A/N: So, we've come to the end of yet another chapter in our little turtle family's lives. Thank you all for reading! Now, you better have that box of tissue ready!

Ona knocked at the bedroom door and Kala opened it. "Could I talk to you?"

Kala smiled warmly. "Of course." She turned and crossed back to the bed, turning off the oxygen pump which she'd been using. Ona closed the door and went to sit beside her. She frowned down at her hands, until Kala touched her arm. She'd seen her serious expression. "What is it, honey?"

Ona looked up at her hesitantly. "Do you think…. Will I be a good mother?"

Kala frowned. "Huh? Of course you will! What brought this on?"

Ona shrugged looking down at her hands again. "After what happened with my step-father… I don't know, I'm scared I could really mess things up. I mean I don't even remember being a kid or my parents or my mother." She looked up again. "You're the only mom I can remember having."

Kala sighed. "You can't base what you'll be like as a parent necessarily on your own parents." She sighed softly. "My parents were great people, but I've made plenty of mistakes." She closed her eyes as an old wound reopened deep inside her. "Has Kaz ever told you, I was pregnant before he came along?"

Ona blinked in surprise. "No."

"Before Mikey and I married, I was with a Neutrino. I became pregnant, but I lost it at three months. Not because the baby wasn't strong enough. It was because I wasn't strong enough to leave a violent partner." She shuddered. "He beat me until I lost my child."

Ona looked down right horrified. "That's terrible!"

"It was a very hard time in my life. And it's not a story I like to tell often. It's still a sore spot for Mikey too. The point is that we all make our own choices – good and bad. We can't blame it all on who our parents are or what's been done to us. We have to take responsibility for our own actions. And when we make mistakes, we have to learn from them and try to do better from that point on." Kala brushed Ona's hair behind her ear in a loving gesture. "So, it doesn't matter who your mom or dad were. It matters who you are right here, right now. And I for one know you are going to be a wonderful loving mother."

Ona smiled and hugged her. "I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, sweetheart." Kala couldn't help the broad smile. Then her gaze fell on the object in Ona's hand. "Is that the locket? What's in it?"

Ona sat back to look at the necklace. "I don't know. I've been afraid to open it."

Kala frowned. "Why?"

"What if my mother's picture is in there and I still don't remember her? What if there's nothing in there and Wikoli lied to me? That would mean I went through all that for nothing."

Kala squeezed her arm. "Why don't you open it now? I'll be right here beside you."

Ona swallowed hard, drawing strength from her surrogate mother. Slowly she parted the two heart shapes. Inside was a tiny photo of a man and a woman with an infant. On the other side an inscription read: "My beautiful girls." Ona stared at the photo for a long time. She couldn't say that she remembered either of the people in the photo. But as she looked at the woman sensations came to her – the feel of warm hands on her face, the scent of flowers, and the feeling of complete safety. It made a warmth spread through her entire body.

"Do you remember anything?" Kala rubbed her daughter's back gently.

Ona shook her head. "No, nothing specific. But I think…I think I loved her and she loved me."

Kala smiled. "I'm sure she did, honey. I'm sure she did."

Mikey sat quietly on the edge of their bed, watching his sweet Kala struggle with every breath. By some miracle she'd managed to live past Don's estimate of six months. But those months had been painful for both of them. The serum had cleared up the pneumonia but it had left her weak. She'd undergone two more thoracentesis since returning home. Each had been terrifying for him to watch. It wasn't like they had the advanced technology they had on Neutrino. Don had to use an ultrasound machine to monitor the needle. But even after undergoing so much and fighting so hard, Kala was withering away. She was skin and bones, and the color was gone from her cheeks. Despite the use of the oxygen pump night and day, her body was starved of it and it was beginning to shut down.

He reached out to stroke her hair softly. "Kala? Babe, I need you to wake up for me." It broke his heart to see just how long and how much of a struggle it was for her to open her eyes.

Kala smiled, leaning slightly into his touch. It took a long moment for her eyes to adjust. When they did, they locked on the bundle in Mikey's arms. "Is that?"

He nodded, his eyes shimmering. "It's our granddaughter."

Her eyes widened. "It's a girl!" Her gaze shifted to the side, where she knew Kaz was knelt beside the bed. She touched his cheek with a smile. "You had a girl!"

