Hi guys! Like I promised in the last chapter, I have provided you with a very exciting reception party! I made it as fun as possible, and I hope you will enjoy reading it! I have only included the beginning of the reception and Carl & Tallulah's toasts from "Pride and Justice" because I have already written Wilbur and Karena's points of view on it. The rest of the chapter is either different due to the circumstances or brand new. Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Meet the Robinsons," "TMNT," nor "Toy Story," nor do I own the All-American Rejects' "The Future Has Arrived," Mark Schultz & Ginny Owens' "Remember Me," nor Casper's "Cha Cha Slide." I only own Lilianna, Ryan, Venus, Athena, Karena, James, Randy, Lindsey, and Justine.
May 11, 2042 - Todayland, North Montana, USA
LILIANNA'S POV
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Edwards-Robinson Wedding Reception!"
We all cheered at Auntie Renet and Uncle Mikey's enthusiasm. A song started to play over the speakers while James and I waited outside the ballroom.
"Allow us to introduce you to the wedding party," Auntie Renet announced. "Our first couple are cousins: Ryan and Athena Hamato!"
Ryan and Athena walked into the ballroom ahead of me and James as the lyrics came to life.
"The future has arrived, nobody can doubt. The future is what everything's about. It's better for you, and it's better for me. It's better than what everybody thought it would be."
"Next up, James Anderson and Lily Hamato!" Uncle Mikey announced, and we made our way inside, smiling and waving at everybody. We took our places in front of the stage and watched everyone else walking in.
"The future is alive, alive as can be. Just open your eyes, it's as plain to see. Just don't be afraid, just keep going on. One step at a time and you can't go wrong."
"Randy Peterson and Lindsey Rose!" Auntie Renet announced happily.
"The future has arrived! The future has arrived today. The future's alive! The future is alive today."
"Now we have our best man and maid of honor," Uncle Mikey announced. "Twins Laszlo and Tallulah Robinson!"
"The future has arrived, nobody can know. The future is what everything's about. It's better for you, it's better for me. It's better than what everybody thought it would be."
"And now for our other best man and matron of honor," Auntie Renet announced. "April O'Neil Hamato and Carl!"
"It's time to create. Time to grow if you feel right. The world, yeah, she's changing. And life's rearranging. Don't it make you feel alive?"
"And now the moment we have all been waiting for," Uncle Mikey announced excitedly. "The reason why we are all here today!"
"The future has arrived! The future has arrived today. The future is alive! The future is alive today."
"Everyone, meet the Robinsons!" Uncle Mikey continued before Auntie Renet joined him.
"Wilbur and Karena!"
Wilbur and Karena danced their way into the ballroom with wild applause. When the chorus played twice in a sharper key signature, Wilbur and Karena had performed a small dance routine of their own as the rest of us clapped along. At the end of the song, they had walked toward us, the bridal party, they turned around, and held their hands out as to introduce us to them. The ballroom was roaring with applause.
"Now that is an entrance, ladies and gentlemen!" Uncle Mikey exclaimed with a big smile, pointing at us. "Have you two thought about Dancing With the Stars?"
Wilbur and Karen laughed as the rest of us cheered wildly. We went ahead and took our seats while the bride and groom continued to stand at their spots. James and I sat at a table with my parents as well as with Venus, her parents, and Athena. Ryan sat with his parents as well as the Pride family, Lindsey, and Randy.
"And now it is time for the bride and groom to perform their first dance as husband and wife together," Auntie Renet announced. "The song is Everything by Lighthouse."
We clapped as the song started to play. As I watched Wilbur and Karena sway into each other, the song brought me back to my high school dances. I had danced to this song in James's arms, but this song truly belonged to Wilbur and Karena. They completed each other, and I had remembered smiling every time I took a quick glance at them. Now, Karena was a teacher at Todayland High School, and Wilbur and I were college students at Todayland University. Things sure have changed since I first walked in the city of Todayland, but tonight proved that it was all for the better.
Wilbur and Karena finished their six-minute-long dance with a long, sweet kiss, and we all applauded.
"Congratulations, Wilbur and Karena," Auntie Renet announced as they sat down at their table across the stage from the DJ. "And now our host, the groom's father Cornelius Robinson, has a few words to say."
Cornelius walked up to the DJ station and picked up the microphone.
"I want to thank everyone for coming here and supporting my son Wilbur and my new daughter Karena in their marriage tonight," Cornelius spoke with gratitude. "Franny and I are very proud to be your hosts tonight and for all of our weekend festivities. We took great pride in getting everything prepared for everyone to enjoy being here. I would like to give huge thanks to the Hamato family for helping us and for being Karena's family tonight. Karena, we have welcomed you to the family the day you and Wilbur met but allow me to now officially welcome you as part of the Robinson family."
We all applauded as Cornelius set the phone back on the station.
"And now it is time for our father-daughter dance," Auntie Rent announced. "Karena's father Jonathan Edwards could not be here tonight, and my brother-in-law Donatello Hamato has graciously accepted to take his place tonight. They will be dancing to Mark Schultz and Ginny Owens' Remember Me, sung by Donatello's wife April and daughter Lilianna."
Everyone around me clapped as me and my parents stood up. My mom and I walked to the stage while my dad took Karena's hand and led her to the dance floor.
DONATELLO'S POV
The music had started when I took Karena's hand. Wilbur gave me a fond smile and had mouthed thank you. I smiled in return before leading Karena to the dance floor. I placed my right hand around her waist, and my left hand joined her right one as Karena placed her left hand on my right shoulder. Karena and I started to waltz with smiles on our faces just as April started to sing.
"Remember me in a Bible cracked and faded by the years. Remember me in a sanctuary filled with silent prayer."
