I've been wanting to write this chapter and the next one for a long while. That's why I've been adding chapters so quickly the past week. I'm so excited to write the next one! Enjoy this one!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Meet the Robinsons," "TMNT," nor "Toy Story." I only own Lilianna, Ryan, Venus, Athena, Karena, Diana, James, Randy, and Lindsey.
March 17, 2045 - Todayland, North Montana, USA
LILIANNA'S POV
"James, what is going on?"
"Wait and see," my boyfriend teased me.
I continued to be led around wearing a blindfold. Thankfully, I still had my sense of smell. I could tell I was in the arboretum because it smelled a lot like pine trees. I was rather curious about this surprise James had planned for us.
Suddenly we stopped.
"May I look?" I asked with a smile.
"You may."
I took the blindfold off and I gasped at the sight before me. James had planned a picnic for the two of us, and there was a lot of food for us to eat.
"Aww, James! What is all this?"
"I wanted to share some good news with the most gorgeous woman in the whole world," James exclaimed with a smirk.
"My, aren't we being romantic today?"
I sat down. I grabbed a plate and started to take my portions. There was potato salad, some turkey and cheese sandwiches, fried apples, and sweet potato casserole. I poured myself a glass of apple cider.
"Apple cider in the spring," I spoke. "Interesting choice."
"I wanted you to be comfortable," James explained.
"Did you do all of this?" I asked.
"I had some help."
"From Wilbur?"
James chuckled at my smirk.
"Yes, Wilbur and Karena both helped. Diana is very cute."
"Isn't she?" I asked, gushing over my goddaughter.
"She's lucky to have you for a godmother. How's that going?"
"It's going pretty well. When I do my shows early, I'll show up at the Robinsons' after my second show and give Wilbur and Karena a little break. If my shows are later, then I'll stop by before. Diana is such a cutie, just like her mom. But she definitely has her dad's personality."
I chuckled.
"Maybe my dad was right. Maybe I just needed to be around a baby to prepare myself for my role."
"Maybe more than the godmother role."
I simply smiled at him.
"So, I have some good news," James explained. "I got accepted to a master's program in New York."
My smile faded away.
"Oh! That... is good news. Congratulations."
James' smile also went away.
"Oh, were you not able to make it into a school?"
I chuckled in embarrassment.
"I am so sorry, James. I should have told you sooner. I've been so busy with school and my show and Diana--"
"I understand," James replied, giving me an understanding smile. "What's your news?"
I let out a sigh, unsure of how he was going to take this news.
"The only school that has accepted me into a criminal psychology master's program is Pacific Bay University. I'll be moving to California in August."
"Oh..."
James couldn't speak after that.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
James slapped himself back to reality. It scared me for a moment.
"Yeah! Yeah. Just... peachy."
"James, what's wrong? You know you can tell me anything."
I held his hand. James smiled for a moment and then frowned again.
"I applied for universities in New York... because of you."
I gasped.
"James, you shouldn't go out of your way to accomplish something because of a woman."
"Lily, I can get my degree from anywhere. You can't, and your journey has proved that. But my dreams don't mean much... if you're not in them."
I felt tears threatening to leave my eyes. I took off my brown contacts. Then I looked into his blue eyes. I let out a gasp at what I read in his mind. Then I started crying.
"Lily, are you okay?" James asked.
"I--"
My phone suddenly rang. I took a glance and saw that the call came from Wilbur. I answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Lily. It's Wilbur. Are you okay? You sound like you're crying."
"What do you want, Wilbur?" I asked angrily.
"I was hoping we could talk at Futureburgers before my shift."
"Sure. I need a good distraction. I'll bring some food to you."
"Oh, you don't--"
I hung up.
"I have to go," I told my boyfriend. "Wilbur needs me."
"But, Lily--"
"I can't do this, James!" I yelled as I started crying again.
I started to pack two plates.
"Lily, listen--"
"You listen!" I snapped. "I don't have time to just settle. I did not move all the way to Todayland to just settle! I have dreams, James! It's not all about getting married and having children. It's about putting yourself to the test and coming out stronger than ever. It's about failure. It's about trying and trying again. It's about moving forward from your mistakes and defeats. If I just settled, married you, and had kids with you, it defeats the purpose of everything I've worked for."
"You can have both, you know!" James shouted. "The point of a marriage is us being a team. Working together. Supporting each other. I'd support your dreams like you support mine. This isn't all about you!"
I gasped, and so did he. He grew saddened as I grew angry.
"I have to go."
"Lily, I'm so--"
"DO NOT TOUCH ME!" I screamed, swatting his hand away. "Just stay away from me."
"Lily--"
"Just stop. I... I don't think we should see each other for a while."
I took the food and stormed off out of the arboretum, ignoring James calling my name.
"Thank you."
"Anytime, sweetheart," Franny replied with a half-hearted smile.
"Are you okay?" Mom asked with a frown.
"I've ruined everything!" I cried.
"No, you did not ruin everything," Dad sternly replied. "Stop being dramatic. Fights happen. You both disagreed about something. Now you two need to talk about it, forgive each other, and move forward."
"But Dad, how can we move forward if he's in New York and I'm across the country?"
"Well, right now, you're both here. You can fix things here."
"Or, if you both believe that your relationship isn't going to work, then you're going to have to find a way to end it," Mom replied.
I gave my mom a look of aghast.
"Mom, you've always been supportive of my relationship with James."
"Yes, I have. But Lily, only you and James can decide how to move forward."
