TMNT: Family Bonds
Chapter 1: A new arrival
Hundreds of feet below the city of New York's surface, past an intricate maze of sewer pipes and tunnels, four mutant turtle brothers and their rat master sat around a small table in their rather small, but comfortable living room. Each one of them was waiting for something, some old friend of theirs to return with the best news possible.
At this certain point in time, the Jones's had left for the hospital many hours earlier, to await the birth of their new baby boy or girl. For the past several hours, the group of brothers and their master had patiently been waiting to meet the new arrival.
"How much longer do you think they'll be?" Mikey piped up, his excitement almost full to bursting. Smiling at his brother's expression, Donatello replied, calm and to the point as always.
"I got a message from April a few minutes ago, they're heading back from the hospital and they shouldn't be too much longer" Groaning, Mikey slumped down in his seat and folded his arms.
"I just want to know if it's a boy or a girl" he whined. Chuckling slightly, the old rat Sensei spoke to his youngest son.
"Patience Michelangelo, soon you shall know" Nodding, the orange-masked turtle sat up straight, keeping his eyes fixed firmly on the lair's entrance.
Breathing a deep sigh, Leonardo sat back in his chair, his mind drifting to various odd places instead of it's usual focused state. Noticing his brother's somewhat vacant expression, Raphael smirked before jokingly nudging his arm.
"What's the matter fearless? Too impatient to wait like Mikey?" Rolling his eyes, Leonardo straightened his posture and also turned to face the lair door. Smiling to himself slightly, he spoke.
"It's hard to believe that Casey and April have finally managed to start a family" Nodding in agreement, Raphael also gave a small smile.
"Yeah, they've been trying for a long time..."
It was the Sai-Wielder's turn to lose himself in his own thoughts. His mind wandered back to a few months before, back when the happy couple had first broken the wonderful news to them, he couldn't remember the last time everyone had been so excited. Casey himself had been especially overjoyed at the news. It made the red-masked turtle glad to see his buddy settled down and happy at last.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps was heard coming from outside the lair. As the clan all stood up from the couches, the couple in question walked in. Casey had his arm wrapped protectively around April's shoulder, his eyes holding a warm, proud glow in them. April herself looked rather tired, but from how brightly she was smiling you would have never guessed. And in her arms, wrapped in a white blanket and dressed in a tiny pink dress was their new-born baby girl.
"Hi everyone" the redhead said in a gentle voice. Unable to contain his excitement any longer, Mikey rushed over to the new family, his big blue eyes practically popping out of his head in hope.
"Can I hold her?" he pleaded.
"Mikey! Let them sit down first at least" Donnie said, shaking his head. Nodding, the orange-masked hurried back to the seating area as fast as he could. As soon as the two new parents had sat down, the words of congratulations made their way from around the group.
"Congrats you guys!" Mikey cheered, a huge smile stretching from cheek to cheek.
"Congratulations both of you" Leo said with a polite smile and a bow of his head.
"I'm really happy for you guys" Donnie said kindly, reaching over and patting April gently on the shoulder. Rising from his seat, Splinter bowed towards the Jones's, warmth and welcome in his voice.
"My Congratulations to you, Mr and Mrs Jones"
Last of all, it was Raphael's turn to speak up.
"Good job Case" Raph said with a wink and a thumbs up.
There was a wonderful warm feeling surrounding the room, making it seem even more cosy than it already was. With a chuckle and a grin, Casey proceeded to address the group.
"Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet the newest member of the Jones's clan, little Ms Summer Jones" Adjusting her arms slightly, April allowed the group to take a proper look at the new baby girl. The top of her tiny head was covered in a little tuft of red hair and her eyes were big and bright. She seemed to be looking around the room, taking In all the new strange things surrounding her. Stroking her daughter's cheek gently, April turned to Mikey with a smile.
"You can take turns holding her now if you like" Freezing up a little, Mikey nodded, holding his arms out to make ready. Slowly and carefully, April placed Summer in the youngest turtle's arms and let him hold her. Staring into the tiny girl's bright eyes, Mikey's smile grew even bigger.
"Hey there tiny person, I'm your uncle Mikey, and I'm here to teach you everything you need to know about video games and other important stuff!" the look in the orange-masked turtle's eyes was one of irrepressible delight, like he finally had someone younger than him to teach the things he was good at. After a minute or so, he very carefully passed baby Summer onto Donnie.
As the family genius studied the face of the tiny newborn, he was filled with a warmth he couldn't describe.
"Hi little Summer...I'm Donnie,...if you ever have trouble with science homework, I'm the one to call" this earned chuckles from the rest of the clan, but the purple-masked turtle couldn't care less.
After he had took his turn, the family genius transferred the newborn into the arms of the group leader. This took Leonardo by surprise, as for once in his life, he had no idea what to say. But after a few moments, he stopped caring and simply said the first thing that popped into his head.
"I'm so happy to meet you little one, I'm Leo...I just hope that you grow to like me" With that, the blue-masked leader handed little Summer over to his Sensei. Taking a few moments of silence, the old rat observed the small child with experience. Chuckling lowly, he spoke to her in his usual calm tone of voice.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Summer Jones, I only hope you do not grow up as too much of a troublemaker" he said, casting eyes towards his four sons, earning their laughter in response.
At last it came the turn of Raphael. Tensing up, the Sai-Wielder hesitated taking the baby out of the arms of his sensei.
"Uh, Case, you sure this is such a good idea? I mean, she's so little and all" Laughing at his friend's nervous expression, Casey nodded.
"Go on, she won't bite you" taking a composing breath, Raphael took a careful hold of Summer in his arms, making sure to support her tiny head. It felt odd to the red-masked turtle to hold something so small and delicate in his arms, he feared that if he moved too sharply he might break her. As the tiny girl stared up at him with her big wide eyes, he felt his normal fierce appearance melt away into nothing, and in it's place, a warm smile appeared.
"Hey there gorgeous..." he said the words in a such a soft voice that his brothers could only stare in surprise.
"I'm Raphael, and if anybody dares to lay a hand on you, they'll have to deal with me ok?" all baby Summer could do was blink in reply, but the point was made nonetheless. Smiling, Splinter rose from his chair and spoke.
"Shall we move to the kitchen area and have refreshment to celebrate the joyful occasion?" One by one, the group left the sitting area, eventually leaving only Raph and the baby still sitting. Looking down once more, Raph gave the most gentle smile he could and spoke in a voice to match.
"Welcome to the family kiddo"