Susan McKinney sat in her office, making sure that the chart for their newest patient was up to date. Slaine Indi had not seen a doctor for her entire pregnancy, never mind the midwife she had chosen. Michelle Kim had made one appointment via Skype to make sure that she understood what the expectant mother wanted for her pregnancy, with the usual assurances that the doctor would not be brought in unless she was absolutely needed. That was fine by Susan, as she loved the idea of as natural a childbirth as possible. One or two of Michelle’s patients had wound up needing cesarians, which was fine. In the end, what mattered was a healthy mother and child and between them, Susan and Michelle had achieved that goal more often than not.
Slaine walked to and into the Alexandra Clinic holding onto Owen’s hand. Liam was with Gwen Fontaine, their downstairs neighbor. Gwen was the granddaughter of the former mayors of both Alexandra and Cedar Point which had been Alexandra’s sister city before an earthquake had destroyed it. The young woman had been trapped on the island, just as Owen and his family had been, and when the island town returned, her mother had gone back to her husband and son, Gwen’s brother, leaving Gwen with the two bedroom apartment. During their week-long isolation, Gwen had visited through the glass back door, making funny faces and endearing herself to Liam. That was a good thing, as Slaine had considered asking Father O’Keeffe on the yacht off the shore of Alexandra to break his quarantine and babysit, but Gwen made that unnecessary.
That freed Slaine up for her appointment. She was nervous because she had not seen anyone except for a Skype call with Michelle since the day she found out she was pregnant and, being stuck on the mainland with Covid-19 and Liam’s being kept away from her with his father, followed by his death … it had been an emotional roller coaster. Would that affect the baby, she worried. Owen had been wonderful with his support, something she’d never had with her last pregnancy. That gave her confidence to go in with her head held high and mask securely on to tell the receptionist that she had a 9am appointment with Michelle. She had chosen to wear her usual; loose jeans, a tank and a man’s button down shirt along with sneakers and her socks.
Owen walked in close to Slaine. He had on his usual trashed looking jeans and his baseball style Jurassic Park shirt with old scuffed up black and white trainers. He was excited but nervous and it didn't help that he knew way too many people in the reception and hallway of the clinic because of who his mom was. He kind of just wanted the cocoon with Slaine where they got to hear a heartbeat but it seemed like every familiar face wanted to chat at them. He made introductions where necessary and then exhaled as they went to the exam room “Yeah I mentioned my mom’s a nurse here right?” He said with an apologetic smile.
The door was open and Michelle was inside with Susan, waiting “Hello, come on in. Slaine it’s so nice to meet you face to face, and Owen, hello of course. Slaine I’ll get you to take off your shoes and hop right up on the table here for me.” She was wearing a simple medical face mask, gloves of course and a simple brown blouse with grey cargo style pants and white runners. She skittered around collecting a few things as she prepared. “How are you feeling Slaine?” Was her first question.
Susan had on her signature surgical mask and scrubs, over which was her ubiquitous lab coat. “I’m Dr. McKinney.” she introduced herself. “I’m only here so you can meet me. I won’t be involved unless you need medication or something. Michelle and Colleen have already told me that you want as natural a childbirth as possible.” she moved back in the room, near the window with a phone and all of the bottles and jars.
Slaine had giggled at all of the introductions. It was a bit of a distraction from her worries. Squeezing Owen’s arm she frowned in mok confusion. “I think you mentioned it. Or I got the hint when I met her and she set me up with this wonderful care. After being weighed, she then walked into the room, slipped out of her shoes and hopped on the table, as instructed. “It’s good to finally meet you too, Michelle. And Dr. McKinney. I’m just glad to be here. I’ve been so stressed on the mainland.” she looks between the midwife and the nurse. “I know some stress is alright, but this is even more than when I was pregnant with Liam … my son.” she reaches for Owen’s hand.
Owen smiled at both Susan and Michelle. He knew Susan better but he knew them both “Hello…” he offered to both of them, looking between them. As Slaine talks about stress and reaches for her hand he looks at her worriedly and takes it, holding it tight.
Michelle smiles and nods at Susan and looks back to Slaine, her main focus “Well this is a stressful time...and then you moved?” She looks sympathetic. “Moving is stressful. Let’s check your blood pressure first then mmm? Can I get you to roll up the sleeve here….if she does she’ll start pumping up the pressure on the blood pressure monitor and looking at the gauge. Do you feel like you’re able to get a handle on some of that stress as you settle in?”
Susan simply stood by and waited, looking at her tablet and other patients. In her own way she was hiding from her own responsibilities. Being near a new life was a change from all of the sickness she’d just gotten over. Plus she had one high risk pregnant patient … and this just seemed almost like a coffee break for her.
Slaine does one better and slips out of her button up shirt. She tries to relax on the spot, but thinks she is okay, actually. “Yes. Moving here has been a challenge, mostly with Liam, but just in the last couple of days things have really fallen into place. I’ve even taken up gardening.”
Owen smiles sweetly at Slaine but keeps quiet.
