The next morning, Leo and Don were woken by the sobbing twins and after feeding and changing them, Don looked at his mate, as Leo cradled Raphie to his plastron, and said, "You're good with him."

"Why is that a surprise? I love my babies even if they're not perfect to others. He's still perfect to me and a gift from God. I'll adore him forever just like his siblings. Isn't that right, Raphie? You're my sweet boy and Daddy loves you so much."

Raphie looked at Leo, drooling from the corners of his mouth, and Don said, "You're stronger than me, Leo. I…."

"You what?" Leo demanded, dabbing Raphie's mouth with a tissue. "Are you saying you can't deal with a challenged baby? Our baby. Is that it? Look at him, Donnie. He needs us, is going to depend on us. You can't just walk away, because he's not the perfect son you expected. It's not his fault he's this way."

Feeling ashamed, Don rubbed the back of his neck and said, "I know that, Leo. He is going to need so much support emotionally and mentally. I'm not sure I can provide him with that and I loathe myself for saying that, but it's true."

"Hold him."

"W-what?"

"Place Leo down and hold Raphie."

"I can't."

"Do it!"

Don placed baby Leo down in the crib and took Raphie, who looked up at him with his golden eyes. Nervously, Don cradled the baby and studied his little face and his heart overflowed with love. How could I ever think of walking away from him, Don thought? I'm scum for contemplating it. Raphie may not be perfect, but he needs us. Both of us and I can't disappoint him. He is a miracle and a blessing. Just as much as baby Leo and all our kids are.

"And?" Leo asked. "What do you see? Imperfections? That's not what I see when I look at him. I see a sweet, little soul, who needs to be loved and I know I can give him that. Sure, at times it'll be difficult, but I know that I'll do my damndest to be the best Daddy for him and for him to know he is loved and accepted and needed. I will never make him feel unwanted or unloved. He's beautiful, Donnie. Do you still feel the same way?"

"No," Don said, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I was a coward to think of exterminating him or walking away from him."

"Then tell him you're sorry and you love him and will always be there for him. He needs to know that, Donnie. If you can't do that, walk away now."

"Raphie, I'm sorry," Don said, stroking the baby's cheek with one hand. "I will try to be a good Daddy to you and to always be there for you no matter what."

"Gah!" Raphie said, as if understanding and thinking, I'm not perfect like Leo, but I will bring ya love and try and make ya happy, Daddy. Please don't hate me, because I'm different. I can't help it and don't be mad if I can't do the things my brothers and sister do.

"Wonderful," Leo said, and patted his mate on the shoulder.

Raphie is different, baby Leo thought, but I don't care. He's my brother and I love him. I always will.

Don placed Raphie in the crib next to his twin and baby Leo locked his eyes on him, making Leo smile. "Bless," Leo said. "I think they're going to be fantastic friends. Come on, Donnie. Let's go grab breakfast while they nap."

When the parents had gone, baby Leo looked at his twin and said, "Baboo Goo." Meaning I love you.

"Baboo. Goo!" Raphie said, understanding and telling him the same thing.

"Googoo Gah Bahba." I always will.

"Googoo Gah Bahba."

Leo stretched out a chubby hand and touched his brother's cheek, making him coo softly. Yes, Leo thought. We have our own language and we're going to be just fine. I will spend the rest of my life looking after him and no one can break our bond.

XXX

Leo and Don went into the kitchen and found Holly and Mikey cooking waffles and bacon. The rest of the family was at the table. Don and Mikey kissed the kids and sat down. "Daddy, where are the babies?" Alex asked.

"Resting," Leo said.

"When can they play, Daddy?" Lisa said.

"Not for some time," Don said. "They're too small and when you hold them, you'll have to be especially careful with Raphie. He's smaller and different."

"Different how?" Ty asked.

Mikey placed steaming plates of bacon and waffles and after everyone had helped themselves and was tucking in, Leo said, "Remember Aunt April's cousin, Marla?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, Marla's confined to a wheelchair," April said. "And she can't run and play like other kids."

"Are ya sayin' that's the case with Raphie?"

"Yes," Don said.

"But it wasn't a problem with Marla," Ty said. "She couldn't run and play like us, but we played video games and chatted and we tried ta make her feel like she fitted in and I know she had a blast, because she said she did. We liked Marla for her and didn't see her problems. We'll do the same thing for Raphie. No problem. Raphie will never feel like he doesn't belong and he'll be loved."

"Not quite the same," Leo said sadly. "See, Raphie may not be able to talk or play video games, Ty."

Ty's face fell and then it lit up, as he said, "So, I'll just try and find things he can do, Daddy. Like readin'. I can read ta him and talk ta him and miracles happen, Daddy. Maybe he'll learn ta talk. I'll help him as much as I can and I know Lisa and Alex will too, right, guys?"

Leo's heart swelled with affection for his son. Despite his often gruff exterior, he really was a sweetheart. Just like Raphael had been. "Maybe he'll like dollies," Lisa said.

"No way!" Ty scoffed. "He's a boy. Boys don't play with dolls. Do they, Alex?"

Alex shook his head and said, "No. Just because Raphie's different doesn't mean he wants dollies. I hate dollies. He will too!"

"Not true. You said you wanted a dolly for your birthday," Lisa said.

"I was joking!" Alex screamed, his cheeks reddening. "Dollies are for girls. I like trucks and cars and ninjitsu and you shouldn't be doing that, because you're a girl."

"So what? I'll be a better ninja than you! I already am."

"Well, just wait until I'm bigger!"

"Anyway," Tyler said, ignoring the spat. "Daddy, Raphie will be loved. Ya don't have ta worry."

