Births and Visits

A/N I would like to thank I would like to thank hippogriff-tamer, and LittleFairyMaiden for reviewing chapter eight. I would also like to thank hippogriff-tamer for all of her help with the chapter, and LittleFairyMaiden for being my beta this chapter.

Lucy ran into the room, eyes shifting between the others. "What's going on?"

"Tracy is going to have her babies," Heather answered.

Lucy's eyes widened. Her only experience with childbirth was seeing her parents anxiously gather a suitcase before rushing her out to the car. She stayed over at her best friend's house while Link was born. "We need Tracy's suitcase right?" she asked.

Tracy nodded. "It's in the bedroom."

Lucy gave a slight nod in acknowledgement and hurried out of the room. She returned moment's later, tan suitcase in hand.

Heather turned to Greg. "Will you drive?" she asked him.

He wordlessly grabbed his keys and opened the front door. Greg had never witnessed a woman going into labor so he was unsure of exactly what to say or do so he figured listening to Heather was probably the best course in action. After all, she went through labor twice.

Heather took Tracy's arm and guided her out the door. Lucy and Greg followed. He opened the car doors for them and Tracy lay in back with her head on Heather's lap. Lucy climbed in the front passenger seat while Greg sat behind the wheel. The engine roared as Greg drove out of the driveway.

Tracy was wincing in pain as a contraction hit her.

"Breathe," Heather reminded Tracy, running her fingers through her daughter-in-laws hair.

Tracy exhaled. "That was unpleasant."

Heather looked at her sympathetically, "I know sweetie, we can help the pain once we get to the hospital."

"And contact Link right?"

Heather nodded. "Yes, we'll find a way to get Link here."

Lucy turned in her seat so she could see her mom. "How will we get Link?"

"We'll figure it out," Heather simply told her.

Once they got to the hospital, Tracy was quickly shown to a room. Greg went to the waiting room to sit, but he only found himself pacing like he was the expectant father instead of Link. Heather and Lucy helped Tracy into her hospital gown, then bed. They both sat in chairs on either side of the bed. Tracy looked up as Heather stroked her hand. Kathy, a nurse with short brown hair, came in and took Tracy's blood pressure.

"Heather, would you help with the coaching while Link's not here?"

Heather smiled affectionately. "Of course Tracy."

A new contraction hit Tracy and she clenched her teeth as the pain shot through her. Heather held tightly to her hand while Lucy rubbed Tracy's arm. Once the pain subsided Heather stood. "I'll get you some ice chips."

"Okay," Tracy murmured.

Heather flew out of the room, returning with a cup full of ice. She knew that the ice was more of a distraction for the pain and a way to protect the teeth from any grinding that could happen during a contraction. Dr. Anderson arrived ten minutes later, while Tracy was squeezing both Heather's and Lucy's hand during a contraction.

"It'll pass soon," Dr. Anderson said softly. "If you like we can give you an epidural in a little bit to ease your pain."

"Epidural, yes," Tracy quickly told the doctor.

Dr. Anderson smiled knowingly. She knew from experience that ninety percent of the time a pregnant woman in labor would choose the pain medication.

"If it's all right with you, I'd like to examine you to see how you're doing," she added.

"It's all right," Tracy answered.

Heather and Lucy stood in the doorway as the doctor performed her examination. Dr. Anderson waved for them to return.

"How is she?" Heather inquired.

"She's at two centimeters."

"Thank you for getting here so quickly Doctor," Heather told her.

Dr. Anderson grinned. "I was already here delivering a healthy baby boy to another couple down the hall."

Tracy pouted as Dr. Anderson left.

Lucy frowned. "What's wrong Tracy?"

"I want Link." Tracy sounded a little bit like a petulant child.

"We'll get him here soon," Lucy cooed calmly.

"How?"

"I'll think of a way," Heather assured her. Tracy seemed appeased by that answer.

Several minutes later Tracy let out a gasp as she felt another contraction. "Link!" she called.

Lucy and Heather looked at each other before the latter walked over to the door. She turned before leaving. "Let me see what I can do about your wayward husband," she told Tracy before going out to the hallway.

When Heather returned Tracy watched her restlessly. "I called Wilbur and he's got the directions so he'll go get Link and bring him to you."

"My dad…"

Heather smiled and nodded.

Tracy calmed herself enough to take a small nap. When she awoke from another contraction it was time for another examination.

"Tracy, you're at four an a half, almost five centimeters. I think it'd be okay to give you the epidural," Dr. Anderson said, once she finished.

"Really?" Tracy squeaked.

