Author's Note:

Now this was initially a drabble, but I let my mind run loose and next thing I know April's pregnant by Donnie and this drama happened. I said on DeviantArt that I'd continue it, and so I would. Comment your thoughts!

And on another little note: Since I'm writing this story, it's probably- absolutely definitely- going to have some Caseynardo... spoiler?

Casey Jones' Point of View

Life's a journey they say. And I, Casey Jones agree. But the creation of life's a journey too. Not as in the initial you know... stuff... people first gotta do to get their kid, I'm talking about the actual uh... baby creating stage. Pregnancy.

Shell it's awkward to talk about that. Pregnancy stuff you know? People say it's woman's stuff. But if it's one thing Mom taught me before she disappeared was that there is no such thing as a woman's place, any more that there is something like a man's place. Like we have some of greatest chef's in the world being men. And I'm pretty sure there are some awesome woman soldiers, and women running successful businesses. Like Karai here taking charge of the Foot Clan. She's a woman- well, young lady cause she's just seventeen. My point is, that pregnancy is not just woman's stuff.

It's turtle stuff too.

Jeez I never expected to say that. But here I am, waiting outside the clinic while the turtles are cloaked in god-knows-how-much-blankets. The waiting area is small, a cool blue coating the walls while nature paintings hang on the wall. There're about three couches here, with a bundled Mikey and Karai playing a game on her phone. I think it's some Angry Bird Game, but at least they're spending their time better than a pacing Donatello.

Donnie holds his purpleish-grey blanket like a cape, draped over his shoulders and hanging at his feet. Then there is another wrapped around his waist like some sort of towel, but with every round he takes around the room, the blanket's well on its way to join the other two that had fallen off his self.

I don't blame him- it's his girlfriend and eldest brother that's behind those white doors. His girlfriend that's pregnant. His girlfriend who's barely seventeen and had no idea mutant turtles could even fertilize. It was a pleasant surprise, at least I thought so. Mikey was ecstatic when Leo broke the news. Why Leo had to do it was beyond me- but probably comes back to the fact that he's the leader. But still... Raph's reaction shocked me. It still does.

The red banded turtle was currently taking up the entire second couch, feet on one end, and headphones blasting something not even I could understand. I could probably hear it if I payed enough attention, but Raph was in such a bad mood that even as his best friend I knew that this was something he needed to be alone about. And we let him be alone.

But when I think back to this morning, it had been quiet. Until April puked all over me. Later Leo called everyone to the table, including a shaking pair of lovers- Donnie and April. They were pale- as in white sheets covered in baby powder and sprinkled with neon white and clouds stuck their body. Leo guided April to a seat, and out of pure compassion, I decided to help Donnie. What? I can be compassionate. So compassionate that I handed Don the mug of coffee I still had to find how Mikey whipped it up in mere seconds.

That was the normal part. Raph had rushed into the kitchen, demanding what was the issue. Leo suggested we first take out seats. But this was a family issue, and Master Splinter still hadn't appeared.

Curiosity might have killed the cat, but I raised my hand above my head, waving it just before asking, "Where's Master Splinter?"

Leo's eyes flickered to me, calm blue radiating something akin to fondness. I kinda hoped it was fondness for me, but I really don't want to distract myself thinking of all the way Leo shows the love that he gives. That's for another day. Back then I just wanted to know how Leo was going to tell Mikey and Raph that Donnie managed to impregnate their friend.

Of course I knew- April was the one to start vomiting all over me before breakfast. On my hoodie- one of my favorites, and it had to be thrown away. It could have been washed, but mental image: April turning pale and green at the same time before her mouth released a bunch of creamy filth onto me. She's my friend yeah, but vomit is vomit. And vomit stinks.

I had no idea how Leo got her off me so quickly and pulling her hair from her face and being just so darn caring while I took off my hoodie. Now this thin T-shirt was all I had left. But it was fine- April broke down as Leo took her to the bathroom and washed her face. I sat on the closed toilet, while Leo knelt beside April on their once-white tile.

If it's one thing I learned this morning, was that a pregnant hormonal teenager covered in vomit and tears while you're contemplating whether to be hugging her or getting tissues, is one tough decision. But Leo was leader for a reason, and he took the intuition to grab the nearest absorbent material for her. Toilet paper.

