Together As Mutants (Book Six)

CXLVI. Baby Boom

Two Years Later

Destiny stirs, her eyes fluttering open as she wakes. Leonardo holds her against him, her back to his shell. She smiles a tiny bit at the way his breath fans the back of her neck, his strong arms making her feel so safe.

Her stomach twists, making her tail flick. Something feels different this morning, and despite the discomfort growing in her stomach, she feels as though this sort of different is a good thing. She wiggles out of her husband's hold, grabbing her housecoat off the back of the door and wrapping it around herself before she hurries to the bathroom.

After a rather unpleasant reappearance of last night's dinner, Destiny brushes her teeth and stares at herself in the mirror. She sets her toothbrush down, looking down at herself as she rests a hand over her lower stomach. Could it be, that after years and years of trying to have another baby, she's managed another little miracle?

Her tail starts to wag as she searches for a pregnancy test, hoping and praying that her feeling is correct.

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The Hamato kids, all of whom are now seven, sit together on the floor near the TV as the rest of their family settles down for movie night. Dakota and Asher stay farthest back from the screen.

"Staying too close hurts your eyes," Dakota points out.

"Sight is important," Asher agrees.

"Whatever." Copeland rolls her eyes.

Dean looks to his cousins, ready to stop any fight that breaks out. None of the seven year olds start though, and they return to their movie watching.

"Pizza me!" Mitch calls.

Asher tosses him a slice and the blond catches it in his mouth. Mikey and Annalise cheer, whilst the other parents chuckle or roll their eyes at the silliness.

Leonardo looks to Destiny as she rests her head on his shoulder. His hand travels to her stomach as he presses a kiss to her forehead, causing her eyes to fall shut.

Telling Dean

"Dean, your mother and I have to tell you something," Leonardo says.

"Okay! What?" Dean grins as he sits down in front of his parents.

"Well..." Destiny starts. "How would you feel about having a younger brother or sister?"

"I'd say it's about time," he giggles, his tail wagging.

"Really? You'd be happy about that?" Leo asks.

"Yeah! I'd show him or her how to fly, or if they can't fly, I'll just take them for rides! We'd be awesome together! Like Captain Ryan and Crankshaw!" The two parents look at him with less than pleased looks, and he grins sheepishly. "Well...I wouldn't slap the baby."

"Good." Destiny laughs. "Because I'm going to have a baby."

"Really?"

"Yes. You're going to be a big brother," Leo says.

"BOOYAKASHA!" Dean howls, leaping onto his parents and hugging them tightly. "I can't wait!" His eyes widen, and he gasps. "I've got to tell the others! CO! KOTA! ASH! MITCH! YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE THIS!"

He goes running off, his wings flapping with excitement. Leo and Destiny laugh at his reaction, casting each other sideways glances.

"He's going to be a great big brother," she says.

"Mmhmm," he agrees.

Bonus: Casey and April

"Raph! RAPH!" Casey hollers, racing into the lair at almost top speed.

Raphael looks up from his magazine, taking in his friend's frazzled appearance. He arches an eye-ridge as he sets his reading material down.

"Hey Casey, what's up?" he asks.

"Oh man, you're never gonna believe it!" Casey says, a wide grin stretching his face. He bounds forwards and grasps his friend's shoulders. "April's pregnant! Casey Jones is gonna be a dad!

Raph blinks a few times in surprise. "Woah...congrats, Casey."

"It's gonna be crazy...we've been married for a while, but now a kid is just gonna be the next step! Isn't this great, Raphie old buddy?" He laughs and leaps back to his feet, pumping his fist in the air. "I'm gonna be a dad! A dad!"

Raph lets out a low chuckle, glad to see his friend looking so happy.