Little Raphael

Chapter 4

Later that day, April and Casey arrived with their kids.  All the kids were excited to see their mutant uncles.  Mikey was equally excited to see the kids, as he usually played with them nonstop when they were there.  

"UNCLE MIKEY!" April and Casey's two oldest children screamed as they ran past everyone to jump onto the orange-clad turtle.  

"Little dudes!" Mikey screamed back.  "I've missed you guys!"

"Uncle Mikey, we need to play Mario Kart!" Gunner screamed excitedly.  "I've been practicing!  I wanna finally win!" 

Mikey laughed.  "Well, Little dude, come show me what you got."

April smiled as she turned to Haley.  "Thank you for inviting us over," She said as she bounced her six month old baby in her arms. 

Haley nodded.  "Absolutely.  I'm sure having one night where you don't have to entertain the kids is nice.  Plus, I think Raph seeing Casey will do him some good.  He's been really stressed out and needs to blow off some steam." 

Casey nodded.  "Where is that hot-head anyways?" 

Leo smiled as he watched baby K.C. be transferred into Haley's arms.  "He's in his room with Selena.  I think he just finished feeding her a bottle up there." 

Casey nodded again.  "Sounds good.  I'll go get him," Casey said as he started walking towards his best friend's room.  He climbed the stairs and turned the corner to Raph's room.  When he got to the door, he saw that it was open.  He peered in, seeing the red-clad turtle sitting on his bed.  He was hunched over, holding his baby vertically so she was facing him.  Casey couldn't tell for sure, but from where he was standing, it looked like Raph had tears forming in his eyes.  Casey took in a deep breath and knocked causing Raph to startle and look his direction.  "Mind if I come in." 

"Case!" Raph said with a slight smile.  "I didn't know you guys were here yet." 

"We got here less than five minutes ago," He said as he walked into the room and stuffed his hands in his jean pockets.  "Is this the little one I've been hearing about?" Raph nodded.  "She has your eyes." 

"Yeah, she does," Raph said as he stood up gently.  

Casey cleared his throat.  "After dinner, do you maybe want to go out on the rooftops for a bit.  Just you and me?  We haven't been able to do that in a couple months." 

Raph sighed.  "I would like that... but I can't leave her," He said motioning to his baby girl.

"I'm sure April or Haley would be more than happy to watch her for an hour or so," Casey said as he pat Raphael on the shoulder.  "From one dad to another, you need to take time for yourself, otherwise you will go crazy." 

**********

"So, how do you feel like you're handling a new baby?" Casey asked as he and Raph sat on the edge of one of the buildings. 

Raph let out a slight sigh.  "It's been hard, but fine."

Casey raised his eye brows.  "Okay, now that we've got the bullshit out of the way, how is it really?"

Raph didn't want to answer.  In all honesty, he did not think he could do this.  It had barely been a week and he was so tired he could barely keep his eyes open during morning training.  He didn't know the first thing about raising a girl.  He was raised with three brothers.  The only girls he had been around was April, her daughter, and now Haley.  But they weren't his daughters.  And what about protecting the city?  He couldn't stop going out on patrols or fighting the Foot and Kraang because he had a daughter.  But what if something happened to him?  Who would take care of her?  And what if he screwed his daughter up, like he was?  His temper seemed to rub off on everyone, and he didn't want that to happen to her.

"Your silence is telling me everything I need to know," Casey said as he looked out onto the city.

Raph looked at his friend.  "Can I ask you something?"  Casey nodded.  "When Melissa was first born, did you ever feel like you were doing it wrong?" 

"All the time," Casey said slowly.  "I also felt that way with Gunner and baby K.C, but you learn as you go, especially with the first born." 

Raph sighed. "I don't want to screw up her life though.  Hell, I don't even got my life together.  I just go day by day."

"That's something you're going to have to change for her," Casey said.  "You're a parent now.  You made that choice, and now you have to come to terms with the consequences.  You'll have to figure it out as you go, but you have help.  You're brothers, Haley, Splinter, and me and April will help out as best as we can too." 

Raph sighed.  "How is it that everyone seems to be better with her than I am though?" Raph stood up in frustration.  "Last night I had to wake up Haley because I could not get her to sleep after a bottle!" 

"That feeling is normal.  Remember kids don't come with an instruction manual," Casey said calmly.  "And they don't have the added pressure knowing they are a parent to this baby.  You do.  And keep in mind you're only sixteen.  This is a lot to take on with what you already have to worry about."  

Raph shook his head.  "I don't know what I was thinking, taking in a baby... I wasn't even able to be there for most of the pregnancy.  I didn't get to be there when she was born.  I didn't even know Claire was in labor until after Selena was born!"

"Taking in your baby," Casey corrected.  "And you know that you did the right thing because it is hard.  But, give it time, and then you will realize that there is nothing you wouldn't do for that baby.  It doesn't matter that that you weren't there for the pregnancy or the birth.  What matters is that you are here for her now, when she had no one else who would take care of her.  And she is far better off with you than she would have been with child protective services." 

Raph stayed silent for a little bit before looking up at his friend.  "You say that, but we don't know how she'll end up with me as her father." 

Casey smiled.  "All you can do is your best.  Plus, it wouldn't be so bad to have a daughter like you.  You're loyal, protective, brave, and a hard worker.  That's things every parent wants their kids to be like," He watched Raph give a slight smile.  "You got to give yourself some credit for the good qualities you do have.  Just because you have a temper and rush into things does not outweigh the good." 

Raph sighed.  "Thank you, Case." 

"Now I get to watch you suffer when you have a needy teenaged daughter!" Casey said jokingly.  "Now, come on.  I got to get back so we can get the kids to bed soon." 

Raph nodded and was about to head back when he heard something.  He stopped and turned around.  "Casey, we need to move." 

Casey sensed the tone change in Raph's voice.  "Why?  What's going on?" 

Raph pulled out his sais.  "The foot," He said as he watched shadowy figures jump from other buildings, surrounding the two.