Disclaimer: Ninja Turtles are not mine. Please do not sue and no flames.

A Special Birthday Surprise

The turtles were celebrating their 4th birthday. Splinter had given them each a shiny red bouncy ball and they were currently eating a Hershey's® chocolate bar.

"I have a special gift for all of you," Splinter said. "Please wait here while I prepare your surprise."

The turtles stopped eating and Splinter left the room. Then the turtles continued to eat their chocolate bars and threw the wrappers in the trash can when they finished.

"I hope Splinter is getting a play stove for us," Mikey said.

"I hope the surprise is a bookcase," Donny said.

"I want the surprise to be a jungle gym," Raph said.

"Maybe Splinter's taking us on a trip," Leo said.

The turtles started playing with their new balls. They stopped when Splinter entered the room.

"I have finished your surprise," Splinter announced. "Please follow me, my sons."

The turtles followed Splinter to their bedroom. When they got inside, they were impressed with what they saw. There was one bed in each corner of the room and an overhead light. Each bed was color-coded so each turtle would know which bed was theirs.

"These are great, Splinter," Donny said.

"I think so, too," Leo said.

"I can't wait to sleep in my bed," Mikey said.

"Nice gift, Splinter," Raph said.

"I figured it might be time for each of you to have your own beds yet have each other nearby if need be," Splinter explained.

The turtles nodded in understanding. Then Splinter gathered the turtles in his arms and each of them returned the gesture. A few minutes later, they released each other and the turtles got into their beds. Splinter tucked in each turtle, kissed them on the forehead, told them that he loved them and each turtle told Splinter that they loved him, too.

Splinter watched the turtles fall asleep. Then he left the room.


Donny was sleeping in his new bed. He woke up when he heard sniffling.

Donny got up and headed towards Mikey's bed since that's where the sound was coming from. He reached Mikey's bed and his brother was facing away from him with his whole body shaking.

"You OK, Mikey?" Donny asked with concern.

"No," Mikey said, turning to face his brother who saw that his face was soaked.

Donny got into Mikey's bed and got under the covers. He put an arm around Mikey who snuggled close to him.

"What happened?" Donny asked with concern.

"I had a nightmare," Mikey replied, the floodgates opening.

"What was it about?"

"We were all playing just outside of the lair. Eventually, all of you starting leaving me and when I asked why, all of you told me that you were tired of me and didn't want me around anymore."

Donny gently wrapped his arms around Mikey who returned the gesture and broke down completely. Leo and Raph quietly got out of their beds and headed over.

"Mikey, you OK?" Leo asked with concern.

"What would make you think we would get tired of you?" Raph asked with curiosity.

"Because I annoy all of you," Mikey said, sniffling.

"Mikey, you may annoy us and we might get tired of what you do but we would never get tired of you," Leo said.

"Really?" Mikey asked.

"I can't believe you think we would just leave you somewhere all alone," Raph said in disbelief.

"Mikey, we love you and so does Splinter," Donny said, tightening his hold on Mikey.

"I love all of you, too," Mikey said, tightening his hold on Donny.

Leo and Raph got into the bed and the turtles wrapped their arms around each other, squeezed tightly, and then released each other. After that, Leo and Raph got out of Mikey's bed, headed for their own beds, got themselves tucked into their own beds, and fell asleep.

"Donny, would you please stay here tonight?" Mikey asked.

"Sure, Mikey," Donny said.

Mikey and Donny snuggled up together under the covers. Then they fell asleep.

The End