The Call (a TMNT fanfiction)

Chapter 6: Roses & Realization

When I wake up, Rose's bed is empty and made. I swing my legs over the side of the bed and somehow manage to get ready before ten in the morning.

"Well good morning, Sleepyhead," Donnie teases from the kitchen, as I flip onto a couch-chair that sits right in front of the TV. I grumble and turn on the television, changing the channels.

"Not a morning person," I say bluntly. Mikey hands me a plate of pancakes. "Thanks, Mikey. This looks delicious." I take the plate and dig in, while lying on the couch. Rose rolls her eyes and Benj and I groan when we see the show, 'Cats 101' is on.

"Please turn that nonsense off," Rose mutters.

"Do you all hate cats?" Raph asks, raising his eye ridge.

"We collectively hate them as a family," I say. I start changing the channels again and when I don't find anything good, I shut the tv off. Quality time with loved ones is probably better.

"Well guys," April announces. "Christmas is in two days. We might want to get a tree. There's a place a couple miles from here we could get one. Anyone wanna come?"

"I'll go," I say, turning to Leo and poking his shoulder. "Are you going too?"

Leo smiles and nods. "Sure."

"Eh, I think I'll stay back with Case," Raph says. Donnie nods, claiming he has to fix the toaster that Mikey broke this morning. Splinter is staying back as well, and Mom is riding with April. Rose decides to go with Mom and April, so it's just Benj, Mikey, Leo and I who decide to take the scenic route. April gives us directions and says they'll meet us there.

"Hey, Mikey! Race ya to the lake! Loser has to jump in tonight," Benj challenges.

Mikey grins. "Challenge accepted!" They both begin sprinting, and I laugh watching them.

"Lexi," I hear Leo say. I look up and grin when I see him with the video camera. "What are we doing right now?"

"We," I begin. "are going to pick out a Christmas tree!"  I hold out my hands.  "Here, let me see that for a minute."

He hands the camera over to me and I focus it on him. "This is Leo!" He rolls his eyes and looks away, smiling. "Isn't he so cute?"

"Shut up," Leo mutters, keeping his eyes on the ground.

I laugh and smile up at him. "Say something!"

"Bye," he says.

I hear Mikey scream and Benj laugh. I take the camera and focused it on the take, where Mikey sits on the ground pouting and Benj cheers, laughing. I focus it back to Leo, who is narrating what's happening.

"Benj challenged Mikey to a race. Benj obviously won. The loser has to jump into that lake tonight," he says, pointing at the lake.

After about twenty minutes, we arrive near the pine tree grounds, and I frown at the camera.

"It looks like our time has come," I say. "But we'll be back!"

"This has been Leo!"

"And Lexi! The Lexi and Leo show!"

"Perfect," he says grinning. I wave to the camera and he takes it back. We approach everyone else and take a look at the tree Mom and April picked out.