"And age-to-age and heart-to-heart," April and Lily sung together in perfect harmony. "Bound by grace and peace. Child of wonder, child of God, I've remembered you."
"Remember me," April finished the chorus.
"You're a good dancer, Donnie," Karena told me. "Who taught you?"
"Believe it or not, it was April," I answered, still sharing my gap-toothed smile. "It was the night of her senior prom and I kept my promise to visit her at her apartment every night. And tonight, l'm dancing with you. You're a good dancer yourself."
"Remember me when the color of our sunset fills the sky," April sang. "Remember me when you pray and tears of joy fall from your eyes."
April and Lily sang the chorus again as Karena and I continued to waltz.
"My dad taught me to dance," Karena explained. "It was one of the few fond memories I have of him. I wish he was here tonight."
For a moment, Karena's smile disappeared. As she gazed into my amber eyes with her green ones, her smile returned.
"I've probably said this over and over again, but thank you, Donnie, for walking me down the aisle and dancing with me tonight."
"It's my pleasure, Karena. But I should be the one thanking you."
Karena gave me a confused look.
"The day you met Wilbur changed all of our lives for the better," I explained. "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have married April and had a baby girl with her. I wouldn't have seen you and Wilbur again. Me and my brothers would still be living in the sewers with no hope that we'd ever be accepted into society. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Karena Robinson. I'm proud to dance with the girl who changed our lives for the better."
"Remember me when the children leave their Sunday school with smiles," April sang, and I felt a big smile on her face. "Remember me..."
"When they're old enough to teach," April and Lily sang together. "Old enough to preach, old enough to lead! And age-to-age and heart-to-heart, bound by grace and peace. Child of wonder, child of God, l've remembered you."
"Remember me," April sang.
"Age-to-age and heart-to-heart," Lily sang alone. "Child of wonder, child of God."
"Remember me."
"Age-to-age and heart-to-heart. Child of wonder, child of God."
Karena and I gave each other the sweetest embrace possible and held it for a few moments as the entire ballroom applauded around us.
APRIL'S POV
"Thank you, Donnie and Karena," Mikey announced as my husband and the bride took their seats. "And now it's Wilbur's turn to dance with his mother Franny. They'll be dancing to Glenn Miller's Moonlight Serenade, performed by Franny's frog band."
We applauded as Wilbur and Franny met each other on the dance floor. The frog band, seated at the stage, started their rendition of the Moonlight Serenade, a smooth jazzy tune. Donnie put his arm around me as Wilbur and Franny swayed to the jazz music.
"I remember Wilbur telling me his favorite genre of music was jazz," my husband whispered in my ear.
"Now I see who he gets it from," I replied in a whisper. "You and Lily were absolutely amazing up there."
"So were you and Karena! You were both naturals. And it looks like Wilbur and Franny are, too."
What are you two whispering about?" Lily asked with a gleam in her brown contact lenses.
"Just how amazing Wilbur and Franny are dancing together," I answered our daughter, returning the smile.
"Just imagine, Lily," James chimed in. "It's going to be us up there someday."
"No!" Donnie exclaimed quietly. "Do not go thinking about that yet!"
I giggled.
"I'm with your father on this one, Lily," I told her. "Just get through college first."
Not before long, Wilbur and Franny finished their dance, and we applauded.
"And here comes our favorite part of the night," Mikey announced. "Food!"
"That's right, Mikey," Renet replied in the microphone. "We are going to have the bride and groom grab their plates first and we will release you by table. The entire dinner menu has been made by brothers Art and Gaston Frammagucci, so be sure to thank them while you're grabbing something delicious."
It only took us five minutes to wait to get our dinner. All three of us grabbed a helping of spaghetti and meatballs with chicken and gnocchi soup and breadsticks.
"This is the best spaghetti I've ever tasted!" Donnie said enthusiastically.
"I really love the soup," I chimed in. "The tenderness of the chicken and the white sauce that's in it. Mmm!"
"I see you got the chicken fettucine, Raph," Donnie told his brother.
"We all did," Mona Lisa replied. "Everything here is delicious."
"And Venus, the flowers and decorations are wonderful!" Raph told his daughter with a proud smile. "Especially the vases. They blend in quite well with everything."
"The vases weren't mine, Father," Venus replied with confusion in her voice. "Someone replaced my glass ones with these."
"Wait, seriously?" Lily asked with surprise in her voice. "Then who made the vases?"
I watched my husband swallow his spaghetti before he answered.
"A man from Oklahoma named Woody. Lily, do you remember Bo Pride, the doctor I interviewed some time ago?"
Lily nodded.
"Woody's her husband. Wilbur invited the Pride family here, and they have a daughter together."
"So Woody made the vases?" I asked, and my husband nodded. "The craftsmanship on these is remarkable. And there isn't a single leak from them."
"I wonder what kind of wood was used to make them," Raph chimed in.
We all talked and enjoyed our dinner. Suddenly, we heard the clinking of a glass. We turned to see Carl at the DJ station holding the microphone.
"Before I make my toast, I want to enlighten everyone with a story," Carl said with a smile. "Five years ago, before Wilbur met Karena, my little buddy went on a mission to break into his dad's time lab and to take one of the time machines Cornelius had invented to travel to the past to fix his mistakes. I remember him asking me, is there anything Wilbur Robinson can't do? And how did I answer? I told him all of the small things he didn't do when he was home, such as cleaning his room, being on time, telling the truth, and putting his clothes away, among other things."
We laughed as Wilbur sunk into his seat, clearly embarrassed.
"But I digress," Carl continued. "As Wilbur would say, it's time to get serious. I have known him his whole life from the day he was born. Cornelius has invented me to be his companion and to help around the house. But when he told me that I had to take care of Wilbur one day, I was speechless. Wilbur had gotten into everything!"
