The irritation of spending a lot of time on supplemental oxygen only lasted a couple of days before Michelangelo started getting used to it. He was simply thankful by the time the docs actually let him out of the Lab. Despite the inconvenience of being on oxygen, he had to admit that his chest was feeling better than it had in months. His energy, however, hadn't come close to rebounding. Mike felt weaker now than he had before the so called, "episode", but it was about two weeks before Christmas, he was surrounded by his family, and he was happy to be alive.
Mike had been resting in the recliner under a heavy fleece blanket, until he heard the distinctive shuffle that accompanied Raphael's crutches. He opened his eyes just as his red-masked brother was entering the Great Room.
"Hey, pip-squeak," Raphael greeted him as affectionately as only he could. "Good to see ya out of that Lab."
Mike nodded. "It's good to see you on your feet, Bro. Sort of."
Raphael grinned as he leaned on the crutches, noticeably avoiding putting pressure on his left leg. "I'm doing pretty good with 'em, they're just difficult to maneuver on the stairs. Marc thinks I've still a couple months left before my bum leg is completely healed."
"It's better than it was though, right? How's the pain been?"
Raphael shrugged. "There are still some nerve issues, at least, that's what Marc calls them. But he seems to think that will clear up too, as more time goes by. I'm about as lucky as ever, huh? I was really wondering in the beginning if I'd ever be able to use this leg again."
Mike smiled as gratitude rose in his spirit. He could focus on the things that were still off with him and his brother, or he could choose to be thankful that the things were finally looking better in the big picture. For him, it was no contest. Raphael was getting the use of both legs back, Rebecca was holding on to the baby, and according to the docs, they'd reached a pivotal place in their battle against the condition that had tried to take his life.
The best feeling came from knowing that the probable source of all the bad cells had been rooted out, and neither his brothers nor Olivia would ever have to come as close to dying as he had. And neither will my kid, he thought with satisfaction. My kid. I can't believe it's really happening, and I'm gonna be around for it. As much as he'd tried to cling to the hope of the docs being able to help him, nagging doubt had always existed in the back of Mike's mind. Even tied to the oxygen tank the way he was now, he felt freer than he had in a long time.
When the front door came open, Mike craned his neck around to see Greg leading the way inside. The man had returned to North Carolina with Tim and Victoria a couple of days early, sooner than they'd originally planned. Mike had assured Greg over the phone that it wasn't necessary for them to rush, but the man wasn't listening to any of his objections.
Mike grinned as Greg and Brandon sauntered across the room together, reminding him very much of the same old roommates on the verge of getting into trouble as they'd always been. Everyone has been acting more like themselves over the last few days, he realized. It's like a giant cloud has been lifted, and people can finally breathe again.
"So when are you going to tell us this news you have?" Raphael asked Greg. "It's really not nice to announce you've got something important to tell us, and then refuse to say anything until we're all together. It's just Mike and me, Heff. We can keep a secret."
Greg snorted. "I promised Tim I'd wait for them. He and Victoria will be back on the mountain by this afternoon, and that's when we're telling everyone. End of discussion."
Raphael shook his head. "You're no fun anymore."
"I guess I'm going to have to live with that," Greg returned, then looked at Michelangelo. "How's it feel to have a new lease on life?"
Mike smiled. "I'll let you know when I get to take it out for a spin."
"Do you need anything?" the man asked more seriously. "Your wish is my command."
"Heff, you don't have to feel guilty 'cause you weren't here." Mike was exasperated. "You couldn't have done anything even if you were here."
"But being hundreds of miles away when you were dying...Mike, it wasn't easy."
"It wasn't fun to be two floors underneath it either," Raphael said morosely.
"Hey, you guys," Mike said sternly. "That's behind us, okay? Caleb's had a lot of encouraging things to say. I know the oxygen tank doesn't look so good, but it's temporary. The docs only think I'm going to need it while my lung tissue is healing from the overload of those mutated cells trying to take over. It was like 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' up in here."
His red-masked brother gave him a sharp look. "If you could have seen yourself, you wouldn't think it was funny, bone-head."
Michelangelo looked down at the floor. I don't know how hard it was on everybody...I guess I've got to be a little more sensitive.
"Sorry, Raphy, I'm just happy, that's all. I get to live. Isn't that a good enough reason for me to be laughing?"
Raphael nodded. "Yeah, I'm sorry, bro. I'm not trying to bite your head off."
"I'm used to you, Raph." Mike grinned again as he scanned the rest of the room.
The Christmas lights seemed brighter than they had days ago, when they'd first strung them not only from the tree, but also the rafters. The turtle couldn't resist looking up at the twinkling lights that were arrayed almost like stars in the sky over his head. He felt like laughing, even as he was on the verge of tears. He'd been fighting with the strange ailment for so many months, that the idea of having a leg up on it didn't feel like reality yet.
"Mike?" Brandon's voice summoned him out of contemplation.
The orange-masked turtle sniffed as he turned toward the man. "Yeah?"
"Are you all right?"
"Yes." Mike glanced around to include Raphael and Greg. "I'm great. I'm happy."
Brandon grinned as if he was about to burst. "Me too, Mike. Happier than I've been in a long time."
