Mikey, Don, Casey and April took the jet and landed in Cali later that day. After landing at an airfield base, they caught a cab and headed to the address Raphael had given. Arriving, they all jumped out of the cab and went up the porch steps. Raphael looked out of the window and cleared his throat nervously when he saw them. I wonder what they'll say when they see what I look like. Maybe I can make up a bullshit story that I was in a fight and they'll believe it. "Nervous?" Rachael asked, when the doorbell went.
Raphael nodded. "It's been a while since I've seen them. No idea what they'll do or say."
"You'll be fine, Raphael."

Rachael opened the door and said, "Hi. I'm Rachael Lawson and you are?"
"I'm Don," Don said. "And these are Mikey, Casey and April. Is Raph here?"
"Please come in. He's in the lounge."

They all went into the lounge and gasped when they saw Raphael and all of his bruises. "Bro," Mikey said, rushing to his side and hugging him, quickly followed by Don. "What happened to you? Who did this?"
"I, uh, got into a fight," Raphael said. "With some Purple Dragons."

"They're here in Cali?" Casey asked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought they were only in New York."
"Nope. They're here," Raphael said. "Believe me."

"Where?" Don asked, after they'd pulled apart. "I want to kick their asses."
"Um, I don't exactly know where. I think it was Venice Beach," Raphael said, looking down at the ground. "Please don't tell anyone. I'm so embarrassed that they whipped my ass. Thank goodness Rachael helped me. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her."

Raphael, Mikey and Don exchanged a look that the others missed. Raphael knew that they didn't buy his story and would grill him later, but for the moment, they would act like they believed him. "We should go," April said. "Thanks for looking after Raph, Rachael."
"You're welcome," Rachael said. "Before you leave, I must tell you that Raphael has a long road ahead of him. You'll need to watch him in case he reverts to his bad habits, especially if he experiences something that causes him emotional pain. Like for example his ex moving on. Addicts tend to relapse then."

Oh, Oh, Don thought. Raph's going to flip when he finds out about Brennan. Aloud he said, "I'm the family doctor. I know what to do. I'll take care of Raph. We all will."
"Leo hasn't moved on," Raphael said. "I told ya he wouldn't do that ta me. He loves me."

Don changed the subject and said, "And what else, Rachael?"
"He needs to lay off the booze and drugs. They mess with one's system. And you need to sit down as a family and discuss how to go forward, mediate, discuss care for the children, custody, things like that. Raphael needs a strong support system and stability."
"Right. Raph will come to counselling, won't you, Raph?"

"I'll do whatever it takes, Don," Raphael said.
Rachael rambled on for a long time about what they needed to do to care for Raphael. Then she said, "I want a word with Raphael. Privately if you don't mind."

"Sure," Don said. "We'll wait here."

Rachael took Raphael into her bedroom, shut the door and said, "Firstly, I want you to know that if you ever need to talk, I'm here. You can call me anytime."
"Thanks, Rachael. Ya've been wonderful."
"Secondly, you need to fess up to your family. Tell them what really happened."
'I feel so ashamed. They'll think less of me, that big, strong, tough me, got beaten up."
"They won't, Raphael," Rachael said, laying a hand on his shoulder. "You have nothing to be ashamed about. It wasn't your fault. Talk to them."
"Maybe I will, but I can't tell Leo. He'll tell me that he was right. Ya know he said that Tadhg was an ass? I laughed at him and said that he was just jealous."
"Raphael, what kind of person is Leo?"
"He's generous, affectionate, strong, passionate, sensible. I could go on all day 'bout how awesome he is."
"If he is all you say, I doubt he'd revel in what happened to you. Most likely he'll be upset and sad. Tell him."
"I already lost face with him. I don't wanna lose more."
"Raphael, if you really want Leo back, you will have to be open and honest with him about everything and that includes the dark moments. You can't have a relationship with secrets and distrust."
"I'll think 'bout it. What are ya gonna do?"
"Matthew's funeral is later this week. I'm selling the house. Too many memories. I'll stay with a friend in North Carolina for a while and then I think I'll move to France. Matthew and I always dreamed of living in the French countryside."
"Ya want me ta stay on for a while?"
"No, no. I'll be all right, Raphael. You need to go home to your babies. I want lots of photos, okay?"
"So ya will stay in touch?"
"You bet I will."
"Ya will come ta the weddin', won't ya?"
"Wedding?"
"Me and Leo. I know we're gonna get married again."
"I'd be honored. You have a great opportunity to mend relationships, Raphael, and get your life back on track. Don't screw up."
"I won't."
"Let's join the others."
"I owe ya for all the things ya got for the kids."
"No, you don't. Call it my present for making sure Matthew's killer was jailed."
"Thank ya."