Dr. Anderson nodded. "Really. I'll go and tell the nurse anesthesiologist and she'll come and administer it for you," she said before heading out of the room.

"Mrs. Larkin?" a tall raven-haired nurse said as she entered the room fifteen minutes later.

Tracy turned her head towards her. "That's me."

She smiled at her. "I'm Meredith. I'm here to give you the epidural."

"It's very nice to meet you," Tracy told her.

Meredith snickered. "They all say that." Having a seven-year-old child, she knew how excruciating labor could be and how happy mothers to be were to see the one person who could relieve them of their pain.

Heather and Lucy helped Tracy sit up so Meredith could reach her back. She administered the medication and Tracy was assisted back into bed.

"It will take a few minutes but you should feel it soon," she told Tracy.

"Thank you," Tracy murmured.

Meredith nodded and left the room.

Link and Wilbur arrived after two. There was some weekend traffic so it had taken them a bit longer to arrive. Heather relinquished her seat to her son. Link kissed Tracy's temple before sitting down and taking her hand in his own.

"I'm glad you're here," Tracy declared.

He gently squeezed her hand. "There's no where else I'd want to be."

"But what about your trip?"

He grinned. "I think I was getting on the guys nerves with all my anxiety over you."

"They are all out in the waiting room with Greg," Wilbur added.

Tracy looked at her father. "Thanks daddy."

Wilbur walked over and kissed her forehead. "You're welcome hun. I'll see you later," he told her as he made his way to the waiting room.

"Have you called Ma?" Tracy asked.

"I've tried her but she must be out or something," Heather answered. "I'll go try her again," she mentioned before going out in the hall.

Five hours passed and Heather still couldn't get a hold of Edna. Tracy's labor had progressed swimmingly. When Dr. Anderson came in at seven that evening she told Tracy that it was time to push. The quickness of the labor was due to Tracy having started labor without knowing she had even before her water broke.

"I didn't feel any different until my water broke," Tracy said once Dr. Anderson mentioned that the labor began earlier than they all had thought.

Dr. Anderson patted her hand. "Well, you've never had a baby before so you might not have realized any slight discomfort as anything but normal pregnancy aches."

Kathy was called to come in and assist. She helped Tracy sit up so that she could push.

"Okay push on your next contraction," Dr. Anderson told her.

Tracy nodded and pushed a couple minutes later when she felt a contraction. She relaxed once the pain subsided and repeated the pushing upon the arrival of the next contraction. Tracy was about to ask how much longer she'd have to push when a cry was heard.

"It's a boy!" Dr. Anderson shouted joyfully. She cut the cord and handed the baby to Kathy.

Tracy laid her head back on the pillow and Link kissed her forehead.

"You did wonderfully Trace."

"Only because I had y…"

Another contraction came and Tracy was told to push again.

Dr. Anderson smiled. "You have a daughter!" she called out once the baby girl was born.

Another nurse with red hair, Sonia, came in and bundled Tracy and Link's daughter up in a blanket.

It took a few minutes until Tracy was told to push again. Her pushes were more labored since she was worn out from the other two times.

After a few minutes Tracy and Link heard Dr. Anderson say, "I see a head. Just a couple more pushes and the last baby will be born."

Tracy sighed in relief. The day had been long and she was ready to rest. So when she heard the declaration of "It's another girl!" Tracy leaned back and asked, "Is it over?"

Dr. Anderson smiled and nodded. "Yes, Tracy, it's over; rest now."

While the babies were getting cleaned up Heather quickly excused herself and went to the payphone.

At the Turnblad house the phone rang and Edna picked it up. "Hello?" she said.

Heather sounded exasperated as she spoke. "Finally! I have being trying to reach you all afternoon!"

Edna's words came out in a flurry. "Why?! What happened!?"

Heather expelled a deep breath before answering. "I wanted to congratulate you."

Edna raised her eyebrow, confused. "What for?"

"Tracy's just given birth to a son and two daughters." Heathers voice was filled with excitement.

"Really!?" Edna asked enthusiastically.

"Yes, I think Tracy would like if you came."

Edna smiled. "I'm on my way."

Heather hung up the phone after saying goodbye to Edna and turned back towards her son and daughter-in-law. When she got back to the room she found Tracy with her newborn son in her arms.

"I was thinking we'd have three girls." Link said softly.

Tracy's brow furrowed. "Why's that?"

Link flashed his trademark smile. "Because girls can't resist me."

Tracy's lips curled up in a smile. "You're so sure of yourself do you know that Mr. Larkin?"

"But you love me for it Mrs. Larkin," Link defended.

"That I do," Tracy replied.

