Raphael, his babies and Splinter arrived back at the place the latter had called his home for the past year.
The place was so different from the vivarium: damp, smelly, but it was clean, far away from the villains and that's all that mattered to Raphael. He could safely raise his babies here. Splinter had done his best to make it homely. A TV was in the lounge, as well as a couple of battered sofas and a coffee table.
"I like it," Raphael declared, holding his son up, so that he could check things out. "Do you think your sis and you could like it here?"
"Gah!" Baby Raphael said, his green eyes taking in everything.
"Gaga," Zaria babbled, still in Splinter's arms, her own eyes wide, as she stared around the room.
"I think that's a yes," Raphael said and chuckled. "I really appreciate this, Mr. Splinter."
"You can call me Splinter, Raphael. Why don't we get some formula for your babies?"
"Thank you," Raphael said and they all went into the kitchen.
XXXX
Splinter prepared formula for the babies, as Raphael took a seat at the kitchen table, his son cradled in one arm and Zaria in the other one.
The kitchen had a stove, cupboards, a kettle, a washing machine and a fridge. Splinter had found the appliances, the table and chairs at a dump.
"I love this place," Raphael said in awe. "I could totally live here, but I do have to find my wife. Goodness knows what that Bishop's doing to her now I've left."
"I understand, Raphael," Splinter said. "I had a wife once and there was nothing I wouldn't do for her, but your first priority is to these angels. You can't leave now. They need you."
"I know. Raven and I made a pact that we'd make a life with the kids if either of us got out and would wait until they were older before we looked for one another, but it's hard, Splinter. I've been with her for two years and I feel like a part of me is missing," Raphael said sadly. "We've never been apart and this is…. I feel so lost without her, you know." He sighed and said, "What would you do?"
"I'd honor the pact, as tough as it is. Your wife would want you to, Raphael, and you owe it to the children to put them first."
"I guess so, Splinter. I'd do anything for my kids. They and their mom are the best things I've ever done. They were my only oasis in that hellhole."
"How old are you?"
"Seventeen. Raven's sixteen. That vile Bishop…."
"Bishop?" Splinter asked, picking up Zaria and handing Raphael a bottle of ready formula. The rat then sat down and began to feed her with the other bottle.
Raphael proudly watched his son latch on to the bottle and slowly drink the formula down.
"Good boy, Raphie," Raphael said. "Such a good boy. Daddy loves you and your sister so much."
"They're adorable, Raphael," Splinter said. "But tell me about this Bishop."
He's an insane scientist. Me and Raven were ordinary turtles and he transformed us into mutant turtles using an ooze called mutagen. He loves dissecting, torturing and experiments and it doesn't matter who it's on. He gets off hurting whatever and whomever he can. He's experimented on us both and he planned on using our babies as breeding machines for a super army."
"Mutagen, you said? That's how my sons and I came to be. A canister of it somehow landed in the sewers and we stepped in it."
"Yeah, mutagen. It immediately transformed us into sentient beings and that was good, because we could talk, communicate, walk, reason and so on, but we couldn't communicate with our family anymore and we knew we didn't deserve to be caged, so it was worse having the knowledge and being able to communicate your feelings, you know? We were taken away our from families to breed. I miss my parents and my siblings so much, but I doubt I'll ever get to see them again. Anyway, Bishop had sinister plans for Raphie, whose intersex. Bishop wanted him to have a sex change and become a fully functioning chick with a vagina and breed him for monetary purposes and for a super army. Can you damn believe it? There was no way in hell I was going to let that happen to my boy. I saw a vial that contained a smoke bomb, threw it at the bastards and ran for my life with my babies. My only regret is that I had to leave Raven behind," Raphael said despondently. "My beautiful boy's so precious. How could anyone think of doing that to him? How? How can people be so cruel, Splinter? He's just a baby, an innocent."
"There are monsters in this world, Raphael, who cannot handle different and who're heartless and soulless. You did the best thing for your children and I assure you they'll be safe here."
"Yeah. Raphie can lay eggs and his sperm probably don't swim, but so what, right? God made him that way and he's perfect as he is. I wouldn't change a thing about him. I love him the way he Is," Raphael said and kissed his son's forehead.
Baby Raphael finished his milk and said, "Baboo."
Raphael beamed, kissed his son's cheek, burped him and said, "Yes. You're perfection, my love. So are you, Zaria."
Zaria finished her formula and said, "Gaggggaaa."
"You're right," Splinter said. "They're perfect, Raphael, but one day your son will need to know about his condition. I have sons and they may come to regard your children as mates." He burped Zaria, who touched his snout, making him smile.
"I wouldn't stop that if my kids were happy. I don't care who they end up with. All that matters is their happiness, but one thing I'll never let happen is to make my son feel he's a freak just because he's different. He's just as special and cherished as his sister. That'll never change."
