Thank you all for waiting so patiently. I know it's been quite a while since I updated this story. This chapter is mostly in Donnie and Lily's POV but we have Robinson action, too. After all, Karena is pregnant.
A little warning: I wrote about Lily's first experience at the Oklahoma City National Memorial some chapters ago. After learning a lot about 9/11, I have written a portion of this chapter about Lily's first visit to the 9/11 Memorial. I just want to make you folks with PTSD aware.
Other than that, I do hope you'll enjoy chapter 61.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Meet the Robinsons," "TMNT," nor "Toy Story." I only own Lilianna, Ryan, Venus, Athena, Karena, and Justine.
October 7, 2044 - Todayland, North Montana, USA
KARENA'S POV
I was cleaning up my huge classroom when I suddenly heard knocking on the door. Before I could answer, I felt a kick so strong I let out a gasp.
"Are you okay?" I heard my husband asking from the door.
"Yeah, I think so," I answered, rubbing my baby belly in the exact spot I felt the kick. "This baby's a strong one, just like her father."
"Her father?" Wilbur asked with a teasing smile. "Did you find out without my knowing?"
"No, I swear! I've kept my word, thanks to April's advice."
"I guess it makes sense you'd ask April. She's a close friend who has been through pregnancy before. What did she say?"
I let out a sigh, my hand in the same place.
"She told me that if I found out the gender behind your back, I'd lose your trust."
Wilbur suddenly had an awkward expression on his face.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"Karena, I would have understood if you decided to find out. I actually received advice myself... from six different people."
"Who did you ask, the Turtles?"
"Actually, yes," Wilbur answered, biting his lip. "The four cousins plus Leo and Donnie."
"Oh!" I exclaimed with a surprised voice. "Here, I was thinking Leo, Raph, Donnie, Mikey and six of the wives."
"To be fair, you spoke to one of the wives. The cousins are my peers. I needed to know their thoughts on whether they'd find out the gender or not. And then they led me to Leo, the only Turtle with a son, and Donnie, the best father a daughter could have."
Wilbur crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and let out a sigh.
"I have a confession to make. The reason I came here right after my student teaching day ended is because I know the gender of our baby."
My eyes immediately widened in disbelief.
"And the cousins and I prepared a surprise for you."
I was angry. Here, I had wanted to know the gender of my baby this entire time, yet despite Wilbur telling me he didn't want to know, he somehow knew.
"You found out the gender of our child without telling me?" I roared furiously.
"Whoa, Karena, please calm down," Wilbur calmly pleaded with me.
"Calm down? Calm down?! You said you wanted to be surprised. You lied to me!"
"Whoa, okay!" Wilbur snapped back, and now he was glaring at me. "I never lied to you! I didn't want to know at first. But then I saw the look on your face when we left Donnie's lab. You looked like you were about to cry, and I couldn't help but think it was my fault. I felt that I did something wrong, so I asked for advice. After Leo and Donnie shared their thoughts, I felt ready to know. But I wanted to surprise you, too. I'm sorry it took so long, but I'm telling you now."
Wilbur sighed and his glare washed away, turning into a frown.
"Please, Karr. Please, come with me."
I remembered April's advice about not finding out the gender because I would be breaking my husband's trust. Ironically, the complete opposite happened. I felt like my trust was broken.
"Just go, Mr. Robinson."
"You're not coming?" Wilbur asked.
"I said, go!"
I sat inside my small office and cried as Wilbur left my classroom. Then I gasped. I received a text from Donnie.
"Hey, your appointment is coming up. Will you be able to make it?"
I quickly grabbed my things, left the classroom, got into my flying car, and flew back home. When I landed my car in the garage, I took out the portal and went to New York.
WILBUR'S POV
I went to Todayland University to greet Justine and the Hamato cousins. At first they were smiling because they were excited about the plan. Their smiles quickly went away when I arrived.
"Where's Karena?" Lily asked with a panicked voice.
"I did a stupid thing," I answered, shaking my head. "I blurted out that I knew the gender and now Karena's mad at me."
"Oh, no!"
"So you're telling me that all of these cupcakes are going to go to waste?" Justine asked angrily. "Athena and I spent all night making these!"
"I know, I know," Wilbur replied sadly. "I'm so sorry. For the second time in my life, I don't know what I'm going to do. It's rare that Karena and I fight."
"Well, Wilbur, keep in mind that Karena is pregnant," Venus chimed in. "She's going to be emotional. And right now, she's probably hurt because you knew the gender and she didn't."
"She's been hurt this entire time and now this happened. I don't know how to make up for this."
"Whoa!" Lily exclaimed angrily. "Where is the guy that always says, Wilbur Robinson never fails?"
"Disney World, Lilianna," Wilbur sarcastically answered.
"Okay, sarcasm or not, this pity party ends now. Karena has an appointment with my dad, does she not?"
"Yes, it's her 24-week checkup."
"Well, she's not the only one going," Lily replied determinedly. "We're going to crash that appointment and resolve all this."
Lily opened the portal and went in it. Justine and Athena grabbed all the cupcakes and followed her. Ryan, Venus, and I shrugged before following the three of them into the portal to New York.
New York City, New York, USA
DONATELLO'S POV
Just after I got everything ready for my appointment, I heard my lab door open. Suddenly, I heard it slam shut. I turned around in alarm to find an angry Karena Robinson making her way to the exam table.
