The lair was abuzz with activity. Don was suspended from the ceiling, putting the finishing touches to the lights he had rigged up. They encompassed most of the large main room, making the centrepiece of the tree look as if it was stood within a starburst. Leo and Casey were helping, though this mainly consisted of Leo trying desperately to stop Casey from wrecking the display, without letting Casey know his efforts were being hampered.
April, Keira and Splinter were busy in the kitchen; the delicious aromas of fruit mince and warm chocolate battling for dominance as they prepared the treats that would hopefully last the last few days until Christmas Day. Plans had been made to secretly store a stash of the confection with Leatherhead and Honeycutt until the Christmas Party. If the turtles did discover the plot, with any luck not even Mike would attempt to cross the huge mutant in order to get to the prize.
Tausha was sat at the dining table amid a clutter of coloured paper and small treats, busy with glue and scissors making bon-bons for the tree. She was enjoying the classical versions of carols playing softly in the background, and the rare moment of relative peace.
The elevator door opened launching a small, ridiculously over wrapped missile that shot straight into Taushas’ lap.
“Mum! Mum! Mum! I seen Santa! ‘e’s big an’ red an’ hairy AN’ I got lollies! LOOK!” Tau absently pulled back the large red beanie that had fallen forward over Bens’ eyes as she peered into his barely open mitten. Sure enough there were two small red and green lollipops hidden there, although the sticky residue that liberally coated the wool was testament that at least one hadn’t made the trip all the way home. She couldn’t help returning his infectious grin as, wide eyed, he clutched his treasure back to his chest.
Suddenly Bens’ face crumpled to a look of such serious concern it was heartbreakingly comical.
“Dad said Santa’s not real. ‘e is, i’n’t ‘e?” Before she could answer the elevator doors opened again, this time releasing a heated argument as Raph and Mike lugged in a huge load of shopping bags.
“He’s just a kid, Raph. It’s not gonna hurt him to believe.”
“Mike, when you get kids of your own you c’n feed them any bullshit ya want. But ‘Santa’ is a crock o’ crap, and I’m not gonna lie to my son like that.” Raph emphasised his point by dumping his load on the table with a growl.
“HEY! Watch it ya lug!” Tau objected to her workspace and materials being crushed. The dark look she shot Raph was enough to make him lift the bags and place them on the floor next to Mikes’ with a mumbled apology.
“Tau, tell this idiot that Santa does exist will ya? He might actually listen to you.” grumped Mike, the same appeal reflected in Bens’ eyes as he looked up at her.
“Will ya explain to this bonehead that it’s impossible for Santa to be real?” petitioned Raph.
Tau stood, scooping Ben up to carry him on her hip. Her face held no emotion, and she didn’t meet anyone’s eyes. Slowly she circled the table, thoughtfully tapping her chin as she approached the two brothers. Raph was already smirking, he knew Tau didn’t buy into Santa being real.
So sure was he that Mike was about to get taken down a peg or two the light smack on the upside of his head didn’t fully register until his fedora hit the bags at his feet. He glared murderously at Mike, then realising he was stood directly opposite, out of arms reach across the mountain of plastic between them, turned to Tau with an incredulous look.
“WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DID YA DO THAT FOR?” echoed round the Lair. Her expression hadn’t changed; she stood frustratingly calm and relaxed in the face of his anger.
“Of course Santa exists.” she stated plainly, as if it were the most unquestionable truth in the world.
“WHAT?!” Raph couldn’t think of anything else to say. He stood ridged, hands clenching, his face almost blending with his bandana. Glaring round he spotted Mike trying to suppress a giggle behind his hand whilst taking a step back, the rest of the family paused to watch the scene with a mixture of shock and awe. Except for Tau, she ignored him completely, turning to the little turtle in her arms with a sickeningly sweet smile as he jiggled up and down with excitement.
“Really! Dad said you’d know!”
That tore it. With a raucous growl Raph stormed through the lair, muttering savage curses condemning a certain jolly fat man and all things related to various levels of hell as he tromped up the stairs. The whole performance ended with his bedroom door slamming shut.
“Whoa!” exclaimed Mike with admiration. “That was awesome, but you’re in the shit now. Hehehe.” He was shocked at the dirty look Tau gave him after the placid way she’d faced off his brother. “What?” Mike shrugged defensively. She rolled her eyes before shaking her head in resignation.
“How many times do I have to remind you guys about language? And would you care to explain to me why you let my son anywhere near a stranger?” Mike found himself trapped with his back to the table as she advanced on him with an evil glare.
“It wasn’t a stranger, it was Santa. Right Ben?” Mike put up his hands to ward Tau off, her expression making it quite clear he was at risk of serious bodily harm if he didn’t answer her query to her satisfaction, and quick smart. Ben nodding vigorously doing nothing to help Mikes’ predicament.
“Look, it was just some Christmas party in the Park. There were tons of kids mobbing round, so no one noticed him…”
“You let him go up alone?” Tau demanded.
“No! No, I was holdin’ his hand the whole time. I think that’s why he got a few extra sweets, he was so shy an’ scared.”
“I no scared.” pouted Ben. Tau cuddled him closer as she returned a little of Mikes’ personal space, though her glare was still as fierce.
“You were holding his hand? So where was Raph?”
“He’d ducked off to grab something else, didn’t wanna tell me what. Think it might have been something for you.” Taus’ scowl deepened in response to his wheedling. “But Raph was real pissed with me when he found out, even thumped me on the shoulder for doing it!” Mike turned on his patented puppy-dog eyes as he nursed his shoulder, relieved to see it having the desired effect as Taus’ face softened in sympathy,
“Just don’t let it happen again.” Tau emphasised her point with a stern wag of her finger.
“OK, Okay.” Mike promised. Stepping back Tau gave him a brief lopsided grin. “Or at least, wait until I’m there to see it!”
