The Ninja Turtles can't help but to ask Amber and Arimi to tell the story again, every detail. Michelangelo and Raphael especially want to know how the heated conversation with Arimi's parents ended with Amber proposing to her.
Arimi confesses to her long and unfavorable police record due to not being able to hold her liquor. Even if her parents were willing to help, getting her American citizenship would be a long awaiting process. Amber explains that Arimi's visa can't keep her here forever and marriage is the fastest, most legal way to keep her. Donatello's logic agrees with them. Raph and Mikey shoot him a look. Leo sits silently blushing. Raphael sees no other way but once again asks Amber if she's sure she wants to do this. Amber says she would do anything for her family, anything for love. With all avenues perused, everyone finally agrees. They would marry at the Manhattan courthouse the first weekend of November. After all, the girls need time to find dresses.
…
"Alright, Amber. You...are... done! Oh, you look gorgeous! And you don't even have your dress on yet." April coos.
April positions the gown on the floor and Amber carefully steps in. After it's zipped and adjusted, April leads her to face the floor-length mirror. Amber's expression goes from shock to a smile, to look a little heart-broken.
"Oh Amber, what's wrong? Is there something on the dress?" April asks she begins to search the fabric for any imperfections.
"No, no not that. It just..." She almost breaks but stops herself. She would not cry today. "My mother would have loved to see me like this. It's all so bittersweet, ya know? It's already been two years since..."
"Oh, Amber." April lightly pecks her cheek making sure not to smudge any concealer. "Amber, she would be so proud of you. What you are doing today, I'm one-hundred percent sure your whole family would be so proud."
"How can you be so sure? I'm about to covertly marry a Japanese woman so that we can both be with the mutant turtles we've fallen in love with. Not exactly my mother's fairytale ending for me."
"I know they would, because nothing is worth fighting for more than love." She smiles. April turns Amber to face the mirror once more. Her ivory gown is tea-length. The skirt tufts out pleasantly. The bodice is smooth and scoops across her chest cutting right below her shoulders. The only embellishment is a ruby-red Swarovski crystal sash around her waist matching her ruby-red stilettos. "Today is a beautiful day and you are a beautiful bride."
"I'll say." The two women see the reflection of Raphael standing in the doorway. "It's almost time. Thought I'd stop by and see ya once more before ya become a 'Misses'." He smirks.
"I'll leave two alone then. I need to help the other bride get ready." April takes her kit and heads out the door. "Raph, don't mess up her makeup."
"I ain't makin' any promises." He jokes. He stands by Amber and they smile at each other in the reflection. He shakes his head in amazement. "Amber, ya look like an angel."
"Awe, Raph, that's sweet. Thank you… If my mother knew what I was about to do today, you think she'd roll over in her grave?" Amber asks.
"Nah." Raph assures her with a grin. "She'd already be rolled over from what ya did with me last night."
"Raph!"
"Yeah, ya said my name like that… a lot. Over and over." He pulls her close, nuzzling her cheek.
"Oh, my God! Raph!"
"You said that a couple times too." He teases.
"Cool it Man-Turtle. You'll wrinkle my dress!" Amber struggles to win this losing battle. Any more of his talking and touching and she'll rip the gown off herself.
"Alright I'll stop… for now." She takes his hands in thanks and he stares at her shaking his head again. "You're a miracle worker you know that? What you're doing for Mikey and Arimi today… it's amazin'. He lifts her hands up to his lips and kisses them, suddenly looking sad. "I wish it was me standing by you today instead of her." The words just fall out. Does he mean what he says? He does.
Amber steps close to him, placing her forehead on his. "Nothing would make me happier… I hope you know that I would have said yes if you could ever ask me."
His eyes widen and his jaw drops. As much as she continually proves her feelings with her actions, her words always seem to blaze the center of him. He knew it wouldn't be recognized by New York, maybe not even God, but he had to do something, say something, to solidly make Amber his woman. Still holding her hands he gets down on one knee. He takes a deep breath and looks up into her shimmering, brown eyes, the eyes that never wavered, constantly looking at him with honest love. She quenches his rage and replenishes his life. He chokes a bit. He had to say it now or he never would. "Amber… I… I love you. All I have to offer is myself. You've seen the worst of me. Let me try for the rest of our lives to give you the best of me. You deserve that and more... Will you marry me?"
