"Yo Mikey, are you sure you're gonna be fine alone with the kids? Don's gonna be home in an hour, we could reschedule the... what are you doing?"
Raph trailed off as he entered the living room. Leo and Mikey were standing by their hexagonal crib.
"Ky is moving!" Mikey grinned widely without looking up.
Raphael raised an eye-ridge and approached his mates, leaning against the crib to look at his babies.
All of them, now about three months old, had started to lift their heads recently, testing their strength and mobility. When placed on their belly they would experimentally bend as much as their shells allowed.
Right now Ky was on his carapace, tongue sticking out in concentration as he wiggled and worked his little body to the side and eventually onto his belly.
"He's been doing this the whole time now." Leo had a fond expression on his face. "We had to move Amy and Nix out of the way twice."
Amy was in the far left corner, laying on her belly, weight resting on her chubby elbows while she chewed on the ear of a plush bunny. Nix was content laying on his carapace, one hand reaching for the plush stars above him. The middle space was empty, save for Ky turning to lay on his carapace again.
Raph tickled their firstborn's belly, chuckling at the cute giggle that reminded them so much of Mikey's.
"Told ya, Mike's hyperactivity. Just wait till he starts crawling. Gonna be a handful." He glanced at the clock on the wall. "We have to leave in a few minutes, Leo."
The oldest turtle blinked himself out of his daze and nodded.
"Right... are you gonna be alright baby?" Leo asked Mikey, who rolled his eyes with a smile.
"Yeah. I'll play with them a little, maybe feed them a little earlier and then they're gonna sleep anyways. I can handle the hour until Donnie's back."
Since Donnie went back to working at Telon's office Leo and Raph had been reluctant to leave Mikey alone when they had to go to the dojo. Today was the first time one of them would be all alone with the three of the babies.
"We can be home in two minutes if you need us. Just call."
"Gosh, Leo. It's one measly hour. Nothing's gonna happen."
Raph rested his arm over Mikey's shoulders, smirking at Leo.
"He's just worried he's gonna miss Ky rolling around some more." He teased.
"Oh shut up Raph." Leo covered his blush with a glare and bent down a little to press a kiss to Mike's forehead. "Let's go."
As soon as Mikey was alone, he let out a sigh. He was rather relieved to finally have some time alone. He loved his mates with all his heart, but ever since his pregnancy they were nothing short of annoying. Their hovering grated on his nerves, especially after he gave birth. He didn't know where these feelings came from. They kinda scared him, yet he managed to get them under control whenever he had a little alone time.
He leaned on the crib again, a soft smile on his face as he watched Ky yawn, tired from moving around so much. His eyelids were fluttering close, little fingers moving when he fell asleep. Even though he seemed to share most of Mikey's character traits, he looked so much like Leo when he slept.
Amy was still chewing on that bunny, her tiny hand holding her snuggle blanket in a tight grip. She was making humming sounds, letting her head fall on the plushie, sneezing when the fabric tickled her nose. Mikey had to bite his lip to keep from laughing out loud at her surprised expression. It made her look just like Donnie when he was surprised. Amy made a gasping sound when Mikey turned her on her carapace, grabbing her mommy's finger. She examined it for a second before putting it in her mouth with a smile.
"Are you hungry, sweetie?" Mikey cooed, tickling her chin before taking is hand away. Promptly Amy's face turned into a frown as she made grabby hands to have the finger back. Mikey chuckled and handed her a pacifier. It would distract her until he'd have the bottle done.
After preparing three bottles he put them on the window sill before scooping Amy up before she started whining. While he fed her, he stood by Nix' side of the crib.
At the sight of his mommy being so close he giggled cutely, hands reaching for him now instead of the mobile.
"Just a few minutes, honey, mommy has to feed your sister first." He cooed. Nix frowned when Mikey didn't pick him up right away, kicking his legs and whining unhappily. The frown made him look so much like Raph, and the tantrum that was about to follow would rival the hotheads.
Fortunately Amy had her mom's appetite and finished her bottle rather quick. Mikey put her upright against his shoulder after putting the burp cloth there.
He hoped she would hurry up, since Nix was already starting to wail. Ky stirred a little, sharing Leo's light sleeping habits. Mikey started to panic. If her brothers both cried, Amy was prone to join in, and if all of them wailed Mikey would freak out. It was still over half an hour before Donnie would be home.
Mikey let out a relieved sigh when Amy finally burped. He kissed her head before putting her down on her carapace and scooping up Nix.
For a moment he was afraid Amy would start crying too, but she just twisted herself to lay on her belly again, sticking her diapered bottom up and yawning. Apparently she preferred sleeping on her front, just like Donnie.
