Due Date
by Erica DeTraglia (nbcgrl13@hotmail.com)
All the gargoyles characters belong to Disney and Buena Vista Tele. All other original characters belong to me. If you would like to use any of them, just ask. Well, if you have read this far..thanks. If not, go back. You will be very lost. You have been warned. *errie music plays in the background *
Puck was dreaming, but it was more of a memory. Puck was sitting, at the Archmage's pool on
Avalon, watching Oberon cast spells onto the water's surface. Puck was only 200 years old at the time, which meant that he appeared to be seven years old, as human reckon time. His face held nothing but satisfaction and love for his lord and master. Until Puck saw what Oberon was about to do. The pool began to glow green and swirl in a clockwise motion. Oberon smiled and beckoned to his servant, "Puck, come. This will be your first time out as my servant. You will learn what it means to defy me and the punishment that will fall upon you."
Puck swallowed hard but approached Oberon. Oberon took his blue hand and placed it on the young Puck's shoulders. In a *whoosh* they jumped into the pool. Being afraid, Puck clung to Oberon's cape.
Oberon smiled, "Puck, open your eyes. We are almost to our destination. "Puck opened his eyes to see a white blinding light coming up fast on them.
2500 BC Eygpt.........
Puck looked at their surroundings. Pyramids could be seen from the limestone windowsill on his right. Puck was fascinated by the structures. This was his second time away from Avalon.
The first time was to aid his brother Java in a ceremony with humans somewhere in South
America. The Incans people called him a God and Puck had gone to help him create a
'miracle' for them. That was fun. Puck was learning that humans were fun to play with but Oberon had named him his servant. That meant long hours of study and work. No time for play, just yet.
Puck's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a woman's scream and a infant cry. Oberon's face went hard and stern. Puck could see the magic and anger run through Oberon's blood like fire. He pulled at his cape and yelled, "Puck come." They walked into a birthing room. A lady with long jet-black hair was cradling a baby in his arms.
Puck could tell by the way she was positioned on the king-sized bed and beads of sweat on her brow, making her hair cling to her face, that she was the proud momma. Puck loved to see love pass between humans. They showed it so powerful towards each other. So, powerful that magic could not even compare to it. Puck smiled up to his master but was stopped by his master's hard face. The woman gave the baby to a girl who was standing next to the woman. Puck saw that it was one of the weird sisters. All three gave the child a hateful look. They were 700 years old, but to humans they looked 15. Puck was so confused. Why had they come? They only came when something bad had to be done or a destiny was to be changed. Oberon stepped up to the woman; "Do you know who I am?"
She nodded in fright. "You are Lord Oberon."
Oberon looked to the three weird sisters, "Give the child to the Puck and leave. You are no longer needed." They obeyed. Puck smiled at the infant. It had the dark brown skin of his mother, along with the black hair. Yet the eyes were ice blue like Puck's and Puck could feel the magic behind them. Puck looked at his master, "Why do this child have our eyes?"
He could see that the woman was beginning to cry. Oberon turned, "Because it is a halfling. One of
my own children has mated with this...human. *That* is the result!" His long pointed finger
pointed at the child. Puck just looked at the squirming form of the child. He knew that his
brothers and sisters dabbled in 'pleasures of the flesh', but he didn't think this could happen.
"What is to happen?" Puck whispered to no one.
A ball of light appeared and Ptah, Egyptian god of creative enterprise with the hands, appeared. He looked like any other child of Oberon (ears, hair, eyes, etc) save his elongated fingers. Puck smiled at his brother. He wanted congratulate his brother but Oberon stopped him, "Ptah, why have you shamed my blood with this creature's."
Ptah bowed and without looking at Oberon said, "I'm in love with her. That child is proof of our love."
Oberon folded his arms, "Love..for a human. No, you will be punished for this offensive act."
Ptah stood and held his lover's hand. "NO matter what he does, I love you Acksana."
She smiled, "I love you too."
Oberon yelled, "Stop this! Ptah you love this mortal enough to defy me I make you mortal. I take away all of my blood from you. Your 'lover' will be sterile for as long as she lives.
This child will be taken to Avalon and if it does not meet my approval it will be destroyed."
A white light surrounded the room. Acksana was crying. Ptah, now 100% human was also
crying. Even Puck was crying. He had never seen his master so hard or so hateful towards
his own kind.
Oberon just turned and a portal appeared, "Puck." Puck still crying, with the baby in his arms, followed Oberon.
