Prologue: This is the ending of the last chapter from New Beginnings. If you haven't read New Beginnings major spoiler alert for the end of that story. I'm trying to write this story in a manner that still makes sense and reads fine independently.
The doctor leaned over asking the ultrasound technician to turn the volume up so she could listen. Noticing how tightly wound the couple in front of her were, "Mr. O'Toole are you sure you wouldn't like to sit down?"
"I'm fine what's wrong?" Oliver asked.
"Nothing is wrong in fact everyone is looking really good."
Shane clued in first. "Everyone?" She asked faintly her head dropping back on the exam table.
"The sound you're hearing right now is their heartbeats." The doctor took over from the technician moving the wand to get more pictures from different angles.
Noticing the 'their' Oliver swallowed, "Their…heartbeats…we're having twins?"
The doctor gestured towards the tech to move closer to Oliver just in case before responding. "No Mr. O'Toole you're having triplets."
"I'll take that seat now," Oliver said turning pale.
"They always say they're fine standing," the doctor commented.
Chapter 1 – 6 Weeks
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. You could still hear hearts beating rapidly from the ultrasound equipment. Having just found out they were having triplets, Oliver & Shane swung from being excited about the confirmation they were having a healthy baby to being shell shocked they were having three at one time. Shane had the back of her wrist pressed against her mouth as if she were trying to stop herself from saying something she shouldn't. After reassuring Shane's doctor he was fine standing next to Shane to watch the ultrasound, Oliver had collapsed into a chair. His mouth kept opening and closing struggling to know where to start asking questions. Finally, Shane could not hold back anymore. "You just had to read all those fertility books. Watching what I ate, changing my diet to all those fertility foods. I'm never going to be able to eat salmon and avocados again Oliver. Look what happened."
Shane's doctor snickered, "I can assure you it probably wasn't the avocados. It's not uncommon for fertility to increase in older mothers and you have a family history of multiples." Oliver noticed Shane swung her scared death glare from him to the doctor at the mention of 'older mothers.'
"Older mothers," Shane echoed distastefully.
"You're not in your twenties anymore dear," the doctor answered trying to be diplomatic realizing they'd both had a bit of a surprise. After finishing all the measurements needed, she stopped taking pictures and let Shane sit up. "I'm sure you both have questions. This may present some unique challenges. I'll answer everything I can today, but I'll be referring you to another physician that specializes in multiple births. I want you to get the best possible care with someone who has more experience in that area."
"There's definitely three?" Oliver managed to finally ask thinking he'd start with the basics.
The doctor handed him the ultrasound picture. "Yes. All three heartbeats are strong and healthy." The doctor assured him before turning back to Shane. "How have you been feeling?"
"Tired and hungry. I haven't really had any major morning sickness yet," Shane answered absently still in a daze.
"It's common to experience symptoms earlier and stronger with multiples. If you start having issues with nausea, try to stay hydrated. Morning sickness is a bit misleading and can occur anytime of the day. Listen to your body. Rest when you need to rest and eat when you feel like eating."
"I run in the mornings. Should I stop?" Shane asked uncertainly.
"For now, it's fine. It may become uncomfortable further into the pregnancy. Try to find an alternative at that point. Exercising and staying healthy is good for you and the babies. I'll get you sample prenatal vitamins to get you started. Once you are established with the new doctor, he may change them at some point depending on bloodwork. Your body works much harder supplying everything to three babies. You may need different supplements at certain points in the pregnancy."
Oliver looked up from the ultrasound picture he was holding worried about Shane, "How high risk is this situation?"
"I'm not going to minimize the risks. You're more likely to have complications and with triplets they're always going to come early. You won't go full term so you're going to have less time to prepare. Most likely the new doctor will want to see you every two weeks to stay on top of the situation and then will go weekly at some point in the second trimester."
"What kind of complications?" Oliver asked taking Shane's hand as he slid an arm around her.
"High blood pressure and Diabetes become more common when the body is put under more stress with multiples. It will be important to make all your doctors' appointments and let them know how you're feeling."
Shane leaned into Oliver before asking, "You mentioned the babies coming early. How early?"
