CHAPTER 1
GIRL'S DAY OUT
THE NEXT DAY: SWITCHBACK COVE. TIME: MORNING
It was a normal morning for everyone in Swichback Cove. People were out and about on a busy Saturday morning. The entire village was beginning to look like the future, except everything was made out of wood, leaves, rocks, so on and so forth. There was now a shopping center that was built not too long ago and became the one place where everyone wanted to go. Kids could play in the playground area, parents could shop in peace, and teenagers found it to be a place where they could escape their parents. Things were not so normal as the years go by in the Ice Age.
At that moment, three little aardvark children were running around the place, chasing after a snowball that were flying out of the snow pit. Children weren't supposed to be out and about unless they were being watched in the play area or if they had an adult with them. These kids seem to have a mind of their own. They had one that took their imaginations so far and beyond. They even stopped chasing after the snowball and started chasing each other.
"I'm gonna catch you!" the reddish aardvark said.
"Not if I catch you first!" said the tannish aardvark.
"Wait up, guys!" said the brownish aardvark, "You guys know I'm not that fast."
They were running so fast that they ended up slipping on some icy ground. "Whoa!" They started sliding throughout the shopping center. They saw that they were heading towards a female saber. They tried stopping, but their little trunks were too small to do anything. They finally shouted out to help the mammal they were about to hit. "Watch out!"
Before they could slam into her, a silver white paw stopped them from sliding any farther than they were supposed to. A giggled could be heard. The three aardvark children looked up to see it was Shira. She smiled down at them. "I gotcha."
They all gasped. "Mrs. Shira!" They huddled together.
"There's no reason to be scared of me."
"Please don't eat us," the little aardvark girl said, "We didn't mean to bump into you."
"That's okay," Shira said, "No harm done."
"There you kids are," a female aardvark, who happened to be the children's mother, said, "I've been looking all over for you three. I went back over to the play area and saw you all weren't there. Thank you so much for making sure they didn't wander off anymore than they already have, Shira."
"Anytime."
"Now apologize to Mrs. Shira, kids."
"We're sorry," the kids said.
"You're forgiven," Shira said.
"How have you been feeling, dear?" the female aardvark asked.
Shira sat down, running what looked to be her pregnant belly. "I've been good. I'm just ready for these little guys to come out." She groaned.
"Well, you only have about a week or two left, dear."
"There's a baby in there?" one of the little aardvark boys asked.
"There sure is," Shira said, "Although I think there's more than one."
"Can we feel your tummy?" the little girl asked.
"Okay, kids, I think it's time we stop bothering Shira," their mother said, facing the female saber, "You take it easy, dearie. Bye-bye, now."
"Mommy, can we go to the toy store?" one of the boys asked.
"We can go later, dear. Right now, we need to find a mirror for your room."
"Okay."
Shira chuckled, looking down at her stomach. "Kids these days. I guess you'll be a part of that generation, huh?" She sighed peacefully. "Well, better catch up with Ellie and the others. Don't wanna keep them waiting."
Over at the food court, Ellie was sitting at a table waiting for Brooke and Shira. Brooke had already said she would be late, but Ellie was wondering why Shira hadn't arrived yet. She finally saw the female saber walking over towards the food court and waved her trunk up in the air. "Shira! Hey, Shira! Over here!"
Shira smiled as she walked over to her mammoth friend. "Hey, Ellie. Sorry I'm a bit late. You know how it is when your pregnancy expands."
"That's okay. So how have you been? It's been awhile since we've had any girl time."
"I know. I've been good, but I've also been tired." Shira groaned, sitting down. "I am so ready for these little guys to come out. I think I've been pregnant long enough."
"Don't worry, sweetheart. It's only a matter of time before they're right in your arms. Don't rush these things. Enjoy being an expectant mother while you still can. It seems to bring you a lot of attention."
"That's because others know good and well not to mess with a pregnant saber's mood swings. Oh, and never mess with her cravings, either. Don't even make fun of what they eat. Which reminds me." Shira whistled and a hyrax appeared. "I'll take anything that has pickles in it." Chirping happily, the hyrax left to fill in the order.
Ellie looked at Shira. "What are pickles, anyway?"
"They're supposed to be cucumbers soaked in vinegar juice. Don't ask me what vinegar is. I don't know."
Singing could be heard from across the shopping center. Ellie and Shira looked to see Brooke skipping her way over to them. "Hello, ladies. Sorry I'm late. I had a run-in with an old friend of mine."
"Who?" Ellie asked, "Shangri Llama?"
Brooke nodded. "Yes, indeed. Let's go with that. I was having a conversation with him in my mind. That's what meditation is all about. Conversing with old friends by using your brain."
"Brooke, sometimes I don't get you," Shira said.