They returned to Avalon. On the way back Puck told himself that he would never make his lord and master that mad. Ever. Then he looked at the baby boy. The child looked at Puck with the eyes of the innocent it was. Puck's heart melted. 'Well maybe for love?' he thought.
Oberon stormed into the Great Hall. Titania was waiting for them. Her arms were folded in disgust, "Oberon what are we to do with that 'thing'?"
Oberon looked at it, "Kill it"
Puck heart stopped, "Wait, my lord. If this child is half us can't it have our powers?"
Titania and Oberon looked at each other. Oberon snapped his fingers and Anabus appeared.
He bowed, "yes Lord Oberon."
Oberon took the baby and gave it to him, "This is a halfling. Ptah's child. Teach it. If it cannot be trained.....kill it."
Puck smiled and skipped to his chores. That night Puck found out that Oberon had had the child killed. Puck was so full of hatred. He sat at the pool and cried. He felt a hand shake him...
....he awoke to Abby shaking his arm, "Puck? You were crying. What's wrong?"
Puck sat up wiping the sweat from his face. He looked at Abby who, very close to her due date, was having trouble sitting up. Puck helped her with a smile. "I'm fine. Just remembering the past."
"Hmmmmmm," Abby sat behind Puck and began to rub his back, "Want to talk about it?"
Puck could feel tears forming, "No. It's too painful. All I'm going to say is that it deals with the first time I hated my father."
Abby stopped rubbing, "Anything I should know about?"
Puck turned to look at Abby. He ran a hand through his hair, "No." A tear rolled down his
cheek. Abby took his hands and wrapped them around her neck. Puck smiled and hugged her as best he could. He laid down and she said, "Ok.....I love you."
Puck smiled at Abby, still holding her hand as she laid down, "I love you too."
Abby shifted, "You better..I wouldn't carry this bowling ball if you didn't"
Puck chuckled and went back to sleep.
Dec 28.....
The next day was hectic. The reminisce of Puck's memory still lingered in his head.
He figured with Abby so close it must have triggered the memory. The same thing happened
a week before Alex was born, but since Puck wasn't emotionally involved at the time the memory wasn't as strong. He just wanted to cry but he promised Abby. Puck had gotten into his human disguise to go with Abby to her weekly checkup. Puck was sitting on a chair while Abby was being prepped for the ultra sound. The nurse left them and Abby noticed the
depressed look on Puck, "Puck what's wrong?"
Puck looked up from his trace, "What?"
Abby shifted her weight so she could see him better, "What is wrong?"
Puck shook his head, "Nothing."
"Bullshit. If you don't tell me..I'll...do something. Damn, why won't the twins stop moving." Puck got up and placed his hand on her stomach. The twins were moving around quite a bit. His touch made them stop.
"Thank you. Now we have hours until the doctor shows up so," she tapped the side of the table," spill."
Puck obeyed. Afterwards Abby was wiping a tear from her face, "Wow. I never knew
Oberon was that much of an asshole." Puck did a half-smile, "This was before the exile, so most of the third race thought humans as pets."
The doctor came in just as the couple cleaned themselves up. Abby smiled.
"Dr. O'Meiko, this is Puck..my husband."
The doctor nodded to Puck and began to write in her file. The doctor did
his usual examination. The doctor laughed, "Abby you are going to drop those
two within a week."
Abby raised an eyebrow, "What?"
The doctor nodded to a grinning Puck, "She's ripe as a melon. It's just a matter of the time. Abby I want you to stay in bed from now on. If you don't, it could hurt the babies," he smiled at Puck," And no strenuous workouts."
Puck smiled back, "You got it."
Abby let out the sigh, "OK, doc."
Later that evening....
Abby was laying in bed, propped up on pillows, when Puck brought her dinner. He had her Columbia University sweatshirt on and his favorite gray sweatpants. Puck sat next to Abby as she began to eat. Puck stole a french fry. Abby hit his hand and they both laughed. They had made a game out of how many pieces of Abby's dinner Puck could steal without Abby slapping him on the hand. If she won, Puck brought her ice cream. If she lost, he still brought her ice cream. It was a win-win situation for Abby. Puck leaned on her shoulder.
"So Puck, how long have been having that dream?"
Puck closed his eyes, "For three days. There are other dreams but that one sticks out
in my mind. I loved that child, if I had been older I would have taken care of it. Who knows,
maybe I would have given it back to his parents. Just to spite Oberon."
Abby rubbed the back of her hand on Puck's face, "What are the others about?"
Puck lifted his head, "Things from my own childhood....mostly how Oberon screwed me
at everything."
