Lin paced nervously in the hallway outside his wife's hospital room. He and Lia had ridden in the ambulance with her but they'd been stuck outside since they'd arrived. Lia sat on a chair, still in her gown, with a dazed look on her face. The adults were always the calm, reasonable ones. To see her father so worried, and her mother in pain, was earth shattering. Lia felt her phone buzzing but didn't bother to check it.

Lin had lost his suit jacket and his tie had been loosened. He was the very picture of a distraught husband or boyfriend. If something were to happen to V, he wouldn't be able to live with himself. He'd gotten her pregnant and if something went wrong, he would blame himself.

Finally, the door opened and the doctor stepped out, pulling down his mask. Lin immediately was in front of him, anxious for news.

"She's resting comfortably," the doctor assured the worried father. "The babies are fine."

Lin's shoulders finally untensed and he let out a breath of relief. Lia ran to him and they hugged as she sobbed into his chest. "Thank you, doctor."

"She went into early labor, which isn't uncommon with multiples," she explained further. "We were able to give her medication to stop the labor. However, we need to keep her on bed rest until she delivers."

Lin just looked at her for a moment, taking in the news. Vanessa on bed rest? He didn't think he could imagine a worse order from a doctor for Vanessa. She was a workaholic, not unlike him. Vanessa poured herself into her work and couldn't stand to be bored. Three months in bed?

Lia pulled away and looked at her father quizzically. "Is that even possible? She'll go insane."

Lin let his arm drape around his daughter. "Well, if it's for the babies' health, she'll do it," he told them both, which he knew was true. Though it would be horrible, Vanessa knew she'd put the twins' health first no matter what. She'd be attached to her laptop for sure, but she'd comply.

"Can we see her now?" Lia asked hopefully.

"Of course," she smiled. "She was asking for you both."

Lin and Lia entered the room, which was dimmed and cool. Vanessa was smiling softly from beneath her hospital blankets. She held out a hand and Lia rushed to her.

"Oh, Mom!" She couldn't hold the tears in. Lia collapsed onto her shoulder and cried in relief. Lin stood by her feet and watched gratefully. He gave her a wink as she hugged Lia appreciatively. "I was so scared."

"I'm sorry, baby," she told Lia. "I didn't mean to ruin your night."

"You didn't ruin it Mom," she assured her. "I just hated to see you in pain."

"I'm fine now," she told Lia. "The babies are fine. They were just getting a little impatient I guess."

Lin let out a small smile. They were their mother's children. He gently rubbed at her leg as Lia half-laid on her mother. He could tell she needed a break soon.

"Lia?" He said. "Why don't you go buy yourself a snack and get me a coffee. Want anything, V?"

"No thanks," she said as Lia pulled away. She gave her mom a kiss on the cheek as Lin handed her ten dollars. Lin sat down on the bed and linked her fingers with his.

"How you feeling?" He asked gently.

"Like a failure," she told him, getting a bit emotional again. Lin furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "My only job is to keep them safe. My body is fucking things up."

"It's definitely not your fault," Lin told her sympathetically. "These things happen, especially with multiples."

"I still feel like shit," she said, rubbing at her face with one hand. Lin rubbed his free hand over her belly.

"You had a scare," he acknowledged. "You're probably having all kinds of feelings but it's all okay. They're healthy and you're fine."

"But I have to stay in bed for three months!" She said in frustration. "How am I gonna do that?"

Lin grinned and pressed two kisses to her ever growing belly. "I'll be right there with you. You'll binge Netflix, you'll nap, you'll be on your laptop. And I'll wait on you hand and foot. I'll even get you a bell."

Vanessa chuckled despite her tears. "You'll buy me pickles?"

"I'll buy you pickles," he promised her, looking in her eyes. Lin leaned down and captured her lips gently with his. "They're gonna keep you overnight for observation but you'll be home soon. Want me to stay?"

"No, you should get home with Lia," she said, always thinking of her child. Lin nodded, sensing she would say that. Lia returned a few minutes later and they hung out for another half hour. They even played some more party music so it didn't feel like the party was a wash.

Finally around 11:30 they said goodnight. Lia and Lin went home to a house that felt way more empty than usual.

"It's pretty late, and you've had a long day. It's probably a good idea that you head to bed," Lin said as they walked through the doorway, immediately throwing his suit jacket and tie onto a nearby chair.

Lia fell back into the couch, her gown nearly encompassing her, "Do you think we could just watch some tv for a bit?" She asked timidly, "I think the adrenaline of the day is catching up to me," There was a difference between not being with her mom when she used to go to Lin's or have a sleepover with a friend, and not being able to be with her. Although she knew the doctor had said her mom would be okay, that didn't stop a part of her from worrying.

Lin gave her a sympathetic smile. Lia was a sensitive kid, "Action or comedy?" He wouldn't mind the company either.

"Comedy. I think we've had enough action for one day,"

"Agreed," Lin laughed, ruffling the now lopsided updo on her head, "Why don't we both go change into PJs, and we can bring in your birthday in," he checked his watch, "eleven minutes with some 'Friends'?"

