TMNT: Family Bonds
Chapter 2. Growing Pains
*/AN/*
Hi guys, I just wanted to thank all of you who have read, followed and reviewed my story thus far. Firstly, I feel that I should apologize for this chapter being rather short, but I have been rather busy lately, so sorry about that. :)
Just to clear any issues up, this story is set in the 2003-2007 world of the turtles, although there'll undoubtedly be references to the original series at one point or another. I should point out that it has been a while since I watched this particular series, but it did serve as my first introduction to the Ninja Turtles, so I felt that it was well worth writing a story about. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this story or anything else related to it, feel free to PM me.
Hope you enjoy, and please review! :)
Over the next few months, the brothers started to see less and less of the Jones's. With the new baby as well as work, the couple found it hard to fit in time to visit their mutant friends. On one occasion there was a rather heated discussion between the two spouses regarding Casey and Raphael's night-time vigilantisms, with April stressing such a continuing point about how he was a father now and he had responsibilities that Casey wound up giving up the argument altogether. But, despite their various problems and occasional tiffs, the two spouses were very happy together, with both themselves and their new baby girl.
However, there was still one major problem that the Jones's needed solving, one that they needed the help of their closest friends to solve.
One warm and sunny afternoon, April came to the lair with baby Summer in tow to ask the four brothers a massive favour. As soon as she had arrived, Mikey had bolted out of the dojo in excitement, dropping his weapons and ignoring the angered shouts of Raph and Leo. After quite a bit of protesting and arguing he was eventually heaved back into the Dojo just as Donnie emerged from his lab with coffee cup in hand. Greeting April with a smile, the seated themselves in the kitchen as April laid down her request.
"Huh? You want us to babysit Summer?" Donatello questioned with raised eyebrows. Breathing a somewhat tired sigh, April continued.
"I'm sorry, I know it's last minute, but Casey's working today and I have an appointment up at the hospital" Stepping back from the kitchen counter, Donatello rubbed the back of his neck as he analysed the situation. He could hear the sounds of weapons clashing and fighting coming from the dojo, indicators that his brothers were of course still training. Sudden images of Leo and Raph arguing and Mickey trying to feed the baby pizza appeared in his mind, as well as a horrid image of what might happen if the infant somehow managed crawled her way into his lab. Swallowing, he replied in a somewhat wary tone.
"We'd be happy to do it of course, but are you sure that we're the best people to be looking after Summer?" Leaning towards the baby carrier, April gently stroked the head of her baby daughter and thought for a moment. Then, with a bright smile, she nodded.
"Of course, you guys are family after all" Upon hearing this phrase, the purple-masked genius let out a sigh and agreed that they would gladly watch the baby. After laying down some guidelines and some helpful advice, April left in a hurry as she was running late. Thus leaving Donatello alone with baby Summer. Clearing his throat, Donnie turned to face the infant with a warm smile.
"Well looks like you're stuck with us for now huh?" Summer merely blinked in response, still being too young to speak. Chuckling to himself, the family genius didn't notice the blue-masked leader standing behind him until he spoke.
"Hey Donnie, was that April just no-" Leo stopped mid-sentence as he laid eyes on the infant girl, clearly happy to see her again. He of course noticed that something was different from the previous visits, but he couldn't quite put together what.
Then it hit him, this was the first time baby Summer had been in the lair alone under their supervision, and while it gave him a sense of warmth and pride, Leo also felt a slight uneasiness creeping up the back of his neck.
"Donnie, why is Summer here by herself? Where's Casey and April?" Taking a deep breath, Donatello was about to begin explaining when the other two brothers emerged from within the dojo. Not surprising to any of them, Raph was pissed off at something as usual.
"I told you that I was sorry!" Mikey pleaded, his big blue eyes wide. Growling lowly, Raph paced a few steps in front of his younger brother and was about to shout at him when he noticed the stern look on Leo's face. Frowning, he backed away from Mikey and sneered at the leader.
"What ya' glaring at fearless?"
Rolling his eyes, Leonardo gestured his thumbs towards the still awake Summer. Face lighting up, Mikey rushed over to the young child and started to wave and pull all kinds of faces in his normal persevering attempts to make her laugh. Ever since he had first been introduced, the orange masked turtle had been filled with an overwhelming urge to make Summer happy, as well as to make her smile. Shaking his head at his brother's actions, Raph eyes scanned around the room, searching for the familiar sight of the Jones's. Once he realised that they were not there, he was filled with the same questions that Leo had possessed previously.
Turning to face Donatello, the Sai-weilder frowned once again.
"Don, where's Case and April?" All three of his brothers were staring at him by this point, leaving the genius with no choice but to explain what was going on.
*I hope there's still coffee in the cupboard...*