It would have been funnier in another situation, but as Leo unrolled as much tissue as he could around his wrist, April said four words that caused even him to pause. My eyes shot open when she opened her mouth, there was still vomit in her mouth...

"I'm pregnant..." she hiccuped, earning a grimace from me, "For Don."

Leo froze, hand hovering in their motion enough to display- finally his surprise, "Huh?"

April nodded, hands like those car engines turned on and ready to race. But then again, car engines weren't a good comparison to shaking girls. Then I'd think that she was trembling like some kind of wind-up-toy whose job was to shake. But Leo swallowed something- maybe the panic and put one tissue-covered hand on April.

His voice, Leo's voice, was soft. Not unlike comforting Mikey in the middle of a nightmare, or pulling Raph from an attack of roaches. Leo tilted his head, allowing April to give him her attention. And she did- if it were anyone else I'm sure she wouldn't have. But Leo made her do it, it's one of those undoubtedly Leo skills. And he hugged her- vomit and all. And she blabbered on and on about sex and condoms breaking and Don being careless and the amount of mess they made in the night.

In short, I was relieved when Leo managed to revive her into a giggling mess. Still a mess- but a few weird comments had her smiling. Not as good as Mikey would have done, but he did say something about the lab being room for playing around with equipment.

April's smile was watery when she looked up at me, and I nodded at her to ask, "So... Donnie knows?"

I probably should have been more... ugh... thoughtful I guess, but the situation didn't hit me yet. It didn't even hit when Leo went into the lab and had a minute-long talk with the two of them. I stayed outside. Outside was relatively drama safe. I wasn't a guy for all those emotional drama- pregnancy and stuff was cool with me- as long as it didn't involve me fully. Like I'm so glad I got over April, else it would have been me and her in that lab with Leo talking about this and that.

Hmm... Me and Leo in the room? Probably wouldn't mind that. April could leave. Leo and I don't talk much- some quality time would be good. Really wanna challenge him to a game of hockey one of these days. He's an awesome dude. And strong too. By strong I mean he's the guy to remain cool in all the drama. So I took my time to the kitchen, finding a happy Mikey babying his precious ice-cream kitty. I wonder... maybe he'd baby April's kid the same way.

I was right- Mikey was grinning all the while when we were in the kitchen as Leo explained the situation. Leo was quick, to the point. Explained that Donnie and April had expanded their relationship and now April was with child- early stages. Leo had put a hand on the pair's shoulder and told us that we needed to give our absolute support because anything could happen. But Raph, he got quiet. Really quiet. And stormed out the kitchen. We ignored him- the guy needed his space. I wanted breakfast. Long story short, we didn't even get to eat. Leo called Karai, and next thing I know, we're all on our way to some private clinic of Karai and made to sit in a small room. Karai had blankets, lots of them. For the turtles, cause we humans don't need any blankets in a cold clinic.

I was wrong. Waiting there on the last couch all alone and miserable and freezing but appreciating the nature pictures. They were nice instead of the cold dullness outside in our part of New York City. Leo would have liked them- he's kinda the nature dude around here. Well, Mikey too. But Leo would appreciate the serenity of the calm waterfall picture- something in South America? Leo seems like the kind of guy to take a vacation there. Maybe Splinter should send him- but we'd miss him too much.

Those white doors open, and every single soul raise their head. Don pivots, eyes wide, teary but hopeful. Shell he was a mess.

One tired turtle opens the door, a blue mask hiding everything. Eyes frozen over- just like a battle. But this was a battle- a battle we'd never thought we'd be in. But Leo's prepared. He's always prepared. Now I just hope that whatever happens we'd be prepared for it too.

Raph slips off his headphones, and cleared his throat to speak with a breathy, "What happened?"

Leo inhales, shoulders rising before stating, "She's pregnant-"

Mikey interrupts with a too-happy smile, "Well duh bro! We want to know how she is,"

Karai put a hand on Mikey's shoulders, physically holding back his excitement from exploding, and she whispers some words I had no intent on paying attention to. Honestly- why was everyone so worked up? It's just a pregnancy, women get pregnant all the time. Since the beginning of time- why was everyone so worried about it now?