Amber will have to ask April to do her make-up all over again. Right now she doesn't care. She falls into his arms sobbing. "Yes, Raphael, yes… more than yes." He holds her tight as her tears and mascara run over his shoulder.
"Do you promise to stay with me forever... even when I get angry or say things I don't mean?" he asks.
"I do." She vows. "Do you promise to love me forever... no matter how far I travel?"
"I do. So long as you come home to me every time."
"Every single time."
They seal it with a soft kiss. He pulls back and looks at her. "Awe Amber, your face is a mess, a beautiful, crazy mess." He chuckles.
"Geez Raph. Thanks, I guess." Amber laughs. They both stand and she straightens the skirt of her gown. "I'd better call April in to start all over again. I'm blaming this on you."
"No way! She'll believe you too!" He mocks in worry. "You wait here. I'll go get her. We can't have you walkin' around and accidentally be spotted by your wife-to-be before the ceremony." He teases.
She laughs and takes his arm before he goes. She steps close and cradles his face with her lace-gloved hands. They kiss again, kiss deeply. No one else needs to acknowledge the promise they've made to each other. Their hearts are firmly bound, their lives committed. That's enough for them.
...
A string of orange orchids drape over Arimi's head, her long black hair braided and wrapped tightly behind one ear. She is wearing a simple white kimono with a traditional obi around her waist intricately decorated with golden leaves and pale green flowers. She is sitting at the vanity and April adds the finishing touches to her makeup. Foregoing the white face powder, she consents to the black eyeliner, light blush and soft pink lips. There is a light knock on the door and Raphael enters.
"Sorry to bother ya. Arimi you look amazin'" He says.
"Thank you, Raphael."
He turns to April. "I, uh think Amber needs ya to help her again. It wasn't all my fault." He puts his hands up.
"I bet." April smiles and rolls her eyes. She follows him out of the room. A moment later Michelangelo comes in, holding a small wedding bouquet of peach-tinted roses.
"Hello, Arimi. Casey came back with your flowers." He says.
She gets up and walks over, taking them from his hands. She looks up at him and he stares at her, completely at a loss for words. "Do you think I look that good?" She asks.
All he can do is nod. His heart is throbbing in his head and his mouth has gone dry.
"Please say something. You are embarrassing me." She turns her ever reddening face, her lips try to hide a smile."
"I feel like this is a dream. I feel like at any moment I'll wake up and you'll vanish." He holds her soft delicate hands in his, confirming his reality. "You don't have to do this."
"Yes I do. You have been looking for me and you have found me. I want to do this. I will not leave you."
"You could go home right now and have a normal life. You're giving up your family for me. What can I possibly give you?" He pleads.
"Love. Happiness. An amazing life story. Completeness. Mitsu was not able to have you, but I am. She places a hand over her heart. "She is resting peacefully now. Her search is over. Will you deny us these things by sending me back to Japan?"
"Never." Tears fill his eyes. This is the feeling Raphael could not describe; the feeling of never being whole without her. Making love is one thing, but being in love… this is what overtakes him. He falls to his knees and takes her hands. "Arimi, I love you. And I'll do my best to always make you happy, never make you cry. I'll always be here to keep you smiling."
She kisses his forehead, leaving a small shimmering, heart-shaped mark. "I know you will. You are the one. You always have been."
Casey knocks on the open door and sees Mikey's forehead. "Hey buddy, I see ya finally turned into a prince."
"Yeah yeah." Mikey stands as he sheepishly rubs at the lipstick.
"Your friends Tanya and Darrel just pulled up in the limo. It's time" Casey says.
"Ok. I am ready Casey." Arimi says.
Mikey wraps her in a floor-length, hooded golden cape for added warmth. He kisses her cheek and sees her to the first floor. Amber and Raphael come soon after. She is wearing a high-necked powder white fur stole. The girls gaze in awe of each other. April comes down with her camera. Amber and Arimi stand side-by-side smiling timidly, bouquets in view. They each take hold of their turtles and April snaps the picture. It comes out beautifully, but no one would ever know whose hands the brides are holding outside of the frame.
"All set?" April asks and the ladies nod. "Mikey, Raph, we'll be out until evening. Tanya and Darrel strongly suggested they take us all out to dinner to celebrate."
"Sounds good. Have fun." Raph says.
"And I'll make sure Darrel tapes the 'wedding' for us." Casey says.