"I don't even get myself sometimes, but you get what I mean." She whistled to a hyrax, who scurried up to the table. "Mango smoothie, please." The hyrax nodded and scurried off.
"Hey, do either of you know where Diego went? He's been gone since this morning."
"I really don't know. I haven't seen Sid this morning at all."
"Manny said he left to get a few things done and wouldn't be back until this evening," Ellie said, "I really don't know what's going on." Without warning, a trunk was placed over Ellie's eyes. Make that two trunks. "Uh, what's going on? Did somebody turn out the lights?"
"Guess who?" two different voices asked.
"Wait a second. Is that who I think it is?" Ellie gasped. "Is it Peaches and Julian?"
"Yes!" Peaches exclaimed.
"Most def!" Julian said.
"Oh, my goodness!" Ellie shouted with excitement, hugging her daughter and son-in-law, "I'm so happy to see you two again!"
"Same here, Mom," Peaches said.
"Missed you a lot," Julian said.
"Awww, what a wonderful happy reunion this turned out to be," Brooke said.
"Wait, you knew they were here the whole time?" Shira asked.
"Of course. Did you really think I could talk to Shangri Llama in my mind?"
"Honestly, yes, I did. I never know what hippies are capable of."
The three mammoths parted ways as Ellie smiled. "I don't believe it. Why are you two back so early? Didn't you guys want to roam around for a while?"
"Well, we actually came back to visit you guys," Peaches said, "Travelling around is great and all, but we thought it would be nice to spend some time here at home. Plus, Shira's about to bring in some new herd members. How have you been doing?"
"I've been doing good," Shira said, "Just tired is all. And wishing these little guys would finally come out."
"Yeah, but nonetheless, you still look awesome," Julian said, "I can't really tell what's changed."
"Believe me, I think you can."
"So where are Dad and the others?" Peaches asked.
"They're all busy with something right now, but we'll see them soon," Ellie said, "Why don't you guys have a seat and chat with us for a while?"
"Sounds great."
"Awesome!" Julian said.
"I wonder what's so important that's put all our husbands in working mode," Shira said.
THAT SAME DAY IN SWITCHBACK COVE.
TIME: AFTERNOON
That afternoon, the males of the herd were setting everything up for a surprise that they were planning for Shira. Decorations, food and everything else were all set up. Manny and the male dino birds, Gavin and his son Roger, were putting up the banner, Diego was placing color on everything with flowers, Crash and Eddie were filling leaves up with air, and Sid was setting the tables. He was actually the one who thought up of the idea that Diego should throw a party for Shira as these would be some of her last moments as an expectant mother.
Diego walked over to a tree, placing flowers on the branches. "What is this called again, Sid?"
"It's called a baby shower, Diego," Sid said, "It's a tradition I just invented when the husband and his friends and close family come together to throw his wife a party to celebrate her arrival into motherhood. Well, it's also for you since you're about to become a father, but you get what I'm saying."
"I hope you're not planning on giving me a bill for all this."
"Nope. Since you're helping out and you made all the plans, I won't charge you a dime."
"Are you kidding me?" Manny said, "Why did you charge me with Peaches' wedding if you're not gonna charge Diego with this whole baby shower thing?"
"Because I was the wedding planner and I planned everything," Sid said.
"Oh, come on."
"Hey, I'm trying to help Diego out. He's the one that'll have to pay the hospital bill after his kids come."
"Actually, Shira and I have been talking about it and we've decided to have the cubs be born at home."
"A home birth?" Manny asked.
"Wait, you can't have a home birth," Sid said, "What if something happens while Shira's in labor? You'll have to go to a hospital."
"That's not my decision to make, Sid," Diego said, "Shira said she feels more comfortable having the cubs surrounded by friends and family. I'm not gonna go against her wishes."
"Well, I am."
"Are you the ones having the kids?"
"No."
"Than stop judging my wife."
"Alright, alright," Manny said, "Hey, Diego, to check on Buck and see how he's doing on that ice sculpture."
"Will do, Manny," Diego said. He walked over behind the leaves and looked to see Buck putting the finishing touches on the ice sculpture that took days to make. It was almost like looking at a statue. It was Diego and Shira with little bundles of joy in the female saber's arms. Diego smiled. "Nice work on the ice sculpture, Buck."
"All in a day's work, mate," Buck said, wiping his head with a leaf, "Do you like it?"
"It's wonderful, Buck. Thanks for doing this."
"Anytime, Diego. Although, I would've gotten done a lot faster if Gertie was here to help."
"Oh, there she is." Diego pointed out in the distance to see Gertie flying towards them.
Buck waved to her. "Gertie! Down here!" The female dino bird didn't land down, but she merely passed Buck and Diego. "Where is she going?"
