Regrets

Pity

Leo sighed as she continued to wait the tables at the cafe. It was just nine days until Christmas Eve and they hadn't even decorated the apartment yet, not mention get Yuki some presents and do the groceries.

As she looked up she frowned when she saw a nervous looking Catherine standing in the middle of the cafe. They hadn't seen the old woman since the day they had that fight.

"What are you doing here?" Leo glared as she came closer.

"I just came to see how you are that's all."

"I'm fine."

"And Raphael and little Yuki?"

"He's fine, she's fine, we're all fine."

"Please Leona, I just need to talk, I don't want to leave things like this." She pleaded.

"Fine, but let's be quick 'cause I'm supposed to be working." Leo sighed and they took a seat at an empty table.

"I had no right keeping Yukiko out as long as I did, it's only natural you were angry." Catherine admitted sorrowfully. 

"Yes well there's no point bringing it all up again." She glared.

"Everyday I curse myself for losing the only family I had left, I hope you don't mind me calling you family, it's just the way I've felt about you." She smiled.

"Look, if you're hoping to be welcome back in-"

"No I'm not." She quick said. "What's done can't be undone, though sometimes I wish it could; it's just that this time of year gets you thinking." She sniffed as she wiped some small tears from her eyes. "It's the first Christmas since Eroina died, I'm sorry I didn't mean to do this." She sobbed before rushing out.

Leo couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt in her chest...

******

That night Leona and Raphael were at the bar, enjoying a drink. Shen was at their's babysitting Yuki for the night.

"Oh, guess who I saw at work this morning." Leo suddenly said when Raph came back with their drinks. "Catherine Aiuto."

"Come ta wriggle her way inta our lives again?" Raph glared.

"No, she came to apologise again." Leo frowned at his tone. "She got a little upset about Eroina, you, about Christmas and I felt really bad for her."

"Um, ya do remember what she did?"

"Yeah Raph, I know, but maybe we overreacted a little bit, I mean she didn't do it on purpose did she?" Leo asked. "And you have to admit it's been harder to cope without her and it'll be even harder over Christmas with the daycare shut."

"Ya not thinkin' of askin' her back are ya?"

"No of course I'm not, I'm just saying."

"Look, we'll manage somehow." Raph quickly told her and Leo just sighed...