Work Text:
GOBO:
Gobo strummed the strings of his guitar, gazing up at Wembley's empty bunk, and feeling the hole in his heart carve itself a little deeper. Today was Boober and Wembley's one year marriage anniversary, and the celebrations had tugged on a certain heartstring.
When Wembley moved out, Gobo quickly found himself feeling lonely. Sure, he saw his brother and all his friends every day, but it wasn't the same. The cave was quiet, and it felt a little colder. He wasn't embarrassed about it, but he hated bringing it up to other fraggles. Most fraggles were well meaning and sweet, but they were a species who loved love. Whenever he mentioned he was lonely to anybody, their only response was 'Why don't you just get married'?
It made Gobo frustrated. He had been open about his lack of any romantic and sexual interest for years, and forcing himself to date somebody wasn't the answer to his loniness. He didn't want a partner. He wanted a family...he wanted a child.
Not a son, or a daughter. He didn't want to be a parent. He would often chuckle to himself over that. He just wanted to be an Uncle. Like his Uncle Matt, and his Uncle Gobo before him. He wanted to teach somebody how to explore. Show them all the maps that had been passed through the family, and take them on countless adventures.
He wasn't sure if it was a smart idea...would he even be up to the task? Sure, he was brave and strong and all that crap, but he wasn't too good at domestic stuff. Maybe he could ask his friends.
"I think I want a kid."
The breakfast table went quiet.
"...What the hell is wrong with you?" "Red!" Mokey snapped. "Apologies, Gobo. Where did these thoughts come from?" "I was thinking about it last night. I want a kid, y'know? Wemb, you and Boobs have had these feelings before, right? During the whole...were-fraggle thing."
Wembley didn't respond for a moment, but shook himself out of this thoughts and nodded. "Y-Yeah! We just...h-have to be sure we're ready! And we have to baby-proof the cave, and all of that stuff! B-But go for it, if you want to! You'd be a great dad!"
"Uncle." Gobo corrected. "Right, sorry! Uncle!"
"Now, Gobo...I'm as supportive as anyone else, but I am a little worried about you...Your great uncle Gobo wasn't exactly...a nice man, and Uncle Matt wasn't the best gardian, even if he is very nice. Are you sure you're...um...Let's say...ready to raise a fraggling?"
"I don't know. That's why I'm struggling. I mean, I love Uncle Matt, but he was never the best listener. I don't want to mess somebody else up."
"Gobo, there's no way in a million days you'd mess a kid up." "Huh?" Gobo looked up at Red, who was tapping her paw on the table and frowning. "You're so damn stubborn! You'd just raise a second you!" "You think so?" "And you'd be sooooo good at it!" She ranted, ignoring everything her friend was saying. "You're a good leader, and I hate it! But you're good with kids, and you don't give yourself enough credit for it! You basically raised Wembley! You couldn't do anything about his Wembley-ness, but just use him as an example! Don't be an idiot and give up! You idiot!"
"Aw, Red. That's...surprisingly nice. I don't think it needed all the insults, but I appreciate the thoughts.
Boober refilled Gobo's teacup. "Red's words are...harsh, but she makes a good point. You've got generations of examples, you know what not to do. And you are rather stubborn...you'd be a good gardian. A-And we'd be there. If you ever need babysitting, or help around the cave...we're your family. Now eat your quice, I worked hard on it."
Gobo laughed. "Thanks, Boobs. You'd be a pretty good parents, too. You and Wemb should just bite the radish already." "Not yet...w-we're not ready...Um...M-More tea, anyone?"
A few weeks later, after thinking and pacing around the cave for a few days, Gobo took his guitar to The Cave Of Beginnings, where all the fraggling eggs formed in the mud. He strummed the strings and hummed a little, beginning to grow uncharacteristically nervous.
But he had a job to do. He had an egg to find.
"Show me my future, show me my past, I'm walkin' through this special place, familiar and vast. I promise to take care of them, no matter who they are. They would be my family, my single, shining star..."
A single egg a few feet away lit up. It was a pale orange with brown speckles, and holding it filled Gobo with emotions he hadn't felt since he was a kid, and spent his time watching Wembley grow up. He gently picked up the egg, wiped away some of the mud, and began the journey back home.
~~~
"Oh, what a cute egg!" "Pretty big. Gonna be taller than you, soon enough." "Not funny." "Pretty funny." "Are you sure the egg is warm enough? I-I've heard that if the egg gets too cold, t-the baby could get really sick!" "I think they'll be ok, Boober. They've got three blankets." "Have you told anyone else yet?" "No, just you guys. Should I tell other people?" "Pogey, Lou and Tosh will want to hear! C-Cotterpin too! You know, j-just our friends!" "I'll tell them later. I'm still a bit nervous about everything. I really want this, but I'm worried I'll end up regretting it. A-Am I moving too fast?"
"No, No...I think it's natural to have doubts about a big choice like this! Personally, I'd be worried if you didn't! You're going to be a wonderful uncle, I just know it! Come here, let me hug you." Mokey wrapped Gobo in her cardigan, and the rest of the family joined the hug soon after.
"So...does this mean no more adventures for a while?" "Seems like it. Sorry, Wemb." "T-That's ok! I-I think fragglings are more exciting anyway!"
Gobo took very good care of the egg. More care than he had ever put into anything else before. It never left his sight, not even for a second. Every night, the egg would get a bath, and he would fall asleep with it wrapped in his arms. Fraggles were much like birds in that way, keeping their eggs close and warm. It was hard to tell when a fraggling was going to hatch. Sometimes they would kick themselves out, sometimes the shell would just crumble and fall away. It wasn't uncommon to eat stories of a fraggling that ate away at the egg.
"What if it's a boy?" "Matt." "And what if it's a girl?" "Matilda." "Those names suck!" "You suck. I'm honouring my Uncle." "Honor somebody interesting!" "Red, I'm gonna come over there and beat the snot outta you!"
"Both of you, shush! Gobo, I think those are lovely names." "Thanks, Mokes."
"It's a very pretty pattern..." Boober mumbled, rubbing the shell. "They're going to be very cute." "Oh, you think all fragglings are cute." "A-All fragglings are cute! B-But that doesn't matter right now...H-Have you baby-proofed the cave? I-I haven't noticed any changes." "I've covered all the sharp edges, I've got a baby gate and a crib. I've got all my dangerous and fragile stuff out of reach. Boober, everything will be ok. Don't worry your pretty lil' head about it, ok?"
"I-I...alright."
Gobo picked up the egg and wrapped it in another blanket.
