Love and Hate

Chapter 20

Wedding Day

Mike sat nervously at the table in April's new cottage. It was the day of his wedding and he was nervous about the whole thing. He hoped that nothing would go wrong and that they would all have a great time. Leo glanced at Mike to see his nervous eyes scan everything around him over and over again. He smiled and patted his brother's shoulder, making him jump.

" Don't worry Mike. Just calm down."

" Sorry I....I just....I don't know....it's a new thing for me."

" I know, but you got to calm down. There is nothing to be nervous about." Mike breathed in and nodded. It calmed him a little more, but not enough.

Angel looked at Donatello who was sitting on the rail to the training oval. There was no one in there and several jumps had been put up so that she could practice. Of course, she put them there to do more showing off than anything else. Angel turned and went back to her black and white pinto stallion. She mounted up and went around to the other side of the track, acting like there was nothing wrong and that she didn't even see him. She wanted to get his attention and she knew that this might be one way to do it. The stallion she was riding was named; Crash Dash. He lived up to the name somewhat. He liked to dash at things and instead of crashing into them, he would suddenly stop causing Angel to fly over his head and land hard.

She moved him forward and nervously entered the oval. She glanced at Don who had suddenly laid his eyes on her. He didn't think she knew that he was there, but he stayed where he was to watch. Angel felt Dash pull on the reins and try to get going before it was time. She moved him into a trot and warmed him up by going half way around the track and then she moved him into a canter and headed to the first jump.

Donatello watched in silence as she made the jump easily and the horse cantered to the next one. She looked so concentrated on what she was doing. She raised herself out of the saddle and got into jump position as Dash made it to the next jump. Don noticed that the horse was moving faster by the minute and soon enough, he threw his head and took the bit in his mouth.

" Shit!" He heard Angel yell as the horse took off around the track. She wasn't prepared for the jolt she felt when he lunged forward and she fell back into the saddle. He began to feel a bit nervous as she tried to pull up the head strong horse. He lunged again and now she was beginning to feel really stupid for trying this.

" Well.....I defiantly got his attention." She mumbled in embarrassment. The horse made his way over jumps and headed for another. Angel wasn't ready to take it and Dash knew it. At the very last second, he slid to a stop, sending Angel over his head and right through the jump. Donatello jumped off the rail in shock and ran toward her. She sucked in a breath, but pain cursed through her as she tried to move. Nothing was broken, just bruised.

" Angel..." She opened her eyes slowly to see Donatello kneeling over her. She didn't even say a word. She was embarrassed even though it got the attention she wanted. She felt his arms gently lift her body and she groaned in pain. She rested her head against his chest and sucked in a deep breath.

" Are you ok?" Don asked with concern.

" No...." She grumbled. He smiled and realized that she was all right, but bruised. He lifted her up and tried to stand her on her feet. She wobbled to the fence and he jumped to help her stand better.

" Why the hell are you riding such a crazy horse?"

" Because.....I have to at some point or another. I was trying to train him.....obviously the only good quality he has are his looks." She grumbled and moved her hand to her back. Don saw her flinch in pain and went to look at her.

" It's ok...." He said softly as he gently lifted the back of her shirt to look at her back. He looked at the purplish bruise on her lower back and then the soft milky skin around it. He visualized himself touching her face again, but shook the thought from his head as quickly as it came in. She turned slowly to look at him.

" I didn't think that you were out here.....why are you here anyway?"

" I was just doing some thinking."

" Oh....please don't tell Vicky about this." He looked at her curiously, but nodded his ok. She limped over to the stallion and ran up his stirrups and took his reins. She wobbled as she tried to walk and Don decided to help her. He came over and put an arm around her waist and helped her walk, but it was hurting her. He heaved a sigh and stopped.

" I hate this." He mumbled. Angel suddenly felt bad for making him help her.

" I can do it. Go back to doing whatever you were doing." He turned to look at her and noticed the tears in her eyes as she pulled her horse along. He looked after her strangely. He watched her lean against her horse and walked away as fast as she could. Tears streamed down her face.

" He really doesn't like me....." She whispered as she made her way to the training barn where she had a groom settle her horse. She limped out to her truck and passed by the wedding area. It was such a lovely design that they had all done, but she wasn't in the cheerful mood anymore. She turned and went to her truck and got in. Then she noticed Mike looking at her curiously. He came over and stopped her before she could close the door.

" Angel, what happened?"

" Nothing."

" Don't lie to me. You wouldn't be crying and limping for nothing."

" Look I fell off my horse and Donatello had an attitude about helping me, ok? I just want to go home." He looked at her knowingly and backed away. Before she backed out, she noticed Donatello and Leonardo gazing at her intently. She backed out quickly and made her way back to her house. They had heard what she said and now she felt even more embarrassed.