"What shall we name our little guy?" Link asked

"I was thinking Jonathan Lincoln Larkin."

He thought about the name for a moment. "That's a strong name, I think it's perfect."

"Jonathan it is," Tracy said, just as her son opened his radiant blue eyes. He had Tracy's nose and Link's hair as well.

"Hey sweetie, I'm your mommy," Tracy cooed softly to the infant as he reached out and touched her hand.

Just then a nurse came back in carrying one of the girls in and hands her over to her father. Link carefully took her into his arms and was at once complete held in thrall of the little girl in his arms. She had a small tuft of brown hair that resembled Tracy's and a longer face that matched Link's.

"What shall we name this one?"

"How about Stacy Lynn Larkin?"

"Hi Stacy, I'm your daddy," Link said affectionately.

"I've always liked the name Stacy," Lucy stated.

"Welcome to the world Stacy," Tracy murmured as another nurse walked in with their other daughter. She looked to Tracy but Lucy spoke first.

"Can I be the first one to hold her?"

"Absolutely Lu."

"Thanks Tracy."

The nurse handed the girl to Lucy. Heather walked in the room a moment later with everybody else.

"What shall we name our other little girl?" Link asked upon receiving her in his arms.

"How about we name her Jane Elizabeth Larkin?"

Link ran his finger across the baby's cheek. "That's a beautiful name doll."

"It is," Heather added in agreement.

Wilbur walked over to the side of the bed opposite where Link sat. "Here let me take my grandson."

"All right daddy." Tracy handed over the infant.

"What did you name the other two?" Heather asked.

"Their names are Jonathan Lincoln Larkin and Stacy Lynn Larkin."

"Here let me take Stacy," Heather said. At the sound of her grandmother's voice Stacy opened her eyes and Heather was met by a pair of cerulean orbs. "She has your pretty blue eyes Link," Heather added with a smile.

Link walked over to them. "They're pretty," he told her. "But not as pretty as Tracy's."

Tracy shook her head. "Yours are much nicer than mine."

"I'd like to hold Jane," Joel said as he took the baby into his arms. Jane opened her brown eyes and stared up at him. She had a small curl of dark brown hair over her forehead. Joel chuckled at it mimicking Link's signature curl.

"Her hand is so small," Joel mused as his eyes wafted down to it.

"It's hard to believe she is real when you have her in your arms doesn't it? Tracy asked. "They're all so delicate and we need to take good care of them," she added.

Joel and Lucy nodded and Link smiled. "We will Trace we won't let anything happen to them."

Tracy glanced at her son and daughters and instinctively knew that Link was right. They wouldn't let anything happen to them.

Link looked to his father-in-law and Wilbur handed him Jonathan.

"I wish dad could see me holding Jonathan."

"Sweetie, I think it would be best to wait awhile for your dad to meet the kids."

"Why?" Link and Tracy both asked.

"Well Jeff is promiscuous and at times a lush. Who knows how he'll act around these guys," she answered motioning to her grandchildren. "We don't want him to accidentally hurt any one of these precious angels."

"No we wouldn't," Link agreed.

"Want to tell them about your reaction when I told you that Tracy was in labor?" Wilbur said, changing the subject.

Link looked down at his shoes, embarrassed. "Do we have to?"

"I want to hear what happened, Link," Tracy told him.

Wilbur smiled as he started his tale. "Well it didn't take me too long to get down to the campground but then I had to find where the guys set up their tents. Link was sitting outside his. When he saw me he jumped up and ran to me. 'What happened!? Is Trace all right? The triplets?' he asked in one breath."

Link took Jane from Joel and strolled about the room as Wilbur continued. "He continued on his rant by saying 'Please let them be all right. I'm too young to be a widower!'"

Joel and Lucy chuckled and Tracy gave Link a sympathetic look.

"I told him to calm down and that you were in labor hun," Wilbur said gazing at his daughter. "The others came out upon hearing Link's tirade and were looking to me for answers. I repeated that Tracy was in labor and that we should leave so we could get to the hospital. They quickly took down the tents and picked up everything and we were off."

Tracy smiled and patted the chair beside her. Link handed Jane to Wilbur and sat in it. She squeezed his hand. "Aww Link, were you really that worried?"

"I was anxious the entire time I was away from you Trace," he admitted. She tugged on his arm and when he leaned into her, she placed a sweet kiss on his lips.

Meanwhile Edna was speeding to the hospital. She was going fifteen miles over the speed limit. An officer spotted her as she passed him in a cross lane and he turned on his siren to pursue her. Edna both heard the sirens and saw them in her review mirror. She pulled over when there was a safe area to do so. The officer stopped behind her. He was a portly gentleman with thinning black hair.