Carl smiled.
"Wilbur wanted to be his own person, but he confided in me not just as a protector, but also as his best friend. Before we met Karena, Wilbur wanted adventure, calling himself Captain Time Travel while doing so."
We laughed again, but this time, Wilbur sat up.
"He made one of the biggest mistakes of his life the same day Karena came into the picture. Wilbur had told me that Karena helped him fix his mistake, and because of Karena, he has become one of the most honest men I have ever known. I cannot believe I'm about to say this, but my little buddy has grown up and got married. Karena, take care of my little buddy, okay?"
We applauded and cheered as Carl set the microphone back on the station. Tallulah and Laszlo both got up and walked to the DJ station.
"The first time I met Karena, she was a mess," Tallulah spoke. "And I mean, a total mess. She had ripped jeans, a ripped sweatshirt, and her hair was messed up."
"Right," Donnie whispered to me. "We had fought in Helm's Deep before coming here in the past."
"That is, until Franny and I fixed her up to become the most gorgeous woman in the house," Tallulah continued. "As some of you know, I make the clothes in town, and I also made all of our gowns, including Karena's wedding dress."
We all applauded.
"Yes, yes, thank you. Anyway, when I saw Karena trying on one of my dresses for the first time, I just knew right then and there that we were destined to be the best of friends. And that instinct became more convincing when Karena ended up moving here to be with Wilbur. When they started dating four years ago, I thought to myself, those two are going to marry someday. I just knew it."
"We saw a change in our cousin when he met Karena," Laszlo continued. "Karena changed Wilbur into a humble man while he changed her into a more confident woman. I remember Karena coming up to me as I painted the walls of my bedroom and she asked if she could draw with me. Both my portraits and her watercolor paints are hanging at the house and here at Robinson Industries. I will forever have an art partner in life because of you, Karena."
"Karena, I have always remembered those times you stopped in my shop just to talk," Tallulah continued. "And all those times you stopped by to ask me to make you a dress for something special. I am so very excited we'll see each other every single day for the rest of our lives, and I am even more excited to finally call you more than my best friend. You are my cousin."
"To Karena and Wilbur, the best cousins we could ask for!" Laszlo cheered.
We echoed his cheers as Laszlo and Tallula returned to their seats. It was Lily's turn to walk up to the stage.
"Lily's doing a toast?" Donnie whispered.
"She wanted to practice for graduation," I explained. "So I told her to do a toast. And besides, she's one of Wilbur's best friends."
"I, too, would like to give a toast to Wilbur and Karena," Lily started, carrying a small frown on her face. "My coming here to Todayland was not planned. I was a victim of kidnapping. I escaped and tried to find my way to New York only to end up here. Wilbur and Karena were the first friends I made here and they immediately treated me like I was part of the family. I will forever be thankful for the way they took care of me and helped me reunite with my family back in New York. They have also helped me become my own person, and they helped me learn that I can overcome so many things if I put my mind to it. Wilbur and Karena are one of the best couples I know, and I have no doubt they will be amazing parents in the future."
I heard a couple sniffs, which meant my daughter was crying, but she was smiling through her tears.
"To Wilbur and Karena," Lily yelled joyfully, raising her glass of a mocktail. "May your days of marriage be blessed."
We cheered again, and it was my turn. Lily ended up giving the microphone to me before she returned to her seat.
"My story with Karena is very unique. I was actually sixteen when I met her, and she was eighteen. Karena was born in the 1990s in a different dimension, and she accidentally stumbled into our world. Karena and I became fast friends when she told me of her mother's death. My mom had died also, as we would learn later. We became sisters and started healing together. When Karena moved here to Todayland, I thought we would never see her again. And then my daughter got kidnapped, somehow ended up here in Todayland, and Karena and Wilbur took care of her like she was their sister. I am older than Karena now, but I still see Karena as the sister from another family because she helped me move forward from my mother's death. I am so honored to have been Karena's matron of honor today because I know Karena will make a terrific wife for Wilbur. Karena, I promise to continue guiding you in your adventure. Marriage isn't easy, but after being married to my husband for almost the past 25 years, marriage is a path worth exploring."
I heard applause and cheers.
"Here's to Karena, Wilbur, and the start of their marriage. Like Lily said before, may God bless your marriage."
I set the microphone down before returning to my seat.
"Thank you to Carl, Laszlo, April, Tallulah, and Lily for your amazing toasts," Renet announced. "Guess what time it is, Mikey?"
"Time for CAKE!" Mikey answered as if he was still a teenager. "Wilbur, Karena, it's your turn in this show. Go cut the cake!"
An instrumental track played, and it did not take Wilbur and Karena long to cut the cake, which looked absolutely beautiful! It was a three-tiered cake, simply covered in white frosting with white roses and green leaves on the top. I thought the flowers were real at first. But then Wilbur cut into the rose!
"I wonder if this is Venus' work," I whispered into my husband's ear.
"Venus, did you do the flowers on the cake?" Donnie asked our niece.
"I wish," Venus answered. "But I did give Lucille pictures of the bouquets. Lucille must have made them herself. She's incredibly gifted at food art."
We watched Wilbur and Karena exchange their bites of cake with each other, and we all clapped.
"And now, we have a very special guest who is going to instruct you on what to do next," Mikey announced. "Everyone, meet our artist behind Shinigami's photography, Casey Jones!"
We simply clapped.
"Thanks, Mikey," Casey spoke into the microphone. "Shinigami, our amazing photographer, came up with a wicked idea to get you all dancing on the floor. We need everyone to gather in the middle of the ballroom with the bride and groom in front, facing the stage."
All of us stood up at the same time and gathered on the dance floor, all mushed together. I was happy to be squeezing next to my husband and behind Lily and Athena.