Samantha Larsen was also invited to the wedding and she looked around Silver Brook as she pulled into the driveway. Three turtles were sitting on the porch just drinking tea. She knew about them from what Cam and Vicky told her, but she hadn't seen them until just then. Mike smiled and came over to her and greeted her.

" So, you're Cam's man? She talks about ya all the time."

" I know she does." Mike said with a laugh.

" Is Angel here?" Sammy asked, looking around.

" Um...there was a little problem this morning. She fell off her horse while jumping the track course and my brother Donatello had a bit of an attitude about helping her. He likes her and he's afraid to admit it. Besides when she first saw us, she kinda screamed and it made him think that she didn't want anything to do with him. So he's been kinda weird lately." She nodded and walked with him to the front door. Samantha wasn't the type to get scared that easily and she was actually blunt when it came to speaking her mind. She jumped onto the porch and Mike introduced his brothers. She looked at Don and Leo and smiled. Mike threw an orange at Leo like he had asked and he missed catching it. He glared at his brother and bent over to get it.

" So where is Vi.....Oh baby! You have a nice ass!" Leonardo swung around and looked at her with wide eyes. Donatello's eyes were equally wide and Mike just laughed. She shrugged and smiled at Leo.

" What? It's the truth and a complement." She saw his face flush red and she laughed lightly.

" You're cute." She said thoughtfully. Don couldn't help but smile at Leo who turned beet red. Sammy turned and went into the house to talk to Vicky.

Cam sat Sarah on Vicky's gelding; Country Boy. She smiled with excitement, as Cam mounted onto Solid Heart and they made their way to the training oval to ride. They were going to avoid the jumps though. She didn't want to rush the little girl. Casey and April stood at the rail and watched as Sarah rode next to Cam.

Angel was on her back porch as tears fell from her eyes. She could hear distant horse sounds, but paid no attention to them. The grooms had already put them away and fed them. It was getting close for the wedding to start, but she suddenly didn't feel like going.

" I heard what you said." Angel jumped up and fell out of her chair in shock. She backed away from the dark figure and starred at it.

" I didn't mean to have an attitude." Then she knew who it was. He came into the light of the porch and she looked at him wide eyed. He had a belt on with kneepads and elbow pads and a stick like weapon could be seen on his shell. She looked at the purple mask he wore and wondered if he was upset again. She got up and walked into her house quickly, but felt him close behind her.

" What do you want?" She asked quietly.

" Mike wants you to come down soon. The wedding is going to start in about two and half hours."

" I know...but....I don't want to go." She walked through her living room, but the weapon he had swung in front of her and stopped her dead. She looked at him with fear in her eyes.

" I don't mean to hurt you or scare you. But you need to go to the wedding. I want you to." The sound made her heart jump and she began to think of why she even cared about what he thought.

" Fine I'll go." She growled and went upstairs. He followed her, but she slammed the door to her room in his face. She tried to contain her emotions, but the tears spilled over her cheeks. She went back to the door to apologize to Don, but he was gone. She went back into her room and sat down on the floor. Everything she did seemed so wrong.

April and Casey sat with Sarah in the front row. Leonardo was sitting next to Sammy and the grooms sat on the other side. Don stood nervously at Mike's side. He was the best man. Vicky had explained to the priest about them and he didn't seem all that disturbed at the sight. He had been a little nervous at first, but not anymore. Don looked around, but Angel couldn't be seen. He heaved an anger sigh and looked at Mike. The music was turned on and everyone waited. Angel then showed up and sat down next to Sammy who gave her a hug. Don's butterflies went everywhere, but she wouldn't even look at him. Everyone smiled when Cam walked in. She looked so beautiful in her white gown and with her black hair tied up. Her parents were dead also and she didn't have anyone else in her family to invite so whoever was there was all she wanted. She walked to the end of the aisle and stood next to Mike. Vicky glanced around and smiled when she found what she was looking for.

The priest began to speak to them and all Don could think about was how Angel had treated him. Here he was at Mike's wedding and he couldn't even make friends with Angel. Jealousy was there, but not a lot of it. He knew that it was partly his fault. He started to pay attention when the ring was asked for. He handed it to Mike and watched as he placed it on Cam's finger.

" I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." He pulled back the veil and kissed her mouth gently. Everyone cheered and clapped for them as the day Mike had always dreamed about finally came true. They turned and went to the table that had all the refreshments and the cake. Everyone went around and got some cake. Music started to play and Mike pulled Cam to the dancing area that had been set up and they began to dance.

Samantha eyed Leonardo who looked around nervously. She came up to him and stopped right in front of him. He slowly let his eyes go from her waist to her chest and then to her face.

" Hey! Is your dance as nice as your ass?" She asked. His face went red again and he was stuck on what to say.

" I have...never danced before."

" Really? Well there's a first time for everything." She reached her hand out and he took it. They went to the dance area and started to dance. Leo was a little stiff at first, but he relaxed once he got the hang of it. Angel turned to see Don looking right at her. She didn't know what to say or do.

