18 - “Baby Shower”

Originally Written: March 17th, 2000

October 31st, 2000.  7:00 p.m.

“I’m gonna get more candy than you, pal.”

“Now way.  I’ve got an entire pillowcase to fill, and I’ve got a better costume.”

“You’re not wearing a costume, remember?”

“Yeah, but I’m cuter, and humans love that.”

A chorus of young voices bantered back and forth between the youngest residents of castle Wyvern.  Graeme and Arianna argued continually as their effortless attempts to annoy the other became an increasing game to be one with every conversation.  Brother and sister by blood, yet two warriors in spirit, armed with weapons of sharpened wit and sarcastic quips.

This darkened eve harbored one of the many cherished holidays of the clan, Halloween. A chance to steal to the city below and for once, their physical appearance would be of no importance, if only to please those humans who believed the wings and tails were nothing more than elaborate costumes of their city’s urban legend.  The twins had pleaded Lexington to guide them among the streets once more, though ‘trick or treating’ was a human custom, they had embraced it with a very high regard, especially when it meant filling their bags with an onslaught of sweetened confectionery.

The gargoyles had just awakened with the fading of the sun, and the twins had rushed to get their pillowcases and meet their uncle.  They followed the winding paths and eventually made their way to the main greeting room, with Lexington waiting for them near the elevator doors.  They emerged onto the checkered pastel tile of the refurnished room and found David Xanatos lingering alongside, their one ticket into the most prominent of neighborhoods, where he had taken Alexander once before.

“Knock it off, you two.” Lexington scolded his niece and nephew as their argument came to an abrupt close.  “Now come on, we gotta hit the streets, before all the good candy is given away.”

“Yes, we’re going to a pretty posh neighborhood.  I expect some great treats.”  Xanatos came up to the trio with Alexander in front of him.

“C’mon, let’s go.  I wan’ candy!!” Alex squealed as he and the twins ran for the doors and frantically pressed the lighted button.

“How did I get talked into this?” Lexington asked the billionaire, as the doors slid open with nothing but the slight hush of the hydraulics.

“Because Broadway’s too big to go himself,” Xanatos chuckled as they followed the three young kids into the awaiting lift, “he needs you to go get his candy for him.”

****************************************

An unsettling sight was a plain calendar ripped in half, and it’s torn pieces laying on the thick carpeting of Elisa’s room.  A week had passed since the expected due date and the raven haired beauty had given up hope of ever having her baby.  Her daily tortuous ritual of the gaping stare into the mirror, started after the sixth month, had seduced her beyond measure.  She had become surly and easily upset, with even the smallest of indiscretions. Even Goliath had trouble dealing with her, so most of the clan gave her a wide berth, until at least the baby was born.

“I’m a cow...” she muttered to herself, finally breaking her enrapturous gaze from the reflective surface.

“No, you’re not.” said Fox from her position behind Elisa, sitting on the edge of the large bed, and ever watchful of familiar gestures and attitudes when pregnant with Alexander.

“Look at me!”  Elisa whirled around to catch witness of her friend of her friend smiling back at her.  “I’m frigging huge!  God, why won’t this baby come out?”

“Well, since it’s half gargoyle, and since gargoyle eggs take almost ten years to hatch, you may pregnant until you’re forty.”

Elisa immediately scowled at the tattooed woman, watching her topple over with laughter on the down comforter.  “That’s not funny!” she growled.  “Aren’t you taking Alex trick or treating tonight?”

“Nope.  David’s taking care of that this year.” Fox replied as she stood up, wiped the tears from her eyes and came to Elisa’s side.  With an arm thrown around her shoulder, she whispered into her ear, “I, or should I say, we...have something even better to do.”

Elisa lightened up somewhat, at Fox’s clandestine tone.  “And what’s that?”

“It’s a surprise.  Come with me.”  Fox grabbed Elisa’s hand and led her from the room.

****************************************

“Sorry, chump,” Todd crowed, with an emphatic emphasis on the ‘p’, his boisterous pitch filling even the massive media room, “but I’m gonna take every single buck you’ve got.”

