Over the next few weeks, Donatello worked in his lab as much as possible. All of his pre-baby projects were keeping him busy. When he did take breaks to hang out with the others, they all became standoffish and said they had other things to do. They suggested that he do his exercises, or relax and watch TV, then they left him all alone.

Donatello began to feel sad and left out. He had no idea what his family was planning for him. They were just trying to keep him from finding out about the baby shower. They were going topside to get him the gifts for the party and leaving them with April. She kept the stash hidden in her bedroom closet.

The twins were keeping Don awake at night. He had constant cravings and a little heartburn after eating. His back hurt even more now, and his ankles had swelled up. He was now at his 22nd week, and his aches and pains, combined with feeling left out were making him cranky. He tried to rest and not stress himself too much.

Don was still allowed to go topside, but he never did so alone. He was still worried about Floyd watching him, and he couldn't afford any more trouble. His stomach showed clearly that he was pregnant now. He would be an easy target with his bigger stomach, and soon he wouldn't even be able to make a quick escape through a manhole anymore.

Mike had been asking Don if he felt the babies move.

"I feel them a lot more now. It's more prominent than when I first started to feel them." Don laughed. "They just keep on having parties inside me when it's time to get some sleep."

Then, Don's mood changed. He wondered why Mike was asking about this when he had practically run out the door earlier that day after Don had tried to join him for breakfast.

"Can I feel them?" Mike asked. "You said I could."

"That was before you started leaving me out of everything!" Don snapped at him angrily. It was another one of his mood swings.

"Sorry, dude. I wasn't trying to upset you." Mike held his hands up. He knew he was currently sworn to secrecy, but it didn't mean he couldn't hang out with Donatello.

"Look, Donatello, I'll make you your favorite food to make it up to you. How's that sound?" Mike suggested.

"It still doesn't atone for all the lying to me and hiding from me!" Don said. He had angry tears in his eyes.

"We're not trying to leave you out of anything. Let's just say we're doing something for you," Mike hinted.

Don's expression softened. "What?"

"It's a surprise." Mike had almost let it slip. He really didn't like seeing Don so upset, and he wasn't the best at keeping secrets.

"It's not my birthday," Don said.

"Nope. Just wait and see. It'll be soon, I promise," Mike said.

Well, at least Don knew that his brothers had some sort of reason for treating him this way. But what surprise could they be planning for him?

….

As Donatello progressed further into his pregnancy, he grew increasingly concerned about the health of his babies after they were born. The sewers would not be the best place for them to live, but what other options did they have?

Don called his family together for a meeting.

"Everyone, as we all know we have lived in these sewers all our lives, but with the twins on the way, it won't be the healthiest place for them. I want to get this place as clean as possible to make it right for them. I'm also making some barrier doors to the lair as one of my last projects before we leave for April's farmhouse," Don explained.

"That is a good idea, Donatello," Splinter agreed. He made sure that a thorough cleaning was done every spring, but it had been a long time since then.

"With the new doors, we can be sure that no sewage will leak in while we are gone," Don said.

"And, is it working to keep the sewage out so far?" Leo asked.

"Yes," Don assured. "My tests have been going really well."

"Why didn't you do that years ago?" Raph asked. "It would have saved us from Shredder's many attacks too."

"Back then, we weren't expecting young children to live with us anytime soon," Don replied. "I want this place clean, and I mean, REALLY clean for the twins."

The others weren't real thrilled to do all that cleaning, but they would do it for the sake of the twins.

Donatello knew that this was the 'nesting instinct' setting in. He just wanted things perfect, so his babies could live happily down here with them. When they arrived at the farmhouse, they would need to clean that up too.

Leonardo started picking up trash. Michelangelo got some soapy water and scrub brushes and began scrubbing the floors. Raphael cleaned the cobwebs and dust bunnies off the upper pipes. Donatello set about washing the clothes and bedding. He wanted everything spotless.

Don was already halfway through his pregnancy. His stomach was quite round by now, but it wasn't getting in his way much at all. He was really careful to keep it out of the way while cleaning.

Splinter left his sons to do the work, but he would gladly help out when needed, such as if Donatello needed help picking up something. His brothers could help him too.

Splinter usually had to tell his students when it was time to clean, and he usually had to nag them for days. It was nice to see Donatello be the one to take charge, for the sake of his twins.

…..

It was the middle of January and the turtles were finally ready for Donatello's baby shower. The city had been enjoying some unusually warm weather, and the timing was perfect. It was wonderful weather to drive in, or even to take a walk.

Don still had no idea what the surprise was, but he did know that something was coming. Mike wouldn't tell him when it was. He had told the others that he had let Don know to expect a surprise, and they were mad at him for giving away hints.

"I didn't tell him what it was," Mike defended. "He just kind of forced it out of me when he made me feel guilty about leaving him out of everything."

Since April made her own hours now, the baby shower was set to be at her place. All the gifts were there anyway.

It was on a Saturday afternoon. A table full of healthy snacks and pizza was laid out for the guys.

Irma had the afternoon off after working all morning. She planned to come too. Howie was busy working on a new song, but he wished the best for the turtles and the new babies.

The baby shower was going to be at three. Irma came up to April's apartment to help get everything ready. Jane also came over to give her a hand wrapping gifts.

