A/N: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews! Here come some fluffy moments. XD

Splinter glanced at the clock. His sons had all been resting for several hours now. And for the majority of that time baby Faith had done nothing more than sleep, eat, poop, and sleep some more. But now she was crying and he couldn't figure out why. He wasn't certain what to do. When his sons had first come into his care they were still significantly older than her, closer to the two-year mark. They had not been quite so tiny or so fragile. He had noted the differences in her as Donatello had. The softer shell worried him as it did not provide the same protection as the others did.

Sighing, he continued to try to comfort the tiny turtle as he paced the living room. Vivi suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs. He frowned. "I'm sorry, I had hoped to let you rest a while longer."

She smiled. "Actually, I'm already feeling a lot better. A good meal and some very peaceful sleep go a long way." Her eyes landed on Faith as she crossed the room to him.

"I am not certain what's wrong. She is not hungry or dirty, and she has slept very well until now." She took the infant from him and cuddled her close. Almost instantly Faith quieted. He frowned in confusion.

Vivi lifted her head to smile at him. "It's a mommy thing." She looked back at Faith with a small sad smile and stroked her little head. "I'm all she had for two full days. She knows my scent. I doubt it'll take long for her to learn yours as well though. I can also hear her and she can hear me, which does give me a bit of an advantage." Vivi sat on the couch as Faith gave a wide yawn and promptly went to sleep.

"Hear you?" Splinter sat nearby in an armchair. "Ah, yes. I saw your kin communicate while in their animal forms."

She nodded. "We are telepathic. But we can only hear each other when we are near one another."

"So, she told you she wanted you?"

"Well, not exactly. With her it has been mainly images and sensations so far. That will change as she gets older and learns to speak. It also takes a bit of concentration to speak with one another with our minds. It takes less effort to speak to each other aloud rather than telepathically."

Splinter glanced up the stairwell. "I am surprised Raphael did not come down with you."

Vivi grinned and gave a soft laugh. "He was still sleeping. I tried not to wake him. I had to change into a hamster to leave without him noticing."

Splinter chuckled. "Very clever." The joy in her violet eyes warmed his heart. "You love my son very much."

She closed her eyes, still smiling. "Yes, very very much."

"He only recently explained to me the nature and depth of your relationship. But I have known from the very night you were separated that something profound had changed him." He set a fur covered hand on her arm. "Now, I understand why." There was a calm gentleness about her that Raphael had sought most of his life. Even her anger was mitigated with that gentleness. She had left the room rather than be confrontational. And he suspected it was not for herself, but for her sister. She was sparing her feelings, tempering what she said.

The sound of a door opening and footsteps approaching made the two look up. For a moment Splinter thought it was most likely Raphael, but Leonardo came into view. The turtle smiled softly when his gaze fell on Vivi and the baby. He inclined his head towards Splinter. "Sensei." The old rat returned the gesture.

Leo turned to Vivi. "I'm surprised to see you awake already and without Raph shadowing you." His smile grew when she giggled. "Did you sleep well?"

"Oh, yes, very well. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure I've ever slept that well." She continued to smile as she looked down at the sleeping babe in her arms. The little turtle had her head turned towards her mother, a tiny hand clutching her shirt, and the most peaceful expression on her green face. I bet I looked like that a little while ago.

Another door opened upstairs. This time a heavier pair of feet moved much quicker to the staircase. Relief washed over Raphael's face when he spotted Vivi. He approached them at a more relaxed speed. Vivi met his eyes and he smiled. "Hey, how'd ya sneak out on me?"

Vivi grinned mischievously. "I have my ways." Beside her, Splinter let out a whole-hearted laugh.

Raph continued to smile as he settled on the couch beside her and placed a kiss on her cheek. Then he gazed down at his little daughter, stroking her small round head with his large fingers. He looked up at his father. "She do alright?"

Splinter nodded with a small smile. "Yes, as well as any newborn, I suppose."

Leo frowned. "I thought I heard crying a few minutes ago."

Splinter nodded. "I believe she simply wanted her mother." The old rat yawned. "I am going to get some rest now." He patted Vivi's shoulder as he stood. "I am glad you are feeling better."

"Thanks." She turned her attention to Raph and he stroked a hand through her blue hair.

"Ya hungry?"

Vivi was kind of amused at the fact that he kept trying to feed her. I must be a terrible sight for him to continuously offer me food. She decided to humor him. "Maybe just a little."

His caramel eyes were warm as he stood. "I'll get ya somethin'." Raph headed for the kitchen and Leo followed him.

"Raph, it's great having Vivi and the baby here, but have you thought about the future?"

Raph paused with the jug of milk in hand to glance at his brother over his shoulder. "If ya mean in the long run. I don't gotta think 'bout it. They're stayin' here."

