Let's get this show on the road.

Nekura Ookami: Things will get better for everyone and we're so close to learning what Barry is doing.

lashayluv: They'll come around...hopefully.

Enjoy!

Song for this chapter - If You Leave ~ Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

A week later…

Dress Rehearsal

~Lilly's POV~

"So is everyone going to be there?" I asked my mother who was getting her make up done. Barry's demon mother insisted that all of us go to a solan to get primped up for tonights rehearsal dinner. At first I didn't want someone else doing my make up, but since Judith was paying for it I was going to milk as much as I could. So I'm also getting my nails done.

My mother never opened her eyes, "Most not all."

"Are you inviting anyone from our family?" Christine asked, she was getting her hair dyed.

My mother sighed, "No, I've decided to leave my racist abusive father and my doormat stepmother out of the wedding."

The make up artist scoffed, "Yikes, bad childhood I assume. It's better to leave people like that out of things like weddings."

Christine chuckled, "Miss, you have no idea. And good, I wouldn't want beat someone up on your big day."

My mother chuckled, "I have someone special being flown in from San Diego though."

"Who?" Both Christine and I said.

"You don't know them, Chris. And you'll see them tonight. I'm having Ian pick them up, I don't know if he's going to be in time for the dinner though, maybe the after party." My mother said, checking out her nails.

My mother and I already got our hair and nails done, my make up was all done because I knew what I wanted immediately. The only one that was left is Christine who had to dye her hair and still has to get her make up done. I was waiting on both go them.

"Speaking of Ian." I said with a cheeky smile.

Christine rolled her eyes, "Jesus, you guys never mind your own business."

"Uh-uh. Its been a week since we set foot in this state and you guys have been alone for most of it." I teased.

"Jesus, the pushiness runs in the family I guess. He's brought up a relationship on several occasions." Chris groaned.

I pursed my bottom lip out, "He really loves you."

"Yeah I know, it's weird. I never had a guy…well, that's not true. I've had a couple guys admit they have feelings for me. I don't know why this is different."

"'Cause you love him too." I giggled.

Chris blushed, but still frowned. "I don't know what to do."

"Have you told him why you can't date him?" I asked.

"Yes…Kinda…Not really, I guess. But I think he understands why. Last time he asked, I told him to drop it and I could tell that hurt him. But when we hang now, he's quiet. At least I got him off my ass now."

I sighed, that's disappointing but if Ian is making Chris uncomfortable maybe it's better for them to just stay the way they are. It's better not to force these types of things, if it's meant to be, eventually it will.

"I don't regret anything I did with him though." Chris said with a small smile. "It was nice while it lasted."

I guess there's hope still.

~Raph's POV~

I couldn't help but let out a low growl at seeing Mikey smiling down at his phone. Do not get me wrong, I wasn't mad that he was texting Lillian, I was mad that he had been texting her all day and all I got was a 'good morning' text. "Why are you so obsessed with Lilly?" I snapped.

Mikey snapped his smiling face away from his phone and frowned, "I'm not. She's my best friend…"

"Yeah but she's my girlfriend."

"Yeah… But she's not your property, so…" He said as he looked back at his phone and continued typing.

There was nothing I could really say because unfortunately, he was right. I could hear Lilly telling me the same thing in my head. I know Lilly and him are close but, closer than me and her? Obviously they're so close that she can't even text me while she's texting him.

This is getting out of control…and by 'this' I mean my jealousy. It's freaking Mikey for Pete's sake. I'm just… I need to calm down. Damn, I'm turning into Lillian. Is this what I'm going to do now? Think before I act? Yikes…

"Why are you so dependent on Lillian, like she's your girlfriend?" I said underneath my breath.

"Because… She's my best friend and I just wanna know what's going on with her right now. She told me she'd text me everyday but she doesn't so all she's doing is catching me up with everything. You don't have to worry." He explained. "Just drama between Chris and Ian. It's all good bro."

I shook my head, before I could open my mouth to Leo ran into the living room. "Guys! Guys!" He yelled, waving something in his hands. "Okay, so I was at the video store, you know the one that we always go to get the cassette tapes. Well it finally went out of business and threw out anything it didn't sell so look what I found!" He yelled, showing us the tape in his hands.

