Afterglow - Chapter 31

Plans

Rated: T

Chapter Summary: April finishes up her last week of school and has a very big surprise for Raphael, but this time, he may just beat her to the punch.

Sorry there's a lot of random stuff going on in this chapter but it was necessary to where I wanted this to go. It'll be a lot smoother next chapter, I promise. :-D Also, I need to write more Kirby and Raph interactions because Raphael stuttering and awkward is perfect haha.

"Goodbye, love..." April whispered into the still slumbering Raphael's ear before leaning down and brushing her lips over his temple. Hand trailing carefully across his broad shoulders and nape from where he slept on his stomach. "I'll see you later."

With those words, April readjusted her backpack over her shoulder and headed back to college; prepared and striving to finish this last week of the college semester strong.

Summer looming and drawing her into its sunny depths; warm rays welcoming as she pushed her way through the manhole cover and into the bustling New York streets. What normally would be a long, arduous walk to the campus was filled with excitement and trepidation; with college breaking for the semester, she reserved the right to enjoy it to its fullest extent.

The idea came to her just this past weekend; a brilliant plan that was conceived when she found herself recalling the beginning of her and Raphael's relationship. Bringing with it their moments in Northampton; the inkling and sporadic kiss that started it all. The idea of returning to where it all began was too perfect an opportunity to pass up. A smile itching her way up on her face as she concocted the best way to break the news to him of perhaps spending a week or two up there.

Just them.

A light chuckle left her lips as she approached her destination; thoughts of all the wonderful connotations that could arise from them finally getting away from it all. No school, no brothers, no fathers, no prying eyes or having to be silent...it was perfect.

Also, it would be the best early birthday present she could think to give to herself.

Finally arriving at class and sitting down for her first final just made her all the more determined to finish strong and damn well earn a few weeks alone with her boyfriend.

Raphael wasn't exactly sure what the hell he was doing as he went over to April's apartment when only her father was home. His girlfriend's twentieth birthday looming had him in an utter panic of what to do or get for her special day; causing him to do things he probably wouldn't. Her last birthday was a total disaster and not wanting to ponder that awful day for too long, he knocked. Desperation pulling in his gut, he waited for someone to answer...

Instead of outright asking April what she wanted, which probably would save him a lot of heartache, he went to her father.

It would be an understatement to say Kirby O'Neil was surprised when he opened the door to a trench coat wearing Raphael in late spring heat.

"Raphael?" Kirby asked curiously.

"Hey, Mr. O'Neil." the terrapin responded with a nervous wave and awkward smile.

"Um, hello. Um...April's not here, you know, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Eh, I kinda came over to see you." Raph replied, nervous bubbles popping in his belly. Raphael was well aware at how awkward this was for both of them; especially considering this man knew him and his daughter were having wild sex that the neighbors informed him about...Ever since that happened, Raphael was certain to make himself scarce but he knew he couldn't avoid the man forever - this was April's dad...

That connotation had his stomach rolling uncomfortably.

Aw damn, this was a bad idea... he muttered internally as Kirby still hadn't replied.

Raphael was sorely temped to high-tail it out of here to avoid any more embarrassment but his plans were thwarted by a reply.

"Oh, really? O-Of course, Raphael. Come on in." the redheaded man replied with a smile and a gesture of invitation the terrapin did not expect.

Pushing aside his doubts, he walked into the apartment while Kirby closed the door behind him.

"Want me to take your...wait...is that my jacket?" Kirby asked and Raphael's heart plummeted to his bowels.

God, this was a really bad idea...

"O-Oh, yeah! I meant to return it. I swear, I guess I just forgot!" Raph muttered with a shrug as he swiftly took off the khaki coat.

"No. It's fine." the man laughed reaching to retrieve it from the turtle's extended grasp. "I haven't worn it in years! I'm glad to see someone is finding some use for it so you're more than welcome to keep it."

"Heh. Thanks..." Raphael replied; smiling awkwardly as he watched Kirby hang it up. Smile faltering when the man was once again giving him his undivided attention.

"So, what did you need?" Kirby asked before walking further into the living room and sitting upon the couch, hand patting the seat next to him, inviting the turtle to do the same.

"Um...Eh...so...How are ya?" Raph asked.

Real smooth there, ya idiot... He disciplined himself internally.

"I'm doing well. Thank you." Kirby replied, thin brows lifted in slight confusion. "How about yourself?"

"Yeah, I'm good, I'm good...Eh, so um, how's work goin'?"

"Good." Kirby replied before giving him a very familiar and knowing look; one his girlfriend wore when she knew he was purposefully stalling. Guess the fruit doesn't fall too far from the tree.

"Alright, um. Well, ya know April's birthday is next week and I was just wondering if there was something she wanted. Or something I could do for her." Raph said, looking toward her father hopefully yet the man's expression didn't change or reply, "I-I wanted to make up for last year's fiasco by doing something real nice. Ya know? I had a couple ideas of my own but I doubt it'll be good enough. Also, you're her dad and I just kinda thought you'd perhaps know what she wants this year. She's probably more likely to drop hints to you than me, so...yeah..." Raphael continued with a helpless shrug hoping the man understood some iota of the gibberish that just fell from his nervous lips.

