Fifty Reasons to Stay (Book Three)

Chapter Seven- Vacation

(Donnie's POV)
05.28.25
I wish you would look at me the way you used to.
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6:15 a.m, mood- okay

Could things actually turn out being super perfect? I hoped so.. it seemed like a distant and faint wish, but after the fluffy cuddling the night before my mind was starting to change. He was just so cute. So what if we'd almost been married seven years- every time he looked at me I practically swooned. Madly in love with my soul mate.

I woke up feeling completely refreshed, and for once, didn't feel like I was in a hurry to get out of bed. It was still early, and just me and my husband for once.

For like five seconds I enjoyed the peace. But something just wasn't right... I brushed my hand over his arm lightly, rubbing his shoulder. He giggled a bit in his sleep and turned over, mumbling something in Japanese, so I had no idea what he was saying. He never used his native tongue around me, like ever. More importantly, he never talked in his sleep before, and I slept next to him almost every night for 7 years!

"Karai... please.." He smiled faintly and hugged his pillow.

"Really!? Come on!" I slapped his arm, getting up quickly before my eyes had the time to fill with tears and hurried into the bathroom, closing the door.

Just one time..

I closed my eyes and scraped the blade over my skin. It cut deeper than expected and I winced in pain, dropping the razor on the floor. "Ouch, owwwww.." I ran it under the water (which was hot), yelped in pain before quickly wrapping it up.
"Donnie.. what's going on??" Leo knocked on the door.
"Nothing.. I just slipped.." I frowned and put on a long sleeved loose shirt. My long sleeved swim shirt would have to do for the beach today...
"Why did you hit me?" He grumbled, still standing in front of the door.
"Just leave me alone.."
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9:15 a.m, mood- hurt...

Three hours later I was seated on the hot sand and reading a novel, glasses on. I felt like a nerd but that was the least of my problems.
Mikey sipped from a soda and nudged me. "Raph and I got our first family photo with Sophie the other day. Wanna see?" My little brother was truly proud of his family and I was so glad that he'd found what he always had been searching for.

"Sure, I bet it's precious." I grinned and looked at his phone. The pictures were absolutely precious. "That's something I've always wanted to get done."
"Wait.. a family picture? You guys have never had one taken?" Mikey's eyes were wide with shock.
"Well, we have portraits of both of them, and I've taken plenty of pictures, but Leo isn't in any and we haven't all been in one together."
"Shut. Up!" He flopped back onto the ground, orange swim shorts covered with wet sand. "That needs to get done, like- today!- even. I'll take it, I have a very nice camera I've been using for Sophie." He offered.

"You don't have to do that." I insisted, feeling a tad bit embarrassed. "Leo doesn't really like his picture being taken."
"Leo can get over it. You guys have been married for years.. are you telling me you two never even took wedding pictures??" He took a handful of fries from the bag.
I looked down. "We didn't take any. Raph says he took one but this glare in the photo. Other than that, there is only one picture of us together that I have taken, and that was years ago."

"I'm really sorry, Dee. You need one then.. We can do it tonight when everyone's left the beach. Sound good?"
I bit my lip and looked out to the water where Leo and Raph played with Andrew and Teresa. "I'll... ask him about it later. We don't have to. Uh.. he probably won't.."
"Leo is a straight up bitch and I've had enough of him already. Also, guess who I saw this morning while I was setting up?"
"David Tennant?" I asked, laying beside him.
"No. Miss Karai from New York City. I have the sneaking suspicion Leo and her planned this but how could I be certain? It could all be coincidence. Like.. crazy coincidence. Leo doesn't still have feelings for her, does he?"