Mikey lifted his head from the phone to see what Leo was showing us. Both of us looked at each other with wide eyes and wide smiles after seeing the title of the movie.

"That's right." Leo laughed. "Donnie is busy and I sorta wanna watch it now so I say…we watch it in Mikey's room."

I stood up and nodded, "I'm down."

"Is that the last episode of Super Robo Mecha Force Five Team 5?" Mikey asked as we made our way to his room.

Leo turned around to shush him, "Don't let Donnie hear you… And yes." He said with a dorky smile as we all entered Mikey's room.

~Lilly's POV~

I sighed, hanging up the phone once again when I got Raph's voicemail. I'm starting to think he's mad at me because he hasn't answered any of my texts or my calls and I've called him like 10 times. Or maybe he's been busy…for the entire day…

I tucked my phone away in the small black purse I had that matched my outfit. I had on a knee length Burgundy casual dress that was cinched at the waist. My hair pinned back, curls cascading down my back. I looked pretty good for the rehearsal dinner, can't imagine how good I'm going to look for the actual wedding. We were about to sit down and have the rehearsal dinner, we were just waiting for Barry to finish introducing my mother to everyone.

I was just standing alone, with Christine, calling Raph over and over again while I waited for Ian to pick up whoever he was going to pick up. "Your boyfriend not pick up again?"

"No… Maybe he's…busy." I sighed. "Have you texted Ian?"

Chris nodded, "Yeah, he said he's close."

If Raph is busy…how come every time I ask him about his day he says it was boring and that he did nothing? Is he hiding something? Or does he just not want to talk about his day? I have to remind myself to ask him next time I talk to him. "How long is this supposed to last?"

"Not that long. But Barry's mother insisted he introduce Aniya to everyone. Something about starting an image together…" Chris rolled her eyes. "It's just a couple toasts and we go home. Nothing major."

"Did Barry tell mom that he hasn't told anyone about the baby?"

"Your mother was okay with it. She knows devil-in-law hates her so Aniya doesn't really care whether or not she knows about her pregnancy." Chris explained.

"It doesn't seem right that no one knows. But whatever…"

"You know, your mom knows…"

I looked over at Chris and raised a brow, "About?"

"She knows what Barry is hiding." I knew he was hiding something! I knew it! "She wouldn't tell me much, only that it has something to do with that boyfriend of yours."

My eyes widened and I felt my heat drop. "Raph… That's… That's ridiculous."

"It didn't make any sense to me and she wasn't answering any of my questions so I just dropped it. Is your boyfriend like a gangster or something? Because if so, you need to dump that dude quick." Chris said, walking over to the bar.

I walked next to her, "No, he's not in a gang. I'll have to ask my mom tonight."

Chris shrugged, "Maybe it's nothing and you don't have to worry."

I took my phone out and texted Raph, 'Hey, I need you to call me right away. Emergency.' I tucked my phone away again and sighed, "Yeah, it's probably nothing." I told Chris calmly, even though I was panicking on the inside. I don't know why Barry is so interested in Raph…or mutant. Oh my God, maybe it's all the mutants running around! Oh my God, maybe it has something to do with mutants and aliens. The Krangg! Okay...I gotta calm down.

Chris sighed, "Maybe he's just making sure...Raph? Maybe he's making sure Raph doesn't hurt you."

"Well...he shouldn't be worried."

"How long have you been in this thing?"

I thought, "Almost a year... In a couple months it'll be a year."

Chris snorted, "Do you guys have sex?"

I felt my cheeks sting slightly, "I mean...sometimes."

She shook her head, "If I were you I'd get out of that. Serious relationships at that age will always end either badly or end because you're both so young and you want to...expand your horizons."

"I think we're both good where we are with each other." I said flatly.

"Forever?" Chris asked, ordering a drink. "Divorce rates are higher for high school sweethearts because you guys didn't live anything."

"I've lived."

"Not enough." Chris took a sip of her drink. "You're going to turn 18 next year, meaning you're going to be an adult. You really want to be tied down to someone when you could be free?"

I decided to just ignore her. My mother was already against me being with Raph, and not because I was young, I don't want to hear it from Christine. And she doesn't even know Raph.

