Here's part 2 of the newborns' arc. And thanks to a guest reviewer for their review of chapter 8. Well, Noct's a father now and he'll need all the help he can get. Especially since Lunafreya's on bed rest. So, here's the next chapter.

-miano53

Chronicles 10: Infant-Induced Insomnia

Two months later, June 22nd…

"Alright, come here, you…" Noctis said, picking up one of the triplets.

After several weeks in the NICU, it was finally time for the triplets to head home. Lunafreya woke up a week after the children were born, her brother coming to Insomnia and donating his blood for a transfer as there were no appropriate donors…Or so Ravus said. When he gave her his blood, she woke up a day afterward and was on bedrest ever since.

The doctors also had moved the children into her suite, which was rather large, and had an overnight pull-out bed for Noctis to sleep in. Ravus opted into a suite in the Citadel, arriving every morning to check on Lunafreya. During those weeks, Noctis stayed with his wife, looking over the triplets in a protective manner.

While he was out, Ignis and Minister Tot led the council, ensuring that all the work that was done with Noctis didn't stall or fizzle out. Gladio and Cor ensured that the defenses of the country were still intact, launching more investigations with the constant appearance of new landmasses and settlements. Prompto helped with PR, taking pictures of the family, and sending them to Fang at Meteor Publishing.

"Hold her head," Luna told him.

She, in her usual white and black and sitting in a wheelchair, watched as Noctis carefully dressed the kids and place them in their car seats. Nurses helped as the children were still connected to small machines that helped with their breathing. After putting the triplets, one girl and two boys, into the standard black of the royal family, Noct said to Luna, "Ready?"

"Anything to leave and get back into my bed," Luna told him.

"Just remember, no duties as the Oracle until everything's healed. And Dr. Gainsborough will come and check on you from time to time," a nurse said.

"Yes, yes. I know Rosa. I will not return to my duties until it's time," Lunafreya said, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Pleased, the nurses helped the royal family out, with the Kingsglaive waiting for them on the ground floor. Once outside, the press waited, and a crowd cheered for them. During that time, most had expressed concern for the Oracle and some even gave advice via opinion pieces in Meteor Publishing about premature births. Noct was surprised that they even cared as many questioned their existence before the Endless Night.

"Your Majesties! What was it like to see them? Will the new royals be alright? Will they be on ventilators forever? Will you resume Oracle duties soon? Will any of them follow your footsteps, Lady Oracle?" were some of the many questions the press had.

Noctis, carrying two of the car seats and trying to head for the waiting Regalia, ignored them as he was more focused on getting his children and wife home. Just as a Kingsglaive opened the door for him, the first of the babies, his little girl named Regina, began crying. The second one, the eldest named Aurelius, joined her and cried his little heart out. The last one named Ventus, who was with Lunafreya and a nurse, whimpered at first and then burst into tears.

"Well, at least we can say that have great lung capacity…" a newscaster muttered as the crowd hushed.

A week later, 3 a.m.…

"Hmm…Well, at least they're getting better, right?" Regis asked, watching over his grandchildren.

Aulea and he looked over the children, seeing the only girl, Regina, start crying. Neither had a clue why she had such a needy personality. But she was a baby, so they let it slide.

Ventus, the blonde like Lunafreya, whimpered, scared at his sister's loud shrieks. Aurelius, with dark hair like Noctis, was sound asleep. He reminded him of how Noct used to sleep nearly like he was dead…a bit disturbing.

The door to their nursery opened and Noct dragged himself in. His eyes had bags in them and the whites of them were white. The new father had three bottles in his arms and he headed for Regina's crib. Putting two of them down inside and picking up the crying infant, making sure that he picked up the small breathing device with her.

Little Regina kept crying, her breathing staggered as she started to get exhausted. The triplets didn't understand crying like that was going to tire them out faster and Noct and Luna rushed to get them to calm down. But, all that rushing tired them out as well, thus Noctis entered the nursery, very tired.

"What's wrong now?" he asked her.

The baby calmed a bit, looking at her father for a few seconds and trying to catch her breath. Noct sighed, muttering, "You're messin' with my sleep…I need sleep…"

Seconds after saying that, Ventus began crying and the man groaned. Regis, in specter form, said, "Well…you didn't come in soon enough to stop them. It's all about timing."

"Yes, but sometimes it takes a bit to get to the child," Aulea told him.

Noctis scooped up Ventus with the other arm, holding both babies. As if recognizing his father, Ventus calmed down, trying to catch his breath as well. With tired eyes, Noct asked, "So, you woke me up because…?"

Regina stared while Ventus yawned. Calmer, they stared at Noct, who said, "You three are going to be so spoiled…"

Noct was startled away, having a vivid dream about the triplets. He looked around seeing that he was still in the hospital suite Lunafreya was comatose in. The man saw his wife connected to various machines, with some monitoring her heartbeat and breathing and others monitoring brain activity. She also had an IV drip connected to her left arm and the sight was something he was sure that he wouldn't see…

Prompto and the others were sure that Luna would wake up after what happened. But the doctors had spared him the brunt of what really happened. His wife nearly did die, trying to bring forth the three tiny babies that were far too small…They hadn't grown much since being born two weeks ago. Aurelius was about 4 pounds, Ventus was three pounds while Regina was a measly 2.75 pounds.

They were still in the NICU and were connected to multiple machines, just like Luna. Dr. Gainsborough told him that it would take time, but eventually, he'll be able to leave the hospital with his family in tow. When he asked about Luna, the doctor said nothing and the man took it as Luna would still be asleep.

Sitting in his chair next to her bed, Noct leaned on his right arm, trying to reposition himself. Watching over her, he said, "I…I'm…Please wake up. I can't…I can't do this without you…Please…"

He grabbed her hand, squeezing it as he returned to the fleeting bliss of sleep.

Hmm…Well, that's not an ending I'm sure anyone expected. Hopefully, there's some light at the end of the tunnel…? Anywho, if anyone's seen the show New Amsterdam, something similar happens with the main character and his wife and kid…but it's much, much sadder. I didn't want to do something like this with this fic as it's supposed to have humor in it.

So, review?

-miano53