"Karena! Are you okay?"
"Donnie, let's just get this done and over with," Karena snapped.
"Karena, what is wrong?" I asked with a compassionate frown.
"I don't wanna talk about it."
"Karena Michelle..."
I gave my patient a stern glance as she winced at the mention of her middle name.
"What is wrong?" I asked again. "Please sit up."
Karena sat up and placed both her hands on her baby bump.
"I'm mad at Wilbur," Karena explained. "He came to my classroom after his day ended and just blurted out that he knew the gender. I yelled at him because he knew and I didn't."
"He never told you the baby's gender?" I asked in alarm. "I told him four weeks ago!"
"Not helping, Donnie!" Karena yelled at me.
"Karena, we are no longer having a productive conversation," I angrily told her. "You need to calm down before we proceed."
"Why is everyone keeping secrets from me? What did I do wrong?"
"Karena, I assure you, you have done nothing wrong. If anything, I should have told Wilbur to talk to you before I told him the baby's gender. Please put the blame on me, not your husband."
"My father is right," I heard Lily's voice ring from the greenhouse. "Wilbur wanted to surprise you with cupcakes we made last night, but you never gave him a chance."
"Karr, we need to talk," Wilbur chimed in, and he looked very nervous. "Could we talk alone?"
Karena let out a huff.
"Fine."
Wilbur helped Karena off the table and led her to my bedroom. Meanwhile, Lily approached me and gave me a hug. I gladly embraced her back.
"How are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm doing alright," my daughter answered, showing me her gap-toothed grin. "I applied to five different criminal psychology programs around the country."
"I have no doubt you will be accepted to them all," I told her with confidence. "Which ones did you apply for?"
"Pacific Bay University, Grand Canyon University, Oklahoma State University, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Liberty University."
"Liberty University?" I replied, never having heard of it before. "Where is that one at?"
"It's in Virginia."
"So why those five?" Justine asked.
"Pacific Bay University and Grand Canyon University both have reputable programs. I could see myself living in Oklahoma someday because, according to you, it's a safe place to be. John Jay College is right here in the city, so I could stay close to my family. Liberty University, along with Grand Canyon University, are Christian schools."
"Lily, let me tell you something," Justine replied sternly. "If you really wanna follow your dreams, do not live in Oklahoma. Most of the crimes there are petty crimes. To actually be needed in Oklahoma is like someone planting a bomb in another federal building. You are better off in a city with a big population, such as here in New York or Los Angeles, or even Chicago."
"Justine has a point," Ryan chimed in. "Uncle Raph is telling me all the time about how crime in New York never really went away. A few muggings here and there, and once in a while, a murder happens. Los Angeles is where all the crime is now. No one can afford anything there."
"Are you trying to convince Lily to move across the country?" I snapped.
"Dad, you're doing it again," Lily chimed in defensively. "You're being protective. I already have a protector and if anyone is deciding where I should go, it's my protector, the man upstairs."
I took some deep breaths, scared at the possibility of Lily moving across the country with no one there to help her. After my third breath, I immediately realized that I was wrong and Lily was right. If God wanted Lily all the way in California, then that's where she would go, and I would respect that.
"Dad, are you okay?" Lily asked, putting her hand on my shoulder.
I smiled, a single tear letting go and making my purple mask wet. I put my left hand over my daughter's and then opened my eyes.
"Lily, you may be grown up and living your own life, but it doesn't mean I won't worry. I just..."
I suddenly hugged my daughter, who hugged me back.
"I wish I could always be with you. I mean, we've seen each other every day during the week because I work at the university you are attending classes at. But to not see you at all.."
"Shh, Dad, it's okay," Lily soothed me. "God will protect me while I'm away. But right now, I'm here with you. Everything will be alright."
I felt Lily rubbing my shell as another tear was released into my mask.
"Well, isn't this a Kodak moment!" I heard Wilbur say happily.
Lily and I immediately released each other and turned towards the expecting couple. Wilbur held his phone like it was a camera as Karena had her arms wrapped around his.
"Are you two okay?" I asked, wiping the tears away from my eyes underneath my mask.
"I think the real question is, are you okay?" Karena asked in reply. "Are you having empty-nest jitters?"
I chuckled.
"That's exactly right. Lily applied to all these schools around the country and I'm worried."
"Lily's a tough woman," Wilbur assured me with a smirk. "And besides, she's in the Justice League. She'll be fine."
"So, Wilbur, does Karena know the gender yet?" I asked.
"I was able to calm her down and explain everything. But I have not told her the gender yet."
Suddenly, Athena charged forward with an angry expression and a cupcake in her hand.
"Please, for the love of God, eat this cupcake!" Athena yelled impatiently.
"Athena!" I snapped. "No yelling in my lab!"
Athena suddenly felt guilty, changing her expression to that of nervousness.
"Sorry. Please, eat this cupcake?"
Karena smiled. She took the cupcake and bit into it.
"Oh! This is delicious! Thank you, Athena!"
"I helped her make them," Justine explained. "So some of the cupcake we made had blue raspberry crème in them. And others have strawberry crème."
"I definitely tasted the strawberry-- wait, this is the surprise?"
Wilbur only smiled. Karena gasped, realizing what was going on.
"Donnie, it's a girl!"
