author's notes:
ive always wondered how chaotic triplets are. i usually only see two boys n a girl, or three boys, but like.. imagine three girls. all identical.
id cry.
dec 17 entry :D
babies used --
umiko oc from baby maybe
miyu oc from natte shimatta
aya oc from rainbow hue
their physical features changed, but their personality is almost the exact same
Three Times the Charm
When Kotori and Umi got married, they planned to have a rather big family, with at least three kids that has a small age gap. They didn't really have a preference for a gender of their child, and started to try for one a year after their marriage.
Perhaps it was mere luck, but just two months after they started trying with Nishikino Hospital's latest technology that lets a couple of the same sex have biological kids-- Umi waited outside the bathroom door as Kotori was hit by a wave of nausea, the sixth one this week. If Umi was correct, it's always in the morning, and is one of the early signs of pregnancy.
"K-Kotori.." Umi called out to her wife with a calm voice "Have.. you gotten your menstruation yet? Is there a possibility?"
"..there are months where I don't have one, but last month I didn't. Nor did I get one this month.." Kotori explained behind the bathroom door as she washed her face "Umi-chan.. be a dear and get the three pregnancy tests in my drawer in our room, please? I just.. want to be safe."
"Okay, okay..!"
Umi ran her way up the stairs, entering their room and digging through Kotori's drawer with shaky hands. She found three different types of pregnancy tests, and with an exhale, she smiled.
"Please, please be positive."
0000000000
"Please, please be positive."
Kotori murmured like a chant as she covered her eyes and crossed her fingers, waiting for the tests' results.
When Umi handed her the pregnancy tests, the bluenette gave her a kiss on the forehead -- as if to say 'everything is okay, regardless of the results.'
Five minutes felt like forever for the two, but as soon as it was done, Kotori opened the door, tears welling up in her eyes as she grinned while holding up three pregnancy tests.
Positive, Plus, /
"Umi-chan.."
"Amazing.." Umi's eyes glimmered, taking in the information. As soon as it sunk in, she grinned, proceeding to lift Kotori up as she held her waist "We're gonna be parents! Parents! Kotori..!"
What felt like a minute or two of joy instantly passed, and the next thing Kotori knew it, they were resting on the sofa with Umi's head on her wife's lap while the ashen-haired played with blue locks of hair.
"So much responsibilities.. What if it's a boy? Do you have any idea how it feels to raise one? How to raise one?" Umi murmured, a worried expression all over her face "Will we mess our kid up? What if they.. they get mad we're not.. you know, a hetero couple?"
"Umi-chan, I don't know what our baby would be like in the future, but I highly doubt they would grow up to be close-minded," Kotori explained, reassuring her wife with a hum "As for everything else.. we can and will take slow baby steps along with them, after all, this is also a first for us. Even when we have more kids in the future, every single one is a first since no child is like another."
"That.. is true."
"Are you not happy to have a family with me, Umi-chan..?" Kotori asked innocently with a sad tone "Did I rush things too much? I'm.. sorry about that. But, but, I'm sure we can manage raising this baby--"
"Kotori.. We both wanted to have a baby, please don't think I'm not happy. Of course I am," Umi sighed, turning her head to look at Kotori's stomach "I'm just.. scared that I might not live up to our child's expectation as a parent, to your expectation as a parent and head of the family."
"Like what I said in our wedding.. you're more than enough for me, and our kids will see that, too," Kotori smiled, and chuckled when Umi furrowed her eyebrows at her stomach "We should schedule a visit to Maki-chan to check how far along I am."
"Of course. I think tomorrow would do! Oh, we should get ready and start painting the nursery--!"
"Ah, she's excited again.."
Nishikino General Hospital -- Ultrasound Room
Kotori laid still while Maki moved the ultrasound probe around her stomach, raising an eyebrow as she stared at the ultrasound screen.
"Hm.. I need to get other nurses' information about this, this is.. peculiar. If the fetus was created with our technology, the count of fetuses should only be one.. Unless it split, somehow.."
"Is there anything wrong with the baby?" Umi asked as Kotori's grip on her hand tightened.
"No, no, everything seems okay, but the count of fetuses.. I'm not sure if there is an error or what," Maki explained, placing the probe back on its stand "Excuse me, I'll be back with a nurse."
"Count of fetuses.. Umi-chan, we're going to have more than one baby, I think."
"Two.. Two more Kotoris?" Umi mumbled, her eyes widening.
"I want this, onegai..!"
