1994
The sickness came without warning.
Stacy barely made it to the bathroom before she dropped to her knees, gripping the porcelain as her body heaved. Her throat burned, eyes watering as wave after wave hit her. When it finally passed, she rested her forehead against the cool rim of the toilet, shaking, one hand instinctively finding her stomach.
"This is ridiculous," she whispered to herself, breath unsteady. "I'm just ruling it out."
She pushed herself up, washed her mouth, and reached beneath the sink. The pregnancy test sat heavy in her hand as she lowered herself onto the cold tile floor again. Minutes stretched endlessly. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure she could hear it in her ears.
Then the result appeared.
Positive.
Stacy sucked in a sharp breath, tears springing instantly to her eyes. She stared at it, stunned, scared, hopeful—all at once. She hadn't even had time to process it when a soft knock sounded at the door.
"Stace?" Nicole's voice was gentle. "You okay in there?"
Stacy opened the door with trembling hands and held the test out. "I… I think I'm pregnant."
Nicole's eyes widened, then softened immediately. "Okay," she said calmly. "Let's go down to Jason's lab. We'll check properly."
---
### Jason's Lab
Stacy lay back on the exam table, fingers knotted together over her chest while Nicole stayed close, one hand resting reassuringly on her arm. The screen flickered to life.
Four tiny forms appeared.
Stacy's breath hitched. "Four…?"
Nicole's brow furrowed as she adjusted the sound. The room fell quiet. "I'm only hearing three heartbeats."
Stacy's stomach dropped. "Three?"
Nicole didn't hesitate. She reached for the phone. "I'm calling Jason. And James."
---
### Jason and James Arrive
James and Jason were upstairs in a meeting with the Fourfold Authority when Nicole called. They moved fast—no questions, no hesitation.
James came into the lab first, basketball shorts hanging low on his hips, a black tank top stretched across his broad chest. His jaw was tight, blue eyes immediately locking onto Stacy.
He crossed the room in seconds and knelt beside her, cupping her face in his hands. "Hey… hey. I'm here." His thumbs brushed under her eyes. "Talk to me."
Jason joined them, already studying the screen. "Nicole heard three heartbeats," he said carefully. "I'm confirming it now."
The sound filled the room—steady, rhythmic, unmistakable.
Jason nodded once. "Three strong heartbeats. There was likely a fourth very early that didn't continue developing."
James exhaled slowly, pressing his forehead to Stacy's. "Three," he whispered. "You hear that, baby? Three."
Stacy nodded shakily, tears slipping down her temples. "I'm scared."
Jason's voice stayed calm, grounding. "That's normal. What matters right now is that the remaining three look strong. We'll monitor closely."
James never let go of her hand.
---
### Two Days Before 14 Weeks
Two days before her fourteen-week checkup, tragedy struck.
The pain came suddenly. Sharp. Relentless. Stacy barely made it to the bathroom before her knees buckled. She sank to the floor, sobbing as her body betrayed her.
Nicole found her there, panic flashing across her face before she dropped to her knees. "Oh, Stace… I've got you."
James arrived moments later—barefoot, breathless, still in his basketball shorts and tank top. The sight of Stacy on the floor shattered him.
He dropped down instantly, pulling her into his arms, her face pressed against his chest. "I'm here. I've got you. I'm not going anywhere."
Stacy clutched him, sobbing. "I can feel it… I lost one."
James held her tighter, muscles flexing as he anchored her shaking body. "I know. I know. You're safe. You're not alone."
Jason knelt nearby, voice steady but gentle. "Sometimes one lets go while the others keep fighting. It doesn't mean anything is wrong with the remaining babies."
Nicole stroked Stacy's hair. "Three are still here. Strong."
James pressed his lips to Stacy's hair again and again, whispering softly, "I've got you. All of you."
---
### 14 Weeks
The ultrasound room was silent as the sound filled the air.
Three heartbeats.
Stacy covered her mouth, tears streaming. "All three?"
Nicole smiled. "Triplets. Two girls are very clear. The third… is hiding."
James squeezed Stacy's hand. "Already stubborn," he murmured.
Hope flickered again.
---
### 25 Weeks
By twenty-five weeks, Stacy was visibly showing, her body carrying the weight of both fear and hope. Jeremy and Sebastian were napping upstairs while the ultrasound machine hummed quietly in the living room.
The screen lit up.
Two familiar shapes—her girls—wiggled confidently.
"And there…" Nicole murmured, adjusting the angle.
The third baby finally shifted.
The room went still.
Jason smiled. "Well… looks like the little one who kept hiding has something to say."
Stacy gasped. "Oh my God…"
James dropped to his knees beside her, hands shaking as he held her face. "What is it?"
Nicole grinned. "It's a boy."
Stacy burst into tears, laughing through them. "A boy… he was hiding all along."
James pressed his forehead to hers, voice thick. "Our boy."
---
### Wives' Support
Later, wrapped in blankets on the couch, Stacy told the wives everything—Skylar, Lani, Melissa, Sam, Erica, Helena, Rosie, and Alanie gathered close.
"The one who was hiding at fourteen weeks," Stacy said softly, smiling through tears. "He's a boy."
Gasps and gentle laughter filled the room.
James watched quietly from the doorway, knowing the boys slept upstairs, knowing his family was right here—fragile, fierce, and whole.