Karena handed her cupcake to Wilbur and then walked over and hugged me. Surprised for the second time today, I hugged her back.
"Well, shall we get on with your prenatal appointment?" I asked with a grin.
"Dad, is it alright if we stayed?" Lily asked.
"I'm actually curious as to how this works," Ryan chimed in with his own grin.
"I'm an only child, so I wanna know too," Justine said.
I chuckled.
"I'm surrounded by only children," I replied. "Is there anyone we know who actually has siblings?"
"Yeah, you!" Lily yelled excitedly.
The children cracked up laughing, giving high-fives to each other. I blushed. I walked into that one.
"Anyway!" I yelled. "Karena, I'm gonna have you sit on this table and drink this."
"What is it?" Karena asked as I handed her her drink.
"It's orange soda."
Karena drank, and then she made the most hilarious face possible.
"Donnie, what the shell is this stuff?" Karena yelled as the children laughed. "This isn't orange soda!"
"Drink. I promise you'll have more sweets later."
"Don't tell me April had to drink this."
Karena drank her drink with such uneasiness written on her face.
"Yep. Sorry. That drink is not to be avoided once you reach 24 weeks of pregnancy."
"Uncle Donnie, I think you just pulled a Mikey," Athena said with laughter.
"I did learn from the best," I replied. "Now while you drink that, let's talk about your symptoms. Do you feel constipated?"
"Huh?" Karena replied with a mix of confusion and disgust.
"Constipation means food stays in your stomach longer and it often happens when we don't drink enough water or juice."
"Oh, then no."
"Any aches in your abdomen?"
"Yes! The more the baby grows, the more I grow and I feel like I'm stretching out too much."
"Exactly. This is normal. What isn't normal is that pain coming with a fever. Just keep on drinking water. Now, what about your eyesight?"
"My eyes are fine."
"Very good. Any migraines?"
"No."
"Cramps?"
"No."
"And what about your feet? Are they swollen?"
"You were right to have Wilbur take me shopping," Karena replied. "My feet did grow up a size."
"You have done a good job exercising and resting when you need to," I commended her. "But when you rest, you need to elevate your feet, too. I'm pretty sure there are couches all over your home that you can rest your feet on."
"Noted," Wilbur replied.
Once Karena finished her drink, she laid down on the table.
"Please tell me that's the only drink you'll be giving me today," Karena said with dread.
"It is," I confirmed. "But now I have to draw blood. That is a glucose screening test I am currently giving you. It'll see if the baby is getting enough insulin for her immune system."
"Insulin?" Wilbur replied. "Would that mean the baby would have diabetes when she's born?"
"Not necessarily. If it is confirmed that the baby is not getting insulin, then we'd have to monitor both Karena and the baby because of gestational diabetes. Diet and exercise will be key, but so far you are all doing fine. Speaking of which, baby girl now weighs a little over a pound and she is eleven inches long. Do you have any other questions for me?"
"Yes," Wilbur answered and then asked his question. "Are you okay? Did you and Lily have a fight?"
"No, but I overstepped her boundaries again. I need to work on that. I'm too protective."
"Donnie, you're her father," Karena assured me. "You have every right to feel protective of your child. It shows her that you care for her well-being."
Lily let out a sigh.
"Perhaps I've been taking that for granted," she told me. "Dad, I'm sorry. I guess I still act like a teenager at times."
"Hey, Mom and I act like teenagers too when we want to," I assured her. "And sometimes you need that. Life can't be all serious and no play. You're already wise for doing what you love every day: singing. Keep doing that, and keep being yourself. You inspire a lot of people, Lily, and Mom and I are proud of you every day."
Lily smiled at me. We all spent some time together before everyone left for Todayland, leaving me alone in the lab with Timothy.
November 4, 2044 - Todayland, North Montana, USA
LILIANNA'S POV
Wilbur and I decided to catch up before my show. We ended up meeting at Futureburgers before his night shift began. Wilbur paid for our food and we took a seat outside with a view of the city.
"How's student teaching?" I asked. "We've been missing your presence this fall."
"It's actually going very well," Wilbur answered with a hint of surprise. "In fact, it's helping me prepare to be a father at the end of January. It's built up my confidence. But I have to give your father and my wife credit. With the jobs they do, I understand what all they go through to be sure they're doing what's best for their students."
"You could let my dad know that," I replied with a smirk. "He loves visitors in his office. I'm sure he'd love to see you outside of prenatal appointments and doing katas in the lair. That reminds me, you know that you're the only one who goes to the lair? The four of us have been training here when we all have our hour-long break."
"Yeah, I'm aware. I have to keep my training in check."
Wilbur paused with a contemplated look.
"Speaking of training, I have a confession to make. I took the time machine to the past."
I let out a sigh, now knowing this conversation was going to go downhill.
"How far back?" I asked.
"The Clone Wars. The very end of it, actually."
"Okay, be serious," I said with a smirk.
Wilbur put a serious look on his face. I realized he wasn't joking and my smirk faded away.
"I traveled through time and dimensions, Lily. Karena believed that I somehow became a Jedi, so I went back in time and trained for a year under Obi-Wan Kenobi."
I put a hand on my forehead.
"Wilbur, I'm sorry to be that person, but you really messed up the timelines if you went that far back. Do you not realize what Obi-Wan had gone through in his exile?"