Michelle looked encouraging “Gardening’s great for stress relief.” She takes off the monitor “Blood pressure’s normal. That’s a good thing. Also keep an eye on blood sugar….but we’ll get that in the bloodwork.” She looks between the parents “Ok we’re getting to the part you’ve been waiting for soon. Slaine can you lie back and I’ll just do a few little pokes and measures….just slide up your tank top a bit and just unbutton your jeans.”
Slaine nods. “I’m already playing with more natural sugars, hoping Liam can get off some of the sugar too.” she thinks of his sugar highs and blows out a breath. Then she lays back and undoes the button of her jeans and pulls her tank up under her breasts.
Owen steps forward so he’s out of the way and holds Slaine’s hand still but closer to her shoulder.
Michelle feels around with flat fingertips “Sorry...cold hands..” She jokes. Then she makes an unreadable face “Hmm….bigger than I thought for this many weeks….” She looks at Owen “Must be the Reinhardt side…” Casually she measures and makes the face again. “Slaine when did you have your last pap test by the way?” She makes a little notation in the chart.
Susan barely half looks up from Michelle’s comments about a larger than normal baby, then goes back to her reading.
Slane winces at Michelle’s cold hands and then relaxes and leans back. She chuckles a bit when she mentions the Reinhard side. “It must be, because I started showing sooner than before, too.” and in answer to Michelle’s question, she answers promptly. “About four months ago.”
Owen snickers “Yeah sorry. We grow big from the pods.” He jokes.
Michelle takes in the info “Ok I won’t torture you with one of those then….let’s give a listen though.” She steps away and comes back with the doppler machine in her hand and a tube full of the jelly “Alright, I’m gonna slime you.” She says jovially and then does.
Owen laughs at Michelle and looks at Slaine. He liked Michell’s bedside manner already.
Michelle grins and then taps into the machine and starts running the wand over Slaine “OK little friend...where are you….oh oh…” She starts to get a heartbeat on the left lower area and lets them enjoy the sound. Then she casually moves around to the right and gets it again. The belly hasn't moved. Michelle frowns and resets the machine “Sorry bear with me...could my tech…” She glances over to Susan “Dr, McKinney, could I get an assist over here please?” After she resets she starts at the top and the heartbeat is strong there too. “Hmmm…”
Susan had lifted her head from the tablet when she heard another heartbeat and was ready for the question. “Sure thing, Michelle.” She steps over and watches Michelle. Of course, she is using the machine properly. “Let me try.” and she does, again picking up noises in different places. Her face remains deadpan, even under her mask. “Good strong heartbeat.” she concurs and glances at Michelle. “I’d like to take a peek. Being the first pre-natal and all.” she looks at Slaine. “Would you like to take a look at your baby?” she asks and heads immediately for the phone because few mothers turned down that opportunity. Picking it up, she presses a button. “Colleen, could you join us in two, please. And bring the ultrasound machine with you, if you don’t mind.” she hangs up and looks at the expectant couple again. “You know, I’ve known Owen for a long time. I didn’t deliver him, but I was here to treat him the first time he went careening into the water while trying to skate.”
Slane hears all the beats and it sounds to her like the machine might be broken. Then the doctor mentions seeing the baby and she forgets nearly everything else. “Oh yes, please.” she hadn’t expected an ultrasound. Looking at Owen, her eyes dance with excitement.
Owen looks very excited about seeing the baby and then face palms at Dr. McKinney bringing up his first of many falls through the ice “Yeah….” He sighs “I think I’ve grown out of it now…” He laughs. “Mom will be happy to get a sneak peek at her grandchild too.” He squeezes Slaine’s hand.
Michelle looks happy with Susan’s suggestion and still gives a bit of a baffled look to the doppler. She had a few ideas, but they did need an ultrasound to confirm. “Yeah I think that’s a great idea. Let’s take a good look.” She smiles at the parents even though they can only see it in the crinkling of her eyes.
Colleen got the call and arches a brow. She does as ordered, and it takes her aboutsam 5 minutes to bring the ultrasound machine from the drug locker they keep it in. She wheels it in and then stands beside Owen, waving at Slaine. “Good to see you. You look fantastic.”
Susan’s eyes crinkle a bit. “I’m glad to know that.” she nods at Colleen when she wheels the machine in, then plugs it in and turns it a little in her direction. She motions Michelle to her side and gets the gel. “More coldness, I’m afraid.” she warns takes the gel and sensor in her hand.. Right now the parents and Colleen can’t see terribly well, although all Colleen has to do is lean to her right a bit.
Slaine sees the machine and tightens her grip on Owen’s hand.
Owen still looks content and excited and brightens when he sees his mom come in “Hi Mom..” He says sheepishly. Having his mother in this appointment is a bonus, but also surreal.
Michelle greest Colleen as she steps in “Hello Nurse Reinhardt.” She chirps…”Grandma Reinhardt.” She then teases and then she steps in beside Susan focussing on the work.
Susan squirts the cold gel on Slaine’s belly and begins the ultrasound. After one look around, she takes a second. Her brows twitch, but her face remains neutral, even under her mask. Taking a step back, she nods at Michelle. “Found the problem .. well, it’s not a problem, really.” she nods at Colleen. “Nurse?”
Colleen leans to look at the monitor. She gives a gasp and then actually walks around the head of the exam bed for another look. “Well…. You don’t see that every day…” her eyes twinkle.
