Chapter 9: Stupid Groundhog

A/N: Hey, I know it's been a while since I updated this story, but I decided to update it now. I was originally going to have this chapter be a New Year's chapter, but I changed my mind and am instead making it about Groundhog Day. Why? Because this day happens to be Aubree's birthday (as well as my own), and she has some strong feelings about Groundhog Day. So, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: See chapter one.

Another birthday is here. When I was younger I used to love my birthday. We'd have parties, and I'd invite all my friends over to have some fun. It would just be a special day, and everyone would give me presents and sing "Happy Birthday" to me (though David often changed the lyrics, saying that I lived in a zoo and looked and smelled like a monkey. Usually, Dad would smack him a good one, so he never tried it again after a few times). But as I've gotten older, birthdays haven't been as much fun for me. From age eighteen onward, I've often felt a hole inside when my birthdays have hit. I think it's not only because of Dad's death but also David being gone as well as Greg. To me, birthdays should be a time for family, and now it just doesn't happen as much.

Of course, now I've got a second family who is adamant that I should celebrate it with them since I can't celebrate it with my full family. How can I refuse that? Luckily, I don't have the night shift, so we can celebrate at night.

Leo comes up to my apartment after work and blindfolds me with one of his spare masks. It reminds me of when I first met them and had to wear a blindfold while Leo escorted me out of the Lair and to my home.

"Leo, why do you have to blindfold me?" I ask.

"Because Mikey wants you to be surprised when you come down," Leo responds.

I sigh and let Leo lead me out of my apartment and to the Lair. Once I'm in their home, Leo takes off my blindfold, and everyone yells, "Surprise! Happy Birthday, Aubree!"

I smile to see all of them gathered there: Mikey, Don, Raph, Master Splinter, April, Casey, Angel, and even Usagi. I'm even more surprised to see that Gen isn't present, though I'm actually quite glad about that. I've never been fond of the bounty hunter, which is why Leo probably advised Usagi not to bring him. Oh, and the Daimyo and his son are present, too. I can't believe I forgot about them.

"The Ancient One couldn't make it, but he sends his regards as do the rest of the Tribunal," Leo tells me.

"Oh, okay," I say. "I'll have to write them and thank them."

"Well, now that you're here, we can start dinner," April says. "We all made it ourselves."

"Let me help," I offer, but April steers me away from the kitchen.

"Oh, no, you're the guest of honor," she protests. "You have no work detail tonight. Just sit and enjoy."

I smile and do as she says. When all of the food is brought in, we all dig in. The meal consists of chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, a salad, and rolls. I take whatever suits my fancy and begin to eat.

"So, I guess we're having six more weeks of winter this year," Don says. "Apparently, Pauxatawnee Phil saw his shadow."

I roll my eyes. "You know, I'm really getting sick of that damn groundhog seeing his shadow," I grumble. "I don't know who named him Phil, but he seriously needs to grow a set if he can't handle seeing his shadow."

"Hey, maybe he's secretly a girl," Mikey muses. "I mean, maybe they think he's a boy, and he's really a girl."

"Hey, boys can be scared, too," Raph insists. "I mean, look at you, Mikey. You're a guy, and yet you scream like a girl."

"Hey, I resent that remark!" Mikey protests, looking offended.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, he does have a point, Mikey," I reply.

"Thanks a lot, Aub," Mikey grumbles.

"Your American customs are very intriguing," Usagi remarks. "Why should there be six more weeks of winter?"

"Well, if the groundhog sees his shadow, he runs back into his den, which means we'll have six more weeks of winter," I explain. "If he doesn't, then he comes out, and that means we'll have an early spring."

"Ah, I see," Usagi says. "Is it always that accurate?"

"Well, not always," Don replies. "Sometimes a long winter is predicted and it ends up being spring early. It's all just a fanciful little legend that is all in good fun. It's not always true."

"Trust me, Usagi, I never understood it either," I tell him.

"So, what time were you born, Miss Hennigan?" Splinter asks me.

"Well, I was born at approximately two twenty-two PM," I answer.

"Whoa, that's pretty weird," Mikey remarks and begins humming the Twilight Zone theme.

"Yeah, well last year was even more special since I turned twenty-two," I tell them. "This year I unfortunately turn twenty-three. Not as exciting, you know."

"Well, I understand your significance in your time of birth," Splinter replies. "However, you should never feel as though your birthday is not special, Miss Hennigan. You must remember that you have friends who care about you as well as family."

"Yeah, I know," I answer. "But it's not the same without Dad or my brothers. Dad would always make my birthday special. When I was younger, he would make me breakfast in bed and even give me birthday spankings. He even did it when I grew older at seventeen." Tears filled my eyes as I recalled that that was the last birthday he'd ever celebrated with me. "I'm sure if he were alive now, he'd still spank me for fun. Then after he was done, he'd kiss my forehead and say, 'Happy birthday, Annie. I'm so glad you were born this day.' It was just so sweet of him."

"Did the spankings hurt?" Mikey inquires.

I shake my head. "No, they never hurt one bit," I reply. "Didn't your dad ever give you birthday spankings?"

