Ch 11 Birthday Wishes.
Leo followed Raph to the other end of the park where several apartment buildings and businesses lined both sides of the streets. Leo looked around at the buildings and noted some apartments were sitting atop small businesses and he wondered if one of those may belong to the Hamato clan. Raph looked behind him and smiled as he watched Leo looking around in wonder.
"Splinter's been looking forward to showing you the dojo, maybe you could even join." Raph said bringing Leo's focus back to where they were walking to. "Well, I don't know about that but I am anxious to check it out." He said as they stopped in front of a two story apartment building. "You live here?
Raph nodded. "Yeah," He nodded as he removed a key. "Splinter came over from Japan with his wife Teng Shen and used his life savings to start up a business here."
Leo nodded and followed Raph up the steps of the building. He looked up at the side and noted all the windows. "Which apartment is yours?" He asked as Raph got the door open.
Raph opened the door wide and smiled at Leo. "All of them." He told him and motioned for Leo to go in ahead of him.
Leo walked in and looked around in awe. "This home is beautiful." He said as he looked at all the Japanese artwork that decorated the home.
"Yeah, my dad bought the apartment and converted it into one big house and business." Raph said, "Come on, I'll give you a tour."
They walked into a room directly in front of the door and Leo saw a couch with an easy chair to the side and an end table in between. Directly in front of the couch was a coffee table with a TV in front of that. "This is the living room," Raph told him them pointed to a room with a swinging door. "Over here is the kitchen." They walked into a large room and Leo saw a round table to the side large enough for four to eight people to sit at. An island counter was in the middle of the kitchen and to the side of the counter was a gas stove with a microwave above it. Leo's eyes roamed over the area and noted another door across the room with a staircase across from that. "This is Mikey's favorite room." Raph told him. He walked across the floor to the other door and opened it. "My baby bro is big into cooking," He said as Leo marveled at what appeared to be a large walk-in pantry. "So my dad made this for him."
"This is incredible," Leo said as he stepped into the pantry.
A creak behind them made both boys turn around, "Hi Leo." Donnie said as he walked down the stairs. "How's it going?"
"Going good Don" Leo said as the tall turtle came up to them. "Raph's giving me a tour of your home."
Donnie nodded and pointed to the stairs. "The top floor is just our bedrooms." He said, "So no need to go up there." He now turned to Raph. "Did you show Leo the outside or the dojo yet?"
Raph shook his head. "No but I will now." He led the way out of the kitchen and back into the living room. "This is the way to the backyard." He said, pointing down a small hallway and toward a door.
Leo looked at him in surprise. "You have a backyard?"
Donnie smiled proudly. "And it has a garden with a little Koi pond." He told him. "Sometimes we get frogs from the pet store and put them in." Leo nodded in amazement and continued to follow Raph and Donnie as they continued the tour. "This door," Raph said pointing to a door closest to the hallway. "Leads to the basement, and this one," He pointed to a door on the other side of the room, "Is Splinter's room."
"No one goes in there." Donnie cautioned and Leo nodded at him in understanding.
At the opposite end of the room, a rice paper door with kanji writing separated the living room from another room. Leo followed the two brothers toward the door and Raph stepped to the side. "And this is the dojo." He said with a smile as he slid the door open and watched Leo walk in.
"Surprise!" Several loud voices yelled out. Leo stepped into the room and looked around in shock. There, directly in front of him were some of their friends, his Aunt Irma and Splinter, a large sheet cake with two candles in the shape of a one and an eight and a few brightly wrapped presents. On the cake written in large letters was the words 'Happy 18th Birthday Leonardo'.
"Happy Birthday sweetie," His aunt said as he walked over to her and gave her a big hug.
"Aunt Irma," He looked at her in surprise. "Did you tell them?"
She looked at him and grinned teasingly, "Now what kind of an Aunt would I be if I let you celebrate your special day alone?" She asked him. As they looked at each other, her smile faded slightly. "Especially since this is the first one without…." She took a deep breath and blinked her eyes rapidly. "Your mother," She choked out.
Leo nodded and hugged her again. "Thank you Auntie." He whispered. He turned to the rest of the group and thanked each of them for the party. He looked over at Splinter and bowed to him. "You have a lovely home Master Splinter," He said. "And thank you for allowing my birthday to be celebrated here, it is truly an honor."
Splinter put a paw on his shoulder and smiled down at him. "You are most welcomed Leonardo." He told him. "Come and let us celebrate." He said as he swept his hand toward the table. "Michelangelo and Renet has prepared some wonderful food and Casey and April brought some pizza for us to enjoy."
"Yeah, and then later we'll all go to the movies and see that new "Star Wars' film that just came out." Mikey said excitedly.
