A/N: This is the last official chapter! The next will be the epilogue:) Hope you enjoy it! Please review!
Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT
"Damn," Raph said again.
"Raphael, enough." Splinter chided.
"Sorry, Sensei." He whined.
The five of them were surrounding the couch that Sky lay on, Melanie sat next to him and ran her hands through his hair, and April and Casey were in the kitchen.
"Sky?" Melanie whispered. The man had begun to stir and a soft groan split the tense silence.
"Mel?" He shuddered and opened his eyes. "I just had the weirdest dream." He rubbed his head and sat up with help from Melanie. "You told me that your family was a bunch of giant masked turtles." He laughed, and stopped as he looked around.
"That wasn't a dream, hun." Melanie smiled as Raph put a three fingered hand on her shoulder. Sky sat in a daze for a moment, then slowly stood up. He stepped towards Leo and everyone but him tensed. Leo looked calm as ever, but Melanie stepped between them just in case. "Babe, what are you doing?"
"Prove that you're real." Sky said, shoving finger into Leo's plastron.
"What would you like me to do?" Leo said softly, stepping backwards.
Sky's jaw dropped and Melanie started laughing. The boys soon joined in and April and Casey walked in from the kitchen. Sky noticed Splinter and let out a little squeal, jumping into Melanie's arms, which made everyone laugh harder.
"Dinner is ready, guys." April said breathlessly.
"Den let's eat, I'm starvin'!" Raph said and raced Mikey into the kitchen.
Dinner was delightful. There was more talking then eating, but somehow all of the food seemed to disappear. Clean up took no time at all and soon everyone was in the living room laughing, talking, and playing card games. April and Melanie brought out the pies and hot chocolate, and despite the large dinner, they were quickly devoured as well. Splinter stood up and Leo stood up as well. Splinter nodded, and they both walked over to where Sky and Melanie were sitting near the fireplace.
"Skylar, would you join us for a moment?" Splinter said.
Sky looked flabbergasted and nervous, but he stood up and followed the two of them after giving Melanie a peck on the cheek. Raph saw them walking towards the dojo and hopped up to follow them. After Leo closed the door, Splinter motioned for his sons to sit next to him and Sky to sit across, facing them. Sky sat still, and though he had gotten comfortable around them faster than anyone had hoped, Leo could tell he was nervous.
"Skylar, it is not hard to see that you have developed feelings for my daughter, or that she has the same feelings for you. Now, I must ask, what are your plans for the future? Is she simple a doll that you will throw away when you are finished with her? Or is she a prize you intend to keep?"
"She is much more to me than a doll, sir." Skylar said quickly and Raph raised an eyebrow. "I…"
"Yes?" Splinter prodded.
"I plan to ask her to marry me." Sky said quietly.
Raph and Leo's jaws dropped. Splinter showed no reaction. "Is that all?"
"I plan to love her for the rest of my life. I have money to support her as well as you. Melanie, despite never telling me of your…uh…exact situation, has mentioned that living was hard for you. I am prepared to help. Not to brag, but I am very wealthy." He said shyly.
"I do not care about your money. All I care about is my daughter's heart."
"And if you so much as make her doubt that she is worth less than all your money…." Leo hissed.
"Yur gonna regret it for the rest uh your damned life." Raph finished.
Sky shivered and huddled into himself, but he quickly recovered and sat up straight. "I understand, and that woman out there," he said, pointing to the door. "Is worth more than you know. She will be treated like a princess for the rest of her life, not that she hasn't before. You really have no idea how much she loves you guys. If I may be so bold, you have raised one hell of a woman."
Raph and Leo smirked, and Splinter stood. "I do not doubt your oath. And if I do say so myself, Melanie has made a good decision." Sky stood up, and they embraced.
"If you wouldn't mind, I would like to propose tonight. I know how much it would mean to her if you were all present."
"You have our blessing." Splinter said with a tear in his eye.
All four walked out of the dojo. Melanie was still sitting on the sofa and everyone was where they left them. Sky rushed up to her and knelt on the ground in front of her. Melanie looked confused, but clapped a hand over her mouth as Sky held out a tiny red box with a gold bow on top. Melanie started crying as he opened the lid and held up a diamond ring. Mikey's, Donnie's, and Casey's mouths were on the floor, April was hugging Master Splinter, and Leo and Raph were blinking back the tears while beaming at the couple.
"Sky…" Melanie gasped. They were both crying. Sky took Melanie's hand and looked into her eyes.
"Melanie Hamato, I am in love with you. I love you more than I could ever have imagined loving anyone." His voice broke and the room was deathly quiet except for the crackle of the fireplace and the soft background music. "I want to be by your side for all of eternity. I want to love you and treat you like the princess you are for the rest of your life. Will you be my wife?"
Melanie was sobbing so hard she couldn't get the words out, but eventually she managed a soft and breathless, "Yes."