Thanks again for being patient with me with my writer's block. I know some parts of the story I have been looking forward to writing and actually have written those parts, but I wasn't sure what to write in the moment. That lead me to put in another new character I made whom you'll meet at the very end of this chapter. This character was very briefly mentioned at the very end of my story "Tales of the Third Age," so if you've read that, then you're getting a more proper introduction to this character. I'm excited to write more involving this character and her involvement with Lily. This piece of the story is inspired by my watching "Once Upon a Time."
I also did a little time jump in the chapter, so we're not only introduced to one but TWO new characters. Without further ado, please enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Meet the Robinsons," "TMNT," "Toy Story," nor "Lord of the Rings: The Third Age." I only own Lilianna, Athena, Ryan, Karena, James, Isamu, and Anna.
January 13, 2046 - Westport, Connecticut, USA
WILBUR'S POV
I stood outside in my brown leather coat waiting for my student to show up. I prayed earlier that she would remember to be here due to the difference in time zones. It was currently noon here in Westport; it was only nine o'clock in California.
"Wilbur."
I turned around and found Lily, currently dressed as her superheroine identity Aumanil, standing by the door. She wore a beige coat over her dress. She reached in her coat and grabbed her lightsabers. I was surprised at what she did next: she combined them before igniting them, forming a double saber that was very similar to her bo staff.
"Already challenging me, are we?" I asked with a smirk, igniting my own yellow lightsaber. "Well, the purpose of this first lesson is to see what you've got. Do you have any powers you are contributing to this fight?"
"I may not be able to read your mind," Aumanil answered. "But I can read your moves just like I can read a bullet's trajectory."
"Then, I will let you charge at me."
Aumanil grinned. She twirled her white double saber with both hands on the handle and charged. While she was a good fighter, I quickly figured out she was not used to dueling with a lightsaber. She was slow with her movements, and I easily knocked her down to the ground.
"Okay, weird," Aumanil spoke as I helped her up.
"How come?" I asked.
"How is it that I can defeat Mona Lisa with just one saber but I cannot defeat you with a double saber?"
"Take out your bo staff for one moment."
I waited until she unsheathed her bo staff.
"The saber feels heavier than the staff," Aumanil said, noticing the difference in weight.
"That's because you're not used to it," I replied. "At least not with two, and especially not with them combined. Now, would you be able to try to fight me with just one saber?"
She nodded. First, she shut off the saber before breaking it into two halves. She put one of them away and then she ignited the one, both hands on the handle.
Aumanil charged at me again, and this time, her movements were swift. I blocked every strike she made with a grin on my face. She was grinning also.
"Try to put your own flair into it!" I yelled. "Remember Mona Lisa's training! And don't forget that you can use your powers. I want to try to practice using my own, too."
We resumed battle. This time, Aumanil did some spinning, both in her saber and with her body. I did some spinning myself to counter her attacks, and we effortlessly parried each other.
"Good!" I shouted happily. "Keep going!"
"Shall I bring in my second saber?" Aumanil asked.
"No! You will be easily tired. Focus, Aumanil. Don't think. Just do. Try to knock me down."
We engaged again. After some time, I saw snow rising from the ground. Suddenly, the snow had been thrusted towards me. I shut off my lightsaber so I could use both hands to shield myself from the snow. An invisible force shield formed in front of me, but it didn't last long. Aumanil performed her ninjutsu with two spinning kicks, the second one breaking my shield. I yelled out in pain, grabbing my head. I saw Aumanil going for a third kick, but she froze in place. Instead, she put her lightsaber away and held out her hand.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Ugh," I groggily replied, still in recovery from the pain. "Yeah, I'll be okay. You're stronger than you look. Did Raphael give you weight exercises your whole life?"
Aumanil laughed.
"Yes, he has. That's why you could never get that image of me out of your head."
I laughed. I remember the day Lily had stripped down in front of me and revealed all of her muscles when we first met. I grabbed her hand and got up.
"How about this," I started to propose a plan. "I'll help you with your lightsaber techniques if you help me with my powers. I clearly have a lot of work to do."
Aumanil laughed again.
"We both have a lot to work on," she replied. "It's a deal. And maybe my parents can help you, too. Donatello was the one who helped me expand my powers. April helped me learn to use them."
"They are in New York, also. I might take you up on that. But may I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"This thing you're worried about happening to the world. What do you think it is?"
"May we step inside?" Aumanil asked.
I nodded, leading her into the house. Once we got inside, Aumanil spun around slowly, turning into Lily, who wore a purple shirt and blue jeans with white sneakers.
"Are you the only one I can trust with this?" Lily asked.
"Hmm..."
I pondered for a moment.
"Diana's very young. I don't want her worrying because we are. Karena, while she cares, might not take this easily. She might actually not believe you."
"Karena's met the Turtles in her first journey through dimensional travel. I think she started to believe everything after that."
"Maybe she can be here as guidance, then. She really got to you when we last spoke."
We walked into the kitchen. I was met with the smell of hot cocoa and I smiled. I sat down at the dining room table and waited for Lily and Karena to join me.
"So what's this about?" Karena asked.
"When I went on my vision quest all those years ago, I met my father in the spiritual realm," Lily explained.
"But your father's alive," Karena replied in confusion.
"It's hard to explain. I met my dad in his vision quest form. It's like a part of him remained there after his vision quest. Or maybe it's just me and my powers being able to bring his 17-year-old self to life somehow."
"I think I understand," I replied. "A vision quest is a big deal. I asked Leo if I could go on one when I moved here and it's a life-changing experience. A part of you is left behind while you return with a new trait, a new hope."
"No wonder you seemed more confident!" Karena exclaimed, playfully slapping him on the shoulder.
"What did my uncle tell you to be?" Lily asked.
"He told me to be brave like the lion," I answered with a complexed expression. "I didn't understand it at first but then I saw a vision of the lion. The weird thing is, this lion reminded me of Aslan from Narnia. Then I realized why I needed this vision quest. I realized that I was actually scared of the future and I needed to be brave and face it. So, I don't worry about my future anymore because I'm living it right now. Every second is a second of the future."