Phoenix didn't cry anymore, but continued to whine unhappily at Mikey. Sighing again he grabbed a full bottle and began feeding his youngest. Nix began to drink greedily using both of his little hands to keep a tight grip on Mikey's hand that held the bottle.
He didn't empty the bottle completely, he never did. Nix turned his head away, snuggling into Mikey's plastron and yawned, closing his eyes.
He pouted when the sea-green turtle put him up to make him burp. He kicked his legs in the hold before the burp came along with some of the food.
Mikey smiled, laying him down in the crib again and wiping his mouth clean. Nix frowned and squirmed on his carapace, but accepted the pacifier that was placed in his mouth.
Suddenly his mommy wasn't there anymore. Spitting the pacifier out again he started crying, knowing his mother would come.
From the kitchen, where Mikey had just put the two empty bottles to be cleaned later, he could hear Nix' wailing and bit his lip.
He knew his youngest was only crying for attention, and he shouldn't encourage it, but if he didn't stop him he would wake up his siblings.
Rubbing his temple Mikey tried to put the pacifier back in the infant's mouth, and Nix sucked on it, his large green eyes filled with tears as he watched his mother. He started to cry again, face reddening when Mikey didn't scoop him up.
"Nix, mommy can't always hold you until you fall asleep..." Mikey tried, knowing the baby wouldn't understand a word. The tone was soothing, though Nix wasn't calming down.
Giving a sigh of defeat, Mikey took him in his arms. Immediately the infant was quiet, nuzzling his head to the warm chest as he closed his eyes and sucked on his pacifier. His tiny hand was grabbing on his plastron, as if trying to hold onto him.
"Yeah... I like cuddling too." Mikey couldn't help but smile at the display, bouncing him slightly while he checked on his other two again. Amy was fast asleep, her thumb in her mouth. Ky was already starting to move in his sleep again, kicking his feet until his socks were off. He'd have to be fed soon too.
Mikey waited for a few minutes until he was sure Nix was in a deep slumber before putting him down again. Then he picked up his oldest son, tickling his feet until he woke up.
At the sight of his mommy he gave a wide toothless smile and cooed, happily moving his arms.
"Aw my little sunshine, time for food..." Ky accepted the bottle, eyes fixated on Mikey's face. "And this time you're gonna finish all of it for mommy, okay?" Kyanite giggled, taking a few moments before sucking again.
"Papa said you have to eat more, young man. So you will finish this whole bottle, so Daddy and Fafa don't die of worry."
The cerulean eyes were fixed on Mikey's mouth with rapt attention, sucking harder when he was distracted by the sound and movement of the lips.
Mikey blinked and tilted his head. When he was quiet, Ky's sucking grew less again. "Do you like it when I talk to you?" Ky smiled widely again with twinkling eyes before he resumed eating.
"I guess I can do that. Talking is my strength, you know? I bet yours too. You're so much like me, I'm actually scared you're gonna be a troublemaker, like I was back then." Ky reached for the bottle, tapping his fingers on it and Mike's fingers.
"Can you keep a secret, babycakes?" Mikey settled down on the couch as he talked. "I'm scared of a lot of things." He whispered as if his son really understood him.
"I'm scared of being a horrible mom. I know, the guys said I'm doing a good job, but I can't help but think I will mess this up somehow. I know I'm not the smartest turtle, or the strongest, both mind and body. But I promise I will be here for you and your siblings whenever you need me."
He sniffed a little, smiling through tears. He had thought he was finally over this whole hormone craze, but apparently he wasn't.
"Papa will show you how to count and read, you're all probably really smart, like him. Just remember not to prank him too much, he can be a meanie when you annoy him. And Fafa is gonna start teaching you ninjutsu as soon as you can walk, probably. He's a really patient guy, and if you give him the puppy-dog eyes you can get away with almost everything."
The bottle was empty now, so Mikey put it on the table and leaned back, resting Ky on his plastron, patting the small carapace to encourage a burp.
"Daddy will play with you. He's already gotten into this weird rugby sports thing, he's gonna teach you everything there's to know about it. You shouldn't prank him because his temper is horrible, though I think he'd let you get away with many things."
The burp was loud and Ky was giggling again, squirming in Mikey's hold. He put him back down to cradle him, and frowned when Ky twisted, reaching for something behind Mikey.
Michelangelo jumped when a hand landed on his shoulder and a kiss was placed on his cheek.
"D-Donnie? I didn't hear you..." Mikey sniffed and quickly wiped his face, though there was no doubt his mate had already seen him crying.
Donnie jumped over the couch to sit next to him, keeping the arm where it was while the other was stroking Ky's head. The infant snuggled into the touch and yawned. Mikey placed him in Donnie's arms now so that they can cuddle too for a while until he falls asleep.
