Donatello was so happy to see January end, his favorite month was here, as well as his new favorite holiday. He had been thinking for months what to do for April for Valentines Day.
Raphael half agreed to help him prepare for the occasion, Donatello got his lab cleaned up with the help of his older brother. Raphael was hesitant only because he was afraid of April rejecting his brother, shattering his heart into a million pieces.
This was their first Valentines Day with the human girl, Mikey had made a Valentines Day card for her and drew hearts all over it.
Leonardo got her a box of hard candy hearts that had little messages on them.
Donatello, made his... he used a bag of Hershey's kisses he found and melted them down and used a heart shape mold and made her a chocolate heart. While it was cooling he used a tooth pick to write April's name in the middle of the heart.
He also made a card from his computer and printed it out, he poured his heart out into the card. Raphael had seen it before hand and said it was nice.
The two brothers brought in a table and sat it in the middle of the room, Raphael had found a red checkered table cloth to go over it and had found two red candles with holders.
Mikey had agreed to make a dinner for Donnie and April with the threat of bodily harm if he teased his older brother about April being his girl friend.
Splinter came into the lab and saw how nice it was decorated.
"You did well my sons, Donatello may I have a word?"
Donnie looked up at his father and nodded.
Following his father to the dojo he stood before his father and waited.
Splinter stared at his son for several moments and then told him.
"Donatello, I worry about you... I know you love April, and I have seen it for the past year. Please be careful my son. The heart is soft and can be hurt easily, are you sure you want to tell her how you feel?"
Donatello looked up at his father's brown eyes with determination and said.
"Hai Sensei. I do. I want her to know how she makes me feel. Can I ask you a question?"
Splinter nodded and said,
"Yes."
Donatello thought about his words then said.
"How did you... how did you know you were in love with Tang Shen?"
Splinter felt his breath catch, never before had any of his sons asked about her, he put a hand on his son's shoulder and told him.
"I knew the day she smiled at me, I knew when she told me that she would like to have dinner with my family. She was special to me Donatello, the same as April is to you. You are so much like my self Donatello, that is why I try and protect you the most... I know what it is like to loose the one you poor your heart out to and I do not want to see it happen again. But know, if April does not return your love and you are hurt by this. Know I will be there for you my son. I don't think she will reject you, I know she likes you a lot. So we will see how this plays out, I will keep your brothers busy here in the dojo so they do not bother the two of you."
Donatello smiled at him and said.
"Thanks Sen... Father, thank you. But can you make one exception."
"and that is?"
Donatello stood proud and said.
"You don't have to distract Raphael, like you he has been protecting me too... that is why Leo and him fight so much since April's been in our lives. Leo thinks my love for April is OK, but Raph... He knows something I don't and even Leo. He reminds me every day that I could be hurt, but I know if something were to happen I would have my older brother there to back me up. He has never teased me or made jokes. Only the other two."
Splinter nodded his understanding and said.
"Very well, when is April due to arrive?"
Donatello looked at the clock on the dojo wall and said.
"Around noon, she said that her and her father were going out for a father daughter breakfast this morning."
Splinter noticed it was 11:45.
"OK my son, go see if Michelangelo is finished in the kitchen and then send him and Leonardo in here."
"Hai Sensei."
Donatello went to the kitchen and found all three of his brothers in there.
Mikey smiled at him and said.
"Its pretty much done bro."
Donatello smiled at him and said.
"Thanks Mikey, I appreciate you doing this for me. But Sensei wants you and Leo in the dojo."
Leonardo frowned and said.
"What about Raph?"
Raphael looked up at his younger brother when he didnt hear his name be mentioned.
"Because Splinter just wants you two, and I need Raph's help still. So thanks guys see you two later."
Raphael saw the look in his brothers eyes and knew that he had been given permission to stay per their father.
Raphael stood and said.
"OK, lets get this food to the lab."
Raphael took the two plates on the counter, noticing Donatello looking for silverware he said.
"Don, you want my help, then go to the lab and sit. I will serve the two of you. And besides while you were talking to Sensei I set up the tables, you have grape soda for drinks, and silverware is on the table with napkins."
Donnie smiled at his brother and said.
"Thanks Raph."
Raph gave him a half hug and said.
"Tell the others and I will slap the green off of ya."
Donatello rolled his eyes as he left the kitchen and said loud enough for his brother to hear.
"Yea what ever... you always say that."
Raph chuckled to him self as he heard April come into the lair.
Stepping out of the kitchen he said.
"You're presence is requested in the Lab."
April smiled at him and said.
"Thanks Raph, do you know what Donnie has planned?"
Raph shook his head and said.
"My lips are sealed. Now don't keep lover boy waiting."
April went to the lab, she saw the table set up and the room actually organized. She told Donnie.
"Wow Don, this looks great."
He pulled a chair out for her to sit and then he sat him self down, Raphael came in moments later with two heaping plates of spaghetti.
"Dinner is served, enjoy."
Raph turned and left the lab, closing the door behind him.
Donatello watched his brother leave and looked back at April, she was smiling at him and it made his heart swell.
He pulled the card out from his belt and handed it to her along with the home made chocolate heart.
She read the card, she looked up at him after she was done and stood, walking over she knelt down and said.
"What took you so long Don? I have always loved you more then just friends or even as a brother. I just didnt know if you would accept me. Because I am human and your a mutant. I know looks don't matter when the heart is in question."
Donatello felt like he was on cloud nine when she stood slightly and kissed him on the lips. He felt so happy by how much she loved him and how much he loved her.
She went back over and sat down, they ate in silence of each others company.
April looked up and said to Donnie.
"Thank you for the heart, it looks too beautiful to eat."
Donatello smiled and said.
"I made it, and your welcome."
Their eyes met from time to time, after they were finished music started playing.
Donatello frowned for a minute before he noticed his brother by the garage door with a tape player in hand.
Soft music flowed through the speakers and Donatello stood and said offering her his hand.
"Can I have this dance?"
She took his hand and stood saying.
"Yes, you may."
She was much shorter then him and his feet were strangely big but they danced to the music that Raphael had playing. Not once did the older turtle say a word as he helped his younger sibling.
Raphael stood and watched his little brother, he had gone to his brother's room and found a love song tape he had laying on his desk. He took it and got his tape player from his own room and went to the garage just beyond the lab. With out his brother noticing he hooked it up to a pair of car speakers and turned it on after he saw they were done eating.
He knew that the two loved each other, deep down he was scared that April didnt feel the same way and he tried so hard to keep them apart. But you cant stop love...
He watched as his little brother kissed the young woman he loved, he felt a tear of happiness in his eye and let it fall. He knew that everything would work it's self out just fine.
A/N: might be three days early but here is a Valentines Day chapter for ya! And so you know Raph's gift to April was helping Donnie with the dinner by playing music for them to dance to.
