Leonardo
"But, but, but, Zoe was supposed to- But, but, but," Donnie is literally darting from one end of his lab to the other, doing nothing productive and I'm actually relieved the pressure's not on me for once. As he picks up random items, dropping half of them, stumbles over his own feet, and resumes a frantic pacing, I feel a little bad for him. Just a little, after all, it's not like he didn't know the baby was coming. It just wasn't expected today, and this wasn't the original birth plan. That plan didn't even involve Donnie aside from holding April's hand, and being ready to act should an emergency come up. But that's our lives, nothing ever goes right to plan, so we deviate and adapt, it's no big deal. But when Donnie trips over the leg of his desk, grabbing desperately at the top of it to catch himself only to pull a bunch of papers down on his head, I've seen enough and decide I should probably try to make him feel better.
"Don," Will this night, never end? I have to wonder, as my little brother continues dropping everything he picks up. "DONATELLO!"
He stops, looking at me with wide amber eyes, his Adams apple bobbing madly as he manages to make an odd clicking sound.
I really don't understand why he's flipping out. "It's not like you haven't delivered a baby before. You helped Zoe with both of her babies."
Don's eyes are darting as he picks up a roll of med tape from his supply table only to fumble and drop it. He bends over to pick it up, slamming his head on the corner when he goes to stand, dropping the tape again. It bounces and skitters across the floor as he stammers, "But, but, but-"
"But what, Jackass?" Raph groans from the medical table.
Donnie's mouth falls open in shock then he darts over to check Raph's vitals. "You're looking good Raph, but you should get some more rest. Do you think you could drink any water?"
"Hey Raph, how are you feeling?" I ask my brother as he rubs his eyes then brushes Don's hands off him.
"Like, I got stabbed. What the hell is going on? Why are you still here?" Raph opens his eyes, blinking against the bright lights of the first aid room.
"April's having the baby. She called almost two hours ago. They're on their way here and Donatello has done nothing to prepare to deliver his baby. They're going to be here any minute now." I'm pleased that there might be some good to come of this nightmare. I've grown to love the idea of new family members, even if it means more to protect. It's worth it, every hug from those little arms, Drea's sweet kisses, the way she climbs in my lap at story time, and Anton imitates everything Raph does. I can feel the smile on my face, remembering the mini-Raph stomping his foot, just last week, as he repeated every word and action Raph made during a spat he and Zoe were having. Raph and Anton both ended up catching it from Zoe that night and the twin looks on their faces, watching Raph squirm because he knew he was wrong to swear in front of Antonello, it was both hilarious and good for him, yeah, they'd changed our lives for the better, and they were worth it.
"Don, what the hell are you doing?" Raph drapes a hand over his eyes and snaps at our brainy brother.
"But, but, but-" Don stammers.
"Hit him." Raph waves a hand at me then covers his eyes again.
I shake my head, laughing a bit. "I'm not going to hit him."
"Leo, one day this is going to be you and Karai and you won't think it's so funny. Hit him. He needs to get his shit together." Raph sighs and rubs his eyes.
"Okay," I shrug and move towards Donnie, "if you're sure."
"I'm sure," Raph chuckles then gasps, hisses in pain.
I look at my genius brother, trembling like a scared rabbit. After taking a second to think it through I opt to give him a warning first. "Don. I'm going to hit you if you don't get your shit together." I point to Raph, "Look, Raph's had a worse night than you and he's doing alright."
"What, what, what do I do?" Don just keeps blinking.
With a resounding sigh, I shake my head and smack him across the face. I mean, I can't risk knocking him out. There's no way I'm delivering a baby.
Don shakes his head, seeming to get a hold of himself. "Right, Leo boil water to sterilize everything I give you. Ahhh strike that, we need to move Raph. I need this table. I have to sterilize everything."
I move one of Raph's arms around my neck and Don gets the other. Raph groans but holds his weight well for someone as badly injured as he is. Splinter is standing outside the needle room as we pass by.
"Master Splinter, could you please begin sterilizing the table and as much of this room as possible? We're going to take Raph to his room and then…" Donnie blushes and flashes our father a nervous grin, "When April comes… I guess we're having a baby."
Splinter smiles as widely as a rat can, "Of course Donatello."
It takes us ten minutes to get Raph to his bed. As soon as we lay him down Donnie darts from the room jabbering. I look at Raph and sigh, "Right. Okay, I'll send someone up with pain relief as soon as I can. I need to go help Donnie."
Raph's phone starts ringing again. Why no one thinks to call me on my own phone I have no idea.
"I'd come for you. No one but you. Yes I'd-"
I accept the call and Raph strains to see who it is.
"Leonardo."
"Ow! April that hurts!" Mikey squeaks then clears his throat. "Uh-Leo I could really use some help out here. I've got one unconscious woman, one in labor and two toddlers going buck wild. Please, send help." He sounds completely stressed and I can hear April screaming in the background. I think she's yelling that she hates Donatello.
"Ok, I'll be right out." Just as I hang up I hear the lair door opening.
"Leo? Is anybody- We're home- What is-"
It's Karai and Exodus. Good, they can help.
"Alright Raph, someone will either bring you Zoe or pain relief or both, soon." I glance at my brother and he waves me off.
From the top of the stairs I look down at Karai and Exodus.
Karai offers me her bedroom smile in greeting and while I'd love to take her up on it, it doesn't look like it'll be anytime soon. Her eyes shift from me to Donnie who's racing around like a madman, "What is going on? Why is Don-"
I make my way down the stairs, shaking my head, "There's no time. You girls can help me bring everyone in. I'll explain on the way." I grab Karai's hand and she follows me out, Exodus right behind her.
Michelangelo
April is crushing my hand. Crushing it. CRUSHING IT, and the screaming, Gods the words I've never heard her say before. It's almost like she's morphed into some alien creature suffering the wrath of a horrible science experiment. For me, this experience has been more terrifying than being cornered by rabid squirrels. I've listened to her horrendous outbursts enduring random punches in the arm while driving with Andrea sobbing that she doesn't understand what's wrong with Aunt April, while Anton lost his cool and actually yelled at them both to knock it off. Lucky boy, if he wasn't four years old, I'm pretty sure April would've morphed into a rabid squirrel and bit his head off. She's that scaaaarrreeeeyyy, "Oh! Ow! April, my hand!"
Oh! Yes, Leo, at last! As he, Karai and Exodus come out to the garage, Karai grabs Andrea, Exodus leads Anton back to the lair, and Leo scoops up Zoe. Oh, oh, lucky me, I get April.
April is hissing and whining as I carry her through the door to the lair. "Mike, I hate your brother. I am going to hurt him. HURT HIM! God how did Zoe do this, twice? She's nuts. NUTS!"
Yet as I near the needle room and Donatello take's her from me she quiets and they're gazing at each other. April's crying softly now and my brother is smiling at her.
My heart swells. I want that. I hope I get that. Maybe with Exodus…
Seeing my work is done I slip out of the room, completely forgotten in the chaos. My stomach growls, "Man I'm hungry." I'm gonna grab my girl and head for the fridge. "What've we got to eat?"
Raphael
My side is throbbing when Leo lays Zoe next to me. I'm disappointed that she's still out. I mean I'm the one that got stabbed and I'm awake already. What the hell? No matter, once Don and April have their baby I know he'll check on ours. They're going to be okay. I just know it. Even when she's out cold, I can feel her and she comforts me. How did I get so lucky? I reach over and take her tiny hand in mine. Come on Zoe, wake up, you're missing out on all the excitement.