It was a busy time. Dr. Lorin agreed to take over the clinic when Nathan told him Calli had offered him the position as ship's surgeon. The idea did have appeal. By leaving the ship at River Port and taking the bike Nathan could be at the Citadel in less than half an hour instead of waiting for the ship to get there in two days. He could spend the whole five days there and return to River Port to catch the ship. It was part of the deal. Dr. Lorin was delighted to be asked to take on Calli and Hawk's emergency care even though Nathan told him she wouldn't be around for several months as she had a project going. He didn't elaborate on the project.
The day after his return they were married by James since he was a Master of the Disciples. As the religious leaders of the community it was their duty to perform marriages and preside at funerals. It was a simple wedding but the entirety of Arhome celebrated with a huge feast and much dancing and drinking. The guards didn't participate as they stood watch over the entrances to the valley but they were brought their share of the feasting.
Nathan took over the clinic and began the process of organizing it and choosing candidates to train as assistants. Dr. Morris was delighted to be able to retire. He was going to stay on for a while part time until Nathan was settled and would take care of any emergencies when Nathan was gone. His receptionist happened to be his wife and was retiring with him so Nathan hired a suitable young woman to help with the paperwork and scheduling.
Calli was inundated with requests for her time. The town council and the leadership of the Disciples had issues to discuss. There were problems to be addressed and quarrels to settle. She always met the Tradewind ll when it docked and checked the books while it was being unloaded and reloaded. By the third month the clinic was settled enough Calli and Nathan took the Tradewind ll to Baton Rouge to visit her friends and relatives there. Nathan was astounded at how many she had. He was especially interested in meeting her daughter Rose.
By her 5th month Calli had already swollen considerably more than Nathan felt was normal. He frowned as he tried to listen to the baby's heartbeat. Finally he pulled the stethoscope from his ears and regarded her thoughtfully.
"I've noticed that sometimes when you refer to the baby you call it 'him' and sometimes you call it 'them'. Why do you do that?", he asked.
Calli blinked at him. "I don't know, maybe because of the twins? Why?"
"Well, it's hard to tell right now but I'm pretty sure there's more than one in there", he said.
Calli grinned. "Really? I'm going to have twins again? What are the odds? Wait'll Hawk hears this." Nathan leaned over to give her a kiss.
"Ummm, twins. Now that'll be a handful", he grinned.
Hawk wasn't surprised. He visited Arhome whenever he got the chance, trying to come at least every couple of weeks, but he was very busy trying to maintain their business enterprises and spend time with his wife. Halnet had noticed he was becoming more settled and preferred to spend more time with her at home. She asked often about Calli. She made the trip to visit once, riding double with Hawk on his monstrous custom made motorbike at night. She was always welcomed warmly in Arhome where the super mutants were much respected. She kept the valley's secret as did the other Settlement residents.
The cold of winter settled around Arhome. The river began to freeze and a light snow fell one sullen day, to the delight of the children. Calli roused from her sleep to a sharp pain. Glancing at her wrist computer she saw it was 1:00 in the morning. She didn't want to rouse Nathan. He worked so hard in the clinic and needed his sleep. Another pain stiffened her body.
"Nathan", she nudged at him.
"Mmph?", he mumbled.
"It's time", she said.
"Time for what?", he groaned sleepily.
She shook him again. "Time to get up. The babies are coming."
Nathan shot up. "I'll get Marla", he said, referring to his assistant. "I'll be right back. Are you all right?"
"Yeah", she said dryly. "I've done this before you know. It's going to take a while. Um, please get dressed first. Marla probably won't appreciate seeing you naked as much as I do. You better tell Aileen too. She'd never forgive you if you don't."
It was nearly dawn when the first baby was held up screaming his defiance at the world. Nathan grinned proudly at him as he quickly examined him and placed him in the wrapping Marla held out. She carefully placed the wailing infant in the prepared crib while his sister joined the world of the living with equal protestations. Nathan did a quick exam and handed her to Aileen. He turned back to Calli.
"Come on baby", he encouraged. "Push harder. Let's get that last one out, shall we?"
Calli glared at him as she grunted and pushed. Nathan caught the infant. "A boy", he said triumphantly.
Aileen took the infant boy. "Here, I'll help you.", she said handing the squalling infant to Marla. They cleaned up the babies while Nathan took care of Calli.
"How am I supposed to hold them all?", Calli asked after she was resting comfortably.
Aileen laughed, laying a bundle in her arms. "One at a time, sister. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of help." Calli smiled fondly at her then turned to her baby.
She had promised Nathan to remain in Arhome for a month to tend their infants. She did this without complaint but she was growing restless. A woman was hired to watch the infants when Calli was gone and Nathan was at work. She would also prepare meals for Nathan and keep the household organized.
Calli had a small staff to see to the housework and yard work. On a bright, cold winter's morning a month after the birth Calli donned her armor, said goodbye to her family, and returned to the wasteland. She left the nanny in charge of the staff.
For the next nine months she would concentrate on traveling the routes on her bike, taking care of their enterprises and working on the books. Occasionally she and Hawk would find a new place to scavenge out, but she always made sure to be back in Arhome by dinner time to spend time with her family. Hawk often accompanied her. The children in Arhome loved the big mutant. He made a great diving board when they played in the waterfall pool or river.
The triplets were ten months old when the Tradewind ll came into port with a message. There was trouble in the Florida Isles. The ranger there was asking for Calli. She discussed the message with Hawk then went to find Nathan. She would be leaving when the Tradewind ll came back to port and she didn't know when they would be back. Hawk left that afternoon to ride to the Settlement to tell Halnet but he would be back in time to go with her. Calli was back in the world.