"It varies with every pregnancy but usually we're less concerned if we can make it to thirty-two or thirty-three weeks. It's not uncommon if complications arise to be put on bedrest at some point." She looked at Oliver and Shane seeing the wheels were starting to turn for them both as they were slowly getting over the shock of the news. "There are support groups for parents of multiples. Having a baby is such an exciting time but when you have multiple coming at one time it presents some unique situations. Having a support team is important. Let me get a list together for the nurse on what you'll need, and I'll start the referral process to get set up with the specialist. It will give you a few minutes to talk and I'll finish answering any questions when I get back."
Once the doctor stepped out, Oliver raised his hand to cup Shane's cheek. His lips twitched trying not to smile. "Avocados Shane, really?"
Shane sighed rubbing her cheek against his hand, "Sorry I snapped at you. I know this isn't your fault."
Oliver finally broke into a grin that had a hint of masculine pride to it, "Well, I did play an integral part."
Shane rolled her eyes at him before smiling back.
"How are you?" He asked concerned knowing she'd been devastated when she had a miscarriage about six months after they'd gotten married. Oliver was afraid this little surprise was going to amplify the uneasiness she'd had about being pregnant.
"Shocked. I know my grandmother was a twin, but it never occurred to me this may happen." Shane looked down briefly before looking up at Oliver finally admitting, "I'm scared Oliver."
Scared for her he leaned his forehead against hers. While reassuring her he was also reminding himself, "We'll take one day at a time. You know my dad will be there for us. Norman and Rita have already taken a lot of parenting classes to become foster parents. We've got a lot of support."
Shane brushed her nose against his before pulling back as the doctor re-entered the room to hand them a sheaf of papers. "I've got the new doctor's information on top. Their office should be calling you tomorrow to make your first appointment. Underneath is the information on the multiples support group and several website resources. Did either of you have any other questions?"
Knowing Shane was completely overwhelmed Oliver asked, "Is there anything we should be doing until we meet with the new doctor?"
"Take the prenatal vitamins regularly, eat healthy, and get lots of sleep while you still can." Oliver nodded thinking he was going to have to hit the bookstore for information. They both left the doctor's office feeling a little subdued. As Shane got into the car Oliver decided they needed to regroup. "I know the appointment didn't necessarily turn out as expected but let's celebrate." Oliver reached across the front seat taking Shane's hand. "We've got three babies to feed. What do you feel like eating tonight?"
"Pasta. Lots of pasta," Shane said smiling slightly at Oliver's attempt to lighten her mood.
"Donatello's?" Oliver asked starting the car.
"Sounds wonderful," Shane answered right before her stomach started growling. "Evidently they agree," Shane's smile widened.
By the time they pulled into the restaurant Shane was starving. Sitting down at the table she dove right into the bread the hostess brought before opening her menu. Oliver perused the menu while watching Shane enjoy the bread as if she'd never had better. While they frequently came there to eat, Shane usually skipped the bread in favor of dessert. Glancing up she saw Oliver watching her blissfully chomping down. "Oliver?"
"I was wondering if you were going to leave any for me," Oliver inquired lips twitching again trying not to grin at her enjoyment.
"You start growing three humans and get back to me," Shane said smirking as she waved a breadstick at him and finally opened the menu. They both put their orders in when the waitress returned. "How are we going to tell our parents?" Shane asked in between munching on another piece of bread.
"We could meet with Dad and Leah for lunch or dinner sometime this week." Joe had met Leah at a trivia night he'd attended with some friends. It didn't take long before their relationship became serious. While resistant at first, Oliver's attitude changed when he saw how good Leah was with Joe. Now he was grateful his dad had found someone. "He was excited to find out we were expecting. I'm sure this news will come as a bit of a surprise." Shane had wanted to wait to tell anyone of the pregnancy after what happened with the miscarriage, but Oliver let slip he'd bought a cell phone. Joe immediately knew the only reason Oliver would have bought one is if Shane had gotten pregnant and he wanted to keep in closer contact.
