Amanda was in heaven. Dreams really did come true. Even in spite of all the unkind words she'd had hurled at her throughout her life.

They said she'd never succeed in school. But she graduated top in everything.

They told her that she would never make it out of Georgia. But she'd made it to New York.

Her old captain called her pathetic after his assault on her. But she had survived him.

They said she'd never be clean of her old gambling habits. But she was.

Those on her old squad told her she'd never be in a real position of power, but she'd already secured her future as lieutenant, and one day… captain.

Amanda had also told herself that she would never find love after her destroyed relationships. But now she was with the absolute love of her life.

And Amanda had told herself that she would probably never have kids, even though she really wanted them. Now she had three.

Her life was nowhere near how she had pictured it.

Because it was better.

She happily shifted back to the present as Carisi entered the room with new people.

Jesse was asleep in Carisi's arms. It was well past her bedtime. Solomia and Carisi Senior entered the room next. Last but not least was Harper. She was feeling confused.

Amanda beckoned to her friend while Carisis parents grew acquainted with their newest grandchildren.

"You're wondering why I asked for you, huh?" she said.

Harper nodded. "Amongst other things."

Amanda reached out and gave Harper's hand a gentle squeeze. "Will you do me a favor?"

"Anything." Harper would be remiss to forget how Amanda had helped her out after she'd had her own babies.

"Will you please call my mom about Trip and Billie?" asked Amanda. "The Georgia kin probably won't make it to New York until August."

"Doing that for you would be an honor."

Amanda handed Harper a slip of paper from her bedside. "Thank you so much. You are very kind. Our nurse wrote everything down for us."

Harper tucked the paper tucked the paper into a pocket. "I understand."

"Excellent. Would you like to hold your godchildren?"

Harper's heart skipped a beat at the casualness of Amanda's question. "Godmother? Me?"

"Yes." Amanda said earnestly. "Dominick and I love you. Very much. Of the many qualities we admire, we love your fighting spirit and that you've read just about every book under the sun."

Harper turned bashful. "I don't know about every book…"

"How many languages do you know?" Amanda asked in an 'as-if' tone.

"Six." Harper admitted. "Even Arabic and Mandarin."

"What if Trip and Billie decide that they want to learn them one day?"

Harper then realized where this was going. "I would teach them."

"You'd be perfect for that, and teaching them all the other cool things you know." Amanda beckoned for Harper to come closer. "There is another thing about this. "

Harper circumnavigated the bed until she was at Amanda's actual bedside. "What is it?"

"You will be sharing godparent duties, but it was always in the the plans to ask you. This is our way of bringing the Baileys into the fold." Amanda said solemnly. "What do you think?"

"I'm blown away by this honor. Thank you. I accept."

Amanda breathed a sigh of relief and then called over to her fiancé. "She said yes, Abo."

Carisi had been waiting for these words. He adored Harper as much as Amanda did. Appointing her as a godparent of his youngest children was a very logical choice.

He helped Harper into the nearest chair and eased Trip into her arms. "That's one brand new baby boy. Are you ready to hold his twin?"

Harper nodded as Carisi's mother propped her arms up on a support pillow. "Yes. I am definitely ready for her."

Carisi set his new daughter into the free space in Harper's arms. "Billie has been snoozing."

Indeed, Billie Alexis was fast asleep. She was very tired. But Harper was comforting.

Carisi snapped a few pictures of the moment and sent them to Harper's phone.

The woman herself enjoyed her godchildren for a few more minutes before handing them back to their parents and excusing herself. If anything, she just wanted to have a good cry. So much was happening. And it wasn't over yet.

Harper parked herself on a bench halfway down the corridor. Finally, she could get hold of Amanda's mother.

But...

"Pardon me." came a voice. "Are you Harper Bailey?"

There stood an older woman before her, dressed in a nurse uniform.

So Harper got to her feet once again. "Yes. I am her."

"Just what I want to hear. You're being asked for by Sophia and Casey."

"Where are they?"

Casey was wiped out, but at peace.

She'd successfully brought a dearly-loved and much-wanted child into the world without complications. This last part had been something of a small worry because she was a little older than the average mother now. But everything had been smooth sailing. Her son was perfect. In every way.

He was healthy, very active, and somewhat long. What Casey found amusing about her son was was that he had been born with head full of hair. No baby borne by a Novak in her lifetime had had any at birth. All of them had been bald.

"Look at you, my boy." Casey kissed her son's nose. "Bucking the trend."

Henry Augustín Benoît Benson just sighed in contentment. He was full, in clean clothes and a cap, wrapped in a warm blanket, and sleepy. All was well in his world.

So Casey looked into the bed beside hers, to see Sophia looking like she was also in heaven.

But Sophia was. Both of the baby girls had also been born in perfect health. And they were as content as their brother. Just like him, they were perfect.

Agnes Olivia Violet Benson.

Esme Alexandra Beth Benson.

They were finally here. Sophia had thought, when she first discovered this pregnancy, that she would be alone. But now the twins had a second parent who loved them fiercely. Casey. That meant the world to her.

Esme had been a surprise on the day they'd learned about her. But at least they had had time to prepare for her. Now Esme was just happy to be in the world. She had even kicked and stretched her legs multiple times, as though in awe that she was no longer cramped. The baby had lulled herself to sleep doing this.

