"Save Loudpaw for perhaps our future son.", Phillippe joked with his mate. "I'll keep that one in mind for you, love.", Silvergrace kissed him on the cheek.
Phillippe chuckled warmly as he gently hugged her to his side. The celebration of the day went on for hours, free love becoming passionate here and there while having big meals from the catches of the day thanks to the hunting patrols.
A week has passed, and Robert is still having his breasts, proving Esme's theory wrong, and Susan realized that it's the same six-month deal of breastfeeding for the baby twins once again. Anyway, Bea is finally going into egg-laying labor, in a combined two-house hut which is the home for her and her lovers, Thorncrow and Cloudtangle.
"How's she doing in there?", Robert asked Susan as he walked up to her, quickly finishing up feeding their twins. Everyone was mostly just staying out, since Bea was wanting to just be with her and her mates while birthing. Probably something bug related, everyone had to guess.
Susan sighed deeply, "She's doing okay. So far, two eggs.", since either one of Bea's mates updates the family through the window in turns.
"That's good to hear. She sounds like she's doing okay since I'm not really hearing any screaming pains or anything.", Robert said.
"Might have to do with her previous bug genes.", Tristan theorized. "If Doc was still down here, he'd probably explain it better.".
Esme chuckled, "Too true, though he has to explain it in simple English.", moments before Thorncrow called out through the window, "Four eggs now!", before leaving the window.
"I don't know how she's even going to cope with so many children right now.", Susan admitted. "Maybe it'll be easier for her, but who knows?".
Silvergrace pointed out, "They're currently eggs, so it would be a while to stay warm, grow inside the eggs, and develop up to the point where they can hatch without help. I'd bet a month.".
Phillippe nodded, "Makes sense. And Bea has been good with us when we took her out for rides, remember, Esme?".
Esme grinned softly, "Dang, it sure was cool to visit different beaches and cities for spring break each school year with Bea's help. She was making sure that we were safe and all. She'll be a great mother.".
Cloudtangle then called out, "Five!", before leaving the window. "Feel like we're watching that Dalmation movie.", Tristan chuckled to himself.
"You're right, Esme, she will be a good mother.", Susan gently kissed her daughter's forehead. "Much like how I'm sure you'll be a great mother when the time comes.".
Esme smiled softly, "Thanks, Mama.", and Robert grinned lightly, "Gonna spoil those grandchildren of ours, starting with Crystalpaw.".
Thorncrow appeared, opening the door, "Six now! Bea's getting a bit tired. Could someone come in and help her out? I and Cloudtangle are nesting the eggs.".
Susan smiled, "I'll help her.", walking up and Thorncrow looked relieved, "Thanks, Susan.". Susan followed Thorncrow to the birthing room where Bea is, noting the leaf-grass-corn stalk weaved nests in the corner as Cloudtangle is removing the current eggs from the bed, one by one, handing them to Thorncrow as the eggs look to be sized like Adult Giraffe height, about 20 ft.
"You're pushing out some pretty big eggs, Bea. How are you feeling right now?", Susan asked her as she walked over to the birthing mother.
Bea looked happy to see Susan, "Aunt Susan. I'm so tired, but I feel there's more to come. It's not painful, but it's lots of stretching and pushing down there as the eggs are closely the same in color and texture, but the size, it's on the fence between minor and major in difference, you know?".
"Yeah, I get the feeling, I had to do the same with Esme and Phillippe. Though I guess it might just be a bit more painful for humans than whatever you'd classify yourself now.", Susan smiled as she sat down next to the mother.
Bea smiled at her, "That's fair, Aunt Susan.", before blinking as she moved back, her hands grabbing the bedposts, "Here comes another one!", taking deep breaths as Susan nodded in encouragement, "Push as best as you can, Bea.", sitting close as possible.
Bea tried her best, but obviously, she was starting to collapse from the exhausting action that birthing was going for her.
Susan told her, "You're doing so good! I see it peeking! The egg's coming! You can do this, push!", and Bea grunted as she pushed harder, and Susan reached out to grab the front of the egg as it fell farther into her hands, gravity popping the end of the egg out, "I got it, Bea! That's number 7!", gently cradling the egg as Bea heaved heavily, looking quite exhausted.