"Don't worry. He trained me briefly long before he went and rescued Princess Leia. I completed my training a year after her birth. Time had only passed by an hour here. And Obi-Wan assured me that time froze while I trained."
Wilbur reached into his backpack and took out what looked like a lightsaber. I was thankful we were outside, for Wilbur ignited his yellow blade. It was rare, but I felt terrified in that moment.
"Lily, are you alright?" Wilbur asked with a concerned look on his face.
"Please put that away," I told him, tears coming to my eyes.
"Okay, now I know something's wrong," Wilbur said, putting his lightsaber back in his pack. "You don't usually get emotional like that. What's going on?"
"Wilbur, the Star Wars universe is a different universe altogether. It's fiction."
"No, Lily, it isn't. Karena's been there. And Carl can prove it to you too. He was aware I traveled to Coruscant and Tatooine and he even confirmed I did not mess up the timelines. Heck, my identity was kept secret."
I let out a sigh, feeling some relief.
"I've been declared guardian of this planet because of my training," Wilbur continued. "And I'm a Jedi knight. Which means I can train you."
I blinked. Then I shook my head.
"Wilbur, I can't. I'm no Jedi. I'm just a girl with psychic powers."
"Lily, you're the most talented girl I've ever met! You care about people. You have compassion. You're patient."
I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Have you seen me drive?" I asked him. "I am the most impatient driver on the planet."
"Lily, you're not-- wait, seriously?"
"Yes! Heck, I hate driving! That's why I fly to different places instead of drive."
"Anyway, you have a way with people, and you have telekinesis. You could be a--"
"I already am a guardian, Wilbur," I interrupted him. "I'm part of the Justice League. I do not want the honor of being a Jedi because I'm already honored for who I am by my family."
I glanced at my phone.
"I have to go. I gotta get ready for my show. Tell Karena I said hi, would you?"
November 5, 2044 - New York City, New York, USA
I decided to pay the 9/11 Memorial a visit today as I waited for my dad to show up to talk to me. The more I walked around, the more grief I felt about how the world changed that fateful day in 2001.
I groaned as I felt a headache coming, which usually meant one thing: I was about to have a vision. I looked up to see a plane crashing into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
"We must go, my sons!" I heard Grandpa Splinter yelling in my mind. "It is not safe here!"
I looked down to see Splinter gathering his almost-four-year-old sons as they hurried out of the lair. Just as they had gotten far out of my eyesight from the spot I was standing, I heard another crash. The South Tower caught on fire.
But all I could do was stand still and watch as the people surrounding me ran away and the police officers and firefighters charged in to save as many lives as possible. I watched helpless citizens either jump out of the upper floors or fall from them. I could not move. And now a part of me wished that I could time travel to that day to save all of their lives. I believed I could have with all the powers I have.
Time seemed to fly by, because then I saw the South Tower collapsing. At the same time it sunk to the ground, my knees also sunk to the ground, and I felt myself surrounded by white dust.
"LILY!"
I screamed when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I quickly turned around to see my dad, wearing a purple trench coat with a purple scarf around his neck. He had a concerned look on his face.
"Are you okay?" Dad asked me. "What did you see?"
"You knew I was having a vision?" I asked in awe.
"You're standing on sacred ground, which was called Ground Zero 31 years ago. And it's not often I see a young woman on the ground with her hands moving as if she's shielding herself from something."
I let out a sigh as I stood up.
"I saw everything, Dad. The planes crashing. The towers falling. People running away from the destruction and people running to it. But all I could do was stand there. It's just like my vision at the memorial in Oklahoma City."
"You had visions there too?"
Dad pondered this for a moment.
"Do your visions only occur when you stand on sacred ground?" he asked.
"No. My very first vision was you being kidnapped by the Magician, but it was proven false. You were the one to encourage me to see what was really going on through my visions. Are all visions bad, Dad?"
"No, not all visions," Dad assured me with a smile. "Cornelius Robinson had a vision to change the world. I had a vision to teach everything I knew to a student. You have a vision to be a hero here and now."
I smiled back at him, and then I frowned.
"Some hero I was yesterday."
"Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?" Dad asked.
"Yes. Wilbur said some stuff that freaked me out and I guess now he's a Jedi. I thought he only had a mental shield."
My dad put his hands on my shoulders.
"Do you remember when you first had powers?"
I nodded.
"All you could do was hear thoughts. Your mom started out the same way; she had feelings about things. Master Splinter then started to train her to use her mind to get out of sticky situations, sometimes literal sticky situations. And it's the same way with you."
"I guess it's a full circle," I replied. "Splinter trained my mom and then you trained me."
"Well, I gave you a little push. You learned all of your powers mostly on your own. You've learned a lot since you first became a teenager. You should be proud of yourself."
I grinned.
"Wilbur probably went through the same journey you did. He started with one thing and now he's got more powers to learn. I imagine he would be a Jedi to simply defend his planet."
"His blade is yellow," I told him.
"A Jedi Sentinel? That's fascinating! That means Wilbur specializes in combat and knowledge. So yes, he would be defending his planet and her history."
Dad paused, still carrying a smile.
"Don't judge him too harshly, Lily. I understand why you were angry at your show last night."
"You could see that?" I asked, astonished that he could tell based off my abnormal performance.
"I know you best, Lily Mae," Dad replied with a wink.
