Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT. I say nay nay.

Don was watching Mikey play with Lydia. He was still stunned by the conversation with Anya's mother. He wondered, was she really sincere?

Mikey smiled. "Dude. Your computer beeping."

Don turned to see his computer was beeping. He stood and hit the enter key. Bishop was up to something. Leatherhead and him hacked into the mainframe of Bishop's headquarters. It was highly encrypted so Don put a program on his and leatherhead's computer to decipher it. If one computer was thrown out there was one left to finish the job. And, it looked like Leatherhead's computer was the winner. Leatherhead had sent him an e-mail asking him to come to his lab tomorrow morning to review the data. He turned to Mikey. "Looks like Lydia gets to meet LH tomorrow."

Mikey frowned. "You sure that's wise. He's cool and all, but he has that freaky temper. What if he looks at our darling Lydia and sees lunch." Mikey growled and pretended to nibble on Lydia, making her laugh.

Don sat down next to him. "Hardly. He hasn't had an outbreak in months." He tickled under Lydia's chin. "And, who would mistake this cutie pie for a snack."

Mikey lifted Lydia, placing her into Don's waiting arms. "Well, dude, when you compare her to food...it's hard to not see it."

Don frowned. "I'll be careful"

The next morning, Don placed Lydia into his baby sling and made his way to Leatherhead's lair. Don stepped into the lair to find Leatherhead shaking a rattle. Don smiled, clearing his throat, startling the large reptile.

"Oh, Donatello. I did not hear you come in, my friend." He approached Don, holding the rattle out to Lydia, who took it without hesitation. Excited, she began shaking the rattle, hitting Don's plastron.

"Ok, Lydia. My plastron is not a xylophone." He lifted Lydia out of the sling, turning her so she faced Leatherhead.

Leatherhead lowered his head, scratching his chin. "She appears...indifference to my appearance."

Lydia eyes were wide with curiosity. She reached out to touch Leatherhead but Don held her hand. He nodded. "Yeah. She takes to weird very well. So, what information was downloaded last night?"

Leatherhead, coming out of his trance, quickly moved to the computer, punching in a few keys. The large monitor flicked twice before a stream of information scrolled across the screen. He looked at Lydia but said to Don, "It appears that, as you feared, they are testing the compatibility of your and Anya's blood." He moved to another computer, hitting a key that started the printer. "Yesterday, they closed the file. It's marked failure."

Don frowned. "Failure?"

Leatherhead nodded. "It appears that from the preliminary results that Anya has a higher level of antigens than a normal human. So, when her blood was mixed with your blood, Anya's blood attacked it."

Don, trying not to show is disappointment, nodded. "True. I've known her over a year and she's never gotten sick. She comes in contact with sick people all the time, she's a nurse, and still never a sniffle."

Leatherhead turned to Don. "My I hold Lydia?"

Don smiled. "I'm surprised it took you this long to ask." Don lifted Lydia, who was chewing on the rattle and placed her in Leatherhead's arms. He showed him how to support her before releasing her. Lydia, looked up at Leatherhead, smiled, and went back to chewing the rattle.

Leatherhead rocked her. "Is she hungry?"

Don laughed, looking over the computer printout. "No. She's teething. She's been chewing and drooling on anything she can get her hands on, including my arm."

Leatherhead laughed. "She likes you."

Don turned to see that although Lydia was not distressed to be in Leatherhead's arms, she was watching him very closely. He waved. "Hi." Lydia smiled. "Her mother isn't here, so she's watching everyone she knows like a hawk." Don pulled the calculator over and began to redo the numbers.

Leatherhead frowned. "My friend, you are disappointed."

Don sighed. "No. There doesn't need to be more than one mutant turtle generation in this world. Lydia is my daughter." Don stopped typing the numbers. "Wait. Anya's prolactin levels are off because she is breast feeding."

Leatherhead nodded. "But, that won't effect her fertility results."

Don shook his head. "It would. Prolactin doesn't just trigger the body to make milk but it's a stress hormone. When it's high, it cancels out Luteinizing and Follicle stimulating hormones, the hormones that causes ovulation." Don went over the test results again. "It's high in all of them. Shit." Don took out a sterile needle, approaching Lydia. "Honey, this will only sting for a second."

