Previously on The Taint Of Her Name Chapter 36: Progress All Around

Hermione remained in bed.

By late afternoon Rawley was convinced Hermione should see a healer. It was his job to take care of Father Draco and Mother Hermione. So he did what he had to do.

Rawley who had watched Hermione and Draco text many times got the phone to send a text to Draco. He understood the basics of texting, but not the specifics. It was a minor miracle that Draco received the text at all.

When the garbled text appeared on his phone, it had puzzled Draco. He immediately called home to find out what was going on.

Rawley brought the ringing phone to Hermione.

When he heard Hermione's voice he explained how her text had come through garbled. He asked what the text was about.

Hermione told him she didn't know anything about a text but needed him to come home because she was in pain and couldn't move.

"You can't move?" asked Draco incredulously. "Are you alright? Never mind. I'll be right home."

He had then used five precious minutes to send out a text message to Sam and Edgar.

Hermione in distress. Leaving for day

Draco.

Then he had Apparated directly to his and Hermione's bedroom.

/

A/N: I am pronouncing the name Caelum as Kay-lum.

Chapter 37: After The Stress

It was only a matter of ten minutes between Draco hanging up the phone and arriving home. In that short period of time Hermione had started seeing spots of blood. She had also wet herself because it hurt to move and she couldn't get out of bed.

Rawley had a warming cushion against Hermione's back and a wet cloth on her neck. He wanted to clean up his Mistress, but felt it improper for him to do anything that involved her private areas.

As soon as Draco landed, one glance at Hermione was all he needed. He wanted to panic at the sight of blood in the bed, but he knew Hermione was depending on him to remain calm.

Draco cast a Tergeo over Hermione to clean her up before leaning over to wrap his arms around her.

"What do you want me to do?" He asked anxiously.

"Call Phoebe or Barbara," sobbed Hermione. "Something is very wrong."

Draco got Hermione's phone to find the number. He was still calm on the outside, but his insides were beginning to clench up. What the fuck could be wrong? She had been fine when he left for work.

Willa picked up the phone, but had immediately put Draco through to Phoebe.

"Phoebe. This Draco Malfoy. Hermione is in distress and we are seeing blood."

Phoebe told Draco to get Hermione to California Wizarding Hospital immediately. She promised they would have everything set up by the time Hermione arrived.

Rawley had Hermione's case packed, ready and shrunk down. Handing the small package to Draco, he wished them good luck before Disapparating out of the room.

Draco was now frantic inside, but couldn't afford the luxury of giving in to his feelings. He had to get Hermione to the hospital as quickly as possible.

/*/

Phoebe, Barbara and an additional assistant were waiting with a stretcher when Draco landed. They had hastily taken a still sobbing Hermione to the Special Exam room. After establishing that Hermione was indeed in labor, Phoebe and Barbara hadn't wasted any time. Hermione was immediately given medicine to stop her contractions and whisked away to a delivery room.

The assistant asked Draco to step into the changing room to suit up so they could get on with birthing his children.

Draco didn't ask questions. He did what he had been asked to do. Five minutes later he stepped back into the Special Exam room to find the assistant waiting to take him to the delivery room.

/*/

Draco's calm exterior began to crumple as he followed the assistant into the delivery room. So many questions were swirling around his head. How was this possible? They had two more weeks before the babies were scheduled to be taken. What had gone wrong?

With all this on his mind Draco walked over to Hermione and grabbed her hand. He leaned in to tell Hermione how much he loved her and how he couldn't wait for their babies to be born.

Although she too was frightened by this turn of events. Hermione smiled through a grimace as she held tightly to Draco's hand. The medicine to stop her contractions hadn't fully kicked in so she was still in pain.

Not more than a minute later the contractions had stopped. Phoebe and Barbara quickly moved to begin the delicate delivery procedure.

Phoebe joked with Hermione that her little bundles of joy obviously couldn't wait to meet their mum and dad. She also assured Hermione and Draco that the babies appeared to be doing well.

Hermione held tightly to Draco as she was being prepped. He kept kissing her hand while whispering words of love and support in her ear.

