A/N: My hubbie thinks that Raph's treatment of Ben was a little too rough in this. What do you think?
Disclaimer: I don't own the TMNT, or any related characters (much to their relief, I'm sure!) If there is anything else in this story you recognise from somewhere else, then I don't own that either.
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It was almost eight o'clock. Don was winning at Mah-Jongg for once, though Splinter wasn't far behind in his points; Leo and Tausha completing the quartet of players at the table. April and Casey had left for home shortly after dinner. Raph was lounging on the couch seemingly watching the end of The Simpson's Christmas Special. However his occasional sniggers seemed to follow the scene on the floor in front of him rather than that on the TV. Mike and Ben were playing their version of 'Jenga'. That is Mike was desperately trying to stack the blocks to a decent height before Ben knocked the structure down in a fit of giggles.
The credits started to roll up the screens, the cheesy music fading as a voiceover announced plenty of fine Christmas viewing to come. Disgusted Raph grabbed the remote and punched the 'off' button with his finger. "Hey! I was watchin' that!" Mike complained bitterly. "Too bad. Ben, time for bed." "Again Unca Mike!" Ben shoved the blocks together in a rough heap as he ignored his father, Mike starting to build another tower with a conspiratorial grin.
Hopping off the couch Raph stood over his child, arms crossed, not to be defied. "Ben, I said it's time for bed." "I busy!" Ben made a show of gathering all the far flung blocks to prove his point. Raph closed his eyes, forcing himself to unclench his fists tucked under his arms. He glared down at the two sniggering on the floor. "Up. Bed. Now!" Some of the toughest street punks this city had to offer had been known to flee at that tone, that look; the smarter ones anyway. "NO!" Ben glared back before returning his attention to his activity.
Tausha had been expecting something of the sort. Bedtime was often a small trial, although Ben was usually just reluctant instead of out right obstinate. However, given the excitement and sugar overload her son had experienced today (he had been given the mixing beaters and bowl to 'clean' and managed to scam three candy canes plus a fruit mince pie from various family members just before dinner) she had expected the routine tonight to be particularly difficult.
Discarding a tile to end her turn Tausha excused herself from the game to understanding nods from her companions. "Good luck!" murmured Don. Tausha gave his shoulder a light squeeze in thanks as she passed him.
Raph closed his eyes again for a moment. Then he swooped down and grabbed Ben on either side, lifting the squealing child off the floor as he started to step around Mike, making a move towards the stairs. Suddenly he jerked to a stop, almost losing his grip as Ben anchored himself by wrapping his arms around his passing uncles' neck. By the time Tausha intervened Raph had planted his foot on Mikes' back to add impetus to his tug of war battle, Ben kicking wildly in a vain attempt to free himself from his fathers' grip. Mikey quickly started to turn a strange kinda of blue, the pressure on his back shoving him into the rug and hampering his attempts to loosen the surprisingly strong grip crushing his throat.
"STOP!" At her command they froze except for three faces turning toward her; two glaring, one appealing for clemency. "Let go." After a moment her order was silently complied with, Raph placing Ben on the floor then folding his arms again, his frustration plainly written on his face. As soon as Ben was released he freed his captive and knelt back, folding his arms with a pout. Mike let himself relax on the floor, sucking in delicious oxygen.
"You OK Mike?" Tausha's concerned query in sharp contrast to the stern orders she had just given. Nodding he hauled himself up to sit, rubbing his neck in the process. "Yeah, mighty strong grip ya got there squirt!" Mike rubbed the top of Bens' head so hard his small body swayed with the motion. A brief glint of fierce pride flashed on the boys' face, the stubborn pout swiftly returning as his mother knelt beside him.
"Come on now Ben, it is time for bed." Tausha coaxed calmly. "NO!" "I'm not asking Ben, time for bed now." "NO!" Rubbing her eyes Tausha tried to think of a solution, holding up a finger to stop Raph before he moved in with his. A spark of inspiration came to her.
