Disclaimer – Well, this is the epi…not sure if it ends well enough, but I'm happy with it. I thought about adding the Christmas morning scene, but I think it's a done deal that Christmas for Gabby and Seth will be memorable. Once again, I only own Gabriella, Mindy, Jordan and ? Hmm…

Thanks to everyone who has read and have taken the time to review, too. Be blessed,

A Time of Reflection

by reinbeauchaser

Chapter 8 – Epilogue - Class Reunion

Gabby wasn't sure if it was a good thing for her to know that her daughter was coming home soon. She was happy she would have Mindy back again, but she was also very anxious. She missed her daughter terribly, but she also knew that her little girl was not going to be the same child she left behind in Japan.

Gabriella knew this because she herself had changed with her own training five years earlier, as well as with her most recent time down in the dojo.

No, after two months of not having her around, Gabby knew Mindy would have learned to live each day without her mother's comforting embrace. She would have become less dependent on her, too. The girl's mind and her physical abilities would have also grown beyond the scamperings and playtime that typical four-year olds do, as well. Under her uncle's tutelage, Mindy would learn many things at her grandfather's ryu in the country. Moreover, with Seth's return a month earlier, she would have had to adjust with not having her father around, either.

Gabby fearfully wondered then if her daughter would even remember her parents.

In any event, after his father had called and shared the news, Seth had trotted off to the bigger house with Jordan to tell his mother, his sister Riahna, and Mike about Mindy's impending arrival. He seemed just as excited as Gabby did, too. If it weren't for their son, Gabby was certain her husband would have been much harder on her, his mood more sullen and less buoyant. She knew he dearly loved being a father, frequently taking Jordan from Gabby whenever she needed time to herself. It was easy for Gabby to see how much he missed Mindy with the amount of time he was spending with his son.

As for Raphael, once Gabby's training had begun, he had returned to his small apartment in San Francisco. It was mainly because he had been anxious to get back together with his band, again, his fingers 'itching to play the sax', as he put it. Going back to his own 'digs' also put him out of harms way, as far as his daughter's re-training was concerned. He knew it was past the time for Seth to be her confidant, to dig beyond the façade of control that Gabby often used to hide her innermost fears. She was very much like her father, in fact, and understanding himself all too well made it easy for Raph to recognize this trait in his daughter.

Sufficiently recovered from his injuries, now, Don had returned to the states and to his work. Currently he was out of town on business, but his recent engagement to Cassandra would most definitely keep him coming back to Carmel. Although they hadn't announced as to when their wedding would take place, it was still an anticipated and looked-forward-to event!

"Either way, someone is going to have to call Father and Don about Mindy coming home," Gabby thought to herself. She wondered if Don would even be able to, considering how much catching up he had to do because of his long absence.

Except for Gaele – who lived and worked on the east coast - the only other family member to call about Mindy and who lived locally was Gabby's mom, Cassandra. After flying back to the states with Don, she returned to working in her music shop in downtown Carmel. In fact, it was during their flight home when Don had 'popped' the question to her.

As Gabby sat in her chair studying her notes, she chuckled fondly, remembering how her mother said that Raphael threatened to toss her off the jet if she refused his brother's proposal. And Cassie knew he was serious, too, because at the time, when she laughed at the thought, her antagonist didn't even crack a smile.

"I think Raph really would have done it if I hadn't said yes!" Cassie giggled when she told her daughter about it.

In either case, Gabby was happy for them, but she still chaffed at the idea that Mindy would not actually arrive for another week, at least according to what Seth had said after hanging up with his Father. But it was still very good news, nonetheless. With the fact that Christmas was the following week, having her daughter back again would make the holiday even more special.

"Maybe it would have been better to be surprised, though," Gabriella mused anxiously, as she sat in her stuffed chair, "Having to wait a whole week to see my little girl is going to drive me crazy!"