Leo rolls back his shoulders, hands going to rub his forearms- guess he's cold too, and he exhaled for all of us to hear, "Ought to be two weeks, but the baby is in development stage of a normal six week old..."

Shell... That's something...

Leo's voice continue, just a fraction softer, "Don?"

I turn to the still turtle, and the tell-tale signs reach me just as he stumbles back. Raph is up in a moment, harsh hand on his brother's shell as he gruffly demands, "So she's growing faster than normal?"

Mikey's excited gasp didn't escape my ears, but Karai has him under control. Literally under control- she's got both her hands on his shoulders to keep him from bouncing around. I can't help grinning at that- Mikey's such a kid sometimes. Who needs pregnancy when Mikey's baby enough for everyone?

When Leo spoke again, I focus my attention to him and listen, "Don? You need to talk to us, what's happening?"

Don shook his head, and my smile from Mikey completely fades. Raph's grip tightens on Don- knuckles getting some weird reddish green color, but Don's looking the worst. If I thought he was pale earlier, now he's a whole new version of white. Like an albino turtle. Which was kinda appealing- that would be cool! A white turtle with red eyes, cause albinos have red eyes, right?

Raph curses, and I arch a brow at them, "Am I missing something here?"

They turn to me- everyone. Even Karai and Mikey when I ask again, this time louder, "Why are you guys so worried about it?"

I shrug to myself, snuggling back into my couch, "Mom always told me that life is a journey you know,"

I turn to face a dark-faced Raph, "You move from one place to another-and this is a good thing for Don and April! Their relationship gets better!"

Don hiccups, and it's only then I notice that he's trembling again. Like a car engine. But I wave my hand and try to perk up this dark mood here, "We get to see a baby turtle-human. Isn't that great?"

Raph snaps back at my in a way I wish I had kept my big mouth shut, "This isn't a good thing Case."

Raph swings his head to glare Mikey, "April could die because of this pregnancy."

Huh?

Raph turns back to me, teeth grit hard in his mouth as he grinds out, "Don's a mutant turtle. April's a human. This pregnancy is going to be dangerous. Maybe even fatal!"

Oh... Well that explains why he's so dark. It makes sense. But still. Life's a journey right? And this is just another step up- another adventure. We gotta see where it takes us. No need to be so... dramatic.

I turn back to Leo, and he's quiet. Really quiet. And he's biting his lips, chewing them as though it was the replacement breakfast we missed. Heh, in that case I might want a taste.

Wait. No. That sounds weird. I don't want to be biting Leo's lip anytime soon. That sounds too much like a kiss- Leo's just a friend. And plus, there's more to worry about than me thinking about the leader in blue. Important things like real breakfast! Oh... and April's pregnancy. That's important. And...

Leo lifts his eyes, and he catches my gaze from under light eyelashes... Wait a second. I squint, unfortunately leaning forward and exposing my back to the cold air.

Turtles have eyelashes? Since when?

I open my mouth to say something- anything, but Leo beat me to it when he broke my gaze to speak to his brothers, "Don, Raph. Sit down- she'll take a while,"

Don's quiet about it- and Raph's moody. Perfect for obeying Leo. As for Mikey? Karai still has him trapped back into their game. The mention of April's pregnancy developing doesn't seem to faze that guy at all. Didn't faze me either- what really troubles me is that the turtles have eyelashes. I mean- they're turtles. Turtles. Some part of me remembers that only mammals have eyelashes.

Does this mean the baby would have eyelashes? I hope so- also hoping the baby is a boy. Girl is cool too, but boy would be easier. This clan is practically majority male.

I'm jumping thoughts again- I do that a lot. Thank God I'm not telling a story to anyone, else they might be confused. But the good thing is that I'm just saying things the way I see it. Like how I'm now noticing that Leo's walking over to me. And I have to scoot to the left to give him space to sit down- and he has a blanket. Blue of course. It's like everything is color coded for the guys. What color would the baby have? Pink? Yellow? Maybe yellow. Yellow's not taken. But I'm liking green- if the baby comes out white, the color must be green. Shell I hope the baby gets eyelashes...

Next chapter comes out soon. Thanks for reading!