Human Incubation Period
Note: This is rated "T" mostly for safety and for some mild sexual themes early in the story. I thought of this idea one day and thought it would be perfect. It's been a long time since I wrote a Rio fanfiction. I think there are only a few stories where Linda and Tulio have kids, so I thought this would be a great idea.
It was a beautiful morning in Rio de Janeiro and all was peaceful at the Montero house, where Tulio Montero was eating breakfast with his wife Linda and their adopted son Fernando. It had been a couple of weeks since they returned from their trip to the Amazon, where they had found the flock of blue macaws.
Fernando finished his breakfast as he happily said, "Mmm! Those pancakes were delicious! Great job Linda!"
Linda smiled lovingly at her adopted sixteen-year-old son and replied, "Thank you Fernando. I'm glad you liked them so much."
Tulio smiled happily as he glanced from Linda to Fernando before turning his attention to his newspaper. He took one last bite and finished his pancakes while Linda continued eating her last one, she'd eaten more than the boys.
Once she'd finished she stood up and said, "Alright, breakfast is done. Let's clean this up."
Fernando got up and started taking plates as he said, "I'll do it."
He took all the plates off the table and walked to the kitchen sink while Linda looked at Tulio and proudly said, "He's such a good boy."
Tulio nodded in agreement and Linda walked over to Fernando and said, "Fernando, I know we haven't known you for that long, but I'm so glad we have you."
Fernando smiled at her as he happily said, "Thanks. I'm glad I have you guys too. All I ever wanted was a family and now I have one. You're a great mom Linda."
He hugged her and she hugged him back and closed her eyes as she happily said, "Aww, thanks Fernando. You're a great son too."
Tulio showed a tender smile as he looked back at them, suddenly Linda pulled away from Fernando, bent over, and held her stomach with a sick expression.
Fernando was concerned as he said, "Are you okay?"
She opened her eyes and looked at him, still looking sick, and said, "I'm fine, my stomach just hurts a little. Maybe I ate too many pancakes."
Fernando looked skeptical and concerned as he said, "I don't think so. You've been this way for a few days now. I think you might be sick. Yesterday morning you puked."
Linda stood straight, trying to be strong, and smiled at Fernando while holding her stomach as she said, "Fernando, I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine. It's probably nothing."
Tulio looked back at her with concern as she said, "No I think Fernando is right Linda. That's why I've made you a doctor's appointment today."
Linda turned to him with an upset expression as she said, "What?! But Tulio I'm supposed to run the bookstore today."
Tulio tried to reason with her as he calmly argued, "Linda please! We need to know for sure whether or not you're catching something. If you're sick you can't go to work. The bookstore can stand to be closed for a couple of days. What matters now is knowing how healthy you are."
Linda put her hand on her hip as she glared at him and said, "Alright but I still think this isn't necessary. I'm fine."
Fernando looked at the clock and started grabbing some things before leaving as he said, "Alright, time to go to work. I'll see you guys when I get home. Hope you feel better Linda. Bye!"
He hurried out the door as Linda waved her hand and proudly said, "Bye Fernando. He's growing up so fast."
Tulio seemed unsettled as he said, "Yes, he is."
Linda noticed the look on his face and sat down with him as she said, "Tulio are you okay?"
He put his newspaper down and took her hand as he said, "Well… I've been thinking. I love you Linda, you make me feel like a bird flying free through the sky. We've been married for a few years now, Fernando is growing up, and it won't be that long before he's out of the house. So think that maybe we should… have another."
Linda's eyes widened nervously as she pulled her hand back, smiling and chuckling awkwardly as she said, "Oh… You want to have more kids. Well that's a lot to ask for. Tulio, I love you too but I'm not sure I'm ready to have a bigger family yet."
Tulio was disappointed as he said, "Why? We've done such a good job raising Fernando."
Linda spoke sincerely as she said, "That's different. When we met Fernando he didn't have anyone. He was already a kid and he already had a good heart. Now if we have another we'll have to raise it as a baby. That'll be a lot more work and I'm not sure I can handle that kind of responsibility."
Tulio put his arms out as he said, "But Linda…"
She grabbed him and sincerely said, "Maybe someday I'd like to have more kids, but for now you and Fernando are all that I need."
Tulio looked down in disappointment, then Linda smiled as she gave him a notepad and said, "Now, enough about the future. Let's focus on the present, you can't keep those birds waiting. You need to get to work."
She pushed him through the house while he said, "Alright I'll see you when I get back. Don't forget about your doctor's appointment."
She pushed him out the door and smiled as she said, "Don't worry I won't."
He left and she closed the door and let out a loud sigh of relief, feeling like she had just dodged a bullet. While Tulio and Fernando were at work Linda stayed at home until it was time for her doctor's appointment, and when she went the doctor told her something that gave her a shock. Later that evening she was at home by herself waiting for Tulio to return; she paced the floor with a nervous expression until the door opened.
She turned to see Tulio walk in as he said, "Linda, I'm home."
Linda looked at him nervously as she said, "Tulio, there's something I have to tell you."
Tulio quickly became concerned as she walked up to him as he asked, "What is it?"
She held her arm as she nervously explained, "Well, I went to the doctor like you said and he examined me, and he told me something unexpected."
Tulio grabbed her arms as he worriedly said, "Is there something wrong? Are you sick? Is it serious?"