"Tell me we're almost done, Aunt Sue...", Bea sighed as she was trying to calm down. "It's getting really hard to push these out...", she explained as she kept trying to go for as long as she could.
Susan gently handed the egg to Thorncrow, and caressed Bea's cheek, "I know, I know, Bea. Do you feel anything?", and Bea panted heavily as she pushed slightly into her belly with a hand, greatly diminished down to her normal belly size, smiling shakily, "There's only one left...But I'm so tired...".
Susan reassured her, "You're not alone.", before ordering Bea's lovers with a sharp look, "Boys, go support your mate. This is the last egg to deliver!".
They quickly got close to their mate as they tried to support her. "You'll do well, Bea, trust me, you're almost there, and then you can take a long rest.", Susan told her as she gently rubbed her hand on Bea's forehead.
Bea smiled tiredly as she stood up on her knees, her mates supporting her with their arms clenched into a holding motion behind her back, her hands holding onto her mates' shoulders, feeling their lips kissing her belly, "Now?".
Susan nodded, "Now!", and Bea took a deep breath before pushing as hard as she could, grunting as she can feel her walls stretching in and out.
Bea gave out another loud cry before she finally started to relax as the final egg came out of her. "Oh... ohhhhh...", she moaned as she was finally glad it was all over.
Susan caught the egg gently, "You did it, Bea!", smiling at her as Bea laid down with her mates' help, looking happily content yet tired, her body taking some time to recover since it was 8 eggs she worked hard to lay.
"Thank goodness...", Bea sighed as she gently nuzzled against Susan for a moment there. "I think these might be my only children.", she chuckled. "I'm not sure I want to go through that experience again..."
Susan smiled reassuringly, "I couldn't blame you there, but who really knows how long we'll live anyway with our gift of Quantonium in ourselves? After all, you heard that people down here lives for 1,000 years.".
Yeah, I've heard.", Bea told her. "Maybe if it was a smaller number of eggs, but what I did today was nearly too many.", she explained as she took another breath.
Susan gently patted Bea's shoulder, "You did well, brave one. And you have to admit, once they hatch, 8 children of the same age must be easier somehow than having 8 children of different ages. After all, that time when we had an outdoor screen for movie night for the town when the first twins asked for it, we had watched Cheaper by the Dozen.", while handing over the last egg to Cloudtangle to rest with its other siblings in the second nest.
"Yeah, I suppose so, but I'm just more thinking about birthing and all... I mean, I don't mind having more children, but I'd rather not go through the whole trying to lay them.", Bea chuckled as she looked over to the little nests. "Aw... I wished they were like yours, Aunt Susan... just so I could see all of them already.".
Susan chuckled softly, "I wish as well, Bea, but they have to grow and develop in their safe places. After all, normal butterfly eggs took a bit of time, but for your children, I expect they'd be like you somewhat with their fathers' looks or features.".
Cloudtangle responded with a smile, "That's actually true as I can smell four of them bearing half of my scent, and the other four with half of Thorncrow's scent while they all have half of your scent, Bea.".
Thorncrow nodded, "And within time, they shall be adults, and perhaps, to give you relief, I or Cloudtangle can have a turn to bear more children. Maybe it's different for us as we might actually have real babies to breastfreed...After all, Eternal Mountain can gift us that.".
"Well, listen, you two, I'm holding you both to that; if you get pregnant, it might be a bit more normal so it might not be as bad... or we have as many to birth.", Bea rolled her eyes as she got some water in a little bowl that was left for her, "Sorry, I'm really thirsty, those eight really drained me in so many ways.".
Cloudtangle smiled brightly, "And that's why we love you, Bea. You always know what to say.". Susan smiled warmly, "Take all the time you need to rest and replenish your energy. Shall I head out to tell the others the news and leave you three alone?".
"Yeah, I'll be alright, Aunt Susan, thank you for helping.", Bea smiled and blew her a kiss as she leaned back to take another breath.
Susan nodded, "You're very much welcome, Bea. And boys, cook a soup or something for Bea. She'd need food as well.", and the boys nod in understanding before Susan left the room, went through the house, and closed the door after her as she exited the house, noticing that everybody else of the family's waiting for news.
