Hey, guys. I'm back with the third and final chapter of this three-shot fanfic, where Ben finally becomes a dad. Not much to jot down on this note except, hope you enjoy reading it.
Ben was so sure that it would be nine months until the babies were ready to be born, but due to conditions, mostly theorized by Ben was because he was male and that he still had a little excess weight on him, it took a little longer. A total of eleven months, heavily expecting twins, but Ben didn't seem to mind. As much as he wanted to hold his babies in his arms, the lovable cheetah still saw this as even more bonding time for him and his twins children, and he wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
It was then that the late due date came on a Saturday. Ben had invited the Wilde's over for brunch, with Judy insisting on helping Ben to make brunch. Everyone sat around outside Ben's backyard. The brunch consisted of blueberry pancakes, much to Nick's and Cody's pleasure, with a side of eggs for the predators, and a helping of grapefruit for the prey mammals. For drink, it was all orange juice or milk.
The adults savored their meal, while the kids seemed to wolf it down, before Judy reminded them of good table manners. Ben chuckled.
"I guess I'd start setting that good example for my kids, pretty soon." said Ben, as he gently patted his growing bump.
"Oh, speaking of our new little cousins, Uncle Ben? Is it okay if we please see their new room, now?" asked Cody.
"Of course. You're all gonna love how it looks in the right light. Cutest thing ever built!" Ben said, beaming with joy.
Over the course of Ben's pregnancy, the Wilde's had helped with the nursery. They painted the room, set up the crib, pick out all the toys and items needed to taking care of babies, and baby-proofed the place to make it a safe 'No-Ouchies' zone. When the adults showed the kids the room, their faces went with awe.
The first thing they noticed was the walls of the room. The color was light yellow, with decorative wall-paper wrapping that surrounded the middle of the room. The wall-paper had patterns of flowers, trees, elephants, giraffes, and hippos.
The carpet was a cream-beige color. The crib to the right was painted with white color on the sides and rails. The legs that held the crib together were a light pink, with the knobs on top painted a golden yellow, added with cartoonish dinosaurs.
There was a table on the right that had all the necessities for changing diapers. Right below the window facing the front wall, there was a large toy box, filled with toys that were safe to play and were non-choking hazards. The box mostly consisted of building blocks, chew toys, and stuffed animals. Most of the stuffed animals were rabbits, which were hand-me-downs of Judy, who insisted that Ben took them, knowing the kids would love them both for it. On the left wall, next to the changing table was the closet where all the baby clothes and baby books that the Wilde's got Ben for his baby shower.
Finally, the last thing in the room that Ben cherished most of all, was the rocking chair on the lower right corner. It never failed to send a tear in Ben's eye whenever he saw the chair, with his mind wandering to the moments when he'd imagined holding his babies as they napped in his arms, all the while their father would sing them lullabies and read them bedtime stories.
"Oh, Ben! It's beautiful in here!" Judy mused, joyfully remembering how her own kids' room looked exactly like Ben's room.
"Well, none of this couldn't've been done without you, guys." said Ben. "Plus, my parents."
"Wait, your parents know, Uncle Ben?!" said Cody.
"Well, of course. I just had to tell them that they were gonna be grandparents. I told them during the baby shower." said Ben. "Oh, wait. That's right. It was Friday, and you kids were still in school, that day."
"Oh, yeah. Now, I remember, too." Cody said, rubbing the back of his head, sheepishly.
"Did your mom and dad take the news well, Uncle Ben?" asked Shiela.
"Eh, about as well as any parent would take it with these things." said Ben, shrugging his shoulders. "But, yeah. The old coots were happy for me. I can still recall the first look on their faces when I told them..."
...
(Flashback - last week)
"Ben! How are you doing, baby?" a cheery Mira Clawhauser greeted her son. Her husband, Jack Clawhauser, was just behind her.
Mira and Jack Clawhauser were both cheetahs in their fifties, and a little both hefty, like their son. Mira had a purple sundress on, with a pearl necklace around her neck, and a butterfly hair brooch. Jack wore a brown coat, blue trousers, and square-framed glasses. Underneath his coat was a partially hidden Gazelle T-shirt, which Ben giggled at.
"Doin' fine, Ma. Thanks for coming." said Ben.
"So, champ, what's this big surprise you wanted to tell us about?" said Jack.