“I don’t think so, monkey.  You’re going down.” Brooklyn quipped back, as he set up the large card table and chairs for use.  “And your wallet’s being emptied as of this moment.”

The media room, now the center for what could be called an escape from reality.  A chance to delve into a game with friends and family and forget the woes behind these walls, plus be witness to the ultimate of male bravado and braggadocio.  Between the giant screen TV and the pooltables, a massive round table was the focus of the players, as they all took their seats, like the ancient warriors of Camelot preparing for battle, some more ready for tonight’s activities than others.

“I have not played this...poker before.  Is it rather difficult?” Othello asked as he sat down in a large chair, obviously intended for beings bigger than humans.

Broadway sat down and placed all the snacks on the large table.  “Not when you get the hang of it.”

“Dinna worry, ladd, I be learnin’ this game fer th’ first time as well.” Hudson assured the dusty blue gargoyle, listing backwards in his chair with an unassuming creak.

“Yeah,” Todd leaned over to Othello and smirked, “just how much money do you have?”

“I thought this game used these colorful chips instead of currency.”

“Oh boy, this is going to be a long night.” Brooklyn chuffed, noticing two mammoth forms grazing past the door frame, yet just within his keen sight to recognize them.  “Hey guys, want to play poker?!”

A giant lavender hand grasped the stone frame as Goliath, with Shadow by his side, appeared at the arched passageway.  “Not tonight, Brooklyn,” he answered almost grimly, “we have patrol.”  Goliath’s expression hardened, as if attempting to hide what almost could have been called fear wash over his features.  The others took the cue and waited expectantly for the leader to elaborate.  He sighed, “I don’t think I want to be in the castle right now.”

“I never knew you to be afraid of your mate, my rookery brother.” Othello coyly replied, watching with fascination as Todd shuffled the cards.

“Yes, well, Fox has something special planned for her tonight and hopefully it will have a calming effect.”

“Been a little irate the last couple weeks?” Todd asked as he played dealer to a quartet of gargoyles, a cocky smile inflamed on his lips.

“She is a week past the expected date of birth and she is becoming...” Goliath hesitated, lost in thought for an appropriate term.

“Scary is the word I’d use.” Broadway said as he downed a handful of potato chips.

“Hmmm, yes.  But she cannot help it, she is just tired.  Regardless, Shadow and I must patrol the city as the female side of our clan is busy tonight.”

“Doing what?”

****************************************

“SURPRISE!!!” A choir of female harmony burst out as Elisa entered into one of the castle’s many rooms.  She almost jumped from her skin as humans, gargoyles, and mutates gathered around her, leading her to a large couch centered within the middle of the room.  An ivory banner, hanging from the ceiling support beams of English oak, was marked with congratulatory words in a bright red typeface.  Elisa, stunned beyond the capacity for words, slumped into the loveseat as the others took their seats next to her. Fox, Diane and Beth Maza, Angela, Sata, Annika, Desdemona, Maggie, Sharon, and Delilah surrounded her, all with huge grins directed her way.

“A baby shower...how quaint.”  Elisa cocked an eyebrow.  “I take it this was your idea, Fox?”  She turned to the billionaire and watched her shrug.

“Eh.  I thought it would help lighten your mood.”

“Will it in some way help me to have my baby?”

“Elisa.” Diane scolded her oldest child, as the crowd tried to suppress their laughter. “Maybe this will cheer you up.”  Diane pointed to a large table, piled high with boxes and packages wrapped with brilliant, lustrous paper.

Elisa smirked, her large chocolate eyes reflecting a collection of gifts, awaiting only her slender hands to tear through to the fortune inside.  “...maybe it will.”

****************************************

Alive came the currents aloft the city skyline, as two of the finest warriors born from the winged race sailed the cool streams of the wind’s meandering trails.  Goliath and Shadow guided themselves over the roadways of Manhattan and scanned for any violation of man’s laws, perchance a barrage of vandalism and misdeed coming to a peak on the wickedest night of the year.  The two gargoyles flew on, over Central Park, reaching a velocity and dexterity unheard of from any others in the clan.  As if trying to best each other’s top speed, they played a dangerous game beyond the reach of the foliage below.

