Chapter 23 Raphael's surprise for Mona
A year had passed since Mona decided to stay the way she was. Also she and Raphael were happy together and their love grew more and more each day. One day while Mona was doing some special training with Master Splinter Raphael headed out of the lair. "I wonder where Raphael is going?" asked Leonardo. "I say we follow him and see" answered Michelangelo. "I don't think it's a good idea. Raphael will get really mad if he catches us" Donatello stated. "Donatello is right" replied Leonardo. "We won't get caught as long as he doesn't spot us" said Michelangelo as he left the lair. "We better make sure Michelangelo doesn't get seen by Raphael otherwise he is going to get his shell kicked" said Donatello. "You're right let's go" said Leonardo as they went along with Michelangelo to see what Raphael was up to. "Looks like Raphael is heading to April's place. I wonder why" the other turtles thought to themselves. Raphael knocked on April's door and she let him in. "Hi April were you able to get it?" said Raphael as he greeted April when he walked in. "I sure did and I know Mona is going to love it and be very surprised" answered April as she handed Raphael a small little box. Raphael opened the box and thought what was inside was beautiful. "What do you see Leonardo?" asked Michelangelo. "All I saw was April giving Raphael a small box and he smiled" answered Leonardo as he, Michelangelo and Donatello were all watching from April's balcony. "Here let me let" said Donatello as he tried to get a better look. All of a sudden the three turtles lost their balance and knocked down April's door by mistake. "Nice of you guys to drop in. I hope you're going to fix my balcony door" said April. "Of course we will right guys?" said Donatello as Leonardo and Michelangelo agree and started to fix what they broke. "Were you guys spying on us?" asked April. Before the other turtles could answer Raphael said, "Of course they were. I knew since I left that I was being followed and I figured it was these guys and I wouldn't be surprised if Michelangelo was the one who talked our fearless leader and Einstein here into following me" Raphael exclaimed.
"We're sorry Raphael. We just wanted to know what was going on" said Michelangelo. "I was planning to tell you guys because I'm going to need your help" Raphael said as he told the other turtles what he had planned. Raphael even showed Leonardo, Donatello and Michelangelo what was inside the little box. "Wait Raphael are you going to…?" Michelangelo began to ask before Raphael cut him off, "Yes I am and I need your help because I want it to be a surprise over a romantic dinner for two. Will you help me?" requested Raphael. The other turtles agreed to help Raphael because they wanted to see him happy. Later that night Raphael went to Mona's room. "Hi Raphael what's up?" Mona asked. "Hi Mona I was wondering if you would like to come somewhere with me tonight" replied Raphael. "Sure that sounds wonderful let me just change my clothes" answered Mona. "Wear something nice" Raphael said. "Why?" asked Mona. "It's a surprise" answered Raphael as he winked at his girlfriend. "I wonder what my surprise is?" Mona thought to herself as she put on something nice to wear. "It's a good thing Irma saved the red dress I bought on the day I got kidnapped and left my bags behind. I thought it was lost forever along with the rest of the stuff I bought." When Mona was done getting ready Master Splinter saw what she was wearing and told her, "You look lovely this evening Ms. Lisa. May I ask what is the occasion for the lovely dress that you're wearing?" "Thank you Sensei and Raphael said that he has a surprise for me and requested that I wear something nice" answered Mona. "Well whatever the surprise is that Raphael has planned for you I hope you like it" said Splinter. Mona found a note on the coffee table in the living room that had her name on it and it said,
"Meet me at Central Park. The guys will escort you so you'll get there safely.
Love,
Raphael.
"Are you ready Mona?" asked Leonardo. "Ready as I'll ever be. Do you know what my surprise is?" said Mona. "You'll see" Michelangelo winked. The three turtles escorted Mona to Central Park where Raphael was waiting for her. "We'll leave you love birds alone" said Donatello as he and the other turtles left. Mona was amazed at when she saw the beautiful lights and the romantic music playing. "Raphael this is wonderful did you do all of this for me?" said Mona as she hugged Raphael. "Yes I did but I did have help from the others and April too" replied Raphael. "I wanted to do something special for you since the last time we tried enjoying our time here in Central Park Shredder and his goons ruined it when they kidnapped you." Mona recalled when she first came to Central Park with Raphael and couldn't believe it was ruined by Raphael's and the rest of the turtles enemies. Raphael escorted Mona to a little picnic table with dinner waiting for them. "I hope you don't mind that dinner is pizza. I can't really cook" said Raphael. "It's fine" replied Mona as she picked up a slice and started eating. "You have a bit of sauce on your cheek" Raphael noticed as he picked up a napkin and wiped Mona's face. "I'm enjoying this surprise Raphael. It was so sweet of you to do it for me" said Mona. "That's not all I have for you" said Raphael. Mona began to wonder what did Raphael meant when the red masked terrapin started speaking, "Mona you mean so much to me. We've been through a lot together both good and bad. You mean so much to me and I know in my heart you're the only girl for me." Mona was deeply touched at Raphael's word and said, "You mean so much to me as well and you're the only guy for me my love."
"That's good because there is something I want to ask you" said Raphael. Mona wasn't sure at first at what Raphael wanted to ask her but all of sudden Raphael pulled out a box with a diamond engagement ring inside of it. "I love you so much. You have me so happy. Mona Lisa will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?" Raphael nervously asked. "With happy tears in her eyes Mona cried, "Yes Raphael you better believe I'll marry you my handsome turtle. I love you." Raphael sled a few happy tears as well because he was thrilled that Mona said yes and placed the ring on her finger. "This ring is so beautiful" Mona said as she wiped her tears away. "I didn't thing you would like it since the diamond on your ring is small" said Raphael. "I don't care about that. I couldn't ask for a more beautiful ring" Replied Mona as she kissed Raphael romantically. "CONGRADUTAION!" the other turtles shouted as they came out from where they were hiding along with Master Splinter, April and Irma too. "I'm so happy for the both of you and we all wish you a long and happy life together as husband and wife" said Master Splinter. "Thank you and we're both looking forward to our wedding day" replied Mona. After the night Raphael asked for Mona's hand in marriage everyone worked together to plan a simple but beautiful wedding.