"Lily, please don't make the same mistake I made," Karena chimed in, holding Diana on her lap. "I had broken things off with Wilbur before, but I didn't have the whole story."
"Karena, I'm sorry, but my story is different than yours," I replied angrily.
"Then what is your story?" Dad asked.
"James took me out to a lovely picnic at the arboretum and just when we started to eat, he revealed he was going to school in New York. He had applied to schools in New York because of me."
"Did you tell him you got accepted to Pacific Bay?" Franny asked.
"Right afterwards."
"You didn't tell him last month?" Dad asked with shock in his voice.
"No, I was busy."
"Well, now we found the problem," Mom said out loud.
"MOM!"
"April, it's not like that would have mattered," Dad replied.
I blinked. Dad took my side?
"I take it that's when things went downhill?" he asked me.
"No. Things went downhill when James revealed that he had applied to schools in New York because of me. When I took my contacts off..."
"What?" Franny asked. "What happened?"
"I read his mind. He was going to ask me to marry him."
My parents let out sighs. I started bawling again, resting my head on my arms on the table.
"Hey, Lily, shh, it's going to be okay," Dad tried to soothe me, rubbing my back.
"What do I do?" I asked the table. "I can't just give up my dreams just because of a man!"
"You're absolutely right," Mom replied. "You shouldn't."
I rose, wiped my face, and turned towards my mother in awe.
"Mom, why did you decide to marry Dad?"
"Well, there's the obvious reason: I love him. But there's more to it than just the word love, Lily. Your dad... he's always taken care of me, even when I didn't ask him to. Your dad has always listened to me. He's always challenged me. And when I told him of my dreams to be an investigative journalist, you wanna know what he did? He promised me he would get a job that would help me pay for my education. And every single time he's promised me something, he's kept that promise. And I knew that I wanted to return the love he gave me. So I said yes when he asked me to marry him. And that was the best yes I have ever committed myself to saying."
"Cornelius did the same thing with me and my frogs," Franny chimed in. "He promised to give me the finest musicians in the country and he delivered. I knew that Cornelius was going to be busy changing the world for the better, but I love him. That was never going to change. When I said yes to his marriage proposal, I promised him I would wait for him every day for when he got home, even if he was away at a conference."
"I accepted Wilbur's proposal because he always had my back," Karena explained. "He was always supportive of me... mostly because I supported him. Marriage goes both ways. Yes, like your dad said, fights happen. But you can resolve them. They don't always end a relationship. I learned that the hard way when Wilbur sacrificed himself for my life."
"So the question is, do you truly want to marry James?" Dad asked. "And why?"
I let out a sigh and wiped my eyes again.
"Yesterday, I would have answered yes," I explained. "But I don't want James to give up his dreams for me."
I sighed again.
"I do think we need a break."
"Keep in mind, Lily, that you don't have to get married right away," Mom replied. "Life is not a race. If you think it's best to live your own lives for a while, then tell him that."
"I need to apologize to Wilbur," I suddenly said. "I promised him--"
"Hey, I already texted him you were here and going through a crisis," Karena chimed in. "He was understanding. His news can wait a day."
"Wilbur had news too? Now, I really feel bad."
"Don't worry about it. He's not going anywhere yet, but I'll let him reveal it to you. It's his news to share."
"Though I need to warn you that Wilbur's been anxious all week," Franny chimed in. "His anxiety right now is through the roof."
"Oh my," I replied, biting my lip. "Then, yes, I'll see him tomorrow morning."
March 18, 2045
I finally made my way to Futureburgers to meet Wilbur.
"Hey, Lily," Wilbur greeted me with a hug. "Are you doing okay?"
"I don't know, Wilbur," I answered, taking a seat in the booth. "I'm sorry I didn't show up yesterday."
"Hey, it's okay. Karena and James told me what happened."
"Is he okay?"
"He said he felt guilty."
"Well, that makes two of us."
I slammed my fist onto the table.
"I should have told him last month that I was going to California! This is all my fault!"
"No, Lily, it isn't," Wilbur sternly replied. "James understood you were busy. You have a goddaughter now. You have a new responsibility. Though you won't be around her as much now because we're both moving."
I blinked.
"We're moving?" I asked. "What do you mean?"
Wilbur sighed.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about yesterday. I was wanting to ask for your advice but my family backed me up. I've been a nervous wreck all week!"
"You... nervous? What's gotten Wilbur Robinson so down?"
"The chief of the Temporal Investigation Management and Exploration agency flew all the way here from New York to interview me for the historian position."
"Wow!" I replied with laughter. "That is incredible!"
"Yeah, so incredible she offered the job to me and... after Karena nagged me and after I spoke to my parents about it, I took the job."
"That is an amazing opportunity, Wilbur! Aunt Renet works there, so she'll make you feel right at home."
Wilbur chuckled.
"I forgot about your aunt. And of course, I forgot all of your family lives in New York. I was so nervous that I was going to move without knowing anybody, and here you are reminding me that I do have friends there already. I guess I'm more nervous about moving than anything. I've never moved before."
I smiled.
"I understand. My kidnapping changed my world, so moving was not too hard for me. It was moving out that was hard. My parents had taken such good care of me, so saying goodbye to the farmhouse was... it was hard to get through. I'm gonna have to do that again when I move to Pacific Bay."
"Huh!" Wilbur exclaimed. "My new boss and her husband are from Pacific Bay."
"Wait, seriously?" I asked with laughter. "Small world!"
"If you're up for it, I could introduce you to them. My new boss's name is Amy and her husband is Russell. In fact, Russell used to be a criminal profiler."