Slaine blinks. “Is something wrong?” she asks, her heart racing.
Owen’s smile falls “What is it? What’s going on with our baby?” He looks between Slaine and the equipment in distress.
Michelle nods at the monitor “Yeah I think that’s the first of this we’ve had on the island.” She looks completely entranced and her eyes moves all around the monitor as she lets out a little whistle.
Susan looks at the worried parents and turns the monitor towards them so they can see it clearly. She gets a good spot, freezes it and picks up the stylus. “This is your baby’s head.” she points it out to them. “And this is your other baby’s head ….” She moves the stylus. “And this is your THIRD baby’s head. Congratulations … it’s triplets.” She starts printing out copies for the mother, father and grandmother.
Colleen laughs. “This is a first for the FAMILY I do believe.” she looks at the new parents and shakes her head. “Congratulations. We’ll help, of course … “ she takes her copy of the picture. “Thanks, Susan, because I need this proof.” and she laughs happily again.
Slaine follows the stylus’s cursor. Head … head …. Head …. She takes the picture and stares at it, counting the heads again. Then she looks at Owen, her shock clear.
Owen reels and blinks steadying himself on the examination table with his other hand while he still holds Slaine’s “Did you say? Did you say we’re having triplets?” He looks at Slaine wide eyed “That’s three babies.” He’s vaguely aware that the math is obvious but then he says it again “Three….babies….”
Michelle looks at all the reactions around the room and then eventually looks like she might be trying to hold back some laughter. Clearing her throat she says “Congratulations. This does adjust your care a bit Slaine but I still believe you can have a healthy pregnancy. We should get you on some multivitamins right away though because your nutrient intake will be a key factor.” Then she looks gravely serious “I’m going to recommend a Cesarean birth though. I don’t normally but in the case of triplets, it’s the safest option for you and babies. I will stay with you though for the transfer of care to Dr. McKinney as a support person in that birth.” She looks between the parents and Dr. McKinney.
Susan chuckles to herself. “Congratulations.” she tells the shocked parents. “And yes, this DOES change things, as Michelle pointed out.” she explains. “Triplets should really be delivered by cesarean section.” she looks at Michelle. “You can of course, still have your midwife involved. But .. well .. triplets changes a great deal.”
Colleen grins behind her mask at her son. “You might want to ask Paul for a raise, baby.” then she listens to Michelle and Susan and nods.
Slaine blows out a breath. “OK ….” she takes in another and blows it out slowly. “Well, of course I’ll take the multivitamins. I’ve been feeling a little off, but I thought that was just the stress…” she blows out a breath at the idea of a cesarean. “I … mean … whatever is best for the babies. That’s all I care about. That they are healthy.” for a moment, she sinks into her shock. “Would I have to go back to Vancouver? Could the babies be born here? Would a cesarean be planned?” she squeezes Owens hand, but doesn’t exactly know what to say to him, so she reaches for the old stand-by. “I love you.” and for some reason, she starts to laugh. “This is what we get for talking about a large family.”
Now Owen snaps out of his shock as the reality of the medical side of it comes into play with the C-Section discussion. He purses his lips and looks anxious.He nods vaguely at his mother about the raise topic and then looks to the experts when Slaine asks if she’d have to go to Vancouver and the related questions. He squeezes Slaine’s hand back and smiles when she begins to laugh after talking “I love you too...fucking Murphy’s law right?” He kisses her hand and looks at her with concern “I’ll do whatever you need...we need to make this as safe as it can be for you and the babies Slaine.”
Michelle looks compassionately at the parents, in particular Slaine who will have to bear the brunt of this. No matter how loving and supportive the partners were, it fell to the mother, always. She nods at Susan and Colleen “In this stage of your pregnancy, as long as you feel well it should be fairly standard. But, at some point, you might need bed rest. And that could be at any point so make rest a practice to stay as strong as you can.” She looks between Slaine and Owen “You have another child at home. Slaine you should not be lifting him, or anything heavy. You can exercise lightly, walking but not speed walking, gentle yoga. I think Northern Lights still has a prenatal class in their mix. But only if you feel well. You probably recall the food restrictions from your last pregnancy, no raw fish, soft cheese, obviously alcohol….”
Susan nods along with Michelle. “At this point you’re officially a high-risk pregnancy.” she considers. “We have all we need here to deliver your babies, so you wouldn't have to go to the mainland. And yes we will plan your cesarian.” she consults her tablet. “Usually, 40 weeks is the goal for one, 37 to 38 weeks for twins, and about 35 weeks for triplets. So taking it easy is key. You can go up and down stairs twice a day … meaning you can leave the house twice, but I recommend only doing it once if you can.” she glances at her tablet. “You work from home, which is excellent and this town is small enough you can walk around it with no problems. We’ll keep a close eye on the babies and, of course on you. Every other week for no, but again .. in this town .. if you feel you need to see me, just open your window and yell for me.”
Colleen was working things out in her head. “No one wants to baby you, but you are not alone. John and Seamus have already done some heavy lifting for you and when the quarantine is done I know they’re already planning to make you a raised garden. But be prepared to be checked up on.” she chuckles and tries to put the young woman at ease. “We won’t let Kaitlin actually move in, but you may never have to clean your house again.”