Compared to how long her daughter had been gone, though, seven days wasn't very much. Yet, it still seemed a very long time to wait to see Mindy again. Quite honestly, Gabby didn't think she would be able to focus on her studies, now, especially with new thoughts of her daughter distracting her. Gabriella had to forcibly take a deep breath and mentally push back the all too familiar feelings of melancholy.

Even though she had adjusted to not having her daughter around, there were moments when her heart ached for Mindy – such as now. Yes, she missed her daughter, and terribly so, but Seth was expecting Gabby to study. When he left for the main house, he had told her he would be testing her when he returned from visiting his mother. He would not be too tolerant if his wife slacked off. Over the past two months, he had grown more resolute and comfortable with his roll as sensei. Gabby had found he wasn't easily pushed around anymore, as he had been before his father gave him the assignment to train her.

And, surprisingly enough, Seth and Gabby's marriage had strengthened because of it, too.

Leo, once again, had made the correct choice in choosing who would train her.

In either case, currently she was sitting in her chair in her living room, in the smaller house she shared with Seth. She was in the process of studying several pages filled with rudimentary facts concerning ninjitsu. Although Gabby's time in the dojo was long over for the day, her father-in-law had dictated in the beginning that it didn't mean so went her training time. As he had instructed, Leo expected her to review her lessons in the dojo each day, but not just that particular day's lessons, but every day preceding it.

Gabby's nearly perfect recall ability had assisted her, of course, but after a month of repeating every detail, it became more taxing to remember all the dates. There were so many names, centuries of traditions – both known to the art as well as to the unique tenements the clan had devised and adopted. It all seemed overwhelming to her. Nevertheless, although she still found the idea of ninja somewhat revolting, she knew she didn't have much choice in the matter.

If she wanted to see her daughter again before Christmas, she had to do it, plain and simple.

And, with his father's guidance, Seth had proven to be quite the taskmaster, too. Gabby had hoped, when Leo relinquished the reins of training to him, that Seth would lighten up a bit, giving her some much-needed slack.

However, she was sorely disappointed

To Gabby's chagrin, her husband became even more resolute, determined to make sure she stuck to the program, and even carried his authority with her throughout the day, too. Wisely, Seth did ease up once they called it an evening and it was then he would allow his usually mellow nature to shine. In that way it gave Gabby a moment's reprieve from his stern sensei persona.

Overall, it was difficult work, not only for Gabby, but for Seth, as well. It was hard to be so tough with the one you loved so much, as he had told her one evening. Of course, Gabby found that her husband more than made up for his strict behavior once they retired for the night. She smiled and sighed, rubbing her still-flat stomach and wondering if now would be a good time to tell him, that he would be a dad all over again. Gabby was sure she was only a month along, but pregnant she was, that much she knew. She had held off telling Seth, though, waiting for the perfect opportunity. But so far, she had been too busy complying with his demands on her to even wanting to share such news. Still, she knew she needed to tell him, it was only a matter of 'when'.

"Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get control of this attitude of mine!" she sighed. She really didn't want to keep her pregnancy from her husband, but he could be so – irritating when he was posturing himself with her. She was just thankful she hadn't experienced morning sickness yet, unlike with her first two pregnancies, where it seemed she lived in the bathroom for the first trimester. "At least that's a relief!" she chuckled.

In any event, just before Leo returned to Japan to evaluate his granddaughter's progress, he had warned Gabby at the time about her stubborn streak.

"I will do what I said I would, so be mindful of your husband's leadership," he had told her.

That was a month ago and at the time, Gabby wasn't sure if having her husband as her sensei was wise. After all, between the two of them, she had the stronger personality. Her past exploits proved she was rather overbearing with Seth. He was a gentle soul, kind, and not at all confrontational. Now, to have him in authority over her and to where she had to listen to him without challenge, had proven – well, challenging, not only for her but for him as well. Seth had always practiced a gentler and softer approach, believing that was what she needed, but in truth, she needed someone to let her know when she had crossed the proverbial line.

Nevertheless, Leo was firm in his decision to have his son train her.

