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Quill leaned back into the sofa cushions, grinning as his wife leaned back into him in turn. Gamora sighed softly and closed her eyes. She smoothed her hands over her round belly. The father-to-be placed a gentle hand on her bump to feel the twins moving inside. Gamora looked like she had swallowed a moon. They hadn't made it this far with the first pregnancy, but now their little ones were thriving, ready to enter the world at any moment.
The Guardians were temporarily stationed on Earth, awaiting the new arrivals. While the expecting couple were anxiously biding their time in a hotel room, the rest of the crew was treating their stop on the planet like a vacation. Drax and Mantis were spending every day window shopping and being amazed by every random object they saw. Sam and Ava had taken the opportunity to reunite with their Earth friends. Groot and Rocket were off "reconnecting with nature," whatever the hell that meant (probably stealing from random people in Central Park). Everyone was on standby for the big moment.
Since the knowledge of Gamora's species was extremely limited, Banner and McCoy had only been able to approximate her due date within the window of a week. The pregnancy had lasted a little under ten months, surprisingly enough, at least to Quill. His wife was more than ready to pop, now. The twins were fully developed and healthy. They'd made quadruply sure, enlisting the help of the blind lawyer and even the hot, blonde telepath. Both babies had steady heartbeats and tiny, pointy ears. They would be ready to face the galaxy when the time came.
Quill couldn't help but wonder if Yondu, wherever his soul was now, knew his ward was naming his first born son after him. He wondered what the old codger would think, if he would be proud, if he would have some jaded, fatherly wisdom to pass onto his abducted son. He wondered if Yondu had been there to witness his wedding, in spirit or astral projection or some other, nonsensical form. It had only been the Guardians, no one else, on their own ship, with no one there to properly officiate it. Gamora wore his ring like a trophy, anyway. Quill found himself missing his mentor's guiding hand during their worst moments.
"Soon," Gamora said, her tone as even as ever, breaking the man out of his thoughts. "Very soon."
"How soon is very soon?" He tried to stick to his usual humor, but he couldn't keep the quiver out of his voice. He didn't think he would ever actually be ready. His wife paused to consider the question.
"Tonight, perhaps. If the guests of honor decide to be timely."
That line pulled a genuine chuckle out of the man. Little Yondu and Andromeda pushed vigorously against his hand. They were both coming, whether or not their parents were ready for them. Quill took a steadying breath and braced himself for the inevitable.