Previously on The Taint Of Her Name Chapter 37: After The Stress
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.
/
Chapter 38: Life Could Not Be Better
To the delight of Hermione, Draco, Phoebe and the Assistants who worked the ward, Ara, Scorpius and Caelum had begun breathing on their own on Friday.
Although Hermione was cleared to leave the hospital on Saturday, November 21st, she made special arrangements with Phoebe to remain with the babies who were scheduled to be released on Monday morning.
Everyone was enchanted by the triplets. Starting from the first feeding, Hermione often had staff in with her when the babies were brought to her.
On Friday evening, Hermione even received applause as she fed Scorpius for the first time. The applause had startled Scorpius causing him to nearly jump from her arms. After that, Hermione requested to feed the babies in private or in the presence of family only.
When Draco arrived the Friday evening, he had been in time to give Caelum his first feeding. Draco was nervous. Hermione was nervous. But the feeding had gone off without a hitch. Draco couldn't get the grin off his face after the Assistant had taken Caelum back to his mobile crib.
Draco whispered softly in Hermione's ear as he sat beside her watching as she breast fed Ara. They had discussed feedings with Phoebe who suggested that one baby be on the breast at every feeding insuring that all three would have time on Hermione's breast.
Hermione had agreed to feed her babies this way while in the hospital, but had her own thoughts on how they would be fed. After a discussion with Draco, Hermione made her decision. If she had enough milk available, all the babies would be breast fed during the day with bottles for the additional feedings.
"Your way seems the best way," agreed Draco. "That way the triplets will be equal in everything."
/*/
Draco suggested they have dinner in the hospital dining room instead of eating with their legs hanging over the side of the bed. "It will be good for you to get out of this room to stretch your legs a bit. A little exercise might help your milk flow more freely."
"I'd like that love. Although I'm in the mood for a breakfast rather than a dinner," answered Hermione holding her stomach as though she was starving. "A very big breakfast. Let me just slip on my sundress and I'll be ready to go."
Draco shrugged as he reached out for Hermione. "You may have whatever you like. You've given me triplets. You may have the world and everything in it if you wish."
They left the room hand and hand heading to the lifts so Hermione could have her big breakfast.
/*/
Over their meal, Draco explained how he and Lyra had discussed hiring a Nursemaid Witch for each of the triplets with Rawley as overseer. "How does that sound to you love?"
"I don't know how it sounds to me," snapped Hermione laying her fork down and staring at Draco. "I've only just heard it. Haven't I?"
Draco stared back at his wife. "Lyra thought you wouldn't care for the suggestion. I told her to give you the benefit of the doubt. Why are you upset? The nursemaids will only be there to assist you with the children. You'll need the help."
Hermione's face began to turn red which was a warning sign for Draco. He reached over to take her hand. "Hermione. You've just had the babies and here you are back to blowing up over the smallest thing. Take a deep breath and relax. In case you missed it. I said Lyra and I discussed hiring nursemaids as an option. No one has gone around your back. I apologize for upsetting you."
Hermione had taken the deep breath and tempered her tone as she answered Draco. "I'm a bit emotional at the moment. I know you and Lyra are only trying to make life with triplets easier. We'll have our hands full with three babies, but let's see how it goes before we jump into hiring three Nursemaid Witches. The babies and I will be home on Monday. We'll start from there. Thank you for thinking of me," she said as she leaned over to kiss him.
"Fair enough," Draco replied lifting her hand to his lips. "I just want everything right for you, Scorpius, Caelum and Ara."
Hermione and Draco had then resumed eating in a companionable silence.
/*/
Suddenly it was Monday afternoon. Phoebe had signed the release forms for Hermione and the babies and was in the room bidding her patients goodbye. Draco had just returned from the billing office after clearing up the hospital bill. It was time for him to get his family home.
Almost the entire Maternity Ward stood at the front doors of the hospital to bid Hermione and the babies goodbye and good luck.
Before leaving the hospital, Draco had given a room wide wave thanking everyone for their assistance. He had then left the hospital with a very wide Malfoy grin on his face. He had helped make triplets.
So on Monday, 11/23/2020, Draco gathered up his family, placed them into a hired Wizarding Car for the trip home. And they had been off.
Once they arrived home, it had taken an extra few minutes to get all the children into the house. Even though Draco had charmed three car seats into perfectly safe mobile carriages. Hermione insisted they move at a snails pace getting the babies inside.
A smiling and bowing Rawley met them at the door as did an overly excited Lyra who ran first to hug her mother then her father.
"I'm a big sister. I'm a big sister," she sang somewhat off key. "What shall I do? How can I help?"
