April went inside with Leo and the twins a while later, while the rest played outside. "I'll set the crib up in the lounge," Leo said. "Do you mind holding them while I do that, April?"

"Of course not," April said, taking the twins and looking at them lovingly. "They're so beautiful, Leo. You must be so proud."

"I am."

"One thing puzzles me. How come the other baby looks like Raph and not you or Donnie?"

"It's going to sound crazy, but I believe that's Raph reincarnated."

April's eyes widened and she said, "You're kidding?"

"No. I honestly believe that's him. I'd have dumped his sperm out of my pouch years ago. What other reason could there be?"

"I think you've been drinking too much eggnog, Leo. That sounds far fetched."

"Raph also appeared to me."

"Like in a dream?"

"No. He came to my room in his spiritual form and told me that he'd soon be back. I think this is what he meant."

"Look, I know you miss him incredibly, Leo, but him appearing? I think you dreamed it."

"Ty saw him too."

"You both wanted it to happen and it did in your dreams, Leo. Raphael's gone and there's no way he's coming back."

"Then your explanation for this baby?"

"I think somehow Raphael's sperm remained in your body and this is yours and his, but reincarnation? Come on. That's a bunch of hogwash!"

"I'm not making it up!" Leo snapped. "Raph came to me and we talked and I'll prove this is Raph. I'll take a paternity test when I'm back home."

"And if this is Raph, what will you do? He's Raph, but not Raph. You know what I mean and you're with Donnie now."

"I damn well know that!"

"And paternity tests aren't always accurate, Leo."

"I'll still raise him as my son and love him. Please don't tell anyone about this conversation. I'd like to keep it between us until I've run the tests."

"Fine, but I'm telling you now that is your son and not Raphael. Ghosts. Honestly, Leo. I thought you wouldn't believe crap like that."

Leo opened his mouth to retort, but thought better of it and went into the bedroom, retrieving the crib and dragging it into the lounge. "You're mad at me, aren't you?" April asked, as she and Leo removed the babies' snow suits and placed them in the crib.

"I know what I saw," Leo said, and covered his babies with a blanket. He kissed them and added, "I'm not crazy and I never believed in ghosts until then. Raphael was there. We talked, but believe what you want, April."

"Shouldn't you should tell Donnie if you're so adamant?"

"Tell me what?" Don asked, as he stepped inside with the gang.

"That a thunderstorm is about to hit," Leo said. "Heard it on the news. We should batten down the hatches and ensure we have enough wood for the heating."

"I didn't hear about a thunderstorm."

"Well, I did, Don. Do you think I'd fib about that?"

"No," Don said, as he helped the kids off with their jackets and gloves. "Is there enough wood, Casey?"

"Yep and enough supplies for at least a week. Speaking of food, I'm starved. Where's the grub?"

"After presents!" Lisa yelled, picking up a yellow wrapped one and shaking it.

"You heard the lady," April said, and laughed. "Holly, you coming?"

"Yes. I just need help bringing the refreshments, please, April."

"Coming."

XXX

Five minutes later, trays of refreshments on the coffee table, including Holly's famous triple chocolate brownies, as well as a plate of cinnamon rolls (Leo loved those) , a roaring fire had been lit and carols were playing, Tyler said, "Somethin' else is missin'."

"The babies," Lily said. "They have to be a part of this, Daddy. It's their first Christmas. Hold them and let them see what's going on."

Leo smiled and said, "But they won't understand. They're so…."

"Daddy, just do as I say. Please."

"All right," Leo said, rising to his feet and picking up the babies. He carried them back to the sofa and gently sat down, one in each arm.

"Googoo gooogaga," baby Raphie said, as he took in the Christmas tree and the presents. What is that?"

"Googoaba nono," baby Leo said. I don't know.

"Now we're all here," Alex said. "Come on! I can't wait for mine. Just tear the damn paper, sis. You take an age!"

"But they went to so much trouble wrapping and the paper's so pretty and can be used again," ever practical Lisa said to Alex's annoyance.

"Alex, watch your mouth," Don admonished.

"But damn isn't that bad, Daddy. Now fuck is…"

"Alex!"

"What Uncle Casey says it all the time?"

"Well, he shouldn't," Leo said, glaring at Casey, who shifted awkwardly on the sofa with April. "It's rude and I won't allow it either. Now behave or there'll be no presents, young man."

"Okay, Daddy. I'm sorry."

Lisa finally unwrapped her present and squealed in delight, when she saw she'd been given a box of crayons and a large coloring book. "Thank you, Daddy!" she said, and kissed both Don and Leo.

"Gagoooooo boon," baby Raphie said. Why is she so happy?

"Gonababo baboooba," baby Leo said. Present.