"Really?"
"Yes! I bet he could tell you a lot of things. From what Amy told me of him, he is very smart and very wise. I think you two would hit it off."
"I'd like that a lot," I replied with a fond smile. "So you won't be a teacher, huh?"
"No, and I'm actually thrilled. I get to examine historical documents inside a time machine!"
"It's your dream job!"
"Exactly! And this time I won't get trouble for it. I'll just say, hey, it's my job."
"I'm really happy for you, Wilbur."
My smile faded away.
"And now I need help with my problem. What am I going to do about James? We had a fight and during the fight I discovered he was going to ask me to marry him."
"You read his mind?"
"Yes. I was about to cry, so I had to take off my contacts."
"Oh, boy," Wilbur replied, shaking his head.
"James said he had applied for schools in New York because of me, but now I won't even be close to New York!"
"You'll be across the country. You know, you could always turn the proposal down. You don't have to say yes."
"That's the thing. I want to marry him, but not with these circumstances. And I told him we needed a break."
"Uh-oh. What did he say?"
"When I told him about how following your dreams works, he screamed at me that you can get married and follow your dreams. And he had the gall to tell me that I said these things because it was all about me when it was not what I said at all."
I felt angry again. Wilbur looked worried.
"I agree with you," he replied. "That was out of line."
"He seemed like he was sorry at the end. I think he was angry in the moment."
I let out a sigh.
"I need to talk to him and say I'm sorry."
"No," Wilbur replied. "Please let me talk to him first. This whole marriage proposal was my idea."
"WHAT?!"
"Yes. Lily, I'm so sorry. I was not expecting you two to fight."
"Wilbur, you need to learn to stay out of my personal life," I snapped, standing up. "Remember when I had read your mind and I went too far?"
"Okay!" Wilbur snapped, but he remained sitting. "But James is my best friend and he asked me for advice on asking you to marry him. That's why I helped him with that picnic."
I let out a gasp and I took off my brown contacts. I sunk back into my seat and started crying again.
"Wilbur, I'm so sorry," I cried. "I'm so stupid!"
"Lily, you're not stupid," Wilbur assured me, rubbing my left shoulder. "You're anything but that. You and James had a fight. It's understandable. Your emotions are not in the best place right now because of that. But, Lily, could you look at me for a second?"
I glanced up into his chocolate eyes with glassy eyes.
"Don't give up on your dreams because of a man, okay? You've worked so hard and didn't give up to be accepted into Pacific Bay University. Don't give it up after all that. You don't need to change."
I smiled. We both got up and hugged each other. I cried into his shoulders and he rubbed my back.
"I've got you, little sister."
I smiled through my tears, not wanting to let this moment end.
New York City, New York, USA
DONATELLO'S POV
I was in the middle of training with my wife, my brothers, and their wives. Suddenly...
"Hajime!" Leo yelled.
"Oh, come on!" Raph yelled angrily. "I was enjoying the good fight!"
"Yeah, against me!" Mikey angrily yelled in reply.
"We have a guest," Leo explained.
We all turned toward the door. Lily stood with her right hand on her left elbow, wearing her favorite black outfit.
"Oh, don't mind me," she said. "Finish your katas. But Dad, may I speak with you after?"
"Lily, I can drop everything and talk to you right now," I replied.
"No, please finish. It can wait."
"Are you sure?" April asked.
"I'm sure. Yame!"
"Well, you heard her, Donnie," Leo told me with a smirk.
We finished our fight. I ended up losing my fight to my brother. Instead of sitting to the side, I walked to the door where my daughter was.
"Did you seriously lose on purpose so we could talk?" Lily asked with her gap-toothed grin.
"Yes. You're important to me and you've had a long weekend already. And besides, Leo was gonna win anyway."
Lily laughed. We went into his lab, closed the doors, and sat down at his desk.
"Are you okay?" I asked. "You still seem rather tense."
"I was hoping I could spend the rest of the weekend in the lair," Lily explained, her smile going away. "Maybe being around family is what I need right now."
"You may. But keep in mind that your cousins aren't here."
Lily suddenly let out a loud gasp, and then she groaned.
"Tomorrow's the talent show. I totally forgot about it!"
"Then I think we both know where you need to be right now."
Lily shook her head.
"Dad, I can't. I feel so vulnerable right now."
"Lilianna Mae Hamato, now is not the time to break promises," I sternly replied. "Sure, you had a bad weekend. Do not let that define you, and do not let that define the rest of your weekend."
"But--"
"No buts. You're stronger than that. You are strong enough to overcome this trial. I am praying for you and James."
Lily scoffed.
"You never liked him, Dad."
I placed my hands on my hips.
"Is that what you think?"
"Well, isn't it? Every time we talk about him, you have this look on your face that says you wanna punch him."
"Lily, I thought that way because he's already hurt you once. But the more you and James spent time together, the more you both convinced me you will take care of each other and support each other. You both eventually reminded me of your mom and myself, how we came to the decision to get married."
I let out a sigh, placing my daughter's hands in mine.
"James flew over to New York one weekend in January," I explained. "We had a nice long talk about you. James loves you, Lily. When he spoke about it, I realized that I needed to let you go and live your life to your heart's content. He asked me for my blessing to ask for your hand in marriage and I blessed him."
Lily had a look of shock on her face. Then she laughed.
"Okay, where is the real Donatello Hamato and what did you do with him? The father I knew was afraid to let me go."
