Like Fiona From Shrek
Leslie and Ben got out of the doctor’s office, and the first thing they did was pull each other in for a tight hug.
“Oh my god,” Ben whispered. “Three- three babies!”
“Three babies inside of me,” Leslie told him. “I hope they each have different vocal ranges, we could start a choir. You could be the sexy choir master…”
Ben had to grin. He was feeling stressed out about the babies- incredibly stressed- but he was also incredibly excited. It was almost like a beautiful, chaotic mix of the two emotions.
“Celebratory waffles?” Leslie asked.
Ben let out a quiet laugh. “Definitely.”
***
The next few days only proved to be incredibly hectic, going against Ben’s wishes. But when their stresses were resolved, and things were looking smoother, Leslie was right in to planning their future with the children.
“Do we need this many binders just for baby names?” Ben asked, a little nervously. Leslie was busy slurping on a “chocolate smoothie” she had created to satisfy her cravings- which was literally just a triple chocolate milkshake but with some strawberries blended in- but she looked up in surprise.
“I just-” Ben stuttered. “There are so many options! What if they grow up and hate their names, and resent us?”
“They could always change their names,” Leslie mused. “But that’s why I’ve ruled out my Mom’s name,” Leslie explained. “I’m sorry, but Marlene is such an outdated name. I mean, Leslie isn’t exactly modern, is it? You’re so lucky you’re called Ben. I wish I was called something else- hey, should I get my name changed too?”
“I like your name,” Ben told her. “It suits you. It’s really cute.”
Leslie smiled. “Well now I wish your name was Cute Butt, because that’s what suits you, sir.”
“Sir?” Ben asked. “Oh, yeah, you’re going to regret calling me that.”
Ben pulled her close and began to kiss her, and Leslie was certain she wouldn’t regret it at all.”
***
It was the next weekend when Ann came down. She hadn’t been given specifics, but she knew Leslie was really excited and, maybe it was because she was a mother now, but she had a gut feeling that Leslie was going to share some exciting news.
Ben and Chris were sat on the sofa, watching as Leslie squeezed Ann for a solid five minutes. When she finally released her, Leslie was a giddy mess.
“You guys!” Leslie exclaimed. “It is so good to see you. And Oliver too, oh, my godson is looking perfect.”
Oliver was currently asleep in Ben’s arms, and it only made Leslie even more excited to share her news. Seeing Ben with a baby… well, she could explode. Ann looked at her.
“What’s going on, Les? You’re…”
“Extremely excited,” Chris finished. Ann smiled at him.
“Yes, I would agree there,” Ann said, before looking back to Leslie, who was grinning.
“Well, guys…” Leslie took a deep breath. “I’m pregnant.”
Ann’s face lit up. “Leslie! Oh my god!”
Then the two women were hugging again, and then Chris was hurriedly putting Oliver in his carry cot and grabbing Ben, squeezing him tightly. Then Chris was hugging Leslie, and Ann was hugging Ben.
“Oh my god!” Ann repeated. “Do you know the sex?”
“No not yet and, well, that leads me on to the other thing,” Leslie said slowly, looking at Ben. “Ben?”
“We’re having triplets,” Ben finished, and Chris promptly burst into tears.
“I am so thrilled for you guys,” Chris sobbed. Ann looked at Leslie in amazement, and Leslie shrugged.
“You know what the Knope motto is. Never do things by halves. And in this case, there are four extra halves.”
“What?”
“Three babies, Ann! Inside of me!”
"Woah!" Ann exclaimed. "That's amazing!"
Leslie faltered. “Oh god. Three babies. Inside of me.”
Ben knew this mood. Leslie had been getting anxious the past few days as the amazing, crazy reality set in. He leant over and grabbed her hand.
“It’ll be fine,” Ben soothed. “You’re Leslie Knope.”
“Yeah,” Ann added. “If anyone can do it, you can.”
“I totally agree.”
Leslie was still for a second, before grinning. “You’re right. I can do anything. And I have binders to get me prepared and in the zone. I can do it.”
Ben and Ann looked at each other. Ann’s smile was radiant. “Yes! You can!”
“It’s going to be fine,” Leslie said, tapping each one of them on the knee as she spoke. “I have Ben Wyatt, my husband, and Ann Perkins, my beautiful best friend with me.”
“Yes, you do,” Ann replied, before grabbing Leslie’s hand and kissing it. “It’s going to be fine.”
The two women smiled at each other.
“And Chris of course,” Leslie added, looking at Chris. “Emotional support never felt so reachable.”
Leslie sighed happily, before shrugging again.
“I know I’m impressive, but I certainly didn’t plan on carrying three babies. I’m like…”
“Phoebe from Friends?” Ann suggested.
“I was going to say like Fiona from Shrek, but actually… Phoebe from Friends is a better comparison.”
Ben looked at her, confused. “We literally watched The One With The Embryos last night. You said you wanted something about fertility to get you in the zone.”
“I also know you guys watched that, because you sent me a picture of the episode. I guess I should have predicted today’s news, huh.”
“Maybe,” Leslie replied.”
Leslie and Ann grinned at each other, and then Ann was rubbing Leslie’s arm.
“You’re going to be amazing,” Ann reminded her. “I mean, you have binders.”
Leslie laughed. “I like to go through life being as prepared as I can be.”
“And we’re here,” Ben said softly. Leslie looked at him, and he grabbed her hand again. Her gorgeous husband, they were so happy together. There was no way it was going to go badly. She had so much love in her life, by so many people.
“I know,” she whispered. “These babies are going to be very loved.”
“By all of us,” Ann added.
Chris grinned. “And then Oliver has some cousins!”
That’s all it took for Leslie to shed happy tears.