This series is closed, but I have been known to make exceptions when approached with a really good idea.

 Disclaimer: I don’t own them, and (sadly) make no profit from them. 

 Note: Before you say it, yes, I know I’m evil…but I just couldn’t help myself.  I kept imaging the look on Vin’s face and couldn’t resist the temptation.  What can I say?  The devil made me do it!

 Feedback is welcomed…alright craved!

Triple Play

By Purple Lacey

Vin Tanner was happy… and the feeling left him uneasy.  It was a feeling he didn’t trust.  Happiness had always been a very fleeting thing in his life.  At least it had been until he had joined the ATF and found the six men that had become his family.  The periods of happiness had steadily grown longer and longer after joining the ragtag bunch of men that made up Team 7, but his earlier experiences in life had taught him to be wary of the emotion.  You never knew when something was going to happen to steal it away again.   That might sound cynical to some people, but it was just the plain truth to Vin.

Vin looked over the toes of his scuffed boots as he lay in one of the comfortable recliners in the den of his friend, Buck Wilmington, and let his gaze travel the large, homey room.  He’s eyes stopped periodically to observe the other men that were sprawled around the room on the lazy summer afternoon. Team 7 had gathered together on this Saturday afternoon just to kick back and relax with each other.  The large television screen that sat across the room from his current position was alive with the vivid explosions of the old science fiction video that JD had rented at the video store that morning. 

The vintage Japanese sci-fi thriller was the cause of much laughter, and sarcastic comments from the relaxed men as the campy aliens fought the embattled earthlings for control of the planet.  Vin couldn’t help but smile at the sight of JD rolling around on his back in front of the muted television as he laughed at Buck and Ezra.  The two men were making up their own dialog for the movie, with the occasional remark thrown in by Nathan and Josiah, who had decided to root for the aliens.  Even Chris was grinning like a loon, a very rare sight for the usually taciturn team leader.  

Vin wasn’t able to suppress his own grin as he watched his friends enjoying themselves so much.  It was hard to be cynical when surrounded by this family of brothers, but that still, small voice in the back of his head kept whispering at him, telling him to not get too comfortable because it couldn’t last. Try as hard as he might, he just couldn’t silence that obnoxious voice.

“Take that, you slimy, scum-sucking lump of extraterrestrial-ness,” Buck said, in his best Japanese accent, as the hero on the screen fired a rocket into an alien spaceship.   “That’ll teach you to mess with us righteous defenders of Mom, apple pie, and a man’s inalienable right to watch porn and drink beer.”

“What’s porn, Uncle Chris?” 

Vin heard the curious voice of his “courtesy” niece, Angela, clearly over the sounds his fellow team members were making.  Vin struggled valiantly to contain the bark of laughter that almost escaped him as he caught the deer-in-the-headlight look that suddenly flashed on his team leader’s face as the tiny girl that sprawled across Chris’ lap leaned her head back far enough to look at his face while she waited for an answer.

“Uh… corn.  That’s what he said, Angel, corn.  You know what corn is, right?  Like corn on the cob and pop corn,” Chris told the child. 

Satisfied with the answer, Angel returned her attention to the Barbie doll she was trying to undress, and Vin watched Chris’ chest heave with a silent sigh of relief.

“Dodged the bullet that time, didn’t you, Cowboy?” Vin smirked as he could not resist taunting the blond haired man.

This remark earned him one of Larabee’s infamous glares which, much to the irritated team leader’s disgust, did not seem to affect the long-haired sharpshooter in the least.  Chris gave an aggravated snort and returned his attention to the antics of the others.  Vin just chuckled at his friend.  The afternoon fun was interrupted by the chiming of the doorbell, and Buck groaned.  

“Why does it always happen when things just start getting good?” he complained as he rose from the sofa and headed out of the den to answer the door.

“Hey, it’s okay, Buck,” JD reassured him. “Why don’t I just stop the tape until you come back?  I could use a bathroom break, and a chance to get another soda anyway.  That alright with you guys?”

Buck smiled at his friends’ ready acceptance and hurried to the front door, eager to return to the fun.  He checked the peephole and saw the distorted view of a large man in a blue suit standing on his porch.  Buck opened the door and raised a questioning eyebrow at the stranger before him.  The man was tall but decidedly overweight and took up most of the space right in front of the door.  Buck noticed the trail of perspiration that made its way down the side of the stranger’s face and disappeared into his collar.  The dark suit adorning the massive body was not exactly what Buck would have chosen to wear on a hot summer afternoon, and he felt a few degrees warmer himself just looking at the sudoriferous man.

“Can I help you?” Buck asked.

A surprisingly high pitched voice answered him with, “I’m looking for Mr. Vin Tanner.  I was told I could find him here.”

“Who’s asking?” Buck looked suspiciously at the man who returned his gaze calmly.

“My Name is Edgar Wainwright.  I am an attorney, and I have some private, but urgent, business with Mr. Tanner.”  The lawyer reached into his breast pocket and removed his business card and handed it to Buck.  “Is Mr. Tanner here or not?”

“Just a minute,” Buck said and he closed the door in the man’s face.

Buck walked back toward the den and stopped in the open doorway.

“Hey, Vin,” he called.   “There’s some guy at the door looking for you.  He says he’s an attorney and he has business with you.  Urgent business he said.  He gave me his card.  His name’s Edgar Wainwright,” Buck informed his friend.  “Were you expecting him?”

Vin looked at his friend blankly for a moment the said, “Nope.  Never heard of the guy.  Did he say what kind of business?”   Vin took the business card from Buck’s outstretched hand and perused it.

“Nope.  He just said it was private… and urgent.” 

“Well, I guess I better see what he wants then,” Vin drawled as he rose from his chair and started from the room. 

He could hear the clink of glasses being set down on furniture as his friends prepared to follow him, not even making a pretense of allowing him any privacy to deal with this unexpected visitor.  Vin didn’t know whether to feel irritated at them for nosing into his business or glad that his friends cared enough to back him up.  Vin swung open the front door and faced the waiting attorney calmly.

“I hear you have some business with me,” he said evenly.  His light blue eyes scanned over the man melting on Buck’s front porch, trying to remember if he had ever met this man before, but quickly realized he was a complete stranger. 

“Mr. Vin Tanner?” Wainwright asked.

“Yeah, that’s me.  What can I do for you?”

“Mr. Tanner I represent Mrs. Charlotte Richmond.  I am here at her request.”

At these words Vin rocked back on his heels as if the man had reached out and hit him with something other than words.  Of all the things he might have expected to come out of the man’s mouth that was absolutely the last thing he would have imaged.

“I don’t have nothing to say to that woman,” Vin ground out through his clenched teeth. 

“That may be,” Wainwright said as he blotted his sweating face with his handkerchief, “But my client has a few things to say to you.”

“I ain’t interested.”

“Mr. Tanner, you and my client engaged in an illicit affair one weekend, did you not,” Wainwright pressed.

Vin’s temper was on a slow burn as he confronted the man.

“That ain’t any business of yours,” he ground out.

“I’m afraid it is very much my business.  I’ve been instructed by my client to give you this,” Wainwright reached into his inner breast pocket and removed a sheaf of folded papers and handed them to Vin.

“What the hell is this?” Vin whispered as he glanced through what turned out to be legal documents.

“That is a relinquishment of parental rights,” Wainwright said evenly.  “My client is surrendering all rights to the progeny that resulted from your affair.”

“Progeny?  What are you…,” Vin broke off abruptly as Edgar Wainwright stepped aside and Vin got his first look at what the man’s large body had obscured.

 There on Buck’s front porch, lying peacefully asleep in a stroller, were three incredibly tiny babies.    Vin froze and his brain went completely blank.  His face went slack with shock and his jaw dropped.  His eyes flew open wide and held a glazed look that was a mixture of soul-deep surprise and primal fear.   He started taking panting breaths as he stared at the sight before him.  Vin hardly felt the hand that closed around his shoulder as Chris stepped up behind him to give him support when he swayed.

“Vin, are you okay?” Chris looked at his friend with worried eyes.  When he didn’t get a response he snapped out, “Nathan, get up here!”

His voice seemed to break the spell on the rest of the team as they surged forward, each feeling the need to support their stunned friend.

“Nathan, Josiah, help him back inside and take care of him,” Chris ordered.  Chris growled as he swung around, and scowled at the now wary lawyer.  “I’ll take care of him.”   

“Chris,” Buck spoke up anxiously, “we need to get those babies in out of this heat.”

Chris nodded his agreement without ever taking his eyes off the man that had dropped this bombshell so callously on his friend.  Buck quickly brushed by his team leader and pushed the stroller into the house.  Buck left Chris to deal with the lawyer and continued straight on into the den with the children.

Vin was seated on the sofa with Nathan on one side and Josiah on the other.  Buck could hear Josiah speaking in low soothing tones to the almost catatonic Texan.  Ezra and JD stood in front of the coffee table watching but not speaking.  Ezra held a confused Angel on his hip. 

Angel looked up at her father as he entered the room and wiggled to get down, so Ezra absently lowered her to the floor. Angel ran toward her father seeking reassurance since her uncles were acting so strangely, but came to a surprised halt when she recognized what her father was pushing.

“Ooo babies!” Angel squealed with delight, and started forward again eagerly.

