Chapter 25: Wedding and the Gift
Leo paused at the door of Mike's old wing. He took a deep breath before unlocking the door and pushing it open. Leo looked back at Raph and Don, they both swallowed before nodding.
Leo stepped in and shuttered, tears starting to come, he whipped them away quickly before taking a shaky breath and walking forward. He carefully removed the sheets on the TV, and the rest of the furniture. Leo swallowed, before looking at his brothers.
"Let's get this over with," Raph rasped, hastily whipping tears away. Don turned and went back down the hall, whipping his own eyes.
Jade and Daiji had returned and been sent to bed an hour ago. Both had claimed to have had a great time, Daiji had spun around, chattering excitedly with her mother as Leo had looked on and rubbed his temples.
Leo sighed and shook himself visibly.
"What do you think we should…get rid…" Raph stopped, his eyes closed, tears already streaming.
"Should we do this?" Leo whispered.
Raph nodded.
"Mike would want them to," he rasped out, a sob coming seconds later before he walked out into the hall, rushing past Don and leaning against the wall, slowly sinking to the ground as he wept.
Don walked over and sat beside him.
"I miss him to Raph," Don whispered.
"Stupid selfish chucklehead," Raph sobbed out, shoulders shaking.
Leo joined them seconds later and sat between them, hugging them close.
"I know," he whispered, his tears falling, "I miss them too."
They stayed like that for a few minutes, before getting up and grabbing the paint supplies and slipping into the wing.
They locked themselves in and set to work, over the next two days tears mixed with maroon paint as it went over the walls. Some things were switched out, others were taken into the main library and placed there, still other things were taken by each brother, placed in a place of reverence within their wings of the building.
No one else knew what they were doing, but by the time Jaden and Amber's Wedding Date arrived, the place was ready.
They did one more thing before they left, they touched the orange door to the wing and then each brother casting a stroke they outlined the door in maroon. It would always be Mikey, Amy, and Nick's home, but now a new family was coming in.
Leo was last to leave, fingers stroking the door, a tear fell and he whipped it away before going to get ready for the wedding in Central park.
~*~
A simple arbor was set up between two trees and a few chairs were set out for friends. Jaden was standing in front of the arbor, the maroon vest under his dark tux making him look very grown up.
Jaden shifted toward his father and managed a nervous smile. Raph was seated, wearing the very thing he loathed, a tux, Casey was beside him. The two friends were chatting quietly, talking about old times, before life got complicated. Raph nodded to his son and turned when a slender figure caught his eye.
It was Jade, she was wearing a simple red bridesmaid dress, with Daiji coming up behind. Two of Jaden's closer friends walking with them down the aisle.
A stillness settled over the small party as the wedding march started.
Amber came down the aisle with Titian in front holding the rings.
Jaden gasped when he saw her. Raph chuckled a little, remembering the feeling, his cast a knowing glance at his brothers and Casey who smiled, all taking a trip down memory lane.
Vows were exchanged and the couple kissed.
Raph smiled softly, though suddenly feeling very old again.
"I remember when I used to hold him in one arm," Raph murmured to no one in particular.
"It seems like yesterday," Leo agreed softly.
~*~
The reception was being held at the tower that night, gifts had already been exchanged, but there was one more.
Leo tapped his wine glass and stood.
"Jaden, I remember sitting at my kitchen table listening to Raph tell me how scared he was to be a father and wondering how in all the craziness it could be. Jaden the first time I met you…your dad made me hold you. Jaden…what I'm trying to say is…I know you'll do us proud and that your father, myself, and your Uncle Don have one more gift for you and Amber. You have to be blindfolded though," Leo whispered.
Jaden and Amber glanced at each other and together stood to allow Don to wrap a blindfold around their eyes.
Then the three brothers took them toward Mike's old wing of the building and stopped them in front of the door.
Jane pressed a hand to her mouth and fought sobs, Lilly teared up, frantically wiping them away.
Raph stood in front of the couple and held the key. He placed it in Jaden's hands and closed them.
"Take your blindfolds off…and…go into your new home," Raph whispered, fighting his own tears.
Jaden pulled his blindfold off and froze, tears started streaming.
"I-I…I can't dad…" Jaden started.
"It's been empty too long," Leo said softly.
Amber pressed her hands to her face and shook her head.
"But," she got out.
"They would want you to have it," Don comforted.
The couple nodded weakly and sobbed softly, before slowly opening the door and walking in.
Jane hugged Leo who pulled her tight.
"Congrats Raph," James whispered, squeezing Raph's shoulder.
Raph managed a nod.
"A new generation is on its way," Raph whispered.
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