"I was quiet in case they were sleeping." The genius murmured, encouraging Mikey to rest his head on his shoulder.
Ky looked between Mikey's and Donnie's face, eyes drooping but not ready to fall asleep yet.
"Yes, I'm going to help you learn your numbers and letters. Daddy will teach you walking and sports. And Fafa will teach you japanese and ninjutsu... but don't let him teach you how to cook."
Mikey smiled at that, blushing a little because apparently Donnie had been listening to his whole speech.
"It's best if you let mommy help you with that. He's the best when it comes to the kitchen. He will color with you, and don't get me started on his beddie-bye stories. He's been making them up since you were born." Mikey giggled, he hadn't known anyone knew that.
"Mommy is always there for you... We all are, but mommy can make you feel better in seconds, because he loves us all with that big golden heart of his. He's gonna do anything to make us all happy, would sacrifice everything he has."
Donnie made a show of lifting Ky a little higher, voice dropping to a whisper, as if Mikey couldn't hear it.
"That's why we gotta take care of mommy too, so he doesn't forget to take care of himself. Because sometimes, he forgets that he's important too."
Mikey lowered his gaze, blush darkening. Ky giggled sleepily when Donnie nuzzled his face.
"He doesn't realize that he's the most important turtle for all of us, that you wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him. And you're all doing so well because he's doing an awesome job at taking care of you."
Donatello glanced at Mikey, smiling at the way he stared at him now.
"But don't tell him that I said that. He'd be impossible to live with if he knew." The genius chuckled when Mikey shoved him with a shy smile.
"I love you, you dork." Mikey said, resting his head on Don's shoulder again as he watched their firstborn finally fall asleep.
"I love you too, mommy."
xxxxx
Donnie came up from his lab in the basement, gulping down the rest of his coffee. He placed the cup in the sink, noting the empty bottles and made quick work of washing them thoroughly and putting them in a pot of water to be boiled later.
In the doorway to the living room he paused, smiling at the sight that greeted him.
Raph was laying on his carapace on a blanket on the floor. Ky was rolling around happily, while Nix was busy examining one of the smaller plushies strewn around.
Amy was in Raph's arms, squealing when he held her up above his head, making sounds a plane would make. He only did it for a few short seconds at a time so she wouldn't have to strain her head so much. She seemed to really enjoy that playtime with daddy. Still Donnie had to intervene.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Raph."
Ky looked up when he heard Donnie's voice and giggled, stretching his arms towards him and then tried to roll in his direction. Raph rolled his eyes good-naturedly and lifted Amy up again.
"I'm careful, it's fine."
"That's not what I meant. Mikey and Leo fed them before they went grocery shopping, she's gonna-"
Donnie had to bite his lip to keep from laughing too hard when Amy spewed some of her food up, all over Raph's plastron.
Her mouth was in a cute 'o' as she watched her daddy curiously. That was a very interesting shade of red on his face.
"Holy... f-ing shell!" Raph censored himself, quickly sitting up when he found his composure again.
Donnie couldn't help but laugh out loud at the incredulous expression on his brother's face while Amy laughed innocently, her tiny hands making grabbing motions towards Raph's beak.
The laughter was only reducing when Donnie felt something touch is foot. Ky was on his carapace, trying to twist again because he didn't realize he was there already. Donnie scooped him up with a big smile, nuzzling his tiny face.
"Oh my, Ky! Did you find Papa? I'm so proud of you!" He cooed, delighted at the happy squeal of their firstborn.
"A little help maybe?!" Donnie couldn't help but laugh again at the reminder and sat down on the blanket next to Raph and their other two babies.
"Well, they need a bath anyways. You can sit in the tub with them." Donnie grinned cheekily at the glare Raph sent him. "Hey, I tried to warn you, daddy."
Raph deadpanned, facing his daughter again, who squealed in delight at the attention. "Whatever."
The big turtle stood up with Amy in one arm as she rested against his shoulder, and held out the other for Donnie to place Ky in it.
Donnie looked at Nix, who gave him a wary look that made him look like Leo's twin. Donnie chuckled and held out his arms towards him. When the baby didn't start crying, Don scooped him up.
Nix pouted, but didn't whine yet. Inwardly celebrating that small victory, Donnie picked up the thick blanket and followed Raph upstairs.
There he put the blanket on the ground beside the tub, and they placed the triplets down. Raph started the water and wiped his plastron with a towel from their dirty laundry basket. It needed to be washed anyways.
Donnie added baby wash to the water, smiling at the numerous bubbles as it was stirred by the running water.
Raph stuck his tongue out at him childishly and sat in the tub when it was half filled. "This is stupid." he remarked, making quick work of washing himself while Donnie took Amy's diaper and socks off.