Slaine breathes slowly as they talk about how to care for herself and, more important in her mind, the triplets. “I would like to have the babies here. And … oh I’ll have to … we’ll have to talk to Liam about why I can’t pick him up for a while.” she considers how to do that. “I’m glad I can walk. I’ve been looking forward to really learning Alexandra.” And she can’t help it. Colleen makes her laugh. “I adore Kaitlin already just from her visits through the door.” she inhales and exhales, centering herself. “Is that all?” she asks, knowing if she has questions, she need only ask.
Owen just listens and rubs Slaine’s hand. It’s so much to process. High risk pregnancy? Those words kept echoing in his head in Susan’s voice. He had fears in his head about the baby when he thought it was only one. And now it was three and fears were surfacing both about the safety of the babies and Slaine’s safety. The doctor, midwife and his mother were calming but he could also tell that in some ways they were trying to be calming. He let out a big breath and squeezed Slaine’s hand, so ready to be out of this room and just talk with her. The support was great. And he loved his mother, but he felt it pressing in on them and he needed to be strong for his family.
Michelle looks between Susan and Colleen, listening as they talk and making gestures of concurrence. She can see how overwhelmed the parents are and so she smiles at them “I know this is a lot to take in. You know how to find us. You have my cell number. Reach out anytime. We will see you again soon. But for now, keep the stress down, eat well and hydrate. I’ll write you a prescription for some maternal vitamins. And most importantly, rest.” She takes a prescription pad and scrawls a multivitamin prescription down and hads it to Slaine “You’ll want to take them with food, they’re strong.”
Susan nods and wipes the gel off of Slaine’s belly. “Only that I am officially lifting your quarantine. You don't have Covid-19 and Father O’Keeffe is also showing no symptoms. You have enough going on without that. If you want to keep wearing your mask, don’t let me stop you. I love the fashion statement you make. And make an appointment for two weeks and I’ll see you then.”
Colleen watches the new parents. Everything seemed to happen to Owen. “I’ll see you guys at the garden raising.” she assures them both that she is available, but also that she won’t hover. She made a mental note to work on keeping Kaitlin from hovering. A great-grandchild was a gift … three of them would be even more so.
Slaine pulls down her shirt, buttons her pants and slides back into her button down as the other women talk. “Thank you.” she says as she takes the script. She hops down. “See you all soon.” she tells them as she slips into her shoes. After a stop at the front desk, she makes her next appointment and, taking Owen’s hand, nearly pulls him out of the clinic and turning left .. not right for home. Without a word, she drops off her prescription and, if she’s still dragging Owen will not leave the pharmacy and turn left again. “So …. That just happened …..” she finally says.
Owen kept quiet too, giving nods and farewells minimally, a quick hug to his mom and then following after Slaine’s lead. He stops with her and just sighs and hugs her “It’s going to be ok…” He says really to them both. He buries his face in her hair “Three babies..” He breaths out into her and laughs.
Slaine walks along the grocery store property, watching Owen greet absently. “I can’t blame you. You mentioned you wanted a big family but … apparently I released three eggs … unless they’re identical and … no way …” she blows out a breath. “You’re not … too scared ….” her abandonment issues pick the worst possible times to crop up and wave.
Owen holds her hand tightly and walks along with her “I don’t think triplets are usually identical..are they? I don’t know much about this at all to be honest. I mean from school...don’t things usually split in two?” He ponders.” He looks at Slaine lovingly “Well not too scared to do it….I’m scared, mostly for you..” He looks at her belly “That’s a lot of little people you have to grow…”
Slaine shrugs. “I don’t know, to be honest. I love them all and I love you and Liam and our family.” she nods, glancing down. “I’m not the first and having even more than three is easy these days.” she isn’t so much afraid for herself... “Owen … It’s just me planning for the worst so I don’t worry about too much more, but … if something happens to me, I want you to keep our family together. Raise Liam too. Please …”
Owen looks like Slaine has punched him in the gut “Don’t...please don’t….Slaine. I would of course but fuck please don’t even say it.” she’s naming one of his biggest fears “I love you...I need you…” He says painfully.
Slaine pauses and turns to cup Owen’s face. “I love you too. I just .. needed that reassurance.” she goes to hug him and then keep walking. “Thank god I can work from home. I’m going to ask Ichiro for more work.” That was her boss. “I’ll have to tell him why. The whole world will know by the time we get home.” she chuckles. “Owen … you’re the best thing to ever happen to me next to Liam. I want you to know that.”
Owen hugs her back hard and then they walk more “Don’t ask for too much work...you’re supposed to rest. Maybe my mom was right about that raise. Or maybe Paul can find me more to do...hell paperwork even. I could do that before or after my shifts.” He gets a little misty eyed at her saying he’s the best thing after Liam “You are that to me...and more Slaine. And I love Liam.”
Slaine scoffs. “My whole job is about sitting on my ass, and when the babies come I don’t know if I’ll have time to breathe.” they pass the Love Shack and she gasps. “I forgot to ask about sex! Can we still have it? When should we stop having it? Jesus we just got a sex life…” and she is now mourning it, even though she hasn’t talked to her doctor about it.