"Now, everyone look up!" Casey said into the microphone. "And now, smile!"
We all smiled as Shinigami snapped the photo.
"Now, let's put our hands up and make some noise!"
We cheered, raising our hands to the ceiling, and Shinigami snapped another photo.
"Mikey, put on the Cha-Cha Slide!" Casey yelled, pointing at him.
"What's the Cha-Cha Slide?" Donnie asked loudly.
"Oh my gosh!" Lily and I exclaimed at the same time.
"Dad, how do you not know about the Cha-Cha Slide?" Lily asked in bewilderment.
"In Donnie's defense, Raph and I don't know it either," Leo yelled over the music.
"Just pay attention and follow along!" Lily yelled in reply.
"Everybody clap your hands!"
We clapped right on the beat, following along with the rapper.
"This is easy!" Donnie exclaimed with surprise.
"All right now we goin' to the basic step. To the left."
We stepped to the left, and then we took a step back.
"One hop this time!"
We jumped once.
"Right foot, let's stomp. Left foot, let's stomp. Cha cha, real smooth."
"What?" Donnie asked in bewilderment.
"Turn your body to the left and shake it as you go!" Lily explained.
"I don't know what I'm doing!"
As I turned to my left, I watched my husband. He was dancing quite stiffly like Metalhead.
"Donnie, relax!" I shouted as we stepped to our left.
"Take it back now, y'all. One hop this time! Right foot, let's stomp. Left foot, let's stomp. Cha sha now, y'all."
"April, am I doing this right?" Donnie asked loudly.
"Donnie, you're marching, not dancing!" I yelled. "Shake your arms and legs out!"
I watched my husband waving his arms out and stepping his legs out and in. This time, he looked like he was flowing with the dance moves.
"Now you've got it!" I yelled happily.
"To the right now. To the left. Take it back now, wall One hop this time. One hop this time. Right foot, two stomps. Left foot, two stomps. Slide to the left. Slide to the right. Criss-cross! Criss-cross! Cha cha, real smooth."
We danced again, turning to our left. Now Donnie, who did the moves correctly this time, was on my right with Athena and Lily behind me.
"To the left. Take it back now, y'all. Two hops this time. Two hops this time. Right foot, two stomps. Left foot, two stomps. Hands on your knees."
"April, what am I doing wrong now?" Donnie asked.
I glanced at him as I criss-crossed my hands like I was in the 1920s. Donnie simply had his hands on his knees, bouncing to the beat.
"Cross your hands over each other on your knees and also spread your knees out. Like this."
I continued to dance like a flapper and Donnie eventually mimicked my moves perfectly.
"Come on, cha cha now."
"Oh goodness!" Donnie exclaimed. "At least I got it now."
We turned our bodies to the left, and now I was in front of Donnie and Lily was on my left.
"Just watch me if you get confused, D!" I yelled.
"To the left. Take it back now, y'all. Five hops this time! Right foot, let's stomp. Left foot, let's stomp. Right foot again. Left foot again. Right foot, let's stomp. Left foot, let's stomp. Freeze! Everybody clap your hands!"
We clapped our hands repeatedly with smiles on our faces. I had turned around to even see a smile on Donnie's face. He had felt more relaxed because he wasn't guessing the moves with his body.
"What do you think, Lily?" I asked my daughter. "Do you think your dad's got the hang of it?"
"If I was grading him, I'd pass him," Lily answered. "He's got a long way to go in the dancing world, though."
We laughed before moving on.
"Check it out, y'all. How low can you go? Can you go down low, all the way to the floor?"
There were only a handful of us left at this point: the Hamato Clan, Franny, Wilbur, and the Pride family. Everyone eise had given up and stood off to the side. The rest of us were crouched down all the way to the floor.
"How low can you go? Can you bring it to the top? Like you never, never stop? Can you bring it to the top?"
"At least this I can follow," Donnie velled over the music.
"One hop. Right foot now. Left foot now, y'all. Cha cha, real smooth."
"Follow my lead, D!" I yelled.
I waved my arms around, I stepped in and out with my legs, and I was shaking my hips, all while turning my body to the left, facing the stage once again. Donnie was now on my left.
"Dang, April!" Donnie exclaimed happily. "You're turning me on!"
I had married this Turtle almost 25 years ago and he still made me blush.
"To the left. Take it back now, y'all. One hop this time. One hop this time. Reverse, reverse!"
"What?" Donnie yelled.
I hopped, turning my body to my left 180 degrees, and I hopped again, facing forward.
"Slide to the left. Slide to the right. Reverse, reverse!"
I repeated this and this time, Donnie followed along.
"Reverse, reverse! Cha cha, now, y'all."
We turned our bodies to the left to where I was now behind Donnie.
"Cha cha again."
Now Donnie was on my right.
"Cha cha now, y'all."
I was now in front of my husband.
"Cha cha again."
"Are we done cha-cha-ing now?" Donnie asked loudly as we returned to facing the stage.
"I'm done!" Raph yelled.
Raph, Mona Lisa, Leo, and Renet had retreated.
"To the left. Take it back now, y'all. Two hops, two hops! Two hops, two hops! Right foot, let's stomp. Left foot, let's stomp. Charlie Brown, hop it out now. Slide to the right. Slide to the left. Take it back now, y'all. Cha cha now, y'all."
"Nope, I'm out," Venus yelled.
"Even I'm getting tired," Ryan yelled back.
"That makes four of us, partner," Woody Pride replied.
Venus and Ryan retreated with Woody and Bo Peep. The rest of us turned our bodies to the left. I was back behind Donnie.
"To the left. Take it back now, y'all. Three hops this time! Right foot now. Left foot now, y'all. Cha cha now."
