Hey, guys! I got a quick update for you this time. I feel pretty motivated right now with my "Suspect" reimagination. This chapter is the start of it, but this time, I have introduced the problem and it takes a while for Amy (and now, Renet) to catch on to it. We also have not one, but two surprises that happens to two women of the clan, and it'll be fun to intertwine these surprises into the mix. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "TMNT," "Meet the Robinsons," "Lord of the Rings," "Criminal Case," nor "Choices: High School Story." I only own Lilianna, James, Little Donnie, Venue, Anna, Jasper, Monica, and Antonio.


October 14, 2054 - Pacific Bay, California, USA

LILIANNA'S POV

I ran into the bathroom and emptied my stomach in the toilet. Then I heard knocking.

"Lily, are you okay?" James asked.

"No, I feel horrible! Can you take care of Donnie today?"

"I have work, remember?"

I groaned. It was only Wednesday and I had to be at work as well. However, I felt very sick and in no condition to go anywhere.

"It's okay, honey. I'll call off work and stay home today."

"Are you sure you're capable of taking care of Donnie? You don't sound good."

"I'll call my dad. I have strong suspicions about this."

"How come?"

"I wish I could tell you, but I don't want to get your hopes up too high."

"Well, I can feed breakfast to Donnie."

"I appreciate that. Thank you!"

I heard my husband's footsteps fading away. I took out my phone and called my boss.

"This is Chief Toussaint."

"Hey, Chief, it's Lily. Listen, I'm in the bathroom puking everything up."

"Oh my goodness! Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine. It's not the first time this has happened. But I don't feel well enough to go anywhere right now."

"Don't worry about coming in, Lily. Just take care of yourself today. Call me tomorrow."

"I will. Thank you."

I hung up. Then I made the call to my dad.


DONATELLO'S POV

I promptly finished my lessons for my students and then I took the portal to Pacific Bay. Based on the call I received from my daughter, it was urgent.

I landed in front of the house and I walked inside. When I got into the living room, I saw my grandson peeking his little green head out of the game room.

"Grandpa!" Little Donnie shouted happily.

He ran out and ran up to me. I scooped him up into the air and we both laughed with joy.

"Hey, there! You're getting big!"

"Yeah! Big and strong!"

Little Donnie showed off his tiny arm muscles.

"Ooh, what a strong boy you are! Have you been good for your mom today?"

"Uh-huh! But she's sick. She only came out to give me lunch. She's in the bathroom."

"Thank you. What were you doing?"

"Practicing with my staff!"

I set my grandson down and he led me to the gaming room. He picked up his jo staff and twirled it around. I smiled proudly, happy that he already mastered the basics.

"That's very good!" I commended him. "Hey, I'm going to go see your mom, okay? You keep practicing."

"Yes, sir!"

I walked to the door and turned one more time to see Little Donnie practicing. I chuckled and then I went to the bathroom and knocked.

"Lily, it's me. May I come in?"

"Ugh."

I heard the door unlock and I walked in. Lily must have used her telekinesis because she was hovering over the toilet bowl.

"Oh my goodness! Are you okay?"

My daughter glared at me.

"Do I look okay?"

"Okay, okay, what's going on?"

"I think I'm pregnant, Dad."

My eyes widened as Lily continued.

"I haven't been this sick since I was pregnant with Donnie. But this time it's worse. I've been in the bathroom all day."

"Well, I can do some blood tests and see if there's anything going on, pregnancy or otherwise."

"Thank you."

I took some blood, but then I drew a blank.

"Lily, is there a place I can do these tests?"

"Hmm, the spare room has a microscope in it. James will use it sometimes."

"Ah. Thank you. I'll be back in two shakes of a turtle's tail."

Lily chuckled despite herself. I went out of the bathroom and into the game room.

"Hey, D, do you want to watch me do some science?"

His amber eyes widened and sparkled.

"Really? May I? Please?"

I laughed.

"Come on. Let's go to the spare room."

Little Donnie ran up the stairs and into the spare bedroom. I got settled in and put a drop of Lily's blood on the slide. The first thing I noticed were human chorionic gonadotropins, which confirmed Lily's suspicions.

"Holy cow!" I quietly exclaimed.

"What?" Little Donnie asked. "Is Mama going to be okay?"

I smiled.

"Yes, your mom is going to be fine. In fact, I'm going to go downstairs right now and tell her."

"May I come with you?"

"I think it's best if you went back downstairs to practice with your staff. This is big news for your mom, and this is something she should tell you when she's ready. Do you understand?"

My grandson frowned.

"I don't like it, but I understand."

"Thank you for being honest. Come on, let's go downstairs."

Little Donnie followed me downstairs and went back in the game room while I went back to the bathroom. I knocked again, making Lily aware of my presence.

"Hey, Dad. Did you find anything?"

Lily wiped her face off. She must have puked very recently.

"I did. I found human chorionic gonadotropins in your blood."

Her blue eyes widened as her hands went to her flat abdomen.

"I'm pregnant again. I think... I need to sit down."

Lily lowered the toilet lid and sat on it, taking in the news. There was a loud silence in the room.

"Are you okay?" I finally asked.

"The three of us were so happy together," Lily quietly responded. "But having a second child... it's not what I had in mind. It's going to be harder to take care of two children."

I knelt down and put my hands on her shoulders.

"Think of this as God giving you a more fulfilling challenge. You are doing so well with Donnie that God thinks he needs a brother or a sister. And knowing you, I think you'll find that you are up to the challenge."

Lily smiled back at me with fondness and then she hugged me.