"It's already been a whole 30 days...Aren't fragglings supposed to hatch by now? Am I doing something wrong?" "Patience, dear Gobo. It could happen at any time, you must be patient. Would you like to be left alone with them?" "...Nah. I feel better if you guys are here. I-I don't wanna feel lonely." "Lonely? Gobo, you see us everyday!" "I know, I know. But now that Wembley's moved out, I-I've been alone more often. It's, um...one of the reasons I wanted to have a kid. I missed having somebody to teach."
Wembley gasped, covering his mouth with his paws. "Gobiiiiee..." He whined, rushing to hug his brother. "Y-You don't need to feel lonely! I'm only a minute away!" "I know, I know. But...It's different. I miss you all the time. The cave feels empty. There's nobody around to hear my songs...but I feel like this is another big step in my life. I'm ready for it." "Y-You should be! Yo-You're going to great! A-And I can't wait to be an uncle, t-too!"
Gobo rubbed Wembley's back, and kissed him on the head. "Love you, bud." "Love you too, Gobie!"
~~~
The egg hatched at 2 in the morning three days later. The sound of the shell cracking was quiet at first, but slowly got louder and louder as little brown limbs began kicking away at the shell. Gobo shot up in bed, throwing his blankets away and rushing to watch the egg hatch.
"C-C'mon, buddy...C'mon, you can do it!"
Pieces of shell flew everywhere, as Gobo watched with stars in his eyes. With one last push, the top of the egg fell off, and the little brown fraggling inside tilted to the side, landing on the bed and kicking their little legs.
"Hi, kiddo..." He whispered, removing the sharp shell pieces and checking under the fur. "I-I've got a nephew..." He whispered.
"Mweeh..." The baby mumbled for a second, before he burst into tears. Gobo scooped him up, shushing and cooing him to calm him down. "Shh, shh...it's ok, buddy. Shh, shh..."
As he rocked and bounced the baby, the crying stopped, and the fraggling looked up at him with big, watery eyes, and a thumb in his mouth.
The curtain to the cave swished open, and Wembley ran in, still in his pajamas. Boober followed close after.
"W-We heard the crying! C-Can...Can I see?"
Gobo nodded, and turned around, holding the baby close to Wembley. "Wooow..."
Red and Mokey rushed in soon after, having been jolted awake from the ruckus.
"Aww, what a cutie!" "He looks slimy." "That's mucus." "Ew!"
Gobo laughed, and showed his nephew to the rest of the family. "Guys...Meet Matt."
"Matt...Oh Gobo, he's beautiful." "Do you want to hold him, Wemb?" "C-Can I?" "Of course. Here, hold your arms out...Support the head, be careful."
Matt squirmed around in Wembley's arms, looking up at him with curious eyes. Wembley sniffled.
"Wemb?" "He's so cuuuuute...Boober, w-we've gotta have a baby soon!"
Boober didn't respond.
Gobo took Matt back, and sat back in his bunk, rocking the fraggling back and forth. "Do you guys wanna stay the night? Just in case?" "If you'll have us." Mokey smiled, holding out her finger for Matt to grab. He wrapped a paw around it and giggled, making Mokey's heart melt and leak out of her eyes.
"Mokes, you're crying." "I-I-I'm just so happy for you..." "Well, be happy for all of us. He's your nephew too. Red, you want to hold him?" "Uuuhh...No? I'm worried I'll drop him." "You won't. I trust you." "...Uuhhh...Ok?" "Come sit."
Red sat on the bed, cringing as Gobo handed her the baby. "Oooh...Oh, he's so squishy. Is that normal?" "Yes." "Really? Wow. I guess he's pretty cute." "You guess?" "I dunno...Maybe I'll get more used to it, but I've never been good around babies." "You're doing great, though. Here, I'll take him back...He should probably get a bath and some food before we go back to bed, huh?"
"I'll get a laundry tub!" Boober rushed out of the room, and Mokey reached into the moss-cooler Gobo had set up for a small bottle of pea milk. "Here we are. Not a very fussy baby, hm?" "I guess not. Well, it's not like I'm complaining."
Boober returned with a full laundry tub and his gentlest soap, as well as a neatly wrapped parcel. "T-This is from me and Wemb...You don't have to open it now." "Aww, you got me a gift?" "Well, I...I made it. And I know Mokey and Red got you one, too."
Gobo unwrapped the package. Inside, was a set of handmade baby jumpers, with little vegetables sewn on the front. "Oh Boober. They're beautiful." "I picked the fabric!" Webley chimed in. "Thank you both, so much...A-Aw geez, now I'm crying. Guess I'm already a mushy sap, eh?"
Red nudged her friend. "You were already a mushy sap." "Oi!"
After Matt was fed, clean and dry, he was gently placed in his crib, fast asleep. The fraggle five all stood there, staring down and watching him as he slept.
"He's so cute..." "I know. I can't wait to watch him grow up."
~~~
Matt turned out to be an...interesting baby. When first introducing him to Lou, Tosh and Pogey, he just sat there and stared at them, endlessly curious.
"Hi, cutie!" Tosh squealed, picking him up and holding him up in the air. "Oh, you're a big boy already!" "Careful!" Gobo called out. "He might spit up on you." "Oh. Well then, I'll just keep him down here!"
"He kinda looks like Matt." Lou pointed out. "Same tan fur." "I noticed. It's cute, eh?" "Has he said anything yet?" "Pokey, he's three weeks old." "Oh."
Curious about all the new people surrounding him, Matt look Tosh dead in the eye, and smacked her nose.
"Ow." "Matt!" Gobo scolded, taking his nephew back. "We don't hit people!" "Bah." "Sorry about that, Tosh. He likes to explore and discover things, but he only knows how to engage with things by hitting them." "That's ok! Didn't hurt!" "He hits things?" "Yeah. Not like a tantrum, or anything. He'll just smack stuff with his paws and then forget about it."
"Oh, so like you." "What?" "You've never noticed you do that? When you explore a new cave, you like..." Lou wriggled her fingers as emphasis. "Touch everything." "No I don't!" "Dude."
Pogey and Tosh both laughed. "You totally do!" "Even I noticed it! You run your paws down rock formations and touch every new texture you come across!"
Gobo stared into the void, fascinated by this new fact about himself. "Do I...?" "Ask Wembley and Red. They'll tell you." "I won't be doing that. Here, you wanna hold him?" "Not if he's gonna smack me! Heheh..."
~~~
"Can you say Uncle Gobo?" "Guhh..." "Uncle...Gobo." "Guuh-buh."
"Dear, I think 'uncle' might be too hard for a baby. You might have to accept him calling you dad for a few years." "You think so? Ugh...I wanted to avoid that..."
"Goo-Goo?"