"Come on into the living room, and I'll tell you all about it." said Ben.
Ben led his parents into the living room, where Nick and Judy were at, already sitting down on the couch. Finnick was there, too.
Ben and Finnick had grown to be very acquainted with each other, and Ben thought it would be a good idea to have him become a go-to babysitter whenever Nick and Judy weren't available. The Fennec was weirded out by the news, when Nick, Judy, and Ben told him about Ben's babies. But, he got over it, quick, though still a little weirded out.
On the table were an assortment of wrapped boxes with strings. They were gifts that Nick, Judy, Finnick and the kids had put together.
On another small table set-up, were a few bowls of healthy snacks, much to Ben's parents' shock. They knew how much their boy loved his sweets, which they thought was mostly their fault. Yet, if someone told them that they saw their boy had healthy snacks in his home, they would've thought they were from some alternate dimension.
"Ben?! Care to explain why you have celery sticks and apple slices at your table?!" Mira said, her dish-shaped eyes not leaving the bowls, as if she were staring at a giant spider.
"Oh, well, that's just part of the surprise I wanted to tell you guys." Ben said, matter-of-factly. "So, for the last few months, I've been expecting something many say it's the best gift they could've ever gotten. Can you guess what that is?"
"A rowing machine?" asked Jack.
"A Treadmill?" asked Mira, then added, "Oh, sweetie! I think's swell you're leading a healthy lifestyle, and after so much encouragement!"
"I appreciate that, Ma, but nope. It's not a treadmill or a rowing machine. It's kits!" Ben squealed.
"Say what?!" Jack asked, flabbergasted.
"O. M. Goodness!" Mira shrieked, happily. "Grandcubs?! Oh, Ben! That is great news! When will be expecting them?"
"Soon, Ma. Very soon." Ben reassured.
"Is it tomorrow? Oh, please let it be tomorrow!" Mira hoped, out loud.
"Now, dear. The head of the orphanage must still have some important paperwork to fill out before the adoption process goes through. I'm not saying it'll happen, but it's no good to rush these things, y'know?" said Jack.
"Uh, dad? That's not what I meant." Ben said, matter-of-factly again.
"What did you mean, then?" asked Jack.
"Um, guys? Think you can help me with this?" Ben asked his friends.
"Sure thing, Benny." said Nick. "Mr. and Mrs. Clawhauser? I'm sure Ben told ya about that case with the mad scientists we were a part of?"
"Well, it's like this..." Judy continued. "One of them injected Ben with one of the formulas they created. In turn, the liquid in the formula adapted and mixed with Ben's DNA, resulting his body to undergo serious, but non-harmful changes. Which led to...Um..."
"Your son is knocked up, you old coots." Finnick stated, bluntly.
"What?!" Jack and Mira exclaimed, surprisingly.
"Finnick! Could you be any more blunt?!" Judy scolded.
"You guys were taking too long." said Finnick. "You need to treat situations like this more like ripping off a bandage."
"That's not how it works all the time, Fin." said Nick.
"Ben, is it true?" Mira asked, still recovering from the shock.
"Uh, yep. Surprise." Ben chuckled, nervously.
"But, how...?" Jack asked, still stunned by the news.
"Well, it's like Finny said. Weird, mad science." said Ben. "So, you guys aren't revolted by any of this?"
"Well, it's weird, to be sure. It'll take some getting used to the facts, sure." said Mira. "But, of course not, dearie. One way or another, we'll finally get those grandcubs we've been hoping for."
"Your mother's right, Benny. This is Zootopia, after all. Weirder things have always happened in Zootopia." said Jack.
"Oh, you guys. Thank you!" Ben said, happily hugging his parents.
"So, Benny, tell us everything you know! How many cubs? Are they boys, girls, or a mix of both?!" Mira inquired to her son. "Oh, more importantly, is it okay if I had a feel?"
"Of course you can, Ma. You're their grandmother now." said Ben, as he lifted up part of his shirt.
"Ooh! Jack, come here! I think I just felt a kick, right here!" Mira cheered, her paw on Ben's stomach. "Oh, the one time I didn't think to bring a camera."
...
"Yeah, good times. Good times..." Ben said, his mind returning to the present. "Oof!"
Ben suddenly placed both hands on his stomach, as he took a couple of deep breaths. "Wow, where did that strong kick come from?"
