Author's Note: I know the other chapter was a little long, but at least you get to see everyone's reaction! Especially, Kowalski's! Anyways, enjoy and review!
All noise after that stopped, and Private waddled over to Kowalski. Kowalski was very surprised to see that Private hadn't fainted at the news, even he was close to fainting.
"Kowalski, What does pregnant mean?" He asked confused. "Um, I'll let Skipper explain that to you...Tomorrow..." Kowalski trailed off, getting out his notebook to work out the possibilities.
Julien seemed to be frozen in place. His eyes widened to the point where they looked like they were going to pop out of the socket.
King Julien managed to say, "H-ho-how?", before falling to the floor. Fainting from the shock and surprise of the news.
After a few seconds of silence, several animals cheered, then everyone else joined in, saying, "Congrats!" "I don't know how, but congratulations anyways!" "Finally!" "Woo-Hoo! Wait-to-go Skipper!" Skipper's face was beat red, at that last comment.
Marlene grew incredibly excited by everyone's reactions. She stepped off the stage, and grabbed a smoothie from the "bar" they had set up. The females at the party, came up to her, and asked to rub her belly and talk to the baby.
Skipper smiled at how much Marlene enjoyed this new-found attention. Neither of them had expected this kind of reaction. They thought for sure that everyone would just drop to the floor in shock. Apparently, only one animal did that. And, it was the most unexpected one too...Ringtail.
He chuckled to himself. His new son or daughter, wasn't even born yet, and already they were taking that lemur down. That's when he began to think of what they would name the baby...and what...exactly it would..look like.
Skipper waddled off stage, and over to his glowing wife. It wasn't until he got closer that he realized how much she was starting to show. Marlene's had a bump near her abdomen. It wasn't small, but it wasn't huge.
This scared him, the baby was actually coming. He wasn't ready for it, but he would stick by Marlene's side through everything...every single step.
The girls surrounding Marlene noticed Skipper and said, "And here comes the new father-to-be...Awwww, how sweet! Good luck you two..." They patted Skipper and Marlene on the back, and walked away.
"Oh my gosh, I...I wasn't expecting this! I thought for sure no one would accept it! Did you see them rubbing my belly?" Marlene said quickly. Skipper put his flipper around her lovingly, and she leaned into him, sighing blissfully at the feeling.
"Marlene...I love you...and I can't wait for the newest recruit in our family." Skipper bent down, rubbing her belly as well, but kept his eyes locked to Marlene's the whole time. She kissed him softly on the beak. "Skipper, maybe we should start to wrap up this party...Most of the guests are starting to leave anyways."
"Alright, I'll tell the boys." He kissed her too, before sliding off to his team. Rico was dancing with his doll. Kowalski was chatting with Doris, before Skipper waddled up to him. "Kowalski, I need options on how to wrap up this party."
Doris smiled, looking at skipper, "Congratulations, Skipper! I'm so happy for you and Marlene...Sorry, Kowalski, but I've gotta go...I'm getting kind of tired...Tell Marlene I said congrats, K?" And with that, Doris swam away, with help from others as she reached land.
Kowalski stared after her, still lost in her eyes, even though she wasn't there anymore. "Kowalski?...Kowalski!" Skipper slapped his soldier to regain his focus. "Hu-what? Oh, um...We could get Private to tell everyone that the party's over."
Skipper thought, and decided he would just do it himself, "Thanks for the option, but I'll just do it myself."
He jogged over to the microphone, speaking in a kind, thanking tone, "Alright everybody, as much as I'd like to continue this party, it seems that it's time to retreat back to our habitats. Thank you all for coming, and I hope you had a good time here tonight."
The crowd of animals were disappointed to have the party end. They really enjoyed it, but decided it was late, and they were feeling sleepy, so everyone went home. Maurice and Mort ended up carrying King Julien to the lemur habitat.
"Yay! The king's feet!" exclaimed Mort, excitedly. Maurice shushed him, "Mort, don't wake him up! We'll have to dance all night! So, Shh!".
Darla and the baboons were still so hyped up by the party, that they danced all the way to their habitat. Soon, everyone had gone, and all that was left, was a great big mess.
"Boys, Operation: Maintenance Duty...Eh, the name needs work, but let's do this anyways...Ready! Go! Go! Go!" Skipper commanded, as all three penguins sped around Marlene's habitat, trying to clean as fast as they could.
