Completed: September 2002

*~*~*~*

Toby stood in the middle of the nursery and gazed down into the cribs. His two week old daughter lay on her back, feet in the air, her blanket discarded. Gently, he stroked the red down on her head and pulled the blanket back over her tiny body. Sarah seemed to gaze up at him, her green eyes widening in recognition, and gurgled. Toby kissed his finger tips and pressed them to her forehead before moving onto her sister.

Even in the few short days, he had been able to hold his children, Toby had noticed how different they were, their individual personalities already clearly defined. Susannah was the total opposite of Sarah. She slept soundly on her side, her dark curls barely noticeable on her crown. That was something, Margaret had expressed a hope would change soon. She was very definitely her father’s daughter with the temperament to match.

The final crib held his only son. He was the youngest of the triplets and the smallest. Jacob Leo Ziegler cried out and Toby immediately moved to his side, lifting him into the air.

“You have to let him cry, Toby,” Margaret chided as she stepped into the room.

“I did.”

“He barely made a sound.” She smiled as Toby positioned the bundle against his shoulder and bounced him up and down. “Besides, I thought you had work to do.”

He wanted to say it could wait, that his family took precedence, but in truth he had the speech going around in circles in his head. Sam had already started mapping out the issues while Toby concentrated on getting the sentiment across. Of course the President would want to make changes, introduce new initiatives and add his own personality but it was a start. “I’m going to work from home for the next week.”

“But. . .”

“You need to get into a routine and besides I want to be a hands on father,” Toby mumbled, juggling his son. “Why don’t you take a nap and I’ll wake you at feed time.”

Margaret shook her head and leaned down over a crib. “If I know you, you’ll spend all day in here and I’ll have two fussy children to deal with. Hand me Jake and you go write a speech.”

Toby smiled and handed over Jake. “I’ll make some tea.” He wondered if he’d ever be allowed to drink coffee at home again. When Margaret had discovered she was pregnant she‘d sworn off coffee for the duration of the pregnancy. Recently, she‘d extended her self-denial to the time she was breast feeding. Somehow, she’d persuaded a begrudging Toby to do the same.

“Better make a pot, we have visitors,” Margaret commented, wandering over to the window.

Toby growled something inaudible and stalked off downstairs.

CJ and Sam were standing on the doorstep when Toby opened the door. He turned and headed back through the house.

“Hi Toby, nice to see you too,” CJ called, following him.

“Hmm.”

The sound of a high pitch wail permeated the air, accompanied by Margaret trying to hush her son. She appeared a few seconds later, Jake in her arms, screaming at the top of his lungs. “He hates me.”

“He doesn’t hate you. He just needs to adjust to his new surroundings,” Toby corrected, taking his son.

Jake curled up against his chest and immediately fell silent.

“See,” Margaret whined, turning to her visitors. “Hey.”

Sam wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. “Hey Margaret.”

CJ moved to Toby’s side and began to talk in a whisper to the now dozing child. “He gets more handsome every time I see him.”

“He takes after his father. Jake say hello to Aunt CJ.”

Sam stifled a laugh, and propelled Margaret to the couch. “You must be exhausted, let me make some tea.”

Toby lowered himself into an armchair as CJ plopped down on the couch next to Margaret.

“So how was the first night at home?”

“Well, sleep is definitely going to be a luxury. They wake every two hours for a feed. Sarah and Susannah take ten minutes and Jake, well, he takes thirty. I feed and Toby burps and changes,” Margaret explained wearily. “I think we managed fifty minutes a stretch.”

“It’ll get easier,” Toby whispered.

“How’s Toby doing?” Sam asked, leaning in the kitchen doorway, grinning, the tea forgotten.

“How was Christmas with the future in laws?” Toby countered, grinning at the deer in headlamps look Sam shot him.

“The President caught him on the veranda with his tongue down Ellie’s throat. Needless to say he was party to a rather interesting lecture on the history of dentistry,” CJ chuckled.

Sam groaned and covered his face with his hands. “I was hoping that wasn’t going to get out.”

“Yeah, like that was gonna happen,” Margaret laughed. “So any more gossip?”

“Well,” CJ started causing the two men to roll their eyes. She shot them her death glare and leaned back on the couch. “Well, where should I start?”

“If you two are going to start that, Sam and I have things to discuss,” Toby growled, struggling out of the chair and carrying Jake in the direction of the kitchen.

