Chapter Five: Special

Happy, that was one of the many words his parents used to describe the happy, rambunctious, cheerful little green boy called Gar Logan. And Gar Logan was indeed, very happy. Living with his parents in Upper Lamumba gave the boy a different type of life than the one he would have had in America. Wild animals, different cultures and different languages surrounded him, although he was fluent in English, he was also beginning to learn Swahili as well.

He loved his newfound power, although he was strictly forbidden to use it in front of the local tribesmen, he would often sneak out to the open planes and run wild with the antelope or elephants when he wanted. His parents didn't mind, although he was told to be back by noon to eat.

Beast Boy had been frolicking through the African plains when he ran back to the house; he morphed into his human form a distance away from the village, not wanting to startle the villagers. They watched him indifferently; they had grown used to seeing the little green boy running through the street.

Arriving at his house, he walked inside; his mother looked up, smiling. "Gar, are you hungry yet?"

"Yes, mommy," Gar replied. "What do we have to eat?"

"Just a sandwich today, sweetheart," his mother replied quietly setting the newly made sandwich before him. It was peanut butter and Jelly, gifts mailed over to them from the States by the Stones. It was very precious where they lived since the nearest city was far, far away from the remote village where they lived. Any technology they brought with them or had it brought to them by helicopter there

Gar ate it ravenously. Marie knew he was a growing boy and his powers caused him to have a ridiculous appetite. She joined him in the kitchen, making a small sandwich for herself as well. Gar looked up from his food.

"Why am I different, mom?" he asked.

"What do you mean, sweetheart?" Marie asked.

"People here look at me funny because I'm different," he explained. "They stare at me." He said simply. "I don't like it."

"You are different honey, that's because you're special," Marie said simply. "Don't ever feel that just because you're different doesn't make you special, son. People just don't understand that."

Gar tried to understand. "So if people don't understand, that doesn't mean I'm not special?" he asked. Marie nodded. He looked into his mother's eyes and understood. He loved his mother, she was always so caring and she could understand him better than anyone, even Zanta who was his best friend.

Finishing his lunch, Gar jumped up to leave the table. "Now Gar, you have to go take your nap now." Marie gave him a look.

"But mommy, I don't need a nap!" Gar protested. "I'm not even sleepy!"

"You'll be feeling sleepy later and then you'd wish you would've taken that nap. Now go to sleep, son. You don't want me to tell Daddy do you? He'll be grumpy if you don't take your nap."

"No! No! Don't tell Daddy!" Gar said quickly as he scampered off to his bedroom. Marie watched him go with a smile on her face. He was a special boy. He was different from anyone she had ever had the privilege of knowing. She knew that the stares and looks were becoming more and more frequent and the locals were whispering about him. She sighed; it would blow over, as it always did after coming up again every few months. He would turn five soon and the rainy season would come and they would have to relocate for a time until the weather passed over.

Marie turned herself back to her work of cleaning up the dishes and the house. She took the plates to the small sink they had and turning the faucet on to the only temperature they had, cold, she began to clean the dishes. Just as she put away the last dish in the cabinet, she felt a pair of hand snake around her waist.

Leaning back against he figure behind her, she asked without turning her head, "Mark, what are you doing?" she knew her husband too well. She let a slight smile cross her face that he didn't see.

"Oh, just checking up on you," he replied, still holding her. "I'm finished for today and thought I might…spend some time with you." A mischievous smile played across his lips. He bent down and kissed her neck, she turned around to face him.

"Hmm, and who gave you this idea, Mark?" she asked, giving him a playful, teasing smile. He worked too hard, and now it seemed that he was starting to listen to her advice about taking a break.

"Why, you of course!" he replied, kissing her lips lightly. "You're always one to give m ideas." Marie's expression was one of shock. Was he being suggestive? He saw the expression on her face. "Shouldn't I be allowed to spend time with you?" he asked, pulling her close. "I love you more than life Marie. You of all people should know that!" he finished his statement with a kiss. One she couldn't escape from; not that she wanted to.

