Ch 13 (Four Years Later…Christmas Eve)

New Azarath was beautiful this time of year. Raven had her friends spending their first ever holiday with her and her family on New Azarath. Things had changed Raven realized as her teammates had started families of their own and brought them along.

Robin, now know as Nightwing and a very pregnant Starfire had showed up first. Raven was surprised to say the least but was happy for the beaming husband and wife. The two had gotten married on Titans Tower roof. The wedding had been beautiful but short, as the couple couldn't wait to spend the rest of their lives together.

Cyborg and Bumblebee showed some time after the first couple arrived with fraternal twins, a boy and a girl. Raven was even more surprised by this, and Cyborg said he would explain later. The couple had married in the backyard of Cyborg's parents' home. It had been a small, simple wedding that Raven had enjoyed.

"It's really beautiful here Raven," said Bumblebee.

"Yeah, I've really loved being here. It's peaceful. So, how—

"My father was able to save some of my sperm after my accident," said Cyborg. "I'm sure you can guess the rest."

"Well, I'm happy for you two. Their adorable," said Raven.

"For you maybe," Bumblebee smiled.

"What about you Starfire? Do you know the sex of your baby?" asked Raven.

"We're having a boy!" said Nightwing.

"He's so excited," said Starfire as her husband put his arm around his wife.

"Yeah, we can tell," said Cyborg. "Calm down man."

Raven smiled. "Well make yourselves comfortable," said Raven. "I'll be right back," she said as she left for the kitchen and came out with something to eat for her guests.

"Uh," Cyborg looked at the food wearily, "you didn't by any chance cook any of this, did you Raven?"

"No, when I invited you all over, Zinthos insisted he cook because I'm still learning."

"Well, compliments to the chef," said Cyborg as he filled his children's' plates before his own.

"Why thank you Cyborg," said Zinthos as he came through the door with Metrion.

"Azar and Craven are right behind us," said Metrion to Raven as her grandparents came in the door.

"It's good to see you all again," said Azar as she smiled, "and it looks like I have new people to meet."

"Azar loves kids," said Craven as he looked to his granddaughter. "How are you Raven? I know we haven't talked in a while."

"There's a reason for that, but it's the holidays so I'll put behind me for now. My friends are here. I just want to enjoy the time I have with them."

"I understand, but I want you to know how sorry I am about the changeling. He had great heart."

"The best," said Cyborg as he felt his wife's hand on his shoulder while Nightwing comforted his crying wife. BB was and still is greatly missed.

Darkness fell over the sky of New Azarath as a shadow figure in the distance made his way through the village. He was following something in the air, which brought him outside the village to a beautiful house with a tower attached to it with a signature bird of a raven etched into the home. As his hands went over what the symbol represented, he had doubts about showing his face to her again. He thought about turning back many times because he knew he would cause a lot of hurt, but he hoped the hurt would pass. He knew he would have to explain himself and how he had survived his destined death.

Green wings poked out of the holes he had made in the back of his cloak as he rose from the ground and flew onto the balcony of one of the bedrooms. Looking in, he saw the outline of a feminine figure in bed, purple hair poking out of the covers.

'Raven.' Just thinking about her made his heart hurt. He couldn't take back what happened, but he wanted to make things right now that his future was life.

Passing her room, he looked into the window of Nightwing and Starfire, who were holding each other as they slept. When Starfire shifted in bed, her blanket had left her body to reveal her very round stomach. He smiled. 'Star's going to be a mom. Wow!' He was happy for the couple and so he moved on.

The room beside Nightwing and Starfire's was that of Cyborg and Bumblebee. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to him accept for the fact that two children entered the room with devious looks on their faces. They were about to wake up their parents when they spotted the green winged figure. He could tell how amazed they were by him, and he could definitely tell, 'yep those are definitely Cyborg's kids. But how did he—

"Dad!" the boy yelled.

'Uh oh,' he said as he flew away from the house.

"Wh—what's up little man?" asked Cyborg to his son.

"I saw a flying shadow outside your window," said Zack. "Serena saw it to!"

"Now what were you two doing up from bed?" asked their mother as she sat up in bed.

"Uh," said Zack and Serena.

"I'm sure it was just a big bird flying outside," said Bumblebee as she led the kids back to their room.

Cyborg was about to go back to sleep when a knock came to his door. "Aw man come on," he said as he opened the door. "Raven, what's—

"I sensed something watching me from my room."

"Well my kids did say they saw a flying figure outside the window but Karen and I thought—

"It's still nearby. Wake up Nightwing and we'll search the area," said Raven.

"I'm on it," Cyborg said as he went to wake up Nightwing.

"Cy—Cyborg, wha—

"Something's been watching us. We should check it out."

"I shall come as well," said Starfire as she sat up in bed.

"No, we don't know what we're up against. Stay here and protect our child."

"I am capable of protecting myself and the child if I need to fight my husband."

"I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you or our son. Please Starfire just this once—

"Fine," she kissed him. "Be safe."