Don pricked Lydia's finger, causing her to cry. He took a slid of her blood. Don kissed her finger, looking up at Leatherhead. "Just rock her until she stops crying." He went over to Leatherhead's lab desk. He pricked his own finger. He mixed the blood together and put it in a separator machine.

Leatherhead rocked Anya and she did stop. "You are testing the prolactin levels again? Lydia's levels will be too low because of her age to get a result."

Don nodded. "I thought of that. I'm going to ask April for a sample of her blood."

The machine beeped, printing out the result of the analysis. Don nodded. "Too low, like you said, but there was one reaction."

Leatherhead sighed. "You are physical with Anya."

Don took Lydia back into his arms. "Yes."

"Why do you fear the possibility of having your own children? It would be a scientific miracle."

Don frowned. "I'm not going to be the reason the world has more freaks than it should."

"My friend, we are not freaks. The Utroms technology created us. We were planned creations."

"My family was not part of the Utrom plan. We were mistakes."

"Mistakes that have saved this world more than once, who love, laugh and live just like everyone else."

Don shook his head. "We hide, Leatherhead. How's that living like everyone else? I'm in love with someone I'll never be able to take on vacation, go to a concert...giving her a normal family all because of what I am." Don felt Lydia touch his face. She was beginning to learn facial expressions, even on him and his brothers. She knew he was sad. He kissed her cheek, hugging her close. "I've never been ashamed of what I am. Like you, I thought we were special. But, now, all I see is the disappointment I'm going to cause Anya and Lydia." Don placed Lydia back into her sling. He reached into a pocket of the sling and pulled out paper with scribbles littering both sides. "I think you might be interested in my new project." He handed the pages to Leatherhead.

Leatherhead looked them over. "A hologram machine?" He scratched his chin, thinking. "There is actually a Utrom device that may be more helpful to you. Come, my friend, I'll show you." Don followed Leatherhead back into the lab with a smile on his face.

Monday night…

Lydia was sitting in Don's lap, content to lean against his plastron. Don was surfing the web trying to find the best present for Anya's birthday. His tech job was better than he has ever expected in a job. The people who called the hotline drove him crazy but the income, and the independence that came with it, was well worth it. He had started a savings account for Lydia, in Anya's name, to go to a good college, paid for food for his family and still had enough left over to splurge on his girlfriend and daughter. Anya continuously reminded Don that just having him with them was enough, but Don felt he needed to support his family, both of them. Anya was making good money at the hospital but he saw the longing in her eyes when she saw a new outfit or electronic that came out and she couldn't afford. Most of Anya's spending money went for food and Lydia.

So, the turtles took turns watching Lydia. Even Raph volunteered to everyone's surprise. Don knew that Raph loved Lydia. She was his confidant. Sometimes Don would catch Raph telling Lydia about his nights as the Nightwatcher and how he wished Leo would come back. Lydia only looked and listened. Don wondered how much she actually understood.

Don felt Lydia's head roll up to look at him. Don was amazed on how quickly time had past. Lydia was nearly nine months old now. Don looked back up to the screen and was taken aback. He had known Anya for nearly a year and a half. It didn't seem like a lot of time but in that short time Don found a friend, lover and wonderful woman who allowed him to be apart of her life and her daughter's life. Don didn't know how he survived before them. They were everything to him now, especially Lydia. He watched this little miracle grow from a dot on a sonogram machine to her first smile. Anya had actually allowed him to name Lydia. No one would ever take this little girl away from him.

He watched Lydia roll her heard up again to look at Don. Her little eyebrows went up and she yawned showing her red gums and budding teeth underneath. He wanted to enjoy this time.

He turned off the computer and walked over to the rocking chair. He settled in, never taking his eyes off Lydia's big blue eyes. The chair rocked smoothly and Lydia yawned again. Don gently ran his hand through Lydia's curls causing the little girl to giggle. Don let Lydia wrap her little hands around Don's large hand. She inspected his fingers with great interest and only tried to put his hand in her mouth twice. Each time Don would yelp and she would giggle.

