Unexpected Gift

Chap 24

Over the next month, Leo was going to make sure he had as much freedom as possible before he would go on bed-rest. He didn't train or anything like that, but he did go for walks in the sewers. His stomach continued to expand. He watched training to give him something to do. He watched TV. He meditated, and often with Splinter to help with breathing.

He also started going over to April's a little more because she and him were secretly doing Lamaze. Leo knew he wouldn't be able to deliver the baby like a normal female, but, he needed some new breathing techniques. His family didn't mind him going over to see April, as Leo did need some more female time right now too.

Wearing his belt was also becoming a problem. Though he could continue to wear it for awhile, but it was just getting too bothersome to keep on loosening it, Leo finally just choose to give up on it. He still wanted his swords sheaths on though, in case of trouble.

Don, Raph, and Mikey only took up the patrols as Leo was in no condition to go. They weren't going to give the Foot any chance to recapture him.

Don kept a close watch on Leo as well. He was just worried about where the baby was since Leo had told him. He also did slowly forgive Raph for what he said. Don wasn't someone who held a grudge for long or not at all.

Raph tried his best to be supportive. He was still very concerned for Leo's safety. He knew Don would make sure Leo was alright, but he couldn't help himself. He was also the most on the lookout for signs of the Foot. He was ready to kill them for what they had done to his brother!

Mikey was still excited to be becoming an uncle. He fixed a lot of Leo's food. Course, Leo told him what to fix for him, because Leo was very conscientious about his food for both him and the baby. But Leo just couldn't eat too much all at once either. He had to eat in real small meals. Leo also fixed his own meals too.

Splinter was happy that Leonardo was safely back home and how much time they both were spending together.

Leo also experienced plenty of stomach cramps. He laid down whenever he felt them. He remembered Don's words that he wasn't being weak, that he hadn't chosen to give up after he had known where the baby was. As much as the pain was beginning to increase, Leo did want his baby. He definitely didn't know when another chance like this could pass him by, as in a chance to become a father.

And from the last checkup sonogram, the baby seemed to be doing well. It looked like a mini turtle now. He wondered what it was. He had asked Don to see if he knew what it was. "Sorry Leo. It's so hard to see right now." He had said. "We may have to wait until the birth."

"Do you think the baby will have to be born early?" Leo asked.

"It's possible Leo, but let's see how far bed-rest can get you." Don said. "I want to get the baby as close as possible to the due date before delivering it."

Leo also told his family and friends one night while April and Casey were down in the lair for dinner about his choice in names for the baby. If it was a boy, it would be named after Yoshi, but if it was a girl, she would be named after Teng Shin.

Splinter was pleased. Not much had ever been mentioned about her, at least not since Leo had told his story of his master before Don got sick with the mutation.

Don, Raph, and Mikey had liked that story and yet it had been sad, but, they had liked it. They were also pleased with Leo's choice of names.

And Leo knew all too soon that he would soon have to go on bed-rest. He was going to do everything it took to have this baby healthy and as close as possible to a good size before birth, and have himself fine as well, even if it had to involve a stomach surgery.

Of course, he also did know that having the surgery would also make it take longer before he could also return to his favorite pastime: his training. But it was the only way the baby could be born.

The surgery itself wouldn't be called a c-section, as that involved a uterus to open up, it was just an abdominal surgery for Leo, when the time came. Leo wasn't looking forward to it too soon however. And even though he was looking forward to feeling his baby move, he hoped he or she wouldn't be hurting him too bad.

'Why couldn't my pregnancy be like every other one that every other creature had?' Leo pondered. 'Some discomforts here and there, but not to the extent that I have them.'