Mary Travis emerged first, with a blue blanketed bundle. She fixed her gaze on Chris, whose mouth was slightly open, as were the others.

"Mary. . .," was all Chris could say at first, though noticing that Mary never looked so beautiful and he was reminded of how Sarah had looked holding baby Adam.

When Mary reached Chris, she lifted the blanket revealing a tiny baby boy. "Chris, everyone, let me introduce you to Adam Christopher Dunne."

Astonished, Chris looked into the green eyes of the tiny baby with brown hair. Mary gently placed the baby in Chris' arms as the others gathered around.

Chris, choked, managed to get out, "Adam looked at lot like that, Nettie." Tears filled his eyes as he admired the baby boy. .

"Yes, he sure does, Chris," Buck said quietly, as moved as Chris. The others admired the baby boy, and when Buck stroked the baby's hand, little Adam latched on to his finger.

"There, there, little fellow, that's quite a grip you have!" Buck exclaimed.

"Nathan," Raine called as she came forward with a bundle wrapped in a pink blanket.

All the women enjoyed seeing the astonishment on the men's faces, except Ezra, who was now standing discreetly by Nathan as he looked into the face of a baby girl with brown hair and blue eyes. Raine's countenance was Madonna and child, as she cooed to the little one in her arms while the rest gathered round. "Everyone, meet Cassandra Annette Rachel Dunne."

As the group crowded around, almost speechless, Nettie said drily, though with a twinkle in her eyes, "No way was Casey going to allow her daughter to be called Cassiopeia."

"She's so tiny, Nettie," Vin exclaimed, charmed by the little one with a tuft of brown hair and eyes.

"She was premature, but she is doing much better, Vin. Not only does she look like her mother, she has her spirit, too."

"What a beautiful little lady," Josiah said, delighted as the baby took his finger.

Raine's silver laugh sounded out as she gave the baby to Nathan to hold. Nathan was speechless as he cooed to the baby girl.

"Twins!" Buck exclaimed, slapping his leg.

Lastly, Inez stepped out in front of Buck. "Tres." She had a blue blanket with a baby smaller than the other two, who were still very tiny.

Buck's eyes bulged and he sat down weakly. "Triplets? Triplets?"

"Buck, here is little John Daniel Bucklin Dunne. He was the smallest of all – we didn't know if he would make it, but I believe he has his father's spirit."

Buck took a peek at a small baby with tufts of dark hair and hazel eyes.

"That boy never did anything half way!" Buck stated.

"Hold him," Inez urged.

Buck backed up, "Gee, Inez, he's so tiny – and I'm a clumsy lout."

"Go over there and sit and I will place him in your arms," Inez ordered sternly.

She backed Buck up until he fell in the chair and put the little one in his arms. Buck, cooing at the baby, blinked back tears. "He looks like JD."

"Yes, he does," Nettie agreed. "We have some baby pictures – and little John is the image of his father."

All of the men were admiring the babies and the smiles were the biggest they had shown in months. Nettie sat down in a chair, waiting for the inevitable questions.

"Let's get inside," Chris suggested and they all agreed, though Buck, paler than an ice cube kept trying to get Inez to take the baby back so he wouldn't drop him. Inez just laughed, but stood close just in case.

The three women, deciding the little ones needed naps after all the excitement, took the babies upstairs.

"Ezra knew?" Nathan asked, looking from Ezra to Nettie.

"Yes. Again, the babies were premature and we didn't know if any would live. We didn't want your hearts broken again. It was the care of the best doctors that saved our babies." Nettie brought a Kleenex to her eyes. "We knew we might lose Casey, but she wanted the babies to have all the help they could get. She got to see each of them for a few days before she died. She was so happy . . . and if JD had come out of the coma, she would have been ecstatic." Again, a swift wipe of her eyes.

"Triplets," Josiah said in awe.

"Don't know how little Casey would be able to carry three babies," Buck blurted, then reddened.

"Two – Casey and Adam were two and a half pounds; little John was one and a half. All were poorly at first, and that's why we didn't tell you," Nettie explained. "Then Ezra called. I hear some of you are leaving?"

Six men exchanged glances. Nettie could tell that each one was dealing with mixed feelings.

TBC