"Wow... Y-You really do care a lot for my daughter, don't you?" Kirby asked a long moment after Raphael had finished speaking.

"Of course I do." Raphael replied firmly, valiantly fighting against sounding offended. Wanting to defend his relationship with this man's daughter even if he knew Kirby had approved of it long ago. There were still his own doubts that plagued his mind about the validity of their relationship and desperately wanting approval. Something he still had yet to grasp himself.

"Hmm... Raphael, I gotta admit that at first, I was a bit shocked when you and April began dating..." upon seeing the surprise that came over Raphael's face, he continued, "Please understand this from my perspective, Raphael; you guys have caused a lot of heartache for us that most of probably wouldn't have happened had we never met."

Raphael fought against speaking out in his own defense (even if he knew the man was telling the truth); biting his tongue and appearing stone-faced as Kirby continued.

"Yet...it wasn't until you and April began dating where I saw a happiness in her that I hadn't seen in years - one I thought would never return after my wife disappeared."

"I..." Raph spoke about to fight back when the words finally sunk in. "...What?"

"I can't recall a time where I've seen my daughter more vibrant; so excited and just...happy. I suppose you have a lot to do with it." the man replied with a playful shrug, bumping the stoic turtle with a thin elbow. "You have no idea how much it means to see her like this again; it's quite amazing, Raphael."

"She changed a lot for me too, sir." Raphael admitted shyly, not believing he was telling this to her father. Face flushing involuntary at just how much his attitude and brash personality had been changed by the pretty redhead.

Kirby just nodded and smiled. "It shows great character to come to me about something so menial. For, you know, April will cherish anything you give her."

"I know that, but... I want this to be special - it's her twentieth after all."

"Hmm. True... Hmm, well, her best birthday I recall was a surprise party back at Northampton; I tell you, the smile on that girl was one I never seen on my daughter. It was an early morning and my wife made April's favorite chocolate chip pancakes and later on, went on a hike. Lying in the grass and staring up at the clouds...taking a swim in the lakes..." Kirby sighed, eyes straying toward the window where the midday sun was leaking in through it. "Other than my wedding and April's birth, that may have been one of the best days of my life..."

Hearing her father reminiscing wasn't exactly uncomfortable; he'd felt more at ease with the man than he thought he'd be but it still didn't make it easy to hear. Just brought back to the fact that April had a harder life than she let on; you'd never know it for the smile on her face rarely faltered .

If anyone deserved a good birthday, it was her.

"Then...you think I should take her there? With your permission of course." Raph muttered, bringing Kirby from his reverie.

"I think she'd like that." Kirby replied with a smile. "Hmm. In fact, I think she'd love it."

"So, that a yes?"

"Hmm. Of course, Raphael. You need to borrow my car?"

"Nah. I think my bros can live without the Shellraiser for a week." Raph replied, shrugging and rubbing the back of his neck nervously at the long, lingering look Kirby was giving him.

Kirby chuckled at the answer, adjusting his body in order to dig his keys from his pocket. Going through the few keys to unwrap a dull, scratched brass key from the ring before handing it to the terrapin.

Raph was about to grab it when Kirby held it back. Upon Raphael's confusion, Kirby spoke, "Just promise me you'll make it a surprise party for her."

"Of course." Raphael's replied, green meeting the blue of April's father as he placed it into his palm. "Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome, Raphael. I couldn't have asked for a better man for my daughter." Kirby honestly admitted, a firm hand on his shoulder.

Face involuntarily flushing, all froze when a sound of a key was pushed into the lock.

April was here.

Raphael spared a quick panicked glance at Kirby and the man just smiled, gesturing to the kitchen window and a swift escape.

"Thank you." Raph mouthed; hightailing it to the kitchen and back out into the light of day. Taking a quick look back, he returned the light wave Kirby sent his way.

It wasn't until later that week when they were lying together watching a movie where Raphael leaned over and whispered the plans of Northampton into her ear.

The curious look he received was expected; what he didn't wasn't the brilliant smile that lit up her face.

"You sneaky bastard, I was gonna suggest that!" she laughed.

Raphael didn't expect that answer, but he was quick to return the smile with a smug grin.

"Well, I beat cha to it, O'Neil. Try better next time." he quipped, grasping cheekily at her sides in order to tickle her.

The redhead thwarted his plans by squealing and slapping his hands away. Instead, April suddenly pulled him in for a hug. The connotations of their plans and getting to spend time together rose to the surface. So excited and surprised he was the first to bring it up.

Raphael smiled into her loose hair. Tongue firmly adamant to keep the other parts of his plan secret - but the Northampton one he let slip; all that remained was for the rest to come to fruition...