Mikey shakes his head. "No, he only gave us real spankings when we were bad," he answers.

"Oh, I see," I say.

Leo puts a hand on my shoulder. "We're really sorry your dad isn't here, Aubree," he says softly. "I'm sure he would have loved us. But just remember that he's always in your heart forever."

"I know," I whisper softly.

"And, hey, at least Ben is still around to celebrate," Mikey chimes in.

"Yeah, I can't stay long because he's taking me to a bar to celebrate along with some co-workers," I remember.

"Then perhaps we should administer the presents," Splinter suggests.

Mikey cheers at that and leads me to the table where the presents are piled. I sit in a chair, and Mikey hands me gifts one by one. I read the cards and open each of the gifts, smiling at each one. After all of the gifts are opened and I have thanked everyone, April carries in the chocolate cake with Oreos on top and twenty-three candles. Everyone sings "Happy Birthday" to me (Mikey sings the David version, which earns him a smack on the head from Splinter), and I make a wish and blow out the candles. Everyone claps, and then I cut the cake as is tradition.

"Man, this is some good cake," Mikey comments with his mouth stuffed full of it.

"Michelangelo, remember your manners," Splinter chastises. "We are in the presence of a lady."

Mikey gulps his cake down and says, "Sorry, Sensei. Sorry, Aubree."

"That's okay, Mikey," I say. "You did a good job on this cake. It really is good." It does taste good. We even have ice cream and can build our own sundaes. I have the Aubree Chocolate Special which consists of M&M's, Hershey's Kisses, Oreo cookie pieces, brownie pieces, and chocolate syrup.

After dessert is over, I say goodbye to everyone and get ready to leave. They help me carry my presents to the Battle Shell so that I can take them home before I head to the bar to celebrate with Ben and my fellow cops. Leo drives me home, and I promise to see some of the guests another time. Usagi states that he hopes I'll come to the Battle Nexus Tournament again, and I tell him that I'll try.

"So what did you think of your birthday?" Leo asks me.

"It was great," I answer. "It's the first time since Dad died that I've felt like my birthday was worth celebrating."

Leo looks sympathetically at me. "It must be so hard for you even now," he muses softly. "I couldn't imagine what would happen if I didn't have Splinter here. I'd probably go crazy."

"No, you'd grieve and then take care of your brothers," I correct him. "You would know that Splinter would still want you to take care of them like the brother you are."

Leo nods. "I guess you're right," he sighs. "I can't turn my back on them no matter what. It's just not in me to do that. I just hope that when the time comes I'll be ready to face it."

I put a hand on his shoulder. "No one's every ready to lose a parent," I tell him. "But at the end of the day, you learn to move on and accept it. It'll always hurt no matter what, but you take comfort in the fact that they'd want you to move on and continue with your life."

Leo looks at me as though he can't believe what I've said. "You're a very wise person, Aubree Hennigan," he remarks.

"Why, thank you, Hamato Leonardo," I respond. "It comes with age, I guess."

He laughs at that and helps me carry my presents into my home. Then he gives me a kiss goodnight and whispers, "Happy Birthday, Annie. I'm so glad you were born this day." It brings tears to my eyes when he says that, and it's almost as if I can see my father reflected in his eyes. I kiss him again and tell him I love him. Then after I watch him leave, I head to my own car and drive to Bud's Bar where my brother and co-workers are waiting.

I have even more fun with my brother and my co-workers, though I don't drink since I'm driving. Ben tells them stories of past birthdays and my co-workers share memories of me from when I was training in the Police Academy. I laugh at the stories and exchange jokes with everyone. We even play Truth or Dare and Beer Pong, though I substitute beer with my Coke.

As I head home after the party, I can't help but reflect on my day and how fun it's been. When I get home, I have messages from Mom, Greg, and David all wishing me a happy birthday. I call them back and thank them, even though I have to leave a message on David's phone. Then I put my pajamas on, put in the new Lady Gaga CD Mikey gave me, and listen to it for a little while before going to bed.

Suddenly, my birthday doesn't seem so bad anymore now that I have loved ones to share it with.

A/N: I loved writing this chapter. I decided to make Aubree's birthday the same as mine because I just wanted to share something with her. The feelings she has about Groundhog Day and her birthday in general are things I've felt myself, even though I haven't suffered the loss of a father like she has. But even though I don't expect anything on my birthday, I still like the fact that I was born on a unique day. Aubree's time of birth is also mine, and I think it's pretty cool. I was shocked when Mom told me what time I was born. Anyway, I like to reflect about all I've done since being born. From graduating high school and college to meeting my wonderful boyfriend to even meeting some of you guys here at FF and beyond. I can't tell you how happy I am to know all of you even if it's not on a personal level. I feel like you guys are my family as well, and I'm happy that I've gotten to know some of you. You guys have truly been amazing. I know I've had some ups and downs in my life, but the good things that have happened more than make up for it, especially me being able to share my writing talents with all of you. So, I'll end this long note by asking you to please leave a review as a birthday gift. It would me a lot to me. And, as always, have a shelltastic day.