"And that was an issue I needed to work through. I prayed about it every day. After I spoke with James about marriage and after I spoke with you about your letter dilemma, I prayed and actually heard God telling me that he would take care of you. Remember when I was happy for you when you learned you had been accepted into Pacific Bay University?"
Lily nodded.
"I meant every word I said. It hurt me seeing you so down that all I wanted was for you to be happy, even if it meant my letting you go."
Lily suddenly started sobbing. She ran into my arms and I hugged her back.
"Thank you, Father," Lily spoke into my shoulder. "You have no idea how freeing that felt hearing you saying that."
"I love you, Lily. I will always love you."
"I love you too, Father. Always."
March 19, 2045 - Todayland, North Montana, USA
LILIANNA'S POV
"We have quite the act for you today, ladies and gentlemen," Cornelius announced at Todayland's Annual Talent Show. "We have the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with the next generation and featuring my son Wilbur, here to perform a medley and reenactment their favorite memories. Here they are!"
The audience cheered, and then the music started to play. First up was the theme from our dimension. My dad and uncles sang this part.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Heroes in a half shell. Turtle power!"
"Here we go!" Wilbur rapped. "It's the lean, green, ninja team. On the scene, cool teens doing ninja things. So extreme, out of the sewers like laser beams. Get rocked with the shell-shocked pizza kings. Can't stop these radical dudes. The secret of the ooze made the chosen few. Emerge from the sewers to make their move. The good guys win and the bad guys lose."
The music then transitioned to that of the 2003 dimension.
"Turtles, count it off!" Wilbur yelled, getting behind the curtain.
"One, two, three, four, Turtles!" my dad and uncles counted and then sang, appearing on the stage.
"Mutant chain reaction," Uncle Leo sang.
"Turtles!" my cousins and I yelled behind the curtain.
"Living underground," Uncle Raph sang.
"Turtles!"
"Ninjutsu action!" Dad sang.
"Turtles!"
"It's the shell of a town!" Uncle Mikey belted out.
"Turtles, count it off!" Wilbur yelled behind the curtain.
"One!" Ryan yelled.
"Live by the code of the martial arts," Uncle Leo sang.
"Two!" Venus yelled.
"Never fight unless someone else starts," Uncle Raph sang.
"Three!" I yelled with confidence.
"Always stick together no matter what," Dad sang.
"Four!" Athena yelled excitedly.
"If all else fails, then it's time to kick butt!" Uncle Mikey belted out.
Then, the music transitioned to that of the 1987 dimension. The four of us and Wilbur joined the Turtles on the stage.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," all of us, minus Wilbur, sang. "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."
"Splinter taught them to be ninja teens," Wilbur sang. "He's a radical rat."
"Leonardo leads," Ryan sang as Uncle Leo held one of his katanas in the air with a proud smile.
"Donatello does machines," I belted out.
"That's a fact, Jack!" Dad said excitedly, wearing his white lab coat and posing with his T-Phone.
"Raphael is cool but rude," Venus sang.
"Give me a break!" Raph said sarcastically, crossing his arms.
"Michelangelo is the party dude!" Athena belted out.
"PARTY!" Uncle Mikey yelled excitedly, performing a party move on the stage.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," Wilbur sang.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," the Turtles sang.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," my cousins and I sang.
"Turtles in a half-shell, TURTLE POWER!" we all sang to finish the song.
We held our best poses, with our dads behind us and Wilbur sitting down in front of us, and the audience roared.
"So, guys, what has been two of your favorite memories back when you were teens?" Wilbur asked. "The four of you will reenact one and the next generation will perform the other."
"What about the time Raph was scared of cockroaches?" Uncle Mikey asked.
"No way!" Uncle Raph replied angrily.
"I love that memory," Uncle Leo said with a fond smile.
"Let's do it!" Dad replied enthusiastically. "I still have the video."
Wilbur, my cousins, and I got behind the curtain as the Turtles acted out their memory. My dad retrieved a long table and, with Wilbur's help, set it down in the middle of the stage. Then, Uncle Raph took his place facing the audience. Uncle Mikey was to his left and Uncle Leo pretended to cook.
"Let's go, Leo," Uncle Mikey whined. "I'm starving!"
Uncle Leo brought over "bowls" of food.
"Yeah, boy!" Uncle Mikey exclaimed. "Ramen! Ahh!"
The three uncles pretended to eat. At some point, Uncle Leo froze and turned towards the audience. He continued "eating."
"Hmm?" Uncle Mikey asked, looking towards the audience.
Then Uncle Raph froze in his place... and screamed like a girl. The audience laughed.
"Roach!" Uncle Raph yelled. "Roach!"
Then, Uncle Raph took one of his sais and tried to smash the "cockroach," eventually falling off the table. He ran around the stage to the amusement of the audience. Then, my dad ran onto the stage, holding his laptop.
"Stop!" Dad yelled. "Stop! You'll smash him!"
"That's the idea!" Uncle Raph yelled back.
My dad put the laptop on the table, bent down and held his hand out for the "cockroach." He swung his hands away from Uncle Raph as if to protect the cockroach.
"You can't smash this roach, okay?"
Dad admired the "cockroach."
"He's special."
He held it out towards his brothers.
"Really special," Dad sang.
"Okay, I'm going to regret this," Uncle Leo started to ask. "But why is he special, Donnie?"
"Because I outfitted him with a remote-controlled camera helmet."
"Well, that explains why you're special," Uncle Leo replied with a smirk, crossing his arms.
"We can send him into TCRI and spy on the Kraang," Dad continued to explain. "The camera allows us to see whatever the cockroach sees."