And Agnes. She was a breeze because she had been born fairly quickly. The only thing she had wanted was to be out. Her sister had been cramping her for too long. She had finally reached her limit. Agnes was also vastly interested in her surroundings. In proving her own point, Agnes was wide awake while Esme slept.

Sophia spoke softly to her daughter. "You're so quiet. Sissy is asleep. I just want to listen to your voice. Please?"

Agnes was truthfully enamored with Sophia's own voice. But she still responded.

Sophia's heart cartwheeled when Agnes cooed at her.

"There you are, my krásny."

Casey's heart tightened with affection at the mention of this last word. Her fiancée has used the Slovak term of endearment for 'lovely.'

Sophia saw her looking. "Yes?"

"It just makes me happy when I hear you speak Irish or Slovak." responded Casey.

"I embrace all sides of my family, and I also enjoy speaking more than one language." Sophia said happily. "How is Henry now?"

"Fast asleep. What about the girls?"

"Ez is also asleep. Nes is tracking the sound of my voice. She has absolutely zero interest in slumber just now. But that's okay. I love looking at her eyes."

Yet again, Sophia sighed. But it was because she was happy.

"My heart is full. We did it, darling—our trio of babies are part of the world now."

Casey nodded. "Just wait until Melissa sees them. She'll be in orbit. Maybe even talk herself hoarse."

"That sounds about her speed." Sophia glanced towards the door. "I wonder if the nurse has found Harper yet."

Her words were almost promptly followed by a knock on the door and it opening slightly. Their nurse poked her head in.

"I found Harper. She's very eager to see all of you."

"Let her in, please." Casey said.

Harper entered the room, feeling as hushed and awed as she had been when she'd been visiting with Amanda. She loved all babies.

"Hi." she greeted them as the nurse let the family be. "I see that your little treasures are here."

Casey nodded. "Yep. We wanted you to see them first, Harp."

"Thank you. How did you know I was nearby?"

Sophia shrugged. "We didn't. I just asked the nurse to see if she saw anyone my age around, looking just like I do."

Harper laughed. "That description worked well."

"Have you seen anyone else?" Casey asked Harper.

"I've seen Amanda, Dominick, Trip, and Billie. The little ones are splendid." Harper said with pride. "May I come see your babies?"

Casey sat up straighter. "You bet. I've got Henry Augustín Benoît Benson."

The boy didn't stir when Casey propped him up in the crook of her arm as Harper drew closer.

"I love him so much, Casey." Harper told her after a few moments of admiring him. "Congratulations."

The redhead smiled hugely. "Henry's middle names are to honor my dad and Amanda's. Go see Sophia now."

Harper moved to the next bed.

Sophia smiled at her. "These are Henry's little sisters, and they were born about a half-hour after him."

"Your baby girls are so beautiful." Harper complimented. "Who is who?"

"Agnes Olivia Violet is in the green blanket, and Esme Alexandra Beth has the yellow one. She could barely make it ten minutes without her sister."

Harper smiled as she thought of her own twins. "Are their middle names for Olivia, Alex, Violet, and Beth Anne?"

"Mhm. That was the plan. Have you heard anything about Alex lately?"

"Not recently."

"Okay. Just thought I'd ask."

Casey spoke up. "Harper, would you please get hold of the Georgia family for us? And get my parents and Melissa?"

"Yep. Anything else?"

"Tell them the babies' full names." decided Sophia. "It seems by now that you're the messenger."

"I don't mind. The trust really humbles me." Harper gave Sophia the gentlest of hugs. "Good night."

Harper crossed back over to Casey and hugger her, too. "Good night. Your children are beautiful."

"Thank you."

Harper showed herself out.

She found everyone eagerly awaiting her when she returned to the waiting room.

Ellington remarked, "You were gone awhile. Who have you seen?"

Harper was blissful. "Dominick Abramo the third and Billie Alexis, for starters."

"Then what's with your extra dopey grin?"

Harper sobered up. "The newest Carisis are my godbabies. I've also seen all of the new Benson children."

At this, the elder Novaks in particular sharpened their attention.

"Don't hold back." Senior said. "We only know first names."

"Dear Henry's full name is Henry Augustín Benoît. His mothers wanted to honor you, and Amanda's father."

"What a wonderful surprise. I love that."

Violet blurted, "What about Agnes and Esme?"

"You're going to love this one." Harper told her. "Those little lambs are named Agnes Olivia Violet, and Esme Alexandra Beth."

"How perfect. When can we see everyone?"

"Casey and Sophia are asking for you, Senior, and Melissa right now."

Violet stood at once. "Then we'll roll out now."

Novak Senior also stood and picked up the ever-dreaming Melissa. "We'll go talk to the desk nurse, then. See you."

Harper was glad of this because her brainpower had started waning awhile ago. She only had one task left.

After checking to see that her children were still asleep under the Langans' watchful eyes, Harper stole away further down the hall. To a spot where she wouldn't be interrupted. Her next task was very important.

She pulled out her phone and rang an out-of-state number.

A tired tone sounded in her ear when the other person picked up. "Hello?"

"Beth Anne, we haven't met yet, but I'm Harper Bailey."

The other woman's tiredness went away at once. "You're Olivia's little sister. I've heard about you from Sophia before. What is it?"

"I have news for you. A lot."