Lia nodded, pushing herself off the couch, "Be back in five! Thanks Dad," Lia said the words so effortlessly that if anyone had heard the conversation they would have never guessed it was the first time she was calling Lin, dad. Lia's face held a blank expression as she realized what she had just said, looking towards Lin to see his reaction.

Although he was beaming on the inside, Lin didn't want to show it. He didn't want to do anything to make Lia not be comfortable with calling him the name he had been hoping for since the moment Vanessa told him she was his. He simply smiled at his daughter and said, "Sounds good, Lia,"

Lia paused for a beat before smiling back and headed towards her room. He was her dad, and it wasn't something that was forced or felt uncomfortable. And for that, she was grateful.

The two got back into the living room, with minutes to spare before the clock struck midnight. They had just enough time to FaceTime Vanessa so that both parents could be the first to wish their daughter a happy birthday. Vanessa hung up minutes later which left Lin and Lia to mindlessly rewatch one of their favorite series until they inevitably fell asleep. Lia was fast asleep on Lin's shoulder within minutes of their second episode.
—-

"There's a traffic accident I have to mention at the intersection of 10th Ave and the Jacob Javitz Convention Center and check it, don't get stuck in the rubber-neckin' on a Hundred-Ninety-Second, there's a double-decker bus wreck! Now listen up, we got a special guest! Live and direct from a year out - ah!" Lia's belting halted when she saw the reflection of her father at her door, his iPhone directed at her.

"Wait don't stop," Lin exclaimed from the doorway, as he tried to contain his laughter, "I want to know who the special guest is!"

Lia paused the music playing from her phone and spun around from her laptop, giving her father a dead panned look, "Ask the writer,"

"I hear he's an amazing guy,"

"You're not funny," Lia mocked, rolling her eyes, "And stop recording me!"

Lin gave a hearty laugh as he put his phone in his pocket, making a mental note to show Chris the video that night before the show. "You checked on your mom this morning? I just went in, but she was napping," It was around 10:00 a.m. and Lin had just woken up after getting in late from the show. With his schedule, he had opted to sleep in the guest room to not wake Vanessa up when he returned home. Her sleep pattern had been so erratic since being on bed rest the past two weeks. He was grateful to Javier for taking over the Saturday matinee so that he could be home during the days on the weekends, but everyone in the household was still going a bit stir crazy.

"I love the woman but she's reached the peak of insanity,"

"Emilia," Lin sat down on the unmade bed, giving his daughter a look.

"Dad, I'm serious!" Lia set aside her textbook, and looked directly at her father, "She called my phone at seven this morning because she needed a glass of water. Then," Lia unlocked her phone to give her dad the entire rundown of her morning, "at 7:08, she called me again because she also wanted a cup of coffee. Then, at 7:27, she called me to bring her Torts book, which she hasn't used since law school, but had to have it this morning. So then I had to go in the hall closet and look for the freaking book only for her to say that she meant her Property book. Then at 8:13,"

"Okay, okay," Lin cut Lia off, getting the hint and sensing Lia's attitude would only get worse if she continued, "Lia, you have to remember that your mom, who is the most independent person I have ever met, is fully dependent on us. Remember how much you hated having to ask for things when your arm was broken?" He pointed out, knowing a guilt trip often worked on his kid.

"And I get that," Lia said as she leaned back in her chair, "Which is why I've come home everyday straight after school and watched both 'Fellowship of the Ring' and 'The Two Towers' last night, even though I have a thousand hours worth of homework to do by Monday,"

"And you're the best daugh- wait. Those movies are four hours each,"

The expression on Lia's face made it clear that she was well-aware of how long she had spent watching the series Lin knew she wasn't a fan of.

"Okay," Lin said, mostly to himself, as he tried to figure out how he was going to make both the women in his life happy, "Let's make a deal. I have the show tonight, but I'm off all day tomorrow," he reasoned, "You cut mom some slack tonight, and then tomorrow make plans to see your friends. We don't want you just locked up like Rapunzel until the babies," Despite her demeanor that morning, Lia had been extremely helpful since Vanessa returned from the hospital. He didn't want her to grow resentful.

Lia's tongue poked out the corner of her mouth, a trait she had gotten from her father had before sticking her hand out, "Deal,"

Lin laughed as he shook Lia's head, "Great doing business with you." He stood up from the bed, with the crack of his knees, as Lia turned back towards her laptop, resuming her music.

"What are you working on?"

"Research paper on a historical figure," Lia replied not looking back.

Lin peered over her shoulder, "Why do you have a web page up on Aaron Burr? "

"Because Hamilton would have been too obvious," She stated simply, still face forward as she scrolled through the screen in front of her.

"I'm going to go check on your mom." He chuckled lightly, planting a kiss on the top of her head, "Let me know if you need any help with your paper. I think I know the writer of a show about him, too,"

"You're still not funny."

"I'd be careful who I insult when I have a video of you that I could post for all of Twitter to see," Lin said in a mocking voice. He would never, having made the decision early on to not post anything showing Lia's face on social media. It didn't make teasing her any less fun though.

He narrowly dodged a throw pillow as he swiftly closed the bedroom door behind him, laughing on his way to check on his sleeping girlfriend.