My dad then played the clip he had saved of Uncle Raph screaming. The audience and the five of us laughed along with Uncle Mikey when the scream played again.
"That is awesome!" Mikey said happily. "Big, tough Raph is scared of cockroaches."
"I am not!" Uncle Raph retorted back.
"Oh, really? Let's go to the video."
Uncle Mikey pushed a button that allowed the video to rewind ten seconds. We were amused at the smiles on my dad and Uncle Leo's faces.
"This is my favorite part right here," Uncle Mikey said as the scream started. "Donnie, can I get this on a T-shirt?"
"Wanna see my favorite part?" Uncle Raph asked before tossing Uncle Mikey across the table.
My dad had the quick reflexes to move his laptop off the table as Uncle Mikey was thrown. Then he smiled excitedly.
"We're going to spy on the Kraang... with a cockroach!"
The four brothers bowed and the audience clapped. Wilbur emerged again.
"So what ended up happening after that?" Wilbur asked.
"My cockroach fell into some mutagen while spying on the Kraang," Dad explained. "He realized that Raph was scared of him, and therefore, Raph was his target for termination. Thankfully, Raph faced his fears and defeated the cockroach and the Kraang in one shot with the laser drill the Kraang invented."
"That sounds like quite the adventure," Wilbur replied. "And now, your children are going to act out one of your memories of their choice. So let's all sit back and enjoy. And Donnie's wife April is here also in case we need her."
The audience clapped as we emerged from behind the curtain.
"Thank you, Wilbur," I said into the microphone. "But we are not going to need my mother's help. Instead, we are going to need the help of our fathers. Because we are going to reenact the day our fathers met their 1987 counterparts."
The audience cheered.
"My cousins and I will act as the 1987 Turtles."
"Sounds good to me," Uncle Leo replied fondly. "Let's get started. Right when we enter their dimension, right?"
"Right."
My cousins and I ducked back behind the curtain.
"Where... where are we?" Uncle Leo asked.
Uncle Mikey looked out at the audience.
"I think I speak for everyone when I say... Holy Sewer Cakes!"
The four Turtles screamed and the audience laughed.
"Keep in mind, folks, that they were in a 2D world," Wilbur chimed in. "Please, continue on."
"How is this possible?" Uncle Leo asked. "Where are we?"
"Oh, no, dudes!" Uncle Mikey cried. "I think we're in Pittsburgh!"
The audience cracked up laughing.
"The world is so flat!" Uncle Raph grumbled. "I can't even see my own butt! Donnie! Explanation?"
"We're possibly in some kind of... alternate dimension," Dad spoke in thought.
That was our cue to flip out from the side as Wilbur played the theme song again.
"Huh?" Uncle Mikey asked in confusion. "Whoa!"
"They're..."
"Us?" Uncle Mikey finished my dad's question.
"No way!" Uncle Raph exclaimed before noting the "weapon" I was holding. "He's got a blaster. Get him!"
I looked down and panicked.
"Aww, nuts!" I exclaimed. "It's not a--"
"Take 'em down!" Uncle Leo yelled.
My dad and I engaged in combat, as did Uncle Leo and Ryan, and Uncle Raph and Venus.
"We don't want to fight you!" Ryan yelled, using katana blades for the first time ever.
"Well, then you shouldn't have pointed a laser at us!" Uncle Leo shot back.
Uncle Raph easily disarmed Venus and pinned her down with his foot.
"Talk!" he demanded. "Who sent you? The Triceratons?"
"Get off of me, you crack-shelled imposter!" Venus yelled, sounding like the combination of her parents.
"Totally radical!" Athena exclaimed happily.
"You're just like me, dude!" Athena and her father spoke at the same time.
"Cowabunga!" Athena yelled.
"Booyakasha!" Uncle Mikey yelled at the same time, giving her a high-three.
"I'm trying to tell you!" I yelled after pushing my dad away. "This isn't a weapon. It's a portal projector!"
"Oh, yeah?" Dad replied skeptically. "Well, how do we know you're not a Kraang?"
"That's why we brought you here," Ryan explained. "Krang! He's causing trouble in our dimension, and yours too."
"Krang's, like, trying to destroy both our realities, dudes!" Athena explained in panic. "We just don't know how. You gotta believe us!"
"That's why we called on you posers," Venus paused, sarcastically clearing her throat. "I mean, Turtles, for help. Did I say, posers? Oops!"
"Posers?" Uncle Raph replied, taking offense to the statement. "You guys don't even fight with your weapons! And what's up with the initials on your belts? Lame!"
"I think I'm gonna like putting some more cracks in this imposter's shell," Venus replied, again with sarcasm, before turning to my dad. "And you, gappy, why do you sound so weird?"
"Me sound weird?" Dad replied, taking offense. "Heard yourself lately?"
"Hey, hey, hey, hey!" Ryan exclaimed, going in between the two of them. "Come on, guys! Take it easy-- whoa!"
All eight of us dodged out of the way of the "laser."
"It's him!" Athena exclaimed. "He's found us!"
"And that is the start of a beautiful friendship," Dad chimed in with some sarcasm.
The audience laughed and cheered.
"I take it you all were able to save your dimensions?" Wilbur asked.
"If we didn't, we wouldn't be here," Uncle Leo replied.
"Lilianna, Ryan, Venus, and Athena, how did it feel to be in your father's shoes?" Wilbur asked as if he was a reporter on TV.
"As the inventor's daughter, it was really cool to explain what an invention does," I explained. "Even if that particular invention came from another world."
