Disclaimer: I do not own the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
A/N: this is written in junction with dondena. The idea is hers. She is beta as well. Also these turtles are based off of the 1987 old toon turtles. It takes place after the 'Red Sky'. Shredder and Krang, and Lord Dregg are all long gone.
XXX
The few days until Christmas Eve turned Donatello's belly into hard knots. It was almost like when he had the accursed morning sickness. April had come down early and after talking with Splinter and assuring him that Jane and Tanya were trustworthy, she gave each of the turtles a list of things she wanted done. Mikey was on the cooking duty as usual and Leonardo was employed to use his katanas to trim the tree that Raphael and Michelangelo had drug down into the sewers while Raphael did some light cleaning.
"Why do I have to be the one to clean?" He grumbled as he attacked a corner that held some cobwebs.
"Because we are having some surprise guests and spring cleaning doesn't always have to happen in the spring." April said as she made sure she had the list.
"Maybe so, but still…does it look like I'm Martha Stewart?"
"Alright wise guy, just finish that corner and then throw all the pizza boxes away, or I'll have you wear the apron." She threatened. "You ready Donatello?"
"Yeah." Donatello finished pulling on the purple wool cap that he wore often. He followed April out. She had it all worked out so that she could get him alone to talk as they did the shopping.
xx
"So Donatello," April began as she looked through some turkeys, "have any idea how you are going to tell your brothers? Splinter handled it rather well."
"No idea. Though I don't know which is worse, Splinter calmly saying he's disappointed in me not telling him sooner and trusting him, or if he had yelled. I guess after all the years of all the strange things in our life and him turning from human to rat he's well used to the impossible, so me being…pregnant isn't too much of a shock."
"Yeah I see what you mean. After I met you four and Splinter I feel the same way some things. I don't look at the simple things anymore. What do you think of this one?" She held up a rather large turkey.
Donatello nodded. "Looks good."
"I'll take your word for it. I was never one for cooking much less telling what was good or not. Ever since Irma moved I've been relying on take-out." She nodded her head and Donatello pushed the cart forward. The all night mart was empty even on the early Christmas Eve day. "Anyway, speaking of your pregnancy, how are you doing?"
"I'll be better once I get this all out in the open with my bros."
"That's not what I meant. How are you feeling?" April said as she looked at two different cans of cranberry sauce. She shrugged and dumped both in the cart.
"The morning sickness is over and the babies are growing fast. I'm already two months along and I'm showing. It's not uncomfortable yet, but as to feeling. No offence April, but I don't know how you women do it. I get periods when I don't feel…if you will…male." Donatello's cheeks turned darker.
April stopped walking and raised an eyebrow at Donatello. "You have any idea why you would feel this way?"
He nodded, "It must be the high dosages that Sir gave he. For me to possibly carry the babies he would have to had me on female hormones." Donatello paused by the aisle that held frozen fish. He stared into the freezer. "You know, I think that is why he waited the first week of my capture. He had begun a hormonal treatment."
April didn't say anything but stared into the freezer with Donatello. They stood there lost in their own little world. Finally April cleared her throat. "I think we got everything. You ready to head back?"
XXX
By Christmas Eve night, the promised snow was falling gently all over New York City, and everyone was helping decorate the lair to the nines. Christmas classics boomed over the radio.
"There, that's the last of it." April said as she hung the last bulb on the tree. She glanced at her watch. "Oh, I got to get going. I have still one thing to do then I have to get ready. I'll see you in about an hour boys." She waved goodbye.
"See ya April." Michelangelo called from the kitchen.
Donatello was in his lab rehearsing what he was going to say. He hoped that the party and Jane and Tanya would help smooth things over. April stuck her head into his lab. "I'm going to go get ready then pick up Jane and Tanya." She saw Donatello's worried look. "I'll say it again, it'll be fine."
"Thanks April. For everything." Donatello said as he stood up.
"No problem. Look I've got to go. See you later."
"Bye."
The next hour was busy with last minute preps and by the time seven o'clock came, the lair looked like the inside of Macy's at Christmas.
"Hey guys!" April's voice echoed through the sewer. "I'm back and I've got a surprise for you."
"Sounds like April's back." Leonardo said.
"Let's go wish her a good evening and Merry Christmas." Master Splinter said and all of them walked into the living area. There stood April in a simple green outfit. Beside her was Dr. Jane Goodfellow and a much younger woman. Jane was wearing a white blouse and black dress pants with her long curly black hair brushed back and in a simple braid, the sliver hairs on her head giving her a distinguished look. The younger woman was shorter with a rounder face. Her dark honey brown hair was braided in a French braid and was decked out in a festive holiday dress with fluffy white trim, her light Mocha colored skin made richer looking by the red dress.
"Merry Christmas!" The women called happily as the turtles came out into the living room.
"Jane! So good to see you again Dr. Dudette." Michelangelo said when he spotted his old human friend.
"Likewise Michelangelo." Jane laughed.
Master Splinter came forward and bowed to the two women. "Welcome. I am Splinter. It's a pleasure to meet both of you."
"Same here. As you may know from Michelangelo, I'm Jane Goodfellow, but this here is my daughter Tanya." Jane indicated the young woman beside her.
"It's wonderful to meet all of you." Tanya said while she looked around at each of them. Her black eyes settled on Michelangelo. "Orange. You are wearing orange, so that means you must be Michelangelo."
"Right on dudette. That's me!" Michelangelo gushed out.
"Ok, so how about the rest of you? You all have names I'm sure?" She asked.