You could tell just by watching her dozing that she wasn't happy. Her eyebrows were fixed in a downturn and she had a slight frown even in sleep. Her belly was getting quite large and uncomfortable, so much that she could no longer sleep on her back.

Lin gently sat down on the bed, doing his best not to jostle her. Her eyes fluttered open and she stretched uncomfortably.

"Hey," Lin said gently, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "How you feeling?"

He received a groan in response as she rubbed at her temple. "I want these babies out."

"I know," he sympathized, rubbing at her belly. "But you're doing a great job."

"All I'm doing is laying here," she grumbled.

"But that's your job," Lin pointed out. "Doctor's orders."

He could Vanessa was frustrated. "I have a feeling Lia kind of hates me right now. I feel so bad I have to ask you two for everything. I'm such a parasite."

"You are not," he said firmly, looking her in the eyes. "It may be more than she's used to but it's doing her good to have some responsibility. We're fine."

"Are you sure?" She asked, searching his face for any sign of deception. As a lawyer it was her job to snuff out lies.

"Of course," he said, then moved to lay behind her in bed. Lin spooned his body up against hers and let his face rest by her hair. "Let's talk about baby names."

Vanessa giggled. He knew that cheered her up. "Maximiliano," Lin said in a dramatic voice, causing Vanessa to crack up.

"No!" She scolded him. "I've already vetoed that at least five times."

"But it's adorable," Lin argued. "Lia likes it."

"I like what?" Lia stepped in having been nearby.

"Getting us ice cream," Lin told her. "On the double."

He got a giant eye roll. "Do I get a tip?"

"Yeah, how about free room and board," Vanessa quipped teasingly. Lin fetched his wallet out of his back pocket. He handed his daughter a twenty.

"You can keep the change and even get gummy bears," he said, earning another scowl from his daughter.

"Text me what you want," she called as she headed out. She was glad her mom had found someone, especially Lin, but she didn't particularly want to see them being all lovey dovey. It was gross.

Lia walked a couple blocks to a nearby ice cream shop. As she stood in line and checked out the options she heard some giggling from the corner. She ignored it at first but it became louder. She turned her head and saw Lindsay and a couple friends sitting at a corner table, looking straight at her.

Lia's eyes narrowed but she turned away. It was always better to ignore it. As she stepped forward she heard Lindsay call out, "Hey, Lia! Why don't you rap for us?"

That was it. Lia stepped out of line and headed to the table. She wasn't sure where she was getting the courage and they seemed just as shocked to see her step up.

"You know your little jabs are getting old," she told her firmly. "Can't you think of anything more original or are your brains in jars?"

"At least we have brains," Lindsay retorted.

"I have a brain, thank you. I used it to get into Hunter, unlike you who just used their parents' checkbook."

"Oh please," she rolled her eyes. "You think you got in yourself? You only got in because of who your dad is."

Lia shook her head in disgust. "Not that it's any of your business, but I didn't even know him at that point."

Lindsay laughed a little. "Your mom did."

Lia paused for a moment, having never considered the possibility. Did she not deserve to be at Hunter? Had her mother name dropped her father's name?

"Just stay away from me," she told Lindsay firmly, tears threatening to spill over. Lindsay laughed dramatically with her friend and Lia ran out. She ran the two blocks back home.

She pushed the door open, out of breath. Her dad was in the kitchen making coffee and noticed she was flustered.

"Lia, what's wrong?" He asked her, concerned. She didn't answer and stormed past to her mother's bedroom.

"Lia!" He called after her, concerned that she was heading straight for her fragile mother. Lia burst through the bedroom door, startling Vanessa.

"Lia-" she set her laptop aside.

"Did you tell Hunter who my dad was?" She blurted as Lin caught up and stood in the doorway.

"What?" She asked, confused, looking at Lin for any clue as to why their daughter returned in such a mood.

"On my application," she asked, agitated. "Did you say who dad was so I could get into Hunter?"

Vanessa looked at her, thrown off. "N-no," she told her, thinking. "Well, I had to put our names on the application. But that's standard."

Lia flew into more of a rage. "So my own school knew who my father was before I did?"

Vanessa swung her legs over the bed to get up, waving off Lin who had started to approach. "Lia, I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner."

She held out her hand as an olive branch but Lia didn't take it. The look on her face, of betrayal, broke her heart and she knew she deserved it.

Lia shook her head as she began to back away.

"Lia, sit down," Vanessa urged her. "Let's talk."

She shook her head again. "Sorry," she said. "I didn't get your ice cream."

She ran down the hall and they heard her door slam moments later. Vanessa collapsed back onto her bed and put her hands over her eyes as she began to cry. Lin was by her side in a moment, putting his arm around her.

"It's okay," he cooed to her, concerned about her getting upset in her condition. "Take some deep breaths."

"I fucked up, Lin," she sobbed. "What kind of mother am I?"

Lin rubbed at her back soothingly. "The best kind of mom," he told her. "You made a mistake but all people do."

Vanessa was quiet as Lin rubbed at her back. She knew she couldn't get upset because of the babies and that made her more anxious.

No matter what she did she always seemed to do something wrong.