31st December

It was a cool starry night outside the Candy Kingdom clock tower. All the citizens were gathered around the clove rock time piece, glasses of champagne in hand as they waited for the clock to strike twelve.

"Hey, I got the popcorn, guys," called Jake as he approached, his arms stretched around several large buckets of popcorn.

"And I got the drinks," added Finn who was carrying several cups of raspberry punch. They began handing out the snacks to the rest of the group.

"감사합니다, 제이크," smiled Lady as she took the popcorn and punch from Jake before kissing him on the cheek, causing him to blush.

"And an orange juice for you, Peebs," said Finn, handing the cup to Princess Bubblegum.

"Thanks, Finn," she replied, taking a sip from the cup. Marceline floated next to her, wearing a scarf and a pair of woollen mittens. The princess, too, was garbed in Winter gear for the year was drawing to its close and the nights were reaching their coldest point. But even the gusts of cold wind and flurries of snow weren't enough to keep them in on such a special night.

"Hey Mar, could you hand me the popcorn?" asked Princess Bubblegum.

"I thought you hated popcorn," replied Marceline with a puzzled expression as she handed the popcorn to Bonnibel. Princess Bubblegum laughed softly.

"Cravings, Mar," she grinned, "Not getting forgetful in your old age, are you? Marceline chuckled.

"Careful Bonnie," she teased, "Just because you're in the family way," she lowered her voice, "doesn't mean I can't give your neck a little nibble."

"Is that a promise?" the Princess grinned impishly, one hand caressing the Vampire Queen's cheek. The Vampire Queen's throat vibrated beneath the pink palm as she laughed again, looping her arms around the Candy Princess' neck, forked tongue flickering out as she replied, "If you want it to be."

"How much longer, guys?" asked LSP.

"Another thirty minutes, LSP," replied Jake.

"I thought you were going to Melissa's to celebrate the new year," said BMO.

"I was, but then she decided to invite that jerk, Brad, as well," replied LSP, folding her arms, "Besides, you guys are way more fun to hang out with."

"Thanks, LSP," smiled BMO.

"Why don't we try and get a better view?" asked Marceline.

"Where?" asked Bonnibel, "Every where's packed."

"Everywhere but the sky," replied Marceline, "I'm sure you see where I'm going with this." Without waiting for a reply she scooped the Princess up in her arms. She could feel the extra weight and she smiled to herself as she lifted herself and the Princess up into the air. Princess Bubblegum put her arm around the Vampire's neck, looking up at the clock tower from her vantage point. To one side was Jake who had stretched his legs up and widened his body, providing an elevated view for Finn, Flame Princess and BMO. LSP was floating next to Lady who had stretched up her body so that her front hooves rested on Jake's back.

"Only another ten minutes," called Finn who had his arm around Flame Princess. They watched the clock as the minute hand slowly edged closer to the twelve.

"10, 9, 8," chanted the Candy People below.

"7, 6," added BMO and LSP.

"5, 4," chanted Finn, Jake and Flame Princess.

"3, 2, 1!" cheered Princess Bubblegum, Marceline and Lady in unison. There was an explosion of cheers below as hats were tossed in the air, hugs were shared and toasts were made to the new year. Fireworks were let off and they whistled up into the sky, exploding and glittering in a myriad of colours. "Wow," breathed Marceline, watching as showers of red, blue and green sparks shimmered in the blue velvet of the night sky.

"Oh?" gasped Princess Bubblegum, putting her hand over her stomach.

"Are you alright?" asked Marceline. Princess Bubblegum smiled at the Vampire Queen.

"I just felt one of them kick," she whispered. Marceline smiled, resting her head against the Princess', one hand resting lightly on her stomach.

20th February

"Bonnie, you ready to go?" called Marceline from the bottom of the stairs.

"Almost," Princess Bubblegum called back.

A few minutes later Princess Bubblegum came waddling down the stairs. By this stage even her loosest dresses were too small in the waistline to accommodate her growing bump. She now resorted to wearing a loose fitting pink hoodie, purple tracksuit bottoms and a pair of trainers. Marceline had asked Peppermint Butler to order a carriage as it was no longer comfortable for either of them for the Vampire Queen to carry her.

The carriage was waiting just outside the door and they got in. Peppermint Butler flicked the reigns and the two jelly horses trotted off down the crowded streets. Although it was only midmorning the streets were already hiving with activity. Stall owners in the marketplace called out unmissable bargains while others haggled with the customers, vying for the lowest price.

