Anticipation, Part 1

Title: Anticipation, part 1
Author: becky016
Warnings: None (That I can think of)
Note: I will be using these (---) to divide my story as some scenes, may, jump back and forth to one another.
Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT

Following his two children, Don finally emerged from the forest and came to the famous Jones cottage, where a certain celebration was about to take place.

A celebration between two of the Hamato family, or in more detail a wedding.

Decorating the barn were banners and ornaments helping to improve the layout and appearance of the place. Not a great deal but it did the job.
Next to the structure stood a layout of white gazebo’s which too was decorated similarly to the barn, along with outdoor fairy lights, wrapped around the frame work.

The guests had all arrived early for the occasion, guests which included; Traximus, Professor Honeycutt, the ninja tribunal members and Leatherhead.

The Triceraton had travelled the vast galaxy gathering fellow comrades’ and aliens and to hold a rebellion against the prime leader Zanramon and over throw him once and for all. It had been a difficult time, and as the battle went on, a war grew amongst the republic and the rebels leaving Traximus to lead the rebels to victory.

Many lives had been lost, on both sides, and although at times the rebels had come close to succeeding. It was apparent that they were still years away to ever regaining peace on the home world. Still war or no war, it would not stop the dino from visiting his close friends especially when it concerned his most loyal friend of all. The groom.

The Utroms would have come along with Professor Honeycutt, but there were more pressing matters for the alien race back home. But the robot insisted on attending the wedding of his friends. He had been living with the alien race for a number of years now, helping them adapt to new technology as well as advancing what they already had.

For the ninja tribunal, the ancient one was happy to see his mutant allies and students. Being recognised as a full guardian and master had its challenges, but none of which the old man couldn’t handle.

He enjoyed talking with Splinter about the years that had past, he had not aged a day, but the rat had appeared to. Patches of his dark grey fur where now beginning to turn white or at least a lighter shade. Nevertheless it did not stop the mutant from living his daily life. The rest of the guardians’ however were waiting patiently for the ceremony to take place.

Donatello noticed his master and father addressing their guests, granted it was a rather small gathering, but it was as the couple wanted. He had also noticed the ninja’s eerie stares as he make his way up to the cottage.
“DAD!”
“LOOK OUT!” the twins cried out as they zoomed past him on their hover boards.
“Whoa!” barely managing to avoid them, Don leapt over to take shelter on the porch way.

“Guys!” making a quick u-turn the pair halted by their fathers side.
“Sorry dad” Noah said, to which Don just sighed wondering if it was the right thing to have built the devices in the first place.
“Just be sure to keep an eye out okay you two, we don’t want you running anyone down…”
“Kay!” they cheered zooming off.
“And make sure you don’t ruin your clothes!” he called out to them, before making his way inside.

Once Don was in, he came across everyone in a panic as the girls were struggling to keep the kids in order.

Zack and Kyle were busy roughhousing, just as their father and cousin Sid would often do, whenever they were in the same room together.
“Urgh! Get off me Zack!” the pair tumbled down on the floor in their fancy shirt and pants, with the four year old getting caught in his older brothers choke hold.
“Ha! Looks like I win again” Zack chuckled.
“Zack, let go of your brother!” April ordered, to which her eldest son did as he was told.

“Now get over here, you boys aren’t even close to getting ready” April approached them both and lifted their collars on their shirts as she went about places their ties on.
“Urgh mom do we have to where these?! There so tight” Zack whined as he wouldn’t stop fidgeting.
“When can we eat? I’m starving!” April sighed as she was getting tired of their rebellious behaviour.
“Look guys as soon as the service is over then you can take the ties off okay…” she said.

“Need any help?” Don asked as he made his appearance beside them.
“Oh thanks Donnie, this was meant to be Casey’s job, but I have no idea where he’s hiding…” April was getting rather tired of her husband’s lack of support. With being a mother and having a hectic schedule, running O’Neil Tech, it was beginning to put a strain on the woman’s patience. So instead of losing it she went to check in on the girls, not to mention, she too had to finish getting ready.

Kneeling down to the boys’ level, Don got to work and as he did, he could help but overhear the commotion going on by the fireplace. It seemed that once again his nephew was cooing over his youngest niece.

Indeed Kotaro was cooing over his younger sister. Leo and Mia had had another child since the twins were born, little Yumi Hamato, who was now ten months of age.

“Yumi! Where am I?…” Kotaro voiced holding the blanket high, so it covered his face. The infant turtle cooed and grinned at the remark, she bounced back in the baby rocker dressed in her pink frills, wearing a bib along with it, to make sure no amount of dribble could ruin the special clothing.
The small amount of black hair that sat on her head, held a flower clip to keep the loose strands in place.

Getting first class entertainment, the tot also concentrated on getting a hold of her feet. Within a split second, Taro flung the material down and with a big grin he cried out.
“Peek-a-boo!” earing himself a round of applause from his younger sibling.