Buck stepped in front of the stroller quickly and intercepted the excited child. He went down on one knee and wrapped his arm around Angel to keep her from waking the sleeping infants.

“Shh, Angel.  We don’t want to wake them up,” Buck told her. 

“Are they ours, Daddy?  Did the stork bring them for us?” Angel asked with bright-eyed wonder.

“No, sweetheart, they’re not ours. They’re Uncle Vin’s, and where did you hear about the stork?”

“Jenny’s mama went to the hospital and came home with a little brother for her and told her the stork brought him,” Angel said while craning her neck to try to look around her father at the babies again.  “Can I play with them, Daddy?  Please, I’ll be real careful, really!”

“Not right now, Angel.  Little babies need to sleep a lot, so it’s better to just leave them alone for now.  Maybe later we’ll see, alright?”

Angel reluctantly nodded agreement but continued to watch the new additions to the family with fascination.  Buck released her and rose to his feet.  He pushed the stroller farther into the cool room and Angel followed right along side, never taking her eyes off the three babies. 

Buck got close enough to the trio on the sofa to hear the muttered words that had started to tumble out of the stunned sharpshooter.

“Three…three of them.  How could… why… three…,” was all Vin managed to say.

“Come on, Vin,” Nathan leaned closer and said. “Come on back.  We’re right here for you.  It’s gonna be alright.”

Vin continued to mumble to himself and ignored his worried friends. Nothing seemed to penetrate his shock.  That is until one of the babies woke up and gave a little mewling cry.  Vin’s head jerked up and his eyes focused sharply on the stroller that now occupied the space in middle of the room.  Vin stared as the baby on the far right wriggled around and started waving its arms.  The little face screwed up and the tiny cries started to increase in volume. 

Vin jumped from the sofa and over the coffee table to kneel in front of the stroller and lay a trembling hand on the downy soft head of the child.  The face looking back at him had his nose and his chin and his same square jaw line. The infant’s eyes also promised to be the shade of his own.  The faces of the other two infants were equally marked with signs of their paternity.

“Mine,” he thought.  “They’re mine!  My children! My family!  Mine!”  Vin felt his eyes flood with emotion and start to leak down his face as the reality of the situation hit him.

Vin reached down and released the safety belt holding the crying child in the stroller and cautiously lifted the blanket-wrapped baby out and settled it in the crook of his arm.  Vin sat back on the carpet staring at his child all the while. 

“Hush, little one.  Daddy’s here.  Daddy will take care of you.  Hush, baby,” Vin whispered brokenly as he rocked the child in his arms.  Vin caught one of the flailing arms and the tiny fist closed around his index finger with an incredibly strong grip.  Vin felt like his heart was being squeezed by that little hand as well as his finger.

JD sat down on the carpet beside Vin and reached out a hand to caress the small face of the baby his friend was so lost in.

“He’s beautiful, Vin,” JD said with a smile, “or she’s beautiful.  Which is it?”

Startled, Vin looked at JD and shrugged.  He pulled the blanket open and checked inside the tiny diaper and discovered it soaking wet.

“Well that’s what’s got you so riled, isn’t it, little one. My boy needs a dry diaper, doesn’t he?”  Vin almost crooned.

“A boy!  Congratulations, Vin,” JD grinned and slapped him on the shoulder.  “Can I hold one?”

Vin was reluctant to surrender the child he was holding but found the idea of anyone being the first to hold any of his children was also unacceptable.  Vin knew it was probably foolish, but he felt the need to impress his claim… his bond of kinship… on the children first.  So he passed the child he was holding to JD and reached into the stroller to lift out one of the others.

JD carefully managed the exchange and sat making faces and cooing at the whimpering child.

“Hey, Buck,” JD turned his head to address his roommate, “Go see if that lawyer brought any supplies for them, will you.  This one really needs a new diaper.”

“Sure,” Buck assured them, “I’ll be right back,” and he hurried from the room.

Vin unwrapped the second child and said, “This one’s a girl.”

Ezra suddenly appeared on Vin’s other side and sat cross legged on the carpet beside him. 

“May I, Mr. Tanner?” Ezra asked with a smile and held out his arms.

Vin deposited the little girl into Ezra’s arms and reached for the last baby.

“Another boy,” Vin informed them.

“You’ve been blessed with an abundance of riches, Brother Vin,” Josiah intoned.

Buck returned with an enormous bag that was overflowing with diapers, bottles and formula cans.

“He ya go,” Buck said and tossed a disposable diaper and packet of wipees to each of the men holding the children.  “That Mr. Wainwright fellar brought these and says the stroller and the three car seats he used to bring them here go with them.  Chris’ll bring them inside in few minutes.”

“Thanks, Buck,” Vin looked at his friend in gratitude.

“No problem, pard,” Buck assured him.

The crying of their brother seemed to set the remaining babies off and their cries soon joined his.   Angel had moved to join JD on the carpet and had been staring at the little boy in his arms with delight.  When the volume of crying started to increase she put her hand over her ears.

“They’re so loud!” she cried. “Why are they doing that?”

Buck sat beside her and pulled her onto his lap.  “That’s what babies do, Angel.  They cry because they can’t talk yet to tell you what they need.  When they’re hungry or have a wet diaper, or are too hot or too cold the only way they can let anyone know is to cry,” Buck explained.  “You did the same thing when you were a baby.”

“I did?” Angel asked.

“Yep,” Buck assured her. “It took awhile for you to learn to talk.  It’ll take them awhile too.   We just have to deal with it until then.”

“Oh. Okay,” Angel nodded and smiled.  The little girl turned her attention back to JD and the baby whose diaper he was changing.

“Can I help, Uncle JD?” She asked.

“Sure, Angel,” JD said. “You can pull the tabs off the tapes for me.”

Angel carefully watched JD as he closed one side of the diaper and mimicked his actions.  She smiled at JD in triumph when she managed to get her side of the diaper closed too.

“Great job, Angel,” JD praised her.  “You’re a wonderful helper.”

“What’s his name, Uncle JD?” Angel asked.

JD shrugged and answered, “I don’t know, munchkin.  We’ll have to ask Uncle Vin, I guess.”

Angel scooted up next to Vin and repeated her question as she watched him change the diaper of the boy he had.

Vin just looked blank for a moment.  “I don’t know.  I don’t know if their mother gave them names yet.”

“She didn’t,” Chris told him as he entered the den.  “According to her lawyer, she had already signed the papers to surrender her rights before they were born and didn’t bother to even touch them after their birth eight days ago. She wants nothing to do with them. They’re completely yours.  You can name them whatever you want, Vin.”

Vin looked at his friend in bewilderment at these words. 

“How could she just give them up?  I don’t understand how she could even think about doing that.  They’re her flesh and blood too.  I don’t think I ever really knew that woman.  She had me completely fooled about the kind of person she was.”

“You never said anything about her.  What happened?” Chris asked.

Vin tipped his head toward Angel and Buck got the message.

“Angel, would you like to be the babies’ helper again?”  Buck asked.

Angel quickly jumped up, eager to help.

“The little ones are going to need to be fed.  Would you take these bottles into the kitchen and ask Rita to warm them up.   You can stay there until they’re ready and then bring them back, alright?  That would be a big help, pumpkin.”

“Sure, Daddy,” Angel said proudly, “I can do that.”

“Thanks, Angel,” Vin said and the little girl glowed under his approving smile.

The men waited while Angel left the room with her arms wrapped around the three bottles before resuming the conversation.

“So,” Chris began, “what did happen.”

Vin was silent for a moment as he gathered his thoughts then began, “It was a Friday evening and I was on my way out to your ranch to see if you wanted to take a quick trip into the mountains for the weekend.  I got hungry on the way and stopped at that diner at the crossroads.  I remember it was really crowded that night, so when this lady asked if I minded if she shared my table I didn’t think anything about it.  I was happy for the company, and she was sure good lookin’ company.  We spent a couple of hours at that diner just talking. We got along like a house on fire. The next thing I knew we were in her motel room.  I won’t go into the particulars.”

“Hey, the particulars are the best part,” threw in Buck which earned him an elbow in the ribs from JD, and irritated looks from the rest.

“Shut up, Buck,” Chris ordered, “Go on, Vin.”

“We stayed in that hotel room for the whole weekend, only leaving it for food.  I thought we were starting something special together… but she made it perfectly clear that wasn’t the case when I came back from a food run on Sunday night to a letter and an empty room.”

Vin went quiet and his friends could see the flash of pain that crossed his face before he stilled it.  No one broke the silence. Each man simply waited for Vin to find his composure and continue.

“Turned out Charlotte was married.  She never told me that before, although to be fair, I never asked her.  I never even thought to ask.  Not only was she married but she was married to a very wealthy and important man, and she had no intention of leaving his money or position in society.  Seems her husband had this bad habit of sleeping with other women, and whenever Charlotte would find out about one she would punish her husband by having her own affair. 

She never cared about me.  She used me to get back at her husband, and then she… thanked me… for showing her such a good time.” Vin gave a shake of his head and disgust and fury battled with each other for dominance on his face before he continued. “Thinking back on it later, I knew she must have been scoping out the diner for a likely stooge and I fit her bill.  I can’t tell you how … dirty…the whole thing made me feel.  I left that motel room and went home and took about ten showers and still had trouble feeling clean.

