"Hi," Leo said later that day, bending down and kissing Raphael on the forehead. "How you feeling?" Don and Mikey were with him.
"Yer my husband, that's Don and that's...I don't know. Have we met?" Raphael asked.
"Raph, I'm your youngest brother, Mikey," Mikey said.
"Oh. Well, I feel like shit. I had lousy lasagne and I damn hate the food here. Don, can ya bring me somethin' decent, like pizza? I think I love pizza."
"Will do."
"One consolation is my doctor is so hot," Raphael said, looking meaningfully at Don. "I'd date him."
"I'll get the pizza," Don said quickly and fled the room.
"Is that so, Raph?" Leo asked frostily.
"Oh, yeah."
"What am I, chopped liver?"' Raphael shrugged. "Well, Raph," Leo continued. "When you're better, we're going to take a vacation somewhere tropical. Get away. Would you like that?"
"Can Don come with us?"
"No," Leo said tersely. "Just us."
"Just because we're married doesn't mean I can't have fun."
"What?" Leo asked in shock.
"Monogamy's so borin', don't ya think? Imagine bein' with the same person for sixty plus years and never bein' with anyone else? How dull is that? I want ours ta be an open marriage. What do ya think? And we should totally try a threesome."
Leo's jaw dropped in shock. "I think I'm going to go now. I'll be back later, Raph."
"What's his problem, Mikey?" Raphael asked.
"Your attitude. That was rude."
"No, it was honest. We might be married, but he can't expect me ta be faithful."
"That's the point of marriage."
"Then I fuckin' wish I hadn't got married. Why did I? It can't be love, can it, because he seems like a tool?"
"Raph, you love Leo and he loves you. That was uncool."
"Why would I want a borin' guy when I can have Don, who's smart and hot?"
"I think you need some sleep."
"And ya need ta lighten up. Man, everyone seems tense. Does anyone get laid? Do ya?"
"Raph!"
"I guess not. When I leave here, I'm gonna go on a date with my doctor and get laid."
"What about Leo?"
"He can watch if he wants."
Mikey changed the subject. "Leo said that you have no past memories. I'll be back now, okay?"
When Mikey returned, he was carrying a photo album. He sat down next to Raphael's bed, opened it and pointed at a photo. "Who's that?"
"I don't know," Raphael said.
"That's our friend, April."
"Now who's this?" Mikey said, pointing at a photo.
"Leo." "That's right. That's you and him at your wedding. It was a very beautiful day."
"I don't wanna do this. Where's my damn pizza?"
"Bear with me, Raph. Who's this little boy in this photo?"
Raphael squeezed his eyes shut and refused to look. "I said I don't wanna do this."
"Come on, Raph."
"No," Raphael yelled. "I don't wanna do this. I never lost my memory in the first damn place. Leave me alone." Fierce tears ran down Raphael's cheeks.
"What do you mean?"
"It fuckin' means I never had amnesia, Mikey. I pretended so I didn't have ta deal with Leo and his illness. I know I flirted with Don, but it was all part of the act ta block out what's goin' on now, so I didn't have ta deal. Do ya understand?"
"You'll need to tell Leo. He's been so damn worried."
"Tell me what?" Leo asked, entering the room.
"Did Don get the pizza, Leo?" Raphael asked.
"It's cooking."
"I'll leave you two," Mikey said, glaring at Raphael. "You have a lot to discuss."
"What's that about, Raph?" Leo asked.
"Nothing."
"Hamato Raphael Firenzi! I know when you're lying, so quit it and talk to me."
Raphael rubbed the back of his neck nervously and took a deep breath. "It's like this, Leo. I never had amnesia. I pretended so I didn't have ta deal with yer illness. I'm terrified of losin' ya and I didn't wanna deal with it so I..."
"You mean you're fine and that thing about Don?"
"All part of the charade. I have zero interest in Don. How could I, when I have the best thing that ever happened ta me? Ya. I'm so scared, Leo. I don't know how I'm goin' ta cope with the kids and ya not bein' here. My insides feel like they're on fire. I don't think I can do it."
Leo's face had darkened with anger at being lied to, but now it softened and he looked at his mate with pity. Sitting down next to the bed, he took Raphael's hand in his and said, "I'm scared, too, Raph. Knowing I'll never see the kids grow up and that I'm leaving you hurts so much. Leaving you with the responsibility. But you know what? I have faith in you, Raph. You're going to be fine."
"I wish it were me instead," Raphael said, gripping his hand tightly. "It should be me."
"Hey. Don't say that, Raph. I'm glad it's me and not you. I couldn't sit back and watch you die. It would kill me."
"It's doin' that ta me, Leo. I'm nothin' without ya. Nothin'."
Leo nuzzled his beak against Raphael's. "Rubbish. You're so strong and amazing and you'll be fine. I won't be here, Raph, but I'm going to watch over you and the kids and I'll always be in your heart."
"Ain't the same as havin' ya with me."
Leo looked into his eyes. "No, Raph, it isn't, but we have to accept that's going to happen and we have to hold on to what we have."
"And what do we have?"
"Our love, Raph. Even when I'm gone, our love will burn as brightly as the stars. Our children are reflections of our love and they're our legacies, Raph."
"I don't want ya ta die," Raphael said, pulling Leo against his plastron and sobbing bitterly. "I want ya with me always."
"I don't want to leave you, Raph," Leo said, tears shining in his eyes. "But I will have to. Do you know a song called the Energy never dies by the Script?"
"No."
"Basically, Raph, it means the energy/life/love never dies when we pass on. We're on the other side waiting for those we love to join us. And our love won't die no matter what happens. Our beautiful, strong love. Listen to that song, please."
Raphael hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry for lyin' ta ya, Leo."
Leo pulled away gently and said, "Raph, let's promise to always be open and honest with each other and with the remaining time we have left, to enjoy it and make some happy memories. For the kids. The younger ones won't remember, but the older ones might and you can tell them all about the wonderful times we had together. Personally, I don't want my remaining days to be full of doom and gloom. Can you do that for me?"
"I'll try, Leo," Raphael said, stifling back a sob.
Leo gently thumbed his tears away and said, "Good. We'll start with a vacation. I'm still well enough to travel."
"Where ta?"
"Oh, Raph. Surely you know?"
"Our place."
"Uh huh. I'll ask April later today."
Raphael nodded. "Just us?"
"The whole family, Raph. I want everyone with us, but we'll still get time alone together. I think it'll be great. Fun, sun, and you."
"I don't know. I want just us."
"Raph, we'll get time alone together, but the others are also upset and want time with me. Please understand. Plus, we've just lost Dad. It'll be good for us all."
"All right, but the minute ya feel sick and ya need ta come home, ya tell me. And ya don't exhaust yourself."
"I promise. Now, I was thinking..."
Raphael pulled him close again. "Leo, don't talk. Just hold me. That's all I want. Ta feel ya with me and ta never let me go."
Leo pressed a kiss to his beak and hugged him. "I'm here, Raph. I'm here and I love you. I'll always love you." The couple clung to each other. Each not wanting to let go; terrified, knowing that their days together were numbered. I'll never love anyone else, Raphael thought. No one could ever come close ta Leo. No one.