Angel: Finally finished...I'm guessing why it took the show this long to come back was because of Sonic the Hedgehog, since Ben Schwartz voiced him in the film. Literally no news on season 2 episodes for months whatsoever. The last real new episodes we had aired in November! And it probably had to do with COVID-19...
I don't know what exactly will happen in the future with this show. I'm hoping that we get another season and I know that there will be new episodes coming out soon. But with all the craziness going around at this time, I really can't say anything definite XD And I haven't seen any new episodes for this week, so I don't know when the next one is coming out (after Pizza Puffs, that is).
Also, congrats to RedBat being the 200th reviewer and also thank you everyone for 200 reviews XD Also, many thanks to those who still read my TMNT 2003 story, because I am at 100 favorites and over 300,000 views! Yay *smiles happily*
I didn't notice until I finished these episodes, but literally all 4 episodes focus on one turtle XD I don't think that's coincidence! Speaking of, sorry it took me so long to finish them, but I had a lot of assignments to finish up because my semester is ending. I've been working non-stop on stuff for like 2 weeks now XD But finally I have a little cooldown time...
I've also put up a poll to decide what movie to do this summer. I'll accept guest votes as well.
Donnie laughs evilly with his goggles on. "At last, my greatest creation!" He holds up a sandwich over his head in the kitchen. "The ultimate evolution in breakfast sandwich. A toasted avocado, bacon bagel burrito..." He sniffs the sandwich with a big smile. "With cheese."
Something crashes into him out of nowhere, causing the sandwich to go flying. Donnie gasps sharply and catches it into his hand, sighing in relief. "Phew..." Then the sandwich drops all over his body. Something flies past him and he growls in frustration.
"SHELLDON!"
The drone comes to a stop in the skate park. Donnie points at him from the kitchen's tunnel. "I told you no drone racing in the lair!"
"Psh, you guys have a giant skate ramp in the house, and I can't race?" He points to the ramp.
"No, you can't," Donnie crosses his arms with a glare.
"Why?" Shelldon challenges back.
"Because I said so, emailed so, and texted so!" The robotic arms from his shell hold up his computer and his phone to emphasize his point.
"That's so unfair!" Shelldon glares at him with his little eyes. "I'm sick of this shell crashing!" He flies away as Donnie grits his teeth in annoyance.
Mikey and Amy join his side. She's holding Chewbacon in her hands. "Problem, Donald?" Mikey removes the cheese on top of his brother's head, eating it. Amy sticks out her tongue in disgust.
He sighs, pinching his forehead. "It's Shelldon. I just upgraded his operating system to version 13..." He looks up at the drone flying around.
"Wow. 13. Feels like yesterday he was just a twinkle in your tool box."
"Doesn't seem like he feels the same sentiment, though," Amy raises a brow.
"Yeah, and now he's a pain in my shell. He charges until noon, he's always coding back to me, and now he's drone racing all over the house! I don't know what to do," He frowns deeply. Amy hums slightly, looking between her pig and the drone. It's almost as if he's dealing with another Mikey, but more rebellious.
"Shelldon's at a delicate age."
"He's a drone," Amy deadpans at him.
"Delicate, nevertheless! You need to nurture a spirit or you'll drive him away." He snaps his fingers and Donnie suddenly finds himself sitting in the chair.
"Uhh, what is happening?"
"Just watch," Amy tells him as she's sitting a chair from the left side of the TV. She's suddenly wearing a floral sweater with black pants and a black blazer, her hair in a side ponytail. Mikey is on the opposite side wearing glasses, blue pants, a brown sweater. Both of them are wearing a headphone. He presses a button.
"Good morning. I'm Dr. Feelings, and this is my partner, Dr. Common Sense. Welcome to our seminar. Hug it out!" He holds out his arms as a slide appears on the projector.
"Dr. Feelings and Dr. Common Sense? I thought you were 'Dr. Delicate Touch,' Mikey," Donnie uses quotation gestures. "And that you don't do this kind of stuff, Mia."