As Gabby reflected again and where it was a requirement for her to do so, she knew she had come a long ways. Although her father-in-law never said he would delay Mindy's return as punishment, there were moments Gabby rebelled so strongly she was sure he would to do just that.

It was what always brought her back to the 'straight and narrow' each time, too.

Even though she had been compliant and tried her best to cooperate, she honestly and truly did not like ninjitsu or even learning about it. It made her uncomfortable to know what it sometimes required. Yes, she cooperated, and listened, and did – for the most part – what Leonardo asked of her. But, still, on more than one occasion, she insisted in telling Leo exactly what she thought of the arts.

A particular event stood out for her, in fact, where she challenged Leo during the first week of her training…and what happened afterwards guaranteed it never happened again, too!

Leo had just finished briefing Gabby on his and his brother's life in the New York City sewer system. Although she knew the basic story, she did not know the details behind it. Gabby had been aware of their frequent clashes with the Foot then, but when Leo gave her full disclosure and what it actually entailed, she seemed to light up with indignation. Then, when he explained to her the event that preceded their leaving the city, when they rescued their friend Mindy Johnson from the Foot, Gabby's eyes flared wide with vexation.

Leonardo had sensed Gabby's ire quite easily, too. "Gabriella, be mindful of your words!" he warned quickly.

It was all she could do, though, to just sit there silently and not say something. It would have been completely out of character for her to do, and so her rebuttal had been fast, the energy behind each of her words precise and direct.

With her eyes ablaze, she spouted, "Despite your history, despite how safe we are, I cannot condone the violent aspect of what you practice, even in self defense." As she sat in the lotus position, Gabby straightened resolutely as she continued, "I cannot believe you would wipe out an entire group of these people, putting to death even those who were injured and impotent to the battle. There are laws in this country, laws that protect anyone who is a citizen and even those who aren't, even the guilty!" Gabby then waved her arms around for emphasis, "But by taking a vigilante stance on these issues concerning your enemy, you've virtually opened Pandora's Box of trouble!" She shook her head, "No wonder you continue to have problems with them!"

She paused for a moment, watching her father-in-law's face darken, easily recognizing that he was not at all amused. She continued nevertheless. She was in full angry form and so Gabby railed on, ignoring her husband's silent and mental plea to quit talking, "If your father had not decided to seek revenge for his master's death, there wouldn't have even been a feud in the first place!" She chuckled almost mockingly, "And the fact that Saki was only avenging his own brother's death leaves me to wonder about Yoshi's sense of honor!" She continued her tirade, pointing a finger in the air for emphasis, and far too caught up in her debate to see Seth's widened eyes as he gestured for her to shut up! "Yes, Nagi may have beaten Tang Shen, but for Yoshi to kill him outright brought the entire clan against him. He should have brought Nagi before a tribunal, not play judge, jury, and executioner!"

Leonardo was deadly silent after Gabriella's tirade, his jaws working angrily as he bit back a retort.

Seth could only sit there and roll his eyes, while letting out a long, held breath. The way his wife seemed to venture where angels feared to, he wondered if he would ever see his daughter again. Most certainly, her challenging Leonardo was going to guarantee 'never'!

In any event, as Gabby finished, she saw her husband pale just a little. She knew her words had struck home with his father – and maybe more so than she had planned. And, as she watched Leo's reaction, she chaffed a bit, now, under his stern gaze. In that moment, she knew not only had she struck home, but she very well might have struck out, as well.

As she sat in her chair in the comfort and safety of her home, reflecting back to Leo's wrath, Gabby remembered what happened afterwards and all too well. It was rather an epiphany, actually. She couldn't help but smile at her lunacy to challenge her father-in-law in the first place and the way that she had. She had definitely irritated the ninja master, insulted him even. Yet, despite all of that, she remembered how Leo had remained quiet, almost reflective, and even calm – although she could easily sense the raging inferno brewing inside of him. That was the scary part! Yet, he remained quiet nonetheless…and for a full thirty minutes, in fact.