San Diego, California, USA

ANNA'S POV

I walked down the stairs after changing into something more comfortable. I could no longer wear heels to work as my feet always hurt at the end of the day. I made a mental note to buy shoes in a size up.

"Anna, your phone's ringing," Jasper told me.

I gave him a look of annoyance as I retrieved my phone from the nightstand next to the couch.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Anna, it's Lily."

"Hi!" I said excitedly. "What's up?"

"I have some news."

"Oh?"

"I'm pregnant with baby number two."

I squealed with delight.

"Congratulations! That is wonderful news!"

"To you and James, maybe."

I frowned. Lily didn't sound enthusiastic.

"What's wrong? You're not excited?"

"I'm thrilled, don't get me wrong. It's just that everything was so perfect for our little family I didn't think about having a second child. Raising two children is going to be harder than one."

"There is truth to your words, but hey, my mother did it. And Splinter? He raised four children at once. If he can do it, you can raise two children. And besides, you're doing amazing. You are the strongest woman I know. You will figure this out."

"Thanks, Anna."

I sensed a smile on the other end.

"So how are you?"

I placed my left hand on my swollen abdomen, ready to tell someone else the news.

"Well, speaking of children, I am expecting, also."

"WHAT?!" Lily squealed. "Oh my gosh, Anna! I'm so happy for you!"

"Thank you, but to be honest, I'm terrified. I can't spy on the Shredder anymore. Granted, nothing's happened in the past few months except my finding out about my pregnancy. It helps that Stockman and Vizioso are behind bars."

"I agree. Well, Tiger Claw's already in Japan spying on him. Maybe Alopex can join him. After all, she was spying before you started. But what exactly are you terrified about? Is it the baby?"

"Yes. My pregnancy is not a normal pregnancy. You know how I'm part-elf?"

"Yeah."

"Elves carry for twelve months. Since I'm part-woman and I married a full human, I'm not sure how long I'll be carrying."

"I see. Did you talk to my dad?"

"Yes. But unfortunately, because of the Shredder out and about, he still feels it's dangerous to take the portal to my place and vice-versa. He told me to just monitor myself and to call him if something's wrong."

"Yeah, he told me the same thing today. I've been pregnant before, so I know what to expect. But we'll see if I'm going to be giving birth to another mutant turtle or not!"

We laughed together.

"You actually just gave me an idea. What if we spend one weekend together a month, either in Pacific Bay or in San Diego? You can guide me on how to live through my pregnancy. And the rest of the month, we just give each other a call to check on each other."

"How far along are you?"

"I'm eighteen weeks. So, almost five months."

"Seriously? Five months ago was May."

"The key word, Lily, is almost. My last menstrual cycle was in June."

"Ah, gotcha. Well, considering I just found out about my pregnancy, I'm probably five weeks along. I figured out I was pregnant because I was literally puking in the bathroom all day. I hadn't been that sick since I was carrying Little Donnie."

"Oof," I winced. "I'm sorry you had a rough day."

"Thank you. But yes, I like your idea. Should we start this weekend?"

"That's cutting it close. How about next weekend?"

"That's probably smart. Okay! So we just need to get a hold of Alopex and have her start spying on the Shredder on your behalf."

"I can take care of that."

We continued to talk on the phone with Lily giving me tips on how to adapt in my pregnancy.


November 11, 2054 - New York City, New York, USA

WILBUR'S POV

I sat in my office getting my computer booted up when I heard knocking on the door. I looked up to see Renet standing there with a woman I had never seen before.

"Hey, you got a minute?" Renet asked.

"Yeah! Just getting started. What's up?"

"I wanted to introduce you to our newest member of the Temporal Crimes Division. This is our new profiler, Ashley Faris. Ashley, this is our historian and the best agent we've ever worked with, Wilbur Robinson."

I shook hands with Ashley, who wore black business clothes and had part of her black hair tied back.

"It's nice to meet you, Ashley," I said, holding my hand out for her to shake.

"It's nice to meet you also, Agent Robinson. I'm looking forward to working with you."

"Ashley really impressed Amy at her interview," Renet explained. "Amy thinks Ashley's got just what we need to be an effective profiler."

"We definitely need someone who is manipulative," I replied in agreement. "It looks like Amy picked the right person for the job."

"So, what do you do?" Ashley asked.

"I study world history," I explained. "When we take the Time Machine to the past, I study historic documents that are found during a criminal investigation. I sometimes work with the profiler if someone were to go back in time and mess it up. The profiler helps me make a new historic document to be sure the timelines are correct."

"So forging signatures is encouraged?"

"Sometimes. I am quite gifted at that. But it really depends on the circumstances. It's actually rare that I have to forge someone's signature. How are you liking T.I.M.E. so far?"

"It's so complex and amazing," Ashley answered in awe. "I'm going to get lost so easily."

"I can take you on a tour later if you'd like."

"It's alright. Agent Hamato has already done that."

"You were the last stop before I show Ashley her new office, which will be next to yours, just like Marina's was," Renet chimed in.

I frowned. There were times when I was not a fan of working with Marina. She recently retired after working for over fifty years. Meeting Ashley made me realize I took Marina for granted and I missed working with the retired profiler. But I was also looking forward to working with Ashley.

"We should get going," Renet said, interrupting my train of thought. "See you later!"

I waved. Then I got back to my computer and opened up the machine of possibilities, analyzing every little thing that is right and every little thing that could go wrong.


Pacific Bay, California, USA

LILIANNA'S POV

"Throw me ten more punches for me!"

Little Donnie threw those punches my way and I blocked them all with my hands.

"How did I do?" he asked eagerly.