"Dr. Delicate Touch feels nothing," Mikey says in a creepy tone.
"Shut up and listen," Amy replies in the same tone.
"Lesson one, 'because I said so' is not an answer. You need to learn a healthy way to express your feelings to your family."
"Communication is what strengthens a relationship, not yelling at him," Amy bends down and pets Chewbacon, who smiles at the contact.
"Yes, feelings. Hot, cold, hungry, sleep-" Mikey hits his nose with his pointer.
"No! Feelings like anger," He pulls up a picture of Shelldon and Donnie fighting. "Remind you of anyone?"
"Nooope!" Donnie answers with a smile.
"Oh yeah? Well, let's see how you feel when we do a comparison," Amy crosses her arms, nodding at Mikey. He changes it to Splinter and Donnie, who was yelling at the bored-looking Donnie at the time. He flips them back and forth. It slowly hits him as he sees that the two family members have the exact same pose and expression.
"What...?" He gasps, eyes going wide. He stands up in horror. "No, anything but that!"
"And there it is," Amy points at him with a smile. He bends down in front of them pleadingly.
"Okay, teach me, doctors! Teach me."
A crash is heard and he sees Shelldon in the lab. "My dark matter accelerator! SHELLDON!"
Amy pulls him back by the mask tails to them. Mikey rubs his shoulders. "Donnie, remember to express your feelings."
"The best way to learn is by doing. So you're gonna go over there and talk to him like you care," Amy points at his chest. "He's at version 13, so he's just going through a phase. Now go!" The two push the softshell towards Shelldon.
"Wow, you're more experienced with this than I thought," Mikey turns to Amy.
"Chewbacon went through the same thing a couple of years back. And believe it or not, he did it again after Leo and I broke the news about our...relationship," She coughs awkwardly. Those were a very tense few weeks...
Donnie clears his throat in front of Shelldon. "Shelldon, I feel frustrated when you destroy my priceless inventions," He smiles while gritting his teeth, trying not to show how angry he was on the inside.
"Eye roll," Shelldon looks away.
"You did not just-"
The turtle and the brunette clear their throats nearby. "Fine...fine. I feel very, very, that's two verys, annoyed when you eyeroll at me," When he opens his eyes, he sees Shelldon playing on the tablet, frustrating him further. "That's it!" He pulls out a ball and chain. "You are grounded, young man!" He attaches it to one of the jets. "Literally!"
"Hey!" Shelldon protests at this.
"Donald!" Mikey catches Shelldon before he could hit the floor.
"Donnie, you're overreacting," Amy gestures to the drone.
"That is a restraining bolt," Donnie points to the ball and chain. "From now on, you do not go anywhere or do anything without my say-so," He crosses his arms.
"01001 you!" Shelldon retorts back, dragging the chain with him. Donnie's mouth is wide open.
"You watch your mouth, young man! Sorry, Dr. Feelings and Dr. Common Sense, but I feel this was a job for Dr. Actually Solves Problems."
Amy slowly turns to him, hands on her hips. Her heels click with each step she makes, causing Donnie to sweat. He actually feels a little scared now.
She slaps him across the face. "Ow!"
"Donnie, what way did any of that solve the obvious problem that you have?"
"What? I did solve it!" He gestures to Shelldon.
"Grounding him? Restraining him? You're acting like a total tyrant!" She crosses her arms.
"You're grounded too, Mia!"
"I don't live here anymore and I'm older than you. You can't ground me," Amy retorts back in an annoyed tone.
"Then you are banned from the lair!"
"You don't have that kind of authority," She rolls her eyes.
"Then I will think of a third thing, gah!"
Later that night, Donnie is sleeping in his room. The door nearby his room closes. Shelldon peeks out of a manhole cover, sliding it off his head. He pulls himself up through the manhole with the heavy ball and chain, falling into the alley. He looks around in the area.
He flies slowly through the park when a purple dragon drone flies over his head. He locates the source to the high school tech club, the Purple Dragons. Kendra groans in frustration.
