"Mommy! Avy smiled!" Ky giddily exclaimed repeatedly patting Mikey's arm that Aventurine was currently not cradled in.
"She did, yeah." Mikey chuckled at the toddler's excitement and rubbed a hand over his son's head.
"Cavy has dots, like me and mommy." Amy pointed out, gently poking Cavansite's cheek.
"They're called freckles, and they make you three look really cute." Donnie grinned as he tickled the infant's clothed feet.
Since they were really temperature sensitive, they've managed to get custom-made onesies to keep them warm. Mikey gushed over them, his still very hormonal stage pretty amusing to his mates. At least as long as he wasn't angry.
"But now it's time for your nap."
"Babies nap too?"
"As soon as daddy brings their bottles and they've eaten they're gonna take a nap too." Mikey assured Ky. Satisfied with the answer the olive toddler crawled under the blanket next to his mother along with his siblings. They were asleep within minutes.
"And as soon as they all are asleep mommy is gonna take a nap too." Donnie chuckled quietly when Mikey tried and failed to stifle a yawn.
"Shell no, I need to get back on my normal sleeping schedule."
"Aw come on, a nap a day doesn't hurt."
"When the kids are all old enough for pre-school I'm gonna get a job, and then I'm gonna be too busy for naps."
Donatello frowned at his younger mate, the information new to him.
"... When did you decide that?"
Mikey shrugged, stroking Ava's cheek with a finger, making her give a toothless grin and kick her legs.
"The first time I thought about it was shortly before The Incident happened. Did you think I was gonna stay at home all my life? We finally have the opportunity to get a job and go outside after years of isolation, why would I pass that up?"
"I'm just surprised I guess... I thought you liked being at home with the children. And it's not like you can't go outside at all, like back in New York."
He glanced at the sleeping toddlers huddled under the blankets, smiling subconsciously.
"I do. But when they're going to pre-school and school it's going to be boring at home anyways. I don't really see a problem in finding something productive to do then." Mikey smiled when Aventurine laughed up at him and reaching for his face.
"No, there's no problem." Donnie quickly said, adjusting Cav in his arms and starting to bounce him a little so he wouldn't fall asleep before he's had his bottle.
He wanted to add something, but Raph entering the living room brought his attention to his older mate.
"Do you wanna feed her?" Mikey offered, but Raph shook his head and handed him the second bottle of formula.
"Can't, I'm gonna meet up with Leo and the rebels in a few. I wanna know what Voron said in today's meeting after the episode a few weeks ago..."
"As if Leo wouldn't tell us when he gets home anyways." Don chuckled at the concentrated face of the baby in his arms as he suckled on the bottle.
"They're gonna talk battle strategies, not gonna miss that." Raphael laughed as he leaned on the back of the couch between his two mates and watched the twins.
They've developed just fine in the few weeks after hatching, and they were already showing a little of their personalities.
Aventurine was a quite happy baby, like Ky had been. Then again she had episodes like Nix, when she wanted to be held by a specific parent.
Cavansite had the same curiosity as Amy's had, and he got along with each of his parents. He enjoyed his naps and didn't like being woken up.
"I kinda wish he'd finally try something..." Mikey mumbled, watching Ava eat with her eyes closed as she moved her little fingers. "It's so unsettling that he's so calm."
Indeed it was weird that Voron hadn't made a move since nearly losing it the last time they saw him. It didn't fit his personality, and that was worrying on so many levels.
"Even if he's planning something big, I won't let him get anywhere near you all."
"... Now I'm really curious how the meeting went." Donnie shook his head as he put the empty bottle aside and placed a nearby burp cloth over his shoulder.
Cav fussed a little in the upright hold, but burped quickly when Don patted his carapace. He yawned cutely and snuggled his face into his papa's plastron, already asleep when Donnie placed him in the crib under a heatlamp.
"You can go with Raph. I can-"
"You just got off your bedrest, I won't leave you alone with the triplets and the twins."
"Exactly. I can call you and tell you in case the rebel meeting is taking longer." Raph added, taking Ava from Mikey to make her burp and lay her next to her brother.
Mikey rolled his eyes at the over-protectiveness and tried to stifle another yawn. Donnie gave him a sideways smile, and Mikey pouted for a few seconds before giving in and laying down. He sighed and snuggled into a pillow, relaxing.
"I wanna visit Kion later." He mumbled, eyes halfway closed.
