The Homato family stared at her in shock, after several minutes Leonardo asked.

"So... why after all this time have you approached us now? You never said a word before?"

Mrs. James looked at the family and started to explain.

"I have been watching you Raphael since you got adopted."

Raphael raised his hands in the air and shook his head in confusion and said.

"But, wait, Donnie and I were told you had died?"

Mrs. James looked down at the gray table top and folded her hands, she met Homato Yoshi's eyes before saying.

"In some way I did, I was in a coma for several months before your father told them to pull my life support plug. He had only been in a coma for weeks after the wreck, when he awoke he told them to pull the plug. The nurse on duty found me awake hours later, she told me what happened... So I told her to tell my husband that I had died... I knew I had to get away from him Raphael, I learned that you and your brother were safe so I didnt worry about you.

I moved to Manhattan's lower east side and started a new life, then I became a school librarian. I learned of the adoption and knew I could keep an eye on you boys at school."

Raphael frowned and asked.

"I have a question. If you and Greg were working at the same school... then how did he not recognize you? How did he not know you were there?"

She chuckled and said.

"He has always been pretty blind Raphael, he thought I didnt know what he was doing to Donatello... he would act like a good father when I was around but I knew the truth..."

Leonardo piped up.

"You let him mistreat Donnie?"

"Only to a point, BUT, before you judge me, hear me out. I planned that car wreck, I had a friend who drove directly into us. I had to end the abuse the boys were going through, my plan wasn't well thought out, but I made sure they were away from everything so they wouldn't get hurt. I learned about Donatello's being sent away so I called in a favor and had made sure it was anonymous. I had an article written in the newspaper for some one to take both boys in."

Raphael asked.

"Did you know that he would adopt us?"

He pointed to Yoshi in reference.

She shook her head and said.

"I had no idea, I prayed that you would go to a good home."

Yoshi smiled at her and said.

"And they did, but doesn't that mean you never signed them over to the state?"

She held her hand up.

"I have no intention of taking them back, I signed over my parental rights as well when I learned they were in foster care."

Michelangelo had been silent all this time but now asked confused.

"But... didnt you want them anymore?"

She smiled at the 11 year old boy and said.

"They could not heal if they were with me, and I could not care for them properly so it was best they go to a good home. You see Michelangelo, when you love some one so much, some times it is best to let them go... even if it hurts."

Raphael asked.

"Do you regret giving us up?"

She squeezed Raphael's arm gently and said.

"No, I do not. I watched the two of you grow and saw how happy you were. I know this past year has been hard and I was angry with Justin for letting the adoption slip into the conversation. I had a feeling that Donatello didnt know yet. After you yelled at him for it, I dealt with him as well."

Michelangelo asked eagerly when she paused to take a sip of her water she had with her.

"What did you do?"

She smiled and said.

"I made him write an essay about the American Revolution, I told the history teacher what I was doing and he made that more then half of Justin's grade. Nice bit of pay back if I say so my self."

Raphael smiled and said.

"So that's why he missed basketball practice that afternoon?"

She nodded and they were silent for several moments.

A nurse came up to them.

"Mr. Homato, Donatello has woken up."

The four Homato's stood quickly, then Yoshi asked.

"Mrs. James, would you like to see your son?"

She smiled and had tears in her eyes.

"I would like that. Thank you."

The group went to Donatello's room.

Donatello smiled at his family as they came into the room, he felt so weak and light headed as he said.

"Dad? How long have I been out?"

The doctor stood beside the bed and looked up at the family.

"His memory still seems to be intact, he is going to be just fine."

Raphael gave his little brother a hug and said.

"Don, you have been out for nearly two months, and if you ever put your self in danger like that again I am gonna kick your butt!"

Donatello gave him a weak smile and said softly.

"Yea, we both know that's a bluff Raph... besides I could kick your butt any ol day of the week."

Raphael asked his brother a question that has been on his mind all this time.

"So, why did ya do it? You knew how dangerous that was?"

Donatello felt like he had cotton in his mouth as he spoke tiredly.

"I, wanted to be the bad ass for once... your always protecting me... I was just returning the favor."

Raphael looked down at his little brother and told him gently but firmly.

"You ever try to be the bad ass again, and I will kick your ass all the way to Jersey!"

Donatello gave him a weak smile before noticing the stranger at the foot of his bed.

"Who's that?"

Yoshi stepped up beside the bed and told him softly.

"Donatello, there is some one I would like you to meet. This is your mother, Mrs. James faked her death so she could save you and your brother so many years ago my son."