"You know, sometimes I think losing Timothy was life giving me a second chance." At this, I winced. Hearing Christine mention her dead son made it impossible to ignore her. She tossed back her drink, "Now look at me. I own a business, live alone and I can do whatever I want. If I had a man, he'd want half of everything I own."

I sighed, "Chris...not every guy is out to get you." Took me a while to get that through my head. I still don't totally grasp that.

"My point is, I'm in my thirties. I have things I wouldn't have gotten before. Being tied down, is just something that holds you back." She shook her head. "That's not something you want at your age."

Again, I didn't answer. I didn't really have anything to say. I was happy with Raph and he was happy with me. I trusted him and he trusted me. I don't know if we'll last forever but the point of a relationship is to find out I guess.

Just as I saw Ian come into the room dressed in his blue dress shirt and brown slacks, someone tapped on a glass, catching everyone's attention. Ian rushed over to me, "Hey babe, you look good." He breathed, giving my head a quick kiss. He looked at Chris and smiled. "Chris,"

Chris smiled back at Ian, "Ian..."

"What'd I miss?" Ian asked.

"Nothing, someone is about to make a toast."

Ian winced, "Oh I think I was supposed to make one. I am the best man but... I don't want to."

I snorted, "Who'd you bring?"

"Oh right, you'll see." Ian said wrapping an arm around my shoulders and squeezing.

It was Barry's mother who got everyone's attention. "Everyone, if you could please, I'd like to say a few words about my son and his bride-to-be..."

I groaned to myself, knowing she was probably going to say a backhanded compliment or something of that nature. I watched Barry frown at his mom, my mother whispered something in his ear but he didn't react.

"My son has always been my little boy. The day he left to join the police academy, I knew he was going to go far, though I didn't think he'd become the commissioner of the NYPD, but he did. He loved helping people, and he still does." Her smiled seemed to falter for a split second before it returned to normal. "Aniya, take care of him." She said sadly. I felt kind of shocked that that's all she said to my mother. "To the bride and groom."

Before everyone could clap and continue their talking amongst themselves, Barry quickly raised his hand before smiling nervously. "Excuse me, I'd like to say something real quick." Everyone stayed silent. "Most of you know that Aniya is not going to be the only woman in my life that I will love and take care of." He pointed over at Ian and I. "Over there, standing next to my best man is Ann's beautiful daughter, Lillian." My eyes widened when everyone turned and stared at me. No no no, look away. "Lillian is a tough, protective girl when it comes to her mother. She's smart, full of love and isn't afraid of anyone, including me." He chuckled softly. "Um... Lillian, I love you." He turned to my mother and smiled at her, "Aniya, you are my world. You both are. Tomorrow can't come fast enough." He cupped my mother's cheek lovingly. I could feel myself getting chocked up. "Thank you everyone for coming. We'll see you all tomorrow." He said quickly almost like he wanted to get his speech over with, his voice straining a bit at the end.

My mother gave him a kiss before wrapping her arms around his neck. They both hugged and stayed like that for a moment, and I just stared. He does care... I think what throws me off about him is that he cares so much in such a little time. I know that not every person is as cautious as me but it's still something that I can't really wrap my head around. But seeing Barry mouth the words 'I love you' to my made me sorta excited that he was marrying my mother and that he was becoming my step dad. "They seem really happy." I muttered.

Ian rubbed my arm, "Come on," he said before grabbing my hand and pulling me away from all the commotion. He took me out into the hallway of the giant multipurpose room that was rented out for the wedding, then pointed at a woman sitting by the door. "Her knees have gotten worse so she can't stand for very long so she wanted to sit and wait for you."

The woman turned to look at us then slowly stood up. When she smiled, wrinkles formed around her smile and eyes, showing her age. I moved my hands over my mouth to cover the gasp that escaped before I walked away from Ian and towards the elderly woman. "Abuelita?" I said, walking slowly towards her.

"Mi nieta…" She whimpered, her arms opening wide.

I let out a happy sob before wrapping my arms around her fragile frame. "Abuela…! " I cried. Last time I saw her, I was around 10 or so. I figured I was never going to see her again and now…she's here, in my arms. The woman who housed my family for years is here and I'm so happy… "I thought I was never going to see you again."

