At sunset, all the gargoyles awakened with roars and glowing eyes. The clan was greeted by both Elisa and Dr. Sato.
"Dr. Sato? Is he the guest?" Lex asked upon seeing him.
"No. It's another special guest. I'm going to go get him, but everyone, please go to the medical ward. There, you will meet the guest." Elisa decreed, then she left to go get the guest of honor.
"Elisa sure is being very sneaky with the guest." Angela thought out loud.
"She must want it to be a big surprise." Broadway declared.
"She does." Sato replied.
"Let us do what she said." Goliath ordered. He and the others went to the medic ward.
Elisa went to go get Brooklyn out of his room. "Dr. Sato is awaiting you in the medic ward, Brooklyn." She declared.
"Okay." Brooklyn said. He was still a little nervous about seeing the clan again for the first time in so long. He and Elisa went to the medic ward for his exam.
When they walked through the double doors, they were both greeted by shocked looks of the clan. Their eyes all widened in shock.
"Brooklyn?" Goliath questioned.
"Hello, everyone." Brooklyn said in a nervous tone.
"You're back!" Lex shouted back. He ran to hug his brother. Broadway and Angela did the same. They all embraced the red male, not noticing something different about him at first glance. Goliath and Hudson stood off to the side but went up to them too. Bronx was also happy to see Brooklyn too.
"Guys, guys! I'm happy to see you too! But let me go!" Brooklyn shouted out in distress. They were just hugging him too tight.
"Let him go, young ones." Goliath ordered loudly.
Lex, Broadway, Angela, and Bronx all got off of him. Brooklyn felt he could breathe again. "Thank you. It's good to see you again too." He said.
"Perhaps you can tell us what happened to ye, lad?" Hudson asked.
"Just a quick explanation and then I need an exam." Brooklyn replied.
"Yes, that is what we would like to know." Goliath stated.
Brooklyn told them what happened to him. He had his wings caped, and his arms crossed that hid his precious secret. When he got to that part, he uncrossed his arms and uncaped his wings. He wanted them to see for themselves that he wasn't making it up.
The clan were shocked at seeing the round belly of their second in command. "That's why I needed you to let go of me. You were squishing my kids." Brook joked.
But more than anything, they were glad that Brooklyn had found an ally to help him, so he didn't have to finish his journey alone and with a fetus that had a heart issue.
"Look guys, I know my condition is not natural for a male like me, but please, we need some new blood in the clan. That's why I came around to accept this. Surely, you can see why?" Brook explained. He had his hands on his belly.
"It would help if there really was proof, Brooklyn." Goliath said.
"Proof? You want proof? Here." Brooklyn took his leader's hand and put it on his stomach.
There were some movements from within and then, a little kick. Goliath gasped in surprise. Brooklyn laughed. "You felt that?"
"Yes. I believe you." Goliath replied. "There is indeed a movement in there." He told the clan.
That moment got the younger ones feeling the red male's stomach too to just feel the children. Brook just wanted his clan to believe him.
After the joyous reunion, it was time for the exam. "I'll show their pictures when I get new ones." Brook said as he went with Sato into the exam room. Lex came with him for comfort and support.
Brooklyn knew the drill by now. He made sure to undo his belt and move it down as he laid down on the bed. Sato put gel onto his stomach and put the wand on it and began moving it around to get some good images. Lex watched the screen as Sato scanned his brother's stomach.
The images appeared on the screen and Brook and Lex could see images of the two little gargoyles on the screen. Brooklyn couldn't believe how big they were. He smiled. Lex was still shocked that this was happening to his brother. The hearts were played too, first the healthy one and then the one with the hole in its heart. It was different.
"From what I see, this is no problem for me, Brooklyn. After the baby is born, I can fix that problem right away after it's born." Sato declared.
"You can?" Brooklyn asked in shock. "I don't want to lose it."
"I know. Don't you mean 'him?'" Sato asked.
"Him?"
"It's a boy, Brooklyn." Sato smiled.
"Okay. What about the other?" Lex asked.
Sato had a look. "Big, healthy girl."
