Finally the buzz of Luca gone missing and returning had died down. It took several days of cuddling and reassuring for Raph to finally come out of his funk. He was still very possessive of his mate, but it was for a different reason, the same reason that had Luca laying on the couch with his feet up from being swollen. Also the same reason why Raph would often lay his head on his stomach.
``How much longer before you lay them, do you think?'' Raph inquired softly as he hears the faint heartbeats deep in his lover.
``The doctor said by the end of this month at my last check up. I need to go to another check up tomorrow to make sure everything is alright...'' the hybrid whispers gently as he strokes both Raph's head and his own stomach bump, eyes gazing at both fondly.
``I can't wait for them to come out. I'll teach them how to play sports, be good with their hands and have fun. I'll protect them from the cruelties of the world.'' Raph vows softly, nuzzling into the bump gently.
Luca laughs at Raph's coddling as he strokes his head gently. He then purses his lips, getting another one of his cravings. ``Baby, can you get me the pickles and honey yogurt? Someone's hungry.''
Raph made a small face at the bizarre combination but indulges his lover in his craving. He hops up and heads into the kitchen to grab the items as Luca works himself upright.
Once there, he grunts softly from a small stabbing pain in his back, making him squirm a little to find some comfort. He then yelps when the stabbing pain increased suddenly, spreading through his entire torso, trembling hard as he starts to panic a little. `This isn't what the doctor described when I would go into labor. Somethings wrong.....'
Raph had rushed back when he heard Luca yelp and could see the beginnings of a panic attack etched onto his features. And with every right. There was a dark red, blood spot forming in his pants by his tail. ``Oh god.....''
Raph rushed over, the items forgotten on the floor, having dropped them while he rushes to his mates side.
``R-Raph, somethings not right, this isn't right.....'' Luca whimpered weakly as his body trembled in pain.
``Its ok, babe. Take deep breaths. I'll fix this. I need you to calm down.'' Raph urged, even as he lifts up Luca into his arms and races out of their home to get to the hospital, his face paling.
Luca did his best to calm down but let out a scream at a particularly harsh stabbing feeling attacked all his nerves. That sent Raph into his own panic frenzy as he takes off with his lover in his arms to the nearest hospital, blind panic making him burst through the ER doors.
The next few hours were a blur of panic, screams and pain for Luca and the need to protect his mate made it even more difficult for the doctors to figure out what was going on. The last thing he remembered, was the doctors holding him down and injecting a sedative as the nurses tried quickly to help the screeching Luca, who thrashed in his bed in pain, tears streaking his anguished features was the last thing Raph saw as he blacked out.
XXX
Hours had passed when Raph finally woke, groggy from the injection still. He scans around the room till his eyes land on Mikey, who was weakly holding Raph's hand and Leo, whom was gazing out the window.
Raph groans softly and tries to get up but then realizes he was tied down to the bed.
``Raph, your awake!'' Mikey tries to put on a cheerful smile.
``Where am I? Whats going on?''
``Your at the hospital, you brought Luca here this morning, remember?'' Mikey whispers softly, looking at his brother worriedly.
Raph frowns and searches his memories for a moment before jolts in shock when he remembers everything. He then starts to struggle against the binds, thrashing around in the same manor as before. ``RELEASE ME!! LUCA NEEDS ME!!''
``WHOA! Easy bro! Luca's alright now. We just came from seeing him.'' Mikey immediately soothed, holding his brother down.
Raph almost immediately calm when he hears that Luca was alright. But Mikey's face said that nothing is alright. At least, truly alright. ``What aren't you telling me?'' Raph demanded.
Mikey flinches and looks away, sitting back in his seat. ``Mikey, what aren't you telling me?''
``Luca lost the majority of the clutch. Three eggs perished, poisoned because of the medicine that Luca was forced to take. And one egg is barely hanging on.'' Leo finally answered, keeping his back to Raph when he finally reveals the horrible truth.
The room grew deathly quiet as the information hung in the air. Mikey starts to let out weak sobs as he trembles hard from the news, knowing how hard it must be for Raph. Finally, barely above a whisper, Raph says, ``Untie me....''
Without hesitation, Mikey works Raph free, tears freely falling down his cheeks. As soon as Raph was free, he sat up and started to get off the bed when Mikey hugged him tight from behind. ``I'm so sorry Raphie. I know it hurts. But one egg is still alive. So there's still hope.''
Raph didn't reply, but didn't pull away from the embrace for a long while. Finally, he gently pushes Mikey's hands away, standing. Quietly, he left the room in search for his lover, knowing he's mourning over the lost children much longer than he has. The reaction he displayed took both Mikey and Leo by surprised as they watched him leave in silence.