"You did very well, Donnie," I answered with a smile. "Now let's sit down. Daddy and I have some news to share with you."

As if it was on cue, James entered the gaming room and sat down on the floor with me and Little Donnie.

"Hi, Daddy!"

"Hi, son," James replied. "Did you do a good job?"

"Yes, Daddy. So, Mama, what's the news?"

James and I glanced at each other before looking at our son.

"We found out a few weeks ago that we are going to have a baby," I explained sweetly. "You're going to be a big brother, Donnie!"

"Really?" Little Donnie asked in awe. "So where is the baby?"

"In my tummy," I answered, rubbing my now-swollen abdomen. "It's a biological process called pregnancy where a new baby grows inside the mother for nine months. It's already been one month, so we have eight months to go."

"Wow! That's a long time."

"It is," James replied. "But at the same time, nine months will fly right by you. To God, it's a blink of an eye."

"So the baby will be here in July?"

"June, actually," I answered. "Though Anna's baby might be here in July."

"Anna's pregnant, too?" James asked with surprise. "Holy cow..."

"But come back to the subject at hand. Donnie, because the baby is going to be growing inside me these next few months, I will not be able to train you in combat. So instead, I will be training you in the mind."

"In the... mind?" Little Donnie asked with confusion. "What does that mean?"

"Mama's going to be teaching you how to meditate," James explained.

"Is it like praying?"

"Yes, it's like praying," I answered. "Only instead of us talking to God, we mediate to listen to him. Meditation helps us clear our minds and listen to the silence. Which brings me to some news about you."

"About me? There's more?"

"Yes."

I glanced at my husband, asking him if we truly were ready to reveal our son's powers to him. James gave me a solid nod. We turned back to him.

"There is a reason why I'm going to train you in meditation. Do you ever remember hearing my thoughts when you were a baby?"

"No, not really," Little Donnie answered honestly. "All I remember is that you always loved me. You always told me I was sweet and brave."

I smiled.

"Yes, that's right. I have psychic powers, Donnie, and it's possible you may have those powers too."

"Psychic powers? You mean, you're a superhero? And I'm a superhero?"

"In a way, yes. I have the power to read minds. I've read your mind your entire life so far so that I know exactly what you need. And I believe you can read my mind as well."

Little Donnie smiled.

"Even if you are at work, Mama, I still feel you are here. I can't explain why."

"That's alright. We will work on this, okay?"

He nodded.

"Mama and I also noticed another power you have," James revealed. "You can turn invisible."

Little Donnie's amber eyes widened.

"WHAT?! How?"

"And that is a good question," I replied. "I don't even have the power of invisibility. My dad, your grandpa, taught me how to use my powers even though he had none. So I'm going to try my hardest to teach you. And this ties in with our meditation training."

"But you need to remember something, Donnie," James sternly chimed in. "These powers come with responsibility. You need to use them at the right time or you will get in trouble for it. You can't just turn invisible for fun. And you cannot read someone else's mind for pleasure. The mind can be a dark place to be."

"I understand, Daddy. Mama, what do you use your powers for?"

"I can see what other people are thinking, especially those who wish to hurt you. I use that to learn more about them and how to stop them from harming you or anyone else. Over time, I've learned to do more with my psychic abilities, such as flying or locking doors from a distance."

"And how will I use my invisible powers?" Little Donnie asked.

"To hide from the people who want to hurt you," James answered.

"It also comes with learning ninja stealth," I chimed in. "But we'll go more into that later. So, Donnie, how do you feel?"

Our little boy closed his eyes, taking it all in and thinking about how to process it.

"I feel scared," he finally spoke.

"It's okay to be scared, darling," I replied with compassion. "I was scared when I first started learning all this."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Little Donnie smiled.

"Mama, I want to be brave, too. I want to learn. When can we start?"

"How about tomorrow night?"

"Okay!"

The three of us embraced each other as I blew a sigh of relief. This talk with Little Donnie went a lot better than I thought it would, and I was thankful.


December 18, 2054 - San Diego, California, USA

ANNA'S POV

I spent the first half of my Friday off work cooking dinner for Lily and Little Donnie. Suddenly, I felt two arms wrapping around me and the baby. I giggled.

"Jay, what are you doing?"

"Loving on my girls," Jasper answered sweetly. "What are you two doing?"

"We are preparing for Lily's visit."

"Ah, right. It's another one of your pregnancy consult weekends."

"Speaking of consults, shouldn't you be at the office?"

"I had to take a little break to check on you."

I turned around and kissed him.

"May I?" Jasper asked, pointing at the cheese sauce.

"Yes, when you get home from work."

He snapped his fingers before walking back to the door.

"Love you!"

I chuckled, having one hand on the spatula and the other on my belly.

"I love you, too!" I yelled back.

"Oh, hey, Lily."

"Hey, Jasper!"

I heard Lily mumble something after Jasper left and then she came into the kitchen with Little Donnie.

"Hey!" we greeted each other at the same time with hugs.

"You look amazing," Lily complimented me.

I glanced down, wearing a purple maternity dress with brown leggings. I could not see my feet anymore.

"So do you," I replied, glancing at Lily's pink maternity dress, though her bump was barely showing.

"What are you cooking?"

"I decided on Mexican tonight."

"Wouldn't that give us heartburn?" Lily asked in amusement.

"Taco Bell gives us heartburn," I replied flatly. "Homemade food is healthier. And besides, I figured out how to take the burn out of the heartburn."

"Less meat juice?"

"No!" I answered a little too excitedly. "Cauliflower rice! Just add some spices to it and it tastes just like taco meat."

