A couple weeks later, by now, Angela didn't have morning sickness quite so much. Dr. Sato's medicine helped to control the nausea, but she still threw up at times. But she ate crackers a lot too. Toast, bananas, and fruit were a lot of what Angela ate most of the time. Her stomach also had a slight bump on the lower part.

Broadway was still around Angela the most when it wasn't one of the others. But Brooklyn was always ready to lend a hand too. He wanted to be a devoted father, but his brother was doing that stuff for him.

The turquoise male understood that the scientists had made his brother breed his mate, but he still wished the child was his. But when he saw his red brother attending to Angela in any way, he got really jealous.

One night, Angela was in the library reading while Broadway went to search out Brooklyn to have a chat with him. Until the child hatched, he didn't think Brook should have a role to play so much with his mate.

He found Brooklyn overlooking the city on one of the front battlements. How he wished he had a mate of his own so he wouldn't feel so lonely. He was excited for the baby coming but it wouldn't be here for another ten years.

"You probably wish Angela was with you instead of me, don't you?" Broadway blurted out.

Brooklyn jumped and turned to look at his bigger brother. "Huh?"

"Don't give me that. I've seen the way you look at her! You want her, don't you?!" Broadway accused him.

"Not in the way you think." Brooklyn replied as he stood up to face him.

"Oh, come on, Brooklyn, you've always wanted Angela for yourself. Just as you wanted Maggie too! And she rejected you. Angela chose me for her mate. Me! I'm making that clear to you right now." Broadway raised his voice angrily.

"I know she's yours! Just as Maggie chose Talon. And Delilah chose that clone of mine." Brook retorted. "Every female rejects me!"

"What's this fighting about?" Angela came onto the battlements. "I heard you arguing."

The two males turned to her. "Nothing." Brooklyn replied.

"No, it's not nothing. Bet touching my mate brings back memories of when Coldsteel made you touch her before?!" Broadway shouted at him.

"Broadway!" Angela scolded him.

Brooklyn gasped. Those daymares still haunted him from that evil maniac. "I don't have to take this." The red male then turned and jumped off the battlement.

"Broadway, how could you say that to him?! We told you what happened." Angela scolded him then took off after Brooklyn. "Brooklyn, wait!"

Broadway was upset that he had gone off the deep end over this, but he still wondered if Angela still loved him since she seemed to want to be with Brooklyn more these days. Their relationship hadn't been what it was before the kidnapping.

Brooklyn flew for a distance but not too far from the castle. "Brooklyn, wait." He heard Angela calling his name. He knew she shouldn't be out here.

He came to a stop to allow her to catch up. He landed on a nearby roof. She landed behind him.

"Are you alright, Brooklyn? I'm sorry Broadway said that to you." Angela apologized.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just… Angela, I know this hasn't been easy on us since what happened. I've just felt like I want to be closer to you since you're carrying my child. And when we… did it." Brooklyn explained. "And it hurts me to know I can't be with you."

Angela was seeing a different side to Brooklyn. Ever since returning home, she had liked him being by her side through this ordeal, even though she still craved some private time.

"Brooklyn, I really have been trying to think more of along the lines of do I want to be with Broadway still, or not. He has become more jealous of you, the way he looks at you all the time." Angela explained. "You were always protective of me in that facility and gladly took the punishments when you shouldn't have been hurt like that."

"We both went through a rough time there. There's nothing we can do about it now but know I would never have tried to hurt you like that." Brooklyn said.

"I know. I see that you are brave, compassionate, courageous, sweet, and protective of me. I know you care for me. I care for you too. But then, I wonder if I really cared about Broadway the way I thought I did." Angela confessed.

"Really?" Brooklyn raised an eye ridge curiously.

"Yes. He tries, but we just haven't been the same since we returned." Angela declared. "Our relationship has suffered. As much as he tried to understand what we went through, he just doesn't."

"No, he doesn't. The embarrassment we went through together. It was painful."

"And now we are having a child together and he can't stand it that it's not his." Angela said.

