A/N Thank you to all of my lovely readers and reviewers. Again I don't own any of the characters or songs in this chapter or story..please enjoy!

7.

Joyous News

Penny walked into the room at that moment and saw Tracy staring at the calendar with her hand to her mouth.

"Trace what's wrong?"

Tracy lowered her hand and turned to face Penny. "Nothing. I just can't believe that it's almost March again."

Penny didn't think that was the truth but let it slide. "Oh ok."

Two days later Tracy began to notice that she was using the bathroom more often. That night Link came over to watch TV and be with Tracy and Robby. The news was on and Tracy got up and walked to the bathroom for the fifth time in the last couple of hours. When she came back she nuzzled into his chest. Robby was asleep in his playpen. His head was on a pillow that Tracy had placed in there. Link kissed her cheek as he ran his hand down her arm.

"You're sure going to the bathroom a lot tonight lil darlin."

Tracy sighed. "I know and I haven't had my period lately."

"What!?"

Tracy wanted to calm his anxiety stroked her fingers across his cheek and chin. "I'm sure its stress or something."

Link sighed liking that explanation.

The next day Tracy called the doctor and made an appointment for the following day. She walked into Dr. Rodgers office and was shown into an exam room.

"Hello Miss Turnblad what can I do for you?"

"Hi Doctor. I think I may be pregnant again. I'm late and I have been using the bathroom more and I have been craving eggs more recently."

Doctor Rodgers nodded as he wrote some notes in her chart. "Well let's take some blood so we can test it."

Tracy nodded. He left and a nurse came in and took some blood.

A few days later she returned to get the test results. She anxiously sat on the exam table. Doctor Rodgers knocked and entered not long after.

"Miss Turnblad you're pregnant again."

"Great," Tracy said.

He looked at her. "Who is the father this time?" He was curious.

Tracy smiled. "The same guy as Robby's."

"Let me guess he's broken up with you since then?"

Tracy looked at him as to ask why he'd say that. "No, he's still around this time."

Doctor Rodgers smiled. "Bet you're happy that he is."

"I'm really happy he is."

Tracy thanked Doctor Rodgers and left. On the way home she tried to think of a way to tell Link. She hoped that he would be happy about having another baby. As she pulled into the driveway she had an idea. Jim eagerly greeted her as she walked in the door. She scratched his head and he licked her hand.

"Hi boy, where is everyone?"

Jim looked towards the living room where Robby was looking at her from the playpen.

"Mama!"

"Hi Robby." She went to him and picked him up. He giggled as she kissed his forehead. Amber walked in the room.

"Hey Trace."

"Hi Amber where's Penny? I'd like to talk to you both."

"She's in her room."

Robby yawned and snuggled into Tracy's shoulder. It was time for his nap. She took him upstairs and gently laid him down in his crib. She then walked to Penny's room. Jim followed behind. She knocked on the door.

"Come in," Penny called.

Tracy opened the door and Jim ran in jumping on the bed next to Penny and licking her face.

"Hi," she said laughing at Jim.

"Hi Penny. I was wondering if you'd come downstairs. I want to ask both you and Amber something."

"Sure."

Penny was curious as she followed Tracy downstairs and into the living room. Tracy sat down in the chair while Amber and Penny sat on the couch.

"I wanted to ask you if it'd be alright if I have a dinner for just me and Link tomorrow night?'

"Sure Trace, do you want us to watch Robby?" Amber asked.

"That would be great guys."

"Alright," Amber answered.

"We can take him to dinner," Penny added with a grin.

Tracy called Link and invited him to dinner. She decided to make burgers and fries, his favorite meal and for dessert cheesecake. The next afternoon she was making the cheesecake when Penny walked into the kitchen.

Penny's eyes lit up as she saw it. "Oh cheesecake! Can I have a slice?"

Amber walked in and saw it. "Me too?"

Tracy shook her head. "I am making it for my dinner with Link so you two can have a slice later."

"We are going to hold you to that," Penny and Amber said in unison.

As the time grew nearer Tracy set up candles around the dining room and chilled a bottle of wine. Penny and Amber were going to watch Robby for the evening and were taking him to dinner. Tracy got ready putting on a red dress and styling her hair as it was for the pageant. Link arrived wearing a nice blue shirt and black slacks. He leaned over and captured her lips the moment the door opened. Their arms wrapped around each other as they deepened the kiss. They parted for need of oxygen. Tracy let him in. Jim ran in the room wagging his tail. When Link reached the dining room his eyes took in the lighting and the food on the table.

"What's all this?" he asked.

Tracy smiled. "Come on can't a girlfriend make her boyfriends favorite meal and have candles and wine?"

