Mikey couldn't push down his anxiety, though he was determined not to show it. He wasn't worried about himself, even if the prospect of being close to Sakura did unnerve him a little. He was more concerned about Grace, as well as Hamari. Sakura didn't strike him as a dishonest person, at least not so much that she would try to trick her daughter, and certainly not hurt her. But that didn't mean he had any intention of letting Grace near her out of his sight.

None of his family had been too pleased at the idea of letting Mikey go without them, and his brothers had urged him to let at least one of them come. But the youngest turtle didn't back down, and they reluctantly agreed. But Mikey wasn't irritated by their reluctance… he knew it didn't stem from a lack of faith in him. It was Sakura they didn't trust, and he certainly understood that.

The orange turtle's musing was interrupted by a soft sigh, and he looked at Grace. She was sitting with calm composure beside him, but he could see the unease in her eyes. Feeling a rush of concern, Mikey gave her shoulder a gentle nudge with his own. When she looked at him, he gave her a reassuring smile and reached out to give her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Don't worry, okay?" he said gently. "We'll be here, and it'll be fine. You'll see."

Hamari nodded, pressing a fist to her heart. Grace looked between them and smiled back, gratitude shining in her eyes as she squeezed Mikey's hand in return.

"I know," she murmured. "I trust you."

A faint sound reached Mikey's ears, and from the way both Grace and Hamari stiffened along with him he knew they did too. All eyes moved to the edge of the building, where a lone, tall figure stood. Recognizing Sakura, Mikey stood right away and stepped in front of Grace. The older woman stepped forward, raising her arms in a conciliatory gesture.

"I am unarmed, and have come alone as I promised," she said.

Mikey didn't move, his eyes scanning the surrounding area as he looked and listened for any hidden movement. Sakura gave no protest or offense at his obvious mistrust, just waited patiently for him to finish his inspection. A hand rested on his shoulder, and he turned his head as Grace stepped up beside him.

"It's okay, Mikey," she said. "I'll be fine. Trust me too."

Mikey still couldn't stifle his worry, but he nodded without hesitation.

"I do."

Taking her hands, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Go on," he whispered. "We'll be here."

She laid her head against his chest, making his heart skip, and whispered her thanks before turning to face her mother. Mikey watched the two as they approached each other, keeping his muscles taut and ready to leap into action. Hamari came to stand beside him; she gave his shoulder a few encouraging pats, but he could tell she was on her guard too.

Grace and Sakura looked at each other for a few moments, as if they weren't sure what to do. Finally, Grace spoke first.

"I'm… not sure what to say to you."

Her mother gave a solemn nod, and Mikey could almost sense the regret in the gesture even if her face gave little away.

"I know," she said quietly. "And I do not know if there is much I can say. I see now that my actions and words were a betrayal of both my honor and your trust. I know it may not have seemed like it, but I swear to you that I never meant to push you away as I have, or to force the decision of choosing between loved ones on you. It can never atone for the wrongs I did to you and your friends, but this is all I can give." She bowed her head. "I am sorry, Grace. If you have no wish to see me again after tonight, I will accept that and leave you in peace. But I want you to know that not one day has passed that I have not been proud to call you my daughter. And I know your father is proud too."

Mikey felt some of his tenseness ease at the utter sincerity in the woman's voice… there wasn't a single doubt in his mind that she had meant every word she said. His eyes moved to Grace; her back was turned to him, but he knew her well enough to tell she was struggling to process both what she'd heard and her feelings about it. He wanted to go to her, do something to soothe her, but he stayed back. This conversation was something Grace needed, and wanted, to do on her own.

He wasn't sure how much time passed as the silence stretched on, but finally he heard a soft, barely audible sob. Then Grace was running, closing the distance between her and Sakura in seconds and throwing her arms around her mother.

"I'm sorry, okasan," she wept. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to hurt you… I'm sorry…"

Mikey saw the surprise and disbelief in the woman's face, but it quickly changed to a look of utter relief, and she returned the embrace.

"No, watashi no ai," she whispered. "No… I am the one who hurt you. And I am so sorry."

It was the first time Mikey had seen her display any kind of emotional vulnerability, and he found himself smiling at the thought of how much that must mean. A glance at Hamari revealed she was smiling too, her eyes bright. Mikey gave her shoulder a gentle nudge, giving her a grin that she returned.

Deep down, Mikey knew he'd never believed that Sakura would do anything to Grace. They might be different in many ways, but they were mother and daughter. In the same way he knew his brothers would never hate him, he knew Sakura would never hate her daughter. The orange turtle found himself remembering his recent reconciliation with his own family. It had turned out to be something they'd urgently needed for a long time, yet without all the harrowing events of the past few months, it might not have happened.

Everything happens for a reason. How many times had Mikey heard that over the course of his life? And given everything him and everyone he loved had been through, he could say with absolute confidence that it was true. Every experience, good or bad, had brought them where they needed to be, and he didn't regret any of it.

(Shorter chapter, but I wanted to update today. After this, there'll be an epilogue and then the end of the story. Hope to see everyone there, and thanks for sticking with it. 😊