"What is your favorite quality of Donatello?"
I turned and fondly smiled at my father.
"He never gives up on the people he loves."
"Keep him in your life, Lily. Ryan, what about you?"
"I've always wanted to be the leader," Ryan explained. "I felt bummed when my dad assigned it to Lily and Venus instead. But it taught me to be more humble in myself and in my surroundings. My favorite quality of Leonardo is that he has never lost hope in himself and his family."
"Venus?"
"I've learned a lot of my sarcasm from my dad and I've done a little work to make my voice... happier, I guess? I've always had a deeper voice. Ever since Lily taught me to sing, I've been trying to sound more peppy, which is where the sarcasm comes in. I love Raphael's tough love because it shows that he doesn't want to see me get hurt but also because it's helped me learn important life lessons over the years."
"Athena?"
"My dad and I are both the youngest, so we relate to each other a lot. We both want to have fun instead of work, which is why we both turn to our love of cooking. We see cooking and baking as fun things to do that happen to take care of your family. My favorite quality in Michelangelo is that he sees the fun in everything, and that's why I can learn the most from him."
"The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and their children, everybody!" Wilbur announced as the audience cheered.
We bowed and ducked behind the curtain.
March 20, 2045
I was sitting in the cafeteria with Justine and my cousins. We were doing some studying for upcoming exams.
"Hey, Lily."
"What's up, Ryan?"
"Huh?" Ryan replied in confusion. "I didn't say anything."
"Then, who--"
"It's me, Lily."
I turned around to see James standing behind me.
"Could we talk?" James asked.
"We'll leave you two alone," Justine said, moving my cousins to another table.
I gestured my boyfriend to sit down.
"Thank you. Lily, I've been worried about you. With you not replying to my texts or calls, I thought something had happened to you."
I sighed.
"I was mad at you," I explained.
"Was it the 'all about you' comment? Because I've thought about it even after you left and I regret saying that. You've always put others before you and I accused you of doing the opposite. I'm really sorry."
"I'm sorry, too," I replied solemnly. "When you told me you had applied to schools in New York because of me, I felt like a mess. I felt like I was doing something wrong. Like not telling you that Pacific Bay was the only school that had accepted me."
"Lily, Wilbur explained everything and I understand. But I had forgotten you are psychic when you don't wear your contacts. You saw that I wanted to ask you to marry me?"
"Yes. I probably shouldn't have, but I did. And you seemed nervous. I probably would have been nervous too because I wouldn't have known what to say, considering the circumstances. I would have asked to think about it."
"I guess my asking you now is out of the question?"
"I'm afraid so," I answered with sadness. "James, you'll be going to school in New York and I'll be in California. Long-distance relationships don't work."
"Lily, what are you saying?" James asked, and I saw tears in his blue eyes. "Are you... breaking up with me?"
"No. James, I love you. I love you with all my heart. But after everything that has happened, I need a break from us for a little bit. I've been through too much already this year. I'm more emotional than I normally am and I need to get my emotions under control. I will be praying for you, though... for us."
I got up and so did he. We hugged. We both let tears fall from our eyes onto each other's shoulders. Then I walked away with my books.
May 5, 2045
I put on a purple dress that Justine had made for me to wear to my graduation. Over the dress was a black graduation robe with a good rope that signified my graduating with honors. I had decided to wear black boots to match the gown.
Venus did my hair while Athena did my makeup. My long red hair was up in a side bun with a golden barrette on the top. Athena had applied purple eyeshadow, brown mascara, and a dark red lipstick to complete my graduation look.
"You are ready, Lily," Athena said with a smile. "You look amazing."
"Thank you," I replied sadly.
"What's wrong?" Venus asked.
I let out a sigh. I held Venus's hand with my left and Athena's with my right.
"I'm gonna miss you both so much. I hope you two will call me often."
"Lily, we all have portals, remember?" Athena said enthusiastically. "We'll find a way to be together if you need it."
"And we mean it," Ryan chimed in. "Your presence will be heavily missed in New York."
"Okay, why are we talking about the future when we should be celebrating today?" Venus asked. "Lily, it's your graduation day. We're all very proud of you. And we're proud to carry your torch at the club."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Cornelius offered me your job at the club," Venus explained. "I'm honored."
I hugged Venus.
"First, the leader title and now you're singing," I said. "I'm so proud of you, Venus."
"But would you mind if I brought you back once in a while?"
"No, not at all! Just let me know when!"
"You'll have to tell us all about Pacific Bay," Athena chimed in.
"Criminals in Los Angeles won't know what hit 'em," Ryan said with confidence.
I laughed.
"Don't worry. I hope I'll have many stories to tell."
I heard knocking on the door.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"It's Mom and Dad," I heard my mom yelling on the other side.
"Whose mom and dad?" Ryan jokingly asked.
"Thank your lucky stars I'm not Leonardo, Ryan," Dad replied.
"They're my parents, Ryan," I said as I walked over to the door.
I opened the door and both my parents gasped. My mom wore a lavender dress while my dad wore ceremony robes signifying his position at the university.
"Look at you!" Mom gushed over me. "You look ready to take on the world!"
"I am ready."
"May I take your picture right there?" Justine asked behind me.
"Sure," Dad answered.
I turned around and posed with each parent putting a hand on each shoulder.
"Are any of your brothers here, Donnie?" Justine asked.
"No, just us today. When Ryan graduates, his parents will be here, but I'll be a part of the ceremony."
"Good thing we're all going too, right Aunt April?" Athena asked.
