A/N Thanks again to everyone who has read and reviewed this story and especially to H6p8gv who is just the best...btw I don't own any of the characters or songs that appear in this chapter or story...I hope you enjoy!

8.

Heartbeat and Wedding Bells

The next week Tracy had a doctor's appointment. Dr. Rodgers checked her blood pressure and how her stomach was growing. He also listened to the baby's heartbeat.

"The heartbeat sounds strong," he told her.

"That's great! Do you mind if I bring my fiancé back here so that he can hear his child's heartbeat.

Dr. Rodgers smiled. "Not at all. You can bring him this afternoon if you want."

"Thank you Dr. Rodgers.

Tracy left the office and called Link using a payphone and he happily agreed. That afternoon Tracy met Link back at the doctor's office.

Tracy smiled when the doctor came in the room. "Dr. Rodgers this is my fiancé Link."

Dr. Rodgers shook Link's hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise sir."

"So you'd like to hear the baby's heartbeat?" Dr. Rodgers asked.

"Yes, please."

Rodgers smiled. "Ok well then Miss Turnblad please lay on the table."

Tracy did as she was told. Dr. Rodgers picked up a gadget that looked like a radio and placed it on her stomach. He held a microphone in his free hand and after flicking a switch they all heard a loud thumping sound.

Link stared at Tracy's stomach and the heart monitor device. "Is that the baby?" He sounded really happy.

Dr. Rodgers nodded.

Link looked a little concerned. "It's so fast."

"The fast heartbeat is perfectly normal," Dr. Rodgers told him.

Link smiled and walked over to Tracy and grabbed her hand. He leaned over and brushed his lips to hers.

"This is amazing," he told her.

Tracy grinned. "I know it's hard to believe isn't it?"

He nodded. "It seems more real now."

"Oh before you go Mr. Larkin I was wondering if you wouldn't mind giving my daughter an autograph. She is a huge fan of yours. She has all your records and pictures everywhere."

"No problem."

Dr. Rodgers smiled. He then handed Link his prescription pad which was close at hand.

"What's her name?"

"Megan."

"To Megan I hope that all your dreams come true signed Link Larkin," he said as he wrote it.

He then handed the doctor back his pad. "Thank you so much Mr. Larkin. She is going to flip."

He smiled. "You're welcome."

A few days' later Tracy and Link went to the bakery for cake tasting. Maybelle was going to make the cake but they wanted to decide what kind of cake they wanted. They tasted vanilla cake with strawberry filling then lemon. They tried butter cream frosting and plain cake icing. They tried the strawberry filling with chocolate cake and butter cream frosting.

"I'm not sure about this one Trace."

"We've been tasting cake all afternoon Link can we just choose one!?" Tracy exclaimed.

Link looked at her. She was never this impatient.

Her face softened. "Sorry must be mood swings."

They decided upon regular chocolate cake and butter cream frosting figuring that it'd be easy to make. They went over to Maybelle's to tell her and found Penny, Seaweed and Inez there.

"Hey guys!" they said in unison.

"Hey Trace, Link," they greeted.

Penny watched Tracy. "How are you feeling?"

"Alright."

Link glanced at her. "Except for that mood swing earlier."

Tracy kissed his cheek. "I apologized. Besides it's natural to have mood swings when you are pregnant." A few tears escaped down her cheek as she said this.

Link looked worried. "What's wrong Trace?"

She sniffed. "Nothing."

Penny took her arm and led her to the couch. She handed Tracy a handkerchief. She then looked at Link.

"Don't worry Link, she had something similar when she was pregnant with Robby."

"Oh, is there anything we can do to help?"

"Not really. Just be there for her I guess."

Maybelle walked in to find a sniffling Tracy. "Is she alright?"

Link nodded.

"Mood swings?" Maybelle guessed.

"Yes," Tracy said. Her tears were drying up.

Maybelle nodded. "That's one of the worst parts of pregnancy, that and in the last trimester and your back aches and feet are swollen."

"But the end result is worth all the trouble," she added smiling at Seaweed and Inez.

Inez wanted to change the subject. "So have you guys decided where the wedding will be?"

Tracy smiled. "At the park."

"An afternoon wedding," Link added.

Inez smiled. "Sounds heavenly."

Link sat next to Tracy and she intertwined her hand with his. He picked it up and kissed the back of her hand.

Tracy smiled. "It does."

"And the reception?" Seaweed inquired.

"At the hotel. Corny and my parents are helping rent a hall for us," Tracy replied.

"When do you pick up your tuxes?" she asked.

Link kissed her cheek. "A couple days before the wedding. Don't worry Trace everything is being handled."