"Hm? What did you just say?" "Goo! Goo-Goo!" "Goo-Goo? See, what do you think of that, Gobie?" Wembley smiled, giving his brother a hug. Gobo didn't respond.
"Gobo? A-Are you ok?" "I'm doing great, Wemb...I'm Goo-Goo now." "Yeah?" Red chuckled, leaning on Gobo's head. "That means the rest of us get to call you that." "Not a chance."
Matt clapped and giggled, reaching out to hug his uncle. "Goo-Goo!" He cheered, scooting forward. Gobo scooped him up, tears running down his cheeks as he bounced his nephew in his arms. "Oh, Matt...You have no idea how happy you make me."
~~~
When Matt was three, he went on his first adventure. A quick trip to the squeaky caverns to get rock soap. He was clipped to a leash, and was holding both Gobo and Boober's paws, as his little legs marched along the ground.
"Where are we going, Unc'a Goo-Goo?" "The Squeaky Caverns, Matty. Uncle Boober's favourite place." "Ooooh...Is it scary? Unc'a Boob, why do you like it?"
Boober blinked, taking a moment to process his new nickname. "Soap." He answered, much to Matt's disappointment. "Soap?" "The things you clean clothes with. You've seen me do laundry, yes?" "Aww, really? But that's booooring!" "Aw, c'mon buddy! We'll make it fun! Right, Boober?" "No." "Boober, come on. For half an hour? Please?" "You can have fifteen minutes." "I'll take it!"
"Good...Matt, I've got a special task for you. Do you like scavenger hunts?" "Yeaaah!" "Good. Can you go find me a rock soap shaped like a radish?" "A radish! Ok!"
He ran into the cave, his leash trailing behind him, and he began searching through piles of rock soap. Gobo shot Boober a weird look. "Really?" "Look at him. He's having so much fun." "I guess so. Thanks. It'll keep him busy, and tire him out."
Boober nodded. "Um...Hey. I've got a question." "Mhm?" "Has Travelling Matt met him yet?" "Uhhh...N-No. Not yet." "You should tell him he has to come over. He knows he exists, right?" "...Not exactly. It's just...Uncle Matt is hard to get into contact with. He's all around Outer Space, I can't just send him a postcard back! He visits when he pleases, but he never tells me when! So...I dunno. I just don't know what to do."
"Well, you're Gobo. You're you. You'll figure something out."
Gobo shrugged. "I dunno. Probably."
~~~
"Gobo! Gobo, GoboGoboGoboGobo-AAAH!"
Wembley fell down the stairs and smacked his face on the floor.
"Hiya, Wemb." "Euugh...Gobo! U-Uncle Matt's here!" "Is he? Aw, geez...I guess it's time to face the music, huh? Is he on his way?" "Y-Yeah! I asked Mokey and Red to stall him, b-but that won't last long!" "Wembley, calm down. It's ok. Go get him, I want him to meet Matty."
"O-Ok...Ok! I'll be right back!"
Wembley left, and Gobo got out of bed, and shook his nephew awake. "Hey. Hey buddy. Wake up, we've got a visitor." "Huh...?" "You wanna meet your Uncle Matt?" "Who?" "Somebody very important to me. C'mon, up and at 'em."
Matt groaned, and rubbed his eyes. "But I'm sleepy..." "I know. But this is really important, ok?" "Ok..."
"Nephew Gobo? Are you in here?" "Uncle Matt!"
Gobo rushed to give his uncle a hug. "You're finally back! I missed you!" "I missed you too, my boy! Now, I heard you had a surprise for me?" "I do. Matty, c'mere. Come meet Uncle Matt."
Nervously, Matt crawled off his bed, and waddled over to his uncles.
"H-Hi..." He mumbled, hiding behind Gobo. Travelling Matt got down on one knee to get a closer look at him.
"...Who is this. Why do you have a baby." "Uncle Matt, this is your Great Nephew. Matt. I named him after you." "A great nephew!? Named after me!?" "Yeah. He's um...he's about three." "Three!?" "You haven't visited in forever! And you're not exactly easy to reach!" "No, I suppose not...You named him after me, then?" "Yeah. Matty, it's ok. C'mon out, he's not scary."
Matty waddled out from behind his Uncle's leg, and looked up at the strange man in front of him.
"Hi. I-I'm Matt. I'm three years and three months. I live with my Unc'a Gobo in a cave to the west of the great hall, and I like banana pudding." "Fascinating!" "Unc'a Gobo said you're an explorer, j-just like him. Can you tell me about Outer Space?" "Of course! Here, I'll show you one of the many treasures I've brought back for my museum!"
Matt pulled a tube of mascara from his backpack. "This is special device silly creatures use to make their eyesight better! It doesn't seem to work on fraggles, however." "Cooool! Can I hold it?" "Yes, but be careful! It leaves mysterious black stains!" "Woah!"
Gobo smiled, looking at his nephew and his uncle. He felt so proud...He was so happy with the decision he made three years ago.
~~~
MOKEY AND RED:
"You're so pretty. You're so beautiful. You're the most precious being on earth. I love you so much..."
"Ahem."
Mokey looked over at the door, much to Landford's annoyance. He wanted more compliments. "Red!" Mokey cheered, running to hug her wife. "You're home!" "You bet I am! Now it's my turn to be smothered!" "Aww, hehe! Of course, beloved! So, how was work?" "Fine, fine. Hey, look...Mokes, I wanna talk." "Talk? Oh dear, did I do something wrong?" "No. Look, I...I was with Gobo and Matt earlier." "Yes? Did you have a good time?"
"It was pretty good yeah. And it just...it got me thinking. Do you think I would be a good mom?" "Oh! Well, of course you would!" "Really?" "Yes! You'd be so thoughtful and caring. Determined, and you would be able to discipline them when I couldn't!" Mokey giggled. Red just stared.
"Ok. I've made up my mind. I want a kid." "Hehe...! Wait, what?" "Me. You. Egg. Baby, child, whatever. You wanted to be a mom the second you saw Matt for the first time. Well, I've caught up. I want us to have a kid."
Mokey placed a paw to her heart and sighed. "My love...I knew this day would come! It was foreseen in the stars!" "Yeah? What did the stars say?" "That one day, a day very soon, two madly in love fraggles would make an important decision that would change their lives forever!" "How can you be sure it was about us?" "I can't. That's the fun part! Red, I would love to have a baby with you...We'll go tomorrow!" "Tomorrow? Isn't that a bit soon? We've gotta get baby stuff first." "Matt outgrew his crib five years ago. We'll ask Gobo to borrow it. And we'll gather the rest of the things while we wait for the egg to hatch."