Hermione smiled as she told her daughter to stand back until her siblings were safely in their cribs in the nursery.
"Okay mum. I can do that. I think I'll call Orion and grandfather to tell them the babies are home. I'll be back."
/*/
While getting the babies settled, Hermione and Draco noticed that Rawley had set up an entire side of the room to accommodate them if they wanted to sleep in the nursery with Ara, Caelum and Scorpius.
Hermione was ecstatic. She wouldn't have to leave her babies at all.
Draco was a bit less enthused. He wanted his wife back in their bed. It wasn't about sex. It was about being able to hold her and touch her. However, in the scheme of things he knew he would come in second to the children. He and Hermione would have to talk about her spending every night in the nursery.
Glancing over at Draco, Hermione realized he was over thinking something. They had been married for over twenty years. She recognized he was going through some inner turmoil and thought she knew exactly what it was.
"Are you over there thinking I will desert our marital bed to sleep in the nursery? Think again Malfoy. You will be working from morning until evening. I will be with our children. When you arrive home, I expect you to spend some time with me and the children. After that we will spend time together and we will sleep together in our own bed."
Draco realized he had been caught being a self serving git. Wrapping his arms around Hermione he whispered in her ear. "I was over thinking things love. I would miss you if you decided to spend your nights in the nursery bed. I know that makes me quite the git, but it's the truth."
Taking Draco by the hand, Hermione pulled him down beside her on the bed handing him several sheets of paper. "No worries sweetheart. Rawley has put together a schedule. As you can see he has factored himself and one nursemaid into the equation. I will breast feed the children mornings and afternoons with their assistance. You will help feed your children in the early evenings with our assistance. Rawley and the nursemaid will take care of feedings and changes in the evenings and through the night. You and I will not be separated."
A surprised Draco could only ask, "So you have seen your way clear to hire a nursemaid then?"
Remembering her tirade in the hospital dining room, Hermione smiled at Draco before answering. "Let me just say I wasn't adverse to hiring a nursemaid. I was adverse to hiring three nursemaids, but we can debate that at another time. For now, I believe we should get on with finding the right witch for the job.
During one of my appointments, Phoebe recommended several witches certified in infant care. I think we should start there. In fact, I will do that now. I will take appointments as soon as tomorrow. You stay in here with Rawley and the children. I'll be back soon."
/*/
As soon as Hermione left the room to make the calls, Draco began moving his eyes from Scorpius to Ara to Caelum checking that they didn't have the cover over their faces or something equally as frightening. Draco had been on his third check when Rawley spoke up.
"Father Draco. May I speak?"
"You are a trusted Assistant Rawley. Of course you may speak."
"Thank you sir. I would just like to assure you that I will watch over the children and defend them with my life if necessary. As they are your children, they are my children as well. Mr. Lucius set me a task all those years ago to take care of you and any family you might have if you ever returned. That is my mission. That is my job. I say all this to reassure you there will not be any reason to worry when the children are in my care as I am quite experienced in the care of children. If it is acceptable to you and Mother Hermione, I intend to train the Nursemaid Witch in the Malfoy way of caring for Ara, Scorpius and Caelum."
While Rawley's thoughts were pure, Draco knew this would have to pass in front of Hermione before any decision could be made. "We will have to discuss training with Hermione. She may want to oversee the training. It's nothing against you, but she is a new mother who will want to be hands on for a bit. Both she and I respect your expertise so I don't see any problem with your request. Hermione will be back in a moment. We'll discuss it then. Thank you for speaking up."
/*/
Hermione was back within twenty minutes with good news. The three candidates Phoebe had suggested were available for an interview the following day.
Draco repeated some of what Rawley had said to him which led to a lovely family conversation among the three.
At the end of the conversation it was resolved that Hermione would address the nursemaid with what was expected and required. After that, the nursemaid would report to Rawley. Together they would see to the triplets when Hermione or Draco wasn't around.
Rawley was pleased. With a small bow he excused himself so Hermione and Draco could spend time with the triplets.
/*/
Ara, Scorpius and Caelum were ready for their last breast feeding of the evening so Hermione got herself ready as Draco brought each of the babies over in turn.
The boys fed quickly and quietly keeping their eyes closed for most of the feeding.
Ara was again another story. Instead of feeding sleepily as her brothers had, she had her beautiful eyes open trying to follow the voices of her father and mother while waving a tiny fist all about.
Sitting side by side, both Hermione and Draco laughed quietly at their daughter agreeing she would definitely be the one to rule over her brothers.
When Hermione and Draco left the nursery that night, their babies were sleeping soundly and down for the next several hours.
And so passed the triplet's first night at home.