Don smiled. "Donny loves you, Lydia."

Lydia seemed to think about the words Donny said and responded. "Dada."

Don froze. Did she just say her first word? "Lydia, what did you say?"

Lydia smiled. "Dada." She giggled putting her fists in her mouth.

Don could feel tears in his eyes. He tried on to get his hopes up. "No, honey, Donny. My name is Donny."

"Dada. Dada. Dada." She repeated.

Don heard a laugh and looked up to see Anya, standing at the doorway, still wearing her coat. "There is no mistake. You are her Dada."

Don smiled. "How long has she been talking?"

Anya removed her coat, throwing it onto the back of a chair. She knelt next to Don, stroking Lydia's head. "She started the Dada-thing last week. We were in the toy store and we past a stand with Franklin the turtle. She became all excited and started yelling 'Dada, Dada' causing some of the people around us to stare. I bought the toy and she won't sleep without it now."

Don smiled and Lydia smiled back at him. His smile faded into a sad frown. "But, I'm not her father. Walter is her real father."

Anya cupped Don's cheek. "Walter is her biological father, but, you're her Dada."

Don smiled, kissing Anya on the lips. "Thank you."

Anya laughed. "For what?"

Don lifted Lydia up to they were eye level. Lydia reached for Don's face, patting it gently. "You gave me a daughter." He turned his head slightly to her. "And, someone to love."

Anya smiled wider. "Are you talking about me or Lydia?"

Anya stood, taking Lydia into her arms. Lydia immediately rested her head over Anya's heart, fisting her little hands in her mother's shirt. Don wrapped his arms around both, saying, "I meant both of you." He kissed Anya's temple and Lydia's head. A small 'Dada' in the middle of a yawn rewarded him. Don looked at Anya. "How did everything go with your mom?"

Anya shrugged. "As good as it could go. How was my angel?"

Don smiled. "She was fussy. Those bottom teeth are coming in fast. The drool…how something so small could produce so much drool…is beyond me."

"Why didn't you warn me that Becky was a Lesbian?"

Don blushed. "Oh, she told you."

Anya nodded. "Oh yeah. You're such a jerk for not telling me." Anya was smiling, letting Don know she wasn't made at him.

Don shrugged, organizing the crib. "She swore me to secrecy. She sent me a picture of Tina…whoa."

Anya nodded. "A mini-Tyra Banks, right?"

Don laughed. "Kinda."

Lydia was falling asleep in Anya's arms. While she turned to place Lydia in the crib, she said, "We love Dada, don't we?" Anya turned to grab her coat but was hugged by Don who kissed her passionately. They pulled away and Anya remembered to breath.

Don, still hugged her, laughed. "I will never get tired of hearing that. I love you too." He released her.

Anya laughed, looking down at a smiling Lydia. "Your Dada is a Romeo." She placed a light blanket over the baby. "A word we won't talk about until you are much older."

Don nodded. "Like when you're 30."

Don moved Anya into her bedroom, kissing down her beck. "I missed you."

Anya wrapped her arms around Don's neck, leaning so he had better access to her neck. "I can tell." Anya's face lit up. She ran to her purse. She pulled out to pieces of paper. She returned to Don, handing him the sheets. "Becky gave me this."

Don took the paper and froze. He looked back at Anya. "Human DNA."

Anya nodded. "The sample you gave her. Your theory was right. You have a human DNA mixed in your blood. Of course, I would have to test one of your brother's DNA in order to confirm it is the same human strain. So, there is a chance, small as it might be, that you could father your own children."

Don hugged her. He chooses not to tell her about what Leatherhead and he had discovered. "Just because I thought about it doesn't mean I want to."

Anya was confused and her face showed it. "I thought you said you thought about having kids."

"I do. But, they're nightmares. I dream of pregnant women dying because of my genes. My heirs are ripping out of them like in that Alien movie. I dream that they won't have intelligence like us and they will terrorize the streets like a mini-Godzilla." He kissed the top of her head. "Lydia is my daughter. I love her so much. She will be able to go to school, go to college, fall in love, get married and do all the things she can because she is human. I wouldn't want to bring a child into this world that would have to hide in the shadows forever. Alone."

