Calli's Pov...
As much as I tried to be happy on this special day, it was almost impossible. It's already been a couple of weeks since Leo left for Japan and it would still be months before his return. It really pained me that he couldn't be here for our little girl's birthday, it was suppose to be a special time where the whole family could be together. I was still angry with Splinter about making his decision without even consulting with me first about it, let alone wait until the very last minute to make this announcement.
I was up early in the morning baking Ellie's birthday cake, her favorite kind double chocolate with strawberry icing, while she was still fast asleep in her room. I knew it would be a while before anyone would wake up and that meant I could get a lot done with no distraction. I made little roses using the frosting bag on the edge of the cake before squeezing on a ribbon of icing to each rose giving it an elegant look. "Well look who is awake", someone said
I gasped softly in surprise before looking up suddenly to see Raph, drinking one of his protein shakes he drank every morning. "Oh hey Raph", I said, softly before looking down continuing on with my work
"Jee why sounding so gloomy sis?", he asked
"Well obviously, our father decided to send my husband away from the family on the other side of the world for who knows how long and he gets to miss out on our daughter's birthday without even saying anything to us, so yes I am just peachy", I said, faking happiness in my voice
"Okay, I will ignore the sarcasm and get down to the point", he said "I take it you are pissed off about this?"
"Oh you have no idea", I said, starting to clean off the cooking utensils in the sink
"Look Calli I know what you are feeling, but, but that was wrong of you to do that, you should not of yelled at him", he said
"I should not of yelled?!", I asked, getting a bit angry "Leo is not here and its because he sent him off to some stranger we don't even know and who knows what could happen?!"
"I don't blame Splinter Callista", he said, looking defensive
I backed slightly but still kept a straight face. "Look you know we are in trouble with enemies and we need all the help we can get, look what's is done, and you have to move on from this, you can't keep dreading on it", he said
"Oh so that's your big idea huh? Pretend like nothing even happened?!", I asked, growing angrier
"I am not saying that!", he said
"Well it sure sounds like you are!", I said
"Yeah well you sound like a whiny princess", he said "And this snappy attitude of yours is not going to help anything"
"Well maybe he should of thought about my snappy attitude, before he decided to make a move like that", I said, shoving utensils in the drawer, before slamming it shut loud
I sighed deeply gripping the edge of the countertop tight with my fingers, breathing heavily. I knew Raph was still in the room looking at me and I took a breathe before standing up straight. "Look I am not going to keep this going on, it's my little girl's day and I tend to make that the main focus here", I said "So if you do want to help you could make yourself useful and get some things ready"
I walked away abruptly towards my room before slamming it shut, leaning against it. My body began to shake violently and the tears just spilled out of my eyes like a raging river. It felt like I was reliving an old feeling of being alone and scared, not knowing what to do. Like a lost child in the woods not knowing which path to take to go home. I fell against the door as I cried softly holding my head in my hands. I didn't cry for too long before I heard my phone vibrating on the nightstand. I looked up seeing the glowing screen light up part of the darken bedroom. I slowly got up to my feet and I saw it was a text message from Leo. I managed to smile a little when I grabbed the phone and opened up the message.
Leo: "Hey sweetie 3, are you doing okay?"
Me: "Not really...I miss you too much :("
Leo: "I know :( I do too..."
Me: "I want you to come home, I am scared for you everyday"
Leo: "Don't worry about me, I am okay, I am in the temple in the mountains and its far from any threats"
Me: "You don't know that for sure"
Leo: "I know its been hard for the both of us, but you can't be scared everyday for these next few months, think about Ellie and the others, they need you and you have to keep going on like as if we were all together"
Me: "But that is the point, we are not together, I worry about your safety all the time and it's so hard"
Leo: "I know but you have to try, for me, please...don't just be existing Calli, be living like the beautiful woman you are and always know that I am going to be coming home very soon"
I sighed softly and I dried some of the tears that were pooling up in my eyes as I got another message from him.
