Chapter 3 – Charlotte's reflections

Charlotte's pregnancy came into full blossom throughout the summer holidays. The boys noticed her belly growing larger and being ten year old boys- questions arose.

"Were you that big when we were in there?" Donnie asked his mother one afternoon.

"Much bigger. Remember I had the four of you in here", Charlotte replied patting her belly.

"Does it hurt when it kicks?" Mike asked, as he put his head on his mother's belly.

"Sometimes. Though most of the time it's a nice feeling. It's like the baby is saying hello to me or telling me that it's happy."

"Hey, baby. It's your big brother Mike here. How you doing? Can't wait to meet you. I'm gona take great care of you, little baby. I promise."

"You really think the baby can hear you Mike?" Leo said, he walked past carrying his violin.

"I was watching a program the other day that said that babies can hear sounds like music and voices when inside the womb. This baby seems to like your violin Leo, always tapping to the beat."

"Great, just what this family ordered – another Leonardo," Raph whispered to Don, they both laugh.

"Now, you two. This baby will be an individual – just like the four of you. Many people don't seem to realise that even though you four are the same in age and are brothers – you are completely unique." Charlotte told her boys.

"People still confuse us. Even you and Splinter!"

Charlotte giggled, "Oh yes. Mind you I do know your individual traits. Like I know Donnie you hate seafood, Leonardo can't stand pumpkin or how fussy Raphie is. As for you, my little Mike – there's your allergies such as milk. It's a lot of work, but I do remember your individual eating habits. Though I do wish Raphie you'd eat more fruit."

"I hate fruit. I'm allergic to it."

Charlotte laughed at him, "No one is allergic to fruit, darling. You are a joker. But at least you're the only one of your brothers who'll eat all his veggies up. I don't think there's ever been a ten year old boy who'll eat his broccoli without a complaint."

"Yuck, I hate broccoli," Don and Leo both said.

"Yum, we having some for dinner?" Raph asked, grinning.

"No, I'm taking the short cut tonight – making the one thing you will all eat, without question. And if you don't – I'll force your father to take a serious medical examination of you."

"Pizza!" They all cried.

"You're the best Mum in the world!" Mike sang, hugging his Mother tightly.

"Yes, thank you. Mike, please not so tight, you won't get any pizza if I can not breathe."

"Sorry." Mike kissed his mother and let go of her.

"Have you thought of what to call the baby?"

"I told you, it'll be Nicholas." Mike said.

"Mike – we don't even know that it's a boy or girl, stupid." Leo whacked his brother playfully on the knees.

"Besides – it's not a boy, I think it's a girl!" Donnie said, "God wouldn't give us another boy. He knows Charlotte needs a girl, so she can put nice pretty dresses on it."

"She could always put a dress on Mike." Raph joked. Leo and Don snickered.

"Hey! Why you guys always call me a girl!"

"Because you act like one, baby." Don and Leo replied.

"Now boys! Mike – I have never put a dress on you and I never will. Besides, Raphael I would be careful what you're saying...."

"What for?"

"Because when you were little you put on one of my dresses and high heels and paraded around the house with my handbag."

Everyone cracked up laughing, everyone except Raph.

Don nudged his brother playfully, as he laughed at him.

"Leave me alone!" Raph refused the attention and looked darkly at the floor.

"Oh, Raphie! You're not the only one who did some very strange things when you were younger." Charlotte tried to cheer up her son.

"Yeah like what did Leo do that was so strange?" Raph shot at her.

Charlotte looked at her eldest and thought.

"Hmm... well there is the time when Leo was convinced that there was a monster in the kitchen. He hated going in there alone and even if he was with me or your father, he used to cling to our legs. Then there was the time he taught Donnie how to use a potty! It was so hilarious. Your father and I couldn't believe that our recently toilet trained boy, was set in his ways in trying to make Donnie do the same. Donnie wasn't the least bit interested. I remember he made you sit on the potty and gave you a book! Every time you tried to get up – he would run over and force you down again. That was until I had to intervene, when you started to cry. You just wanted to go join the others in their play."

"Now a Donnie story!" Mike piped in.

"Okay, Donnie. Oh Donnie you were a curious child..."

"He still is..." Leo piped in.

"I remember the day you climbed to the very top of the cupboard in your room. Splinter had confiscated your favourite toy that click clacky thing. It was driving us wild. It was a horrid thing. But you loved it, so much that you risked your life and climbed onto that cupboard to retrieve it. My dear, and you fell down, cupboard and all! Lucky you fell on top of the cupboard! But oh Donnie! You scared me stiff that day."

"That's when I had broken my arm isn't it?" Don inquired.

"Yes. I don't know how many broken bones I've seen in the last ten years. I suppose that's to be expected when I have four boys. Hum... I hope this baby isn't like its brothers – going around breaking bones! I don't think I could handle that in my old age."

"Well if it's a girl, you won't have to worry. Girls don't climb things." Donnie said.

"Please may it be a girl! I couldn't stand another brother. I have too many already!" Leo cried in agony.

"Hey, what about me? Tell me a story about me as a baby."

"Okay, little Mike," Charlotte smiled at her youngest of sons.

"Well, when you were just small and starting to walk, you would often go toddling after your brothers. You couldn't keep up with them and it used to upset you. Especially when you and Raphie seemed to enjoy chasing each other. You used to cry "Waphie, Waphie, Mike play too!" You took the longest to be ready to walk; Splinter was worried about your development. Then all of a sudden one day – you were off – running faster and faster. Now you out run poor Raph and he has trouble keeping up with you!"

"Yeah, I'm the fastest!"

"No your not, I am." Don mentioned.

"Does it matter who is fastest? I love you all just the same, despite your differences."

"Even Raphael?" Leo asked, he was well aware of the torment Raph's rebellion caused his parents.

Before Raph could react....

"Yes, especially you Raphie. I love you as much as your brothers. Remember when your father and I are upset with you, that it is what you do, not you we dislike. We love you, because you're our son." She got up and knelt in front of her son.

"Raphie, you're just as special to me as all my other babies. Who else would tell me the wild tales you tell or the hilarious, but rude one liner you come up with. And who else would bring me little birds and lizards."
"You hate lizards."

"Yes I do. But your just like your father, he used to show me lizards to try and impress me. And your always kind to them and put them back, just where they belong."

Charlotte hugged her son. He was reluctant at first to show his emotions, but then realising how good it felt, hugged her back. "I love you, my precious son." She whispered.