She pulled her arms free and smiled awkwardly, trying to calm him down, and she explained, "No! I'm not sick, there's nothing wrong with me. I've just been having cravings and experiencing morning sickness for days now, and now I know why. I'm pregnant."
Tulio's mouth gaped in shock as he said, "You're…"
She smiled nervously as she nodded said, "Yeah. You got your wish. We're having a baby."
He was frozen in shock before he happily pulled her into a hug and kissed her as he said, "Oh Linda! That's incredible newsl! We're having our own baby! I can't believe it!"
Linda just stared into space as he held her and she awkwardly said, "Yeah, neither can I."
He pulled away from her and stared her in the face as he happily said, "This is wonderful! Wait until Fernando hears about this!"
Suddenly they heard Fernando say, "Hear about what? What's going on?"
They turned to see him standing in the doorway, looking confused, and Tulio happily rubbed Linda's flat stomach as he exclaimed, "Linda is pregnant!"
Fernando was shocked as he said, "Whoa! Really?"
Linda smiled nervously as she admitted, "Yep, that's right Fernando. You're going to have a baby brother or sister."
Fernando smiled excitedly as he joined them and hugged both of them as he exclaimed, "Wow! That's great!"
Tulio closed his eyes as he held Linda close and said, "I know! Linda, meu amour, this is the greatest day of my life!"
They both hugged her as Linda nervously stared into space and said, "Yes, it's amazing. It's a miracle."
Fernando separated from them and curiously asked, "So when did it happen?"
Linda and Tulio both showed awkward expressions as Tulio said, "Well Fernando, when a man and woman have feelings of love for each other they feel powerful urges."
Fernando looked uncomfortable as he held out his left hand and said, "No! I know HOW it happened. WHEN did it happen?"
They understood what I meant and Linda awkwardly said, "Oh. Well… It kind of happened after we returned that Wood Quail home."
Fernando was shocked as he said, "Wait, you mean when you were in the jungle?"
Linda awkwardly played with her fingers as she replied, "Yeah. When we found that blue macaw feather we were both so happy and that night we decided to… uh… celebrate."
Fernando stared at them as he said, "Oh. Wow."
Tulio immediately changed the subject as he happily said, "It doesn't matter now. What's important is that we're going to have a new baby soon. This is incredible!"
Linda was not feeling excited but she did not want to ruin Tulio and Fernando's fun, so she forced a smile and kept her thoughts to herself. The next day at Livraria Blu, Linda was working at the bookstore by herself, enjoying a nice peaceful afternoon. She managed to clear her head as she gave some customer's some books and watched some people pass by outside. After her last customer left she had some peace and quiet for a while, so she went in the back to skim through the bookshelves.
She heard the door open and then heard her husband's voice say, "Linda!"
She walked back to the counter and was surprised when Tulio walked up to her, and she said, "Tulio? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?"
Tulio smiled at her before bending over to stare at her stomach while he said, "I'm on break so I thought I'd stop by to see you and our little boy or girl."
His face was only a few inches away from her flat stomach, and Linda glanced around awkwardly before saying, "That's very nice of you Tulio but I need to…"
She stopped talking and let out a yelp of shock when Tulio placed the side of his head up against her stomach. Linda nervously glanced around, hoping no one was watching, and then looked back down at Tulio.
He had his eyes closed with a loving smile when she said, "Um… Tulio…"
He snapped out of it and stood up, smiling at her as he said, "I'm sorry honey. I'm just so happy that we're going to be parents. This is so exciting! I can't believe it!"
Linda glanced away as she nodded and said, "It is a lot to take in."
He smiled as he stared into space and moved his hands and counted on his fingers as he said, "I know. I've already thought of so many ideas for when the baby comes. I've figured where it'll sleep, where it'll go to school, and I have a few good ideas for babysitters."
Linda's eyes widened in shock as she said, "Wow! You're not wasting any time are you."
He smiled at her as he happily said, "That's because I want to be sure that our baby knows how much we love him or her."
She stared at him awkwardly and he looked at his watch and started leaving as he said, "I have to get back to work. I'll see you back home."
She smiled as she waved and said, "Okay bye honey."
When he was gone she showed an uncomfortable expression as she placed her hand on her stomach and said, "You're dad sure can't wait to meet you."
Later that evening, Linda closed up the bookstore and went straight home, she was usually the first of their family to arrive home. She had her arms wrapped around her stomach as she showed a bit of anxiety; she tried to clear her mind but she couldn't stop thinking about the baby forming inside her. She walked over to a nightstand, where she picked up a photo of herself with Tulio and Fernando; it warmed her heart to see the three of them so happy together. However, this new baby coming complicated things for her and she was not sure what to do. She turned to see the room that Tulio had already picked for the baby to sleep in, she walked in and turned on the light. Before now this room had mostly been used for storage space, but Tulio had already begun clearing out the boxes to make room for the baby. She glanced around and thought more and more about the baby coming and she started to tear up.
Later Tulio arrived home when he walked in the door and called out, "Honey I'm home. I've thought of some ideas for the baby's room I think you'll like."
There was no response and he didn't see any sign of his wife, then he glanced around and said, "Linda?"
He started looking for her when suddenly he heard the sound of sobbing; he followed the sound into the bathroom outside his and Linda's bedroom. He slowly opened the door to see Linda sitting in the corner of the bathroom, crying into her forearms.
