Leo's Legacy
Vigil
Mikey, Don and Casey arrived at Casey's apartment. Looking out of the window, Don immediately spotted Raphael's prone body. "He's over there," Don said. "Quick." The trio climbed out of the van and raced to Raphael's side. Don checked his pulse. "His pulse is faint," he said. "And he's lost a lot of blood. We need to get him home fast, so I can treat him."
"Is he going to die?" Mikey asked fearfully, feeling his stomach churn at the thought.
"I don't know. Help me move him. We need to go."
They loaded Raphael into the back of the van. Mikey and Don sat with him, holding his hands, silent tears streaming down their faces, lost in their thoughts. Please make it, Raph, Don thought. We need you so much. Your kids need you, but most especially Leo needs you. Hold on, tough guy.
Meanwhile, Leo was with his kids and giving them a cool bath. It seemed to be helping to his immense relief. "Raph jr's much better, Chloe," he said. "And Troy's fever has broken. Thank God. I honestly thought I was going to..."
Leo never got to finish his sentence, because there was a tremendous shout from the living room. He went to investigate and saw Don, Mikey and Casey carrying Raphael's limp body. "What the hell happened?" Leo demanded, dreading the answer. "is he...?"
"No," Don said. "But we need to get him to the infirmary fast. Mikey, Casey, get some towels and..."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Sit with him and tell him you love him. Tell him to fight. Just be there for him. I'm going to do my best, Leo, okay?"
Leo nodded dumbly while the others carried Raphael into the infirmary and set him on the stretcher. Taking Raphael's hand, Leo fought back tears and said, "Raph, I need you. The kids need you. You've always been a fighter. Fight. Don't quit on us." Pressing a kiss to Raphael's beak, Leo said, "You're my rock, Raph. I'd be so lost without you. Don't go. Come back to us."
Don stitched up Raphael's wound and stemmed his blood flow. When he was done, he said, "I have some good news and some bad news, Leo."
"Tell me."
"The good news is that I've stopped the blood flow and no major arteries have been affected. If the wound had been any further to the right, Raph would have died on the scene."
"And the bad news?"
"He's lost a lot of blood, is in a coma and the longer he's comatose, the less likely it is that he'll wake up."
"Which means?"
"You should consider.." Don choked back a sob before continuing. "Have you guys discussed funeral arrangements?"
Leo's heart sank and he nodded sadly, "We have. Raph wants to be cremated. Half of his ashes to remain in the lair in an urn and half to be buried where we had our honeymoon. He doesn't want a fancy memorial service. Just a couple of songs and a few words. But, Don. That's jumping the gun, isn't it? He's going to be fine, isn't he?"
"I don't know, Leo, but I do think you should take some rest. You look exhausted."
"No. I'm not leaving his side, Don. You hear me, Raph? I'm not going anywhere."
"I'll sit with you."
"No, I'm fine. Go have a break, Don. Make some coffee. Take a walk. And thanks for everything."
"I'm not leaving you, Leo."
"Thanks," Leo said. "Why, Raph, Don? Why did he have to do what he did? Run off like that? If he dies and I know I'm going to, our kids are going to be orphans. You hear that, Raph? You want our kids to be orphans?" Leo grabbed Raphael and shook him. "Come back to us, you selfish prick!" he yelled, hot tears falling down his cheeks and splashing onto Raphael's bedsheets.
Don stood up, folded Leo into a tender embrace. Leo sobbed unashamedly. "I'm so mad, Don and I'm devastated," Leo said, pulling apart after a few minutes. "Mad he ran off like that, mad he got stabbed, but I'm maddest at myself for getting sick. If I wasn't sick, Dad would be alive, Raph wouldn't be dying and...."
"Now listen to me, Leo," Don said. "It's not your fault you're sick or that Dad's gone or that Raph got stabbed. None of it is your fault. Sometimes bad things happen to good people."
Leo didn't answer and sat down at Raphael's bedside resuming his vigil. "I didn't mean to yell Raph," he said, grabbing Raphael's hand. "You're not a selfish prick. I didn't mean that. I just want you to come back to us, Raph. I love you so much and the thought of you dying shatters me. You can't die. Fight like you've never fought before. Fight for me and the kids. Don't give up." Leo hopped up onto the hospital bed and pressed his body against Raphael's, craving his warmth. Nuzzling into Raphael's plastron, Leo closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around Raphael's shell. "I love you, Raph," he said. "I always will. Even when I'm no longer here, I'll love you. You can beat this, Raph. I know you can. Don't stop fighting. Please don't leave me."