The banner was set up in the dining room. All the gifts were going to be put there, but the first few were there. Balloons were blown up to make the room look more fun. Special food would be made through the afternoon so it would be ready by evening. There would be punch to drink.

Even though the baby shower would be thrown by a bunch of girls for Brooklyn, the only one not truly invited was the real mother. Demona would still remain in the dungeon. She had been told nothing about it.

Demona wanted so much to have her freedom back, but she would be planning revenge if she got out. She would get her babies whether Brooklyn liked it or not. It would be better for the babies to be born, then she wouldn't have to take their father too when she got away at some point.

Her cell was as comfy as it could be at this point. Almost like a living room and bedroom combined. She got good food. Brooklyn had still not been down to see her after what she had done. He was in no moods to see her anytime soon.

….

When everyone woke up that evening, Goliath said, "Hudson, Broadway, Lexington, you are coming with me tonight. Broadway, you carry Bronx. Angela, you are staying behind with Brooklyn."

"Yes, Father." She knew why he had done it this way.

Brooklyn wondered why they were taking Bronx. They didn't have to take him. He wasn't any trouble, usually.

"You don't have to take him." Brooklyn said.

"No, we need him tonight on our mission." Hudson stated.

"Alright." Brooklyn sighed.

The other male gargoyles met up with Coldstone and all took off on their patrol. Brooklyn and Angela were left behind. Coldfire was there too, but elsewhere.

"So what do you want to do, Brooklyn?" Angela asked with a smile.

He smiled back at her. He liked it when she spent time with him alone, but they would just stay friends. He knew better than to start a war with Broadway over her, and he especially wouldn't in his condition. The right female would come along when the time was right.

"Probably do some more yoga breathing and more pregnancy reading." he replied, taking a deep breath.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yeah. Just taking in the night air. It feels and smells so good." he said, enjoying the breeze. "I wish I could have gone on patrol too, and I can't be there."

"I'm sure they can manage without you and me there." Angela stated.

"Yeah."

"I'd like to see some of this yoga you speak of. Maybe it might come in handy when my own time comes to get pregnant." Angela suggested.

"That'd be nice. Doing it with someone else makes it fun too, but we should get some breakfast soon. I think the twins are hungry." he giggled, feeling a kick. He rubbed at his belly.

Angela couldn't help but marvel at what it felt like to be pregnant, but she wouldn't ever feel movement with her. She would have an egg to worry about instead. But, Angela knew that she had a plan to take her friend to the party tonight.

"How about breakfast first? Owen could surely fix us something up." she suggested.

His stomach growled and another kick. "Might as well." Brooklyn gave in.

"Can I feel my siblings first?" she asked.

"Sure." he replied. He let Angela feel the movements in his belly.

After feeling her baby siblings move, she said, "You're going to be an amazing father, Brooklyn." She smiled at him.

"Thanks, but I'm still worried about how I'm going to do without someone there to help me raise them." he said sadly. "I mean having my own love."

"You'll find her. She's out there, somewhere, Brooklyn." Angela tried to comfort him. "How about that dinner now? You mustn't keep the twins waiting for long."

"Yeah, you're right." he agreed. The two of them left the tower to head to the kitchen.

"Wait, let's go through the dining area to get there this time." Angela offered.

"Okay." he said. He followed her.

As they were nearing the dining area, Angela let Brooklyn take the lead. He wondered what was up with that, but didn't question her.

Brooklyn opened the door first. He saw the lights were off and he wondered why. He turned the lights on, and he was greeted by a "SURPRISE!"

"WHOA!" he cried out in surprise and shrank back into Angela's grasp. He was just startled. His eyes flashed white for a moment in shock.

He looked around and saw that it was all a bunch of women in the room. There were balloons everywhere, and a banner that read BABY SHOWER on it behind him. It was in pink and blue letters.

Brooklyn regained his footing off of Angela. He held his chest for a moment, feeling like he was going to panic, but he regained his breathing. "What… what's going on?" he asked curiously. He also saw what looked like a lot of gifts. What was going on? It wasn't Christmas time.