Owen nods weakly at her, still not wanting her to overload. He gulps when she asks about sex “To be honest I’d rather you text that to Michelle than have asked that in front of my mother…” Ha laughs “Not that she doesn’t know we’ve done it.” He states the obvious and then sighs “Yeah I want that answer too….I like sex…” He says with a chuckle and then looks seriously at her “And I love making love with you…” He sees the corner “He let’s go walk by the water...clear our heads a bit with the ocean. I can point out everywhere in the inlet I’ve ever fallen through the ice…”
His reply makes her laugh. “Oh I hope your mother is a good enough nurse to know how you got me pregnant.” she teases as they pass the post office and start down into the Bottoms. Pulling out her phone, she thumb types like a stenographer. “Let’s find out.” she puts her phone back in her pocket and nods. “I’d like that.” she jokes. They pass Perkatory and she looks at it. She’s heard so much about the mostly teen hangout. She makes a note to walk here on one of her future walks.
Owen snickers and then takes a deep breath, smelling the sea. As they pass the McLeod’s home he can hear a familiar voice out on the porch and he taps Slaine “You haven’t met Paul yet, have you?” He muses.
Paul can be heard as he hands his wife a coffee and reads over her shoulder “Oh...well that’s an unexpected twist in your plot…..” He’s bumming around home in a faded old black Rebel Goats t shirt and some worse for wear faded cut off jean shorts that are fraying just above his kneecaps. His feet are bare. He takes Mondays off when he can.
Cheryl McLeod looks over her shoulder. “It’s not bad, is it?” She looks slightly worried, but mostly confident. The wind blows a lock of golden blonde hair into her face. “That’s what the character told me …..” she is in a loose and flowing t-shirt dress and sitting outside … too much time had been spent INside … in her bare feet. “I just do as I’m told.” she giggles.
Slaine shakes her head. “No, I haven’t.” and then her phone busses and she looks. “Oh the doctor replied.” she swipes, reads and giggles, types a reply and sends it, then shows the text to Owen;
No wild circus sex, no kinky sex, no toys, no edible anything that isn’t sperm and keep it gentle.
Slaine’s reply is clearly visible;
He always does. Thx.
Owen reads the text too and then blushes a bit and kisses Slaine’s cheek “Mmmm yes please. I can live with that plan.” He puts his arm around her and steers her a little towards the chatter “They’re outside, come meet my boss and his wife.?” If Slaine agrees, he’ll start walking until they’re visible.
Paul looks adoringly at Cherryl “It’s good. You’re brilliant at this Cher.” He sits down in the chair beside her and lets his bare foot gently nudge into hers and then looks up and grins “Hey!!” He waves cheerily.
Cheryl beams, glad to have some confidence put on her. She turns to see their visitors, automatically saving her document and closing the laptop.
Slaine nods, eager for any distraction. She walks with Owen, staying close to him and smiling a little.
Owen walks right up now with Slaine to the entrance to their back porch area “Hey Paul, Hey Cheryl. This is Slaine. Paul, I know we’re not at work but I have a work question for you.” He doesn’t waste any time.
Paul stands up and steps to reach and shake Slaine’s hand “Good to meet you finally...and yeah come on in...maybe we should spread out into the yard….I’ll grab a few more lawn chairs. Can I get you guys something to drink? Coffee? I think we still have some iced tea kicking around…...and we always have juice boxes…” He chuckles at Cheryl now.
Cheryl laughs and stands. Her dress falls straight down her thin frame, showing no chest at all. “I made some tea before I came out, Paul. You were too busy nosing into my sheets.” she sticks her tongue out at him like one of her girls. “Novel sheets, of course.” she winks at her guests and moves into the said yard they share with everyone in their building. “I’m Cheryl.” she offers her thin hand. “It’s so good to meet you.”
Slaine notes the chest immediately and smiles. It’s always nice for her to meet someone as small bonded as she is. She shakes hands eagerly. “Tea sounds great, thank you.” she looks at Owen, noting he is getting right to his point and she suspects he will be taking his mother’s advice. Smart man.
Owen watches Paul wrestling with some lawn chairs by the door and steps over “Here I’ll do those…” He takes them and walks past Cheryl “Novel pages? Are you writing a book?” He begins to set up the chairs so each of them has a seat in a sort of diamond.
Paul grins at his wife “Perfect timing then.” He walks to deal with chairs first but then Owen volunteers and he hands them off happily and goes for the teapot and 3 more cups as he had just brought Cheryl a coffee a moment ago. He stops at the little table and pours and then hands out the cups with a series of little jaunts around. Then he starts to walk to a lawn chair and trips over a barbie in the lawn “D’oh!!” He picks it up and laughs.