His friend had given birth some days ago, and the egg hatched just yesterday. Since they both had been on strict bedrest, they haven't met for weeks now, and Mikey wanted to see Elia's little sister Lenara.
"... I guess we can go in the late afternoon, when Leo and Raph are back to look after the kids. I'd rather not..." Donnie trailed off when he saw Mike's breathing already evened out.
"Ya gonna be fine with them?" Raph asked with a smile as he pulled a blanket over his dozing youngest mate.
Don rolled his eyes in a good-natured way.
"As long as Mike doesn't sneak away to get a job I'll be just peachy."
"... what?"
"He's just going stir-crazy, since he got pregnant we kinda smothered him. He's eager to get out and around."
Raphael tilted his head as he looked down at Mikey.
"I guess he could look for a part time job if he really wants to... The kids almost had a panic attack when he was gone for one night."
Donnie shook his head and laughed quietly. "He said he'd wait until they go to school. And I'd rather have him take it easy for a longer while, too." He smirked at Raph.
"I'm kinda surprised how open you are about it. I thought you'd go hardcore protective alpha boss male on him."
"Hardy har. I'm late for the meeting."
xxxxx
"Aw come on, are you serious? I wanted to visit Kion..." Mikey pouted into his phone, his other arm making sure Nix didn't fall off the kitchen island as he stirred some batter.
"Sorry baby, the festival was pretty spontaneously planned and we gotta be on the look-out... Leo thinks Voron's speech could be important."
"Can't you come then? I can't leave Dee alone with the kids."
"You're not going out alone either, Mikey."
"It's just a few houses down the street, and you know very well I'm capable of taking care of myself." The freckled turtle rolled his eyes.
"Do I gotta spell it out for ya again? Two days ago you weren't even allowed to stand up alone, and I bet you're still sore as fuck."
"... That doesn't-"
"No. As long as we don't know whether Voron's planning something big you're not running around alone."
"I'm not some kid, Raph."
"You're acting like one. Look, finish making cookies-"
"Brownies." Mike corrected, lips still in a pout.
"-brownies, whatever. Finish that, watch a movie with the kids and Donnie. And tomorrow we can visit Kion."
Nix held up the spoon to Mikey's mouth, opening his own to show his mother what he was supposed to do.
The sea-green turtle grinned and tasted the batter, not minding the chocolate smearing around at his son's clumsy move.
"Fine. But you owe me. Don't come home too late."
"Tch. Sure." Mikey could almost hear Raph's smirk. "Love ya."
"Love you too."
"I love daddy too!" Mikey laughed and ended the call, pressing his chocolaty lips to Nix' head, who giggled cutely and tried to escape.
"And daddy loves you too. Almost as much as I do."
"When are they coming back? Did they say whether they're gonna bathe them or if we should do that?" Don's voice rang out as he entered the kitchen, holding Aventurine up against his plastron.
He was gently rocking her as she whined unhappily around her pacifier.
"Meh. Voron planned some stupid festival, and wants to hold some super important speech. The guys think it could be about his election plans, either way they don't want to miss it."
Michelangelo shrugged as he poured the batter in a baking form, letting Nix use the spoon to scratch everything out.
"Huh. That's weird." Don blinked. "Why would he suddenly want a festival? You think he's announcing some stupid law?"
Ava wiggled in her Papa's grip, her pacifier falling out as her whines grew closer to cries. The genius struggled to keep her from working herself into a crying fit.
"Maybe some law that allows him to meddle even more with everyone's lives."
Mike glanced at them and put Nix down on the tiled floor, wiping the chocolate from his head with a dishtowel, kissing the forest-green forehead when it was clean.
"Why don't you go select a movie to watch before dinner? Then we're gonna eat the brownies in the living room. But psst, no telling fafa."
Nix giggled and nodded. He loved having secrets with his mommy. He made two steps, timidly eyeing his baby sister.
"Avy okay?"
"Aw, yes sweetie. She just," Don adjusted her in his arms, "missed mommy."
The crying grew more loud and pitiful. Nix' eyes were wide, and since papa said his little sister was okay he thought it was okay to flee the kitchen and the noise.
Don shook his head with a chuckle, continuing to bounce and shush his daughter, while Mikey hurried to put the brownies in the oven and wash his hands.
"Is Cav still sleeping?" he asked as he set the kitchen timer.
"He woke up on his own shortly before our little drama queen here started whining. I need to change his diaper."