Kaz covered her hand with his as he swallowed hard. "Yeah. We thought… We thought we'd name her Kara."

Kala's eyes glowed. "A beautiful name." Her gaze shifted back to Mikey and their grandchild. She started to try to sit up. "I'd like to hold her."

Mikey frowned at how his wife's arm shook with the small amount of effort. He started to reach for her, but Kaz was faster. "Easy, Mom." He helped her sit forward and piled several pillows behind her to prop her up.

Mikey laid the tiny infant in her arms. The small turtle opened her eyes and yawned. Brilliant blue orbs stared up her and long lashes adorned her eyes. Kala stroked the babe's head. "You're as beautiful as your name. My sweet little Kara."

"She has your eyes." Ona's voice cracked though she struggled hard to keep it steady.

Mikey watched his beloved cuddle their new grandchild. He tried to commit every detail to memory – the softness of Kala's eyes, the curiosity of Kara's, the way Kala held her just a little tighter when she wiggled. These were the precious quiet moments they had all come to live for.

But time was a thief, stealing those precious moments away with every minute that passed.

Several nights later, Kala woke from a dreamless sleep. She turned her head to find her loveable turtle right beside her. He seemed to be in a deep sleep. He was likely tired. She'd heard Kara crying. It seemed the newborn was colicky like Kaz had been. The memory of her son so small made Kala smile to herself. Where had the time gone? How had he grown so fast – so strong?

Her eyes resting on Mikey, she pondered just how similar he and their son were. They both could make her laugh no matter what. They both followed their hearts without hesitation. They were both so strong and yet so gentle. Memories flooded back to her of her and Mikey's youth. How she had adored Mikey's smile and took every opportunity she could for him to hold her. She'd loved the feel of his leathery skin against hers. A sudden desire to touch him swept over her. She ran her fingers across his cheek, feeling the familiar contours and coolness of his skin. He let out a soft sigh and turned ever so slightly into her touch.

Tears prickled her eyes. How long had it been since she'd felt the familiar texture of his plastron against her cheek? How long had it been since she'd listened to his steady strong heartbeat? How long had it been since she'd kissed him?

Removing the oxygen mask, she pulled herself forward the few inches and pressed her lips lightly to his. It was little more than a peck, but he smiled in his sleep nonetheless. Sliding down next to him, she pressed her cheek into his chest. His arms automatically came up to hold her. Sighing softly, a smile spread across her lips as she closed her eyes. "I love you, my Michelangelo."

Mikey woke to the familiar feel of Kala in his arms. Her hair tickled his chin and he smiled. It felt like ages since he'd held her like this. And for one blissful moment, it felt peaceful and perfect. But that moment was broken as his eyes snapped open and he saw the oxygen mask laying several inches away. In that heart-stopping moment, he realized that there was no movement from the bundle in his arms. No rise and fall of a chest. No heartbeat. No warmth. She was there, but not really. He clenched his eyes closed. He couldn't look, couldn't confirm the terrifying truth. But he had to. He couldn't lay here forever with her in his arms, like everything was right with the world. Could he?

Some twisted part of his mind screamed yes. Maybe if he laid here long enough, he'd wake up and this would all be a horrible nightmare. But another part of him knew he was being irrational. He had to look. He had to be certain. Slowly and with a great deal of effort he pulled away from her. Then with even greater effort, he opened his eyes.

She smiled up at him, though her eyes didn't open. Heart racing, he stroked her cheek. "Kala?" Her name was barely over a whisper. The skin beneath his fingers was far cooler than it should have been and still there was no movement. "Babe…please…" Tears blurred his vision and he couldn't breathe. "Please…open your eyes…." A sob escaped him. "No, don't do this. Not yet!" It was like he was being crushed by cave-in that wouldn't stop. "No! No! You can't!" He tried to tell himself she was just sleeping, but he'd seen too much death in his lifetime. He knew what it looked like. "Kala! Wake up! No!"

There was movement around him, though he was completely unaware of it. Until several pairs of hands took hold of him. They were pulling him away – away from her! "No!" He tried to fight them, but the world was so blurry. Only Kala mattered.

The sound of a familiar voice cried out. "Mom!"

