Okay so this turned out a lot longer then I thought it would. Thank you to
everyone who reviewed. Glad you enjoyed the fic. Hope those of you who only
read the first chapter went on to see that there is a MUCH happier ending,
thank the gods. And this final chapter incorporates yes another OC. Well,
not OC really but fellow author and good friend of mine Airetti. This one's
for you hun! And I just read a fic that had the same names and I want to
reassure the author, sss979, it was completely unintentional hun. Airetti's
name is Catey and that's the name she requested I use and Amy.well, I was
thinking Sailor Moon at the time I thought of that name. So just wanted to
say sorry, I didn't actually mean to do that. Btw.you're a freakin' awesome
writer!
* * * Disclaimer: All I own is Catey, Summer, Amy and Charity. The turtles, not mine!! Never were or will be! * * *
*~* Family *~*
In her deep state of sleep, Summer Heston hardly heard the quiet chirping of her cell phone. She would have missed it completely had she not been gently nudged into a state of semi-consciousness. "You're phone's ringin'," a deep male voice murmured sleepily from beside her.
Summer reached over, grabbed the ringing phone off the nightstand and flipped it open. "Hello?"
"Four in the afternoon and you're sleeping?" a cheerful voice with a genteel southern twang replied.
Summer smiled. "It's called a nap Amy," she corrected her assistant and best friend from Memphis. "So where are you?"
"We just got off the plane. We're going to swing by the apartment, drop some things off and then we'll be on our way over. How's your honey?"
Summer's smile brightened as she looked down at the sleeping turtle beside her, his arm draped loosely above the telltale swell of her stomach. "He's sleeping."
"Not any more," he muttered with a grin.
"Okay, so he's not sleeping anymore. How long do you think you'll be?" she asked, once again speaking to Amy.
"Probably an hour and a half," Amy said. "It's not too hectic here so gettin' out of the airport shouldn't be a problem."
"Hey Summer!" A voice suddenly yelled in the background causing Amy to chuckle softly. "Catey says hi."
"Tell her I say meow," Summer joked, picking at an invisible speck of dust on the blanket that covered her raised knees.
"Will do. Okay, I'm to go get a cab so I'll see you in a bit. I can't wait to see the guys! Are you sure they're okay with meeting us? I mean, yeah I've talked to them and all but Cat hasn't and what if-."
In the middle of her tirade Raph snatched the phone away from Summer and rudely interrupted the rambling female. "Amy...shut up, get your stuff dropped off and call us when you're ready, okay? I've told you a hundred times that we're okay with it."
There was a moment of silence before Amy burst out laughing. "Sorry Raph. I just worry. Gosh you've got a purty accent!" she teased, laying her own natural southern drawl on thick.
Raph gave the phone a strange look and handed it back to Summer. "She's strange," he stated before burying his face in the pillow once more.
Summer giggled softly. "Me again," she told the woman on the other end.
"Hey you again. We're on our way. I'll see you in a bit. Oh, and um...thanks again Summer. Not just for getting me the job but for letting Cat tag along. She really appreciates it. I'm all she really has now so..this means a lot, to both of us."
"Don't mention it hun. I'll be glad to have you back and I'm looking forward to seeing Cat again. We'll have fun."
"We sure will. Okay, gotta go. Cat's trying to make friends with strangers and they're giving her weird looks. See you soon Summer time!"
"Bye Ames."
Hanging up the phone, Summer placed it back on the nightstand. She laid back against the headboard, closing her eyes to reflect back on the past three weeks. So much had happened and yet she was still...pregnant. It was the middle of summer, the heat was stifling and she...was still..pregnant.
Well, at least Raph understood everything. They'd spent most of the night that she had come back sitting on her old bed and talking. Summer told him everything, not leaving out even the tinniest detail. She was tired of hiding things from him. The strange thing was he took it very well. He had even joked about how much of an ego trip it was that she had experienced what it was like to be with a man and had still wanted to come back to him. So with a collective sigh they had left the past where it had belonged and had happily fallen asleep in each other's arms.
After that things had returned to normal. It was almost as if she had never left. Because of Raph and the fact that the turtle's underground lair was much cooler then her apartment, Summer had spent most of her time there. During that time she had found that she didn't need the intimacy that she had experienced with her baby's father. She fell in love with Raph all over again and in that love she found a confidence and a curiosity that had benefited both of them. Granted they could never be together the way a man and woman could be, but they had found ways around it, experimenting when the heated kisses and passionate embraces just weren't enough. And since Summer didn't have many distractions she had all the time in the world to spend with him.
She didn't have a job to go to at the moment. She was supposed to have started the day after her return to New York but as soon as she had walked in they had taken the time to show her the lavish corner office that was now hers then told her to leave. They had granted her a full ten weeks maternity leave so that she could "adjust to the city and becoming a mother." It was very kind of them so she gladly agreed but only after securing Amy a position as her personal secretary once more. Since she was technically still the owner of Brackston and Brackston not to mention a very well known and powerful attorney they had a great deal of respect for her and the arrangements to have Amy transferred to New York were finished before she had even left the building.
When she had called Amy later that night the young woman had been ecstatic. They quickly made plans for her move. There had only been one minor snag, which resulted in a two-bedroom apartment instead of a one bedroom. That minor snag being Amy's cousin Catey, a feisty 22-year-old blonde from Tennessee that had come to live with her after her last year of college. Most of Cat's family was gone already; having died when she was very young so Amy was all the family she really had left. Of course Summer wasn't one for leaving people out on their own so she had told Amy to bring the younger woman with her.
Once everything was settled there Summer went to face the guys and confess that she had told someone else about them. As she had expected they weren't too happy about it. It had taken a long explanation and a lot of convincing but eventually they had caved. And it was hard for them to stay upset with her because she had been so alone at that point and confiding in the only person to befriend her should have been expected. Mikey also pointed out that the person she had confided in was female and had a cousin his age so they should really try and see the good in the situation. Summer had smacked him for that one.
"Didn't fall asleep again, did you?" Raph's voice broke through her thoughts and she slowly opened vivid green eyes, turning her head and smiling down at him.
"No. I was just thinking," she replied softly.
Raph grinned and pulled her back down, settling her body close to his. "About me?"
Laughing, Summer rested her head on his shoulder, nuzzling his neck with her nose. "When am I not thinking about you? Wait, scratch that. God forbid your ego should get any bigger," she said laughingly. "I was just thinking about everything that's happened. And..you know, wondering when the hell she's going to get out of me," she muttered, gesturing to her stomach.
"You're not gonna miss havin' her in there?" Summer gave her red masked turtle an incredulous look and he laughed. "Guess not."
"You try carrying around something this big for months and see how hot you feel," Summer muttered, her hand unconsciously lifting to pass protectively over her stomach.
Raph smiled and tightened his arm around her. "Aw honey, I think you look hot either way. Pregnant, not pregnant, makes not difference to me."
"You're such a sweetie," She stretched tiredly, rubbing her foot against his calf.
Raph listened to the sound of her steady breathing, idly toying with a strand of her flaxen hair as the minutes slowly ticked by. When it became apparent that Summer wasn't going to say anything more he looked down to find her fast asleep. Smiling, he pulled the covers up around them quickly joined her in oblivious slumber.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"So like, you're sure these two know where they're going right?" Mikey asked, watching Raph as he helped Summer up from the ladder and into the tunnel they were currently standing in.
The striking auburn haired woman leaned heavily against Raph and nodded. "Yeah. And if they don't, that's what the cell phone is for." They started walking to where they were going to meet up with Amy and Catey. It was just Mikey, Raph and Summer. Leo and Donnie had decided to stay back at the lair and clean up a bit for their new guests.
As the trio walked through the long, gloomy tunnel Summer started feeling a cramp in her lower abdomen. At first it was nothing, a nagging sensation that was more annoying then painful. Chalking it up to an upset stomach, Summer ignored the tiny pang, or at least she tried to until it became more of a sharp, stabbing feeling. When the pain became too much she halted, pulling Raph to a stop and clutching at his muscular arm.
"You okay?" he asked, immediate concern showing in his eyes.
Summer took several deep breaths, her hand massaging the spot where the pain seamed to stem from. It wouldn't help thought. The pain only seemed to get worse. "I-I think she's mad at me," she managed, adding a small laugh to reassure him. "It's probably nothing to worry about." As she spoke the pain seemed to lessen slightly and she straightened, forcing what she hoped was a convincing smile to her lips.
But they weren't buying it. She could see that. The skeptical looks on their faces said it all. "I'm fine guys, really. It's probably just an upset stomach okay?"
"Yeah right," Mikey remarked dryly, turning and continuing on down the tunnel. "You say that now but I bet with our luck you'll go into labor in about two min-." The young turtles voice cut off with a startled yelp when a figure came around the corner and collided with him. In a mess of flailing limbs and muffled curses the two went down, landing in a heap on the cold concrete floor. "What the hell?" Mikey muttered.
He opened his mouth, not even entirely sure of what he was going to say and found himself lost in the softest chocolate brown eyes he had ever seen. Fringed with thick lashes the startled russet colored orbs stared down at him. Long blonde honey colored hair cascaded around his face, closing the rest of the world off like a curtain of gold. "Hi there," the woman said in a soft, southern accented voice.
"Hey," Mikey replied, making no attempt to move. Why move anyway? It wasn't like she weighed that much. She was a tiny thing really he thought feeling her warm body pressed against his.
"Hey Cat, you want to let Mikey up?" Summer's voice called, laden with suppressed laughter.
The girl quickly scrambled off of him, saying a warm hello to Summer and he got his first good look at her entire body. She was short, probably close to his height. Her legs were encased in a pair of dark blue jeans that flared over her deep tan cowboy boots. A tight shirt of tan suede the same color as her boots was worn underneath a long jean jacket that hung to the back of her knees and had sleeves that flared at the cuff and were tied together with strips of leather. She regarded him with a coy smirk, her chocolate eyes sparkling warmly. And that smile right there was all it took. For the first time since April had come into their lives, Mikey looked at a woman and defiantly liked what he saw.
Unfortunately his feelings didn't go unnoticed. Walking up behind Summer, Raph wrapped his arms around her and smiled at the dumbfounded look on his brothers face. "I think poor Mikey just fell," he muttered.
Summer laughed softly. "Kind of like you did all those years ago?" she asked, dropping her head back against his shoulder.
"Nah, I fell harder," he murmured, brushing a tender kiss at the base of her neck.
"So this is the guy I've been hearing so much about," yet another accented voice said. A woman with short black hair and soft violet eyes moved out of the shadows wearing a simple black skirt and a blue satin shirt that was buttoned down the front with tiny pearls.
"Amy!" Summer squealed, giving Raph a quick kiss and rushing forward to embrace her best friend. "Oh it's so good to see you again!"
Amy hugged the auburn haired woman back enthusiastically. "It's good to see you too hun. Memphis just isn't the same without you. But I guess I don't have to worry about that anymore, do I?" She backed away and looked at the person who had become such a valuable friend to her so long ago. She looked so much happier now, like she had finally found peace in life. Amy had Raphael to thank for that and she had every intention of doing so but only after a thorough inspection of Summer. "I can't believe you're still pregnant honey."
"Well I think it fits her. I've always heard how pregnant women are supposed to glow and honey, you are defiantly glowing," Catey said, coming up to stand beside the two women. "Summer, you going to introduce us to your friends?"
"I think you've already met Mikey," Summer said, smiling when the younger blond woman blushed and sent a shy look in the orange masked turtles direction. "And this," Summer reached back, taking Raph's hand and giving him a loving smile. "Is Raphael."