"Cauliflower?" Little Donnie asked in disgust. "Yuck!"

"Donatello, be kind," Lily sternly told her son. "Remember what I said about food. It is a precious thing most people take for granted, because not everyone has the means to obtain it."

"But isn't food necessary to survive?"

I was very impressed at Little Donnie's intellect at such a young age.

"Yes, sweetheart, it is. But unfortunately, we live in a strange and hostile world. Not everyone is kind enough to share to those who need it most. And that is why Daddy and I teach you to be kind, Donatello. The food you call yucky may taste delicious to another. And your taste buds will change as you get older. It may be yucky now, but it may be delicious later."

"But cauliflower can also be delicious now," I chimed in. "It's why I'm adding spices to it, so that it tastes good. Can you keep an open mind for me and try some tonight? If you don't like it, then I will make you something else. Okay?"

Little Donnie let out a loud sigh.

"Alright, fine. I'll try it."

"Thank you."

"Donnie, may I talk to you for a minute?" Lily asked.

She took her son's hand and walked him down a hallway. I went back to making my food. Then I felt my baby kick. I added the spices, stirred them in, and then rubbed the area I felt the kick. Lily then walked back in the kitchen with Little Donnie.

"Sorry about that," Lily said with a smile. "I had to be sure he was okay."

"It's no problem."

I suddenly felt scared.

"Anna, are you alright?" Lily asked, sensing my fear.

I let out a deep breath.

"Can we talk, please?" I asked.

"Of course. Donnie, why don't you practice what you've learned?"

"Yes, Mama. But where do I go?"

"You can practice in the baby's room upstairs," I suggested.

"You don't have anything that can break, do you?" Lily asked. "He brought his jo staff with him."

"Nah, you're all good."

"Thank you, Miss Anna!" Little Donnie politely replied. "But where is the baby's room?"

"Up the stairs and on the right."

"Thank you!"

Little Donnie went upstairs and then Lily and I finished cooking the food together.

"What's wrong, Anna? You seem anxious."

"I am," I answered with a sigh. "I'm thrilled that I'm finally having a baby after all this time, but Lily, Little Donnie is the only exposure I've ever had to children. What if I do something wrong?"

"Anna, you are way in your head here," my best friend assured me. "You have amazing instincts. You'll know exactly what to do. But I promise you can lean on me if you have any questions."

I blew another sigh. This time, this one was full of relief.

"Thank you so much."

We hugged, our baby bumps touching each other. I felt a kick from my womb.

"I felt that, too," Lily said with a smile. "I'm only fourteen weeks along, so it's a little early for me to feel my baby move. How far along are you now, anyway?"

"Twenty-seven weeks."

"Ooh, the end of the second trimester! How do you feel?"

"Besides the anxiety?"

I walked away and sat down on the couch in the living room. Lily finished the food for me and then she joined me.

"I often wondered what all my mother went through," I explained. "She and my father both journaled about their struggles of parenthood. I know this isn't the same, but I wish they were here right now to guide me."

"They are always with you, Anna," Lily replied, rubbing my back. "They gave their memories to you, and that's a huge deal. Perhaps they can still teach you something while you're alive and well."

I closed my eyes and took her words into consideration. I decided to take a glance at my parents' journals again.

After the four of us enjoyed our Mexican dinner - yes, even Little Donnie enjoyed it, I retired to the baby's room and took out my mother's journal.


December 31, 3019 T.A. - Minas Tirith, Gondor

IDRIAL'S POV

It is the end of quite the adventurous year. I have done things I never thought I would ever do in my lifetime. And the things I have done changed me, and they are the best things that could ever happen to me.

It all started with a soldier from Gondor, wounded in battle by a Morgul blade. Lady Galadriel stopped his transformation into a Nazgûl with all the power she could muster. It had certainly worked well enough for him to steal my horse. To my dismay, I followed him on foot into the forests of Eregion, where all the Rings of Power were forged.

Words could not describe in that moment how I felt when he was about to die by the Nazgûl's hand. I saved him on instinct, and it was at that moment that I believed he was the most beautiful being I had ever seen. But what I didn't realize at the time... was that I fell in love with him at first sight.

I had tried to deny my feelings for many days, and I had a feeling he was denying feelings for me as well. But then, in the chasms of Moria, he saved my life. I kissed him. In that kiss, my feelings became clear. I wanted to spend the rest of my lifetime with this man.

And then the other woman came into the picture in the plains of Rohan. I became jealous and hostile towards him. Despite this, I saved his life again not once but twice. We shared another kiss after the Battle of Helm's Deep, and then we went through our own trials in Osgiliath, where we learned he was betrothed to another. Despite us saving each other to where he was finally cured from the tip of the Morgul blade, I believed he belonged with her. And I let them be.

While I had given up on him, he had not given up on me and proposed to me after the Siege of Minas Tirith and the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Needless to say, I was surprised. However, his feelings for me had become clear as well. He called off his betrothal, and we married in a private ceremony.

And now, here we are, expecting our first child together in a few months. I am unsure if I will last those last few months. Elves normally carry their young for twelve months. Women carried for nine. As I had married a man, I wondered just how long I would carry. I am just as nervous as I was meeting Berethor for the very first time. But this time, I am not alone. I have chosen to break the rules in the Houses of Healing and have my husband at my side when it's time for our baby to be born. I could not ask for anything better than this. For the first time in my life, I was in love with the life I bear, and I am determined to not waste these precious moments.


PRESENT

ANNA'S POV

I felt relieved knowing my mother shared the same feelings I had felt now. I hugged her journal against my heart and gazed around the baby's room. In a vision that played in my head, my mother had done the same thing. It was like I was seeing my room from her point of view.