That was all it took. The fuzz around him shattered and the world came into crystal clear focus. His brothers had a hold of him, while on the other side of the bed his son knelt sobbing and clutching his mother's hand. "Kaz." Leo and Raph exchanged a look, but didn't resist when Mikey pulled away this time. He quickly made his way to the other side of the bed and fell to his knees beside his son. "Kaz…"

The younger turtle finally lifted his head to reveal a tear stained face. He suddenly threw himself against his father. "Oh, Dad! She's gone! She's really gone!"

Mikey shuddered as he clutched his child as tight as he could. He tried several times to speak, but his voice was stuck somewhere in his throat. When it finally came out, it was broken. "She's not in pain anymore, Kazzey." He closed his eyes as his own tears fell. His hand cupped the back of his son's head. "She loved you so much. Someday we'll see her again. I know we will. And she'll be so happy to see us." He licked his lips and swallowed hard. "One day we'll hear her laugh again."

Epilogue

Mikey stared down at the turned earth. He felt so numb all over. Every part of him felt hollow and aimless. It didn't feel right to sit here and morn Kala. She should be beside him helping him through this. She always knew the right words to help him. She'd been his buffer and safe haven for so long. It was almost like losing a limb, she was so much a part of him. Decisions were harder by himself. Concentration was nearly impossible. Kala had been his focal point. She made everything so much easier when she was with him. He just didn't know what to do with himself without her there.

He suddenly became aware of a presence behind him. But he wasn't alarmed. He knew who it was. Lifting his head, he watched Leo pause for a moment a few feet away. In his hand he held a bundle of flowers. The older brother gave a small nod of acknowledgement before strolling several feet away to another marker that had been weathered with time.

Mikey continued to watch him silently as Leo ran a hand over the small bonsai tree. Laying the flowers atop the grass covered earth, he bowed his head in a silent prayer. Then, for some time the two brothers sat in silence.

Finally, Mikey spoke. "You asked me a long time ago, if I was in your place could I move on?" He lowered his head. "The truth is…I don't think I can."

There was a soft rustle as Leo came to kneel beside him. He sighed, putting an arm around his brother's shoulders and taking several deep breaths before answering. "That was a long time ago, Mikey. Things were a lot different then. I was younger and Amaya had already been gone a long time too." He released him, but kept a hand on his shoulder. "Only Don and Sarah have known each other longer than you and Kala. She's a part of you. We all understand that. And no one is expecting you to just forget her overnight."

Mikey looked up at him with haunted eyes. "How did you do it, Leo? How did you feel normal again?" He clenched his hands in his lap. "I feel so empty inside. I keep wanting to ask Kala what to do. She always knew what to say to make me feel better. But she's not here…"

"Normal?" Leo shook his head. "I don't think I've ever felt normal after finding Amaya…like that. And if you remember, I didn't handle things very well."

"I do remember you and Raph busting up the living room pretty bad."

Leo allowed the smallest of smiles at the memory. "Yeah, he helped me out that day. And that's why I want to be here for you. I've been there, Mikey. I know how dark that hole is you can fall into. You have to keep on living. We'll never forget the ones we've lost, but they can't be our focus." He closed his eyes as the wind swirled around them. "We have to find a new reason to live. Shinta was mine. I might have lost Amaya, but a part of her lives in him."

Mikey frowned. "I don't know that I have something like that. I mean…Kaz is grown. He doesn't need me that way."

Leo smiled again. "I think you do have something else though." He patted his brother's shell as he stood. "And I think you know what it is."

Mikey stared up at him just as a distant baby's cry broke through the air. He blinked. "Kara."

Leo nodded and offered his brother a hand up. "Yes. Give her all the love you can. And if you do, the pain in your heart will ease." He frowned. "It will never fully go away, but it will lessen over time. And you know what?"

Mikey frowned. "What?"

"I think it would make Kala happy to know that you are. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. And if you ever stumble," Leo squeezed his shoulder, "we'll be here to catch you."

Mikey felt the prickle of new tears. "Thanks, Leo."

Leo pulled him into a true embrace this time. "Anytime, little brother."

A/N: I TOLD YOU! /3 Poor Mikey! T_T

So, although I don't have a name for the next one, I am already working on it. I'm using a suggestion that Theblackbirdaska left (well, part of it anyway). But you know me I have to have at least two to three plots going on at once!

Thanks for all the great reviews!