His True Love
Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.
Author's Note: The song in this chapter was written and sung by a fellow I graduated high school with he also did our graduating song, A fellow by the Name of Dave Edwards. Doubt any one will recognize it. My thanks to Buslady for her understanding about something in this chapter after reviewing notes from other stories I knew it had to be this way but I didn't want her feeling offended, just one of those weird coincidences folks. And thanks to all those who reviewed. This is the last chapter sorry it took so long to write and post. Ramica.
Chapter Thirty Nine – Because I Love You.
SARA:
Of course exam time had to be the absolute worst, all my cramming, stressing out over whether I was even studying the right things, the doubts of not passing at all and everything else that made me feel like a kid in high school again but had me so tense and uptight that I ended up snapping at Raph far more then I knew I should have, especially considering we were supposed to be a happily engaged couple.
Raph seemed to take it all in stride however, sometimes he would scream and yell right back at me and then when we had a chance to vent and cool off he would growl that he would be quite glad when the exams were all over.
" Hon, trust me you aren't the only one" I grumbled in reply after one such battle.
" Come on you know this stuff Sara. Just relax a little and you might be surprised with how much you have retained" he advised me gently.
I suppose he was right but I couldn't help but worry about it nonetheless; I mean this was my dream. I had fought so hard and so long to get to this point in my life to fail now would be a hard blow, a possibility that maybe I hadn't actually chosen the right path for myself. Still I know if I did fail I would go right back to school and try again. I didn't want to risk failing though I wanted and needed so badly to succeed to prove that it hadn't been a waste of my time or energy. I wanted to finally close the door on that part of my life that made me a hooker in the first place.
The night before exams I was so wound up I didn't think I could sleep but after working my tired old brain through weeks of studying, it was reaching the point where I could almost smell the smoke from its overloaded system as it reached critical shut down. Try as I could to push just a little more information in there, I found that the sentences no longer made any sense.
Raph convince me to work off some of my pent up energy in a sparring session with him, it felt good to get in there kick, punch and even better to scream and yell. After we finished I had to admit I felt a lot better for the work out.
" Come on we are going to your room and I'll give you a massage help ease the stress, then you can have a good night's rest and wake up ready." He informed me as he gave me a quick peck on the cheek.
A massage did feel like something I could use I could feel the tightening of muscles and the stiff soreness that accompanied such all along my neck and shoulders. So I didn't argue just laid down on my bed on my front. While he straddled me around the waist, keeping most of his weight on his legs, that he was kneeling on.
I soon felt his thick roughened fingers sliding, rubbing and kneading through the cloth of my shirt as he began the massage. His knowing fingers easing the stiffness and deftly working it out.
I closed my eyes relaxing as he worked his skilled hands.
" Mmm, that feels so good Raph" I purred.
" Yeah, glad you like it. I figured it couldn't hurt you know."
" Where did you learn to do this stuff Raph?" I wondered curious, I knew it took time and a bit of training to know how to give proper massages.
Raph sniggered a bit " You kidding Sara? With the kind of life we need trust me we need to know this stuff. Splinter taught us it along with our training so we could help each other out when we got a pulled muscle or what have you" he explained, " though I got to admit it is a lot more fun doing it to a pretty lady."
I could easily picture the leer he must have on his face as he said those words. I turned over to look up at him and saw him smirk, raising both eye ridges my way. So confidant, so damn sure of himself, so intense and so flippin' hot.
I kept my voice low, sensuous, and gave him a seductive look " You want to have fun doing it to a pretty lady huh?"
" Yeah" he agreed simply he placed one hand lightly on my breast caressing it slightly not letting the material of the shirt bother him. I could feel the warmth of his touch.
" I want you Raph," I whispered softly.
Raph didn't seem to need any further invitation then that. His intensity was so high that it didn't take him long before he had driven a simple want and longing to a desperate need. Yet at the same time he was making me feel more alive then I ever felt before and for the first time in my life I found myself begging and meaning every word of it.
He was incredibly hot in bed and I had a feeling this aspect of our life was going be very entertaining for the two of us.
By the time we were done he had me relaxed enough that I could sleep and he pulled me into his embrace as I slipped off blissfully to a well earned and much needed rest.
During exam and the waiting time for marks Raph seemed quite willing to cater to me, and what ever needs I might have especially as the stress was having me a little ill by the time the exams were over and we were informed of our marks I found out I had passed in the top ten making me feel quite happy about achieving my dreams and on such a great level too.
Raph decided a small party was in order to congratulate me on my success and perseverance.
