A/N: Sorry, yall, I've been busy these last few days. We're almost near the end. This will be the last week. :)

FWI, the Shredder/Yoshi past is twisted from the 2k3 series and the 2k12 series...It's just how it fits in my head. *shrugs*

December 26
12:54 A.M.

While Leonardo's presents were not numerous, they had tied Splinter to the Anders' living room sofa all day. He was not the only unchanged thing, either. The Christmas tree remained upright, glistening with colorful lights, ornaments, streamers, and what little candy canes remained from Michelangelo's raid. They added an atmosphere to the few gifts left below it, their blue paper glittering with the light from the lit fireplace.

'I wonder if Melody-chan can include a fireplace in the budget of our new home. They are quite comforting…'

"Splinter-san? Yo—you're still up?"

A smile at his snout, Splinter craned his head towards Nia, who peeked out from the living room's foyer entryway. "It seems so."

"Yo—your joints aren't bothering you, are they? Or your leg?"

"No need for fear, my daughter. My bones do not ail me. My…mind does."

"Would you…?" She paused with a hand on the wooden frame, red tights shifting below her comic-print nightgown.

He nodded. "I would welcome the company, Nia-chan. Some of our best talks have taken place at times like these."

The young woman grinned in a thankfulness that could be neither mistaken nor ignored—even at the outskirts of the fire's light. It warmed Splinter's heart as she approached to sit beside her father. She wasted no time in drawing up her legs into a more comfortable position.

She did such a lot nowadays, raised her legs. Said it helped with their swelling, a pregnancy trait which Splinter thought to be more prominent in later weeks. Then again, Nia's pregnancy was quite unconventional.

"Oh, gosh, this is getting harder," Nia said. Her back arched when she shifted again, her round belly expanded with frustration.

"Their development has advanced rapidly in the last month," he told her with a chuckle.

"I know; their growth has stolen from my sleep. And yet I'm still not as big as most women with twins would be by now."

"You are not most women, Nia-chan. Besides, I thought size played no factor in their health."

"That's what my doctors say," Nia grumbled. With her legs finally tucked under her bulbous belly, she heaved a sigh. "They're smaller than human fetuses. They think the twins might weigh about three pounds each when the time comes. Th—that's like… preemie-sized."

"You fear they will not be strong enough?"

"They gotta be…" A soft rub led to Nia burping. It riled a sheepish smile and lent strength to her voice. "I—I'll keep talking about that with Mel. Now you…you're thinking about Leo-niichan, a—aren't you?"

Splinter shoulders hunched below his K'ekchi shawl. "I bet it shows on my face like an unspoken tale."

"And your Chi."

"You can read that." Gently, the mutant rat patted his daughter's shoulder. "You have come a long way, Nia-chan. Yes, I was reminiscing on my eldest. And I feel assured I was not the only who did so throughout the festivities."

"It was weird. Like some silent rule. We acknowledged he was gone, but…no one mentioned it."

"I…" Splinter sighed as his paw fell. "I could not bring myself to."

"Same here," whispered Nia. "Being busy helps. Normally. But when something comes up, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, the hole's gapping."

"Seems you understand me, my child. Call it the musings of an old father; I cannot help myself. I stare at these gifts. Realize their owner is not ready to return. So,I fall into memories."

"From past Christmases?"

"Hai. Our presents were never grandiose. There were few things I could salvage during my runs."

"Runs?"

"Times I chanced surfacing. My sons remained underground, so I could gather supplies. It was necessary, if nerve-wracking. I hated them being out of my sight."

"So…you'd gather stuff for food and warmth, yet still be on the lookout for gifts?"

"I had to. My sons deserved more than necessities, even if they were complacent about the limitations. Though, Raphael and Michelangelo had a tendency to whine about it from time to time."

Nia snorted. "I can see that."

"I distinctly remember our early Christmas mornings. The four were always up before me. Michelangelo and Raphael would fight Leonardo to get close to our scant tree. But he always stood firm. He told them it would be wrong to open presents without me. It would be unjust."

"Even back then he was big on fairness."

"His sense of justice and calm resolve are the leading reasons I anointed him Jonin. He has always looked out for others. Always protected them and made sure they followed guidelines. Order. His world was built around order. Perhaps rigidly so."