Amy stepped forward, a bright smile on her face. "It's nice to finally meet the guy that Summer has talked about non-stop for years. And I think I owe you a thank you. She's never looked so happy before," she said kindly, holding out a well-manicured hand.
She was fearless, just as Summer had been when they had met her for the first time. Raph had to admire her for that. She didn't scream, she didn't faint, she just smiled and greeted him with a calm air that reminded him way too much of Leo. He took her outstretched hand and briefly shook it. "Nice to meet you too Amy. Summer's told us a lot about you."
"All good I hope," Amy joked. "So where are the other two?"
"Their back at the lair," Summer replied. "We should probably get back before they start to worry. Leo tends to do that a lot."
The Trio, joined by the two women, started back to way they had come. Trailing behind them, Cat studied Mikey intently out of the corner of her eye as he walked along beside her. It was strange, she thought when a nervous flutter started in the pit of her stomach and slowly worked its way through her body, that she should feel a certain attraction towards this green mutant. But she did. He was actually really cute and his eyes held a certain amount of optimism and humor that she couldn't wait to become better acquainted with. "I'm Catey by the way," she murmured softly so that only Mikey could hear her.
He turned to her and smiled. "I'm Mikey. Nice to meet ya."
"Pleasures all mine honey." Where the hell had that come from?? She had never spoken to a guy like that before. Swallowing hard, she dropped her head forward and her hair hid her blushing cheeks from his view.
"All yours huh?" Mikey questioned only adding to her embarrassment. "And here I thought it was mine. I mean, you did like, fall right on top of me."
Cat slowly lifted her head and looked at him, relief pouring through her when she saw the teasing smirk on his face. Feeling slightly bolder then usual she tossed her honey colored hair behind her and her lips curved up in a shy smile. "You know, I'm not sorry about that," she purred.
"Neither am I."
Cat felt something warm brush her hand and looked down, seeing Mikey's hand reaching for hers. With a playful smirk she slipped hers into his and moved closer to him, causing their shoulders to brush lightly. They shared a look and continued to follow the others down the dark tunnel.
It seemed to summer like it took forever to reach the lair but finally they were home. Leo and Donnie, waiting patiently on the couch and watching TV quickly stood when they saw their new guests. Summer had to bite back the laughter that threatened to spill fourth when she saw their interested gazes focus on poor, unsuspecting Amy. It made her wonder briefly why they hadn't even spared a glance for Cat. Summer turned around, looking for the young blond woman and her eyes widened in surprise when she saw her standing by Mikey, one hand clasped in his and the other resting lightly on his chest as they spoke in hushed tones, both grinning like love sick teenagers. No wonder Donny and Leo had taken no sudden interest in the other female Summer though, smiling as she faced the two to make introductions.
Taking Amy's hand, she led the woman over to Donny and Leo. "Okay guys. This is the girl you've been talking to on the phone. Amy, meet Donatello and Leonardo."
The raven-haired woman moved forward, extending her hand first to turtle in the purple mask and offering him a warm smile. "It's nice to be able to put a face with the voice. How's the project coming?" she asked, referring to the computer program he was in the process of creating.
"It's taking a while," Donny answered, gently shaking her hand. "But I expected it to. It's nice to meet you Amy."
"Likewise," she murmured moving on to the turtle in the blue mask that had silently been waiting his turn. Amy looked up into his eyes, not at all surprised that he seemed to be the tallest of the four. He was the leader after all. So this was the one who had shyly flirted with her over the phone, the one who had spoken so passionately about his beliefs and his family that she had, for the slightest moment, wanted to be part of it. As she gazed up at him a warm feeling spread through her that had nothing to do with the heat. She started to want it again, to be part of his family, to be..with him. Her thoughts were startling to her but not entirely unpleasant. "Leonardo," she said softly, admiration ringing in her tone.
"Welcome to our home Amy," Leo said, lightly clasping her hand. He held it a moment longer then necessary but Amy didn't mind at all. Noticing this, Donny rolled his eyes and left the two alone, joining Summer and Raph. "So who's the other one?" he asked.
Summer looked over her shoulder, smiling contentedly. "That's Catey. Cat for short. She's Amy's cousin from Tennessee," she explained.
Donny nodded. He wasn't even going to attempt introducing himself to her at the moment. The girl looked pretty occupied at the moment. He watched her as she laughed at something Mikey said and wondered when the hell it was going to be his turn to find a beautiful caring woman who would see him for who he was. All his brothers had miraculously managed to. Yeah, maybe he was jumping ahead a bit but he had seen the way Amy looked at Leo and knew something was going to happen. And Mikey and Cat..there was no questioning that those two had hooked up or were well on their way to. Sighing, he turned on his heal and said over his shoulder in a dull voice, "I'll be in the lab."
"Donny-," Summer called, lifting her hand in an attempt to stop him.
"Let him go," Raph said.
Summer sighed and shook her head slowly. "I didn't know this was going to happen. I mean, I'm happy for Mikey and Leo but I didn't mean for-."
Raph cut her off, pulling her body back against his and wrapping his arms tightly around her. The tension immediately left her in a sudden rush and she dropped her head back onto his shoulder, turning to brush her lips against his neck. "It's not your fault hun. And Donny'll get over it. Just give him time, okay?"
"Okay," she whispered, brushing her fingers lightly over his arm. "We should probably take them to meet Splinter."
Raph nodded, closing his eyes and fully enjoying the feel of her fingers against his skin. "When's the last time I told you that I loved you?" she asked in a soft lazy voice.
"About 45 minutes ago before we left."
She turned in his embrace, draping her arms over his shoulders and giving him a sultry smile. Slowly her lips came up to meet his in an achingly tender kiss that set his blood on fire. "I love you," she murmured.
"I love you too. Now quit it." He gently pushed her away, laughing when she stuck out her lower lip and began to pout. "We keep this up and I'm dragging you to the bedroom which would be rude considering that you've got guests here. Go." He motioned to Amy and Cat with a slight jerk of his head. "Play hostess."
"Fine," Summer muttered, reluctantly freeing herself from his warm embrace. "But I'll get you later."
Smiling he followed her across the room. "Oh, I'm counting on it hun."
After having taken it upon themselves to introduce themselves to the turtles they hadn't had a chance to speak to yet, Cat and Amy were led to a small room where the turtle's Sensei was meditating. The two women were very respectful, bowing deeply when they came before him and listening with avid interest to his wise words. As they left, allowing the elderly rat to return to his meditation, Amy hung back. She felt the need to ask him something. Something important to her. She turned and cautiously approached Splinter, delicately clearing her throat to gain his attention.
Opening his aged ebony eyes, he smiled up at her. "Is there something you need my child?"
She knelt beside him, fearlessly reaching out and taking his gnarled hand in hers. It may have seemed like a straightforward gesture and if Splinter thought so he said nothing. It was just that she felt like she knew him very well. From what Summer and Leo had told her she had developed an admiration for the old mutant that had only deepened once she had met him. Her own father had died in Desert Storm when she was a teenager but he had always told her to respect and admire those older then her, especially when they had more knowledge then most. "Master Splinter, I just wanted to thank you again. Meeting you had been an honor. Leonardo speaks very highly of you."
"My son exaggerates," he joked with a light chuckle.
Amy smiled fondly, shaking her head. "He loves you very much. All of your sons do. You can hear it in the way they speak about you. I..I never got the chance to be that close to my father."
"He has passed then?"
She nodded. "Desert Storm." He said nothing, yet she could feel that he was sorry for her loss. She felt oddly comforted by that. Casting her eyes to the floor she thought carefully about what she was going to say next. "I was wondering," she started, looking up into his kind eyes, "if you wouldn't mind...may I come and meditate with you sometime?"
Splinter smiled and patted her hand. "I would enjoy your company Amy. You may come by any time you please."
Amy returned his smile. "Thank you very much. I'd better get back before they start to wonder where I am." She stood and bowed respectively. "Again, it was wonderful to meet you Master Splinter."
"It was a pleasure meeting you as well Amy," he said as he bowed his head, dismissing her.
Amy turned and left, walking slowly out the door and pausing for a moment, trying to remember which way the living room was. Probably where all the voices were coming from.
"That was a really nice thing you just did," a voice spoke up behind her.
Amy gasped and whirled around, a hand lifting to rest over her rapidly beating heart. She shot the culprit an accusatory glare. "Leo! You scared the hell out of me!" she murmured softly, unable to ignore the sudden pleasure that pooled within her as her eyes settled on him.
He smiled sheepishly, slowly approaching her. "Sorry. I think I have a bad habit of doing that." He stopped a few inches away from her, studying the raven-haired beauty for a moment before saying, "What you said to Splinter, that was really nice of you. He's taught us everything we need to know so we really haven't been turning to him for help as much as we used to. I think he'll be happy to have a student again."
Amy swallowed hard, unnerved by his nearness and the emotions that suddenly seemed to be swamping her. "I..after listening to the way you and Summer have praised him I just wanted to get to know him better. He's a very kind man. And just by looking at him you can tell how much he knows, how much he could teach you." The anxiety calmed as she became more impassioned in her speech, showing off a side of herself that she usually tried to keep hidden. "Summer has actually slipped up when talking about him and referred to him as father. Did you know that? I guess..I never knew my father that well and Splinters so wise. I could learn so much from him. I know it sounds greedy but I want to get to know him like Summer did. You've spoken about him so many times and I feel like I know him..and." She looked up, the apprehension once again slamming into her with the force of a semi. "And you," she added softly.
Leo stared at the young woman in shock, wondering if he had even heard her right. It wasn't just that she had said she felt like she knew him, it was the way she said it, her voice turning all soft and husky and her gorgeous violet eyes filling with an emotion he had only hoped to see. He hadn't even known her eyes were violet until tonight. The moment he had seen her, the entire world seemed to stop. She was beautiful. He'd never seen such a strikingly attractive woman before. And to make matters worse he had fallen for her before even meeting her. He had caught Summer's phone ringing several times in the dead of night when she and Raph were fast asleep. It had always turned out to be Amy needing someone to talk to, someone to confide her fears in. Of course Leo had been more then happy to help. Now, with her standing right in front of him, vulnerability written clearly in her eyes, it was impossible to deny the fact that he was very attracted to her. "I feel like I know you too," he confessed.
Amy smiled at that, her full lips parting over perfect white teeth. "You remember that night we stayed up talking until three in the morning?"
"Yeah," Leo said, chuckling at the memory. "You heard something in your apartment and got scared so I spent the entire night talking you down and making you laugh."
Moving closer to him, propelled forward by something deep within her that longed to be near him, Amy turned her head to the side and regarded him curiously. "I..never got a chance to thank you for that," she whispered. Holy crap! What the hell was she doing? Whatever it was she wasn't in control of herself and she really didn't want to be. It felt too right. Besides she had spent her entire life listening to her heart. Why stop now? "I mean, thank you properly."
Leo's eyes went wide, hearing the underlining implication in her words. Her soft violet eyes turned dark with what he could only assume was passion. "Amy, are you sure you want to do this?" he asked, his hand already reaching up and resting lightly on her waist.
"I've been talking to you on the phone for weeks. I feel like I know you..and you're the kindest, sweetest and most honest guy I have ever met. Yeah." She leaned up, her arms sliding around his neck. "I want to do this."
Leo closed his eyes and surrendered to her, knowing that he wouldn't have been able to stop himself even if she had said she wasn't sure. Her lips brushed his hesitantly, then came back more determined, her arms tightening around his neck as she deepened the kiss.