"Onegai..!"
Little, highpitched onegais continued to play in Umi's mind, until Maki called out her name again after she returned with an experienced nurse.
"Umi? Umi? Okay, you're back in our world. Okay, so, please look here," Maki used the computer mouse to square three peculiar shapes, as well as its sizes "Kotori is about seven weeks along, each fetus' heartbeat is amazingly strong. There is not one, not two, but three heartbeats. You two are expecting triplets, congratulations."
"T-Triplets? Three?" Umi held out three fingers, and when Maki gave her a nod as well as a grin, she felt too lightheaded and was on the verge of fainting until Kotori squeezed her hand again "Kotori.."
"A-Ah, we did.. say we want a big family, no?"
"Well, you're getting three in one go. Of course, this means Kotori's pregnancy is more riskier than normal pregnancies, which is why we'll give more supplements than usual to ensure each fetus' growth is normal, as well as to ensure Kotori's health won't decline. Takari, please lead the two of them to my office while I list the vitamins required and prepare the ultrasounds."
"Yes, Dr. Nishikino. Sonoda-san, this way, please."
Six months later
The events that occured the past few hours was a blur to Umi. One moment, she was at home, assisting Kotori in every task the latter did, the next they were in the operation room after Kotori complained about painful cramps as well feeling lightheaded. Throughout Kotori's risky pregnancy, this was common and a two-day confinement in Nishikino General Hospital was usually enough, except this time they visited, Maki's expression was full of worry as she instructed nurses what to do.
Umi wasn't able to process everything that Maki said, the only thing she understood was 'babies running low on oxygen' and 'emergency caesarean at 33 weeks.' Thirty-three weeks. Her kids, Umi and Kotori's babies.. almost everything about them was still developing, isn't it too soon to bring them out? When she asked that, Maki replied with a yes, but tried to explain the scenario -- how Kotori's blood pressure continued to rise and every passing second meant everything for all four lives.
And now, Umi found herself in the operation room, holding Kotori's hand as the latter would wince here and there in pain.
"Umi-chan.."
"I'm here.. I'm here," Umi reassured her wife, caressing the latter's face as she avoided to look at the operation ongoing "I love you. Everything will be okay, our kids will be okay. I love you."
She repeated those to Kotori, who continued to whimper in pain as the Maki and the nurses did their best to quickly bring each child out safely.
"Baby Girl Sonoda, triplet one. Born March 3, 3:30 PM," Maki announced, placing the newborn in a nurse's arms "Please take the incubator and place her there once she is cleaned. Check abnormalities. Prepare a clamp so I can cut her cord."
"A girl.. Kotori, we had a baby girl, the first one," Umi excitedly told her wife, who smiled for the first time in hours "Maki, why.. why isn't she crying loudly?"
"She's whimpering, Sonoda-san. Babies born this early are not loud criers as they are not fully developed just yet.."
One of the nurses explained, then held the first baby upwards, showing her to her parents.
"She looks like a perfect combination of us, Umi-chan.." Kotori murmured with a smile.
"She certainly does. Will.. will Kotori be able to hold the three?"
"A few hours after this, yes. Right now, no.. Ah, it's cut. Then, let's show you to your parents, little one.."
The baby looked tiny, so small and fragile in the nurse's arms. She was wrapped securely in a blanket, and she had a crying face on -- but little to no sound came out. She was rather on the pinkish grey side, something common for newborns.
Still, to Umi and Kotori, she looked perfect.
"Please wash the baby and put her in the incubator. Rush her to the NICU so the assigned pedia can examine her further," Maki ordered. In a flash, little Sonoda was whisked away "Okay.. Baby girl Sonoda, triplet two. March 3, 3:33 PM. A loud one, aren't you?"
Unlike the first born, the second cried. And she made sure she was heard.
"Come here, darling.. Oh, you seem to be heavier than your sister, huh?" The nurse cooed as she picked up the baby from Maki's arms, wrapping her immediately in a blanket "It's cold, I know, I know. Let's wait until Doctor cuts your cord so you can see your mamas."
"And.. finally, the third. Came out rather quick.. Baby girl Sonoda, third and final triplet, born March 3, 3:34 PM. Congratulations, Kotori, Umi, all three are healthy," Maki huffed, carrying the third baby in her arms "This one is a rather timid one.. unlike the second, already full of attitude."
"Ah.. it's done now..?" Kotori asked, her voice rather low as she was still hit by a few stings of pain.