I put her and the whole thing out of my mind and promised myself I’d be more careful in the future.  That’s pretty much the whole story,” Vin finished.  “I haven’t thought about her in months and now…”

Vin kept his head lowered to the child in his arms and avoided meeting the eyes of his friends.

“Seems to me the good Lord has attempted to give you some compensation for the hurt the woman caused you, Brother Vin,” Josiah said.

Vin raised his head and shot a puzzled look at Josiah.

Josiah continued when Vin gave him his attention, “What started out so badly resulted in three little miracles... your very own precious little miracles.  I do believe you have been blessed many times over. ”

Vin looked down at the blue eyed baby that he held in his arms and felt a wave of peace and joy wash over him.

“They are miracles aren’t they?  I never expected anything like this.  I never expected to feel anything like this.  It’s…. it’s…,” Vin broke off, searching for the right words.

Buck moved to crouch in front of Vin.  He placed a hand of the blond man’s shoulder and squeezed lightly, causing Vin to look up at him.

“You don’t have to try to explain it, Vin.  Believe me, there are no words that can truly describe the feeling,” Buck said.

Vin saw the complete understanding in Buck’s eyes and smiled back.

“I guess if anyone could understand it would be you, Buck.”

Buck laughed, “Yeah, been there done that.”

Vin chuckled too, grateful that the big hearted man had lightened the atmosphere with his touch of humor.   The voices of Angel and Rita could be heard coming up the hallway from the kitchen and Vin turned his head to the doorway in time to see the two enter the den.  Angel had a bottle in each hand and Rita held the third.  Vin met Rita’s eyes from across the room.

Vin had known Rita Aragon for several years before she had come to work for Buck and JD.  She and her husband had lived in Purgatorio where Vin had lived ever since he had first come to Denver.  They had been friends for a long time, and it had been Vin that recommended the new widow to his friend as a housekeeper and babysitter when Buck had suddenly found himself in need of one.  

“Angel tells me some interesting news, niño,” Rita smiled knowingly at the man whose face flushed at her look.  “It seems we have some new additions to our little family, yes?”

“Uhh, yeah,” Vin gave her a self conscious little grin.  “These are my children. Triplets. Two boys and a girl,” Vin ended proudly.

Rita approached the beaming new father and gazed at the tiny children being held by the happy father and his friends. 

“Muy bonita, Vin.  So small,” Rita crooned.  “So precious.” 

Rita reached out and made a point of touching each child.   She would have liked to hold one but the body language of the men as she had laid her hand on each child told her none of them would readily surrender the children they held right now.  She would have to be patient.

“And their names, niño?” she asked.

“They don’t have any yet, Rita.  I gotta think on that some.”

Rita nodded her understanding.

“Si, names are important.  It’s not a decision to make lightly.  You are right to take your time.”

JD looked at Vin and smirked, “You can always name one Candy.”  This remark caused his friends to groan and Buck to reach out and smack the back of his head.

“Don’t even think about starting that again, JD.  Once was enough,” Buck told him.

JD laughed and said, “Gotcha!”

Rita watched as the men laughed at the private joke, and then caught Vin’s attention again with her next question.

“Where are you going to raise them, Vin?  That apartment of yours is no place to raise one child, much less three.  Not only is it dangerous, but it’s too small.  You can’t go on living there.”

Vin stared at the woman in consternation as the truth of her words sunk in.  Chris suddenly brightened has he realized his fondest wish was about to come true.  Chris had hated the dangerous neighborhood his friend lived in and had been trying for years to talk him into finding a home in a better section of Denver, but the stubborn Texan had refused to leave.  With the arrival of these three small babies, Chris finally had a reason the new father could not argue with.  With Rita on his side as well, Chris knew his stubborn teammate would never stand a chance.

“She’s right, Cowboy,” Chris stated firmly.  “You can’t raise these three in that closet you call an apartment.  Babies take up a lot of space.  You’re also going to need a lot of help.  You’re not going to be able to handle three little ones on your own.  One is tough enough for a single parent, but three… that’s almost impossible.”

Vin’s shoulder’s slumped and for the moment he looked like the weight of this new responsibility was crushing him.

“Hey, it’s okay, pard,” Buck rushed to reassure him. “You’re not alone here.  We’re all here for you.  You’ll have all the help you need.  Those three belong to us now, too, you know.  Family sticks together, remember?”

Vin met Buck’s gaze and turned to make eye contact with each of the six men watching him.  Every man returned his look with calm reassurance and encouragement.  Vin couldn’t speak over the lump in his throat so he nodded and gave the group an emotional smile of thanks.

Buck caught JD’s eyes over Vin’s head and a silent question was asked and answered.  Buck looked with a raised eyebrow at Rita who met his gaze and nodded her head in agreement to his unspoken query.

“You and the kids are welcome here, Vin,” Buck informed him. “We got room, and plenty of willing hands to help.”

Vin’s head shot up and looked at his friend in amazement.

“You mean it, Buck?  You’d do that for me?”  Vin’s strained voice came out in a barely audible whisper.

“Of course I mean it, Vin.  Family, remember?” Buck answered.

Vin looked at JD and the young man smiled and nodded his agreement.

“We have the guest room empty and I’ll be moving down to the basement with Casey soon, so there will be an extra room anyway,” JD assured his shaken friend. “In fact, the bedroom and bathroom down there is already finished so there’s no reason why I can’t go ahead and move down there and let the little ones have my room now.  It’s the perfect arrangement, Vin.”

“Yeah,” Buck took up the conversation again, “and if we need more room when they start getting older, we can always convert some of the attic space into more rooms.  We’ll work it out, Vin.  Everything will be just fine.”

Vin was breathing deeply in an attempt to control his emotions at this display of kindness and generosity from his friends.  To someone that had not had the benefit of family for most of his life, the caring of his new family was almost overwhelming.  Vin was saved from replying by the hungry cry of the little boy in his arms that was swiftly echoed by the other two children.

“I believe this discussion should be tabled until more immediate problems are taken care of,” Ezra intoned. “If you would be so kind as to bring me one of those bottles, please, Angel.  I think this young lady is tired of being patient.”

The next half hour was spent seeing to the children’s needs and making plans to move JD’s things down stairs and Vin’s from his apartment in Purgatorio.  Buck and Chris had made a trip to the attic to retrieve the crib that was stored there, the same crib that Chris had given to Buck when Angel had been born.   They unearthed a playpen and high chair then rummaged through the boxes stacked in the attic to find the crib sheets and blankets that had been stored when Angela had outgrown them, as well as all her baby clothes.  Vin’s bank account was going to take a serious hit with the arrival of the triplets and Buck was determined to help spare his friend as much expense as he could. 

Rita began the task of washing all the things brought down from the attic and sterilizing the crib so the men could re-assemble it for the children.  JD had reluctantly surrendered the baby he held to Vin so he, Josiah, and Nathan could begin the task of moving JD’s belongings to the basement. 

Through all the activity Vin sat holding his children and watching his friends with a wealth of emotions shining out of his eyes.

“Vin,” Ezra’s soft voice caught his attention, “you look a bit lost.  Are you alright?”

“I guess I’m a bit overwhelmed,” Vin admitted.

“The sudden arrival of three small babies would certainly be enough to justify those feelings in anyone I’m sure,” Ezra assured him.

“It’s not just that.  It’s…”Vin broke off.

“Ah. I see,” Ezra looked at him with eyes that looked deep into the hidden part of him. “You’re finding it hard to accept that we care about you enough to go out of our way to help you when you need it, is that it?”

Vin knew how good his friend was at reading people, but was still surprised when Ezra calmly stated what was causing so much turbulence in Vin’s mind.

“After so many years, do you still have such little faith in us, Vin?” Ezra asked.  “You should know the truth by now.  As Buck said, you’re family to each of us.  You are our brother in all but name, and brothers pull together when one is in trouble or needs help.  You yourself rallied behind Buck when he found himself in a similar situation.  Why would you doubt we would do the same for you, my friend?”

“I don’t really, Ez.  I… I guess this all just threw me for loop.  I’m still not sure which way is up or down. It’s not that I don’t trust y’all.  I guess I just forgot for a while that I wasn’t alone anymore.  I don’t know how to say thank you for all y’all are doing for me…,” Vin looked down at the two sleeping infants in his arms and the one ensconced in Ezra’s arms, “for us.”

Ezra’s gold tooth flashed with his quick smile. “Family, Vin.   We all share your joy at the new additions to our little group.   These three precious little ones now belong to this family and can claim the right to all our care and devotion. Thanks are not necessary, Vin.  We take care of our own.”

777777777

The first dim rays of the sunrise could be seen when Vin dragged his weary body from the bed in Buck’s guest room and made his way to the bathroom down the hall.  Vin felt half-dead as he shuffled into the bathroom and his jaw popped with the size of the yawn that escaped him.  He couldn’t remember the last time he had ever felt this tired.  The traumatic events of the previous day had taken an emotional toll that was only magnified by the intermittent sleep he had managed the night before.  Even with Buck and JD’s help with the triplets during the night he had managed to steal only about two hours sleep.  Vin’s internal clock had roused him at his regular waking hour, but if not for the call of nature, Vin felt he could have stayed in bed for the rest of the day.    He shuddered to think how he would feel in a week if he felt this bad after only one night.  It didn’t bear thinking about.

