December 20th, 2017, 4:48 pm

Narrator's POV

It was a beautiful night. New York City was covered in snow, houses were full of lights and trees were filled with ornaments. Christmas was in the air (happy Honika or whatever...) and kids were playing in the snow, making forts, snowmen, snow angels and snowball fights. Others are skating, skiing or playing hockey. Some families are in front of a fire, drinking hot cocoa, playing board games and watching Netflix (and chilling if you know what I mean ;) ).

At the airport, it was chaos. People were everywhere, left and right, running to catch their flight or just arrived. Leonardo has been waiting for an hour and a half for Karai and he's getting worried.

Leonardo's POV

Did she miss her flight? Is she in trouble or did she decide not to come?... I look at my phone again and she hasn't texted or called me saying she wasn't coming. I look up her flight and it doesn't mention that her plane was going to be late.*Sigh* I'll wait a little longer!

~30 minutes later~

I should get going before Mickey burns the house down or something. I turn around and head for the exit. *sigh* Maybe next year.

Karai's POV

*sigh of relief* Finally I'm here! I leave the plane with my carry on and go to get the rest of my luggage. I grab my baggage on the carousel and head towards the exit of the terminal. I hope Leo's still here. I look around to see if he's here. But I can't see with all these people in the way. It's almost like being at a store on Black Friday! I look around once more and see something that catches my attention. I see a strange-looking person walking away and his clothes seem familiar... Wait a minute, that's the clothing that April gave Leo. "LEO!!!!!"

Leonardo's POV

As I was leaving I heard someone call out my name. I stop in my tracks and look around. I don't see anyone, so I keep on walking. My phone started to ring I take it out and see that it's... Karai. I answer ;

L: Karai?!

K: "Look behind you turtle!"

I turn around and in the crowd, I see a waving hand... She made it! I was so happy to see that she came. I head towards her and great her with a hug and she hugged me back.

Narrator's POV

They greet each other, Leonardo grabs her luggage and walks towards the exit. As they walk out Karai explained what happened to her flight.

K: There was a lot of turbulence so we had to land at another airport for a couple of minutes.

L: It didn't mention anything about your flight being delayed.

They exit the airport and head for the car.

K: You got a car?!

L: Yeah!

K: Really?!?!?!

L: No.

She hits him on the shoulder and Leo laughs. She laughs as well.

K: Who's car is it?... Did u steal it?! *she says with a corner smile*

L: WHAT, NO!!! I didn't steal it... Not this one anyways!

K: *gasp* LEO!

L: I'm joking!

Leonardo laughs again, as they walk towards the vehicle Leonardo notices two officers that were checking them out. Karai whispers "You see them?", "Yeah" he answers. Leonardo, while keeping his head down, opens the trunk of the car and puts karai's luggage. Then enters the car and inserts the key in the ignition. He turns the key but before he could drive off he hears tapping on the window. They turn their heads to see one of the officers standing by the car, they stared for a moment and Leonardo finally lowered his window.

L: Can I help you, officer?

Off: Sir, is this your vehicle?

L: It's a friend's, I borrowed it to come pick up my sister.

Off: Well don't forget to mention your "friend" that one of the headlights are burnt, I'll let you off with a warning this time, alright?

L: Of course, I'll let her know right away.

Off: Have a safe drive and Merry Christmas!

L: You too officer!

Leonardo's POV

He salutes me and I roll up my window, as I did he walked back to his partner. I look at Karai and she looks at me, there's a moment of silence... "Pfffff... HA HA HA HA HA" We burst out laughing!

K: You think his partner will tell him? *giggles*

L: For his sake, I hope so! *continues laughing* I wonder how no one told him he had a giant hole in the back of his pants.

K: I don't know but hopefully someone tells him.

We finally calmed down and got on the road. As I was driving Karai told me about Japan. She seems to be happy about her life, but... I feel like she's hiding something. Doesn't matter I'm just happy that she's spending the holidays with us.

K: So how have the guys been?

L: There doing great! Raph got his temper under control... sort of. He's still working on it.

K: Awww, does that mean I can't piss him off anymore?

L: Why do you like doing that?

K: It's amusing, plus then you have to deal with him.

L: You just like causing trouble, just like Mickey.

K: Did he grow up yet!

L: Not really, I mean he's not as childish as he used but I mean, it's Mickey. It's his personality and honestly, I think it's better that way. He brightens everyone's days.

K: That's good, how about Don?

L: He hasn't changed.

K: Still a smart ass?

L: Always.

K: *Giggles* So how are you?

L: Me?

K: Yes you!

What am I supposed to say? I mean, I can't say I've been ok. *sigh* I've been having really dark thoughts for a while now. Nothing suicidal of course but sometimes, I just wanna hurt myself. I don't know why. Should I tell her, I think I should, I should at least tell someone...