"So, what are we going to do, Angela?" Brooklyn asked her. "I'll do whatever you want me to."

"How does it feel to you when you've touched me?" she asked.

Brooklyn gulped. "I love being around you, Angela. You bring me a sense of comfort and understanding. Something that sometimes my brothers don't get. You make me feel a sense of purpose, to protect more. Someone that could complete me if you wanted to have me as your own. You are beautiful, caring, understanding, tranquil, patient. You have a calmer nature than Goliath has sometimes. Sure, I look up to him like a father too, but I'm not his biological child." He explained.

"Oh, Brooklyn, you are a sweetheart to tell me such things." She smiled and tears were in her eyes. "But our child will be Goliath's grandchild."

She couldn't help but come up to Brooklyn and give him a sweet thank you kiss. She also gave him a hug which he greatly accepted. He smiled in return. He also wrapped his wings around them but not on her.

From a distance, Broadway saw the embrace. He gasped. Was his mate choosing his brother over him? Or was she just comforting Brooklyn? He still had his doubts. Would the experience from just weeks ago change how Brook and Angela felt for each other?

Broadway flew back to the castle in sadness. This might be the first time he was dealing with rejection. And his red bro had suffered three rejections, the third being Delilah choosing Malibu.

The two of them were never alone exactly on patrol, but Brooklyn didn't want to go back to the castle too soon. "You want to see a movie with me?" he asked.

"Okay." She replied.

Brooklyn smiled and he took her to one of the theaters to see a movie. There was also popcorn in the rafters for them to munch on. "I hope Junior lets you eat this okay." He joked.

"I'm sure I'll be fine." Angela said.

The two of them enjoyed a love story movie. Angela even leaned into Brooklyn's right shoulder as she couldn't help but cry at some of the scenes. He smiled and gladly put his arm around her. He was just so happy to have her to himself for once. Was she choosing him? He was personally calling this a date. But he still didn't know her full decision yet.

When they returned home later on, Brooklyn showed Angela where he was in the current book he had been reading about pregnancy. He had made it to the 11th week.

"I know this is all about human pregnancy, but what you have been experiencing seems similar to human pregnancy." Brooklyn explained.

"I'm not quite as sick as I used to be, Brooklyn." Angela said. "And I've been starting to feel some cravings. Some of them unusual."

"Like what?"

"For pickles and ice cream."

Brooklyn didn't mind those foods either, but for them to be combined, yuck! "I also like peanut butter and chips, and I also found I really like cucumbers too." She said.

"Well, whatever you want, I'll be happy to get some for you if we don't have them here." Brook offered. He still wanted to show her that he wanted fatherhood off to a good start.

"I'm sure you would."

"Are there any things that upset your stomach still?" he asked.

"I can't stand coffee, meat cooking, bacon, or Fox's perfume." Angela declared. "They all make me feel sick still."

"Well, we can stay clear of those then." Brook stated.

"I also get tired easily." She said.

"It's understandable. Creating the embryo and the egg must take it out of you. I read about taking magnesium supplements and calcium to make sure your body is getting enough of it." Brooklyn explained.

"I get those from Fox, but I still get tired." Angela replied.

"That's good."

"Speaking of which, I need a nap right now." Angela yawned.

"Ok then. Have a good nap." He said. She walked past him to go to her room with Broadway and she laid down on the bed to get a little nap in.

Gargoyles normally didn't need naps during the night unless there were some bad injuries or a rare sickness. But pregnancy was evidently something that called for it too. Angela's body was busy nourishing an egg beginning to cover the embryo inside it. And it needed to get bigger too.

….

In the coming days, Angela was starting to spend more time with Brooklyn. But she still tried to spend time with Broadway. She was having to do her own courtship again. She was trying to fully decide on who might have been the better male for her.

Broadway and Brooklyn both were being devoted males. Trying to show her that they were the right one for her. This time, Lexington had no part in it.