"Dang!" Karena and Lily exclaimed at the same time.
"That's wise," Karena said in awe. "Now, what were we talking about?"
"Lily's vision," I answered.
"So my dad on the mountain told me that something horrible would happen and the world would be in my hands," Lily continued to explain. "At first, I was scared that it was going to be the mutant apocalypse that was shown in Karena's dimension. And..."
She let out a sigh.
"You two are the first people I have ever told this to. But I get dreams every week. And it's the same dream. I'm hunting down Don Vizioso because he somehow found a way to build a mutagen bomb and I was trying to stop it. But he found me first and shot me in the head. I died. And then I wake up in my bedroom next to James."
"You haven't told anyone else about this?" I asked with a concerned expression.
"No."
"I think you need to see your dad as soon as we wrap up here," Karena advised her. "Your mom, too."
"This could be a vision," I suggested, cupping my chin with my right hand. "Which means it very well could happen. Did your dream tell you when this would happen?"
"No. I felt the same in my dream. Like, this could be in the near future."
"Well, Don Vizioso is still very much alive," I replied. "He's in prison now for being a part of your kidnapping. One thing is bugging me though. He clearly has weapons in his home. Why weren't they the anti-mutant weapons he had thirty years ago?"
"Hey, you're right!" Lily exclaimed, remembering what had happened in October. "If he had those weapons, I would have been down because I'm a mutant. They must have been confiscated when my dad turned him in. Do you think it's possible that Vizioso can replicate the technology to eliminate me and my family somehow?"
"Absolutely. While the world has been better the past decade, the black market is as huge a place as ever."
"And did they escape from prison?"
"No, they were released, as you discovered. But now they're right back in it. I'd say the chances of your dream happening in real life are slim."
"Slim?" Karena and Lily asked at the same time.
"You mean there is a possibility of him escaping or being released?" Karena asked.
"Yes. After all, the Magician broke out and planned Lily's kidnapping on Vizioso's behalf."
I paused, giving them a grim look.
"This is the Italian mafia we're talking about," I whispered. "I'm sure they have someone who knows a lot about lockpicking, especially now. As great as our technology is, it is not invulnerable."
Lily shook her head.
"There's always a flaw with technology," she quietly said. "And these men are smart. I'm sure they will find a way to finally rid of me and my kind."
"Lilianna, I promise you that it will not happen," I firmly replied. "If they want to destroy you, they'll have to do it over my dead body."
"And that goes for me, too," Karena spoke up. "You've been there for us. And we're going to be there for you."
Lily smiled and held our hands.
"Thank you, both. It is truly an honor to have such friends as you."
New York City, New York, USA
DONATELLO'S POV
"So, what do you think?"
Lily sat with me and April in my lab, processing her recent dream to us. When she finished, I glanced over at my wife.
"What do you think, A?" I asked. "Is this something to worry about?"
"D, if this was just a one-time dream, then I'd say no," April answered. "But this is the fourth time she's had this dream. And that means it is definitely a vision. But is the vision real? Or is it dreamlike?"
"That's what worries me," Lily replied. "What if I have this dream, this vision, again next week? What happens then?"
"They say the more you have a vision, the more this vision reveals," April explained. "But all we have to go on is Don Vizioso making a mutagen bomb and then killing you. This isn't enough for me to worry yet."
"I agree," I replied. "I know Don Vizioso. He's not smart enough to obtain that much knowledge to make a mutagen bomb. To make a mutagen bomb, a scientist would have to be as smart as the Kraang were to make it."
"Wilbur and I examined all the files in the Italian mafia," Lily explained. "And there was mention of a Dr. Farrell. Would he have any knowledge in this?"
"No. Dr. Farrell was Vizioso's go-to for live dissection when Mondo and I were captured. And besides, he's probably dead now."
For the first time in her life, Lily looked stumped.
"So why did I have this dream four times?" she asked. "Are we making too much of this?"
"That's possible," April answered. "But it's not something to take lightly either. There's just not enough evidence in your dreams to consider this a possible reality."
"So why worry?" I asked with a grin. "You have your own life to worry about, and you're still a newlywed! Enjoy it before the time flies and before the world really ends."
Lily smiled.
"I suppose you're right," she replied. "Though Wilbur and Karena supported me and even told me they'd sacrifice themselves first before I die."
"Keep them," April said, placing her hand on my shoulder. "Those kinds of friends are hard to come by."
We all smiled at each other for a moment.
"How's Justine doing?" Lily asked. "Did you have an appointment with her?"
"On the fifth." I answered. "She's doing really well. The baby's healthy and she's healthy. She seems a lot happier now that she's moving forward from her past."
"We've never seen Ryan so open in his entire life," April chimed in. "He's always kept to himself. But suddenly, Justine is pregnant and he's here giving hugs to family and smiling all the time. I'm actually thrilled Justine will be family one day."
April suddenly slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Mom, are you keeping a secret?" Lily teased her with a smirk.
"Shoot!" April exclaimed. "You weren't supposed to know yet."
"Well, the cat's out of the bag," I said with a shrug. "Ryan's deciding to ask Justine to marry him?"
"Yes, but he doesn't know how to plan it. He wants to propose when the school year is over."
"He works for me," I replied. "Maybe I can help."
"He does like working for you. Maybe he'll take you up on it."
"I feel like I should be responsible for some of that," Lily chimed in. "I'm the one who convinced them to try again at asking each other out."
"Lily, you love helping everyone," April replied. "And that is an awesome quality to have. But you don't have to help everyone. Because then you're pleasing everyone else but you feel drained when you try to relax."
Lily sighed.
"Mom, I can't just stop helping people. It's not me."
"But Lily, one day you are going to be burned out," I chimed in. "And when that happens, you're going to be in a sour mood and just explode in anger because you'll feel like you will explode. Don't stop helping people because it's who you are. But remember to take time for yourself too. If you're stressed, you can say, no, I am not ready to help you yet. And they'll understand that."
"Could I say that at work?" she asked.
"If you need to, then yes. And I think you know when to say that. You do take breaks, right?"
"Yes, but only for half an hour. I wish my breaks were an hour long."