Raven, Cyborg, and Nightwing made there way outside. They split up to look for the flying creature. Raven was trying to sense the creature but was having no luck. It confused her. 'Unless the creature is masking their emotions but why would they need to is the real question.' Suddenly, Raven heard an explosion and flew over to find out what had caused it. What she saw surprised her. It was a hooded figure with green wings, which wasn't trying to fight Nightwing.

"Nightwing, stop," said Raven as Cyborg came over to see what the commotion was all about. "It's not dangerous."

"How do you know that?" asked Nightwing as she stood beside the figure.

"Well for one it hasn't thrown a single punch or tried to get away from you," said Raven.

"Yeah man, lets find out what it wants," said Cyborg as he walked towards the figure. "Who are you and why are you looking around here?"

"I—I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have come. Maybe this was a mistake. I just wanted to see how everyone was doing. I didn't meant to scare your kids Victor," said the male voice.

"H—how do you know my name?" asked Cyborg.

The male laughed. "I think I would the name of my best friend Cy."

"No! It can't be you're—

"Dead, I thought I was to but then something happened to change all that."

"Wait a minute! How do we know you're really Beast boy. Show yourself!" demanded Nightwing.

"Well," he chuckled, "I'm not exactly a boy anymore, but I must warn you, what you're about to see is hideous. I didn't exactly grow into my looks." The hood came down and they all gasped.

"Damn! Dude you look handsome," said Cyborg. "Oh my god it really is you BB!" he yelled as he picked up BB by the wait and hugged him tight. "Oh man I missed you so much B."

"I can't believe it," said Nightwing.

"I know," said Raven in shock as she took in his appearance. His face had lost its boyish charm and was replaced by a mature face. His hair had grown out and was lying on his shoulders. His eyes really struck her. They were the same 16-year-old eyes she had seen four years ago, but there was also experience and maturity.

"He's taller than me!"

"Boys," Raven said as Nightwing tried removing Cyborg from BB, who needed to breathe.

"It's good to have you back BB," Nightwing said as he hugged his friend, "but now you have to explain what happened. It's been four years Beast boy. Why didn't you come back to the team?"

"Maybe we should continue this conversation inside. It's cold out here," said Raven.

"That's a good idea," said Nightwing who walked ahead of Raven along with Cyborg, who wanted to get back to check on his family.

Raven felt Beast boy walk beside her and risked a glance up to his face. When he looked back at her, she wasn't prepared for all the sadness in his eyes starring back at her.

"I—I'm so sorry Raven. I wish I could take it all back."

Those words echoed in Raven's head as they walked inside the house. She knew they meant something more to him, but she didn't feel it. She didn't even know if she wanted to. She was taken out of her thoughts by Starfire's scream as she saw Beast boy. Raven could feel the happiness radiating off her friend and was happy everyone was back together again.

"Friend Beast boy how is this even possible?"

"I promise I'll explain everything Star," he said as he suddenly felt two weights on his legs. Looking down, he saw Victor's kids and smiled. "These must be your kids Cy. They're certainly mischievous like you."

"You know I say that all the time to him," smiled Bumblebee.

"Hey Karen, it's good to see to see you."

"I can say the same about you. Man, did you grow into a handsome hottie," she said as Beast boy blushed.

"Karen!" exclaimed Victor.

"Relax Victor," she said.

"Yeah relax Victor you pretty much said the same thing about me," said BB as Nightwing and Starfire laughed.

"Oh really?" questioned Karen.

"Well not like that, I was just as man giving a compliment to another man."

BB looked down once again to the two children hanging on his legs. "Hi, I'm your uncle Garfield. What are your names?"

"I'm Zack, I'm 3 years old. My sister Serena is 3 also. We're twins."

"It's nice to meet you both. I'm your father's best friend."

"You're so cool. H—how did you get those wings?" asked Zach.

"Lots of practice."

"My mommy has wings to," said Serena.

"I've seen them in action. She's a strong fighter."

"And a hero like Dad and uncle Nightwing, aunt Starfire, and aunt Raven."

"They're great heroes," he said as he looked at his friends, "all of them."

"And so are you Garfield," said Raven.

He smiled. "Thanks Rae." He waited for her to correct him, but it never came. He'd have to ask about that later. "So?" He looked at Starfire, "do you know the gender of your baby?"

"It's a boy!" said Nightwing, who couldn't contain his excitement.

"Yes, my husband is clearly very excited about that."

"Just wait until you have to wake up at 2am in the morning, you won't be too excited trust me," said Cyborg but he looked to his two children who were now hanging on their mother, "but I wouldn't change it for the world. I love them so much."

"And they love you Cyborg," said BB. "You're the best guy I know."

"Right back at you B."

"I—

"No, I won't have you putting yourself down B," said Cyborg. "We love you man. We're just glad that you're back with us to see our children grow up and be an uncle to these kids."

"Nothing would make me happier, but I want to make things right with all of you. You deserve that. It's Christmas after all but maybe for now we can just relax."