Wow! 2 reviews in one day! That's a sure sign of good luck! Because you guys were so fast, I'm putting up the next chapter! I hope that it lives up to your expectations; this chapter introduces my Ice Age OC Abby, Manny and Ellie's daughter. In order to really catch the joy of an infant's birth you have to be with the parents right after it's born so… unfortunately that's what it is in this story. I do however hope that you guys are not grossed out… the story starts RIGHT after Abby is born… meaning it will have a bit of blood… Please don't be grossed out… I hope you enjoy it!
Note: This story takes place 2 years and 10 months after Manny and Ellie become mates.
Disclaimer: The only things in this story that belong to me are Abby, The lullaby, and the situation.
A New Family Chapter 7: Abby's Arrival
Ellie smiled exhaustedly as she used the water in the nearby pond to wash the blood off of herself. Manny returned a smile at her as he took some water from the same pond and used it to quickly wipe the blood off of the mouth and trunk of their brand new, just born infant so it could take its first breaths. Almost 3 years as mates and they FINALLY had a child of their own. Although Ellie did go into labor at an inconvenient time… their group was planning to go somewhere that evening and well, when Ellie announced she was having the baby about half an hour before they would leave, they had to cancel their plans. Manny smiled as he wiped off the underside of the baby to find that it was indeed a girl, which was what both him and Ellie were wishing for (He wanted it because it would be hard for him to raise another boy without remembering Wallace and Ellie had always wanted a daughter.) He turned the baby back over and started on its back, his eyes opening wide when he noticed that it's fur color was the exact same blondish shade that Millie's had been. Tears came to his eyes as he completed his task of cleaning the baby; she looked JUST like Ellie except for the fur color. (He couldn't see its eyes for it was crying to hard.) Ellie, having washed herself off smiled at Manny and the baby. She then took the crying baby from Manny and immediately pulled it gently to her. Manny moved over and started to clean any remaining blood off of his trunk.
"Shh… Shh… its ok sweetie Mama's here." She said soothingly to the baby as it stopped crying, sniffed, and then snuggled up to Ellie. Ellie smiled lovingly at the baby then looked over at Manny as he walked over and sat down right next to her. "It's perfect." She said happily. Manny beamed.
"You mean, She's perfect." He said happily as he moved the baby's hair out of its eyes. Ellie looked at him surprised.
"It's… It's a girl?" She asked excitedly, Manny smiled at her and nodded. Ellie's eyes filled with tears as she pulled her daughter even closer. A breeze came through and the baby started to cry again and the sudden burst of cold air. "Shh…. Shhh… Shh… Don't cry, Mama's here." The baby stopped crying, and then opened up her big eyes to look at her parents for the first time. Manny and Ellie had tears in their eyes when they saw them… The infant's eyes were the exact color of Manny's. The baby then gave a small smile then snuggled closer to her mother.
"What should we name her?" Manny asked curiously, Ellie smiled at him.
"Abbigail… Abbigail Millificent Carbuckle. Abby for short, Abby was my Mama Possum's name and well…. Millificent… That's a special name to you." She replied. Manny smiled at her, love in his eyes.
"Abby it is." He replied as he too wrapped his trunk around his new daughter. Abby looked up at him curiously, not knowing at all who he was. He smiled "Hey Abby!" He said happily "I'm your Daddy!" Abby smiled at him then yawned. Ellie smiled then sung the child a lullaby….. A slightly revised edition of the one her mom used to sing her when she was little and she used when she had taken care of two lost baby possums.
"Go to sleep,
Do not be afraid,
Your mama is here,
To save all your days.
Your mama does love you,
And gives you her care,
Without you, my baby,
I am hardly there,
You mean everything to me,
My heart you have,
I am so proud of you,
You make me so glad.
Nighttime is approaching,
Darkness is near,
But when your mama's with you,
You've got nothing to fear.
Dream sweetly darling,
Dream of things you love,
And then they will come to you,
My sweet gift from above.
Go to sleep,
Do not be afraid,
Your mama is here,
To save all of your days."
As Ellie sang, Manny listened… absolutely astonished at how beautiful his wife's singing voice was. When it was over, Ellie's eyes filled with tears of joy as she noticed that little Abby was indeed, fast asleep. Manny gently and slowly worked his trunk so that it locked with Ellie's while still keeping both of their trunks firmly wrapped around little Abby.
"I love you." Manny whispered proudly as he watched the baby sleep contently. Ellie smiled over at him.
"I love you too." She whispered happily as she gave him a gentle nuzzle. "I can't believe it! I'm a mama!" Ellie whispered excitedly as she looked down at her child, Manny smiled at her.
"You deserve it." He said, "After all you have done with your brothers, and with other baby animals, you deserve to have a child." He then smiled at her even bigger. "I'm only lucky enough to get to join in on the experience of raising her." Ellie smiled as she nuzzled Manny again. After a short while, the trio was fast asleep.
Well…. That was good! Note: The lullaby above is almost identical to the one featured in chapter 4 of "Souls Connected" I thought it would be emotionally correct to have Ellie sing the same song again, that time… she was singing, pretending they were her babies and now… she's actually singing it to her own daughter. I hope you enjoyed it… Reply!
Next time, on "A New Family":
Well, as everyone knows, Babies are a LOT of work… is Ellie TRULY ready for the immense responsibility that is Abby? Read the next chapter to find out!