Shadow narrowed his flightpath, eventually reaching the lavender giant’s side, yet almost tearing through the wind to reach him.  “Are you looking forward to the birth of your child, Goliath-sama?”

“Yes, very much.” he answered, surprised at the oft-silent and rarely sociable gargoyle’s display of familiarity.  “I often wonder what it will look like and find myself wishing so much to hold it within my own hands.  But I think Elisa will be even happier once it is born.  She has carried the child within her for more than nine months now.”

“Yes.  I have noticed her mood lately,” Shadow winced, “and also noticed most of the clan shying away, except of course, you and her mother.”

Goliath smiled.  The only other person who was barely able to handle Elisa’s ferocious mood swings was her mother, from whom she had inherited her stubbornness and tenacious attitude.  “But, it will be very soon and my seco...thirdborn will bless our family and home.”

“Thirdborn?” Shadow inquired upon the gargoyle in front of him.  “I thought Angela was your only child?”  A split second later, his memories brought back to him another daughter who Goliath and Elisa had ‘adopted’ recently.  “Ah yes, Delilah.”

At his comrade’s mention of the clone’s name, Goliath slowed his speed and came in closer to the dark warrior.  “Yes, Delilah.  Are you fond of her?”

Puzzled by the question, Shadow looked to Goliath.  “Well, yes.  She, like the rest of the clan, has become a good friend.  Why do you ask?”

“Ah, no reason.”

Shadow never caught Goliath’s capricious smirk as the lavender giant increased his speed.  “What?  Wait!!”

****************************************

“How many cards do you need, O?” Todd asked the pale blue gargoyle.

He never lifted his gaze from behind the wall of a carefully hidden hand, secured in place by taloned fingers.  “I believe I shall take two.”  Othello slipped two cards from behind his hand and slid them towards the dealer.

Todd responded by handing him two fresh cards from the top of the deck.  “And you, Hudson?”

“Nay, laddie, I will stay wi’ these.” the older gargoyle replied, neither a smile or grimace placed forth, his poker face remaining firm as the others gave knowing glances to each other.  For the entire night, Hudson began to pile most of the chips in front of him.  Even though he had never played poker before tonight, it seems the elder had a knack for the game.

“Oh crap,” Broadway huffed, “fifty bucks says he has a straight.”

Hudson’s stout features never wavered.

“No way,” Brooklyn leaned in closer to get a better look at Hudson’s dark eyes, “he’s bluffing.”

“Well, now’s the time to see.  All right gargoyles, I call.”  Todd laid his cards on the table and the others followed suit, all except for Hudson.  Four impressive hands, each better than the other.  “The highest hand’s a full house.  Beat that, old man.”

“Aye.”  Hudson revealed his cards and the others gasped at his hand.  The elder gargoyle smiled at the sight of four pairs of wide eyes.  On the table before him sat four aces and a king.  “I believe these...be mine.” he teased the younger generation as he pulled the large pile of chips towards him.

“I take it that hand is very rare?” Othello broke the acrimonious silence as he looked to his human friend.

“I’ve been playing poker since I was ten and I’ve never, ever seen that.”  Todd picked his cards from the table and almost threw them at Brooklyn, the next in line to deal, who was also feeling a little embarrassed at his previous boasting.  “Are you sure you’ve never played this game before?”

“Aye.”

****************************************

“Open mine first,” Delilah pleaded as she handed Elisa a heavy box, “this is from me and my brothers.”

She grunted as she strained to hold the box in her lap, excitedly ripping the paper open and throwing the scraps to the floor.  Inside were several volumes of storybooks and nursery rhyme collections.

“The Dr. Suess books were my favorites.  I thought since I don’t need them anymore, you could read them to your child.  They helped me to learn how to read better.”

“Thank you very much, Delilah.  I’ll read these to him, or her, every night.”  She looked to the clone as she blushed slightly.

“Now mine!”  Annika handed over a medium sized box.

