Gizmo nodded, "I like Lily because it sounds like a flower to me...But it's up to you, Aunt Susan. What if the other twin is a boy?", with a grin. Susan chuckled warmly, "Thank you, Gizmo. And well, it's more normal to have two girls or two boys, but I suppose you have a point...For boys, Mo had his turn to pick...He was stuck between Nathan and Oliver...".
"I think Nathan sounds a little better.", Gizmo admitted as Susan nodded. "That was my thought too, actually, but I didn't say it to Mo yet because in this case, it would be more his decision if we have a girl and boy.", she chuckled.
Gizmo nodded, "Fair enough, Aunt Susan...I can't wait to meet them officially.", with an excited smile, and Susan smiled before she felt two kicks, "Well, maybe not officially, but you can meet them now.", having noticed Gizmo's curious expression so much yesterday, but he never asked, maybe he felt that it was impolite to ask.
Gizmo blinked, gaping in surprise, "Really?", and Susan nodded, "Get over here. They're active, thanks to the mangoes.", and Gizmo scooted over to sit beside Susan, nervously reaching to touch.
Gizmo then gasped in amazement as he felt two kicks at his hands, "Whoa...Hey, little cousins. It's your big cousin, Gizmo...I'm your daddy's nephew.", and more kicks respond in return, earning Gizmo to chuckle as Susan winced yet again, but she smiled all the same, happy to see Gizmo delighting in the sensation of it all.
"They certainly move a lot.", Gizmo laughed as Susan nodded. "They usually just need the right excuse.", she explained. "And they're fairly well behaved... if I tell them I have to sleep, they tend to quiet down themselves for the most part."
"Smart.", Gizmo chuckled, and Susan giggled, "Indeed.", as she finished eating her current mango. Some more minutes passed as they kept eating, talking, and delighting in the kicks of the twins, and then the duo of Ciro and Mo returned to them, with Mo kissing Susan on the lips, "Your bed's ready for you, love.".
Susan smiled, "Good. Wake me up when we're close to New Zealand.", kissing him back on the lips, and Ciro guided her to the hammock nest, seeing that there's also a curtain of leaves as well, "To sleep good, you need some darkness. This is the best we got.", with a nod.
Susan hugged Ciro gently, "Thank you, Ciro.", before heading inside, and went to sleep deeply for a long nap, the twins mostly settled in, with taking up the reserve energy of the Quantonium from the mangoes all week, growing up to seven and half months old, the baby bump getting bigger and heavier, yet not disturbing their mother at all, knowing that she will be surprised by the slight change of balance and weight.
"You alright?", Ciro asked Mo as he shook his head. "Not fully... just... I didn't think this would be the response I would get from home after all this time.", Mo admitted to her. "I didn't expect a grand celebration, especially how I probably shamed everyone by how easily I was captured...".
Ciro sighed heavily, "You were in an area where there was barely a couple of tribes, and of course, the mountains were big enough to block strange sounds of the outside world...And you were intending to start the tradition of seeking a mate...Just didn't expect that your mate would be from the outside world or that you found her many years later...Don't worry, I love her already...Susan's a perfect match for you...Shy, bold, independent, strong, brave, and family-oriented, and most importantly, she has an open heart and mind, full of love.", giving her brother a reassuring smile.
Gizmo nodded, "Yeah, she's amazing, and the twins are incredible...They kept kicking when I introduced myself and all.", with a grin.
"Good to know they already like you then... still might be some time before it's truly clicking in their minds. They are still babies after all.", Mo sighed as he looked back to Ciro. "Thank you for telling me that, sis... I needed to hear that at least from someone other than Susan...".
Ciro nodded and rubbed her brother's shoulder, "You're welcome, bro.", with a smile, "So, care to tell us about Libra Haven and the whole group? I don't want to insult anybody.".
Mo nodded, and chuckled, and went to explain and describe everything and everybody, with Gizmo occasionally asking questions. After about 40 minutes, Mo checked the GPS locator, and saw that they are getting close to New Zealand, and got up to go wake up Susan, heading through the curtain of leaves, to the hammock nest, shaking Susan by the shoulder firmly.
"Susan, Susan, wake up, love.", Mo called to her, and Susan woke up, rubbing her eyes and stretching her arms as she rolled over gently, and Mo widened his eyes, seeing the changes of her baby bump as Susan groaned lightly, "Ooh, one of them kicked my bladder...Are we close to New Zealand, Mo?", before rubbing her baby bump and blinked in surprise as it felt bigger, and looked down, gasping in surprise.
"Uh... yeah, we're closer... but I think you're a bit bigger than before.", Mo said as Susan sighed and rubbed it. "I think these two are growing faster in my sleep... might be because of the island too; so much Quantonium traces, can't be helped, right?", Susan said.
Mo nodded, "That actually makes sense.", rubbing Susan's baby bump as well, leaning in and sniffed deeply, nuzzling, and smiled widely, "Looks like my instincts were right...I can smell the genders now...", looking at Susan warmly, "We're having a boy and a girl...".