Vin suddenly felt the need to apologize to his friend for all the jokes he had made at Buck’s expense when the exhausted man had dragged himself into the office those first few weeks after he became a father.    Vin was just starting to appreciate what Buck had gone through.  He found his respect for the big man growing with every hour he spent taking care of his own little ones.   That Buck and JD would voluntarily go through that again, knowing it would be three times worse this time, served to prove the depth of their friendship.  Vin wasn’t a religious man but he found himself sending up prayers of gratitude that these loyal and caring men were in his life.

Vin jerked his head upright and stretched his eyes wide in an effort to stay awake when he caught himself falling asleep standing over the bathroom sink while washing his hands.   He glanced at his reflection in the vanity mirror and didn’t recognize the face peering back at him for a moment.  His hair was in one rat’s nest of a tangle, and a thin line of dried drool led from the right side of his mouth to his chin.  His cheeks were dark with early morning stubble and his eyes were so bloodshot he could have been waking up from a weeklong bender. The beginnings of dark circles could be seen under his eyes and gave him a slightly raccoon-like look.  Any other morning, he might have been startled at how awful he looked, but at that moment he was just too tired to really care. 

He padded out of the bathroom and started down the hall back to the lovely, warm bed that waited in Buck’s guest room.  Vin pulled the covers on the bed back and had one leg on the mattress as he started to crawl back in it, when the early morning quiet was broken by the thin wail of one of the newborns.  The single cry was swiftly joined by two others.  Vin’s heart-felt groan joined the early morning tumult as he cast a longing look at the bed before dragging his leaden body upright again and went to tend to the infants.  

Vin stepped into the hall once more and bounced off the large jeans-clad body of Buck.  Buck was running a tired hand through his sleep tousled hair as he passed Vin’s door on his way to the babies’ room.  Buck barely registered the impact, and continued, zombie-like, to the children’s room.  Vin managed to catch his balance on the door frame and then followed behind the large man. 

Vin heard the shuffle of JD’s feet behind him but didn’t have the energy to turn and look at the shape his friend might be in.  Each man unconsciously moved to the positions that they had established during the long night.  Buck headed to the bag filled with diapers and grabbed three, automatically tossing two to the others.  Vin was just awake enough to catch the diaper when it sailed in his direction, but JD was caught in the middle of a yawn and the diaper rebounded off his bare chest and landed at his feet.  JD blinked in confusion for a minute before bending down and retrieving it. 

Diaper changes were done swiftly and three exhausted men lifted three now calm babies and started down stairs in the ritual that had started the night before.  They trudged to the den where Buck and JD each chose a recliner and sat with the babies they held.  Vin handed the child he held to Buck to hold and made his way to the kitchen and proceeded to warm the three bottles waiting in the refrigerator. 

Vin folded his arms on the kitchen counter top and laid his weary head on them as he waited for the formula to warm, and had almost drifted off to sleep standing there when the timer for the warmer went off, jerking him to wakefulness again.  Vin grabbed the prepared bottles and trudged back to the den to find his two friends dosing in their chairs, arms wrapped securely around the wriggling bodies of the children.  Vin grunted at his friends and punched each one on the shoulder to get his attention before passing them a bottle.  Vin took the baby Buck handed him and dropped onto the couch.  He guided the bottle’s nipple into the hungry little mouth.   He closed his eyes and, for one moment, let his head drop against the back of the sofa as he held the greedily nursing little girl in his arms.   Vin grasped at the words Buck had given him with a grin at 2:30 that morning as a drowning man does a lifeline.

“Just remember, it’s not forever.    They’ll be sleeping through the night before too long.”

“I can do this,” Vin murmured to the tiny girl watching him over the top of the rapidly emptying bottle.  “If I can make it through survival training in the Rangers, I can do this… right?  Piece of…,” Vin broke off with a yawn, “cake.”

When the baby had had enough formula Vin pulled the bottle from the little mouth and set it on the coffee table and raised the little one to his shoulder.  He gently patted her back until the little burp signaled he had made it through another feeding.  Vin stretched his tired frame out on the sofa, and carefully laid the now sleeping baby on his chest.  He just needed to rest for one minute then he would have the energy to take the baby back upstairs to bed.  That’s all he needed… just one…(yawn)… minute, then… he’d…

The sun was shining brightly into the den when Rita entered it at about eight o’clock.  She had to suppress her laughter at the sight that greeted her, but couldn’t stop the fond smile from taking possession of her face.  Buck and JD were both kicked back in the recliners sleeping soundly.  Vin was lying on his back across the sofa snoring lightly. He had one knee raised against the sofa back and the other hanging over the edge, his bare foot resting on the carpet.   Although sleeping deeply, each man had his hands folded protectively over the child lying on his chest so peacefully.  Rita silently slipped out of the room and returned minutes later with JD’s camera, snapping several pictures of the three men and their little charges.  This was a one picture that had to be preserved for posterity. 

7777777

Vin came awake slowly, pulled reluctantly from a sound sleep by the sound of a tiny voice singing near his ear.  He managed to open one eye and found himself gazing at the top of a little brown head.  It took him a few seconds to recognize it but eventually his tired brain managed to make sense of his surroundings.  Angel was standing by the sofa, bent over a little at the waist, and had her head turned parallel to the baby lying on his chest.  The little girl had one small hand stroking the baby’s back as she sung to it.  Vin had to smile at the sight.

“…see the little puffer-bellies all in row.  See the station master turn the little handle.  Puff, puff, whoo, whoo, off they go,” Angela sang.

Vin recognized the song Buck had sung for her since she had been a baby herself and felt a rush of affection for the child flood through him.  It gave him a warm, connected feeling to have his friend’s little girl, the child that he had doted on since her birth, sharing such an important piece of her own childhood with his daughter—giving her a legacy of love and affection with the  softly sung song.    

“Mornin’, Sweethearts,” Vin said.  His voice captured Angel’s attention and she raised her head to gift him with a merry smile.  “How are my two sweethearts doin’ this morning?” 

“Morning, Uncle Vin.  Can I help with your baby?  I’ll be real careful, Uncle Vin.  I can go get my bears and we can play picnic.  Can she play with me, please, Uncle Vin.  We can have a lot of fun.  I can show her everything about the house, and…” Angel spoke in an excited rush.

Vin placed a finger across her lips to interrupt her.  “Uhh, Angel, the babies are still too little to really play with you yet.  About all they can do right now is sleep, eat, and cry.”

Angel’s face dropped into a tiny pout.  “Then what can I do?  I’m a big girl now.  I can help, Uncle Vin.  Uncle JD and Daddy get to help.  I want to help with the babies, too!”

“But you’re already helping, Munchkin,” Vin cupped his hand on the back of the Angel’s head and pulled her down to place  a kiss on her cheek.  “Every little baby needs a lullaby.  You were doing exactly the right thing for her when you were singing so sweetly to her.  I’m sure she likes to listen to you.” Vin assured her.

“Really?” Angel beamed.

“Yep,” Vin smiled.  “Absolutely!”

“Should I sing some more then?” Angela asked.  “I know lots of songs!”

Vin cast a look at the two men still sleeping deeply in the reclined chairs and shook his head.

“I think maybe we’d better be quiet right now and let your Daddy and Uncle JD sleep while they can, Munchkin.  They had a long, hard night last night.  I’m sure they’d appreciate the sleep. I know she’d love for you to sing to her later, alright?  Why don’t we go see if Rita has any coffee ready?  I could use about a gallon of it right now and maybe some breakfast.”

Angel threw one more look at the baby on his chest then reluctantly agreed.  Vin held the baby against him with one hand as he pushed himself upright with the other.  He rose from the long sofa and rolled his head in an attempt to ease the crick he had gotten from sleeping with his head on the arm of the sofa, then settled the baby in the crook of his arm.  He reached down and took Angel’s hand and headed for the kitchen.

Rita threw a look over her shoulder as the kitchen door swung open and the trio entered.  The housekeeper smiled at the tousled man, pre-schooler, and baby as they entered her domain and turned from the stove where she was frying bacon to reach into the cabinet and take down a large mug.  Rita filled the mug with coffee and sat it on the table in front of Vin when he sat down.  Angel walked to Rita and gave the woman her morning hug and kiss.

“Good morning, Angelita,” Rita said, “And good morning to you to, Vin.  I see you survived your first night of fatherhood.”  Rita grinned down at Vin.  “How is the little one this morning?”

“Doing fine, Rita.  A lot better than her old man, let me tell you.  I can’t remember when I’ve felt this tired, and I don’t really know why.  I mean… I’ve stayed up for longer periods when on duty, but I’ve never felt like this.  Never felt like…like…like someone just inserted a vacuum in my body and sucked all the energy out.”

“Welcome to parenthood, niño,” Rita laughed.

“You’re such a comfort, Rita,” Vin sneered sarcastically and glared at the laughing woman. 

“Drink your coffee, Vin,” Rita said and pushed the sugar bowl towards him.   “Maybe this will help sweeten your disposition this morning, yes?”  This earned her another glare.

Rita turned back to the stove to check on the bacon and Vin shoveled several spoons of sugar into his coffee hoping for a quick energy boost.  He raised the mug to his lips and inhaled deeply, appreciating the aroma as never before.  Vin took a big sip and sighed in satisfaction.  He just might survive the morning after all.