"Whoa..sorry guys! Didn't know I'd be interrupting anything."
Leo and Amy jumped apart, whipping around simultaneously to face a very smug looking Raphael. "And here I thought I was the only one gettin' some action," he quipped.
Amy ducked her head, attempting to hide the adorable blush that stained her porcelain cheeks.
"Cut it out Raph," Leo said, smiling at his younger brother. "What do you want?"
"We're watching a movie. You two in or..ahh..did you want me to turn around and act like I never say ya?"
Leo turned to Amy, lifting a hand and tilting her chin up with his fingers. "You want to watch a movie?" he asked, winking at her.
A bright smile curved her full lips and she nodded. "Sure."
"Alright," he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Let's go."
Raph rolled his eyes, hardly containing his laughter and led the way back to the living room. Cat and Mikey looked up from their spots on the couch as the three entered. "Where were you guys?" Cat asked, turning around and draping her arms over the back of the couch.
"If you only knew," Raph said, laughing as he disappeared into the kitchen.
"I was talking to Splinter. Leo was waiting for me," Amy said too quickly, flinching when Mikey and Cat exchanged a knowing look. "So what are we watching?"
Cat sat up proudly, giving her a goofy grin. "I'm your Huckleberry," she drawled, her deep chocolate eyes sparkling mischievously.
"God Cat, you never get enough of that movie do you?" Amy asked as she walked around the couch and sat down next to her cousin. Leo sat down beside Amy, placing his arm on the back of the couch behind her.
"Hey! Tombstone was the best movie ever made in my opinion. No one plays a better Doc then Val Kilmer," Cat argued, snatching up the remote and pressing play. As the movie started, Donny came to join, taking a seat in a chair off to the left of the couch and leaving the love seat open for Raph and Summer who joined them a few minutes later with a full bag of popcorn.
Halfway through the movie Summer was snuggled up close to Raph paying zero attention to the movie as they exchanged lazy kisses. Leo's arm had moved from the back of the couch to Amy's shoulders and Amy was pressed tightly against him, her head resting on his shoulder. Cat was comfortable as could be with her arm resting over Mikey's stomach and her leg draped over one of his, the other one tucked up underneath her. Mikey's hand traced slow easy patterns over her arm, his attention for the most part focused on the movie.
When the movie came to an end Raph stood, helping Summer up and pulling her into his arms. "We're ahh..going to bed," he said, pulling Summer towards their bedroom. "Night guys."
Summer giggled as he pulled her along, unable to keep herself from stumbling because he was holding her too close and her feet kept bumping into his. "Night guys. Leo, Mikey, I trust you'll find them places to sleep."
"No problem Summer, we got it covered!" Mikey said, laughing as he watched the two disappear into their room.
Leo yawned, stretching his arms above his head. "I think I'm going to turn in too guys." He looked down at Amy. "Did you..want to come with me? We could stay up and talk."
"Talk my ass," Mikey muttered, earning himself a halfhearted glare from his brother and Amy.
Leo stood, offering a hand to Amy. "Yeah, I'll go with you," she murmured, taking his hand and allowing him to lead her out of the room.
"Well, that leaves you and me babe," Mikey said, looking down at the gorgeous blonde cradled in his arm. "You want to watch another movie?"
Cat pushed herself up, dragging a hand through her straight blonde locks. Her eyes scanned the video selection, looking for something that was scary and interesting, but not interesting enough that you would get lost in it. She had other plans and they did not at all involve watching a movie. Little did she know though that Mikey's mind was on the same track.
"How about Scream?" they said at the same time, looking at each other and laughing.
"Scream it is then," Cat said, sliding off the couch and crawling across the floor to where the movies were lined up on a shelf below the TV. She slid the movie from its case and put it in the VCR, going back to the couch. As the creepy music started up she moved close to Mikey, resting her head on his shoulder and smiling has his arm came around her. In the movie the actress answered the phone, playing the flirt as she talked unsuspectingly to the killer on the other end.
Cat chewed on her bottom lip, paying little notice to the movie as her mind turned crazy circles, thinking of different things she and Mikey could be doing right now and how exactly she could make those things happen. Suddenly Mikey's arms tightened around her and in a flurry of movement Cat found herself lying full length on the couch, staring up at Mikey with wide eyes as his body rested on top of hers. "So what's you're favorite scary movie?" he asked, his voice low, wreaking havoc upon her senses.
She smiled, rubbing her leg against his suggestively. "Show girls," she quoted, laughing softly.
Mikey leaned in closer, his face only inches away. Cat's heart pounded in response to his nearness, her body reacting to his in a way it had never responded to any other mans. Then his lips were at her neck, pressing softly, driving her to mindless abandon. Screaming echoed softly from the TV, mingling with the small moan that swept past her parted lips.
"Too fast?" Mikey whispered against her neck.
Cat shook her head lethargically from side to side. "No. Perfect," she whispered, "I would only change one thing."
"What that?"
She raised her hands, placing them on either side of his face and guiding his mouth to hers. "You should be kissing me." She pressed a butterfly kiss upon his lips and smiled. "Not my neck."
Mikey laughed. "You make a pretty good point babe." His lips came down on hers, gently coaxing them apart and deepening the kiss. Cat sighed, stretching luxuriously beneath him, rubbing her leg against his as smoldering passion consumed her. His arms came around her, one sliding beneath her head and providing her with a pillow of sorts and the other resting on her hip, his thumb gently rubbing the bare skin just above the waist line of her low cut jeans.
"You know," Cat purred in between kisses. "You're really good at kissing. Sure you've never done it before?"
Mikey pulled back and smiled down at her. "Nope. Thought about it. Never got the chance to try it though. Not until I tripped over you."
Cat laughed and pulled him back down for another kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. By the time they finally gave it a rest, coming to a mutual agreement that they shouldn't take it much further, the movie was already halfway over.
"So how are we going to make this work?" Mikey asked, shifting his weight towards the back of the couch.
Cat rolled forward, allowing him to slide in behind her. "Just like that," she murmured. Lying on his side, Mikey slid his arm around Cat and pulled her back against him, circling a strong arm around her. He grabbed a pillow that had fallen to the floor earlier and put it underneath their heads as the ominous music reached a dramatic crescendo signaling yet another killing was about to take place.
"So you put this movie in because you've seen it a million times and knew that you would be occupied with something else, right?" Mikey asked, nuzzling her neck.
Cat smiled, moving further into his protective embrace. "How'd you guess?"
"We think alike."
Sharing a tired laugh they settled comfortably and turned their attention back to the movie. By the time the credits rolled they were fast asleep.
*~*~*~*~*
Yawning as she rubbed the aching small of her back, Summer stood at the counter in the kitchen, wearing a pair of pajama pants and a sweater and pouring herself a glass of apple juice. She allowed her mind to play over last night, smiling as she remembered how gentle Raph had been with her, massaging her feet, whispering words that he would never utter in public, his hands playing over her body as if it were the finest instrument on earth.
"Hey there Summer time," Amy said cheerfully as she entered the kitchen wearing a pair of jeans and a simple blue t-shirt.
Summer blushed, feeling like she had been caught doing something she shouldn't be doing. "Morning."
Amy opened a cupboard and pulled out a glass. "I'm guessing by that red in your cheeks that last night went well?" she said, laughing when Summers cheeks brightened.
"Oh you should talk," Summer muttered. She playfully smacked the younger woman's arm. "Where exactly did you stay last night?"
"She went with Leo to his room and that's the last we heard of the old gal!" Cat exclaimed, strutting into the kitchen.
Summer laughed and leaned against the counter, taking a long sip of her apple juice. "And we all know where you were Cat. Found you cuddled up in Mikey's arms on the couch this morning."
Cat merely smiled and twirled around in a happy circle. "Oh! He's so wonderful! I never saw this comin' when you invited us here Summer but I couldn't be happier. He's so funny and his personality is amazing and...god is he ever a great kisser!" she exclaimed, her dark brown eyes sparkling.
Amy and Summer laughed at the younger woman's enthusiasm. "I know that feeling," Amy admitted softly.
Summer turned to her, cocking her head to the side. "Really? You and Leo hit it off good then?"
Amy sighed, her lips turning up in a secretive smile. "Better then good. He's wonderful Summer. Why didn't you tell us these guys were so great?"
"No kidding," Cat agreed, coming to stand beside them. "Guys like them don't even exist anymore."
Summer pushed herself off the counter, grabbing the carton of apple juice after both Cat and Amy had filled a glass for themselves and crossing the floor to the fridge. "I warned you two. I told you they were charming and polite," she reminded them, putting the juice back in the fridge. "So you knew what to expect when-." Her voice cut off, replaced by a wounded gasp as Summer doubled over holding her stomach.
"Summer?" Amy cried in alarm, placing her glass on the counter and rushing across the kitchen. She wrapped her arm around her friend who was now kneeling on the floor, her brows drawn in pain. "Summer, are you okay?"
Summer lifted her head, opening glazed eyes and staring up at the raven-haired woman. "I think..it's time." She moaned as her stomach convulsed. "Yeah, defiantly time."
"Oh Christ," Cat muttered, her face draining of color. "Now? You're going into labor now?!" she half shouted, panic edging her voice. "Oh good cow..good freakin cow!!"
Summer couldn't help laughing at the girl's expression. Amy had told her about the strange combination of words Cat often used when she was upset or freaked out by something. "Calm down Catey. I think I can freak out enough for the both of us." She doubled over once more as another harsh pain gripped her in its vice like clutches. "I need you...to be calm." She took several labored breaths, gripping Amy's hand tightly. "Tell the guys. We need to get to the hospital."
Cat was on it before the words had even left her mouth. She ran out of the kitchen, startling the four turtles lounging in front of the TV. "Whoa, Cat honey. What's up? You look pretty freaked."
Cat's eyes were wide as she shook her head back and forth. She couldn't believe this was happening. People were supposed to be in hospitals when this kind of stuff happened! "Summer's going into labor!" she yelped. "We need to get her to the hospital now."
"You're kidding right?" Mikey asked, his eyes wide in shock, mirroring the look on Donny and Leo's faces. Raph was already up, running for the kitchen. He had his emotions under control. Or at least he thought he did until he saw the woman he loved hanging heavily on Amy, her face contorted in pain. "Ahh shit," he muttered, rushing to her side. "Summer baby, you okay?"
She nodded weakly, trying to smile but failing miserably. "Yeah. Just didn't expect it to hit this hard, ya know?"
Raph chuckled softy, forcing himself to remain calm for her sake. Inside he was terrified. He didn't know how these things went. He had known it was going to happen any day now but he had never known what to expect. "You're okay babe. We'll get you to the hospital and you'll be fine." He slipped an arm under hers, wrapping it tightly around her waist and helping Amy assist her out of the kitchen.
"I just..I wish you could come with me sweetie," Summer said.
Raph shook his head. He couldn't do that. He wanted to. God did he ever, but he just couldn't. Too public. Way too many people. "You're gonna be fine Summer. I promise."
"I called a cab," Leo said when they entered the living room. "They should be waiting up top."
Raph motioned for Cat to take his place, which she did after a deep calming breath. "Take her. Call us when you get there and let us know what's going on." He turned to face Summer, cradling her face with his hand. "I love you baby, you know that right?"
The auburn haired woman smiled and nodded. "And I love you Raph. With all my heart. Hopefully I'll be able to bring our daughter home tomorrow."
"Yeah you will. You'll be out of there in no time," he reassured her. Then he backed away. "Go," he instructed, watching the two women guide Summer up the stairs.