Anya frowned. "I'm sorry you feel that way." Anya was sitting with her back against the couch, her knees drawn up against her chest. 'Uh-oh.' Don thought. What's this about?

He sat in front of her, straddling her legs. He placed his hands on her knees. "What is it?"

Anya looks up at Don. "I..nevermind."

Don, trying to lighten the mood, straddled Anya so his body rested between her legs. He shifted, making sure most of his weight rested in his arms. He lowered himself down and kissed her. She didn't object when he turned the kiss from chaste to steamy. Don was rewarded with a moan as he kissed Anya. Don looked into her eyes. "Now, what's wrong with you?" He kissed her neck, causing her to giggle.

"Forget about it. I'm more interested in what you are doing right now." Anya pulled Don down, wrapping her legs around his shell.

Don pulled away to look at her. "No. You listened to me, I'll listen to you."

Anya huffed. "You're just being cruel." Don rocked his hips, causing another moan from Anya. "I don't want to talk about it right now. It will kill the mood."

Don kissed her again. "Nothing could kill the mood right now."

Anya sighed. "I don't want Lydia to be an only child."

Don stopped. "Ok, maybe that." He tried to get up but Anya held him down with her legs. Don knew he could easily pull away is need be but he didn't want to hurt her. "Are you saying you want another baby?"

Anya nodded. "Not right now. But, in a couple of years, I would like to try to have another baby." She forced Don to look at her. "With you."

Don shook his head. "No. We can get a sperm donor or adopt. I do not have to take the chance that what we could create would be a monster."

Anya caressed Don's cheek. "Or, we could create something wonderful. We know you have human DNA. A child created by us could be more human than you. It might be a little green but we can say it's a vitamin deficiency."

Don sat up. "No. Don't you understand that I'm afraid? I don't want to lose you."

Anya sat up in front of Don. "And don't you understand that I want to have your baby. I love you so much and I want to share that with you."

Don didn't know how to respond to that statement. He never in a million years would have believed that a woman would want to bear his child. Don closed his eyes, trying to think. Anya pushed him against the couch and straddled him. "We don't have to rush into anything. I don't want to have another baby for two to three years. I'm not saying let's make a baby tonight." Don opened his eyes to look at her. "I'm just saying that I want to try. Please promise me that you'll think about and not dismiss it. Please."

"I'm still having a hard time understanding why you would subject yourself, your body and well-being, to 'try' to having my child, who is guaranteed to be a mutant...whatever it is. Have I given you any impression that I don't love you or Lydia because you're not freaks, like me...?"

"Donatello." Anya interrupted in a shocked tone, but Don continued.

"I am a freak of nature. Some green ooze and human blood made me into what I am today." He touched her stomach. "I would love any child that you gave birth to..."

"Except yours."

Don grunted, squeezing Anya's hips. "That's not what I'm saying. I would love our child, just as much as I love Lydia. To be a biological father would be...amazing. And, I wouldn't want to have a child with anyone else but with you."

"But?" Anya said, draping her arms over his shoulders.

"But, I can't take the chance that it would be a monster. Something I would have to destroy. Something that would hurt you or Lydia. I have seen what mutation has done to others...and it wasn't pretty."

"We could always terminate the pregnancy if something went wrong."

Don frowned. "I don't want to put us through that kind of emotional rollercoaster." He sighed. "You're talking about a baby with me. I can't even marry you. I can't live with you. I can't stop by the hospital and take you out to lunch in broad daylight."

Tears ran down Anya's face. "Don, I'm confused. Now, it sounds like you don't even want to be with me."

Don rolled them so he was on top of her again. "I just told you I would marry you if I could...does that sound like I want to break up."

Anya wiped her eyes. "No."

Don sighed. "If it will make you happy, I will think about it. In three years, ask me again. Hopefully, my view on the world will change."

Anya smiled. "Thank you."

Don smirked. "I didn't say yes."

"No, but you are giving it a chance." Anya lifted up to capture Don's lips in a kiss. This time he didn't let any distractions stop him from making love to the woman who wanted to have his baby. What a crazy woman and how he loved her for it.