"We'll never win the drone race with your scrap heap, Jase!" She points at the boy. "First prize is the shadow transmitter. And that thing can hack every system on the planet!" She rubs her hands together.
"Hey, look!" Jeremy looks up ahead and they follow his gaze. "Isn't that the drone that belongs to Othello Von Ryan?"
"AKA Bootyyyshaker9000 aka-"
"Donnie," They all finish in unison.
"And he's all alone," Kendra grins smugly. The drone circles Shelldon and they approach him. "Hey, little guy. Why aren't you up there flying with your friends?"
"Cause of this stupid restraining bolt," He lightly waves the chain, glaring at it. "Hey, wait, you're the Purple Dragons! You're bad guys!"
"Us?" Kendra puts on innocent eyes, chuckling. "No. We're just misunderstood teens who don't play by the rules."
He tries to move forward, but the ball is still heavy. "Here," She holds out a hand. "Let me help you with that." He gives her the arm and with a tool, she unlocks him.
"Cool!" He exclaims happily, flying around. "Woo hoo! Booyakasha!"
"Whoo hoo hoo hoo, nice moves!" Kendra compliments the drone, but she doesn't actually mean it. She just wants that transmitter. They start to leave when she stops in her tracks. "Hey, we were gonna go have some unsupervised fun, maybe even hit the drone races. You can come if you want."
"Yeah, totally!" Shelldon smiles, looking away. "I mean...cool, cool, whatevs."
With Jeremy driving the car, Shelldon flies next to them. Kendra is in the passenger seat while Jase is in the back. They go to the Lazerdome, where Shelldon beats every kid there. He holds out a hand to Jase, who fist-bumps him.
Then they throw popcorn at a man from the movie theater. Shelldon points his laser so that a chocolate bar can fit into the man's mouth. They all cheer out loud, causing the other people watching to shush them. They sit back down, snickering to themselves.
They drive past the sun, Jase drooling onto his jacket. Kendra smirks a bit and then they go to the top of a cliff, looking out to the city. "Well, now that you're a dragon, how'd you like to fly for us in a drone race?" Kendra holds out a hand to Shelldon.
"Yeah," He smiles in agreement and they fist bump.
"Dragons till the end."
"You see this, doctors?" Donnie holds up a new sandwich over his head. "With Shelldon grounded, I can finally enjoyed my toasted avocado bacon bagel burrito in peace!" He takes a bite out of his sandwich.
"Don't you think it's time to take that restraining bolt off?" Mikey asks him in disapproval.
"You really think you did nothing wrong here?" Amy glares at the turtle. He swallows the sandwich whole.
"You know what, Angelo, Mia? You make really good points. It is probably way too easy to take that off. I better go perma-tighten it."
"No!" Amy groans, rubbing a temple. "That's not the point!"
"Greetings Donnie or other turtle or Amy. I am still charging," They look at Shelldon underneath a cloth, or what they think is Shelldon. "I am very sorry for everything I did. No need to investigate further."
Chewbacon stares at it blankly from his spot. "Ah, you see that? I really got through to him," Donnie starts to walk away.
"Uh huh," Amy crosses her arms.
"Did you, though?" Mikey removes the cloth to reveal a fake Shelldon. It's made out of a radio to record the speech, flying discs, and basketballs for eyes.
"Wat?!" Donnie exclaims at this. "He ran away?!" He smashes the radio and a tunnel opens, with him flying out on his winged shell.
"Donnie, wait!"
"I'll go after him," Amy pulls out her remote to call for her bike.
"Shelldon!" Donnie calls out to a library. "Shelldon!" Then the mystic library. "Shelldon!" A toilet from a bathroom somehow, where a man stares at him. "Shelldon!" Then a bumper car from Albeartoland. "SHELLDON!" Then the ocean. "Shelldon!"