L: I'm great nothing much has happened since... since...

K: Since father died...

L: *sigh* Yeah, well, at least you'll be able to see him. We're staying at April's farmhouse for the holidays. We buried him in the back, like that no one would find him.

K: That's probably what he would want, to be close to us, even in the afterlife.

Everything went quiet. All I could hear now was the radio playing in the background. I turned my head and saw her looking at the scenery. I feel bad since she wasn't able to be with Splinter as long as we have. At least she got to spend some father-daughter time. Me and the guys used to leave the lair Mondays and Fridays and hang out somewhere like the movies or at Murakami's shop. It was there quality time. And the weekend we would spend family time playing games, training with Sensei, watching movies, going topside and getting to see Sensei in action. It was a good life.

Raphael's POV

M: RAPH!!!

R: *ugh* WHAT!!!

*silence*

R: WHAT!!!!

*silence*

R: God damn it!

I hate it when they do that! They call me out of nowhere and they never answer back but the worst part is that they do it when I'm busy, sleeping or resting. Can' a turtle rest?! I get out of bed and put on my gear. Step out of my room and shut the door behind me. I head downstairs to the living room and see Mickey sitting on the couch playing video games.

R: Wha'do you want?

M: There's no more firewood.

R: And?!...

M: Donnie doesn't trust me with the axe.

R: ... *sigh* Fine I'll go.

M: Thank's Raph!

R: *mumbles*

I head towards the entrance and put on my jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, and boots. I open the door and head towards the woods. I hate winter it's the worst season of the year. It's cold, it's wet and everyone gets sick. I hate being sick it's the worst. Coughing and sneezing all the time, feeling weak, ugh I hate even the thought of it... Uh, just noticed Leo wasn't home, wonder where he is. Anyway, I grab some logs and head back towards the barn and set them down near the stump. I enter the barn and see Don and April... kissing. Knew it, I grab the axe and leave.

D: Raph?!

R: No...

D: What are you doing in here?

R: Grabin' the axe, what are you doing?

D: ...

A: *blushes*

R: Yeah that's what I thought. See ya lovebirds!

D: Raph wait!...

R: Ugh, what?

D: Don't tell Leo, ok?!

R: Whatever...

I leave the barn and close the doors behind me. They're kinda cute together. I'm happy for him.

Donatello's POV

D: So much for being stealthy *smiles*

A: You haven't told them yet?

D: *sigh* no...

A: Donnie...

D: I know what your gonna say "You should tell them about us or at least Leo like that it comes from me and not someone else and yada yada yada..."

She looks at me with a soft smile, lifts my chin and kisses my lips. She rubs my cheek and walks out of the barn. April's right, I should tell Leo before Raph does. I'll tell him tonight. I'm just amazed that Raph wasn't more surprised than that. Wait, did he already know? Does Leo know? Ugh, I shake my head and get back to work... Plus Raph isn't the snitch type, that's more of Mickey's domain.

Raphael's POV

*grunt* As I was cutting down the logs I hear the barn doors open but decide not to look who it was. I drop the axe, bend over to grab some of the cut-up logs and feel a tap on my shell. Only one person does that... April. It's what she does to get my attention whenever I'm focused on something. I turn around and see April standing there. Out of nowhere! She jumps up and gives me a huge hug?! With that, I drop the logs my feet. She lets me go and smiles, then walks to the house... She's just full of mysteries, love, and affection. Probably the reason why Donnie likes her and hello pain! God that hurts. I sit on the stump and wait for the pain to wear off and remember the movie night. Leo was cuddling me he's so cute... Wait, what? What am I saying his my brother for turtle's sake! *sigh* Why do I feel so weird around him. Everything gets hot, my stomach feels funny, I get sweaty palms... Do... Do I, like my brother?

L: Raph?

R: Ahhhh! Don't fucking scare me like that, Jesus Leo!

L: Sorry...

I'm getting those feelings again. Ugh, why do I get them every-single-frickin-time! My legs feel like jello, my stomach feels funny, UGH!!!

L: Raph? You ok?

R: Yeah I'm fine, why do you ask?

L: You're sitting outside, in the cold, on a tree stump...

R: Yeah so?

L: Just wanted to make sure everything was ok.

R: Everything is just peachy!

He looks at me with a smile. I feel like I'm melting... Maybe I should tell him? No, he's not gay. Wait, what? I'm not gay!

Am I?...

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Hi hello, fellow readers, this chapter was supposed to come out on the 31st of March (2018 obviously!) but its the Easter weekend so... I ain't got no time for nothin'! Anyways, just wanted to let you guys know I'll be posting at least one chapter every month on the last day and don't be shy to leave a comment about anything!

Thank you guys so much for all your support!

:)