Susan smiled widely, giving out a happy sob, "Oh, I knew it! I knew I was having a girl...A boy...I hope he looks like you...", and Mo chuckled, "I don't know...But I know they're healthy and strong...", with a grin.
"You're right about that, Mo.", Susan chuckled before reaching for his hand, "Help me up...If they're bigger already, they're bound to be heavier as well...", and Mo nodded, helping Susan get up and get off the hammock nest.
Taking a deep breath as she adjusted to the new weight and new balance of her body, "I think Bea will go medium fast for me on the return trip. Good thing her fur is so soft and cushioning enough...", and Mo smiled, kissing Susan on the lips, "That's fair...You're even more beautiful than before, Susan...I will be careful on the swim to the mainland of New Zealand...", supporting her as they walked out of the area through the curtain of leaves, to Ciro and Gizmo.
"Of course. I know you will be...We just cannot miss New Zealand by a narrow margin...", Susan replied. Mo nodded in agreement, and the others were nonplussed by the sight of the new changes of Susan, saying it's a common thing with mangoes and other fruit that grew here with Quantonium in particular.
And so, after double-checking everything, Mo shifted to giant gorilla form, putting Susan and Ciro on one shoulder, wanting Ciro to stay close in case something happens with Susan, with Gizmo on his other shoulder, and he slipped off into the water, swimming carefully yet quickly.
Under 20 minutes, they made it to the mainland, coming into New Zealand, with Gizmo jumping off and shifting into a giant chimp, splashing in the shallow water, and Mo rolled his eyes as he helped Susan and Ciro off, shifting back to human form, and called Gizmo back.
Gizmo chuffed in understanding, and shifted back to human form, as Ciro and Susan slowly grew up to 50 ft tall, joining Mo, and Mo replied, "The twins okay?".
Susan smiled, "More than okay. They're active and fine. Just heavy but very healthy.", as she rubbed her baby bump, and Mo smiled, "Okay. I'll activate the locator for Doc.", shifting down to his backpack to pull out the GPS locator and pinged it on while pulling out his cell phone, to call.
Three rings answered before Doc answered, "Mo. We're already on your way; I, Steve, and Link. Bea is flying as fast as she could. We're close, but a few minutes more. I got your location. Don't move anywhere, alright?".
"Don't worry, we're not planning on it.", Mo chuckled. "Just make sure Bea is careful on the flight, the twins have gotten quite a bit bigger over the past couple of days.".
"More accelerated growth, correct?", Doc asked as Mo nodded even if he couldn't see it, "Yeah, the island certainly must have contributed to it.".
Doc replied, "Got it. Will tell Link to pass on the word that Bea will have to fly more careful on the return flight. See you soon.", and Mo nodded, "Yep.", turning the phone off.
Like Doc said, they made it under a few minutes later, with Bea bellowing out happily as she lowered and hovered down to the shore of New Zealand, tipping her tail over, with Susan shifting down some with Mo carrying her as he climbed into the tail, with Ciro and Gizmo following.
After they got up to the main back of Bea, Bea then took off, carefully yet steady, turning around and heading for California. Having gone down to 10 ft tall, Susan happily reunited with Steve as Mo introduced Ciro and Gizmo to Doc and Link.
Link was flirtatious with Ciro until Ciro straightened him out by saying that she's not into any fish-ape, but into women. That stunned Link, and Doc teased him mercilessly, smirking at Link's face.
"Well how was I supposed to know?!", Link argued as the group continued to chuckle. "Forget it, I'm going to the front.", he got up and made his way towards Bea's head leaving the others alone.
"I didn't mean to embarrass him like that, he was being a bit too forward though.", Ciro admitted. Mo grinned, "Aww, don't worry, Ciro, he'll get over it. And besides, it's best to nip the bud with things before things get awkward or messed up.".
Steve nodded, "He's right. Link may be a heartbreaker as he claims to be, which is not true, it's funny when he reacts like that. And you're lucky, Miss Ciro. There are thousands of women who are lesbians like you...Just less obvious than you are. Why, one of our residents in Libra Haven is a lesbian as well, through it wasn't easy for her to admit when she got a natural beauty that attracts men's attention.".
"Really?", Ciro raised an eyebrow as Susan chuckled, "Did we forget to mention that?", with a smile. "You did mention a girl named Kitty around Gizmo's age.", Ciro pointed out.
"Now, Kitty aka Shadowcat is straight, and yes, she is around Gizmo's age. It has been a long time, but she thinks she's about 17. You see, she was a prisoner for about two years like the rest of her friends including Ororo Munroe aka Storm. Storm is our resident lesbian, and she's actually around your age, Ciro, well, physically that is.", Susan replied.
"Uh, just to let you know, sister, we're not trying to play match maker or anything of that sort.", Mo nudged Ciro as she nodded.
"Of course, I understand... we might not really be for each other...", Ciro sighed. "After all, it's still hard at nights to live without...". Gizmo gave her a hug. "It's okay, Mama...", he tried to console her.
Steve glanced at Mo, "I'm starting to see what you mean by personal reason.", and Mo nodded somberly, wishing that he had met Giza, but like Susan said, fate isn't always set in stone.