It was then Casey emerged from the kitchen, carrying a giant sandwich in hand, to which he couldn’t help but stuff into his mouth.
“Mm… Yo Don, how’s it goin?” the man was dressed in the smartest clothes he owned, and just to be sure he wouldn’t spill anything down him, he had stuffed a load of paper towels in his collar.
Both Don and the boys weren’t surprised, this is something that Casey Jones would normally do. So instead of answering him, the man was met with unimpressed expressions
“What?...” Casey muttered behind his bite.

“Don, how’s everything?! Are the boys all…” April had come to check in on her children to which she instead found her husband stuffing his face.
“CASEY! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU ALL MORNING! YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING THE BOYS READY!” April started.
“He-heh sorry babe… I was ya know hungry” he replied as he couldn’t think of a quick enough excuse to use for his lack of attendance.
“Grr!” she wanted to whack the guy with the mop but instead she went back into the room next door.
“What I do?”

By this point Don had finished with doing both Zack and Kyle’s ties and had sent them on their way, which meant for the pair to go outside and play with the twins on their hover boards. Leaving Don to go check in on his brothers upstairs.

Mia soon exited the kitchen with a fresh bottle of milk in hand for her youngest. She was happy to see Kotaro adjusting to his role of being an older brother, even if that meant play time, all the time.

Unlike the others she was already dressed in her formal attire, and before she got down to the lunchtime feed she took the chance to fix her hair in the mirror while things were calm.
Her raven hair was tied into a high bun, and decorated with silver beads.

She wore a long, pale, light moss green bridesmaid gown which hung just below the ankle. It was a bit strange for her to be wearing such a colour, or more ironic, since the colour of her skin was also green. But she couldn’t argue it was the bride’s decision.

Only then did the turtlette release that Kotaro was neither dressed nor anywhere being close to ready in time for the service.
“Kotaro aren’t you supposed to be with your father?” Mia asked as she wondered yet again on why her eldest wasn’t dressed.
“Mm… Yeah, but Yumi wanted me to play with her…” he replied still with his attention on his sister.
“Kotaro?” Mia questioned, she was using her serious tone, which meant the boy had to give her his true reason.

“I don’t like wearing clothes, they feel funny…” the child replied. The woman giggled as she reached down lifting the tot into her arms, cradling her close as she was about to feed her daughter.
“I know… but this isn’t your day remember, it’s your aunts and uncles”
“Yeah…” Taro sighed.
“Go on now, we don’t have much time before the ceremony…” placing the bottle in the child’s mouth, Yumi couldn’t help but guzzle down her meal.
“Do I have to?…” he whined, hoping to win his mother over with his big brown eyes.
“Yes” Mia replied.

“Aww…” with a heavy sigh the five year old trundled off upstairs, not forgetting to pout his lips as he did. Mia couldn’t help but giggle somewhat, as it seemed that her son was more of a handful that his little sister. Taking the chance to look at the view outside, Mia caught Chikara-Shiso’s gaze from across the grounds.

She couldn’t say she was pleased with having the tribunal there, not counting the ancient one. She still held a grudge about what the kunoichi said about her son, shortly after his birth. But even so, for her friend’s sake, she would at least be civilised when they were in the same room together.

------

The young turtle eventually reached the top of the stairs, which was just as chaotic as downstairs.

“Leo have you seen my tie anywhere?”
“Dudes where’s my cufflinks?”
“Honestly can’t you guys organise yourselves for once?”
“Uhh… Mikey those are mine”
“URGH! THEN WHERE THE SHELL ARE MINE?!”

Kotaro stood there watching his father and uncle Don and Mikey charge around aimlessly to try and get themselves ready in time.
The boy’s stamina and stealth must have been at its peak, because it didn’t seem as though the older turtles even acknowledged that he was there. So instead seeing that the window was open Taro could hear someone muttering outside as he went to investigate.

He poked his head out first and saw that it was his uncle Raph curled up against the rooftop. He wasn’t wearing his red bandana, but the shade of green and not forgetting that his remaining brothers were in the loft made it no one else. Lifting his shell out of the window the five year old took care as he wondered up to him.

“Hi uncle Raph” his voice startled the mutant who upon realising that it was his nephew, managed to settled his nerves down.
“Oh… err… hey kid”
“You okay?”  Taro took a seat next to Raph, wondering why he seemed so down.
“Yeah uh just nervous I guess…” the guy replied, looking out at the view.
“About getting married?” he asked.

The mutant’s brow rose, glancing his amber eyes down at the brown ones. He wouldn’t deny that the boy was right, to be honest he never thought that this little tyke was actually getting smarter than him, or he was just getting really slow. Which was probably true. The whole reason on why he was in this situation was because of him in the first place. Kinda.

-------

It was around the time of Ashley’s birthday to which the six, going on seven year old, still hadn’t made up her mind on what she wanted for a birthday present. The lair, which was once a large bachelor pad for the four brothers, now seemed like a large kid’s zone.
Various toys, blankets, appliances laid scattered pretty much in every corner that made it give the impression that the mutant children really had taken over.

While sounds, cries and vocalizations echoed around the place, both Raph and Charlotte were seated at the kitchen table debating on what they should get Ashley for her birthday. The male slumped himself on the chair, after helping Leo out with training the young ninja’s.