Throughout that time, Leo's eyes never wavered from his daughter-in-law. It seemed they pierced straight through her and Gabriella quickly began regretting her ill-timed words. The end results made her really wish she had kept her mouth shut, but – well – it was a done deal, so, she tried to remain steadfast where she sat, just as stubborn as her father would be.

The only difference was if Raphael had said something so disrespectful about his father or even Yoshi, Gabby was certain Leo would not have just stared back at him. She cringed, inwardly, now, realizing she very well might have bought the proverbial 'farm'.

As Gabriella thought back to that moment, she realized she had been lucky that day. Leo's punishment for her insolent comments was for her to do one hundred pushups, followed by fifty back flips. She absentmindedly rubbed at her arms, now, as she remembered how tired they were when she was only part ways through her discipline. Yes, her father-in-law was royally pissed, but she had to admire his self-control, nonetheless. He very well would have been justified in pitching her headlong over the cliff, way out along the back part of Mike's property. She wouldn't have blamed him, either.

Indeed, she had to agree with what Seth told her later; she had gotten off quite easy.

Things had improved considerably after that, though, and especially after Gabby apologized formally to Leonardo. He accepted her apology, but still warned her that her tendency to 'express' herself inappropriately would always follow with an appropriate rebuttal. She had promised to be mindful of her words, but of course, the idea of repeating the one hundred pushups and the fifty back flips was a good deterrent, too. There wasn't any way Gabby wanted to do them again. She was genuinely dizzy after the flips and had to sit for a spell to regain her equilibrium again – as well as her breath.

Nevertheless, she had never been so tired in her life and believed she had kept that thought under wraps, too, but, as expected, Leo had 'sensed' her exhaustion. In reply, from then on he implemented a regime of pushups, sit-ups, and other strength-building exercises, to build up her stamina.

Of course, Gabby honestly believed if she did get stronger, she would have to watch her tongue; otherwise, the next time Leo might double or even triple her punishment.

And Gabby clearly remembered the subtle grin edging her father-in-law's face, too, as if he had been fully aware of her sudden epiphany.

In any event, a lot of time had passed since then and she had finally found acceptance to her training. She was doing rather well, in fact.

Now, as she sat there and recalled her rough start, Gabby just wished she had been born into the family, rather than spending the first twenty-five years or so with someone as untrained as the professor was. She loved him dearly, but she realized that he had been ill equipped to raise her properly. Gabby knew that had she been born into the family, her early training would have helped curtail her temper before it gained a foothold. In short, she wouldn't have rebelled as vehemently as she had with Leo or the clan in general.

Shaking her head, Gabby realized she had become distracted again. There were still a few more pages for her to review and so she quickly looked out the window to see if Seth was still visiting his mother. She hoped he was because she still had a lot of studying to do.

Just as she did, however, her heart nearly leaped out of her chest. A cry of surprise filled her throat, now, as she jumped up from her chair, her papers flying wildly to the carpeted floor and scattering in every direction.

Her homework forgotten, Gabby ran out the front door of her home as tears of joy filled her eyes. She raced frantically up the concrete path towards the main house, now, and before too long, she had caught her daughter, Mindy, as the girl met her part way to jump into her mother's arms.

"MOM!" the girl squealed happily, wrapping her own arms around her mother's neck, kissing her all over.

"You're home!" Gabby cried in delight as she held onto Mindy for dear life, swinging her around in abandon, and kissing Mindy all over her face, too. "I've missed you so very much, so very much. I love you, honey."

"I love you too, mommy!" her daughter replied with equal enthusiasm.

As mother and daughter embraced and rejoiced, Leo, Seth, and Devon stood on the patio and watched the reunion. Mike came up behind them, followed by Don and Raphael. All of them had a smile on their faces as they watched mother and daughter reunite and then Leo remarked casually as he glanced at his son, "I take it, when I called you decided not to tell her that Mindy was coming today?"

"Nope," Seth replied smugly, "Gabs would have quit studying and I didn't want anything to interfere with it."

"That's my boy!" Leo exclaimed and patted his son's shoulder, "you're turning into a fine sensei, Seth!"