The baby held in the crook of his elbow came awake with slowly blinking eyes and began waving her little fists in the air.  The motion immediately caught Angel’s eye and the little girl scurried around the table to stand at Vin’s side.

Angel reached out and took one of the little fists into her hand and shook it back and forth gently.

“Morning, Baby,” she said with an excited smile and kissed the small hand she held in her own.  “Uncle Vin?”

she turned her head up to look at the man.  “When are you going to tell us her name?   Doesn’t she need one?”

“Well, Angel, I gave that a lot of thought during the times I was awake last night.  I think I’ve decided.  What do you think about calling her Dallas?  Dallas Nayeli Tanner.”

“That’s a beautiful name,” Rita told him, “very unusual.  I’ve never heard the name Nayeli before.”

Vin threw the woman a shy grin from behind his coffee mug. “It’s a Native American word.  It means ‘I love you’.”

“Dallas,” Angela nodded her approval.  “Good morning, Dallas.  I’m Angela.  I’m you’re cousin.  I’m a big girl.  I’m gonna help take care of you.   I promise I’m gonna take real good care of you.  I’ll sing to you, and play with you.  You’ll like it here.  We got a big house and there’s lots of fun stuff to play with.  I'll tell you all about the rules.  That way you won’t get in trouble.”

“That’s right good of you, Munchkin,” Vin leaned down to kiss Angel’s cheek again.  “I know you’re going to be a great little helper.’

“Why don’t you be a helper and run upstairs and get a diaper for Dallas?  I’m sure she’s going to need one soon,” Rita told the child with a smile. 

Angel looked at Vin for permission and took off out the kitchen door at a run when he nodded to her. 

“I made up some more bottles of formula and put them in the refrigerator, Vin,” Rita threw over her shoulder as she reached into the frig for the eggs.

“Thanks, Rita.”

“I think we need to talk a few minutes about what will happen when you have to return to work, niño,” Rita said as she cracked eggs into the frying pan and started to scramble them.  “It will be my pleasure to help take care of the babies for you, Vin, but I don’t think I can do it by myself.  With the housework and Angel to deal with and now adding three more little ones to the mix, I don’t think I will be able to do it alone.  It will require additional help.”

Vin nodded his head and said, “I know, Rita.  Three babies and a pre-schooler is more than I could ask you to take on.  I guess I can find a day care for them…”

Rita swung around angrily and put her fists on her hips.

“You will do no such thing, Vin Tanner.  I never meant to suggest that.  Taking those babies out of their own home and sticking them in daycare when there is a perfectly acceptable alternative would be a crime.”

Vin stared at her in confusion, “But you just said…”

“I said I would need help.  If you would pay for someone to come in everyday to help me care for the children then they would not have to leave here.  That was all I said.”  Rita glared her disapproval at the now contrite man.

“Oh.  Sorry,” he apologized.

Rita turned away with an offended sniff and resumed her cooking. 

“I know of a few good women that would be interested in the job,” Rita relented enough to say.

Vin felt a wave of relief at her suggestion.  He felt much more comfortable with the idea of the children remaining with Rita all day that putting them in daycare.  It would probably be cheaper that way as well. 

Vin, Buck, and JD had discussed money matters the previous night.  Buck had been prepared to let Vin stay for free, but Vin had been adamant about paying his own way.  They had come to an agreeable arrangement and Vin was surprised to find he would actually be paying less to live in the large, comfortable home that he had been paying to live in his tiny apartment in Purgatorio.  Buck and JD were happy as well since their monthly housing expenses would be reduced.    With the money he was saving on rent, Vin could more than afford to hire a full time helper for Rita and still have more at the end of the month than he had before. 

Vin cast an appreciative eye around the kitchen of his new home, and heaved a glad sigh.  Problems that he had seen in his path when he had first found out about the babies seemed to be working themselves out without a lot of effort on his part.  Vin knew he owed the sudden smoothness of the road ahead of him to the group of friends that had banded together to support him.  Vin didn’t know what he had ever done to deserve such consideration, but he would hold these friendships close to his heart and thank God for them everyday.

777777777777777

Vin was kicked back in his chair, his long legs stretched out under the table, when Rita outlined her plan to a replete Buck and JD while they were sipping a final cup of coffee after a big breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes. She also mentioned she already had someone in mind for her helper.  Vin witnessed the flash of concern that crossed Buck’s face at her words.  Buck’s eyes rose to his and Vin could see his friend was uncomfortable.

“Having help does sound like a good idea, Rita.  I can see where four children, keeping this house, and doing the shopping and cooking would be too much for one person.  But… umm, with them coming into the house … I, uhh, well…” Buck stammered.

Rita turned from her task of loading the dishwasher to face him with a knowing look.

“You want a chance to pass judgment on this person before she is hired,” Rita stated.

Buck looked at Rita and then back at Vin before speaking again.  “Well, yeah.  I mean … it’s not that I don’t trust your judgment, Rita… but she’d be with Angel and I…” Buck broke off then started again, “I don’t want to sound unreasonable or something, Vin , and I sure don’t want to start off your living here sounding like the house dictator or anything, but I just got to be careful when it comes to Angel’s welfare, you know what I mean?  I…”

Vin had to smile at his friend as he struggled to express his concerns without alienating the housekeeper or Vin.  Vin watched in amusement as Buck verbally stumbled around for a few seconds before deciding to put the man out of his misery.

“Buck!  It’s okay. Really, I understand what you’re saying and I agree with you.  You should have a say in this since the decision will affect you and Angel, too.  I have no problem with that. It’s only fair.  If the tables were turned I’d feel exactly the same way.  I’m sure Rita understands your concern too, don’t you Rita.”

“Si, Buck.  I never meant to make you think otherwise.  Angel is your first concern and that is how it should be.  The person I have for the job is someone you and Angel already know.  I believe you will approve,” Rita assured him.

Buck smiled in relief.

“Thanks for understanding.  I just want what’s best for everybody, you know?   I want to help you, and I really don’t mean to tell you what to do when it comes to your own children, Vin,” Buck turned a serious face to his newest roommate.

“No worries, Bucklin,” Vin assured him. “I’m sure we’ll all have to settle into this arrangement.  It’s gonna  be strange for me for awhile because I haven’t lived with anyone for years, and you and JD and Rita all have your routines and ways of doing things worked out.  It’ll take time and a lot of adjustments to fit me and the triplets into all that.  I’m sure there’s gonna be a lot of rubbing each other the wrong way until things work themselves out.   I really appreciate what y’all are doing for us, and I want this to work out.  I can be patient with y’all if y’all will be patient with me.”

“You got yourself a deal, pard,” Buck grinned and reached a hand over the table to shake Vin’s.

“You bet,” JD shook Vin’s extended hand too.  “This is going to be great!”

Vin smiled his usual contained smile at the young man’s enthusiasm.

“So Rita,” Buck turned his head to look at the woman who had been silently observing the three men, “you said you had somebody in mind to help?  Who were you thinking of asking?”

“Mrs. Wesley,” Rita informed him.

“Judith Wesley?” Buck asked in surprise, “The lady that lives down the block?”

Rita nodded her head in affirmation.

Vin looked at Buck in concern and said, “There something wrong about this lady?”

Buck hastened to assure his friend by answering, “No, there’s nothing wrong with her that I’m aware of.  I’m just surprised Rita might think she would accept the job.  I mean… she’s a widow and I know she’s not hurting for money.  From what I understand her husband left her pretty well off.  I know she has kids and grandkids of her own because I’ve met them a couple of times.  They’re really nice people, and I know she and Angel get along great.   She’d be wonderful if she was interested.”

 Vin looked between Buck and Rita, observing both but not feeling comfortable enough to voice an opinion without meeting the lady in question.

“What makes you think she might like the job,” Buck asked the housekeeper.

“I think she would jump at the chance to help.  She has three grown boys and 4 grandchildren, but they are spread out across the country. The son that was still living in Denver got a promotion and had to move his family to Boston two months ago, so she doesn’t have any relatives left in the city.  She was a good mother and a doting grandmother. Now she’s lonely and misses her grandchildren.  I believe she would love to have someone to focus her attentions and affections on.  You would be very lucky to have her if she agrees.  She’s a very caring woman, and the best part…”  Rita smiled at Vin in triumph as she prepared to lay down her trump card, “she raised triplets of her own so has a wealth of experience to draw on.”

“She’s right, Vin,” JD hastened to say, “Mrs. Wesley is a really nice person, and gets along with children very well.  You couldn’t do better, if she’s interested.”

Vin glanced at each approving face and made his decision.  “Okay.  If you think she’d be good then I’d be willing to meet her, providing she’d be willing to take it on.”

“Good,” Rita smiled.  “I’ll talk to her this morning about it.  If she says yes, I’ll bring her by to meet you and the children.  I know you’ll like her, Vin, but if you don’t I still know of some others who would do.”

“Okay, Rita.  You just let me know what she says and we’ll go from there.”

Vin was a little nervous when Rita informed him later that morning that Judith Wesley would be coming by that afternoon at one o’clock.  He was anxious to find a sitter for the children, but worried that the woman coming to interview for the job might not be the best person to care for his little ones.    He knew he had to leave the children to work, but he couldn’t do it unless he could place his complete trust in the person he was leaving them with.  With the sudden arrival of his three newborns, Vin had discovered a protective streak in himself that seem to reach ten miles across, and he found his priorities had shifted in the blink of an eye.  Nothing was more important to him than those little blessings. 