"I just need to stitch up your stomach, but yes, all three are out and healthy. They'll stay at the NICU for now, and Umi.." Maki looked at the bluenette "Would you prefer to accompany the babies or stay with Kotori as I finish sewing her up?"
"I'll.. stay with Kotori, please," Umi responded, earning a pout from Kotori "I can't leave you alone.. The girls are okay, look at them -- wait, where is the first one?"
"She is already in the NICU, Sonoda-san. She weighs only 1.5 kilograms, and needed immediate warmth in the incubator. The two will follow soon, but they seem healthier compared to her," One of the nurses informed them with a frown.
"Please bring these two and have them washed and weighed, then transfer to NICU. Kotori.. I know the news may be overwhelming, but please try to relax. Take a deep breath and sleep if you can," Maki reassured Kotori, who had a worried expression on her face "I will finish this up as soon as possible, and you'll see the three once you're awake."
"But.."
"Kotori.. come on, please? Take a quick rest. I'll.. go check on her once you do."
000000
Two hours later..
The next thing Kotori knew, she was laying on the hospital bed in a private room with Umi sitting on the chair beside her. Her wife had a sullen expression on with slumped shoulders, and when Kotori attempted to move, it seemed to have caught her attention as the bluenette turned to her and held her hand.
"The girls.. where are the girls?"
"They're in the NICU, Kotori. The second and the third, they're healthy -- they just needed tubes on their nose and one inserted down their throats to help them breathe and eat. The eldest, she has the same, too, but.. she also has an IV inserted," Umi explained, caressing Kotori's hand with a frown "She has hypotension, and needs more fluid intake. Thankfully, no blood transfusion needed, but she might stay longer than the two."
"I.. How long will they stay?"
"About a week or two for the second and youngest, but they aren't sure about the eldest. They're keeping an eye on her, since, apparently when she went to the NICU.. her heart stopped and she needed to be resuscitated.." Umi's voice cracked as she explained to Kotori "But she will pull through, I know she will. She is yours, after all.. All three of them look alike, but I think the eldest has your personality of being quite stubborn, she moves a lot too -- the other two just.. sleep, much like I do."
"She's also a Sonoda, and I personally haven't seen a Sonoda who gave up without a fight," Kotori chuckled, then sighed "Can I see them?"
"Ah, yes, Maki told me so. But, she said it isn't recommended for you to move around much, so I'll be needing to push you on a wheelchair."
A few minutes later..
Nursery Room
The trip to the nursery room was rather quiet, but they did get a few congratulations here and there from doctors and nurses. If Umi heard correctly, their kids are the first set of triplets born in Nishikino General Hospital in three decades, the first set of multiple babies from Nishikino's technology, and was the first multiple birth Maki handled.
"Our girls are already celebrities, no?"
"I suppose so.. Ah, right here.. Can you see them? The three incubators at the back, that's them -- from left to right, eldest to youngest," Umi pointed where their triplets were through the window with a smile "Say, Kotori.. we haven't decided on their names, no?"
"Umiko, Aya, Miyu.. those were my top three for girls. Who would've thought we'd have three girls, too?" Kotori giggled airily, then smiled "Are those names okay for you?"
"Sonoda Umiko for the eldest, child of the sea.. Sonoda Miyu for the second, beauty, and Sonoda Aya for the youngest, colorful. Yes, of course," Umi nodded, smiling as she placed a hand on Kotori's shoulder "It suits them perfectly."
Kotori simply nodded in return, putting a hand over Umi's and giving it three gentle squeezes.
A simple sign they made for when words are not needed.
A simple I love you and thank you only they knew.
"Oh, Sonoda-san!" A nurse exited the nursery room, and bowed to them with a smile "Please follow me, it's time for the babies to have skin-to-skin contact with the parents. It helps with their condition."
Perhaps it was due to relief, or because the events that occured just today was overwhelming,
but when Umi cradled little Miyu in her arms, she found herself tearing up. When she saw Kotori, holding Aya so securely in her arms, a tear or two escaped.
And when she saw her eldest, looking right back at her with big, hopeful eyes -- Umi knew everything that led up to this moment was worth it.
"Hi, Miyu.. Sonoda Miyu.." Umi cooed, caressing the little one's head ever so gently "I'm your Papa. Welcome to the world, my angel. You're very beautiful, so perfect.. you and your sisters are the greatest miracles that came to my life."