"Yeah. Just leave the crying baby to me and take care of the calm one." Mike rolled his eyes and finally took Aventurine in his arms.
He held her upright, rubbing her shell through her soft onesie and rocked gently from side to side. The baby nuzzled her face into the warm shoulder, relaxing in the familiar closeness.
"Hey, it's not my fault she wants you." Donnie rolled his shoulders as he led the way back to the living room, going for the hexagonal crib, where Cavansite had a concentrated expression on his face. It relaxed suddenly, and then he was kicking his feet while Don sniffed with a grimace.
"Ugh, again?"
"Be glad he didn't wait until the diaper was gone." Mike sounded quite amused as he stood at a safe distance with Aventurine.
"Mommy." Ky patted Mikey's leg as he stood next to him. Nix and Amy were right beside him.
"Yes honey?"
"Can we go in our room? Wanna play in da ballpit."
"Sure you can. Did you already pick a movie for later?" Mike asked as he went ahead to open the gate by the stairs.
The babbling children followed him and Don couldn't help but smile despite the horrible smell he was exposed to as he changed Cav's diaper.
"If I didn't feed you myself I would've asked what you ate to poo so much." He mumbled as he cleaned his youngest.
The baby gave a toothless grin as if he understood, the midnight blue eyes sparkling as he grabbed for Donnie's face.
Fastening a new diaper on the infant, Don leaned down to kiss his forehead, chuckling at the tiny hands on his cheeks.
"All clean; now doesn't that feel better?" He lifted Cavansite up and laughed at the way the boy squeaked and giggled.
"... I think we could put up a fort down there, a toilet maybe, and they would never leave their playroom." Mikey announced his arrival.
"Better than them not going inside at all."
A shellcell ringing caught their attention at once. Cradling Cav in one arm, Don went and reached out for his phone with the other. His expression darkened considerably as he checked the caller ID.
"What? Who is it?" Mike asked, stepping closer as he started to bounce Ava again.
"... It's Voron."
The smaller turtle stopped in his tracks, frowning.
"Why would he call? I thought Raph and Leo were going to that festival anyways."
"No idea... do you think I should answer?"
A helpless shrug was the only response Mikey could give. Sighing, Don answered the call, putting it on speaker.
"Hello?"
"Good afternoon, Donatello! How are you doing? And the twins?"
Michelangelo rolled his eyes and sat on the couch, grabbing Aventurine's blanket to wrap her in it as he cradled her now.
"We're all good."
"That's good to hear, indeed. Look, I wanted to ask if you could come to the festival. I'm sure Leonardo told you about it; it's going to start soon and I'd love to have my number one inventor here."
Don couldn't believe the mayor. He almost blew a gasket last time he was here, and now he acted as if nothing had happened.
"I can't. I'm helping Mikey taking care of the kids."
"Oh, is Raphael not there?" Something sounded quite off in his voice.
"... He and Leonardo are on their way to the festival."
"I didn't know he'd accompany Leonardo. Well, I can send a nanny to-"
"Voron." Donatello interrupted the mayor with a stern voice. "We don't need a nanny, and I'm not coming to the festival. I'm staying here with Mikey and the children."
It was quiet for a while. Mikey buried his face in the crown of Ava's head, the girl snuggling closer.
"I see. Alright, if you're sure..."
"I am."
"Have a nice day, Donatello..."
The connection ended before the genius could reply.
"... That was creepy."
"Why did he want you with him so badly?" Mikey asked, shaking his head.
"How should I know? I'm gonna give Raph and Leo a call to keep a really close eye on him..."
xxxxx
"Wanna sleep in playroom!"
"Playroom, playroom!"
"You won't be sleeping down there."
"But mommy, please!"
Mikey sighed as he rubbed his temples. Bad enough that the twins had a cranky phase during the movie and dinner time, now the triplets were hellbent on sleeping in their playroom instead of their own rooms.
"What about the nice fort in Nix' room? Why don't you sleep in there again?"
He was prepared for it and largely un-moved by the triple puppy-dog eyes hitting him then. Those little rascals had caught on pretty early that Raph and especially Leo couldn't withstand that look at all. It took longer with Donnie, and by now they should know it wouldn't work at all on Mikey.
"If you're sleeping in your playroom, you're not gonna sleep. I don't need you playing the whole night and be cranky the whole next day."
"We gonna sleep! Pwomise!"
