I analyzed my reflection in the lair's bathroom for the one hundredth time. A cream colored button up blouse with sunflowers on the ends of it's billowy sleeves. Knee high socks that matched. A pistachio green high waisted skirt. Brown mary jane pumps. My brown leather crossbody bag. My hair was half up half down. My glasses tied it together.
"Oh, Birdie!" Raphael teasingly called. I caught his glance from the mirror. His eyes widened. Oh, Birdie. I snorted.
"Am I overdoing it?"
"No! You look great. God. Y-You wear glasses?"
"Yep! Leo saw them for the first time and thought I looked like a little librarian." I laughed, taking the curler off of my bangs and brushing them out. "In a good way, of course. You like 'em?"
"Mhm." He stood up, hitting his head on the door frame. "Shit. I just came to tell you Splinter should be getting here any minute now."
"Oh, I think I'm just about ready. No worries." I put a light pink gloss on my lips and sighed. "Yeah. Ready."
"Why are you so nervous? I can feel it radiating off of you from the kitchen. Harshing the vibe." Mikey peeked in too. "Aw! You look so cute."
"Stop that." My face heated up. A ding came from the kitchen. "My pumpkin loaf!" I ran out of the bathroom, pulled on some oven mitts and retrieved my days work from the oven. The whole meal layout looked amazing.
"You really threw down, dude." Mikey said from over my head. I looked up and there he was looking down at me proudly. I smiled.
"I figured it's been a while since you had a big meal as a family."
"A very long while." An unfamiliar voice chuckled behind us.
"Dad!" Mikey gave him a hug, and the rest of his brothers joined.
"I-I'm Robin!" I bowed slightly, clasping my hands together.
"Oh, I have heard much about you from my sons. I am their father. You may call me, Master Splinter. I look forward to getting to know you." He greeted warmly.
"Ah! And I you, sir!" I bowed again. Cute. The whole room. My face burned red.
"Relax." Leo muttered, lifting me from my bow.
"Did you make all of this?"
"Y-Yes." I stepped to the side to. "I could start setting it up for you? I'm sure airline food isn't all too great." I joked.
"Goodness, there is a reason I visit once a year." He nodded, gratefully.
"Okay!" I reached for the biggest pot first.
"We've got this. You cooked for us, so we can set it up." Leo reached over me. I pursed my lips. "Guys!"
"Already on it." Raphael was right behind him.
"Can I take this to the table?" I pointed to my pumpkin loaf. They looked to each other.
"That's it." Donnie urged. "Now go on."
"Okay!" I picked it up and quickly took it over to the table.
"What have you prepared, if you do not mind me asking?" Splinter asked observing his sons placing the pots and pans in the center.
"Uh, let's see. This is a chuck roast with carrots, potatoes, broccoli and mushrooms." I lifted the lid and the steam flowed upward.
"Oh my god." Raphael groaned, smelling it.
"Hush, you!" I jokingly scolded. "I made sourdough bread to go with it."
"Look at that scoring!" Donnie lifted the lid off of that.
"Leo's bringing over green beans with bacon."
"Am I?" He uncovered it and a waft of bacon and pepper hit him.
"Over by Mikey is a pan of some baked mac and cheese."
"Can we keep her forever?" Mikey begged, pulling it close.
"And for dessert, I made a chocolate chip pumpkin loaf with a cream cheese swirl."
"You have out done yourself, child." Splinter seemed slightly surprised.
"I am very hungry and very tired. But, it's worth it to make a good impression and have a good meal." I exhaled, sweeping a lock of hair behind my ear.
"Are we free to dig in?" Mikey asked. "I'm only asking because Raph is drooling."
"Huh? I am not!" He touched his face. As he pulled away his hand, I couldn't help but notice a damp finger.
"Swallow your pride, hon." I grabbed a napkin. He turned to glare at me, but when he did, I wiped his mouth. I'm gonna die. "I hear you. But how about we let Master Splinter grab the first plate. Then you can dig in."
"Thank you. You are much too kind, Robin." He stood and grabbed his serving. "Though, I do advise you start as well. I know these boys well enough to predict they will pick this table clean of all food."
"Oh geez. Really?" I quickly rose to serve myself, but I couldn't. Not only did my feet kill me, but there was something I'd forgotten. With one of my arms in a sling, it made easy tasks difficult.
"I've got it." Leo stood. "Just tell me what you need."
"Um. Just a little of everything, I don't mind." I sat back down.
"Whatever you say." He served me and set my plate down in front of me. It was more than I normally ate, but I guess our definition of little is relative.
"Thank you." I smiled, but quickly noticed all eyes were on me. "Hm?" It took a moment for me to realize. "Oh! Go ahead! Eat." The moment I finished speaking, hands flew across the table at an incredible speed.
"This is normal, if you are wondering." Splinter said, taking a bite of green bean.
"Jesus. Is this really what it's like when boys eat?"
"They have been this way since they were children. If you wait a little while longer, it should slow down."
"Maybe they'll even speak."
"Sorry, Robin, but this food... I think I've died and gone to heaven." Mikey said, mouth full.
"I'll pay you to make this bread again!" Donnie held a quarter of the loaf in a hand.
"Don't forget the apple butter." I point out, next to him. He gasped and began spooning it onto his bread.
"How did you do this? This is insane!" Raphael asked, snatching another serving of roast and vegetables.
"Really, thank you. We don't have much food experience outside of japanese and italian." Leo hummed.
"As long as you guys like it, I can do it again. Just... Maybe not this big."
"Yes please!" The boys said in union.
"Welcome to the family." Splinter patted my hand.
"Thank you." I grinned.