He was concerned as he stepped inside and said, "Linda, are you alright?"
She didn't even look at him as she kept sobbing and said, "No!"
He walked toward her and kneeled down beside her as he asked, "Is something wrong, or are you having mood swings?"
She kept crying as she answered, "Probably both."
He adjusted himself to sit on the floor with her and sincerely asked, "What is it?"
She rose her head and glanced at him as she kept crying and replied, "It's just… This is all happening so fast! I wasn't ready to have kids yet and now I learn that I'm having a baby and there's nothing I can do about it!"
Tulio wrapped his arm around her and empathically said, "I know this is a little scary for you, but I think you're overreacting. Having a baby is not going to ruin your life."
She looked at him and tearfully said, "It's not my life I'm worried about. It's the baby's. I have this little person growing inside me and I want it to come into the world happy and healthy. I'm worried that I won't be a good mother. What if this baby doesn't like me? What if I mess it up? What if something bad happens to it and it's my fault?"
Tulio pulled her close and smiled as he honestly said, "You'll make a wonderful mother Linda. You did such a good job raising Blu and Fernando."
She kept crying as she glared at him and said, "It's not the same! Raising a human is a lot harder than raising a bird, and Fernando was already pretty old when we adopted him! This different. We're talking about raising a baby! That's a lot more work. A lot could go wrong! I'm not sure I can handle this kind of responsibility!"
They were both startled when they heard Fernando say, "I think you'll do great."
They turned to see him standing in the bathroom doorway, and Linda wiped away her tears and said, "Fernando! How long have you been standing there?"
He shook his head as he plainly said, "I heard everything."
Linda and Tulio both showed regret as Linda said, "Oh."
Fernando took a few steps inside with a smile on his face as he said, "I think you'll make a great mom. You're already really good at it. And even if you do mess up you've still got me and Tulio to help you out."
Linda looked at him as she sadly said, "But Fernando you won't always be around. Before we know it you'll be out of the house living your life on your own."
Tulio held her close and sympathized as he looked at Fernando and said, "She's right. You are growing up."
Fernando put his hands out to his sides and then moved them to refer to Linda and Tulio while he happily said, "I'm not going anywhere. Before I met you guys I had nothing, but now I've got everything I wanted: a home, a family, good friends, and a great life. And now I'm gonna have a little brother or sister! I'm not going to give this up no matter how old I get!"
They could tell he wasn't lying and they both touched as they smiled, tears streamed down Linda's face as she said, "Thank you Fernando. You're such a sweet boy. That makes me feel a little better. I love you. But I'm still worried I might mess up."
Fernando moved his hands around as he honestly replied, "Maybe you will. Nobody's perfect. You might make some mistakes but that doesn't mean you won't be a good mom."
Tulio smiled as he stood up, took Linda's hand, and helped her onto her feet as he sincerely said, "Fernando is right, Linda. We might make a few mistakes now and then, but as long as we love our child and do what we feel is best everything will be alright."
Linda wiped away her remaining tears and smiled at him and Fernando before hugging them as she said, "Thank you boys. No matter what happens I'm lucky to have you two."
She closed her eyes and held them tight in a tender hug and they returned the hug to her with happy smiles on their faces. A few days later it was finally Carnival and the three of them went to the parade wearing costumes. Linda and Tulio were wearing the same blue macaw costumes they wore on their first Carnival together, and Fernando was wearing his own blue macaw costume. Fernando's costume somewhat resembled Tulio's but the wings were on his back like Linda's, however the wings were shaped differently and stuck out further. The head of Fernando's costume bared a resemblance to Tulio's but it had feathers on the back of the head that made it resemble Tiago.
They were walking through a crowd at the parade as Fernando happily said, "Wow this is great! Look at this crowd!"
Tulio followed him until they made it to the front and he happily said, "Yeah, and look at us! A family of blue macaws!"
Linda joined them, noticing a few men staring at her, and she stood next to Tulio as she said, "I just wish guys would stop staring at me. This costume always makes people stare at me more. They must think I look ridiculous."
Tulio examined her and smiled as he lovingly said, "No, not at all! You look beautiful! You're as beautiful as you were on our first Carnival."
Linda smiled, touched by his kind words, and she looked down as she placed her hand on her stomach and said, "Aww, thanks Tulio. You're so sweet. I guess I do look nice. I might as well enjoy it while I still can. When this baby inside me gets bigger I won't be able to pull off outfits like this anymore. I should enjoy my figure while I still have it."
Tulio waved his hands as he politely said, "No Linda you'll always be beautiful. You may gain weight but you'll look wonderful carrying around our baby inside you. And your figure will come back once the baby comes out."
She hugged him as she happily said, "Aww, thanks Tulio."
Fernando watched them when he suddenly heard a small noise and he looked to see Nico and Pedro dancing on a barricade behind him. Nico was hitting his wing against his bottlecap while Pedro danced next to him and they both chirped to the music.
Fernando recognized these birds as he happily said, "Oh hey guys."
They looked at him and happily cooed at him, he knew they were friends with Blu and Jewel and they knew him well. They took flight and landed on his shoulders as they started dancing and he did the same when he saw the floats coming.
He turned to Linda and Tulio and pointed at the float as he said, "Hey guys, the parade's starting!"
