Chapter Four: Impatient

It was June 23rd. Veronica was lying on the couch, rubbing her stomach. Her due date was still a week away, but she was beyond ready to get these babies out of her. She had been trying everything and anything to start labor. Since Lamb was trying to get as much work as possible done (after the babies were born, he was going to take a two week leave), he was at work early in the morning to late at night. He had Mac or Wallace check on her every once and a while.

About two weeks ago, Lamb had announced that he didn't want Keith thrown out on his ass once he came back. He discussed it with Keith and the mayor. The three came to a decision: Lamb would remain as sheriff while Keith would take over as chief of police. Veronica had been more than proud of Lamb for suggesting it. Not only did Keith get a better job than before, but Keith and Lamb were on good terms once again. When the two men told her that, she burst into tears, then blamed hormones.

"You here V?" Wallace called through the house as he opened the door. He closed the door and checked the house. "Veronica?" he called up the stairs.

"In here," she called back. Wallace entered the living room and found his blond and pregnant friend on the couch.

"You look comfy," he said, plopping down in a chair.

"If you were any closer, I'd smack you," Veronica grumbled. She sat up and looked at her friend. "Did Don send you here?"

"No. I wanted to see you. I mean, after the babies are born, you'll be too busy for me."

Veronica laughed. "I'll always have time for you and-" She was cut off by a sharp pain in her stomach.

"You okay, V?"

"Yeah fine." She rubbed her belly. "It's been like this all morning."

Wallace was quickly by her side. "All morning? Do you think you could be in labor?"

To prove that she was fine, Veronica struggled to her feet. Before she could say anything, there was another pain. "Wallace, call Don."

"Sheriff," Sacks said, sticking his head in the office. Lamb had been finishing paperwork when the deputy stuck his head in.

"It's the Fennell kid," Sacks explained before disappearing. Lamb dropped his pen. Wallace would never call him unless something was wrong. He quickly picked up the phone.

"Lamb."

"Veronica's in labor."

"What? Now?"

"We can't really choose these things, can we?"

Lamb rolled his eyes. "Are you on your way to the hospital?"

"Everything's taken care of, Sheriff. I called the doctor and got her bag. We're on our way. The only thing she needs is you. Believe me, she told me."

"I'll meet you there." And as an afterthought, he asked, "Did you call Keith?"

"Yep. Veronica called him as I called you."

"Tell her I'll be there soon." He hung up. "SACKS!"

When the man appeared, Lamb grabbed his keys and stuffed his phone in his pocket as he stood up.

"Veronica's in labor," he explained quickly. "You're in charge until Keith comes in." With that, he rushed out of the station.

Lamb got to the hospital shortly after Veronica. Wallace and Keith were waiting for him when he got there. The three sat in the room with Veronica. Logan, Mac, Parker, and Piz showed up shortly after. When the nurse came in, she demanded only two people could be in the room. They all knew they'd have to drag Lamb's dead body away from her, so they remaining adults started to argue who the other person would be. The young adults all shut up and left when Keith glared at the group. When they left, a younger nurse came in and smiled. She saw couples of all sorts in the maternity ward.

Sometime later, Keith joined the young adults in the waiting room.

"What's going on?" Parker asked when she saw him.

Keith shook his head. "It was time to push and Veronica didn't want me in there."

"What about Lamb?"

"Lamb said he didn't care where I was. When I started to leave, he said he'd come out after the babies were born."

They weren't sure how long they waited. Logan had brought cards with him so the six played different card games.

Lamb ran a hand up and down Veronica's arm. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I love you," he muttered.

"Love you too," Veronica mumbled tiredly. She smiled lazily at the two sleeping babies in her arms. They had dressed Anthony in all blue (blanket included), Levi in green, and Liam in red. After Veronica fed all three, Lamb took Liam in his arms. He was sitting on the bed beside his girlfriend, Liam snuggled in his arms. Veronica never thought she'd see the day when Lamb was holding a baby in his arms.

"Why don't you sleep?" Lamb asked, carefully placing Liam in the bassinet next to Veronica's bed. She nodded slowly. Lamb smiled and laid the other two boys next to their brother. "You sleep. I'm gonna go get your father and friends."

She smiled lazily before drifting off to sleep. Lamb kissed her forehead before going in search of the waiting room.

"They're so cute," Parker cooed when the six finally got to see the triplets. Lamb was once again sitting on Veronica's bed beside her. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders, rubbing her arm soothingly, and her arm was slung over his waist as she slept.

"I can't believe I'm about to say this," Keith said, "but Parker's right." He looked at Lamb, who rolled his eyes.

"So far they look like their mother," Logan said. "Which is a good thing."

Lamb sighed just as Veronica stirred. She opened her eyes and looked up at her boyfriend, who was still in his uniform. He smiled at her before kissing her softly.

"You did good," Lamb whispered to her.