Cheryl has navigated the barbies as if she knew where they all were and laughs at Paul. She sips her coffee and nods. “It was like .. as soon as I felt better … anytime I felt better ... there were all of these people in my head, demanding I write about them. So I would. They were a nice distraction from the cancer and that whole fight. Especially when we were cut off and I was afraid it would get really bad again. But since the last birthday we had here I’ve felt wonderful. And Paul is letting me live that dream instead of go back to work.” she looks at Slaine. “Breast cancer.” she explains, almost casually now. “Double mastectomy … oh … almost four years now. May 25th.” she sighs. “Then we got cut off and my health was off and on … but it was all false alarms, Susan tells me.” she blows out a breath. “Enough about that. You’re the infamous pregnant Slaine. Let’s talk about LIFE!” She toasts them with her coffee cup. “I’d love to hear all about the baby .. and your .. son I do believe it is …” she considers. “Liam …. I get all my info from Owen here through Paul. I think he and John have a custody arrangement.”
Slaine listens and blinks about the cancer and the mastectomy. “I’m sorry I just thought … you were like me.” she places a hand on her flat chest. “It’s a great money saver not to need a bra.” she then beams. “Yes. Liam. He’s five going on 6 this summer.” she looks at Owen as if surprised, even though she knows he talked about her, it had not crossed her mind that he’d mention her son. Quitetly cursing Xavier, she looks down and blushes a bit, then looks at Owen. “He’s your boss … you should tell him.” she coaxes, reaching for Owens hand if she can get it.
Owen took his teacup and said thanks, saw Paul trip and chuckled and then listened to Cheryl with interest. He had heard parts of her journey through Paul. The book part was new but the cancer he had been told about. He smirks at Paul about the custody arrangement comment and then looks to Slaine as she replies. Then he holds her hand and squeezes and just says it “We’re having triplets. I need a raise.”
Paul had been watching Cheryl tell Slaine about her book, her cancer which almost stole her, with a melancholy look “You made my dream come true by sticking around Babe. You just write your heart out and I’ll buy the first copy.” He sips a bit of tea, swallowing hard. He glances towards Slaine, curious about this love of his favoured employee. Paul couldn’t explain it, Owen just made sense to him, like a mini me...but taller and ginger. He felt like he already knew Slaine. He takes another big sip and then spits it out when Owen announces the triplets. Sputtering he says “Holy shit….congratulations but holy shit…” He laughs and head juts at Cheryl “Imagine if we had all our girls...at once…” He blows out a breath and wipes at his mouth and shirt “Yeah you need a raise….but I’m going to maybe shift your job description and make it a promotion. I’ve got way too much shit to do.”
Cheryl freezes with her cup halfway to her mouth when Owen just outs with it. “Oh my word …. She breathes and then Paul speaks and she sets the cup down and raises a hand to him. “I won’t imagine anything like that, Paul McLoud and you can’t make me!” and then she laughs in delight. “The Irish triplet is having triplets. I couldn’t have made that up.” she beams. “Congratulations and if we can do anything, just let us know. One baby is expensive enough and you’ll have four kids overnight.” she starts thinking. “Daphne is at that age to babysit … and Chloe possibly could too. I know I needed time away from just one sometimes.” she blows out a breath.
Slaine finds herself blushing at the reactions, but she knows she’d better start getting used to it. As Owen gets not os muh a raise as a promotion she smiles. “Any bit can help. I’m looking for more assignments. I program visual novels.” she laughs when Cheryl mentions the Irish triplet having triplets. It was the funniest thing she’d heard all day. “Thank you for the offer of a babysitter. I know I’ll need it … we both will.”
Owen looks beyond grateful “Whatever you want me to do Paul. Just name it...I don’t care. I’ll clean the toilets...I’ll train with Mitch and cut meat….” He looks at Cheryl “Thank you, both of you.” He looks at Slaine and exhales.
Paul smiles at Cheryl and then laughs at the Irish triplets. He nods along about her offers and then nods at Slaine before giving Owen a little headshake “We have Cory for the toilet cleaning...that’s not a promotion. No offense to Cory…” He laughs “And Mitch….Mitch doesn’t play well with others. Let’s just leave that alone. No I uh I need help with the inventory system. We’ve got about 50 items that don’t jive with their codes and I just can’t make the time. And scheduling...oh I hate scheduling! I tried to get Lydia to do it but everyone was afraid to book anything off. And you can take on the social media….” He thinks “Let’s make you our administrative assistant. Like you do now, you’ll still have to sub in everywhere and do deliveries, but in the down times, you’ll have all those other tasks. For the computer stuff if you want to do some of it from home you can, but I need you in the store almost full time too. And we’ll negotiate the wage...let me take a look at my books ok?” He sips at what’s left of his tea.
Owen nods, looking almost emotional “Thank you Paul. That sounds great.”
Cheryl sits back and watches Paul do his thing. It was almost like he was looking for an excuse to do it, too. She thought to herself that, if the girls showed no interest in the family business, Owen Reinhardt might find himself adopted.
Slaine smiles as she almost gets to watch the promotion take full form right there. The only thing she has to say is. “I can probably write you a couple of programs. For the inventory and the scheduling, if you think it might help.” she is feeling a little more relaxed now … and sips the tea, happily. Now they only had to get her script and go home to tell Liam … and she felt a little of the tension pile back onto her.
Paul leans forward and reaches to shake Owen’s hand “Consider yourself promoted.” They shake and then he looks at Slaine “I’m open to new programs if they make us more efficient. You know when we took over the business from my parents Dad handed me a ledger and a program that ran in DOS.” He smiles at Cheryl and then looks back to Owen and Slaine “You kids have probably never seen DOS?” He chuckles and then explains “When we uh did the franchise deal we bought into the standard POS system Thrifty's uses everywhere but we have some freedom for inventory and other stuff as long as it can feed back into their plan.” He had said you kids forgetting that Slaine was only 10 years younger than him.