"You sure it was a kick, Ben? Lemme just check, real quick." Judy said, voicing her own concerns from the sight of her friend's seemingly-pained look.
Judy placed both of her paws on Ben's belly, examining it, and noticed how tense it felt. "Ben, I think this could be a contraction."
"How can you tell, Carrots?" said Nick. "Wouldn't it feel different, seeing how Ben is a guy?"
"The doctor said the symptoms I could feel would be the same as a girl, so I don't think so." said Ben.
"Plus, with how many times my mom and sisters went through this, which I've helped out with on some occasions, I'd think I'd tell from a kick to a contraction." said Judy, as she continued examining. "I think you'll be fine, Ben. But, let me know if it gets worse, okay?"
Ben nodded. "Whew! That's what I call a false alarm."
"Want some help sitting down on the couch, Ben?" Nick offered.
"Nah, that's sweet of you, Nick. But, I think I'll be-"
A sudden wave of pain washed over Ben, as he clutched his stomach again.
"Ben?!" Judy exclaimed, worryingly.
"Ugh! I'm okay, guys. Probably just another contract-"
That's when Ben felt a wet pool form under his feet. The realization hit the adults as hard as the water on the floor.
"Guys, I think this is it! It's time!" said Ben, both excited and nervous.
"Oh, sweet cheese and crackers!" shouted Judy. "Nick, grab Ben's bag! It should still be in the closet! I'll take Ben to the car! We gotta get to the hospital, ASAP!"
Everything happened so fast. Judy took Ben's paw, then gently, but swiftly took Clawhauser out of the room, and towards the front door. Nick grabbed the hospital bag Ben prepared back when he, Nick, and Judy were preparing the nursery. The kids, however, just stood there, clueless by their young age at what was transpiring, and were stuck to where they were standing.
"Hey, what about us?!" Cody blurted out loud.
"Oh, Nick! Get the kids, too!" Judy called from out the front door.
"C'mon, kids! Uncle Benny's having his babies!" said Nick, slinging the bag over his shoulder, and carrying his kids towards the car.
Ben sat up front with Judy, who was behind the wheel, while Nick sat in the back, between the kids. Judy speeded towards the hospital, while instructing Ben to take deep breaths, in order to relieve stress and to ease the labor pains a bit. In less than half an hour, they made it to the hospital, and without getting a ticket for speeding, luckily. The Wildes hurried Clawhauser inside via wheelchair, as a precaution, and towards the front desk.
"Mr. Clawhauser, here to see Dr. W." Ben told the antelope receptionist.
"Ah, yes. The doctor'll be with you in just a minute." The receptionist informed.
A minute later, the wombat doctor and two nurses, both leopards, came and escorted the expectant cheetah towards the delivery room.
"Mr. and Mrs. Wilde, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you and your kids to wait here in the hall, next to those chairs over there. For this procedure, we can't have anyone distracting us. It's for safety measures, you understand?" said Dr. W.
Judy and Nick nodded, as they took their seats, the kids in their laps. They all tried to get comfortable, but to no avail. The well-being for their friend, Clawhauser, and his future children was a fresh thought of worry in their minds. But, it seemed the only thing they could do for them now was just wait and hope for the best for them.
...
Meanwhile, Ben was laying on the medical bed, feeling anxious himself. Though, he felt some of his anxiety melt away as Dr. W. came into the room, fully donned in green medical garbs.
"So, how're we feeling today, Ben?" the doctor asked in a nonchalant manner.
"I'll feel a whole lot better once I've got the babies out, and have snug in my arms." said Ben. "Uh, this c-section's gonna hurt or leave a scar, right?"
"Oh, it'll leave a scar, but that'll fade. Don't worry about it hurting either, Ben. I'll explain how it's all gonna work to you." said Dr. W. "We'll put you under some strong anesthesia, then make an incisional cut below the lower abdomen, right where the babies should be in their upside-down position. Then, we'll pull the babies out, and stitch you back up. It'll be over before you know it."
"Okay..." Ben said, his nerves still made him felt a little queasy. "But, what if..."
"Don't you worry, Ben. Nothing's gonna happen. I've done this many times, Just y'know, it's with a boy, this time." said the doctor. "Now, I'm gonna put the gas mask on. Ready?"