He stood there for a long time even after they had disappeared. He wasn't sure what to do. Sitting around and waiting seemed almost impossible.
"Raph," a voice said behind him, followed by a hand on his shoulder. He turned to face Leo, not knowing at all what to say. But Leo did. He always did. "She'll be fine Raph. She's a strong girl. Let's just relax and wait it out, okay?"
Raph hesitated, his gaze once again going to the stairs. "Yeah," he said, sighing. "Okay Leo. We'll wait."
*~*~*~*~*
Charity moved about the room with practiced ease. Her curly copper red hair was pulled up away from her face, revealing startling blue eyes that were shades lighter then the blue scrubs that covered her tall, thin figure. She checked the IV and the stats on the machine beside her patient's bed then smiled down at the young woman who she had become friends with over the past three weeks. Every time she had come in to have her regular check up they had chatted away like they were the oldest of friends. "How are you holding up honey?" She asked, concern flashing in her eyes.
Summer gave her a pitiful smile. "I'd be much better if she were out of me Charity."
"It's gonna come out, isn't it? Sometime soon I mean?" A younger woman, who had been introduced to her as Catey said, looking apprehensive.
"Yes Catey," she said in an encouraging tone. "She'll come out soon. It should only take a bit longer. The doctor will be in to check on you soon and see how far along you are."
"Thanks Charity, I..oh crap-." Summer gritted her teeth together, steeling herself for the contraction that was slowly creeping up on her.
Cat had one hand already so Charity quickly took the other. "Here we go sweetie. Now just breath okay?"
Summer released a humorless laugh. "Easier said then done." And it was. This contraction came faster and harder then the previous few, seizing her body and forcing her to cry out. It took forever but finally it passed, leaving Summer panting, her forehead beaded with sweat.
The door opened and Amy came in with a small orange cup in her hand. "Ice chips?" she said, crossing the floor and standing beside Cat.
Summer nodded gratefully but made no attempt to take the cup. Her hands still gripped the sheets at her side.
"Summer time, you okay?" Amy asked. She glanced back and forth between Charity and Cat, expecting an answer as to why their friend had become so quiet but got none. "Summer honey," she said again, bending over and brushing a limp lock of auburn hair out of the pregnant woman's face. "What's wrong?"
Tears collected in Summers eyes. "I'm really scared Ames," she whispered. A tiny sob momentarily wracked her body as she raised pleading eyes to her friend. "I want Raph."
"We can't do that honey. You know that."
The door creaked open again, this time admitting the doctor, a young man with black hair and a kind face. "Summer," he said, walking up to the bed and checking her chart. "How are we doing?"
"Crappy," Summer muttered, drawing a shuddering breath. She looked back at Amy. Reaching out she grabbed the other woman's hand. She had to make her listen. "Amy, I need him here! I'm scared out of my mind. Please..please Amy. Call him and tell him to come," she begged, tears escaping from the corner of her eyes and trickling down her flushed cheeks.
Amy cast an uneasy look in the doctor direction then at Charity. "They wont understand Summer."
Well then, she would make them understand. Falling back on her skills as an attorney, Summers eyes hardened with determination and she faced the doctor. "Doc. I don't want to sound like a bitch but my honey is coming here to be with me. I need him here to get though this. He's not exactly what you would call a regular human being so please refrain from acting too shocked. In fact, I only want you and Charity in the room. Can that be done?"
The doctor looked at her uneasily. He knew who this woman was by reputation alone and knew that whatever she had to say he had better listen to her. "It can be done. It would be much easier with a few extra hands in here to help out but considering that you're coming along fine and I can see no sign of complications two people is enough to get the job done."
"Good. Amy, go call Raph. Give him the room number and tell him to get his ass over here. I don't care how he gets in. He can use the damn window for all I care. He had no problem with doing it whenever I was in my apartment. Doc, don't speak a word of this to anyone please. Word of their existence cannot get out. Do we have a deal?"
The doctor nodded slowly, not liking what he was agreeing too but not seeing a reason as to why he should go against her wishes.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Summer nodded to Amy and the younger woman quickly left the room. She closed her eyes, forcing the tears back. She was scared and she needed Raph. She needed to draw from his strength. She had never expected going into labor to feel like this. It hurt like hell. And it was about to get worse. Sucking in a deep breath she twisted her hands in the sheets. "Here we go again."
*~*~*~*~*
Raph was pacing. It had been years since he had done it but he was pacing now, his patients wearing thin, almost to the point of breaking. What was going on? They had only received one phone call from Amy telling them that they had made it okay and that Summer was being taken to a room. But nothing since and it had been well over two hours now. Raph was going to loose it. He wasn't the kind of guy who liked waiting for things to happen. He was all about knowing what was going on and when. Now he knew nothing and that frustrated him more then he could say.
The phone rang and he stopped dead in his tracks. About damn time.
Donny, being the closest to the phone, reached over and picked it up. "Hello? Yeah...uh huh. Okay, calm down Amy. I don't know..I don't know. Here, why don't you ask him?" Donny turned to Raph and held up the phone. "It's for you bro."
Raph crossed the room and took the phone from Donny. "Yeah?"
"Raph, it's Amy. Listen, um..Summer's not doing too great. I mean, she's coming along well and everything but she's scared...and she wants you here. She said she doesn't care how you get here but she wants to see you. We're in room 225. Can you make it?"
"In ten minutes," Raph said without hesitation.
"Alright. I'll tell Summer you're coming. Don't worry about being found out or anything like that. Summer took care of it."
"Alright Ames. We're leaving right now. See you in a bit." He hung up the phone and went of the coat rack next to the entrance, grabbing his worn trench coat and shrugging it on.
"Raph, you're actually going?" Donny asked.
The red masked turtle turned to his brother, pulling his hat on. "She needs me Donny. You expect me to say no to her?"
Donny was silent for a moment, studying him warily. "Alright. But I'm going with you. Someone's got to watch your back."
"What about Leo and Mikey?" Raph asked, already heading for the stairs.
Donny grabbed his coat and hat, following Raph out. "Their training. I'll call them when we get there so they don't worry."
"Sounds good. Lets go."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Summer sagged back against the pillows, her hair damp with her own sweat, her body almost drained of its strength. God when was it going to be over? She had no idea how much longer she could keep this up. The contractions were coming faster. The pain was more intense. It almost felt like it was just way too much.
"Here honey, suck on this," Charity said, handing her an ice chip. Summer took it and ran it along her parched lips, sighing as the cooling liquid seeped into her mouth. "It wont be much longer now, okay?"
"I just want Raph to be here," Summer whimpered, knowing she sounded pitiful and not caring. She was having a baby, she was in pain, and she had a right to sound pitiful.
"Your wish is granted!" A voice called as the door swung open. Amy walked into the room smiling brightly, two figures concealed in trench coats following close behind her. "Luckily everyone was too busy to notice them so they got in without a single strange look."
"Raph!" Summer cried, relief flooding through her. "Oh god honey, I'm so glad you came."
Raphael discarded his hat and coat, ignoring the shocked gasps of the doctor and nurse as he went to Summers side. "Hey hun. You look like hell," he said, grinning down at her.
Summer laughed softly. "Ever one for the romantic words." She took one of his hands and placed a kiss on it. "Thank you for coming here."
"You know I'd do anything for you baby. I could never say no to a beautiful face like yours," he murmured, gently brushing her damp hair out of her face.
Donny watched his brother with Summer for a while before he started feeling as if some one was watching him. He looked up, noticing for the first time the nurse on the other side of the bed. She was staring at him with wide blue eyes, a small smile curving her pink lips. Wild copper colored curls framed her face and a natural blush infused her high cheekbones. Donny had never taken a particular interest in red heads before but he had to admit that this one was very beautiful. Realizing that he was staring he quickly looked down, hoping that she wouldn't see him blushing. She must have though because a moment later she was at his side.
"So you're Donny right?" she asked in a smooth, husky voice.
Startled, he looked up into a pair of dancing crystal blue eyes. "How did you-?"
"Summer's told me about you guys. Not that you were.." She looked him up and down. "You know, but she told me about you."
He looked at her curiously, amused that she didn't seem surprised by the fact that she was standing next to a mutant. "How did you figure out I was Donny?"
She smiled, her gaze quickly flickering to Summer then back to him. "Well, she said Mikey was the big kid of all of you, Leo was the quite one, Raph...well, I pretty much figured out it was him when she said his name. So I figured out who you were by a process of elimination."
Donny chuckled. "Nice. So that would make you Charity then, right?" She gave him a look that clearly said how. "Summer told us about you too. Not very much but she said you were her nurse and that you guys had made plans to go out to lunch when you were both free." What came out of his mouth next was completely unplanned and very out of character for Donny. "She never told me you were cute though."
Charity's blue eyes widened in surprise and her full lips curved up in an impish smile. She opened her mouth to respond when an anguished moan arose from the bed where Summer lay, holding Raph's hand in a death grip. "We'll talk about this later," Charity said, winking at him then quickly turning her attention where it was needed.
"Okay, now when I tell you to Summer I want you to push," the doctor was saying.
Summer's eyes were screwed shut, her teeth gritted against the pain that tore into her. Raph sat beside her with his arm wrapped tightly around her trembling shoulders. "Come on Summer. You can do this sweetie," he murmured, carefully keeping his eyes trained on her face. There was no way in hell he was going to watch what the doctor was doing. He had a feeling it would make him sick and that was the last thing Summer needed right now.
She whimpered pitifully, her hand tightening around his. "Can I push now?" she pleaded, casting the doctor an imploring glance.
The doctor nodded. "Yes, now."
In a matter of minutes childish crying filled the room, mingling with the gasps of its occupants and the joyful cry of the new mother. The doctor, after cutting the small child free from its mother, handed Charity the wailing infant and she took it across the room to clean and weigh her. Wrapping the little girl in a soft pink blanket, she returned to Summers side and gently placed the infant in her mothers waiting arms. "See Summer, was that so bad?"
Summer gave a tired laugh. "Yeah." She looked down at her tiny daughter who had calmed and was now staring back at her curiously. "But it was worth it," she whispered, her heart filling with joy and love that she had never known before. The baby had a downy patch of beautiful auburn hair and deep green/blue eyes. Summer couldn't pick out a single feature that had come from the child's father and she was grateful for that. Stan had been a good man, but she had never loved him. Turning her eyes to Raph, her heart caught when she saw him gazing tenderly down at the tiny infant in her arms. "Honey, do you want to hold your daughter?" she asked.
"Yeah," Raph said quietly, allowing Summer to place the tiny bundle in his arms.
Summer smiled as she watched them. It was very obvious that Raph was going to make a wonderful dad. True he wasn't the child's biological father but they had talked about it and Raph had told her that he didn't mind helping her with the child at all. "It would be kinda cool to be called dad," he had said.
"She's beautiful hun. What are we going to name her?" Raph asked, smiling when the baby wrapped her tiny hand around his finger.
Summer rested her head on his shoulder and lifted a hand to delicately brush her daughters soft hair. "Hope," she said softly.
Raph lifted his head, waiting for her to look up. Without moving her head from his shoulder she tilted it to the side, lifting her vibrant green gaze to meet his. "Hope huh?"
The auburn hair woman nodded, her eyes turning suspiciously bright. "Because that's all I had to go on when I was away from you."
"Summer," he murmured, rocked to the very core of his being by her sweet words. He stared down into her beautiful face and could only think about how lucky he was to have her, to have their daughter. Life didn't get much better then this. "I love you."