When I found I was still ill even after the exam was over and done with I picked up a pregnancy test, the results were positive and I knew there had to be only one father, my last John had been over a month ago at this point and my time had come regular as clockwork shortly after Don's wedding. I also had used contraceptives while working the streets and hadn't bothered with them since I left that job.
I was silently thankful that our wedding was the thirtieth of September, as by that point I wouldn't be showing much.
" Raph how soon do you plan on being a father?"
" We ain't even married yet an you want to know, prob'ly not for a copla years." He muttered.
" Try again boy, you might want to be a father in a couple of years, but you are going be a dad next year like around late May early April by my guess."
Raph shook his head giving me a deep penetrating stare " Your jokin' right?"
" No I'm serious Raph. At least the test I took said that I was; it could be a false reading though but I doubt that as I have been feeling sick and…"
" Morning sickness, it wasn't the nerves and stress after all." He grinned a light coming up in his eyes. " I'm going to be a dad!" he whooped picking me up into his arms and kissing me.
" You probably want a son huh?"
" Nope if you have a girl, no problem Casey and I will just turn her into a tomboy like we did with Ramiela." He replied.
" You okay with it Raph?" I asked
" Are you? I mean you are the one who is interning and stuff," he stated quickly.
I nodded slightly I hadn't really wanted to get pregnant this early in my career but I hadn't been too careful about it so it was a done deal.
" Hey it happened and we deal with it. I'm okay with it Raph, sure I wouldn't have minded waiting a while but its obvious that your boys and my girl had other ideas."
Raph nuzzled my neck " I have a few ideas of my own" he breathed against my ear.
" Why am I not surprised?" I laughed.
The family of course was quite happy about the news though Splinter gave a soft sigh, Raphael was always impatient" he said in a mocking way his bushy eyebrows moving up and down and his dark eyes lit with pleasure and amusement.
Around a week before our wedding Karena announced that she too was pregnant with their third child.
" Bets on whose kid is born first." Raph said.
" Mine," Leo replied, " after all I have two all ready."
" Yeah that don't mean this one will come popping out of the chute any faster Leo." Raph snapped lightly.
" Why do you have to turn everything into a competition Raphael?" Leo demanded to know.
"It's more fun that way Leo."
Mike cast a worried look around the lair " Oh-oh I think I will just pack up Rama and head away from here for about a year" he muttered.
" Whys Daddy? This is our home, I don't wants to move," she complained.
" I don't care how big our home is at the moment two pregnant woman at the same time in the same home is a recipe for trouble. The emotions, the hormones, the… oh god just get me out of here!"
I gave a wicked laugh " Oh come on Mike I promise to make it fun."
" It couldn't be fun" Mike retorted.
" It could be fore me while I make your life a living hell" I responded cheerfully.
" Hey, I didn't do the deed woman, not for some years and trust me the results have made my life a living hell." Mike teased back.
" Yeah, but think of the fun I could have with you besides Raph and I will be newly weds it just wouldn't be right to blame him" I reasoned sweetly.
Mike groaned, " Your fiancé is truly evil Raph."
Raph nodded in agreement " I know its one of the reasons I asked her to marry me."
Ramiela cast a worried look Raph's way a sullen pout coming to her face he went and picked her up kissing her before whispering something in her ear. She hugged Raph tight.
" Loves you" I heard her say quietly.
" I love you too kid." He responded.
I sat back smiling with how much he loved his oldest niece I had no doubts in my mind what sort of a father he would be.
Ramiela cast me a wary glance then she sighed as Raph put her down " I shares him" I heard her mutter as if she was reminding herself of something.
I knew that the two of them shared a very close bond. I'd seen it for myself plus had heard stories about Raph's devotion to her. I also recalled how upset he had been when she had been kidnapped and the five day coma that had followed.
I wasn't about to go into this marriage with the idea of molding Raph into what I wanted in a guy, hell if he wasn't it why would I bother marrying him in the first place? No, I wasn't going start making numerous ridiculous demands, I knew if he were to do that to me I wouldn't take it very well and I had a feeling he would resent it almost as much.
Of course there would be some demands and some changes, a bit of give a bit of take, a little compromise but that could be done by degrees as we learned more about each other and what we could live with as opposed to I just can't stand this! So you made any changes necessary slowly and bit by bit.
When one wasn't constantly making demands of the other the few points that were brought up would be harder to ignore and personally I had no intention of jeopardizing their relationship from what I heard it was Raph's love for Rama that had gotten him to calm down, I was by no means threatened by their bond.
I also knew that when and if changes had to be made Ramiela would hopefully take to it better as well.