Vin was seated in the den, watching the triplets snooze in the large blue playpen Buck had given to him, when the doorbell rang at one o’clock and he involuntarily tensed.  All his senses seemed to go on alert as he prepared to vet this stranger as a potential caretaker for the triplets.  Vin had to force himself to remain seated when his instinct was to jump up and stand guard in front of his children like a lioness protecting her cubs.  He took a few deep breaths and tried to force himself into a calmer state of mind.  He was only partially successful when Rita escorted her friend into the room.

Vin’s hawk-like gaze swept over the smiling woman who was laughing at something Rita had just said.  She was tall for a woman, only an inch or so shorter than himself, and he guessed she was somewhere in her late fifties.  Her long salt and pepper hair was pulled away from her face in a casual pony tail that just seemed to accentuate the fine bones in her face.  Vin watched the amused light shining out of her chocolate brown eyes and noticed the laugh lines than appeared at the corners of her eyes and mouth.  This was a woman that smiled a lot.  When she turned to face Vin as Rita introduced them, he could see the kindness beaming out of her as she held out her hand.  Vin was pleasantly surprised by the firm handshake she gave him, and felt the deep velvet of her calm voice soothe more of the tension from his body as she spoke a greeting.

Vin had always relied on his instincts when it came to people. They had kept him alive more times than he could count.  Most times, with the notable exception of Charlotte, they were right on the money.  Vin’s instincts were telling him this was a woman that could be trusted.

“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Wesley,” Vin murmured politely.

“The pleasure’s all mine, Mr. Tanner,” Judith corrected him.  “Rita has told me all about you and the children.  I’m absolutely thrilled that she thought of me when she needed help.  I adore children.  I have three boys of my own and always wanted more, but it wasn’t to be.  Now that my son Derrick has moved with his wife and two children to Boston, I just miss the little sweethearts so much!  I hardly know what to do with myself any more.  I got so used to having my grandchildren around that now they are gone I find it very hard to fill my time.  Having a few little ones around to see to would be a joy for me, Mr. Tanner.  It certainly beats rattling around in that big old house alone.  I was seriously considering getting a cat…and I’ve always been allergic to cats,” she laughed, “So you will be doing me a favor and saving me a fortune in doctor bills.”

Vin had to laugh at the woman that seemed so secure in herself.  Judith Wesley just seemed to radiate love and good humor.   Vin found that last little tense part of himself relaxing at last. 

“Always willing to help a lady,” Vin grinned at the smiling woman, “If you want it the job’s yours.  Now, about the wages...”

Judith stopped him from proceeding farther with a raised hand.

“Mr. Tanner, I really have no need for money.  My husband left me very comfortable in that respect.  I would be doing this for the satisfaction alone.”

Vin’s faced her with his closed, stubborn look and stated firmly, “Ma’am I ain’t no charity case.  Never took it in the past and I never will.  I pay my own way, and I’ll pay for my children.  We better get that straight right up front.”

Judith watched the proud father for one moment then smiled at him gently, “Alright.  I can see that being independent is important to you, so I believe we can reach a compromise we can both live with.  How about…”

Judith named an amount that Vin knew was far below what anyone else would have charged for their services.

“That’s sounds a little low to me,” Vin replied.

“Compromise, Mr. Tanner, remember?”  Judith reminded him, “I give a little, you give a little and we’re both happy.”

Vin stared for a moment at the woman who met his gaze unwaveringly.  He considered her offer for another minute then his face broke out into a smile and he reached out his hand to shake hers.

“It’s a deal, Mrs. Wesley” Vin said.

“Wonderful,” Judith replied as she grasped his hand again, “and it’s Judith.  Now, let’s see those little ones.”

“Alright, Judith it is, and I’m Vin.”

Judith stepped up to the play pen and looked down on the sleeping children with appreciative eyes.

“What are their names, Vin?” Judith asked without raising her eyes from the children.

“Dallas Nayeli, that’s her there.  She’s the youngest and smallest,” Vin pointed out. “Austin Hunter, he’s the one with slightly darker hair than the other two, and Houston Wyatt, he’s the oldest by about half an hour.”

“Oh, Vin, they’re adorable.  Oh, Rita, just look at how sweet they are,” Judith cooed.

A smiling Rita approached and laid a hand on Vin’s shoulder as he stood proudly accepting the compliments he knew were his children’s due.

7777777

Monday turned out to be extremely busy for the new father.  At Nathan’s suggestion, Vin was taking the triplets in for a medical check up.  Buck was kind enough to phone Angela’s pediatrician and arrange an appointment for them.  Buck had used all his charm on the office manager to talk her into fitting the babies into the pediatrician’s busy schedule, but eventually, and predictably, the older lady had succumbed to his cajoling. 

“Dr. Kinley is the best pediatrician in town, Vin.  She’s absolutely great with kids and Angel loves her.  She really knows her stuff, too,” Buck assured Vin confidently.  “She’s also real easy on the eyes.” Buck finished with a wink and his familiar grin.

Vin was forced to borrow Buck’s Volvo for the trip.  He knew with the arrival of the triplets he would have to start shopping for another vehicle.  As much as he loved that old Jeep, he wouldn’t put his children at risk by driving them in it.  He needed something safer and more reliable. 

Buck had offered to take off work to help him get the children to the doctor’s office, but Vin had politely refused.  The children were his responsibility and it was up to him to see to their medical needs.  He knew he had to rely on his friends for their help, but didn’t want to make what he felt were unnecessary demands on their time or goodwill.  Vin wanted to begin as he meant to go on.

Vin arrived at the doctor’s office early and parked Buck’s purple Volvo in the lot.  He undid his seat belt and took the keys from the ignition before removing his lanky frame from the vehicle.  He walked around to the back of the station wagon and used the key to unlock the backdoor.  He reached in and removed the triple seated stroller from the back cargo area then pulled the door shut and relocked it.  Vin hurried around to the side of the vehicle unfolding the stroller and locking it in position as he went.  When he reached the back passenger door he opened it and leaned in to undo the safety straps holding Austin in his car seat.  The tiny baby slowly blinked at his father at being disturbed but soon settled back to sleep when Vin deposited him into the stroller and buckled the stroller’s safety strap around his middle.  Vin returned to the car twice more to remove the other two children in the same fashion. 

When all three were safely secured in the stroller, Vin reached into the car once more and pulled the large, heavy canvas diaper bag off the floorboard and slung the strap on one shoulder.  He used a little too much energy when picking up the heavy bag, and the momentum he created caused the very well loaded diaper bag to hit him in the back with enough force to knock him into the side of the vehicle.    Embarrassed, he glanced around quickly and was relieved to find no one was in the parking lot to notice.   He closed the car door and hit the remote to set the alarm and hurriedly pushed the stroller toward the pediatrician’s office.   After struggling to push the stroller through the door while trying to hold it open, he discovered a whole new respect for parents. Vin had never realized what most parents with small children have to go through whenever they left the house with them.  He was getting a “baptism by fire” this morning.  He’d only been out an hour with the triplets and he was starting to wonder if he had been a little hasty in turning down Buck’s offer of help.

Vin managed to get the stroller into the waiting room of the doctor’s office and let the door swing shut behind him, which, as his luck seemed to running that day, promptly closed on the diaper bag.  As he started forward the strap slung over his shoulder jerked him to a sudden stop and Vin started turning red as he became the focus of the entire waiting room.  Mother’s gently shushed their laughing children, trying to hide their own smiles at the embarrassed man pushing the stroller with three infants into the room. 

Vin was happy to turn his back on the amused women that filled the busy waiting room, to sign in with the receptionist.  He was less happy to be handed three sets of blank medical forms he was told to complete since the children were new patients.  Foreseeing writer’s cramp in his near future, he took the forms in one hand and the stroller with the other and pushed it to the first unoccupied seat he could find.  Dropping down into the chair with a sigh, Vin began the tedious task of filling out forms.  He scanned the form before completely filling it out and realized he would be entering a lot of the same information repeatedly, and had a brain storm.  Vin got to work and completed one form that contained the information about him, his job, and his insurance coverage.  Leaving the triplets in the stroller by the chair, he went back to the receptionist’s window and knocked on the frosted glass until she slid it back and looked at him with as smile.

“Already finished?” the woman asked with a surprised look.

“Umm, no ma’am, not yet.  I was wondering if it would be okay if you made two copies of this.  Everything’s the same except the kid’s names.  I thought it would be easier and take less time to just fill in the parts that are different.  Would that be alright?” Vin asked with as shy smile.

This receptionist was used to dealing with upset parents and fractious children, and had developed something of a hard shell in self defense.  That hard shell cracked wide open at one glimpse of that smile, and the poor woman almost melted on the spot.

“Oh, sure, hun.  I can do that for you.  Just one minute,” she replied with a happy smile.  The woman took the paper from Vin and hurried to the copier.   “There you are,” she said as she handed the three sheets back to him. Vin quickly wrote the children’s names and genders on the forms, signed them, and handed them back to her.

“Much obliged, ma’am,” Vin said and gave her another smile before turning away and going back to his seat.  He failed to hear the enraptured sigh that escaped the receptionist as she watched him walk away.