They started hearing shouts from the other side of the bushes. "Dad, I thought you promised that I could schedule an appointment to go get my claws done."
"You never said anything about that," Gavin said.
"Well, I'm saying something about it now. Read my mind."
"Gertie, for the last time, I can't read minds."
"Do we really have to start up an argument right now?" Roger asked, "We're kind of in the middle of something right now, Gertie."
"Will you please stop putting yourself in our conversations, Roger?" Gertie said, slamming her brother to the ground.
"Gertie, what has gotten into you?" Gavin asked, "Whatever you're going through is starting to get ridiculous."
"You're starting to get ridiculous!"
"That doesn't even make any sense."
"Nothing makes sense anymore! Just leave me alone!"
"You're the one that came all the way out here. Now go back home and sit in your nest and don't come out of it until you calm down."
"Fine!" Gertie started flying away. "Everything's stupid. Everybody's stupid. My nest is even stupid."
Diego and Buck walked over to the male dino birds. Buck was helping Roger up while Diego walked over to Gavin. "Hey, Gavin, what's going on with your daughter?"
"Well, it seems as though her girl instincts have come to her," Gavin said, "I don't know how to deal with it."
"Oh, if only she had a mother figure in her daughter life," Buck said, "I know what it's like raising a daughter when her father has no idea what she's going through. Take it from me. I've raised Bronwyn here and she's already going through her toddler years. She's even taught herself how to roll. I'll show you." He placed his pumpkin daughter on the ground and looked at her. "Come on, sweetie. Roll for daddy." Suddenly, the little pumpkin started rolling. Buck gasped. "Good job, my little boogie woogie. Don't roll too far away now."
Gavin sighed. "I have no idea what else to do. Just yesterday, Gertie asked me if she could wear something called make up and all I did was ask two questions."
"What did you ask?" Diego said.
"First off, what is make up and second of all, why would she wanna wear it for tonight. That's all I said, but unfortunately, she took it the wrong way."
"Just give her some time. I'm sure she'll get over whatever she's going through."
"It makes me feel suspicious, though."
"Why do you say that?"
"I don't know. She's never acted like this before. It makes me feel as though she wants to join in on some flying club or a popular bird squad. Whatever it is, I'm gonna get to the bottom of it."
"Well, I'll give you some advice. Don't make her tell you. Sometimes, you just gotta wait until she's ready. That much I know. If you can, you and her can find a place to be alone and maybe she'll tell you. Just give her some time. You get what I'm saying?"
"Every word. You know, I can tell you're gonna be a great father, Diego. Maybe a lot better than me."
"Hey, Dad, do you mind helping me move this log?" Roger asked his father.
"Sure thing, son," Gavin said. He flew up and made his way over to help his son.
Diego didn't notice Manny walking behind him. "Is it looking great so far, buddy?"
Diego screamed. He placed a paw over his beating chest to see it was only Manny. "Oh, it's just you, Manny. Sorry, I didn't hear you from behind me."
"You okay, Diego? You've been a bit out of it lately."
"I'm sorry. It's just...my whole world is about to change. I'm about to be a dad. A new chapter of my life is about to open. I'm happy, but at the same time, I'm extremely terrified."
"Don't worry, Diego. Everything will be fine. Soon you and Shira will have kids and it will change your life. It changed my life. You'll always be there for them matter what. From the moment they're born until they decide to leave and get married, you'll always be by their side. Every moment of their childhood. You'll play with them, go to all their games, shows, or whatever else, celebrate every birthday they'll ever have and all that great stuff. The most important thing is being their when they need it the most. You know, teach them life lessons and help them understand the world better. Teach them from making mistakes. Yeah, they'll make the mistake, but you just have to teach them to never let it happen again. Nobody's perfect. We shouldn't try to make children perfect, but you know what? We can do a good job in raising them. When the time comes and your kids are raised well enough to learn about life and are ready to go on their own, you know you did a good job. It's only the beginning, buddy. Don't worry."
"Thanks, Manny."
"Hey, a friends gotta be there for a friend."
"Hey, guys!" Sid called out, "I could use a little help over here." They were looked to see Sid was hanging upside down the vine rope of the pinata.
Manny sighed. "Let's hope Sid doesn't become a father right after you."
"Why do you say that?" Diego asked.
"He's got a lot to learn."
The mammoth and saber went over to their sloth friend to help him out. After that was done and over with, they continued to put the finishing touches on everything to make the baby shower look wonderful.
OKAY, FANS. I BRING YOU CHAPTER 1 OF THIS AMAZING STORY OF ICE AGE. STILL WORKING ON OTHER STORIES AS WELL, SO THIS ONE IS INCLUDED IN ALL.
WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER. I WAS GONNA POST THIS A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, BUT I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL. BUT HERE IT IS.
PLEASE REVIEW.