Summer smiled peacefully, lifting her head and placing a gentle kiss on his lips. "I love you too Raphael." She looked down at Hope sleeping soundly in her father's arms and knew that she had never felt this happy in her life. She was with the man she loved and they were staring down at the miracle that was their daughter. "We're a family now," she whispered, brushing a thumb lightly over Hope's forehead.
Raph thought for a moment, letting the words sink in and then he smiled, tightening his arm around Summer's shoulders. "Feels pretty damn good."
* * * Disclaimer: All I own is Catey, Summer, Amy and Charity. The turtles, not mine!! Never were or will be! * * *
*~* Family *~*
In her deep state of sleep, Summer Heston hardly heard the quiet chirping of her cell phone. She would have missed it completely had she not been gently nudged into a state of semi-consciousness. "You're phone's ringin'," a deep male voice murmured sleepily from beside her.
Summer reached over, grabbed the ringing phone off the nightstand and flipped it open. "Hello?"
"Four in the afternoon and you're sleeping?" a cheerful voice with a genteel southern twang replied.
Summer smiled. "It's called a nap Amy," she corrected her assistant and best friend from Memphis. "So where are you?"
"We just got off the plane. We're going to swing by the apartment, drop some things off and then we'll be on our way over. How's your honey?"
Summer's smile brightened as she looked down at the sleeping turtle beside her, his arm draped loosely above the telltale swell of her stomach. "He's sleeping."
"Not any more," he muttered with a grin.
"Okay, so he's not sleeping anymore. How long do you think you'll be?" she asked, once again speaking to Amy.
"Probably an hour and a half," Amy said. "It's not too hectic here so gettin' out of the airport shouldn't be a problem."
"Hey Summer!" A voice suddenly yelled in the background causing Amy to chuckle softly. "Catey says hi."
"Tell her I say meow," Summer joked, picking at an invisible speck of dust on the blanket that covered her raised knees.
"Will do. Okay, I'm to go get a cab so I'll see you in a bit. I can't wait to see the guys! Are you sure they're okay with meeting us? I mean, yeah I've talked to them and all but Cat hasn't and what if-."
In the middle of her tirade Raph snatched the phone away from Summer and rudely interrupted the rambling female. "Amy...shut up, get your stuff dropped off and call us when you're ready, okay? I've told you a hundred times that we're okay with it."
There was a moment of silence before Amy burst out laughing. "Sorry Raph. I just worry. Gosh you've got a purty accent!" she teased, laying her own natural southern drawl on thick.
Raph gave the phone a strange look and handed it back to Summer. "She's strange," he stated before burying his face in the pillow once more.
Summer giggled softly. "Me again," she told the woman on the other end.
"Hey you again. We're on our way. I'll see you in a bit. Oh, and um...thanks again Summer. Not just for getting me the job but for letting Cat tag along. She really appreciates it. I'm all she really has now so..this means a lot, to both of us."
"Don't mention it hun. I'll be glad to have you back and I'm looking forward to seeing Cat again. We'll have fun."
"We sure will. Okay, gotta go. Cat's trying to make friends with strangers and they're giving her weird looks. See you soon Summer time!"
"Bye Ames."
Hanging up the phone, Summer placed it back on the nightstand. She laid back against the headboard, closing her eyes to reflect back on the past three weeks. So much had happened and yet she was still...pregnant. It was the middle of summer, the heat was stifling and she...was still..pregnant.
Well, at least Raph understood everything. They'd spent most of the night that she had come back sitting on her old bed and talking. Summer told him everything, not leaving out even the tinniest detail. She was tired of hiding things from him. The strange thing was he took it very well. He had even joked about how much of an ego trip it was that she had experienced what it was like to be with a man and had still wanted to come back to him. So with a collective sigh they had left the past where it had belonged and had happily fallen asleep in each other's arms.
After that things had returned to normal. It was almost as if she had never left. Because of Raph and the fact that the turtle's underground lair was much cooler then her apartment, Summer had spent most of her time there. During that time she had found that she didn't need the intimacy that she had experienced with her baby's father. She fell in love with Raph all over again and in that love she found a confidence and a curiosity that had benefited both of them. Granted they could never be together the way a man and woman could be, but they had found ways around it, experimenting when the heated kisses and passionate embraces just weren't enough. And since Summer didn't have many distractions she had all the time in the world to spend with him.
She didn't have a job to go to at the moment. She was supposed to have started the day after her return to New York but as soon as she had walked in they had taken the time to show her the lavish corner office that was now hers then told her to leave. They had granted her a full ten weeks maternity leave so that she could "adjust to the city and becoming a mother." It was very kind of them so she gladly agreed but only after securing Amy a position as her personal secretary once more. Since she was technically still the owner of Brackston and Brackston not to mention a very well known and powerful attorney they had a great deal of respect for her and the arrangements to have Amy transferred to New York were finished before she had even left the building.
When she had called Amy later that night the young woman had been ecstatic. They quickly made plans for her move. There had only been one minor snag, which resulted in a two-bedroom apartment instead of a one bedroom. That minor snag being Amy's cousin Catey, a feisty 22-year-old blonde from Tennessee that had come to live with her after her last year of college. Most of Cat's family was gone already; having died when she was very young so Amy was all the family she really had left. Of course Summer wasn't one for leaving people out on their own so she had told Amy to bring the younger woman with her.
Once everything was settled there Summer went to face the guys and confess that she had told someone else about them. As she had expected they weren't too happy about it. It had taken a long explanation and a lot of convincing but eventually they had caved. And it was hard for them to stay upset with her because she had been so alone at that point and confiding in the only person to befriend her should have been expected. Mikey also pointed out that the person she had confided in was female and had a cousin his age so they should really try and see the good in the situation. Summer had smacked him for that one.
"Didn't fall asleep again, did you?" Raph's voice broke through her thoughts and she slowly opened vivid green eyes, turning her head and smiling down at him.
"No. I was just thinking," she replied softly.
Raph grinned and pulled her back down, settling her body close to his. "About me?"
Laughing, Summer rested her head on his shoulder, nuzzling his neck with her nose. "When am I not thinking about you? Wait, scratch that. God forbid your ego should get any bigger," she said laughingly. "I was just thinking about everything that's happened. And..you know, wondering when the hell she's going to get out of me," she muttered, gesturing to her stomach.
"You're not gonna miss havin' her in there?" Summer gave her red masked turtle an incredulous look and he laughed. "Guess not."
"You try carrying around something this big for months and see how hot you feel," Summer muttered, her hand unconsciously lifting to pass protectively over her stomach.
Raph smiled and tightened his arm around her. "Aw honey, I think you look hot either way. Pregnant, not pregnant, makes not difference to me."
"You're such a sweetie," She stretched tiredly, rubbing her foot against his calf.
Raph listened to the sound of her steady breathing, idly toying with a strand of her flaxen hair as the minutes slowly ticked by. When it became apparent that Summer wasn't going to say anything more he looked down to find her fast asleep. Smiling, he pulled the covers up around them quickly joined her in oblivious slumber.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"So like, you're sure these two know where they're going right?" Mikey asked, watching Raph as he helped Summer up from the ladder and into the tunnel they were currently standing in.
The striking auburn haired woman leaned heavily against Raph and nodded. "Yeah. And if they don't, that's what the cell phone is for." They started walking to where they were going to meet up with Amy and Catey. It was just Mikey, Raph and Summer. Leo and Donnie had decided to stay back at the lair and clean up a bit for their new guests.
As the trio walked through the long, gloomy tunnel Summer started feeling a cramp in her lower abdomen. At first it was nothing, a nagging sensation that was more annoying then painful. Chalking it up to an upset stomach, Summer ignored the tiny pang, or at least she tried to until it became more of a sharp, stabbing feeling. When the pain became too much she halted, pulling Raph to a stop and clutching at his muscular arm.
"You okay?" he asked, immediate concern showing in his eyes.
Summer took several deep breaths, her hand massaging the spot where the pain seamed to stem from. It wouldn't help thought. The pain only seemed to get worse. "I-I think she's mad at me," she managed, adding a small laugh to reassure him. "It's probably nothing to worry about." As she spoke the pain seemed to lessen slightly and she straightened, forcing what she hoped was a convincing smile to her lips.
But they weren't buying it. She could see that. The skeptical looks on their faces said it all. "I'm fine guys, really. It's probably just an upset stomach okay?"
"Yeah right," Mikey remarked dryly, turning and continuing on down the tunnel. "You say that now but I bet with our luck you'll go into labor in about two min-." The young turtles voice cut off with a startled yelp when a figure came around the corner and collided with him. In a mess of flailing limbs and muffled curses the two went down, landing in a heap on the cold concrete floor. "What the hell?" Mikey muttered.
He opened his mouth, not even entirely sure of what he was going to say and found himself lost in the softest chocolate brown eyes he had ever seen. Fringed with thick lashes the startled russet colored orbs stared down at him. Long blonde honey colored hair cascaded around his face, closing the rest of the world off like a curtain of gold. "Hi there," the woman said in a soft, southern accented voice.
"Hey," Mikey replied, making no attempt to move. Why move anyway? It wasn't like she weighed that much. She was a tiny thing really he thought feeling her warm body pressed against his.
"Hey Cat, you want to let Mikey up?" Summer's voice called, laden with suppressed laughter.
The girl quickly scrambled off of him, saying a warm hello to Summer and he got his first good look at her entire body. She was short, probably close to his height. Her legs were encased in a pair of dark blue jeans that flared over her deep tan cowboy boots. A tight shirt of tan suede the same color as her boots was worn underneath a long jean jacket that hung to the back of her knees and had sleeves that flared at the cuff and were tied together with strips of leather. She regarded him with a coy smirk, her chocolate eyes sparkling warmly. And that smile right there was all it took. For the first time since April had come into their lives, Mikey looked at a woman and defiantly liked what he saw.
Unfortunately his feelings didn't go unnoticed. Walking up behind Summer, Raph wrapped his arms around her and smiled at the dumbfounded look on his brothers face. "I think poor Mikey just fell," he muttered.
Summer laughed softly. "Kind of like you did all those years ago?" she asked, dropping her head back against his shoulder.
"Nah, I fell harder," he murmured, brushing a tender kiss at the base of her neck.
"So this is the guy I've been hearing so much about," yet another accented voice said. A woman with short black hair and soft violet eyes moved out of the shadows wearing a simple black skirt and a blue satin shirt that was buttoned down the front with tiny pearls.
"Amy!" Summer squealed, giving Raph a quick kiss and rushing forward to embrace her best friend. "Oh it's so good to see you again!"
Amy hugged the auburn haired woman back enthusiastically. "It's good to see you too hun. Memphis just isn't the same without you. But I guess I don't have to worry about that anymore, do I?" She backed away and looked at the person who had become such a valuable friend to her so long ago. She looked so much happier now, like she had finally found peace in life. Amy had Raphael to thank for that and she had every intention of doing so but only after a thorough inspection of Summer. "I can't believe you're still pregnant honey."
"Well I think it fits her. I've always heard how pregnant women are supposed to glow and honey, you are defiantly glowing," Catey said, coming up to stand beside the two women. "Summer, you going to introduce us to your friends?"
"I think you've already met Mikey," Summer said, smiling when the younger blond woman blushed and sent a shy look in the orange masked turtles direction. "And this," Summer reached back, taking Raph's hand and giving him a loving smile. "Is Raphael."
Amy stepped forward, a bright smile on her face. "It's nice to finally meet the guy that Summer has talked about non-stop for years. And I think I owe you a thank you. She's never looked so happy before," she said kindly, holding out a well-manicured hand.