As we turned to the left, I looked around. Only myself, Donnie, Lily, Athena, Karai, Franny, Wilbur, and a young girl with braided blonde hair had remained. Donnie was now on my right.
"I'm proud of you, D!" I yelled. "You've persevered!"
"Here we go, to the right. To the right, y'all. To the left, take it back now, y'all. Four hops this time! Right foot now. Left foot now. Cha cha now, y'all."
We turned again, and I was now in front of Donnie.
"Cha cha, again."
"April, I'm done!" Donnie yelled. "I'm getting tired."
"Me too, Uncle Donnie," Athena replied.
"Me, three," Wilbur spoke up.
"Cha cha, again."
At this point, Lily was on my right. Had Donnie remained, I would have been behind him.
"Take it back now, y'all. Right foot, let's stomp. Left foot, let's stomp. Six hops this time! Right foot, let's stomp. Left foot, let's stomp. Right foot, two stomps. Left foot, two stomps. Criss-cross! Slide to the left. Slide to the right. Let me hear you clap your hands."
The five of us clapped our hands.
"Cha cha now."
"I'm cha-cha-ed out!" Karai yelled.
"I think that makes two of us, Karai," Franny replied.
"Cha cha again."
I was facing the right of the stage. Donnie would have been behind me if he stayed. Now it was only me, Lily, and the blonde-haired girl.
"To the left. Take it back now, y'all. Two hops, two hops! Two hops, two hops! Right foot, two stomps. Left foot, two stomps. Hands on your knees, hands on your knees! Oh, yeah, get funky with it. Get down now, y'all."
The three of us crouched down to the floor.
"Come on, come on, cha cha now!"
The three of us quickly shot up and did the cha-cha one more time, ending up facing the front of the stage. Mikey ended the song and everyone cheered.
"Wow! Young girl next to Lily, what is your name?"
"Justine!" the girl answered loudly.
"Congratulations to April, Lily, and Justine for completing the Cha-Cha Slide!" Mikey announced.
"May I get a picture?" Shinigami asked.
"Sure!" I answered.
The three of us got up on the stage by the sweetheart table and got our picture taken. Mikey then started a playlist of dance songs, and everyone else either mingled or got back onto the dance floor and danced.
"I love your hair, um..."
Justine hesitated.
"How do you pronounce your name again?"
"Shinigami," the black-haired woman answered. "Arigato-mas. Have fun tonight, girls!"
Shinigami walked away to take pictures of everyone dancing.
"What did she say?" Justine asked with a confused look on her face.
"That's thank you very much in Japanese," Lily answered with a smile. "Shinigami was originally from Japan and just settled in New York with my aunt Karai. My grandfather was originally from Japan too, so we all have some Japanese in us. I mean, except for my mother, Auntie Mona, and Auntie Renet."
"Whoa, please slow down," Justine replied, looking overwhelmed.
"Please forgive us," I said with a smile, holding out my hand. "I'm April Hamato, and this is my daughter Lily."
"I'm Justine Pride."
Justine shook my hand with a firm smile.
"Hamato... are you related to Donatello Hamato?"
"We're his wife and daughter," I answered enthusiastically. "How have you heard of Donnie?"
"Wait a minute, you are married to a mutant turtle?" Justine asked me with skepticism in her brown eyes, and then she turned to Lily. "And you are his daughter. How is that possible?"
"Well, I can show you my hands," Lily answered.
Lily held up her three-fingered hands. Justine stifled a scream, but she took a few breaths to calm down. I laughed gently.
"It's okay," I assured her. "When I first met Donnie, I freaked out, too. He ended up saving my life, and he's done that so many times."
"So, Lily, you're not at all worried about what people think of you?" Justine asked.
"Says the country girl," Lily retorted back. "I used to worry about it a lot. But I was accepted among my friends here in Todayland. I've been blessed."
"All mutants have been recognized as living beings in society," I explained. "Cornelius was a big supporter of Donnie and his brothers and everyone else who had become mutants because of the Kraang. He had such compassion that he helped pass a bill benefiting the mutants."
"You just wait until you hear of my family history," Justine replied. "My parents were created as toy figurines. My dad was made in the 1950s and my mom in the 1990s. Karena was the main factor in my parents and all their friends turning human."
"Wait, seriously?" I asked with surprise in my voice.
"I do remember Dad talking about it some after he tested your mom," Lily pondered aloud. "But all of Woody's friends turning human? It would definitely explain why the town of Elkhorn only existed for a short time."
"It's actually not on the map," Justine replied. "We're south of Tulsa and north of McAlester. We're too small a town to be worthy of a map. But that's how my dad prefers it. He wants us to stay hidden."
Lily and I frowned.
"I understand where he's coming from," I said. "My husband and his brothers were hidden in the sewers for fifteen years with their father, a humanoid rat. Splinter was afraid humanity wouldn't accept them because of their looks."
It was Justine's turn to frown.
"I can't imagine hiding from anything for fifteen whole years. So how did you fit into the picture, April?"
"Well, like I said before, Donnie saved my life on more than one occasion and I was their doorway to the outside world. I am not their only human friend, however. I made a friend named Casey who became friends with Raph right away. Then there's Karai, who eventually discovered who she really was and took back the Hamato name through marriage. We've also met Shinigami and Renet, who is Mikey's wife. Cornelius also became a good friend shortly after I married Donnie, and he's the one who helped make mutants legal. Who was your window to the outside world, Justine?"
"My aunt Jessie. She runs the mercantile store and I actually started a newspaper in Elkhorn. I was the reporter, so I often went with Aunt Jessie to McAlester for supplies and news."
"You started a newspaper?" Lily asked in astonishment. "That is an incredible accomplishment! What do you dream of doing in your future?"
