This story is centered on the main ship, however I love thinking about everyone else! Please enjoy this side-chapter.
New York City is not a popular place to go for seeing leaves change color. A few trees in the parks would change, but it was never the same as seeing a grand forest changing. The only signs that Autumn was coming were the dropping temperatures and shorter days.
Baxium had been away from Mira for almost a month now, and she still wasn't completely used to it. She would hear from him every now and then and, though he couldn't say anything about what was happening, they loved being able to catch up with one another. Mira was finally feeling like leaving the apartment with friends, though it was only to go to the closest bars to drink. At least she was getting out.
Mikey and Ashley were closer than ever, and the only thing stopping them from staying at each others' places each night was Ashley's need to be sure her friend was okay. Ashley would go out with Mira most nights, leaving Mikey to his own devices. However, his alone time suited him just fine as he started picking up a new hobby- making music.
Raph was glad his brother had picked up a hobby that wasn't obnoxious (if he wore headphones) and kept him preoccupied. Things with Joi were tugging along, though it seemed a little strained on both ends.
When the Triceratons left, Raph was able to catch the end of the Judo competition Joi had invited him to. She introduced him to her ex, Jeff, who had ended up winning. Joi explained to Raph later that he had actually apologized to her before the match, and that he seemed like a whole new guy. Jeff didn't seem intimidated by Raph in the slightest, which took some concern off of him, but Joi seemed a little too happy to be talking to a guy who had broken her heart. While Raph was right there.
They went out afterwards, but things didn't seem to take off. As Raph sat at a bar on a late August night, he expected to spend his time alone. However, with Ashley and Mikey having a night for themselves, it seemed like only a matter of time before Mira found her way over to him.
"Hey nerd, drinking alone?" she asked as she caught the bartender's attention.
Raph looked at her, noticed no one else was around, and tilted his head. "Projecting?"
"No, I'm drinking with you, idiot."
Raph shook his head as he returned to his drink. "Sounds like you've been drinkin alone already."
"Hey," she started, poking his shoulder aggressively. "You have no proof."
Her drink was placed in front of her, and Raph offered his glass for a silent 'cheers.' They sat next to one another, drinking up their blues, mostly quiet in between the small talk. Mira missed Baxium, Raph was having lady trouble, they both just wanted to drink to forget about everything.
"Where's Casey?" Mira asked. "Doesn't he usually come out with you?"
Raph shook his head. "Not lately. He's helping April get everything ready for their baby, plus they just moved their business to-"
"THEY'RE HAVING A BABY?" Mira asked, her excitement not hidden at all from Raph or the rest of the bar patrons. "How could you not tell me!? Oh my god is it a boy or a girl? Do they have a name yet? When is she due?!"
"Calm down, will ya?" he said as he turned to face her. "We just found out a month or two ago, but Casey's so excited he's doin all sorts of projects. He's making all the stuff they need from scratch, like the crib and changing table. Plus, he knows how April hates it when he stays out late. If he does come out with me it's just for a beer or two, then he goes home. But I've never seen that goof more happy or determined in my life."
"Aw," Mira coo'd, thinking about that giant goof fussing over April and their baby…
"Casey, I'm not even that far along yet," April said as she watched him pack up her hospital bag. "I won't need that for 7 more months!"
Continuing to pack up everything they could possibly need, Casey replied, "I know babe, but it doesn't hurt to be ready! What if I forget to do it later? Now we have it no matter what!"
April couldn't help but laugh a little as she approached her husband. She gave him a kiss on the cheek, making him pause what he was doing. "You're gonna be a great father," she said with a smile.
Those words nearly choked him up and he stopped packing to hug her and return the kiss. "And I don't think anyone doubts you're gonna be the best mom in the world!"
They embraced in their living room for a long time, all of their emotions being shared and released with their contact. When they finally pulled away from each other, April walked to get her jacket. "I'm going to meet Donnie at the office, okay? We have some things we need to discuss going forward before we present them at the meeting on Tuesday."
"Do you want me to take you?" he asked, clearly worried for his growing family.
"It's just down the street, Casey," she assured him with a smile. "I think I can drive that far on my own. You keep getting that bag ready."
Recalling exactly what he was doing before she entered the room, Casey was right back to it. "Okay, but let me know as soon as you're there and when you're comin home."
"Of course," she said before walking out the door.
Donnie was already at the office, organizing the blueprints he had designed over the weekend. Most of the blueprints were for new gadgets and aircrafts, but some were for floor designs for their company. Though things were pretty organized from the get-go, their business was now growing and they needed a way to further organize and manage all of the new hires and management.
Don heard the front doors click open, then closed, and assumed April had arrived. He left his office to greet her, but found one of their new engineers approaching him, instead. They were rather short, but very gifted. The pale-skinned dark-blue haired Stargram engineer had instantly gathered Don and April's attention for their designs and ingenuity.
"Oh, Donatello! I'm sorry, but could you help me? I left my laptop here. Remembered my phone this time," they said as they flashed their mobile device. "But I guess I always have to forget something."
Don fished out his keys from his lab pocket and started toward the stairs. "You're just on the second floor right?"
"Right!"
"Shouldn't be any trouble, Nish."
"Oh, you remembered?" they asked as they followed him up the stairs. "I know it can be difficult when it changes, but-"
"It's no trouble, once I see the name tag you chose for the day. Though, pardon my asking, but would it be easier to choose a name that's a little more neutral? That way it doesn't have to change every day."
"I've thought about it, but Nish and Nisha just both fit me so well. Which is why I don't mind if people only call me by one name, but I appreciate it when they acknowledge the differences." They pulled some of their hair behind their pointed ear and waited for Donnie to unlock the second floor.
"Just let me know when you leave, okay?" Don asked, giving Nish a smile. They returned it with a nod and started off to find their laptop, office keys in hand.
