Together As Mutants (Book Six)

CXXII. Labour & Birth - Annalise

Annalise plays video games with Michelangelo as her own way of relaxing from the pangs of labour that started this morning. A particularly painful contraction seems to squeeze her midsection, making her squeak and drop the controller.

"Mikey...stop the game," she commands, resting a hand over her stomach.

"No way! Just 'cause I'm beating you doesn't-"

"It's almost time for me to deliver the baby."

He's never shut off a video game so quickly in his life.

"DONNIE! DESTINY!" Mikey hollers, helping Annalise to the lab. "WE'VE GOT BABY NUMBER THREE ON THE WAY!"

Donatello opens the lab door, ushering her inside. Destiny walks into the living room, cradling four-month-old Dean in her arms.

"Mikey? Is she-" she starts.

"YES! CAN'T YOU SEE THAT MY WIFEY IS ABOUT TO POP?!" the turtle shrieks.

Dean starts to cry at the sudden noise. Destiny shoots Mikey a look, causing him to smile in apology. Leonardo rushes out into the living room, having heard his son crying.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

"Mikey is a little nervous about Annalise giving birth," Destiny says. "And Dean doesn't like loud noises." She smiles lightly and kisses his wolf ears. "Sensitive hearing, huh? It's hard to get used to."

"I've got this," Leo says as he takes the boy from her. "Come on, little man. Daddy's got something that'll cheer you up."

They take the crying baby away from the action, leaving Annalise and Mikey to set up in the lab. Once that's completed, both remain wide-eyed and look absolutely freaked as they wait for Donnie and Sarina to smack them with some facts like they usually do.

"What do I do?" Annalise cries, already trying not to cry.

"First off, calm down. Hold Mikey's hand and control your breathing. Your contractions starting and, I'm sorry to say, but they won't be pleasant," Sarina says.

The blonde nods, gripping Mikey's hand. Donnie walks over, taking a deep breath as he clasps his hands together. Annalise whimpers and squeezes Mikey's hand as the time passes.

"It's okay, cupcake. This is a beautiful thing. It's alright," he comforts her. She lets out a sudden scream and crushes his hand. "NEVER MIND! NEVER MIND!" he squeals.

"Annalise, you have to calm down. We're gonna explain everything to you. You're gonna be fine," Donnie says slowly. "Now, this is what's happening right now..."

Not even a sentence or two in, Mikey passes out.

----------

Michelangelo groans as he slowly opens his eyes, the soft sound of crying reaching his ears. He sits up, seeing Sarina wiping off a crying baby near the wash station. Donatello helps his brother up, pursing his lips.

"Well, thanks for that. My hand is now completely crushed," the former says. "Oh, and she did get the epidural. She's going to be a bit sore, got it?"

"Sorry bro," Mikey apologizes hurriedly before moving to Annalise's side. "I'm sorry, cupcake. The last thing I remember is the word uterus-"

"It's...fine..." she pants, a smile on her rosy face. "We have a son, Mikey. Can you believe it?"

"Dude, really? I've got a Mikey Jr?" Mikey gasps, his eyes almost becoming animated with glee.

Sarina walks to them and hands Annalise the bundle. She takes him gently, amazed by the sight of the little human boy. His baby blue eyes are already wide-eyed and gazing at his parents in wonder, and the faintest traces of blond hair line his head. Mikey grins, holding his finger out to him.

"Hey little man. You just went through quite the journey, huh?" he asks.

The baby reaches his hands out, gripping Mikey's finger. As soon as he does, they notice something. The boy only has three fingers on each hand, making his hands much like that of a turtle's. Annalise glances up at Mikey, waiting for his reaction.

"Lisey, look! He's got my hands!" the orange-masked turtle gasps. "Now I know he's going to be great at video games!"

Annalise smiles and kisses her son's forehead.

"Mitch Jerome Hamato..." she whispers, trying the new name out on her tongue. "Hamato Mitchell..."

"I'm a daddy!" Mikey laughs, skipping around the lab singing. "I'm a daddy! I'm a daddy! I'm a daddy!"

Sarina's face falls. No matter how happy she tries to look happy for the new family, her jealousy starts to fester again. She turns away, retreating to a separate part of the lab and burying her face in a magazine.

Donnie watches her go, glancing downwards as he pulls his t-phone from his pocket. An email from the nearby orphanage lights up his screen, giving him the faintest bit of hope that maybe, just maybe, he can still have the family he wants.