"Me too, mija…" She pulled away to cup my face. "Mira…que linda estas." Her black hair was tied in a low pony tail, gray curls forming at the top of her head. She had bags underneath her eyes as if she were tired. She had aged so much it almost felt like she was going to wither away at any moment. "You are so beautiful, just like your mother." She gave my cheek a kiss before giving me another hug. "She call me…como three weeks ago, tells me she is getting married. I said 'que'. She don't call in years and now she's marrying a man?" Her accent was actually better than I remember it to be. My grandmother, my father and Ian are all the reason why I speak Spanish today. Though, I understand it better than I speak it.

"Everything happened very fast for me too." I tapped my tears away so I wouldn't smudge my make up. "I missed you so much…"

"I know, mija. My heart…was broken when your mama took you away. Ian…se fue. I was alone for so long… I thought I'd never see you again." She smiled, "Pero mira, look how beautiful you are. Aver, cuentame… Cómo estás?" She sat me down next to her, groaning as she lowered herself down onto the seat. "How is school? Tenes novio?"

I chuckled happily before telling her everything I could say in a matter of minutes before the only people in the hallway was just Ian, my grandmother and I. I told her about John, she knew that he was going to I told her about New York and how big it was. She told me she'd like to visit one day but that she was took old to fly. There was a moment where when she was telling me about all the dogs she watches for money that I saw a flash of my dad in her eyes. My dad and my grandma looked so much like each other... I wonder if my father and I shared any traits since my mom and I looked so much alike.

My mother, Barry and his parents all came out to where we were, my mother holding onto Barry's hand. When she saw my grandmother she stopped. Last time she saw my grandmother she was with John and then ran away with me so she has a lot of explaining to do.

She let go of Barry's hand and walked over to us. My grandmother just stared at her with a blank expression. My mother smiled at her, "Rosie…"

"Aniya…?" My grandmother grabbed my hand before she began to stand. I immediately stood and helped her to her feet. "Que pasó?"

My mothers smiled wavered for a moment before she looked down at her feet. "Rosie…"

My grandmother shifted her stance before wincing, "You call me when I am too old and my knees don't work."

"Rosie," When my mother looked up she had tears running down her cheeks. "Rosie, I am so sorry. I was messed up after Tony died, I didn't mean to…I mean, it was just so hard living… I mean, he was the love of my life and I…"

"My son was a good man. But he would be disappointed at how you acted." I smiled at my grandmother, she was right. Somehow, I never thought of saying those words to my mother because I felt they were too harsh. But my grandma, the mother of my father, she could say what I couldn't and my mom needs to know. "You took Lillian away from me. You left me alone."

"I'm so sorry." My mother cried, before hugging my grandma. At first, she didn't return the hug, but soon she gave my mother's back a gently pat.

"Bueno…" My Abuela said before pulling my mom away from herself before she grabbed a hold of my arm one more time so she could sit back down, her knees making cracking noises as she lowered herself down.

My mother sighed, "There were a lot of things I wished I did that I regret. But I'm hoping to move forward."

"I know. But there is no reason for crying. We are all still family. Where is your husband?" My grandma asked, looking directly at the three people who walked behind her.

My mother turned around and grabbed Barry, "This is Barry. Barry, this is Lillian's grandmother."

Barry grabbed a hold of her hand and brought it to his lips, "Mucho gusto." He said inexpertly.

My grandmother snorted, "Mucho gusto, que lindo. Habla español?"

My mother shrugged, "Aprendió por Lillian." My mother answered. "But he doesn't know that much."

"It's good to learn Spanish. Help you get jobs." My grandmother joked.

~Raph's POV~

"Hey babe, what's the emergency?" I asked. I haven't looked at my phone because the one thing that I was dreading became a reality. The Krang are going to invade. I don't know when but all I know is soon. I don't know what to tell her or how to even feel. I think I'm relieved that she isn't here, but I'm terrified that I may not see her for longer than what I thought I would have to.

"I texted you hours ago, Raphael. What the hell have you been up too?" Lilly chuckled, which made me confused. Is she mad?

"I'm sorry, babe. I…was just patrolling and left my phone at home." I sighed, rubbing my forehead. From across the couch, Casey stopped chewing on the piece of pizza he had and suddenly started listening to my conversation.

"Patrolling? Huh, well… I called because my aunt basically just confirmed that whatever Barry's hiding, it has something to do with you." She said.

I straightened, "What do you mean?"

