Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original Ice Age characters. They belong to Twentieth Century Fox. All lines in bold are either from any of the Ice Age movies, any of the Lion King movies, either Brother Bear movie, or from a song that will be specified at the beginning of the applying chapter.
Chapter 7
Shira's P.O.V.
"There's nothing wrong with me."
"Why would you make air quotes if you aren't lying?" Peaches inquires.
"Peaches!" Ellie scolds.
"I'm sorry for saying you lied."
"It's okay, Peaches," I say while looking down at my paws.
"Shira, I can't help but notice that Diego goes hunting at least three times a day. What's up with that?" Ellie wonders.
There is a look in Ellie eyes that has a clear message: I know your secret.
"Does this have anything to do with why you wanted to talk with Uncle Diego?" Peaches ponders while using her trunk to bring down a branch with berries on it.
"Yes, it does, Peaches. You see, I'm…"
"Precious!" Granny calls down the beach.
"As I was saying, I'm….." I groan.
"Precious!"
"Sid, would you please make your grandmother shut her trap?!" Diego yells from the ocean.
He gives me a small wink from the water's edge, and goes back to "water-wrestling" with Manny. Sid runs out of the glistening water and sprints over to Granny. MY ears can just barely pick up what they are saying.
"Granny, you know Precious is on the other beach!"
"Momma's little girl has advanced hearing, Sidney. She'll come when I call!"
I tune out the rest of the conversation, because I know it can rage on for quite some time.
"As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, I'm pregnant."
Peaches' mouth hangs open in shock. Ellie simply just squeezes my shoulders with her trunk.
"That's so exciting!" Peaches exclaims.
"I'm so happy for you both!" Ellie cheers.
"Let's just hope Diego doesn't end up like how I'm told Manny was," I chuckle.
"For your sake, I hope not either. Manny tried to baby-proof nature," Ellie laughs.
Diego gets out of the water and shakes his fur violently. Water sprays in every direction, splashing Sid in the process.
"Oops, I didn't see you there," Diego smirks.
I walk over to him, and give him some congratulating for beating Manny in "water-wrestling." His fur is still dripping water when he stands beside me. I don't care in the least bit.
"I think I'm going to chase Crash and Eddie for a while. Then, we'll walk down the beach," I tell him.
"Don't upset the cubs too much. If you have to wait until after they're born, just tell the possums. They'll understand."
"Thanks for the advice. I know my limits," I smile.
Crash and Eddie jump up and start running as I approach. I quickly dash after them, and grab their tails with my claws sheathed.
"You always win! No fair!"
"The two of you sound more like kids than you do adults."
They dismiss my statement with a wave of their hands. I race them back to the others, and win. As I get closer to the herd, I pad quietly towards Diego. I am planning a sneak attack, but noticing that Diego is asleep, I abandon this idea. Snores are escaping his mouth, and his breathing is light.
"What's wrong with Diego?" Manny asks.
"There's nothing wrong with him." I say.
"I've never seen him sleep in the middle of the day before."
"He's just tired from all the hunting he's be doing," I tell Manny.
"Hunting more frequently coupled with the fact that he's more protective over you now, suggests one thing. You and Diego are expecting cubs, aren't you?" Manny asks, with his brown eyes suggesting he knows.
"Yes, they're due in sixteen weeks," I tell the perceptive mammoth.
"As I told Ellie, don't upset them too much." Manny warns.
"Boy, you're starting to sound like Diego," I grin.
"You mean Diego sounds like me. I had that material long before he did!" he says as he cracks a smile.
Author's Note: I meant to ask earlier, but how many cubs do you think Diego and Shira will have? Anyone who guesses correctly will have congratulations at the end of the chapter where the cubs are born! Best of luck to you all!
