Courting a Salamandrian

Chapter 19: Wedding Day

1 Year Later...

The peak of spring transitioning into summer. The weather is warm, not too hot and not too cold. Not a single cloud in the sky. There was a cool breeze flying through the air, making the trees' leaves and the fresh green grass below dance. The perfect day for a wedding.

Driving on the gravelly dirt driveway and up to the old farmhouse was the Party Wagon. Once the vehicle parked, one by one the groom and his groomsmen exited; Raphael, followed by his three brothers, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and then Casey and Slash.

"Okay, April texted me earlier and said she's already here with your bride to be," Leo said to Raph once everyone was out of the vehicle, "The guests should be on their way in about an hour, so you need to start getting ready,"

"We got the suits?" Raph asked. He already knew the answer, but was still worried that something would go wrong on his big day. He wanted everything to be perfect.

"Right here, big bro!" Mikey cheers, presenting the suits as Slash takes them out of the Party Wagon. "Courtesy of the lovely Ms Renet Tilley."

"It's incredible Renet was able to make all the suits and dresses for the wedding," Slash comments. "She was even able to make me a suit that I can fit into - despite my spikey shell."

"My girl is just that talented!" Mikey smiles with loving pride.

As the groomsmen began unloading the Party Wagon, they were soon welcomed by a familiar face. Existing the farmhouse to greet her friends was April O'Neil, already dressed and ready. Her bridesmaid dress was a long flowy satin gown in a beautiful shade of dark blue, with a v-neckline and spaghetti straps. Her fiery red hair was tied up in a French twist, her bangs gently bouncing over her eyelashes. Completing her outfit were long silver dangle bar stud earrings, along with her makeup of faint dark eyeshadow, mascara and sparkly pale pink lipstick.

"I thought I sensed you guys out here!" April smiles as she steps off the front porch, carefully trying not to ruin her dress. "You're right on time!"

"April!" Donnie's eyes brighten from the sight of his girlfriend all dolled up. He quickly approaches April, greeting her with a hug and a quick kiss as he tells her with a loving smile, "You look so beautiful."

April blushes, thanking Donnie, and then turns to her turtle friend whose special day it is, "Raph, congratulations!" she says as she hugs him, "I can't believe this is finally happening! You're getting married!"

Raph smiles, "Thanks April."

"We all can't believe it," Leo says, "I feel like it was just yesterday that you told us you were going to propose to Mona, now your big day is already here!"

"I'm still convinced you got her pregnant," Casey jokingly smirks.

Raph glares at his friend, "You're lucky I'm in a good mood or else I'd smack ya."

April shuffles herself in between the two friends, protecting Casey from Raph's icy stare, "I want to thank you again for picking me to be your wedding planner."

"Picking us to be his wedding planner," Mikey corrects.

She giggles, "Right. Sorry, Mikey. You've done a great job, too."

"Mona and I really had no other choice." Raph snickers.

It's no secret that Mikey and April have always supported Raph's relationship with Mona Lisa, a little too much at times. Moments after Raph proposed to Mona, April and Mikey ran up to the couple with eager excitement, quickly volunteering to plan their wedding. Of course, the couple agreed, and from what Raph could see so far, they have been doing a spectacular job getting everything together. Mikey was in charge of the food, drinks, and decorations, while April took responsibility on making sure everyone got their dresses and suits, doing the scheduling, as well as keeping track of the guest list.