"Yes, that is exactly right," Mom replied. "Thank you for accompanying me."
"Of course!" Athena, Venus, and Justine replied at the same time.
"And of course, we'll help Lily move her things back to the lair," Ryan said.
"And it's all my things this time," I replied.
"Hmm..."
My dad pondered in thought.
"I wonder if we should fly to Pacific Bay with you to help you find a place," he finished his thought.
"Ooh, yeah," Mom replied in agreement. "Have you not found a place yet?"
"I've never been there before," I answered. "I don't know what all is there. On the other hand, Wilbur says his new boss is from Pacific Bay and he promised he would introduce her to me."
"That's a good idea!" Mom replied enthusiastically.
"Guys, we gotta go!" Dad chimed in, holding his T-Phone out. "Lily's gotta gather with her classmates soon!"
All too quickly, the graduation ceremony came and went. I graduated with magma cum laude honors and took pictures with my family. My chapter in Todayland was now over.
I went back to my apartment to grab my things to start taking them to the lair when I noticed a note on the counter. I walked over to the counter and took a look at it.
"Lily, meet me in the arboretum when you see this. I have to see you. -J."
"J?" I asked out loud, pondering the names of all my family. "Leo, Raph, Donnie, Mikey. Karai, Mona, April, Athena. Ryan, Venus, myself, Athena."
I paused, knowing exactly who wrote the note. I spun around, transforming into Aumanil. I kept the braided crown but ditched the white coat; it was now spring and warm.
I flew out of my apartment and through the skies of Todayland until I found the arboretum. When I landed, I closed my eyes, mindful of my surroundings. When I realized there was no one else around, I transformed back into Lilianna Hamato, still wearing my graduation robes.
I walked through the forest. Suddenly, I heard music. I recognized those first notes and immediately knew which song was playing.
"I wonder what surprise James planned for me this time," I thought out loud.
When the lyrics began, I walked through the forest. This time, my path was carved out for me. All I had to do was follow the white lanterns on the ground. I smiled, feeling like I was in a fairytale.
I took the exact same path when James had asked me to prom after we fought. I had wondered what James' reasoning was this time. I had remembered learning about him trying to propose marriage to me only for the both of us to ruin it. My smile faded away, however. With our current circumstances, marriage was not possible.
It took me the entire song to find James at the end of the path. He, too, was still wearing his graduation robes and cap, and he carried a smile on his face. I could not help but smile myself.
"Is there an occasion for this walk?" I asked.
"There is," James answered. "Congratulations on getting your degree, Lily."
"Same to you. But--"
"Please, let me speak," James said, holding his hand up. "I thought a lot about what you said, and you were right. I, umm, told the university counselor in New York that I wasn't going to attend classes. I withdrew my admission."
I blinked.
"Really? Why?"
"You're more important."
"Oh, James, you don't have to--"
"Yes, I do. Lily, we've been on this break for over a month. I can't stand it anymore. I need you in my life for better or worse. And I don't have to be a psychic to know you feel the same way."
James held my hands. I felt afraid.
"Why are you scared, Lily of the Valley?"
My heart skipped a beat. Not only did my boyfriend call me by my birth month flower, but he also noticed my fear.
"Because I don't deserve you," I answered. "I've been a crappy girlfriend to you this year and I am so sorry."
"Shh," James replied, putting his finger on my lips. "Don't be. You did the complete opposite, Lily. You made me think about where my priorities lie, and my priorities are with you."
I scoffed.
"James, I told you not to give up your dreams on me."
"My dreams are not worth living without you in it. I love you, Lily. And I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I will find a way to attend grad school in Pacific Bay with you because you mean that much to me. The first night we met, all those years ago in high school, changed me for the better, even if I didn't realize it at the time."
My jaw dropped in awe.
"James..."
James dropped down to one knee. He reached into his pocket and took out a small black box. He opened it to reveal the most beautiful ring I had ever seen in my life. But it wasn't as beautiful as the smile on his face.
"Lilianna Mae Hamato, Lily of the Valley, will you marry me?"
Feeling tears coming to my eyes, I took off my brown contacts to reveal my blue eyes. I leaned in and kissed him with eagerness, and he kissed me back. When we pulled apart, I looked into his blue eyes, opened the door to his mind, and gave him my answer.
"James Michael Anderson, yes, I will marry you."
James blinked.
"Did I hear a voice in my head telling me, yes, I will marry you?"
I nodded eagerly.
"That was you?" James asked in awe.
"Yes!" I answered excitedly.
"So, yes?"
"Yes, I will marry you!"
We both laughed with merry before we pulled each other into another kiss. Then James took off my promise ring and slipped the engagement ring onto my left finger. The ring looked very similar to my promise ring, only there were two hearts this time: one was an emerald representing me and the other was a ruby representing James. I caressed his cheek.
"James... I love you."
James and I returned to the apartment to help me move my things back to New York. But to my surprise, my entire family and James's family, as well as Justine, Mareena, Wilbur, Karena, their daughter Diana, Randy, and Lindsey, were all gathered in the apartment and looked in our direction.
"Wow!" James exclaimed. "Word travels quick."
"Guilty," Wilbur said, raising his hand.
Everyone laughed.
"Well, what did you say?" Uncle Raph asked eagerly.
I laughed, as did everyone else again.
"You tell them," I told him.
"You sure?"
I gave him a firm nod.
"Well, here goes," he whispered.
James turned towards the crowd and then lifted my left hand in the air.
"She said yes!"