Leo nodded. He had no argument with that. "I kind of meant in the short run though. We don't really have things for a baby here or anywhere for her to sleep or Vivi for that matter. Unless you plan on adding another hammock to your room." Leo teased lightly.

Raph snorted. "Of course not. I figure we can find a mattress pretty easy." He frowned a little. "As for the other stuff. I don't know. Maybe we could get April to find what we need. What I do know is I don't want Vivi goin' topside right now. It ain't safe. Shredder could still be lookin' for 'er."

Leo frowned, his expression growing serious. "I have to agree with that." He thought for a moment. "She could make a list and one of us could go with April to get it."

Raph picked up the bowl he'd filled with fruit. "Yeah, alright, sounds good." They returned to the living room to find Mikey sitting beside Vivi holding Faith and grinning. Raph glanced at Vivi and she smiled reassuringly. Sighing inwardly, he settled into the chair Splinter had been in earlier and handed her the bowl of fruit and a cup of milk. "Be careful, Mikey."

Mikey rolled his eyes. "Take a chill pill, bro. I haven't got to hold her yet."

Vivi squeezed Raph's hand. "She's fine. She's still sleeping." The corner of his mouth turned up in a small smile and he returned the gentle pressure.

Don sat beside Mikey smiling at his brother and sleeping niece. "I'm still amazed that you two were able to produce a child, genetically speaking."

"Remember, Donatello, that as a shapeshifter I can be whatever species I desire." Vivi gave him a small smirk and Raph chuckled.

Leo grinned as well. "She's got you there, Don."

Mikey looked up from Faith, raising an eye-ridge. "Does that mean you can look like a mutant turtle too?"

Vivi took a moment to consider the question, then she nodded. "Yes, I don't see why not. We can become anything as long as it is a living breathing being."

Don nodded. "That makes sense. Inanimate objects don't have the normal functions of a body like breathing, a pulse, or higher brain functions like thought."

Mikey was still focused on the idea of her being a mutant turtle. "Can you do it now?"

Vivi glanced at Raph, a bit uncertain. He frowned. "Mikey, she's tired."

"It's alright. I can try." She released his hand and closed her eyes, picturing what she imagined a female mutant turtle her age might look like. It took a moment and then she shifted into what would have been called an older version of Faith. Her shell was softer and her beak was not so pronounced as theirs. Her plastron retained the same curves as her humanoid form but it too was softer. Raph's eyes grew large and Vivi blushed.

"Whoa!" Mikey's eyes were just as big. "That is so cool!"

Vivi's blush darkened as the four stared at her. "Um, is it okay?"

Don gave a slight nod. "Uh, yeah. I'd say it's pretty accurate."

Leo raised an eye ridge. "It's...uh...fine."

Vivi met Raph's gaze. He smirked. "Doll, ya look good in any form, but I still like the natural one best."

Love reflected in her violet eyes a moment before she returned to her humanoid state. Then, she leaned forward to give him a quick but warm kiss. Raph felt the familiar shiver run through his body at the simple touch.

She smiled as she sat back. "I think I'd like to take a shower. It's been a while since I had a proper one."

Raph stood. "I'll show ya where the bathroom is."

Vivi glanced at Faith still sleeping soundly. Leo smiled. "We'll keep an eye on her." She nodded and followed Raph up the stairs.

Mikey chuckled as they disappeared. "I don't think we're gonna see those two for a while." Don and Leo couldn't suppress their own chuckles.

****See AO3 for deleted scene***

Raph finished washing up quickly and stepped out of the shower to dry off.

Vivi was staring at the pile of dingy ragged clothes she'd worn for months. She hated the idea of putting them back on. He frowned as well, while pulling his gear back on. "Guess we didn't think 'bout that."

"I don't suppose you have anything that will fit me?"

Raph shook his head. "Don't have many clothes and what I got would probably fall right off ya." He thought for a moment. "But we could get our friend April to bring ya some. We were plannin' on callin' 'er anyway. Ya could just stay in my – our - room until she gets here."

Vivi nodded. She could use some more rest anyway. It would still take some time before she was at full strength. "Okay. Could you bring Faith up here? She could probably use a good wash too. I didn't have much water when…she was born."

He cupped her cheek with a remorseful frown. "I'm sorry."

Her eyes widened. "No, you have nothing to be sorry for. I chose to stay to protect you." Her violet eyes blazed. "And I would do it all over again. I just don't want you to feel left out because you weren't there."

He let out a heavy sigh. "I do regret missin' it. But that's okay, 'cause you're both here now. And that's all that really matters ta me." He pressed a kiss to her brow. "I'll go get 'er." Tying on his mask, he stepped into the hall.

A/N: Enjoy the peace while it last Raphie, because it won't be for long.