"I got accepted into Todayland University, so I'll be moving here in the fall to start taking classes. I want to be a veterinarian someday."
"You love animals?" I asked with a smile.
"Yes, very much. I was raised on a farm, so I helped my family take care of the horses and chickens and sheep. I have a cat back home named Chloe. She is the sweetest thing!"
"Alright, single ladies!" Renet suddenly announced in the microphone. "Please gather on the dance floor to catch the bouquet!"
I watched Justine and Lily walk to the middle of the ballroom while I walked towards my husband. A familiar song started to play: Jennifer Knapp's Into You.
"Hey, beautiful," Donnie flirtatiously greeted me with his gap-toothed grin.
"Hello, handsome," I replied, returning the flirt and messing with my bangs.
"Where did you end up going?"
"Nowhere. Lily and I stayed and talked with Woody and Bo's daughter. She's... a very interesting character."
Donnie and I turned toward the dance floor and then glanced towards Karena, who was facing us. She threw her bouquet behind her. We watched the bouquet sailing in the air until it fell into Lily's hands. Our daughter had a shocked look on her face as everyone applauded her. Karena jumped up and down with joy as she walked toward her. Karena and Lily shared a hug and then had their picture taken together.
Mikey then transitioned into another song. Donnie gave me a saddened glance.
"I have a feeling that by interesting, you mean she had just as good a childhood as I did. Is she okay?"
"I hope so. Elkhorn isn't on any map, Donnie, and she said Woody prefers it that way. Lily doesn't trust her."
"Lily doesn't trust her? Are you sure?"
"Justine had said something that put Lily off. Or maybe it was Justine's attitude. She sounded like she had something to prove."
Donnie hung his head.
"I was hoping they would hit it off. Justine and Lily seemed to have a lot in common. But maybe I'm wrong."
"Don't say that, D," I assured him, caressing his left cheek. "You always believed in the best of people. Maybe Justine will surprise us."
"But we also promised to listen to our daughter. I'm going to talk to Lily."
I watched Donnie walk around the ballroom to find our daughter.
"Good luck, D."
LILIANNA'S POV
I returned to my table to put Karena's bouquet on my chair. I smiled, surprised but happy that I caught the bouquet.
"Hey, Lily."
I turned to see not my boyfriend but my dad standing next to me.
"Hey, Dad. Are you enjoying yourself?"
My dad smiled.
"Yes, I am. Thank you for asking. May we talk?"
"Sure, but let's get out of the room. It's too loud."
I led my dad out of the ballroom and onto the stairs. We sat down.
"What did you what to talk about?" I asked.
"Mom told me you two were getting to know the sheriff's daughter Justine. She also told me you don't trust her."
I was surprised but at the same time, I wasn't. My mom had psychic powers too.
"I hate talking negatively about people, Dad, but something about Justine threw me off. She doubted Mom, for one, when we revealed we were your wife and daughter. When I showed her my hands, she asked me if I ever worried about the way I looked. And I had a feeling she was raised on a farm, so why would she even ask that? Oh, and she bragged that her parents were once toys and that Karena made them human somehow."
I grunted loudly.
"I just seriously hate her attitude!"
"Lily, you just met her tonight," Dad tried to assure me. "First impressions aren't everything. I mean, look at you and Wilbur. His first impression of you was your sexiness, and you didn't trust him either. But look at you two now. You're best friends! Who is to say that Justine won't be a friend someday?"
Dad let out a sigh.
"And Lily, Justine is moving to Todayland from a very small town in Oklahoma. She'll probably be homesick, just like you were when you first arrived. Is that correct?"
"All I wanted to do was go home, Dad, but somehow I don't think that's Justine's motives for moving here. If she didn't want to leave, she could have found a job in Elkhorn, doing her newspaper."
Dad pondered this for a few moments.
"That... is actually an excellent point. She could be nervous. Nervous about moving here, nervous about being away from home. Most negative emotions can change the way a person thinks. Justine did seem to enjoy herself by finishing the Cha Cha Slide with you and Mom."
"Or maybe it's my fault, Dad."
"Lilianna Mae, do not ever think like that."
"I may have offended her when she asked me if I was worried about how I look. I said, says the country girl. But Mom didn't reprimand me or anything."
"I think you were trying to prove a point and it came across incorrectly," Dad suggested. "I know firsthand how hard it is to take care of a farm. After all, we live in a farmhouse with a barn and chickens. But all we've had are chickens. Your great-grandfathers may have raised cows and pigs and other barn animals, maybe even horses. I think Justine asked you that assuming you were from New York City."
"So you think Justine's nervous because she's moving into a big city from such a small town?"
"So small that it's not on the map, yes. Spread the kindness around, Lily. Wilbur and Karena both treated you with kindness when you were scared and wanted to go home. You are now in Wilbur's shoes and Justine is in yours. Keep moving forward with kindness."
I smiled.
"You know, Dad, most teenagers don't like their parents very much because they're trying to prove that they are capable of everything their parents can do, legally and illegally. But I think you're just peachy-keen. I absolutely love you, Dad, so much."
"Aw, Lily."
Dad and I shared an embrace on the stairs.
"I love you too, sweetheart," Dad told me sweetly. "Shall we go back?"
"Yeah. I want to see if James can catch the garter."
Dad laughed before he helped me up. We walked back into the ballroom just as By Divine Right's Supernatural started to play.
"Single men, come on out to the dance floor for the garter toss!" Uncle Mikey announced.
Dad and I stayed in place. I chuckled.
"What's funny?" Dad asked me.
"This was the song I used to seduce Wilbur in the pool all those years ago," I explained with a grin. "I'm surprised he's using it tonight."
"He is married now. Maybe this is his way of moving on."