He saw the banner. "What's a... baby shower?" he asked.

"This is for you and your babies, Brooklyn." Elisa came up to him. "It's a special party just for you."

Brooklyn was surprised alright. He saw who was all there. "Beth? Maggie? Coldfire? Diane? Fox? You're all throwing me this party?" he asked.

"Yes. You deserve to have gifts for your little ones before they come." Diane came forward with a smile. She put a Hawaiian lei on his neck. There was a bit of Hawaii being celebrated in the party too. At least just with the lei.

"Thanks." he replied. Tears began to well in his eyes. No one had ever thrown a lavish party just for him before. Then he looked up at the banner. "Does the coloring mean you guys know the sexes?" he asked.

"No. That's just for just in case, you know?" Elisa replied.

"Oh. Okay."

"We were going to get some dinner first." Angela said.

"Yep, we were just waiting for the Guest of Honor." Fox stated. She had Alex with her this night. It was customary to bring another kid to the party if necessary.

"What about the guys? Did they know about this?" Brooklyn asked.

"Of course they did. We told them it was better to do this for you being done by women because that's how it usually is done. It's not always a male thing. We know you're a male, but you are a male also becoming a mom, aside from a dad." Elisa explained. "They just went out to patrol like they usually do in this case, but they did get you gifts."

"Thanks." Brooklyn replied as the tears fell. He was just so happy. Angela took a hanky and wiped his tears away.

"Let's have some fun." Diane said.

Brooklyn was allowed to get a plate and pick what he wanted to eat first. A line started behind him. Coldfire didn't have to eat, but she was in line to get stuff for Alex in the line. There was some chicken, mashed potatoes, a fruit cocktail, and some mixed veggies on the table. There would be brownies for dessert.

"Congratulations, Brooklyn. I never would have pictured this happening to you." Maggie said.

"Me either. Thanks, Maggie." he stated.

When everyone had their food, they sat down at the table to eat their fill. It was a very enjoyable dinner.

Brooklyn marveled at how well the food was prepared and everything. His babies would surely enjoy it too.

"So, how far along are you, Brooklyn?" Beth asked.

"Not sure exactly, but my late sixth to seventh month I think." he replied.

"We could help set up the nursery too, or do you want them in your bedroom? The kids really should have a room of their own." Fox said.

"I might want them in my room at first. I don't want to lose sight of them." Brooklyn said.

"It's understandable. The first weeks and months are the most precious you'll have with them." Diane stated.

"But the feeling of loving them never goes away." he stated.

"No it doesn't. It's amazing to watch your children grow into amazing adults who can take care of themselves, and it's worth all the heartache in the world to see it in the end." Diane explained.

Brooklyn took her advice to heart. She was the only one here who had gotten to experience it. Sure, Fox had a son, but he was still a child too. None of the others had experienced motherhood yet, aside from Demona, though Angela had been in her life a little, and only as an adult.

Next came the gifts. Brooklyn was to sit on a chair in the middle of a circle. The girls would give him his gifts if they were all small enough. The bigger ones he would open last. He had a feeling of what they were.

He got some books, blankets, diapers, formula, a new radio and some lullaby tapes, a name book, some cribs, a changing table, a video, and a rocking chair. While standing to open one of the cribs, he felt a cramp in his back.

"Ow!" he cringed, holding his back.

"What's wrong?" Beth asked.

"Just a cramp in my back. Nothing serious." Brooklyn replied.

"Perhaps you should sit down. That can't be good on your back." Maggie suggested.

"It's not, but I take it." Brooklyn said.

Dr. Paula showed up a bit later from her job and was glad to wish him well in having his babies.

The last sonogram was taken out of his belt and passed around by the ladies to see what they looked like.

"We see one looks like you and the other looks more human-like." Beth stated.

"Well, their birth mother does have a human face." Brooklyn replied. "She's just not welcome to attend."

"Every mother deserves to see their children, Brooklyn." Diane declared.