Elisa was met by a brown box as the giftwrapping fell away.  She opened the top and reached into a pile of shredded paper.  Her brow snapped up as her hands caressed upon an odd shape.  She pulled it out and instantly her eyes went wide.  Annika’s gift was a small silver statue of Goliath, in his traditional thinker’s pose, a sterling reflection of all gathered there appearing in a distorted likeness on the serpentine curves of the familiar gargoyle’s form.  “Oh...wow.”  Elisa rubbed her fingers over the figure, amazed by the exact resemblance to her giant love.  “Where did you get this?”

A subtle smile curved on her large, ruby lips.  “I made it.”

“You made this?!  But how...I didn’t know you knew how to sculpt.”

“Neither did Todd.  His eyes almost popped our from his head when I showed him some of my works I made in the last couple months.  I guess it all started when my mom gave me playdough as a kid.  Oh, and check this out...”  Annika grabbed the statue and before anyone could stop her, threw it with all her strength against the nearest wall.  Expecting it to break into a thousand pieces, the crowd cringed as it hit with a thud and fell to the ground, with not a scratch on it’s shining surface.  Annika placed it back in Elisa’s hands. “The best part is, it’s completely childproof.  I used the original sculpture to make a mold and David provided a steel alloy material to make this.  It can’t be broken.” she said as she rubbed a talon down the smooth surface.  “I thought even when Goliath’s up sleeping or out on patrol, he’ll always be watching over you, and your baby.”

“Thank you very much.”  Elisa handed the statue to Sata beside her as it was passed around and admired.

“And this is from me,” Desdemona said, “I hope they will be useful.”

Elisa had to get up to unwrap Desdemona’s large gift.  A burlap material held in place by a binding of yellowed string came apart in Elisa’s hands and she instantly laughed out loud at the sight of a massive box of diapers.

“A lifetime’s supply worth of your choice of cloth or disposable.  Just ask Owen when you run low.  Oh, and according to the...sonogram you showed me, you might need these.”  Desdemona handed Elisa a smaller package.  She opened it and pulled out a pair of scissors.  “For the tail.”

“And now my gift.”  Sata gave Elisa a wrapped bundle as she sat down again.  She undid the ribbon, dug through the tissue paper and tugged upon a large white shawl.  Elisa ran her hands over the smooth white surface.  “To keep your child warm in the cold Winter months.  And hopefully this will pacify the baby if it becomes upset.”  She got up and pulled a large rocking chair from the back of the room.  “It’s big enough, and strong enough, to hold even Goliath.  Fox found it at an antique store and had it refurnished and...ahem, reinforced.”

Elisa placed herself in the wooden chair and slowly rocked back and forth, her slender form dwarfed by the large frame, with carved designs of exquisite intricacy.  “Why does this feel so familiar?” she remarked quietly as she glanced at her mother.  “Thank you, Sata.  I’m sure Goliath will enjoy this even more than me.”

“Okay, mom to be, my turn.”

Elisa hardly had the chance to take a seat on the sofa as Angela threw a large package on her lap.  She opened it and pulled out blankets, bibs, pacifiers, baby bottles, rattles, and various other tools for expecting parents.  “Everything a new mother will need, and more.”

“Whoa, thanks Angie...”  Elisa placed the box down as another appeared on her legs, an assailment of gifts with barely the time to open them all...barely.

“From us.”  Maggie and Sharon watched as Elisa delved into a rainbow of softened fur, as dozens of stuffed animals and toys exploded from their confines.  The last stuffed plaything was large bearlike animal with wings.

Elisa hugged it close and sighed, “So this it what it feels like...”

“Before you get ahead of yourself, here’s mine.” Fox broke Elisa from her reverie and handed her a small envelope.

Elisa gave Fox a perplexed look, expecting something grander from the eccentric billionairess.  She used her nail to tear the envelope and pulled out a small slip of paper. She read the letter aloud to the rest of the group, “Good for a clothing shopping spree for your baby, and yourself...hmpf, after you get back to your ideal weight.  Thank you Fox, this is fantastic.  Uhm, how long did it take you to get back to your ideal weight?”

“I don’t think I’ll tell you that.” Fox demurely replied as Elisa looked to her stomach and groaned.