The last place is Repo's place. "This is top-notch scrap," Repo states to Loose Lips. "Where'd you get all this?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Loose Lips Malinowski don't talk about sources," He crosses his arms. Amy lands near Donnie, who gestures for her to be quiet before she can scold him. She rolls her eyes and looks up ahead to see the exchange. "I'm not just gonna tell you I got it from the drone races where wayward teen drones go when they run away from home after a fight their misguided parental figures will regret for the rest of their lives."
Amy elbows Donnie and he frowns a little, realizing that he's the misguided parental figure...
"That's where I got it from."
"Oh, shame," Repo throws down a destroyed drone. "All this senseless carnage can be avoided if people simply communicated."
Donnie can just imagine Shelldon being here, gasping in fear. "Shelldon! Mia, give me a ride!"
"What? No, it's your fault he even went there in the first place," Amy crosses her arms.
"I know, I know. I should've listened instead of being...well, like you said, a tyrant. I want to express my feelings, for real this time."
"Well, you do seem like you mean it," She eyes him up and down, sighing in defeat. "Okay, I'll get you there."
"But we don't even know where it is!"
"Not a problem," Amy smirks, jumping off her bike. "Wait here."
He stares after her, wondering what she's gonna do. Then Repo and Loose Lips start shouting in pain and he cringes as he watches her beat them up.
"You better tell me where those drone races are!"
"Bite me!" Repo retorts back.
"Ooh, shouldn't have said that," Donnie winces and a loud smack is heard.
"What was that?!"
"Ah, okay, okay! We'll talk!" Repo starts crying. "Just don't hurt me, Pinkie!"
"Good, and make it quick before I smack you in the mouth for calling me that! I hate being called Pinkie."
"Loose Lips said he saw a purple drone with the Purple Dragons," Repo points to the man.
"Rat," The man grumbles to himself.
"The Purple Dragons?!" Amy and Donnie exclaim in unison.
"Here we are, Dragons," Kendra announces as they've arrived at the race. "I give you the thrilling world of underground drone racing!" She opens up the door, slightly blinding Shelldon from the light coming from inside. He sees the sight and exclamation points appear on his eyes. It's like something out of a video game as drones fly around in the air, one of them getting destroyed by hitting a pole. They walk past the competitors, one of them a beaten up Loose Lips. Another contestant is Baxter Stock boy.
"Heh. These drones got nothing on you," She places a hand on top of Shelldon. "You're gonna win us that prize..."
"The shadow transmitter!" Jase's eyes shine at it as the object is standing on a podium. "It's so powerful! And blinky!"
The contestants leave the drones. "See you at the finish line, Shell," Kendra salutes to him, and they go upwards to a lounge for drivers only.
"Welcome, warriors of the sky, to Thunderdrone!"
The whole crowd cheers as a car lowers from the ceiling, with a man standing on top of it. "I'm your host, Billionaire Guy Eccentric! Billionaire is my first name and not a reference to my financial situation. Reeling a last-minute entry, introducing...Drone-a-tello!"
"Drone-a-tello?!" Shelldon's eyes go wide. He turns to the make-shift drone made out of a box, with Donnie using handheld fans to keep himself afloat. "Donnie?! What are you doing here?!"
"I'm here too," Amy's head pops out of her red motorcycle that is actually now a drone. "One of the contestants didn't show up, so I filled in. I drove him here because Donnie has something to say," She gives her friend a look to start speaking.
"I know you're mad at me, but don't do this. It's too dangerous."
"Well my friends don't think so," Shelldon defends to him, glaring. "They think I can win."
"Racers, start your runners!"
The contestants start up their drones. "Those jerks are not your friends," Donnie tells Shelldon.
"You're wrong. They don't have any rules, and they let me do whatever I want!"
"They're also the ones who stole my bike and caused a rogue robot to attack the city through Donnie. Don't you remember that?" Amy frowns at him. "Not to mention that one of them has a creepy crush on me."
The race starts and the drones take off. "Dragons till the end!" Shelldon leaves the two behind.
"Shelldon, wait!" Donnie calls out to him as the drones fly forward. The race is being filmed as one drone throws away the other. It flies over the brunette and the softshell turtle. "Shelldon!"
