DISCLAIMERS/NOTES

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by Nickelodean (I think). I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. Phew! When I started this story, I had no idea it would turn out to be my longest one yet, nor the most reviewed. It's been quite a journey for me, writing this. I just to take this moment to thank everyone that's read and supported this over the past five months (five months!). It's meant the world to me. I just hope this final installment is at least somewhat satisfying.

PART 40

Donnie opened the door and smiled at the sight greeting him.

"Hey you," came the lovely voice of the person sitting in the bed.

The turtle's smile widened as he entered the medibay and closed the door behind him. "How're you feeling?"

"Better," replied April, then sighed as she nuzzled her head closer to the small bundle in her arms. "Being with this little guy's helping out."

Donnie chuckled as he sat down by her side. Once more he felt overwhelmed by how proud he was of his angel. It had been just three days, yet already April was upright in bed, holding the baby in her strengthening arms.

The baby. Their baby. Again, Donatello had to refrain from pinching himself. It was like a dream. But if it was, then he knew without a shadow of a doubt he did not wish to wake. Because now, finally, he had everything he wanted. More than he ever dared dream. He was with the love of his life, and they were parents to a true miracle.

It had not come easy, of course. Following little Yoshi's birth, April was too weak to do anything. She could not even lift herself up from her horizontal position, and could barely raise her arms. Heck, even keeping her eyes open was near impossible. Passing their baby took everything out of April. Coupled with the blood she lost during labour - despite the modifications her body made to accomodate the baby, he was still in an egg, and Humans were not exactly designed for that, for crying out loud - April was left terribly, terribly weak. She slept so much afterwards, Donnie half-feared she went into another coma.

But just an hour or so after giving birth, April insisted on showing off the new arrival to the rest of the family. Donnie was amazed at her strength to, frankly, stay coherent when they formally introduced Yoshi. It was not for long, and April quickly succumbed to slumber once the other members of the Hamato clan departed, but something told Donnie she would be just fine.

Thankfully, she was. Day by day, she was getting better, feeling stronger. April was now sitting upright, pillows keeping her comfy, and her appetite was back to normal. She was even pining for pizza, and while it probably was not the best thing for her at the moment, the turtle could not deny her. He was glad the pregnancy sickness pizza caused her did not last beyond the birth - she did a pathetic job of hiding that, Donnie had to inwardly admit. As if she could keep anything from him, really.

And the best thing of all, was April was now strong enough to finally hold her son. When Donnie was convinced to pass Yoshi inter her arms, the lovely redhead could not contain herself, and she burst into tears. And the scientist had to admit, whenever April started crying, he had a tendancy to do so too. But who could blame them?

Donnie quickly realised seeing the woman he loved holding their child close was one of the best things he could possibly imagine. She was so happy, so overjoyed. After months of turmoil, after all the endless weeks of fear, pain and worry, Yoshi was finally with them. When asked, April dreamily said all the agony in the world was worth it, just to see her baby's eyes look back at her.

She was right: it was. As amazing as Donatello was at himself thinking so, he could not deny he would not trade anything for what he now had. All the thoughts he had of ending the pregnancy, of wondering if they were doing the right thing, now seemed like the ramblings of a madman. How could he ever think to not let this happen? He was a father, and his beloved was the happiest he had ever seen her. That was worth everything.

Donnie would be lying if he said he no longer had a care in the world, however. Of course he did. The concerns and complications he thought of when April first told him she was pregnant still existed. In fact, now Yoshi was here, they really did exist. What would they do? Where would they stay? Would April move into the lair? Would she keep Yoshi in her apartment, with Donnie making frequent visits? How would they hide Yoshi from the outside world, from April's friends? What if someone saw him? What if he got out? What if he was taken?

What if... what if... what if...

But all that could wait. Right now, all that mattered was the three of them, together. Safe. It was like they were in their own little caccoon, just Donatello, April and Yoshi. Nothing, and no one, else mattered.

"He's so perfect... " came April's whispered voice.

"Just like his mother," said the turtle.

April looked at him with hazy eyes. She tried to stifle a sniffle, and might have failed. Donnie grinned, but like a lightswitch, something clicked in his mind. His smile dropped, and he was instantly back to his old ways. "I... I mean, wait, I mean... I didn't mean... I, er... "

As always whenever Donnie went into meltdown, April laughed softly. "My skin is kinda green at the moment, sweetie... " Despite the rapid progress she was making, she obviously still did not look 100% healthy. She had a way to go before she could even get on her feet - literally. Needless to say, she was very sore... down there.