“Oh stop that sis.  You’ll be thin in no time.  I’m sure Goliath would be more than willing to help you out.” Beth chimed in, causing the others to laugh and Elisa to glare at her little sister.

“I think Goliath’s ‘help’ is the reason we’re having this party.” Fox added, inflaming the laughter to an even higher degree.

“And now, my child, it’s our turn.” Diane stated quietly as she handed Elisa the last gift from the table.  Several photo albums and an assortment of picture frames.  “I want to see a lot of pictures of my grandchild.”

“Well, I have more than enough from the wedding to fill a couple of these albums.”

“And now for the best part, sis.”  Beth rose from her seat and took Elisa’s hand, leading her to a large object, covered with a blanket.  The other women followed, with each a curious intent and gathered around the Maza sisters.  “Mom and I thought you could use this...”  Beth grabbed the sheet and gave it a quick tug, revealing an old wooden crib, restored to like new condition.

“My crib.” Elisa breathed a hoarse whisper as she reached out and gingerly caressed the mahogany of the bassinet, a lifetime of memories associated with that single touch. “Where did you get this?  I thought you threw it away.”

“Peter and I held on to it, just in case any of our children would ever need it.  He rescued this old thing from the attic and had it restored.”

“It’s beautiful.  It’s just as I remember.”  She hugged her mother and sister and quickly turned back to the crib, marveling at the curved wooden spirals and the varnished surface gleaming in the room’s pale light.

Fox came up beside her and looked down into the crib.  “So, did we get you out of your funk?”

“Oh yeah, I’m feeling much better now.”

****************************************

“Wait, why did you ask about Delilah?” Shadow continued to press the issue with Goliath as they neared the sharp edged styling of the Chrysler Building.

“I was...just wondering...”

“Wondering about what?”  Shadow’s tone bordered on anger.

Goliath slowed his flight and directed towards the skyscraper.  A clatter of talons on the mortar surface and a hushed snap of the wings, Goliath settled himself on the Chrysler’s foremost spire, his mighty form silhouetted by the light of a billion stars.

Shadow landed beside him and quickly crept to his side.  “What is going on?” he demanded furiously, almost forgetting for a moment he was addressing the leader of his newfound clan.  “Please...”

“It is not my place to tell you.” Goliath answered, noticing Shadow’s features contort. He took a deep breath and looked towards the city, knowing it was too late to salvage the unintentionally spilled secret of Delilah’s feelings.  “She has a crush on you.”

“W-WHAT?!!!”

“She has romantic feelings for you.  Ever since you joined our clan and came to the castle for the first time.”

Shadow wavered slightly and collapsed onto a ledge offered by the architectural styling. “Why didn’t I see this?”

“I truly don’t know.  She turns a bright red whenever you enter the same room.  I thought you would have noticed the way she follows you around or is always there to listen for hours on end, your playing of the flute.”

Shadow’s narrow eyes fell open at the realization of his inadvertent ignorance.  “Oh...I mean, she is a fine friend, but I never thought of her in that way.”

“Perhaps it is time to change your way of thinking.  There are not many gargoyles to choose as mates, and you are lucky enough to have one fall in love with you.”  Goliath placed his lavender hand on Shadow’s shoulder, near his massive bone spurs.  “But, if you do not feel the same way, it may be wise to tell her.”

Shadow remained silent throughout Goliath’s pensive gaze.  The wind had picked up, the scent of sweet domestic cuisine and Autumn flora trapped within the breeze.  The dark warrior ultimately rose to his feet.  “Yes,” he rasped, “you are right.  Perhaps I should have a...discussion, with Delilah.”  He launched himself from the edge, leaving Goliath to follow behind and wonder just what his decision had come to.

****************************************

“No way.” Todd said as he gulped down his Jolt cola.

“I’m telling you man,” Brooklyn finished the last of his beer, “it’s true.”

“You and Sata made love for more than six hours...”

“Yup.”

“Well, that’s kind of impressive, but,” Todd smirked as his eyes caught his scarlet friend’s, “Annika and I once did the nasty for almost eight.”