Esme exhaled, "She alright, Mama?", and Susan smiled reassuringly, "Bea's perfectly fine. She's taking rest as she's done with laying her 8 eggs.", and many eyes widen in amazement at the mention of the number.
"Sheesh, must have been a real strain on her from the sounds of things.", Phillippe whistled. "We could hear her really starting to scream a bit towards the end and almost rushed in just in case things were going wrong.", Tristan explained. "Thank God Link wasn't here or I'm sure he would've probably lost it.".
Robert nodded, "That's the understatement of the day, indeed. And the eggs?", as he held Susan and kissed her on the cheek, and Susan smiled softly, "Half of them has Thorncrow's scent within, and the other half of them has Cloudtangle's scent within. And you couldn't believe the size either. They are the size of adult giraffes, about 20 ft.".
"No wonder Bea had such a hard time.", Esme said. "Even with all our own, most of this family's babies were more than less that big.".
"I'm somewhat surprised she managed to survive that ordeal. I couldn't imagine going through that myself. What about you, Papa?", Phillippe asked.
"No, no, I couldn't.", Robert sighed; somewhat counting his blessings but feeling a bit bad for even thinking that he had an easier time when it came to giving birth to his children.
Susan chuckled softly, "Well, the situation called for eggs since she's part butterfly, so the genes of that was high, and besides, 20ft big eggs to giants like all of us, it was mostly simple for her. Now, they will have to wait for them to hatch within a month, and the boys offered to have their turns in the far future once the 8 kids are adults or later than that, and they're prone to have babies since they're fully human in case if they want to grow the family some more.".
"Well, at least it's nice that things worked out well for her, and that she's going to be alright.", Phillippe sighed in relief.
"Though it's a shame we still have to wait another month before seeing the babies." Esme chuckled. Silvergrace called out, "Let's head back to our babies. I have a feeling that Crystalpaw's hungry again.".
And so, the family left the house, heading through the village to the chieftain hut and the other houses that's near in the one street they are all living on, informing Driftclaw and the duo royals about the news of the eggs.
And so, a month has passed, with communication of letters and such from the surface thanks to Doc, Esme and Tristan decided to head back to the surface to help the trio out in exploring the new landmasses within a week of the hatching day.
Besides, some people are getting suspicious, so with Robert unable to return home since he still has to breastfeed for five more months, Esme and Tristan are the next best solution to pacify suspicions and all.
But right now, they and the others including their babies are hanging out in the living room of Bea and her mates as they have sensed that the eggs are to hatch any day now.
"Hey, Gracey, you doing okay?", Phillippe checked up on her as Crystalpaw was once more enjoying her mother's milk as he walked into their little home.
Silvergrace smiled warmly, "I'm good, my Lionheart. Crystalpaw is guzzling down her share of milk from the feel of it.".
"That's good, she's a growing girl after all.", Phillippe smiled as he walked up to them and gave her a pat on the head to which the baby stopped feeding for a moment to giggle.
Susan laughed softly, "Crystalpaw sure is a lover of milk. No doubt she will love solid food once she gains some teeth and all.", gazing softly to see Robert cradling their sleepy twins through little Calvin is gumming his way to his breast, obviously forming a habit of sleep-eating through it is luckily not super-obsessive as they are both sure that Calvin will grow out of it.
Phillippe laughed quietly, "Looks like my little brother has the same idea.", and Esme smirked lightly, "Well, our little sister is a bit more vocal when it comes to sleep. I think she will talk in her sleep eventually like you do, bro.".
Phillippe playfully glared at her, "Oi!", and quiet laughter rang around as Stormfire is laying back on Thunderwolf's legs, holding Echopaw on her side in her arm as he slept against her shoulder, "It feels nice to have family time with all of you.".
"So, you two really going to head back up to the surface then?", Susan asked as she looked over her two children. "Well, we've already missed much of the fall semester for college this year and all.", Tristan pointed out. "And we'll probably make up that lost time somewhere down the road...".
Esme nodded, "So, it makes sense that we gotta show up on the surface. You read Doc's letters, Mama. Monger couldn't even stop people from having gossip and rumors. We will leave in a week, but I wanna see the kids first!".
Bea chuckled softly, "Don't worry, Esme, they will hatch any day now.", and her mates nod in agreement as they sat in a huddle in a loveseat couch.