"Aya-chan, my pretty Aya-chan~ Ah.. seeing you and your sisters makes all the pain worth it," Kotori smiled at the little baby in her arms, then looked at the incubator where Umiko was. She asked a bit of help from the nurse to push her towards the eldest, then poked a hand through the hole, caressing her first-born's small, fragile hand "Hi, sweetheart. Umiko-chan.. I'm your Mama. Can you see me? Look, your sisters are here, too. You must be confused, no? But hey, promise me.. you'll fight hard, okay?"
Two years later..
What was once a tidy, minimalist house of Sonodas became, well, still tidy and minimalist -- but there was more noise, more toys that came in sets of three and so on.
"Okay, okay -- Come out now, you three. How can two year olds hide so perfectly?"
"Are you playing hide and seek with the girls again?" Kotori called from the kitchen, earning a yes from Umi upstairs. She then looked at the three mischevious little girls beside her, then chuckled "Good luck looking for them, Umi-chan."
"Umiko, I told you and your sisters only stay here on the second floor!" Umi yelled from upstairs, making the three kids giggle "Okay, fine -- I was just about to go get cheesecake, I suppose I don't need to share with three little girls.."
"Nooooo!"
Like something in them switched, all three girls ran their way up the stairs, letting out whines that made Kotori laugh.
Their set of identical triplets grew perfectly normal, albeit delayed in earlier months as babies, they caught up with the help of therapy til recently. All of them had ash-blue hair with a tuff on top, along with eyes similar to Kotori's (though Umiko and Aya's eyeshape bore more resemblance to Umi's, theirs being a bit sharper compared to Kotori and Miyu's droopy eyes.) Not so surprisingly enough, they also inherited certain traits from their parents -- Umiko got Umi's leadership, Miyu got Kotori's possessiveness, while little Aya got both her parents' creativity.
Shortly after they turned one, they also learned the tactic 'onegai,' and Umi.. well, she still falls for that trick, much like how she fell for Kotori's onegai back when she was asked to become the lyricist of μ's.
"So only cheesecake will gather you three in one place, huh? Now, come on -- we need to get a breath of fresh air while you mother makes lunch. And if I'm correct.. we need to get some diapers as well."
"Umi-chan, they'll definitely ask you to carry them home, you know?" Kotori called out to her wife, who was able to sneak up and give her an embrace from behind, startling Kotori slightly "Eek! U-Umi-chan.. H-Hey, don't--!"
"Well, I can lift you easily," Umi laughed as she carried Kotori bridal style, her laughter dying down as soon as she saw her wife pouting "You're cute when pouting."
"P-Put me down, I have to wash--"
"Papa.. Papa is Miyu's..!" Miyu ran towards them, her little squeaky shoes making a sound each step. She then hugged Umi's leg tight, pouting as she looked up "Papa, carry.."
After a second or so, Kotori's feet finally touched the floor again, and she looked down as Miyu tugged her skirt as well.
"Yes, darling?"
"Papa is Miyu's."
"..whatever you say, darling," Kotori giggled, patting Miyu's head "Where are your sisters?"
"Shoes."
"They're putting on shoes? Wait, how did you put on yours so quickly?" Umi asked her as she lifted her up.
"Um.. secret!" Miyu giggled, putting a finger against her lips.
Soon enough, two sets of squeaky steps echoed throughout the house, and Kotori's legs were tackled by a little girl's embrace.
"Umiko-chan, Aya-chan, all dressed and ready?"
"Yeah! I.. I help Miyu!" Umiko exclaimed, then gasped as she covered her mouth "Oopsie, secret."
"Aya, too, Papa.." Aya, the youngest, tugged Umi's pants as she looked up "Onegai, Papa.."
"Carry? But.. if I carry you two--"
"Papa, me too!"
"--all three of you will want to be carried.. Okay, Miyu, I'll put you down first--"
"Papa is Miyu's..!" Miyu whined as she was placed down, her shoulders slumping as she teared up "Papa..!"
"Hey," Umi's voice turned a bit stern than usual as she looked at the three identical girls "I'm not just your papa, Miyu. I'm also Umiko and Aya's. What did we say about being selfish?"
Like a domino effect, the other two's lips trembled as they sniffled, while Miyu was on the verge of crying, causing Umi to panic.
"I-I'll go get the baby carriers real quick! W-Wait!"
"Oh, poor Umi-chan.."