Abby chewing asked, "Like what?"
Puck took a deep breath," In the 1400's, I was attracted to a woman that worked for a blacksmith. I was his apprentice. Well, to make a long story short when Oberon found out he was pissed. He caused the woman to fall into a sickness that no one could save her from. She died a horrible death just because I thought she was cute.
Or the time another halfling was born to Oberon himself. It was during the Black Death but I always wondered how the woman, the child, and all her family who knew Oberon
died in one night."
Abby was horrified, "He killed them?" Puck nodded.
"And I as his servant had to clean up after him. I guess that's why I get so tense everytime someone I know has a child, or I make a new friend, I'm still afraid that Oberon will kill them. Even though I know that the thousand-year exile has softened Oberon's feelings towards humans. Especially, when his own wife has a halfling daughter and grandson."
Abby nodded, " Puck?"
"Yes?"
Abby gave him the tray, "I win. Go get me some ice cream." Puck went to take the tray and Abby gasped holding her stomach. Puck dropped the tray, "By Avalon, you are going into Labor!"
Abby grabbed his arm, "No, no..it's ok. They just moved too fast and it hurt..A LOT."
Puck picked up the tray and transported it to kitchen, so he could stay with Abby. He got into bed and rocked her as she started to cry."I'm soo scared. This is going to hurt so much."
Puck kissed her head, "Yeah but when it's over we'll have two beautiful children. Alittle bit of you and me."
Abby smiled, "Yeah."
Puck rubbed her stomach, "Ad if you want you can bash me as much as you can..I'll even bring those nerf bats that we bought."
Abby laughed, "ok." She winced again and Puck actually felt the babies turning inside. "GO put your bathing suit on and meet me in the bathroom."
Abby looked at him, "Why?"
Puck smiled and brushed hair away from her face, "You'll see." He jumped out of bed and into the bathroom, shutting the door. Abby shrugged and got her bathing suit on, She looked in the mirror when she was finished, "I look like a beached whale."
She opened the bathroom door to see the tub was full to the top with blue and pink bubbles. Puck was just turning off the faucet. He smiled, "Get in."
Abby took Puck's hand and he helped her into the tub. HE got in behind her. Abby popped some of the bubbles, giggling. She turned around and looked at Puck,"where did you get this?"
Puck leaned against the wall, "It’s a special relaxing formula from Avalon. My brother Coyote gave it to me when he found out you were pregnant," he pulled her back so she used his body as a pillow. He rested her head on Puck's shoulder as he glided a cloth over her front and neck. He bent down and kissed her neck and she giggled, "No strenuous workouts remember?"
Puck laughed, "I know. I just can't help not touching you."
Abby smiled and closed her eyes. Puck ran his hands over her body, resting them on her belly. He could still feel them moving around. HIS children, something he never thought he's be able to say. He started to think about Titania and Oberon, was this how they felt when she was expecting him? As Coyote had promised all her muscles relaxed. Puck went to ask Abby something but he realized that she was sleeping. He kissed her forehead and glided more bubbles on her arms an legs. After about an hour, Puck snapped his fingers, placing Abby in bed. He emptied the tub and walked out of their apartment to see who else was up.
Dec 31-New Years Eve....
Puck awoke to see Abby sleeping on her side. This was odd. For the past three months, Abby had been sleeping on her back. Puck lifted her shirt. Her stomach was red, but from the movement of the twins lately it was normal. Puck was happy that his dreams didn't haunt him anymore. Ever since he told Abby about them they had faded to a insignificant speck in the back of his mind.
Puck got out of bed and headed towards the kitchen.
11PM...
"mom..." Luna said. Abby lifted her head up without opening her eyes.
She heard nothing so she went back to sleep.
"MOM!"
"What?" She got up to go to the bathroom.
"It's time" Abby didn't even hear there last statement, because her first contraction started. She barely got to the bathroom before her water broke. "Shit! Ok, Abby calm down. Breathe. Go through the routine. Call the doctor, pick up the suitcase, get dressed, have," she looked at the clock, "Lunch. Then go to the hospital." Another contraction brought Abby to her knees.
She tried to get Puck mentally but the pain was too great. She couldn't concentrate, but was able to get to the phone and dial the doctor. Alex walked in as Abby hung up the phone with the doctor.
"Abby can you fix this?" He handed her a Jason Power Ranger. Abby shook her head, "Alex go get Zoe." Alex looked worried, "Why?"
"Because sweetie, I'm going to have the babies."