"Do you want Santa to visit this year?" Tausha asked gently, the unexpected question caught both father and son off guard, given the incredulous looks both gave her. "Yeah." Ben admitted cautiously. "Do you know what you have to do for him to come?" He mulled it over for a moment. "Be…good?" "And are you doing that now?" Again he paused in consideration. "No?" quietly mumbled to the floor before he looked up, eyes bright with imminent tears. Tausha held out her arms, Ben scurrying into her cuddle without hesitation.
"It's not too late you know. If you're really good from now on I bet he'll still come." "Wit prezants?" Ben mumbled into her neck, through hiccupy sobs. "Yeah" she assured as she stood, cradling him "You ready for bed now?" A soggy nod against her shoulder assured her he was as she started towards the stair case. Too astonished for words Raph watched them start to ascend before he made a move to follow.
Usually the routine of getting ready for bed took at least half an hour, including a story. Tonight it was a mere ten minutes before Tausha was giving Ben his final goodnight kiss, tucking the blankets around the now calm and almost sleeping child. Raph was in his usual spot leaning against the doorway, still in a slight state of shock at the ease with which tonight's routine had been completed. He couldn't help faintly returning the smile of contentment Tau gave him as she wandered past. "'Night kiddo." He murmured, starting to pull the door closed.
"Dad?" Raph looked up to see Ben beckoning him with an over-animated arm, his other hand stifling a huge yawn. He moved to stand next to the bed. "What's up?" he asked gently. Clutching his sheets and peering over the top with trepidation Ben asked "Santa is real, i'nt 'e?" "Augh! Ben, the thing about Santa is…" the glistening hope in his sons eyes gave him pause, Tausha stood in the doorway with a completely neutral expression wasn't gonna be any help either.
Raph sat heavily on the edge of the bed with a groan. "The thing is… I guess 'e's as real as ya want 'im ta be." he muttered resignedly. Ben's huge grin shone over the top of the covers, making Raph smile as he leant forward to plop a kiss on his forehead. He was captured round the neck for moment in a fierce hug before he strode out, ducking his head back inside for a final "G'night" as Ben snuggled happily back under the covers.
As soon as the door clicked shut Tausha clasped him round the waist in a hug of her own, Raph holding his arms out of harm's way refusing to be drawn in as she whispered "Thankyou" into his neck. "Yeah, well, whatever…" he grumped, peeling her off him by the shoulders. "If it's gonna make getting' him to bed this much easier s'pose I can live with it." They started back out onto the ledge that ran around the second level. "Just till he grows out of it, coupla years max, right?" "Right!" Tausha laughed softly.
She was halted in mid-step by Raph gently but firmly grabbing her wrist as they walked past the end of the next alcove. "What the…?" "You still owe me for that slap." his eyes glinting with mischief as he started to pull her towards their bedroom door. "I can't now! I'm in the middle of a game!" she waved her free arm vaguely towards the main room. She resisted his steady pull, but only enough to lean back slightly, her grin making it a completely token effort.
"The way I see it you owe me for havin' ta put up with this 'Santa' crap as well." "Really." Her voice dripped sarcasm. He tugged her through the door, the momentum making her stumble into him. She was quickly ensnared with his arm round her waist. "Yup!" Any further argument quelled as he kissed her, booting the door shut.
The players replenished with hot tea and snacks, the game was set to continue. Hearing the light thump of the door closing upstairs Leo couldn't help shaking his head. "Mike! It's your turn." Hopping off the couch Mike headed over to the table, at least he could still see the TV from where Tausha had been sitting. Looking over the tiles in what was now his hand he sighed dejectedly. "Why does this always happen when she hasn't got a chance of winnin'?" "Pure chance, I'm sure." quipped Don with a grin.
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A/N 2: This story may get edited / incorporated into a larger one in the future. Have a pretty clear idea of where this series is headed, so probably not. But thought I'd give myself an out, just in case: )
Take care, good luck and a hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!