"Evening ma'am," the officer said. "Can I have your license and registration?"

"What am I being pulled over for?" she asked as she handed over the two requested items.

"You were going fifteen miles over the speed limit ma'am."

"I didn't mean to. See my daughter just gave birth to triplets and they are my first grandchildren and I am eager to meet them," she told him earnestly.

"I understand ma'am but that's no reason to break the law." There was a stern air of authority in his voice. "Let me run your license."

"All right."

The officer went back to his car and returned a minute later.

"You have no prior infractions so I'll let you go with a warning."

"Thank you officer."

He handed her license and registration back to her. "Just remember to stay within the limit; there's a reason we have them."

"Yes, sir."

She let the police car go ahead of her then continued to the hospital. She parked in the first spot she found and hastily made her way to Tracy's floor. Lucy met her in the hall and showed her into the room.

"Tracy, how are you feeling?"

"A little tired but otherwise okay," Tracy answered. She then held up Jane so Edna could see her. "Ma, I'd like you to meet Jane Elizabeth Larkin."

"She's adorable!" Edna declared.

"And this is Stacy Lynn Larkin," Wilbur told her. He had given Jane to Tracy and taken Stacy two minutes prior to Edna arriving.

"How bout this handsome fellow?" she asked Heather.

"He is. Edna this is Jonathan Lincoln Larkin," Heather answered.

"Want to hold Jane Ma?"

Edna smiled and nodded. "I'd love to hun."

Tracy gently handed the infant to Edna who kissed her granddaughter's forehead.

"Ma, where were you all day? Heather tried to call you." Tracy was filled with curiosity.

Heather turned to Edna. "I was getting worried about you."

"I went furniture shopping with Ann and Mary and then we took Mary into a toy store."

"I wish we had known that," Heather said thoughtfully.

"That's not important now. What's important is that I am here now."

Just after Edna finished speaking Stacy let out a loud wail.

"Maybe she needs to be fed?" Tracy said.

"I'll go get the nurse," Link told her.

"Thanks, Casanova."

"Here let me take John," Lucy said.

"All right, sweetie," Heather said handing the infant to her daughter just as Link returned with Kathy, the nurse who had assisted with the delivery.

"You wanted me, Mrs. Larkin?"

"Yes, I think Stacy might need to be fed."

"Here let me show you what to do," Kathy said and everyone left the room to give Tracy some privacy as she was shown how to feed her new baby. When Stacy was finished her brother began to wail in hunger.

"Seems like your son is hungry as well," Kathy laughed and handed the little boy over to his mother to be fed.

"Seems that way," Tracy told her taking John into her arms. She began to feed the crying baby.

"Let me go ahead and take them for the night."

"All right," Tracy said allowing the nurse to take the three infants from the room as her family headed back in.

"Where is the nurse taking the triplets?" Link asked.

"To the nursery for the night."

"They do that so Tracy can rest," Heather told them.

Link nodded. "Oh, okay."

When visiting hours were over Tracy asked Link if he would stay for the night. Not wanting to leave her side, he was more than willing to stay. Everyone else said their goodbyes and left and he closed the door so that he leaned against it just looking over at his wife.

Grinning, he walked over to her bed and sat down. Taking her hand in his he began to stroke her in a soothing way, simply letting her know that he was there. She want to kiss him pulls him close and kisses him with suppressed passion. He broke their lip lock only to trail his lips down her soft cheek to her neck nipping her lightly and earning a soft giggle from her. He then nuzzled her neck and was only slightly surprised when he heard a soft snore coming from her. Pulling away from his wife he went back to his chair and tried to get some much needed sleep.

At nine the next morning Link awoke only to find that Tracy was already awake and had just finished having breakfast.

"Morning snuggle bunny."

"Morning Linky."

"I'm going to get breakfast."

Tracy smiled in acknowledgement. He gave her a chaste kiss and left.

Later that morning, Amber, Tammy, Noreen and Doreen came into the room.

"Hey girls," Tracy said when she saw them.

"Hey," they said.

"Who do we have here?" Amber asked.

She gestured to John. "This is Jonathan Lincoln Larkin."

Link held up Stacy. "Stacy Lynn Larkin."

"And Jane Elizabeth Larkin," Tracy added.

"Oh how adorable," Noreen said as she took John.

"She has your eyes Tra," Amber said taking Jane.

"Can I hold Stacy?" Doreen asked.

"Absolutely Doreen." she said handing the young woman the baby in her arms. "She looks like Link," she added thoughtfully.

"She has his face," Amber agreed.