Link shrugged and smiled. "I guess."

He held out the chair for Tracy. "Always the gentleman," she said smiling.

"Always," he agreed as he sat besides her.

They each took a burger and some fries. Tracy made an extra burger for Jim who was eagerly awaiting it as he lay by her feet. They ate quietly for a few minutes before Link rubbed his fingers up and down her cheek. Tracy only took a small amount of wine.

"Tracy, I know you and I can tell that there's something you're holding back."

Tracy sighed. "You know me too well. Alright. I went to the doctor the other day for some tests…"

Link's eyes filled with concern. "Are you sick?"

She brushed her fingers across his face. "No, Linky I'm pregnant."

"What!?"

"I'm pregnant," she said again.

He smiled and Tracy smiled back knowing that he wasn't mad just shocked.

"And I get to be here for everything this time?" he asked.

Tracy nodded. "Though pregnancy is no walk in the park."

He leaned over and French kissed her. "I think I can handle it."

Tracy stood and Link helped her with the plates. He noticed the cheesecake in the fridge as he grabbed a couple cokes.

"Cheescake! My favorite!"

"I know. Why don't we cut a piece and eat it in the living room. We can see what movies they have on television."

"That sounds like a plan."

Tracy cut the pieces and followed Link to the living room. They spent the rest of the evening eating, snuggling and watching "Casablanca". When Link started to move so he could leave Tracy put her hand on his shoulder.

"Don't leave."

He smiled at her before brushing his lips against hers. "What about Robby or Penny or Amber?"

Tracy didn't answer. Instead she stood and taking his hand in hers led him upstairs. Tracy kissed him the minute they stepped into the room and Link shut the door behind him. They continued kissing as clothes were strewn everywhere. Jim was on the bed so Link reluctantly parted from Tracy and let him out of the room.

A little while later Penny, Amber and Robby came back from dinner. The girls had noticed that Link's car was still in the driveway but decided not to disturb whatever they were doing. Penny and Amber took Robby to his room and found Jim lying on the rug I front of the crib.

"Goodnight sweetie." They both said kissing his forehead.

"Night Auntie Penny Auntie Amber."

Penny and Amber left closing the door slightly. Robby was far from sleeping so he climbed out of the crib. He patted Jims head as he walked out of the room. He heard a sound coming from Tracy's room and decided to check it out. He got to the door and pushed it open for Link hadn't pushed it hard enough to lock. Tracy and Link were under the covers. Tracy giggled as Link's lips moved down her neck and breasts. She whimpered as he nibbled on her soft skin. The door creaked and they paused.

"Dada get off of mama!"

Link saw Robby and jumped so that he was sitting next to Tracy. They held the sheet and comforter up to their chins stunned at Robby seeing them.

Link quickly found his underwear and got up.

"Hey Robster, what are you doing up?"

"I heard noise."

"Why don't I take you back to bed?" Link continued.

He grabbed Robby's hand and led him to his room. Jim ran into Tracy's room and jumped on the bed.

"Jim! Off!" Tracy said.

Link came in and laughed at him. "It's ok I should probably be going anyways." Tracy pouted and he kissed her.

"There's always my place next time," he said as he kissed her one last time before leaving.

The next day Penny walked into Tracy's room. She was lying on her bed with Jim right besides her.

"So did you have a nice night?"

Tracy smiled and nodded.

"You look awfully tired Trace," she said looking concerned.

"I'm alright. I'm pregnant."

Penny's eyes widened. "Have you told Link yet?"

Tracy nodded. "I told him last night which is why I wanted alone time with him and he was overjoyed that he is going to be there for all of our child's life this time."

"That's great!"

"What's great?" Amber asked walking into the room.

"I'm pregnant!" Tracy exclaimed.

"Did you tell Link?"

Tracy nodded. "Last night and he was overjoyed."

Amber smiled as she hugged her. "Link's been great with Robby so I'm not surprised that he's happy about another baby."

"We have to have another baby shower," Penny said.

"Why? We have things already that I got for Robby."

"What if you have a girl?" Amber inquired.

Tracy shrugged. ""She could learn to like the hand me downs."

Amber and Penny looked at her.

"Alright we can have a baby shower but please try not to put a diaper on Jim again."

"No promises on that," Penny told her.

Later that day Edna called asking if Tracy, Robby, Link, Penny and Amber would like to come for dinner the following evening.

"Let me ask the others but I'm sure it'll be no problem."

"Alright hun. I love you."

"Love you too ma."

Tracy talked to everyone and it was agreed that they would go.

"Would it be alright with your parents if I invite my parents?" Link asked.

"I think so why?"

"We can let everyone know about the baby," he answered.