"Great!" Mikey says. "Oh Amber!" He calls out and runs over to her before they open the door. He touches her shoulder and kisses her cheek. "Thank you sis. I love you."
"Anything for you, Mikey." Amber whispers.
He stands behind the door and the four of them stroll out into the wintry weather. He and Raph walk upstairs and meet Leo, Donnie and Splinter in the third floor living room. Mikey sits quietly, his folded and his eyes shut.
Raph looks over at him. "Mikey, you ok?"
Mikey purses his lips and nods his head. "Yeah Bro, I'm good. I'm good. He looks up at him. His blue eyes are shining. His smile is wrinkled. He can hardly keep it together. He cracks. "I'm just so…"
"I know Mikey. Me too." He reaches a hand to him and Mikey shoves himself into his big brother's arms. He balls against his chest. Mikey cries with overflowing joy. Raphael rolls his eyes and sighs. Instead of pushing him back on his ass he simply pats him on the shell. He looks over at Leo and Donnie. "You pansies may as well get in on this too. Group hug!"
This is a one in a billion chance so his brothers quickly react. They surround Raph and Mikey in a warm embrace. Splinter hurriedly joins them and reaches over his sons. ONce again their family is blessed with peace and resolution, but mostly another soul to love. It is the season for being thankful.
…
The two brides, the Jones, the turtles and their father sit around the projector enjoying coffee, champagne and cake. Donnie starts to play the DVD of the wedding ceremony. Raphael notices the girls become a bit too giddy. "Why you two jumpin' around so much?"
"They're probably excited to see themselves in their dresses." Mikey says.
"We are… but we have a special surprise for the both of you at the end of the ceremony." Amber says.
"What? You ladies gonna kiss or sumthin'?" Raphael asks.
"Of course we kiss." Arimi says.
Mikey's jaw drops and Raphael's lips curl. "Really?" They both say.
"Don't be like that Raphie." Amber says.
"We promised that when we kiss we would only think of the both of you." Arimi says.
"Exactly! It had to look genuine." Amber says.
"So, you two only kiss one time?" Raph asks.
Arimi hesitates. "Well, no. At dinner every time Tanya or Darrel tapped their glasses we had to…kiss. It is a very unnerving American tradition."
"S-so how many times?" Mikey asks in the most un-pervy tone possible.
"I don't know Mikey. I'm sure it would have been less if Casey Jones didn't start to ring his glass too." Amber tattles.
"Now wait. In my defense I wanted it to look as real as possible. I was playing my part." Casey says.
"Yeah, your 'disturbing old man' part." April reprimands. "I had to step on your foot to make you stop."
"My toes still hurts. You're heels are sharp, woman!" Casey says.
"My hero." Raph says a little more pervy.
"Cool it Red. You're creeping me out! Besides, that's NOT the surprise. Keep watching." Amber scolds.
The judge on the screen continues. "And now by the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you married! You may kiss your bride."
Arimi and Amber turn to each other, holding hands. Arimi tilts her head up. Amber tilts hers down. They close their eyes. Pink pouty lips press against full, ruby lips. They linger a while.
"Oh, wow…" Mikey sighs.
"Oh yeah…" Raph chuckles.
"Wolves…" Amber mumbles.
On screen Amber and Arimi turn to face the other awaiting couples.
"You girls look so beautiful." Splinter muses. Amber and Arimi blush.
The judge continues. "May I present to you, Mrs. and Mrs. Hamato." The courtroom pleasantly applauds. Amber and Arimi walk down the aisle holding each other's hand and their bouquets followed by Casey and April. The DVD ends.
Arimi and Amber turn to their respective turtle.
Mikey shakes his head. "You changed your last names?"
"Yes Key-chan." Arimi's cheeks grow even more rosy. "I wanted to show you that though we may not be where Amber and Raphael are yet, you are my family now. I love you. I will always be with you, Michelangelo."
"Awe Mimi…" He holds her close and kisses her.
Raphael looks a little… well, Amber can't say. His brows are arched. His eyes are soft. His lips, parted. Amber realizes that Raphael is happy. "Amber Hamato?" He whispers.
"Mrs. Amber Hamato." Amber returns.
Raph falls into her, hiding his face I her hair. Being suddenly overcome with emotion almost makes him not care that his brothers are looking. "I love you Amber."
"I'm all yours Mr. Hamato. Forever."
…
…
The End