They joined him and Tulio started dancing as he happily said, "Oh this is so much fun! This is just like our first Carnival together!"
Linda danced with him as she started shaking her tushie while saying, "Yeah, fun memories!"
The three of them danced as the parade passed by and they had such a great time while Nico and Pedro danced on the barricade in front of them while whistling music.
Linda kept swaying her hips and waving her arms as she said, "I never danced like this back in Minnesota."
Tulio flapped his wings as he happily said, "Maybe the baby will have your dance moves."
Linda thought and kept dancing as she glanced down and said, "Yeah, maybe."
A few months passed and Linda was starting to show as her abdomen started swelling up, it was now sticking out a couple inches. She was sill wearing her regular clothes but her belly was noticeably larger and stretched out her shirts slightly. One day when the three of them had the day off from work, Linda was sitting on the couch eating out of a box of cookies.
Tulio walked in and happily said, "Hello honey."
She ate the last cookie and happily said, "Hi Tulio."
She reached into the box but noticed it was empty and sheepishly said, "Oops, all gone."
Tulio smiled as he placed his hand on his chest and said, "That's alright, I'll get more later."
Linda looked down at her slightly swollen belly and said, "These cravings are really starting to get to me. I'm starting to put on weight."
Tulio walked to her and placed his hand on her small bump as he said, "That's a good thing. You're eating for two now. The baby needs all this food so it can grow happy and healthy."
Linda glanced away briefly before looking back at her stomach as she said, "I know, I know. It's just, I wish I didn't look so fat, and I'm only going to get bigger."
Tulio had a big smile as he rubbed her stomach and said, "That just means there's more to love. That's our baby inside of you and I'm sure it's very happy to have such a wonderful home."
She showed a tender smile, touched by his kind words and he leaned closer and kissed her on the lips before leaving. Later that night they were all eating dinner together, and Linda ate a lot of chicken while Tulio and Fernando mostly ate some pork.
The boys finished their dinner while Linda kept eating and happily said, "Usually I'm not a big fan of chicken, but now I just can't resist it."
Tulio smiled at her and moved his hand to refer to her belly as he said, "It's the cravings. The baby's appetite is changing yours."
Linda stopped eating and glanced at her belly before looking at the boys as she said, "Yeah, I just hope the baby loves birds as much as we do."
Tulio stood up excitedly as he said, "Oh I'm sure it will! When the baby comes I will teach it everything I know about birds! I will teach it how to identify feathers, how to care for birds, and how to speak their language!"
He started squawking and moving his arms like wings as if he was a bird, but this made Linda uncomfortable.
She placed her hand on her belly and looked down as she quietly commented, "I hope you don't inherit too many things from your father."
She looked at Fernando as he happily said, "Don't worry Linda. The baby will love birds. You and Tulio are its parents, it will be just like both of you."
Linda smiled at Fernando's words of encouragement and continued eating her dinner, thinking about their future child. A couple of more months had passed and Linda was about halfway through her pregnancy. Her belly had grown significantly and was more noticeable; she also started wearing pregnancy clothes with bigger shirts. One day, after work, she was sitting on the couch reading a book about motherhood while eating grapes.
She read one sentence out loud as she softly said, "The rewards will be worth it."
Her eyes widened as she suddenly felt some small movement inside her swollen abdomen; she put her book down and stared at her belly in curiosity.
She felt it again and quickly shouted, "Tulio! Fernando! Get in here!"
They both rushed into the room after a few seconds and Fernando asked, "Linda what is it?"
Tulio was worried as he asked, "Is something wrong?"
She looked at them and smiled as she happily said, "No it's wonderful! I just felt the baby kick!"
Tulio gasped and smiled as he said, "Really?!"
Linda smiled excitedly as she motioned for them to come and said, "Really! Come here! Feel it!"
They both hurried and crouched down in front of the couch before placing their heads against opposite sides of her swollen belly.
They waited a minute but Fernando spoke and said, "I don't feel anything."
Suddenly they felt another kick and Tulio's jaw dropped as he said, "Oh! I felt that one!"
Fernando raised his head as he said, "Yeah me too!"
They both looked at Linda as she caressed her baby bump and said, "I told you. Our baby is finally moving!"
Tulio stared at her belly and made bird noises as he showed affection before sitting on the couch and rapping his arm around Linda.
He stared at her baby bump and happily said, "That's our baby in there."
Linda started crying as she said, "Yeah. It sure is."
Tulio was concerned as he asked, "What's wrong sweetheart?"
She looked at him and sobbed while smiling as she said, "Nothing. I'm just so happy. That's our baby moving around inside me."
Fernando felt it move some more and backed away as he said, "Yeah, and it feels like it's having a party in there."
They both smiled at his joke and Linda placed her head on Fernando's head and said, "Fernando, promise me you'll be a good brother. Promise that you'll always look after your baby brother or sister."
Fernando smiled as he solemnly said, "I promise!"
They both happily embraced her and she had a tender smile as she felt her baby move and said, "I'm so glad I have all three of you."
A few days later, it was morning and Tulio and Fernando were already up and eating breakfast when they heard Linda coming. She walked in the kitchen wearing her pajamas and she let out a loud yawn as she walked to the counter and took some toast.
She took a bite out of it and Tulio happily said, "Good morning honey."
Fernando smiled as he simultaneously said, "Good morning, Linda."
