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It was just Dash, Lero, and the foals that evening much to Rainbow's pleasure. The rest of the herd went on a date night to a lovely dinner and show that Twilight was really excited for. Rainbow got to goof off with her children as much as she wanted. So many games to play, which included her favorite activity: Everypony pin Lero.
“Hey, that’s not fair!” Lero wiggled under the combined weight of all the youngsters.
“April Showers, poke him hard right there.” The rose colored pegasus giggled as she attacked her father in the ribs. Rainbow was pleased with the results as Lero tried to jerk away.
“Stop!” Lero squirmed helplessly. He could barely get a word edgewise as his voice continued to crack. “S-show some mercy for your Dad!”
“Hmm, naw. He still struggling!” Apple Cider, the oldest of the group, nestled down on Lero’s knees. His large, heavy body was perfect to keep Dad in one place while the rest tickled with no worries. Cider's tail brushed up against their father's feet very slowly.
“I’ve heard he is sensitive if you lick the edges of his ears.” Penumbra carefully moved her horn to not hurt him and received a positive response as she licked Lero. “Geez Dad, where aren’t you sensitive?”
The toothless Apple Jam gummed on Lero’s hand with reckless abandon. Rainbow Dash noticed and had an evil idea. “Hey everypony, start nibbling him! That really makes him howl.”
“No, no, no, NO!” Lero never survived the onslaught, rest his weary soul.
“May we have pizza?” Rainbow looked down at the more reserved foal of the herd, Blitz.
“Did somepony say pizza?” The rest of the foals shot their heads up and stared at their mother.
Rainbow chuckled as she rubbed her head. “Well, we could have pizza. Unless your Dad wants to make something for supper.”
Like a zombie that refused to die, Lero rose up. “I’m cool with pizza.”
After being told then retold what they all wanted, Rainbow finally had the order ready. “All right, I’ll be back real quick. Apple Cider, you’re in charge.”
“Wait a minute…” Lero gave Dash an unruly glare.
“Later!” Dash was out the door before any of them could blink.
Lero sighed as he scratched the back of his neck. “What do you all feel like doing while we wait for our delivery mare to come back?”
“Actually Dad we do have something we wish to talk about.” Apple Cider looked nervous as he nodded at Penumbra.
The unicorn’s horn glowed as she produced a folder stuffed full of paper. “Did you go riffling through Momma Twilight’s stuff?”
Apple Cider looked nervous, like he was about to share something he wouldn’t like the answer to. “We know how you are different from other ponies.”
“And not just in body.” April Showers added. “We know that you are bent like Mommy Dash is.”
Lero pinched the bridge of his nose. “Children, I love your father just as much as your mothers.”
“We know.” Blitz answered. “Apple Jam found these the other day.”
The folder was labeled with a faded 'Lero'. The human took it and opened it up. In it was the entirety of Twilight’s research so Lero could have children with Lyra, Dash, and herself. Lero wasn’t sure what he should have said at this point. “Wow, this is some old stuff.”
“I looked through it. Mom made some groundbreaking stuff with this. Some of the magic here makes my head swim.” Penumbra sat down next to her siblings. “There was only one problem.”
“Your genes couldn’t be altered.” Apple Cider answered. “You were trying to have foals of your own and failed.”
“Do…do you regret that. Not being a father?” April Showers stared intently at Lero.
Lero knelt down to them. He pointed at each one as he spoke. “Am I not a father? I have all of you. Each and every one of you are my special babies.”
“B-but these papers.” Apple Cider stamped his hoof. “You all tried hard and it didn’t work.”
Lero sighed. “Twilight’s plan was an idea that she had. You know your mother, when she gets a thought she will pursue it until she knows everything she can about it.”
“You don’t resent us?”
“Wanna know a secret?” Lero leaned in close and continued in a hushed whisper. “It was my idea to find your father. Your Uncle Mac helped out.”
“It was your idea!?” Blitz blurted out.
Lero flashed them a smile. “Strange isn’t it? I’ll admit that I don’t see stallions the same way I see mares, but if I didn’t do that I would have missed out on all of you.”
Lero reached his arms out wide and pulled them in close. “Then I couldn’t do this.” He placed a single kiss on each forehead. “I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.”
“Don’t you forget it.”