Brooklyn closed his eyes and sighed. "You alright, Brooklyn?" Lex asked.
"Yeah. I've been wanting to know what they were for the longest time. At least I won't have to wait ten years to know what I'm having." The red male declared. "Thank you, Doc."
"You're welcome." Sato replied. "I'll have to have assistants helping me deliver these twins as I would have to take the one baby directly to surgery to fix the heart issue once it's born. The others would have to get you patched up."
"That's fine, just do what you have to do to save my son." Brooklyn declared.
"But are you sure it can't be fixed now?" Lex asked.
"Sometimes the hole can close on its own. But we'll have to watch it. If it isn't closed a few weeks before birth, then I'll know I'll have to take your son to surgery after birth." Sato explained.
"Please don't let him die." Brooklyn pleaded.
"I'll do everything I can, I promise." Sato promised.
Sato then gave Brook a towel to clean off his stomach. Some new pictures were printed off to show the clan.
On the sonograms, it showed that the twins looked like their father very much even though they were very small. Lex was really in awe at the sight of them.
When the two brothers came back out to show the others, it was held up to the light to see the fetuses. "Awwww!" The clan said in fascination.
"They're little mini-Brooklyn's." Broadway said joyously.
"They are at that." Angela agreed.
"Thanks. It turns out that the one with the bad heart is my son." Brooklyn declared. "My daughter is the other one."
The clan all softened their expressions after that. "Really, lad?" Hudson inquired.
"Yes."
"Have you thought of names for them?" Lex asked.
"No. Just haven't had time to. But I will." Brook said. "I'm just glad that I was able to make it home before it was time to have them."
"We're glad you're home too. We really missed you." Angela said.
"I missed you too. I also have a favor to ask."
"Anything, bro." Broadway replied.
"Will you three help me raise these two?" Brooklyn asked. "And you guys when necessary?" He had a pleading look in his eyes.
"Of course we will, Brooklyn." Goliath replied.
"It'd be good for this ol' gargoyle to see hatchlings again." Hudson grinned. "And Bronx loves children."
Bronx whined in response. He licked Brook's hand. He smelt a different scent on the red one. He had been away for so long, but it was a different scent, one of carrying life that he knew of. Bronx knew to be gentle. Brooklyn petted him back.
"Technically, Hudson, they aren't hatchlings. They aren't being born from eggs like all others." Brooklyn corrected the elder.
"Yeah, but when we tell other gargoyles about them, it might be better to call them hatchlings." Hudson pointed out.
"I see, yeah." Brook agreed. But then, these babies had somewhat 'hatched' inside him.
….
After that, there was a grand feast made for the clan to celebrate their reunion together. Then there was a movie night. Brooklyn didn't want to leave the castle. It was fine too.
…..
Goliath later made orders for Brooklyn that he was not to fight or patrol while like this. Sato had made the assumption that Brook would be pregnant for a few more months. It might be up to ten months. It would be worth it to have the twins in the clan sooner.
Bronx would also be staying by Brooklyn's side a lot more for extra protection. But at least one clan member would remain at the castle with him at all times, unless all of them were really needed elsewhere, but the red male still couldn't leave even then. They would take turns.
Brooklyn was surprised by his leader's orders. All of a sudden, his clan was paying attention to him. Of course, he had just returned, but he was also carrying their newest generation.
"How do you feel to be carrying them, Brooklyn?" Angela asked.
"What do you mean?" Brooklyn asked.
"I mean, what does it feel like to be carrying them?" she asked again. She felt a little jealous that this was happening to him when it would normally never happen to a male.
"Well, ever since I woke up and found out I was pregnant, I felt violated then, but as time has gone on, I felt their movements and got to hear their heartbeats on ultrasound that it made me realize how much I want them both, regardless of whether I have a mate or not." Brook explained.
"But what does it feel like to carry them?" Lex asked.
"At this stage, it does seem strange. I can feel their weights inside me but they're not too heavy. But their movements are unpredictable. At least it lets me know that they're alive. I'm especially concerned for the one on my right side." Brook told them.