Vin sat down again, pleased with himself for being so smart and avoiding the repetitious paperwork.  Whether in the office or out of it, Vin detested paperwork and was proud to have circumvented it  so easily [not realizing of course just how much paper work he would be obliged to complete in the next eighteen years or so].    As he sat silently patting himself on the back, Houston began to stir and shove his fist into his mouth.  Vin recognized the baby’s non-verbal signal that meal time was approaching and pulled one of the bottles that Rita had prepared for him that morning out of the diaper bag.  He debated the wisdom of taking the child out of the stroller and decided to leave Houston where he was.  This turned out to be a wise choice.  As Houston eagerly consumed his bottle, Dallas woke and demanded to be fed as well.  Her cries, of course, woke Austin who let everyone know he didn’t appreciate being made to wait for his meal either. 

Poor Vin was trying to balance three bottles with two hands, but wasn’t succeeding very well.  One bottle always managed to slip out of one of the little mouths causing said mouth to regale the waiting room with its impatient cries for satisfaction.   Vin started feeling “busier than a one-armed wallpaper hanger” as Buck would have said.  Vin was aware that he was once again the center of attention in the room as amused mother’s watched his struggle. 

One woman finally took pity on him and moved into the chair next to his and offered assistance.   She looked to be in her mid-twenties and a boy that appeared to be around Angel’s age followed behind her and stood by her legs as she sat down next to Vin.  Her hair was long and nutmeg brown and her brown eyes showed her sympathy for his current predicament. “Looks like you could use another hand,” the young mother said with a laughing smile.

Vin returned her smile and replied, “That I could. They’ve got me outnumbered.”

This caused most of the women in the waiting room to laugh.

“They’re adorable,” his savior said as she held the bottle for Austin.  “How old are they?”

“They’re ten days old today,” Vin said with paternal pride very evident in his voice. 

“They’re so small.  It’s almost hard to remember when Mickey was that little.  They grow so fast,” came her wistful reply.

“That’s the truth,” threw in another woman from across the waiting room with her own smile.  “I swear sometimes, you blink and they’ve grown an inch.”

“I can’t imagine giving birth to three of them.  I had a hard enough time with my one,” The brown haired mother stated, and asked, “Did their mother have a very hard delivery?”

Vin’s faced closed up immediately at the mention of the children’s mother, and he kept his eyes directed at the triplets.  His voice came out in a monotone as he answered her without emotion.

“They don’t have a mother.”

The room was suddenly silent as the women took this in.

“I’m so sorry,” the woman at his side gasped, “You have my deepest sympathy!”

Vin looked at her strangely as he took in her words and realized exactly how his words had been interpreted.

“No, I didn’t mean she’s dead,” Vin informed her, “She just didn’t want them.”

The women in the room stared at him in shock at this blunt announcement.  Each mother stared at her child for moment and tried to image walking away from him or her only days after giving birth, most had a very difficult time of it.  All eyes returned to Vin and his current neighbor.

“You mean she just…left them?  Walked out on them… on you?” She said in amazement.

“Pretty much, yeah.  I still don’t understand her,” Vin said shaking his head.

The flood gates seemed to open as each woman present had to voice her opinion of the kind of woman Charlotte was.  Vin unconsciously started to relax as the women’s sympathetic support washed over him.   He found himself, uncharacteristically, pouring out the whole sordid story to the commiserating mothers. They told him he was better off without Charlotte.   He told about Buck and his other friends’ unselfish help and encouragement.  They told him how lucky he was to have such good friends.  He told them about his fears and they tried their best to soothe them, telling him stories about their own experiences.  They gave him inside information on what to expect and when to expect it. 

By the time Vin’s name was called to see the doctor he felt quite at home with the women, and was almost sorry to leave the waiting room.   He had gained a lot of useful information and had a lot of his fears laid to rest with the conversation.  Vin left the waiting room feeling much more confident of himself as a parent than when he had entered it.

7777777

Vin never really knew what made him look to his left as he was stopped for a red light on his way home from the pediatrician. Maybe it was the reflected light catching his eye, or maybe it was just fate, but for whatever reason Vin did look and he saw the answer to one of his current problems.  There, sitting forlorn in the used car lot next to the intersection, was a 2000 Chevy Suburban.  The price showing on the windshield was unbelievably low, at least until you got a closer look at the navy blue SUV.  The whole body of the vehicle was dimpled with what could only be hail damage.  As the traffic light turned green, Vin threw on his right turn signal and pulled into the lot, parking Buck’s car right behind the SUV. 

He eyed the damaged exterior critically as he got out of the station wagon. Appearances had never mattered much to Vin.  It was what was on the inside that counted with him.  That applied to cars as well as people so the battered body of the vehicle didn’t immediately put him off.

 He glanced back over his shoulder to check on the triplets, who were sleeping peacefully in the back seat, then opened the back door to be sure the car was ventilated and he could hear them if they stirred.  When he was sure the children were taken care of he turned to face the displayed vehicle again.  Vin walked around the Suburban and was gratified to see brand new tires on all four wheels. Even though the body was dimpled with dents the windows were not damaged. Obviously the dealer had already replaced them.  Vin opened the driver’s door and peered inside.  The navy upholstery and carpets were in excellent condition and Vin was gratified to see such a spacious interior.  He could also see the Suburban was loaded with options.   

While he was busy looking it over, the salesman approached and greeted him cheerfully, “Good morning, sir.  I’m Sam Waters. Can I help you this fine morning?”

“Maybe,” Vin answered.  “Something sure did a number on this thing.”

“Sadly, yes,” Sam nodded in agreement.  “I have another dealership in Jackson, Wyoming, and the inventory was too large there so we were transporting it here when the driver ran into a very bad thunderstorm.  Before he could find any shelter it started to hail and this,” Sam threw his arm out in disgust pointing to the Chevy, “was the result.  Ruined it completely.   It would cost too much to do the body work to fix it and I’d be selling it at an even bigger loss if I had it done.  I marked it down to get rid of it, but so far you’re the only one in weeks to even stop to look at it.  I can make you a good deal if you’re really interested.”

“How does it run?” Vin asked.

Sam tossed him a set of keys and said, “Here.  Try it out.”

Vin caught the car keys, threw a look at the Volvo to check on the kids, and then climbed into the Big Chevy.  He inserted the keys into the ignition and cranked the engine.  It ran so smoothly it almost purred… so did Vin.  He ran his fingers over the dashboard trying the various switches.  The vehicle actually had a working air conditioner and heater, something that had given out on Vin’s jeep a long time ago and he had never bother to fix.  He listened to the fine stereo system, and Sam explained some of the other features to him.  Vin popped the hood and carefully examined the engine, and then crawled underneath to examine the frame and drive train.  He was very impressed with what he saw.

“Why don’t we take it for a test drive, son,” Sam asked him.

“Uh, that… might be a little more involved that you think,” Vin drawled,

Sam looked puzzled for a moment until Vin nodded his head at the children sleeping in the back seat of the Volvo.

Sam smiled in understanding. 

“Well, sir.  Like I said, you are the first person to show any interest in this thing in weeks, so if you’ve got the time, believe me , so do I,” Sam told him with a laugh.

When Vin drove Buck’s station wagon into the parking garage of the Federal Building in downtown Denver three hours later he had the pleasure of watching Sam Waters park his new Suburban in the satellite parking lot across the street.  Vin parked close to the entrance to the garage and stood waiting for Sam to cross the busy street with the keys to his new prize.  He couldn’t wait to see the look on his teammates’ faces when he showed them his new vehicle.  The guys had already begun making jokes about him having to buy one of the dreaded minivans for his brood.   Now Vin would get the last laugh.  He now had a car that could handle all three children and their gear easily and still leave room for other passengers… and it was a MAN’s kind of vehicle. Vin couldn’t wait to tease Buck with that.  He had a hard time taming the goofy smile that broke across his face at this thought.   This day just kept getting better and better.

777777777

Vin finally managed to maneuver the stroller through the elevator doors as they opened on the floor where Team Seven had their offices.  He had been stopped several times along the way by other ATF employees.  The women who had stopped him had oooed and aahhed over the children and the men had made jokes about safe sex and not knowing went to quit, and learning to “just say NO”.  Vin reacted to the first with pride and the second with a longsuffering patience. 

 He had known what to expect as soon as his co-workers spread the news about his new fatherhood.  For the next few weeks he expected to be the butt of some good-natured teasing from the other teams, and probably of some less well intentioned humor from the few people in the agency who actively disliked him.   Looking down at the triplets sleeping in the stroller as he wheeled it into the Team Seven office space, he knew they were worth any amount of ribbing he might receive.

“Well here comes a ray of sunshine into an otherwise grey day,” Josiah’s deep voice was raised in greeting to the new arrivals.  “How are those little bundles of joy, today Brother Vin?”

“Doc says they’re doing great,” Vin told him proudly, “growing like little weeds and healthy as horses, all three of them.”

“That’s some truly good news to hear.  In the words of John Locke,  ‘A sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full description of a happy state in this World: he that has these two, has little more to wish for; and he that wants either of them, will be little the better for anything else’ ,” Josiah  recited.