Just before Phoebe made the first cut Hermione asked the question on both her and Draco's mind. "Has something gone wrong Phoebe?"

Without looking up from the procedure Phoebe reassured Draco and Hermione early deliveries were common in multiple baby births. "We checked everything before bringing you in to deliver. If the babies weren't ready to be delivered, we would have stopped the contractions and sent you home. Your babies already have a total weight of fourteen pounds, nine ounces. Meaning they weigh approximately five pounds each which is an acceptable birth weight. As with any early delivery the children will be put into special incubators to ensure their health. Your children should only have to spend a day or two in the incubator. If that. Now lie quietly as you can. Your babies are about to meet the world."

/*/

Draco and Hermione held tightly to each other as they watched one son after the other come screaming into the world. It was like a Muggle assembly line. Phoebe held the baby up so Barbara could cut and secure the umbilical cord. The baby was then handed to the assistant who took him to be cleaned and weighed before putting him in the special incubator.

Draco's eyes were everywhere at once. He had a feeling of wonder coursing through his entire body. He was watching his first son being weighed as he watched his next son make his appearance.

The assembly line had gone like clockwork…until it was his daughter's turn to be born.

It was obvious to Draco and Hermione their daughter's birth was problematic. First. Phoebe seemed to have an issue with getting her out of the womb. Then, Ara hadn't made a sound coming into the world.

/*/

Draco thought he would cave as Barbara rushed his daughter to another room without a word.

Hermione tried to sit up, but Phoebe held her down as she tried to calm the hysterical mother. Hermione wanted to know what was wrong and where Barbara had taken her daughter.

Tears were welling up inside Draco, but he remained stalwart even as Hermione clawed at his arms trying to get off the table.

Phoebe quickly gave Hermione a draught to calm her down. After several seconds of trying to fight the effects of the draught, Hermione closed her eyes. The draught did not put her to sleep. It just relaxed her.

Draco leaned over to wipe away the tears seeping from under Hermione's closed lids and whisper words of comfort he himself didn't feel. Even though he was frightened of what the answer would be. An anxiety ridden Draco stepped around Hermione's bed to ask Phoebe if there was a problem with his daughter.

Phoebe tried to be diplomatic by giving Draco as generic an answer as possible. "Your daughter seemed not to want to leave the womb. Barbara will sort everything out.

/*/

Phoebe was heartbroken. She knew there was a problem. Of what magnitude she did not know. Otherwise Barbara would not have taken the baby out of the delivery room. She told Draco she would check on Ara and report back. However, Phoebe didn't have a chance to leave the room. Barbara had appeared in the doorway without Ara asking Phoebe to step into the next room.

On her way out of the room, Phoebe touched Draco on the shoulder. "Put your gloves on Mr. Malfoy. We would like the boys to feel the presence of at least one parent as they are being settled."

Draco put on gloves as he had been told. He had then been allowed to touch each of his sons before the Assistant Healer closed the lid on the incubator. Draco had then rolled both boys over to Hermione's bedside so she could get a first glimpse of her sons.

The assistant allowed Hermione and Draco about ten minutes with Caelum and Scorpius before taking them away for a full check up.

Hermione looked at Draco with tear filled eyes. "Our sons are safe. When will they come to tell us about Ara?"

"We have to hope for the best Hermione. You have trusted Phoebe and Barbara up until now. Our daughter will be fine."

Hermione reached out to Draco. She needed his comfort. She needed Ara to be fine.

/*/

The assistant tried to move Hermione out of the delivery room, but Hermione wouldn't hear of it. Holding tightly to Draco and with a rising voice Hermione demanded to see her daughter.

The assistant tried to calm Hermione, but her entreaties had fallen on deaf ears.

"BRING ME MY DAUGHTER!" shouted Hermione.

Draco wiped away the few tears that were falling from his eyes as he held onto Hermione. He wanted to see his daughter as well.

Suddenly Phoebe and Barbara appeared by Hermione's bed. Phoebe was pushing another of the incubators.

Hermione and Draco looked at each other before staring down at their daughter. Their little pink bundle was wriggling around like she didn't have a care in the world.

