Legacy Mutation (Book Eight)

Chapter 34: Making Things Right

Taylor, Raphael, and Copeland walk towards the hospital in silence. Both disguised turtles look stiff and uneasy, although they know they need to be there for their wife and mom.

The trio enters the hospital. Taylor moves to the receptionist and smiles lightly.

"Hamato Taylor, here to see Mark Fuentes?" she reports precisely.

The nurse taps out a few things, her face showing slight sadness as she nods, looking up at the dark-haired woman again.

"Oh yes," she whispers. She manages a smile. "I'll have Nurse Lillian lead the way."

She gestures to a redheaded nurse nearby, who nods to them. Taylor motions to Raph and Copeland, who follow her and the nurse down a long sterile hallway.

Copeland, who usually keeps her feelings hidden or at least tries to act tough, takes a hold of her dad's hand. There's something about meeting her grandfather again, the man who was so rude to her the last time they met, that makes her feel incredibly uneasy. The hospital setting doesn't help either.

Raph doesn't protest, only squeezes his daughter's hand lightly as they keep walking.

"Go right in. Mind you...he's very frail. Keep it down, okay?" Nurse Lillian requests softly.

"Thank you, miss," Taylor says, nodding once.

They move into the room, seeing Taylor's father laying on one of the beds. His heart monitor beeps steadily, an IV drip hooked to his arm. His wrinkled face watches the ceiling, his balding grey hair shining lightly in the harsh hospital lighting.

"Dad? It's me...it's Taylor," Taylor whispers, moving to her dad's side.

He looks up, smiling at her. "Hello...I didn't expect you to show up."

She returns the weak smile and takes his hand. "I had to."

Mr Fuentes looks to Raph and Copeland, who stand at a distance. His face grows guilt-ridden as he makes his bed rise a little so that he's sitting up.

"Son...come closer," he says, waving to Raph.

Slowly, the red-masked turtle in disguise moves forwards to the other bedside. Copeland follows.

"Hello Mr Fuentes," Raph says, his muscles rigid.

The man blinks a few times. "You are disguised...can you take it off? I want to see the turtle my daughter married...and my granddaughter in her true form."

Taylor looks to her husband, whose look of shock is irreplaceable. Copeland watches her parents, still keeping her mouth shut.

"The door is closed, the curtains drawn. It's private. It's okay," Taylor whispers.

Raph nods, pulling off his patch and stowing it carefully so he can reapply it. Copeland does the same. Mr Fuentes doesn't flinch or look away, taking in the sight of the two turtles.

"Raphael," he says, his voice slightly raspy.

"Yes...um, dad?"

"Do you love my daughter?"

Raph looks at Taylor, who only manages a weak half-smile. He nods assertively.

"Sir, I love your daughter more than I've ever loved a woman before. She's my whole world," he answers truthfully.

Mr Fuentes smiles a little. "Your daughter...Copeland?"

"That's me," Copeland says, her tone free of hostility.

"Copeland...your parents are good people?"

"The best," she responds.

Mr Fuentes exhales heavily as his aging eyes flicker to each of his family members. His eyes fall on Copeland, his withered hand reaching out to her. She hesitantly takes it, and he squeezes.