Alex went wide-eyed then ran out the room. He returned with Zoe. "Abby is it true."
Abby just nodded. Zoe put her hand to her head, "Ok. Ummmm Did you call the doctor?"
"Yes, just help me to the kitchen."
Abby took Zoe's hand. Zoe looked at Alex, "Alex, go find Puck."
Alex ran into the kitchen where David, Fox, and Puck were drinking coffee.
"Mommy! Abby's having her babies!"
The three looked at each other. They were just getting up when Abby and Zoe entered the kitchen. She sat in a chair breathing deep. She looked at Fox, "You were right. Contractions hurt like a bitch."
Zoe smiled, "She called the doctor and he said to wait until the contractions were at least 7 minutes apart before we went to the hospital." Abby nodded in approval.
Another contraction started, "Shit this hurts." Fox got up and brewed a tea.
Puck got up to help Fox, "What's that?"
Fox smiled, "It will relax Abby so the contraction won't be so sharp."
Puck went to sit by Abby when she put her hand up, "Don't come near me or I'll try to kill you."
Puck saw a smile grace David's face. He had just told Puck that Fox had said the same thing to him.
4 hours later.....
"Hello, Mrs. Avalon, Dr. O'Meiko is on call somewhere else, so I'll be filling in for him. My name is Dr. Chavez."
Abby pointed at her, "Any relation to a police chief?"
The doctor rolled her eyes, "Yeah, she's my older sister. Come on, let's get you into a birthing room."
Puck sat on the windowsill tapping his feet together. Abby looked at him through beads of sweat, "Do you want to die now or in delivery?"
Puck stopped tapping. Abby nodded, "Delivery it is." Puck got down to get close to Abby.
But Abby's eyes told him to stay away. She even mentally threw a bedpan at him, which Puck just missed.
When Abby was ready they wheeled her into a delivery room. Puck could hear her screaming all the way down the hall. The nurse who had asked him to stay behind gave him the 'daddy suit' as she called it. They walked into the delivery room. As Puck approached, Abby bent the metal railing right in half. Everyone jumped, including Puck.
Dr. Chavez took the loose piece from Abby, "Come on Abby, you want this guy to see his children?"
Abby, in the middle of pushing, said, "You really want me to answer that?!" All of a sudden Dr. Chavez shook her head, "Abby stop pushing."
"What?!" Everyone shook their heads to stop the ringing.
"No Abby, something's wrong. Stop!"
Abby shook her head in pain, "I can't!Oh my god, I hate men!, "she looked at Puck, "You did this to me. AWWW!"
A nurse escorted a shocked Puck out as Abby was given a sedative. Puck tried to see what was going on. "What's wrong? I've never seen her yell like that."
The nurse calmed him down, "We weren't sure but now it's obvious. Abby needs a C-section. If not, the twins are going to break her pelvic bone. You can come in and watch," she smiled, "now you don't have to worry about her killing you. Dr. Chavez is the best and she has done many C-sections. There is nothing to worry about."
Puck gave her a weak laugh as they walked into the room. Puck winced at first at the sight of Abby. She looked like a gutted fish. She was out like a light. The sweat on her face plastered her hair to her forehead and neck. He brushed the strands away and kissed the top of her head. He now knew what Ptah felt like when he thought that Oberon killed his love. He feared for Abby but a voice snapped him back to reality, "Mr. Avalon?"
Puck looked at the doctor,"Yes?"
There was a cry from a baby. "Say hello to your son." one nurse cleaned the baby up and handed it to Puck in a blue blanket. *He's so small* he thought. He had Abby's complexion, eyes, and hair. His ears were pointed but human length. The baby took Puck's finger and smiled. "hello Robin," Puck said in a shaky voice. The baby squirmed. Father and son looked up when another cry broke the silence. Puck took the second baby in his empty arm,"Hello Luna." Luna had her mother's tan complexion but her eyes were ice blue like her father's and her hair silver white ringlets. Her ears were also pointed. She just stared at her father looking him over. Puck was crying. The nurse put her hand on Puck's shoulder. Puck looked at her," They are beautiful and so innocent."
The nurse laughed, "Yeah, I'll get back to you when they are teenagers."
The room laughed. As the nurses took the twins away as Dr. Chavez stood next to Puck.
"Happy New Year, Mr. Avalon. Heck of a way to ring in the new year." Puck hugged the woman, "Thank you."
Abby woke up in a recovery room, "Wow! whatta trip. I want some of that to take home."
As her vision cleared she saw Puck looking at her. She could see he had been crying.
