Time passed. The month passed all too quickly.
Leo had felt stomach cramps a lot over the month, but he was getting them all too much now. He was now 19 weeks along.
April had gotten him some pregnancy books to read. Indeed he read them and took notes, though that was something that Don did more than him, but right now, he needed this information. Mostly a lot of his pregnancy symptoms had in common with a human woman's, all but the severe stomach cramps.
Leo knew by now that the baby was able to move and him not being able to feel them much, but now, he should be able to feel them, really feel the baby's movements any time now. Like as in if the baby could kick out more towards the front of his belly and it wouldn't be so painful to his organs. He knew that if the baby kicked into his intestine, it would hurt him plenty.
One day, Leo was just reading one of the books at his desk in his room when he did have a butterfly sensation in his belly. His stomach had been feeling fine thus far today. He suddenly felt a 'bump' to the front of his belly. It made him stop reading.
At first, he thought his belly had nudged the desk, but nothing had been disturbed. The bump was a strange feeling.
Then, he felt it again!
Leo looked down at his belly. A couple minutes later, another bump.
That was it. Leo put his book down and put a hand over the spot where he was feeling it.
Another bump! He felt it in his hand! He had felt his baby move! That thought made him smile.
When he felt another one, he was so happy that for once, he was feeling it kick toward the front of his belly and not towards his intestines. He knew he would have to tell his family now. He was finally feeling the baby move!
That night at dinner, Leo spoke up. He had waited because he wanted to enjoy the first moments to himself.
"Guys, I have some exciting news." Leo said.
"About what?" Don asked.
"The baby."
"How so, Bro?" Mikey asked. He was stuffing some spaghetti into his mouth.
Raph was taking a drink of water and listening.
"I felt the baby move." Leo said.
Mikey started coughing, and Raph spit his water out, into Don's face. "WHAT?" Raph yelled.
Don shook the water out of his face and wiped his face with a napkin. Even Splinter was surprised.
"I felt the baby move today." Leo repeated.
"How did it feel?" Don asked, concerned.
"It didn't hurt Don. It was kicking toward the front of my stomach. It felt weird, but didn't hurt." Leo said.
"Now that it has started moving Leo, you know it's time to start your bed-rest."
"I was dreading this day."
"Well, if you want a healthy baby-" Don began, but Leo interrupted.
"I know Don."
"I couldn't stand to be in bed for, uh, how long are you going to be in bed for Leo?" Mikey asked.
"A long time Mikey." Leo said.
"Leo's in his 5th month. I want to try to get him at least to his 8th month before delivery." Don said.
"And the Foot was going to have me pregnant for 4 more months from the time they had me." Leo said. "And another month has passed."
"So, you're going to be in bed for 3 months, right?" Raph asked.
"Yeah. I know I'm going to hate it too, but I have to do this." Leo said.
"I know I would hate it most of all if it were me." Raph said. "I can't stand being in bed for long."
"Me neither." Mikey added.
"I'm going to do whatever it takes to keep this baby healthy and growing until it's rightful time to be born." Leo said. "Even if I have to spend 4 boring months in bed."
"What kind of things can Leo do for fun during that time Don?" Mikey asked.
"He doesn't have to sleep all the time. He can still read and meditate, and he can be allowed to watch TV too, as long as he stays on the couch. We can even play board and card games too." Don explained. "And I think that I'm going to give up my bedroom so he can have mine."
Now that was a surprise.
"Why Don? I'm happy with my own." Leo said.
"Because Leo, if you get so bored being in your room and you want to watch TV, and I don't want you walking down the stairs during your bed-rest time. If you'll switch me rooms?" Don said.
"Alright Don." Leo replied. He knew Don had a point.
"And my bedroom and my lab are completely separate rooms. And if you need to walk to the lab, you don't have to navigate the stairs either." Don said.
"So, when does Leo have to start this bed-rest?" Raph asked.
"I'll let him enjoy the rest of today's freedom. But he starts tomorrow." Don ordered. He gave his pregnant brother a serious look.
Leo knew his genius doctor brother was more than dead serious. There was no escaping it now.
After dinner, everyone but Leo began moving a few things between Leo and Don's rooms, which would be reversed for the next 3 and a half to 4 months. Don was not going to let Leo navigate the stairs anymore, as now that the baby could be felt moving, Leo could end up with more cramping easily, and he didn't need that.
Though a lot of things were moved down into his 'new' room, training for the others tonight was just postponed. Splinter still insisted on Don, Raph, and Mikey to train before bed.
Leo felt a little guilty about taking Don's room, but what choice did he have when too much exercise even now upset his stomach? But Don had given up his room voluntarily. Leo would surely miss his own room.
If there was one thing he preferred most in his new room, he wanted his own bed. Many of his own things had been brought downstairs. His bed included, and Don's moved upstairs. He was very grateful for Don to do this for him.
As Leo laid in bed that night, he thought a little bit about what the next few months were going to hold. He felt the baby moving some more. At least now, he knew his baby was alive for sure. But, starting tomorrow, he wasn't going to be allowed to leave his bed much.
There would be small moments when he could be up, but Don would be watching him. He would most likely be making sure he stayed in bed most of the time. This was going to be a long few months.