"No, Mom. Not this mother." Elisa scolded her mom.

"What do you mean?" Diane asked.

"Let's not talk about it." Elisa looked at her friend. She could see Brooklyn was uncomfortable at its mention. "Let's just say it's his business only."

"Fine." Elisa's mom stated, even though she did want the finer details.

Brooklyn started talking to Angela. That was when Elisa pulled her mom aside shortly after. She whispered in her ear.

"Oh, Elisa. I didn't know. I'm sorry for him." Diane replied.

"Yeah, but he's heard of it enough. Don't say anything." Elisa said.

"Alright."

Next, came some games. There was guessing how big he was with toilet paper. Some animal baby guesses and such.

Then, there came some name offerings. Brooklyn did need some assistance thinking of names yet for the twins.

The party had lasted for well over three hours. The other male gargoyles should be getting back soon. It had been fun, but Brooklyn was more than ready to go do his own thing now.

"Thanks for all the gifts and showing me a wonderful time, ladies." Brooklyn gave his biggest, happiest smile that he had in a long time.

"Good luck with the little ones." Beth said.

"Thanks, Beth."

"I'll be here if you need me with the doctor." Dr. Paula said. She gave him a small kiss on his beak.

Brooklyn blushed. "Yep, I count on it." he smiled.

"Let me and Talon know if you need us here. Especially with dealing with Demona." Maggie stated on her way out.

"No problem."

"And you know where I am." Elisa said.

Everyone said their goodbyes for the night. Fox and Coldfire were the only ones that didn't say goodbye.

Now that the cribs were unwrapped, they would be put together tomorrow. Owen and David could do it. It was the least they could do since Fox had done the baby shower. Elisa had welcomed to do it too, but this was something the men could do for Brooklyn.

Brooklyn and Angela next went to the TV room and started to watch the video waiting for the others to come back. They should be back soon.

A storm soon came on and the video just ended as the electricity went out. The two of them were getting worried.

"Maybe we should contact Goliath?" Brooklyn suggested. "Or Lex."

"Yeah, I'm worried." Angela agreed with him. "I hope nothing's happened to them."

"Me either."

Both Brooklyn and Angela sent calls out to their clan members.

Goliath and Lex both replied that Goliath and Coldstone were catching up being brothers. Lex and Broadway had gone to the movies. Hudson and Bronx had gone to the park for a little while, for like a dog walk so to speak, but they were all on their way back because of the storm. They had just gotten distracted by muggers and the like.

The two of them could relax. Shortly after, the electricity came back on.

The clan was back by 3 am. It had been one long patrol, but sibling hangouts too. They had wanted to give the ladies and Brooklyn enough time for the party. He showed them what he had gotten. It was all impressive that the red male had such amazing friends who cared about him and his future.

The clan settled down to have some of the leftover dinner too. It was delicious food, but some more fresh food was added too.

…

The next night, Goliath, Broadway, and Lexington went on a patrol together while Coldstone, Coldfire, and Angela went on a separate patrol. Brooklyn was left with Hudson and Bronx again.

Demona was now out of cuffs in her cell. She had picked the locks with a fork she had. Tonight, she was making a break for it. She broke out after Owen attempted to give her some food. She knocked him unconscious and ran for it. She wanted out of confinement desperately. She needed her freedom.

The alarm started sounding. It alerted Brooklyn and Hudson. They both came running to the office. "What's all the noise?" Hudson demanded.

"Demona has escaped her cell." David announced. "It showed on the security system cameras."

"WHAT?!" Brooklyn shouted. "You know she'll come after me!"

"We won't let that happen, Brooklyn." David said.

"I'll stay with ya, lad." Hudson declared.

"Thanks."

Bronx also barked.

"Thanks, boy." Brook petted his head.

Demona finally made it to one end of the castle and she took to the air. Her wings felt kind of weak as they hadn't been used in a while, but she was determined to get out of there. She would get her babies, but at a later date. It was only a limited amount of time left before Brooklyn had them. She wasn't going to try to get him this time, but she might even intend to eliminate him in the future too. Then the twins would have to be hers.