"You don't have to stay for this if you two don't want.", Silvergrace said. "It might be better if you leave sooner rather than later if you're all so insistent in making sure we're protected.".
Tristan blinked in thought, "She has a point, Esme.", and Esme nodded, "I suppose, but Bea is my and Phillippe's cousin, hence making her kids our grandcousins, considering that we see Link as an uncle.".
Susan smiled reassuringly, "That's a really sweet thought, Esme. Either way, sooner is better. Perhaps, after once the eggs hatch, you should leave within a day or two.".
Robert suggested, "We wouldn't care if you actually get eloped. That would distract a lot of people, considering the technology now.".
"Well, we don't have to do that as soon as we get back.", Esme chuckled. "After all, I don't think anyone's expecting us to do it now. We can go through all of collage before we do that.".
Susan hummed lightly, "Fair enough, but I'd think that would shock a lot of people either way. No offense, darling, but you were...ah, rather uptight with your planning...And Tristan, you are somewhat of a opposite to Esme, but you were slightly more relaxed...Paradise does things to you, and you are actually sporting healthy tans...I thought you two would be more relaxed, not going with the flow per second, but well...", shrugging helplessly.
"Well, that is true.", Tristan said as Esme agreed with her mother. "I think what we're trying to say, Mama, is that we'd rather get married with all of you in attendance and all, rather than using it as a way to distract things, you know?", Esme shrugged.
Susan nodded, "Oh, nothing than that could make me happier since Phillippe and Silvergrace are married in a sense since they claimed each other as soulmates here, and Phillippe belongs here.".
Robert chuckled softly, "And don't forget that I am the one to walk you down the aisle, Esme. That's a great honor, through being a father twice over tops the list.".
Cloudtangle shot up suddenly, an intense look on his face before he gasped, "Speaking of which, the eggs are hatching!", jumping up from the loveseat, with Bea and Thorncrow rushing after him. The family followed by, startling the babies from their meal/naps, but they remained quiet, sensing an air of anticipation and excitement in the air.
Everyone quickly rushed as fast as they could over to make sure they could see; before Tristan was about to make a joke about Robert and Susan's first attempt at getting married.
"Easy, easy, allow us through to them.", Bea told everyone as she, Cloudtangle and Thorncrow moved closer to the eggs, probably just to make sure their parents were the first ones they saw.
They watched the two nests, listening intensely for the crackling sounds, and sure enough, in the nest of the four eggs that had both Bea and Thorncrow's scents within, one is hatching open, shaking as it thumped against the edge, the frosted transparent shell crackling here and there before clawed feet broke through, and wobbled upwards as it attempted to hop, falling forward, causing the egg to fully break out, revealing a boy of 2 years old, attempting to flutter his blue-black butterfly wings.
He stared at his parents with a set of bright brown eyes, dark skin complimenting them, and a shock of snow-white hair like Thorncrow, squeaking with a wide smile in the likes of Bea.
Thorncrow cooed warmly, "You're a mother, Bea.", and Bea chuckled softly, "You're a daddy, Thorncrow.", gazing at their son, "Hello, Rabbitpaw.". Rabbitpaw gave a giggle, beaming.
"Aw, he looks so cute.", Esme awed as they looked. "Looks kind of big already.", Robert observed.
"I agree, Bea, your kid already look nearly like a toddler.", Susan said. "Maybe that's why they were already so big as eggs to begin with.", Tristan theorized.
Phillippe nodded with a smile, "Fine name too. Rabbitpaw fits him.", before Silvergrace blinked and darted over to look at the second nest, "Hey, that one is shaking.".
The one in the second nest of the last four eggs that is of Bea and Cloudtangle is sure shaking furiously before a crackle sounded out, and clawed hands popped out of the egg upside down, falling down before popping out fully.
The child was revealed to be a girl, having pink-green butterfly wings, having pale tan skin and bright blue eyes, and platinum silver hair, smiling with dimples as she blinked at her parents.
Cloudtangle chuckled lightly, "Hello, little darling. I am your papa, and this is your mother, and your daddy. What shall I call you? You like to be athletic from that little show of yours...Oh, I got it...How about Squirrelpaw?".