Sam followed Toby into the kitchen. “So is it everything you imagined?” He blinked as he watched the usually unemotional Communications Director soften.

“More, Sam. The first time I saw them, they were so small but perfect.” He gazed down at Jake and shook his head. “And then when they told me I had three healthy babies, it was like all these emotions came rushing to the surface.”

Sam grinned and held out his finger for the boy to take.

“And Margaret, I didn’t think I could love her anymore than I did, but seeing her with the babies, I just knew.”

“Knew what?”

“That she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with,” Toby sighed, catching himself and standing up straighter. “Do you want to hold him?”

“Are you sure?”

Toby placed a hand under Jake’s back and the other under his head, holding him out. “Just support his head.”

“Hello little one,” Sam cooed, pulling the baby towards his chest. “I’m Uncle Sam.”

“Yeah, Uncle Sam is going to take you to sports and the park but just remember we don’t let him near fire and he’s not going to be offering dating advice,” Toby growled, rubbing his forehead. “So, how are we doing on the health initiative?”

His deputy gave him a quick look before turning back to the baby. “You’re on leave.”

“Sam. We have three weeks to get this right. I have a phone, a fax, email. I can work and be a parent at the same time.”

“Okay,” he offered hesitantly. “The President wants us to consider adding money for compulsory mammograms and Amy is badgering the First Lady about making money available for a migrant workers medical program. And the First Lady is making daily phone calls to me.”

“There isn’t the money.”

“Yeah, tried that one,” Sam grumbled. “We are all in agreement about money for research into infant heart defects.”

Toby stroked his son’s head and allowed his eyes to roll shut. “We shouldn’t be. . .”

“Nonsense, it was the President’s idea, Toby. What’s the point of being the party in power if we don’t tackle the issues closest to our hearts. Susannah was lucky, but there are families out there who aren’t.”

“We need to look at breast cancer screening for the over fifties too.”

“I’ll speak to Ed and Larry and we’ll fax you a list of possible areas to target and sources of funding,” Sam agreed.

The cry of a baby ended their discussion and Toby went rushing through the door and up the stairs.

“Over protective father alert,” Margaret chuckled as she went after him.

When they came downstairs a few minutes later, Toby was carrying Sarah and Margaret was unbuttoning her blouse with one hand and holding a very alert Susannah with the other.

“I guess we should go,” CJ suggested, standing up.

“You don’t have to. I’ll feed them and then we can talk,” Margaret offered, lowering herself into the couch and reaching for a blanket.

“CJ’s right. You guys need to be left alone. I’ll drop by in a couple of days.”

Toby nodded and motioned for Sam to place Jake on the couch as Margaret started feeding the first baby. He was still fascinated by the way his daughter latched onto her mother’s breast and lay contently. There was something in the tenderness of the moment that he hoped would stay with him always. And there was Margaret, who looked more beautiful now, than she did during the pregnancy. If it wasn’t for the fact he was exhausted, Toby wasn’t sure he could keep his hands off of her for the next few months.

Margaret finished feeding Susannah and handed her to Toby to be burped. Jake fussed as she lifted him onto her lap but he fell silent except for a gentle sucking sound as she whispered softly to him.

The doorbell went and Toby groaned. Gently, he placed his daughter on the carpet and headed to answer it. “It’s Josh and Donna,” he called.

“I’m covered up.”

Donna entered the room first, dropping onto the floor and gazing adoringly at the two small bundles before counting their fingers and toes. “I didn’t get to see them out of the incubator,” she said, grinning at Josh.

“It’s a baby, Donna. They’re all alike, pink and froglike.”

“That’s my daughter, you’re talking about,” Toby growled.

“She’s so cute. Look at his little toes and those tiny black curls. Can I pick her up?”

“Sure, Donna,” Margaret said, grinning at the broody way her friend was looking at her daughter.

Donna picked Susannah off the floor and carried her across the room to show Josh. “Look, isn’t she beautiful. This is Uncle Josh. Say hello, Uncle Josh.”

“Donna,” he whined, stealing a quick glance at the little pink face. “Oh.”

Margaret and Toby exchanged knowing looks as Josh and Donna continued to make a fuss of their daughter. They had discussed at length who they wanted as God parents to their children and as they watched their friends develop a bond with their children, it was becoming clearer.

“Um, Donna, she’s tossing her cookies.”

Margaret tried to stand but Toby pushed her down. “Donna, here’s a blanket, just put it over your shoulder and rub her back.”

