Chapter 4: A New Family

Sunday morning came very cold air from the rain, except it was a gray morning where the sun hasn't shine. Feathers woke up yawning, rubbing his eyes. He got off his bed, his diaper heavily wet. He scratched his diaper butt and went to check on Ince. Ince was sleeping peacefully in the sleeping bag, except when Feathers unzipped it, he noticed Ince's diaper all wet as well. He went to grab their diapers from the closet.

"Morning, Feathers," Ince's voice called out.

Feathers turned around as Ince rubbed his eye. "Oh, you just woke up now," he said. "I was about to change you."

Ince yawned. "I would appreciate it."

Feathers laid out the changing mat for Ince to lay his back on it, and he took Ince's wet diaper off. He cleaned Ince with wipes and taped a new diaper on him. "There you go," he said

"Thanks, Feathers," said Ince as Feathers grabbed another diaper. "You learned to change diapers pretty fast."

Feathers took off his wet diaper and wiped himself clean. "I've had my diapers changed for thirteen years before I started learning," he said as he taped his new diaper on. "Never felt happier to have Slither as my proud caretaker." He suddenly sniffed the aroma of breakfast. "Speaking of Slither, he must be cooking up breakfast. Race ya!" He ran out of the room, as Ince followed.

"Breakfast! Hooray!" Ince cheered.

At the dining room, Slither had set up breakfast at the table, just as Feathers and Ince ran to wash their hands. "Good morning, boys," he said. "I see you both are all prepped."

"Absolutely, sir," Ince said, as he and Feathers sat at the table.

"I trust you both had washed your hands?" Slither asked, and the two showed their paws. "Good."

"Feathers had to wash his hands first after changing my diaper," Ince smiled. "He must've learned so fast."

Feathers blushed. "Heheh. I sorta got that from Slither, considering he changed my diapers for thirteen years."

Slither chuckled. "Feathers, I do admire your inspiration, but you can't expect to do every chore in the house. Sometimes we have to take turns."

"But sir, you always change my diapers as a chore."

"Rubbish. I've done my chores, you've done yours. There's just certain chores you don't even know yet."

Feathers scratched his head, wondering what Slither meant.

Later, after breakfast, Feathers was doing his morning chores, as Ince was having his diaper changed by Slither.

"Thank you, Slither," said Ince as he sat up.

"You're welcome," Slither said. "I'm glad you're much better."

"I sure am."

Just then, Slither's candlestick telephone rang. "Oh, I wonder who that could be," he said. He slithered to the phone and answered the call. "Hello? Yes, this is Slither Scale speaking. Uh-huh. Yes." He listened on the phone as he drummed his fingers on the table. "Really? I see. Thank you." He hung up the phone.

"Who was it on the phone?" Ince asked.

"It was the foster agency," Slither said, "and I got good news. They decide to grant me full custody of you."

Ince gasped. "Really?!"

Feathers dropped the broom he was sweeping the floor with. "That means he's part of a family again!"

"That's right," Slither grinned.

Ince howled with delight, his tail wagging with a crinkle of his diaper. He jumped into Feathers' arms as they laughed. "Oh, I'm happy to have a big brother like you, Feathers!" he cried with tearful eyes.

Feathers chuckled, as his eyes tear up as well. "And I'm happy to have a little brother like you, Ince."

The two hugged as their diapers crinkle from wagging their tails, while their tears slid down their faces. Slither approached them and hugged them, as he then said, "Welcome to the family, Ince."

The next day, it was Monday morning, and everyone was at school.

"Good morning, class," Slither said. "Before we begin our lesson, allow me to introduce a new student. Give a warm welcome to Ince."

Ince shyly waved his paw, as he's not used to people. "H-Hello," he said, smiling his best.

"Wow, another kid wearing diapers," Ezrah said.

"He looks so cute," Edward added.

"Yep," Feathers said. "That's Ince, the puppy."

"Oh, so he's the pup you told us about."

"Ince, you will be sitting next to Feathers and the others," Slither said.

Ince nodded, and he approached Feathers and sat next to him. He noticed Ezrah and Edward. "You both wear diapers too? Like Feathers?"

"Yep," Ezrah said proudly. "I'm Ezrah the lizard, and this is Edward the dragon. You're Ince, aren't you?"

Ince nodded, and Edward said, "Pleased to meet ya, little buddy. Feathers told us a bit about you."

"Yeah, we're sorry for your loss. You doing okay?"

"I sure am," Ince grinned.

Slither tapped his rod on the chalkboard to get everyone's attention. "Eyes and ears up, everyone. Today, we're gonna be learning some English."

Ince opened his English book to begin a lesson. The students opened their books to learn some words. Then came the spelling.

"Now, who can spell 'tower'?" Slither asked, as the students raise their hands, as he pointed at Ince's paw. "Ince?"

"Tower," Ince said, "T-O-W-E-R. Tower."

"Excellent," Slither grinned.

Later, everyone was playing outside, while Feathers is with Ince, Ezrah and Edward. Ince had spoken with them about how his life was with his parents long before the tragic storm, and most recently, becoming part of Feathers' family.

"Well, congrats, dude!" Ezrah beamed. "You and Feathers became brothers!"

Feathers chuckled. "Brothers by love," he said.

"Yeah, family is by love, kindness, and support," Edward said.

"Slither said the same thing," Ince said, "and if it's not too much... I would like to be your friend."

"Dude, of course you can be our friend," Ezrah said.

"Yeah, we're friends," Edward added with a nod.

A ball flew in, as Feathers caught it. He saw a few kids nearby.

"Hey Feathers, wanna play ball with us?" A wolf pup asked.

"Oh, we'd love it," Feathers said. "Wanna join, Ince?"

"Oh, boy! Count me in!" Ince cheered.

"Play ball!" Ezrah said, as Feathers rolled the ball, and everyone ran out to play ball.

Ince was so sad from losing his parents and home, but now he was so happy to have a new home, and a new family, with his new brother Feathers, and guardian Slither Scale. He would look forward to a brand new start, his brand new life in Peak Country.