"We already bought the tickets." Casey said as he grabbed a slice of pizza. They passed the pizza box around and everyone enjoyed a slice while enjoying the variety of appetizers made by Mikey and Renet. They then sang happy birthday and watched as Leo excitedly opened presents. "Mikey this cake is the best!" Leo exclaimed as Irma passed around a slice to everyone.
"I love to cook and bake," Mikey told him. "Next week is Raph's 18th birthday and I'm making his favorite strawberry rhubarb pie."
Leo turned to Raph, "Your birthday is next week?" Raph nodded. "What day?"
"October the fourth, it's next Thursday but we'll probably celebrate it on Saturday." Raph told him. He gave a sidelong glance toward Mona who was currently talking with Renet and Mikey. "I don't suppose you like to attend?"
"Well, I have to check my schedule but I don't see why not." Leo said as he also gave a glance towards Mona.
"Hey," Donnie came over. "My birthday is October twenty-second." He said excitedly. "And like Raph's and Mikey's birthdays, we'll be celebrating it on Saturday as well," He picked up a deviled egg. "Maybe you can come to mine too."
"I'd like to come to your birthday Donnie." Angel said excitedly as she walked over to the group.
Raph and Leo watched in amusement as Donnie rubbed the back of his neck and blush a deep red. "Uhhh, sure Angel." He said laughing nervously. Angel smiled up at him and handed him a slice of cake.
"I would love to come too Donnie," Leo told him and turned to Raph. "I'll try to keep those Saturdays open."
"Sweet Leo," Mikey said coming over to them. "So you'll be there for my birthday too," He leaned in toward Leo and blinked up at him. "Right?"
Leo laughed. "Sure Mikey," He told him with a nod. "I'll be there."
"Great!" Mikey laughed. "I love comic books and action figures." He told him. "Just to let you know."
The group laughed and celebrated for the next few hours laughing, eating and taking pictures. At around five thirty, Leo said goodbye to his Aunt who was going home with his presents and would bring them to him on Monday, then with a promise to Splinter that they would be careful, the teens walked toward the movie theater. "Our gift to you Leo," Raph said as he handed him a ticket and they walked in.
The movie ended just after eight and everyone walked with Leo to the bus stop. "This has been the best birthday ever!" Leo told them as they waited for the bus. "Thanks again everyone, I really wish this day would never end."
"We're glad you had fun Leo." April said as she gave him a hug.
"Yeah," Renet said coming up to him and also giving him a hug. "Friends don't let friends celebrate alone." She giggled as Angel high-fived him a goodbye.
"Well you guys are the best friends I've ever had." He told them as the bus pulled to a stop. "Tell Master Splinter I said thanks again for the celebration."
The group waved as Leo got on the bus and they watched the bus take off. "Man," Mikey purred. "I wish Leo lived closer." He said.
"You and me both," Raph muttered quietly. He glanced back at Mona who was glaring angrily down at him.
'I just wish he was back in California.' She groused to herself as the group started walking back across the park. "What happened after I left you two in the park Raphael?" Mona demanded.
Casey looked at his friend. "Did something happen in the park?"
"It was no big deal." Raph insisted.
"No big deal?" Mona looked at him. "He flipped you over his shoulder." The rest of the gang gasped and looked at her in surprise. "Or did you forget that part?" She continued as she glared angrily down at him.
Raph shook his head. "It was a misunderstanding." He said quickly and explained what had happened.
"Wow!" Mikey said excitedly. "I think I remember that day."
"Yeah," Donnie chimed in. "To think Leo was that turtle we ended up playing with."
"That is amazing Raph," Renet said. "It's almost like you guys were meant to find each other again." Everyone but Mona nodded in agreement with what she had said.
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Leo walked up to his house feeling relaxed and happy. It had been an incredible day and for a short time, all of his cares and worries seemed to disappear. But the moment he walked into his house, he was instantly reminded of the fact that his father was away in Japan and he was once again alone. 'I wished I lived closer to them.' He thought to himself as he removed his shoes.
Leo sighed heavily and made his way toward the stairs. It was not yet nine and he was too wound up to go to sleep. He was just making his way up the stairs when Bradford appeared at the top step and made his way down to where he was and stepped in front of him. "You've been out all day Leonardo," He said as he looked him up and down. "So where have you been this time?"
Leo rolled his eyes. "No where you need to know," He muttered as he attempted to walk past him but Bradford again blocked his way. "Do you want something?" Leo demanded.
"I just want to know where you go?" Bradford demanded. "And don't tell me the library because I know for a fact you weren't there…."
"Have you been tailing me?" Leo asked angrily. "You have no right!"
"I have all the right in the world to know where you are Leonardo." He brought his face close to Leo's. "Your father gave me that right."
"Well I guess I'll have to let my father know that you're doing a lousy job." Leo said and roughly pushed his way past him. 'Maybe one of my wishes will come true and he really will go to hell.' Leo thought with a sly grin.
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For those who will be celebrating the fourth of July, have a safe and wonderful holiday. Peace :)