Bea smiled warmly, "That's a good name. How about it, sweetheart?", and Squirrelpaw squeaked happily.
"If I had to guess with their growth, it might have to do with Bea's obvious butterfly traits.", Tristan pointed out, continuing what he was saying before.
"Hey, Cloudtangle, I think another one of yours is starting to hatch as well.", Silvergrace pointed out as the egg that was besides Squirrelpaw began to crack open before another one of the children was born, again, another daughter. This one was almost like a twin to Squirrelpaw. Pink-green butterfly wings, pale tan skin, though her eyes were different as they were like deep pools of water with how dark blue they were, in contrast to her platinum silver hair.
"Oh, this one...", Bea gently brushed the little one's hair as she was remaining calm and look more curious about her new surroundings. "This one looks like a Lakepaw, what do you think?".
Susan smiled warmly, "That's a brilliant name for her.", and everybody agreed as Lakepaw gave out a shy giggle before Squirrelpaw gestured to play with her.
Thorncrow called out, "I have another one hatching!", and all eyes turn to the egg that rested on the far side opposite Rabbitpaw, and it shook open, revealing another boy, but this time, his wings are of a Pterodactyl, in the color of brown, having pale tan skin, bright blue eyes, and platinum silver hair.
Thorncrow proudly smiled at his son, "You shall be Birchpaw.", and Birchpaw smiled widely with a laugh-giggle.
"Well, looks like you two have a boy on your hands... this one certainly is yours, Thorncrow.", Robert smiled as he patted the young Eternal on the back.
"He looks to be quite the fighter, judging from his looks.", Esme observed. Phillippe nodded, "He will make a great warrior once he turns 16.", and Bea smiled softly, "Two girls, two boys so far. We all will have great children, my loves.", glancing at her mates with great affection and love.
"And looks like another one of yours is coming again.", Phillippe noticed a third egg of Thorncrow's group starting to hatch and revealing another boy. Some were wondering if Thorncrow's last would be his only daughter.
The boy had dark blue and silver-ish wings of a butterfly, fairly dark tan skin with almost glowing green eyes and once more, platinum silver hair.
"Rockpaw; he's Rockpaw.", Bea smiled as she tickled the baby's stomach and caused him to giggle. "Because he seems like he can blend a bit more with the ground here with his skin tone, would you agree all?".
Silvergrace chuckled warmly, "Indeed. He will be of great help for the hunting patrols when it comes for his turn to participate.", and Phillippe agreed, "I bet he would volunteer to be one of the stalking hunters.", as everybody else agreed.
Esme called out, "Hey, Cloudtangle, another one is hatching!", and they look over to see the third egg of Cloudtangle's group shaking and breaking open as it hatched, revealing another girl, this time, her wings are of a Pteranodon like Cloudtangle, in the color of black, while her eyes are bright hazel, her skin tone a chocolate tan, and her hair a snow-white color.
Cloudtangle gazed at her daughter, and glanced at Bea, "I was thinking Windpaw for her.", and Bea smiled approvingly, "I love it! You want to be Windpaw?", and Windpaw attempted to flap her wings with a squeaking smile.
"She'll certainly live up to that name since she'll ride the wind.", Tristan chuckled as another crack happened. "Oh, Thorncrow, that's your last one.".
Everyone looked to the one that hatched, like some guessed, at least he would have one daughter from his batch of children. She looked more of a twin to Rockpaw as her skin color and eyes matched, though she had more lighter silver hair and her wings were a deep red and black.
"This one, I think, looks like she shall be a Silentpaw.", Thorncrow smiled as he gently picked up his daughter.
Robert chuckled lightly, "That fits her to a T as her wings would work in the dark clouds and such, and she would be a silent shadow.", and Silvergrace laughed warmly, "Couldn't agree more better with you, Robert, than that.".
Susan smiled, and glanced at the last egg of Cloudtangle's group, "Looks like your last one's shy, Cloudtangle.", noting the open crack in the shell, showing a bright brown eye.
Bea smiled reassuringly, "It's okay, little one. Come out.", and Cloudtangle nodded, "Listen to your mother. You can do it.".
Another crack forms, and the top of the shell pops up slowly with a head coming out, looking shy and scared, a shock of snow-white hair with platinum silver highlights, a sky-blue eye on the left and a bright brown eye on the right, and his skin tone is tan as he is slowly revealed to be a boy as he climbed out of the egg.
