Mo nodded and bowed his head, "Thank you, great chief.", helping Susan to her feet, as Ciro kept hugging her brother from the side, with Ciro's son, Gizmo following by her, and headed out of the chief's yurt, heading to the farthest underground burrow home.
As Mo helped Susan down to sit on one of the chairs, he sighed heavily, "I'm really sorry I got you into this, Ciro...". Ciro waved her hand, "Nonsense. I was actually waiting for an opportunity to get out of the tribe...I never realized that the opportunity would be happening because of you...I'm so happy that you're alive!", giving a sob of joy as she shakily set down a tray of tea.
Gizmo patted her shoulder, "It's okay, Mama...", before looking at Mo, "Grandpa and Grandma thought you were dead after you didn't return within the first year of your intended mission...Mama really missed you... She only got better when she met my mom...Her name was Giza of the Chimpanzee Tribe...Mama and Mom made me together some years later... Then one day when I was little, playing, I fell in the river...Mom had a fear of water, but she still dived in, saving me from the river saltwater snakes, throwing me to Mama on the shore... Mom didn't come back up...".
Ciro whispered, "Giza was fine with me naming him after her and you...You would have loved her, Mo...She was wonderful...", with a quiet sigh. "I'm sorry...", Mo apologized once more. "Maybe I could've saved her had I been here...".
"Mo, you can't regret so much that you missed. Let's be honest, if you had stayed here... well, Gallaxhar might have destroyed the planet without your help, you need to remember that.", Susan pointed out; not mentioning what he meant to her as a way of not trying to sound selfish.
Mo nodded, realizing what she meant by that...Gallaxhar would have still tracked down the island's Quantonium either way...He squeezed her hand, "I'm really sorry I brought you here, Susan...Thank god the chief was merciful...I wouldn't know what to do if he had ordered the warriors on you...Our twins...", leaning on her shoulder with a sigh as he rubbed her baby bump with his other hand.
Susan shushed him, "It's okay, Mo...It's okay. We're safe, I and the twins...We will talk to Doc and the others tonight. We will figure out something...Maybe have Bea pick us up...", kissing his forehead.
Ciro replied, "It's rare that we have such a beautiful, pale-skinned person here on Skull Island, and carrying twins, no less! That's an incredible gift! Twins are quite a precious rarity around here. So, your name is Susan...It somehow suits you...".
"Is Carter-Rogers the name of your tribe, Miss Susan?", Gizmo asked curiously, and Susan laughed softly, "Oh, no. It's only my surname. You see, there are many Susans, and to tell them apart, they have to hold surnames to stand out on their own as individuals. And of course, even to differentiate more, people also have middle names as well. So, my full name is Susan Viola Carter-Rogers.".
Both the mother and son nodded in understanding and awe before Susan finally realized something. "Uh, Ciro... you mentioned that your mate was a woman? Um... forgive me for asking but, was there a male donor for Gizmo here?", she asked as Ciro had a look of confusion for a moment before she realized what Susan was saying and laughed.
Ciro smiled, "Did Mo forget to mention that particular part?", and Mo rubbed the back of his neck, "I may have, but in the outside world, two female lovers are able to have male donors or adoption. Here, we have a third option...".
Ciro chuckled, "You see, without aid of male donors which is only necessary if one of the women cannot bear children or have viable ability to conceive, the women is able to have children together with the help of some special flowers. Those special flowers enable the dominant woman to bring some of her essence into her mate, and her mate is then able to bear a child and carry to term. I was the dominant one thanks to being a gorilla shifter...Giza was absolutely beautiful when she was pregnant with Gizmo...He was born on a gorgeous spring day.".
Gizmo blushed, "I remember that day...Mom actually was crying when she saw me in Mama's arms.", and Susan blinked in surprise, "Eidetic memory here too...So, Giza was of the Chimpanzee Tribe?".
Ciro smiled, "Indeed. She was adorably perfect as a chimp...You'd think a gorilla and a chimp wouldn't work out, but when you figure ways around it, it works incredibly well.", with a grin, and Gizmo groaned, "Mama! You're embarrassing yourself in front of my uncle and... you are my aunt, aren't you? I mean, you are mates with Uncle Mo.".
"Well, I guess for all intents, yes.", Susan rubbed the back of her head. "Though, Mo and I haven't actually... done a ceremony or anything. I'm not sure about marriages here, but from where I come from, that's usually the norm.".
Mo nodded, "You'll be surprised at how the family relations are on the mainland, Ciro, but I am sure you'll get along, and Gizmo, there are a few toddlers/babies for you to mind around, but there's someone else your age...I'm sure Shadowcat would like a new friend. And as for the marriage ceremony, since I am no longer of the Gorilla Tribe, I can now be a Carter-Rogers for you, Susan...We can still do it if you want to...I still wonder how you'll look like in a beautiful wedding dress.", grabbing into her hand and kissed her cheek with a smile.