Donatello's eyes were wide and he asked her.

"Your our mom?"

He started coughing, his throat was still raw from the tube that had been down there helping him breath.

Leonardo rushed forward with a cup of water and Yoshi helped him sit up enough to drink it.

The cough subsided but the doctor said gently.

"I think it is time for Donatello to rest, he has had a lot of excitement for one day."

Every one filed out of the room, in the hall Mrs. James told Yoshi.

"I will stay long enough for him to be discharged home, but after that I will be moving on."

Raphael frowned and asked.

"Where will ya go?"

She smiled at him and put a hand on his head saying.

"I have family out west, they are going to take me in. Now that your natural father is in prison you don't have need for me to watch over you in school. And I have a feeling you two will be just fine with out me. You have proven to be able to stand on your own."

Raphael frowned and asked.

"But Don's gonna have so many questions?"

She gave him a hug and said.

"I know he will, but I am not leaving until he is well enough to return home. I can talk to him before then, if that's alright with your father?"

She looked over at Yoshi who gave her a slight nod and said.

"That is fine with me, he kept asking me questions I could not answer, it will ease his mind."

Days turned into weeks and Donatello was finally strong enough to go home, in that time he got to know his mother and more about his infant years and heritage.

Raphael was still not fully trusting her and would stay off to the side watching her.

In all these weeks Mrs. James didnt tell Donatello she planed on leaving after he got discharged.

The day arrived when Donatello could finally go home, Mrs. James came to the hospital to see him off.

He looked up from the wheel chair he was required to sit in for discharge and said.

"Thank you for being here, I am glad I got to know you."

Smiling down at her son she got to his eye level and said.

"I am glad to have gotten to know you as well, but, Donatello, after today your not going to see me again."

He frowned and asked.

"Why not?"

She chuckled slightly and told him.

"You don't need me, you have a family honey. But tell you what, you can send letters, I once I am all settled in I will call and give you my new address and phone number. We can keep in touch."

Donatello asked her.

"What happened to him? To Greg? Is he in prison?"

She nodded and said.

"Yes, and so is the man that was with him. They got 15 years. So you do not have to worry about that man coming back honey, your safe now. I love you and I always have."

The one question he never dared to ask he gained the courage to now.

"Why didnt you come for us once you were better? Why did you give us up?"

Raphael had already been told so he stood by supporting his little brother by placing a hand on his shoulder as their mother spoke.

"Donatello, honey, when you love some one... and, the situation is out of control and bad... when you love some one as much as I do... some times its best to let them go... if you HAD stayed with me your father would have done much worse then what he did months ago... I did not want that to happen, so I gave you two up. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make in my life. I cried for days after words but I never regretted it. I knew Homato Yoshi back in high school, he was such a good man, we were not friends per say but I knew of him. I knew that some day if he was ever a father that he would be a good one.

I knew when he married Shen that they may not ever have children, but I was surprised when Leonardo came along, and then shortly after he was born I got pregnant with Raphael. The only way I knew of Leonardo's birth was from the announcements in the newspaper.

Like I said I do not regret my choice honey, I made a bad choice to marry Greg James, but if I didnt then you two wouldn't be here."

Yoshi turned from the nurses station where he was signing a paper and said.

"It's funny how life takes its turns isn't it? We both knew about each other but yet, we didnt. Thank you for allowing me to raise your sons."

Smiling she said.

"Your welcome. Well boys, this is where I leave you. I know your address Donatello, I will send you a letter so you have my new address. And I will call as soon as I have a phone line in place."

Donatello gave his mother a hug and told her.

"Thanks mom, for everything."

Smiling down at him she said.

"Your welcome, good-bye."

Yoshi got his sons loaded up in the car and drove them home, once there Donatello and Raphael sat in their new room on the first floor on their beds.

Donatello was ordered to rest as much as possible and Raphael had to stay off his leg.

Unpacking his over night bag that his father had sent to the hospital weeks ago Donatello asked.

"Raph, why didnt you try and get to know mom?"

Raphael looked up from his motorcycle magazine and said.

"Cause, I figured you needed the information more then me. I remember her to some what, but you don't. The things I do remember is enough for me."

Donatello walked over and sat near Raphael's broken leg.

"So is this your tough guy act? Trying to act all tough saying you don't need a mommy?"

Raphael looked over at the playful gleam in his little brother's eyes and said.

"Sure Don, that's it. You got me all figured out."

Raphael re positioned his leg on the pillows and said to his little brother.

"Keep up the smart ass talk and I'm a show you how tough I can be!"