( ) ( ) ( )
RAPHAEL:
I had decided that I wanted Rama as part of our ceremony in some small way hoping that would deter her from any acting up during the ceremony. She was a pretty good singer for a kid, and knew numerous songs and loved to sing. Sure her voice wasn't the sort of thing that might wow people and make them sit back and notice but the whole clan thought it was rather pretty and she didn't screech at least or grate on the ears.
So I had asked Rama to sing for us at the wedding.
" Whats I sings?" she asked.
" I don't know get Karena to find a song for you that she thinks you can learn kid."
" Okays, Karena teaches me lots of fun songs, like the Halloween one and daddy's monster." Rama grinned.
I didn't even know what song Karena had opted to use for this, I knew she had gladly accepted the challenge and had spent a great deal of time with Rama teaching her the new song in private but I hadn't heard it in any way. Luckily I trusted my sister in laws judgment.
We had also arranged to be married at April and Casey's apartment in the evening time. Sara had arranged for five days off one for the wedding and the other four for a little honeymoon on the farm.
The day of the wedding Sara left early because April and her planned to spend the day, primping, polishing and beautifying themselves in every way they could never mind doing some good ol' girl talk while they were at it.
I had no idea why woman needed a whole damn day to get ready for a few hours for a simple event. I wasn't even going try to comprehend that fact.
Instead I spent my day sparring with Ramiela and playing with her and she was fully aware of Sara and I heading out to the farm after the wedding was over.
" You takes me too Uncle Raphael?" She pleaded eagerly.
"Sorry kid this is an adult only trip." I replied.
" I gonna miss yous" Ramiela sniffed.
" I'll be missin' you too kid but we won't be gone long, not even a whole week" I comforted her. I smiled " Maybe I can bring you back something special" I offered.
" A pony. I wants a pony" she squealed bouncing up and down.
I grabbed her pulling her into a hug " The sewer is no place for a horse Ramiela."
" Why nots? I take care of him myself I promise. I cares for Baka" She pointed out as if that would help matters.
" Honey, I know you really want a horse, but there is just no way horses eat lots and they need fresh air and sunshine." I replied.
" Still wants one" she sulked a bit.
" When you have a nice cat like Baka trust me you don't need a horse."
" Yes I does I cant's ride Baka." Rama refuted. She had a point she really couldn't ride Baka.
" Trust me I will bring you back a surprise." I vowed.
Rama grinned and her eyes lit up " Goody, I like surprises" she cheered.
I chuckled " I know you do."
( ) ( ) ( )
When the time came I showered and dressed in my suit coat, a red tie, my sweat pants, and placed a red rose in my button hole or whatever fancy name you might want to call it by.
Mike was my best man we had been friends for so long I couldn't see it being any body but him. While Casey was given the honours of escorting the bride down the aisle and April was going be the sole bridesmaid. It was a way of including two of our oldest and dearest friends into the ceremony so that they could once be more then spectators at our weddings. After all if it hadn't been for April and Casey I don't know if we would ever have made any other human friends I mean with all of Splinter's lectures about what could happen if humans knew about us.
We made it to their apartment but April and Sara were hiding in the master bedroom when we arrived but Priest Jacobs was happy to be meeting the family and acting like it had been longer then just six weeks ago, when he had last seen us.
We visited for a bit but I found myself getting more anxious and nervous as the minutes began to drop back and the time drew closer.
Mike leaned over and whispered " Just try and make a break for it and so help me I'll have you down and tied up so you can't get loose then hold you at sai point till the wedding is through" he mock threatened.
That was Mike for you, no matter how serious or important an event Mike could find some way of easing the tension.
I let out a breath slowly. This was going be okay. I could handle this, hell if my nerdy brother could find someone to share his life how hard could it be, and if Leo, boring as he was, could manage to keep a woman like Karena with him when any other sane woman would have run the other way well I figured it could work for me. At least I hoped it would I wanted it too. I needed it too damn it!
Come on what was taking so long? I reached up and pulled at my tie a bit, darn thing felt like it was suffocating me.
Then Mike slipped off and the taped music finally began to play after what felt like long excruciating moments and only after I was sure that I had neared the end of my patience.
I tried to relax but found that it was easier said then done, in fact if anything my nerves got worse when I saw Mike walking April towards us.
Followed by Casey escorting my lovely and soon to be wife if all went according to plan that is.
I had to admit all those hours of primping and beautifying had paid off in a big way. I stared a little slack jawed as I saw Sara in her gown, felt my chest tighten ever so slightly.
Sure I had seen her dressed down in all kinds of outfits for her hooker days, but never had I seen her look so lovely and yet stunning at the same time.
She gave me a small smile of amusement as she drew near, I could tell she was wearing heels as she was naturally shorter then I was but now she stood a little taller then me by a couple of inches.