“Personally, I can think of several things that should be added to that list if happiness is the final objective,” Ezra interjected.  The undercover agent bent down to run a gentle hand over the head of each dozing child before turning his attention back to the adults.  “Among them being a good cup of coffee, a fine wine, and of course …the love of a good woman.”

Josiah smiled and, sweeping his arms out slightly, gave a small bow to concede the point to Ezra. 

“You seem to be managing your new fatherhood rather well, Mr. Tanner,” Ezra complimented the blond –haired sharpshooter.

“We managed to survive the weekend, anyway,” Vin smiled.  “I don’t know if I could have done it without Buck, JD, and Rita, though.  The kids are a handful.”

“I believe that to be a gross understatement if my memory of our little Angela at that age serves me correctly,” Ezra drawled with a knowing smirk.  “Something on the order of saying Buck is slightly fond of women.”   Both Josiah and Vin laughed at Ezra’s joke and he gave them a smug smile in return.

 
“There you are,” the three men turned to face their team leader when he spoke.  Chris was heading out of his office with a couple of manila file folders in his hands.  “I wondered if you were going to show up or not.  I thought you said you were going to come here from the pediatrician’s office to complete your paperwork.  Cindy in HRS has phoned three times to see if you were here yet.   She wants to get working on the updates to your insurance and pension plan as soon as possible.  She said something about a deadline this afternoon and if you missed it you’d have to wait another month to get the kids put on your insurance.  I told her I’d send you down just as soon as I saw you.”

“Uh-oh, I better hop to it.  I want the triplets on my insurance as soon as she can get them on, so I better head on down,” Vin told him.

“Why don’t you leave the children here, Mr. Tanner,” Ezra offered.  “I would be more than happy to watch them for you.  I’m sure that completing the manifold documents that the Human Resources department demands be filled out in triplicate would be facilitated if you were able to focus your attention exclusively on the task at hand.   I’m sure Mr. Sanchez  and Mr. Larabee would be more than willing to lend a hand with the children while you attend to this necessary, if tiresome,  chore.”

Josiah looked at the sleeping babies and grinned, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. “Ezra’s absolutely right.  I would be delighted to help, Brother Vin.  I haven’t been able to hold any of them much and would love another chance.  Why don’t you just head down to HR and leave these little ones to us.”

Vin hesitated a minute before agreeing.  It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his friends to take care of the kids, because he had seen how all his teammates had been with Angel and knew they were more than qualified to handle the triplets.  He just didn’t like the idea of letting the babies out of his sight.  He was still too new to this father business and somewhere in the back of his mind he had a superstitious idea that if he left them they would disappear and he’d be alone again.  

Vin’s moment of hesitation did not go unnoticed.  Josiah shook his head at the silent father and grinned.  He pointed a finger and told him, “It’s called separation anxiety, Brother Vin, and we need to get you over it before the kids start kindergarten.   Since there’s no time like the present, we best start right now.  Go on along.  They’ll be just fine.”

Vin realized what his friends suggested was only good sense and he knew he couldn’t argue with the logic without hurting his friends’ feelings, so gave in semi-graciously.    

“Alright, then.  I’ll be right back.  Here,” Vin reached up and pulled the diaper bag off his shoulder and handed it to Josiah.  “Their diapers are in there, and the diaper cream is in the side pocket.  So are the wipees.   I’ve got the bottles labeled so make sure they each get the right one, and when you feed Houston make sure you stop him about half way through to burp him cause he gulps it down so fast he swallows too much air.  And Dallas kind of plays with hers so be sure she’s really had enough before you put it away or she’ll be crying for more in about ten minutes.  Oh, and….”

“Vin,” Chris interrupted with an amused smile, “by the time you finish giving them instructions the kids are going to be off to college.  We’ve got it covered, Cowboy.  Go do what you need to.”

Nodding reluctant agreement, Vin took one more look at the babies before turning away and pacing rapidly to the elevator.  He couldn’t help looking over his shoulder at the three large men watching him with mirth in their eyes as they surrounded the three infants.  Vin stepped into the elevator as the doors opened and pushed the button for the 2^nd floor.    As the elevator doors closed, Vin could hear his three teammates laughing.  Vin sighed.  This was going to be the fasted trip to Human Resources in the history of the ATF he decided, because he definitely had some place better to be.

Despite Vin’s vow, it was almost an hour later when he made his way back to the Team Seven offices.  The silence that met him as he stepped off the elevator made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.  Vin’s well honed instincts kicked in and he knew something wasn’t right.  Stepping cautiously through the office door, Vin scanned the room, finding it empty.  Anxiety started to wind its dark fingers around his heart as he checked Chris’ office and found it vacant as well.  Where was everyone, and most importantly where were his children!   Vin exited the office and started down the hall, checking the break room and finding it unoccupied.  He was more worried than ever when he passed the office of Team Five and found it deserted, too.  Vin’s paced increased as he hurried farther down the hall, passing two more empty offices as he went. 

Something was definitely going on and all Vin could think about was finding the babies and his friends.  What could have happened to everyone inside such a well guarded building as the one that housed the ATF?  Vin found himself fighting back visions of terrorists infiltrating the building and taking everyone hostage.   His speed increased in direct proportion to his fear until he was almost running down the deserted hallway. 

When a scraping sound, like that of a chair being dragged across the floor, reached his ears he came to an abrupt halt outside the large conference room that the directors used whenever they needed to brief several teams at once.  Heart racing, Vin crept up to the door and laid his ear silently against it.  He had trouble hearing any noise coming from the conference room over the sound of his own pounding pulse.  He cautiously started to turn the doorknob when it was jerked from his hand and he was grabbed around the shoulders and quickly pulled into the room by none other than Buck and he had to fight the instinctive need to defend himself. 

“Surprise!”  The loud voices of the missing ATF personnel greeted the startled agent as Buck pushed him farther into the room.

Vin stood inside the door and gawked in astonished silence as his eyes rapidly inspected the crowded conference room.  Blue and pink intertwined crepe paper streamers had been draped along the walls and across the ceiling to decorate the usually drab space.  The large conference tables had been draped with cheerful plastic tablecloths with baby bottles and rattles printed on them.  Off to one side Vin could see another table laden with so much food that the legs should have been bowing. Across the room, a third table was covered with a colorful assortment of wrapped boxes and gift bags.  It wasn’t until Vin saw the large cake in the middle of the conference table that he realized exactly what was happening.  The cake top was shaped like a large teddy bear, and the lower portion had the words

‘Congratulations on your new family, Vin’ written in red icing.  A grinning Chris Larabee approached holding a contented Houston on his shoulder, closely followed by Ezra and Josiah who each held one of the other children.

“About time you got here, Cowboy,” Chris told the stunned Vin, “Now we can get this party started.”

“How… When,” Vim stammered.

“Well now, pard, just as soon as the word got out about the new additions here, everybody decided it was cause for a celebration.  It’s not everyday one of us becomes a father, and especially three times over.  Everybody wanted to let you know how happy they all were for you, and wanted to help out.   And the ladies decided you couldn’t enter into parenthood without observing a time honored tradition.  So, welcome to your baby shower, Daddy!”  Buck finished with a grin and, with a big flourish, waved Vin toward the place of honor at the head of the long table.

Nathan came up beside him on one side and JD on the other and both men took him by his elbows and pulled him to his reserved seat, pushing their still jolted teammate down on the chair.

“Now that you’re here, Vin, maybe you can tell your friends that’s it’s alright for me to hold one of those darling babies,” Evie Travis said as she bent down to kiss his forehead affectionately.  “When I tried to get my hands on one earlier they informed me that they had promised you to look after the children and they couldn’t in good conscience let one go to anyone else without breaking that promise.  I do believe the actual truth is that they just didn’t want to share,” She finished with a little chuckle.

“Now, really, Mrs. Travis, you grievously slander us.  We were merely trying to live up to the great trust that Mr. Tanner afforded us by placing his offspring in our care.”

“Umm hmm.  Sure you were,” Evie grinned.

 

“I can assure you, madam…” Ezra began.

“In that case,” Evie interrupted, “you should have no problem handing over that baby now that Vin is here to relieve you of your responsibility.”  Evie finished this statement with a smug grin.

Ezra quickly stepped back and his arms tightened a little more against the snoozing infant.  “I’m sure Mr. Larabee, or Mr. Sanchez would be more than happy to oblige you.  Unfortunately, I fear this little one is in desperate need of a diaper change.   If you will excuse me, I will adjourn and see this exigency remedied posthaste.”

 A laughing Evie Travis followed the fleeing man as he tried to avoid surrendering Austin to her.

“Only ten days old and already has the women chasing after him,” Buck laughed and slapped Vin on the shoulder.  “He makes his Uncle Buck proud.”

“Are you sure you want to live with this one, Vin?” Chris asked.  “Can you image all the stuff you’re going to have to un-teach those children by the time Buck gets through with them?”

“Hey, now!  Are you trying to say I’m a bad influence?” Buck pretended to be outraged.

“If the black book fits, Buck,” a still grinning Chris answered.

  In a move surprisingly fast for a man his size, Buck carefully snatched Houston from the blond man’s arms and turned away, a satisfied smirk on his face.  “Well, I know when I’m not wanted.  Come on, son.   Let’s go belly up to the bar and talk about girls.  Uncle Buck will tell you all the things you need to know.  You’ll be the most popular guy in first grade when I get done with ya.  I guarantee.”

&nbs