"I feel the same way about my children. They may not be mine biologically, but there's nothing I wouldn't do for them and I'd gladly lay down my life for them. No questions asked. It is late. You should go to bed."
"I will shortly. It's such a strange feeling not being in that prison, Splinter, and subject to Bishop's rules. I'm so used to being told what to do and controlled. This is so surreal. I feel like it's a dream and that when I wake up, I'm going to be back in that prison."
"It's no dream, my son. You're free and you're home," Splinter said and placed a paw on Raphael's shoulder. "This is where you belong and whatever is mine is yours and your children's. Would you like something to eat?"
"I wouldn't mind a cheese sandwich if you have it. Thank you for everything. I can't thank you enough."
"Coming up," Splinter said and placed Zaria in her dad's left arm.
Splinter began to make the sandwich and poured milk into a glass.
The babies chirped and Raphael chirped back, making them coo softly.
"It's a pleasure. My son, do you know ninjitsu?" Splinter asked, placing the now ready sandwich and milk on the table and then picking up Zaria and sitting down.
"I've seen it on TV," Raphael said and took a bite of his sandwich. "We watched a lot of that. Most of it was boring, but I loved sports, wrestling and Martial Arts. Raven liked her soaps and chick flicks."
"I'll train you in it if you like. You need to be able to defend yourself and the children."
"I lifted weights to maintain my muscles, but I'd like that. I'll look for weights and other gym equipment to bulk up." Raphael sipped his milk and said, "I'd like the kids to be trained in it as well. They need to be able to protect themselves."
"Wonderful. We can start tomorrow when the children are asleep. What weapon would you like to use?"
"The sai," Raphael said and devoured the rest of his sandwich in two bites. Then he finished his milk and said, "Thank you. That was great."
"Excellent choice, my son. I have no doubt you'll soon be a fine ninja and you're most welcome. It's very late. Let me show you to your room."
Splinter stood, Zaria in his arms, and led Raphael, who carried his son, to his new room.
XXXX
"This is so cool," Raphael said, taking in the double bed, dresser and wardrobe. "Our own room. I love it, Splinter. I could have a weight set over there and put a crib for the kids in the corner with a mobile horse. They need a cot, because they're too small to sleep in a proper bed."
"I have one. Be right back."
Splinter returned with a blue crib that had a matching blanket in it and said, "This was my sons' crib. They're a year old now and too big for it. It has a horse mobile and I have no doubt your babes will love it."
"Thank you," Raphael said. He placed his kids in the crib, covered them with a blanket, kissed them and then climbed into bed.
"Rest well, my son," Splinter said and smiled.
"You too, Splinter."
The rat left the room.
Raphael clasped his hands behind his head and an image of Raven popped into his head. Blinking back tears, he thought, I miss you, babe. My bed and my life's so empty without you. How am I supposed to continue my life without you? I know I made that vow, but it's so hard, hon. We were each other's universe and now all I have is memories of you. That's not enough. I want to hold you. I need you and so do our babies. How am I going to raise them on my own? Okay. Technically, I'm not alone. Splinter said he'd help, but I'm still our babies' mom and dad. What if I fuck up?
Baby Raphael suddenly squawked and kicked his legs in the air, immediately waking his sister, who screamed at the top of her lungs.
Raphael was instantly in parent mode and jumped out of bed. He approached the crib and said, "It's okay, my loves. I'm here. Daddy's here. What's the matter? I've fed you, so why would you fuss now? Oh. I know. Daddy's so silly. He didn't diaper you, did he and you're all wet?"
Raphael checked his son and saw that he was indeed wet. His sister was bone dry, but he'd also diaper her. He saw diapers in a dresser, changed his babies, saw there was another blanket in the same dresser, placed it and his babies back in the crib and smiled down at them.
"There, my sweethearts. All better," Raphael said and kissed their cheeks. "Now rest, my loves."
No, no, no, Baby Raphael thought. I don't wanna lie in the cot with my sister. I want ya, Daddy. He kicked his legs in the air again and whimpered.
Zaria copied her brother and thought, I want Daddy. Where's Mommy? What happened to her?
"No peace for me, huh?" Raphael said wearily. "All right. You can sleep with me, but just for tonight."
Raphael picked up his babies and climbed back into bed. He placed Zaria on the bed next to him, taking care that it was a safe distance from him, so he wouldn't fall onto her.
"Looks like you're with me, my son," Raphael said, lying down and then placing his son on his plastron. "I hope you'll be able to get some sleep now."
Raphael pulled the covers over himself and his babies and fell asleep.
Baby Raphael snuggled against his dad's plastron and inhaled his familiar musky scent that always comforted him. Much better, he thought, but where's Mommy? Who's Splinter? He said he had sons. Are they like me and Zari? I wish Mommy was here. I miss Mommy so much.
Unable to keep his eyes open and soothed by his dad's scent and presence, Baby Raphael drifted off to sleep.
A/N Next up, Leo, Don and Mikey meet Baby Raph and Zari.