"So what should I do?"
"I would move on for now. If he talks about it, then you know what to do. Meanwhile, have you been inside this museum?"
"No, and I don't think I want to," I answered with a shudder. "I think I've seen more than I wanted to in my vision."
"Let's go home, then."
"How's Karena doing?"
"She's doing very well. She's 28 weeks along now. The baby is very healthy. I think she is on track to deliver around her due date."
I started to walk away but my dad just stood there.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
Dad smiled.
"Just going down memory lane."
FLASHBACK: September 11, 2028
DONATELLO'S POV
"Daddy, what's that?" Lily asked me, pointing to an area of construction.
"It looks like something is being built," I explained as I drove the streets of Manhattan. "There's going to be a new building there."
"Will Mommy talk about it on TV?"
"She might," I replied to my intelligent four-year-old daughter. "But I want to show you something. I believe you're old enough to understand."
"Understand what, Daddy?"
"I promise I will explain when we get there."
We kept driving around until we parked somewhere on Church Street. I helped Lily get out of the van and we started walking to the 9/11 Memorial. Lily and I approached the southern pool. I glanced at all the names of the lives lost 27 years ago with a frown on my face. Lily, on the other hand, smiled with delight.
"Ooh, Daddy, a pool! Can we go swimming?"
"No, Lily Mae, the pool is not for swimming. This is a sacred place."
"What does sacred mean?"
"It means that we must do everything here with respect," I sternly explained. "So no goofing off, okay? If you fall into the pool, there's no getting back up. Please, hold my hand."
Lily held my hand as we walked around what used to be the foundation of the South Tower of the World Trade Center. It took us about an hour before we ventured onto what used to be the North Tower, where there were more names etched on panels surrounding the pool there.
"Daddy, would you please hold me?" Lily asked politely.
I smiled fondly at her.
"How can I say no to that?"
I picked her up and held her on my left hip. She wrapped her arms around my neck and rested her head on my shoulder.
"Thank you for asking me nicely," I told her.
"Daddy, why is it so quiet?" Lily asked. "Are we in New York?"
"Yes, sweetie, we are."
"Daddy, you're sad."
I widened my eyes and looked at my daughter in awe. She was very perceptive.
"Why are you sad?"
I let out a sigh, gazing down into the pool.
"Do you remember when I told you I would explain what happened when we got here?"
Lily nodded.
"Well, these two pools used to be the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center, two of the tallest buildings of the world. There were about 110 floors in both towers."
"Wow! They were really tall, as tall as the sky!"
I chuckled, gazing up.
"Yes, from down here, they certainly were."
"So where are the towers?" Lily asked, pointing around. "Is that one of the towers?"
Lily pointed to the One World Trade Center, the building that replaced the twin towers.
"No, not originally. The towers, which looked similar to that one, were where these two pools are today."
"So why is there just a pool? Did something happen?"
I let out a sigh, hating that I had to tell her the most horrible tragedy to ever happen in this world.
"Some very bad men hijacked four planes on this day in 2001."
"What does hijack mean?"
"Hijacking, in this case, means stealing airplanes and steering them towards different destinations. Two of those planes came here to New York, and these very bad men flew those two planes into the two towers."
"What about the people?" Lily asked with a frown on her face.
I smiled at her question. There truly was hope in the next generation, and I felt so proud that I was a father to a child of that generation, a child full of compassion. My smile quickly returned to being a frown.
"Some people in the towers made it out," I explained. "Others jumped from the upper floors and died because they were trapped. Others had no way of escaping and died either inside the planes or when the towers fell on top of each other. Over 2,700 people died in those towers. Some were ordinary citizens. Others were heroes, trying to help these citizens get out."
"Were you a hero, Daddy?" Lily asked.
"I'm afraid not. I was only your age when this happened. Grandpa Splinter, though, was a hero. Right when the first plane crashed into the North Tower, he knew we needed to get out. The lair is right underneath these towers."
"Wow!"
"Yeah. The five of us hurried out of the lair and out of the city. We had safely made it onto a ferry moving to Staten Island when we saw the South Tower collapse. I remember the four of us crying at the sight. Even Splinter cried. And I remembered what he said when we reached the island: Oh Shen, what would you have me do now?"
"What did you do, Daddy?"
"We moved on. Seeing the city in that state was too painful to watch and there was no way we could return to the lair with the city looking like that. We traveled on foot across New Jersey into a nice home in the sewers of Philadelphia. We continued our training until we decided it was time to return to New York the next summer. Things weren't the same for New York after that. Innocence was gone. Healing had only begun. Death continued to linger as people had gotten sick from the toxic fumes from those buildings collapsing. But hope prevailed, Lilianna Mae. These memorials were made and so was the One World Trade Center, taller and stronger than ever."
I pointed up to the same tower my daughter pointed at earlier. I glanced at Lily, who had a look of awe on her face. She nuzzled her face into my shoulder.
"Daddy?"
"Hmm?"
"You're my hero."
I smiled fondly. She sounded just like her mother, and she looked like her mother too.
"You know what?" I asked her.
"What?"
"You are my hero. You didn't cry once this entire time and you even asked about the people in those buildings. I think you are going to be a hero when you grow up."
"Really?"
"Yes. You are already so full of compassion and love and hope. You are going to be the friend a person turns to if they need help, and I know without a doubt that you will stop what you are doing and help them. But can you promise me something?"