"We all wish for that at one point in our lives," April replied with a frown. "Just remember that you don't have to do everything yourself, Lily. Leave it with God or ask a friend or someone in our family to help you process."
"We've all learned that at one point or the other," I said. "Except for Mikey. Mikey's always asked for help and he's never stressed."
Lily sighed.
"What I'd give to be him right now," she replied sadly. "Just to know what it's like not to worry."
"Oh, Lily..."
April and I embraced her daughter in a family hug. She leaned into my shoulder and I placed my cheek on the top of her head.
"We love you, Lily Mae. Always."
February 14, 2046 - Todayland, North Montana, USA
JUSTINE'S POV
"I don't look ugly, do I?"
"Heavens, no!" Athena exclaimed with a look of horror on her face. "Why would you think that?"
"Because I'm almost thirty weeks pregnant and I look like a basketball!" I cried, observing myself in my long-sleeved red dress.
Athena placed her hands on my shoulders and moved her face right next to mine.
"Justine, you're beautiful! Ryan loves you! We all love you, even when you get up in the middle of the night to go pee."
I laughed. Athena went back to doing my hair. I glanced down at my huge belly and rubbed it lightly. I felt a kick in reply and I smiled.
But then I frowned. This was not the way I imagined my life would go. If God had planned for me to become a mom later in life, my father would still be in my life. Even though today was Valentine's Day, my birthday, I still felt very much alone. I suddenly started crying.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Athena tried to soothe me. "You're okay. Everything's going to be fine. You'll see! Now what's wrong?"
I sniffed.
"I wish I hadn't disowned my dad," I explained. "Sure, I disagree with him, but--"
"But, no," Athena sternly replied. "Your dad threw you in jail for being a sixteen-year-old girl singing in a saloon. That's not normal behavior. Neither would throwing you in jail for being an unmarried pregnant woman. This isn't the Civil War era. You were miserable when he was in your life. You have been so happy ever since you disowned him, so don't you dare have regrets or go back to what was. My family and I are thrilled to call you one of us. You're not just Ryan's girlfriend, but you're our family, even more so because you've always looked forward to learning something new in Japanese culture."
I smiled through my tears, thankful for my new family.
"Thanks, Athena. Now enough about my troubles. What are your plans for Valentine's Day?"
"Skyler's taking me out to dinner and a movie," Athena answered with a twinkle in her blue eyes. "Venus, meanwhile, is singing a little concert she prepared for the club. She's looking forward to it."
"So what's Lily doing?" I asked.
"School. She works during the day and goes to school at night."
"No date at all?" I asked with worry. "No wonder Lily's been stressed lately."
"Nah, she's gotten a little better," Athena replied. "She hates her job, but she's learned to trust God more and to let it all go when she gets home... except for homework."
"Well, I hope Lily will have some fun tonight. Maybe Venus can keep her company."
"In the classroom?"
I realized what I said and stopped thinking about it. Athena helped me finish my hair and makeup, and I was well on my way to my birthday date with Ryan at the conservatory.
Ryan himself looked well-dressed. He wore a red polo shirt over his shell and black pants over his legs. He wore a brown trench-coat over his shirt and brown shoes on his feet.
"Ryan!"
He looked up and smiled at me.
"Kijo-i!"
We greeted each other with a hug and a kiss.
"Otanjōbiomedetō," Ryan said in Japanese before translating. "Happy birthday, Justine."
"Thank you," I replied with a smile. "That may take me a while to learn. Whose birthday is next anyway?"
"Besides our baby's? Lily's. Hers is May 29th."
"Not James?"
"I think Lily mentioned he's an August baby. Well, shall we sit?"
"Yes, please!" I answered, rubbing my huge baby bump. "I've been walking and standing practically all day."
Ryan led me to our table where there was a black box just sitting there. I let out a gasp.
"Ryan, is that what I think it is?" I asked.
"No! I'm not ready to ask you yet. But while we're on the subject--"
"Good evening," our waitress interrupted my boyfriend as she came over. "My name's Vanessa and I'll be your waitress tonight. May I offer you lovebirds something to drink? Some champagne, perhaps?"
"No, thank you," I answered, rubbing my belly again. "We're expecting."
"Oh, congratulations!" Vanessa replied happily. "Just water for you, then?"
"Yes, please," I answered with a smile.
"And for you, sir?"
"Do you have Dr. Pepper?" Ryan asked.
"We do! I'll be back."
Vanessa walked away.
"Anyway, I was trying to ask you how you've dreamed of being proposed to be married," Ryan told me.
"Well, if you were thinking about proposing to me during dinner, then that is not it," I replied. "I want us to be alone, in the moment."
"Under the stars or under the roof?"
"Stars."
"City view or country view?"
"Whichever is the prettiest. You have to set the scene up, Ryan. Did your dad have trouble proposing to Karai?"
"Actually, yes. He had trouble figuring out what to say and where to say it."
"Well, the what to say part is easy. Just speak from the heart."
Ryan chuckled.
"You make it sound easy."
"So does Lily," I replied, returning the chuckle. "I've followed my heart this entire time. But perhaps the best advice I can give you is just be yourself. I'll leave the where to you."
Vanessa came back with our drinks.
"Have we decided what we want to get?" she asked us.
"I could go for a big juicy steak," I replied, rubbing my belly in contentment.
"How would you like it cooked?"
"Well done, please."
"Justine, you know that the steak will be burnt, right?" Ryan asked me.
"I'm thinking of our baby here," I gritted my teeth. "I don't want any pink in my food."
"Okay, Mom. I'll have the steak too, but medium well, please. Could we both have mashed potatoes and broccoli for our sides?"
"Of course," Vanessa replied. "Would you like something to tide you over?"
"Hmm, could I have some macaroni and cheese balls?" I asked.
"Certainly. I'll be right back with those."
Vanessa walked away.
"Well, open your gift," Ryan said happily.
I opened the black box to find a charmed necklace. There was a cowboy hat charm in the middle. There were two hearts and two daisies, one on each side of the hat.
"Ryan, this is beautiful! Did you pick this out?"