After a few minutes, with Skipper holding the stopwatch and cleaning up at the same time, the penguins had cleaned Marlene's place spotless. Marlene just stared, smiling at Skipper as he looked at her. She thought for sure that she would have to clean it all up.
"Alrighty boys, job well done! You know what that means..."Skipper trailed off, with Private, Rico and Kowalski suddenly excited. "Snow cones, tomorrow!" Everyone cheered. Marlene's face flushed red, remembering the day she was supposed to go with the penguins to get snow cones. Back when Skipper and her were too stubborn and shy to admit their feelings.
She sighed peacefully, letting her thoughts take her to the precious memories, when she truly was innocent and Skipper had seemed like just a friend to her.
Skipper noticed her serene expression, and also remembered those days...the good old days when Marlene was too cute and naïve for him to have an interest in her. Then again, that's one of the things he loved the most about her.
Without noticing it, the two walked towards each other. Caught in a trance, only to get closer and closer. They didn't stop until Skipper's chest rubbed against Marlene's. It seemed like they were almost pressed into each other. The two lovers laughed, softly, to themselves.
They shared a kiss, before Skipper insisted the boys go home and get some rest. Private just said goodnight, and left along with Rico and Kowalski.
Marlene shivered, yawning deeply. Skipper put his flippers around her, tightly, and chuckled. "Maybe it's time for Mrs. Commando to get some rest as well." Marlene rubbed her eyes, and sighed, "Hold me..."
Skipper smiled warmly, picking Marlene up gently and carrying her inside, bridal-style. He layed Marlene down softly, and tucked her in with a blanket they got as a wedding gift. Before Skipper could climb in himself, Skipper noticed a badly written note to the two of them.
Marlene was barely awake, but saw Skipper holding something, "What is it, Skippy?" He smiled warmly, at the nickname and her voice, "A note, from one of your friends, I think." Suddenly, Marlene jumped up and moved over to Skipper, to read it, "What's it say?"
Skipper looked at her softly, before reading aloud, "Dear Skipper and Marlene, Congratulations on the new addition to the family! I'm so happy for you, and I just can't wait until that baby comes! I'm sure you guys are excited as well. Marlene, all I have to say is this, you made the right choice." Skipper trailed off, looking Marlene in the eyes and kissing her tenderly.
When they broke, he continued, "...In life, in friends...and in a husband. Please continue to let your love blossom, as I'm sure Skipper's love for you does. Skipper, you're not only a caring, generous animal, but also...a good man.(You know what I mean). Never leave Marlene stranded and alone, she needs you...and you need each other. Especially, now more than ever! You two mean so much to me...and thank you...for finally...getting together.
~From your dearest of all friends,
Rookie
P.s: By the way, I'll be sure to come and visit a little while before that baby of yours comes. So be expecting me! Ha, funny I should mention the word, expecting. Anyways, hugs and kisses to you both. I'll see you soon!"
Skipper was touched by the letter. As he looked over at Marlene, she seemed close to tears. Putting the letter to the side, he wrapped Marlene in the most comforting embrace he could. "I can't believe it...Rookie's coming to visit me! I haven't seen her in forever!"
Skipper was surprised at this reaction, then again he shouldn't be. What with the pregnancy and all."Alright, alright, Marlene..." He kissed her lightly on the cheek. "It's about time that you and our little recruit got some sleep."
She chuckled softly, pressing a hand to her stomach. "Remember Skipper...It might be recruits..." Smiling, Marlene kissed him pleasantly, and laid back down on her bed. "Goodnight Mr. Commando..."
Skipper was still frozen from the thought that Marlene actually might be having more than one baby. It didn't cross his mind before, he was all too excited about the baby and being back and everything.
Shaking away the thoughts that drowned his mind, Skipper laid closely to Marlene and wrapped his arms around her lovingly. That name, Rookie, it sounded familiar to him. He would have thought longer about it, but Skipper was incredibly tired.
Marlene cuddled up closer to his body, and Skipper held her tighter. Suddenly, Skipper felt a slight kick to his stomach. Looking down, all he could see was Marlene's stomach. Realizing that the baby must have kicked him, Skipper chuckled softly to himself, "Beautiful roundhouse...son."
Author's Note: What did you think of THAT reaction! And that's right! I'm in the story! Well, as my OC Rookie, but her appearance is based after mine...Anyways, keep reading and reviewing!