Throughout the morning the other council members came to visit Tracy and meet the new family members. Around one that afternoon Dr. Anderson came by and told Tracy she could go home. Heather and Greg brought Link's car to the hospital. Greg had already put the car seats in. Heather and Lucy had moved all of Tracy's things from their temporary room to Link's room. At two a nurse with short brown hair brought a wheelchair by the room.

"Are you ready to go home Mrs. Larkin?" she asked.

"I'm more than ready," Tracy told her.

The nurse chuckled. "Let me help you into you wheelchair then."

"Here let me give you a hand," Link said.

Link and the nurse help Tracy into her wheelchair, and Link placed two of the three napping infants into her lap. Another nurse with red hair came and held the third as Tracy was wheeled outside.

"Wait here snuggle bunny, I'll go get the car."

Tracy nodded, pulling Jane and Jonathan closer to her as they prepared to wait for Link's return.

The nurse holding Stacy looked down at Tracy's lap and back at the infant in her arms. "Want me to wait here with you Mrs. Larkin?"

"Do you mind?"

"Not at all."

Link went to get the car and the nurse helped Link put the triplets in the car. Link then helped Tracy out of the wheelchair and into the car. They bid good-bye to the nurse and started their way home when suddenly Stacy began to cry.

"Maybe she's hungry?"

"I fed her about an hour ago."

"Maybe she needs to be changed then."

"Maybe."

Link pulled over to the side of the road. He got out of the car and checked Stacy. She quieted the moment the car stopped.

Link shook his head. "She's dry."

"She's stopped now that the car is not moving," Tracy noticed.

"I wonder if she hates the movement the car makes?" Link asked.

Tracy shrugged. "Let's see if she starts crying again when we get back on the road."

Link got in the drivers seat and they continued home Stacy wailing all along the way causing both parents to agree that she disliked the car moving. Tracy turned around slightly in her seat and placed a hand on Stacy's legs, rubbing soothing circles on it. The touched calmed her for a moment but she was wailing again the moment Tracy turned around. When they got home Tracy and Link put the triplets into their strollers, which Greg had put in the car before they brought it by, and headed inside. They were immediately greeted by the dogs.

"Hey guys," Tracy said.

Adam sniffed and licked John. Sarah did the same to Stacy who had since calmed down. They both giggled as they were licked but when Laura sniffed Jane she cried. Link quickly picked her up before Laura could lick her and scare her more. Laura moved onto Stacy and sniffed and licked her and she giggled.

"Welcome home hun," Edna said.

"Hey Ma."

"Here let me help you get Stacy and John out of their strollers," Heather said.

"Thanks Mom," Link told her.

"Mary and Ann are going to stop by in about an hour to meet the kids. I called them earlier and Ann was sorry that she wasn't there last night."

Tracy was about to answer but John began crying.

"I think someone needs to be changed," she said after taking a whiff.

"I'll do it sweetie."

"I want to do it Mom."

Edna nodded slightly. Tracy went into the nursery and changed John before softly singing him to sleep. Edna walked in the room with Jane moments later.

"You have one more hun."

"Alright Ma, can you put John in the crib with his stuffed dog?"

"Absolutely."

Tracy changed Jane and put her in the crib. She placed a stuffed dog from Amber in there too. Jane instantly moved away from it and started crying again. Tracy removed the stuffed animal from the crib and scooped her up. She ran her fingers gently up and down Jane's back to soothe her. Tracy could feel her cries die down as she calmed. She placed her daughter back in the crib and looked up to see Link in the doorway.

He glanced between his wife and newborn children. "Is everything okay?"

"Jane seems to be frightened of dogs," Tracy answered.

"She didn't like Laura near her," Link said in agreement. "Maybe we should give her a different stuffed animal," he suggested, picking the stuffed dog off the floor where it fell.

"Do you have such an animal?" Tracy asked.

"I do, I'll be right back." Link headed to his room and returned carrying a stuffed rabbit. It was gray with floppy ears.

"You still have that thing," Lucy said. She was looking into the room.

"I couldn't throw away Floppy," Link said.

Lucy shook her head. "You named it?"

"I think that's a cute name," Tracy told them.

He walked to the crib and held his stuffed rabbit out in front of Jane. She reached for it and he handed it to her. She cuddled up next to it and instantly fell asleep.

"She likes rabbits," Link said, stating the obvious.

"Come, let's go downstairs and let them sleep."

Link followed Tracy out of the nursery. For the next hour everybody visited, till there was a knock at the door. Tracy got it and opened it to reveal Ann and Mary.

"Hey Ann, Mary."

"Hey sweetie," Ann said.

"Hey Tracy," Mary said.