She was fearless, just as Summer had been when they had met her for the first time. Raph had to admire her for that. She didn't scream, she didn't faint, she just smiled and greeted him with a calm air that reminded him way too much of Leo. He took her outstretched hand and briefly shook it. "Nice to meet you too Amy. Summer's told us a lot about you."
"All good I hope," Amy joked. "So where are the other two?"
"Their back at the lair," Summer replied. "We should probably get back before they start to worry. Leo tends to do that a lot."
The Trio, joined by the two women, started back to way they had come. Trailing behind them, Cat studied Mikey intently out of the corner of her eye as he walked along beside her. It was strange, she thought when a nervous flutter started in the pit of her stomach and slowly worked its way through her body, that she should feel a certain attraction towards this green mutant. But she did. He was actually really cute and his eyes held a certain amount of optimism and humor that she couldn't wait to become better acquainted with. "I'm Catey by the way," she murmured softly so that only Mikey could hear her.
He turned to her and smiled. "I'm Mikey. Nice to meet ya."
"Pleasures all mine honey." Where the hell had that come from?? She had never spoken to a guy like that before. Swallowing hard, she dropped her head forward and her hair hid her blushing cheeks from his view.
"All yours huh?" Mikey questioned only adding to her embarrassment. "And here I thought it was mine. I mean, you did like, fall right on top of me."
Cat slowly lifted her head and looked at him, relief pouring through her when she saw the teasing smirk on his face. Feeling slightly bolder then usual she tossed her honey colored hair behind her and her lips curved up in a shy smile. "You know, I'm not sorry about that," she purred.
"Neither am I."
Cat felt something warm brush her hand and looked down, seeing Mikey's hand reaching for hers. With a playful smirk she slipped hers into his and moved closer to him, causing their shoulders to brush lightly. They shared a look and continued to follow the others down the dark tunnel.
It seemed to summer like it took forever to reach the lair but finally they were home. Leo and Donnie, waiting patiently on the couch and watching TV quickly stood when they saw their new guests. Summer had to bite back the laughter that threatened to spill fourth when she saw their interested gazes focus on poor, unsuspecting Amy. It made her wonder briefly why they hadn't even spared a glance for Cat. Summer turned around, looking for the young blond woman and her eyes widened in surprise when she saw her standing by Mikey, one hand clasped in his and the other resting lightly on his chest as they spoke in hushed tones, both grinning like love sick teenagers. No wonder Donny and Leo had taken no sudden interest in the other female Summer though, smiling as she faced the two to make introductions.
Taking Amy's hand, she led the woman over to Donny and Leo. "Okay guys. This is the girl you've been talking to on the phone. Amy, meet Donatello and Leonardo."
The raven-haired woman moved forward, extending her hand first to turtle in the purple mask and offering him a warm smile. "It's nice to be able to put a face with the voice. How's the project coming?" she asked, referring to the computer program he was in the process of creating.
"It's taking a while," Donny answered, gently shaking her hand. "But I expected it to. It's nice to meet you Amy."
"Likewise," she murmured moving on to the turtle in the blue mask that had silently been waiting his turn. Amy looked up into his eyes, not at all surprised that he seemed to be the tallest of the four. He was the leader after all. So this was the one who had shyly flirted with her over the phone, the one who had spoken so passionately about his beliefs and his family that she had, for the slightest moment, wanted to be part of it. As she gazed up at him a warm feeling spread through her that had nothing to do with the heat. She started to want it again, to be part of his family, to be..with him. Her thoughts were startling to her but not entirely unpleasant. "Leonardo," she said softly, admiration ringing in her tone.
"Welcome to our home Amy," Leo said, lightly clasping her hand. He held it a moment longer then necessary but Amy didn't mind at all. Noticing this, Donny rolled his eyes and left the two alone, joining Summer and Raph. "So who's the other one?" he asked.
Summer looked over her shoulder, smiling contentedly. "That's Catey. Cat for short. She's Amy's cousin from Tennessee," she explained.
Donny nodded. He wasn't even going to attempt introducing himself to her at the moment. The girl looked pretty occupied at the moment. He watched her as she laughed at something Mikey said and wondered when the hell it was going to be his turn to find a beautiful caring woman who would see him for who he was. All his brothers had miraculously managed to. Yeah, maybe he was jumping ahead a bit but he had seen the way Amy looked at Leo and knew something was going to happen. And Mikey and Cat..there was no questioning that those two had hooked up or were well on their way to. Sighing, he turned on his heal and said over his shoulder in a dull voice, "I'll be in the lab."
"Donny-," Summer called, lifting her hand in an attempt to stop him.
"Let him go," Raph said.
Summer sighed and shook her head slowly. "I didn't know this was going to happen. I mean, I'm happy for Mikey and Leo but I didn't mean for-."
Raph cut her off, pulling her body back against his and wrapping his arms tightly around her. The tension immediately left her in a sudden rush and she dropped her head back onto his shoulder, turning to brush her lips against his neck. "It's not your fault hun. And Donny'll get over it. Just give him time, okay?"
"Okay," she whispered, brushing her fingers lightly over his arm. "We should probably take them to meet Splinter."
Raph nodded, closing his eyes and fully enjoying the feel of her fingers against his skin. "When's the last time I told you that I loved you?" she asked in a soft lazy voice.
"About 45 minutes ago before we left."
She turned in his embrace, draping her arms over his shoulders and giving him a sultry smile. Slowly her lips came up to meet his in an achingly tender kiss that set his blood on fire. "I love you," she murmured.
"I love you too. Now quit it." He gently pushed her away, laughing when she stuck out her lower lip and began to pout. "We keep this up and I'm dragging you to the bedroom which would be rude considering that you've got guests here. Go." He motioned to Amy and Cat with a slight jerk of his head. "Play hostess."
"Fine," Summer muttered, reluctantly freeing herself from his warm embrace. "But I'll get you later."
Smiling he followed her across the room. "Oh, I'm counting on it hun."
After having taken it upon themselves to introduce themselves to the turtles they hadn't had a chance to speak to yet, Cat and Amy were led to a small room where the turtle's Sensei was meditating. The two women were very respectful, bowing deeply when they came before him and listening with avid interest to his wise words. As they left, allowing the elderly rat to return to his meditation, Amy hung back. She felt the need to ask him something. Something important to her. She turned and cautiously approached Splinter, delicately clearing her throat to gain his attention.
Opening his aged ebony eyes, he smiled up at her. "Is there something you need my child?"
She knelt beside him, fearlessly reaching out and taking his gnarled hand in hers. It may have seemed like a straightforward gesture and if Splinter thought so he said nothing. It was just that she felt like she knew him very well. From what Summer and Leo had told her she had developed an admiration for the old mutant that had only deepened once she had met him. Her own father had died in Desert Storm when she was a teenager but he had always told her to respect and admire those older then her, especially when they had more knowledge then most. "Master Splinter, I just wanted to thank you again. Meeting you had been an honor. Leonardo speaks very highly of you."
"My son exaggerates," he joked with a light chuckle.
Amy smiled fondly, shaking her head. "He loves you very much. All of your sons do. You can hear it in the way they speak about you. I..I never got the chance to be that close to my father."
"He has passed then?"
She nodded. "Desert Storm." He said nothing, yet she could feel that he was sorry for her loss. She felt oddly comforted by that. Casting her eyes to the floor she thought carefully about what she was going to say next. "I was wondering," she started, looking up into his kind eyes, "if you wouldn't mind...may I come and meditate with you sometime?"
Splinter smiled and patted her hand. "I would enjoy your company Amy. You may come by any time you please."
Amy returned his smile. "Thank you very much. I'd better get back before they start to wonder where I am." She stood and bowed respectively. "Again, it was wonderful to meet you Master Splinter."
"It was a pleasure meeting you as well Amy," he said as he bowed his head, dismissing her.
Amy turned and left, walking slowly out the door and pausing for a moment, trying to remember which way the living room was. Probably where all the voices were coming from.
"That was a really nice thing you just did," a voice spoke up behind her.
Amy gasped and whirled around, a hand lifting to rest over her rapidly beating heart. She shot the culprit an accusatory glare. "Leo! You scared the hell out of me!" she murmured softly, unable to ignore the sudden pleasure that pooled within her as her eyes settled on him.
He smiled sheepishly, slowly approaching her. "Sorry. I think I have a bad habit of doing that." He stopped a few inches away from her, studying the raven-haired beauty for a moment before saying, "What you said to Splinter, that was really nice of you. He's taught us everything we need to know so we really haven't been turning to him for help as much as we used to. I think he'll be happy to have a student again."
Amy swallowed hard, unnerved by his nearness and the emotions that suddenly seemed to be swamping her. "I..after listening to the way you and Summer have praised him I just wanted to get to know him better. He's a very kind man. And just by looking at him you can tell how much he knows, how much he could teach you." The anxiety calmed as she became more impassioned in her speech, showing off a side of herself that she usually tried to keep hidden. "Summer has actually slipped up when talking about him and referred to him as father. Did you know that? I guess..I never knew my father that well and Splinters so wise. I could learn so much from him. I know it sounds greedy but I want to get to know him like Summer did. You've spoken about him so many times and I feel like I know him..and." She looked up, the apprehension once again slamming into her with the force of a semi. "And you," she added softly.
Leo stared at the young woman in shock, wondering if he had even heard her right. It wasn't just that she had said she felt like she knew him, it was the way she said it, her voice turning all soft and husky and her gorgeous violet eyes filling with an emotion he had only hoped to see. He hadn't even known her eyes were violet until tonight. The moment he had seen her, the entire world seemed to stop. She was beautiful. He'd never seen such a strikingly attractive woman before. And to make matters worse he had fallen for her before even meeting her. He had caught Summer's phone ringing several times in the dead of night when she and Raph were fast asleep. It had always turned out to be Amy needing someone to talk to, someone to confide her fears in. Of course Leo had been more then happy to help. Now, with her standing right in front of him, vulnerability written clearly in her eyes, it was impossible to deny the fact that he was very attracted to her. "I feel like I know you too," he confessed.
Amy smiled at that, her full lips parting over perfect white teeth. "You remember that night we stayed up talking until three in the morning?"
"Yeah," Leo said, chuckling at the memory. "You heard something in your apartment and got scared so I spent the entire night talking you down and making you laugh."
Moving closer to him, propelled forward by something deep within her that longed to be near him, Amy turned her head to the side and regarded him curiously. "I..never got a chance to thank you for that," she whispered. Holy crap! What the hell was she doing? Whatever it was she wasn't in control of herself and she really didn't want to be. It felt too right. Besides she had spent her entire life listening to her heart. Why stop now? "I mean, thank you properly."
Leo's eyes went wide, hearing the underlining implication in her words. Her soft violet eyes turned dark with what he could only assume was passion. "Amy, are you sure you want to do this?" he asked, his hand already reaching up and resting lightly on her waist.
"I've been talking to you on the phone for weeks. I feel like I know you..and you're the kindest, sweetest and most honest guy I have ever met. Yeah." She leaned up, her arms sliding around his neck. "I want to do this."
Leo closed his eyes and surrendered to her, knowing that he wouldn't have been able to stop himself even if she had said she wasn't sure. Her lips brushed his hesitantly, then came back more determined, her arms tightening around his neck as she deepened the kiss.
"Whoa..sorry guys! Didn't know I'd be interrupting anything."
Leo and Amy jumped apart, whipping around simultaneously to face a very smug looking Raphael. "And here I thought I was the only one gettin' some action," he quipped.
Amy ducked her head, attempting to hide the adorable blush that stained her porcelain cheeks.
"Cut it out Raph," Leo said, smiling at his younger brother. "What do you want?"
