Merry Christmas
Note: Last chapter of this storynot sure when I'll have the next story up.but it'll definitely be soon! I hope you all liked the ride so far, and keep a watchful eye out for more in the Rowan series!
~*~
Rowan sat on the edge of her bed, all the things the guys had brought to her packed up into the suitcase Casey had loaned to her. April would be here any minute, and she didn't want to keep them waiting.
"Hey, all set?"
She smiled when Casey poked his head in to look around. "What? No witty comment this time?"
"Wellit's Christmasthat and I got nuthin'"
Coming up beside her, he grabbed her suitcase and tried to help her out the door, but her pride and ego forced her to walk on her own with the crutch. Once downstairs and out in the cold air she breathed deep.
"Finally, I can breathe non recycled air!" She waited for a moment before suddenly finding herself shivering all over. Fresh air is too coldgive me recycled air any day! She thought, sliding into the backseat of Aprils car.
"Brr.can you turn up the heat please?" Digging into her suitcase she pulled out a heavy sweater and slid it on.
"Yea, the Doc said you'd be more touchy to cold then before while your body healsor somethin'"
She nodded and stared out the window, watching the snow blow past the fogged glass. Her mind wandered back to all things that had happened in her life since the return of her ex husband. She had been living her life one day to the next, always fearful, always watchful. She had grown close to her four friends, she had learned how to defend herself (although she hoped that she would never have to use it, it did boast her self-confidence), and she had suffered a blow to her ego with the lose of her leg. But, she felt all the stronger because of it.
"Here we are." April said merrily.
Gazing up out of the window, Rowan looked up at the large apartment building, praying that they had an elevator. Casey noticed her staring up and laughed.
"What? You really think I'm that energetic?" He directed her over to the elevator.
Outside the door to her new home, Rowan suddenly felt a type of anticipation, a type of hope. Reaching out she grasped the knob and opened the door, hobbling inside; she looked about at the tree and festive decorations. But what caught her eye was the pile of presents laid out under the tree. It's just like when I was a kind on Christmas morning! All magical.
"Surprise!"
Gasping, Rowan looked over to Mike as he exploded one of the party favor bombs. Confetti exploded into the air around them. Beside him, Raph smacked his eager brother on the head. Splinter simply shook his head, muttering about his youngest child.
"Ya wanna send her back to the hospital with a heart attack ya bird brain?"
She laughed as the paper fell around her in shots of glimmering light. Going over and hugging Mike she grabbed one for herself.
"Are you kidding? I love these things!" Popping the one she was holding, she picked out the pink crown from inside and placed it on her head. Mike, following her lead, rooted through the mess on the floor for his own, and found that he had a blue one.
"Awwthis isn't my color"
"Hey Leo, didn't I tell ya Mikey here was after yer job?"
Feeling arms wrap around her, Rowan looked down at Charlie who held out a present wrapped in paper wrapped in tape.
"For me? Awwthank you sweetie."
Moving to the couch, she sat down beside Splinter and looked for a place to start, but finding none she began to rip at whatever wasn't taped down. Finally revealing a beautifully made jewelry box, painted with her name on it.
"WowCharlie this is beautiful.how did you get it?"
He puffed out his chest with pride. "I didn't make it! Me an' Mike made it!"
"Wow, you two did a great job!" She turned and searched through the presents under the tree for the ones she had bought.
"Charlie, this one is for you. I hope you like it." She watched in anticipation as he ripped off the colorful paper to reveal the soft yellow plushie underneath.
"Dude! It's Spongebob Squarepants!" Mike exclaimed, looking as happy as if it were his present.
"Thanks mom!"
"I'm glad you liked it!" She found the next present and held it to Raphael.
"I wasn't sure what to get you, so I hope you like it."
"Aww, Ro' you didn't have to get me anything! Seeing you in those boxing shorts was present enough." He tore open the box to show the five set of dumbbells. Taking the heaviest, he lifted it up and down a few times. And grinned.
"Love it!"
Rowan watched as the others opened up their own presents. Mike began to ply with his Rock 'em Sock 'em Robot game with Charlie. Leo leafed through his book 'Dreams' which had recently been translated over to Japanese from the bestseller in Japan. Donatello seemed pleased with his new beverage warmer. Splinter was intrigued by the book on meditation, which explained all the different forms of it in the world. She looked over to Don.
"I know it's not as fancy or personalized as the others, but you spend so much time in front of the computer and I know how much you like coffee"
"No, no I like it! I hate how my coffee always goes cold, thank you."
