A/N: Like promised. Longer. ;)

Zathura, hey! That's the question of the century. LOL. Just wait...little more on them to come. Thanks for the reviews and for supporting Mia. :D

D, here's your next fix. Heheh.

September 29
12:02 A.M.

Splinter stroked Klunk, running his claws through the feline's matted orange fur. "You are growing quite large," he said. "You barely fit in an armchair with me anymore."

"Blame Mike," Raphael added from the sofa. He sat with his crossed legs propped on the coffee table, gaze focused on the television. His hands were clasped over his plastron, but Splinter knew his son held little interest in the recorded Soap Operas. "He's been feedin' that cat table scraps. An' she gets territorial since she thinks Pez will eat her dinner."

"When Pez-chan, in fact, dines on fish and wet dog food."

"Weird thing."

Splinter chuckled. "I figured you would have warmed up by now, Raphael. Pez-chan did risk his life to be there for Nia when you could not."

Raphael flinched, clasped hands tightening. "Not my fault."

"Who is placing blame? I simply mean you and him should have a better understanding. Yes?"

"Well"—Raphael made a popping noise with his mouth—"we can sleep in the same room with Nia now. Gotta be careful where my feet go, but…"

"Is it progress, my son. So he no longer stays in a cage?"

"Like there's ever been a cage he couldn't chew out of."

"True. He at least quit forcing you from bed."

"Only after I kicked him across the room. Nia yelled, but boundaries needed ta be set."

"Was that not long before Pez-chan started chewing your Sais?"

The Chūnin grimaced, mumbling curses under his breath. Therefore Splinter let the subject die, asking,

"How was your call with Michelangelo and Nia-chan?"

The grimace darkened. "They're on their way. I talked wit' Ape before she went ta bed. She said it'd be fine if Nia 'n I crash in the livin' room for a bit…"

"The news was ill-received, I take it."

Raphael narrowed his eyes at the nameless couple on television—a silent act that spoke volumes.

"You wish you had gone after all," Splinter said without a doubt.

"Hai. Even though I probably would've made things worse."

Pained though he was to admit it, Raphael was right. Splinter could clearly picture the alphas' argument escalating, perhaps to the point where punches were exchanged. Such stress would have been terrible for Nia's pregnancy.

"Ni thought it'd be easier ta tell him privately, like she did wit' her mom. Wrong. By the end, Adeline 'n Pink got involved. Mike tried calmin' things down. Gavin stormed out. Nia was…cryin'."

"What a mess," Splinter said more to himself than Raphael.

"Mia's waitin' for him ta digest things, but Ni didn't wanna stay."

"Understandable. However, we should not intrude on April-chan for much longer."

Glare faltering, the mutant turtle sent his father a quick glance. "We're split up this time. Well, were until Gavin's meltdown."

"Spread out between two homes does not make us any less intrusive. Nia will always have a place with her parents, of course, but I do wish Fate favored us more while searching for a new home. We need space, especially with a little one on the way."

Raphael shivered; Splinter noticed the action in his Chi. The Chūnin swallowed, fiddled his six fingers. Clearly, anxiousness still burdened him.

"Donatello tells me Nia-han will go to Leatherhead for a sonogram when the machine is debugged."

"Ye—yeah."

"You will accompany her?"

Raphael's head jerked towards his father. "Why wouldn't I?"

"There is no reason to fear the trip."

"I ain't scared 'a no picture!"

"That picture represents more than an image, my son. You will see. Maybe then you will feel more confident in the role you have already begun to walk."

"Which is?"

"Being a father." When Raphael licked his lips, the old master slipped a claw below Klunk's chin, its warmth vibrating with her purrs. "I assure you, the urge to keep your child safe will only grow. The little one is fortunate to have such a courageous, passionate parent as a protector."

"What if that ain't what he wants?" Raphael asked with a half-shrug. "What if…what if I ain't any good at it?"

"I have watched you mature since you could fit in my paw, Raphael. You have proven rash and at times succumb to blind rage. However, that fire burns for good as well. Your child will know only security and love, even if you feel you have awkward ways of showing it."

"I've hurt my bros before. Wh—what if somethin' happens wit'…" The mutant looked flush, lolling his head against the sofa's backrest.

"That was in your youth, my son," Splinter said. "You have found better means of quelling your frustrations. Besides, you will not be alone in this endeavor. Along with many clan members who are ready as aid, Nia-chan will be beside you. She is your water and will unsure your fire will not burn your child."

Did Raphael believe his father? Somewhat. His Chi eased a little, but he stayed quiet, eyes distant.

'He has yet to fully accept the fact that will have a child. Such is natural. If I recall, Melody mentioned it may not set in until Nia begins showing or he hears the baby's heartbeat like she had. I bet it is a beautiful sound…'

"Easy, Pez! Will you wait for me to let you down first?"

Splinter faced the living room's open window, where he heard Nia squeak. Michelangelo prevented the artist from falling off the windowsill by suspending her by her quilt coat. Her arms were outstretched and Pez squirmed in her hold, his stubby hooves shy of meeting the floor by a good half foot. Biting her lip, she dropped him. He clanked against the wood below, a familiar sound which riled a hiss from Klunk.

"Head to my room, Klunkers!" Michelangelo cried as he set Nia inside. The cat retreated upstairs, unlikely to the bedroom he shared with his owner and more likely to April, who he favored.

"Okaerinasa," Splinter greeted.

"Okaerinasa," Michelangelo repeated while closing the window.

"Okah-ree-nass…" Nia blinked, shedding her coat. "However the rest of that goes. My mind's too fried."

Splinter chuckled into his paw then drew his attention downwards when a gentle nudge hit him. "Hello, Pez-chan," he told the round creature at his feet. Pez's chest puffed and his overbite jaw lowered with a huff. "Very well." The master reached down to retrieve Pez then placed him on his lap. Immediately, the creature closed his eyes.

