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Raph was probably more stressed about the baby than you were, and through the entire pregnancy it showed.
He treated you like glass (more so that usual, unbearably) and was super snappish around his brothers. As you both had decided that since the child would probably be a mutant, it would be best to raise it in the lair.
He read books, with the help of Donnie, about childcare, read those cringe 'mom advice' posts on Facebook and watched countless videos with you.
Right now he had you sat on his lap with his hands on your stomach, that's how he liked to hold you most days. It seemed to ground him after long missions or even just stress with the pregnancy in general.
He wasn't saying anything, with his forehead on your shoulder in comforting silence. You leaned back on him with a content smile, you were thankful he was so supportive. You had listened to the reddit stories about partners doing a complete 180° during the the pregnancy and that stressed you out.
But, to no one's surprise, Raph was the complete opposite. He had his moments, but those came from ignorance. You felt him rub your tummy. The baby was expected to come within 13-15 weeks, according to Donnie.
You grunted as you felt the little shit kick you from the inside. Raph must of felt it too, because he gasped softly and smiled at you with a bright enthusiasm.
"I felt it!"
The entire time raph has complained he hadn't felt the baby move. you, however, were thankful it seemed to calm down in his presence. It hurt like hell, but Raph overlooked your discomfort to make baby cooing noises at your stomach.
You couldn't help but laugh, he was being a total dork. Just like how he'd insist putting bluetooth headphones around your stomach while playing workout playlists so the baby would grow to 'have something guaranteed in common with it's daddy'.
Regardless on how you told him that's not how it works, you allowed it nonetheless.
There had been a lot of compromises, like what was spent on what, how you guys decorated the nursery, the topic if Buddy should be able to hold the baby or not (you had said 'hell no' to raph's heart ache, but you both had compromised when the child could begin to walk he could)
But you were happy and content nonetheless. The only topic, and arguably the most important, that you both disagreed on was the baby's name.
You wanted something newer and cool sounding, while raph insisted on a Renaissance name, just like him. You'd both been debating it for so long it was like your prides wouldn't compromise. After a lot of time into Google searching names, you'd finally found a few from the Renaissance era you wouldn't mind naming your kid.
Unbeknownst to you, raph had done the same thing.
"So Hun.."
You began.
"I've been thinking."
You had raph's attention, turning to look at you.
"About what we're going to name the baby? Ive-"
"Ah ah ah, raph wanted to talk to you about that."
"I just wanted to say--"
"Raph doesn't care if it's from the Renaissance era or not, I just want you to be happy and as the mother raph feels like you should get to name it."
You began to tear up, usually you didn't cry this easily but pregnancy emotions were a real thing.
"I was just gonna tell you I've found some Renaissance names I wouldn't mind calling our baby."
The last word came out as a sob, and Raph hugged you tight to his chest to calm you down.
"Sh sh shh."
He couldn't help but chuckle.
"Thank you, I appreciate it..but we'll name them whatever you like, okay?"
You sobbed again, trying to dry up your eyes as Raph rocked you gently with soothing words and gentle hands. You calmed down pretty quickly, apologizing.
"S'no problem baby, better than cryin' over ham."
"You went out of your way to get me the kind I was craving."
You looked ready to cry again and Raph quickly changed the topic.
"What names were you thinkin'?"
You sniffled and rattled off a few, unfortunately there wasn't much girl options, so if your baby was a girl you both agreed on a modern name.
Relationships are about compromises and making things work. If you don't put effort into them, they're bound to never work long term. Sometimes it's about swallowing your pride and doing what your partner wants, sometimes it's about listening first to understand then to be understood.
Sometimes its about negotiating, relationships take work. You aren't always going to click on everything, and just because you don't, and just because you argue doesn't mean the relationship's doomed. Work for it, things'll work out.