She glanced at them tiredly and said, "Good morning boys."
She noticed they already made pancakes and took four of them before sitting at the table with them.
Fernando watched her eat as he politely said, "How are you?"
Linda stared at her pancakes as she poured sirup on them and said, "I'm fine. Thank you, Fernando."
Tulio smiled lovingly as he looked at her stomach and said, "And how is our little bundle of joy doing?"
Linda started cutting into the pancakes as she tiredly said, "The baby's already Up and Adam, and very hungry too."
Tulio smiled at Linda as he enthusiastically said, "Well you'd better eat up because we have a busy day ahead of us."
She swallowed her first bite before looking at him and said, "But Tulio we don't have work today."
Tulio shook his head and started counting on his fingers as he explained, "No but we have a lot of things to do to get ready for the baby. We have to start working on the nursery, we need to unpack boxes, we have to build the crib…"
While he was talking Linda grew aggravated as she interrupted him and angrily said, "Tulio I've barely started my breakfast and you're already making a list of things for me to do!"
Tulio and Fernando were slightly scared as they jumped in their seats, then she calmed down and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell."
Fernando curiously inquired, "Hormones?"
She rubbed her eyelids and tiredly said, "Well that too, but also I didn't get much sleep last night. The baby kept kicking and I kept having to use the bathroom."
Tulio placed his hand on his shoulder as he generously said, "Well then, maybe you should rest, and Fernando and I could work on the nursery."
She dismissed his comment as she raised her hand and firmly said, "No it's fine. I'm pregnant but I'm not weak. I can do it, just let me finish my breakfast and then we'll get started."
She went back to eating her pancakes while Tulio complied and said, "Alright. If you say so."
When she finished her breakfast she changed clothes and the three of them started working on the baby's nursery. First they unpacked several boxes that Linda's parents had sent her all the way from Minnesota. They mailed some of her old baby toys that they kept around, and Linda, Tulio, and Fernando were unloading some of them and placing them in corners of the room. When they finished with the boxes the three of them took a lunch break and then started building the crib. It took a while but they followed the instructions and managed to finish the crib as they put it by the window. It was early in the evening when they finished and looked at their progress with the nursery so far; it was not ready yet but it was a good start.
They stood together as they looked at the nursery and Tulio proudly said, "It's coming along nicely but it still needs more, and when it's done it will be perfect for our new baby!"
Linda smiled at him lovingly as she rested her head against his chest while rubbing her belly and said, "We've still got plenty of time, but for now the baby's just happy to have such a great daddy."
He smiled lovingly as he held her in a semi-hug and gently patted her belly, then Fernando walked out and said, "This was hard work. Let's reward ourselves with dinner."
They both followed him to the kitchen as Linda said, "That's a great idea Fernando."
Approximately four months passed and summer was right around the corner; the weather was beautiful. Linda was on maternity leave and Tulio and Fernando had the day off, so the three of them went to the beach. Tulio and Fernando were wearing red and yellow swim trunks as they happily threw a frisbee back and forth on the beach. Linda was lying on a beach towel underneath a beach umbrella as she happily watched her husband and adopted son play. She wore a sunhat on her head and a bright blue bikini, leaving her heavily swollen baby bump visible and exposed. She was nearing the end of her pregnancy; the baby was due in just a couple of weeks and she looked like she was ready to pop.
Linda watched Tulio and Fernando before spreading sunblock all over her large baby bump while saying, "Alright sweetie, time to lather up. We don't want you getting hot in there."
She'd already applied sunblock to the other parts of her body, with Tulio's help, and when she finished applying it to her belly she just put her arms down and stared at it. She could feel the baby kicking and moving around inside her, and with her skin visible she could see her belly moving and bulging as it did so.
Linda showed a tender loving smile as she stared at her bulging baby bump and said, "I know you want to come out but you're not ready yet. You need to stay in mommy's tummy, where it's safe and sound. Out here it's bright and sunny but it's also big and dangerous. You need to stay in there until it's time for you to come out."
She felt a couple of more kicks, which were slightly stronger as he bump bulged in the other side as if the baby was responding.
Linda smiled as she rubbed the side of her belly and said, "Don't be that way. I know it's dark and cramped in there but in there nothing can hurt you. I'll never let anything bad happen to you."
Just then Tulio walked up next to her and put the frisbee in the beach bag, and she noticed Fernando was now swimming in the water with a few kids his age.
While Tulio put the frisbee away he looked down at her and said, "How are you two doing?"
Linda smiled at him as she happily said, "We're fine. Thanks honey."
Tulio sat down next to her and happily stared down at her large baby bump, and she said, "I must look ridiculous in this swimsuit. I can't wear it while I've got a little person inside me, making me look fat."
Tulio looked at her and shook his head and rubbed her belly while he said, "No! You look beautiful no matter what you wear. You have a healthy glow and beautiful skin. That's our baby inside you and you're showing it proudly. You look like a beautiful mama bird."
Linda smiled at his kind words as she felt the baby kick more and she said, "You're sweet. I think that's why the baby moves more when it hears your voice. I think it wants to meet you."
Tulio smiled lovingly as he looked down at her belly, his head just inches above her bellybutton as he said, "I want to meet you so much too. In less than two weeks we'll finally get to meet."
Linda was slightly depressed as she said, "Yeah, time sure flies."