Sighing she leaned back into the couch, feeling content with how everything worked out, when she heard some one clear their throat. Opening her eye's she saw a large brown box laid in front of her.
"What's this? Guys, I thought I told you not to get me anything."
"Yeah, well, that's like kinda like a double standard. You tell us not to get you anything so you don't feel bad if we don't, but the truth is, you really do want us to get you something."
She stared at Raphael for a moment, before reaching out and slowly peeling off the tape. Lifting the cover off she saw a prosthetic leg.
"We know it's not your traditional Christmas gifts, but we all thought you would like it, so everyone chipped in to get it for you." April encouraged.
"I.thank youit is a wonderful present." But she couldn't help feel a bit of revulsion at the thought of putting it on. No matter how happy she was to have it. "I'll try it on later. Right now, I was hoping to have some pizza."
"Pizza?why do yo- D'Oh! I forgot the pizza!" Mike slapped his forehead.
Bursting out laughing, Rowan apologized. "It's okay Mike, I wasn't serious about it in the first place."
"Phewsorry, you'll have to settle for the fabulous turkey dinner instead."
"That'll be fine."
Relaxing again, she watched as the others exchanged small tokens with each other. Laughing the occasional gag present or at something Mike did.
As the day dwindled down, and plates were being cleared from the table, Rowan went in to tuck in Charlie.
"Mommy, did you look inside the box?"
She thought back, and couldn't remember if she did or not, "I don't know, but after you go to sleep, I promise I will, just in case. Why?"
He gave her a secretive smile. "Jus' cause."
Kissing him goodnight, she went out. The others were beginning to crash on the sofas for the night. Tip toeing over Mike, she found the small box on the coffee table where she had left it. Sitting down, she made sure no one was watching. Raphael and Mike were conked out already; Splinter and Leo were meditating in the third bedroom that would become her room the next night. And she remembered seeing Donatello go into the bathroom on her way out.
Inside the box was a folded up piece of paper, opening it up, she leaned toward a source of light and began to read it.
Dear Rowan,
I wish I had had enough courage to tell you this in person, but we both know that I am certainly
Not the bravest of the group. You asked me once if I thought you were still pretty, and I lied. You are not pretty, you are beautiful. I don't know why, or even how, but I needed to tell you this. I love you. I told you once, but you couldn't hear me, and now, I am at a loss. Because I know that nothing could ever come of this, that is even suggesting that you loved me back.
I love Charlie, and I wanted you to know that I would never do anything to hurt or jeopardize you or your son. Again, I know that I shouldn't be asking you this, but please forgive me for telling you like this.
Sincerely,
Donatello
The paper blurred as she felt tears slowly burn down her cheeks. A slight noise startled her and caused her to look up, snatching the note from view. She stared up at Donatello, who was watching her intently. He saw it. He must havewhat do I do? A joke? Butthat's not like him.
"So..uhdibs on the couch!" She flopped back and covered her face with the blanket on its back. Oh yeah, smooth move Einstein, could you be any more childish?
She heard him sigh and turn to go. Struggling on what to do, she resolved herself and jumped up. Looking around, she spotted him pretending to sleep on the chair across from her. But Leo walked back into the living room before she could do anything. And when she stood, she saw Don shift around so that his back was to her. Sighing, she settled back down on the couch.
~*~
Rowan watched the hours click by on the clock. Do I talk to him? Or do I let it slide? But, he would think I hate him if I don't talk about it. Buthe might get embarrassed if I do talk about it. She checked the time again for the fourth time in five minutes. It's still three in the morning. If you don't want to involve his brothers, now's the time.
Wiggling out of her covers, she moved over to Don cautiously. She could hear his soft snoring, reaching out; she gently tapped his shoulder.
"Donatello? Wake up for a second will youplease?" She whispered near his ear. "Awwcome on, please wake up."
Rolling over, his eyes still closed he moved up a bit, and connected with her. Rowan stood straight up at the shock of the kiss, using the arm of the chair as leverage. He stared up at her in surprise. Either unaware of what had happened, or pretending that it didn't.
" Ro'? What time is it?"
"I." She squinted at him in the darkness. Leaning down, she looked up at him. "Do do that again."
He stared at her a moment, before proving that he had been trying to claim innocence. She felt chills go down her spine at the warm caring touch of his mouth on hers. When they pulled apart a moment later, she looked up at him in shock.
"I meant what I said Rowan. I love you."
The End
Mwhahahahahahahahahahah.now do you see why I need to have more stories!!!! It's too keep you coming back for more!