Tracy nodded and called Edna who was thrilled with the idea. Link called his parents and they happily agreed.

Edna made a pot roast and chocolate pudding for dessert. Before the meal started Tracy and Link looked nervously between their parents. The Larkin's were sitting opposite them while Edna and Wilbur were at the ends of the table.

"You look nervous kids," Eric told them.

Tracy swallowed the coke she had sipped and Link gently squeezed her hand in support. "Um ma, dad, Heather, Eric Link and I have an announcement."

"Are you guys engaged?" Heather asked happily.

"No, I'm pregnant," Tracy said.

Edna looked at them surprised. "Again! How'd this happen?"

"Well, Link and I drank a little more than usual on Valentines Day and we ended up sleeping together."

"So I'm going to be a grandmother again?" Edna asked.

Tracy nodded.

"Robby's still so young," Heather noted.

"We know mom but I'll be here for Trace and the baby this time."

"And we'll be there to help too," Amber and Penny said.

"Baby?" Robby looked confused.

Tracy kissed his forehead. "Yes sweetie you're going to get a new brother or sister."

"No!" Robby exclaimed.

"Don't worry sweetie it won't be that bad," Tracy told him.

After the shock wore off Tracy received hugs from Edna and Heather.

Tracy knew that if she didn't tell Corny first that Amber would probably tell him so the next day that she went into work she caught Corny in his office.

He noticed her and smiled "Hey Tracy."

"Hey Corny can I speak to you for a minute?"

He smiled at her. "Sure but you can have more than a minute."

She grinned as she sat in the chair by his desk. "I'm pregnant again."

Corny gaped. "Again! Robby's only a little over a year old."

"I know but at least Link is still around this time."

Corny nodded. "Have you told him yet?"

"Yes two days ago. He was very excited about it."

Corny stood as did Tracy. He walked over to her and hugged her. "Great! Congratulations Tracy!"

"Thanks Corny!"

Over the next couple of weeks Tracy's cravings grew. She moved from craving eggs to craving eggs and chocolate ice along with olives. Penny, Amber and Link did their best to keep their supplies up so that she wouldn't run out. Tracy would start crying at the news almost every night as well as they spoke of Vietnam.

Soon after being told that he was going to be a father again Link decided that there was something that he should have done a long time ago. Tracy wasn't surprised when he asked her to dinner but she could tell that there was a nervous edge to his voice. Tracy wore the blue dress again and her hair in a French twist. Penny and Seaweed were going to watch Robby. Link wore a blue suit when he picked her up at 5:30. He captured her lips the moment she had opened the door. He escorted her out to his car and opened the door for her. He then drove to Merlottes. There was soft light coming from candles on the tables. There was a dance floor and a small band playing slow and upbeat tunes. After ordering steak tips, baked potato and two cokes Link stood and offered his hand to Tracy.

"May I have this dance?"

"You may," she answered smiling and taking his hand.

He led the way to the dance floor as the band started playing a familiar tune.

Tracy's eyes lit up as she recognized the sweet melody of "It Takes Two" Link smiled and winked as he twirled her before holding her close. They gently kissed as the melody filled the entire room. Link whispered the words in her ear when they weren't kissing. When the song ended they walked hand in hand back to the table. The waiter came with their food and they silently ate just enjoying being in each others company. Before dessert Tracy noticed Link smiling at her nervously.

"Lil darlin I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you."

Tracy was about to speak but he got up taking something out of his pocket her gently took her left hand and got down on one knee. Tracy's mouth hung open as she realized he was holding a diamond ring. He gently placed the ring on her third finger and kissed her hand.

"Will you marry me?"

Tracy had tears in her eyes as she giggled. "Oh Linky it's gorgeous! I'd love to marry you!"

Link smiled as he stood and gently took her into his arms. They kissed and hugged while others around them applauded. Tracy and Link ordered chocolate brownie sundaes. Tracy ate hers and half of Link's. After dessert Link paid and helped Tracy out of her chair. He held the restaurant door open for her as they exited. He then held the car door open for her. His right hand twined with her left as he drove her home. Tracy couldn't help but smile as she kept looking at the ring and Link during the ride. When she glanced at him he would look at her and smile.

When the car stopped in the driveway to her house Tracy leaned over and captured his lips in a long passionate kiss. The need for oxygen made them part but he had his hand on her cheek.

Tracy sighed. "I should probably go in before they get suspicious."

Link reluctantly nodded. "I'll be back tomorrow."

"Linky tonight was the best night of my life."

"There'll be more amazing nights to come Trace."

Tracy smiled and Link seized her lips.