“Bullshit.”

“Ask her.”

Human and gargoyle egos clashed at the table, taking form in bragging rights in everything from driving ability to sexual prowess.  Todd and Brooklyn had almost given up, as the two most experienced players were getting badly beaten in the final stretches of the game.  Hudson and Othello withheld most of the chips and Broadway was not far from catching up.  Othello looked towards Hudson and the two locked gazes.

Broadway knew something was up.  “I fold.”  The burly aquamarine gargoyle flattened his cards on the wooden surface and grabbed the bowl of Cheetos.

“And I call.”  Othello showed his cards and waited for his mentor to do the same.

“Ye have become quite good at this table at this wee game, ladd.”  Hudson cast his cards away and growled beneath his smile.  He watched Othello laugh and what lay of chips to his own impressive pile.

“Ah, monkey piss!”  Todd flung his cards down in disgust as Brooklyn did the same.

“It would seem I win again, my friends.”  Othello couldn’t keep his smile hidden as he looked towards the others.  “And by the way, Desdemona and I made love the entire night when conceiving our egg.  Over ten hours.  I guess that means I win your other game as well.  This is becoming a very good night.”

“Oh shut the fuck up.” Brooklyn and Todd chorused together as Othello beared his teeth in a rousing cheer.

****************************************

“No way.”  Elisa finished the last of her lemon tea.

“Yes it is.” Fox replied from the other couch.

“There’s no way Xanatos’ butt is better than Goliath’s.”

“Hey, if you like big and purple.” Fox chuffed.

“Maybe you should have married Barney.” Beth interrupted from Elisa’s side, causing her sister to scowl and the others to laugh once again.

Elisa slapped her sister’s shoulder.  “Very funny, little sis.”

The gifts had been opened, and now the ladies of Wyvern had immersed into a heated discourse over pots of coffee and tea.  The conversation had carried into the night and the room was filled with gossip and laughter, those assembled here carrying on in a wide variety of subject matter, especially their mates.

This particular topic garnered a silence from Delilah, having no mate of her own.

Fox noticed this and directed the discussion towards the copper colored clone.  “So, Delilah, has Shadow succumbed to your feminine wiles yet?”

“Uh, no.”  The clone blushed a little as all eyes in the room turned towards her.  “I haven’t really, uhm...”

“He has no idea about how you feel, does he?” Elisa answered for her ‘daughter’.

Delilah looked away.  “Since I haven’t told him, no.”

“Awww,” Beth cooed, “my little niece has a big crush on big, bad Bruce Lee.”  But her joke turned sour when Delilah’s eyes fell to the ground, a low-spirited sulk appearing on her comely features.  “Oh...Delilah, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it...”

Diane sat beside her and took her copper hand in her own.  “What is it, sweetheart?”

“I want to tell him, but I’m...afraid.  Afraid he’ll...”  She stopped, her own words becoming lost in her throat.

“Afraid he’ll say he doesn’t feel the same way.”

“I don’t think I could face that.” said Delilah as Elisa sat next to her.

“I once told somebody that life is a risk,” she whispered, “and so is love.  But it’s worth the gamble.  If you tell him and he says no, than you’ll know for sure.  But, if you keep your feelings to yourself, and never let him know how you truly feel, you may regret it for the rest of your life.  I know I would have regretted it if I never pursued my relationship with Goliath.”  Delilah smiled and leaned towards her mother, feeling Elisa’s arms wrap around her.  “Shadow is a very caring and gentle individual.  He will always be your friend no matter what happens.”

“I know.  Thank you, Elisa.”

“Don’t mention it.  Now, tell me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“You think Goliath’s butt is better than Xanatos’, right?”

“Definitely.”

****************************************

Past the hour of 9:30, and on into twilight, the protectors had curved their flight towards home.  The patrol had been surprisingly peaceful tonight.  The city seemed to be enjoying it’s Halloween celebrations, and the police were out in full force, prepared for any breach of their carefully guarded edicts.  Goliath and Shadow were nearing the Eyrie building, the lavender giant looking forward to hearing about Elisa’s night with the women.  Fox had told him beforehand about her special surprise and hoped it would lift his wife’s spirits.  But suddenly, a dark hand grabbed his arm, effectively starting him from his gentle thoughts and into a most harsh reality.