They joined the others and everyone exchanged phone numbers. Raphael hugged Rachael and said, "Thank ya for everythin'."
"Look after yourself, Raphael. I don't want to hear that you relapsed."
Raphael pulled away and smiled. "I won't. Man, I can't wait ta see my kids." He picked up the bag of toys and added, "My boys are gonna love this. Thanks."

Don had called a cab a few minutes earlier. It arrived and he, Raphael, Mikey, Casey and April piled into it. Raphael waved at Rachael until he could no longer see her. "How's Dad?" Raphael asked.
"He's good," Mikey said. "He misses you, Raph. We all did."
"It'll be great ta be home again. I missed yer cookin'. Have my boys been eatin' their greens?"

"Nope," Don said. "They're fussy, just like you were when you were a baby."
Raphael smiled. "And Leo? How's Leo been?"
"Like Leo," Don said, feeling awkward. "We're nearly at the airfield."

They arrived at the airfield, got onto the jet and arrived in New York five and a half hours later, getting back to the lair just after 5 a.m. New York time. "Wow," Raphael said. "I can't believe I'm home. Thank ya, guys, for gettin' me."
"You're welcome, Raph," April said sleepily. "Me and Casey are going home. See you guys later."
"Ape, I wanna say I'm sorry for all I did. I'm sorry, Case."
"Raph, we'll talk later, okay?" April said kindly. "Get some rest. You look exhausted."

"See you later, Raph," Casey said. "All's good, man. We'll talk later."

"Your old bedroom's ready," Don said. "Come, Raph."
"Nah. I'm gonna sleep in Leo jr and Kane's room. Night, guys."
"Night, Raph. Don't wake them."

"Night, Raph," Mikey said. "Don't worry about morning training. You can sleep in today."
"Heh. Thanks. Later."

Raphael went into Leo jr and Kane's bedroom and looked down proudly at his sleeping angels. My beautiful boys, he thought, undressing and getting into bed. Almost immediately, Kane sensed a new weight in the bed, woke up and saw his dad. "Daddy!" he shrieked, waking up Leo jr.
"I'm here," Raphael said, holding his arms open. "I'm here. Come here, boys."

"Daddy!" Leo jr said, scrambling over to Raphael, followed by his brother. Raphael hugged them close to his chest and nuzzled them, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I missed ya boys so much. Look at ya. Ya've grown since I last saw ya. Ya been good, Leo?"
"Yes, Daddy," Leo said, pulling away. "Kane, bad."
"Really? And what did Kane do?" Raphael asked, chuckling. "I love yer Spiderman pajamas, Leo. Is he yer favorite superhero?"
"You are, Daddy."

"Story," Kane said, disengaging himself. "Read, Daddy." Kane picked up a book on the bedside table and showed his dad.
"The Three Little Pigs," Raphael said. "Okay, but we have ta be quiet, because everyone's sleepin'. Come snuggle with me." The boys cuddled up to him and he began to read. Kane and Leo jr giggled as Raphael huffed and puffed like the big bad wolf. "Again, Daddy," Kane said, when Raphael had finished.
"Okay, buddy." Raphael told it twice more and saw his boys had fallen asleep. He kissed them, lay down and closed his eyes. I missed readin' ta them, he thought. I missed them so much and I ain't gonna be parted from them ever again. Raphael was soon fast asleep, snoring gently.