Chapter Three:
For some reason I had a ridiculous notion in my head that perhaps I would get breakfast in bed; a lie in at the very least. But no. And, it was not baby Melody that disturbed me either. She had been up a couple of times and I'd nursed her, burped her and managed to get some additional shut eye. It was the youngest brother whose joyous cries of 'It's Christmas' and 'Can we open presents yet?' echoed around the entire lair followed by some grumpy rumblings that I could only assume was Raphael. Groaning I rolled myself from right to left and tentatively popped my feet out from under the warmth of the covers. It was cold; far too cold for naked feet. Angling myself forward and rocking to gain some momentum I managed to hoist myself out of the bed and slide my feet into slippers. Throwing my overly large jumper on top of my pjamas I braved the lounge.
Michelangelo of course was running round like a lunatic. His face resembled that of a child high on life. It made me smile. A large arm planted itself around my body and swept me close.
"Morning beautiful" I returned his affection by clasping my arms onto his and leaning back against him.
"Good morning yourself...and Merry Christmas"
"It's a little too 'Merry' out here..." snorted Raphael holding me tighter "Please save me"
I giggled: "Mikey too much for you?"
"You have no idea! He just don't quit!"
"You know the remedy for that one. Let him have his presents"
Mikey appeared to be in tune with the 'p' word and bounced over "Oh please can I? Pretty please with a cherry on top?"
"Knock yourself out"
"Yeh, before I do it for you" added Raphael.
I turned myself around and gave him a 'look' - the look which usually told him he'd done something wrong. It conspired however that I couldn't stay mad once he planted a kiss on my mouth and then showed me Melody's present. My little daughter was fascinated by the new decked out lair and even more fascinated with the wrapping paper on her gift. Once paper had been removed I couldn't believe what I was seeing. This wonderful dolls house had been kept a secret for the past few months as it went under construction. The detail, the delicacy of some of the work, I was really astounded that my enormous turtle boyfriend had made this all by himself for our girl.
"Of course I know she can't really play with it yet...but, I just wanted to make her something she could grow up with y'know.."
The rest of the brothers were all silent; I was waiting for a joking comment. It didn't come.
"It's lovely" I gasped "I can't believe you did all this for her" My heart felt like it was in my throat.
"Look, must be good! She wants to eat it already" Melody was happily sucking away on the side of the house. Michelangelo scooped her up which was greeted with a squealing protest until she sat with me and settled at my breast. Raphael plonked next to me, resting one arm about my shoulders and the other on my belly.
"You sure you like it?" he whispered, lightly stroking my hair.
"I love it"
Leonardo stood with Donatello in the kitchen; both aiming to keep an eye on Mikey, ensuring he didn't get too carried away with ingredients. They had guests coming over so today was not the time for creativity. He couldn't help but feel a wave of contentment looking at his older brother and his ever growing family. He wondered if he would ever be blessed with children. He didn't know if Karai was really the motherly kinda girl; they'd never talked about it.
"Sweet ain't it?" Donatello's voice snapped him out of his reflection. Leonardo folded his arms.
"Yes. He's lucky"
Donnie nudged him on the shoulder "Your day will come"
"You think?"
"I do"
Leonardo wasn't so sure.
"You can all the practice you can with the next two - Raph is going need some serious help"
They both chuckled.
"And if he proposes today they may pop out early" added Donatello casually.
"Propose? He's going to pop the question?"
Donatello nodded "He's an old romantic really. See. Mikey got the big cuddly teddy-bear thing spot on"
"Why are we whispering?" Michelangelo joined them, glancing from one to the other, he was wearing his new "Great Cook; Great Ninja; Great Guy" apron that April had bought him.
"Because it's a secret" replied Leonardo "And one we have to keep from you"
"Awwwww!" shrieked Michelangelo loudly "I gotta know now! You can't do this to me!"