“Goliath-sama, I see something.”  Shadow turned sharply and headed away from him at an alarming rate.

Goliath followed as best he could and soon landed on an obscure rooftop, lost in the chaos of New York’s towering skyscrapers, as Shadow looked around him.  “What is it?” Goliath asked, trying to see what had drawn his companion here in such a mad rush.

“I saw something, or someone.  It looked like it had wings.”

“It could have been one of the mutates or clones.”

“Maybe.  Maybe not.  But I felt something.”  Shadow traced the dust on the roof with his talons.  “Look.  Footprints left in the dirt.  Gargoyle prints.  That rules out the mutates. The clones?”

“All wrong for the clones.  Too large for Lexington and the twins, and the others stayed in for the night.”

“It seems we have a mystery on our...”  His words abruptly cut off, Shadow stood up and violently tensed.  An evil wind crossed his path, and he hunched over, clenching his fists. His eyes were marked with an eerie sapphire fury, his wings outspread as if to test the air. “Someone...is here.”

Goliath could sense something as well.  A feeling, become tangible, creeping up the length of his spine and cutting across the back of his neck.  As if on cue, they turned slightly to the ledge on the other side of the building.  A shadow had danced within their sight, transformed into nothing but a gnarled oblivion set against the darkness of the hidden heavens.

“Who...what is it?” Shadow asked the lavender giant.

“I do not recognize it.” Goliath replied as the specter seemed to drop below the edge of the roof.  The two gargoyles ran to the side and peered over.  Nothing.  Only an empty darkness and the street below them.

“What was it?”

“I do not know.”  Goliath raised to his full height, releasing a snarl of hot air into the unholiness of the devil’s night.  “But whatever it was, obviously does not want to be found.  Come, let’s go home.”

****************************************

“Well, I quit,” Todd finished his cola and stood up, “I’ve had enough of losing.”

“But it is still early, and the game was just getting good.”  Othello leaned back in his chair to survey his pile chips.

“Only for you and the old fart.  The rest of us are out of chips.”  Todd threw the deck on the table and moved to a far corner in the room, to a small fridge, grabbing another cola. Brooklyn stretched out the kinks and picked up the bag of pretzels while Broadway and Othello cleaned the chips and cards from the table.

“I be thankin’ ye laddies fer a grea’ game.  We should be doin’ that agin, I reckon.” Hudson stood up and folded his chair.  “I dinna think that winnin’ aginst ye young ladds would feel so good.  Now, if ye excuse me, I be checkin’ the score of th’ Rangers game.” Hudson retreated to his small room and the others were left to talk amongst themselves.

“Just what joyous occasion stole the attention of our mates this evening?” Othello asked as he stowed the poker supplies in the large chest of drawers.

“Goliath said a baby shower was being thrown for Elisa.”

“A baby...shower?”

“Yeah, or in other words, a place where women get together, give gifts to the expecting mother, catch up on the latest gossip and badmouth their respective others.” Todd joked as he took another sip.

“Ah.” Othello nodded.  Though the term was outside of his tenth century vocale, he seemed to understand completely, knowing what dangers both female gargoyles and humans could summon when left together; those of ten centuries ago, and those of today.

Brooklyn chomped down on a couple of pretzels.  “Yeah, I can’t even imagine what they’re talking about.”

“Well, let’s go find out.  It’s nearly ten, and they’ve been in there for almost three hours.” Broadway left the room and the others followed.

****************************************

Elisa finished her piece of cake supplied for the shower by Fox.  Her gaze would often dart to her opened gifts, very special items from very special friends.  Elisa surveyed the room and minded her companions gathered around her, still engaged in conversation. The expecting mother went unnoticed as she rose and approached the large rocking chair. She covered herself in the white shawl and began to rhythmically sway back and forth, while gazing at the small statue of Goliath.  She heard footsteps behind and looked up to see Angela standing over her.

“You seem distant.”

