Chapter 49 ~Gone~
Beverly sighed, smoothing her husband's spare mask and folding it neatly over one hand, the way she'd seen Don do it a thousand times, before tucking it into the drawer.
Was it only two days ago, Isamu was wearing it around his head, running around playing "Super Turtle"? And Don laughed so hard… It won't be long, I suppose, before our own son is playing those hero games. Things change so fast.
"Bev?" Don's melting-caramel voice had her turning, blinking away the tears even as she slid the drawer closed. "Are you ok, Hon?" He crossed the room, coming closer. She held out her arms and he stepped into her embrace, wrapping strong arms around her waist. She leaned her cheek against his collarbone and nuzzled against his neck.
"I love you, ittoshi," she whispered against his skin.
"I love you too. Hey, are you ok?" His hand came up, brushing the back of her head comfortingly. "You've been really quiet since…"
"Since Isamu left?" She straightened to look into his brown eyes, her breath catching at the momentary flash of grief at the mention of the boy's name.
"Yes. You know, April says he's in a really good… situation. She met the foster parents. They're… nice, she said. Experienced. They've been doing this a long time…"
"I know." Beverly nodded. "It's just that it all happened so fast. I miss him," she admitted.
"Me, too. But it's better this way."
Kouki chose that moment to whimper in his sleep, shifting on the crib mattress behind the couple. Don turned, going to the crib and laying a hand on the baby's shell.
"Hush, little guy. Daddy's here," he whispered tenderly. Kouki drew a shuddering breath and let it out with a faint, contented sigh.
Beverly crossed the small space and laid her hand on Don's shoulder, leaning forward to gaze at her sleeping son.
"You're a good father, Hamato Donatello," she said softly.
He straightened, turning. "And you're an amazing mom, Beverly Hamato," he whispered, slanting his mouth over hers. Beverly returned the kiss, surprised at the hunger she felt from Don, the way he clung to her. When he broke the kiss, his eyes were haunted. "Don't ever leave me, Beverly," he whispered, so softly she almost didn't hear.
"Never."
"Don't you… um, have to testify at the hearing?" he asked, steadying his voice with an effort.
Beverly nodded, allowing Don a moment to compose himself. She knew how he hated to let her see him upset.
"Yes. Ann and I will go topside soon. The hearing is at one. It shouldn't take long."
"Ann's worked so hard on this case."
"She has a great chance of winning," said Beverly. "Thanks to your work, too, don't forget. You helped her with the research."
"Well she… should be resting," said Donatello carefully.
Beverly almost smiled. You really think you're hiding something from me? she thought. I'm a nurse, as well as a woman. I suspect you know perfectly well what's wrong with Ann. I just wish she'd get on with telling Raphael so we can all stop avoiding the subject.
"We'll drop Lucille off at the hotel. She and Austin will take a cab from there. Ann and I will arrive separately as well."
"Why?"
"Well, we don't want Rin's lawyer to catch on to our relationships," responded Beverly. "He might be able to use my being Austin's sister-in-law against Ann. Anyway, with luck I won't have to testify at all. Elizabeth, the shift supervisor, is the one Ann will call on."
"What if they call you to testify? You can't lie under oath," said Don, frowning.
"Of course not. But this isn't like a trial where a lawyer can call witnesses," explained Bev. "It's more like a meeting with the judge, where each side will have a chance to present their evidence. Don't worry, Donny. We're going to be fine."
"I know," said Don with a sigh. "I'm just worried about Austin, you know? This is her mom."
"And Ann's going to make sure she's safe."
"Good luck."
"Thank you. I'd better get going."
"Bev?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you too, Donny."
Bev slipped out of the room, leaving Don to guard over their sleeping son.
He's been hovering over Kouki a lot lately, she thought. Since Isamu left… A sharp pain lanced through her and she quickly turned her thoughts away from that path. After all we've witnessed recently, with the Foot and the PD's joining forces… I guess Donny is right. I can't fight him any longer. Kouki will need at least basic self-defense training. As to more… well, we'll see. Don promised not to force anything on him. I do trust him to keep his word.
As Beverly descended the stairs, she saw Skylar wobble her way across the living area, laughing as she fell into her father's waiting arms. Michelangelo swung the baby up.
"Great job, Sky!" He praised, grinning as the tot giggled hysterically.