Leo: "We will be together again Calli, you will see, let's not worry about what's happening right now, its our little princess's birthday and we need to make it special"
Me: "Okay honey, I will try, for you"
Leo: "That's my baby girl 3"
I giggled softly. Me: "Thanks sugar 3 this really helped"
Leo: "Anytime, oh and by the way I have a little surprise for our little ninja, it's under the bed on my side"
I got a look of curiosity and I went over towards the other side of the bed. I knelt down on my hands and knees and I saw a long rectangular box right at the edge. I gently pulled it out and I opened it up to see a heartwarming gift. Inside was a small green kimono with golden trim on the edge of the sleeves and skirt and there was a golden cherry blossom tree that covered most of the skirt with petals flying off on different spot on the kimono and a little golden lotus hair clip. I uncovered a white sheet from the bottom of the box and there was two small katana's that could easily be held by a child with black handles. "Oh my gosh!", I said, completely in awe
I then heard my phone vibrating and saw it was Leo calling. I quickly answered it as I placed the phone by my ear. "You think she will like it?", he asked
"Baby, she is going to love it! It's so beautiful!", I said
"I saw that in April's shop and it looked like it would fit Ellie perfectly", he said
"Sweetheart its gorgeous, she will be so thrilled and I love the little swords too", I said
"Those were actually my swords when I first started Ninjistu, I wanted to give them to her", he said "Pass on another family heirloom"
"Oh Leo, that's so sweet of you, she is going to love this so much", I said
"I sure hope she does, but baby I am sorry I have to go, I have training now and I don't want to get in trouble", he said, sounding a bit bummed out
"Oh", I said, softly "Well okay honey, you just be careful okay?"
"I will I promise, tell me how everything went and we will talk together over Skype when I finish okay?", he said
"Okay Leo, good luck in training, I will talk to you soon", I said "Love you honey"
"I love you too, bye", Leo said
"Bye", I said, softly
The call disconnected and I sighed softly a bit happy that I heard Leo's voice again after so long but yet was still disheartened the conversation was short lived. I looked back down at Leo's gift and I began to gather it up to show to Ellie when I heard a knock at the door. "Calli, I can't find where you put the lanterns", Raph said, opening it and coming inside
"Hold on a moment, forget about it for a second", I said, getting up and walking over to him "Raph, I am sorry"
"What for?", he asked, sounding confused
"For snapping at you, I was just mad at the situation not at you", I said, with my voice becoming quiet
"It's alright Calls, its not a big deal", he said, shrugging
"Yes it is, it is a big deal", I said, sniffling slightly "You see I get scared Raph, I get scared of being alone, after the death of my family and Yani, I sometimes relive those memories in my head. It's like I have a little post dramatic stress disorder in me and since Leo is gone, I feel alone and afraid again. I am just not used to it. I feel like the inability to breathe, to think clearly or just even talk and it feels like everything is caving in and I don't know what to do to stop it. I would never be the same again and I could never forgive myself"
I thought he wouldn't buy my feelings of what really was going inside of me, but that's when I felt his hands slid up till they got to my shoulders. "Sis", he said
I slowly looked up to him with small tears pooling in my eyes. "But you are not alone, you have all of us here, and you don't have to be scared about anything, nothing is going to happen to Leo", he said "You know we both know that, and you know that everything will be alright, don't you?"
