The next morning, March 25, Raph woke at six and looked beside him. Emily was still fast asleep, a gentle smile on her face. I wonder what she's thinkin' bout, Raph thought. She's so beautiful and I can't believe she's mine. As if sensing his gaze, Emily woke and looked at him. "Morning, sweetheart," she said sleepily. "Did you sleep okay?"
"Best sleep I ever had," Raph said, nuzzling his face against hers. "And ya?"
"Same here. Last night was so incredible, Raph. Best moment of my life."
"We'll have more of those," Raph said, taking her hand in his and kissing it. "The bondin' ceremony, babies. Lots of babies. I want a football team of them."
Emily laughed. "Slow down, tiger. It's still early days."
"I know, but I want babies, Ems," Raph said, and placed a hand on her flat plastron. "With ya."
"So do I, but we should wait a while, Raph. What if we don't work out and hate the sight of one another? And then the poor kids will suffer. My parents fought every day and it was hell being in the middle of it. I don't want that for any kids."
"We ain't yer parents, okay? We're different and I would NEVER treat ya the way yer dad treated yer mom. Not even if I was mad. Yer an angel and I'll always treat ya with respect. I promise. I'd sooner lose my life than cause ya any pain, Emily. Ya don't have ta worry."
"We didn't use protection last night, Raph. Shit. So I could become gravid."
"Yeah, it could and if that happens, we'll be good parents, Ems. Those babies will be so spoiled and loved and together we can overcome anythin', so there's no need ta be scared. I'm here and I'm always gonna be here with ya. Okay? I ain't gonna run if there's a baby and I'm gonna change diapers and all those other things some dads don't do."
"Even if it's a poopy diaper?"
"Uh huh. Things are gonna be fine, Ems," Raph said, and kissed her on the lips. "Want breakfast?"
"You can't cook! You might burn down the kitchen," Emily said, trying not to laugh, a twinkle in her eyes.
"I can make toast. Easy peasy. Unlike Leo. He always breaks the toaster when he tries."
"Toast's good, Raph. I'd accept anything you make."
"Even burned?"
"Yes. I'd scrape off the burned bits and eat the rest."
Raph grinned. "Coffee too?"
"Please."

Raph kissed her gently, went into the kitchen and set about making the toast and coffee. He whistled as he worked. "You're in a good mood," Leo said, as he entered the kitchen. "You never whistle, Raph, and you're making toast? Since when? You usually have cereal. Is that for Emily?" Leo asked, narrowing his eyes. "Breakfast for two?"
"She's my mate, so yes. Not that it's any of yer business, Leo," Raph said, glaring at his big brother.
"You got laid, didn't you?" Leo demanded, sniffing the air. "I can smell her on you, Raph. You disobeyed me and had sex, didn't you?"
"So what if I did?" Raph said, crossing his arms. "Ain't yer concern."
"I told you what I wanted you to do!" Leo screamed. "To stay pure until you were eighteen!"
"That's right. Ya told me and I didn't do as ya said, Fearless. I made love ta my girl and it was fuckin' amazin'. Ya should do it. Maybe ya will get the stick outta yer backside and lighten up!" Leo's eyes blazed and he backhanded his brother so hard, Raph's head spun.
"You don't talk to me like that, Raphael. I'm your leader and I deserve respect."
Rubbing his smarting cheek, Raph hissed, "Ya ain't mad I ain't a virgin no more. Yer just mad that Emily and I mated, because ya wanted her ta yerself! She picked me and ya can't stand it. Ya ain't a leader. Yer a bigoted, control freak, selfish, stick-in-the mud and I ain't takin' no more shit from ya. We used ta be close, but bein' leader changed ya and I don't have ta take this. Me and my mate don't deserve this...I'm leavin' and I ain't gonna come back!" Leo backhanded him again and Raph stumbled back against the wall, his temper rising. Resisting the urge to retaliate, Raph said furiously, "We're leavin', but ya will be sorry, Leonardo. The others are gone. All ya will have is yerself and a fuckin' empty lair! So long, Fearless Leader!"

Raph stormed out of the room and went into his bedroom. "Ems, we gotta go," he said. "Now."
"Why, Raph? Did something happen between you and Leo?"
"Yeah. He knows we mated and he hit the roof and I can't be here no more. Leo's pissed and we just gotta leave."
"Where will we go, Raph? Think. Look at us. We can't just go to a hotel and stay there."
"We'll go to our secret place until we find somewhere else, okay? But I ain't gonna stay here any longer. Yer with me?"
"Of course I am, but don't you think you should talk to Leo…."
"Leo's impossible ta reason with. He's in love with ya and is mad we mated. Don't ya get that? He'll just try ta break us up. We need ta go. Now."

Emily looked at him and said, "Okay, Raph. We'll go now."
"Good."
"Shall I say goodbye to Leo?"
"No. He don't deserve a goodbye. Get a move on."

The lovers left the lair, hands entwined and went to their secret place. They didn't see Leo, because he was in the dojo. "I'm sure Leo will calm down, Raph," Emily said, sitting down on the bed.
"I doubt it. He's a stubborn ass. This is it, Ems. Just me and ya from here on out. No Donnie or Mikey either. But we're gonna be fine, okay? I'll look after ya and we're gonna be happy."
"And if there's a baby, Raph? We'll need…"
"No, we don't need anyone, but us, Ems. We'll make it on our own. I got some savings, so that'll tide us over for a bit. Then I'm gonna ask a mate of mine topside for help. He owes me one, so don't worry 'bout a thing. Ya trust me?"
"Course I do."
"Then don't worry," Raph said, kissing her forehead. "Everythin' is gonna be okay."

Back at the lair, Leo took out his rage on Raph's practice dummy, until his knuckles started to ache. I can't believe Raphael disobeyed me, he thought furiously. I told him to wait, he said he would and he didn't. How could he do that? Disobey me like that. And Emily? She said she'd wait too. The thought of them mating makes me sick to my stomach. Raph sleeping with my Emily hurts so much. I loved her first and Raph took her away from me. He never even liked her and made fun of her. He doesn't love her. Emily will see that, right? Raph will leave her when he tires of her and when he does, I'll be there to pick up the pieces. I pray there isn't a baby, because I know Raph will be a terrible dad. He won't be able to deal with the responsibility and will run away. He was never good with responsibilities and this won't be any different.

Leo made himself some tea, tried not to think about the empty lair, as he watched Space Heroes and thought, you'll soon see, Emily, that Raph doesn't love you and that you should be with me. I'd never let you down.