Goliath and Hudson were noticing changes between the three of them. There were relationship strains among the two males and Angela. They were trying to stay out of it but only stepping in if things got really out of hand. They didn't want anyone harming one another. In this case, it was better to let the female decide.

Angela loved that Broadway was a jolly guy and he felt deeply about many things. Especially Elisa. He was also a good cook. He would gladly make up what she wanted in this fragile time.

As for Brooklyn, in Angela's eyes, after spending so much time alone with him in those several weeks being captured, she had seen more of what he was capable of on the mature side, that he was a mature, loyal Second in Command. He had even told her of how he felt while being the substitute leader while Goliath had been away, and how he had led the clan the best he could. He didn't just care for her because she carried his child. He cared for her in all honest ways. He had protected her when the building fell on him on their escape, and he had gladly taken many of the punishments to protect her. They had just gone through so much together. Brooklyn was also gladly getting things from the fridge or the stores in town if Angela was asking for something if she craved it.

The two rookery brothers still gave each other hard stares but they didn't hate each other.

In the end, Angela had made her choice.

She came up to Broadway one night and despite feeling tired, she had to tell him. He was in the kitchen area trying to cook up some dinner for the clan.

"Broadway." Angela said.

"Hi, Angela. I was just finishing up our dinner. I can always make up anything you want." Broadway smiled.

"Thank you. I'll always be grateful for what you do for me." Angela said. "And I'll continue to need you for this too, but I have something to tell you."

Broadway looked at her quizzically. "What?"

"Broadway, I know I had chosen you as my mate before, and I know how you and Brooklyn have been rivals lately. I know you're angry at what happened to me and him, but during our capture, I saw a whole new side to Brooklyn. How he is a mature young male that has great strategy planning, courageousness, he also nearly died on our way home. He might not be the strongest one between you and him, but he is super sweet and willing to do anything for me. I know you would do anything for me too. But if I decide who I'm going to be with, you will respect my decision, right?" Angela asked and explained.

"You know I will." Broadway replied.

"I also saw how lonely Brooklyn truly was while being captured. I saw the sadness in his voice and eyes when he would tell me of his rejections from other females, and of me from before." Angela went on.

"So, what are you saying, Angela?" Broadway's happy face was now frowning.

"Broadway, I'm sorry, but I am going to be changing my choice of mates. I am going to be with Brooklyn." Angela decreed. "But I will always love you as a clan mate."

This usually didn't happen. Once mates were decided, they usually stayed together until death claimed one of them. Then the remaining one stayed mateless for life until it was their time to die. But it was just certain events that had led up to this decision.

"I'm sorry again, Broadway. Our relationship just hasn't been the same since we got back. I just haven't been happy in our relationship. I have to go with my heart." Angela declared. "But I will be there if you need me." She said and then left the kitchen.

Broadway stood there, dumbfounded. He couldn't believe he had been rejected by the female he thought who loved him.

Angela next went to her father. He had to know of her decision too.

Goliath was in the library reading tonight, while waiting on dinner. It was one of his rare nights just sitting at home, taking a break from Elisa's patrols and dates.

"Father." He heard Angela say. He looked up from his book.

"Angela? What brings you here to see me?" Goliath asked.

"Father, I have made a new decision. I wanted to tell you before I told any others, though Broadway knows." She said.

"What is it?"

"Goliath, I know that Broadway and I have been mates for a little while, but after Brooklyn and I were captured and spent so much time together, there were just things that were driving me to feel more attracted to Brooklyn. I saw more of his sad, lonely personal side of things. And he's quite mature among the Trio." Angela explained.

"Yes, he is. There were many good qualities about Brooklyn. That's why I chose him to be my Second in Command." Goliath declared.

"Well, would you mind if I took him for my life-mate anew?"

"Are you truly not happy with Broadway?" Goliath asked.

"No, I wasn't anymore. We just haven't been the same since and Brooklyn seems to know what I want and need." Angela replied. "We grew very close in the lab because we had no one else. But even more now."