Tyler handed Alex a blue wrapped gift and he tore the paper excitedly, his hazel eyes shining in happiness, when he saw he had a huge yellow truck. "Wow. I love it. Thank you, Daddy!" he shouted. "It's beautiful."

"Aunty April's turn," Tyler said, giving her a green wrapped present.

"Thank you, sweetheart," April said, opening it and smiling when she saw it was a brown leather photo album. "Casey, it's lovely," she said, and kissed him on the lips.

"You're welcome, honey, for memories of us and the baby."

"Next up was Leo, who beamed, when he opened his gift, a painting of Raphael in his gear and mask, looking tenderly at Leo, as he held the egg that contained Tyler. Raphael's face was pure excitement, his golden eyes shining. Tyler had seen the photo many times and the painting was a perfect replica.

Don bristled and thought, typical kid to bring Raphael into the equation!

"You like it, Daddy?" Tyler asked. "I worked on it for months."

"It's gorgeous," Leo said, and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

"Will ya hang it in yer bedroom?"

Not wishing to offend his son, but knowing Don would be jealous about it (he hated seeing any photos of Raphael), Leo said, "I'll find a good place for it, Ty. You sure are talented. You get that from Raph. He loved painting and drawing and was exceptional. He'd be proud."

Tyler puffed up his little plastron in pride and said, "I am proud of him. Daddy was the best ninja and a hero."

"Who's next?" Don asked, fed up with the Raphael love fest.

Tyler fetched a present and handed it to Casey, who ripped the paper and grinned, when he saw it was a year's subscription to Auto World. "Thanks, Ape," he said and kissed her on the lips.

More presents were handed out and everyone loved theirs. Finally, it was the last one: Alex's. He ripped the paper off and shrieked with glee when he saw he had two stuffed toy turtles. He'd wanted one for months, but there hadn't been any in the shops and now he had two. "Wow," he said, hugging them to his plastron. "You got them, Daddy. Thank you."

"You're welcome, baby," Don said.

"That's it," Holly said. "I'm going to make some tea. Anyone want anything?"

Everyone declined and Alex said. "What about the babies?"

"There's next year," Leo said.

"No, Daddy. This is their first Christmas. They have to have something! Looking around at his toys, Alex saw they were too advanced for tiny babies, but something else would be just right. Without a second thought, he said, "I love my turtles, but the babies need a present and they can have them. I don't mind. Maybe I can get another turtle with the after Christmas sales or whatever."

"You sure, honey?" Leo asked, blown away by his thoughtful gesture.

Alex nodded and said, "Yep." He placed the toys in Leo's lap and added, "Besides, they need toys and they don't have any. This will make them happy and I want to see my brothers happy."

"Thank you, my boy. They'll love it."

Baby Leo and baby Raphie stared wide eyed at the toys in Leo's lap. "Baboo bawa?" baby Raphie said. Brother, what is that?

"Ooobooo baboo," baby Leo said. Our toy.

Leo smiled and said, "They're talking to one another again. So sweet. Thank you again, Alex."

"My pleasure, Daddy," Alex said, picking up a turtle and showing it to baby Raphie, who gazed at it in wonder. "It's yours, Raphie. Yours. Leo has his own one. I hope you'll love it."

"He does," Leo said, as Raphael attempted to touch it with his fingers, but failed. Wailing in frustration and scrunching up his little face, baby Raphie tried again and managed to touch it. He gurgled happily and thought, my toy. Alex good. Love Alex.

"Anyone fancy something to eat?" April asked.

They all assented and headed to the kitchen, Leo holding baby Raphie and Don holding baby Leo, the toys left on the couch until later.

XXX

Don and Leo were feeding the twins before they ate. Don said, "Leo, baby Raphie's not getting anything down. Not sucking hard enough.

"I know that, Don," Leo said and sighed.

"Daddy, you need to eat," Lisa said.

"We will when they're fed," Leo said. "Rest of you, please don't wait. Carry on."

Baby Leo guzzled his bottle down and Don said, "Leo, I have a plan." He gave baby Raphie his finger and the baby latched on to it and after a while began to suck harder. "Now, try, Leo," he said.

When Don had removed his finger, Leo gave baby Raphie his bottle and this time, he sucked harder and began to swallow the formula, soon finishing it and letting out a contented burp. Leo smiled and said, "Thanks, Don."

"No problem."

Leo and Don then shifted the babies to one arm, as they ate.

XXX

That evening, Ty was in bed, when he sensed a presence. "Who's there?"

"Just me," Raphael said, appearing.

"Daddy!" Ty said in delight and rushed to him. "Missed you, Daddy," he added, throwing his arms around Raphael. "Am I dreamin'?"

"Nope," Raphael said after pulling apart a few minutes later and looking at him affectionately. "I'm here and I got ya somethin'. Raphael fished in his obi, withdrew a key and gave it to him.