"Wow. You've really thought this through." "Mhm. I'm so happy..." "Me too. Should we tell the others?" "Tonight at dinner. It'll be a big surprise!"
That night at dinner, as Boober poured a serving of stew into everyone's bowls, Mokey stood up and tapped her spoon against the table.
"My loves, we have an announcement to make! Me and Red have decided...we're going to have a baby!"
Wembley choked on his tea. "You are!?" "We had the conversation earlier! We have to The Cave Of Beginnings tomorrow!" "Oh, Mokey..." Boober whispered, getting up and rushing to hug his sister. "I can't believe it..." "Boo-Bear, you don't have to be sad!" "Who said I was sad? I'm so happy for you." "Aw, sweetie. Thank you."
Gobo nudged his newphew. "Auntie Red and Auntie Mokey are gonna have a baby. Do you know what that means, buddy?" "...Cousin?" "You get a cousin to play with!" "Woooahh. Cool! When?" "Well, it'll probably take a few weeks for the egg to hatch. So it'll be a while." "Oh."
Red reached over, squeezing Mokey's paw. "Darling? Is everything alright?" "Yeah. Just wanted to hold your hand. I love you." "Aww! I love you too! I'm very excited for us!" "Yeah. Yeah, me too."
~~~
The next morning, Red and Mokey made the trip to The Cave Of Beginnings, with linked arms and big smiles. Mokey held up her flute, and played a few practice notes. "If I play my flute, will you sing?" "Me? I...I guess, sure." "Thank you, love."
Mokey started to play, and Red nervously started to sing.
"Walking down the path, walking down the dell, the future holds a new surprise, hidden by a shell. The journey won't be easy, but we're ready to start, I...I, uh..." "We promise to raise them well, and love them with all our hearts." "Thanks." "Of course!"
Mokey leaned down to give Red a kiss, but she was interrupting by a chime sound. A nearby egg had started to glow. It was a pale pink with yellow speckles, and it was decently big.
"Look at that...Oh, they're going to be so beautiful." Mokey picked up the egg and gave it a kiss. "Ew, Mokey! It's covered in dirt!" "I don't care. Let's go home."
Once the duo had returned home, they discovered Matt's old crib sitting in the corner, as well as two neatly wrapped parcels. "Ah. It seems our friends left us gifts."
Red bit her bottom lip, trying to hold back tears. "Hehe...gross, those dumb saps?" "Beloved, are you alright?" "I'm fine!" She snapped, pulling her pigtails to cover her eyes.
"Oh, baby..." Mokey gently set the egg in the crib and wrapped her cardigan around her wife. "Dear, you don't need to bury your feelings." "I'm just trying to not be all mushy." "I love it when you're mushy! I think it brings out the best in you. Here, why don't we cuddle up with the egg and discuss names? That'll be fun! Oh, and we can open our gifts!" "Yeah...Yeah, that sounds nice."
The couple got into Red's hammock, the egg snuggled between them, as Mokey opened the gifts. From Boober and Wembley, it was more homemade clothes, this time with little animals. From Gobo, a small collection of toys.
"Look at that. Isn't that sweet of them?" "Yeah...We'll have to thank them later. So, what were you thinking for names?" "Well, if it's a girl..." "Hannah." "Hannah?" "Yeah. Like Rock Hockey Hannah." "Oh! Well, that's a very sweet tribute. And Hannah is a very cute name! And if it's a boy...Landford!" "Nope." "No?! Why!?" "Well, one. The real Lanford is still alive, and is less than two feet away. It would get so confusing so fast. And two, because I said so."
"Oh, alright. What about Cantus?" "Cantus? Yeah. Yeah, that's a good name. I like that...I miss him." "Me too. Goodnight, dear. And goodnight, my baby!" "Heh. Night babe." The two snuggled up, the egg resting in between them, and wrapped in several blankets to warm it up.
~~~
"Can I hold it?" Matt asked, giving his aunt his best puppy eyes. "Sorry, sweetie. But eggs are heavy and delicate. You've got little arms." "Aw..." "You can hold your baby cousin when they're born!" "Yaaay! When will that be?" "We're not sure."
"Hmpf! Fine!" Gobo flicked Matt's nose. "Matty, don't be fussy. Be patient."
As Mokey chatted with Gobo, Boober walked over to see Red, who was protectively holding the egg.
"Are you ok?" "I'm fine, Perfectly fine. Careful, I don't want you to trip. You'd break the egg." "I'm not going to break the egg. You're acting like me, why are you so worried? I thought your phase of impersonating other people was over?" "Shut up! This is my child, I'm just being protective!" "Oh. It's just unusual to see you like this." "You think I don't know that!?" She paused. "Sorry. My bad, I'm...I haven't gotten much sleep. I'm stressed." "I'm sure."
Boober sat next to her. "I think you're very brave. And I know you'll do a great job. I can't wait to see what tiny, feral sports goblin you'll raise."
Red snorted and punched him in the shoulder. "Ow. Don't do that." "You're funny, Boobs. Thanks. You should be a Trash Heap, with all your sagely wisdom and encouragement." "No, I could never. Ugh, so many germs. But...thanks. Red, you're my sister...You're a great aunt. You're gonna be a great mom." "Yeah?" "Yeah. Leave the egg with me for a second. Go talk to Mokey. They'll be safe with me." "You're sure?"
"You can trust me." "I know. Alright, fine. Just...be gentle." "I will."
Red carefully handed Boober the egg, and stood up. She couldn't even get a few steps before she fell asleep.
"Oh dear!" Mokey picked up her wife, and tucked her into her hammock. "Poor thing has been just exhausted these past few days." "Geez. I've never seen her like this." "Are you doing ok?" "Oh, Wembley. Don't worry about me, I'm fine! Red's just...taking things very seriously. And unfortunately, it's at the expense of her own health. I didn't want to bother her about it, because she's already so stressed. But I should start forcing her to go to bed earlier, shouldn't I...?" "Yes." "W-we're all worried about her! If she's not sleeping before the egg hatches, what about when the baby comes? Babies cry!" "I'm not sure. I suppose we'll think of ways to get through it." "We're always here to help, you know!" "I know. I was just trying not to be a bother."
"You're never a bother, Mokes. We're here to help. Right Matt?" "...Huh? Can I hold the baby now?"
Mokey smiled, and hugged Gobo and Wembley. "You two are such sweethearts. I love you." "We love you too, Mokes. Just tell us if you need anything, ok? What about you, have you been sleeping well?" "I've been sleeping just fine. And I'll make sure Red starts sleeping better, starting tonight. But I can't grantee anything. This is very stressful! Gobo, do you have any advice?"