I waited for a few moments before nodding slowly in agreement. "Yeah", I said, quietly
"Everything is going to be okay and I want you to know that I am here for you and you can always come to me like I do with you", he said
He pulled me into a tight hug and I hugged him tight for comfort, letting out shaky breathes. "Hey come on now, let's try not to get upset, it's Ellie birthday like you said, we want to make it the main focus", he said
"Yeah", I said, pulling away and drying my tears nodding "You are right, let's do it"
He smiled slightly and I gave him one last squeeze before letting him go. "Hey sis?", he said
"Mmmmm?", I asked, looking up to him
"Can I lick the bowl of the icing?", he asked, looking hopeful
"Sure go ahead, better get it before Mikey does", I said, giggling
"Sweet!", he said, running off
I giggled, even sometimes when he can be so serious he can still have that little bit of inner goofball in him. I gathered up Ellie's gift and saw the time on the clock seeing it was ten in the morning. It was time to wake up the birthday girl. I gently laid the kimono and the pair of katanas by the corner of her bedroom door to make it out of view before Ellie could see it. "Hey what's that sissy?", Donnie asked, walking up
"Oh Leo left this for Ellie, don't you think its cute?", I asked, with a smile
"Yeah Ellie will really like this", he said
"Here I am just about to wake her up, come on", I said
We both snuck quietly over towards Ellie's door and I quietly opened it to see Ellie sound asleep. I turned on lanterns as they lit up her room as we walked inside. "Eleanora, Elenanora", I called out softly, with Donnie walking around me
He knelt down next to Ellie's bed as he rubbed her shoulder and shell. "Happy Birthday princess", he said, softly kissing her head
Ellie stirred awake as she turned over on her shell. "Good morning sweetheart", I said, walking in front of her bed
"What?", Ellie said, mumbling
"It's your birthday", I said
"Is it?", she asked, sitting up yawning
"You turn six today, how does it feel?", Donnie asked, rubbing her shell helping to wake her up
Ellie rubbed her eyes open and she hugged him to her as he gave her a loving hug before setting her down on the floor. "Good", she said
"Yeah? You sleeping okay?", I asked
"Yes", she said, nodding dragging her stuffed turtle out of bed
"That's good", I said
"What are we doing today for my birthday?", she asked, looking at the both of us
"Well that's a big surprise for tonight, but Daddy left you something outside your room", I said
"What did he leave?", she asked
"Go out and take a look", Donnie said, nudging her gently forward
Ellie walked out of the bedroom with her stuffed turtle and we could hear gasp in happiness. "My own kimono!", she said, getting on her knees looking at it
"It's your own Japanese princess one, do you like it?", I asked, smiling, as we walked out of the room
Ellie giggled and smiled happily. "Is that so cute?", I said
"Look at this clip", she said, showing me the golden lotus
"It's for your mask", I said
"Look at this clip Uncle Donnie", she said, happily showing him as he smiled
"And look you even got something else too", I said, pointing
Ellie crawled over the kimono looking under the sheet and gasped again. "Wow katanas! Like you and Daddy Mommy!", she said
"These are very special katanas Ellie", I said, kneeling beside her
"Why are they so special?", she asked, looking up at me
"Well these katanas honey were your father's when he was your age", I said, as she looked back down at them
Ellie picked up one of the swords and held it up against her face as she could see her reflection staring back at her. "Wow", she said, sounding almost breathless "These were used by Daddy?"
"Mmmmhmmm, he used these when he first his training like you did before he got his own katana to use", I said "He wants to pass them on to you and that is honorary"
"It is?", she asked
"Yes, if a precious weapon or gift that has been in many generations or even just the beginning of one, to be entrusted with it, it shows that you are capable of keeping it", I said
"Now I have two weapons!", she said, smiling widely
I giggled and I kissed her head softly. "Happy birthday sweetheart", I said, with a soft smile "And you even got more surprises"
"What are they Mommy? What are they?", she asked, sounding excited
"I can't tell you, or it would ruin it", I said, shaking my head
"Oh please Mommy! Please!", she said, jumping up and down
"Sorry honey, you will just have to wait to find out", I said, giggling
"Awwwww", she said, starting to pout a little
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Where is the birthday girl?!", Mikey called out, coming out of his room with a big grin
"Over here Mikey", I said, giggling
"Uncle Mikey!", Ellie said, happily
They both started running towards each other with Ellie giggling as he quickly picked her up, throwing her up in the air, then catching her in his arms. He kissed her all over her face as he dipped her back making her go upside down, with her giggling uncontrollably. "Happy birthday princess", he said
"Thanks Uncle Mikey, can you tell what the surprises are?", she asked, looking at him "Please"
"Sorry little lady, can't say, but I will tell you one if its okay with your Mom", he said
She then turned towards me. "Oh Mommy please? Just this one?", she asked, showing me her big wide bright eyes "Please?"
