Unexpected Gift

Chap 32

After that day, life went on as normally as possible for the family.

Raph tried to stop doing what Leo said, putting his baby down as in the line of why he had chosen to carry it at all.

Don did another exam to make sure the baby was alright. And how Leo's organs were doing.

"I don't see any damage done to them Leo. These painful kicks are to be expected here and there." Don said.

Leo breathed a sigh of relief.

After the exam, Leo had a new sonogram to show the others. They all wanted to see it, with a slight exception of Raph. "Raph, would you come over here and look at the baby?" Leo asked. "You might change your mind about it when you see it."

Raph growled under his breath.

"Raphael. Do it for your brother." Splinter said.

"Alright." Raph said.

Leo was holding the picture up to the light so the others could see it. For now, it was just Splinter and his sons looking. April and Casey would get a chance later.

Raph came over to join the others. He looked up at the picture. He looked hard to see what was in it. His eyes widened as he saw he was looking up at a baby turtle!

"It was so amazing to even see him or her moving around inside of me!" Leo announced proudly.

"Could you tell the sex Don?" Mikey asked.

"No Mikey. And even if I did, the legs were in the way of the tail." Don said. "We have to wait until the birth."

Leo knew he wanted to know, but Mikey seemed to want to know even more what he was having.

After seeing the baby, Raph finally began to realize that all his hating of his niece or nephew was stupid. He was just worried about Leo, but, a new feeling had hit him. The baby was cute after all. It was like a mini version of them all. Not just Leo, but it was Leo's baby.

"And for that painful kick yesterday Leo, I'm just going to say that the baby has your abilities, even from inside you." Raph said.

"Yeah, and it will probably inherit a lot from you as it grows up." Don added. "And I'm the one who got to see it moving on the ultrasound besides you. I can see it's going to take after you." He kind of giggled.

Everyone smiled and laughed, even Leo.

Later, Leo watched a little jealously as his three brothers left for their usual nightly patrol. He waved goodbye.

After they were gone, tears welled up. He began to cry.

Splinter came up to comfort him. "What is wrong, Leonardo?"

"I wish I could go with them." Leo sobbed.

Splinter took his emotional son into his arms. "I know you do. Being a ninja is who you are. But you must remain here for your own and the baby's well being. The Foot or other enemies would harm you."

"And now that Don- convinced them- that I'm no- longer pregnant." Leo just couldn't stop crying.

"You will be out there patrolling again before you know it, my son." Splinter coaxed.

"I just miss- being able to go out- of the lair Master." Leo said. "I just want- some fresh air."

"I know, my son. You love the runs and training. But you must stay here." Splinter said.

Leo knew that Splinter was just making the point known, but he couldn't help himself. He knew that his bros were off blowing off energy, playing and patrolling. He missed playing with them, running around, trying out new ninja methods. And fighting some baddies.

-

Topside, Leo's bros were having fun playing tag and hide and seek. They missed Leo coming with them too.

The Foot were out here tonight too. They had spotted the 3 turtles, and using binoculars with night vision, they were looking for Leonardo. But they didn't see him. They were looking for a turtle with sword sheathes on his back, but they only saw the Bo wielding, Sai carrying and nunchuku carrying ones.

The Foot was beginning to wonder if they had been screwed. Their master had chewed them out and punished them, but nothing like Stockman's 'punishments.' At least not that time.

The Shredder had been more than ticked off that his plan had failed. But either way, he still wanted the turtles destroyed now.

The Foot out patrolling tonight just watched. They weren't ready to attack. They were biding their time.

-

Leo was relieved to see his bros return every night without any injuries. He always worried about them when he couldn't be there to protect them.