Harry [2008]
December 2007
This pregnancy was taking a toll on him. At only twenty-four weeks pregnant, Harry already looked like he was nearing his due date, the babies in his belly crammed into every crevice they could fold themselves into. He had never been this large before with either set of twins, a third child truly took the human body to the extreme.
He huffed and rubbed at his side as a gentle kick poked him there, groaning as that baby then shifted to press relentlessly on his organs.
The Healers were seriously debating whether Harry would reach his due date, especially as the twins he had borne before had arrived early as well. At the current time, most were simply holding their breath, hoping he reached thirty weeks. However, even that sounded impossible to him at that moment. They were crowded already, stealing every bit of energy he had to spare.
Harry huffed out an exhausted sigh, curling further into the pillow, waiting for Thomas to return back to their Palace once his meeting had concluded.
29th February, 2008
His babies were born, consistent with their nature to be unique as triplets, on the 29th of February, coming into the world five minutes apart from one another. They had made it miraculously to thirty weeks gestation, and then came eagerly into the world yet another few weeks later. It had been enough for them to be healthy, but also, Harry had not reached a dangerous size or run into any more health issues.
His eldest daughter had been the first to burst into the room once the all-clear was given, rushing to his side and staring down at him with big red eyes, concern and excitement filling them with equal proportions.
"Dad, is everything...?" She tapered off, clinging to his arm. Harry took the opportunity to stroke a hand through her red locks, grinning up at her tiredly.
"Everything is well. Your siblings will just need a bit more care, and to spend some time with the Healers for the meantime, but there is nothing apparently wrong with any of them."
"And you?" His sweetest child questioned, eyes still not moving from his form despite the giggles of her younger siblings from where they were now crowded around the three bundles wrapped tightly in cots, watched over by their Father.
He breathed out a strained laugh. "Sore, tired, but happy. I'm glad your siblings are here, despite that it would have been better if they had held on for just a few more weeks."
Thomas spoke up, his voice hoarse, having stayed by his side the entirety of his long and arduous labour. "It is better that they came now, for your sake." The man's voice was firm despite the tiredness evident in it, brokering no room for argument. "Had they gotten much bigger and stronger..."
"We would have dealt with it," Harry stated, staring over at the three squirming bundles, his heart softening at the sight of them, and the smiles his other babies were sending them.
Jan seemed particularly happy. His child was bouncing around the cot the three were placed within, babbling up at Thomas, asking every question there was. They were a curious child, and incredibly excited not to be the youngest anymore. Lis and Lai, used to having a younger sibling, were far more calm, although they were still visibly ecstatic. Jules and Laia remained distanced from the crib and the bouncing toddlers surrounding it, staring at the newborns with awe-filled eyes, their emotions clear by the way their hair rapidly changed colours. Sensing his eyes upon them, the pair span, making their way quickly over to his side.
"Dad!" "Dad!" They chimed simultaneously, sending Harry identical smiles. Despite being non-identical and opposite genders, they somehow seemed to be more alike one another than Lis and Lai, who were matching in every sense.
"My sweetlings, how are you?"
"How are you, Dad?" Jules returned, coming closer to press a kiss to his cheek. Harry huffed, but answered his eldest son with a smile.
"Well enough, refreshed now that I have my body to myself again."
"I still can't believe there's three of them!" Laia gasped, turning her head to look at her newborn siblings once more. "People are so surprised with me and Jem being twins, no one's ever going to believe them."
"I still can't believe there's three of them, and I had to give birth to them." Harry stated wryly, smiling at his daughter's giggles. Alsie patted his shoulder to get his attention again, and Harry hummed tiredly. "Yes, sweetling?"
"So, what are they? New sisters, new brothers, or both?"
"Well..."
Ade, Idi and Vee were perfect.
All three of them were nearly identical, with dark, slightly curled hair, perfect copies of their father. Vee's eyes were a light blue in contrast to Ade and Idi's red, but they all still appeared similar. All were about the same size, with skin slightly darker than Thomas' and Harry's long, full eyelashes.
Harry was enamoured with them since he had first known of their existence, and that had only grown since their birth, and further when their personalities began to flourish.
The eldest, Ade, was headstrong and carefree, but their smarts allowed some buffer to their rashness.
The second, Idi, was a quieter child, who clung to Ade, seeking reassurances and acting as a voice of reason.
The youngest, Vee, was a sweetheart with a cunning streak, coddled by their older siblings, able to do no wrong in their eyes despite their penchant for mischievousness.
Harry's three triplets were a blessing, and he loved them dearly, but they had truly taught him the limits of his body. Perhaps he would never have another child after them, and it seemed ever more likely as the years passed, but nine was a more than impressive number. He had succeded in his wish of having a large family to care for and love.