I giggled. "Okay you can tell her just this one though and the rest is a surprise", I said
"Okay, your first surprise, is the ultimate birthday breakfast for the birthday girl", Mikey said "Triple chocolate chip pancakes with frosting on the top!"
A huge wide smile appeared on her face as she licked her lips. "Yum! Awesome!", she said, throwing herself up in his arms
"Alright well we got to make them first and I do need my little chief with me for this one", he said
"Let's do it!", Ellie cheered, as they walked into the kitchen
I giggled. "Oh my gosh, its only been a few minutes and she is already acting more crazier than ever", I said
"Well they do say, age does have its benefits in both energy and the level of how much kids tire out the adults", Donnie said
"True that, but oh well what are you going do?", I said "Come on, let's go help them out"
After preparing and eating the huge breakfast, the lair was quiet throughout the day since we really couldn't go out and do anything until nightfall. There was a little surprise training session only this time it was Ellie teaching the lesson. And I will say she didn't do bad for her first time teaching, it looks like she really has been listening to what Splinter says in what will be done in training and what improvements to made when we are sparring. Of course she does need some work on the seriousness, since she does make little funny moves on how to improve an action, but other than that she did remarkably well. There was no sign of Splinter coming out from his room and it seemed there wasn't much activity going on in there either. I was starting to actually a little bit guilty about the yelling, but I was still angered of what's been done. Ellie was then given the challenge of facing all of her uncles and me, at the same time, to see how stronger and skilled she has become. Once that was finished and over with it, we ended up being thrown across the room in different directions and our faces looked like we saw a ghost but it was quickly replaced with smiles, knowing that she was running on the right path so far in becoming a true kunoichi.
It was a battle of weapons of combat four to one, something like I would encounter before I met the guys, fighting the Foot Ninja without the aid of teammates. But she showed she was capable of taking on us all, with the right stances, balance, and foot work and strategy of using her tessens she was granted. Once after training was over, I gathered up the materials I would need in order to make Ellie's big surprise for tonight when we go out. It was a little idea that I came up with that Yani did for me when I had first birthday living in America. I was going to make it as special as that precious moment in my life. We had waited until it was nearly dusk out before we made our way out towards Central Park, so we wouldn't be easily spotted and we got the little setup ready by Ellie's favorite tree in the park, where Leo and I would take her to catch the little fireflies that flew in the air.
It was far from where anyone could of seen it, so I knew it would be safe from the public eyes. I got Ellie's cake ready from the fridge and stuck in five pink candles on top. "Mmmmmm that looks good cake sissy", Mikey said
"I sure hope it does taste good, it took me a good two hours to make it", I said, gathering up the vanilla ice cream tub to go along with it
"I'm sure it will sissy, Ellie will probably be eating all of it before I even get the chance to", he said
I giggled. "Yeah probably that's most likely scenario", I said "Is there anything going on with Splinter?"