Tulio noticed how sad she looked and asked, "What's wrong?"
She looked at him and caressed her belly with her right hand as she said, "It's just… Part of me wishes the baby didn't have to come out. When I first found out I was pregnant I was scared but now I love it. I want to have this baby but at the same time I kind of wish it could just stay in here. It keeps giving me gas and making me have to pee but it still feels amazing to have this life inside me. In here I can keep it safe from all the dangers of the world, but once it comes out it will be completely vulnerable."
Tulio smiled reassuringly as he said, "That's not true."
Linda put her arms over the front of her belly as she said, "It is true. I love our baby and I want to keep it safe. Right now, I'm its home sweet home and I can protect it from everything. It lives because I live and as long as it's in here nothing can hurt it. But once it comes into the world lots of bad things can happen to it."
Tulio scooted back into the shade of the umbrella while Linda tried to sit up, and Tulio helped her adjust herself. Now she was sitting up, leaning against her husband with her right hand resting on top of her baby bump.
Tulio wrapped his right arm around her and honestly said, "Just because the baby will come out doesn't mean you can't still protect it. We will both protect it from whatever dangers may threaten it. Right now, it is safe and sound in your nice cozy womb. It's like a baby bird inside an egg, and you are the shell protecting it. But sooner or later our little bird will have to hatch and break free."
Linda looked more nervous as she said, "I hope it doesn't break me too much."
Tulio calmed her down as he said, "My point is just because the baby will be coming out doesn't mean it will be defenseless. It will still have you, me, and Fernando to take care of it. As long as we love it, nurture it, and do what we can to protect it, nothing will go wrong."
Linda smiled and snuggled against him as she said, "I can see why the baby is so excited to meet you."
Tulio let go of her and scooted away before bending over to stare at her bump as he said, "And I'm so excited to meet you. Your mother loves you as much as I do. You're lucky to have such a perfect home."
Linda was touched by his kind words as she felt her baby move inside her gently and then Tulio kissed her belly just when the baby kicked. He smiled as he sat back up and stared Linda in the face before passionately kissing her on the lips. He stopped and wrapped his arm around her again as they both stared at the horizon while Linda caressed her swollen belly.
As they stared out Linda happily said, "I hope the baby has your good heart."
He kept staring out as he said, "Yours is just as good as mine. The baby will be beautiful no matter what."
A couple of days later, Linda had her eyes closed as Tulio held her hand and led her through the house. She was wearing a long dark blue pregnancy dress that went down past her knees, and she had flip flops on her feet.
As they walked Linda asked, "Can I open my eyes yet?"
Tulio led her to a door while he smiled and said, "Not yet. Don't worry, we're almost there."
He opened the door while Linda said, "I just hope you didn't do anything too big."
He led her into the room and let go of her hand while saying, "Oh it's nothing like that. Okay, you can open your eyes now."
She opened her eyes and gasped in wonder as she saw the surprise; Fernando held his arms out and said, "We finished the nursery!"
Linda smiled as she looked at the finished nursery for the baby; they cleaned the carpet so nice and had plenty of nice toys that were safe for a baby. They'd also painted all of the walls blue and they had a nice mobile over the crib that had little birds hanging from it.
Linda walked forward and glanced around happily and said, "It's perfect! I love it!"
Tulio smiled proudly as he said, "I'm glad you like it. We've been working on it for days and we wanted it to be a surprise. It was so hard to keep the secret from you, but it was worth it to see you so happy."
She turned around and smiled at the boys while holding the sides of her bump as she said, "You boys are the sweetest. This nursery is wonderful! The baby is so lucky to have you both."
They both hugged her, suddenly the heard a squawk in the other room and their eyes shot open.
Linda recognized the squawk as she said, "Is that Blu?"
Fernando pulled away and hurried into the other room and shouted, "It is Blu! Guys get in here!"
They were both excited as Tulio took Linda's hand and led her into the kitchen, where they saw Blu and Jewel standing on the counter, while Carla, Bia, and Tiago flew around playing with Fernando.
Fernando stopped when he saw them and happily said, "Linda! Look who's here!"
Blu smiled excitedly but was surprised as he said, "Linda! Linda?"
Blu stared at her as he noticed her obviously large belly as Tulio happily said, "This is incredible!"
Linda pulled her hand and walked up to Blu as she happily said, "Blu! It's so good to see you all! What are you doing here?"
Blu used his left foot to slide a piece of paper toward her that he had already written on, and she took it and started reading it.
He and Blu kept staring at Linda with wide eyes as Jewel said, "Uh… Blu…"
Tiago landed in front of them and stared at Linda as he said, "Wow! Dad, aunt Linda's gained weight. She's huge!"
Blu and Jewel both scolded him as the glared at him and shouted, "Tiago!"
Tiago looked at them and held his wings out as he whined, "What? I'm just saying."
Linda finished reading the paper Blu gave her and happily said, "Oh this is great!"
Tulio joined her and curiously asked, "What is it?"
She showed him the paper and happily said, "Blu and his family are going to spend the summer with us here in Rio. Isn't that great?"
Tulio happily smiled as he said, "Oh yes! It's wonderful!"
Linda put the paper down and smiled down at Blu while caressing her bump as she said, "Blu I'm so glad you're all here! I've got some great news! I'm pregnant! I'm going to have a baby!"