"It's understandable with its condition." Angela said.
She had seen immaturity so much in him because she knew that he was jealous of her and Broadway, but she was seeing more of a real maturity in him now. To her, if this had happened before she had chosen Broadway, maybe she might have chosen Brooklyn, but she had made her choice. She knew there was hope for him someday because of learning that there were other clans in other parts of the world. He would have to go outside the clan for a mate.
"Him." Brook corrected her.
"Sorry." She replied. "His condition."
After that, Goliath ordered them all on patrol duties for the night. They could do what they wanted when they came home afterwards. "Brooklyn, I'll leave Bronx with you and Hudson tonight."
"Alright." Brooklyn said.
Lex and Broadway were together and Goliath and Angela. They left the castle after that, leaving the three behind.
"So, what do ye want to do, lad?" Hudson asked.
"I feel like I want to eat some sweets. But I also want to watch tv too." Brooklyn replied.
"Let's go get us some snacks and we'll go watch some tv then." Hudson suggested with a smile. He patted Brooklyn's back as they went towards the kitchen.
They got some meat for Bronx and made some turkey and ham sandwiches for themselves. Then they went to the tv room. Hudson sat in his usual chair while Brooklyn took the couch. Bronx laid at his feet. He relaxed.
As Hudson turned on the tv, he couldn't help but look at the red second's swollen belly. He was glad to know there would soon be new babies in the clan again, but he was deeply concerned in how Brooklyn would have them. A male being pregnant had never been heard of before.
"Here, lad, why don't you decide what ye want to watch for a change." Hudson declared, handing the remote to him.
"Thanks, Hudson." Brook said. He gladly took the remote. For once, he would be allowed to watch something he wanted to see. When Hudson had the remote, normally, he wouldn't hand it over to anyone else. He would have to be on patrol before the others got a chance to watch anything.
Brooklyn turned on the television and scanned through the channels. He found a monster truck rally on and stopped it there. He liked watching the big trucks squash the smaller ones. Hudson didn't mind it either. They both ate their sandwiches as well while watching it.
When the rally was over an hour later, Brooklyn then spoke up, "I still feel hungry for something more."
Hudson raised an eye ridge. The red one wasn't one to eat a ton of food usually, but he was eating for three now. "What would ye like to eat?"
"Cookies."
"There's probably some in the kitchen. Or Broadway could make ye some when he returns." Hudson declared.
"Sure." Brook replied.
Awhile later, his brothers returned, and Brooklyn went up to Broadway. "Do we have cookies, or can you make some?"
"I think we ran out some days ago, but I know where there's some mix." Broadway stated.
"I kinda want to help make them, see how you do it." Brooklyn said.
"Okay." Broadway replied, surprised that his brother wanted to do this with him. Lex went to see Alex, leaving his two bigger bros to bond.
The aqua male got the food ingredients needed to make the cookies. "What sort of cookies did you have in mind, bro?"
"Chocolate chips and peanut butter and cinnamon sound good." Brooklyn declared.
"Never had that combination, but yeah, I can make those." Broadway stated. He got all that was needed and mixed them up. Brooklyn watched. He couldn't help but want some of the raw cookie dough too. But he helped Broadway roll out dough pieces on flat cookie sheets. Up to twenty per sheet onto three sheets.
They cooked for about twenty minutes. The smell that wafted up from the oven made Brooklyn's stomach growl loudly. Broadway felt hungry too. "Have you eaten tonight?" Broadway asked him.
"Yeah but feeling hungry again." Brook replied.
"Sure doesn't seem like you."
"It's not me. The twins have made me have a bigger appetite, bro. I have to eat double or triple what I usually would to keep them happy. If they're not happy, then they can end up squirming so much inside me. I wonder if they're fighting each other for space." Brooklyn rubbed his belly.
"Well, your stomach wasn't that big to begin with." Broadway stated. "But it sure has gotten big these past months to make room for them."
"You don't have to be a jerk about it!" Brook snapped. He couldn't help it that it made him emotional too.
