I had made a promise to Raph and Mikey and I guess Donnie too, that I'd talk to Leo, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Every time I'd start walking to either the dojo or his room I'd wimp out and make an excuse to leave. Saying I felt like shit was an understatement.
I'd talked with Master Splinter many times since I'd come back. I'd missed his kind words and a part of me always worried that he'd died while I was away. He was the only one I'd told so far about my actions during the six years. Most of it anyway. I told him the important stuff.
I told him about my little gang back in California and what we did. I knew we weren't exactly honorable, but ever job we took was with the best intentions. Boyd had also become like a father figure to me and Hernandez like an older brother.
In fact that's where I was now, relaxing in the hotel with Hernandez.
"You know you're going to have to go home soon, right?" I thanked the man who brought us our room service. I handed him his burger and French fries as I kicked the door shut with my foot.
"Yes, Maria has been worried sick, mostly for you I might add." He grumbled, biting into his fat burger, "I've planned to head home Friday. You're sure you'll be alright?"
I nodded, "Yep, and if I need anything I'll call you. I promise." He gave an affirmative grunt as he finished off his burger and fries.
"Let's go for a walk. Central Park's not too far from here." I picked up my bag and followed him out of the building. A peaceful scilence settled over us
"I'll miss you, Nightwing," Hernandez finally spoke when were entered the park.
"I'll miss you, too," I was staring at my feet when Hernandez elbowed me.
"Are those two ladies over their friends of yours?" I looked up to see Carrie and Makenzie quickly making their way towards us. I could tell Carrie wanted to go faster but was slowing her pace for Makenzie.
"Yep, that's Carrie and Makenzie," I giggled as Carrie tugged on Makenzie's hand urging her to move faster. Eventually my childhood friend just left poor Makenzie and ran to hug me. I returned her hug.
"I've been looking for you! We're going to the Farm House the weekend and I want you to come." She reached up to readjust her red bandana.
"Are you sure that's a. . .good idea?" I asked nervously.
"Why wouldn't it be?" by this time Makenzie had manage to waddle over, one hand holding her stomach.
"She's worried about Leo, you dumbnut," she said slightly out of breath. "I need a hoagie."
I sat across from Carrie in a little café waiting for our drinks. Makenzie had headed back to the lair and Hernandez had gone back to the hotel to pack.
"So, that's your friend I heard you talking about?"
"Yeah, he's been really good to me since I met him."
"Well, I'm glad your home. Mom misses you."
Another pang of guilt settled in my stomach. The last time I'd seen Carrie's mother was at my mother's funeral where she'd held me while I cried. "I'm sorry I've been gone so long."
Carrie shrugged, slipping her tea, "I don't blame you. Things were. . .a little crazy to say the least and after being in space for that long, I'd want to get away too."
I shivered at the memory, "Yeah, I'm still not proud of it."
"Well, you're back now and that's all that matters."
"Thanks Care-Bear, but I don't think everyone sees it like that."
She shrugged again glancing out the window, "I know I said Makenzie was headed back to the lair, but that was just to drop some stuff off, she want's you to stop by her shop," she slid a card over to me.
Carnage Boutique by Mackenzie Carnage
"You know she really does have a badass last name," I muttered, and Carrie nodded her head in agreement.
I pushed the door open to the boutique. Makenzie was over in the corner looking at fabrics with another woman. When she looked up and noticed me she smiled and waddled over for a hug. I placed my hand on her stomach still shocked to see that she was pregnant.
"Jeez, you're huge. No offense," I quickly add, but she just laughed.
"I know right. I can't want to be not pregnant any more. The back pain never goes away." She waved at me to follow her. The woman she was talking to was gathering up her fabrics as we walked into the back room were several mannequins stood with half finished designs on them. She walked over to a rack and pulled off a deep green dress and nodded to herself, "We're going to the Farm House tonight and I want you to wear this. It's a new design and I want to see how it wears. I'd wear it, but I don't fit."
"I-I don't really do dresses, Mack," I stammered. The dress was pretty, but it was low cut and short and I don't think I had the confidence to pull it off.
"Too bad, you're wearing it," she grinned walking over to a wall of shoes and pulled a pair of black sneakers. "I won't even make you wear heels."
I sighed taking the dress and shoes knowing I'd lost. I slipped into the soft fabric surprised that it fit so well and wasn't as short as I thought it was, however, were the dress over lapped left a slit that ran half way up my thigh. It almost looked Kimono inspired. I made sure the belt was tied tight before I walked out and let Mackenzie survey her work. She nodded, and I followed her out back to her car.
"How much did this place cost?"
"A pretty penny, but I've made it all back. I have a show next weekend. I'm meeting with my models tomorrow and finishing up some last outfits. Your dress is one of them actually."
"It kinda looks like a Kimono."
"Yeah. I worked with Master Splinter on the designs and went to Japan to do research. I'm really excited about it!" she squealed happily as we left the city behind. By the time we got to the house, everyone else was already there.
The windows were open letting laughter drift out. Donnie came out to help Mackenzie, but she shooed him away and managed the stairs on her own.
"Oh, you look great," he said looking at me.
"Thanks. Mack's got a talent."
"Of course, I do," she huffed out of breath. Straightening her hair, she walked inside.
The table was set some already seated including two little boys I didn't know. It was obvious that that they were Casey and April's boys. I smile at them and they looked away shyly. April wrapped her arms around me tight and Casey said 'Hello'. It was almost like I'd never left. Almost.
Leo walked in and our eyes met. He too had grown quite a bit in the last few years and more scars littered his green skin. His eyes were darker than before and narrowed at me. Even after all this time he still didn't trust me. I tried to tell myself it was better that way like I did when I was younger. I forced myself to look away and sit at the table next to Carrie and across from Donnie.