Leo smiled at his son and said, "Thank you, my boy. That means a lot to us."

XXX

After breakfast, Lisa said excitedly, as she looked out of the lounge window at the white blanket that covered the garden, "It's snowing! Can we go outside and play? Please? Please!"

"Only if you're properly dressed," Leo said. "Come on."

"Yay!" Alex said. "I can't wait! Going to be so much fun!"

Mikey chuckled and said, as Leo went to dress the kids, "You coming too, Holls?"

"No," Holly said. "I don't care for snow. I'll be inside baking. Have fun."

As Leo dressed the kids, Ty said, "Can the babies come and see the snow, Daddy?"

"They're too small, Ty."

"Just for five minutes. Ya can dress them in snow suits. Please, Daddy."

"All right."

"Yay!" Ty said. He bent over the crib and kissed his brothers' cheeks. "Guess what, guys? Yer gonna see snow!"

Why's he so excited, Raphie thought? And he looks like a mummy all wrapped up! So dumb. I'd never allow myself. Whoa. What is Daddy doin', Raphael, thought, as he was dressed in a red snow suit with a matching hood and gloves? Don't like this. "Waaah!"

"Shh," Leo said. "It's a snow suit, Raphie. Leo's going to wear a blue one. Don't cry."

"Googoo Boobooo!" baby Leo babbled, as he was dressed. "It's okay, brother."

"Googoo Boobooo!" Raphie said, calming down.

"I think you have your own language," Leo said and smiled. "You know, your dad and I used to too, Ty."

"Doesn't surprise me. Ya guys were super close and soulmates."

"That we were."

"And ya finished each other's sentences. Somethin' ya and Don don't do."

"Yes. Don and I love one another, but it's not the same as what your dad and I had."

"Course not. Uncle Donnie is second best."

"Stop saying that, Ty. It's not nice."

"True, though. My dad will always be number one and yer soulmate. Donnie will always be second best. Hey, Daddy, I was wonderin'. Do ya think that Raphie is really my daddy, because I'd have thought the new babies would look like ya and Donnie and only Leo looks like one of ya?"

"I don't know. I was wondering the same thing and if that's what Raph meant when we'd see him soon."

Lisa screeched from beside Leo and said, "Alex threw a spider at me, Daddy!"

"Ninny!" Alex said and giggled.

"Not nice," Leo scolded. "Say sorry to your sister!"

"I'm sorry, sis, but it was funny!"

"Alex!"

"I'm sorry, sis. I won't do it again."

"Yeah, right! So going to get you back."

"We'll talk later, Ty," Leo said. "Come on, kids, and Alex, behave or no TV later."

"Okay, Daddy. I'll be a good boy."

Leo picked up the babies and went in search of Don, who joined him and the other kids outside. Leo handed baby Leo to Don and cuddled Raphie close to his plastron. "See the snow, Raphie?" he said. "It's white. Feel it on your skin?"

"Gagooooo booooooo!" baby Leo said, his eyes wide, as he gazed at the snow that softly fell. Look, brother.

"Booboo Gaga!" Raphie said. I'm looking.

Ty, his siblings, Casey, April and Mikey had snowballs wars and were having a grand time when, Ty stopped and said, "Be back a minute." He picked up some snow and went to Leo, who was standing watching them and said, "Raphie, I know you can't touch the snow, so I brought it to you."

"Gagagooo goo!" Raphie said. What is that?

"Googoooga," baby Leo said. Snow.

Baby Raphie tried stretching out a hand and failed, his limb not willing to work. He scrunched up his face in frustration and tried again, as the snow began to melt, determined to touch the snow. Tyler smiled, picked up more snow and held it out to his brother. After ten more attempts, baby Raphie's fingers touched the snow and he cooed in delight, his golden eyes shining with happiness. He'd won. He'd touched the white stuff his brother had offered and he felt fantastic.

"Yay!" Tyler said. "Well done, Raphie. I'm so proud of ya. Look, Daddy. He's a champion, a fighter."

"He is," Leo said, and beamed. "And it's all down to you."

"See, Daddy? Raphie's gonna be just fine. He's not a quitter and he'll never let his disabilities bring him down. He's a lesson ta us all, Daddy. That no matter what, we should never give up. He inspires me."

"That he is, Ty. You're so wise for your age."

"You certainly are," Don said. "

"Yeah," Tyler said. "I think Raphie was sent ta us ta teach us that. I love him, Daddy, and I think we'll be good friends too."

"Googagoo, Goo!" baby Leo said. Good job, brother.

"Googoo!" Raphie said. Thank ya.

Ty grinned and said, "I think they agree. Here you go, Leo. Here's some snow." He scooped up more snow and held it out to baby Leo, who touched it, his eyes wide with surprise and delight. "Gagooooo!" It's cold.

"Ga!" Raphie said. Yes.

"Great job, Leo," Ty said. "I love you too. I'm going to play with the others. Can I help you bath the babies later, Daddy?"

"Of course you can, champ," Leo said. "I love you."

"Love ya too, Daddy!" Tyler said, and raced off to join the others.

"So, what do you think, Don?" Leo asked. "You look deep in thought."

"I think we're blessed to have such incredible kids and that while there will be challenges ahead, we'll be okay."

"I absolutely agree and I think Raphie will do his best to overcome his disabilities. He won't feel sorry for himself and be a quitter. I can already see that's not in his nature." Just like my Raph, Leo thought. Maybe this is him reincarnated.

A/N Thanks for the kudos and reviews. You guys are wonderful.

Christina, here's the snow chapter. Hope you like it :)