Together As Mutants (Book Six)

CXXVI. Bonding with Mom

Leonardo

Destiny sits on the floor with Dean while Leonardo watches Space Heroes nearby. Dean looks up at his mom with his big blue eyes, wagging his tail and flapping his tiny downy wings. He makes little noises, and she smiles as she watches him explore his voice and hands.

He grabs onto her tail, chewing on the fluffy black tip. She laughs and Leo glances over, wondering what's got her so happy. His smile grows when he sees his son, pausing his show as he turns his body towards them.

"Do you think he can shape shift?" he asks.

Destiny frowns in thought. "I don't know."

"Why don't you morph and see if he copies you?"

She nods, changing into a wolf. Dean squeals with delight, gripping her muzzle with his tiny arms as his tail wags wildly. Destiny nuzzles his neck, and he giggles as he tries to touch her wings.

"I don't think he can," she barks to Leo. "Not yet, at least."

Leo gets up, walking over to the pair and sitting down. Destiny returns to normal, letting him wrap his arms around her, scratching her wolf ears teasingly.

"Either way, I've got my own little wolf pack."

Raphael

Copeland lays on a blanket, wiggling her arms and grinning as she looks up at Taylor. Taylor holds her finger out to her little girl, who grips it tightly and giggles.

Taylor isn't gonna lie to herself, it is kind of weird for her having a turtle child and all, but she loves her daughter nonetheless. Besides, she knew this might happen when she married Raphael.

Copeland nibbles on her finger and Taylor pulls it away gently.

"No no no. You don't teethe on mommy's fingers," she says.

She squirms and kicks the air, waving her hands around. Her mom leans down and tickles her stomach, both girls laughing. Raph glances over, smiling at the two girls.

"She's gonna be a fighter," he comments.

"Just like her daddy," his wife responds.

Donatello

Sarina sits on the floor of the lab, watching Asher and Dakota play. They can't sit up on their own right now, but they spend a lot of time touching the things around them, most often grabbing each other's hands.

Every now and then, Dakota's red eye flashes. This causes Asher's face to slacken with awe.

"Dakota's eyes flash when she learns new things," Sarina calls to Donatello as each twin grabs one of her fingers.

"That's your genetics," he calls back.

She laughs, and the twins both stop to watch their mom. Dakota's eye flashes as they listen to her laughter, Asher simply looking overjoyed by the sound. Her eyes flash, and they make a happy noise and clap their hands in delight. Sarina smiles and tickles their tummies, making them laugh even harder.

Michelangelo

Annalise plays video games in the living room with Mitch laying on the floor in front of her. He pats the soft material of the blanket underneath him, giggling and teething on his fingers.

Michelangelo is inside the kitchen, making some pizza for dinner. He can hear Annalise's game sound effects as he works, Pepperoni at his feet watching him work.

Mitch observes his mom intently, grinning whenever she does and furrowing his brow when she does.

She pauses the game, looking down at her little boy with a kind smile. He waves his arms at her as if begging to be picked up, and she obliges. His tiny hands grasp some of her blonde hair, but he doesn't pull on it. Instead, he puts it in his mouth.

She laughs at his weirdness. He flashes a bright smile; his daddy's smile.

Mikey walks in, flour dusting his cheeks and sauce on his nose.

"Pizza's almost ready," he announces as he looks at his little family. "You guys are good?" he asks, looking to Mitch. "Little dude? You good?"

Mitch giggles. "Ba!"

"That's my boy."