"You're still up, Sensei?"

Smiling at Michelangelo, Splinter rested a paw atop Pez's back. "My energy has been remarkable these last few months."

"And your leg?"

"A fracture is a fracture. I feel more concerned for Nia-chan."

"Uh, I'd rather not talk about it," Nia answered. "Any of it. Can we just…make taquitos instead?"

"Taquitos?"

Raphael twisted on the sofa, so he hugged its top rest. "I ain't never seen ya eat a taquito before, Ni."

"I did once," said Nia with a nod. "Jalapeño and cheese. It burned my mouth and from then on I swore off spicy foods."

"So"—Michelangelo exchanged looks with his brother and father—"why do you want them?"

"I'm craving them. Like chocolate during my period. They would make me feel a lot better."

"I dun't think Ape has taquitos," Raphael said.

"No worries." After a spin, Nia reached for the book bag Michelangelo shouldered. She unzipped it then pulled out a cardboard box at its top.

"When'd you stuff those in there?" the Nunchaku master asked, eyeing his sister.

"When you were saying your hour-long goodbye to Sophia," Nia countered flatly.

"Don't exaggerate."

"Felt like forever. I even had time to throw up."

"Now that's just fifthly guilt tripping."

"I can't care right now. Make these."

Nia shoved the taquito box at her orange-masked brother without any inhibitions, a true testament to her unstable emotions. April's apartment hummed with her displeasure, but rather than duck her head at the unstable lights as she normally did, Nia groaned.

"I'm going to burn out so many things during this pregnancy, aren't I?"

"It's cool, Sis; we'll just replace what we can." Beaming, Mike opened the box then headed for the kitchen. "I'll get these set. You chill. I'm sure Raphy Boy's missed ya."

"Dun't make me throw a Shuriken at yer ass, Shell-for-Brains," Raphael shot back. Still, he made room for Nia and wrapped her in his arms. Pez peeked at them from Splinter's lap, yet the rat stroked him enough times to convince the creature a fight with his rival would require too much effort.

'I wonder who would win if we placed Pez-chan, Raphael, and Gavin-san in a room with Nia-chan. She is highly coveted by all three.'

"Wh—what are you watching, Splinter-san? More stories?"

"I was, my daughter. However, we can pick something more suitable for the family if you…Nia-chan, are you okay?"

The artist sniffled, except it did little to ease the sudden tears that flowed down her red cheeks. "Wh—wh—why are they showing these commercials already? Halloween hasn't even passed!"

Splinter's gaze found the television. Then he understood.

The softly-sung 'Silent Night' lyrics overlaid videos of sleeping babes and their mothers. It was a Christmas diaper commercial, well-circulated in the last few years. It must've touched Nia in way only another pregnant woman could understand.

"What's wrong wit' the commercial?" Raphael asked. "Should I change it?" His hands fumbled for the remote on the coffee table, but Nia stole it before he could push any buttons.

"Don't!" she yelled. "It's beautiful!"

"So yer cryin'?"

The young woman nodded and cradled the remote against her chest. "They're so cute and tiny. We—we're gunna have one of those."

Raphael stiffened as his wife leaned against him. He comforted her with a hug, although he looked pained. "Come on, Ni. I hate it when ya cry."

"Get used to it, Raph," Donatello said from the stairs. He descended into the living room, grinning. "Her emotions will be haywire for at least two more months. Maybe more."

The Sai master paled until his face looked light green.

"I—I'm not that bad, right, Donny?" Nia pulled away from her husband to face the purple-masked Chūnin, who chuckled behind the sofa.

"It should be…interesting. We can handle it. Eh, Raph?" Raphael kept silent and Donatello's smile never weakened. "Mel fell asleep. She's exhausted from excavating and searching for a new place."

"Any luck?" Splinter asked.

"We have one place we're considering."

"The old water plant?" Nia asked.

"Yeah. But she wants to talk with Baker first."

Raphael sent the genius a questioning look. "Why Baker?"

"She wants to ask him some things. That's all she said."

"Figures."

"I trust her, Raph. You should too."

"Never said I didn't. So can we focus on—?" The red-masked Chūnin gestured to his wife with his head, pleading with his eyes.

"She just needs something funny. I got just the thing."

"Ooh! Are we playin' come comedy up in here?" Michelangelo materialized from seemingly thin air. The youngest mutant jumped through the room that lingered with a subtle-spicy scent then raced towards Donatello when the genius shifted through a duffle bag on the dining room table.

"I was sure to grab this before the cave-in," Donatello said. He turned to display a worn VHS. The label on its side was written in crayon and brought a smile to Splinter's face.

"The Girly Scream Remix of Ninety-Seven," Nia read out loud. Sniffling, she rubbed her eyes. "Is this the prank tape you told me about, Raph?"

Raphael laughed in small bursts, more so when Michelangelo sent him a dry look over his shoulder.

"Dudes, seriously?" he asked. "Of all the lasts-minute things you could grab."

"I grabbed priceless and useful things," Donatello countered. He approached the entertainment center with a rare smirk. "It just so happens that in this case, it's both."

"Uh-huh."

"Karma, Mike. Besides, Nia seems excited."

The orange-masked mutant glared at his sister, who glued herself to the television in anticipation, yet said nothing more when he stalked into the kitchen. Splinter saw the childish behavior as endearing. These kids would always be just that in his eyes—regardless of age or stages in life—and part of him anticipated the video tape.

It had been an awfully long time since he last heard his sons' young voices.

A/N: Echo from "Finding Balance". HA! Oh, my tie-in's. Anyway. Writing pregnant Nia is fun. ;)