"Where are the kids?"

'I just put them down for a nap."

"Can we see them?" Mary asked.

"As long as we are quiet," Tracy answered. She led them upstairs and introduced the triplets, gesturing to each of them as she said their name.

"I can't see," Mary said. She was trying to peer through the crib bars but her height wasn't allowing her a good view.

Ann smiled down at her. "Here let me pick you up."

"Mommy, where do babies come from?"

"They're little angels from Heaven"

"Am I an angel too mommy?"

"Yes sweetie," Ann said as Stacy awoke.

"Looks like she needs to be changed again," Tracy mused.

"I'll do it," Ann told her. She picked Stacy up and adeptly changed her. Sitting in the rocking chair she hummed "Rock a Bye Baby" to her.

"Hey sweetie, I'm your aunt Ann." Stacy reached for her.

Stacy's gaze found Mary. "And I'm Mary." She touched Stacy's outstretched hand and smiled. "Can I hold her?"

"No sweetie, you're too little," Ann told her. Stacy had fallen back to sleep so Ann placed her gently in the crib. She and Mary spent the rest of the afternoon talking about the babies. Ann even swapped stories about Mary when she was a newborn. Later that evening before bed Tracy wrote in her diary.

Dear Diary,

We have three new members of my family! Jonathan, Stacy and Jane Larkin were born today. They are going to be a handful to be sure, but I have Link, my parents, his parents and our friends, though I am still so nervous! Link is too but he tries not to show it, typical guy not wanting to show weakness. I hope that we will all be all right.

At two that morning Tracy was awakened by Jane crying and slipped out of Link's grasp, trying not to wake him up and tiptoed to the nursery where she fed Jane.

"Hush little baby," she softly sang.

She fed Jane and then Jonathan, who had awakened shortly after her. Stacy was next since she too awoke hungry. She fed each infant singing softly to each as they ate their fill. She put them all back to bed and left to return to her own room.

When she walked in she found Link lying in bed awake.

"Linky, did I wake you up?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright, I'll take care of them next time."

She sat down besides him and kissed him. "Thanks."

"Let's go back to sleep."

Tracy yawned. "That sounds good to me." She kissed him again before shimmying under the sheets. Link lay next to her with his arm around her waist.

The next morning at eight Tracy and Link woke up. They were both still very sleepy.

"Morning Tracy."

"Morning Link," Tracy sighed before pulling him in for a deep kiss.

"Let's go get breakfast."

"Okay."

They headed downstairs where they were greeted by Heather. She grinned knowingly at their droopy eyes.

"I see you two didn't get much sleep."

Tracy shook her head. "No, the kids kept waking us up."

"They'll get so they sleep through the night," Heather told them. "Oh before I forget Tracy your mom called about ten minutes ago and said she would be here about nine."

Tracy glanced at the clock. "An hour."

Heather nodded. "She can help you while I'm at work. I'm sure you've got a million questions, being new parents."

"I definitely do," Tracy answered.

"What's for breakfast mom?"

"Pancakes."

"Are they ready yet?"

"They should be ready any minute."

An hour later after Heather and Lucy had both left for work there was a knock on the door. Tracy opened it to find her mom on the other side.

She hugged her. "Hey Ma."

"Hey hun."

Link walked in holding John. "Hi Mom."

"You two look exhausted. Why don't you rest for a bit while I take care of this guy and his sisters," Edna suggested.

"Are you sure Ma?" Tracy asked.

"I'm sure. You'll need all the rest you can get," she said.

Link handed John to Edna and took Tracy's hand. "Thanks Mom."

Tracy smiled in appreciation before letting Link lead her upstairs.

The following Sunday Tracy and Link loaded the car and set out for his grandparent's house, which was about and hours drive away.

"Give my love to your grandmother and grandfather for me will you," Heather told them.

"Will do Mom," Link said.

They got in the car and started it and just like before as soon as the motor started so did Stacy's screaming. Tracy tried again to calm her but to no avail

"I wonder if there is something we can do to ease her fear," Tracy pondered.

"Maybe we can ask my grandparents or even our parents for advice," Link proposed.

Tracy gave him a small grin. "I think we should."

Stacy fell into an exhausted sleep after several minutes of crying. She was still asleep when they arrived at Lilly and Nathan's an hour later. They put the kids in their strollers and walked to the door, where Tracy knocked on it. Lilly opened it a second later.

"Hey sweeties," she said.

"Hey Grandma," Link replied.

"Hi Lilly," Tracy added.

Lilly smiled. "This must be Jonathan, Stacy and Jane."

"Yes," Tracy told her.