" Angel, I was trying to say I was sorry for being such an ass, but you kind of slammed the door in my face." She turned away.

" Look I'm sorry for being so rude, but if you don't want anything to do with me...you should have just said so."

" That's not how I feel." She felt his finger under her chin and turning her to face him. His eyes were soft. Then she knew what she had wanted from him all along. The same thing Cam had. She felt weird around him now, but she made no move to back away. He gazed at her and then pulled her gently to a private corner that was pretty much in the dark. She felt his hands go to her waist and his body come against hers.

" What are you doing?" She whispered as he began to gently kiss her shoulder.

" Something I've wanted to do to you since we first met." She didn't say anything; just let his kisses move up to her mouth. His mouth was soft and gentle and she felt the warmth of his tongue touch hers. He reluctantly pulled away and gazed at her.

" Let's go dance." He whispered. She almost didn't want to.

Leo stopped dancing and walked over to the table to get a drink. Vicky talked with Sammy while he did so. He couldn't help but notice that Sammy's eyes were on him every now and then. He turned and noticed someone standing by the entrance. The moon was bright, but whoever it was, was in the dark where he couldn't see that well.

" Who are you?" Leo asked curiously. The figure turned to look at him. Those eyes....looked so familiar.

" It's been a long time, Leo." Leonardo backed up a little.

" You know that I really didn't mean for Splinter to get killed...." Leo gasped. Raph came into the light and he looked at Leo solemnly. Leonardo starred at his brother and looked at the scar and his odd colored eye.

" Raph.....you're..alive?" He nodded. Before Raph knew it, he felt Leo embrace him and hug him tightly. Raph returned the hug and then looked around.

Michealangelo suddenly stopped dancing and so did Don. April and Casey turned to look at the turtle standing next to Leo. Vicky smiled at him as he walked to Mike. Mike walked toward him and looked at him.

" Raph?"

" Ya....what are you going to do? Stare at me or give me a goddamn hug?" Mike lunged at him and grabbed him into a hug and Donatello came at him as well.

" Oh my God.....it's Raphael." April said through her tears. Raph grabbed her into a hug, but instead of hugging Casey, he punched his arm. Casey laughed and punched him back.

" I can't believe it's you."

" Believe it. You won't find another turtle this good looking." They laughed even though they were still astonished at him being alive.

" Raph.....how is it that you are alive?" Mike asked. Leo looked at him curiously.

" When I fell, I kinda landed on coral or something. That's where I got this scar from. It blinded my eye for a while but I awoke in some fishers net and escaped from there. I lived in Virginia for a while and then moved down here and have been here for the past 14 or so years. I met Vicky about half a year ago. Of course, not exactly the best meeting but after a while....like about seven months of not seeing each other, we started to get along. Mainly after I killed that Richard guy."

" You killed him?" Leo asked.

" Ya. So what. The guy shouldn't fuck with a chick I like." Leo smiled and was actually relieved to have his bad mouth brother back. Raph turned to look at Vicky.

" Hey babe, you wanna dance?" Vicky smiled and came over to them. The whole family was united and everyone was now happy. Everyone resumed dancing with each other and Leo found himself gazing into Sammy's eyes. She smiled mischievously at him.

" You like me don't you?" He blushed and his eyes widened. Raph snickered since he had heard it. Samantha leaned in closer to him.

" No need to be shy. I like you too." She looked at his face and came to kiss his mouth. Things just kept getting weirder. Raphael twirled Vicky around and then pulled her into his arms. He came down and kissed her mouth gently and looked at her. Before he came down to kiss her again, he looked at Leo.

" Hey! Do you have my other sai?" Vicky laughed and looked at him.

" Ya, don't worry. It's at the house." Leo said, knowing his brother would probably die without it.

" K." Raph nodded happily.

" Well now. Mike..." He turned to look at his brother.

" You going to the new house to make some babies?" Cam flushed red and Mike's mouth dropped. Vicky smacked his arm and tried not to laugh.

" Um...if you mean the honeymoon, then ya...it will be at the new house."

" Cool. Well tonight we can celebrate everything that has happened. So Mike, Leo and Don...go make some babies." April and Casey burst out laughing and Vicky turned away trying not to laugh. Angel laughed and hugged Don tighter.

" I like that." She whispered to him. Don blushed and kissed her cheek. Samantha laughed also.

" Well I'll see ya guys later. I got some babies to make." They laughed as Raph picked up Vicky and took her to the house. Mike kissed Cam and smiled at her.

" I love you Cam."

" I love you too." She whispered. The family was now together and they could all move on with their lives. Sarah went with Casey and April back to the house. She was happy to finally have a family again. She looked at April before she left the room to go to bed.

" You'll be happy here, Sarah." She smiled. Even with Splinter gone, they knew that they could make it. Now that the family was a whole again.