When Tracy got in the door Jim greeted her with a wagging tail. He licked her right hand as she patted the top of his head. When she walked in the living room she found Amber playing with Robby. Penny and Seaweed were on the couch watching them and talking among themselves.

"Mama," Robby said running over to her.

Tracy laughed as she picked him up and kissed his forehead. "Hi Robby. Have you been good?"

Robby nodded. "Uncle Seaweed taught me a joke."

"Oh and what joke did he teach you?"

"Why did dada cross the road?"

"Why?"

"To get to you mama!"

Tracy rolled her eyes but smiled. "I love your daddy very much."

"I know, you love me too," he said smiling. He had a few baby teeth showing.

"I do," Tracy said kissing his forehead again and ruffling his hair.

Robby pouted. "Mama you mess hair."

Seaweed chuckled. "That sounds familiar."

Penny smiled. "Yeah Link would say that. He hates having his hair messed with."

Amber laughed. "Except when Tracy's the one messing it up."

Tracy tried to glare at Amber but failed. "Um guys you'll never guess what happened tonight."

Four sets of eyes looked upon her.

Tracy moved her hand so the light caught her engagement ring.

Penny saw it first and she smiled from ear to ear. "Is that what I think it is?"

Tracy nodded. "Link asked me to marry him tonight and I said yes!"

Penny and Amber instantly jumped to their feet and hugged her.

"Really that's so exciting!" Penny managed to say.

"Ugh hugs," Robby muttered.

"Mama what's married?"

"That's when a mommy and daddy have this very nice party and then they live together."

Robby's eyes shone. "You mean dada be here always?"

"Yes sweetie."

Robby smiled.

"Will you guys be my maids of honor?" she asked Penny and Amber.

"Yes!" they exclaimed in unison before engulfing her in another hug.

The next day Link and Tracy went to their parents houses to tell them the news. First they went to Edna and Wilbur.

"Ma, Link asked me to marry him."

"And you said yes?"

"Of course. I love Link."

Edna hugged her then Link. "I'm so happy for you. I can't believe it a baby on the way and now a wedding oh there's so much to do."

Wilbur smiled. "Like I told you when you sought my permission it'll be nice having you in the family son."

Tracy stared at Link. "You asked my father's permission for my hand?"

Link nodded. "I thought it only right to do so."

They saw Heather and Eric next.

"Mom, dad I asked Tracy to marry me last night.."

"And I said yes!" Tracy continued as she showed them the ring.

Eric patted Links arm as Heather scooped him into a hug. She then hugged Tracy next.

"That's wonderful news!" she told them.

The next to be told of the engagement were Corny, Maybelle and Inez. Tracy received hugs and congratulations from them.

Tracy asked Inez to be a bridesmaid and Link asked Corny to be his best man along with Seaweed.

Tracy was now in her fourth month. She had asked Noreen, Doreen, Becky, and Brenda to be bridesmaids. Link had asked Brad, Bix, Mikey and Fender to be groomsmen. Tracy and Link were talking about places to have the wedding one day. They discussed the studio, the park by the lake and a couple other spots. Tracy was lying on the couch while Link sat on the floor next to the couch with Robby curled up in his lap. She felt bubbles in her stomach and started giggling.

"What's so funny Trace?"

"The baby just moved!"

"Really!?"

Tracy nodded and placed his hand to where the movement was. After a few minutes he smiled.

"I felt it! It's amazing!"

Tracy smiled and nodded.

Tracy had gone to Mr. Pinky's for her wedding dress. Sophie one of the girls was going to make it for her using the drawings that she and Penny had come up with. Penny and Amber along with the other girls who were to be bridesmaids went to the local dress shop where they found beautiful blue dresses that had very short sleeves and matching shoes.

When Tracy was almost five months pregnant she has a baby shower. It was smaller than the one she had wit Robby. She didn't know if she was having a girl or a boy but she figured that the bottles and some of the clothes which were gender neutral could work either way. Edna made tacos and Maybelle baked a chocolate cake with white buttercream frosting.

"So what names have you discussed?" Darla asked.

"Margaret for a girl and Matthew for a boy."

"Those are pretty names," Becky said.

"Thanks."

Heather and Eric gave her another crib for Robby wasn't old enough yet for a regular bed. Corny gave her another car seat and Maybelle another high chair. Penny and Amber chipped in for another dresser for the new baby while Inez bought a blanket and sheets for the crib. Becky gave her a pillow that matched the sheets. No doubt she had shopped with Inez. The others gave her bottles and pacifiers, toys such as a stuffed rabbit and clothes that she didn't necessarily need. She also received a couple gift coupons to the baby store for items that she may need. Jim had a great time running around the discarded paper.

TBC....