"It definitely blew my mind. I can text them and see when they're free." Shane's face lit up and Oliver turned to see their dinner arrive. He suddenly realized a new relationship with food may be emerging. While Oliver was relieved to find her bouncing back after the shock of their appointment, he thought it may have more to do with the giant plate of mushroom ravioli being placed in front of her than his determination to stay positive. "My mom doesn't even know we're pregnant. I was waiting until the doctor's appointment to make sure everything was fine before I told her. What if we do a reveal gift?"
Oliver grinned at her 'we're pregnant' comment almost missing what she had said next. "What might that be?"
"You know like the gender reveals people have but a triplet reveal," Shane answered thinking through ideas.
"What's a gender reveal?" Oliver asked still confused.
"Really, Oliver. It's when you give a gift or have a party to reveal if you're having a boy or a girl. People do some crazy things like fireworks that are pink or blue."
"Isn't that a fire hazard?"
"Yes. Sometimes they'll make the news for going horribly wrong. I was thinking more along the lines of a coffee cup or t-shirt that says Grandpa or Grandma of triplets."
"That certainly sounds less explosive. I think they'd prefer those options. Surely you can Amazon it in time."
Shane smirked in between bites at Oliver's continued use of Amazon as a verb. It had taken him some time after they'd gotten married to get used to her ordering everything online. She was starting to think she had created a monster. Now he assumed everything could arrive with a magical click of a button overnight. She occasionally had to drag him through the bowels of the post office to remind him not everything worked that way. "I'll look into that when we get home. Oliver this is delicious you have to try some." She took a little and leaned over the table offering it to him off her fork.
Taking a bite Oliver nodded in agreement, "Did you want to try some of mine?"
Shane shook her head, "No it smells a bit off. I don't know if it's the hormones. I'll pass. Where's the dessert menu?"
Oliver looked puzzled thinking it didn't have much smell at all but handed her the small menu behind the candles. He could see her starting to yawn. "Why don't you get something they can package to go? I'm sure the doodles are itching for a walk at this point."
"That's an excellent idea. Let's get the cannoli to go. Since I'm so old, do you think they have any early bird or senior special when we take care of the bill?" Shane asked with some snark.
Oliver chuckled, "I could tell that comment really bothered you. It's getting to be more and more common for people to wait to have children Shane. Economically it's more advantageous to be established in your career and financially before having children. Sometimes it takes time to find the right person."
Shane gave him a look taking his hand, "Trust the timing."
"That's right," Oliver replied running his thumb over the back of her hand. The waiter returned and Oliver put their dessert order in requesting the bill at the same time. He could tell Shane was fading fast.
When they arrived home, the sheepadoodles, Raven & Gryffin, were excited to see them. Shane had given them to Oliver as a wedding gift. Her way of easing him into starting a family. "Why don't you look into the gift while I take them out for a walk," Oliver suggested picking up their leashes.
"I'll make some tea to go with the cannoli for when you get back," Shane said heading into the kitchen. Oliver wasn't gone long, but when he returned, he found Shane asleep on the couch hugging the laptop sleeping through the tea kettle whistling away. Moving the kettle off the burner and the cannoli to the fridge, he gently lifted Shane to take her back to the bedroom. She roused slightly nuzzling into his neck with her fingers brushing his cheek, "The cannoli…"
"It will make a delightful midmorning snack for the little sprouts," Oliver suggested gently pulling the sheets back and helping her slide into bed. She was out cold in less than a minute. Kissing her on the forehead he tucked her in before going to feed the dogs and shutting everything down for the night. After getting ready for bed, he slid in beside her wrapping an arm around her waist. His hand finding her stomach gently holding it in protection. In awe of the idea of impending fatherhood, he breathed in the smell of her shampoo as he rested his cheek against the top of her head. He prayed for God to keep her and the babies safe and healthy before quickly following her to sleep.
Shane woke with her head on Oliver's chest and his arms around her. She reveled in the feeling of waking up in his arms and hated to leave them, but she desperately needed the restroom. Easing out of bed he woke immediately feeling her move. "Shane?" He asked sleepily.
"Go back to sleep. I need the bathroom," Shane explained softly.