Leonardo had got done eyeing them. Jane, he knew but though he had never seen her daughter, if April and Splinter trusted them, then he was sure that they were alright. He stepped forward and gave them a welcoming smile. "Tanya, I'm Leonardo and that is Raphael and Donatello." He pointed to his other brothers, even Donatello, not knowing she already knew him.
Tanya nodded to each of them and as everyone stood around kinda awkwardly Michelangelo decided to break the ice. He ran up to Tanya and immediately began singing It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and began with a poor, shocked Tanya, though she began to laugh.
"Whoa, somebody's redefining Christmas Spirit here." She commented with a chuckle once he released her.
" Hey Dudette it's Christmas…aren't I entitled to some child-like excitement?" He said as he turned up the radio to begin the party.
"Of course you are." Tanya nodded, smiling at him indulgently.
"All right, let's get this party started. You know, eat, drink, and be merry, people!" Michelangelo yelled to the guests.
XX
The party was in full swing by nine. Even the wild pizza dishes were enjoyed by those that weren't used to the concoctions that Michelangelo thought of. Even Donatello was relaxing for a while and enjoying himself. Tanya seemed to have something in common with each of the turtles. She enjoyed Michelangelo's weird pizzas and laughed at Raphael and didn't even blink at his sarcasm. Even Leonardo's interest was piped when she had mentioned that in high school she had been on the fencing team. After awhile she excused herself and walked over to Donatello.
"Hey. So how you doing?" She asked as she handed him a cup of cider.
"Good. I'm thinking that this Christmas party of April's was a terrific idea." Donatello said as he took the cider. "Thanks."
It was right then Raphael's gaze suddenly fell on a recently hung decoration. "Hey, Donatello… you're standing under the mistletoe!"
Both Tanya and Donatello jerked slightly and glanced upwards only to find that he was correct. "Splendid." Was Donatello's reply.
"Tanya, you're the closest." April nudged the young woman on.
Tanya looked over at Donatello with a small smirk. "Oh fine." Tanya smiled. Donatello's eyes widened as she bent over and kissed Donatello chastely on the beak.
Donatello took back a step, a slight blush in his cheeks.
Jane and April both burst into applause, laughing at Donatello while his brothers cat called. "Way to go, Donatello!" Raphael shouted, with a wolf whistle following.
"I should go see if the pizzas are done." Donatello said with as much dignity as he could muster and hurried out of the room with Raphael laughing behind him.
"Hey lover boy, there are no pizzas in the oven!"
X
Tanya peeked her head around the corner, glancing briefly into the main room of the party. The party was winding down as she and April had ushered Donatello into the kitchen. It was time and poor Donatello was close to hyperventilating. He couldn't recall ever being so nervous in her life.
Tanya turned back to Donatello who sat at the table while April was rubbing his shoulders. "Come on Donatello. It's now or never."
He looked up into Tanya's face. "How about never?"
"Come on. Splinter already told them that there is something you wished to tell them. Me, Mom, Splinter and April are here for you… and if your brothers so much as tease you, …well you tell them to know that I wouldn't hesitate to neuter three giant turtles." She winked as Donatello smiled a little. "Everyone's waiting for you."
"Ok. I've faced Shredder and worse, how hard can it be to tell them that I'm pregnant?"
"You're WHAT?!" The three male voices rang out through the air.
Donatello turned around to see his three brothers with Splinter behind them and Jane beside Splinter. It was like a nightmare. Some gazes mildly accusing, a few concerned. Even the music seemed to have stopped abruptly. The pitying stares of the three females didn't hurt him so much, it was the reproachful looks from his brothers.
Tanya took over, her deep alto voice taking attention off of Donatello for the moment. Being the same height as the turtles she used her look to help back her up. "You heard him… you're all going to be uncles."
"Donatello is expecting. He is at this moment two months along." Jane said from behind them, using their shock silence to her advantage. "He will explain it all."
Donatello swallowed, trying to ignore the glances his brothers gave him. "When I went missing back at the end of October, the scientist, 'Sir' ran some tests, then he…artificially impregnated me. Two embryos. I am pregnant. That's why those two men were after me last week. That's what he meant when he said 'Sir wants me back, because of what I'm carrying. I'm carrying twins."
There was still silence for the moment, and all three of his bros instantly glanced at his slightly bulging stomach.
Leonardo was the first to open his mouth. "I knew something was wrong. Why didn't you tell us?"
Donatello cringed and gave Leo an uneasy look. "Because I knew that-" He was cut off when all three began to laugh.
Tanya growled and did what she did best. She got aggressive. She liked these turtles even though she had just met them and though Donatello was her and her mother's patient, she felt protective of him. She really liked him. She moved forward and shoved the three turtles. It caught them off guard and they fell. She stood over them with her hands on her hips and glared down at them. "He didn't tell you because of what you three are doing. Donatello doesn't need anymore stress on his shoulders. So you three need to grow up." She snapped.
"Oh yeah," Raphael began as he climbed back to his feet, "who do you think you are?"
"Do you know who I am?" She countered.
"I don't know…who?" he said sarcastically.
"Someone that wouldn't stop at neutering dogs and cats…if you know what I mean." She did a scissor like motion with her index and middle fingers, while grinning evilly.
The three boys shut up and gave nervous gulps.
It was then that Splinter spoke up. "Your brother needs all of our support. As a wise man once said 'It takes a village to raise a child.' In this case…two children."
Now that his whole family knew, Donatello's mind began to relax and he smiled.