"I learned from the best, Father," Seth smiled back.

Devon concurred, "That he is, Seth," and went back to watching his sister and niece again.

The others behind them chuckled as they continued to watch the scene play out on the patio between Gabriella and Mindy.

Suddenly, Gabby stopped when she realized someone was watching her. She turned towards the main house and the patio area, as she held Mindy firm in her embrace. Tears streaked Gabby's face, now, but when she saw Devon, Seth, and Leonardo, as well as the other males in the family, observing her, she scowled just a bit. Then, as Rahab and Cassandra, with Riahna between them, step out to join them, Gabby realized her husband had known their daughter would be returning that very day. In fact, by the looks on their faces, everyone had. It was becoming obvious that Seth had deliberately kept the news of their daughter's immediate arrival from her.

"You knew?" she declared, slightly irritated.

Seth only smiled and then shrugged.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Gabby asked as she proceeded to walk over to where he and the others stood.

Mindy slipped out her arms and raced the short distance to her father, declaring as he picked her up, "We sure surprised Mom didn't we, Dad?" and laughed as she looked back at her mother.

Gabby quirked an eyebrow as she glanced at her daughter, who's telling smile said as much, "She was in on this?"

Leo remarked, "Actually, it was Mindy's idea not to tell you at all. She wanted to surprise you, but we left it up to Seth to decide."

"Really?" Gabby sidled up to her husband, now, and took his arm tenderly, giving him a curious expression, "And to what end did you expect to gain by being so reticent?"

"To keep you studying. I didn't want you to become distracted."

"Oh, I see…" Gabby said softly, "so, good news would distract me, would it?"

"Didn't' it?" Seth replied equally soft, knowingly.

"It did, for a moment," his wife admitted, "but, only for a moment."

"True."

The others began to ease back inside the house to give them privacy to talk, satisfied that Gabby wasn't going to fillet her husband for keeping Mindy's arrival a secret.

However, Gabby suddenly cleared her throat and stated, "Well, dear husband, unlike what you just did, I won't keep important news from you." She smiled broadly, now, as she caught not only Seth's attention, but everyone else's, too. As the others turned back towards her in curiosity, Gabby took a big breath and made her announcement.

"In a few short months, husband dear," she said coyly, looking deeply into Seth's eyes, "you will once again be – a - dad!"

At first, it didn't register with Seth. But then, as it sunk in and as his expression grew in realization, Gabby knew that from this moment on, her husband was going to have a much harder time concentrating with his roll as sensei. Seth smiled broadly, now. He quickly grabbed his wife in a one-armed hug as he held onto his daughter with the other. He kissed Gabby deeply and then spun them all around. He broke away from kissing his wife to yip for joy. Seth's face beamed happily as Mindy giggled from her father's exuberant twirling and exclamation.

Mike could only shake his head as he laughed, "Why is it she gets pregnant every time we have her in training! I just don't understand it."

Leo laughed as did everyone else, but as Raph slapped a hand on his youngest brother's shoulder, he remarked, "Well, just be glad it's Gabby getting preggers and not Rahab!"

Mike's eyes brightened, "And that would be bad new?" he turned towards Rahab, a huge alluring grin on his face.

Rahab scowled warningly, "Don't even think it, Romeo! And you're sleeping on the couch tonight!" She then stormed off, leaving the others laughing in her wake.

Just then, Don came up along side of his fiancé' and whispered into Cassie's ear.

Her eyes went suddenly wide. She then turned abruptly towards Don, giving him a menacing glare, "I'm too old!" and then Cassie huffed, her head thrown back in indignation, and quickly followed after Rahab to join up with her.

Mike laughed seeing his brother's crestfallen expression, watching as Cassie marched away, "Hey, dude, get used to it, the couch isn't so bad, ya know."

Leo and Raph chuckled at Don's disappointed expression but then Devon piped up, his hands on hip, "Hey, that's the beauty about being a bachelor; we don't need no stickin' couches!"