"I tried prying my mother out of it but the only thing she kept saying is that you were the last thing she wanted to talk about."

"Hold on," I stood up and headed to Donnie's lab. "Hey Donnie," Donnie looked up from his desk. "Can you hack into NYPD headquarters?"

Donnie rolled his eyes, "How do you think I get the information on all Purple Dragon and Foot Clan activity?"

I grunted, "Can you?"

"Why?"

"Lilly said Barry has been hiding something involving me. But what I really think he's hiding is something about mutants and the Krang. Can you find out?"

"Should we tell Leo?"

"No, just in case it's nothing."

"Fine. I'll see what's up. I'll cross check the police database with anything referencing mutants or Krang then I'll-"

"Yeah, okay." I said before walking out. "I got Donnie trying to find out what's going on. If it's anything, I'll let you know."

"I'm worried… Do you think he'll turn you in?" She said quietly, I assume she was trying to hide the conversation.

"No. Because if he did, you'd be pissed." I said throwing myself back over to the couch.

"I'd never forgive him." She said. "I'm sick of all the secrets. I done with them. If he can tell my mom, why can't he tell me? Why is she so special?"

"Because she's basically his wife." I chuckled. "Look, Lillian, I'm sure it has nothing do to with us. Maybe the government is…trying to find out ways to prevent another invasion." I don't know what Barry is doing with the police that involves the mutants and aliens but…we'll find out.

"I don't know…" She sighed. "Tomorrow is the wedding and…" She suddenly gasped.

"What?" I asked.

"Oh… Raph, today…I saw my grandma." She said breathlessly.

I smiled, "You did? I thought she lived in San Diego."

"They flew her out." Her voice began to crack. "She is so old, Raph. She can't stand for very long but she's so…beautiful. She looks like my dad and…" She let out a soft sob before going silent for a while. "I thought I was never going to see her again and I'm so…happy I that I got to see her."

"If you're so happy, why are you crying?" I asked.

"They're happy tears. Oh, I wish you could meet her. She's so sassy. She's just like me. She's funny, doesn't give a single fuck. Her accent is getting better which means she's talking a lot more English. Seeing her brought back so many memories…"

I loved hearing the smile in her voice. It made me smile.

Casey snorted, "Awe, look at Raphie. Smiling 'cause he's in love…" He teased.

"What of it, jerk?" I snapped, pulling the phone away so Lilly wouldn't think I was talking to her.

"It's just so cute to see you act all tough when you're this sensitive, little boyfriend." Casey smirked, taking another bite of his pizza.

"Listen, don't hate 'cause you don't have someone."

"Hate? How could I hate on…love...?" He continued to tease.

I just growled to myself, and decided to ignore him…which isn't like me. "Whatever."

"Huh?" Apparently, the phone was too close to my voice.

"No no, not you. Casey is being a little nosey asshole." I sighed.

"I'm right here, baldy." Casey grunted. "You wanna go?"

"Baldy?" I laughed.

"Did he call you baldy?" Lilly chuckled.

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah."

"He's always been a jerk, and I like your bald head."

"Really?" I said with a smirk. "Good to know."

"Enough of me, how is everyone over there?"

"F-Fine…" I stuttered. "We're all good."

"Is the city quiet?"

I chuckled, "The city is never quiet. But the lair is. All April and Mikey do is take about how much they miss you."

"Raph does it too!" Casey yelled.

"Shut up, no one is talking to you." I growled.

"It's true! Lilly, he's being a big pain!"

Lilly giggled, "My poor Raphie is suffering now that I'm gone."

"I am not…suffering."

"Lilly?" Mikey suddenly ran in from the kitchen with a plate full of pizzas. "Li… You're talking to Lilly." He held his plateful with one hand and held out his other. "Give me."

I glared at him, "You were talking to her today! Now it's my turn."

"Let me talk to my sister."

"She's not your sister."

"Hey!" Lilly yelled on the other line. "I am so his sister, you ass let me talk to him."

"But…" I rolled my eyes before handing the phone over to Mikey who smiled. "You got five minutes."

He pressed the phone to his ear and went to sit down, "Hey sis, how's the weather down there?"

"How come you're not telling her about the invasion?" Casey asked, taking another bite out of the pizza.