Owen looks impressed at Slaine “Really? Cool...I’ve heard about DOS…” He admits and smiles.
Cheryl sips her coffee and listens. That Slaine girl certainly looks closer to Owen’s age, but she says nothing.
Slaine’s eyes grow large when Paul mentions DOS. “I’ve played around with it.” she bites her lip. “If I can, I’ll try and do something you can use on the side.... That the corporation can’t get their hands on.” she doesn’t think much of corporations. Finishing her tea, she looks at Owen. “Well, Mister Administrative Assistant and father of four … I have pills to pick up before we go home and explain to Liam that he has to split his attention with not one but three siblings.” she groans and hopes that her son will be alright with this. Was he more her easy going self … or more like his father ….
Paul blinks for a moment when Slaine says she’s played with DOS and then smacks his head “You’re older than Owen...I forgot, sorry.” He chuckles about the corporation thing “I’m game. And good luck with the kid...that can be a big transition.” He wiggles his brows at Cheryl “Good thing ours were such angels about it.” He says sarcastically. “Owen I’ll see you at work. Take care man.” He stands when Owen does and claps him on the shoulder.
Owen blushes at both the admin assistant title and the mention of Slaine being older but it was the instant father of four that was still tripping his head a bit. He nods at Slaine hoping Liam took it well and then turns to both Paul and Cheryl “Thank you for the tea...and everything.” He starts to make his way out, reaching for Slaine’s hand to walk home.
Cheryl smiles as the couple leaves and then reaches for her husband’s hand. “Ah … the days when the kids are in school and hardly anyone is home …” and the tuga him back towards their apartment.
Slaine takes Owen's hand. “Thank you for everything. And it’s been a pleasure to meet you.” She walks with him to the sidewalk. “Well that’s one thing off our minds .. or mine, anyway.” she blows out a breath and walks closer to him. “Ichiro should be pretty easy, too. He’s pretty progressive for a Japanese man.” she looks as they walk. “This whole place is relaxing.” she sighs to herself, loving it even more.
Owen sighs into his whole being as they start to walk “Yeah that was good. Paul’s awesome. Cheryl’s cool too. I haven’t gotten to know her as well as him but they make total sense together. I’m glad you have a good boss too.” He follows her gaze around “Yeah I probably take it for granted sometimes but it really is….”
Slaine leans into him, putting his hand on her opposite shoulder. She’s so much shorter than him its about as close to his arm around her as possible. “We’re gonna have to change our game plan a little bit.” she murmurs. “I mean the triplets might be in our room for a while, but then they’ll move into Liam’s …. Maybe we should trade?” she is thinking far into the future. “We can do this … we just have to get organized …” which isn’t really either of their strong suits, she’s afraid.
Owen snuggles into her a bit as she moves with him and moves his arm “We’re probably going to have awhile with them in our room...and uh Slaine...Liam’s been crashing with us too….which is totally ok with me. But maybe we should just keep everyone safe from falling and stick two mattresses side by side on our bedroom floor? Room for everyone…..we’ll have sex in the bathroom if they ever sleep..” He jokes but he’s not totally kidding “God how did my parents even make 4 kids over all the years? Not that I want to think about that too much….but I had NO idea…” He laughs.
Slaine laughs a bit as they walk. :i know I’m thinking of when we have three babies all crammed in Liam’s little room. We’ll figure it out, somehow.” she giggles. “Well they must have loved each other a lot and just couldn’t keep their hands off of each other … and next thing you know …. Three kids in three years.” she sighs. “Okay …. How do we present this? He will be oldest brother to three little siblings? I don’t want him to feel like the triplets are hurting me so I can’t pick them up….” she begins to ponder.
Owen shuddered a bit and then laughed “Yeah….” Then he listens to her question “What if we make him feel like he’s getting a big important job? More babies means extra big brothering? I dunno...you know Liam best. But sometimes when kids feel like they’re extra important….I know my parents used to pull that on us, especially my Dad...like our unloading the dishwasher was somehow a superhero mission...And I wonder what they said to Logan when Fiona, me and Shay were coming. Because I was still too young to understand for Shay...god we should have asked Paul and Cheryl THIS!”
Slaine nods. “That sounds like a good idea. Being a big brother seemed like a big deal to him … now he’s going to have THREE siblings to teach. Perfect.” she actually stops them on the sidewalk in front of Earthcakes to kiss him in her gratitude.
Owen beams at her and kisses her back with a lot of tenderness and emotion behind it. It had been a big day and he was glad they were solid in how they were dealing with it. As they pulled back he said “We got this ok?” Looking at Slaine for confirmation. He really believed.
Slaine nods. “We go ….” she starts walking towards home again. She believed they did .. but knew it would be a challenge. Now that she was removing sugar from a lot of things, she was convinced that might help. Liam’s sugar crashes could be awful, but multiplied three times … she’d just curl up on the floor and die. End of. At their apartment, they find Liam and Gwen in the side yard looking at wood planks.