"You like the way Mikey smells when he bathes with them. You're gonna smell just the same." Don cheered him up, or more like, teased him before handing him their daughter.
"Yeah, we should've waited for Mikey and Leo to come home. Usually it's them doing the bathing."
"Isn't that nice, for a change?" Donnie chuckled, tickling Ky's belly while Nix watched his new surroundings with interest. Bath time usually meant lots of cuddling in warm water with mommy.
"I guess..." Raph smiled, resting Amy against his thighs so she was halfway in the water. He used a soft rag to wash her carefully, laughing when she tried to grab the bubbles with a determined expression on her face.
When Raph washed her face she frowned until her daddy nuzzled her freckled face. It made her giggle again.
"There, all clean my little princess." He carefully handed her to Donnie, who was waiting with a towel and a tender smile on his face. He also nuzzled his daughter's face before laying her down on the blanket and towel.
Since Nix was staying rather still aside from turning onto his stomach Donnie grabbed him next and handed him to Raph. Ky was already halfway off the blanket, so Donnie had to put him back with a small tickle of his bare feet.
"I'm gonna have to find a way to tie the socks to your feet, young man." he scolded playfully.
He dried off Amy then and put some cream on her skin before fastening her diaper again.
Meanwhile Raph and Nix were holding a staring contest in the tub. It was rather cute, the way he frowned just like Leo. Really, if it wasn't for the green eyes Nix would look exactly like their oldest mate.
The baby's frown would deepen when Raph touched him, squirming in place and kicking his feet. This was not his mommy. Mommy always cuddled him close and made funny noises. No, this was one of the other guys. That always tried to take away his mommy from him.
"God, it's like I'm bathing with Leo." Raph shook his head, and Donnie had to laugh when he looked up.
"Do you think Leo noticed the similarities too?"
"Probably not. But hey, at least he's not crying." His eyes widened, it was his own fault, he jinxed it. As if Nix understood, he started whining, tears starting to pool in his eyes as his bottom lip quivered. "Oh shell, no."
Raph quickly washed Nix' face and handed the wailing baby to Don, who glared at his mate, who gave a sheepish shrug.
Amy was playing with one of her socks, looking up when her younger brother was placed next to her. Donnie hurried up to get Ky in the tub too, but apparently bath time was one of the few things their eldest didn't like.
He kicked his feet and started wailing along with his brother. Raph blinked, at loss. What the hell? They never cried when Mikey and Leo bathed them!
Donnie made quick work of drying and creaming Nix and after fastening a diaper on him he scooped him up, resting him against his plastron so he could hear his heartbeat.
That worked for about three seconds until Nix realized this wasn't mommy's heartbeat. Meanwhile Ky was putting up quite a fight in the tub, stiffening, kicking, wailing. He almost dove under when Raph lost his grip on him.
Since her brothers were crying, Amy had to cry too. She didn't know what was wrong, but they would have a reason to cry.
"Donnie! What do we do?!" Raph panicked, holding Ky to his plastron. He always hated when all three of them cried at once.
"I have no idea!"
Their rescue came up the stairs. Leo and Mikey stood in the doorway, amused at the sight.
"Need help?" Mikey asked, the wide eyes of Raph and Don making him laugh.
At the sound of their mother, all three of the babies turned their heads. Nix' hand reached for Mikey, who took him with a smile. Leo held his hands out for Ky, and Raph handed him over quickly, while Mikey rubbed Amy's belly, which calmed her in seconds.
As soon as Ky was out of the water he calmed down, frowning down at the tub as he dug his fingers into Leo's arm.
"If you wanted to bathe them, you should've waited for us. We would've helped you." Leo chuckled at the flabbergasted looks of his middle brothers.
Raph got out of the tub, grabbing a fresh towel to rub himself dry.
"That's not fair, of course Nix was gonna freak without Mikey around." He grumbled, trying to save his hurt pride.
"He was doing fine until you washed him..." Donnie admitted, frowning at the tub.
"Okay, I admit, Nix is used to me when bathing." Mikey said, tickling the little one's chin to coax a small laugh out of him.
Then he was placed on the blanket on his belly, and Mikey stepped into the tub, turning on the cold water and destroying as much of the bubbles as he could.
"But it would've helped to know that Ky is scared of bubbles, and he doesn't like too warm water." he explained and turned off the faucet again, taking Ky from Leo. This time Ky didn't fuss, and even giggled when Mikey washed him.
"... At least we did it right with Amy." Raph pouted, hugging his girl close to his plastron. His eyes widened when she burped, the hot liquid from her stomach hitting his shoulder.
Leo had the decency to cover his mouth to muffle his amused sounds, while Mikey and Donnie outright laughed at him.