I guess if he's going to learn, he couldn't have better teachers, thought Bev. She couldn't help smiling. Michelangelo was so obviously in love with his daughter, as Donatello was with his son. All the Turtles had surprised her with their fierce affection for the children.
"Are you about ready, Bev… Oh, there you are." Ann stepped out onto the balcony. "Austin went on ahead with Lucille. Raph's going to escort us." She smiled. "He seems to think I can't walk a few blocks on my own."
"I jus' wanna make sure ya get there safe, Annie," growled Raphael, materializing out of the shadows behind her.
She turned, smiling a bit tightly. "Come on. Let's get going."
Beverly nodded. "Yeah, we don't want to be late," she said with a forced smile. Raph and Ann had seemed on edge recently.
He knows something's up with her. He's got to. You really can't hide things from our boys. I wish I could understand why she's trying. I remember how nervous I was when I first found I was pregnant with Kouki, but then I was also trapped in Bishop's lab. I was afraid Donny wouldn't be happy, too. I guess Ann needs to tell him in her own good time.
Another door opened upstairs, and Leonardo stepped out onto the balcony. "You're leaving?" he asked.
"Yep." Raphael flipped over the railing, landing lightly, as if the ten-foot drop were nothing.
"Just be careful. And Ann… Good luck."
Ann nodded. "Thanks, Leo."
Beverly shook her head. Everyone's been so… grim, since Isamu left. Leo rarely smiles, Raph's being more surly than usual, Sierra's holed up in her room… and if we have a good outcome today, Lucille will probably go back to New Jersey. She sighed.
Raphael motioned for the girls to precede him out the door. Beverly hung back a bit, moving aside to let Raphael walk beside Ann, but she stubbornly took up a place on Beverly's other side, as if using the woman as a shield against her own husband.
When they reached the first manhole, Raph climbed the ladder, moving the heavy cover aside and checking to be sure the way was clear before dropping back down. Ann gave him a quick kiss before climbing the ladder and disappearing from sight.
He lifted the cover back into place and dropped down again. He and Bev walked a few more blocks to the next cover in silence.
Sorry, Raphael. I can't tell you if she won't. If anyone breaks the news, it'll have to be Donny.
Raph lifted the second as easily as the first.
"Thanks, Raph," said Beverly.
"Good luck," he answered.
"Thanks. We're gonna need it."
The hearing took even less time than Beverly had anticipated. She spent most of her time surreptitiously studying an imposing Japanese businessman.
So that's Austin's father. I wonder if he's ever smiled. Well, he'd better not bother Austin, or he'll have to answer to me.
Almost as if he could feel Beverly's glare, Rin Abramson glanced over his shoulder at the woman. She met his eyes steadily, and he was the first to look away with a faint snort of derision that made Beverly want to clout him over the back of the head with something heavy. Preferably one of the law books her sister-in-law and husband had been poring over for weeks in an effort to defeat him.
It wasn't until the judge handed down her verdict that Beverly got a true feel for the man's personality. She watched, fascinated, as the back of his neck turned red. He stood stiffly, and made a short, clipped bow to the judge.
"You will regret this," he hissed, turning and stalking from the room, pausing only to glare at his daughter for an instant. Bev noticed with pride the way Austin returned his look, unflinching, before he turned and brushed past her, leaving the room.
"Does that mean… we won?" asked Lucille.
Ann nodded, her eyes shining. "You won," she said quietly. "Janey is free to move to whatever facility she wishes."
"Oh… Oh, she'll want to go home. But first, you must come and visit her Austin. Please… We must find a way for her to meet Michelangelo, and dear little Skylar…" Lucille embraced her niece, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Oh dear, Austin… she'll want to meet your family."
"We'll… try, Aunt Luci," said Austin quietly. "I'm just glad she's safe."
"I'm going to the hospital at once," said Luci. "As soon as the papers are drawn up." She turned to the judge, an older Black woman who smiled benignly. "Thank you so much, your Honor."
"You're quite welcome, Miss Chesney," said the judge. "I advise you to be careful. Rin Abramson is not a man to be trifled with. He's powerful in this town. Too powerful, if you ask me."
Lucille nodded. "My brother-in-law is a dangerous man. Thank you for putting my sister out of his reach."
"I wish your family good luck," replied the woman with a sad smile.
"Doomo arigato, Your Honor," said Austin, giving the woman a short bow. "We are indebted to you."
The woman shook her head. "Just doing my job, Dear. You take care, now."