He rubbed his eyes and realized it was early. The alarms hadn't gone off yet but the dogs hearing them move around were already investigating. Raven had followed Shane into the bathroom and Gryffin laid his head on the side of the bed. Oliver could feel him breathing on his ear. "You want out, don't you?" Oliver asked turning his head. Gryffin whined in agreement. Oliver caved getting up to let the dogs out in the backyard. Raven ran after them to keep up as Oliver heard the water running in the bathroom.
When Oliver came back inside Shane was coming out of the bedroom in her running clothes. "I'll take them for a run."
"Are you sure you're feeling well enough Shane? You crashed rather quickly last night."
"I'm feeling much better this morning." She kissed his cheek on the way to pick up their leashes.
When she returned they finished getting ready for work. Oliver packing their lunches and Shane brought the ultrasound picture to show Rita. After clocking in they made their way to the DLO. Since they'd beat their alarms, they were arriving a little early. Oliver started the coffee and their new teakettle he'd gotten for Shane. She'd slowly cut out caffeine when they started trying to have a baby. It had been painful for everyone involved at the time. Shane started researching information for a letter they'd begun the other day. Oliver left her decaf tea on the corner of her desk running a hand down her back before moving on to his desk.
Norman and Rita arrived at their normal time. Seeing they were already there and knowing they'd had the doctor's appointment the afternoon before, Rita couldn't even wait until she'd taken off her coat. "Well, how did the appointment go? Do you have pictures?"
Shane glanced at Oliver wondering how Norman and Rita will react. "We do." Shane took it out of her purse as Oliver joined them around the table. Norman helped Rita with her coat returning on the other side. "The appointment went well. Everybody is healthy at this point." Rita could tell something was up by the tone in Shane's voice.
Sliding the ultrasound picture across the table to the other couple Norman picked it up. Rita giggled as he was looking at it upside down. Moving it right side up she looked at it closer before turning back to Shane, "No way. Is that…"
Shane nodded grinning as Norman was still looking down remembering the parenting classes they'd taken, "Oliver there's more than one grain of rice on there. Are you having…"
"Triplets?" Oliver finished smiling slightly.
"I can't believe this." Rita came around the table to hug Shane. "How are you feeling?"
"Shocked at first. A little scared." Shane said slowly, "Starting to get excited."
Norman was still running a finger over the picture. "Wow, Oliver, I always knew you liked a job well done. This was very…er…thorough." Rita and Shane started laughing at the shocked look on Oliver's face. Norman looked up sheepishly realizing it maybe wasn't the reaction Oliver had been expecting. "I mean congratulations."
Oliver chuckled, "It's fine Norman. I think I came close to passing out when the doctor told us."
Shane nodded, "He got really pale."
Oliver snickered, "You're one to talk. Blaming me and the avocadoes."
Shane started giggling. "Well, it is slightly your fault."
Rita's eyebrow raised, "Avocadoes?"
Shane rolled her eyes, "I immediately blamed him for reading all the fertility books and feeding me all that salmon and avocadoes."
Oliver laughed, "She wailed that she'd never eat one again because look what happened."
"I did get quite melodramatic." Shane smiled picking up the ultrasound to look at it again with Rita. "I think I was panicking at the time."
Rita patted her on the shoulder. "It is a lot to take in. Have you told your parents yet?"
"No, we were talking about how to go about it. I thought we'd get them a triplet gift, but I fell asleep before I finished looking last night. Let's finish sorting mail from yesterday and then we can look while we take a break. We've got cannoli from last night."
"Yum," Rita said as they wandered off to sort mail.
Norman looked back at Oliver after watching them wander off remembering other information from their parenting classes. "Triplets…Did the doctor talk to you both about..." He was hesitant to finish knowing their first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage.
"The risks?" Oliver sighed. "I've been trying to stay positive for Shane. Her doctor already referred her to a specialist that deals in multiple births. The new office is supposed to call today to set up an appointment. Her current doctor already let us know triplets come early and there's a good chance Shane might wind up on bedrest at some point in the pregnancy."
Norman looked at Oliver, "We're here for you whatever you guys need."
"Thanks, my friend. How about tackling some packages?" Oliver needed to get back to work to get his mind off what may be coming at their next appointment.
"I tweaked my revealing solution again last week. You find a package and we can give it a try to see if it's improved." Norman and Oliver both went to find what they would need.