Well… Some of you were confused at the end of my last chapter about how Ellie could know she was pregnant so fast, and so soon in the relationship with Manny. To answer those questions… First of all, If you had read the story CAREFULLY you would have seen that they had been mates for one year before this even happened. Also, I say that Sue is a VERY smart Mammoth and that she is able to tell these kinds of things quickly, also, Ellie was showing many of the signs of being pregnant. I hope that clears things up for the lot of you. Another thing that I wanted you to realize is that for Mammoths, they are pregnant for exactly 22 months… two months longer and it would be 2 years! That's a LONG time to wait for a baby. And so that is going to play a big role in this and the next chapter. This chapter is dedicated to my cousin's new son who was born about 2 months early a few days ago…. Hang on there little guy! I hope you understand now and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story other than the developing infant, and the situation.

NOTE: This chapter takes place 2 years and 8 months after Manny and Ellie became mates.

A New Family Chapter 6: Happy Birthday Ellie

Ellie woke up and noticed that the snow that had fallen the night before was still on the ground… It was early January and the air around her was cold and crisp. She smiled at Manny who was fast asleep right next to her and had his trunk tightly locked with hers. She gently kissed him on his cheek and he woke up and smiled at her.

"Happy Birthday" he told her cheerfully as Sid built a fire to keep his friends warm. Ellie smiled at her husband as he gave her a gentle kiss on her trunk, he had always been a wonderful husband, but now as the due date for their developing child drew nearer, he was spending even more time with her than usual. She smiled even bigger as she felt the child inside her kick. Ever since she had been a little girl, she had dreamed of the day when she would be a mom. And now, in two months, she would realize that dream. Manny gently gave Ellie a kiss on the cheek then, since Ellie was laying on her side (Considering it hurt very much to sleep normally because of her newly enlarged stomach) reached down and kissed her stomach, a simple display of affection to their unborn son or daughter. Ellie gently snuggled up to Manny, her back up against him and her stomach facing the blazing campfire in order to keep both herself and the baby warm, it was bad for the baby to be cold. Manny then affectionately wrapped his trunk around his wife and held her close as they both worked their trunks over to touch her stomach then locked them once they were sure that the baby would be nice and warm. Ellie then smiled up lovingly at Manny.

"Only 2 months left" she told him excitedly "Then we're gonna be parents!" Manny grinned.

"I'm so proud of you Ellie!" he said "By this time most cows would have been complaining constantly, but the only complaining I've heard you do yet is maybe a groan of discomfort!" Ellie smiled up at him.

"Well I have you here to comfort me baby." She said happily as she tightened her grip on Manny's trunk and pressed it against her stomach, causing tears of joy to develop in both of their eyes when they felt the infant kick again. "I can't believe that I'm actually going to be a mom!" Ellie said excitedly as she gently rubbed Manny's trunk with hers, still keeping them locked. "This is the best present anyone has ever given me! Thank you so much sweetie." She said as she gently gave Manny an affectionate kiss on the lips, him kissing back. Once they finished their kiss, Manny gave her a love filled smile.

"I love you Ellie, and, in all honesty, I wanted to have a kid too! I just was scared to ask you because the first time I tried to mention it to you, you kind of went berserk on me and we ended up on a big tower of toppling rocks." They both chuckled at the memory of their first 'date' and what a disaster it had been. "So, I was very glad that you mentioned it." Manny finished as Ellie snuggled up closer to him. Ellie giggled.

"Yeah, things were sure different back then. Man, we really got on each other's nerves… But look at us now…" Ellie said smiling "Mates… getting ready to have a baby… It's different… I like it." Manny smiled back.

"Yeah, heh… I really AM sorry about that 'saving our species' thing… I don't know what I was thinking!" He said, blushing underneath his thick coat of brown fur. Ellie laughed.

"Well, I guess every couple is entitled to their 'one big mistake' and unfortunately ours had to be on our first date, mine was to have acted so crazily about that whole thing in the first place. I know one good thing about that date though." Ellie said smiling.

"Oh?" Manny asked curiously.

"If we hadn't gone on that date, I probably would never have realized that I was a mammoth, and then… I wouldn't have ended up with you." Ellie said as she gave Manny a loving nuzzle.

"Yeah, you're right!" Manny said happily as he held her closer "I love you" He whispered. Ellie smiled up at him.

"I love you too!" she whispered back as she looked at him with love in her eyes. The two mates then shared yet another kiss on the lips. Once they finished, Ellie looked up at Manny. "I can't wait till the baby comes!" She said excitedly. Manny looked down at her.

"Me neither." He replied, giving Ellie a gentle kiss on the forehead as she slowly fell asleep. Once she fell asleep Manny leaned down near her ear and whispered "Happy Birthday" Once again to her. He then too, fell asleep, their thoughts and dreams already focused on the child they would soon have.

We treasure this first glimpse of you,

The amazing miracle of live is true,

So small yet awesome in what you'll become,

Grow strong and healthy our little one,

We are here, dreaming and waiting,

Wishing, preparing and anticipating,

Each day is a step closer to life anew,

Each day a touch closer to holding you.

Wow… Sweet huh? That poem at the end is called "The Beginning" It's supposed to be put in a frame with an ultrasound picture but it was so beautiful that I put it in the story, even though ultrasounds were unheard of back then! I hope you enjoyed my chapter, I do believe it is a bit longer than the one before! Keep reviewing, the faster and more reviews I get, the faster and more chapters you will get! I start school on Friday, so you may get one before then or maybe in the weekend. Wish me luck on my new year!

Next time on A New Family:

It's FINALLY time and the baby is ready to come! Thank goodness everyone's ok! Especially baby Abby! (See? Told ya that Abby'd be in later chapters!) Stick around for the next chapter to meet Manny and Ellie's new baby girl!