Her eyes widened, "What's wrong?! Are they all right?" She touched her stomach in habit.
Puck nodded, "They're beautiful. Luna looks like me and Rob looks just like you."
She hit him in the arm," Stupid. Made me get all worried like that." She laughed, "I could
go on TV for Weight Watchers." She lifted the sheet up and said in a tiny voice, "I used to be this big," she lowered it, "Look at me now. Ouch" Abby lifted her shirt up to see the hundreds of stitches that lined her stomach, "Oooo, that's going to leave a mark."
Puck smiled, "Nah, once the stitches come off I'll heal it."
Abby patted Puck's cheek, "Thanks Sweetie."
Puck lifted the sheet and wrapped his arms around Abby. They just laid there holding each other, "You know we haven't done this in months."
Puck smiled, "I know. It feels good to be able to feel you hold me again without the bowling ball." She laughed. Abby noticed that Puck wasn't laughing and she looked to see that he was asleep. They slept.
3 weeks later............
Angela was cooing at the little babies, "Angela you are going to spoil the wee babe. Let me
see them." Angela handed Luna to Hudson. "Och, you are a cute one, aren't yee?"
Bronx was laying next to the blanket on the floor, where Robin was laying. Robin was trying to reach Bronx. Zoe and Brook turned Robin's attention towards them by making funny sounds.
Zoe awed at the baby, "Look at him," Zoe nudged Brook, "This could be us one day."
Brook just looked at Zoe, "Not yet, please." Lex was playing with Alex in the background.
Alex didn't mind the new arrivals as much as everyone feared he would. "Lex, can I hold the babies?"
Lex shook his head, "Wait until later."
Alex hugged Lex, "You can still hold me, right?"
Lex swung Alex around, "Anytime Alex."
Goliath and Elisa were standing over Hudson. Elisa was tickling Luna's foot. Luna did smile but it was obvious that she was going to be very shy by the way she hide her face.
Puck and Abby came into the room. Abby was back to her 6-pack stomach with Puck's help.
Both Luna and Robin began to squirm and smile frantically when they saw their parents. Abby picked up Rob and Puck took Luna from Hudson.
Xanatos who had been sitting with Fox on the couch spoke, "So, Puck. How does it feel to be a daddy?"
Puck shrugged, "Good." He looked at Luna who was giving him a look that said, "It better be." Puck felt a tug at his tunic. He looked to see Alex, "can I hold her?"
Puck smiled, "Sure. Come sit on the couch." Alex sat and Puck put Luna into his arms. She squirmed alittle but finally decided that she liked Alex's touch. She touched his chin. Alex jerked alittle but shook his head, "No. I'm Alex."
Puck and the others looked at Alex, "Who are you talking to Alex?, "Fox asked.
Alex looked confused, "You can't hear her. Luna was talking to me." Luna turned her head to
look at everyone around her. He gave them a huge grin - trickster's grin.
Puck laughed, "I think we have the next trickster among us."
Abby nodded, "I can hear them but I didn't think anyone else could."
Puck agreed, "I didn't until They touched me like Luna did Alex."
Elisa laughed, "That must be a blessing. You'll never have to ask yourself what the babies are fussing over."
Abby nodded, "Well I think these two have had enough excitement for today. Puck help me put them to bed."
"Sure." He took Luna from Alex. They were looking at each other fondly as a family does to each other. Xanatos nudged Puck, "We better watch those two. Could be trouble later on" Puck smiled. "Not *my* daughter."
Everyone went their separate ways for the night. Abby had just shut the door to the nursery when Puck grabbed her from behind. She jumped but whispered, "Don't do that."
"I love you."
She turned to face him, "I love you too."
"What do you want to do tonight?"
Abby yawned, "Well, I could try to beat the shit out of you now, or..."
Puck looked at her curiously, "or..."
Abby rested her head on his shoulders, "Or you could carry me off to bed to sleep in a very soft bed."
Puck picked up Abby in his arms, "I'll take door number two."
Abby kissed his neck a couple of time playfully, "Good choice."
*Luna?* Robin called to his twin through their special powers.
*What?* Luna was annoyed. She had almost gotten to sleep.
*Should we tell them about our other 'skills?'*
Luna took a deep breath, *Later. I don't think they are ready for it yet. Let them just be happy with our ability to talk to everyone through their minds.*
Robin mentally shrugged, *Ok. But I want to be there when you do something.*
Luna yawned, *Same goes for you, brother.*
The twins turned off their connection and went to sleep. The moon shed her light over the twins in a protective manner.