Blu and Jewel's beaks dropped open as Blu said, "A baby?!"
Jewel was shocked as she said, "Wow!"
Carla, Bia, and Tiago stared in amazement as Tiago said, "She's got a baby in there?"
Bia thought for a moment and said, "Well she does look like she's pregnant. Judging by the size of her abdomen I would say she is approximately nine months pregnant, probably due very soon."
Carla didn't know what to say as she commented, "I always thought they'd have a baby, but I didn't think it would be so soon."
Linda held her hand out for Blu to stand on her finger as she happily said, "I'm so glad you're all here Blu! I was hoping our baby would get to meet you and now you can all be here for when it's born!"
She lowered Blu down in front of her belly as she said, "Go on! Feel it!"
He then rested his head against the front of her baby while Jewel watched with an awkward expression.
Blu felt the baby kick and smiled excitedly as he said, "I feel it! Kids come here!"
He flew off her hand as Carla, Bia, and Tiago flew in front of Linda, she was startled but smiled and said, "Oh hey kids! You're all getting so big!"
Tulio landed on top of her belly and stood there while Carla and Bia hovered next to her belly and pressed their heads against it.
Linda chuckled as she said, "Careful kids. It's a kicker."
They all felt the baby move inside and they took flight as Tiago exclaimed, "Wow! That's so cool!"
Carla agreed as she happily said, "Yeah, it's like it's trying to feel us!"
Bia shook her head and said, "The baby might hear us but it doesn't know what we're saying or even what we are."
Blu was standing on the table next to Linda as he motioned for Jewel to join them as he said, "Honey come on. You should feel it."
Jewel felt awkward but politely complied as she flew onto Linda's hand, and Linda smiled as she said, "Hi Jewel. It's good to see you again."
She lowered Jewel to her belly, and Jewel hesitated before pressing her head against Linda's belly. She felt the baby kick and her eyes widened as she finally understood what the big deal was about, birds never experienced anything like this when laying eggs.
Linda lifted Jewel up and smiled happily as she said, "Now we're both mama birds."
Jewel smiled happily at Linda and squawked, then Linda petted Jewel's head and she cooed affectionately.
A couple of days later
They were having a baby shower at Linda and Tulio's house; it was a nice party and they were surrounded by friends and family. Linda's parents had flown in from Minnesota to see their daughter and her family, and they had brought a couple of gifts for the baby. Tulio's parents had also come over to see Fernando and congratulate Tulio on his new child. There were also several of Linda and Tulio's friends from work and from around Rio. Blu and his family were also there as they stood on the counter in the kitchen and looked around at all the other people.
Jewel felt uncomfortable as she looked around and said, "There sure are a lot of humans here."
Blu put his wing around her and explained, "It's a baby shower, a party. All their friends and family come to congratulate them on having a baby."
Jewel nodded as she said, "I know, I just don't feel comfortable being around so many humans in a small place."
Tiago flew by and happily said, "This is great! There's food everywhere and there are so many presents!"
Blu pointed his feather at him Tulio as he firmly said, "Tiago, those presents are for Linda and Tulio! They're not for you!"
Tiago pouted as he flew away and whined, "Aww man!"
Blu and Jewel turned their heads as they saw Linda walk into the kitchen with her mother holding her left hand. Blue was wearing a bright blue floral pregnancy dress that looked semi-formal as it hung down just above her knees.
As they walked Linda's mom happily said, "I'm so proud of you! You married a great guy, you adopted a great son, and now you're having your first baby! You're going to make such a good mother!"
Linda smiled as she caressed her belly and said, "Thanks mom. I am pretty lucky, aren't I? I'm just glad I have Linda and Tulio to help me out."
Suddenly Tiago flew and landed on her left shoulder and squawked, prompting Linda to say, "Oh hi Tiago."
He started nuzzling her cheek and she happily said, "Aww, you're as sweet as your father."
Jewel smiled as she leaned against Blu and proudly said, "She's right about that."
In the other room Linda's dad was with Tulio's parents as they gathered around Fernando, who had Bia standing on his shoulder.
Linda's dad affectionately punched Fernando's shoulder as he proudly said, "You're going to be such a great brother!"
Tulio's dad happily pointed at him and said, "He's right. I know you'll do great!"
Tulio's mother happily pinched his cheek as she said, "You're such a good boy."
He pulled his face away and smiled as he said, "Thanks guys. I'll try my best. I'm just glad that I have a family to share things with."
Linda's dad smiled as he placed his hands on his chest as he said, "You want to be family? Then start calling me grandpa! You don't have to be related to do that."
Fernando looked at Linda's dad and smiled as he politely said, "Okay… Grandpa."
Linda's dad smiled proudly but Fernando was still not used to it as he turned and smiled at Tulio's parents, who both smiled at him to show support. Tulio saw everything and smiled proudly as he walked through the house and then saw Linda with her mother in the kitchen. He snuck away and made his way to the nursery, opening the door and peaking inside. Suddenly Carla flew and landed on his shoulder, he noticed her and squawked at her to try and talk, but she just laughed in amusement.
He stopped squawking and spoke English as he happily said, "Oh Carla, I'm so excited! In just one week we're going to have a new baby to raise. A new son or daughter to love and nurture just like a baby bird. I am so happy!"
