CHAPTER 3: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER, A FIGHT TO FORGET
When she saw him on her doorstep, laden with bags, she let out a small cry of fear. What am I going to say? What if he doesn't want to be a father? What if he wants to get rid of it? Her heart raced and her mind boggled. She took a deep breath to calm herself and turned the knob. As Leonardo walked in, all her fears abated. It was something about the way he walked in: confidently but scared. He casually walked to the couch and sat down. She took a seat beside him and they began to talk.
"First off," she said shakily, "I want the baby." She could see all of his tension fade away; she even thought she saw him smile.
"Good, good," Leo reassured her, taking her hand, "so do I."
"Thank god, I was scared out of my mind" she let out a weak laugh.
"Me too. I… kinda… in a sense… gave it all up for you" he said as he motioned the bags.
"Oh!" her eyes grew wide with shock, "I'm sure Splinter didn't mean it."
"Yeah, but even if he didn't, we're gonna have to move in together some time."
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, when we're ready."
"When we're ready?! What if we're never ready?"
They looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity. April eventually managed the words, "We'll survive. No matter what happens, I know we can work it out together."
"But what if we don't stay together?"
April had worried he'd say that, "but we will, because I love you."
"I love you too, hone-" he didn't even get to finish his sentence as April pulled her lips to his in a loving kiss.
"You have to go back" she said as they drew apart.
"What, to them, I can't! I dishonored them. They've disowned me!"
"You have to. I'm sure they'll forgive you, all it takes is time. I mean it's not like you got a hooker pregnant or anything."
"Yeah, well you tell that to master Splinter" mumbled as he got up.
"Hey," her tone turned seductive and she grew a smile, "it's not as if you can't stay the night."
"Not now April," his voice grew more confident, "its time I faced my destiny"
A few minuets later, back at the lair, Splinter called his three sons together. "My sons, when your brother returns, I want no notice taken of him." They all nodded and went back to their tasks. When Leo did arrive, however, his brothers could not help stopping what they were doing and looking up at him. He strolled over to the table, taking notice of everything. Splinter quietly called him to his side and took him well out of earshot of the others. "My son, please forgive my actions earlier, they were… foolish."
"Don't worry master, I deserved everything I got. I shamed you."
"That may be true, Leonardo. But all the same, you have my support in anything you choose to do."
"But what about the others?"
"They will soon follow me, given time" and with that, they returned to the others.
"What are you doing?" Splinter announced to his sons, who were feigning interest in what they were doing, "Why are you not training?"
So the boys assembled themselves in various places around the lair. After a few minutes of trying to meditate, Raphael stole a look at Leonardo, who was attacking the dummy. His mind filled with rage. He spoilt her. He ruined us. He took away her innocence! "HeeeYaaa!" Raphael screamed as he threw one of his sai at Leo.
"How could you, do this?" he said as he followed through with a kick, "she loves me!"
"What are you talking about?" Leo asked as he rolled, his voice filled with confusion and fear.
"You spoilt her! You took her! Ruined her life!" Raph managed to yell as his brothers forced him down.
When Raphael was permitted to get up, he shook with rage. He didn't say a word. He didn't need to. His point was obvious. He ran to his quarters just as Leonardo had done earlier today, leaving his brother feeling guiltier than ever and the rest of the family in silent awe.