They go down a ramp and Donnie's eyes widen up ahead. "Not good, not good!" Up ahead are bumping taxis that are meant to crush drones.
"Oh no!" Amy exclaims, flying underneath the cabs, some of the other drones doing the same thing. Others either fly over them or zip right past. Shelldon flies past them, Donnie following after him.
"Shelldon! Shelldon, I'm sorry!"
"A simple apology isn't gonna cut it, Donnie! You have to make him listen!" Amy calls out as she flies upwards to follow the other drones.
"Please! Come home!"
"Home is where your family is, and I'm a Purple Dragon now!" Shelldon declares, continuing with the race.
"They're not your family, we are! If you lose this race, they're gonna kick you to the curb!" Donnie shouts to him. He knows the Purple Dragons well enough to realize how they stab people in the back or use them for their own gain. Donnie yelps at a saw that moves in front of him, but Amy pulls him along.
"Come on, you big wuss."
"You're just saying that to get me to do what you wa-" Shelldon doesn't realize he's heading for a moving saw up ahead.
"Look out!" Donnie screams in alarm. "Saw, saw!" He pushes Shelldon out of the way, but his make-shift drone gets hit in the process.
"Donnie!" Amy shouts, avoiding the saw and flying towards him. He hits multiple floors, walls, and more.
"And Drone-a-tello falling through the drop! Looks like our late entry is finished..."
He continues falling until he goes through a hole and hits mud. Amy lands nearby, looking down at him. "You alive?"
"Yeah..." Over their heads, the drones fly past them and Donnie sees Shelldon. "No, no!"
Shelldon is in second place, the drone behind him getting destroyed. He and the other drone zip into another part of the track.
"I'm sorry, Shelldon, but there's only one way to make you understand what they're really like. I have to win this race..."
"But how are you going to do that?" Amy asks, turning to him.
"I have my ways..." He presses a button from his wrist computer, but nothing happens. He presses it on rapidly and then his thruster shell activates. He quickly grabs Amy and they take off like a rocket. Both of them scream, eyes popping out and mouths dangling.
"Oh ho ho! In an impressive move, Drone-a-tello is back and straight going through the obstacle course! It's a good thing drones can't feel pain." Ironically, all the two feel is pain as they're crashing through everything. "But is it enough to win the race?"
Shelldon and his opponent are neck and neck as they fly around each other. They clash twice, the two sets of contestants looking on. Donnie and Amy suddenly speed into the area and just as Shelldon is about to pass his opponent, the two break through the orange drone.
"Donnie? Amy?"
They go right through the finish line banner, zipping past the car and crashing. "Holy smokes! Drone-a-tello wins!"
Shelldon skids to a stop, seeing Donnie had crashed into the wall. He falls onto the ground, revealing Amy. She lands nearby, her eyes swirling around as her hair is a mess.
"Owww..."
"That doesn't even begin to describe what I feel right now..." Amy murmurs as she has a black eye.
"Hope everyone had a great time! Remember to tip your host, cause I'm in horrible future crippling debt!" The two are handed the transmitter as Shelldon goes back to his friends in disappointment.
"Uhh, sorry guys," He says awkwardly. "We'll get 'em next time."
"Useless drone!" Kendra yells in frustration and anger towards him. He looks at her in surprise for her tone as she's now glaring at him for losing. "There won't be a next time."
"But...but...we're friends," He looks up at her sadly.
"Are you kidding me?! We were never friends!" She grits her teeth. "I just needed you to get the shadow transmitter, and you failed! Jase, get that transmitter!" She points to Donnie and Amy, who's gotten out of her drone and is now on her bike.
"Wait, Amy?!" Jeremy's eyes widen at her and he attempts to slick his hair back. "How do I look?"
"Who cares?" Kendra shouts at her comrade. "Jase, now!"
He pushes up his glasses, grinning as he summons his drone. It equips itself with weapons before shorting out and falling onto the ground in a heap. Kendra faces out of embarrassment, glaring at Jase.