"All three of your children are healthy," Phoebe happily remarked. "Rules and regulations dictate that we keep the babies in incubators for at least twenty four hours to insure they get the proper start. But they are fine. Once you are moved to your private room, we will bring the babies to you and we can discuss what went on with Ara."

Reaching out to place her hand on Draco's shoulder, Phoebe informed him that Hermione's room was a parents room and he was welcome to stay with his wife."

"I wasn't going anywhere," Draco quickly answered back. "My wife and children are here."

The assistant came to take Ara away as Medi-Wizards came to take Hermione to her room.

Draco took several deep breaths before following behind the Medi-Wizards. His daughter had scared the living shit out of him.

/*/

Draco stood by watching as several Assistant Healers cleaned up Hermione slipping a fresh hospital gown on her at the end.

As soon as Hermione was situated, Draco sat down on the bed beside her and kissed her on every inch of her face. "You did it my love. Our babies are here and they are fine."

Hermione grinned back at Draco. "Did you see them Draco? They are beautiful. I was so scared we wouldn't have our girl. I was so afraid."

"I was too baby. I was too."

/*/

Draco and Hermione were still in each other's arms when Phoebe and Barbara knocked on the doorframe.

"Come in," Draco said joyfully. "Come in and tell us about our g….."

"Where are my babies?" Hermione asked cutting across Draco. "You said they would be brought down to my room. Where are they?"

"They will be brought down shortly Hermione. Barbara and I wanted to explain a few things before we bring Ara, Caelum and Scorpius down. Would you care to hear what happened?"

"I would," Hermione answered softly.

It had only taken Phoebe several minutes to explain. Ara is a fierce little girl who hadn't taken kindly to being separated from her brothers. She seemed to have panicked when her brothers disappeared from around her. Panic caused her some respiratory distress when she couldn't find them. Barbara rushed her to our special breathing machine in order to force her to breathe."

"You might say your daughter had her first temper tantrum," joked Barbara. "Ara is back between her brothers so she is happy once again. Congratulations to you both. The babies will be brought in shortly. They will remain with you for an hour. After that they will be brought down to the Neonatal Nursery where they will be monitored. It is my belief they will be breathing on their own by tomorrow and ready to leave the incubators by Thursday or Friday at the latest."

"Thank you so much for all your help," said Draco. "Hermione couldn't have done it without you."

"No need to thank us Draco. I should be thanking your wife. This pregnancy is what Hermione and I planned for. Although," she joked. "We didn't plan for so many. Your wife has done an amazing job. Hermione, Barbara and I will sit down next month to get her journey down in the books. We will check on the children before we leave for the night."

As they exited the room, both Barbara and Phoebe smiled at the new parents.

/*/

Draco wanted to text everyone he knew, but he wanted to see his children one more time before informing anyone.

Just as that thought crossed Draco's mind the two assistants entered the room pushing the incubators.

Hermione sat up too quickly and cried out in pain. Before she could make another move, Draco used his wand to cast a pain relieving spell. Then he gently helped the new mother over to the other side of the bed so she could gaze upon their little miracles.

Caelum and Scorpius were lying with their eyes closed while Ara's eyes were open as she tried to look around.

"So you've had your first temper tantrum. Have you? Mum has her eyes on her sweet little girl. But if you ever scare us like that again we will be forced to turn you over to Rawley."

"Right in one," added a chuckling Draco.

Hermione and Draco clutched each other as they watched their daughter try to follow their voices with her eyes.

"I believe our daughter is going to be a handful," concluded a very happy Hermione as she squeezed Draco's hand and leaned over to kiss him.

With the health of their daughter settled, Draco pulled out his phone to let the family know the babies had been born and they were healthy.

Ten minutes after Draco sent the group text his phone began pinging with incoming texts.

Congratulations from Helen and I. Our love to Hermione and the babies.

Lucius

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Oh Merlin. I'm a big sister. Brett and I will be by tomorrow.

Lyra

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Congratulations

Sam

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Well done papa and mama.

Edgar

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I'll be home in the next two weeks to meet my siblings. Love to all.

Orion.

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Aren't you a bit old for this? Didn't think you had any sperm left. Don't show Hermione this text. Congratulations.

Harry.