Since they didn't know what genders the twins were, none of them had wanted to get anything that signaled either boys or girls. They stuck mostly to neutrals.

April called Leo and said the shower was ready.

"Thanks, April. We'll be over as soon as possible," Leo said.

Leo went to get the others and told them the party was ready to go. Now they just needed to pry Don away from working on the barrier doors in the back of his lab. They went to the lab to get him.

"Hey, Donatello, how about you take a break from working on that barrier for some lunch?" Mike asked.

"I'm real busy right now, guys," Don said.

"We're having lunch at April's today, to enjoy the warm weather while it's here," Leo said. "It won't hurt for you to take a break for a little while."

Donatello had a welder in his hands at the moment. He sighed. He felt his stomach growl and a baby kicked him in the side. It might have been saying it was hungry too.

"Alright, but I need to get back to this soon," Don said, getting up from leaning over and welding the door into place. He took a minute to stretch out his sore back.

His brothers smiled. He was going to be in for such a surprise.

They didn't wear disguises this time since the weather was warmer. Don followed his family to the Turtle Van, where Splinter was waiting for them. They could have walked, but the guys were starting to worry that Don's stomach might not fit through some of the smaller manholes.

When they got to the building, they took the elevator up to April's apartment. Mike knocked on the door.

April heard it, meaning they were here with the guest of honor. Irma and Jane got ready while April went to answer her door.

"Hi guys, come on in," she greeted with a smile.

Mike stepped in first, with Don close behind him. The moment he stepped in, everyone yelled "Surprise!"

Donatello was so startled, he held his chest and fell back into Raph and Leo's arms.

"Whoa! Warn me next time," Don requested.

"Why would we do that when there is only going to be one this time?" Raph said happily. He had been hoping for this reaction. To him, it was all too funny.

Leo and Raph got Don back on his feet. Don went to check out what was going on. He saw a banner hung up on the wall. 'Baby Shower' was written in big purple letters.

"A baby shower?" Don asked.

"Yes. Every parent-to-be needs goodies for their children," Jane said, coming up to give him a hug.

At first, Don was stunned that she did that. Jane had never hugged him before, but he knew that she was happy for him. He hugged her back.

"Congratulations, Donatello!" Irma bubbled.

"Thanks, Irma," Don said.

April came up and hugged him. "How about some lunch first?" she suggested.

When she let go, Don asked, "So, this was the surprise?"

"Yes. Since you haven't gotten anything for the twins yet, we wanted to help you out. April came up with the idea for the shower, and we agreed with her. We wanted to give you a special day and buy some gifts for the twins," Leo explained.

"Thanks, guys. It looks really nice," Don said, his eyes welling with tears of happiness.

"Let's get started on lunch. I'm starving!" Mike said.

They all giggled as Mike's stomach growled out loud. His was always the loudest.

Donatello was allowed to go first, since it was his party. He got a plateful of food; pizza, fruits, veggies, a few candies. It was a special occasion, which called for pigging out. Don didn't always have the appetite of Mike, but he was eating for three. At this stage in the pregnancy, it seemed like the twins were just sucking the food right out of him, leaving barely anything for Don himself. He was hungry almost all the time.

The others got their food and chowed down. Splinter usually ate sushi, but he could eat other foods too when he had to.

After eating, April handed out the gifts. There were some baby blankets, clothes, books, tapes, and a radio, monitors, bedding, a rocking chair, a changing table, carrying packs; all things that Don would need to take proper care of two babies.

"This is all so wonderful. Thanks you, guys," Don sobbed happily.

"What's wrong, Donatello?" Mike asked.

"I'm just so happy you did this for me," Don wept.

"It's his hormones acting up. You did something nice to make him happy," Jane explained. "He can't help himself if he gets emotional like this. It's nothing to worry about."

"We have wondered about it for some time," Raph said. "He can be watching a movie and just burst into tears out of nowhere. He never used to be like that."

"Things have changed for the moment, Raphael. It's going to be like this even after the twins are born. Just be careful of what you say and do around him. Pregnant parents need a lot of support," Jane advised.

The baby shower had been a success. Donatello was very happy and had received most of the things he needed to finish up the babies' room down in the lair. He planned to take much of it with him to the farmhouse when the time came next month.

It was good they had brought the Turtle Van so they could take all the gifts home after the party ended. They also watched a movie before going home.

Don called April later that afternoon. "Thanks again for coming up with the baby shower idea. It meant a lot to me."

"I was glad to do it, Donatello," April said. "Take care. I can't wait to see how you get the rest of the room set up for the twins."

"Soon, April," Don promised.

For now, the gifts were set out in the nursery. Everyone would help to set it up later on. Right now, it was time for a nap.

….

After getting some rest, the turtles all set about getting the nursery room set up for the twins. It was nice to see everything come together. It had seemed so empty with only the handmade cradles that Don had so lovingly crafted. Donny left the heavy lifting to his brothers. His center of balance was so off-kilter these days that even the slightest misstep could make him fall over.

When the room was finished, Donatello felt satisfied. It looked like a real nursery. He admired it for a while, then he went back to work finishing up the barrier doors.

There were just a few short weeks left before they were going to leave for the farmhouse. Until now, they had only heard about it, but soon it would be their home away from home.

I'd like to thank my beta readers, Techno Dawn and Darkunderworld for editing this for me.