"I wish my dad never married your mom! Apparently, we won't be taking that transmitter," Kendra points up at the duo. "But after we make some minor upgrades, you are so toast!" She laughs evilly and Jeremy waves to Amy.
"Call me, Amy! I love you!"
"Sorry, but I've got a boyfriend now," Amy smirks, and she silently grins at his horrified face. "And he's much better than some lame tech guy with an awful dye job."
Tears run down his face in sadness as Kendra rolls her eyes, dragging him away. "I'll wait for you, my sweet! See what I did there? Because you bake?"
"Bye," Amy waves to him, but she doesn't mean it in a good way. "Ugh. One of these days I need to get a restraining order on him.
"Shelldon," Donnie drops the transmitter and jumps off the platform. Amy flies down to them with her motorcycle. Shelldon looks very disappointed with the aftermath of the race...not because he lost, but because they were just using him. "Wait."
"You proved your point, okay? I never should've run away and joined the Dragons..."
Amy nudges Donnie, gesturing for him to talk to his drone. "Hey," He places a hand on Shelldon's back. "We all make mistakes, bud. Including me," He turns the drone around to face him. "I shouldn't have been so harsh. I'm really, really sorry. Two reallys," He smiles softly and Amy grins, crossing her arms. Donnie can have a heart once in a while...
If his stubbornness didn't always get in the way.
"Heh...um..." Shelldon feels sheepish as he clicks his arms together a little. "I'm really, really sorry too, D..."
Donnie then glances to Amy, remembering the 'seminar' she did with Mikey.
"Hug it out!" Mikey appears in a think bubble. Donnie then looks to Amy, and the look on her face said it all.
'You better hug him or I'll punch you.'
Donnie takes Shelldon into his arms and hugs him. "Oh..." Shelldon looks surprised, but returns it. Donnie's really not much of a hugger...the crowd goes 'aww' at the moment, some even crying.
"Looks like my work here is done," Mikey says, looking away from the jumbo screen.
"Nice job, Dr. Feelings," Another Mikey appears, giving him a thumbs up. The two high-five each other.
"Thank god you two worked things out. I couldn't take it anymore with you being a dictator," Amy states to Donnie as they're walking back into the lair.
"Was I really that bad?" Donnie raises a brow at her. He's carrying Shelldon in his arms since the drone needs charging.
"If being an unreasonable ass is considered a good thing to someone, they need a therapist," She snorts as Chewbacon runs up to her. She smiles and bends down to him. The pig reaches up and licks at her face, causing her to chuckle. "Aw, I missed you too, Chewie."
"For someone who's tough-as-nails, you're better at parenting styles than I am," Donnie shakes his head.
"Oh come on. I can get Chewbacon to do anything. Watch this," She points at the pig. "Sit." He sits down on the ground. "Stare up at me. Be pink."
He almost laughs, almost. Chewbacon jumps into her arms and she stands up, walking off. "I'm gonna say bye to Leo and get my stuff before I leave. Night Donnie."
The turtle simply hums as a response as she jumps onto the second floor. Chewbacon oinks in slight disdain and Amy looks at the pig in her arms. "Hey, I know you two don't get along, but both of you are in my lives, and you'll just have to deal with it."
He squeals indignantly. "Wow, okay, there's only one person in our household that gets to swear, and that's me. And I will kick ass to anyone who tells me otherwise, you didn't hear any of that."
Chewbacon just oinks back. "Well! Then I guess no mud pie for you tonight," She puts him down near the entrance of Leo's room, crossing her arms. He looks up at her pleadingly, but she walks off, and he oinks like a baby. She comes to a stop and sighs.
"One slice, and that's it. After that, no more for a week for the language."
She steps into Leo's room, and he looks up from his comic book, beaming. "My lady!" He jumps forward and gasps sharply, seeing the black eye. He slides to a stop and she sweats nervously. She forgot she still had it...
"Did your mom give that to you?!" He starts panicking, holding her shoulders.