"I called your mom," Ryan explained, walking behind me and putting the necklace around my neck. "She explained what your favorite color was and your favorite flower. She also wanted me to wish you a happy birthday from her and Woody."
My smile quickly faded and I started crying again.
"Justine, are you okay? Ryan asked.
"I don't regret disowning my dad," I explained. "But it doesn't mean I don't miss him."
Ryan frowned after he returned to his seat.
"I understand. That's hard. Have you thought about reaching out?"
"Athena thinks I should not talk to my dad or go back to him. But he helped my mom birth me in the barn 22 years ago. I... want to talk to him."
"If you want to talk to him, then I think you should."
I blinked.
"Really?" I asked, tucking a piece of my blonde hair behind my ear. "You're not against it?"
"I didn't really like my dad five years ago," Ryan explained. "I wished I could disown him because he was trying too hard to be perfect. But I'm glad I didn't. Justine, your dad may not have done the right things, but I don't think it will hurt if you reached out, give each other hope that it's not the end."
I smiled.
"Thank you, Ryan. I'll be right back."
I slowly got out of my chair and made my way to the bathroom. I got out my cell phone and dialed my father.
"Justine?" I heard my dad's Western accent ring on the other line. "I'm a little surprised to hear from you."
"I'm surprised myself. I never thought I'd want to hear your voice on my birthday. But Ryan supported me calling you."
"Happy birthday, Justine. I know our relationship is strained, but it doesn't mean I love you any less. Are you still scared of me?"
"Woody, I'm single and pregnant. Of course, I'm scared. But I'm not as scared as before because Ryan's been there for me and our child all along. I just... wish you were too. Put compassion over the law for one moment so I could feel your love instead of your justice."
"Justine, listen. I've been thinking a lot about what you said in November when you disowned me. You and Donatello were right. I put justice over love and it hurt me and you. I thought I was doing the right thing as your father, but I was the sheriff instead. You needed my love. I hope you can forgive me."
"Woody, it's going to take me some time before I can forgive you and let you back in my life. But I will tell you this: my baby is not going to get in the way of my dreams. I'm staying in Todayland with Ryan. Ryan's going to help me raise our son. I'll still go to nursing school and graduate school, and I still plan on opening up that horse ranch. Ryan's going to watch our baby while I work. His plans changed because of us, because he's willing to be there for us. I hope that, someday, you'll be there, too. I don't want us to be apart for the rest of our lives. Life's about second chances, but I'm not ready to give you that yet."
"I understand. Would you like me to send you letters?"
"Right now, I don't want to hear from you because just thinking of you is making me cry. You really hurt me, Woody. I may forgive you someday, but I will never forget the way you treated me all my life."
I let out a sigh.
"Thank you for hearing me out. I have to go back to my date."
"I love you, Justine."
I shed a single tear before I hung up. I slowly walked out of the bathroom and back to my seat.
"Is everything okay?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah. We heard each other out, but I also told him I wasn't ready to hear from him yet. Woody does sound remorseful, though."
"Well, promise me you'll think this through rationally."
"I can do that. Now, is the food here?"
Ryan let out a sound of joy as Vanessa brought our food.
"Ah! Perfect timing!"
I laughed. Ryan and I started to eat our dinner to our hearts' content.
Pacific Bay, California, USA
LILIANNA'S POV
I finally got back home from night school. With a sigh of relief, I parked my flying car in the garage, gathered my things, and got out of the car and into the kitchen.
The kitchen was dark, so I ended up turning on the light.
"Hold on, Lily, turn it off."
I mentally freaked out and turned off the lights.
"Who's there?" I asked, preparing myself to fight.
"Lily, just relax. Just... come into the dining room."
I slowly walked out of the kitchen... into the candlelit dining room. I let out a gasp of awe. There were two dinner plates on the table with two glasses of wine. My husband sat in one chair with a smile on his face.
"James, did you do all this?" I asked.
"I took today off just to make your first Valentine's Day as my wife special."
My heart melted before I decided to sit down. James had made steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans with a side of fried apples. I sniffed the wine and it was a cherry wine.
"I've got dessert on the counter when we're done," James said. "But for now, shall we eat?"
"Yes, please! I'm famished!"
James and I ate our dinner with smiles on our faces. My husband did an amazing job cooking the steaks. In fact, his steaks were better than mine.
"How did you learn to cook steak?" I asked.
"I asked Uncle Leo for advice."
"Leo?"
"Yeah. I tried asking your dad but he suggested I ask Leo. It turns out, he cuts up onions and roasts them with the steaks to add flavor to them. Then he divides up the roasted onions and puts them with potatoes and some sort of vegetable. I guess Leo's learned some of his cooking skills from your dad."
"You know, it's funny. Uncle Mikey is the cook in the family. But my mom makes an amazing fried chicken dinner."
"What's your dad's specialty?" James asked.
"Meatloaf. As a scientist, he has to get the temperature and the texture just right. His meatloaf is the best of all of ours."
"And does Uncle Raph cook?"
"The only thing Uncle Raph cooks is hamburgers. I guess it comes with being a cop."
"Ryan wants to be a cop, too, right?"
"Yes. But now that he's pledged himself to Justine and the baby, his plans have changed. He and Justine are staying in Todayland so she can follow her dreams while he takes care of the baby."
"Really? Ryan's going to be a stay-at-home dad?"
"Yes, at least for the time being. I wonder if Chief McDimples needs a deputy."
"That's possible," James replied. "She might be hard to convince, though."
"I never liked her," I said with a grim look on my face. "She didn't believe that I had been kidnapped at first when Karena herself got kidnapped. Then she had the gall to tell my dad to stay on the sidelines when we told her that saving our friend was our business."
"Maybe Uncle Raph can move to Todayland and take over."
I laughed.
"Nah, he wouldn't go for that. He loves New York. He loves all the noise at night. Todayland's a little too quiet for him. In fact, he's always complained when he ends up staying anywhere but New York City. He's always talked about how he hates space, or that turtles don't belong in the forest."
James and I cracked up laughing.
"So is Raphael a baby underneath the shell?" he asked.
"Don't tell him that!" I replied, still laughing.