Mark moved her back to their bedroom where they would have more privacy, away from the prying eyes of random people who would dare to peek inside the windows.

Mark had pulled away from her so he could shut the door. "Where's Gar?" he asked.

"He's sleeping," Marie replied quietly. I told him to take a nap."

"Good," Mark smiled evilly. "That leaves plenty of time for us." Walking to the windows, he closed the curtains and pulled down the shades. He began kissing her again; long, slow, sweet kisses that culminated all his love and affection for this woman he had married. It had been some time since they had been alone; having to cure Gar's disease, aiding King Tawaba's fever, and research the genetic links between humans and animals had left them very little time to themselves.

"Mmm," Marie murmured in his ear. "You're very good."

"I know I'm good," Mark replied, his voice husky. "Now don't say anything else." They kissed again as he bent her body backward until they fell onto their bed. Groaning softly Marie pulled away from her husband and looked at him.

"I love you."

"I know, let me show you how much I love you." Their kisses deepened as he ran his fingers through her dark hair.Things went from there. When it was over, Marie let out a soft sigh, staring at her handsome husband intently. She was content and complete, so was he. Life wasn't bad at all; it seemed it was getting better.

Gar woke up four hours after he went to sleep. It was very quiet in the house and he thought it was strange that it as so quiet. Tiptoeing out of bed, he went down the hall towards his parents' room. He had learned that it was impolite to walk in so he knocked.

"It's Gar, sweetheart, get the door," his mother's voice came from behind the door.

"Just give m a moment, Marie," Mark said. He heard some noises and heard walking as Mark approached the door. Opening it, he looked down at his little four-year-old intently.

"Sleep well little Garfield?" he asked. He gave his little boy a smile. He was a great kid. He loved him very much. Closing the door as he stepped out into the hallway, he scooped up his son into his arms as the little boy laughed.

"I did Daddy," Gar replied. "But I wasn't sleepy!"

"Oh!" Mark exclaimed playfully. "You were it's just you don't wanna tell me because you wanna be a grown up!"

"But Daddy, I am grown up, aren't I?" he asked. Mark looked at him.

"Not yet son, but you will be. And you'll be as tall as Daddy one day!" He put him down. "Now Daddy needs a break or I'll break my spine holding you up here!" Mark laughed.

He set him down as Marie opened the door. "Garfield, come and see mommy!" She pulled him into a warm hug as he smiled.

"Mommy, Daddy said I'd grow up to be as tall as he is!" Gar smiled proudly.

"Let's hope you'll be as good looking too," Marie said as she kissed Mark lightly.

There was an immediate utterance of "Ew!" from Gar. Marie laughed at him. "Hey, it's not that bad."

"That's gross!" Gar exclaimed. "Icky!" They both laughed, as they scooped him up into a hug. Setting him down, he ran outside to play. They watched him go in silence, not saying a word.

Six weeks later, Marie was once again was once again washing the dishes when she felt her husbands arms snake around her body. "Mark, no," she said quietly as Mark stepped back.

"What is it, Sweetheart?" he asked, startled. "Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just I can't let you…"

"Why?"

"Because I'm pregnant again," Marie turned around. "We're going to have another baby."

A broad smile crossed his face. "I always knew I was good!" He kissed her sweetly.

"Don't get such a big head Mark," Marie warned. "Without me you wouldn't be so good."

"Okay, okay," Mark conceded, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "You win, Marie. So, when will we tell Gar?"

"Soon. He'll love being a big brother," Marie smiled. Mark smiled back at her. Gar walked into the room and looked at them.

"Mommy?" he asked. "What are you and dad so happy about?"

"Well, Gar, Mommy's gonna have a baby," Marie explained.

"I'm gonna be a big brother?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes, Gar, you'll be the best big brother anyone's ever had!" Marie assured him as he ran into her arms in a crushing hug. He would be a big brother, him a big brother. He could hardly believe it. A big brother...