnant people can't help it when they are so happy for something like this to happen for them."

"So, what's first?" Brooklyn asked.

"You were asking about dinner. Let's have dinner first." Angela said.

"Sure." he replied. He wiped his tears away and he was the first one allowed to get a plate and take what he wanted first. The others joined him right after.

There was some dinner amid the healthy snacks on the food table. Brooklyn gathered a bit of everything, it all looked and smelled so good. The others were marveled at his appetite, as he usually didn't eat that much food, but the baby usually made him eat a lot more.

He finished getting what he wanted and sat down at a spot at the table. The others got what they wanted too and joined him. The dining room table was full of guests when they were all finished getting seated and eating.

There were conversations throughout the dinner. It lasted for quite awhile.

There weren't going to be games, as the gargoyles mostly wouldn't know most of them. Then, it was time for the gifts once dinner was over.

There was a crib, Alex's old one, as he now slept in a big kid bed; some blankets and clothes, in case the baby would need them at least in cold weather. It was getting cold out. There were some books, tapes, a rocking chair. All things that would seem to be needed for the baby's care.

"Thanks for all these great gifts, everyone. I'm sure the baby will appreciate them." Brooklyn stated after the party.

"We were happy to be there for you, Brooklyn, to help make you more prepared to give your child a happy new start in this life." Elisa hugged him.

"I know I get to see what the baby looks like all the time on every ultrasound, but I still can't wait to see what he or she looks like in person." Winston complimented.

"I'm sure it'll be real cute." Beth commented.

"Thanks, Beth." Brook replied.

Brooklyn was loving this attention, meaning he knew his clan and friends were trying to be there for him and his baby.

Afterwards, everyone disbanded around the castle or went home. Goliath had called for a short patrol too after one. Brooklyn watched his leader, Broadway, Lex, and Angela take off for the patrol. Hudson and Bronx were still here with him.

He could only go walking around the castle for something to do since Hudson was once again, claiming the TV for himself for the rest of the night. But when he couldn't seem to find anything else to do, he went back to his room to do some more reading.
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The clan returned before sunrise and they all got in formation. The patrol had just been a gentle go tonight. Not too many trouble makers out, but the few that were had been stopped.

Brooklyn was still in his room and saw the light on the eastern horizon. He pushed himself up off the bed and got into his usual daytime bedtime stance. It wasn't long before he and the clan were stone for the day.