Gobo hummed, thinking for a moment. "Well," He mumbled. "You're the one who helped me when I was stressed about Matt. You don't need my advice, just take your own. This is just a natural step. It's a big deal, but you can handle it. You don't need to push yourselves to your limits, just being yourselves is enough. You're Mokey. You're one of the most caring fraggles I've ever met. And Red's a powerhouse, nothing's gonna break her. You're gonna raise a great fraggling, Mokey. I can't wait to meet them."
"Oh, Gobo...Thank you."
~
"It's been six weeks." "Mhm..." "They should have hatched by now!" "I know, dear. Patience." "But isn't it bad for a fraggling to stay in the egg too long?" "Not necessarily. The shell will eventually crumble away." "I guess so. I'm just sick of waiting!" "I know. So am I. I can't wait to meet them...What do you want them to call you?" "Uhh...Mom?" "Alright. Then what will I be?" "...Also mom?" "Red, we can't both me mom!" "Oh! Uuuhhh...I guess you could be...Mama?" "I'd like that."
Mokey took her wife's paws, and rubbed her paw pads. "I can't wait to raise a baby alongside you. Think of all the adventures we'll go on together. I love you." "I love you too."
*crack*
Both fraggles perked up, and looked over at the egg. It was rocking back and forth from their makeshift blanket nest, getting closer and closer to the edge.
"Oh no."
The egg did a somersault, flipping over and landed on the ground with a smash. A loud cry erupted from the pile of shell.
"Oh goodness!" "Damn it!" Mokey and Red both ran over, picking the shards of shell off of the little wriggling mound. Underneath all of it, was a little fraggling with purple fur and bright red hair.
Once all the shells were gone, the crying stopped. They looked up at their mothers with wide eyes, a thumb in their mouth.
"My gosh..." "Check under the fur." "...It's a girl." "It's a girl! Let's go!" "Hehe!" Mokey picked up her daughter.
"Welcome to the world, Hannah...You're so beautiful." "Mweh." Hannah softly babbled, leaning on her mother's chest and batting at her hair. "Mokey?" "Yes dear?" "We made a cute as hell baby." "We really did. Go get the others, quick! They need to meet her!"
As soon as her wife was gone, Mokey sat on the bed and began rocking her back and forth. "I can't believe you're finally here..." "Bah."
Red was quick to return home, Boober slung over her shoulder, Wembley and Gobo not far behind. "Put me down!" "In a sec! Look at my daughter!"
Mokey stood up, and carried Hannah over to your brother. "Boober, dear. Meet your neice." "Oh my gosh." "Isn't she cute?" "She's," Boober sniffled, holding back tears. "She's the cutest little thing I've ever seen." "Aw, don't cry. Here, do you want to hold her?" "O-Oh, sure."
As soon as Hannah landed in Boober's arms, Wembley wrapped his arms around his husband. "She's beautiful!" "She really is." Gobo commented, holding a wide-eyed Matt. "Can I hold? Pleeease, Auntie Mokey?" "Sorry, buddy." Gobo shook his head. "I think she's too delicate for now. Maybe in a few weeks?"
Matt began to kick his legs, the telltale sign that a tantrum was on the horizon. "Matt. Don't you start." "B-B-But I..." "With that attitude, you'll never hold the baby. Say sorry to your aunts." "...Sorry, Auntie Mokey. Sorry, Auntie Red." "It's alright, sweetie. You can't hold her, but you can look at her!"
Red got on her knees, and showed Matt a squirming Hannah. She looked up at him...and kicked him in the nose. "Ow! She kicked me!" "Oh dear! I'm so sorry Matty. Do you want some ice?" "No...I'm ok." Matt whimpered, holding his nose.
"Well," Gobo chuckled, picking up his nephew. "She's got Red's violence." "Oi!" Red snapped, smacking him on the back on the head. "Ow!"
Mokey sighed, taking Hannah from her wife, and bounced her up and down. "Goodness, Red. Calm down, and come spend time with us!" "Right!"
Red dashed over, pulling her wife into a hug. "I'm gonna stand on my diving rock and yell my feelings to everyone! I've got the hottest wife, and the cutest baby in the entire rock!" "Please don't..."
As Boober and Wembley watched with pride, Gobo nudged his brother with his arm. "You two know what this means, huh? You two are next."
Boober blushed. "Shut it."
~
Hannah was the perfect mix of Mokey and Red. She had Red's love for exciting things, tendency to get easily bored, and need to violently attack things. And she had Mokey's slow, dreamy attitude, appreciation for art, and love for nature. Unfortunately, this all led to her being constantly bored, sleepy and disconnected from reality.
"Hannah, sweetie? Come here." "...Hm?" "Come here. We've got to go pick your mother up from Rock Hockey." Hannah gasped. "Ok!" She leapt off the bed, running into her mothers arms, and rested her head on her shoulder. "What have you been doing in your bed for two hours?" "Thinking." "Thinking? About what?" "Nothing, I guess. The future." "Oh! Very interesting! Why?" "Because the present is so boring." "Oh dear, the present is full of wonder! There's nothing boring about it! Me and your mother here, your uncles are here, your cousin is here..." "I hate Matt." "No you don't." "Yes I do. He's never, ever fun." "Oh, Hannah. You don't mean that...Red! Red, darling! We're over here!"
Red skated over, grabbing her wife by her waist and giving her a passionate kiss. "Hey baby~" She then noticed her daughter, and reached to pick her up. "Heeey, Hannah! How's my lil' puck doing?" "Hi mum. I'm good." "How was your game, sweetie?" "We won by just a few points!"
As Red shed her gear and stuffed it in her bag, the two began the walk home, Hannah now clinging to Red's back.
"Hannah! Hannah!"
Matt ran up to them, skidding to a hand and rocking back and forth as he began to ramble.
"U-Um, Auntie Mokey? Auntie Red? Can Hannah come play? I-I found a super cool place, w-we've just gotta go exploring! And I need a partner!" "Aww, Hi Matt! Well, why don't you ask her? Hannah, would you like to go exploring with Matt."
Hannah turned up her snout. "No." She spat. "Your adventures suck a fat tomato!" "Hannah, language! Just go, alright? It'll be fun?" "Wrong! But fine. Let's go, Matt..." "Yaaay! Bye Aunties!"
Red and Mokey waved goodbye as Matt dragged Hannah down a path away from the Great Hall.
"So, where are we going?" "I found these old maps in my Uncle's adventuring equipment! They look cool, don't they?" Hannah studied the map. "...Yeah, I guess so. Pretty cool. Where does it lead?" "I don't know! That's what the adventure is about!" "No it isn't." "I'm pretty sure it is, Hannah Banana. Let's go!" "...Yaaaaay."