/*/
In the following weeks everything had fallen into place. Hermione and Draco couldn't have been happier. Gertrude Lawton the nursemaid they hired turned out to be perfect. Even Rawley was satisfied with her skills.
Lyra was just as ecstatic over her three siblings. On several different occasions Hermione had found her cuddling Ara while Rawley hovered in the background.
In the privacy of their room Hermione and Draco laughed like bastards over this very thing.
The babies thrived under the attentions of Hermione, Draco, Gertrude and Rawley.
/*/
Christmas of 2020 was a banner time for the Malfoy family. Ara, Scorpius and Caelum had been inundated with relatives from near and far. Orion came home with Stasia Zabini in tow. Lucius and Helen returned to California as well. Harry, Seana and the boys arrived two days before Christmas planning to stay until after the first of the year. Neville, Luna and the boys arrived Christmas afternoon only planning to stay the day until Draco took Neville aside to tell him they were family and Luna should be allowed a few days with Hermione.
Neville had agreed. After a quick conversation with Luna, Neville decided his family would love to stay for a few days as long as they weren't intruding.
"I invited you Longbottom," Draco responded truthfully. "If I thought you would be intruding, I would not have invited you to stay. Please let the lovely Mrs. Longbottom have some time with Hermione and the children. I'm sure there won't be any difficulties with your children as Xeno and Philius will probably be hot on the trail of my father."
Neville laughed. He knew what Draco had stated was true. Xeno and Philius found Lucius Malfoy extremely interesting. Why? Neville did not know.
It had been settled. The Longbottoms would stay at least a few days.
/*/
Rawley had also gotten a little surprise as Lucius had sent Ricky ahead with all the Christmas gifts shrunken down and tucked neatly into a pouch.
Rawley had proudly shown Ricky his home and his charges after which the two friends worked seamlessly to see that all the guests were comfortable. Rawley appreciated Ricky's company being reminded of their days together at Malfoy Manor.
James and Albus Potter took an immediate liking to Rawley and Ricky following the elves whenever they could.
/*/
The holidays were a pleasurable and joyous time for all who came through Hermione and Draco's doors.
Ara, Scorpius and Caelum took center stage in almost every conversation. The triplets were active for their age and had every witch cooing at them as they waved their arms and legs about.
The wizards and witches alike were intrigued by Ara's odd colored eyes with several suggesting the color might be indicative of a future seer.
These types of comments did not sit well with Hermione.
It was at that point Hermione took Ara gently out of Helen's arms telling the room at large it was time for a feeding. Taking a cue from Hermione, Draco carried Scorpius while Gertrude separated Caelum from his big brother Orion to take them to the nursery.
When each of the babies were settled in their cribs, Draco grabbed Hermione by the hand before she could get settled for the feeding. Taking her chin in one of his hands Draco spoke earnestly to his wife.
"If you are getting worked up over a few comments about Ara's eyes, I will take you over my knee. That eye color shit has been used to death. It's fucking old Hermione. You know that. Our daughter has beautiful eyes. Do not let a few comments ruin our evening."
Hermione pulled Draco close and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I know you're right love, but I'm having visions of Ara going through life having to defend her eye color."
Leaning in to Hermione's ear, Draco whispered she was worrying for nothing. Their daughter would be able to hold her own against whoever came at her.
Nodding at Draco Hermione agreed. "I believe you are right Mr. Malfoy. If our daughter is destined to be a seer, so be it. If not, it will all be sorted. I just wish people would keep thoughts like that to themselves. Why don't you go back to our guests while I see to our children."
"I can do that," Draco replied with a big smile. "Are you sure you don't want me to remain here to help hold your magnificently large breasts while you feed my children? I'm willing you know."
A wide grin covered Hermione's face as she shooed her husband from the room. "Go see to our guests. Rawley and Gertrude will help me with the babies."
With a sigh, Draco straightened up preparing to leave Hermione to her task. "I'll be glad when all this company is gone. I would rather be in here with you than making small talk with them. I love you Mrs. Malfoy. I'll see you in a bit."
/*/
So the holiday went. By 12/30, the bulk of guests except for Harry and his family had gone. Lucius, Helen, Orion and Stasia also remained in California choosing to secure suites at a luxurious hotel not far from the house. Hermione and Draco assured both couples there was plenty of room in the house for them, but the couples had decided they didn't want to be in the way.
Everyone celebrated New years Eve and New Years Day together enjoying the babies as well as each other's company.
The Essen Brothers stopped by New Years Day to deliver a magnificent duck dinner and remained to partake with everyone. The food had garnered nothing but compliments for the Essens who took the compliments in stride. They had wanted to do something special for Hermione and Draco and it had worked out well.