"I'll just have to make sure that it'll certainly be able to... stretch... just in case the need to get 50 feet might be required.", Susan chuckled. "I mean, don't want a repeat with what happened with Tara's first attempt.".
"No, I don't think anyone would want that...", Mo shook his head and chuckled with her.
Ciro chuckled, "Sounds like I missed out a lot on your adventures, Mo. Care for some tea?", and Susan nodded, "Perfect, and do you have mangoes? I and the twins love them ever since we came here.".
"Gizmo was the same. Ever since the womb and outside the womb, he's hooked on mangoes.", Ciro smiled as she ruffled Gizmo's hair, "Mama!", with a laugh, and the couple chuckled along, and so, the afternoon was spent in catching up and having a couple of meals.
After reassuring Mo that she will be fine, Ciro waved the couple off to the shoreline, telling them that she and Gizmo will see them in the morning after packing up some things. Mo nodded and took Susan to the shoreline outside of the village, knowing that they would want some quiet and peace while contacting Doc and the others, watching the sunset.
They checked the GPS locator, and saw that Skull Island is stopping near Chile, yet looking to turn over to New Zealand tomorrow morning, using Susan's phone this time to call, hoping that someone is awake, realizing that it would be late in the evening in California.
"This is kind of insane how fast this island moves...", Susan admits as Mo nodded.
"I'm honestly surprised it got found in the first place. Maybe now it might be easier with satellites and all that sort of modern technology but certainly for such a long time, this island was always on the move and practically a myth to the world.", Mo said.
Susan shrugged lightly, "You only sensed Skull Island when you felt it near California...I think the Quantonium is stronger here, shielding the island from satellites. I mean, you heard Monger. Back then, the technology was lousy, and he had only a short window of opportunity.".
"Good point.", Mo replied, and Susan punched the few buttons on her cell phone, and it rang for a few times before a sleepy groan answered, "Steve Rogers speaking. Who's calling?".
"Daddy?", Susan replied, and a gasp sounded out, "Susan!", and Susan heard her mum's voice in the distance, "Is that Susan?".
"Yeah, it's me, Dad. We're all here. Something's happened.", Susan said, and Steve spoke, "Is it the twins?!", and Susan spoke, "No, no, Dad...It's Mo... His tribe, well, his former tribe exiled him...".
"What? Why?", Steve asked as Mo leaned over to quickly explain things. After a few moments, Steve finally spoke again. "You should've let the rest of us come with you then... we would've given your chief a piece of our mind. It wasn't your fault!".
Mo sighed, "I know, but I cannot betray my former tribe by bringing more strangers to the island, if only for a good reason. I really appreciate your support, Steve, but I'm not alone. My small family is coming with us. My sister and my nephew...They have been feeling stifled here for some time, and they chose to go with us after the chief denied her demands of a personal plea.".
Steve replied, "I suppose that's the only silver lining out of this situation...So, you want to get off the island?", and Susan replied, "Yes, Daddy. The time of his exile ends at sunset tomorrow, and I'd rather not want to cause more trouble with them if we surpass the time limit. Bea is the fastest and easiest transport. Skull Island is looking to head to New Zealand during the day tomorrow, and we cannot afford to have Bea land here, so New Zealand is the best option.".
"I'm sure it'll be fairly easy for her, besides, plenty of wide-open spaces in that country too, perfect for her to land and not be a bother.", Steve said. Mainly his knowledge of New Zealand was stories told from the 2nd New Zealand Armored when Peggy and he were on the Italian front during the war and watching the Lord of the Rings movies since he and Bucky were surprised to learn about Tolkien's sequel to The Hobbit.
Mo replied, "Great. We'll let you know when we get on the shore of New Zealand tomorrow. Sorry about waking you up this late.", and Steve gave a snort, "Hey, you're my future son-in-law, and you're marrying my daughter, and you're having my first biological grandchildren, so this counts as a family emergency.".
Susan smirked at Mo, who smiled back at her, and replied, "Thanks, Steve. See ya tomorrow.", and Steve responded, "Yep. And Sue-P, love you, princess!", before hearing a bit of scuffle, and Peggy's voice called out, "Love you, Susan!".
Susan giggled, "Love you guys! Tell Henry his favorite sister will be back soon.", and chuckles answered, "Will do!", and then the phone pinged off, turning the power off to reserve the battery.
"You're his only sister...", Mo chuckled as Susan rolled her eyes. "Sure, but then again, Tara's pretty much his sister now too in many ways...", Susan smirked.
"I'm sure she'd be upset to hear that.", Mo reminded. "I think she's probably got more of her hands full with Reva to worry about that.", Susan grinned with a chuckle.
Mo laughed softly, "Fair enough. Boy, Libra Haven will have two more residents at the end of the day...I think they can room up with Storm and Shadowcat.".
