Disclaimer: Teen Titans is the Property of DC Comics

Chapter 36

"Can I take this thing off now?" asked Raven.

"No, not yet," said Starfire, unable to hide her excitement.

"Please don't let her walk me into a wall," said Raven.

"Don't worry, I gotcha," laughed Bumblebee.

Raven was being led, blindfolded, to the common room where her shower was to take place. She hadn't been allowed to be in there for the past two days and had to teleport in and out of the tower and be brought meals in her room. She didn't mind that part all that much, considering she was seven months along and as big as she would have been nine months with a single baby growing within. She was even on bed rest.

"I really hope you didn't go to too much trouble," said Raven as she waddled down the hall.

"Hope all you want," said Bumblebee. "You know she did."

"It was not of the trouble," said Starfire. "I enjoyed planning your shower very much."

"Are we almost there?" poor Raven whined as her back ached.

"Yes, we have made it to the doors of the common room," said Starfire.

This was confirmed when Raven heard the doors swish open. They walked a few more feet and the two women helped the very pregnant Raven down the stairs to the lower level of the room. They walked a few more feet and then finally came to a stop.

"We are here! Are you ready?" asked Starfire, shaking with excitement.

"Yes, please take this thing off," said Raven.

"Okay, one… two… three!' said the two women, taking Ravens blindfold off.

Raven opened her eyes, let them adjust to the bright surroundings, and was quite stunned. The common room didn't look like the common room at all! Blue and pink balloons and streamers covered the entire room, so much so that the large windows couldn't be seen. There was a mountain of gifts, a large buffet of food that made Raven even hungrier than she usually was, and many women, all Titans, as well as Crystal and Nicole.

"Good Azar," was all Raven could say.

"Well, what do you think?" asked Starfire, her eyes wide and glittering.

"Uh, well, uh, it looks… wonderful," said Raven, really at a loss for words.

"Well, come on, take a seat," said Bumblebee, leading her over to a large, plush seat that was covered with streamers and balloons as well. "This is your thrown."

"We decorated it," said Nicole with a smile.

"Oh, well, it looks great," said Raven, taking a seat.

"Jeez, you got fat," said Jinx.

"Nice to see you too," said Raven. "And I'm quite aware of that, thank you."

"Don't listen to her, Raven," said Melvin, who was now leader of her own section of a new Teen Titans generation. "You look great." She gave her once babysitter a big hug.

"I highly doubt that," said Raven, who was in a pair of jeans with an elastic waste and a very nice, blue, short-sleeved blouse. "But I appreciate your lies to the harsh truth."

"Well, let's get this shower going!" said Bumblebee. "What's first, Star?"

"Oh!" said Starfire, grabbing her list of events. "First we are to each make a guess as to how large Ravens stomach is."

"Excuse me?" asked Raven.

"It's fun," said Bumblebee. "Everyone guesses and then we wrap some measuring tape around you to get the actual measurement. Whoever's closest wins a prize."

"Oh," said Raven.

"Let me get the board!" said Starfire, flying off. She quickly returned with a large dry erase board and began to write everyone's name down. "Okay, who wishes to make the first guess?"

"I will!" said Kole. "I'm usually really good at this." She went up to Raven and got a good look at her. She gave her guess and then Argent went next followed by Bumblebee, Jinx, Starfire, Melvin, Raven herself, Crystal, and then little Nicole. Once everyone made their guess Starfire got the measuring tape out. Raven got to her feet and they quickly measured her.

"So who won?" asked Jinx.

"I shall reveal the winner at the end of the shower," said Starfire, writing down the actual measurement down in her planner. "Alright, now we shall make a cast of Ravens belly and then when it is dry we shall all paint it."

"Can I please get something to eat first?" asked Raven.

"Don't worry, Raven, all you've got to do is lay back as we put plaster stuff all over your stomach," said Bumblebee.

"I'll get you something to eat, mommy-Raven," said Crystal, running off.

They all went up to the kitchen, where everything was set up for making the cast. Raven was sat in a chair and the whole group took part in covering her stomach with the cast. Raven found it very cold, wet, and unpleasant, but everyone else was having a great time, so she decided not to say anything. As they made the cast Crystal continuingly brought Raven food.

An hour later it was dry enough to take off and was placed in a safe spot to dry completely. They all took a break to wash themselves off and then got back to the shower. Raven was already exhausted.

"Now let us proceed with the gifts!" said Starfire.

Raven was sat down on her thrown again and all the gifts made their way to her. Raven sat Crystal right next to her to help her unwrap all of them. She received a triple stroller, three carriers, three baby swings, two changing tables, a rocking chair, three diaper disposal containers, three bassinets, a pair of baby monitors, ten infant boy outfits, twenty infant girl outfits, nine packs of onezies, nine pairs of mittens, and thirty-six packs of diapers.

"Wow, the babies got a lot of gifts," said Crystal. "And they're not even born yet!"

"That's what a baby shower is," said Raven. "It's a party to get ready for the babies."