Donatello stood back up and told him.

"Tough talk for some one with only one leg!"

Reaching behind him he took his pillow and threw it at his little brother.

Donatello caught it and threw it back at him.

They were both laughing when Yoshi walked into the room hearing all the noise.

"What is going on in here?"

They stopped and Raphael said.

"Just playing."

Yoshi tried his best to put on a stern face.

"Really? And here I thought I had told you that your brother needed rest?"

Donatello looked up at his father and said.

"You did, but being cooped up in the hospital, and the thought of being cooped up in here and with Raph no less, has me feeling antsy."

"Do no strain those ribs Donatello, you are still healing."

Donatello picked up his brother's pillow from the floor and tried to not wince in pain.

He groaned and said.

"I will try to be careful, can I stay up as long as I don't over do it?"

Yoshi walked around the bed and told him.

"Yes you may, but no stair climbing, not yet."

Donatello told his father.

"Good thing we have a bathroom down here, me and Raph would have a problem."

Yoshi laughed a little and said.

"True, but Raphael will begin going back to school on Monday, but you Donatello will be out for another few weeks."

Michelangelo chose that moment to come into the room.

"Donnie? You feeling any better?"

Donatello smiled at his little brother and said.

"Yea, sore but other then that fine. Feel like I got run over by a truck."

Michelangelo tilted his head and said smiling.

"I bet, I was scared Don, don't ever do that again! I thought he was gonna kill you!"

His rough housing with his older brother was slowly taking its tole on his warn out body and said.

"Mikey, I make no promises, but trust me, I was protecting you two. I was afraid that you two were hurt worse then you were."

Mikey raced around the bed and wrapped his arms around his older brother and started to cry.

"When you was in that coma I thought... I thought we were gonna loose you..."

Though his younger brother was being gentle it still hurt but he told him.

"I know Mike, I am sorry I scared you, I wanted to be brave."

Raphael scoffed and said.

"Don, save the bravery for me got it, that is my thing. Your thing is taking things apart and putting them back together. And being smart, that is your thing."

Leonardo came into the room hearing his family talking.

Donatello had gotten out of Mikey's hold and was now sitting back in Raphael's bean bag chair next to Raphael's bed facing the door.

Leonardo saw them and Mikey sitting down on the floor leaning up against the bag with their father now sitting near the foot of the bed in a chair.

"What? And I wasn't invited to this little gathering?"

He smiled as he took Donatello's desk chair and sat near his father.

They all were silent for a few moments, enjoying each others company.

Michelangelo asked Donatello when he twisted around some what to look at him.

"Does it bother you that we are not blood related?"

Donatello looked around at his family and said.

"No Mike, we are a family no matter where we came from, Raph and I came from an abusive home, to a loving family. Nothing will ever change that little brother. It doesn't bother me. I love you all no matter what."

Yoshi smiled with pride as he listened to his sons words.

"That is right my son, and as a family we are strong, I am glad that when you took on your biological father that you knew what you were fighting for. You were not just protecting Raphael, you were protecting your adoptive brother as well."

Donatello looked over at his brother and ruffled his hair.

"Yea... I couldn't let any one hurt him. He is my only little brother, its my job to protect him, just like its Leo's job to protect Raph and Raph's job to protect me... and."

He looked over at their father before continuing.

"Your job to protect all of us."

Yoshi smiled at his son and said to him.

"Yes and I love all of you, once you two are healed we can get out lives back on track again."

In the weeks that followed Donatello and Raphael continued to get stronger with each passing day.

Months rolled by, Raphael and Donatello got their first of many phone calls from their mother, keeping in contact regularly they got to know her better.

She flew out for Holidays and would send out birthday cards.

As the years went by she attended her son's graduations, she became close friends with Homato Yoshi and eventually moved back to New York and lived in the neighborhood. After all four boys were grown and gone off to their futures leaving their aging father behind, but not alone.

Mary James became Homato Yoshi's best friend and you could find the two visiting every morning and evening talking about how the boys lives had changed.

By now Raphael and Leonardo owned the family's dojo down town and also had a center for troubled youth to go when things were tough at home.

Donatello went off to college and was now married with a daughter, he became a doctor and helped many people in his time.

Michelangelo helped his two eldest brothers run the youth center part of the dojo, he never married had a girl friend that gave him a son.

Leonardo never married and neither did Raphael.

A/N: well guys this is it, its over. I want to thank all the people who reviewed this story:

Thank you to the many Guests that reviewed.

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Thank you all! I will be updating my other stories soon!