"They are precious," Lilly cooed as she lovingly touched each one of her great grandchildren.

"Come in, come in," she said after a moment, ushering everyone inside.

"I just took some double chocolate cookies out of the oven would you guys like some?"

"We'd love some!" Link exclaimed

Lilly chuckled. "I thought so. I made some extra for Heather and Lucy."

"They'll love them. Speaking of Heather she said she sends her love."

" Want some milk too?" Lilly asked before going to the kitchen.

"Yes, please," Tracy and Link said in unison.

"Where is Grandpa?" Link asked.

"Taking a nap," Lilly answered.

Nathan walked into the room smiling. "Not anymore since I heard my favorite grandson."

Link smiled back. "Hi Grandpa."

"Hey Nathan," Tracy added.

"Where are my great grandkids?"

"Sleeping in their strollers."

"They look just like you kids," he stated.

"Well who are they supposed to look like?" Lilly teased.

Nathan winked at his wife. "I don't know, the milkman maybe?"

Lilly laughed. "Don't mind him he's not fully awake yet."

After the cookies, they settled into the living room and Tracy got Jane out of her stroller and put her on Lilly's lap. She started crying and moved away.

"What's wrong Jane?"

She whimpered and looked for Tracy. Tracy picked her up. "There are no dogs here sweetie," she told her daughter. Stacy snuggled into her mother's chest.

"I think she's shy," Nathan mused.

"And she doesn't know us so," Lilly added.

"Jane its okay, that's just your nana and papa," Tracy whispered.

Jane snuggled deeper into her chest.

"Its okay dear, she'll get to know us better in time," Lilly told her.

"She's afraid of dogs?" Nathan asked.

Link nodded. "I wonder if she'll grow out of that fear or not as she gets older."

His grandparents shrugged. "What happened?" Lilly asked.

"Laura sniffed her and she started bawling. She even cried upon seeing a stuffed dog our friend Amber bought," Tracy answered. She began swaying back and forth hoping it would help her daughter.

"Poor dear," Lilly murmured as she watched Tracy gently rock Jane.

"What about Stacy and Jonathan?"

"They really like the dogs, and the dogs are fond of them."

Stacy started to stir and Lilly picked her up.

"Hey sweetie, I'm your nana," Lilly cooed. Stacy opened her eyes and stared straight at her.

"She has such beautiful eyes. I bet when she's older there'll be a line full of suitors."

"If that day does come, I hope it's not soon," Link said.

Nathan laughed. "Spoken like a true father who has a daughter."

"Link has two daughters," Lilly reminded him.

Nathan laughed harder. "Then the whole dating issue will be twice as bad."

A few hours passed. It was late in the afternoon Tracy stood and spoke. "We better get going so that we can be home for dinner."

"Alright, thanks for coming."

"You're welcome Grandma."

They arrived home an hour later. Stacy surprisingly slept most of the way home.

"Hey sweeties," Heather said when she saw them come in with the triplets.

Tracy hugged her. "Hey Mom."

"Hi Mom. Grandma sent a plate of double chocolate cookies for you and Lucy."

Heather took the plate from them and helped them take the infants out of the stroller. "That was nice of her."

Tracy and Link nodded in agreement.

"How are your grandparents?"

"They are fine."

"How did the triplets do with them?"

"They did well except for Jane."

"What happened?"

"She didn't like Grandma holding her. She said that Jane was probably shy."

"Poor dear," Heather said looking at her granddaughter.

The next day Heather walked into work. Greg met her at her station.

"Good morning," he said before kissing her.

"Morning, look what I brought with me," she said, taking out a picture of the triplets from the night that they were born. Tracy and Link were holding them with contented grins on their faces.

Greg wrapped his arm around her waist. "They look so much like their parents don't they?"

She laid her head on his shoulder, letting out a sigh. "They do."

Rose and Julia walked in and upon seeing Heather and Greg started walking over to them. Rose stopped a few feet behind them and raised an eyebrow as she saw Greg lean over and give Heather's forehead a quick kiss.

Rose turned to Julia. "Are they dating or something?"

Julia nodded. "You didn't know?"

Rose shook her head. "How long?" she then asked.

"About five or six months now," Julia answered.

"How can I have been that unobservant?"

Julia smiled. "Well, you have been busy running your own salon."

Rose grinned back. "True."

Greg noticed them and loosened his grip on Heather. She looked up at him in confusion and then turned to see Rose and Julia.

"Morning," he told them.

"Morning," Rose and Julia repeated.

"Lovely day isn't it," Heather added.

"It is," Rose told her. She looked down at Heather's hand. "What do you have there?"