"No," She shakes her head rapidly. "No. I went with Donnie to get Shelldon because they were having problems. We were in a race, and the next thing I know, he's grabbing me and-"
"DONATELLO!" Leo shouts, storming past her out the door. "COME HERE RIGHT NOW AND EXPLAIN YOURSELF! No, don't you run away from me!"
"Leo, wait, he didn't touch me in that way! I was in a drone!" Amy calls out to him, running after her boyfriend.
Amy and Leo are now at her place, watching TV together. He throws some popcorn into his mouth as a commercial about a mother and her baby comes on. He pauses in his chewing, glancing at Amy, who gives no reaction at all.
When was the last time her sister-in-law talked to her? She must miss them...they're not talked about much.
"So..." He draws out the word, getting her attention. "How's Elena doing?"
"I don't know," She shrugs slowly. "The last time I saw them was after the rest of us left to get the oreos..."
"Don't you...call them?" Leo sits up, staring at her.
"Ha," Amy laughs lowly. "She's blocked my number, and my mother's. She refuses to see us. We remind her too much about my brother...Elena's probably five now. I just wish I could see her again...but, this is my life, and if I don't see them again, that's Carol's problem."
"But-"
"Papi...I appreciate it, and I love them, but what's done is done," She kisses his cheek softly, standing up. "I'm gonna get some coffee downstairs. Do you want anything?"
He simply shakes his head and she leaves the room. How could someone just cut ties with their family like that? They're all each other has now...if it was him, he'd wanna be close with what little people he had left...
Noticing Amy's phonebook, he peeks downstairs to see Amy brewing her drink. She wouldn't be back for a couple minutes...and while it was wrong, he had to do this, so that she wouldn't be so alone. And she may seem contempt with it now, but he could see her eyes betray her.
She wanted to see them.
He locates Carol's phone number and puts it in his phone. Hopefully he could get through to her somehow...
Leo passes his brothers' rooms on his way back, and sitting on his bed, he dials Carol. "Carol? Carol Santiago?"
"Speaking," A quiet female voice says. "Who's calling?"
"My name's Leo, and I'm...involved with Amy—sorry, I mean Alina."
"I know no one by those names," Carol replies coolly. "She's dead to me."
"Look, I know that your family had problems, Mrs. Santiago, but she really misses both of you. She doesn't hate you. She loves both you and your daughter and she just wants a family. She's sorry about what happened to your husband."
"Is that all?" Carol tells him frostily. "I'm watching Chopped."
I don't care who this woman is, her sister-in-law misses her and she cares about a cooking show.
"No," Leo growls out, trying to keep in his rare temper. "Alina has been through a lot these past few years and she deserves to see her niece. She's done nothing to you. Can't you at least let her visit? It would mean a lot to her if you did. She's accomplished so much. You should be proud of her."
"Like I said, I don't know her."
"Look, if you want your daughter to be loved like your husband would've wanted, Alina and her mother are it. I know that her mother is-"
The line goes dead. What a horrible person. Can't believe she was nicer when Amy's brother was still alive. Determined to hate her just because her husband's gone. My lady...she must feel awful about this all the time.
I gotta do something about it.
After asking Amy to meet him outside her store, he gets the back door wired so that they can't get through...with Donnie's help, of course. He's dressed in his wrestling outfit so that Carol nor Elena would freak out at him. Amy comes out through the front and walks around the corner.
"Leo, why'd you ask me to come outside? And why are you dressed like that?" She inspects his outfit.
"Is that you?"
Amy turns around and sees a blonde woman with blue eyes, who's holding a little girl's hand. "...Carol?" She murmurs slowly.
"Auntie Ali!" Elena recognizes her immediately, rushing over to Amy. She bends down and opens her arms, Elena giving her a big hug. Amy sniffles at the reunion. She never thought she'd get to hug her niece again...
"Yeah...it's us. Leo...called," Carol speaks up, causing Amy to look at the turtle.
"He did what?" Her eyes narrow.