"One, because it hasn't even started. Two, because I'm sure we'll be able to end this invasion just as fast as the last one." I said with a shrug. "She doesn't need to know."

Casey nodded before pointing over at Mikey, "Does he know that?"

Oh shit, "Mikey, don't tell her about today." I whispered.

Mikey looked at me before narrowing his eyes in confusion. "Hang on, sis. Your boyfriend is trying to tell me something." He pressed the phone down on his shoulder. "Yes?"

I sighed in annoyance, "Don't tell her anything about today. No dimension X, no invasion. Okay?"

"You mean you haven't told-why?" Mikey asked.

"Mind your damn business and just do as I say."

"You know, lack of communication with only lead to the demise of a relationship." He said before pressing the phone back to his ear.

I just stared at him with wide eyes before looking at Casey who had the same expression. Demise? Mikey never even uses words bigger than pepperoni. Where the hell did he hear that?

"Or at least, that's what Donnie says." He quickly added. "Huh?... Oh nothing, just Raph trying to get the phone away... What?... What? I didn't say..." he sighed. "Okay, love you too." He handed the phone back to me. "She wants to talk to you."

Uh-oh. I took the phone and decided to get up and go to my room. The look on Mikey's face made me nervous that Lilly might have heard us all. I doubt she heard everything. "Hey, babe…"

"I have to go. I just wanted to say goodbye. I love Mikey but God knows how long that conversation was going to go. Tomorrow is the wedding, then…it'll only be a while till I see you again." She said, stopping me in my tracks.

"Oh..." I sighed in relief. "Oh okay."

"Will you let me know what Barry is hiding?"

I looked back over at the lab and cleared my throat, my mind washing away the relief to quickly get back on track. "Oh um, I can just ask him right now. Do you want-"

"I'm coming I'm coming!" Lilly yelled. "I gotta go. I'm eating dinner with my grandma. I'll text you later. Bye!" She said before hanging up.

I was left with my mouth open, I stared at my phone before I just shrugged deciding to go back and sit with the guys.

As soon as I got to the couch, Donnie's head popped out of the lab. "Raph," he called right as I was about to sit. "Come."

I sighed before rushing over there. "What'd you find?"

Donnie went over to his computer and sat, "The Earth Protection Force."

I blinked, "Huh?"

"There's this new division of the military. But it's classified which is why no one has heard about it. It's a force that takes on cases of aliens or mutant kind. And guess who's the head of it."

"Barry?"

"That and some other guy...but his name doesn't come up. Just the code name Bishop." Donnie explained, typing a bit. "There's a reason why this has stayed a secret. This goes all the way up. Some really important people are involved."

"How important?"

Donnie turned around, "The White House."

I fell silent for a moment, maybe I should tell Leo about this after all. "Should we worry?"

"Well, I tried to find any reports that they took down that would match our description and I haven't found anything that even remotely matches us. A lot of reports of giant walking robots though. I wonder what that could he." He said sarcastically.

I sighed, "So…they investigate the calls and then what?"

Donnie began to type, before shaking his head, "There's really no information after that. Maybe it's still in the works or they just want to keep that off the computers because of well…me."

"So Barry…is in charge of this new Protection Force along with this other random dude and he's not able to talk about anything." This is what Barry is keeping from Lillian. And I'm guessing when her mother said it had something to do with me she meant mutants. If so, that's kinda cruel to make Lilly think Barry is going to do something to me.

Donnie nodded, "If they're not putting anything into the computers, I'm going to assume it's really secretive. Contracts, oaths, Barry's carrier is only the line if he tells anyone anything. And for some reason in this country, anything involving aliens is something you shouldn't talk about."

"Even though they've already tried to invade?"

"Yup. I'm sure it has something to do with mass outrage. I'm sure the government wants everyone to feel like they got it all under control and maybe coming out saying there's a secret Earth Protection Force would make the public question whether or not the threat is gone."

"Which it isn't but I guess they don't want anyone to know." I nodded before giving my brother a clap on the shoulder. "Thanks man," Now I can tell Lillian not to worry. Well...for now.

"No problem, Raph. Say hi to Lillian for me when you can."

I smiled before walking out it lab, "Will do."

There! Barry is in charge of the EPF. Now things show be going smoothly from now on right? Um... Next chapter: the wedding.