Back in the present, August 23, Leo finally composed himself and said, "Mona, this is so sudden and you know my feelings for you have ever only been strictly platonic. I can't love you the way you want and being in close proximity to me would be hard on you. Seeing me and knowing your love will never be returned. I can't do that to you."

"But it's my only hope at being a mommy."

"Surely not. They have orphanages on your planet. You could adopt. I'm flattered, but it wouldn't work out."

"Is it because you like Karai?" Mona asked jealously.

"Karai? Of course not. She's just a friend."

Raphael fussed in her arms and Mona kissed his beak before saying, "I get you won't love me, Leo, but with Don gone, they need two parents to love and care for them. You can't do it alone."

"I can," Leo said stubbornly, crossing his arms. "It's noble of you, but…"

"No, you can't, Leo," Mona said, holding a squirming Raphael to her bosom. "This one alone, is going to be a handful. I can help you and I have vast experience with children. My older sister has six of them and I've been the primary care taker when she's gone on vacation and changed diapers and…"Mona looked beseechingly into Leo's eyes and added, "Besides, this place needs a woman's touch."

Raphael wriggled and thought, what are they blabberin' 'bout? She talks so much. Want Daddy! "Waaah!" Raphael wailed, reaching out for Leo.

Leo took him, pressed Raphael against his plastron and said, "I have to admit I'm stressed and when I go to bed, I'm knackered. It's hard to wake up in the morning sometimes and I get no time to myself."

"Six kids does that to you."

"Let's first do a monthly trial and if things go well, we'll consider making it permanent."

"Very well," Mona said, her eyes shining. "But I just know it'll work out, Leo."

"What about your planet?"

"I've left the army, Leo, so I'm free to do as I want. I might go home from time to time, but I intend on spending my life on earth."

"If I did ever meet someone, you'd have to be okay with that."

"I know, Leo, but this is a deal to help the kids. It's not about love and I'm okay with that."

Feeling he wasn't getting attention, Raphael whined and Leo, instantly in Dad mode, said, "You okay, my little man?"

"He's fine, Leo," Mona said to a now babbling Raphael, who was reaching for Leo's bandana. "He just wants attention from his daddy. He's such a daddy's boy."

Leo smiled, kissed Raphael's snout and said, "I know. He won't let anyone else hold him." Leo held Raphael up, so he could see Mona, and said, "What do you think about your new mommy, Raphie? You like her?"

What is Daddy talkin' 'bout, Raphael thought? And why is that lady smilin'. Don't understand. And why is Daddy so happy?

Raz entered the room and said, "Daddy, dinner's ready."

"Be right there, buddy," Leo said. "Come on, Mona. Dinner's served."

XXXX

Leo fed Raphael before he ate, the baby watching everyone, as he guzzled down his meal. After Leo had burped him, Leo held him in one arm and used the other to eat his dinner. Raphael stretched out emerald hands, whining, as he tried to grab Leo's fork. Leo chuckled and held it at arm's length, causing Raphael to whine and scrunch up his face in fury. Mona laughed and said, "He sure has a temper."

"Course he does," Casey chimed in. "He's Raph. You didn't think being a baby would change that, did you?" If looks could kill, you'd be dead, Leo! Man, you're going to have a heck of a time with him. The teenage years will be fun. Look forward to lectures, Leo."

"I can't wait," Leo said dryly, before spearing a piece of chicken.

"How long are you staying for, Miss Mona?" Splinter asked.

"Indefinitely."

"Oh?" Splinter asked, raising an eyebrow.

"The kids need a mommy," Leo said. "And Mona's always wanted to be one, so seemed the right thing to do. It's purely platonic from our point of view. And, as long as we keep that in mind, it should work out. What do you think, kids?"

"What about Daddy?" Kane asked. "Is he ever coming back?"

"No," Leo said.

"Why not?" Sean asked.

"He just isn't."

"But I want him to come back," Noah said, his eyes filling with tears. "I love him."

"Yes, I understand," Leo said. "But Daddy doesn't want to come back, so Aunty Mona's your new mommy and you like her anyway, champ. You always have fun with her."

"I want Daddy," Kieran said, his lower lip quivering and tears streaming down his cheeks. "I love Aunty Mona, but Daddy's Daddy. He has to come home."

"He's not coming home," Leo said. "Boys…"

"I WANT DADDY!" Kane screamed, his face darkening. Clenching his hands into fists, he got up and stormed out of the room, followed by his three brothers.

"That went down like a ton of bricks," Leo said miserably.

"Give him them time, Leo," Mikey said. "They'll accept her. Kids are resilient."

"They are," April said.

"I hope so," Leo said. "Because I'm not taking Donnie back!"

"Maybe I should leave," Mona said.

"No," Leo said. "Don't. The kids will adjust to the new normal in time. Stay."

"I'll go check on the kids, Leo," Mikey said. "You finish dinner."

"Thanks, Mikey."

"Does that mean Mona's our mommy?" Raz asked.

"Yes," Leo said, turning his attention on his son.

Seeing Leo distracted, Raphael grabbed a large piece of chicken on Leo's plate and stuffed it into his mouth. Yummy, he thought, not chewing, and swallowing, causing him to choke, his face turning blue.

"Raphie!" Leo yelled, realizing what had happened. He performed the Heimlich manoeuvre and heaved a sigh of relief when the offending piece of chicken flew out of Raphael's mouth onto the ground. It was immediately gobbled up by Taffy, who always sat under the table at mealtimes, hoping for a treat. Raphael's color returned to normal and after pressing several kisses to his beak, Leo said, "My precious boy. Don't do that again. You gave Daddy such a huge scare. I thought I'd lost you."

"Gaga," Raphael said, gazing into Leo's eyes and reaching for his beak. Sorry, Daddy, he thought, but it tasted good. Better than that formula.

"See, Leo," Mona said. "That's why it's important to have two parents. If one of is distracted, the other won't be."

"Right," Leo said, and nuzzled Raphael's beak. "Well, there's been too much excitement for this evening. I'm going to bath Raphie and see how the others are doing. Come on, Raz."

Leo got up and headed to the bathroom, hoping his kids would accept Mona.

XXX

Leo climbed into the bath , Raphie on his lap, and Raz sitting in the water. The older child picked up Raphie's toy boat and was playing with it. Mine, Raphael thought crossly, kicking his legs in the water and splashing Raz, as golden eyes glowered at his "brother."

"Don't do that, Raphie," Leo scolded. "You're wetting the floor and me and Raz."

"I don't think he wants me to play with the boat, Daddy," Raz said.

"Well, Raphie has to learn to share, Raz. Besides, he can play with his ducky. Here you go, Raphie," Leo said, handing the duck to Raphael.

Raphael grabbed it and bopped Raz on the beak with it, grinning, as tears formed in Raz's eyes.

"Raphie!" Leo admonished. "That's not nice!"

Funny, Raphael thought. Serves Raz right. That my boat.

"The baby doesn't mean it, Raz," Leo said. "Don't cry. Let's wash you and then we'll go and watch some TV before bed."

Upset, Raz refused to be consoled, and picking up the toy boat, he hit Raphael on his snout. "Bad baby," he said, his sapphire eyes blazing.

Shock flashed on Raphael's face, before he scrunched up his face in pain and fury and screamed at the top of his lungs, tears running down his chubby cheeks.

This is war, Raphael thought furiously, as Leo peppered his beak with kisses, trying to soothe him. I hate Raz and I ain't ever gonna forgive him.

A/N Thanks to you all for following this story and for your feedback. :)

Will Raz and Raphael ever become friends?