“Just thinking.  About how good my life is.  About how many friends I’ve met in the past six years and before they came into my life, how I ever lived without them.”  She placed her hand on Angela’s as the young gargess kneeled beside her.  “Thank you.”

“For what?” Angela asked.

“For being there.”

“You are my best friend.  You have been with me through some of the most trying periods of my life.”

“What are step-mother’s for?”  Angela smiled as Elisa mindfully lifted from her chair, aided with a modest yank from the lavender gargess, and rejoined the others.

What privacy the ladies once had, was effectively destroyed as the double doors to the room flew open and the males entered, led by Todd.

“I’m sorry, did we interrupt the contest to see who has the most cellulite on their butt?” He and Brooklyn laughed and were met with angered stares from the women.  “Oh man, I’m dead meat, aren’t I?”

Brooklyn smiled, closed his eyes, and just nodded.

“I must apologize for our human friend, ladies,” Othello bowed to the group and took his place near Desdemona, “he is just upset that he lost all his chips.”

Annika stood and pointed a talon at her boyfriend.  “You lost?!!”

“Yeah, what of it?” Todd challenged the cerise gargess.

“Mr. ‘I’m gonna take these gargoyle suckers for everything they’ve got’ lost at a game he’s been playing for eleven years?!” she continued, gorging on her boyfriend’s ever angering expression, and watching him cross his arms and scowl.

“So, did you ladies have fun?” Broadway asked, his massive form appearing behind Angela.

“Oh yes, very much.”

“That’s good.”  A deep baritone involved itself in the dialogue as the group turned to see Goliath and Shadow coming through the doors.

Shadow’s gaze locked on Delilah’s stead, his deep eyes of chestnut invoking a crimson blush from her copper skin.

With a sudden rush, Goliath wrapped his arms around his wife, stroking her stomach, causing her skin to goosebump at his firm yet tender touch.  “I hoped it helped your foul mood, my Elisa.”

“Yes, Big Guy.  Check out all the stuff we got for the baby.”  She led her husband to the table and showed him the various gifts, especially the statue of him, the rocking chair and the crib.  As the couple viewed the presents, most of the group broke up, going their separate ways for the night.

Shadow came up behind Delilah and placed his hand on her shoulder, causing the young clone to jump slightly.  “May I speak with you, Delilah?  In private?”  His gentle rasp carried softly on the air.

“Uhm, yeah.  Okay.”  She followed Shadow from the room, passing by Beth and Diane, flashing a look of expectation to her family.  They exchanged a hopeful glance and looked to where Elisa was with Goliath and noticed her yawn.  She had trouble sleeping in the advanced months of pregnancy, and would sometimes spend the daylight hours wandering the castle, unable to fall back asleep.

“Time for us to go, child.”  Diane kissed her daughter on the cheek.  “I expect to receive an important phonecall very soon.  Now get some rest.”

“See ya, sis.”  Beth hugged her sister and gave Goliath a pat on the butt, evoking a sudden skip in his massive frame.  “Bye bye, Big Guy.”

“I hate her.” Goliath huffed as Elisa giggled under her breath.  Hand in hand, they withdrew to their bedroom.

****************************************

Upon entering the majestic domain of the quarters, Elisa changed into her nightgown and went to brush her teeth, leaving behind a trail of clothing, still used to her bachelorette existence, much to her husband’s chagrin.

Goliath picked her clothes strewn to the floor and put them away, taking a moment to breathe in the scent before returning them to the chest of drawers.  “So, did you really enjoy your baby shower, my Elisa?”

“Yeah, I think I did.” she yelled from the bathroom.  “It really helped put some things into perspective.”

“What things?”

“Just how lucky I am to have you and this family.”

“As am I.” Goliath replied as he pulled back the sheets of the bed to prepare it for his wife.

“......oh my god!!” Elisa’s trembling voice called in tandem with a clamor of something solid falling to the floor, most likely her hairbrush.

“What is it?”  Goliath turned to see Elisa emerge shakily from the bathroom door, clutching her stomach and a wet portion of her gown.

“My...my water just broke...”

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