UPDATED AN: Due to reviews not showing up at all, from mine and others equipment, I have deleted the 2nd chapter and am posting it again. I ask that please, if you reviewed last time, if you could review again. Thanks.

AN: thanks for those who faved, followed and reviewed.

Disclaimer: I don't own the turtles

Note: ages
Splinter: Idk
April O'Neil: 18
Leonardo: 19
Raphael: 18
Donatello: 18
Michelangelo: 18

They say that the hurt never really goes away. The burning pain that sears through you slowly fades until all that is felt is a dull throb. Some longer than others.

They say it also helps if you have a family with you to help you through it. They accept you with open arms and comfort you. They cry with you, listen to you, and bitch right along with you. Some will tell you to build a bridge and get over it.

Family can be anything that stays with you through thick and thin, and can come in the form of anything.

7 years later

"Shhh! We don't wanna wake her just yet!" Raphael hissed, slapping Mikey.

"Dude, I wasn't even close to waking her up!" Mikey said playfully, smiling goofily. His head retracted from the close proximity with April.

"Yes, Mikey, you were. I can smell your breath from over here! And I'm pretty sure that your ugly face alone is enough to wake her." The red banded turtle snapped back.

"What? My face?" The orange banded turtle mocked in feigned offence. "April happens to LOVE my face. We're soulmates, bro." He went back to staring at the dark haired beauty with stars in his deep blue eyes.

"Shh! You two numb nuts are going to wake her. A ninja is always quiet!" Leonardo stated in his deep super hero like voice. He was glaring at the two fiends.

The human started to stir. Her eyes opened into slits, then closed sharply. "Hn."

They all froze, waiting for her to realize that the band of three turtles were around her. When nothing happened, they all let out a breath of relief.

Just then, another person burst through the room, cake in hand. "Is the birthday girl awake?" The last one whisper shouted.

"WHAAAAAA!" The sleeping beauty yelled, sitting up fast. "Uhh." She moaned, slapping a hand to her head. "My head."

The turtles froze again. This time, all eyes were trained on Donatello, the fourth brother.

"Now that I am analyzing this, I can guess the answer is not." The purple banded turtle said in a bit of a daze.

"Way to go, genius." Raph grumbled, returning his gaze back to April, who now was fully awake, a deer in the headlights look hitting her eyes.

"Huh? This is a first." She mumbled, rubbing her eyes. A smile played softly on her heart shaped face.

"Yes. The cake was made by Donnie," Mikey started, leaning in, "but I totally came up with the idea." His voice slurred a little.

"Well, its the thought that counts, Mikey. Thank you." She pecked the orange banded turtle on the cheek.

"This is like a dream." Mikey got out, getting up. He walked slowly out of the room.

"Thanks for the cake, Donnie. Its awesome." She added, eyeing the beautiful and delicious looking cake. It was a simple red velvet cake with seventeen candles lit on it.

"No problem, Ape." The purple banded turtle replied in an airy tone. He lifted his glasses, showing brown eyes with wide pupils. A smile that only April could bring out graced his face.

"For the love of Mikey, quit calling her Ape." Raphael said, training his eyes on his genius brother.

"Yes, quit calling her that. It's unattractive." Leo piped in, his voice cheerful.

Just then, Mikey rushed back in, presents in arms. "Don't forget the presents!"

"Mikey, why?" Donatello whined.

"What? This is the super secret party that we've been planning, right?" Mikey's goofy smile turned down in a confused look.

"Super secret party?" April raised an eyebrow.

"You dumbass!" Raph roared, lunging for his idiotic brother.

"Yes, super secret party," Leonardo explained, "but that was planned for later."

"What was it going to consist of?" April returned, eyes lighting up.

Raph stumbled into the wall, knocking down some videos as Mikey dodged him. "Haha, loser! You missed me-ahhh!"

"This is for the slip up." Raph ended up tackling Mikey in the middle of one of his gloats. He hooked his arm around the youngest brothers head, and planted his fist atop the orange banded turtles bald green head.

"NO! NOT THE NOOGY!" Mikey squealed. His legs flailed as the red banded turtle rubbed Mikey's head.

"Hmm? What's this?" Donnie asked, now in scientist mode. He picked up the videotapes and shoved his glasses back down anti his eyes. "Videos?"

"Ahem, those are nothing." April worked her way to the genius, plucking it out of his hands. Her face was a shade of red.

"Come on, April," Mikey said, both him and Raph now focusing on the interaction, "what are they for?"

"Or are you afraid, red?" Raphael taunted, smirking.

She met his green eyes. "If you shall know, these are things that I can watch." She puffed out her cheeks.

Leonardo could tell when she had something else on her mind too. He slipped up behind her, taking the video. "We know that, April. What is on them, if I may ask?" He looked at it, turning it over in his large hands.

"Um, I'd rather not." She mumbled, looking down.

"Come on, Ape, tell us. We won't judge." Donnie commented.

"Quit calling her that!" Raph growled, letting Mikey go.

Ignoring the hot heads out burst, April complied. "It has my past on it. I took videos when I was younger." She began.

AN: cliffy, I know. I wanted the second chapter to be fluff, if you don't mind. I also wanted to set up for my next chapter. Again, thanks for all who read, faved, followed and reviewed.

Preview to next chapter: its time for the turtles to know the truth... or what April decides to give them. Will April tell all? Or will she leave that for another day? And, drumroll please... splinter will be introduced, and he will tell his side of the story... will that shine the light back on April? Find out next chapter ;)