"Well he was in his room all day and I know he is coming along with us to the park, but he seems kind of...off", he said, shrugging a little at that last part
"Oh", I said, sounding a bit low "I don't think we are healing from this"
"Yeah you both have been kind of at the odds with each other for awhile", he said
"We have, it's like we are enemies, like cats and dogs", I said
"More like cats and rats", he said
I gave him a cocked eyebrow before he laughed nervously grinning innocently, blushing a little. "I just don't know little bro", I said "I mean I can't keep living like this, its miserable"
"Well you both got to make it right, I hate seeing you guys like this, you both don't even look at each other anymore", he said
"I know I am too, I just don't know what to do", I said, shaking my head
He placed his hand on my shoulder. "You will know, you always find the answer sissy", I said
I nodded softly before he gave me a sibling like kiss on my temple before leaving. I sighed softly before I gathered up the cake and ice cream and we began to leave out to the park. I got a head start by getting the cake and ice cream there so it would be ready by the time we got there. When I came back the boys were placing their gifts hidden in special spots for Ellie to find. "You guys ready?", I asked, running up
"Ready Freddie", Mikey said
"Great! Let's go!", I said
With that we made it back to the alley where we came out from. "Ellie, Splinter come on!", Mikey called out
Ellie poked her little head out of the manhole, wearing the kimono and the swords in special little sheaths on her shell, before crawling out with Splinter crawling out behind her. "This is going to be awesome Grandpa!", Ellie said, excitedly
"Yes, I can see it will be a wonderful event", he said, patting her head gently with his paw
When he looked and he came face to face with me, we both gave each other an emotionless look, like two complete strangers meeting for the first time ever. I knew this was awkward for the both of us seeing we haven't talked or looked at each other for weeks, before we slowly looked away, at least we did try to make an effort. We started to make our way towards the park and getting on the path where Ellie would be able to find her gifts from her uncles. "Are we finally going to find out what the surprises are yet Mommy?", Ellie asked, sounding hopeful and eager running backwards
"Yes Green Bean, you do", I said, giggling
"Yay! What's my first one?", she asked
"Well your first one is from Uncle Donnie, and its over by where you always hide when you play hide and seek", I said
Ellie looked around before she ran off from the rest of us and she began to climb up one of the oak trees near us, disappearing into the branches. "I can't believe she does hide up there", I said
"Well it is the only place you can really hide in a big park like this", Donnie said
"Wow! This is awesome!", Ellie said
She suddenly flew out of the tree and went high up into the air before she came zooming back down, barely giving us time to duck before she stopped in front of us. "Mommy look!", Ellie called out
It turned out to be that Ellie was in her own little flying ship, that was makeshift to look like an ancient Japanese dragon, that was dark red with golden scales with blue wings. "Oh my goodness!", I said
"It's like the ones we see the old books!", she said
"Oh Donnie that's amazing!", I said
"Isn't it? I designed it after a few that I have seen in the books and made it just like it's her own little dragon", Donnie said, smiling proudly
"Thanks Uncle D!", she said, before flying off again cheering doing a flip in the air in front of the moon
She came back down landing behind us before leaping out of it. She ran over to Donnie giving him a huge hug and with him returning it and giving a big kiss on her cheek. "Glad you like it princess", he said, with a smile
"What's next?", she asked, as we walked along the trail
"The next one is where you where you love to be near but you can't necessarily swim in", I said "And this is one is from your Uncle Raph"
Ellie tapped her foot thinking for a minute before snapping her fingers with a smile and she began running into the reeds near the pond disappearing. "Ellie where did you go?", Mikey called out
"Woah so cool!", Ellie called out from the reeds
She came out from hiding whipping out a long dark blue silk ribbon, that shimmered under the moonlight, on a stick, snatching one of the pizza bites Mikey was eating out of his hand. "Hey!", he said, shocked
"Get ready to face my ribbon!", she said, flicking it back towards her and eating it
She did a fast spin with it before doing a twirl and backflip, snapping it out to the side. "Oh Raphie, that's so cute!", I said, with a smile
"I thought she might of too", he said, with a slight chuckle "It was pretty and I thought she would like it"
"It's awesome Uncle Raphie, I can dance with it and snatch pizza bites away from Mikey!", she said, doing another spin twirling the ribbon up in the air
"Happy B Day little princess", he said, with a smile