Ben inhaled, steadying his nerves, then nodded his head. Dr. W place the mask on Ben's face, and the cheetah's eyelids grew heavy, the anesthesia taking it's effect, as he fell fast asleep.
"Alright, mammals. Pops is out cold. Let's get to work in getting these babies out of his abdomen, and nestled into his arms." said Dr. W, as a nurse prepared a surgeon knife.
...
Clawhauser's parents came rushing down the hall, as the Wilde's flagged them down. The two older cheetahs were out of breath, as they approached Nick and Judy.
"We came as soon as we got Nick's text. Is our boy okay?" asked Mira.
"One of the nurses just told us they just gave him the anesthesia, and now they're working on getting the babies out." said Judy. "But, they say the operation's going smoothly. No problems."
"I'll feel better when they tell us it's over, and we can see Ben." said Jack, as both he and his wife sat down next to the Wildes.
...
So, they waited. Then waited, and waited, and waited some more...
It was only one whole hour, but it felt like an eternity. Everyone started to doze off themselves, when a nurse opening the door made them jolt out of their seats. Concerned looks plastered on everyone's faces, and directed towards the nurse. The antelope nurse gave a calm smile, in return.
"It's all over." she said. "The babies are both out, both healthy, and now their getting cleaned up. Ben's all stitched up, and should be waking up in a few minutes. They're all going to be just fine."
The adults let out heavy sighs of relief, while the kids clapped their hands in excitement, glad to hear Ben and the babies were okay.
"If you'd all like, you can see them right now. Just as long as you stay quiet." said the nurse.
Everyone slowly clambered into the delivery room. There was Ben, exhausted but sleeping soundly, then began to stir awake. The cheetah looked up to see his friends and family gathered around him, with smiles on their faces.
"Hey, baby. How you feeling?" Mira asked, caressing her son's cheek with her paw.
"Hey, Ma. Hey, guys. Feeling much better now that you're all here." said Ben. "Well, to be honest, I feel like I had a Xenomorph alien taken out of my body."
Everyone chuckled at Ben's attempt at a joke, when the doctor and a couple nurses walked in, both carrying two bundles in their arms.
"Well, we seriously recommend you take some bedrest for a day, but other than that, you and the kids'll be fine. Speaking of which, they're really anxious to meet their daddy." said Dr. W.
The two nurses placed the two bundles in Ben's arms. The cheetah could hardly contain his tears of joy, as he pulled back some of the covers, revealing the faces of his son and daughter.
The boy cheetah had dark yellow fur, like his father, with spots covering him from head to toe. There was also a tuft of hair on his head. When the cub opened his eyes, they were revealed to be dark blue, like his grandmother.
"Oh, Ben! Your son has my eyes!" Mira exclaimed, joyfully.
The girl began to stir awake. She had light yellow fur and spots. As she opened her eyes, they revealed sparkling brown irises, much like her father, who squealed with delight.
"Oh, baby girl! I just knew you'd take a little after me and your gramps!" a teary-eyed Ben said, looking at his own father, who was shedding tears of his own in the same brown-colored eyes.
"Is it okay if we hold them, Uncle Ben?" asked Cody.
"Pretty please?" Shiela asked, slightly hopping up and down on one foot.
"Of course, kids. Just be careful." said Ben, as he lowered the cubs into Cody and Shiela's arms. Cody cradled Annabelle, while Shiela gently rocked Eric. The two older kids stared at the newborns, as sparkles danced in their wide eyes, and the proud families watched on.
...
It wasn't long, about five days, until Ben first brought his kids to the ZPD. Not long after the birth, Ben and the kids stayed at the hospital for an extra day, just so the doctors made sure their bill of health was clean, which they had. Ben requested a few days off, so he and the kids could get settled into their home, even though he let slide of the details to why he needed said days off. But now, today Ben would show his kids to the whole world, just like any other proud parent would.
All of the officers cooed and awed at little Eric and Annabelle. They of course asked who the mother was, but Ben kept dodging the question by telling them that the cubs were adopted, who just coincidentally resembled him strongly. Luckily, Nick and Judy were there to back up Ben's story. It wasn't until Ben's lunch break that he decided to surprise Chief Bogo with a surprise visit to his office with the cubs.
"Oh, Chief!" Clawhauser said, in a sing-song tone.