I suddenly felt nervous about giving birth to my first child. I turned the pages to her journal to my birth day.


April 19, 3020 T.A. - Minas Tirith, Gondor

IDRIAL'S POV

My dear Anna,

I am dedicating this entry to you on your birth day. You truly are a gift to me and Berethor, and we could not be any happier that you are now in our arms. But please know that you were always in our hearts from the beginning.

You are very loved, Anna, and we both know you will do amazing things in your life. We pray your life will be as long-lived as mine. Berethor has already dedicated himself to raise you with honor. I pray to raise you with compassion. Berethor will raise you to become a warrior. I pray to raise you to become a healer. But perhaps you will be both a warrior and a healer, like King Elessar.

Nevertheless, I am honored to be your mother. I pray you will carry our teachings with you no matter where you go and no matter what you do with your life. Should you marry and have children of your own, I pray you will be as blessed as Berethor and me. I had waited a long time to have my own family and it was worth every second. I pray you will feel the same someday.

When that time comes, Anna, do not be afraid. Women have been birthing children since the beginning of time. Remain calm. Remain aware. And show compassion to those helping you. You are already a healer, Anna, for you have completed us with your presence.

We love you, our little Anna.


PRESENT

ANNA'S POV

I sought words of wisdom from my father as well. I opened his journal to my birth day.


April 19, 3020 T.A. - Minas Tirith, Gondor

BERETHOR'S POV

Words cannot describe the wonders of a child's first moments of life and a man's first moments of fatherhood. I was at Idrial's side the entirety of her labor despite the rules of the father not being allowed to be present.

King Elessar and Lady Eowyn were there to help Idrial deliver our daughter today, and the labor took all hours of the day. At sunset, at the moment her first cry rang around the room, I had teared up. And it was at that moment we named our daughter Anna, the Elvish word for gift.

There are many things I dream of teaching our daughter throughout her life. I aspire to teach her to fight, not just with a sword, but with her heart as well. I dream of raising her with the same honor that is in me. I pray she will show compassion to her friends. And lastly, I pray that my spirit will be with her no matter where we go. Anna is our balance, the product of our love, and Idrial and I had promised to cherish every moment together.

Our journey together has only begun.


PRESENT

ANNA'S POV

I closed my father's journal and I caressed my baby bump with a smile on my face.

"I suppose we need to come up with a name for you, little one," I spoke. "Your father and I already came up with a first name for you. But what about a second name? I was not born with a second name."

"Really?"

I jumped at the voice. Jasper had walked in the room behind me.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's alright," I replied. "But yes. I was born with no middle name. I was simply known as either Anna, daughter of Idrial, or Anna of Gondor. I made up my last name just to blend in."

"It's not just the middle name we need to come up with," Jasper said. "Whose last name will she take?"

"Both our last names are bird names: Swan and Crane. We could hyphenate them for now and then we'll let her choose when she becomes of age."

"But which sounds better: Swan-Crane or Crane-Swan?"

"The second one," we answered at the same time.

We chuckled.

"So Charity Crane-Swan, then?" I asked.

"That sounds good," Jasper replied. "But now we need a middle name."

"Well, her name means kindness and love, so the middle name should reflect that somehow."

"We could name her after my mother. Amy means love."

"Really?" I asked with surprise. "But no. It doesn't sound right."

I started to think of Elven names to use while Jasper just spat our names.

"Carissa?"

"No," I replied. "What about Olivia? It means an olive tree, and an olive branch often symbolizes peace."

"Charity Olivia Crane-Swan. It's not bad. Mina, maybe?"

"No!" I shot back. "What about Tara? It means, one who is wise or elite."

"No. Love or Amanda?"

"No, on both. I have one more suggestion: Yavanna. It means, one who is a giver of fruits."

"Charity Yavanna Crane-Swan."

Jasper pondered this for a moment and then he had a grin on his face.

"I actually like that! And either of our last names will fit really well."

"Well, what do you think, Charity?" I asked our unborn daughter.

She moved and then gave me a big kick. I laughed.

"She likes it."

I kissed my husband, who kissed me back.

"Hey, let's go to bed, okay?" Jasper suggested.

I nodded, feeling ready to go to bed. I was already looking forward to gaining more wisdom from the people I love in the weeks to come.


February 15, 2055 - New York City, New York, USA

WILBUR'S POV

For the first time in my career at T.I.M.E., I was dreading going to work. Ever since Ashley was hired, we had gone on three missions back in time. We first traveled back in time to Washington D.C. in 2023 to prevent a murder that was not supposed to happen. Then we went to the Jurassic Period and found Savanti Romero messing up time again. And last month, we solved the murder of Jesse James and then traveled back in time again to prevent it from happening again, correcting the timelines.

On all three missions, Ashley was rarely in her office. When Jack and Zara found something for Ashley to analyze, I had to call her back to the Time Machine and explain what was going on. After she conducted her analysis, she went right back outside. I started to become suspicious of her. However, I found no proof that she had broken any laws.

While helping Ashley settle in, I continued my patrols in New York City, making sure the Turtles' lair was safe, Stockman and Antonio were still in jail, and the Shredder was still in Japan and had not made his way back to New York.

Suddenly, the phone rang, and I answered it.

"Agent Robinson."

"Wilbur, it's Amy. Hey, how do the timelines look on your computer?"

I took a glance at the machine of possibilities and found no errors.

"Timelines are clean. Why?"

"That's weird. Mine aren't. It actually looks like we're in debt right now."

"Haven't we always been in debt?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"That is a good point."