"I'm not trying to, bro. Just saying it's a fact." Broadway said. "I'm sorry if it hurts your feelings."
"Broadway, my feelings are extra sensitive these days. You have to watch what you say and how you say it to me. I can't help it. It's my hormones. I am still technically your brother, but this condition has my attitude changed for a while." Brook explained. "I will end up acting like a pregnant female, not that I know how one acts. I've just read about it in my pregnancy book."
"Maybe I should read it too, to know more about it." Broadway said.
"Yeah, when I'm done with it." Brook replied. "Thanks for the cookies."
"Welcome."
Brooklyn calmed down and he was able to get some of the cookies that he had longed for. Then he went to the tv room again to chill with Hudson and Bronx.
Later, Goliath and Angela came home, and Broadway was glad his mate was home. They both smelled the ingredients on him. "That smells good, Broadway, what is it?" Angela asked.
"Brooklyn had a craving for cookies. He helped me make some peanut butter, chocolate chip, and cinnamon cookies." Broadway explained.
"Wow. They smell good." She complimented her mate's cooking skills.
"Thank you. I'm also making our dinner." Broadway said and kissed her on the cheek.
"Let us know when it's ready." Goliath stated. He went to go see how Brooklyn was doing.
"Will do." Broadway replied.
…
Goliath found Brooklyn in the tv room with Hudson and Bronx. He came in and stood behind the chair. "We're back." The lavender leader said.
"Hi, lad." Hudson said.
"Hey." Brook said. He was feeling a little tired after eating the cookies. He was lying there stretched out with his hands on his belly. His wings were caped. A hockey game was currently on.
"I heard you and Broadway made some cookies together." Goliath commented.
Brook snapped out of his tiredness. "Yeah. Had a craving for them. The twins wanted some."
"Broadway is making our food right now and we'll be eating soon." Goliath declared.
"Good." Hudson replied.
"Okay." Brook stated. "Could go for some more food too."
Soon, the food was ready as Angela came to get them all to eat it.
Everyone was still surprised at how much Brooklyn wanted to eat more than ever. Brooklyn spoke up. "I know I'm eating a lot, and I can't help it. Goliath, Hudson, did your mates eat a lot when they were pregnant?" he asked.
The two older males looked at one another. "Yes, they did, lad. But they carried eggs." Hudson replied.
"Carrying an egg seems nearly similar to how you're carrying the twins now." Goliath said.
"It seems strange that they aren't going to be born in eggs, since that's how our kind are born." Lex stated.
"Irene made it possible somehow. The woman who stole me first." Brooklyn declared.
"Did she hurt you in any way?" Angela asked.
"No. Other than secretly raping me. She tried to make me comfortable. I did like the dome she had for me to glide in and the landscape. But it still wasn't home." Brook explained.
"Did she ever tell you how the twins were made?" Lex asked.
"No. I didn't know anything of it until after I woke up and found my belly swollen. By that time, I was taken by Vick, who kept me sedated all the time."
"They had no right to do that to you." Broadway retorted.
"I know, but I was knocked out, so I don't know when they did it to me." Brook stated. "But I think I remember waking up to having a wound in my belly. Irene wanted to see my belly shortly after I had been there, and I wouldn't let her. I think she planned it from the start."
"Who knows what scientists always want to do. For them, we are nothing but science projects. Like animals to study or dissect!" Lex snapped.
"Yeah, I felt like one the more I stayed there." Brook said, a sad look on his face. "But I'm glad to have gotten away. But while I was with Pauline, I also found out a horse she had was having a baby and I had a special connection with her though she was afraid of me. I helped deliver the foal before having a ruptured appendix. Had to have surgery for that. The doc saw there was an artificial womb inside me, hence why they aren't in eggs. And the foal seemed to like me later." Brook explained. "I called him Lightning."
"Sounds like an interesting experience. We never get to be around horses." Broadway said.
"It was. Hoping not to too soon, other than my own." Brook stated.
They finished their meal with some other words but different. It was a good meal.
I definitely liked the idea of Brooklyn and Broadway rebonding as brothers and making some cookies together.