Gwen smiles and waves. “This got delivered about twenty minutes ago. “ she tells them. “We’re trying to guess how its all going to fit together.”
Liam sees his mother and races to her, arms up to be lifted. “Mae!!”
Slane leans down and, remembering the doctors warning, kneels to hug him. Looking up, she smiles at Gwen. “That’s going to be something to see. How much do we owe you?”
Gwen seems to consider it. “Let me design and build you some killer trellises and were even? Because I love snap peas … just putting it out there.” and she waves and jogs back up the stairs.
Owen looks impressed “Thanks Gwen...wow this is cool. He kneels down too “Hey Liam.” When he lets go of Slaine Owen lifts him up and swings him around like he loves making airplane noises.
Liam laughs and laughs and then makes a crash noise and looks at Owen expectantly.
Owen snorts and gently crashes Liam to the ground catching him before any of him hits it. He loves this game but it dawns on him that doing it for three kids in a row might turn him into a hunched over old man before he’s 30.
Liam screams and then giggles. Once he’s back on the ground, he moves back to his mother. “Hi baby!” he screams and pats her belly lightly.
Slaine’s heart takes up residence in her throat when Owen plays the crashing game with Liam. But Liam loves it, so … she just tries not to have a heart attack. Liam then saying hello to the baby reminds her of their priorities. “Would you like Owen to give you a piggy back ride upstairs?” she asks, heading there. This could be easier upstairs. “The doctor told us some neat things, if you want to know.”
Liam nods and heads towards Owen. “Did the baby talk to them? It never talks to me.” he looks disappointed.
Owen squats down and lets Liam climb on his back. He hoists him up a bit with a bounce “No the baby......can’t talk yet….but we got to hear some stuff…” He follows Slaine up the stairs “And we got to look through a machine….we have a picture….” He tries to be vague and then is careful of Liam’s head in the doorways as they go through and get into their home.
Liam bounces “I wanna see the picture. Does it look like me?”
Slaine is always amused by how Owen ducks through the door to protect Liam’s head. Heading into the living room, she sits on the couch and folds her hands, thinking. “Well its too soon to tall and the picture isn’t like that last picture we took of you.” she opens her arms. He could at least sit in her lap, couldn’t he?
Liam runs and hops into his mother's lap. “Can I see?”
Slaine hugs her son. “In a minute.” she tells him. “You know that I told you that you were going to have a new friend in your brother or sister? That you’d get to be the big brother and they would learn so much from you because you’re a fantastic big brother already?”
Liam nods. “I will play with him or her.” He makes a face. “I can’t decide but maybe better if its a boy, because I’m one.” he declares.
Slaine giggles. “Well, that’s OK, because the doctor looked inside and we’re having THREE babies not just one like everyone else usually has. And it’s a good bet at least one of them will be a boy. So that’s more siblings to teach and make into just as great a kid as you are.”
Liam cants his head, then looks at her belly. “Sorry babies! I didn’t know!” he yells.
Owen has to laugh. Liam was apologizing to the babies. He was yelling, but he seemed to be accepting the news.”I don’t think they’ll mind Liam. but it does make being a big brother an extra important job. I think maybe we got three because they knew you could do it…”
Liam squints a bit at Owen “Who’s they? The babies? Did they choose us?” He’s digging deep but at the same time it’s a simple question. He looks at Owen and then his Mom with big eyes.
Slaine giggles. “Well they’re stuck with us, anyway.” she tells him. “So in a way maybe they did because Owen chose me and now we’re having babies.”
Liam considers this and looks at Owen. “You’re a lot better than MY daddy was. HE only gave Mommy ONE baby.” he proclaims, his liking of Owen deepening every day.
Owen melts a bit at Slaine and then frowns at Liam at the beginning of his sentence and is falling back into the couch laughing at the end “Oh dude….that one might not be able to happen more than once. Liam you’re awesome.” He sniffs and looks bewttne Laim and Slaine.
Liam gets caught up in the laughter even though the joke confuses him. Then he does a little sitting strut “I’m awesome...I’m awesome..” He kind of dances around on Slaine’s lap “Hey you said there was a picture Mae?”
Slaine laughs at Liam’s proclamation and even harder at his little strut. “You are.” she hugs him. “All my babies are.” and she nods. “Can you get yours out, Owen?”
Owen leans forward and pulls out his wallet, He slides the ultrasound picture out and holds it out in front of Liam “Here’s a head,,,and another...and the third...they’re kinda all squished up in there hanging out.”
Liam takes the picture and brings it right close to his face “They look weird…..do you think they play in there?”
Slaine chuckles as Liam looks at the picture. “They will play.” she predicts. “When you did I could feel it and even SEE you moving.” that idea .. seeing the triplets vying or space makes her shudder a little. “I will let you know when I can feel them.”
Liam looks at the picture and then at his mother’s belly. “There's more room out here. Just you wait.” he tells them, in his awe not yelling.
“Oh yeah, they’ll play. And you can teach them more when they get big enough. He slides one hand on Liam’s back and one across Slaine’s belly and swallows looking at his family. Father of four he could do. With Slaine and Liam’s love he could do anything.
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