"What's that, Daddy?"
"Don't ever let anyone turn out your light. Because you are a beacon of hope."
Lily nuzzled into my neck and even gave me a kiss on my cheek.
"Let's go home, Daddy."
PRESENT - December 2, 2044
I examined my patient as she lied on the exam table. First, I felt her baby bump, trying to get a feel for the baby's position.
"Well, Karena, the good news is that the baby is head-down," I explained with a smile. "That is the preferred position for labor and delivery. The baby looks very healthy at about three-and-a-half ounces and a height of sixteen inches."
"Is there anything I should be worried about?" Karena asked.
I shook my head.
"You have been doing very well," I encouraged her. "You've taken my advice every time and your family is helping you take care of yourself and the baby. I'm not worried at all. But let's talk about your symptoms anyway. Do you feel constipated?"
"No."
"Any leg cramps?"
"The more I walk, the more I cramp up," Karena answered, shaking her head.
"Drink your water and your milk," I suggested. "Plus, we are getting to the point where you'll want to rest more. Please make sure you are elevating your feet when you rest, and rest on your side instead of your back. Now, do you feel faint or dizzy?"
"No."
"What about hemorrhoids?"
"Sorry, what?"
"Hemorrhoids. It's pain in the rectum."
Karena still looked confused. I started to blush.
"Does it hurt when you poop?"
"Oh! No."
"Whew! And I'm sorry to say this will be even more awkward for me because you're not my wife."
"Donnie, what did you suggest to April when she was 32 weeks along?" Karena asked.
I smiled and silently thanked God.
"I suggested she take baths and wear nursing pads. Baths actually do wonders for any part of the body that's in pain. April really enjoyed hers when she carried Lily. In fact, she loved them so much she opted for a water birth."
"Did she have any complications?" Karena asked.
"Just a long and hard labor," I answered, fondly remembering the morning my daughter was born. "Oh! That reminds me: have you started experiencing practice contractions?"
"Yes. I thought they were the real thing at first!"
I laughed.
"So did April. She gave me quite the scare and I panicked because she was only 33 weeks! But then they went away after mere seconds and she gave me a sheepish laugh. All I could do was blow a sigh of relief. Sure, I wanted my daughter to be born but not that soon."
"How long did April last?"
"April went into labor by herself on her due date. Lily was born a day late. Not that I'm complaining!"
Karena suddenly had a complexed look on her face, as if she was extremely nervous about something.
"Donnie, what do I need to expect when I get into labor?"
"To summarize, lots of pain, lots of support, and a small, healthy baby."
"I'm serious, Donnie."
"I know. If you really want all the details, I'd ask April or any of the women here in the lair. But April was the only one to deliver naturally."
December 3, 2044
APRIL'S POV
"Thank you, ladies, for gathering here to speak with me," Karena told the four of us with a smile on her face.
"Anytime," Karai replied.
"We want to help you in whatever way we can, Karena," Mona Lisa said, returning the smile.
"Donnie suggested I ask all of you what labor like and what to expect," Karena explained. "My mother-in-law Franny is excellent, but it doesn't hurt to gather more opinions."
"That's always the best way to go," I replied. "We're women, and more importantly, we're mothers. We stick together through thick and thin... literally."
The four of us laughed.
"How can we help you?" Renet asked with a grin.
"Could you maybe describe your experience with labor?" Karena asked. "I do feel nervous."
"Karai, why don't you go first?" I suggested.
"Sure. I went into labor on New Year's Eve. The nine of us were celebrating a successful 2024 with sparkling grape juice since I couldn't drink. April couldn't drink either because she was nursing Lilianna. At around seven that evening, I felt both a contraction and a leak at the same time. I yelled out for Leo and both he and Donatello came over to check on me. The contraction lingered on and Donatello immediately said, she's in labor. They led me to his lab and had me sit on the exam table while everyone else waited in the living room. The contractions continued to be painful, and they got more painful as the night went on. Eventually, at six in the morning on New Year's Day, I felt an urge to push, and both Leo and Donatello encouraged me to push. I had no problem pushing the baby's head out, but when it came to pushing the rest of the body out, I screamed at the top of my lungs. I felt stuck. Donatello gave me an ultrasound and discovered the baby had a shell and that it was causing me pain. The last thing I remembered was Donatello asking Leo if he could perform an emergency surgery to save my life and our baby's. Leo told him to do it. So he put me to sleep. When I woke up, Ryan was in my arms. But keep in mind that if you have a C-section, it will take longer for you to heal. Thankfully, Leo knew the healing mantras to help me heal faster."
"My pregnancy was not a normal pregnancy," Mona Lisa replied.
"Whose was?" Renet asked. "All of our husbands are mutant turtles!"
"That is a fair point. But I am a Salamandrian. While some of us do have the ability to carry young, others laid eggs. I was blessed to carry Venus for nine months. Salamanders will usually lay their eggs during the spring and they will hatch during the fall. But since my race has mutated, our biology has adapted."
"So what was labor like for you?" Karena asked.
"It ended the same way Karai's did. I felt contractions. I told Raphael to call Donatello. Donatello drove down to the lair. The contractions started to get more intense and when it came time for me to push, I pushed. But like Ryan, Venus got stuck. She, too, had her father's shell. Donatello did an emergency Caesarean surgery to pull Venus out, saving our lives. I healed quickly because of my physiology."