The entire room erupted into cheers and party horns. My mom walked over and hugged me.
"Congratulations, sweetheart," she told me happily. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks, Mom. I still can't believe James worked things out."
"We told you to not give up," Dad chimed in.
My dad paused to shake James' hand.
"Congratulations, James. Lily is one special woman."
"Daaaad."
I blushed.
"First, you graduate college," Uncle Leo chimed in. "And now you're engaged."
"And I thought we were the lucky ones," Auntie Renet chimed in. "To see one of our own getting married..."
Auntie Renet sighed in bliss.
"Have you two picked a wedding date yet?" Auntie Karai asked.
James and I glanced at each other and grinned.
"July 29th."
"Of next year?" Auntie Mona asked.
"No!" I replied excitedly. "This July."
"Lilianna, that is only over two months away!" Dad said with worry. "We can't plan a wedding in two months!"
"Says the Turtle who got married to his wife after only a month-long engagement," Mom chimed in, placing both her hands on his right shoulder with a flirty smile.
"April's got a point," Uncle Mikey replied. "If you two planned a wedding in only one month, we can plan a wedding in two months! What do you all say?"
"TURTLE POWER!" we all yelled.
"So, we have a lot to plan in only a short amount of time," Dad chimed in, taking charge. "The first question is, will everyone in this room be involved, Lily and James?"
"I'm afraid I only know Lindsey from Karena's wedding," I answered.
"It's okay," Lindsey replied. "I'm here because of Randy."
"Wait, am I involved?" Randy asked.
"I was hoping you'd be a groomsman," James answered.
"Of course!"
"And Wilbur, I'd like you to be my best man."
"Yes!" Wilbur replied enthusiastically. "I'd be honored!"
"And that's it for me," James said.
"Really?" Mom asked. "Only two."
"Trust me, Mom," I replied. "There's a reason. Karena, I'd like you to be my matron of honor."
"I'd love to!" Karena said excitedly.
"And Athena, how would you like to be my maid of honor?"
"EEK!" my youngest cousin squealed. "YES!"
Athena and I hugged each other excitedly.
"But what about Venus?" Athena asked.
"I'm getting to that," I answered with a grin. "Venus, Justine, I'd like you to be my bridesmaids."
"Yes!" Venus and Justine replied at the same time.
"Now wait a minute!" Dad interrupted the excited energy. "What is your plan, Lily?"
"Wilbur, the best man, will escort the maids of honor down the aisle," I explained. "James, the groomsman, will escort the bridesmaids."
"Now I like it," James chimed in.
"I do, too!" Mom replied. "When Calls the Heart had similar weddings to what you're proposing. That reminds me, where would you be getting married at?"
"The farmhouse," James and I answered at the same time.
"Dad, that chapel you built is absolutely perfect," I explained. "We'd only invite our families and our friends."
"Perfect!" he replied. "That will definitely make it easier on us. But you're missing something: you need a ringbearer and flower girl."
"I think I have an idea," I answered before turning to Karena. "I'd like your permission to have Diana be the flower girl."
"I do think it's an adorable idea," Karena replied. "But Diana's a baby. I'm not sure she'd understand what it means to throw flowers."
"I think I have an idea," Dad said with his gap-toothed grin. "Maybe I can make something for Diana to ride in since she'll only be about six months old. But someone will have to push her."
"I will," Mareena offered. "If I can be the ringbearer."
"Done!" James and I replied at the same time.
"Oh, Mareena, I wanted to involve you somehow," I said excitedly.
"I'm excited for you, Lily," Mareena replied, giving me a hug. "And I'll probably have the second-cutest job in the world. Diana's gonna be cute in... uh, Donnie, what will you be making?"
"You'll have to wait and see," Dad answered with a wink. "April and I will be in charge of decorating the farmhouse. Lily, James, you will need a pastor or priest to officiate the ceremony."
"Why not go with Leonardo?" James suggested. "He did an amazing job at Wilbur and Karena's wedding."
"It will be my honor," Uncle Leo replied with a bow. "But I'll need Lily's help. She's an expert on Christianity."
"Well, I wouldn't call myself an expert," I chuckled with a blush.
"Lily, I've told your uncle how gifted you are in writing and in the Bible," Dad explained. "Maybe you two can work together on the ceremony."
"Sure!"
"And ushers?" Mom asked.
"Uncle Raph and Auntie Mona are the ultimate duo," I explained with a smirk.
"It will be our honor, Lilianna," Auntie Mona replied with a smile.
"Uncle Mikey, Auntie Karai, I'm confident that you two will work together to make the dinner and dessert."
"You make the dessert, Michelangelo," Auntie Karai said with a smirk.
"Sweet!" Uncle Mikey exclaimed. "Pizza pie!"
"And that's why Auntie Karai is making the dinner," I replied with a wink.
"Is there anything I can do?" Auntie Renet asked.
"Renet, you're a wonderful cook," Auntie Karai explained. "And I do need help with the dinner. It is a wedding."
"Done!"
"I'll do the stationery," I chimed back in.
"Wait a minute!" Dad exclaimed. "If Mikey is doing the cake, then who's going to do the music?"
"Relax, D!" Uncle Mikey replied. "I usually make the cake the day before."
"Perfect!" I exclaimed happily. "What are we missing, Dad?"
"We'll need a photographer."
"I'll hook Shini up," Auntie Karai replied. "And Jones is always with her. He can be your videographer. He's good at his job."
"I think that's everything!" Mom said enthusiastically. "Ladies and gentlemen, let's plan a wedding!"