Chapter 16: The End

A/N: Due to school/life, Ariel's plotline in this story is going to be drastically reduced and changed. Also, there won't be any screenshots until I get to writing the Generation 1 of my legacy.


The world is full of miracles

That’s what his sister told to him every day when he would come home crying, because the big kids pushed him down or the girl he liked didn’t return his fascination.

You just have to wait and find them, and once you do, nothing in the world would ever be the same. Nothing can part you and that miracle, no force in the world is strong enough.

Ariel Spencer, he thought, was definitely a miracle.

The world will be brighter and safer and full of magic. You’ll see, Baby Brother.

Bart sighed, throwing the last of his clothes in the bag. He glanced around the room, his eyes locking on a clock, showing the time of 2:41 A.M.

Bart risked one last glance at her sleeping figure, his breath getting caught in his lungs until he turned away.

God, even sleeping, she was beautiful.

He threw his bag over his shoulder, whispering one last goodbye to Ariel, followed by an even softer “I love you” from him, before turning to reach for the door.

“Where are you going?”

Bart froze, his mind formulating a logical response to her question.

“I’m going… Out of town for a while.” Bart rushed, turning around and faking a smile.

“With everything you own?” She slid out of the bed, looking at him with a mix of confusion and worry on her face.

“I… I’m sorry.” He whispered, his voice broken and small because there was no way he was going to proudly announce that he was leaving her.

Leaving this.

Leaving whatever they were.

He could feel the guilt eating inside of him, and at the same time, she could feel her heart crashing into a million pieces.

Because she knew what those words meant.

---------------------------------------------------------

It was as if the moon had shattered and the sky was falling all around her and she could do nothing but stand around and watch.

“W-Why?” She mumbled out, squinting her eyes together hoping that maybe this was all some twisted dream. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because, you deserve someone better. Someone who can take care of you, who isn’t broken inside.” His voice cracked a little, and he turned around quickly so that he could hide the tears forming in his eyes. “I’ll see you, Ariel.”

She almost stopped him, letting out a quiet “but” before the door slammed, and Bart was gone.

“But I need you.”

----------------------------------------------------------

“You sure that’s what you want to do, Ariel?”

The black-haired woman stood behind her, a worried look on her face.

It’s been so long since Ariel’s seen that face, and she missed it so much.

“Yeah, Aria, it is.”

She thought back to what this challenge has done to her, what she’s become because of it. It’s affected her and so many other people, and it wasn’t fair.

If she did this, she was done. It was all over and she could get back to living in plain normalcy.

“I’ll support you, but…” Aria’s voice faltered, and for a second she looked unsure. “What about Gene? Didn’t you promise him?”

“I need you to support me on this, Aria.” The red-head said, staring at Aria with uncertain eyes. “I know we’ve had our fights, but… you’re the only one I can trust.”

Ariel took a breath before continuing.

“You’re the only one that can help me quit my Baby Challenge.”

(No, this is not the end! Catch Ariel and the gang over at her Legacy, which will get posted soon!)

Chapter 15 Part 2: Nightingale (Babies 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, & 31)

(A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to post a new chapter! Things got a bit hectic. Also, a lot of babies in this chapter. Haha. Also, I apologize for the lack of screenshots and short chapter. I'll have a 1+ year post up soon, since I missed my 1 year.)

---------------------------------------

Bart’s Point of View

Falling in love with Ariel Spencer was so… easy.

One second, we were friends, and the next we were…

What are we?

That thought, the thought that enveloped my mind every moment of every day, the want, the need to be more.

And I was going to ask her, that night…

The night she fell.

It was such a confusing night, first she was under, and then she… wasn’t.

She was safe. I dragged her out of the water, laying her down on the bed and waiting out her unconscious state.

When she awoke, she had no idea what had happened. The last thing she remembered was standing there, seconds before falling.

Everyone was too spooked to stay at the island, so we ended our trip early, catching an early flight back to Monte Vista.

------------------------------------------------------

I was awoken by the sounds of vomiting emanating from the bathroom next to the bedroom Ariel and I shared. I looked around the room, my vision hazy as I blinked away the sleepiness from my eyes. I patted the space next to me, noticing it was empty. “Ariel?” I croaked, my voice hoarse. I cleared my throat, calling her name again. “Ariel, you okay?”

“Yeah.” She coughed, a toilet flushed behind the closed door. “I’m fine, just ate some bad food or something…” The door opened, and I saw Ariel standing on the other side, her skin sickly pale, the expression on her face pained. Her stance was weak, and she was leaning on the wall for support.

“You sure?” I reached forward to help her, but she swatted me away. “I can take you to the doctor, if you need.”