"My C-section was different from Karai's and Venus's," Renet explained. "Athena was in a breech position when I went into labor. Donnie tried so hard to move Athena to a head-down position but couldn't. He numbed me and did the surgery, placing Athena in my arms on the best day of our lives. You should have seen Mikey's face when he held his daughter for the first time. He saw Athena as his angel."
"April, Donnie mentioned you were the only one to birth naturally," Karena said. "What was it like?"
"Well, my contractions started around two in the afternoon on my due date," I told my story. "I had tried moving around like Donnie had told me too, but the contraction stayed. Another one came ten minutes later. My contractions were consistent, so I went to the barn to see Donnie. He witnessed my having a contraction and we immediately put our water birth plan in motion. I was in labor for about twelve hours when I finally felt my water breaking, which Karai described as a leak. My contractions really started to be intense and I was screaming in pain. Not even the warm bath water helped. Two hours later, it was five in the morning and the sun started to rise. Donnie had gotten in the bathtub with me and I felt a very strong urge to push. So I pushed with Donnie's encouragement. I screamed loudly when I felt Lily's head crown and he told me not to push. Donnie gave me the confidence I needed to let my body do the pushing and then I gave four more big pushes. Lily was born at dawn that morning, and like Renet said, it was the happiest day of our lives. Thanks to Donnie's coaching and encouragement, I had no tears down there."
"But keep in mind, Karena, that this is your story," Mona Lisa reminded her. "Not all births are the same. You may be on the same journey as April and deliver your baby naturally. Or you could have a memento of your baby's birth when something goes wrong. But everything is alright in the end, and it ends with your baby in your arms."
"Did any of you have to take leave of some sort?" Karena asked.
"I took three months of family leave when Lily was born," I answered. "I kept crying because I was leaving her behind but Donnie kept assuring me he would take good care of Lily."
I laughed, remembering how silly I was at first.
"I was a nervous wreck when I returned to work! While I pumped milk while crying, Donnie calmly fed Lily, changed her diapers, and even sang her to sleep. And when I got home, I held Lily like I never wanted to let her go."
"I couldn't teach for a few months when Ryan was born," Karai chimed in. "Leo took on my group of students at his dojo while encouraging them that there was no wrong choice on which clan to join. Shini was a lifesaver while Leo did my duties! And of course, Mona Lisa and Renet were helpful when they could. April did babysit for us when Leo and I took a much needed patrol."
"I was Earth's protector with the Mighty Mutanimals," Mona Lisa explained. "I did not have a job where I earned money, so I thoroughly enjoyed being home with Venus while Raphael went to work."
"I was fired when Lord Simultaneous learned of my pregnancy to someone in the past," Renet said. "So I stayed in the lair with my new family. Thankfully, the chief of T.I.M.E., Christopher Scott, was willing to hire me for my experiences as a time headmistress. And it was the best decision I had ever made for myself and for my family."
"What do you plan to do, Karena?" I asked my friend.
"Donnie says I'm doing really well," she answered. "I might keep working until my daughter's born and then take a few months off. The principal already approved of my paid leave."
"Good luck," I replied. "I started my leave right when my 40th week started. Please remember to take care of yourself, alright?"
Karena nodded. Then we shared stories of our children as babies, helping Karena prepare herself for motherhood.
December 30, 2044
DONATELLO'S POV
Lily and I were walking around in my lab getting everything set up for Karena's prenatal appointment.
"Have you heard anything from those universities yet about grad school?" I asked.
"No, not yet," Lily answered with a sigh. "But I've been praying."
"That's all you can do."
I paused what I was doing, walked over to her, and put my hand on her left shoulder.
"Hang in there, okay? You'll hear something soon."
"Did you ever return to school, Dad?" Lily asked.
"Yes. I originally received my doctorate in biology. I went back twice to get my doctorates in physics and in medicine. Of course, this was all before we had you."
I went back to my work.
"How are things with the Justice League?" I asked.
"Well, most of our missions happen in the Middle East, in Europe, and in Asia," Lily explained. "I never imagined I'd see the world in that way, and it's all been incredible."
"I've never travelled outside the country. But your mother has. She travelled to Jerusalem with Casey to find proof that the Bible was true."
"It sounds like she found the proof she needed."
"Yes. She's shown me pictures. It was a life-changing experience for her. I missed her, of course, but the trip changed her for the better and I was happy for her. Where's your favorite place to visit in the world?"
"Athens and Santorini, in a heartbeat," Lily answered with bliss. "I think Wonder Woman's given me quite the impact and inspiration. I very much respect her culture. But I can never go to her home. It's forbidden for outsiders."
I scrunched my face. Something about that didn't sound right.
"I thought it was only men who were forbidden to step foot on Themyscira."
"Oh."
Lily pondered this for a moment.
"Maybe I heard her wrong. After all, Shayera's been to Themyscira twice and wasn't punished."
After a few moments, the lab was ready to go. But something bothered me: Karena had yet to arrive.
"That's weird," I said out loud, rubbing my bald head. "Karena's usually on time. Let me try giving her a call. Hopefully she didn't fall into premature labor."
I took out my T-Phone and dialed my patient.
"Hey, Donnie!"