The wedding was scheduled for August 10th. Four days before that date Tracy, Penny, Amber, and the bridesmaids picked up their dresses at the dress shop. Tracy went to Mr. Pinky's for hers. After the dress was safely stored away so no one could see it before the wedding Tracy slowly climbed downstairs. Edna and Heather had taken Robby to the park to play and Link was coming over to help with last minute details. It was a particularly hot day.

"Why does it have to be so HOT!?" Tracy complained.

"Sit lil darlin."

Link found a fan and turned it on Tracy who lounged on the couch. She took her shoes off and started rubbing her feet.

"My feet hurt."

Link sat besides her and took her feet maneuvering them so they were in his lap.

"Let me have your right foot,"" he said as he started massaging her right foot.

Tracy moaned happily as Link's handiwork did their magic. "This feels good."

"Give me your other foot."

"Gladly." She moved so he could grab her left foot. He did and started massaging it.

"That's good," she told him.

He smiled. "Good, how does it feel?"

"Great! I wish somebody would have done it when I was pregnant with Robby."

"I would have if I were around."

"I know."

"So are Penny and Amber ready to move?" he asked.

Link was going to move into the house after they were married and Penny and Amber were moving into his place.

"Almost, though it'll be sad not having them as roommates," she answered.

"But you'll be gaining two more roommates," he said as he touched her stomach. The baby kicked and Tracy laughed.

Tracy picked up his hand that had touched her stomach and placed it on her cheek with her hand over his. "True."

He rubbed his fingers along her cheek and smiled. "You know Trace my parents gave us an early wedding present."

She looked at him curiously. "Really?"

He nodded. "They have booked the honeymoon suite in the hotel for us for four nights."

"They didn't have to," Tracy began.

"But they wanted to," Link finished.

"We have to thank them."

"I already did doll."

Tracy smiled. "In four days I'll finally be Mrs. Larkin, and Robby will be Robby Larkin well after we legally change his name."

Link smiled widely. "Mrs. Larkin and Robby Larkin. I love the sound of those names."

"I did list you as his father on the birth certificate. No matter how angry I was at you I couldn't deny that you are his father."

Link moved so he could capture her lips in a deep kiss. He ran his tongue along her lower lip and she granted him access.

"Just a few more days and then Robby will be watched by our parents while we have some alone time," he said.

Tracy smiled and nodded "I can't wait."

"Penny and Amber will watch Jim while we are in the honeymoon suite. And Fender will drive him to the house and make sure he has food before the reception," she added.

The next day the guys picked up their tuxes and Tracy, Penny and Amber went to finalize the dinner menu with Edna who had about ten people helping her. Link and Tracy already picked out their rings. They found moderately expensive gold bands with a silver band on the outside. Engraved on the inside were their initials.

The day of the wedding finally arrived. Tracy woke up with Jim lying besides her. She had a huge smile as she patted his head. She carefully stood and walked to Robby's room. Her heart felt like it could burst with excitement. He was awake playing with his teddy bear.

"Mama!" he said as he saw her.

"Morning Robby did you sleep well?"

Robby nodded. "Today you marry dada."

Tracy smiled. "Yes."

Robby smiled.

She picked him up and allowed him to walk downstairs by himself while she followed. As she got to the kitchen the phone rang.

"Hello?" she said

"Morning beautiful!"

"Link! You know we aren't supposed to see each other before the ceremony."

"Well technically we aren't seeing each other just talking."

"You know what I mean," Tracy said. He did have a point.

"I just wanted to hear your voice," he told her.

"Oh Linky I am glad you called.

She knew he was smiling on the other line.

"In a few hours we will be husband and wife," she added.

"I can hardly wait," he said.

Penny and Amber walked in a moment later. When they saw her they smiled and hugged her.

"You're getting married!" they said in unison.

"I know!" Tracy beamed.

Inez, Noreen, Doreen, Becky and Brenda soon arrived and after an all girls breakfast of waffles and sausage with tea and orange juice as drinks they settled into doing hair and makeup. Tracy was wearing her hair in a French twist. The maids of honor and the bridesmaids all had their hair swept up off their face and their ends curled. They used moderate makeup. Tracy ran to the bathroom a few times as the others helped her. Penny grabbed her wedding dress and together with Amber helped Tracy into it. It was a sleeveless dress with a simple lace design on the bodice. It hugged every curve of her body. All of the bridesmaids including the maids of honor wore simple sleeveless blue gowns. Robby awoke from a short nap and noticed Tracy.

"Mama pretty."

Tracy smiled. "Thank you sweetie."

Brenda helped Tracy dress Robby in a little suit. Penny and Amber excused themselves as Penny led Jim out of the room. Tracy had a feeling that they were putting some kind of outfit on him.