“Ew,” Josh groaned. “That’s gross.”

“I’ll remind you of that next time you appear at my apartment at three in the morning and spend the night hugging the toilet,” she retorted, rubbing Anna’s back and kissing her hair. “That’s it honey.”

Jake released his mother’s breast and immediately spat out his feed all over the front of Margaret’s cotton blouse.

Tears pricked at her eyes as she tenderly wiped his mouth and gazed up at Toby. “Am I doing something wrong?”

“No. Red, it’s their first day at home and things are unsettled. Give it time,” he whispered, reaching for her hand and debating whether to call the paediatrician. “Let me take him and you get cleaned up.”

She gave him a small smile and headed into the laundry to find something fresh to wear.

“Toby, is she okay?” Donna asked, her hands moving in small circles across the baby’s back.

He checked the door and shook his head. “She’s having a crisis of confidence. I know she hasn’t slept much in the last two weeks and Jake isn’t settling.”

“We’ll go shortly and leave you two to get some peace,” Josh offered, patting Toby on the back. “But you know if there’s anything you need. . .”

“Thanks Josh.”

Margaret entered the room in one of Toby’s brown shirts and lowered herself back onto the couch. “We really need to do some laundry.”

“I’ll go out later and get some detergent.”

“We’re off,” Josh announced as the doorbell went.

“We’ll let whoever in on our way out,” Donna offered, handing Margaret her daughter and walking towards the door. “If you need anything, give me a call. Even if it’s just someone to talk to or sit with them while you sleep.”

Josh waved a hand in goodbye and trooped after her, “See ya.”

Leo entered the room, a large sack in his hands, “Hey Toby, Margaret, we brought lunch.”

“Throw in a pot of tea and I’ll love you forever,” Margaret laughed.

“I’m on it,” Leo declared, making his way into the kitchen and opening various cupboards.

“Everything alright?” Carol asked, as Toby lowered his son to the floor.

Margaret nodded, “Yeah, Susie’s been a little sick but it’s not uncommon.”

Leo appeared in the doorway carrying a tray of mugs and a pizza. “Tea and lunch as promised.”

Toby broke off a slice and began to feed Margaret as the two siblings lay on the floor.

“Is there anything we can get you?” Carol asked, adding milk to a mug and taking the baby out of Margaret’s arms before placing her on the rug. Slowly, she crossed her legs and settled herself on the floor where she could play with all three children.

“Toby has a list a mile long,” Margaret groaned, watching as Carol gazed longingly at her daughters.

Carol looked up, “Well if you wanna run out, we can stay, can’t we Leo?”

He nodded.

“Red, are you sure? It’ll take me probably twenty, twenty five minutes.” Toby ran his fingers through her hair and leaned in to kiss her forehead.

“Go. Carol and I can catch up,” Margaret grinned. “Besides  we’re out of raisin muffins.”

He grabbed his keys off the side board and waved goodbye to the babies before disappearing through the door.

Margaret gave a sigh of relief, “Don’t you need him back in the office. Leo?”

“I thought you’d love having him home,” Leo grinned from his place on the floor.

“Are you crazy? He won’t let me do anything. The babies cry and he picks them up. Over protective is an understatement. I love him, truly I do, but he needs to be somewhere other than here.”

“I’ll see what I can arrange.” Leo started to pull faces and Sarah squealed in delight.

“You are so lucky, Margaret. They’re adorable,” Carol sighed. “And they have that cute baby smell.”

“Broody there, Carol?”

“Don’t get her started. We spent hours on Christmas Eve walking around baby shops.”

Carol shot him a look and wrinkled her nose, “I think someone’s filled their diaper.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll do it,” Leo offered, as Sarah gripped his little finger in her fist.

Margaret blinked and glanced at Carol in surprise. “You want to change her diaper?”

He nodded, “It’s been a while, but things can’t have changed that much.”

“Okay.” She slipped from the room and returned a moment later carrying the changing mat and a bag. “Everything you need is in here.”

Leo moved onto his knees on the floor and with the baby in one hand he began to roll out the mat. “Now little one, Uncle Leo may be a little outta practice here so give me a chance, okay?”

“You’re not the only one who’s broody,” Margaret whispered to Carol, picking Anna up off the mat and gently rocking her in her arms. “How long’s it been?”

“Twelve weeks and two days,” Carol smiled.

“Wow.”

“Yeah.”