"Hey, Karena," I replied with a smile; she sounded happy. "I'm just calling to see if you and the baby were alright."
"Yes, we're fine. Wilbur and I drove down to Yellowstone for a few days before the baby gets here."
Karena was currently in Mountain Standard Time, which meant she was two hours behind ours here in New York.
"Well, that would explain why you're not here," I replied.
"What do you mean? Did I miss something?"
"Your 36-week appointment is today."
"Oh, shoot! Donnie, I am so sorry. I must have forgotten with the excitement of Christmas and this trip. Was I not supposed to travel anymore?"
"I'll allow it," I answered. "Had it been next week, I would have ordered you to go home. Speaking of which, I do want to see you every week until the baby is born now that you're in the homestretch. But right now, I can probably make my judgments over the phone. Is that okay?"
"Oh, it's no problem! Wilbur and I are resting in our cabin right now."
"Good," I replied with a grin. "Let's discuss your symptoms then. Have you experienced heartburn or indigestion?"
"No."
"Are you experiencing bloating or gas?"
"Oh, yes. Especially the last few days since we're traveling."
"So the big disadvantage of traveling is the need to eat huge meals, which also causes heartburn. Let's try to cut back on that and eat smaller meals today and on the ride home."
"Donnie, I'm going to the bathroom every hour because I'm eating and drinking and having a baby. I'm going to be going to the bathroom even more because we're in the car traveling."
"Karena," I sternly spoke into the phone. "You're using the bathroom more because your baby may have dropped into your pelvis. Have you felt lighter lately?"
"Now, that I think about it, yes, I do feel lighter and that I can breathe easier. I swear, one thing gets better and then something else happens."
"Hey, just four weeks or so left," I encouraged her. "You've got this! Now, do you feel constipated?"
"No."
"Any swelling?"
"At first. But the hiking and resting has helped."
"Interesting. Insomnia?"
"Yep. Probably because I'm going to the bathroom all the time."
"You are probably in one of the more perfect places to be right now. May I suggest sleeping with a window open to let cool air in?"
"Wilbur gets cold easily, but it could be worth a try."
"Then tell him to bundle up. Last question: do you have any bleeding?"
"No."
"Okay, great. One of the signs of labor is your mucus plug discharging. But that's one of the signs you actually have to worry less about. If that happens, labor could happen the next day or it could take weeks. The thing you really need to worry about is your amniotic fluid leaking, or your water breaking. If that happens, then it'll be time for the baby to come out."
"The girls mentioned that labor lasts around twelve hours. Is that right?"
"Some labors last for twelve hours. April's lasted fifteen hours. Karai and Mona Lisa's labors were twelve hours long for both of them. Renet gave me a scare because she had only been in labor for five hours when she suddenly felt an urge to push. She was in labor for another hour until Athena came via C-section. From what I've seen of April because, well, we're married, her contractions started out like your Braxton Hicks contractions. Only when she tried moving around, they didn't stop. And these contractions were consistent, not like Braxton Hicks when they're random. The more labor progresses, the more painful and intense the contractions are. It'll feel like your uterus is squeezing the baby out. Have you taken a childbirth class?"
"Yes, Wilbur and I went to a series of classes at the hospital."
"Ah, very good. Which means you are better prepared. How do you feel about that?"
"Kind of surreal that in just a month, our baby will be here."
"I totally understand the feeling," I replied fondly. "Well, I'll let you get back to your vacation. Have fun, be careful, and have a safe drive home."
"Thanks, Donnie. I'll see you next week."
I hung up the phone and turned towards Lily.
"So much for getting the lab prepared," she said with a defeated sigh.
"On the other hand, it is now clean, so thank you for your help. I guess I'll spend the rest of the day preparing myself to teach my classes in a few weeks."
"I can't believe this will be my last semester at Todayland University," Lily said with a small smile.
"What's going to happen to Justine?" I asked. "Will she be alright?"
"She's already agreed to share the apartment with Ryan, Venus, and Athena. She's in good hands. Venus and Athena will bunk together in my room."
"Oh, excellent! You've already figured it out!"
"We all love each other," Lily explained with her gap-toothed smile. "Justine's practically part of the family now."
"You've said that about every friend you make," I replied, sharing my own grin. "And what about Mareena?"
"She's doing well in California, studying to be a marine biologist. I still see her when we save the world together."
"Well, that's good."
I glanced over to my desk and back to Timothy.
"How long will he be like this?" Lily asked with a frown.
"It's been over 30 years since his mutation. When we evacuated to the farmhouse, I told him that if things didn't go well, he'd be unfrozen in about 70 years. Not until 2084."
"Goodness! Do you know how old you'd be, Dad?"
"Yeah, hoping to still be alive! I'd be in my 80s."
"And I'd be 60," Lily replied, rubbing her neck. "I better go spend time with my cousins while I'm still young!"
I chuckled as Lily hurried out of my lab. I sat down at my desk. Timothy's situation was very unique. He had made the decision to mutate himself to become a hero, but he became the opposite: a pile of goo on the sidewalk. I had to freeze him when he chased after the love of my life so that he wouldn't hurt anyone else, and it still pained me to this day.
I let out a sigh. I glanced at a picture of me and April on our wedding day. I smiled, knowing that marrying her was the best decision I had ever made, that everything we had gone through together was worth the wait. I set the picture down and joined my family in the living room.