I watched Karena. She had a gleam in her green eyes as Wilbur removed the garter from her right leg. I could not read minds with my brown contact lenses, but I knew Wilbur had a similar gleam in his chocolate-colored eyes. Wilbur then stood up and turned around. He shot garter out of his hand like it was a slingshot. James ended up catching it! I applauded, happy for him.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Justine sitting alone at a table with her head hung down.
"Dad, I'll be back. I'm going to find Athena."
I approached our table where I found Athena and Venus gazing over Karena's bouquet in awe.
"I think this is your best project yet," Athena said enthusiastically. "You should go to college and study horticulture!"
"That's exactly what I want to do," Venus replied. "But I want to stay in New York and do that."
"Hi girls!" I chimed in. "Athena, could you help me with something?"
"Sure! What's up?"
I moved my head toward Justine at the other table.
"Maybe you could help me keep her company?" I asked.
"I'm coming with you," Venus chimed in. "I know a thing or two about loneliness."
The three of us walked over to Justine's table. I sat next to her. Venus sat on the other side of her and Athena sat next to me.
"Hey, Justine," I spoke.
Justine lifted her head and turned towards me with a surprised expression.
"Oh, hey, Lily. I wasn't expecting to see you for the rest of the night."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah! Yeah, I'm fine."
"I'm Venus," my younger cousin introduced herself. "Please forgive me for my looks, but I know loneliness when I see it. I've learned quite a bit about it myself the past year."
"And I'm Athena," my youngest cousin introduced herself. "Yes, I'm the most normal-looking girl among us. Venus and I are Lily's cousins. We want to help you."
"But why?" Justine asked. "I never asked for help."
"No, you did not," I replied. "But we'd like to help, if that's okay."
Justine hesitated, playing with her blonde braids, and then she nodded.
"How can we help?" I asked with a smile.
"Well, I feel out of place," Justine explained. "I was already intimidated enough traveling to a big city with my parents and attending someone's wedding, someone I did not know. But knowing that I'll be back in just a few months, knowing that I'll be away from my parents for a long time..."
Justine shook her head.
"Wait, who am I kidding? I applied to Todayland University to get away from my parents. I was surprised to hear I was accepted."
"Wait, so you don't want to move and you want to move at the same time?" Venus asked with a confused expression.
"Go back to that part about being away from your parents," I chimed in. "Do you have a bad relationship with them?"
"Not... exactly," Justine answered hesitantly. "I love them both, and I know they love me. I was homeschooled for fifteen years before my dad finally gave his consent for me to go to school. I only went into town twice a week: Saturdays and Sundays. And I've done a lot of things during my teenage years that would get me in trouble with my dad. You see, my dad is Woody Pride, the sheriff of Elkhorn. I, umm... sing in the saloon at times and I got caught a few times because I'm not 21."
I frowned, as did Venus and Athena.
"Justine, you could be our cousin with a story like that," Athena said.
"Athena and I have lived in the sewers our first sixteen years of life," Venus explained. "We have another cousin, Ryan, who has lived in the sewers also."
"I think I've met Ryan," Justine replied. "He's the younger mutant turtle, right? The one in the suit?"
"Yes, that's him," Athena answered.
"And I've been homeschooled the first fourteen years of my life," I explained. "My cousins and I were all taught by my dad."
"So you all were lonely, too?" Justine asked with hope in her brown eyes.
"I certainly was," I answered. "But I didn't realize just how much I was lonely until I met Wilbur in Todayland after my kidnapping."
"I remember you talking about that," Justine said with a frown. "Lily, I'm sorry you went through that. It must have been hard being away from your family like that."
"It actually turned out that being kidnapped was the best thing that happened to me," I explained. "I discovered my identity during my time at Todayland High School. I ended up being the captain of the cheerleading squad and the valedictorian of my class. But at the same time, my time in Todayland brought me closer to my parents, closer than ever. I am going to miss my mom when I move to Todayland. My dad is a professor at the university and has an office, so I'll be seeing him everyday."
"I never thought that time away from your family would be the best thing to happen," Justine replied. "I always thought it would be a burden to have your parents around."
"It sounded like they were a burden before you started going to school," Athena chimed in. "You only went into town on the weekends? What did you do during the week?"
"I was homeschooled by my mom and did chores around the ranch."
"And you had no friends whatsoever?" Venus asked with a frown.
"I had Emily, my best friend. But we only saw each other on the weekends. When I started going to school, I made more friends than I ever thought I could."
"It sounds like your dad is overprotective of you," I chimed in with a frown. "We all think that if our fathers at some point."
"Especially mine," Athena said. "Michelangelo, the DJ, is my dad, and he always hugged me close to him when I was a kid. He was so hesitant in my going on nightly patrols when I became a full-pledged kunoichi."
"A full-pledged what?" Justine asked with confusion.
"Kunoichi, a female ninja," Venus answered. "My father Raphael is a detective for New York City and he was overprotective of me too, especially after Lily's kidnapping. He was afraid her kidnapped would come after one of us too and forbade me from leaving the lair."
"My dad Donatello has shown overprotectiveness at times," I explained. "But he always thought better and gave me room to learn and grow."
"You see, that's what I want!" Justine replied. "Just given the opportunity to grow up and get out of the sheriff's shadow. But no! He's always like, you need to stay here and do your chores. Or you are forbidden to sing in the saloon. My mom's a doctor, and while she does listen, she can be stern too."
"So tell them that," I said in a stern tone. "Your parents will not know what you want until you tell them. If your parents were convinced to let you go to school, then they can be convinced to give you space too. Parents aren't right all the time, especially the authoritarian parents."
"What kind of parents did you have, Lily?"