Doc then asked softly, "Susan, do you still want to be checked on by Beast? He frets like a mother hen.", and Susan smiled, "I wouldn't mind some updates on sonogram pictures and heartbeat listen-ins, but we already know that we are having a son and a daughter.".
"Oh, that's wonderful, Sue-P! I can't wait to hold my grandson and granddaughter in my arms!", Steve smiled widely. Susan giggled, "Thanks, Daddy. Gizmo approved, and I decided to name our daughter, Lily...I am still thinking about her middle name.".
"Maybe it will come to you after she's born, Susan. After all, we didn't have a middle name for Henry until you suggested it.", Steve advised. Mo held Susan warmly as he kissed her temple, "Lily is perfect...Do you want to be called Lily, baby girl?", rubbing Susan's baby bump.
A hard kick responded, and Susan winced, "I think she greatly loves it, Mo...She's strong, alright...Are you still stuck between Nathan and Oliver?". Mo smiled softly, "Let's see if our son decides. Nathan?", and a kick on the other side of the belly responded.
"Oliver?", Mo then asked, and no kick, and Mo repeated to make sure, "You want to be Nathan?", and a hard kick responded. Susan chuckled, "That settles it...Lily and Nathan...Their middle names will come to us eventually.", kissing him on the lips happily.
"Henry's certainly going to love his niece and nephew; though it might be a bit funny if they end up in the same school together." Steve chuckled.
"Can't be helped, Dad.", Susan said. "Besides, it's not totally out of the question; some big families have had children almost to the point that some of the siblings are parents themselves.".
Steve nodded, "Touche. Sorry about everything, Mo.", and Mo sighed lightly, "I'll get over it eventually, Steve. And besides, I have a family in all of you, and that makes a massive difference to help me realize that I'm not alone. And of course, having my sister and nephew here doesn't hurt either.", with a grateful smile to Ciro and Gizmo who gave smiles back in return.
Susan nodded, "Yes, and I just hope my wedding dress will fit me...Mo wants to be part of the Carter-Rogers family officially, Dad...Since he's no longer of the Gorilla Tribe.", glancing at Steve.
Steve chuckled, "Mo Carter-Rogers, eh? I like it. You better ask Tara to make the dress as a commission, she'd love it.", and Susan giggled, "Don't worry, I plan to do that, Daddy, and I want you and Papa to take me down on the aisle, if that's okay with you?".
"Okay? Susan, I'd be beyond happy to do so, and I know Carl would love to do it as well.", Steve smiled widely, and Susan smiled so happily. Conversations kept on as Bea flew on, and before too long, maybe around 1 pm, they made it to California, to Libra Haven.
"So... this is the mainland...", Ciro said as Mo patted her back. "Well, one of them, there's quite a few of them but this is the mainland of the Americas.", Mo explained.
Two acres away from the main hangers, Bea landed, and Mo grew up to 50 ft, holding Susan to his chest securely as he slid off Bea's wing, landing perfectly, with the others following by, and Mo lowered Susan down gently, soon being greeted by Peggy and the rest of the family-gang.
Introductions were made, and soon, Gizmo made fast friends with Shadowcat, complimenting her gift of passing through walls and everything else, with Gizmo showing her his chimp form, and so, Shadowcat dragged him to show him around Libra Haven.
Ciro herself was surprised to see that there was only one black woman in the family-gang, and when Susan whispered to her that it's Storm, the resident lesbian, Ciro realized what Steve meant by Storm's beauty as an attraction for men, yet there were a few subtle signs that she's lesbian...And Ciro was awed by Storm's gift of changing the weather when needed.
Not quite moving on yet from Giza, Ciro made a friend in Storm for the time being, and after Logan aka Wolverine tried to make a move on her, less obvious than Link, but she saw it coming, and told him that she's not into men. She didn't see Storm's awestruck, attracted look when she watched the interaction between Wolverine and Ciro, shocked that Ciro is bold to tell of her preferences unlike how Storm was.
"I know the feeling, bud.", Link admitted as Logan huffed. "She shot you down too, didn't she?", he asked as Link sighed.
"Like a rocket.", Link said as Logan chuckled, guessing it might have been more embarrassing when that happened to him.
"Has anyone seen Susan?", Beast asked as the guys shook their heads. "Just wanting to check up on her and the twins since they'll be here in a few weeks if I'm guessing right.".
Bob piped up, "I saw her with Tara.", as he came along, "They're over there.", pointing a hand. Beast glanced over, and saw Susan talking with Tara, seeing Bucky holding Reva in his arms to another place, talking with Peggy and Henry.
"Thanks, Bob.", Beast replied, and Bob gleefully smiled, "No problem, Beast! Er, what was he thanking me for?", and Beast rolled his eyes in amusement as he heard two huffs from Link and Wolverine.
He made his way over to Susan and Tara, and they looked excited, talking about dresses and all, and Beast cleared his throat, earning the girls' attention, "Hello, may I borrow Susan for a bit? I just want to check on the twins and all.".
Tara smiled warmly, "Of course. We are just finishing up plans for Susan's wedding. She wants to be fitted somehow with the baby bump in the way.".