"We're watching a movie. You two in or..ahh..did you want me to turn around and act like I never say ya?"
Leo turned to Amy, lifting a hand and tilting her chin up with his fingers. "You want to watch a movie?" he asked, winking at her.
A bright smile curved her full lips and she nodded. "Sure."
"Alright," he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Let's go."
Raph rolled his eyes, hardly containing his laughter and led the way back to the living room. Cat and Mikey looked up from their spots on the couch as the three entered. "Where were you guys?" Cat asked, turning around and draping her arms over the back of the couch.
"If you only knew," Raph said, laughing as he disappeared into the kitchen.
"I was talking to Splinter. Leo was waiting for me," Amy said too quickly, flinching when Mikey and Cat exchanged a knowing look. "So what are we watching?"
Cat sat up proudly, giving her a goofy grin. "I'm your Huckleberry," she drawled, her deep chocolate eyes sparkling mischievously.
"God Cat, you never get enough of that movie do you?" Amy asked as she walked around the couch and sat down next to her cousin. Leo sat down beside Amy, placing his arm on the back of the couch behind her.
"Hey! Tombstone was the best movie ever made in my opinion. No one plays a better Doc then Val Kilmer," Cat argued, snatching up the remote and pressing play. As the movie started, Donny came to join, taking a seat in a chair off to the left of the couch and leaving the love seat open for Raph and Summer who joined them a few minutes later with a full bag of popcorn.
Halfway through the movie Summer was snuggled up close to Raph paying zero attention to the movie as they exchanged lazy kisses. Leo's arm had moved from the back of the couch to Amy's shoulders and Amy was pressed tightly against him, her head resting on his shoulder. Cat was comfortable as could be with her arm resting over Mikey's stomach and her leg draped over one of his, the other one tucked up underneath her. Mikey's hand traced slow easy patterns over her arm, his attention for the most part focused on the movie.
When the movie came to an end Raph stood, helping Summer up and pulling her into his arms. "We're ahh..going to bed," he said, pulling Summer towards their bedroom. "Night guys."
Summer giggled as he pulled her along, unable to keep herself from stumbling because he was holding her too close and her feet kept bumping into his. "Night guys. Leo, Mikey, I trust you'll find them places to sleep."
"No problem Summer, we got it covered!" Mikey said, laughing as he watched the two disappear into their room.
Leo yawned, stretching his arms above his head. "I think I'm going to turn in too guys." He looked down at Amy. "Did you..want to come with me? We could stay up and talk."
"Talk my ass," Mikey muttered, earning himself a halfhearted glare from his brother and Amy.
Leo stood, offering a hand to Amy. "Yeah, I'll go with you," she murmured, taking his hand and allowing him to lead her out of the room.
"Well, that leaves you and me babe," Mikey said, looking down at the gorgeous blonde cradled in his arm. "You want to watch another movie?"
Cat pushed herself up, dragging a hand through her straight blonde locks. Her eyes scanned the video selection, looking for something that was scary and interesting, but not interesting enough that you would get lost in it. She had other plans and they did not at all involve watching a movie. Little did she know though that Mikey's mind was on the same track.
"How about Scream?" they said at the same time, looking at each other and laughing.
"Scream it is then," Cat said, sliding off the couch and crawling across the floor to where the movies were lined up on a shelf below the TV. She slid the movie from its case and put it in the VCR, going back to the couch. As the creepy music started up she moved close to Mikey, resting her head on his shoulder and smiling has his arm came around her. In the movie the actress answered the phone, playing the flirt as she talked unsuspectingly to the killer on the other end.
Cat chewed on her bottom lip, paying little notice to the movie as her mind turned crazy circles, thinking of different things she and Mikey could be doing right now and how exactly she could make those things happen. Suddenly Mikey's arms tightened around her and in a flurry of movement Cat found herself lying full length on the couch, staring up at Mikey with wide eyes as his body rested on top of hers. "So what's you're favorite scary movie?" he asked, his voice low, wreaking havoc upon her senses.
She smiled, rubbing her leg against his suggestively. "Show girls," she quoted, laughing softly.
Mikey leaned in closer, his face only inches away. Cat's heart pounded in response to his nearness, her body reacting to his in a way it had never responded to any other mans. Then his lips were at her neck, pressing softly, driving her to mindless abandon. Screaming echoed softly from the TV, mingling with the small moan that swept past her parted lips.
"Too fast?" Mikey whispered against her neck.
Cat shook her head lethargically from side to side. "No. Perfect," she whispered, "I would only change one thing."
"What that?"
She raised her hands, placing them on either side of his face and guiding his mouth to hers. "You should be kissing me." She pressed a butterfly kiss upon his lips and smiled. "Not my neck."
Mikey laughed. "You make a pretty good point babe." His lips came down on hers, gently coaxing them apart and deepening the kiss. Cat sighed, stretching luxuriously beneath him, rubbing her leg against his as smoldering passion consumed her. His arms came around her, one sliding beneath her head and providing her with a pillow of sorts and the other resting on her hip, his thumb gently rubbing the bare skin just above the waist line of her low cut jeans.
"You know," Cat purred in between kisses. "You're really good at kissing. Sure you've never done it before?"
Mikey pulled back and smiled down at her. "Nope. Thought about it. Never got the chance to try it though. Not until I tripped over you."
Cat laughed and pulled him back down for another kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. By the time they finally gave it a rest, coming to a mutual agreement that they shouldn't take it much further, the movie was already halfway over.
"So how are we going to make this work?" Mikey asked, shifting his weight towards the back of the couch.
Cat rolled forward, allowing him to slide in behind her. "Just like that," she murmured. Lying on his side, Mikey slid his arm around Cat and pulled her back against him, circling a strong arm around her. He grabbed a pillow that had fallen to the floor earlier and put it underneath their heads as the ominous music reached a dramatic crescendo signaling yet another killing was about to take place.
"So you put this movie in because you've seen it a million times and knew that you would be occupied with something else, right?" Mikey asked, nuzzling her neck.
Cat smiled, moving further into his protective embrace. "How'd you guess?"
"We think alike."
Sharing a tired laugh they settled comfortably and turned their attention back to the movie. By the time the credits rolled they were fast asleep.
*~*~*~*~*
Yawning as she rubbed the aching small of her back, Summer stood at the counter in the kitchen, wearing a pair of pajama pants and a sweater and pouring herself a glass of apple juice. She allowed her mind to play over last night, smiling as she remembered how gentle Raph had been with her, massaging her feet, whispering words that he would never utter in public, his hands playing over her body as if it were the finest instrument on earth.
"Hey there Summer time," Amy said cheerfully as she entered the kitchen wearing a pair of jeans and a simple blue t-shirt.
Summer blushed, feeling like she had been caught doing something she shouldn't be doing. "Morning."
Amy opened a cupboard and pulled out a glass. "I'm guessing by that red in your cheeks that last night went well?" she said, laughing when Summers cheeks brightened.
"Oh you should talk," Summer muttered. She playfully smacked the younger woman's arm. "Where exactly did you stay last night?"
"She went with Leo to his room and that's the last we heard of the old gal!" Cat exclaimed, strutting into the kitchen.
Summer laughed and leaned against the counter, taking a long sip of her apple juice. "And we all know where you were Cat. Found you cuddled up in Mikey's arms on the couch this morning."
Cat merely smiled and twirled around in a happy circle. "Oh! He's so wonderful! I never saw this comin' when you invited us here Summer but I couldn't be happier. He's so funny and his personality is amazing and...god is he ever a great kisser!" she exclaimed, her dark brown eyes sparkling.
Amy and Summer laughed at the younger woman's enthusiasm. "I know that feeling," Amy admitted softly.
Summer turned to her, cocking her head to the side. "Really? You and Leo hit it off good then?"
Amy sighed, her lips turning up in a secretive smile. "Better then good. He's wonderful Summer. Why didn't you tell us these guys were so great?"
"No kidding," Cat agreed, coming to stand beside them. "Guys like them don't even exist anymore."
Summer pushed herself off the counter, grabbing the carton of apple juice after both Cat and Amy had filled a glass for themselves and crossing the floor to the fridge. "I warned you two. I told you they were charming and polite," she reminded them, putting the juice back in the fridge. "So you knew what to expect when-." Her voice cut off, replaced by a wounded gasp as Summer doubled over holding her stomach.
"Summer?" Amy cried in alarm, placing her glass on the counter and rushing across the kitchen. She wrapped her arm around her friend who was now kneeling on the floor, her brows drawn in pain. "Summer, are you okay?"
Summer lifted her head, opening glazed eyes and staring up at the raven-haired woman. "I think..it's time." She moaned as her stomach convulsed. "Yeah, defiantly time."
"Oh Christ," Cat muttered, her face draining of color. "Now? You're going into labor now?!" she half shouted, panic edging her voice. "Oh good cow..good freakin cow!!"
Summer couldn't help laughing at the girl's expression. Amy had told her about the strange combination of words Cat often used when she was upset or freaked out by something. "Calm down Catey. I think I can freak out enough for the both of us." She doubled over once more as another harsh pain gripped her in its vice like clutches. "I need you...to be calm." She took several labored breaths, gripping Amy's hand tightly. "Tell the guys. We need to get to the hospital."
Cat was on it before the words had even left her mouth. She ran out of the kitchen, startling the four turtles lounging in front of the TV. "Whoa, Cat honey. What's up? You look pretty freaked."
Cat's eyes were wide as she shook her head back and forth. She couldn't believe this was happening. People were supposed to be in hospitals when this kind of stuff happened! "Summer's going into labor!" she yelped. "We need to get her to the hospital now."
"You're kidding right?" Mikey asked, his eyes wide in shock, mirroring the look on Donny and Leo's faces. Raph was already up, running for the kitchen. He had his emotions under control. Or at least he thought he did until he saw the woman he loved hanging heavily on Amy, her face contorted in pain. "Ahh shit," he muttered, rushing to her side. "Summer baby, you okay?"
She nodded weakly, trying to smile but failing miserably. "Yeah. Just didn't expect it to hit this hard, ya know?"
Raph chuckled softy, forcing himself to remain calm for her sake. Inside he was terrified. He didn't know how these things went. He had known it was going to happen any day now but he had never known what to expect. "You're okay babe. We'll get you to the hospital and you'll be fine." He slipped an arm under hers, wrapping it tightly around her waist and helping Amy assist her out of the kitchen.
"I just..I wish you could come with me sweetie," Summer said.
Raph shook his head. He couldn't do that. He wanted to. God did he ever, but he just couldn't. Too public. Way too many people. "You're gonna be fine Summer. I promise."
"I called a cab," Leo said when they entered the living room. "They should be waiting up top."
Raph motioned for Cat to take his place, which she did after a deep calming breath. "Take her. Call us when you get there and let us know what's going on." He turned to face Summer, cradling her face with his hand. "I love you baby, you know that right?"
The auburn haired woman smiled and nodded. "And I love you Raph. With all my heart. Hopefully I'll be able to bring our daughter home tomorrow."
"Yeah you will. You'll be out of there in no time," he reassured her. Then he backed away. "Go," he instructed, watching the two women guide Summer up the stairs.
He stood there for a long time even after they had disappeared. He wasn't sure what to do. Sitting around and waiting seemed almost impossible.
"Raph," a voice said behind him, followed by a hand on his shoulder. He turned to face Leo, not knowing at all what to say. But Leo did. He always did. "She'll be fine Raph. She's a strong girl. Let's just relax and wait it out, okay?"