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Congratulations from Me, Neville and the boys.

Luna

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Congratulations to you and Mrs. Malfoy.

Camille

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Brett called us with the wonderful news. Congratulations.

Carlton and Alana Davies

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Draco laughed as he read Hermione the incoming texts. "I'm going to kill Potter the next time I see him," he remarked with a chuckle. "Scarhead is just jealous."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Put the phone down Draco. Sit down and look at your children. They'll be coming to take them to the nursery shortly."

Draco sat down next to Hermione, wrapped his arm around her and sat there gazing at his three living gifts. They were gorgeous.

/*/

The room was set up with two separate beds. After the babies had been taken away, Hermione and Draco talked for a bit. Then he had wished Hermione good night and slipped into the other bed.

He and Hermione hadn't ever slept apart except for those one or two times when they were at odds. Draco didn't like sleeping alone. He had tossed and turned for a good bit of time before falling asleep.

Hermione had had a trying day. But now that she knew all her children were fine she was able to drop right off to sleep.

Their children had been born. All was right with the world. Hermione and Draco deserved to sleep.

/*/

Hermione's room was a madhouse the next day. Floral arrangements, fruit baskets and cards filled the room. There were so many things Draco had to use magic to set up an out of the way area specifically for it all.

Starting at 9:00 am the Healers On Duty brought messages that there were visitors waiting to get in.

The babies had been brought to Hermione and Draco at 8:30. Even though all they could do was look at their children they didn't want anyone else breathing over them just yet. Visitors would have to wait until the babies were taken back to the nursery. The visitors could see the babies through the nursery glass.

Caelum, Ara and Scorpius went back to the Nursery at 9:15. After showering, Hermione and Draco felt ready to receive their visitors.

The first one through the door was Lyra who was crying, screaming and laughing all at the same time. "I'm a big sister. I'm going to lord it over them like Orion tried to lord it over me."

Draco frowned at his daughter, but she ran over to hug him before he could scold her. Then she grabbed onto her mum kissing and hugging her.

"Congratulations. When can I see my brothers and sister?"

"For Merlin's sake Lyra," said a nervous looking Brett who had come in behind her. "Let go of your mum. You're squeezing her to death. Good morning Hermione. Draco. Congratulations."

"Thank you Brett," said Hermione as she kissed her daughter on the forehead. "Thank you for the flowers and fruit as well."

"It is our pleasure Hermione. I'm not sure I'll ever see triplets again. At least not until Lyra has ours," Brett jokingly remarked.

"As if," Lyra chimed in. "One at a time is my motto."

Draco, Hermione and Brett were still smiling over Lyra's remark when the Meals Witch came through bringing Hermione and Draco their breakfast.

"I'm famished," volunteered Hermione. "Delivering triplets takes a lot out of a witch."

Lyra had become antsy. She wanted to see the babies. "While you and dad have your breakfast, Brett and I will be down by the nursery. I want to check on my siblings."

/*/

Lyra and Brett along with Sam, Edgar, Ross and Camille had come and gone giving Hermione and Draco time to snuggle a bit before going down to the nursery. Draco insisted Hermione ride to the nursery in one of the wheel chairs. Hermione argued she was strong enough to walk. Not wanting to upset the new mother, Draco took her arm so she could walk.

Five steps away from the room Hermione's knees buckled. Draco had to grab her to keep her from falling. Grabbing onto Draco to steady herself, Hermione cheeked. "A chair it will be then Mr. Malfoy."

With a very large smirk on his face Draco summoned the chair with his wand. "Now. Will the very stubborn Mrs. Malfoy sit her arse in this chair so we can go see our children?"

Hermione huffed her way into the chair without making another comment.

She and Draco rode to the nursery in silence.

/*/

At the nursery window Draco wrapped his arms around Hermione as they stood there gazing at the babies. Hermione leaned back against Draco turning her head so he could reach her lips.

"I love you Mrs. Malfoy. You have given me a life the old Draco Malfoy would never have thought possible. Thank you for your love and thank you for our children."

After their kiss and Draco's statement, they stood gazing through the window each with his or her own thoughts on how differently their lives could have turned out.