/*/
Rawley and Gertrude took command of the nursery while Lyra and Ricky took command of James and Albus in order to give the adults a bit of time together.
Harry and Draco bantered back and forth about Draco producing triplets while the other adults sat back enjoying the show.
Soon enough it was time for the British contingent to get ready to catch their portkeys.
After some serious hugs and sentimental ramblings, Draco got ready to accompany the family to the Portkey Office.
Lucius was sending Ricky back to Wiltshire in advance of his leaving. So Ricky said his goodbye to Rawley and the Potter boys promising to see the boys back in Britain.
Seana and Harry thanked Hermione for the lovely visit before rounding up their boys after which they headed off to the Portkey Office with Draco as did Lucius and Helen.
Orion and Stasia remained behind planning to spend one more night in the company of Lyra and Brett.
/*/
When Draco returned from the Portkey Office, he found Hermione in the nursery feeding the triplets. He had sat side by side with Hermione as she finished feeding the babies. With the last baby fed, Hermione turned the nursery over to Rawley and Gertrude for the night.
Back in their bedroom, Draco and Hermione had snuggled together quietly discussing how wonderful their life had turned out and what they could look forward to in 2021.
Hermione threw her leg over Draco as she leaned up on one elbow. "In a matter of six months we have changed the way we've lived for the past twenty years. We have our babies. Our daughter will be married. And if appearances foretell the future, I believe Orion will soon be engaged as well." Hermione remarked a bit wistfully. "What an amazing turnaround for a family whose lives had previously been ruled by phantoms."
/*/
It had been more than six weeks since Draco had any intimate contact with Hermione other than rubbing softening gel on her breasts and nipples. He seized this opportunity to soothe her as well as sex her. Nuzzling her neck he whispered that they would have nothing but joy and happiness into the future. Then he had asked if it was safe to make love.
Turning so she was facing Draco, Hermione whispered that it was safe.
That was the answer Draco had hoped to hear. He began to gently remove Hermione's clothing as she summoned her wand to cast contraceptive charms.
Draco smiled when he heard Hermione chant the charm. "The charms are a very good idea. As much as I love our babies, if we get pregnant with three more I might not be able to handle it."
A now naked Hermione reached out to Draco pulling him down on top of her and cattily replied. "If we got pregnant with three more babies, you would not be the only one who couldn't handle it. Probably the only one who could handle it would be Rawley," she said letting out a soft chuckle.
Draco grinned as he positioned himself at Hermione's slit. "Rawley would be ecstatic" he commented hoarsely as his dick moved into Hermione and he felt the familiar grip of her pussy walls.
Hermione moaned.
"I've missed making love to you baby," Draco groaned in an even hoarser voice. "Now will you lift that beautiful arse off the bed and fuck me like you mean it."
Grabbing her husband by the neck, Hermione spoke into Draco's shoulder as he continued to push into her. "I'm giving you everything I have."
Draco moved Hermione's legs onto his shoulder responding to her comment with a groan. "I know that baby. I'm just being a horny git. But I can't hold off much longer. I need you to cum for me. Please."
Much later. After Draco had brought Hermione to orgasm three times, the couple had lain there dozing.
Their first sexual encounter in over six weeks had been magnificent.
/**/
Phoebe and Barbara were delighted to see the trio of plump babies that arrived for their belated six week check up on Monday, January 4th. The healers tried to hide their smiles as Draco entered with Scorpius attached to his front and Caelum attached to his back.
Both healers had commented on Scorpius and Caelum's amazing gray eyes. They had also gushed over Ara's seemingly transparent hazel eyes which presented with a golden caste depending on the way she turned.
At six weeks old, the boys were total blonde/gray Malfoys while Ara was a miniature Hermione except for the golden eyes.
During the examination the babies gurgled, smiled and as if on cue had wet their nappies at the same time.
Hermione thought it was the excitement. Barbara and Phoebe thought it was adorable.
Phoebe was so pleased with their development she couldn't contain herself. She practically glowed as she read off the weights. Scorpius now weighed 8-3/4 pounds. Caelum weighed 8 pounds. Ara was the smallest at 7-5/6 pounds. They were all thriving.
At the end of the visit, Hermione and Phoebe made arrangements to meet so they could finish up the study.
As they left the appointment, Hermione and Draco were stopped several times by staff who wanted to gush over the babies.
There had been several requests for photos which Hermione had politely declined. For the time being, the family would be the only ones to have photos of her babies.
Finally the family was back at the hired car and on their way home.
Hermione was pleased. They'd had an excellent appointment.