She wore a floor length light peach coloured dress, with a tight bodice that clung to her chest and waist area revealing all the curves and making the swell of her breast look more generous, the long skirt puffed out at the hips and fell to the floor in satin waves. Her hair was pulled and pinned back by various jeweled combs that flashed among her red hair like a crown, she wore a single necklace around her throat with a teardrop opal pendant that landed between her breast, drawing attention to that area.
She carried a bouquet of peach and white roses. According to Don the peach rose meant sincerity, appreciation and let's get together. The white rose said reverence and I'm worthy of you. There were also two red roses for love.
Don and Jen had also generously supplied us a ring for Sara.
She looked very innocent and pure, and yet something about it seemed to hint at that wilder more knowing side and I had to admit I liked that effect. Talk about your devil in disguise.
Once she came on to the scene I just about forgot everything else other than her that is.
I realized what a good idea it had been just for us to stick to the traditional vows, which Jacobs would lead us through because at the moment I highly doubted my ability to recall any thing, I was in such a knot if you asked me my own name I probably wouldn't be able to answer it.
When we reached the point of the " I do."
I heard a tiny voice whisper " Says no you won't like it."
Then I heard Karen shushing Rama gently and almost chuckled at my niece sole protest.
After the vows and both of us saying I do in spite of prompting not to. Priest Jacobs looked up.
" I hear Ramiela is supposed to sing a song for you."
Ramiela came up and grinned " Karena taughts me this one. It a icky love song but she says it were what should be sung so I learns it any way." She informed us.
Sara lifted a hand to cover her mouth as she tried to stifle her laughter.
" When your down and it feels like no one cares
You know I will be there
Because I love you.
When it seems like no one wants to know
When your feeling kind'a low
I'll always be with you, cause you, you mean the world to me.
And I want you to see I'm always on your side
And I, I want you to know I'll always try to show my love for you will never end.
And I'll always be right here, I'll always be your friend
Because I love you.
You know your always on my mind
And I know I'll never find another girl like you.
Cause you, you mean the world to me and I want you to see
I'm always on your side.
I want you to know
I'll always try to show
My love for you will never end.
And I'll always be right here I'll always be your friend
Cause I love you.
I love you."
I reached over and ruffled her hair " Thanks kid"
She giggled a bit.
Priest Jacobs then asked me to kiss the bride, like I needed to be told this?
And proclaimed us husband and wife.
Sara smiled " For that lovely song you sang for us Ramiela you can have my bouquet."
" I don't wants to be married," Rama snapped lightly.
Sara grinned " You only have to get married if you catch it I'm giving it to you."
" Wellllll, I guess that is okays then" Rama decided as she took the flowers quickly.
I looked at Sara thankful to have found her, thankful that she had decided to join her life to mine.
Yeah there had been plenty of times, more times then I could count really, in my life that I felt like a total outsider, rejected and unwanted, where there had been plenty of times where I wanted and longed for so much more then what I had been given.
For once though I was truly happy with where I was and who I was. For once I wouldn't trade being me for the world.
I had a feeling my feelings of life in general were now going to change with Sara to share in it. How could my views of life and its general unfairness not change when I had her?
She was willing to share her life with me and I was willing to do any thing to keep that. I was sure of one thing that she was my one true love.
Dreams really could come true, miracles could happen and when they did happen to you personally every thing else became insignificant.
I smiled at my wife finally comprehending that last line in the Shakespearian sonnet about scorning to change my state with kings.
The End.
Pretender Fanatic: Kids are supposed to be cute it is their job in life and they are great at it!
Dancingfae: Well everyone has their uses even Raph. Leo had been planning on teaching her it before Shay grabbed her but the best laid plans of turtles and men…
Buslady: Raph beat Leo up not in this particular fic perhaps another time. Course I did one songfic called Get off My Back, which dealt with the old Leo and Raph fight.
Reinbeauchaser: You know a horse threw me once he took off just before I was fully mounted and I ended up in the dirt, and to add injury to insult the stallion came back and autographed my ankle. Of course I had to get on him and ride him or it might cause problems later. It was a very short ride; because my ankle was far too soar to permit my usual length ride. Ten minutes of a ride just enough.
Unfortunately Rama could not be rescued but Raph's help made it possible to start conquering her fear and as you pointed out grow from it.
Lenni: Well you can't break loose until you are restrained and of course Rama's favourite Uncle wasn't about to let her down. Besides Raph got to play the good guy role to Leo's bad guy role and then Raph gets to hold it in Leo's face as well. With those sort of perks how could he resist?