"But why are the timelines messed up on your computer and clean on mine?"

"That is an excellent question, Wilbur."

I chuckled. Amy knew me too well.

"Uh-oh. We've got trouble."

"What's up?"

"Someone's trying to sabotage Neil Armstrong's mission to the moon. I'll page Renet and have her gather you all together to stop the saboteur."

"Got it."

I glanced at my computer and still found it clean.

"Amy, are you sure about this? The timelines are fine on my end."

"That is weird. I'll have IT look into it while you're gone. The computer in your office in the Time Machine should have the correct, or not-so-correct, timelines."

"Got it. See you later."

I turned off my computer and headed to the Time Machine to jump to the year 1969 with my team.


March 17, 2055 - San Diego, California, USA

ANNA'S POV

Donatello ended up coming over to my office to check on me today after he finished taping his lessons for his students. I was 40 weeks pregnant today and he wanted to be sure my baby was growing the way she was supposed to.

"You look good, Anna, and so does your daughter. But the strange thing is, you're not dilated at all."

"I'm half-elven, remember?"

"Oh, right!" Donnie exclaimed. "Elven pregnancies are longer."

"Yes."

"How many weeks more would that be?"

"Twelve. Elven pregnancies normally last between eleven and twelve months."

"But you did mention you are half-elven. And your husband is purely human. So it is still possible you can go into labor at any time. Do you have a birth plan?"

"Yes. I want to continue working as much as I can. Lily encouraged me. When I get contractions, I'll walk around to try to speed up labor. And then I'll labor and give birth at home with you, Lily, and my husband present."

"Sounds like a good plan. Now, do you know how labor works?"

"Yes, I've had experience helping other women, including your daughter, with labor and delivery. I know what to expect."

"Very good. But please be careful when you go to work. Now, normally, I would come over every week to check on you, but since we're in hiding, all I can do is encourage you to call me if you have questions or if something goes wrong."

Donnie's T-Phone suddenly rang.

"Donatello."

His eyes widened.

"You can't be serious."

I closed my eyes to try to figure out what happened.

"Alright, I'm coming right back. I was just checking on Anna."

He hung up.

"That was Raph," he explained to me. "He just received a phone call from the police that Stockman and Antonio escaped their cells."

"Oh, no!" I exclaimed in horror. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Oh, no!" Donnie reprimanded me, pointing a finger at me. "You stay right where you are. You are in no condition to go anywhere except work and home."

Donnie opened the portal and went in it. I let out a sigh, suddenly feeling useless.


New York City, New York, USA

WILBUR'S POV

Raphael and I did another team-up, only this time, he was a retired detective. I was amazed at how much hair he had grown in just a few years, and it was a nice shade of brown. He also looked more buff, which told me he had worked out the entire time he was in hiding.

"Thank you for coming with me, kid," Raph, whose voice deepened some, started the conversation.

"It's my pleasure!"

"No, really. You may be a historian, but you're a good detective when you're in the field."

"I do my best. So how's your family doing?"

"They're doing their best. Mona's been teaching Anna some Tai Chi. Venus is thriving in her floral business, especially in Saratoga Springs. She's loving it there in the woods."

"Good! I'm glad Venus is doing well."

"What about you and yours?"

"Doing well! I got my master's degree in history and Karena got hers in education. Diana just turned ten, if you can believe it. But both my kids are doing well in school."

"Ten, already? Whew!"

"You're not kidding! Time is flying by way too fast for me."

"Has Diana been practicing with her tessen?"

"Yes, every day. And she's very responsible. She gets everything done and still has time for practice and for family. Wesley just wants to study and bug his sister."

"And does he practice?"

"Not as often as Diana. He prefers to read books."

"So does Athena. They get along really well."

"Oh, he loves Athena!"

We approached the prison where Stockman and Antonio were held and we examined everything: the security footage, their cells, any possible escape route, and so on.

"Wilbur, look at this!" Raph exclaimed in Antonio's cell.

I walked over to him and discovered something was off about the bars in the window. To my curiosity, I took out a gadget that helped me analyze the molecular structure of things and analyzed the bars.

"Fascinating!" I exclaimed. "This substance seems to serve as a paste to fix the bars."

"You mean these bars were broken?" Raph asked.

"Yes. I wonder if this can determine how the bars broke."

I fixed the device to where it can see past the substance.

"The bars were slashed apart and then pulled out of the window. It looks like someone helped Antonio out."

"Shredder!" Raph growled

"And Stockman helped the Shredder. But now is the Shredder back in New York for good or did he take two fugitives back to Japan with him?"

"Alopex and Tiger Claw are patrolling Japan for Shredder. Maybe they know something."

"Wait a minute, Raph. If Alopex and Tiger Claw are patrolling in Japan, then how did the Shredder get to New York City?"

We gazed at each other with widened eyes, realizing our allies may have been knocked out.


Tokyo, Japan

LILIANNA'S POV

Despite my being 27 weeks pregnant, my father asked me to patrol the skies in Japan as Aumanil. Wilbur and Uncle Raphael learned that the Shredder himself flew over to New York City and freed Stockman and Antonio, and they believed Alopex and Tiger Claw had been knocked out. The Justice League loaned me one of their javelins to help me search since using my powers to fly was not an option.

I reached Tokyo and did a scan for life forms in the woods. Batman's technology was excellent, because my scanner picked up two life forms. I found a clearing in the woods and landed the aircraft there. Then I jogged around the woods until I found the two mutant siblings.

"Alopex, wake up," I shook her, and then my attention went to her brother. "Takashi, get up!"

They moaned as they awakened.