"Glad you guys came!" Leo ignores Amy's question, bending down to the little girl. "You must be Elena. Alina's told me about you."
Elena nods slowly, hugging her aunt's leg. "Hey, come on. I don't bite. In fact, your aunt's got some tasty treats inside. Let's leave them alone and have some."
He holds out his hand and she looks up at Carol, who nods for her to go.
"...Like cupcakes and stuff?" The little girl finally speaks up.
"I'll show you," Leo leads her inside, but not before giving Amy a thumbs up. She just glares at him and he winks. Then it's awkward silence for a few minutes until she decides to speak up. She might as well go with it, right?
"So...he called you and you just decided to come here?"
"Yes, well...it's not fair to alienate family just because my husband is...dead," Carol bites her lip. "I was surprised to hear about your mother. I can't believe she's been stricken with that illness."
"...You shouldn't be. The accident caused a lot of damage to her mental state," Amy crosses her arms, looking away.
"Okay, I deserve that," Carol nods her head. "I wasn't always the best person after the car accident," She dabs at her eyes. "After Marco's death, I grew cold and ignored you both in your time of need. You needed us and I didn't do anything. No wonder why you work so hard, and at such a young age. And now that it's been years, there's no chance of him coming back. I was foolish and should've reached out to you. Now your mother is stuck like that and I have nothing. Just bitter memories."
"...Would you like to have one of my pastries sometime?" Amy speaks up after a few seconds.
"Why would you want to do that?" Carol asks in surprise. "I was rude to your boyfriend and disrespectful to you..."
"He may be my boyfriend, but he's-" Amy sighs in defeat, deciding to let it drop for now. "Because neither of us should be alone again. Did you drive here?"
"We took the train."
"Then I'll drive you back on my motorcycle—well...Marco's motorcycle," Amy corrects herself.
"You...still have it?" She asks slowly with a growing smile. "I'm glad. He would've wanted you to keep it."
Amy's eyes fill with tears. "Yeah...don't worry, I didn't change a thing."
Carol feels like crying too and they share a warm hug.
They join Leo and Elena inside the bakery, and Carol decides to tell them how she met Marco. "Marco and I were high school sweethearts. I was a barista in a little café, and one day, he came in to study. He was stressed about exams and I didn't have the heart to leave him like that, so I talked him. We immediately formed a bond and we started dating. We were so close, inseparable, and as time passed, we got married right after college. He was affectionate, cheerful, mischievous, and had a wonderful sense of humor. I loved him. After Elena was born, we spent hours with our family, cooking together and going to Coney Island every summer. He was just about to become CEO at his company. Alina—sorry, Amy, would always take care of the girls before and after school. Us adults were always busy, but she didn't mind. When Marco died...I was left to raise our daughter alone. I was so wrapped up in my own grief that I couldn't handle seeing you two anymore...I blocked numbers. I moved away. I blamed you for a little while, but it wasn't your fault. You were only ten. I should have..." She wipes a tear running down her cheek. "Talked to you. Not ignore you. I regret that."
"I regretted things too," Amy murmurs as Elena is hugging her. "Like not telling you guys about the bullying..."
"...I'm really sorry to hear that, Amy. It's my fault. I was too focused on my career to even notice...but your brother did. Of course he did. He loved you...Lucia...your parents...and Elena."
She places a hand on Carol's shoulder. "No. It's not your fault. I was the one who kept my mouth shut about it. But...talking about it helped me. I don't have to hide it anymore. Maybe...I could visit Elena and get to know her."
Carol smiles softly. "We'd like that very much, Amy. And thank you, Leo."
"Who brought back a family? This guy!" Leo points two thumbs to himself.
Amy rolls her eyes playfully at him. "Yeah yeah, save it for later. Next time, don't sandbag me like that."
"I did you a favor," Leo lifts his head up high proudly.
"More like make me punch you even more."
Carol watches the two with their banter and smiles. This...person brought her and Amy back together. It melts her heart to know that even though Amy's been through what no 15-year-old should go through, she was happy. Miracles can happen.