"And he came from a place where he had every reason to loathe humans…"

Splinter's ear twitched at Nia's faint voice. He faced her, although she stared at the Christmas tree.

"H—how'd you do it?" she asked.

"Do what, Nia-chan?"

The artist remained focused on the colorful tree lights. "Everything," she said softly. "You were a pet. And…your master was single?"

"Here, yes," Splinter answered, somewhat grave. "He had Tang Shen. In Japan. Before Oroku Saki's jealousy and power lust consumed him."

"Oh, right. Still, you were left without a family. Then one night, a freak accident happens. You became a parent. And raised four of the greatest people I know. Alone."

"Not entirely." Nia's head spun and Splinter returned her confused look with a smile. "I raised my sons through Master Yoshii's influence. The values he lived by, he exercised, were my cornerstones. While any kindness and love I learned from Tang Shen's compassion after she saved me. They helped me mold my children."

"It—it amazes me. You shouldered so much."

"A child's love lends great strength, Nia-chan. You will see."

"Well, thankfully, I have Raph, Mikey, and the others, too. Without talking with everyone, I don't think I could—I mean—it's…"

Splinter chuckled. "You find comfort in surrounding family."

"Y—yeah. I…I honestly don't think I could've been as definitive and strong as you, Splinter-san. I could never handle being a single parent."

"And so long as our clan has any say, you will never be a single parent." Reaching for his daughter, Splinter captured her hand. He brought it to his knee and rubbed it with care. "That said, if the time ever came, I believe you could do it. You have a power inside, which rears when needs-be. Like when I was dying of cancer. In your younger years, did you ever expect you would willingly walk into a lab for tests?"

The human closed her mouth then shook her head.

"See? It is important to have faith in oneself as well as others."

"You're good at your job," Nia said while nudging the old master's shoulder. "I—I hope I uplift my kids like this."

"Much awaits them in the future."

"Tell me about it. They're coming into one crazy family."

"Who will treasure them more than life. Are you excited yet?"

"Sorta?"

Splinter raised a brow until Nia's sheepish grin fell.

"I go back and forth. Mainly I'm excited. And nervous. For the longest time it was just me, Mama, and Daddy. Since the whole"—she cringed—"Kingston/Bishop ordeal, I've gained so much. And I love it. I love the big, happy clan. Don't tell Raph, but…"

The rat watched Nia glanced around the dim living room before she leaned in close, whispering,

"I wouldn't mind having four kids. Like you."

Laughter erupted from Splinter's belly. Sudden, it forced Nia upright, so he sent her an apologetic grin when he regained his breath moments later. "Forgive me, Nia-chan. I am imagining Raphael with an army of children who are every bit like him."

"Would that be bad?"

"Of course not. It is just…a fun imagine."

"I haven't mentioned it yet for that reason. He can barely grasp the idea of two, let alone four. And who knows how these kids will turn out."

"Whatever number life graces you with, and regardless of their temperament, Raphael will support you."

"I know. Guess I'll have to be tactful in the meantime."

Nia flashed a smile. It was fun, loving, yet strong enough to capture Splinter. It stuck him with a realization: this young woman, once a broken girl, now carried his clan's future.

"So—something wrong, Splinter-san?" she asked.

"No," Splinter answered, shaking his head. "I had a thought."

"What kind?"

"When we first met, I gazed into the eyes of someone buried by fear, someone lost and plagued. I knew she needed guidance. And I had faith that she would grow, find purpose. But never would I have anticipated she would be the future carrier of my first grandchildren."

"Is it a happy twist?"

Splinter's smile grew as his paw stroked her cheek. "The happiest. What do you think?"

"I like where I'm at. The only thing more I could ask is not speculating but knowing I—I'll make a decent parent."

"You are surrounded by good role models, if I do say so myself. Your twins will love you. Both of you."

Nia's grin wavered and she shifted. Still, her feet never left the sofa. She leaned against the master's shoulder then started stroking her belly, glossy eyes set on the dancing flames.

"Can I stay here a while?" she asked. "My nausea is better when I'm sitting."

"Of course," Splinter told her.

And the two said nothing more until the fire died.