We finished our dinner while enjoying each other's company. James went into the kitchen and grabbed a red velvet cake.
"You really went all out!" I said with surprise.
"I'm definitely a better cook than a baker."
I laughed. I took a bite of my cake and I gave out a sound of delight.
"It's good!" I said. "Too much frosting, but the texture of the cake is perfect."
"So what's next for us, Lily?" James asked.
I pondered for a second.
"Well, Justine's gonna have her baby before she graduates college. I'm actually worried she's not going to make it to her graduation. And then I'm supposed to start my internship with the police. Thank heavens I only have three more months of this job. I already turned in my resignation."
"You hate it that much, huh?"
"Oh, yeah. At least I get paid with the internship."
"That's good, at least."
After we finished our cake, we put the leftovers in the fridge and went to bed.
April 28, 2046 - Todayland, North Montana, USA
RYAN'S POV
Justine and I walked outside to the balcony after we enjoyed our dinner. It was an absolutely gorgeous night with the stars twinkling against the night sky. But the most beautiful sight was standing next to me.
Justine Pride stood tall. She wore a long-sleeved dark blue maternity dress that only revealed the top of her belly at her empire waistline. The dress went down to her feet. Her long blonde hair was down and glowing with a dark blue headband holding it away from her face.
I finally turned towards her and held her hand. She smiled at me before turning to face me.
"Kijo-i, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me," I started to speak. "We've been through so much this last year, and I feel ready to take the next step with you. What about you?"
"I feel the same way, Ryan," Justine replied.
She caressed my cheek with one hand, and she caressed her belly with the other.
"I love you, Ryan, with all my heart," Justine continued. "Whatever this next step is, I'm ready to take it with you."
I smiled and then got down on one knee. I reached into my pocket and took out the ring my mother helped me get for my future wife. I opened the box, and Justine let out a small gasp.
"Justine Jessica Pride, I love you with all my heart and with all my soul. Will you marry me?"
"My water just broke."
I suddenly felt confused.
"That's an odd response to a marriage proposal," I said.
"Ryan!" Justine exclaimed through gritted teeth. "My water just broke. The baby's coming tonight."
"What?!" I exclaimed in panic. "Oh my gosh, what do we do?"
"Ryan, calm down! I'll call Donnie. I promised him I would if this happened."
"Okay, okay, good. We have a plan."
Justine took out her iPhone and called my uncle.
"Donnie, it's Justine," she spoke. "My water just broke and my contractions are six minutes apart."
Justine winced again, holding her phone with one hand and her belly in the other.
"Donnie, I'm having a contraction right now!"
Justine cried but then started taking breaths. She suddenly handed her phone to me.
"This is Ryan," I spoke into it.
"Ryan, it's Uncle Donnie. Listen, you need to take Justine to our exam room in Robinson Industries. She knows where it is, so she can guide you. Do not take the elevator and do not take the escalator. Only take the stairs. Justine needs to move around to help the baby ease into the birth canal. Since her water broke, the baby is at a higher risk of infection."
"Uncle Donnie, I'm just going to take her to the exam room, and then we'll go from there. We'll see you soon."
I hung up and handed the phone back to Justine.
"Uncle Donnie says you need to guide me to the exam room, but we need to use the stairs."
"Ryan, we're taking the elevator," Justine replied. "It'll be faster."
"But Uncle Donnie said—"
"I don't care what Uncle Donnie says!" Justine snapped. "Just get me to the exam room, right now!"
"Okay, okay!" I snapped back. "Can you hold on to me?"
Justine nodded and wrapped her left arm around me as I wrapped my right arm around her. We walked as fast as we could out of the restaurant and went into the elevator.
"Which floor is it?" I asked. "We're at the ninetieth floor."
"Seventy-two," Justine answered.
The elevator took forever to take us to where we needed to go. The elevator stopped at every floor where people got off and back on. Justine had a contraction every sixth floor we stopped at. By the time we got to the seventy-second floor, Justine had another contraction.
We had ended up going all the way to the ground floor before we went back up.
"We should have done what Uncle Donnie told us to do," I mumbled out loud. "And there's never any service in the elevator. He's probably worried sick about us."
"RYAN!" Justine screamed.
This contraction was painful enough to send my girlfriend to the floor. She clutched onto her belly as she gasped and breathed through the pain.
"This is going to be a long night," I mumbled.
DONATELLO'S POV
I waited in the exam room for Justine and Ryan. I glanced at my phone after I got myself ready. Justine had called me an hour ago saying her water broke.
"Where are they?" I asked impatiently. "This is no time for them to dawdle."
A pink door suddenly appeared and out came my daughter.
"Dad, I'm here," Lily said. "What's going on?"
"Justine's having the baby," I explained. "Her water broke an hour ago. I told Ryan to take her here but I haven't heard from them."
"We need to find them! I'll turn into Aumanil and see what I can do."
Lily spun around, transforming into her superheroine identity, and then she ran out of the room. I decided to stay here in case Justine and Ryan showed up.
LILIANNA'S POV
I entered the stairwell and used my telepathic powers to try to find Ryan and Justine.
"That's weird," I said out loud. "I can't sense them. They must be in an elevator."
I went back into the hall and pushed the button to the elevator. I looked up and found that the elevator was all the way on the ground floor.
"Well, that's great."
I decided to be patient and wait. But the elevator was taking its time. I became impatient and decided to fly down the stairs to where I last saw the elevator: the tenth floor.
Once I reached the tenth floor, I saw that the elevator had already left and gone up.
"Aumanil!"
I turned around to see a woman running up to me.
"How can I help you, ma'am?" I asked her.
"I just got off the elevator with a big turtle and a pregnant woman," the woman explained. "But the woman's in a lot of pain. You need to get to her."
"I aim to do that, ma'am. Thank you."
I looked to see the elevator had now gone up to the thirteenth floor. I went back into the stairwell and flew up to the seventeenth floor.
This time, I had beaten the elevator, as it was currently on the sixteenth floor. I pushed the button to the elevator, and it opened, revealing Ryan, Justine, and a few concerned citizens.
"Aumanil!" Justine exclaimed. "Thank GOD you're here!"