They took him into Amber's room. Penny started putting on a doggy tux. Jim growled and bit her.

"Amber can you give me a hand?"

"Sure what can I do?"

"I was getting Jim dressed and he bit me."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, he didn't pierce the skin."

Amber sighed happy that she wasn't badly hurt. "In that case I'd better help."

Together they managed to get him dressed without further incident. Amber led him back to Tracy and she smiled.

"Look at you Jim!" he wagged his tail at her but cast a wary glance at Penny and Amber.

Tracy giggled as the baby kicked again.

"This baby knows something important is happening."

Brenda smiled fondly. "They usually can tell."

Amber and Penny had hired a limo to take them to the park. All of the girls plus Robby and Jim piled into a black stretch limo when it arrived outside of the house. Jim had his leash on. Tracy and her wedding party were holding bouquets of white roses and blue carnations that matched the blue dresses. The guys were all wearing white rose boutonnières. They soon arrived at the park and Inez, Brenda, Becky, Noreen and Doreen got out followed by Amber, Penny and Tracy. Inez picked up Robby and Jim jumped out last. Noreen grabbed Jim's leash as they made their way to the lake where Link, Seaweed, Corny, Brad, Bix, Mikey, Fender and all of the guests awaited them. An altar was set up by the lake and there was a red carpet leading to it. Chairs sat on either side of the carpet filled with family and friends. When they got close they saw Edna and Wilbur waiting them. Edna was crying the minute she saw Tracy in her dress.

"Oh my baby is getting married!" she said through tears.

"Oh ma, don't be sad."

"I'm not sad, just really happy."

Robby walked up to her wanting to be held. She wiped some tears away then picked him up.

"Grandma no sad," he said as he touched her cheek.

"I'm not sad sweetie," she said grinning at him.

Wilbur came up and kissed Tracy on the cheek. "Are you ready?"

"I've never been more ready," she answered smiling.

Everyone lined up. Becky, Brenda, Doreen, Noreen, Inez, Amber, Penny then Tracy and Wilbur. Noreen held onto Jim's leash and Robby was to walk alongside of Penny. Him had a small pillow attached to his collar that held the rings. Noreen handed Jim to Seaweed and he took the rings and put them in his pocket. Corny's cousin Ashley was the flower girl. She stood in front of Becky. The music started to play and Ashley made her entrance. She placed flowers on the ground before sitting next to her mother, who bore a striking resemblance to Corny with blue eyes and long brown hair. Becky went next followed by the others. When it was Inez's turn she looked back at Tracy and smiled mouthing "good luck" to her. Amber went then Penny hugged her before walking down the aisle. When Robby got close to Link he ran over and hugged him before turning back to Penny. The music changed to the "Wedding March" and Tracy and Wilbur began their big entrance. When he saw her Link's mouth hung open and he wiped the sides of it with a handkerchief. He then gave Tracy a wide smile as she did the same. He was wearing a black tuxedo and looked very handsome. When they reached the altar Wilbur put Tracy's hand in Link's.

"Take good care of her son," he told Link.

Link smiled and nodded. "I will sir I promise."

Wilbur backed away waiting for his next part.

"You look stunning Trace," Link whispered.

"You look quite fetching yourself," she responded giggling a bit.

Tracy handed her bouquet to Amber.

The minister began his speech. "We are gathered here to join Tracy Edna Turnblad and Lincoln James Larkin in holy matrimony. Who here gives her away?"

"I do," Wilbur said. He then went to sit besides a still crying Edna.

"Do you Lincoln take Tracy to be your lawfully wedded wife?

Bright blue met teary brown. "I do."

"Do you Tracy take Link to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

She smiled again. "I do."

"Now Lincoln and Tracy have written their own vows," the minister continued.

Link was first. He grinned at Tracy as he held her hand in his. "Lil darlin I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you. I know that we have had some differences in the past and have even gone our separate ways, but now I realize that without you it feels like there's a piece missing from my heart. And while we were apart the only thing I'd do was think of you, and wish that we were still together. Now that we are back together I promise to take care of you, Robby and any other little ones that come our way."

As he said that he placed his free hand on her stomach and she placed hers over his and smiled.

A tear escaped from her eye. With her hand still in his he brushed his hand across her cheek wiping away the tear. Heather was now crying too along with Maybelle and the other women among the guests.

"Linky I love you more than words can say. The time we were apart was the hardest time in my life. I wish never to feel that pain and hurt again. But now that we are together again (Tracy smiled sweetly at him) I couldn't be happier and you make me feel like the luckiest, most special girl in the whole world."

