The Journey Home

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.

Epilogue:

We entered the cabin with arms around one another, to find Mike and Casey watching the tiny rabbit nibbling on some greens, a bowl of water nearby and bandages wrapped around the one bad leg. Casey was squealing every time the rabbit twitched it's ear, and of course each ear piercing shriek was enough to cause another twitch. "Some entertainment there Donny." Mike declared.

Don chuckled, "How is Bugs?" Don asked.

Mike snorted at his question, " Come on Don maybe it isn't a bugs but a girl besides Casey has all ready called him Buns."

"BUNS!" Casey yelled causing the rabbit to shake it's head.

Mike shrugged "Short for bunny I guess. At least it is better then calling him soup or stew, which was my idea."

Don sighed, "You never had very good ideas Mike." he commented casually, "However I have the feeling that it is just about time to move on." He confessed.

Mike arched an eye ridge, "OH?" He remarked casually.

Don turned to look at me, "We came here to heal, and now I think it's time to...well get back to life."

"Okay what brought that on?" Mike inquired his tone almost suspicious.

Don reached out and clapped a hand on Mike's shoulder, "I asked April to marry me she accepted and well, this cabin is all right for two, but it isn't meant for a family of four, five if you count Buns."

Mike beamed "Really you mean it Donny? Wow! That's great" he cheered his smile growing larger, if that was even possible.

"Mike you don't feel any regret that Don and I..." I began wondering if perhaps...well if he would feel jealous or put out that Don and I were together. I knew Mike wasn't the type to be too envious normally.

Mike took my hands in his, "April I'm happy for both of you. You two always had that connection, we all knew it and I know you, and I April can never be more then friends. I accept that. Besides I think you've given Don the very reasons he's been looking for."

I knew with those words, the simple sincerity that Mike was at peace with our decision and would hold nothing against us.

XXXX

We left the cabin and settled into the old farmhouse, more then adequate space for a small family to live and grow. One of the first things Don and Mike did was set up a memorial site for their fallen brothers, including Casey who in many ways was almost a brother to them, near Splinter's grave. They apologized to their father for not being there sooner and to their brothers for not being able to prevent the out come of that terrible night so long ago.

I myself made arrangements to get rid of my apartment in New York, some of it I could do from the farm but I would probably have to go there and take care of a few things.

Mike and Don fixed up the barn and set up a small chicken coop as well so we could raise chickens for the eggs and meat, the barn once fully repaired could house a cow or two for fresh milk, and possibly a pony for Casey, though Mike at the moment seemed to be the one really hinting for the pony. They also built a rabbit house near the farmhouse with a large run on the grass for Buns.

Don and I set up an area in the basement for working on computers or whatever else might intrigue us to work on. Such as surveillance or alarm systems, and other technological toys,devices or what have you. With our two genius minds together it wouldn't take much to create some sort of reputation even from a small business. Surprisingly, Mike would often come up with creative ideas for programs, mostly for games but once in a while giving us inspirations and motivation, to try and make better systems to aid those who had lost their sight, hearing or other such challenges.

Don and I were married, if you could call it that. Don printed off the necessary documents off the internet, we both signed it had Mike witness it and then he forged Leo and Raph's signature as extra witnesses. We stood out near the woods, the backdrop of trees serving as lovely scenery for our special day we each made vows to one another while Mike and Casey observed the proceedings. It wasn't proper proceedings, was by no mind a legal or binding and yet, as far as I was concerned it was as firm a contract I had with my first husband.

Casey was still calling her step dad Don but that was all right. Don wasn't going push her into anything she wasn't willing to give. He was sure in time she would, and if she didn't he said he would be all right with that too.

I can't say Don was totally better, not yet. He still cut himself, there was times he would try to close himself off from the world but those times were slowly become less frequent and almost a rarity.

Mike noticed it too and he gave me a large hug one day "Thanks April, you've really helped Don. I don't think he would have made it if..." Mike's voice trailed off and he hung his head. "This is more like home anyways ain't it?"

"Yes, it is. At least this way you don't have to worry about the Foot finding you." I agreed, "You and Don are finally free."

"I don't know if I'd go as far as saying we are free, the Foot one day may learn we are still alive, but by then hopefully they would have forgotten the many battles and be willing to let the blood feud lie. Don he's finding new honour and something to live for by being with his family and doing what he loves best." Mike replied. He gave me a sidelong glance, "You haven't been feeling too well lately have you?"

I nodded, shrugged "It's to be expected Mike."

"Was it like that with Casey?" Mike wondered.

" It seems worse this time" I admitted, "But each child is different."

Mike sighed a little "Don knows this, doesn't he."

I laughed, "Of course he knows I'm pregnant."

"No April, I mean that you are worse with this child and that it is only your first trimester and..." Mike explained.

"You think his concern for me and his child might cause some tension or that he may try to hurt himself again?"

Mike shrugged, "I don't know what to expect from him April. I really don't." Mike muttered.

I guess Mike did have his reasons for being concerned and I noticed he seemed to be keeping a closer eye on his brother, as if wary and expecting trouble. I could only hope that my symptoms would settle down and perhaps provide enough proof that there was nothing wrong in my being pregnant. Casey of course was thrilled at having a baby in mommy's tummy. Don I think would have been happier if things were running smoother.

As the first trimester continued things got worse and Don ordered me to stay in bed.

"I'm not going stay laying in bed for weeks on end, Donatello" I snapped, " If I have to stay in bed then you better be keeping me company so I don't lose my sanity." I huffed a bit.

"April being in bed is what got you and Don into this mess to begin with." Mike retorted.

I guess it was to be expected, almost inevitable that Don felt the pressure, contemplated on whether we had made a mistake by allowing me to get pregnant instead of taking precautions. What ever it was Don injured himself again, the worst incident that he had for some time really, but luckily Mike was able to stop him from completing what he began.

XXXX

By my second trimester things had calmed down and everything seemed to be running the way it should, giving new hope to Don and everyone else. Don rubbed my growing bump, a small smile on his face, his thick fingers ever so gentle in spite of the callouses. He bent and kissed my belly, "It is amazing, that there is a life growing in there." He murmured his voice full of awe. " I know all the scientific data on reproduction. I know all of that and yet it is still such a miracle."

"Quite the miracle" I agreed, "Did you ever think you'd be a father Don?"

Don blushed and ducked his head, giving it a subtle negative shake.

"So what should we name him or her?" I asked curiously.

For awhile we lay side by side in our bed discussing names and options.

XXXX

I felt exhausted and wrung out, fourteen hours of labour, and a lot of work for Don who was, delivering our child. But finally she entered the world Lenore Raphaella our daughter. She had a shell, and it was that, which had made the birthing a little harder then it had been when Casey was born, she had white skin and tiny wisps of red hair on her head, she had eyelashes and a small human mouth set into a round turtle face, but she had five little fingers on each hand and two little toes on each foot. In short she was a miracle.

Don sat down on the edge of the bed watching in rapt fascination as I gave our daughter her first meal. Mike tapped on the door and lead Casey in to come see her new baby sister.

I gazed down at Lenore caressing her cheek with one finger. "How does it feel to be a dad Don?" I couldn't help but ask him.

"It feels like I've finally come home." Don answered simply but there was such strength and power to those words that I knew he had meant it. He had taken a long road and we had all been through so much but finally we were all home.

The End