15. New life

''It was before I even met you,'' said Ellie locking trunks with Manny, he smiled and didn't make a fuss.

''I like the name Dungus,'' said Crash and Eddie nodded his head in approval.

''Muddin is a good name too,'' said Eddie,'' it reminds me of mud.''

''Could you choose more...um...normal names?'' asked Ellie as Manny groaned in disbelief.

''Why don't we name them after our pet rocks,'' said Eddie and Crash nodded,''What were they called again?'' Manny winced not sure if he wanted to hear the answer.

''Amanda and Benjamin,'' answered Crash.

''Oh yeah, I remember now,'' said Eddie.

''Amanda Rosemary,'' said Manny thoughtfully, ''I like it.''

''Benjamin...'' started Ellie but she was interrupted by Sid.

''Sidney Jr,'' begged Sid,''Please, please, please, please, please, please.'' Manny sighed.

''Okay,'' said Manny, ''Benjamin Sidney Jr.''

''I knew this day would come, '' cheered Sid hugging Manny's leg tightly.

-

''Ellie's oldest kid is called Amanda Rosemary and the youngest is called Benjamin Sidney Jr. We helped name them,'' said Crash as he and Eddie walked up to Diego and Mia.

''Benjamin Sidney Jr,'' repeated Diego surprised,'' I bet that's your wish come true Sid,'' said Diego looking at the sloth who was still glued to Manny.

''What are your ones called?'' asked Eddie.

''She is called Riley Catia Lilian...'' started Mia pointing to the oldest cub who was sleeping soundly.

''...the boy is called Alexis Maximus Dylan...'' continued Diego.

''...and the youngest is Katelin Allisa Jasmine,'' finished Mia.

''Who is this one?'' asked Sid walking up to them, after Manny had managed to shake him off, and picking up carefully one of the cubs.

''That is Katie,'' answered Mia proudly.

''She is so sweet,'' said Sid. ''I love babies, they are so adorable.''

Diego looked at his cubs and felt happier than ever. He glanced at Mia who looked really proud. That day was a very exciting one and nothing could ruin it.

-

In the middle of the night a little cub crying could be heard.

''Wake up Mia,'' Diego whispered loudly into his mate's ear but Mia refused to wake up.

''Come on,'' said Diego desperately.

''Please wake up Mia,'' begged Diego nudging the side of her face.

''Mia, come on,'' said Diego licking her cheek. Diego gave up and looked at the cub nervously. He tried to make her stop crying but had no success.

''What are you doing?'' asked Ellie who was watching him amused.

''Trying to make it stop,'' answered Diego.

''You don't know what you are doing. Do you?'' asked Ellie.

''I do,'' said Diego stubbornly. A few seconds passed.

''How do we stop her?'' asked Diego embarrassed at his lack of information.

''Just comfort her. Children are easy to understand. If they cry just check why they are crying and fix that. Do you know what I'm talking about?'' asked Ellie.

''Yes,'' lied Diego. Luckily for Diego, with Ellie's help, Riley stopped crying and silence filled the cave again. Diego yawned and went back to sleep. A sleep with no more interruptions.

-

Or so he thought. He lifted his head up slowly and looked around. He was about to get up when Mia came to his rescue and Diego lowered himself to the ground slowly. The sound of crying stopped and he felt Mia lay next to him. She licked his ear.

''Tomorrow morning we are getting up early Diego. You'd better get some rest,'' she said before she laid her head on her paws and shut her eyes.

''Yeah,'' said Diego not really paying attention and he fell asleep straight away.

-

Next morning Mia was woken up by Ellie. She yawned and stretched getting up slowly.

''Could you please wake up Diego while I get the rest,'' said Ellie and Mia looked at Diego. He had Alex and Katie on his side and Riley on his back. He looked cute.

''Diego, wake up,'' said Mia nudging him.

''What?'' he asked without opening his eyes.

''You have to get up sleepyhead,'' said Mia.

''Why don't I stay here with the kids, it would be easier for you,'' said Diego hopefully.

''Okay,'' said Mia smiling a little.

-

''Where is Diego?'' asked Ellie.

''He said he would stay and take care of the kids,'' answered Mia.

''Manny's staying as well, he used the same excuse,'' said Ellie.

''Can we stay then?'' asked Eddie yawning.

''Please,'' begged Crash who was leaning on Eddie.

''Crash and Eddie are staying as well now,'' said Ellie and her brother's ran back to their tree.

''They looked really tired,'' said Sid stating the obvious.

''Aren't you?'' asked Mia raising her eyebrows at the sloth.

''Not today, today I'm just hungry,'' said Sid patting his stomach.

-

Diego woke up and looked around, he saw Manny sleeping with Mandy and Ben next to him and Crash and Eddie in a nearby tree. Diego got up putting Riley on the ground and edged the cubs closer to Manny. He stretched and walked off to have breakfast.

-

Manny woke up and yawned tired. He looked around and saw Diego running up to him as if to hide the fact that he had left Manny babysitting.

''You left me alone with them, didn't you?'' asked Manny furiously.

''I went to have breakfast and actually Crash and Eddie are here,'' said Diego pointing to the tree which the possums were hanging off.

''Well now I'm going to eat my breakfast,'' said Manny about to walk off.

''Manny you can't,'' said Diego blocking his path.

''Why?'' asked Manny raising his eyebrows.

''Do you really trust me with your kids, I might lose one,'' said Diego.

''They can't even walk and I do trust you,'' said Manny. Diego should have been flattered but that was his plan backfiring.

''Don't leave me,'' moaned Diego desperately trying not to let Manny leave.

''Okay then but I'm still hungry,'' sighed Manny. They heard some rustling from behind a bush and then their savior came, chewing on a flower.

''Hey Sid,'' said Diego.

''I have never been so happy to see you,'' said Manny smiling.

''Why?'' asked Sid confused.

''Nothing. Why are you here?'' asked Diego curiously.

''Mia and Ellie told me to come and help you,'' answered Sid.

''I can't believe that they think we can't take care of the kids,'' said Diego a little insulted.

''I know more about children then you,'' said Manny to Sid.

''Well I'll go then,'' said Sid starting to walk off.

''Don't,'' said Manny and Diego at the same time.

''Okay,'' said Sid turning back to them and smiling smugly,'' I'll take care off them for a bit while you two get some wood for a fire. I'm freezing.''

''I'm not sure,'' said Manny worriedly.

''If anything happens to them I will hurt you,'' snarled Diego. Crash and Eddie had woken up and were listening to the conversation.

''Do you want to stay here?''asked Sid even though he knew the answer. Diego and Manny went silent.

''Well do you?'' asked Crash jumping off the tree and landing next to Diego.

''Do you hmm?'' said Eddie jumping on Manny's head.

''If anything happens...well...you don't want to know,'' warned Diego and he started walking off with Manny behind him.

--

This sounds bad, worse than bad, worse than the baddest bad. Anyways read and review please.