"What happened?" Alopex asked.

"We were hit by anti-mutant gas," Tiger Claw moaned.

"What?!" I exclaimed quietly. "How did the Vizioso mob get here? And how did they find those weapons? They were confiscated."

"The Shredder had a jet in his past time," Tiger Claw explained. "The Vizioso mob must have found it."

"Well, now I know how Shredder got to New York City," I replied, shaking my head.

"What?" Alopex said with shock. "What is he doing there?"

"Breaking Stockman and Antonio out of prison. Now the question is, will Shredder stay in New York temporarily or permanently?"

"How will your clan monitor him?" Tiger Claw asked.

"The T.I.M.E. agent investigating the breakout is one of the best of the clan. He's been patrolling the city every night. I'm sure he can find what Shredder is up to."

"Alopex, go back to New York City with Lily. I'll stay in Japan in case the Shredder comes back."


April 20, 2055 - New York City, New York, USA

WILBUR'S POV

I was in my office building up a case against Stockman, Antonio, and the Shredder for the prison breakout since Raph finally found evidence that Shredder helped Stockman escape from the outside. And then, my phone rang.

"Agent Robinson."

"Wilbur, would you stop by my office, please? It's urgent."

"I'm on my way."

I hung up and immediately left to go to Renet's office. But when I got there, I found a look of worry in her brown eyes.

"Renet, what's wrong?" I asked. "Is everything okay?"

"Wilbur, I already hate asking you this, but did you steal money from the last six missions into the past?"

"What?!" I asked, feeling floored. "No! Why would you think I stole money from the past?"

"The evidence says otherwise."

"What evidence?" I sternly asked.

"This map."

Renet took out the map I analyzed in 15th century Aruba. I suddenly felt confused.

"I thought I put this map back in the evidence room."

"Zara and I found it back in Aruba," Renet explained. "And you were the last person to touch it."

"Renet, I swear I put this in the evidence room when I was done," I angrily replied. "How did it get out?"

"That's what I want to know."

"Did you look at the cameras?"

"Yes," Renet answered. "But it didn't capture who took the map out. It only captured you putting the map back. Who knows? Maybe you went back in the evidence room, saw some sort of secret on the map, and you went out to find it."

"Okay, you need to stop shoving words in my mouth! I. Did not. Steal money. From. The past!"

"Words aren't enough this time, Agent Robinson," Renet angrily replied. "Until further notice, you are suspended from the Time Investigation, Management, and Exploration Agency. If we find you guilty of theft, then you know what will happen. If we find you innocent, we will let you know and you may return to your duties. If you try to prove your innocence off-duty, we have every right to arrest you on site. Do I make myself clear?"

I glared at her, and she glared at me.

"After all we've been through, Renet, you still think I'm capable of this?" I asked.

"You are dismissed, Agent."

"Aye-aye, ma'am!"

I stormed out of her office. I returned to my office and slammed my fist on my desk in anger. I turned off my computer and clocked out, still not believing all of that just happened.


Pacific Bay, California, USA

LILIANNA'S POV

Little Donnie was practicing using his powers while I worked in my office. Thankfully, things were quiet in Pacific Bay, especially after we discovered the Shredder was in New York to stay. Alopex discovered Shredder and his goons had the goal to take over New York City once more. They had already recruited the resurrected Purple Dragons to aid in their cause.

Anna was very pregnant and I threw a surprise party for her in her own home this past weekend to celebrate her 211th birthday. She and Jasper were delighted and enjoyed my Mexican cooking.

As for me, I had mixed feelings about my second pregnancy. Like Anna, I discovered through my powers that I was expecting a girl this time, but James and I decided not to name her Mira. In fact, we had no idea what name to choose for our princess. My nausea was minimal, but it had existed throughout my pregnancy. It had popped up at random every day. Like Anna, I wanted my baby to come sooner than later.

My thoughts were interrupted when the phone rang.

"This is Dr. Hamato, how can I help you?"

"Hey, Lily, it's Wilbur."

"Hey, stranger!" I said excitedly. "How are you?"

"Ticked off. And I need your help."

My smile quickly went away as I drank my water.

"What happened?"

"I'm a suspect in a theft investigation."

I spit my water at my computer, and Little Donnie laughed at the noise I made. I never thought I would hear those words coming out of Wilbur's mouth.

"WHAT? How did that happen?"

"I don't know! And, unfortunately, I can't find out. If I try to prove my innocence, I'll be arrested. Heck, even Renet sent a mass text to the entire Hamato Clan to not help me and to not send me out on patrol."

I took out my phone and read the mass text from Aunt Renet.

"Attn everyone! Do NOT assist Wilbur until further notice. He is a suspect in a theft investigation. And Wilbur is NOT to go on patrol on behalf of the Hamato Clan until he is proven innocent."

I rolled my eyes. I had known Wilbur for what seems like my entire life. I knew he would never steal money from anyone, anywhere.

"Is there anything I can do?" I asked.

"Your dad suggested I ask you, or I should say Aumanil, to solve this case and prove me innocent."

I rubbed my large baby bump.

"Wait, if my dad got the text, why did he help you?"

"Because he knows me. And so do you. Please, Lily. Do this for me?"

"Wilbur, you are aware that I'm about 32 weeks pregnant, right?"

"Lily, you're the only one who can help me. You don't work for T.I.M.E. You don't know what happened. But the best part is, you are the best profiler I know. I know you can solve the case. Please, do this for old times' sake?"

I let out a sigh, knowing that there were risks involved with helping Wilbur. But I knew him, and friends help each other.

"Alright. Did Aunt Renet give you any clues at all regarding this investigation?"

