Regrets

Oh No!!!

"Shh, It'll be alright my sweet thing." Alopex soothed as she and Tigerclaw hugged their adopted daughter after she had explained what had happened with Blanche in the store. "Not everyone thinks like Blanche you know." She added.

"I think they left that old newt over from the dark ages." April huffed. "They should of burnt her at the stake when they had the chance."

"Well, I wouldn't go that far." Alopex chuckled softly at the human before turning to her daughter. "But, the important thing to remember is that, she doesn't know what she's taking about, so there's no point in taking any notice of her. We know the truth and we love you." She smiled.

"I love you guys too." Leo smiled. " Listen, I'm really tired so I'm going to my room, you coming?" She asked April. The red headed girl just shrugged and followed Leo upstairs.

Kitsune and Alopex decided to go into the kitchen to start on dinner as Tigerclaw remained on the couch for a minute, thinking about something, before heading into the kitchen.

"Keep an eye on Leo for a second, I'm going out for a few minuets." He said before leaving. He got into the car and drove off...

******

After a few minuets of really slow driving through the heavy snowfall to avoid an accident on the road Tigerclaw finally pulled up outside a small house not far from his house. He stormed up the snow filled driveway and pounded his fists against the front door. A few seconds Blanche opened the down with a bored expression on her face.

"Oh it's you." She said when she saw him. "What do you want?"

"You mean you can't guess?" He glared at the old salamander and she glared at him. "I mean having a go at my mother-in-law is one thing; she's grown up and can give as good as she gets, but laying into an emotional teenager... well that's something completely different." He growled.

"I've said nothing that every other decent soul in this city isn't thinking." She stated, voice laced with pride.

"Decent?!" Tigerclaw snapped. "Is that what decent people do?! Shout hell and damnation at young girls and send them home in tears?!"

"Nothing hurts more than the truth."

"Leona's upset and frightened enough over what's happened, she doesn't need people like you making things worse!"

"Say what you like about us." She glared at him. "But I know that I raise both my son and granddaughter properly; how about you? A pregnant teenager and a gold digging mother-in-law?!"...

******

Back home Kitsune and Alopex were chatting calmly in the kitchen as the dinner cooked as they waited for Tigerclaw to come back home.

"Mom!! MOM!!!" Leona screamed as she and April came down the stairs. The mutant's face was a mix of fear, pain and tears as she leaned against April for support who was worried sick.

Both women were by Leo's side in seconds, asking what was wrong.

"I... I think the baby's coming!" She screamed loudly as she sank to the floor in pain. Alopex quickly ran to the door to get the car started but the driveway was empty. She growled mentally when she realised that her husband had taken the car. She quickly ran back inside and knelt next to her daughter, who had her back against the wall, curled up in pain.

"Mother, call an ambulance." She ordered, her mother nodded and ran to the house phone. "Shh, the ambulance is on it's way." She said calmly as she grabbed her daughter's hand.

"Their sending an ambulance but they said because of all this snow it might take some time to get here." Kitsune explained after talking to the hospital. Alopex growled in annoyance before turning to April.

"Go find Tigerclaw. No doubt that idiot is at Blanche's house causing trouble." She sighed.

"Will there be enough time?" She asked as Leo screamed again.

"Yes, there will be plenty of time, now go!" Sh exclaimed. April quickly nodded and ran out the front door, leaving it slightly open...

******

As Raphael walked down the street to Leo's house he was starting to get cold feet, both because he had no idea what he was going to say to her and also because the snow had soaked through his shoes.

He was a house away from Leo's and he gripped the small bag in his hand as he slowed to a halt.

He knew the next decision would probably change his life forever.

If he went into that house he would definitely have a child to look after and maybe, hopefully, he and Leo could make things work between them; on the other half, if he just turned around and walked away he could try and get on with his life like his family wanted him to do, saying it's for the best.

But before he could make a decision he saw April burst out of the house and ran down the opposite side of the street away from him and the house with a look of panic on her face.

Raph's head snapped back to the half opened door when he heard Leona's screams of pain.

Fearing the worst he ran straight for the door...