Don returned to his office to find April looking through the organized blueprints he had left on his desk. "April," he greeted warmly. "Nish is finding their laptop upstairs."
"I figured they forgot something," she said with a smile. "I saw them when I was pulling up. These blueprints are really something, Donatello. I can't wait to see what you do with them."
"Thanks," he said, used to her praise, but still soaking it up whenever he could. "But we should really start talking about how fast the company is growing. O'Neil Tech is going to be a really big name this time next year."
"Yeah," April agreed with a sigh. "I never thought it would take off this quickly, but…" she looked at him with a smile. "I guess we really make a great team, huh?"
They shared a smile and got settled in, locking up once Nish had left, and continuing to talk about their growth over coffee (one decaf, one very caf).
As Donnie and April talked into the night, Leo sat with Splinter in their mostly empty home, enjoying an evening cup of tea.
"It seems like only yesterday you four were here," he began with a fond smile. "Filling our home with your laughter and your antics."
Leo nodded, never having gotten used to the quiet with his two loudest brothers gone. Donnie would still return to the lair once he finished at O'Neil Tech, but the only noise he'd bring were of his prototypes. Even he would rarely spend time with them when he was home, his work was the only thing on his mind.
"It's gotten very quiet, lately." Leo added as he drank from his cup.
"I suppose it's that time, though. My sons are so grown up now, and they're living on their own." Though his smile had happiness, Leo could sense the sadness underneath. "It makes this old man very proud to see you boys like this. And I am grateful that you have spent your time here with me, Leonardo."
Leo perked up at the mention of his name and gave a slow nod. "Of course, father. I couldn't leave you by yourself here."
Leo's words, as thoughtful as could be, left his father with a furrowed brow rather than a smile.
"Leonardo," Splinter interrupted, sounding more inquisitive than demanding. "What do you wish to do in this life?"
His eldest son took pause as he thought about his question. "What do you mean?"
"Your brothers have become more and more independent, in their own ways. Raphael and Michelangelo are living on their own and developing lives independent from us. Donatello has started a thriving business with Mrs. O'Neil. And you are still here with me, my son."
Splinter allowed Leo to think on his words for a moment before continuing. "Do not get me wrong, I am happy you have decided to stay here for so long, but I worry that you are missing out on life because you think you need to care for me."
Leo took Splinter's words harshly at first, but allowed them to soak in as he thought more about it.
Splinter stood and nodded at him. "I will give you time to reflect on my question. You think so much for your family, Leonardo, but you forget to think of yourself."
Leo sat in quiet contemplation, running the question over and over again in his mind. What did he want to do? Of course he was currently working to get by since his brothers had all gone, but was it what he wanted? To work and return to the lair to spend time with his father? He loved his family so dearly, but when he thought about his own life he realized he hadn't been doing much for himself.
Leo decided he would meditate on the matter and put away the tea. Hopefully something would come of it.
As the evening went on, April and Donnie parted ways to return home after locking up the offices. Donnie returned to a quiet lair and decided to just get some sleep for once. He and April had made good progress in determining the direction of their company, and he was set to rest for a busy week.
April returned to a fully packed hospital bag, and a tired Casey deciding to finish his woodworking project later. She had become accustomed to resting her hand on her lower belly, noticing it growing every week or so. The life she and her husband were nurturing filled her with so much happiness that it radiated off of her, and Casey greeted her warmly with a tight embrace and a loving kiss. Their bigger apartment seemed so empty for the moment, but as they filled it with items for their expected addition it felt more and more like home.
Ashley and Mikey were getting cozy in his room, listening to some of his latest creations. Ashley supported him completely in his latest hobby and they both hoped for him to build something solid as he seemed so gifted with music. They explored creative ideas together, and didn't seem like they would be going to bed too soon- as Raphael noticed when he stumbled into the apartment.
He had walked back home with Mira as the night grew older, realizing they both had work the next day and may have overdone it a little bit. A part of him wondered if Mira would want any company since she was clearly alone in her apartment, but another part assured him it would be weird to show up at her door after they had just walked home together.
He did his best to ignore the couple in the room next to his own and took his clothes off as he stumbled to his bed. He fell ontop of the messy bed with his phone in hand and sighed.
Mira quickly realized she was alone with the cat after she closed the front door behind her. She was able to drunkenly shake off the heavy feeling of loneliness looming around the apartment as she removed her shoes and got comfortable.
Cozied up in bed, she wasted no time in opening apps on her phone to distract her until the alcohol in her system put her to sleep.
A vibration on her phone got her heart beating fast, hoping it was Baxium who was messaging her. Disappointment soon followed when she realized it was a message from Raph instead. Still, it was nice not to be totally alone with her thoughts.
Come get your ashley or I wont be able t sleep
Smiling at the drunk message, she typed one up of her own.
Nope shes all yours
And mikeys
Shed probly be into that
Each individual message came with its own notification for Raph and he had to take a moment to process her joke. As he did, he heard laughter from Mikey's room and worried something very loud was about to start happening.
O man i dont think they know im home
this is gon be uncomftrble
Mira couldn't help the laugh that escaped her as she pieced together what he was talking about.
LOL
thats rough buddy good luck tho
She opened her apps again and saw a notification at the top of her screen.
thanks for the help bomehead
Mechanically, she opened her messages and sent a quick one to Mikey and Ashley.
raphs home but hes too drunk and stupid to tell you
Figuring they'd get the message, she continued to mess on her phone until the light started to hurt her head. As she lay in the darkness hoping to find some sleep that night, Raph managed to pass out completely and missed out on all the things even Mira could hear at times.
They didn't see her message until the next morning.
Please let me know what you think! Any major Leo fans out there have any idea what he might want to do?