New Life For Richard

New Life for Richard - Part 4

A few months later, you're lying on the examination table, your belly having swollen up much more than was expected. You didn't want to tell Richard, but it worried you. You shouldn't be this big - at least, not yet. You closed your eyes and hoped for the best. The same sweet British technician - whose name, you have since learned, is Gertie - put the gel on your stomach and pressed the wand to the large bump.

After a minute or two, she gasped, then giggled. Your eyes shot open. "What? Whas is it? What's funny?" The woman gestured to the screen, then used her mouse to show you what had amused her so. "Do you see how many masses are on the screen?" You looked at it, squinted, then shook your head. "No...it all just looks like...blurs. What should I be seeing?"

Gertie grinned, made a few adjustments to the screen to make it clearer, then gestured to the screen again. "Is this better? Do you see now?" You stared, and as a gasp caught in your throat, you coughed and beat a fist against your chest, trying to stop choking. There on the screen were three little bodies...not the one little body you were expecting. "Three? I'm...I'm going to have three? Not...not one? THREE?!"

Gertie laughed and nodded. "Yes! Isn't it wonderful? I wish I'd had triplets! I hope you enjoy them! I'll put all these photos and the video on a disc, so you can take it home and show your husband." After a minute or two, she handed you the disc, then left the room so you could adjust your clothing.

You cleaned up your stomach and readjusted your clothes in a daze. Three...you were having three... You tried to remember if triplets had ever happened in your family or in Richard's family. As you wracked your brain, not one instance came to mind. You knew of a few twins, but definitely no triplets!

You made it home, still completely distracted and clutching the disc, which had been put in a white envelope, in your hands. You sat on the couch and allowed your mind to wander. You would have to make the proper adjustments to the nursery, get more clothing, update the registry, pick out names for three...

When Richard came home, you were still sitting on the couch, eyes unfocused and staring into space, muttering to yourself about everything you'd need to do. "Darling? Are you alright? Did something happen at the doctor's, today?" When you didn't respond, he waved his hand in front of your eyes. You didn't so much as flinch, much less blink.

He noticed the envelope in your hands. "Hun, what have you got there?" He gently slid it from between your hands and opened it to find the disc. Written on it, in permanent marker, were the words "Y/N - 4 months" along with the date. Understanding that these were probably the photos of your child, he took the disc upstairs to his computer, so he could see for himself how well your child was growing.

Upon opening the single folder on the disc, he saw various thumbnails of blurry black and white photos. As he opened each photo, he began to understand why you were in such a state downstairs. Three... he was going to be a father to three children...all at once. He wracked his brain to try and remember if anyone in his family, or yours, had ever had triplets. He knew of a few twin births, but never a triplet birth.

*****

The first thing he could even think to do was to call his parents and his older brother. While he only got his parents' voicemail box, his brother picked up on the second ring.

"Hey, Richie! Nice to hear from you! How are you?"

Richard's voice caught in his throat, trying to find the proper words. The only word that managed to escape the prison of his throat was a weak "triplets".

"What was that? Rich, I can't hear you. Speak up."

"Triplets."

"What?"

"Triplets, Chris! We're having triplets!"

"... TRIPLETS?! How is that even possible?!"

"I don't know, but we're having them!"

"Are you sure?"

"I have the photos right in front if me!"

"Oh. Come on, Rich. Sometimes those photos are wrong. I'm sure that--"

"--Chris, there are three spines! This isn't a mistake! We're having three! No wonder Y/N was getting so big... Your wife wasn't this big, even at the end..."

"Wow...Have you told Mum and Dad, yet?"

"I called them first...they didn't answer."

".... So, how's Y/N doing?"

"Shocked, I think. Y/N's just sitting on the couch. I don't think Y/N's even moved..."

"Oh geez. Well, if you two need any help, just call. I need to fix my own kid some dinner. Make sure you give your little-- I mean, big family a hug from all of us."

"Of course, I will. Bye."

Richard hung up and went back downstairs to check on you. You had managed to move from the couch to the kitchen and were currently fixing a cup of tea. He smiled behind you. His voice came out soft, so as not to startle you. "I saw them...our children..."
You sighed and nodded. "I know...when I snapped out of it, the disc was gone, and I heard you talking upstairs..." Richard scratched the back of his head. "Yeah...I called my brother and told him. ... How are you?"

You shrugged and took the cup of tea to him, holding a bottle of water in your other hand, meant for you. "I'm alright, now... I made you some tea, though...just in case you needed it."
Richard smiled a soft crooked smile and took the tea from you. "Thank you, love." He gently took your hand and led you to the kitchen table, easing you into a comfy chair. He sat down next to you and looked around your home.

"It's so quiet...it won't be this quiet for much longer...soon, we'll have three little voices calling us. Three little kids to love more than life itself." You looked over at him and stared. He chuckled and smiled his special crooked smile, looking nowhere in particular. "I have to be the luckiest and most blessed man in the world." You held his hand tighter as you watched him. " I have a career that I love; I've been able to play so many different roles, and meet so many different, and wonderful, people. " He looks over at you. "I have someone that loves me." He leans down and gently rubs your belly. " And, I'm going to be a father to three children. " When he looks back up at you, your eyes are filled with tears. He cups your cheek and presses his lips to yours. When he pulls away, he touches his forehead to yours. "I didn't know my heart could contain so much love at one time." You sniffled. "You're not scared or worried?" He chuckled. "Darling, I'm terrified and worried out of my mind. But, I know that, together, we can do this."

He sat back and took a few sips of his tea, thinking. "I'm going to have to take some time off, so I can be here to help." You look over at him, worried. "Can you afford to do that? I thought you had a lot of projects coming up..." He chuckled and nodded. "I can record some readings when I'm not working, so that while I'm off, and here with you, I can turn them in as some extra income." You bit your bottom lip, not quite believing the idea would work. "Are you sure? You're going to lose your voice, again...or get sick from too much stress." Richard laughed and wrapped an arm around your waist, gently pulling you towards him. "I'm glad you care so much, but there's no need to worry. I'll be fine. I'm going to make sure that my family is comfortable and safe, so you just relax and do what the doctor told you. All we really have to worry about is our children being healthy and entering this world safe, sound, and alive." He kisses the top of your head. "I love you all so much." You smile shyly and blush. "And we love you."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Author's Note:
Having one child is a difficult task! How will the two of you handle being outnumbered by your own children? Find out in Part 5!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! As always, constructive criticism is always welcome! I hope you have a great day, and remember to be awesome to each other!