~
"Mama? Mummy? Mummy, are you awake?" "Snnrkk-Huh!? Whos's there!?" "...it's me."
Red looked over the side of the hammock, and sighed when she saw her daughter. "Hi, baby." She whispered, picking her up and placing her in between Mokey and herself. "What's the matter?" "I had a nightmare. And now I don't feel good." "Aw, I hate it when my baby has her nightmares. Want to sleep here tonight?" "Yes please..."
Hannah began to purr as she cuddled up in between her mothers. Subconsciously, Mokey turned over in the hammock, and wrapped an arm around her wife and daughter.
"Better, sweetpea?" "Yeah. I'm comfy. Goodnight." "Goodnight, Hannah. Love you." "Love you too, mum."
~
WEMBLEY AND BOOBER
"Um...Honey? Can we talk?" Boober looked up from his cross-stitch. "Yes? What's wrong, babe?" "Um...L-Look...Matt just turned 11..."
Boober paused. He knew where this was going. "...mhm...?" "An-And I-I don't wanna pressure you into anything! B-But...I really think it's time we...y'know." "Have a baby?" "Y-Yes!"
Wembley sat on the bed and took his husband's paws. "We've waited for so long. A-And I know we're nervous, b-but...The cave is all baby-proofed, a-and I really think it's time! Don't you agree? I-I just..."
Boober put a finger on Wembley's nose. "Babe." He interrupted him. "You can stop there...I agree. I was just too nervous to bring it up. Because I'm so scared." "I know. Me too. B-But we can't just spend our whole lives worring! You're the love of my life, I-I'm ready to take the next step with you!" "Really?" "Uh-Huh!"
"Oh. Oh, Wemb..." Boober grabbed Wembley's shirt collar, pulling him forward and melting into a kiss. Wembley's paws found a place on Boober's hips, as the two rolled back on the bed, caught up in the moment. When they pulled away, Wembley laughed and pressed their noses together.
"Let's go tomorrow! S-So we won't have the chance to wemble!" "Of course. I'd like that."
The next morning, without telling anybody their plan, they made their way to the Cave of Beginnings. They were still clinging to each other, giggling as they looked at all the eggs around them.
"A-Are you ready?" Boober whispered, pulling out his harmonica. "I-I sure am!" "Well, that makes one of us..." "Aw, honey! You don't have anything to be nervous about!" "I-I...I guess so. Alright, let's do this."
Wembley pulled Boober into a waltz, humming before they both started to sing.
"Coming to this special place!" "S-Shake the nerves away..." "We're here to tell each other, everything will be ok!" "And even if w-w-we're still scared, we'll try our very best..." "This is just another step, and just another test!"
"Test? Not much of a test..." "Well, it fit the rhyme. I think it sounded cute!" "I guess so. U-Um...nothing is glowing."
Wembley look around the cave. "Oh no! M-Maybe we didn't sing for long enough!?" "...Or maybe we're just not ready." "Boober, No! W-We're ready, the cave can see that! L-Look, over there!" He pointed to a small egg in the corner of the room. Green with blue speckles.
It was flickering, hardly the bright glow they expected. But Wembley picked up the egg to show his husband.
"This is our baby."
Boober began to well up. "Wemb..." "A cute egg, huh? You wanna hold 'em?" Boober carefully took the egg, and began to caress the shell, the tears still falling down. "Oh, Wembley..." "Yes, Boo?" "...I love you." "I love you too! Come on, we should go home and show the others!"
As they began to walk home, Boober asked his husband a question. "Why weren't they glowing very bright?" "Hmm...I dunno! Maybe it had something to do with the song?" "We can only hope, I guess."
~~~
"When did you get an egg!?" Mokey shouted, shaking her brother by his shoulders. "E-Euugh...E-Earlier this morning..." "And you didn't tell us!?" "...Surprise?" "Oh, Boo-Bear!" She hugged him, picked him up off the ground and spinning around. "I'm so proud of you! Oh, you're going to make a wonderful father!" "Tha-Thanks, Mokey."
"Awfully small for an egg. Are you sure it's fully formed?" "We're sure! Some eggs are just small, y'know?" "I guess." Red mumbled, taking a closer look at the shell.
"Are you having a baby?" Hannah asked, tugging on the hem of Wembley's shirt. "Yes we are, sweetpea! You excited to have a baby cousin around?" "I guess. I hope she's more interesting than Matt." "You don't know that it's a girl, dear." "Yeah I do." Hannah murmured, kicking a rock across the room. "It's a girl. I can tell."
Wembley laughed at his niece's quirky (and slightly morbid) comment, while Matt tried to reach for the egg.
"NO!" Boober cried out, picking up his nephew and dragging him away. "Matt, we do NOT touch eggs!" "I'll be careful!" "No, you will not be! And I say that out of love!"
Matt huffed, crossing his arms and flopping down on the ground, moody about noe being about to touch the egg. "Matt, c'mon." Gobo sighed. "You learned this when Hannah was born, you can't touch eggs. Especially not this one. Looks...fraglile." "All eggs are fragile, idiot."
"No, he's right." Boober wrapped up the egg in a seventh blanket, softly caressing the shell. "T-Their glow was only flickering...And they're so small, I...I'm partly worried they may not hatch." "Oh, Boober..." "And even if they do hatch, w-what if they die? I don't want my baby to die." "Our baby won't die, I promise." "You can't promise me that!" "I-I can, and I will!"
Boober got quiet. He opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out. He leaned against Wembley's shoulder, and silently began to play with the ends of Wembley's mullet.
"Babe?" "I don't have anything to say. I'm overwhelmed. My brain is trying to kill me. I think...I think I want some time alone. W-With you, of course." "You're sure? You're really sure, y-you don't want our family to stay?" "No. I-I love them, but...Now's not a good time."
Mokey nodded, giving her brother a kiss on the head, and picking up a sleepy Hannah. "We'll get out of your hair. Come on, everyone."
Once they were gone, Wembley pulled Boober into a high hug. "Oh, Boo-Boo..." "I'm scared, Wembley." "I know...m-me too..." "What if the baby dies?" "I don't know...w-we try again?" "I might not be ready for that." "Yeah, I...me neither. B-But does that mean we're just...never going to have a baby?"