Carla smiled and cooed as he smiled back at her and they both stared at the nursery while Tulio let out a happy sigh. In the kitchen Linda stood by herself as she had a piece of cake; she held the paper plate in her right hand and ate the cake using her fork. She was enjoying the cake when suddenly she felt something inside her and her eyes widened in shock.
She dropped the cake and everyone stared at her held her belly and screamed, "Tulio! Tulio!"
Tulio and Fernando made their way through the crowd while Blu and his family landed on the counter nearby.
Tulio worriedly ran to his wife and held her shoulders as he asked, "Linda! What is it?"
She held her abdomen as she frantically cried, "Tulio, it's time!"
They were all shocked as Tulio exclaimed, "What?! The baby's no due for another week!"
She looked scared as she cried, "I'm telling you Tulio! It's time! The baby's coming!"
Tulio believed her as he turned to everyone else and shouted, "We need to call the hospital!"
Fernando raised his hand and took off as he said, "I'm on it!"
He hurried to the phone and made the call while Tulio held Linda close as she said, "Tulio, I'm scared!"
Tulio tried to calm her down as he said, "Don't worry. I'm right here. Just keep breathing."
She started doing her breathing exercises while everyone watched, Tiago looked at Blu and said, "Is aunt Linda gonna be okay?"
Blu tried to remain calm as he smiled and said, "Oh yeah Tiago. She's just about to give birth."
Bia looked concerned as she said, "From what I've read that's very painful for humans."
Jewel spoke up and confidently said, "If it's anything like laying an egg I'm sure she'll be okay."
Tulio was worried as he looked at the others and said, "We have to get her to the hospital! Now!"
Linda's dad pointed at the front door as he shouted, "Everyone in the cars! We've got a baby to deliver!"
Linda's mom joined her and Tulio and helped her as she kept breathing heavily while everyone went to the front door to get to the cars. Blu and his family flew out of the window and followed everyone from high in the air as the others drove Linda to the hospital.
A few hours later
Everyone from the baby shower was sitting in the waiting room of the hospital, waiting for news on Linda's condition while Tulio helped her. Fernando was waiting by the door, looking nervous as he worried about Linda and the baby. Even Blu and his family were in the waiting room as they roosted on a pipe on the back wall a couple feet below the ceiling.
Suddenly Tulio opened the door and everyone stared at him as Fernando said, "Well?"
Tulio smiled at him and pointed his thumb behind him as he said, "She's great. Come see."
Fernando walked in and followed Tulio while Blu and his family flew through the door before it could close. Tulio led them all through the hall and to a room; he opened the door to reveal Linda lying on a hospital bed with a baby in her arms. The baby was wrapped in a pink blanket and cradled in Linda's arms as it made little baby noises.
Linda smiled at the others and smiled lovingly at them as she said, "Come here everyone. She's perfect."
They all came to her as Fernando asked, "She?"
They all gathered around as Linda held the baby for all to see and proudly said, "That's right Fernando. Meet your new baby sister, Antonia Montero."
Fernando smiled as he asked, "Antonia?"
Linda smiled lovingly as she glanced at Tulio and said, "Yeah, Tulio came up with it. He explained it to me and I love it."
Fernando smiled and nodded in agreement as he said, "Yeah, it's great!"
Jewel smiled at Blu and said, "That's a beautiful name."
Antonia opened her eyes and curiously looked at everyone, showing everyone what she looked like. Her skin and hair were both the same color as Tulio's, however her head and face was shaped more like Linda's and she had her blue eyes.
Antonia looked around and Linda happily said, "Hi Antonia. This is your family."
Tulio smiled as he carefully took Antonia and cradled her in his arms and said, "Hello Antonia. I'm your daddy and this is your brother Fernando."
Fernando waved at her as he happily said, "Hi."
She smiled at both of them and then she saw Blu, Jewel, Carla, Bia, and Tiago standing on the railing of the bed.
Linda happily petted Blu and said, "And these are our friends Blu, Jewel, Carla, Bia, and Tiago."
They all smiled at her as Blu squawked and Antonia giggled happily as she watched them, and Jewel shed a small tear of joy.
Blu smiled at her and then down at their kids as he said, "This brings back memories, doesn't it?"
He put his wing around her and they both scooped up Carla, Bia, and Tiago in their wings as Jewel said, "Yeah. It does."
The kids smiled up at their parents before they all turned to face Antonia again, and she smiled as she looked at her family while Tulio handed her back to Linda. Later that night, they had brought Antonia home and she had fallen asleep when Linda placed her in the crib of her nursery. Everyone from the baby shower was in the room as they watched her sleep; Linda, Tulio, and Fernando were gathered around the crib while Blu and his family stood on top of the sides.
They all proudly watched Antonia sleep as Linda lovingly said, "Welcome to the family."
Author's note: That's the end. Frankly, if they make a third Rio movie I think we should see Linda and Tulio have kids. I know they have Fernando but he's adopted and by the events of the second movie he's already sixteen. I think they should have one or two kids of their own. Like maybe in a third movie a subplot would be Linda is pregnant and near the end she gives birth. Or maybe a time skip to reveal they already have a kid who's like maybe two years old and we'd see a few photos from when Linda was pregnant. I could picture them making Linda pregnant, though I'm sure they wouldn't do all these things I did. I could definitely picture her wearing a dress like I had her wear at the end. Please review.