"Okay, let's make a deal. Tonight you're gonna sleep in the fort, and tomorrow night when daddy and fafa are home you can sleep in your playroom. Alright?"
The triplets exchanged looks and shrugs.
"But... two nights!"
"Fine. Tomorrow and the night after you can sleep down there. But tonight it's the fort."
Don grinned from the hallway, having heard the end of the conversation. He entered the living room, setting the two warmed bottles down on the coffee table.
"Come on, I'm gonna read you a story."
"Wit dragons!"
"No, Boo the Badger!"
The energetic children ran ahead to the stairs, waiting by the gate.
"So. Much. Energy."
"Now imagine dad when we four were little." Donnie chuckled as he handed Cav to Mikey.
The boy was prone to fall asleep before feeding time and was hell when woken up then, so he was being fed first.
While the infant suckled on the bottle, Don pressed a kiss to Mikey's head.
"Tomorrow we're taking the day off, sweetheart. Let Leo and Raph handle them; for leaving it to us today."
Mikey laughed and nodded, closing his eyes as Don left to get the triplets to bed.
Over the baby monitor he heard him read a short story, and warn them that there won't be a playroom slumber party tomorrow if they didn't sleep now.
Cavansite fell asleep with only a few sips of the formula left. Mikey yawned as he put the bottle away and Cav in the crib.
Aventurine reached for him, cooing when her mother brought her to the couch and started feeding her.
"Finally..."
Don sighed as he let himself fall on the couch minutes later. One arm came up around Mike's shoulders while the other rubbed tiredly at his own eyes.
"Cav is in dreamland and Ava is on the way there. We can either have a little fun... or we could sleep."
"Is it bad I'm more for sleeping?"
"Shell no, I'm glad I don't have to act all sexed up."
Donnie laughed quietly, nuzzling the side of Mikey's face. "Oh the joys of parenthood."
"I'm a little peeved that Leo and Raph are having fun on that festival without us. We should make them sleep in the playroom with the kids, as a sort of punishment."
"Mh, that actu... all...y..." Donnie trailed off, straightening where he sat, eyes on the dark windows that led to the garden.
"What?" Mikey frowned, also looking at the glass. It was pitch black, they couldn't see anything, especially with the light on inside.
"I... forget it, I just thought I saw something. Probably just some stray animal."
Michelangelo wasn't quite convinced. He uneasily adjusted Ava in his arms, who barely stirred from enjoying her food.
"... Right... Probably."
Suddenly there was the sound of a board creaking. It sounded like it came from their porch.
Don was on his feet in less than a second, already quietly making his way towards the hallway.
"Dee..." Mikey got up, heart thumping, and put Aventurine in the crib next to her twin. He quickly put a hand on Don's arm to stop him from going after the sound.
"Stay with the twins, and keep an eye on the stairs." Don ordered quietly. He made a detour to grab a broom from the closet under the stairs before vanishing in the dark dining room.
He would've preferred his bo staff, but that was safely locked away in his lab downstairs.
Feeling uneasy, Mikey turned off the overhead light so only the dim heatlamp was on.
"Do you see anything?" He whisper-shouted.
"No." Came the answer. "But there's footprints on the porch..."
"Don't go outside..." Mikey begged, turning to grab the genius' shellcell from the coffee table to call their mates.
In mid-spin something caught his eye and he couldn't help the startled yelp that escaped him.
He slapped his hand over his mouth, gripping the back of the couch with the other.
In a flash Donatello was next to him. "What is it? Are you hurt?"
"N-No. Someone... someone's in the garden. I saw a turtle by the window."
The mahagony eyes narrowed.
"We're taking the twins upstairs, you're staying with the kids, I'm taking care of the intruder."
"Donnie..." Mikey's chest hurt with how hard his heart was beating. "He looked like... like Naroy."
"Erion and Naroy are in jail..."
"Please, let's call Leo and Raph."
"We've beat them up two times already, I can take them."
It was true, still Mikey felt it wouldn't be so easy this time. He scooped up Cav and let Donnie place Ava in his other arm.
The walk upstairs was quite uneventful.
Since the triplets were sleeping soundly in the fort on the ground, Nix' crib was empty, so that's where they put the twins.
Mikey made sure the window was tightly closed; and no one without proper training would be able to climb the outside of the house. That was a relief at least.
"Mommy?" Nix' sleepy voice reached Mike's ears. He knelt down by the entrance of the fort and smiled shakily at his son.