She came running over to him with the ribbon and he picked her up quickly, hugging her to him. "Thanks Raphie, what's next Mama?", she asked
"The next gift is hiding close by where we always watch the stars and this one is from Uncle Mikey", I said
"Aha!", she said, smiling bright jumping out of Raph's arm running off
She came up to the bench and we could see a new skateboard that was black in color, but underneath it was dark blue with sea turtles on it in different shades of green. "Woah that is amazing! This is the coolest skateboard ever!", she said, picking it up smiling happily
She threw it out in front of her and jumped on skateboarding on the sidewalk, doing flips with it and a few spins on the rear wheels. "This is awesome!", she said, flying up in the air before doing a spin skidding to a halt
"I told you she would love it", Mikey said, giving my arm a nudge
"And you were right", I said, with a smile
Ellie then came running over as she giggled and he spun her around giving her the tightest of hugs I ever seen. "Thanks Mikey, this is so cool, radical notion dude!", she said
"Now my gift from me and it's right here", I said, getting down on my knees
Ellie came forward to me as I reveled to her in my hand a diamond jade prism necklace on a silver chain, that made little rainbows form and curve in my palm. "It's so pretty", she said, looking at it and holding it up by the chain to see
"This necklace was from your grandfather Yani, it belonged to daughters in his family tree", he said "He had passed this on to me when I was your age when I came home to America from Italy, and now that the roots of this family still growing on, it's time I had passed it on to you"
"Really?", she asked
"Mmmhmmmm, here let's see how it looks", I said
She turned around as I clipped the chain together and Ellie turned back as it rested against her chest over her dress. "It fits you perfectly", I said, softly feeling such a wonderful feeling overcome me
"Look at you, already you look like a true princess", Raph said, with a proud smile
She giggled, blushing slightly pink in her cheeks and she came over and hugged me tight as I hugged her back with love. "I love it Mama, thank you so much, I really do love it and I will take good care of it", she said, softly
"I know you will, I feel it in my heart", I said, nodding "Alright Ellie, you ready to see the biggest surprise?"
"Totally!", she said
"This way", I said, nodding my head
She ran ahead of me as we climbed the hill and you could see her little face light up with happiness when we came to the top. Down by the tree was colorful paper lanterns hanging in the branches, fireflies were flying low to the ground making it look more beautiful and there was a small table decorated with a white table cloth with blue and pink lilies and there were little pink lilies on the table with plates. At the end of the table was her birthday cake already lit up and ready for it to be blown out. "Wow! This is awesome!", she said "Let's eat cake!"
She ran off ahead as I giggled. "You heard her, let's eat!", I said
"Yum I'm starving dudette!", Mikey said, running to join her
We made it to the table and got settled as Ellie was in front of her cake. "Make a wish honey, make a really good one", I said, standing behind her
She squinted her eyes tightly shut for a few seconds before her eyes open and blew out the candles, with all of us cheering. "What did you wish for Ellie?", Donnie asked
"I can't tell or it won't come true", she said, shaking her head
"My granddaughter, I do have yet to present my gift to you", Splinter said, walking up to her
She faced him as he held out his paw. "Hold out your hands", he said, gently
She held out her hands and he placed something on top of them. When he pulled away there was a small green plump seed in the middle. "A seed?", she asked, looking at him confused
"Not just any seed Eleanora, it's a rare seed that goes back many years in ancient Japanese history", he said, as he placed her hands on top of one another "Close your eyes and think of the things that make you most happy"
Ellie shut her eyes and went into concentration and after a few minutes there was a green glow coming from between her hands. "What's going on?", I asked
"Woah dude that's insane!", Raph said
The glow grew brighter and after a few moments her hands moved side to side revealing a freshly grown white and blue sakura blossom that flew up gently into the air. As Ellie opened her eyes she gasped amazed as the glow faded and the flower floated back down to her, catching it in her palms. "Woah, what was that?", she asked
"This seed is one of the rarest of any one that there is and it's able to grow faster than nature itself and it reflects one's feelings of what it will turn out to be", Splinter said
"Wow, it's so beautiful", she said
"And it will last forever, that is the magic behind it", he said
"Wow a flower that lasts forever! Thank you Master Splinter!", she said, looking up at him with a bright smile
"Of course and happy birthday my little blossom", Splinter said, returning it with a warm one