"I can tell you how I became a suspect. Our last time-traveling case was in 15th century Aruba, solving the accidental murder of a pirate. I had examined a map that was made in the future. After my analysis, I had put it back in the evidence room, per protocol. Somehow, that map made it back to where the money was stolen and only my fingerprints were on it."

"Hmm..."

I pondered this for a few moments.

"There was something else, too, that I noticed these past few months. Amy and I both have computers that tell us whether the timelines are messed up or not. Amy's computer says the timelines are even more messed up because money was stolen from past missions. But my computer says the timelines are clean. Every time IT seems to have solved the problem and I do see that there were errors in the timelines, it's clean the next day. Though I had just assumed someone took the Time Machine back to the past to fix said errors."

I started to write everything down.

"Also, I'm not the only member of the Temporal Crimes Division that is a suspect."

"Who else?"

"Renet and Amy already deduced all these thefts occurred by one of us. Grace Delaney is our coroner. Theodore Moon is our forensics expert. Jack Archer is our longest-tenured field agent. And Ashley Faris is our profiler. To be honest, I have my suspicions of Ashley. She's fantastic at her job, don't get me wrong. She knows how to make people talk. But she's never in the Time Machine when she needs to analyze a psychological clue. I always have to page her back to her office since it's next to mine."

"Things may not be what they seem, Wilbur," I finally replied. "But I will do my best to prove your innocence."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're the bestest friend in the whole world!"

"Don't thank me yet. I won't be able to get over there until I'm off work, but is there anything I need to know about the security system?"

"Yes. The doors lock at five-thirty when business hours are over. There's always a security guard watching the doors. The guard is not a robot. All of our offices are on the second floor."


San Diego, California, USA

ANNA'S POV

Working was getting harder the farther along I got in my pregnancy. I would be 45 weeks pregnant tomorrow and I felt so ready for my baby to come into the world. But as Jasper and I owned our business, I felt obligated to come in to work.

After we had gained some experience in our belt, Jasper and I made the daring decision to start our own business. Jasper acted as both a counselor and a consultant, determining whether the clients that walk in the door needed a lawyer, me, or not.

I was very selective in my cases. After Jasper counseled our clients, I would analyze these cases to see if they were worth fighting for or not. If they weren't, I referred these clients to lawyers who can fight for them. But ever since I prosecuted against Stockman on Donatello's behalf, our business has been booming. Business was so good, in fact, that we both had to hire secretaries and paralegals, respectively, to help us.

I was reading one case when I suddenly felt a very painful cramp. I put a finger on the phone to call Jasper while my other hand clutched the bottom of my huge belly.

"Hey, Anna, what's up?"

"Hey, can you give me a banana, please? I'm cramping."

"Sure. I'll send Monica your way."

"Thank you."

After a few more seconds passed, the cramp went away. I heard knocking, and I saw Monica, Jasper's secretary, at the door.

"Here's your banana, Anna."

"Ah, thank you!"

"Your baby is gonna come any day now, huh?"

"Oh, yes," I answered, both hands caressing my bump. "I'm so ready."

"May I feel?"

"Monica."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, back to my desk, I go."

Monica left the room and I ate my banana. Thankfully, I didn't have much time left until my workday was over. Suddenly, I saw a mass text from Renet and I read it.

"What?" I asked out loud. "What is happening?"

I closed my mind and prayed I would see a vision of what happened with Wilbur. But all I could see was an angry Wilbur leaving his workplace. Suddenly, I cramped again. I had a bad feeling about what was to come.


Pacific Bay, California, USA

LILIANNA'S POV

After James picked up Little Donnie and after my shift was over a couple hours later, I drove home. James greeted me at the dining room table.

"Hey, Lily."

"Hey."

"Did you hear about Wilbur?"

"Yes, I did. Aumanil's going to help him prove his innocence."

"Ah, good. You're helping him!"

I quickly read my husband's mind and it gave him a moment to click that I was talking about myself.

"Yes, he's our friend."

"He's not just a friend, Lily. He's my best friend. Wilbur would never steal from anyone. And besides, he has a family. He's got to keep them in mind, too."

"I agree. That's why I'm helping him."

"I don't care what anyone else says," James replied. "But you're doing the right thing, Lily. Go prove his innocence."

We hugged each other tightly and then we kissed each other.

"I love you, Aumanil."

"I love you too, James."

I took a quick glimpse at Little Donnie, who was now practicing with his jo staff. I smiled. Then I went outside to the backyard. After believing no one could see me, I started my spin transformation into Aumanil, going slower than normal due to my condition. My braided bun came loose, and the sun surrounded me, despite the rain that was falling. And now, instead of wearing my pink maternity dress, I wore the black dress Tallulah made for me when I was pregnant with Little Donnie. After touching my bump to be sure my daughter was okay, I paged the Javelin to my backyard. After it landed, I climbed in and I started flying towards New York City, where darkness would greet me.


San Diego, California, USA

ANNA'S POV

"Are you ready to go?" Jasper asked in the doorway.

"Yes, I am ready."

"You may want to wear a coat. It's raining outside."

"Oh, thank you."

I waddled over to my closet to grab my raincoat. Then Jasper and I walked out of the building and locked the door.

"Oh!" I exclaimed, clutching my baby bump again.

"Another cramp?" Jasper asked.

I shook my head, moaning through the pain.

"Jasper, it's time!"

"It's time for what?"

"JASPER!" I yelled. "IT'S TIME!"

"Oh, oh!" my husband exclaimed in a panic. "Oh my gosh! The baby! Oh, Anna, we need to go home, now!"