Mike dozed in his chair over the course of the morning, partially out of exhaustion, but also because of a touch of boredom. It was difficult to sit around and wait for the others to get back to Lotus Salvus. Deep down, he was just as eager to hear Greg's news as Raphael was, and the suspense could have driven him crazy if he allowed it to.
When he opened his eyes, he discovered that Tiger had wedged herself into his lap without him realizing it. The turtle chuckled, scratching under the feline's chin. When Mike pulled his hand away, Tiger raised her head in a clear signal that she wanted him to continue.
"Mi-kee!" a small voice squealed from the door, and he jerked his head up to see Reina toddling toward his chair. "Mi-kee, Mik-ee!"
A surge of joy lit through him like electricity as the little girl patted the arm of the recliner, asking to be picked up. Tiger arched her back and jumped down from the chair as Katherine headed that direction too. The woman held Reina out to Mike, casting a look at his oxygen tank.
"I'll keep an eye on her, Mike. I don't want her to hurt anything."
"She's okay, Kat. Since when does she say my name?"
"Since now I suppose." Katherine laughed. "I'm not surprised. Reina loves her some Uncle Mikey."
The orange-masked turtle kissed the baby's forehead as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Is she tired?"
"She fell asleep in the car," Kat replied. "She'll probably be hungry in a few minutes here."
"Mommy knows best, huh?" Mike embraced the baby before offering her back to Kat.
He felt someone else's eyes resting on him, and looked around until he found Rebecca gazing at him steadily.
"Did you sleep okay?" she asked.
"Like a rock," he answered. "Sorry, I didn't mean to miss you."
"I had plenty of things to keep me busy."
"Not too busy, right? You gotta take it easy for the baby."
Rebecca smiled as she walked over to him. "No, the girls fixed me up with things to do from the table. They seem to be under the impression that I'm not capable of standing anymore."
Mike took her hand and kissed it dramatically, adoring the way she tossed her curls as she giggled. I can't believe I get to have her for myself.
"Let's huddle up, everybody!"
Leonardo's authoritative voice suddenly reminded Mike that he and Becky weren't alone.
"The others have news to share," Leonardo reminded everyone in earshot.
Michelangelo felt a couple of butterflies as family and friends filtered into the room. He had to chuckle at himself. After all the anticipation that's been building, I sure hope this news is worth it.
Tim and Greg were having a discussion amongst the two of them, and it took them another moment to jointly face the room.
"There was really only one specific reason that I wanted to stay in New York for a few days," Greg started. "And I didn't tell any of you what it was, because I didn't want to face any arguments about it. To make a long story short, Tim and I headed underground when we got back to the city after Thanksgiving." He paused to allow time for the collective gasp to die. "We understand that it was risky, given the fact that the state of the earth hasn't completely settled down, seismologically speaking. But we couldn't stand the suspense of not knowing, and we didn't want you guys to have to wonder about your home either."
"Then don't keep us waiting, Heff!" Raphael's voice was high and tight. "What did you find? Was there anything left?"
Greg exchanged a maddening look with Tim before continuing. "The Den is still standing. There's significant damage to certain areas, namely Don's Lab-"
"I know all about that, Heff," the purple-masked turtle interrupted. "You were able to get inside okay?"
Greg nodded. "The seals on the door were still intact. None of the water from the flooding even penetrated the space. There's a lot of clean up to do, but there's no reason you wouldn't be able to go back. Tim and I took a couple of extended trips down there to winterize the pipes, so they don't freeze up when it gets too cold."
Mike was amazed by the strong sense of relief that washed over him in the blink of an eye. It's funny to think that we're already in Paradise, and I'm grateful that we're going to be able to live underground again. Something doesn't add up here, he thought impishly. The orange-masked turtle looked around the room to gauge the reactions of everyone else, and was pleased by the genuinely glad reception the news received. It's amazing how attached we are to the city. This is the best Christmas present I could have asked for...Well, one of the best.
He reached for Rebecca's hand again, squeezing it reassuringly. She returned his grip as the room exploded with additional questions that Mike wasn't interested in listening to. While he watched her, Becky's expression suddenly registered surprise, then joy.
"Mike, you have to feel this," she urged him, drawing the turtle's hand over to press it against her stomach.
Mike tensed, hoping he'd be able to feel whatever she was trying to show him. In an unexpected flash he felt the kick under his fingers.
"Shell, he's already practicing ninjutsu in there. That is the baby, isn't it?"
Becky laughed exuberantly. "Yes, it's the baby. I've never felt it so strongly before! I guess he's as happy as I am."
If any more emotion welled up inside him, Michelangelo felt like he was going to explode out of his skin. It was overwhelming, frightening, and exciting, all at the same time. "We get to go home," he said. "We're gonna have our baby."
She nodded eagerly, and he was enveloped in the warmth of her smile. For that minute, they were the only two inside the room.
Technically three, he added.
"I can't wait to meet our baby, Mike," Rebecca said. "He's going to be raised in the most loving home that ever existed."
"I don't know if I can keep Raph away from him forever, Beck. He's going to want to meet his niece or nephew eventually," Mike cracked.
"What are you saying about me?" the red-masked turtle spoke up.
"Nothing, Raphy, nothing at all."