"I second that," Ryan chimed in.
I got into the elevator and it started going up again.
"How far apart are your contractions, Justine?" I asked.
"Five minutes. Labor's been steady all day."
"Her water's broke, also," Ryan said.
"I know," I replied. "Donatello has already told me. But Justine, I'm going to need your help. We need to get off this elevator if we are to reach Donatello in time."
"I kept telling her, we need to listen to Uncle Donnie," Ryan said.
"Okay, I get it!" Justine snapped.
"Justine, can you stand?" I asked.
"I think so."
"Ryan, can you help me?"
"Of course."
I grabbed one of Justine's arms and Ryan took the other one.
"On the count of three," I told them. "One… two…"
"Three!" the three of us yelled.
We helped Justine rise so she was standing on the floor instead of sitting. The cowgirl then winced as we approached the twentieth floor. She moaned in pain.
"Justine, I need you to breathe through the contraction, okay?" I told her. "Can you do that for me?"
Justine nodded as she started to breathe out. We had reached the twenty-first floor by the time her contraction was over.
"Ryan, keep taking this elevator to the seventy-second floor," I told him. "I'm going to fly Justine to that room."
"Be safe!"
I carried Justine in my arms and I carried her out of the elevator. I used my telekinesis to open the door to the stairwell, and then I flew as fast as I could to the seventy-second floor.
DONATELLO'S POV
I waited for another half an hour before I heard the lock somehow unlocking itself. I armed myself with my bo staff, preparing to defend myself if it was trouble.
The door opened, revealing Aumanil carrying a heavily-pregnant Justine in her arms. I blew a sigh of relief and put the staff back in its sheath.
"Thank heavens!" I exclaimed. "What happened?"
"Sorry, Donnie," Justine explained. "It's my fault. I told Ryan to take the elevator because it would be faster. By the time we got to the seventy-second floor, I had another contraction and we couldn't get off. We had to take the elevator all the way down to the ground before going back up. It felt like hours!"
"It has been one and a half hours, young lady," I sternly replied, my fists now on my hips.
"Her contractions have been five minutes apart now," Aumanil chimed in. "I suggest we get Justine comfortable."
"AH!"
Justine cried out and eventually let out a scream as she tried to breathe through her contraction.
"Aumanil, set her down on the exam table!" I yelled.
Aumanil did what I said and lied Justine down.
"Aumanil, find Ryan and get him up here!" I told her.
She left the room, leaving me alone with my patient.
"What's going to happen now?" Justine asked after her contraction ended.
"I need to check your cervix to see how far you've dilated," I explained. "At the rate this is going, you're probably fully effaced already."
"Donnie, could you maybe put me in a more comfortable position? I can't see anything but this huge bump and my back hurts!"
"Oh!" I exclaimed. "Right! Good idea."
I ran to the side of the table and raised the back half up to where Justine was almost sitting up.
"Okay, Justine, now you know what you need to do."
LILIANNA'S POV
I tried to use my telepathy to find Ryan. This time, he was easier to find. He had gotten off the elevator somewhere and resorted to taking the stairs. I back into the stairwell and found Ryan on the forty-fifth floor.
"Lily!" Ryan exclaimed, recognizing me. "I'm so happy to see you!"
"Shh! It's ten o'clock. This place might still have some people left in it."
"Who's there?"
Ryan and I froze when we heard a robotic voice.
"It's Aumanil!" I answered loudly. "There's a crisis in this building and I must tend to it."
"Very well, then. Go save the day, Aumanil."
Ryan and I blew a sigh of relief.
"Good one," Ryan whispered to me.
"Well, it's the truth. Now, do you trust me?"
I wrapped an arm around Ryan's waist.
"Yes, I do."
I smirked as Ryan wrapped his arms around me.
"Hold on!" I told him.
With Ryan holding onto me, I flew all the way up to the seventy-second floor.
"Well, now I know what flying feels like," Ryan said breathlessly. "Thanks."
"Anytime. Let's go support Justine."
We ran back out into the hall and raced into the exam room Cornelius had rented out to Justine and Donatello since September. When we entered, they looked at us with relieved smiles on their faces.
"Aumanil, thank you for bringing Ryan here so quickly," Donatello said.
"It's my pleasure."
"So what's going on?" Ryan asked.
"Justine is seven centimeters dilated," Donatello explained. "Her contractions have been steady at five minutes apart. Ryan, you and Justine will be parents in the morning."
"Is there anything I can do?" Ryan asked.
"Me too?" I asked.
We heard Justine moaning and grunting suddenly.
"Both of you, please encourage Justine to breathe through her contractions," Donatello told us. "I need to monitor her health."
"Ryan, you go," I told him. "I'll be back."
JUSTINE'S POV
I let out some breaths as my contraction ended. Childbirth was starting to get more painful as the night continued.
"Where did Aumanil go?" I asked my boyfriend.
"Probably went out to change," Ryan answered. "I believe Lily made a promise to be here for you."
I smiled.
"Speaking of promises, yes."
Ryan looked at me with a confused look.
"Yes, what?"
"Yes, I will marry you."
Ryan scoffed and laughed as if he didn't believe it.
"Really?" he asked.
"Yes, really!" I answered with a merry laugh.
With a big smile, my fiancé leaned in to kiss me, and I kissed him back.
"Kijo-i, I love you."
"I love you too, Ryan."
I felt my uterus tightening and it hurt. I grunted in pain, squeezing Ryan's hand. Instead of him trying to help me calm down, he yelled in pain. This was going to be a long night.
April 29, 2046
LILIANNA'S POV
Ryan held one of Justine's hands and I held the other as the mother-to-be pushed with all her strength at three o'clock in the morning. Thankfully, she wasn't screaming yet. Instead, Justine seemed rather calm.
"Good, Justine," Dad encouraged her. "Give me another push."
Justine pushed again until she collapsed back onto her pillow. She let out some breaths.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," Justine said in between breaths.
"You're in the final stages of labor," Dad announced happily. "You're doing amazing and your baby will be here before you know it. Now, on your next contraction, push again."
"You can do it, Justine," I encouraged her.