"Well, I think we're ready now," said Crystal.

"I'll say," said Raven. "You're father's going to freak out."

"Why?" asked Crystal.

"Because he's the one who has to move all of this stuff into the nursery," said Raven with a smirk.

"Alright, now let us partake in the cake!" said Starfire.

"Cake?" asked Raven. "Is a cake really necessary at a baby shower?"

"Cake is necessary no matter what the occasion," said Bumblebee.

Starfire brought out a beautiful cake that had a baby boy and two baby girls made of icing on top. Raven gladly took a big slice, claiming that each of the babies deserved a piece. And after tasting it she confirmed that Bumblebee was right; cake was necessary no matter what the occasion.

Once they'd each had some cake it was time to paint Ravens belly cast. They each got a section of the cast and were allowed to paint whatever they wanted. Crystal decided to use her whole space up by doing her hand print, which Raven liked very much. They all signed their names and then dated it.

"Oh, it looks very nice," said Starfire.

"You know what?" said Raven. "It actually does. I think having that cold, wet plaster tape on me was worth it."

"Alright, what's left?" asked Jinx.

"Now I shall reveal who won the measuring contest," said Starfire with a smile. She looked through her planner and found where she'd written it down. "The person who got the closest was… Nicole!"

"What?!" all the women, excluding Raven, shouted.

"I won?!" said Nicole, jumping up and down.

"Yes, you did," said Starfire, hugging her daughter.

"What did I win?" asked Nicole.

"You have won a lovely gift basket!" said Starfire, pulling out a basket full of treats and a few gift certificates. All the other women grumbled and swore Nicole only won because she was Starfire's daughter.

After that the shower was basically over and everyone was allowed to go home. Raven was dead tired and went to take a nap after thoroughly thanking Starfire for all of the work she'd put into the event. Crystal went with her and as Raven drifted off to sleep she read her a story, but claimed it was so the triplets would fall asleep, too. Raven often complained that she couldn't sleep because the babies were always moving around and kicking her relentlessly.

Not too long after the party ended the men were allowed to come home. And, just as Raven had predicted, Beast Boy freaked out when he saw all of the baby stuff he had to move into the babies' room and assemble. He decided he'd do it later and go check on his wife first.

He entered the bedroom and found both Raven and Crystal passed out on the bed; Crystal's storybook still in her hands. Beast Boy smiled and walked over to his two girls. He took a seat at the edge of the bed and reached for one of Ravens swollen feet. He began to massage and rub it just the way she liked it and soon she awoke.

"That feels so good," she said, tiredly.

"How was your baby shower?" he asked.

"Alright," said Raven. "I think we got everything we're going to need."

"I saw," he said. "How're the babies doing?"

"They're asleep for the moment," said Raven. "Which I'm grateful for, since they seem to love kicking my ribs."

Beast Boy crawled over and placed his hand on his wife's large stomach. "Hey guys, daddy's here," he said to them. Immediately all three began to kick and wriggle about.

"Great, you woke them up!" Raven groaned.

"Good to know they recognize my voice," said Beast Boy with a smile. "I can't believe they're gonna be here in two months."

"Beast Boy, we'll be lucky if they're here in one month," said Raven. "Triplets usually come early. I just hope they're all healthy."

"I'm sure they'll be fine," he said. "You haven't had any problems yet, so I'm not worried."

Raven smiled and then began to move herself up into a sitting position. He quickly helped her up and then helped her to stand up. At this point she didn't even have to tell him that she needed to go to the bathroom. All of this commotion awoke Crystal, who sat up groggily.

"Hey, you're awake," said Beast Boy, grabbing his daughter and kissing her. "Did you have fun today?"

"Yeah," Crystal yawned. "Nicole won a prize for guessing how big mommy-Ravens tummy was."

"Cool," he said. "Do you think the babies got enough gifts?"

"No," said Crystal.

"No?" he laughed. "What didn't they get?"

"They didn't get any toys!" said Crystal. "Not one!"

"Well, maybe we can go out and get them some toys," said Beast Boys.

"Yeah, they need a teddy bear at least," said Crystal. "Ooh! Can we go to that place in the mall and make them each one?"

"That's a great idea!" said her father. "We'll save them and then give them to the babies when they're born. It'll be their first birthday gift."

"Yeah!" said Crystal, very happy with the idea.

"Just make sure you keep it a secret," said Beast Boy. "It'll be a nice surprise for mommy-Raven, too."

"Okay," said Crystal.

Raven waddled back into the room and said, "Alright, get to work."

"Huh?" said Beast Boy.

"You've got a lot of stuff to move into the nursery, so get to work," said Raven, taking a seat on her bed once more.

Beast Boy sighed and stood up. "Alright, I'll get to it," he said. "Crystal, you wanna help?"

"Okay," she said, scooting off of the bed. "You wouldn't know where it goes, anyway."

"I know where it goes!" said Beast Boy. "Sheesh, she's becoming more like you every day, Rae."

"And thank God for that," Raven smirked.