Raph hesitated, his gaze once again going to the stairs. "Yeah," he said, sighing. "Okay Leo. We'll wait."
*~*~*~*~*
Charity moved about the room with practiced ease. Her curly copper red hair was pulled up away from her face, revealing startling blue eyes that were shades lighter then the blue scrubs that covered her tall, thin figure. She checked the IV and the stats on the machine beside her patient's bed then smiled down at the young woman who she had become friends with over the past three weeks. Every time she had come in to have her regular check up they had chatted away like they were the oldest of friends. "How are you holding up honey?" She asked, concern flashing in her eyes.
Summer gave her a pitiful smile. "I'd be much better if she were out of me Charity."
"It's gonna come out, isn't it? Sometime soon I mean?" A younger woman, who had been introduced to her as Catey said, looking apprehensive.
"Yes Catey," she said in an encouraging tone. "She'll come out soon. It should only take a bit longer. The doctor will be in to check on you soon and see how far along you are."
"Thanks Charity, I..oh crap-." Summer gritted her teeth together, steeling herself for the contraction that was slowly creeping up on her.
Cat had one hand already so Charity quickly took the other. "Here we go sweetie. Now just breath okay?"
Summer released a humorless laugh. "Easier said then done." And it was. This contraction came faster and harder then the previous few, seizing her body and forcing her to cry out. It took forever but finally it passed, leaving Summer panting, her forehead beaded with sweat.
The door opened and Amy came in with a small orange cup in her hand. "Ice chips?" she said, crossing the floor and standing beside Cat.
Summer nodded gratefully but made no attempt to take the cup. Her hands still gripped the sheets at her side.
"Summer time, you okay?" Amy asked. She glanced back and forth between Charity and Cat, expecting an answer as to why their friend had become so quiet but got none. "Summer honey," she said again, bending over and brushing a limp lock of auburn hair out of the pregnant woman's face. "What's wrong?"
Tears collected in Summers eyes. "I'm really scared Ames," she whispered. A tiny sob momentarily wracked her body as she raised pleading eyes to her friend. "I want Raph."
"We can't do that honey. You know that."
The door creaked open again, this time admitting the doctor, a young man with black hair and a kind face. "Summer," he said, walking up to the bed and checking her chart. "How are we doing?"
"Crappy," Summer muttered, drawing a shuddering breath. She looked back at Amy. Reaching out she grabbed the other woman's hand. She had to make her listen. "Amy, I need him here! I'm scared out of my mind. Please..please Amy. Call him and tell him to come," she begged, tears escaping from the corner of her eyes and trickling down her flushed cheeks.
Amy cast an uneasy look in the doctor direction then at Charity. "They wont understand Summer."
Well then, she would make them understand. Falling back on her skills as an attorney, Summers eyes hardened with determination and she faced the doctor. "Doc. I don't want to sound like a bitch but my honey is coming here to be with me. I need him here to get though this. He's not exactly what you would call a regular human being so please refrain from acting too shocked. In fact, I only want you and Charity in the room. Can that be done?"
The doctor looked at her uneasily. He knew who this woman was by reputation alone and knew that whatever she had to say he had better listen to her. "It can be done. It would be much easier with a few extra hands in here to help out but considering that you're coming along fine and I can see no sign of complications two people is enough to get the job done."
"Good. Amy, go call Raph. Give him the room number and tell him to get his ass over here. I don't care how he gets in. He can use the damn window for all I care. He had no problem with doing it whenever I was in my apartment. Doc, don't speak a word of this to anyone please. Word of their existence cannot get out. Do we have a deal?"
The doctor nodded slowly, not liking what he was agreeing too but not seeing a reason as to why he should go against her wishes.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Summer nodded to Amy and the younger woman quickly left the room. She closed her eyes, forcing the tears back. She was scared and she needed Raph. She needed to draw from his strength. She had never expected going into labor to feel like this. It hurt like hell. And it was about to get worse. Sucking in a deep breath she twisted her hands in the sheets. "Here we go again."
*~*~*~*~*
Raph was pacing. It had been years since he had done it but he was pacing now, his patients wearing thin, almost to the point of breaking. What was going on? They had only received one phone call from Amy telling them that they had made it okay and that Summer was being taken to a room. But nothing since and it had been well over two hours now. Raph was going to loose it. He wasn't the kind of guy who liked waiting for things to happen. He was all about knowing what was going on and when. Now he knew nothing and that frustrated him more then he could say.
The phone rang and he stopped dead in his tracks. About damn time.
Donny, being the closest to the phone, reached over and picked it up. "Hello? Yeah...uh huh. Okay, calm down Amy. I don't know..I don't know. Here, why don't you ask him?" Donny turned to Raph and held up the phone. "It's for you bro."
Raph crossed the room and took the phone from Donny. "Yeah?"
"Raph, it's Amy. Listen, um..Summer's not doing too great. I mean, she's coming along well and everything but she's scared...and she wants you here. She said she doesn't care how you get here but she wants to see you. We're in room 225. Can you make it?"
"In ten minutes," Raph said without hesitation.
"Alright. I'll tell Summer you're coming. Don't worry about being found out or anything like that. Summer took care of it."
"Alright Ames. We're leaving right now. See you in a bit." He hung up the phone and went of the coat rack next to the entrance, grabbing his worn trench coat and shrugging it on.
"Raph, you're actually going?" Donny asked.
The red masked turtle turned to his brother, pulling his hat on. "She needs me Donny. You expect me to say no to her?"
Donny was silent for a moment, studying him warily. "Alright. But I'm going with you. Someone's got to watch your back."
"What about Leo and Mikey?" Raph asked, already heading for the stairs.
Donny grabbed his coat and hat, following Raph out. "Their training. I'll call them when we get there so they don't worry."
"Sounds good. Lets go."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Summer sagged back against the pillows, her hair damp with her own sweat, her body almost drained of its strength. God when was it going to be over? She had no idea how much longer she could keep this up. The contractions were coming faster. The pain was more intense. It almost felt like it was just way too much.
"Here honey, suck on this," Charity said, handing her an ice chip. Summer took it and ran it along her parched lips, sighing as the cooling liquid seeped into her mouth. "It wont be much longer now, okay?"
"I just want Raph to be here," Summer whimpered, knowing she sounded pitiful and not caring. She was having a baby, she was in pain, and she had a right to sound pitiful.
"Your wish is granted!" A voice called as the door swung open. Amy walked into the room smiling brightly, two figures concealed in trench coats following close behind her. "Luckily everyone was too busy to notice them so they got in without a single strange look."
"Raph!" Summer cried, relief flooding through her. "Oh god honey, I'm so glad you came."
Raphael discarded his hat and coat, ignoring the shocked gasps of the doctor and nurse as he went to Summers side. "Hey hun. You look like hell," he said, grinning down at her.
Summer laughed softly. "Ever one for the romantic words." She took one of his hands and placed a kiss on it. "Thank you for coming here."
"You know I'd do anything for you baby. I could never say no to a beautiful face like yours," he murmured, gently brushing her damp hair out of her face.
Donny watched his brother with Summer for a while before he started feeling as if some one was watching him. He looked up, noticing for the first time the nurse on the other side of the bed. She was staring at him with wide blue eyes, a small smile curving her pink lips. Wild copper colored curls framed her face and a natural blush infused her high cheekbones. Donny had never taken a particular interest in red heads before but he had to admit that this one was very beautiful. Realizing that he was staring he quickly looked down, hoping that she wouldn't see him blushing. She must have though because a moment later she was at his side.
"So you're Donny right?" she asked in a smooth, husky voice.
Startled, he looked up into a pair of dancing crystal blue eyes. "How did you-?"
"Summer's told me about you guys. Not that you were.." She looked him up and down. "You know, but she told me about you."
He looked at her curiously, amused that she didn't seem surprised by the fact that she was standing next to a mutant. "How did you figure out I was Donny?"
She smiled, her gaze quickly flickering to Summer then back to him. "Well, she said Mikey was the big kid of all of you, Leo was the quite one, Raph...well, I pretty much figured out it was him when she said his name. So I figured out who you were by a process of elimination."
Donny chuckled. "Nice. So that would make you Charity then, right?" She gave him a look that clearly said how. "Summer told us about you too. Not very much but she said you were her nurse and that you guys had made plans to go out to lunch when you were both free." What came out of his mouth next was completely unplanned and very out of character for Donny. "She never told me you were cute though."
Charity's blue eyes widened in surprise and her full lips curved up in an impish smile. She opened her mouth to respond when an anguished moan arose from the bed where Summer lay, holding Raph's hand in a death grip. "We'll talk about this later," Charity said, winking at him then quickly turning her attention where it was needed.
"Okay, now when I tell you to Summer I want you to push," the doctor was saying.
Summer's eyes were screwed shut, her teeth gritted against the pain that tore into her. Raph sat beside her with his arm wrapped tightly around her trembling shoulders. "Come on Summer. You can do this sweetie," he murmured, carefully keeping his eyes trained on her face. There was no way in hell he was going to watch what the doctor was doing. He had a feeling it would make him sick and that was the last thing Summer needed right now.
She whimpered pitifully, her hand tightening around his. "Can I push now?" she pleaded, casting the doctor an imploring glance.
The doctor nodded. "Yes, now."
In a matter of minutes childish crying filled the room, mingling with the gasps of its occupants and the joyful cry of the new mother. The doctor, after cutting the small child free from its mother, handed Charity the wailing infant and she took it across the room to clean and weigh her. Wrapping the little girl in a soft pink blanket, she returned to Summers side and gently placed the infant in her mothers waiting arms. "See Summer, was that so bad?"
Summer gave a tired laugh. "Yeah." She looked down at her tiny daughter who had calmed and was now staring back at her curiously. "But it was worth it," she whispered, her heart filling with joy and love that she had never known before. The baby had a downy patch of beautiful auburn hair and deep green/blue eyes. Summer couldn't pick out a single feature that had come from the child's father and she was grateful for that. Stan had been a good man, but she had never loved him. Turning her eyes to Raph, her heart caught when she saw him gazing tenderly down at the tiny infant in her arms. "Honey, do you want to hold your daughter?" she asked.
"Yeah," Raph said quietly, allowing Summer to place the tiny bundle in his arms.
Summer smiled as she watched them. It was very obvious that Raph was going to make a wonderful dad. True he wasn't the child's biological father but they had talked about it and Raph had told her that he didn't mind helping her with the child at all. "It would be kinda cool to be called dad," he had said.
"She's beautiful hun. What are we going to name her?" Raph asked, smiling when the baby wrapped her tiny hand around his finger.
Summer rested her head on his shoulder and lifted a hand to delicately brush her daughters soft hair. "Hope," she said softly.
Raph lifted his head, waiting for her to look up. Without moving her head from his shoulder she tilted it to the side, lifting her vibrant green gaze to meet his. "Hope huh?"
The auburn hair woman nodded, her eyes turning suspiciously bright. "Because that's all I had to go on when I was away from you."
"Summer," he murmured, rocked to the very core of his being by her sweet words. He stared down into her beautiful face and could only think about how lucky he was to have her, to have their daughter. Life didn't get much better then this. "I love you."
Summer smiled peacefully, lifting her head and placing a gentle kiss on his lips. "I love you too Raphael." She looked down at Hope sleeping soundly in her father's arms and knew that she had never felt this happy in her life. She was with the man she loved and they were staring down at the miracle that was their daughter. "We're a family now," she whispered, brushing a thumb lightly over Hope's forehead.
Raph thought for a moment, letting the words sink in and then he smiled, tightening his arm around Summer's shoulders. "Feels pretty damn good."