Susan smiled, "That sounds good. Ciro would like some familiarity in a way since Storm is the only other black woman in Libra Haven, and Gizmo would appreciate a friend since Shadowcat is technically not normal like him.".
Mo nodded, "My thoughts exactly, and of course, they can see me every day and all, so no worries there. I am sure they will fit in, and I know Ciro, she's a fast learner, and if Gizmo's anything like his mama, he'd be the same.".
Susan chuckled, "Especially with the eidetic memory and the Quantonium in the mix. Now, how about some cheering up for you, Mo? I still haven't forgotten your promise of giving me some love-making time.", with a sultry smile as she came closer, fluttering her eyes.
Mo growled lowly, "Honestly the best idea you've ever had today.", as he went to kiss her passionately and lovingly. And so, Susan and Mo experienced their first time of making love right on the shoreline of anywhere, with passion, love, and stamina all evening before they fell asleep under a palm tree.
Mo woke up during the middle of the night, Susan was right next to him cuddling with him as he sighed and gently brushed her hair while he looked out to the waters while the moonlight glowed down on the ocean. His mind still thinking about just how he pretty much lost so much by his capture and while he did at least have a home to go back to... his youth, his birth, whatever made him the man he was today was now gone...
He only has stories left in him, and sure, his sister and nephew are coming along, which is great, but it's still sad...He grieved so much when he was captured...His parents dead by a few decades ago...He knew that they are in the heavens now...Are they happy for him even if his mate is not a native woman?
He felt kicks by his side, and glanced at Susan's glistening and big baby bump, and he smiled, gently touching the soft skin, resting his head softly on the bump, listening to the muffled heartbeats...No, he isn't alone...Susan and his children are his home, along with his sister and nephew, and shucks, the whole gang in Libra Haven...
He remembered Susan's words about the Quantonium being possibly stronger here as it is older and ancient...He took a deep breath, shifting slightly into his gorilla senses, and nuzzled into the soft skin of his beloved children's home, sniffing deeply, and breathed slowly before smiling to himself.
Mo whispered, kissing the bump, "Hello, my daughter and son...I am your daddy...through you already know that...I cannot wait to meet you two...Beast says you're supposed to be born in March...but well, twins are known to be born early...Just be sure you're all healthy and strong, eh?".
He could feel the gentle bump coming from the belly as it seemed they got the message as Mo chuckled, "Don't make too many movements right now, let your mother sleep... she'd be upset if she found out I caused you two to wake her up.".
Mo then kissed again, whispering, "I love you two...", before looking up to the stars, smiling as he saw a couple of them twinkling, feeling like his parents are proud of him, and then rested back, hearing Susan's deep breathing, and he softly placed a kiss on her temple, whispering, "I love you, Susan Viola Carter-Rogers.", before closing his eyes, feeling much better now, spooning gently over Susan's body.
"I love you, Mo...", Susan muttered as Mo opened his eyes once more, only to realize that Susan was pretty much still mostly asleep; just awake enough to respond to that line before a moment later, she started to lightly snore again.
Morning came a bit quicker than Mo and Susan would have liked but accepted it as they woke up and got dressed, glad for the warm weather, and saw to check their GPS locator, seeing that the island is still a bit far from New Zealand, and went to focus on breakfast as Ciro and Gizmo came with their packs, full of things they wanted to keep and bring along.
"Did you two sleep well?", Ciro asked Mo as he gave a small nod. "Yeah, certainly helped with what we did before bed...", Mo chuckled as Susan rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, a nice long talk to try to at least deal with the pain of what happened yesterday.", she said. "Sure that it wasn't something else?", Ciro gave a knowing grin.
Mo blushed, "I forgot how annoying it is to have a little sister tease me.", and Ciro giggled, "Well, you'll have to live with it, big brother.".
Susan chuckled softly, "Libra Haven will be even more interesting with you two around.", before yawning, "Even with those mangoes, I'm still tired...".
Mo smiled, "Do you want to sleep in a hammock nest again? This would be the last time I'd do it here, anyway.", with a small sigh. Susan smiled at him, "That sounds wonderful, Mo.".
"Alright then.", Mo kissed her temple, "Finish those mangoes. Ciro, care to help me out?", with a nod at Ciro. Ciro grinned, "Just like Mother used to make. It's been a long time since we did a sibling thing together.".
And so, the brother-sister duo went to make a hammock nest for Susan's nap, while Gizmo asked, "Aunt Susan, any name ideas for my little cousins?".
Susan blushed at the question as she hadn't really thought much about names since it still was just so recent when she found out that she was carrying twins. Not to mention the fact that they were growing faster which meant they would be here sooner than she probably would expect.
"Well, Mo and I have talked about names, but not often as we were more distracted by other things like putting up the nursery and all...We still haven't found out the genders yet, but if it's two girls, I like the sound of Lily and Rachel...I think I am having a girl at least...So, that part, Mo is sure about as he wants to have a daughter like me...", with a smile as she gently stroked her baby bump.