She was seen gliding away from the castle. Goliath and the others were alerted, but were too far away at the moment to come and pick up her trail.

Later on, Coldstone, his mate, and Angela all came home, but Goliath, Lex, and Broadway didn't come home that night.

It got the others a little concerned, but everyone of them had been caught away from home at sunrise before. They tried to contact them, but there was nothing. Nothing but static. This was a concerning sign.

"I think something's happened to them, Hudson." Angela exclaimed.

"Think you're right, lass." Hudson agreed with her. "We will go look for them tomorrow night."

"We will keep a lookout for them, Hudson." Coldstone said.

"I hope they're alright." Brooklyn declared. He held his stomach in worry.

"If they're not back tomorrow night, we'll go looking for them." Coldfire stated. "And you have to stay here, Brooklyn, in your condition."

"I know, Coldfire. Also in the case of if anyone of them comes back and seeing them." Brooklyn said. He knew he couldn't go do to his condition. Could Demona or Sevarius done something to lure them all into a trap?

What was left of the clan turned to stone and Coldstone and Coldfire powered down for the day.

….

The next night, the rest of the clan went looking for the three missing members when they didn't come home within two hours after sunset.

Brooklyn needed someone to stay behind with him, but Bronx was needed to help track the others. Coldstone carried him in his arms. Him and Hudson worked together while the two females worked together. Brooklyn was alone tonight.

As it turned out, Brooklyn found himself in charge of Alex while David and Fox went to the hospital to be with Owen after Demona's attack on him. He had hit his head on the wall pretty good. He was still unconscious.

Brooklyn hoped his clan mates were alright. He also hoped nothing went wrong while he was alone. It was just him here to protect the Xanatos baby. He tried to keep calm despite the circumstances.

He contacted Elisa and she and Matt started to pick up a search too.

"Everyone sure is busy tonight, Alex." Brooklyn said to the little boy.

The baby cooed and waved his hands at the gargoyle. "I wish Lex was here for ya, but he's not at the moment, little man." Brook said. The baby continued waving his arms.

Brooklyn was cautious, but he picked the baby up into his arms. He needed all the experience he could get. He would be a new father in only two and a half more months.

He took Alex to the library and took out a book and started to read to him. Eventually, it began to put him to sleep. Brooklyn sighed. Alex wasn't such a complicated child at all.

To think about it, he felt a little tired himself. He stretched out on the couch, holding the baby off to his right side, closer to the couch. Alex was off of his stomach anyway. Brooklyn fell asleep on the couch with Alex in his arm, laying on his chest. The twins still moved inside their father, but he was fast asleep by now.

…..

What was left of the clan and the Xanatos parents returned to the castle close to dawn and they looked for Brooklyn to make sure he was alright, as was Alex.

For Fox, she became worried when her son wasn't found in his room. Everyone was ordered to search the castle and find him. Eventually, Alex was found in the library with Brooklyn.

David thought the scene was precious, but Fox was so worried. "Alex!" she cried out. Her worried cry woke Brooklyn and Alex up.

"Give me my baby!" the red haired woman ordered.

"Here." Brooklyn said, handing him over.

"What were you doing in here?" David asked.

"After everyone left me alone, I was wondering what I was going to do with him, and I just came in here and read to him. He fell asleep and I fell asleep too. Nothing else happened that I know of." Brooklyn explained.

"So, he didn't give you any trouble?" the man asked.

"No."

"Good."

"I'm sorry, I was just worried about him, Brooklyn." Fox stated.

"I understand." Brook replied.

"At least you're alright too, lad." Hudson said.

"Yeah, I'm fine." he said as he tried to stand up. He could barely move though. It took a helping hand for him to stand on his own. "Any trace of Goliath and my brothers?" he asked.

"Nothing." Angela replied.

This was a worrying sign indeed. What had happened to them?

Comments anyone?