After his time at sea, Leo was more than happy to be back home. He had missed New York greatly, but was so looking forward to seeing his family again. And he would be his old self again.
Leo soon came to the lair and pulled the lever. The wall came open and let him in. He didn't know if anyone was home right now since it was dark out when he had gotten off the ship.
Everyone was surprised at who had stepped through the door. They were more than in shock to see it was Leonardo. He hadn't sent word that he was coming home.
Don and I looked at each other. We knew we were in for it now.
"Hey guys. I'm home." Leo greeted us. His voice now had a much more calmer, happier demeanor, and he was smiling.
"Leo!" Mikey cried out in pure happiness. He rushed to hug his oldest brother.
Leo was happy for the hug. Then they released each other.
"Good to have ya back, Bro." Raph said.
"It's good to be home." Leo replied. "I have missed everyone and I am sorry for how I treated you all before I left, but I am myself again."
"That is good to hear, my son." Splinter now came over to give Leo a hug to welcome him back.
When they released each other, Leo then looked over at Don and me. I was just in shock to see him. I couldn't let him see me like this.
I turned and went to my room. Don knew why I was leaving the room. He followed.
Leo's smile dropped when he saw the two of us leave the room without saying hello. He felt bad but wondered why we hadn't greeted him too. He thought we would have missed him too.
…
"Hey, it's going to be ok." Don said. He was trying to comfort me in our room.
"I can't face him right now, Donny. I loved him, but I betrayed him. How's he going to feel about that?"
"We both did this to him. I know it won't be easy." Don said. "But we have to show him that we missed him."
"I have to at least put my sweatshirt on first. I just can't let him see the baby bump just yet, Donny." I said.
"That's ok. You do that and I'm going back out." He kissed me on the cheek and left the room.
...
The family had now moved to the living room while I was putting on a sweatshirt.
Don came up to Leo and greeted him. "Hi, Leo. I missed you."
"Hi Don, what was up with leaving the room like that?" Leo asked.
"Oh uh, (me) and I just had something to finish real quick and be right back. She'll be out shortly." Don said, trying to stall Leo.
I soon came out and joined the boys. I was nervous to be back in Leo's company after so long, and he did indeed act like his old self before the Shredder's defeat, almost as if nothing had happened to him at all. This was the Leo I loved.
He came up to me to try to hug me, and it was just an instant instinct to just hug him because I had missed him. Though I'm sure Leo was going to talk to me later about why I had never written to him while he had been gone.
When his hold on me was starting to loosen, I assumed he was done hugging me, and then he kissed me on the cheek. Now that was a shock!
I pulled away from Leo that instant. My push on his chest must have surprised him too. I hadn't been prepared for it, especially since it had been a LONG time since Leo had kissed me last.
"What?" Leo asked.
"Nothing, Leo. You just surprised me with that kiss is all." I said.
"I missed you. And I know I haven't done it in so long, I was hoping you would like it." Leo said.
"I know, and I missed you too. I just didn't expect it right away." I said.
I looked over at Don next. He, among the others, had been a bit surprised as well that Leo had kissed me. Of course, they should have known why. Leo had loved me before his mental times.
"Thanks, Leo, but I'm just not ready for this." I said, and decided to leave the room. I was glad that he hadn't noticed anything else about me.
Leo looked sadly after my retreating form. "What's wrong with her? I thought she would be happy to see me."
Don gave the others a look and shook his head. All but Leo understood the look.
"She is happy to see ya, Leo. She's just missed ya so much that she just needs some time to herself to take it all in." Raph said, also trying to stall.
"Why did you come home without sending word, my son?" Splinter asked.
"I was worried about her. She never sent me any letters. I was concerned that something had happened. I know all of you wrote to me saying she was fine, but I'm sensing she isn't fine." Leo said. "I had to make sure for real she is ok."
"You do definitely sound like the Leo she used to love." Don said.
Leo looked at his brainy brother. "What do you mean, used to love? She's always loved me. I know I just didn't show it for a long time like I used to. But I did and still do love her. I often told the Ancient One about her."
"Well, maybe she's just uncomfortable around you because of how you made her feel before you left." Don said.
"And for that, I'm sorry, but I am going to make it up to her for that." Leo said. "The Ancient One understood that I was worried about her and needed to come home. I couldn't concentrate on my studies anymore without worrying about her."
"It's good to have you back, Leo. Life hasn't been the same around here without the old you around." Mikey said.
"It's good to be back, Mikey."
"Well, for what reasons she had for not writing to you, you had better discuss that with her at a later time, Leo." Don said and now left the room to join me.
Leo was now sensing some hostility from Don towards him. It had started even before he had left home. He didn't see why Don would be doing this now, now that he was back to normal.