“No, I’m fine.” She attempted to let go of the wall and stepped forward, before falling down. I rushed forward, catching her before she hit the floor.

“Ariel, you aren’t fine.” I held her up, leading her to the bed. “I’m taking you to the doctor in the morning. Okay?”

“Fine,” She mumbled, lying in bed. I slid the blankets over her, making sure she was warm.

Could it be that she contracted a sickness when she fell? That she actually ate bad food?

Could it be that she-

No, no way. I mean, it was possible. But she didn’t find a father during the trip. None that I knew of, anyway.

But if she was, could it be mine?

I shoved the thoughts away, crawling into bed next to her.

The lights drifted away, fading into the pure blackness of peaceful slumber.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Mr. Spencer?” The doctor slid out of the room, holding a clipboard in his hands. His expression was calm, but I knew by now not to trust doctor’s calm expressions. Not after Jake, or his parents.

“Oh, no. Mr. Holmes, we aren’t married.” I quickly corrected him. “We’re just friends.”

“Okay. Well, Mr. Holmes, I have some… news.” He tacked the last part on, a strange, unidentifiable tone in his voice. “Ariel seems to be… pregnant.”

I was struck with shock, adrenaline pumped through my veins and even though I expected this, it still surprised me. “Oh… Uh, okay.” I quickly recomposed myself, thinking about the news. I noticed the tone he said it in, and pointed it out to him. “Why did you say that in… that tone?”

“Because, she seems to be pregnant with… octuplets.”

“Octuplets!?” I yelped, my voice loud before I quieted down. “You mean, eight babies!? Is that even possible?”

“Yes, Mr. Holmes. It’s possible, however very rare, and dangerous.” The doctor’s voice was low, his speech slowed. “We’re going to have to insist that we keep her over the course of her pregnancy, to make sure she’s safe.”

“Okay.” I rushed, my thoughts going a mile a minute. “So, uh, she’ll be okay, right? You’ll make sure she’s safe?”

“We’ll do the best we can.” The doctor stated.

I noticed he didn’t say yes. He didn’t say she’d be safe.

“Can I see her?” I asked, walking towards the door. The doctor nodded and I slipped past him, into the room.

“Hey, Bart.” She smiled, a beautiful smile that always made its way into my heart. But this time, it was weak. “Octuplets. How exciting, right?”

“Ariel…” I sighed, trying to find the words to say. “Are you feeling okay?” I gently sat on the side of the bed she was laying in, resting my hand on her leg.

“Yeah. I mean, they gave me a bunch of medication, so I guess I am.” She smiled, placing her hand over mine. “Hey, uh, Bart? Can I ask you a question?”

My heart skipped a beat when she touched me, like it always does. “Anything. I promise.” I smile back at her.

“Before I fell, you were going to ask me a question. What was it?” Her eyes shone with curiosity, and I was afraid. Afraid she would reject me, afraid it would upset her.

“Nothing important.” I smile, squeezing her thigh lightly. “I forgot, to be honest.” I lied, guilt creeping up on me. “You get some rest. I’ll be here beside you, okay?”

“Okay. Thanks, Bart. You’re a great friend.” She started to doze off, the medicines taking effect.

“Yeah, I know.” I whispered when she was asleep, sighing down at her. “I love you.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The days passed in a conflicting mix of slow and fast; almost like I could blink and miss weeks at a time, and then spend eternity on just one day.

I spent most of my time at the hospital with Ariel, reading her books or miscellaneous other past-times. Soon enough, though, it was closing in on her due date. Her condition fluctuated; sometimes she was happy and healthy, other times she was sick and could barely stay awake. When it neared time for her to give birth, her condition was the latter. The doctors were worried, although they didn’t show it. But I couldn’t hide my emotions as well as them. I spent most of my times during these days locked in the bathroom, trying to hide the tears spilling from my eyes.

“Mr. Holmes.” A nurse approached me one morning as I entered the hospital, a blank expression on her face. “Ariel Spencer has entered labor about half an hour ago. Everything seems to be fine, but we’ll keep you informed in case anything changes.”

“Okay.” I followed her to the waiting room, grabbing a book to read during my wait.

Some hours later, the same nurse exited the delivery room, a smile on her face.

“How is everything?” I rushed to her, worry filling me.

“Just fine, Mr. Holmes. Everything went great, Ariel is fine and the babies are in good condition. But, uh, Ariel is asleep… Have you two talked baby names?”

“No, not really.” I thought. “But, I can help name them, if you’d like?”

“That’d be great, Mr. Holmes.” The nurse smiled, gesturing me to follow her. We entered a room where I filled out the paperwork.

4 baby boys, Achilles, Ajax, Ambros, and Andreas, and 4 baby girls, Acacia, Anthea, Amaryllis, and Alpha.