Boober didn't respond. He just shrugged. Wembley nodded. "Ok. I-I understand. And I respect that." "Wembley, I-I want this as much as you do. But I'm worried about how this will affect us..." "But what if it doesn't affect us? You've only been looking at the negatives! What if the baby lives? What will we do with them?" "I..." "Think of all the cute little clothes you'll be able to make as they grow up! A-And the music we'll play for them! And we'll raise them to be such a good kid, right? You...y-you trust me, right?" "Of course I do...But what about Sidebottom?" "What about him?" "Even if I'm a good parent...W-What if he isn't?" "Sidebottom hardly fronts anyway! You only talk in your dreams, and he knows to take things seriously once in a while! Right? Unless there's something you haven't been telling me?" "No! No secrets! Just...just paranoia." "Ok. Well, I think you just need some self-care! Something to calm you down, something to...make you feel better! Want to go to the Lava Rock tunnels? Get in the hot springs? Oh! O-Or go to the squeaky caverns and get the prettiest rock soap we can find! Ooooh, or go up to the Gorgs Garden later tonight and stargaze?"
"Oh...W-Well, I'd love to do all of those things...but I want to stay here with the baby. That would make be feel better. B-But maybe later." "Are you sure? You look like you're crying!" "I-I am, I'm sorry. It's just," Boober rubbed away the tears. "You know me so well." "Aww, of course I do. I'm your husband, silly!"
"Yeah, I guess you are...I keep forgetting...I have no idea how I ended up with somebody as sweet and caring as you." "Awww, Boo-Boo!"
Wembley leaned in for a kiss, running his paws through his partner's hair. Boober's hair had gotten much longer over the years, and Wembley loved playing with it, braiding it, and touching it whenever he could.
"You won me over by being just as caring. I've never met a fraggle as nice as you! And I can't wait to have a baby with you." "Yeah. Me too."
~~~
The egg hatched three weeks later. Two weeks before the average length of time before a baby began to kick its way out of the shell. But the baby didn't kick. The shell began to rot and crumble, falling to pieces in a matter of minutes. Luckily, Boober and Wembley were awake and home when it happened, but were horrified to see the tiny fraggle wail and scream as she struggled to breath with her underdeveloped lungs. She was barely bigger than a doozer.
"Oh my stars..." Was all Wembley could mumbled before Boober was launched into a panic attack, grabbing a bag of medical supplies and trying to save his child's life.
"W-What can I do!?" Wembley asked, equally panicked. "Go get the others! Leave me with...with her! I've got this!"
"Her...her...We have a daughter!" "Wembley, GO!" "AH! Right!"
As Wembley ran out of the cave, Boober picked up his daughter, and gave her a windy moss mask, something Boober and Wembley both used to get oxygen when they had panic attacks. It was a sort of oxygen masks, that the silly creatures upstairs called a 'sleep apnea machine'.
"Shh, shh..." He gently shushed her, softly rubbing her head as her gasping slowed, and the crying stopped.
Wembley ran back into the cave, Mokey, Red and Gobo not far behind.
"Where is she!?" "She's right here...she's stable, b-but she was struggling to breathe...and look at her, she's so tiny." "Oh goodness."
Gobo put a paw on Wembley's shoulder. "Wemb, I'm sorry." "Don't be sorry. S-She's still alive! She's gonna live, right Boober?" "She's getting better...But she was born so early. She might get worse as she grows up." "Well, that's...that's ok. You know how to deal with that better than anybody, right?" "...I just didn't want my baby to suffer like I did."
"Of course not...But she's going to live a long and happy life. Because of you."
Boober lifted the moss mask away, and his daughter took a big, deep breath. She coughed a little, and Boober put the mask back on. "She'll have to wear this until she can breathe on her own. And who knows how long that will take?"
Wembley put an arm around Boober's waist, cuddling up to his husband. "B-But she's cute, huh?" "The cutest..."
"So what's her name?" "Oh! Umm...W-Well, I...I kept wembling on name ideas. So Boober came up with one, b-but he wanted it to be a surprise! Uhh...So babe? What is it?"
"Mokey." "Yes?" "Her name is Mokey."
Mokey gasped. "I-It's...it's what?" "I'm naming her Mokey. After the most important person in my life. We can call her Momo for short." "Oh, Boo-Bear..." "She's gonna grow up and know she's named after the rock's greatest dreamer. And the universe's greatest aunt." "I'm honored. I-I don't even know what to say." "You don't have to say anything. I-I just hope you don't mind." "Of course I don't! Thank you, dear..."
Boober smiled for a moment, but turned back to Momo, placing a paw on her stomach to feel the rise and fall of her breathing. "She'll be ok...we can only hope."
~
Momo stayed in bed for the first three weeks of her life, with constant care, medicine, and attention from her parents. She would rest against Boober's chest, taking small sips of milk before she would begin to cough, and needed the moss mask attached to her face. She would take medicine, sleep for a while, and then wake up sobbing her little heart out.
When it was time for her to go to bed, Boober would put her in the crib, and watch her. All night.
"Babe, please...come to bed." "I can't. She needs me to watch her..." "She'll be ok! S-She'll wake us up if she needs us!" "What if she doesn't wake up?" "Boo-Boo...You haven't slept in days." "I'm ok." "Are you sure?" "Yes. You get a good night's sleep, I'll...I'll stay here." "But you sound so tired." "I'll be ok."
Wembley frowned. "No!" He snapped. "Y-You're gonna come here, and go to bed! And you're gonna sleep, and you're gonna like it! And in the morning, you're gonna have something to eat!"
"...What?" "Get over here, please! I'm worried about you!" "Wembley, please. She's sick." "And so are you! Please, I-I just...You don't have a great immune system either. Come to bed. Please."
Boober sighed, and turned around, giving Momo a kiss on the head. "Goodnight, dear..." He wanted over to the bed, and Wembley pulled him into a hug. "Just go to sleep, ok? I love you..."
"I love you too. I'm sorry." "Don't be sorry. Just go to sleep. I want my Boo-Boo to be happy and healthy." "I understand. Goodnight." "Goodnight."
All three of them slept through the entire night.
~
As she grew up, it was very obvious Momo had health issues. She needed the carry around an inhaler, given to her by the silly creatures. She got sick very easily, and had inherited Boober's paranoia about death and illness. But shocking, she didn't have his germophobia, as she loved animals and bugs, big and small. But she loved her parents more than anything else, and would rather spend time with them over any fraggles her age, doing laundry with her papa or exploring caves and singing with her dad and uncle.
She walked with a limp, and spoke with a heavy lisp, often skipping her t's and r's, and would often sing rather than talk. She was very excited when she met Junior Gorg for the first time, loudly screaming. "You'we jus' like me!"
She always carried around a stuffed Toe-Tickler, given to her by her Aunt Mokey. And she reaaallly loved her Aunt Mokey. Mokey would call her 'little beetle', and often showed her with love and affection when Hannah (who was going through an emo phase), would pull away. Unfortunatley for Hannah, rejecting her mother's affection would get her a flick on the ear from her mom.