"May I have the rings?" the minister asked. Seaweed put his hand in his pocket and retrieved them.

He handed Tracy's to Link. He placed it on her left ring finger.

"With this ring I thee wed,"

The minister then handed Tracy Link's and she did the same.

"With this ring I thee wed." Link picked up her hand and placed a sweet kiss on it.

"I know pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Link leaned over and kissed Tracy. It quickly turned into a French kiss. Robby watched and scrunched his nose.

"Oh gross," he said.

Tracy and Link chuckled at their son.

She turned to him. "One day you won't think kissing a girl will be gross."

He looked as if he didn't believe her as she took her bouquet.

"May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln James Larkin," the minister said. Everyone applauded. Robby took his parents by the hand and all three of them walked down the aisle.

Tracy, Link and Robby walked back to the limo. Sketch took Jim and drove him back to the house before going to the hotel. He made sure he had plenty of food and water.

"The whole family is here," Link said with a smile and kiss.

Tracy put her hand to her stomach. "Not quite." He leaned over and captured her lips in a deep kiss. Her hands ran through his hair as his were on her waist holding her close. They parted when the limo stopped.

Link helped her out of the limo and Tracy giggled as she looked upon him.

"What's the matter Trace?"

"You have lipstick all over your face."

Tracy took a handkerchief and wiped away the lipstick as best she could.

"Thanks doll."

"You're welcome. We don't want you having lipstick all over your face in the pictures."

The photographer grabbed them for pictures by some beautiful trees with vibrant green leaves. Tracy and Link took one together then they took one with Robby then with their wedding party and their parents. Finally it was time to go inside. The room was decorated with white and blue flowers just like the bouquets and the tablecloths alternated between white and blue. Tracy and Link sat at the head of the room. Link placed Robby in a high chair that sat next to them. Penny, Amber, Inez, Noreen, Doreen, Becky and Brenda sat on the other side of Tracy and all of the groomsmen including Seaweed and Corny sat on the other side of Link. For dinner they had meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Tracy and Link helped feed some to Robby while eating their own. After dinner Seaweed rose from his chair. Every once in a while Link would grab Tracy's hand and kiss the back of it or rub his across her cheek. She would smile and give him a tender kiss.

"Congratulations Tracy and Link! May your lives be blessed with happiness!"

It was Penny's turn. "Tracy you've been my best friend since we were kids. From the moment you saw Link on the show you were in love with him, and you finally got you're chance when we were sixteen to get to know him and you found that he loves you back. Link, you are a great guy, I wish you two only the best!"

Corny stood next. "Trace and Link I knew from the very moment that you kissed at the pageant that one day you'd get married. Congratulations!"

Amber then stood. "Tracy I know that we started off on the wrong foot but I am so glad that we have become such great friends. Link when we dated we never had one once of passion that you and Tracy have. I hope that you stick around because I don't want to be responsible for hurting you for hurting Tracy again."

"I'm not going anywhere Amber."

Tracy had tears in her eyes as she hugged them. It was time for dancing. Link stood and smiled at Tracy.

"Would you dance with me Mrs. Larkin?"

"I'd love to."

She took his hand and they walked to the dance floor. Her arms wrapped around his neck while his encircled her waist. "Under My Skin" by Frank Sinatra began to play as they swayed back and forth. Other couples soon joined them in dancing. Everyone took turns watching Robby as Tracy and Link danced. Tracy then danced with Wilbur while Link danced with Heather.

After a few songs it was time for the cake. The others sat while Tracy and Link took the knife slicing into the cake. They each took a small piece getting ready to feed it to the other. It looked like Tracy was going to put it in Link's mouth when she smooshed it on his mouth. Link got revenge by doing the same to her. She pouted. Link chuckled as he leaned over and kissed off the frosting. Tracy crimsoned but did the same for him. When she was finished she captured Link's lips in a deep kiss. They sat back down and Maybelle, Heather and Edna cut the rest of the cake and distributed the pieces to everyone.

After some more dancing it was time to throw the bouquet. Amber and Penny both grabbed it. Seaweed and Corny smiled at them. The garter was next. Brad got Tracy a chair and she sat in it. Link kneeled and felt under her dress only making Tracy giggle nervously. He found the light blue garter and threw it to the crowd of single guys. Corny caught it.

It was time to say goodnight. Penny and Amber were taking Robby home while Tracy and Link had the honeymoon suite ready for them. Robby wanted to go with them.

"Go have fun with Auntie Amber and Auntie Penny, you'll see us soon sweetie," Tracy told him.

Several minutes later Robby yawned allowing Penny to carry him out of the reception. Tracy and Link bid goodnight to their family and friends and headed to their first night as a married couple.

TBC....