Donnie blushed. "You're still beautiful," he responded. "Always will be, no matter what." He stroked a lock of red hair and, with his other hand, shared the burden of the little bundle in her arms. "I guess I, er, better stop doing all that stammering, though. Not very authoratative, is it?"

"No, it isn't," she said. "I don't want you to be the pushover, leaving me to be the no-fun one." She gave him a wink.

"Don't worry," he smirked, "we'll leave that to Leo." At that, they both burst into laughter... until a surprised little shake came from April's grasp. They stopped and looked at little Yoshi, who was clearly rather surprised by his parents' outburst.

"Aw, sorry, honey," cooed the new mother. "Did Mommy and Daddy scare you?"

"That'll be Raph's job," piped in Donnie. April had to strain to contain another laugh, lest she startle her baby boy again. She had to settle for giving the purple-masked turtle a glare.

"So that's Leo and Raph sorted," she said after literally gulping down her mirth. "And Mikey's job?"

Donnie smiled warmly. "He's gonna get to work on that playroom. Actually, he wanted to start now, but his ribs are still hurting." Neither brought up the reason for Michelangelo's injury. In fact, neither mentioned the great battle or Tatsu since Yoshi's arrival. It was clearly an unsaid understanding between the new parents. They would be plently of time to dwell on that in the future.

There was something else left unsaid, this time on Donnie's part. Since he and April announced their son's name, his orange-masked brother kept bringing up the videogame character. Donnie decided April might not like having her baby compared to a digital dinosaur. Though Mikey obviously meant no harm in it, it was hardly the most flattering comparison.

"Listen," April said, bringing Donnie out of his musings. "I've been thinking about where we're going to be... y'know, staying... "

The scientist frowned. "You don't have to worry, April. I'm not gonna make you stay here. It's just until you're back on your feet... or at least can get you both topside without being seen. I promise, you'll be back home as soon as possible."

April shook her head. "No, I didn't mean that." She looked at him unwaveringly. "I don't want us to live apart, not now. Not with him so new. I want... I want us to be together. All three of us, just... " She paused.

"April, what is it?" Donnie asked.

Her gaze wavered. "I know it can't be all the time, but just... just for right now, I need you with me, Donnie. I can't do this on my own... "

"You'll never be alone, April" he swore. "Ever. If need be, I'll... I dunno, move into your basement, or something."

April actually looked disgusted. "Are you serious? You can't do that! I'd sooner live here."

Raph might have taken that the wrong way, but Donnie knew what she meant. "Then what are you trying to say, April?"

She bit her lip. "I know you can't be away from here for ages at a time... "

"For you, I... "

"No," interrupted April, "you can't. And we both know it." Her teeth resumed their grip on her lip. "But... just for a little while... until I, y'know... "

"April, please," he said exasperately. "Just tell me what you're getting at."

She looked at him, almost worringly. "I was thinking... my farmhouse... ?"

He blinked.

"Just until I'm well again," April quickly said. "It's out the way, it's quiet. We won't be disturbed. No one knows about it... " - she was referring to their enemies - "We can just be alone, and focus on... " She stopped, and turned her gaze to little Yoshi.

Relief engulfed Donatello. He did not really know what he was worried about, as he knew she was not about to break up with him and steal their child away. Maybe it was just a case of knowing what she was trying to say. Regardless, he leaned close and kissed her forehead tenderly. "Sounds perfect," he breathed. "I'll start planning it."

April's eyes watered up once more. "I love you, Donnie... " With that, the two soulmates kissed on the lips. Had he been able to comprehend, little Yoshi would perhaps be awed at the love shared between his parents.

Once the kiss ended, Donnie and April returned their attention to their baby. After taking another gulp, this time to stem her emotions, April began softly stroking the little bundle's chin. Donnie sighed in contentment, wrapping a protective arm around the two most important people in his world.

"Besides," April eventually said, a hint of mirth now in her tone. "It'll give us time to get us ready for the next one."

Confused again, Donnie tilted his head. "Next one?"

Looking at him, April shrugged. "I won't say I'm in any hurry, but... " She then raised her eyebrows suggestively. "Well... I don't want Yoshi to be an only child."

Donnie's eyes threatened to pop out his skull. He reckoned his mind already did so.

April O'Neil never ceased to amaze him.

THE END