“There, all done,” Leo said, tying the diaper bag. He buttoned the baby gown and lifted Sarah into his arms.

The phone rang on the coffee table and Margaret reached for it. “Hello.”

“Margaret, it’s the President.”

“Mr. President?” Margaret said, glancing at Leo.

Jed leaned back in his armchair and sipped his coffee. “Just wanted to check how the babies were doing. And of course, Abbey wants a word.”

“We’re all fine, Sir. Leo’s here, actually, and he’s changing a diaper.”

“Leo’s changing a diaper?”

“Yes, Sir,” Margaret grinned. “And he’s doing a good job.”

“Well, he has been clearing up after Josh for years,” Jed laughed. “Put him on.”

Margaret held out the phone for Leo to take and settled back to rock Anna to sleep.

“Sir?”

“Getting some practice in there, Leo?”

“Sir, let’s not start that again,” Leo groaned.

“Well, you will all have these younger women. They get broody and want families. And you have to admit you’re not getting any younger.”

“Thanks for reminding me. Anyway, you might get another grandchild of your own soon. Sam and Ellie make such a lovely couple. Just imagine. . .” Leo chuckled and winked at the women present.

“Leo!”

“Then there’s Charlie and Zoey.”

“I could go off you, you know that?” Jed moaned. “Where’s Toby?”

Leo moved the sleeping infant to his other elbow, “He ran to the store for supplies.”

“I thought he’d be out auditioning kindergartens, or putting bars on the windows.”

“Nope, just being over protective.”

“Yeah, I remember someone else being like that. Anyway, I’ve got to go. Abbey wants to talk to Margaret.”

“I’ll put her on, Sir.” He handed Margaret the phone and topped up her mug of tea. Something in the President’s tone told him it was going to be a lengthy conversation.

*~*~*~*

Margaret placed the baby monitor on the rose wood coffee table and dropped onto the couch. They were finally alone after what seemed like an endless stream of visitors.

“Are they asleep?” Toby asked, his eyes closed as he leaned back against the cushions.

“For now. The next feed’s in two hours.”

Toby nodded and reached for her hand, entwining their fingers and gently squeezing. “I hate New Year.”

“You hate Christmas.”

“Maybe I just hate holidays,” he growled, opening one eye to watch her.

“Yeah,” she offered through a yawn. “I think I might head up myself.”

“Oh.” Toby shifted in his seat and turned to look at her, both eyes suddenly open. “I thought we could open some cider and watch the fireworks.”

“Toby?” she asked quietly, her heart thundering in her chest. He had been quiet, almost contemplative since everyone left, and she had the impression there was something important he wanted to say.

An explosion of red lit up the sky as the New Year firework display began. As Toby squeezed her hand tighter and they looked up through the glass roof, blue and green rockets trailed through the darkness followed by the distinctive sound of Catherine wheels.

“Happy New Year, Margaret,” he mumbled, his hand fumbling in the pocket of his pants.

“Marry me, Toby.” Her free hand flew to her mouth and her eyes widened as she realized that she’d voiced her thoughts a loud.

Toby tightened his grip on her hand and released the tiny box in his pocket. “What did . . .Margaret?”

She didn’t say anything, her eyes focusing on a spot in the distance.

“Margaret?” Slowly he moved his hand to lift her chin. “Honey?”

“I said, marry me.” Her voice was barely audible as she tried to swallow. “I wasn’t expecting any of this when I jokingly asked you on a date that first day. Not the dates, not the love making, not the triplets but more importantly I never expected to feel this way about you.” She stopped suddenly.

“Yes.”

“Toby?”

He gave her a broad smile and took her other hand in his. “I said yes. Great minds think alike. I had this whole speech prepared, I even bought you a ring.”

Her face lit up as she leaned in and brushed his lips with her own. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he whispered, deepening the kiss as his fingers closed around the box. “Who’d thought we’d end up here?”

Margaret closed her eyes and thought back to the first day in her office. When she’d been teasing him about his love life, she certainly hadn’t expected him to ask her out, let alone to end up spending New Year with him. “Not me.”

“How about we go to bed?”

“Are you propositioning me?” she teased, running her fingers down his cheek.

Toby rose to his feet and gently tugged her hand. “Yeah, but all I‘m offering tonight is sleep and a lifetime option on my heart.”

“Sounds good to me,” she whispered, allowing him to pull her to her feet and lead her up the stairs.

The End