Hey guys! This is chapter one of the prequel, which takes place between Donnie's proposal and April and Donnie's marriage. If you haven't read my other stories, this won't make sense, so if you haven't, go to my profile! The order is See You Tomorrow, A Rose is a Rose, A Spooky Night, Worthy of the Mask, and the Much Awaited Christmas Story! Enjoy!

It was late May, a week before the Turtles and April had to return to the city. They had all agreed that they should make the most of these days, but today, April O'Neil woke up late. She woke up to the sound of birds singing, and morning sunlight shining through her window. She opened her sapphire blue eyes, ready to start the day. She sat up in bed, yawned, and stretched. Suddenly, there was a soft knock on her door. "Come in." April called sweetly. The door slowly opened, and Donatello came in and sat on the bed. April sighed. On Christmas Day, Donnie had proposed to her, so he was now her fiancé!

"Hey." he said. "Mikey made breakfast."

"I'll be down soon." April said. Donnie pulled her into a quick kiss, and shut the door. April sighed happily. After breakfast, everyone went to their rooms to get ready for a lake party. Mikey readied his water balloons and Super Soaker. April was in a dilemma. What would she wear?She stood in front of her mirror, holding up two different colored bathing suits. One was yellow, and one was white. She decided to check her suitcase again in case she had packed another one that she had missed earlier. She found one clumsily buried under her clothes, with a note. The bathing suit was violet, with ruffles. She read the note, written in scrawled handwriting. It said, Just making sure that my little bro is happy. -R. April smiled. Raph always did have a protective streak for his brothers, she thought. She tried on the pretty one piece. She liked it, and decided to wear it. Suddenly, something hit her window with a splash! April opened it and saw Mikey on the lawn, a water balloon in hand.

"April! You comin' down, girl?" Mikey asked. Suddenly, Raph came out of the house, and passed by Mikey. Mikey immediately threw his water balloon at Raph's head. The balloon hit its target. "Boo yah!" Mikey shouted, pumping his fists. "Dr. Prankenstein for the win!"

"Mikey!" Raph shouted angrily, tackling his younger brother. Mikey went down hard, and Raph glanced up at April's window. "Nice bathing suit! Shhhh." he said, holding a finger to his lips, smiling. "Our secret. Go get 'em, girl." He continued noogying Mikey. April put on her sunscreen and rushed out the door into the golden summer sunshine. Donnie was being chased by a now-Raph free Mikey, who was chasing him with the Super Soaker he got for Christmas.

"Mikey, cut it out!" he shouted. "April'l be out any min-" He didn't finish his sentence, because he saw April. He was in a daze for a few seconds, until April said, "Race you to the end of the dock!"

"You're on!" he said. April took off running down the dock. It seemed like she was going to win, when Donnie grabbed her and they both went in the water. They came up, spluttering.

"Tied ya." Donnie said, breaking into a teasing smile.

"Don-ee!" April exclaimed. She playfully tried to dunk him, both laughing. Raphael watched them from afar, and sighed. I hope I'll be happy like that someday. he thought, smiling. The day passed by quickly. Soon, the sun was setting, and Mikey went inside to make dinner. April and Donatello walked to the end of the dock and sat on the edge, watching the sunset, the colors spreading across the evening sky like watercolors spread across a canvas. Donatello's bandana tails trailed in the soft breeze.

"Donnie?" April asked, fingering her topaz, ruby, and amethyst engagement ring. "Will we always be together?"

"Forever," Donatello replied. "I promise." He put an arm around her as they watched the colorful sky turn to indigo.

there are more chapters on the way! Until next update, Apritello rules, and if you liked this story, please, please review! I really need feedback on this first chapter!