A huge grin appeared on Heather's face and Greg couldn't help but smile at her. "This is a picture of Tracy, Link and my grandchildren."

"What are their names?" Julia asked.

"Jonathan, Stacy and Jane."

"When were they born?" Rose said looking more closely at the picture.

"March twenty-eighth," Greg answered.

"They are cute," Rose told her.

"Just darling," Julia added.

Heather smiled at them. "Is it okay if I put the picture on my mirror?"

"Sure," Rose answered. She turned to go to her office but stopped and looked back at Heather and Greg. "Oh and one last thing before we start the day…"

Heather and Greg stared at her with confused expressions.

Rose snickered. "I'm glad that you two found each other." She then headed to her office leaving Greg and Heather stunned.

"She saw you two standing together and Greg kiss your forehead," Julia offered as an explanation.

Heather's mouth formed an "O" as she realized what Rose meant.

By April twenty-second Tracy and Link had decided that they wanted their babies to meet Jeff. Heather agreed that it might be a good idea but cautioned them on her ex's behavior. So, together, the three of them came up with rules for Jeff to abide by on the visit. They included staying sober while the triplets were there and no female friends being allowed there during the visit. Tracy and Link also didn't want Jeff to be alone with the triplets since neither completely trusted him. Link called his father and explained the rules to him, after which they discussed meeting on Saturday, the twenty-fourth.

That Saturday Tracy and Link loaded up the triplets and took them the five minute ride to Jeff's. When they got there they put the triplets in their strollers and walked to the door. Tracy knocked at the door and Jeff opened it a second later.

"Hey dad," Link and Tracy both greeted.

"Hey kids."

Jeff' peered down at the three babies in the stroller and smiled. Tracy cleared her throat. "This is Stacy Lynn Larkin, Jane Elizabeth Larkin and last but not least Jonathan Lincoln Larkin."

Jeff rubbed his chin. "Strong names."

Tracy grinned. "I think their names fit them well."

"Remember Noreen," Link said. Jeff nodded. "Well she thought it would be fun to look up name meanings."

"And she found that Jonathan means 'gift of God' in Hebrew, Stacy means 'resurrection' in English and Jane is 'gracious or merciful' in English," Tracy told him.

"And do those meanings fit at all?" Jeff asked curiously.

"Well John was first to be born so his is a gift and babies come from Heaven," Tracy answered.

"And Stacy can sure resurrect one mean tantrum when I'm driving," Link added.

Tracy glared at Link quickly before smiling sympathetically at Stacy. "She can't help that she's afraid." Turning her gaze to Jane she added. "Jane is shy so she is gracious to those she knows and merciful when we help ease her fears around new people."

"I wonder would she be okay if I held her," Jeff said.

"I doubt it, but we can try." Tracy picked up Jane and handed her to Jeff. Immediately her chin began to quiver as she whimpered. She looked around for her parents.

Link stepped in and took her in his arms. She visibly calmed as Link whispered that everything was going to be alright.

"Is she okay?" Jeff asked.

Link nodded. "She'll be fine though we won't be trying that again today."

Tracy was holding Jonathan. "Want to hold your grandson instead?"

"I would," Jeff answered. Tracy placed John in his arms.

He smiled at Link as he held John so that his head rested upon his arm. "I remember holding you just like this."

Link grinned. "That seems so long ago doesn't it?"

"Yes it does," Jeff confirmed. "But they'll grow up fast. Just watch," he added motioning to each of his grandchildren.

"That's what Heather told us the other day," Tracy said as she picked up Stacy.

"How is Heather?"

"She's doing well," Link answered.

He stared at an old picture of Heather, Link and Lucy which sat over the fireplace. "I think you were about eight when that picture was taken," Jeff murmured, memories flashing through his eyes.

Link walked over and took a closer look at the picture. "Yeah, that was the year we went to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina."

Tracy came up besides him. "Aww Link you were so cute."

Link kissed her temple.

Jeff beamed at the young newlyweds. "We had fun that summer didn't we?"

Link nodded. "We did."

They spent the rest of the afternoon just talking about old times. Tracy learned that Link once ran to Heather because he came across a crab with huge claws. Link frowned at that story but Tracy just smiled and kissed him. That night before falling asleep Tracy wrote in her diary.

Dear Diary,

Today Link and I took John, Stacy and Jane to see Jeff. Jane was shy and unhappy at her grandfather wanting to hold her. I told her that it was all right and that he didn't want to hurt her. She didn't believe me but I guess in time she'll get used to him. Stacy let him hold her though with no problems. I was a little surprised when he asked about Heather but I thought it was sweet that he did.