Together As Mutants (Book Six)

CXV. Telling the Others

Leonardo

Even though Leonardo already told his brothers at Michelangelo's wedding, the couple still needs to tell Splinter and the girls. April and Casey have already been informed about the matter. April's reaction was incredibly jovial, the redhead offering to help them shop for all their baby needs. Casey, on the other hand, snickered and teased Destiny about what she'd been doing in her free time. She promptly elbowed him in the gut.

Now, Leo and Destiny stand next to one another as everyone eats dinner in the living room, both mutants tingling with excitement.

"Hey guys? Leo and I have to tell you something," Destiny calls, her cheeks refusing to lower her smile.

Immediately, all the turtles grin deviously and shoot each other knowing looks. On the other hand, the women and Master Splinter all stop eating, curious. Destiny looks to Leo, who smiles proudly.

"Destiny is going to have a baby," Leo announces.

"NO WAY!" all the girls squeal, making their husbands clap their hands over their ears.

Destiny laughs as the women swarm her, babbling and talking excitedly. Splinter gets up, moving to Leo and patting his son on the shoulder.

"I'm sure you will be a wonderful father," he says.

Leo's chest puffs up a little with pride. "Thank you, Father."

Raphael

Everyone is in the dojo, training or observing the training. Leonardo and Destiny sit together underneath the tree, Leo's hand resting on the little bump starting to show beneath her shirt. She rests her head on his shoulder, her eyes shut and a content smile on her face.

Taylor and Raphael spar together, although Raph is being so careful it's not that much of a challenge.

"Just rest as soon as you feel tired," he says for the hundredth time.

"How about you worry more about me when I'm thirteen weeks along?" She looks pointedly at Destiny and Leo.

"Fine, fine." He pauses, biting his lip for a moment. "When are we gonna tell the others?"

"If you're so eager, why don't you do it now?" she retorts, slightly annoyed with his fretting.

They stop sparring and Raph looks towards his rather large family. He clears his throat, making everyone stop and look at him. He grins sheepishly.

"Taylor's pregnant. Carry on." He turns to start sparring again.

Taylor punches his arm. "Way to go, shell-for-brains."

"Wait...seriously?" Donatello asks.

"Yeah. You can go back to sparring," Raph says.

Leo stands up, moving towards his brother. "You're gonna be a dad and you're just brushing it off like nothing?"

"It's a baby. No big deal."

"Not a big deal?! He or she is our baby," Taylor snaps.

"Ooo...this got awkward fast," Michelangelo whispers to Annalise.

"You two can shut up!" she shouts, jabbing a finger their way.

They squeak, getting up and running from the dojo rather hurriedly.

"Um...Destiny is suddenly feeling very nauseous. Aren't you, angel?" Leo grins nervously.

She flicks her tail in confusion. "What? I'm not-"

Leo scoops her up and rushes from the room before she can answer.

"I'm not even gonna make and excuse and just leave," Donnie says, taking Sarina's hand and leaving.

Master Splinter stands up, looking between the remaining couple.

"Raphael, although I'm glad to hear of your expected bundle of joy, you must not brush it off in this way," he says calmly.

"It's not a big deal! She's pregnant, everyone knows, everything's okay," Raph argues.

"Why do you keep saying that?" Taylor asks.

"Saying what?"

"That it's not a big deal! I have a baby growing inside me, and he or she will probably be a mutant. This isn't just some thing you can shove aside." She crosses her arms over her chest. "I thought you said you'd be okay with this. Why are you acting so weird?"

He looks at his feet, ashamed, and Splinter smiles lightly at his son.

"Is it, perhaps, that you are feeling anxious?" he guesses.

"I don't know, Father...I'm scared, I guess," the turtle admits.

Taylor's face softens. "You're scared?"

"Yeah! I mean...you're gonna have a mutant baby, and that's great. I'm really happy about that." He sighs, shutting his eyes. "But, what if I'm a bad parent? What if he or she doesn't like me? You deserve the best, the perfect family...and maybe you can't have that with me..."

"Aww, Raphie. Our family is already perfect; whether the baby is a turtle or a human or mixed," she insists as she pulls him into a hug.

He returns it, looking to his dad. The rat smiles, nodding approvingly. Raph hugs his wife closer, feeling rather content now that he told her how he was feeling.

Michelangelo

Everyone in the lair winces noticeably as they hear a scream of joy from the kitchen. They all turn and race towards it, finding Michelangelo hugging Annalise tightly against him.

"I'M GONNA BE A DADDY!" he squeals to the gathered onlookers.

"God help us all," Raphael mumbles. Taylor elbows him.

"Are you sure you two are ready?" Leonardo asks, looking shocked by the announcement.

"Sure we are!" Annalise insists. "Come on, Leo, I'm not some goofy teenager anymore. I've got this."

Donatello smiles. "We're all very happy for you two."

"We've gotta tell Splinter," Mikey gasps. "Come on!"

He grasps Annalise's hand and pulls her towards the dojo, both of them laughing.

Sarina doesn't say a word, unable to even force a smile. She turns and strides from the kitchen without a word, wanting to lock herself in her room and not come out for a very long time.