"I see. I'm sorry Broadway has to go through this then, the breakup. But if this is your true decision, my daughter, then, go ahead. I know Brooklyn will do his best to make you happy." Goliath addressed her.

"Oh, thank you, Father!" Angela smiled and hugged him in pure happiness. When she let him go, then she said, "Now I need to find Brooklyn."

"I think he's in his room." Goliath said.

"Thank you, Father for accepting my decision. Believe me, it wasn't easy having to break up with Broadway, but I had to test both of them to see which one seemed more open to me after what happened before, and I think Broadway resented what happened between Brooklyn and me while we were there."

"It's understandable. Well, go and find Brooklyn so he'll know." Goliath declared.

Angela left the library to go find her new chosen mate.

Brooklyn was in his room, lying down on his bed. He was just waiting for dinner to be called. He was bored currently. He was constantly thinking about Angela. He hoped she came up with a decision soon. She had told him she was trying to really choose who she wanted for a mate for real if her choice in Broadway really was meant to be. Then, there was a knock at the door.

He raised his head. "It's open." He said.

Angela opened the door. "Hi, Brooklyn." She greeted him.

"Hi, Angela. What brings you here?" He asked curiously as he sat up on the bed.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Nothing really. Just waiting on dinner." Brook replied. "You?"

"I came here to tell you I have some news."

"Is it about the baby? Are you alright?" He instantly got concerned.

"No, the baby's fine." She said. He relaxed. "Then what?" he asked.

"Brooklyn, you know I picked Broadway before to be my mate." Angela began.

"Yeah." He replied. He had a feeling he knew her answer.

"I broke off the relationship with him." Angela stated.

Brooklyn wasn't expecting that answer. His eyes lit up. "Angela, are you saying what I think you're saying?" he asked.

"Yes. After everything we went through together and how I saw a different side of you for all you did for me, and what you do now, I see a whole different side of you that I now see I regret not choosing you the first time. Brooklyn, will you be my mate?" Angela explained and asked.

Brooklyn was still in shock he was hearing this from her, but he wouldn't back down. "I would love to be your mate, Angela!" He exclaimed happily.

Angela was close to him already and she jumped into his arms, knocking them both down onto the bed. "I love you, Brooklyn." She stated as she kissed him on the lips. His beak was a little different than regular lips but they had already conquered the differences.

When they parted kissing, he replied, "I love you too, Angela. I always have and will."

They continued kissing until there was a knock on the door again. This time, it was Lex sending for them for dinner. "We'll be right there." Brook replied.

"Well, do you think we should tell the others?" He asked her.

"They need to know, but why not another night? Let's save it for tonight to get used to it." Angela suggested.

"Okay. I can work with that." He agreed.

"Goliath already knows though. I asked him if he was okay with what I decided."

"And he's okay with this?"

"Yes. If I wasn't happy, he agreed on my choice." Angela declared.

"Alright." Brook said, and the two of them left the room to go to the dining hall.

They sat side by side tonight. Goliath saw them sitting together. The whole clan was there with one exception. Broadway wasn't in there with them.

"Where's Broadway?" Lex asked.

"He didn't feel like eating tonight." Goliath replied.

"That's unlike the lad." Hudson declared.

"He just didn't feel like eating." Goliath said. He understood why. He was leaving Brooklyn and Angela to tell of what was going on.

Angela knew that this was because of her choice. She just hoped Broadway would be alright in time. Brooklyn knew this too. He was sorry that his brother was going through this, but then, this was his first rejection. Broadway hadn't been so out there to find a mate like Brooklyn had been, hence, the red male had had more rejections. But he was happy for his final outcome. He knew he should probably avoid Broadway for a little while until things settled down more.

The clan went on to eat the food that was served before them. Broadway had put it on the table but hadn't joined them.

Broadway was out of the castle right now, on a nearby building, crying his eyes out. He was so upset that Angela had changed her mind on who she wanted for her mate. He didn't know if he would ever be the same again after this around his red brother and Angela.

So, was this the best choice for Angela to make?