"What's that for, Daddy?"

"I have a secret place in the sewers with some paintings and a lot of art stuff. Stuff I never showed anyone. I was gonna, but then I died, so it's all yers. Ya'll also find more photos, my gamin' stuff. I left it there. More diaries and more of my gear. I think I left some adult stuff there too, but give that ta yer Daddy! Don't peek inside the box, okay? It's not for kids."

"Wow, Daddy. That's so cool. Thank ya."

"Squirt, I know yer real happy I'm back even if it's as a baby, but don't tell Donnie or the others, okay, that the baby's me? They won't believe ya and Donnie loathes me. He may hurt the baby if he knows it's me. Keep it a secret between ya and Daddy Leo."

"I will. Are ya gonna spend the night?"

"Yeah, but I wanna go see Leo. I'll be back. I love ya, Ty."

"Love ya too, Daddy."

XXX

Leo had moved the crib back to his room, placed the babies in it and the toy turtles next to them. He kissed them and whispered, "Love you both so much."

"They are beautiful," Don said. "I'm going to watch some TV. You coming? It's only eight p.m."

"Nah. I think I'll get an early night. Merry Christmas, Don, and thanks for all you do. I love you."

"Love you too and Merry Christmas," Don said, and kissed him. "See you later."

Leo sat down, undressed and was about to climb into bed, when a male voice said, "Sure has been an eventful Christmas."

Leo looked up and his jaw dropped when he saw his Raphael standing in front of him. "Raph?"

"Yeah. Yer not imaginin' me."

Leo jumped up and ran to him and hugged him tightly, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I love you, Raph."

"Love ya too, Fearless."

When they'd pulled apart, Leo saw that Raphael's cheeks were also streaked with tears. "That is you in the crib, isn't it, Raph?"

"Yes, but best not ta tell anyone, Leo. They'll think yer delusional and best not ta tell Donnie. Ya know his feelings toward me may change if he knows it's me. He's jealous of what we had, Leo."

"And the paternity test?"

"Don't take it. Just say that a miracle happened and it's my sperm in ya that made the baby. That can happen ta turtles, Leo. That sperm they thought was gone, is still there. Keep the truth between ya and Ty."

"I will, but Raph, what are you doing here?"

"It's Christmas, ain't it? And it's the time ta be with yer loved ones, and ya and Ty are my family, so here I am. I got somethin' for ya."

"They have shops in heaven?"

Raphael laughed and said, "Yeah. But they didn't have what I wanted. I got ya this. Remember it?" He fished out a box from his obi and gave it to Leo.

Opening it, Leo blinked in surprise, when he saw a silver locket inlaid with ruby and sapphire diamonds and the inscription ' Ta Leo, all my love forever, Raph'. Raphael had a matching locket, but his inscription said, 'To Raph, all my love forever, Leo.' "Where did you find this?" Leo asked. "I thought I lost it."

Raphael produced his own from his obi and put it on. "I think Don went snoopin' around and hid things remindin' ya of me. I found these in a cupboard in the laundry room. They were right at the back and filthy, so I washed them. He don't want ya ta remember me, Leo, and I can sorta understand it, but…I wander the house at night, lookin' for our stuff and puttin' them in places ya will find that Donnie won't. I'll tell ya where when I appear ta ya and I will sometimes."

Tyler entered the bedroom and said, "Sorry. I just wanted ta tell Daddy Leo that ya were back, Daddy."

"It's fine, sweetheart," Raphael said. "I'm glad yer here. Now we're all together. Group hug."

They hugged one another and there wasn't a dry eye and when they'd pulled apart, Leo said, "Stay tonight, Raph?"

"Course and Leo, when ya find out stuff, put it somewhere Don doesn't go ta. Now, let's watch It's a Wonderful Life. I love that movie."

A few minutes later, the movie on and nestled between Raphael and Ty, Leo thought, why couldn't someone else have died? Why Raph?

Raphael caught him looking distant and whispered, "Hey. I'm here now, baby. And I'll pop by whenever I can. In the meantime, ya still have me as the baby. I love ya so very much. Merry Christmas."

Leo kissed him deeply on the lips and said, "I love you too, Raph." The lovers kissed again.

"Now it's Christmas," Ty declared, as he watched his parents kiss. "This is the best Christmas ever."

Raphael broke the kiss and said with a grin, "It sure is, squirt. Love ya too."

Leo thought, as he resumed kissing Raphael, I love him and I wish….I wish he wasn't back as a baby, but as himself and we could be together again properly. For always. The way we should have been.

A/N Happy Birthday for yesterday, Christina. I hope you had an amazing day and have a great year ahead. :) And I'm glad you and your sister are doing better and it's understandable you'll miss your dog. We always do and they'll always own a piece of our heart. Hope you liked the chapter.