And she was bad at making decicions, just like Wembley. She would often stare off into space when faced with a choice, staying silent until somebody made the choice for her. As a nickname, her Uncle Gobo had coined the term 'Moebing'.
On a sleepy afternoon, while Boober cooked dinner, Momo sleepily curled up on the bench of the table, playing with a little bug she found on the ground.
"Bee'le bug, bee'le bug...Sweet little bee'le bug. Shiny like a ma'ble, blue like da sky..." "What are you singing over there, Pumpkin Bread?" "A song. A song 'boua bee'le bug." "Oh. Well, you can sing later. Can you come help me with dinner?" "Ok!"
She put the beetle back on the ground, and ran up to her little step stool. "Here. Wash your hands, and then knead this dough for me, dear?" "Yes, papa!"
As she scrubbed her hands and smacked the dough with her clean paws, beginning another song. "Smack, smack, smack. Makin' b'ead wih my papa. He's makin' soup. He likes soup. Always makin' soup." "Momo." "Yeeeess?" "That's a very nice song." "I know." "You're going to grow up to be the greatest singer the rock has ever seen." "I am?" "Mhm. Your father thinks so, too." "Buh you don' like singin'!" "I like it when it's my baby."
He gave her a kiss on the nose, and she squealed. "Not my widdle gween nose!" "Hehe."
As she reached up to smack Boober's snount as revenge, Wembley ran into the kitchen.
"Boo-Boo!" "Wemb? AH!"
Wembley lifted Boober off the ground, giving him a kiss and spinning them both in a circle. "Y-You never believe where we were!" "I probably won't. Where where you?" "The amethyst alcove! And I brought you this!"
He held up a geode, full of little purple crystals. "Do you like it?" "It's very pretty. Thank you." Boober gave his husband a kiss, but it was interrupted by Momo tugging on Wembley's tail. "My 'urn, my 'urn! Up!" "There's my little firebug!"
Wembley put Boober down, and picked up his daughter, ruffling her hair. "I missed my baby while I was out! Have you been well behaved?" "Uh-huh!" "Good! Are you helping papa with dinner?" "Yes! I'm doin' a gweat job!" "She is. She's such a good girl."
Momo giggled, kicking her legs and wrapping her arms around her dad's neck. "I missed you all day, papa..." "Do you want to come on the next adventure? I think you're old enough!"
"NO!" Boober cried, yanking on his hair. "She's far too young! She can't walk for that long, and all those germs!" But as Boober panicked, Momo began to clap and sing. "Goin' on adven'uwe! Jus' like my daddy!" "Aw, Boober...She's so excited! You can come too!" "Absolutely not. And Momo will be staying at home with me, she's too young, and too fragile."
"Aww..." Momo frowned, giving her papa puppy eyes. "...Mokey, I've married to your father for over a decade. I'm immune to puppy eyes by now." "Aw, phooey..."
As Momo sulked, Matt and Hannah ran into the kitchen, tripping over each other.
"Uncle Boober, Uncle Wembley!" Matt scrambled to his feet. "Can we borrow Momo? We're gonna go play hockey, and we need a puck!" "A puck!? Matthew, use a rock!" "But Momo likes being the puck." "I LOVE BEIN' A PUCK!"
Momo wiggled out of Wembley's arms, and limped over to her cousins. "Up." She demanded, rasing her arms. Hannah rolled her eyes, but Matt obeyed.
"Now, just a second. Momo is not a puck. She's got delicate bones, and she's just a baby! Use a rock, really...We don't want repeat of the Wogglehop incident." "But can she come anyway? We wanna take her to the rink!"
Boober opened his mouth to say something, but was stopped by Wembley putting a hand on his shoulder. "Babe, come on." "Hm. Alright, fine. She can go....But I'm coming too. The soup needs to simmer, and I have a free hour."
He removed his apron, much to the dismay of his niece and nephew. But Momo clapped. "Yaaay, papa's coming! I love you, Papa!" "I love you too, Pumpkin Bread. Now get a move on, you two. Dinner will be ready in an hour and a half." "Yes, Uncle Boober..."
~
That night, a very sleepy Momo refused to let go of Boober's fur as she drifted off to sleep. Not wanting to disturb her, Boober climbed into bed, and let her sleep on his chest.
"She's a cutie." "I know. I'm so grateful to have her here with us." "I know. She's incredible. And so are you. I love you, baby."
Boober smiled, and held his husband's hand. Wembley snuggled closer resting his chin on the top of Boober's head. "My pretty little blueberry." "You're such a sap. I love you too."
As the ditzes began to go out, and the couple drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's arms, their daughter snuggled between them, happy as can be.
~
The Fraggle Five all huddled around a photo album, staring down a photo of them from 15 years ago taken by Doc, before any of them had their children.
"My god." Red gulped. "We look...so different." "We really do. Look at you. Remember when those pigtails defied gravity." "Yup. Remember when your back worked?" "...Red." "Sorry, babe."
"We've changed a lot." Boober smiled, lifting his glasses as an example. "We're almost different people." "I hate it." Gobo mumbled. "I feel like time's escaping us." "Aw, Gobie!" Wembley hugged his older brother. "Time is our friend, you know that! Y-You're one of the greatest musicians that The Rock has ever seen, time has been great to you!" "Hasn't exactly been kind to my hair..."
"I don't know." Red laughed, nudging Gobo with her elbow. "I think the grey hairs suit you. It's still mostly pink anyway, I wouldn't worry." Gobo glared at her, but his expression softened and he shook his head as he laughed.
"Yeah, you're right. I-I guess I should be grateful. Without time, I wouldn't have Matt." "And we wouldn't have Hannah." "Or Momo. We're not going to stay kids forever." "Y-Yeah! We're the parents now, w-we have a job to do! I'd rather have my baby, than look like I did 15 years ago!" "Same here, I guess. Thanks, Wemb..."
Mokey wrapped the entire group in a hug, and closed the photo album. "We'll have to take a new picture soon! One with all of us, and the kids!" "We can pull it out in five years and use it to embarrass them." "Red, that's mean!" "Nah, just regular parent stuff. You don't make fun of Momo?"
Boober and Wembley looked horrified. "No!?" "Oh. Well, a new picture is a good idea. We've got new lives now." "The perfect lives. I couldn't be happier."
"Y-Yeah! I wouldn't trade our lives for the world!" "Me neither. I'm glad we took these risks. I love you guys..." "We love you too, Gobo dear. Now somebody go get the kids, we've got to make the trip to Outer Space!"