"Yes angelcakes, it's me. Go back to sleep."
"Cavy and Avy sleepin' wit us?"
"Yes, they're sleeping here. But they're too little to sleep in the fort, so they're laying in your crib."
Nix yawned and nodded in acknowledgment.
The sound of glass breaking made Mikey jerk.
"Whatsat sound?" Nix asked, now more alert.
"Uh... I think... Papa just dropped a glass. He can be so clumsy sometimes." Mikey gulped.
"Sweetie, you have to do me a big favor now. I need to help papa clean up the mess so you don't hurt yourself tomorrow..."
He waited for the tiny nod in the dim of the nightlight.
"I want you to lock the door when I'm gone, okay? You lock the door, and you don't open it until papa or I come and get you. No matter what you hear, you're not opening the door."
"B-But mommy... why?"
"Because there's going to be glass on the floor and I don't want you or your siblings to get hurt. Come on, I won't be gone for long."
"Pwomise?"
"Big ninja promise."
Mikey waited for the lock to click as Nix did as he's been told. Even if the toddler falls asleep again, the lock would be easily picked by his parents. The intruders would need way more time.
There was no sound from downstairs, which was not assuring at all. Not daring to call out for Donnie, Mikey slowly made his way to the stairs.
He froze when there was a hushed curse and rattling.
Two shadowy figures were at the bottom of the stairs, fiddling with the gate. Where was Donnie?!
Michelangelo wrecked his brain to think of a weapon to use. However, Don's had a weapon and... Mikey gulped. He didn't want to think about what those intruders could have done to the genius.
"Just break it, who cares?!"
"Shut up!"
Mikey closed his eyes and took a deep soundless breath. Definitely sounded like Erion and Naroy. How did they find their new home? Why weren't they in jail? And what the heck happened to Don?
So many questions. But one thing the freckled turtle knew for sure; he didn't want those two brutes any closer to his children.
He hurried to Amy's room, grabbing some wooden building blocks from a box, and came back to the stairs. Using the element of surprise, he fired the blocks down at the big turtles.
There were curses as the missiles hit their faces.
Mikey slid down the railing and used the momentum to kick the intruders back.
While they were struggling to get to their feet, Mikey tried if he could see Don anywhere.
"Damn little runt..."
Mike tried to jump out of reach, but when he landed he faltered a little as the soreness flared up to a burn. In an instant one of the larger turtles was on him, pressing him into the ground.
"Missed me?" Hot breath hit his neck and side as Mikey struggled to dislodge the heavier body above him.
He was about to give a snarky response, but a rough hand on his tail made him hiss instead.
"I know I missed you. I love 'em feisty."
"Stop playing around, Naroy. We don't have all night."
"Yeah, you're right. Don't want that other prick wake up too soon and interrupt our fun."
Wake up? Did they knock him out?
Mikey tensed when he felt a hot hardness on his thigh. This wasn't happening. No.
He couldn't even scream, it would scare Nix to death. Why haven't they called Leo and Raph when they had the chance?! He was such an idiot!
A panic started to settle in his chest as Naroy shifted. He had to be strong. He had to protect his babies.
He growled, fighting harder despite the burning.
-Thunk-
The horrible sound made Naroy twist. His eyes widened at the sight of a furious Donatello. The genius had sneaked upon Erion and knocked him out with one of their frying pans.
Remembering their last encounter, Naroy gulped and rolled to the side, off of Mikey. He held up his hands, not so brave anymore without his companion.
"Look-"
Don pounced on the taller turtle, mercilessly pressing the handle of the pan against his throat, making breathing really difficult for Naroy.
"It's not... we..." Naroy struggled to breathe. "Rabbits..."
Eyes widening, Don lessened the pressure a little. "... What?" He asked, voice dangerously low.
"The rabbits... they..." the brute coughed. "... they p-paid us to... to k-kidnap the k-kids..."
Something snapped in Donatello. He hit the edge of the pan on Naroy's knee; something cracked. The scream was muffled with Don's hand shoving hard against the jaw.
"You have one more chance to tell the truth. Next time I'm gonna hit somewhere it really hurts."
He released the jaw in favor of pressing his thumb hard to the neck.
"Talk."
"V-V-Voron!" He blurted out, desperate to save his private parts. "He got us out of jail and paid us to scare you! I have no idea why, he didn't tell us, I swear! I swear!"