Winter: Hey guys! I'm really sorry I haven't uploaded, A lot has been going on with a lot of drama, but everything seems to have settled down, so I am ok. Enjoy Chapter 5

Chapter 5: A New Home Part 2

"What's the problem, Ms. Rosemary?"

Jean and Ms. Rosemary were now in the dining hall at the orphanage had gotten. They sat across from each at one of many tables. Also while Ms. Rosemary is normally a cheery old woman, she was unnaturally quiet and had her head down. Jean was worried about what she was about to say. Minutes passed by as the silence continued. Jean twidled her thumbs was about to doze off. Until spoke, bluntly.

"Somebody wants to adopt you..."

The young girl gasped, she completely froze. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she tried to look into the older woman eyes.

"...Are you serious?"

Ms. Rosemary didn't respond right away, but she nodded, then looked at Jean for the first time tonight.

"Who is it?" Jean asked, demanding answers.

Ms. Rosemary continued to be quiet, afraid of how Jean will react. Ms. Rosemary herself didn't fully understand the man's full intentions, but she managed to finally gain enough courage to say his name.

"Donatello Hamato," she mumbled.

Jean's eyes widened in shock. Her breath began to shake as she remembered the night she met the mutant turtle. Everything from a week ago seems to be coming back to haunt her. Jean shook the memories away, trying to act more calmly.

"Well...When is he coming so we can talk?"

"In a few minutes..."

"This late at night?"

"I tried to schedule the meeting in a few days away from now, but he is pushy."

Ms. Rosemary felt guilty, Jean came to the orphanage when she was only six years old, now, she's fifteen. Jean was one of few who had stayed in the orphanage for a long period of time, she became an older sister to the other children who came and went. She could only imagine what must be soaring in her head, what emotions running wild. So, she will spare Jean even more pain.

" I know this is hard, so I will make this one exception," said, with a clear conscience in her mind. "I want to speak with Hamato alone, I want you to leave, so you can think clearly about this. "

Jean was astonished, she didn't believe what the older woman said. Rosemary never lets a child skip an interview with potential parents. But then again this was sudden. And Jean needed time to think, so she could only accept the offer.

"Thank you, Mam," Jean said, getting out of her chair. "Call me when you need me."

And without another word, Jean left, leaving the old woman alone, deep in guilt. As the door closed, Ms. Rosemary remembered when she first opened it to see a little girl 9 years ago. 'Jean, you have matured and grown up so quickly, I'm so sorry I have to do this to you and I'm sorry I have to break that promise I made,' She thought, her eyes turning teary.

Minutes later, a bell was heard from the door. Ms. Rosemary stood up and left the dining room into the main hall through an open doorway. The main hall had stairs in the center of the room leading up to the second floor. Steps away, In front of the stairway, was the door to enter the orphanage.

Ms. Rosemary opened the door, only to see Donatello Hamato standing there. He wore a classic suit and tie and a hat. He had a polite small and said, "Hello, may I come in?"

She smiled back, "Hello Mr. Hamato, yes please come in."

Donnie walked in, taking his hat off, while Ms. Rosemary closed the door. " I hope Jean doesn't mind having the interview this late at night, my schedule during the day is pretty busy and this was the only time I could take off."

"I'm afraid, Jean isn't here Mr. Hamato."

Donnie looked at the older woman in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"I mean it is just going to be me and you, now come along, " Ms. Rosemary said, not wanting to waste any time.

Ms. Rosemary walked away from Donnie, who was confused and lead him up the stairs to the second floor. The two walked by many closed doors and didn't stop for a while until they reached one room with a numbered plaque on the door that read '214'. fidgeted with the door nob, wondering if it was unlocked or not, to her surprise, it was unlocked. Ms. Rosemary opened the door and ushered Donnie to come in, closing the door behind them. The turtle had many questions for the older woman. He was about to open his mouth until he took a good look at the room they were in.

It was a small room, painted a light shade of gray, with a window looking out to the city. A bed was placed up against the wall near the window. Donnie then noticed a familiar face placed on the bed. "Ice Cream Cat! What are you doing up here buddy?"

The mutated cat mewled in response. When Donnie walked a little closer, the cat moved his body away from his reach. Donnie felt a little guilty. When Mikey started to travel, he thought it was best to leave Cat down in the sewers where it would be safe. Of course, Donnie would come to check on him every once in a while when he wasn't busy. However over time, he stopped checking, and now he felt extremely guilty.

Another cat meowed in response, staring at the turtle. Donnie then had the courage to sit on the bed, lending a hand out the other tom. The brown tabby purred in response, rubbing his fur against his hand. "Where are we?" He asked.

"This is Jean's room, " Ms. Rosemary simply stated. "I thought you could get a look around, get a sense of Jean's character. Go on, look around now."

Donnie nodded and took the time to look around. Next to the bed was a dresser, with photos stacked on top. The pictures contained Jean being with many different children throughout the years.

"The kids seem to really like her."

"Yes..."

Rosemary walked next to Donnie and grabbed one of the pictures in the frame. It was a picture of Jean when she nine, it was of her playing with Jax, a blue lizard mutant who came to the orphanage around the same time Jean did. Jax was adopted not too long after the picture was taken.

"Jean became a mother figure to the children here. She had always looked after them in my or my assistance's absence. And at first, she can have a rather cold shoulder, but once you get to know her, she can let down some of her walls and show that very nurturing side of her.

Donatello noted this. When he first meet, she was very sassy with him. He wondered what the other side of her would be like in person.

"But Hamato, I must ask a favor."

Donnie glanced at Ms. Rosemary, noticing the terrifying glare she was giving him.

"Jean has never trusted anyone fully in her life, not me or her friends. She never speaks of her past life before the orphanage, she never even told me anything about her father. She can barely give a genuine smile."

"Wait, her father?"

"Not her blood father, but the mutant who brought her here when she was six years old. He never showed his face. From what he told me, Jean's family was murdered, but her father managed to save her, and they lived on the run for a year before coming to me. Hamato, there is only one reason why I am letting you adopt this child. "

There was a long pause. Rain started to drizzle outside, Ms. Rosemary also started to get teary-eyed.

"... The reason is that Jean needs someone. I was asked to keep Jean safe until her father came back for her. But it's almost been ten years, even Jean's given up on him. Please, give her a home where she can smile."

"..."

Donnie began to sweat. What Ms. Rosemary was asking for is something he can't promise. Donnie looked directly at Ms. Rosemary who is about to burst into tears.

"Ms. Rosemary, I can't guarantee Jean will have luxury life if she comes with me, she will have to work hard if she wants to gain something. But let me tell you, I will certainly try to make sure she can put her trust in me and my family."

Ms. Rosemary looked up at the green turtle. She couldn't tell what he was planning, but she could see a determination in his eyes. A tear rolled down her cheek and she smiled.

"Thank you. "

NEXT CHAPTER: FAMILY TIES