This is the last chapter, so savor every word! Dont own Ice Age characters!

Chapter 13:

Diego's claws rapped a smooth rhythm on the rock. Once, twice. Then he'd glance to the same cave opening up ahead. Darn that cave, small enough to be easy it get in and out of, but deep enough so that you couldn't see inside. Diego returned to tapping his claws, an anxious look about him. He laid down, placing his head on his arm in an attempt to keep his claws from drumming in anticipation. Natalie had been pregnant for the past three months and now Ellie was coaching her though it.

At the thought of Natalie, his claws acted on their own and strummed against the dirt. Diego gave a frustrated growl and stood up, deciding to pace, hoping that would help his thoughts. He stopped for a moment when he heard Manny chuckling behind him.

"What?" Diego asked harshly.

"Nerve racking, huh?" Manny said, knowing what Diego was going through all too well.

"Understatement…" Diego mumbled. Manny laughed again.

"It'll be okay, don't stress over it." Many soothed, trying to comfort his distraught friend.

"Yea, that's what we told you and your baby was born in a dino-topia," Diego retorted.

"Maybe, but your mate is INSIDE the cave not walking around waiting to shout the name of some random fruit."

Diego half smiled at the memory as Ellie practically ordered a fruit cocktail before Peaches was born.

"But you only had one, I could have anywhere from one to six. Explain that one to me."

"Diego, stop being so pessimistic. It'll be okay. Natalie's a strong girl, that's one of the reasons why you love her so much. Just calm down."

"Okay…" Diego said. "But if Sid tries to touch my kids, I will eat him."

"Ha! I know I won't stop you."

"Good, because if my kid's involved, you wouldn't stand a chance."

"No argument there, I'm in the same boat."

Diego sat down, his conversation with Manny finally soothing his thoughts.

"Hey Diego! Come on!" Ellie called. Diego's nerves shot up like hot wires as Ellie called him. He trotted over to the cave, careful to make as little noise as possible as so not to disturb the babies. He was just at the entrance of the cave and he heard yelps so soft they couldn't possibly be a saber's. But as he drew closer he saw that they were coming from saber's. Two saber cubs so perfect it seemed like a dream. Natalie looked up from the cubs and smiled at him, her eyes tired yet proud.

"We did it," she told him as he laid down in a half circle, matching the way Natalie was laying on the other side of the cubs.

"Yea… they're amazing," He smiled as he told her.

"They are. What do you want to name them?" She asked him.

"Uhm… what do you think about Jessie?" Diego suggested. Natalie's face scrunched up at the thought of naming her cub that.

"Okay, okay… Victoria?" Natalie looked down at the female. Her fur was auburn and her nose was a soft pink. She squeaked softly as she rustled around, searching for her food.

"I like that." She told him finally.

"Okay… now for the boy…" Diego pondered a name for the blonde male that stretched, a yelp slipping from its mouth.

"How about… Connor?" Natalie suggested.

"Sounds good."

"Okay so the girl is Victoria and the boy is Connor…" Natalie said. Diego nodded.

"Now our family is complete." Diego said happily.

"Our family…" Natalie said wistfully. Yes it was complete, perfect even. Natalie had been through all sorts of crap in her life, but sitting in that dimly lit cave she saw what it had prepared her for. A life with Diego and a family that would always be there. Looking at Diego as he gazed at her, she felt so happy, and glad that Damien had done what he had to her. If he hadn't been such a jerk, she never would have found Diego. She sighed blissfully and closed her eyes, the cubs feeding and Diego's presence like a wave of serenity.

Their lives were perfect now, forever.

Volia! (Psssstt! Might be a Forever2! Be looking out!) R&R!