To everybody's shock, his wings are different. His right wing is a Peterandon in style, with the color of sunset orange, and his left wing is butterfly style, in the colors of gray-purple. He's clearly aware that he's different to his siblings.
"Looks kind of spotty, doesn't he?", Phillippe said. "I think you two are already thinking of a name for our youngest one here, aren't you?", Thorncrow smirked in the direction of Bea and Cloudtangle.
Bea nodded, "Indeed. To Phillippe's comment, he's right about our son's looks, so Spottedpaw fits him perfectly.", and Cloudtangle smiled in approval, "Apparently, our genes decided to go crazy with this young boy. Are you happy with your name, my boy? Spottedpaw?", and their youngest one shyly nodded with a genuine smile.
"I think he likes it.", Susan whispered to Bea before the baby reached out and wanted to be picked up by his mother.
Bea warmly smiled as she gently picked Spottedpaw up, cradling him in her arms, "It's hard to believe that all of you are 2 years old physically. We will have to teach you and your siblings how to talk.".
Crystalpaw squealed, and Spottedpaw looked over in surprise as Echopaw, Calvin, and Dawn called out as the toddlers waddled out of the nests, blinking up at the babies. Crystalpaw gave a gummy smile at Spottedpaw who shyly smiled with a full set of teeth.
"Well, those two might have already decided on mating.", Robert chuckled as he noticed it. "Going to be many years of course, but I won't be surprised.".
"I'm sure if we give them a few years, they'll look like a cute couple.", Susan added. Esme grinned lightly, "And it's not interbreeding since Bea isn't related to us, but only in heart. Crystalpaw and Spottedpaw can be together...Through Spottedpaw cannot mate Crystalpaw unless she turns 16, right?".
Silvergrace nodded, "Yes, but once Spottedpaw turns 16, he claims Crystalpaw as his future soulmate, and of course, they will have their warrior ceremonies with a warrior name for themselves. And of course, as you know, there's free love without actually mating.".
"Again though, we have to wait, for all we know, they might change their minds.", Susan pointed out. "After all, growing up together may just make them act more like siblings to each other.".
Tristan nodded thoughtfully, "The future isn't set in stone after all.", and everybody else murmured in agreement to his comment.
"True, you two might even have second thoughts about being together as well.", Phillippe pointed out to where Esme rolled her eyes.
"Never going to happen, Phillippe, we're as tied together as soul mates as you are with Silvergrace.", Esme retorted with a smug smirk.
Tristan grinned, "Yeah, I am a giant now, so we're soulmates on that aspect.", and Robert chuckled lightly, "So, feast night, Thunderwolf?", glancing at Thunderwolf.
Thunderwolf nodded, "If this is the last night young Esme and Tristan is to have before leaving for the surface, a feast is due for it, and besides, the young children of yours, the three of you, they will see the village for the first time as it is to be.", glancing at Bea, Cloudtangle, and Thorncrow.
"All this stress of waiting has made me very hungry.", Bea admitted as she licked her lips. "Is there any nectar around? I'm having a craving for that.".
"I think she's going full butterfly mode again.", Phillippe teased as he gently patted her shoulder. "At least you're a more manageable size for that these days.".
Bea nodded, "Indeed. Boys, look after the kids, okay?", and her mates kissed her on the cheeks as they reassured her that everything's gonna be fine while Bea put down Spottedpaw. Bea then shifted into full butterfly size, shrinking a tad more, flying out of the house.
Silvergrace smiled widely, "Let's get busy with the feast preparations!", and sure enough, later that day, once sunset came, a full feast was prepared and ready to eat, and boy, the village was happy to meet the 8 hybrid children officially.
The night passed with no complications, and after breakfast, it was time for Esme and Tristan to head back to the surface. Thankfully, Doc invented more teleporters, specifically placing them in the old Area 50-something base, Susan and Robert's old house, the Modesto castle, locked to the giants and the monsters' DNA.
Esme and Tristan decided to teleport back to their bedroom in the Modesto castle, knowing that their wardrobe is already updated with clothes, through it'd be weird for a while since they have been so used to being nude for months.