"You excited?" asked Marceline as she held the Princess' hand.

"Definitely," replied Princess Bubblegum, giving Marceline's fingers a squeeze, "You?"

"Haha, yep," smiled Marceline.

They arrived outside the midwifery clinic where they got out. The doors slid open, revealing a sterile white waiting room with green chairs lined up against the walls. They took a seat near the door to the midwife's office. Princess Bubblegum smiled at her wife and Marceline could see, beneath the layers of excitement and anticipation, a slightly nervous look on her face. The way her mouth twitched a little as she smiled and when she spoke, how her voice was slightly higher pitched than usual and she seemed to have a lot more to say. She said it quickly too. Marceline gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Everything's gonna be fine, y'know," she said reassuringly.

"What? Of course it's gonna be fine, why wouldn't it be fine?" smiled Princess Bubblegum. Marceline couldn't deny she felt slightly nervous too. The thought of being a parent had seemed like a dream at first but now it was really going to happen. She drummed her fingers on her knee.

"Nervous?" asked Princess Bubblegum.

"A little," admitted Marceline, "You?"

"Yeah, a little bit," replied Princess Bubblegum, "But you're right, everything's going to be fine."

"Bonnibel and Marceline," called a voice from the doorway. It was Dr. Princess. She was wearing her usual doctor's coat over her orange turtleneck dress. They followed her down the corridor to her office. She asked Princess Bubblegum to take a seat on the examination bed.

"Is this your first pregnancy?" she asked. Princess Bubblegum nodded.

"Ok, and when do you think you conceived?" asked Dr. Princess.

"We think around early to mid September," replied Princess Bubblegum.

"Do you have a due date?" asked Dr. Princess.

"We think around June but we're not sure," replied Marceline.

"Well, after I've had a look I should be able to give you a somewhat accurate date," said Dr. Princess, "But if the babies arrive a little before or after, don't worry. Babies aren't exactly known for being on time." She smiled. This was information she had given out over a hundred times before to anxious soon to be parents and the joy she saw on their faces when the baby, or babies in this case, showed up on the ultrasound never failed to make her smile.

She asked Princess Bubblegum to lie down on the bed while she took out a device which looked like a small paint roller. She took out a tube of gel from the medicine cabinet.

"This might be a bit chilly," she warned as she rubbed the gel onto the Princess' abdomen. Princess Bubblegum shivered a little as the gel was applied. She then placed the device on the Princess' belly.

"Before we start, do you want to know the babies' genders?" she asked. Princess Bubblegum and Marceline shook their heads.

"We want it to be a surprise," smiled Marceline. Dr. Princess began moving the wand over the Princess' abdomen and strange shapes flitted across the screen. At first they didn't know exactly what they were looking at but then Princess Bubblegum squeezed Marceline's hand tightly as she caught sight of a little face. The baby was sucking its thumb, eyes closed. Next to it was its twin who was facing away, its tiny fingers curling and uncurling.

"Marceline, they're, they're beautiful," squeaked Princess Bubblegum.

"They are," whispered Marceline as she watched one of the babies yawn.

"There we are, two healthy babies," smiled Dr. Princess, "Your expected due date will be 20th June. Do you want to have a home birth or would you prefer to go to hospital?"

"A home birth," replied Princess Bubblegum, "I have a medical unit in the palace."

"Ahh, of course, that should be fine," said Dr. Princess, "Because you're having twins you'll need to have a few more ultrasounds throughout your pregnancy just to make sure things are going well." When she noticed the worried expressions flit across their faces she added hastily, "Don't worry, this is all perfectly normal. All mothers expecting multiples are asked to have more ultrasounds than those having a single pregnancy." Both the Princess and Marceline breathed a sigh of relief.

"Your next scan will be in another month," continued Dr. Princess, handing them an appointment card, "In the meantime, it's time to start thinking about not overreaching yourself, take it easy for the next few months."

"You heard the Doc, Bonnie," grinned Marceline, "Looks like I'll be taking over royal duties for a while."

"Not yet you're not," smiled Princess Bubblegum, raising one eyebrow, "My lab hasn't quite recovered from the last time you took over royal duties."

"Well, I'll help out at least," replied Marceline stubbornly.

"Alright, alright," said Princess Bubblegum, "Just, leave the experiments to me, ok?"

"Alright, I never did get the hang of all that stuff," conceded Marceline, "See you in a month, Doc," she called over her shoulder as they left Dr. Princess' office.

"Take care," Dr. Princess called after them before calling in the next pair of expectant parents.