A/N: Heyo! It's me again. You guys have no idea how many of fanfics I have in my notes. O.O
But, anyway, here's proof I ship Apritello. I just have an addiction to angst-y Apritello. Obviously they're all older here. About 20 I'd say.
It's been months since Donnie has seen April. 10 months and three days to be exact. He tries not to worry, she's a skilled Konouchi now, but still he works tirelessly to find her.
With all the time they've spent together, it's not surprising that she's learned to cover her tracks. April is a ghost in the system. Even with his extensive tech knowledge, Donatello can't find any hints to her whereabouts.
But then, on a random afternoon in the middle of February, he gets a call. It's a number he doesn't recognize.
"Hello?" He answers cautiously. The person on the other end exhaled shakily.
"Hi."
And he almost drops the phone. It's the first time in almost a year that he's heard her voice. Tears run down his cheeks and he laughs.
"April..." He can't think of what to say. He wants her to talk forever. He wants her to come home. "I miss you."
A sharp intake of breathe and she sniffles. "I miss you, too. Donatello, I'm so, so sorry I left."
"Where are you? Why did you leave? Are you coming back?" The questions just come out even though he knows it's the last thing she wants to hear.
"I'm safe," she responds. "And yes, I'm coming home."
His heart leaps in his chest.
"I- just give me a week. I'll be home by then. I promise."
"I'll be here," he says for lack of anything else. "No matter what."
"I know," April says softly. There's some noise in the background. He hears her call out, but it's muffled.
"I have to go," says April. He grips the phone.
"One week," he reminds. He can visualize her smiling.
"One week," the woman repeats. There's a small pause. "I love you."
Donnie smiles. "I love you, too."
The phone clicks back to dial tone. He's still grinning and staring off into space. Then he jumps up and dashes out of his lab. Donatello trips over his own feet, rolling into the common room.
He can feel five pairs of eyes on him.
"Don, are you okay?" Asks one of his brothers. He scrambles to his feet, waving the phone like a prize.
"She called! She's coming back!"
The groups eyes widen.
"April called?" Leo says to clarify. The purple banded turtle bobs his head enthusiastically. The brothers' smiles are blinding as they leap to their feet and shout in joy.
"She's coming home," Raph says, almost yelling. Donatello laughs.
"One week," he announces. "April will be back in one week."
"You know what this means," Mikey exclaims. "Party!"
Karai slings her arm around Michelangelo, smiling in agreement. "Princess deserves one. And a good beat down for leaving us."
"You will do no such thing," Leo scolds. She leans forward and taps his beak.
"Relax, babe, I'm just kidding."
Leonardo blushes.
"Get a friggin' room already," Raphael grumbles with a smirk.
"We do and we use it," Karai says, enjoying the disturbed look on Raph's face.
Donatello grins as they continue their playful bickering. He looks longingly towards the entrance of the Lair, telling himself that in only seven days April will be standing there.
Precisely one week later, streamers are strung across the opening. There's a cake in the kitchen and balloons everywhere. Mikey impatiently waits for April's return even though Donatello tells him she might not show up until tomorrow.
The boys are watching some documentary on Edison. They don't really pay attention. Karai acts like she isn't watching the door.
And then, Donnie's hypersensitive ears pick up footsteps in the tunnels. Mikey hesitantly looks at him.
"You hear that, bro?" he whispers. Donnie nods, eyes wide. They both shoot to their feet, turning to the entrance as a familiar red head comes into sight. Karai sets her book down. Leo nudges Raphael.
They all stare, frozen in time. Don's breathe is caught in his lungs.
Then a cry breaks the silence and the moment. Michelangelo grins widely like nothing's wrong. He walks over to April and wraps her in a hug, careful not to squeeze to hard. He smiles down at the bundle in April's arms. Leo follows his youngest brother's lead.
Donnie is still stuck to the floor by the time everyone has greeted the new comer and April.
"Where've you been?"
"Welcome home!"
"How are you?"
"Who's is it?"
In between replies, she glances at him and brushes her bangs out of her face. She's nervous. Good, he is too. His knees are weak and he can't find his voice.
April steps out of the group. They fall silent, turning to the scientist.
Donatello clears his throat. He walks towards her and looks down at the little bundle in her arms.
"She's beautiful," he whispers finally. The baby girl opens her eyes and Donnie gasps. They're copper red, just like his. Then she smiles at him.
An enormous grin spread across his face. He laughs, bringing both April and the little girl into a hug. April let's out a small sigh of relief.
"She's perfect. I love her," Donnie says, staring down at the child.
"Her name's Lilah," says April. "After my mom."
Donnie brushes the baby's long, red hair out of her face, and is surprised when tiny hands grab his finger. "Lilah," he breathes awestruck. He looks at April, who's got unshed tears in her eyes. Donatello kisses her gently.
"Aww," Mikey mutters in the background. Raphael shushes him.
Donnie breaks the kiss and beams at them.
"Guys, come over here and introduce yourselves to Lilah."
April agrees. "You are family after all."
She just hopes he never finds out it's not his.
A/N: how's that for a plot twist?