"Not now!" said the Chief.
Embarrassment was etched onto his face, as he tried to cover up his phone, which played a new Gazelle music video, to no avail.
"Aw, c'mon, Chief. I know Gazelle when I hear her." said Ben. "But, don't worry. I won't tell anybody. I just thought I'd bring a few special guests in here for a grand tour."
Ben brought the kids inside, via stroller.
"Clawhauser, what did I say about bringing children into my office?!" Bogo snapped.
"I know, chief. But, go easy on them. I wanted Annabelle here to meet her godfather." said Ben, picking up his daughter.
"Claw-..." Bogo stopped mid-sentence. "D-did you say, godfather?"
"Well, of course." said Ben, matter-of-factly. "Eric has Nick for his godfather. Annabelle has Judy for her godmother. I'm thinking Francine should be Eric's godmother, but I haven't asked her yet. But, hearing you were in your office, I didn't want to waste this opportunity to ask you to be Anna's godfather. That be okay with you, wouldn't it sir?"
The large and intimidating cape buffalo was still dumbstruck. Bogo had been asked for a lot of honors, but this was something entirely different. Bogo did like kids, that part was true, but he didn't feel comfortable around them most of the time, mostly on account of their hyper energy. Yet, staring at the little cheetah girl in Ben's arms, the one mammal whom he secretly called his closest friend of all, how could he not turn down an honor like this?
"You okay, Chief?" Ben asked, noticing the stunned look on Bogo's face. "If it feels like I asked you too soon, then-"
"No, no, Clawhauser! What I mean is, I would be more than happy to be your daughter's godfather." said Bogo, with a rare smile.
"Oh, Chief! That's wonderful! Here, you can hold her right now!" Ben offered.
"You sure you don't mind? So soon?" said Bogo.
"Of course not. Go ahead. I know you'll be gentle as can be." said Ben, as he gently placed Annabelle into Bogo's arms.
The baby cheetah cooed, giggled, and gave a gummy smile at her uncle Bogo, who in turn gave a heartwarming smile of his own. If the cape buffalo's heart was icy cold, the sight of Annabelle had melted it all away, and made it warm again, the melted water being the tears that threatened to leak out of his eyes.
"This is just too precious, Chief! Now, make Anna look like she's waving at the camera!"
Everyone turned to see Nick, peeking out from behind the door, holding his phone with the recording on, and with the biggest and slyest of grins on his face.
"WILDE!" Chief Bogo bellowed, loudly.
"What?" Nick said, pretending to play innocent. "I thought maybe you'd like to capture this sweet and tender moment with your goddaughter. So you can look back on it years now and say-"
"If you so much as post that on Zootube, Wilde..." Bogo threatened.
"Oh, relax Chief. I won't. Not until I show Judy, first." said Nick. "She's in the mess hall, right now. She's gonna bust a gut at this."
"Wilde, you got five seconds to delete that, or else!" said Bogo, handing Anna back to her dad.
"Gotta catch me first, Chief." Nick said, as he made a run out of the door.
Chief Bogo was back to his old, gruff self, as he charged after Nick, while threatening loudly at the fox with parking duty for a whole week. Ben let out a loud giggle that he'd been holding in for a minute, as soon as Bogo left the room. Anna and Eric giggled alongside him.
"You kids'll learn things can get REAL crazy around here, but we're all family." Ben said, and then nuzzled his cubs. "One where I'm glad you're a part of. Welcome to the family, babies."
Benjamin Clawhauser did intend to tell everyone the truth of the cubs' birth, but he thought that could wait for a later date. For now, he just wanted to enjoy this moment with his little miracles.
There'd be some ups and some downs, along the road to parenthood. But, no matter what, Ben still strived to be the best father he always wanted to be. Plus, even when they've all grown up, Eric and Anna would always be, in Ben's eyes, his little bundles of joy.
Well, guys, finally! That's a wrap on this fanfic.
First off, SO SORRY! This three-shot took WAY longer then I intended for it to be. Procrastination, at it's worse. But, what's important is that I didn't bail on this fanfic, and saw it through for you guys.
Other than that, a great big thanks to everyone who stuck with me on this fanfic, and their huge, well amounts of patience.
I own nothing, except a few OC's. All rights go to original owners. No copyright intended. Thanks, and stay tuned for more fanfics from this site.