Beverly followed Austin, Lucille and Ann out of the courtroom. Elizabeth had left as soon as she finished giving testimony on Janey's mental state. She had a shift to get back to.
"I'll go with you to the hospital, Aunt Luci, but I can't stay long," Austin was saying. "Mike will want to know the outcome…"
"Austin-chan, magomusume."
Beverly saw her sister-in-law freeze, turning slowly toward an older Japanese man. He was bent with age, but stood proud, his gaze steady as he looked upon Austin's face.
"Lucille-san. It is good to see you again," he added, sparing a glance for the older woman, who stood as if frozen.
"Likewise, I'm sure, Abramson-san," she responded almost automatically.
Beverly moved immediately to Austin's side.
Austin started. "Grandfather. This… is my sister-in-law. Hamato Beverly."
"Good afternoon, Sir," said Beverly, tight-lipped.
The old man gave her a polite bow. "I am pleased to meet you, Mrs. Hamato."
"And my… other sister in law," added Austin, half-turning to include Ann in the introduction. "Hamato Ann."
His iron-grey eyebrows arched. "Mrs. Hamato," he said. "Austin-chan. I fear my health does not allow me to tarry. I came here today because I must speak with you. I fear my son's foolishness has caused you… inconvenience."
Austin bowed her head. "I am fine, Grandfather. My husband and his brothers protect me now."
"So I heard." The old man's eyes twinkled. "Rin-san was not pleased with their manners when they came to his home to… retrieve you."
Austin nodded respectfully, but her eyes were hard and her mouth was set in a straight line. "Father should not have attempted to force his will on me," she replied quietly.
"I agree, mago-chan."
Austin looked up at the endearment. "Grandfather." She drew a shuddering breath. "I have missed you."
"And I you, granddaughter," he replied with a smile so reminiscent of Splinter's, Beverly's breath caught. "I fear I am the cause of the trouble between you and your father."
"Grandfather?" Austin looked confused.
"I wished to… provide for you. I know your father has renounced his responsibility to you, refused to care for you in the manner to which you are accustomed." The old man frowned heavily.
"I do not need Father's money," said Austin quietly. "Please don't be concerned for me any longer, Grandfather."
He nodded. "I can see, Austin-chan, that you have chosen your family well." He smiled. "You have honored our family. But, Granddaughter, my wish is that, when I join our ancestors, that you shall be my heir."
Austin sucked in a sharp breath. "Grandfather!"
The man shook his head. "My son is a fool," he said heavily. "He has always been a fool. If I leave my estate in his hands, he will only squander it. Austin, you have brought me much joy, and proven yourself worthy as well as wise. I have entrusted the care of my worldly possessions to you, so that your father might be taken care of. He is a fool, but he is still my son."
"Grandfather, no, you mustn't." Austin reached out, grasping the man's hand in both her own. "Father will give me no peace if he thinks I hold your fortune…"
"She's right, Mr. Abramson," said Lucille firmly. "This is too great a burden to place upon your granddaughter, Sir."
"Please, Grandfather," pleaded Austin. "Please reconsider. You have so many wise advisers. Allow your lawyers to set up a trust fund for Father."
"Austin-chan, it is my wish to leave my fortune to you and your family," said the old man stiffly.
"Doomo arigooto, Grandfather," said Austin, bowing her head. "But please, I am content. I don't need the money, I have no need. My family has all they need." Her eyes flicked from Ann to Beverly, uncertain.
Bev stepped forward. "She's right, Sir. Our family, we take care of one another. We don't need money, especially if it will mean more trouble for Austin."
"I agree," said Ann crisply. "Rin Abramson is a dangerous man. Putting Austin in a place of authority over him is only going to make a worse enemy of him. Please, Sir, consider your granddaughter's wishes."
Mr. Abramnson Sr. straightened, his dark-eyed gaze resting on each woman in turn.
"I see." He bowed low to Austin. "I am sorry to have caused you trouble, Granddaughter. Rin-san will not trouble you again."
"Doomo arigooto gozaimasu, Ojii-san," said Austin, returning his bow.
The man nodded, acknowledging her thanks. He turned away, motioning to the man standing next to the car. Beverly tensed, ready to defend Austin, but the man simply opened the door, allowing the old man to climb into the seat. She watched as the vehicle pulled smoothly away from the curb.
Well, thought Beverly. And I thought our family was different.
