Leo sighed as she played with Yuki and Raph talked to Casey. Raph's family had jetted off to Japan the night before and he said they'd be back by New Years. Even though he wasn't saying anything, Leona just knew Raph was feeling guilty about not going with them.
Suddenly the door buzzer went off. Leo let them up and smiled when she opened the door and saw Catherine there, holding two large bags. Yuki's daycare was now closed for Christmas and Leo and Raph still had to work so the older turtle offered to babysit.
"Hello sweetheart." She smiled when she saw Yuki before turning to the young one's parents.
"Case, this is Catherine, Leo's grandma." Raph introduced.
"Nice to meet ya." Casey smiled. "I better get back, ya know what April's like now she got a bun in tha oven." He joked before leaving.
"Say if you don't want these but I've been going through my decorations and I've put together a few things you might like." Catherine smiled and handed Leo the bags full Christmas items.
"That's very kind of ya, thanks." Raph said as he took the bags from Leo and put them away.
"Thanks again for looking after her." Leo smiled.
"Oh it's no problem, at times like this you need to be with your family." She smiled and turned her gaze to Yukiko...
******
After putting up the Christmas decorations Catherine gave them Leo went to work, leaving only Yuki, Catherine and Raph, who was also about to go to work, alone in the appartment. As Raph was getting ready to go, Catherine was showing Yuki the figurines from a mini nativity set.
"And this one is Mary and this one is baby Jesus." The old turtle smiled as she gently handed her great-granddaughter the little statues.
"Ya doll crazy, ain't ya." Raph smiled as he gave his daughter a big kiss and a hug before turning to Catherine. "I better go do me shift, Leo'll be back soon." He said and turned to leave.
"Raphael, wait." She called after him. "Tell me to mind my own business, but did I hear your best friend say that he and his partner were expecting a baby?"
"Yeah, their really excited." He smiled.
"Oh that's lovely, tell them I said congratulations." She smiled. Raph gave her a nod before leaving. Once he was gone, Catherine knelt back down next to Yuki.
"Don't you worry honey, Nana will make sure you don't get forgotten about." She whispered as she placed a gentle kiss on the child's head...
******
That night Alopex and Kitsune were enjoying some dinner together as they discussed what they wanted to do for Christmas. Apparently Alopex had tried to invite some of her work friends but they all turned her down.
"It's your own family you should be inviting for Christmas, you know, Leona and Yukiko." The human woman suddenly said.
"Mother, I've tried really hard to sort things out with Leona."
"Well not hard enough."...
******
The next morning Leo had the day off so she got to spend some time with Yuki while Raph was a at work. By now the small apartment was decorated in a few cheap decorations and a there was a small tree in the far corner.
"Sorry about the mess." She smiled as she, Yuki and Catherine entered the apartment. They had bumped into the old turtle on the streets and had welcomed her in for some dinner.
"Not to worry, it's the sign of a happy home." Catherine smiled as she helped Yuki out of her winter coat.
"Yuki, honey, can you go put your bag in your room and not on the floor." She smiled as her daughter wobbled off into her bedroom.
"Just like Eroina was at that age." Catherine sighed before turning to Leona. "So, where's your fiancé?"
"Raph? He's working." She smiled.
"Making sure he's saving every penny?"
"Yeah, it's hard paying rent AND raising a demanding daughter."
"No, I mean for the wedding." Catherine smiled and Leo stared at her in shock as she reached into her bag and pulled out a slip of paper. "I know a vicar and he makes concessions for couples in your predicament and he's happy to marry you, this is his number and he knows your going to call."
"I'm not getting married." Leo frowned.
"You're not?" The old turtle asked in shock. "But I thought you and Raphael would want to raise your daughter in wedlock?"
"We don't need to prove to people that we love each other." Leo stated. "I don't even want to get married."
"No, it's not really any of my business, I'd best be going." Catherine laughed nervously as she quickly walked out the apartment...
******
That evening, Leo was enjoying a nice cup of tea with Kitsune in her apartment. Raph was till working overtime and Yuki was fast asleep.
"I know I should of called first." The older woman smiled.
"Don't be silly, I haven't seen you in days, I'm glad you're here."
"I saw Eroina's mother leaving earlier."
"Yeah, she babysat Yuki for a bit." Leo admitted as she avoided her grandmother's eyes. "I knew you were working so..."
"You know you're mother was free for the day and she would love to see you."
"When could I ever talk to her?"
"She misses you."
"No, she misses Yuki."
"No, she misses you, her little girl." Kitsune groaned. "I could bang both your heads together sometimes!"
"Gran, if you've come here to give me a lecture..."
"I've come because it's nearly Christmas day and it breaks my heart that the family isn't going to be together."
"She doesn't want me there."
"She does! I promise you!" Kitsune smiled. "Darling, don't let us have a Christmas all split up, she loves you so much, don't turn your back on her."
"I'll think about it." Leo smiled...
YOU ARE READING
Regrets
FanfictionRaphael had many regrets in his life: his temper, the people he choose to hang out with and then there was the biggest regret of his life...