“Tough workout?” Charlotte asked before taking a sip of coffee from her mug.
“Ah… you could say that…” Raph sighed placing his chin in his palm, with the other rested against the table. Although the lesson was only for an hour, his whole body ached and he let out a yawn.
“Ya know, I think fightin’ off kids is a lot harder than any bad guy we’ve ever faced” he said, earning himself a chuckle from the red head.

Taking another sip of her beverage the turtlette remembered something she wanted to discuss with her boyfriend.
“You know, I’ve realised that Ashley’s birthday is coming up” Raph looked at her with a grin.
“That time again huh?... what do ya s’pose she wants this year?” he slouched back recalling the many birthday years that had gone by.

“Well first is was a pet…” they remembered the young red head rushing over to them with a small picture of an animal she so desired.
”I wanna puppy!”
“Instead she got a goldfish” Raph recalled.
“Then she wanted her own transport…” Charlotte said, again they remembered the child racing over with a picture in hand.
”I want a go kart!”
“And then last year…”
”I want a ninja weapon!”

Yep Ashley was full of ideas and demands when it came to her birthday, but this year, for some reason. They had heard nothing from their daughter, not a peep, wink, nothing regarding birthday gifts or even suggestions for gifts. Which surprised both parents.

It was then the young red head made her appearance, her expression saddened as she approached them with a sheet of paper in hand.
“Hey princess, ya got ya birthday idea there?” Raph asked, holding his palms out the six year old climbed up on her father’s lap. But to his confusion the paper was blank.
“You okay honey?” Charlotte asked.
“No… I can’t think of anything…” Ashley whined throwing the paper and crowns of the table.

Charlotte took a hold of it as herself and Raph shared a glance.
“Well there’s no rush, you still have a few weeks…” she said trying to console the child.
“Yeah, like… how about some movies, clothes or dollies” Raph suggested.
“Raph” Charlotte frowned.
“What? I’m just throwin’ out ideas”
“No… it has to be special… I mean reeeally special” the girl replied taking the sheet back and going to think more about it.

Neither Charlotte nor Raph knew what to do, or why this birthday was so important to her. They just hoped, for their daughter’s sake that she wouldn’t get to distraught over the matter.

Another week had past and still nothing came to mind. The girl laid on her front looking down at the blank sheet with a crayon in hand.
She hummed and muttered to herself when all the while her family were busy with their daily routines that she didn’t ever acknowledge them. Even when the twins had gotten into her toy chest, which was strictly off limits to all of her cousins.

Splinter however had observed his granddaughter closely, and could see the troubled look over her face. To which, he wanted to help.
He walked over taking a seat on the sofa and grabbing the tv remote.
“I hope you do not mind me watching my stories while you are working young one” he said.
“No” she replied getting back, letting out another hum. With a flick of a button the many screens lit up and Splinters regular soaps was on.

He waited a moment or two before getting back to Ashley.
“I sense that something is troubling you” he spoke, turning on her side to face him. The youngster let out a sigh.
“You got that right grandpa…”
“Come… sit with me” he said patting the spot beside him.

Taking her grandfather’s offer the girl curled herself up next to him.
“See, I almost always know what I want for my birthday… but I can’t think of what I want for this year, it’s really annoying” she pouted.
After the rat thought for a moment he could only think of one answer to give her.
“Perhaps the solution to your problem is simpler than you think”
“Huh?” she tilted her head at that remark.

The rat heaved a sigh, wondering if any of his grandchildren would ever understand his anecdotes.
“What I mean is, look at your surroundings and then perhaps the idea may come to you in time” he said.
“Ooooh… I get it! I’ll do that” she smiled jumping  to her feet.
“Thanks grandpa”

------

Ashley spent the next few days observing her family as well as her surroundings, just as like grandfather had said. Slowly but surely an idea came to mind, one which would top all her previous birthday gifts put together.

She raced up the stairs, with a large grin plastered across her face.
“Daddy! Dad!” slamming her parents door open, the red head found her father lounging on his bed, reading the latest magazine on motorcycles. Without regards for the rules on knocking first, Ashley charged over, leaping right on her father’s lap.
“Whoa! Easy there Ash…” for a moment the guy panicked as she was close to kneeing him in the gut.

“I finally know what I want for my birthday!” she couldn’t contain her eagerness and her smile looked as though it wouldn’t go away for a long time.
Within seconds Charlotte entered the room, and she was glad to see the pair together.
“Everything okay?” placing her backside on the edge of the mattress, Raph wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her closer towards him.

“I know what I want for my birthday mom!”
“Really? That’s great!” Charlotte smiled as she looked down as the male beside her. Raph’s mouth curved as he huffed for a moment before throwing his magazine to one side. Granted it was getting near to Ashley’s bed time, but it seemed like this couldn’t wait.
“A’ite lets see it” he said holding out his hand.

Their daughterl gladly handed the picture over to them, but once they got a good look at the image it felt like their entire shells would fall off.
“Uh… umm…” there were no words that could describe what they were looking at right now.

The image was clearly a turtle but in a form of a toddler and on its head was a bright pink bow.
“I want a baby sister!”

TBC…