She jumped into his arms as he chuckled catching her as they hugged each other close in a loving embrace. After eating the cake and ice cream Ellie started to yawn sleepily, rubbing her eye. "Tired honey?", I asked
"Mmmmmhmmmm", she said, nodding
Splinter carefully passed her into my arms as she curled up on my shoulder falling asleep. "Sounds like the birthday girl is all tuckered out", Donnie said, rubbing her shoulder as she moaned slightly
"Yeah, it's been a big day, let's all head home", I said
Gathering up everything we headed back to the lair for the evening. I got Ellie out of her kimono and got her gifts from everyone beside her bed. I placed Ellie gently in bed and covered her up, tucking her in tight as she fluttered her eyes open looking up at me. "Thanks for the party Mama", I said
"Oh of course honey, I am glad you had a lot of fun today", I said, softly "You got some really great things"
"I love them all", she said, with her eyes starting to close again
"Goodnight sweetheart", I said, stroking her head softly
"Goodnight Mommy, this was the best birthday ever", she said, yawning sleepily
Her eyes slowly closed as she began to snore drifting off into dreamland. "Sleep sweet my beautiful little girl", I said
I kissed her head gently and making sure her stuffed turtle was tucked beside her before covering her up more with her comforter. I switched off her lamp as I got up quietly leaving the room. As I passed by my room I heard my laptop chime that was laying on the bed. I went inside to see the little Skype icon was lighting up and I saw that Leo was wanting to do a video chat. I smiled softly and I got myself comfortable on the bed before setting my laptop on my thighs before clicking the accept button. Leo then appeared on the screen. "Hey sugar", I said
"Hey sweetie, how did it go?", Leo asked
"It went great, Ellie loved it so much", I said "This was really a good day"
"Well I am glad that it turned out that way, that's all I kept wanting it to be", Leo said
"I wish you were still here to see and be apart of it", I said
"Oh and Calli, I heard what's been happening over there with you guys, with you and Splinter", Leo said, frowning slightly
"I'm guessing the boys told you what happened", I said, looking away
I could hear him shifting through the speaker. "I did, they told me everything", he said
"But whatever you are thinking I have pretty much have thought about it, you are going to dish out on me and say that I am terrible person to do that to our father and things like that", I said
"Baby, do you really think I would do that to you?", Leo asked "Look at me"
My eyes slowly rolled up to meet his. "I get that you are mad at what happened, I would be too if I was in your place", he said "But I don't think you should of snapped at him like that"
"He didn't give me a warning about this! I mean he just says it out of the blue!", I said, arguing back getting frustrated "Let alone he didn't even tell me about it or even asked me if he could send you away. And right when our daughter just turned a year older, he decides to do this? I don't get it!"
"Calli, stop", he said, in a soothing voice hushing me "You should try to understand why he did this"
"But think about it Leo, if he decides to send me away without telling you all of a sudden, wouldn't you be mad?", I asked
"Well I certainly would be", he said, nodding "But honey, being mad is one thing, snapping at someone is another, and I think you did go a little bit over the edge of talking to him like that. I get that you are upset, but Calli you do know that we were facing trouble and that it was getting worse. Splinter was just looking out for us like I do for all of you. He was only worried about one of us getting hurt or something worse like I am"
"I know, I just wish he would of told me about it", I said
"You should probably talk to him", he said "He is probably very miserable about you"
"I should, but probably won't even want to talk to me", I said, shrugging
"Well if he doesn't now, maybe its just not the right time to make up", he said "The eye of the hurricane always runs its path of destruction before it settles into the gentlest of waves"
"Sounds like you have been sipping the cup of tea of wisdom", I said
"Yeah you could say something like that", he said, with a slight chuckle
"Well...I better go and see him", I said
"Just let me know if its okay between you two", he said
"I will, I promise", I said, nodding
We ended our chat as I set my laptop on the bed. I left the bedroom to head towards the dojo. I was really nervous, my stomach was doing flips and my palms were sweating like I were just out running. I didn't know what was going to happen, I didn't know if he was going to shut me out, we were going to argue, or talk it out. It's all a big guess. But I knew I had to take a risk if it meant to recover our relationship. I gently knocked on the sliding doors waiting for an answer. "You may enter", Splinter said
I slowly slid open the door as I saw Splinter was in the center of the dojo in lotus position was candles scattered across the floor, he appeared to have been meditating. "Hi, is it a bad time?", I asked