"I love you, Kijo-i," Ryan told her affectionately.
Justine grunted when the next contraction came and she pushed. But something was different this time than when I watched Karena give birth: Justine had gritted her teeth and sounded like she was straining.
"Justine, please relax," Dad encouraged her. "Don't strain yourself. Relax, bear down, and try again."
Justine followed my dad's instructions, but this time, she screamed in pain.
"Dad, something's not right!" I yelled over her screams.
"I agree!" Dad yelled in response. "Ryan, can you leave the room for a moment?"
"WHAT?!" Ryan and Justine yelled at the same time.
"Just trust me!" Dad yelled again. "I'll let you know what's going on."
RYAN'S POV
I paced around the hall as I continued to hear my fiancée screaming for her life. I panicked, wanting to know what was wrong and if she would survive. I blamed myself for everything. I had tempted her to make love with me all that time ago and now she's fighting for her life trying to bring a new life, our son, into the world.
The door suddenly opened and my uncle came out with a frown on his face.
"How's Justine?" I asked with worry. "Is she okay?"
"Ryan, the baby's head is too big to pass through Justine's pelvis and into the birth canal," Uncle Donnie explained. "I'm going to have to deliver the baby via C-section. But I want your permission first before I perform the surgery."
"Will Justine survive?" I asked. "Will Isamu survive?"
Uncle Donnie gave me a small, hopeful smile.
"That's a fantastic name for your son," he told me. "I think I've said it before. But yes, if I act quickly, Justine and Isamu will both be fine. But between you and me…"
Uncle Donnie's smile went away and he brought his voice down to a whisper.
"Your mother almost died in almost the same predicament. Everything was going well until your shell ended up being stuck in her pelvis."
"Uncle Donnie, my mother survived birthing me, thanks to you. If you can save her, then you can save Justine. Please, do everything you can to bring Isamu here safely and to help Justine survive."
Uncle Donnie smiled again.
"Thank you, Ryan. I will be needing Lily's assistance, so it'll just be you in the hall. I'd suggest asking someone in the family to come keep you company."
"I'll call my parents," I replied. "They'll want to know what's going on."
"Wish me luck, Ryan."
"You do not need it, Donatello."
Uncle Donnie hurried back into the room.
JUSTINE'S POV
I had never been so scared in my entire life. I felt more scared now than I was confronting Woody about my pregnancy. This time, my life was at stake, and so was my son's.
I heard the door open and Donatello came back in.
"What did Ryan say?" Lily asked.
"He said yes," he answered before turning to me. "Justine, I am going to have to perform a C-section to ensure your son arrives safely and to save your life. Lily and I will work together to put you to sleep and open your uterus to deliver your baby. By the time you wake up, your baby will be in your arms."
I let out a sigh, trusting Donatello with my life.
"It beats being scared for hours on end," I replied. "Do what you need to do."
"Alright. Lily, you know the correct dosage of chloroform needed to put a patient to sleep?"
"Yes, Dad."
I waited five minutes before Lily walked next to me with a napkin.
"Are you ready?" Lily asked.
I still felt scared, but I nodded, knowing that this was the only option. Lily placed the napkin over my mouth and my nostrils. I breathed the chloroform in, and everything eventually went black.
New York City, New York, USA
LEONARDO'S POV
I woke up to my T-Phone ringing.
"Who is it?" Karai asked sleepily.
I glanced at my T-Phone.
"It's Ryan," I answered my wife before answering my phone. "Moshi moshi."
"Father, it's Ryan. Things got really complicated in Todayland."
"My son, what happened?" I asked. "And why are you calling at three-thirty in the morning?"
"Justine went into labor during our date. But when it came time for her to push, Uncle Donnie found that the baby's stuck. He just started giving Justine a surgery to save her life and the baby's."
"Oh dear," Karai said, hearing our conversation.
"Do you need me there with you?" I asked.
"Hai, chichioya. Could both you and Mom come? Lily's helping her dad with the surgery."
"We'll be there right away," I answered.
I hung up and turned to my wife.
"I'll go get changed," Karai said, leaving the room. "Do you need me to wake anyone else?"
"No, we'll send everyone a text. Ryan needs us."
Todayland, North Montana, USA
RYAN'S POV
I had been pacing around ever since I called my parents. I felt so nervous that Justine wasn't going to survive, and I feared my son was going to die with her.
Suddenly, a portal opened up in front of me, and my parents emerged from it. I could not help but run into their arms in relief.
"I've never been so glad to see you in my whole life," I told them.
"Well, this is new," Mother replied with surprise.
"Have you heard anything yet?" Father asked.
I shook my head.
"You are no longer alone," he assured me.
"Thank you," I replied with a genuine smile.
My parents and I first stood around waiting for Uncle Donnie to finish with his surgery. Then we started pacing around.
Another half hour passed, and we heard a baby's cry. The three of us gasped. I felt my parents hugging me.
"Congratulations, Ryan," Mother said with a big smile.
Then, the door opened. We turned towards the door to see Uncle Donnie taking off his gloves and then his lab coat that was now covered in blood.
"Donatello, is Justine alright?" Mother asked.
Uncle Donnie smiled.
"Yes, both she and the baby are safe and sound," he answered.
The three of us blew a sigh of relief as Lily came out of the door.
"Ryan, Justine was asking for you," Lily, who looked disgusted, told me.
"Lilianna, are you alright?" Father asked her.
"I just need some air," she replied, running to the stairwell.
Uncle Donnie let out a sigh.
"I better go see if she's okay," he told us. "While Lily was a big help to me, this freaked her out more than we both thought."
I watched Uncle Donnie follow his daughter into the stairwell. I turned back to my parents with a smile.
"I'll let you know when you can come see your grandson," I told them.
"Take as much time as you need," Mother encouraged me.
I went into the exam room and found Justine sitting up holding our son in her arms. She fondly looked down at him.
"Kijo-i."
She looked up and she started tearing up.
"Ryan."
I walked up to her. We gazed into each other's brown eyes, and we kissed. Then our eyes fell on our son.
"He's absolutely gorgeous," Justine spoke softly.