"I have authoritative parents," I explained. "Both my parents, but especially my dad, communicate with me, supports me, asks me what I think about something--"
"So your parents always involve you?"
"Exactly that! I still got punished, but either my dad realizes he made a mistake or I end up learning something and moved on with my life."
"I'm pretty sure my parents are more permissive than authoritative," Athena replied. "But they've always told me to make good choices and to follow Ryan and Venus. I learn mostly from my history books."
"Your parents gave you the right name," Justine complimented her, smiling for the first time all night.
"Lily's actually my role model," Athena explained. "Unlike us, Lily lived in a farmhouse and was able to go outside and explore. But every time I saw the way Uncle Donnie and Aunt April loving on her, it made me wish for that sometimes. Both my parents have jobs, but they always made sure I was okay and hugged me when I needed it."
"Uncle Leonardo is our sensei," Venus explained. "So he's more of an authoritarian parent. He's strict on Ryan, but he still loves him. Mine are more authoritative like Uncle Donatello and Aunt April. My father is just a tad authoritarian, but he involves me a lot in his spare time."
"So you think my being here in Todayland can be beneficial for me and my parents?" Justine asked.
"Sometimes time is our only healer," I answered. "And time away can certainly help all three of you. And I'll be in Todayland, too, so if you need a friend, I'll be there."
"And you can trust Lily on that," Athena said with confidence. "Sure, she's got three-fingered hands, but she is the kindest, most understanding person you will ever meet."
Justine turned towards me.
"Lily, I'm sorry for judging you too quickly. It scared me when I sat with two mutant turtles - the one in the suit and the one with the blue mask. And then I danced with four more mutant turtles. And then I meet you, the girl with only three fingers in each hand. And yet, you three girls are nicer and more relatable than anyone I've ever known in Elkhorn. I hope you can forgive me"
"You've already been forgiven," I replied, showing my gap-toothed grin. "My dad helped me process what we talked about. I'm looking forward to seeing you more often."
"My dad already revealed that he's going to give me a cell phone as a graduation present. May I have your number?"
"How do you not have a cell phone?" Athena asked with a shocked voice. "Practically everyone has a cell phone nowadays, even kids!"
"Unfortunately I come from a town that is stuck in the 1860s."
"You have no technology at all?" Venus asked, also shocked at this revelation.
"No. My parents both have cell phones that Cornelius gave them, and they also have a flying car. But that's about it."
"Justine, have you met my dad?" I asked.
"Donatello, right?" Justine replied, and I nodded. "Yes. My dad and I helped him decorate this ballroom.
"My dad is the technological genius of the family and he's the head professor of the STEM department at Todayland University. He would not hesitate to help you if I asked him."
"Lily, that's not necessary--"
"Justine, if you're going to survive in a city like Todayland, then you need to have all the tools of the trade at your fingertips, and my dad and Cornelius are the perfect teachers for that."
Justine smiled and I saw tears threatening to come out of her brown eyes. She held her hands over her heart.
"Thank you so much, Lily. You know, I was going to be in my own dorm. I wonder if it's possible that we can be roommates."
"Honestly, same here. I'll actually be enrolled as a sophomore this coming fall since I took quite a few college classes during high school, but I don't see why a freshman can't be paired with a sophomore, a mentor."
"On behalf of the married couple, I want to thank each and everyone of you for supporting them tonight," Uncle Mikey announced, and we all cheered. "It is time for the final song of the night, so pair up with that special someone!"
APRIL'S POV
I smiled as I watched Justine hug Lily after Mikey made the announcement. Lily found James as Sixpence None the Richer's Kiss Me started to play. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around to see my husband gazing down at me with his kind smile.
"May I have this dance, Mrs. Hamato?" Donnie asked me.
"The pleasure is all mine, Dr. Hamato," I answered with a grin.
I took Donnie's hand and we started to sway together. While enjoying each other's company, we both turned to my right to see Wilbur and Karena dancing next to us.
"We were both wondering when we were going to say hi to you guys!" Wilbur said excitedly.
"It's been a busy night!" Donnie replied happily. "Congratulations to you both! So, what are your plans going to be for a honeymoon?"
"I have to finish the school year at the high school first," Karena answered. "And then Wilbur and I are going to Hawaii for our honeymoon."
"I'm so jealous!" I replied happily. "But I'm happy for you guys! You are going to have an amazing time in Hawaii. Are you staying in Honolulu?"
"Yes," Wilbur answered. "Karena wants to see all the historic sites of Hawaii before and after statehood, especially during World War Two. Plus, seeing the volcanos and Diamondhead would be neat!"
"Maybe April and I can sneak a week away to Hawaii while Lily's in school!" Donnie suggested.
"We'll take care of her if we need to," Karena promised. "Lily will always be an honorary member of the Robinson family because she's lived with us."
"That is so sweet of you!" I replied. "We'll definitely take you up on your offer."
"You know, April, we are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this Christmas," Donnie told me. "Maybe this is a sign."
"Donnie."
I put my finger on his mouth and smiled at him.
"Let's just dance."
I placed my head on my husband's plastron as he continued to sway me back and forth.
"This has been a wonderful evening," I told him.
"It certainly has," Donnie replied. "It makes you wonder what's next."
"Well, the next thing isn't too far off: Lily's high school graduation."
"It's that soon?" Donnie asked in alarm. "April, I forgot to get Lily a graduation gift!"
"With the wedding, it's been out of my mind, too. We still have twelve days to get her something."
We spent the last minute of our dance in each other's arms, and then we rushed outside the ballroom. We lit up sparklers and cheered as Wilbur and Karena ran out of the ballroom with big smiles on their faces. They kissed at the doorway before running past us and down the elevator. Their marriage was about to begin, and Lily's high school chapter was about to get an official closing.