Chapter 12

"You can't catch me Daddy!" A young red monkey with yellow spots gleefully cried as he ran around a corner.

A larger red monkey followed in close pursuit. "That's what you think, Elio!" With lightning-fast reflexes the larger red monkey scooped the little one up into his arms, both laughing. "Ha ha, I've got you!"

"Awww, I guess you're too fast for me," Elio said while laughing so hard his sides were starting to hurt.

"I guess so, buddy. But don't worry, pretty soon you'll be able to outrun your old man. Now, I think your mo– "

"There you are Elio," a vibrant yellow female monkey had just appeared, a little out of breath. "Come here squirt; it's bedtime," Nova said as she reached for her four-year old son.

"Awwww, okay Mommy," he reluctantly conceded, compliantly falling into his mother's arms.

"Why don't you go and get washed up, Daddy and I will be in your room a minute to tuck you in," Nova told her son, setting him down and watching him rush off. As soon as she saw him turn a corner and depart from view, Nova turned to her red-furred mate. She walked up to him, placed her hands on the white hair on his chest, and gave him a kiss on the lips. Sprx eagerly returned the sentiment and pulled Nova in to a tight embrace. They both had to catch their breaths after breaking their kiss, during which time Nova had relaxed her head on Sprx's brawn chest and inhaled his aroma. She enjoyed their hug for a few more seconds before pushing away from Sprx and looked him in the eye with a serious, but calm look on her face.

"What is it Sweetie?"

"Well, I was thinking, it's been wonderful, these past four years: not much Skeleton King or other evil-doer business, the team has really pulled together since Mandarin's gone, and oh yeah, I almost forgot, we finally get to be together… for everyone to see."

Sprx chuckled as Nova's words brought him into reminiscing as well. "Yeah, it has been great, I have been happier since the old, orange tyrant left, heck, I think everyone has! I love watching Elio grow up; he's getting so big! Words can't express how much I love you." Sprx wrapped his arms around Nova's waist and pulled her toward him into an embrace similar to the one they had shared moments earlier.

Nova couldn't help but giggle. "I love you too, Sparky," the name had really grown on Sprx, but only Nova was allowed to him that, "and I'm happy that you're happy with everything we have going for us right now. But…" she paused, not quite sure how to continue, "but what if things changed a little?"

Sprx grabbed Nova by the shoulders and moved her so she was face-to-face with him. He had a quizzical look about him, "what do you mean Novs? Is everything alright? Are you okay?" Worry was quickly overtaking him.

"Calm down Sprx, everything is fine, and so am I. Actually, I'm better than okay." Nova said beaming.

"Will you please tell me what's going on Babe? I'm about to go nuts here!"

Nova took a deep breath. "Sprx, I'm pregnant!" Sprx just stared at his mate. He finally reacted a few seconds later and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss." The moment seemed to last forever, and neither of them would have had it any other way.

"Bleeecccchhh! Get a room you guys!" Nova and Sprx parted to see their son looking at them with a look of horror and disgust on his little face. Sprx starting chuckling at Elio's reaction, while Nova bent down to pick him up.

"Come on, let's get you to bed. Daddy and I have a surprise for you."

"Oooooh, what is it? What is it?" He asked excitedly.

"We'll tell you when we get to your room." Nova and Sprx carried their son to his room, where they would tell him their surprise that would change their lives yet again.