I smiled. He had pale skin like his mother and he already had a head full of hair. We would find out later if it would be black like my mother's or blonde like his mother's. Justine loosened the blanket to reveal three fingers on his hand, just like me.
I smiled even bigger. He was perfect.
"Now I understand how my dad felt when my mother birthed me," I told her.
"Same," Justine replied, not taking her eyes off our son.
"Speaking of which, they're both here."
Justine blew a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness," she said. "I was worried you were going to be alone while I was out."
"I was for about half an hour. But what do you think? Should we introduce our son to his grandparents?"
"It's just them, right?"
"Hai."
"Then I don't see why not!"
I kissed my fiancee on the forehead and walked to the door. I opened it and stuck my head out to see my parents.
"We're ready for you," I told them.
My parents followed me into the room. Justine's eyes brightened when she saw them.
"Hi, guys!" she quietly, but excitedly greeted them.
"Hey, Justine," Father greeted her. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm in a lot of pain where Donnie cut me open and where the baby was supposed to go. But I'm so happy that this little guy is finally here."
Justine loosened up the baby's blanket a little more.
"Leonardo, Karai, we'd like you to meet your grandson," Justine introduced each other. "His name is Isamu Ichiro Pride. Would you like to hold him?"
"I would love to," Father replied.
Justine handed the baby to me, and I handed him over to my father. My father gazed fondly down at him.
"Isamu. That is a very fine name for a young man like you. You are, indeed, brave like both your parents."
I noticed my mother looking fondly at us.
"Kijo-i, you have adapted to the Japanese culture very well," Mother told her. "The only other person I know who adapted just as well is April."
"April has inspired me a lot," Justine replied. "It's all thanks to the stories Donnie told me about her. It's thanks to her that I've decided to see this pregnancy through."
"I'm sure April would be very happy to hear that," Father replied. "In fact, just looking at Isamu makes me think of Lilianna. She was born with the exact same features."
"Speaking of which, is she okay?" Justine asked, her smile going away. "I asked her if I could see Ryan and I haven't seen her since."
"Knowing Lilianna, I'm sure she's alright," Mother replied before turning to her husband. "Leo, please give me that baby."
Pacific Bay, California, USA
LILIANNA'S POV
I stood at the living room window wearing my white transparent nightgown and robe. I had a song from the Lord of the Rings movies playing in the background as I gazed out onto Ivywood Hills.
"With a sigh, you turn away with a deepening heart, no more words to say. You will find that the world has changed forever."
"Lily?"
I turned around, half-expecting my father to show up. James walked over to me, wearing his blue robe over his grey pajamas.
"Hey, honey," I greeted him with a small smile.
"Whenever you are just gazing out at that window, something's on your mind. Is everything okay?"
I let out a sigh.
"Well, I didn't get home until early this morning. I helped my dad deliver Justine's baby."
"Oh, Lily, that's wonderful. How is she doing?"
"She's doing fine," I answered, not looking at him. "She and Isamu are doing well."
"And the trees are now turning from green to gold. And the sun is now fading. I wish I could hold you closer."
"But something is on your mind," James replied with some determination. "You're thinking about something that you desire."
"No, the opposite," I answered, turning to face him. "James, it was only my dad and me in the room and I had to help him deliver Isamu via C-section."
"Oh! So if Justine is doing well, then how are you?"
I sighed again.
"James, I don't want children. First, I witness Karena's natural birth where she was in the most amount of pain possible. And now literally watching my dad cut open Justine's stomach to bring a baby into the world!"
James put his hands on my shoulders and smiled at me.
"Lily, you're beautiful. You'll still be beautiful even when you get pregnant someday."
"I don't want to be pregnant!" I snapped. "Beauty has nothing to do with it."
I grunted in anger.
"What happened to Justine tonight could happen to me. That's the risk of a mutant having a baby."
I suddenly felt like crying.
"I'm sorry. I have to go."
I ran across the living room, up the stairs, and into my bedroom. I closed the door, collapsed on the bed, took off my brown contacts, and cried. I never wanted to see what I saw this morning ever again.
Todayland, North Montana, USA
ANNA'S POV
I stirred myself awake. It was bright and sunny outside, and the rays of the sun felt warm on my face. Smiling at this hope, I sat up on the grass and felt it. I laughed at the feeling of goodness inside my fingertips.
The feeling of goodness went away and confusion came as I looked ahead. I saw structures that I had never seen before. They did not look like they were made of mountains, though they were as tall as mountains. The shapes of those structures were odd to me.
I stood up and I turned around to see a big house, and this one was made of white stone. It looked very sturdy but bright. It took me all this time to realize I was no longer home.
I found the door to the house and it was beautifully embroidered with gold against red. I walked up to it and prepared myself to knock.
"Hey!" a voice suddenly shouted to my left. "Ring my doorbell!"
"No, ring this doorbell," another voice instructed me on my right.
"What is a doorbell?" I asked, glancing at the two heads stuck in the flower pots with confusion.
"Just push that button right there," the right head told me.
I pushed the button, and trumpets sounded all around me.
"What is this place?" I asked.
The door opened. What I saw amazed me and frightened me at the same time. A huge squid had opened the door and made a noise I never heard before. Upon instinct, I drew my sword.
"What are you, creature?" I asked with my brows furrowed. "What is this place? How did I get here?"
The squid immediately shut the door. Determined, I opened the door and ran after it. I was impressed at the squid's speed as I followed it up the stairs. The squid went into another set of doors and slammed them shut. I tried opening them but the doors were locked. I tried to pull the doors open to no avail.
"You will answer me!" I yelled. "What is this place?"
"Now calm down, ma'am!" I heard another voice behind me. "Please put the sword down."
I turned around expecting to find a fellow man or elf behind me. Instead, he was a being made of gold with small arms and legs.
"What are you?" I asked with bewilderment.
"I'm C.A.R.L. I'm a computer-authorized robotic life form."
I felt confused once again. I had never heard those words before.
"What's your name?" Carl asked me with a smile.
Somehow, I knew I could trust him. I put my sword away and shook his hand, returning the smile.
"I'm Anna, daughter of Berethor."