"Time is an illusion my daughter, there is only the now", he said
"So I am guessing that means its a good time?", I asked
"Yes", he said, with a nod
"Good, I want to talk to you", I said
"What troubles you my daughter?", he asked
I sighed softly before kneeling on my legs in front of him. "Well we all know that we have been through a heated dispute in these past few weeks and there hasn't been much interaction between the two of us"
"I have seen it", he said "It seems our relationship has taken the wrong path and I fear that our paths are becoming more farther apart from each other where I don't see them adjoining"
I sighed softly. "I know, I see it that way too, but I think its probably not what only you have done but what I have done as well", I said
"Please explain", he said, gesturing his paw to me
"You sent Leo away to the other side of the world without telling me nor anyone else until the very last minute", I said "Like I feel like I just smashed into a brick wall and I don't know what hit me and it made me angered that you did that unexpectedly. But, after thinking about it and learning some point of views I see that there is good in what you did. While it may have caused pain it also provided us a window of opportunity to gain more strength and knowledge against our enemies, that can be beneficiary to us. With what Leo might gain might just be the key to the answers we are looking for in order to bring justice and peace to this city once again"
"Do you now understand Callista?", he asked
"Yes, sensei", I said
"Sometimes my dear, we do the wrong things for the right reasons", he said
I began to tense up feeling emotions come washing over me so quickly and I struggled to contain my whimpers. "I see it now", I said "I see it"
I slowly looked up at him seeing he had a gentle and inviting look. "Come here my dear", he said, holding his arms out
I quickly went to him and hugged him to me tightly. I began to cry hard into his shoulder as he hugged me in a comforting way, rocking me slowly back and forth. "I am really sorry, I am so sorry", I said
"Shhhhhh its alright Callista", he said, soothingly rubbing my shell in circles
"No its not, I am such a terrible daughter, I am so sorry, I am so sorry Splinter, can you ever forgive me for what I did?", I asked, crying
"Of course I can, for I see you only were worried about the safety of your husband and I can relate to that", he said
We held each other closer in silence, just allowing the grief and negativity melt away from the both of us. It felt like a big sigh of relief and I could feel the pressure around me started to lift up off my shoulders and I could finally breathe.
"I was just scared he would never come back", I said, softly breaking the silence
"I should of warned you about what I was about to do", he said "My mind was clouded by the fear of something happening to any of my children or my grandchild, that I disregarded the feelings of you and carried on my actions"
"No, you were right, you were thinking about everyone and I was just only thinking about myself", I said "And I should of known better"
"I know that feeling all too well", he said "When I lost my beloved wife and daughter, I wasn't there to keep them safe from Shredder and I was only fighting him out of anger, and I had to pay the price enduring many years of pain, just like I saw in you"
"I just didn't want to go through that again, it would of just killed me", I said, sniffling
"Callista, I know what I have done has hurt you and the others, but I want you to know I never intentionally wanted to hurt you", he said "I just couldn't find the right way to tell you, not without hurting you. I knew that this was going to hurt you no matter what I had done and I hope that you can forgive me for what I have done"
"I do forgive you, and I hope you can forgive me for what I did too", I said
"Of course I can, I don't want a strained relationship with you, that is the last thing I want with my only daughter", he said "I see we both have learned valuable lessons today"
"But we shouldn't let this get us down", I said "This is what happened, its done, it's over now and we should start fresh and carry on with what we have learned, that we should talk with each other and not let our emotions get in the way"
"I agree", he said "And my daughter, I love you with all my heart and nothing will ever change that"
He held both of my cheeks with his paws and wiped some stray tears before he kissed me on the forehead. I quickly hugged him around his neck as he hugged me close, rubbing the back of my head. "I love you too, I love you so much", I said, breathing shakily
"It's alright Callista, there is no need to be worried anymore, our dispute is behind us now", he said "We are moving forward now with our lives, a new leaf has been turned"
"Will Leo be okay Splinter?", I asked
"We both know Leonardo very well Callista, and I know in my heart and soul, that he will be strong enough, like the mighty lion, he will come back home to us", he said "We will be a whole family once again, very soon"