"There, there.. Papa will carry all three, don't worry!" Kotori bent down to reassure her daughters with a smile "Now, if you stop crying.. Mama will give you a juice box! Does that sound nice, Umiko-chan, Miyu-chan, Aya-chan?"
"Juiiiceee!"
A few moments and struggles later..
"Umi-chan, will you be okay?" Kotori asked as she placed Umiko into the backpack-like baby carrier, strapping her tightly to ensure she'll be okay "The girls are.. a bit on the heavy side, you know? And not to mention, you're also holding another backpack with their sippy cups and whatnot.."
"Pudgy," Aya, in the front baby carrier, nodded.
"Papa, Miyu too!"
"I'm sure I'll be fine, besides.. It's just a few minutes of workout that could also benefit me. Can you carry Miyu for me, though? I'm not sure if I can.." Umi huffed, bending her knees slightly "Yeah, I don't think I can."
"My Miyu-chan~ Have a great time with Papa and your sisters, okay?" Kotori giggled as she lifted Miyu up, giving her an eskimo kiss "Be a good girl, okay? No trouble making. Promise?"
"P'omise!" Miyu nodded eagerly, grinning as she was placed in Umi's arms "Papaaa!"
"Sixty kilos of wriggling toddlers.. Good luck, love," Kotori laughed, giving Umi a kiss on her cheek "Come back for lunch, and please, don't take the girls to Honoka-chan for now.. She will most definitely feed them manjuu again.."
"Alright, we'll be back by the time lunch is ready. Kids, say bye-bye to your mother!"
"Bye-byeeee!"
"Now, let's head on out, shall we?" Umi, already panting lightly, marched her way out the door with a smile on.
As soon as the four bluenettes made their way out, Kotori found herself chuckling again as she picked up toys from the living room floor, putting them back in their original places.
"It's true that triplets means three times the difficulty, but.." Kotori looked at the three sippy cups on the coffee table with a sincere smile "it's three times the joy, too."
00000000000000
"Papa, Papa, bird!"
"Papa, flower?"
"Papa, cheesecake?"
"Please don't talk to Papa. I hear you, but I cannot understand a single thing you are saying.." Umi mumbled, letting out a pant here and there.
It's been roughly fifteen minutes since they left the house, and each minute that passed seemed to make it feel as though Umi was holding more than sixty kilos of wriggling toddlers. Walking down the street, she glanced at Homura's, then shook her head.
"Kotori said try not to bring them to Honoka. But.. I really need a glass of water, I doubt I can make sure all three of them stay together in a public space.."
"..I'm sorry, Kotori.." Umi sighed, her footsteps going towards Homura's Bakery "Kids, who wants to see Aunt Honoka?"
"Manjuu?"
"Manjuu!"
"Takeouts would do.." Umi nodded with a sigh, her footsteps going towards Homura "Ah.. on the way home and to the store, is it okay if you walk with Papa instead of being carried?"
"Mhm! Walking, walking!"
"Thank you, Umiko," Umi smiled.
0000000000
"Welcome to Homura's Bakery! Oh, Umi-san!"
"H-Hello, Yukiho," Umi panted as she entered the bakery, setting Miyu down "Um.. where is Honoka? I need a bit of assistance to put these other two down before they--"
"Papa, Aya wants down too," Aya pouted.
"Miko too! Miko too!" Umiko chimed in, watching her youngest sister toddle around the bakery "Miyu!"
"Huh? Oh, Miko-chan! Manjuu!" Miyu excitedly pointed at the manjuu on display on the counter, then looked up to Yukiho "Hi, Auntie 'kiho!"
"Hello, um.. Miyu-chan, right?" Yukiho waved to the toddler, then took a piece of manjuu from the display to give to her "Here! From Auntie Yukiho, since your Auntie Honoka just woke up minutes ago.."
"Yukiho-chaaan, why does it sound like the three seagulls are here-- Oh, Umi-chan!"
"Honoka.. I thought you were the one who inherited Homura, why is your sister the one working?" Umi reprimanded her, then sighed "Could you help put Umiko and Aya down?"
"Sure! And hey, she said it's fine.. you think I'll miss the opportunity for me to skip work today? Ah, wait, let me say hi to my goddaughter first~ Miyu-chan, hello! Did you get a manjuu?" Honoka bent down to face one of the little bluenettes, who eagerly nodded while nomming on a manjuu "That's great! I think that's one of the new flavors we're testing right now, is it yummy?"
"Mhm!"
"Auntie Hono..!" Aya whined, wriggling her arms as she struggled to reach out to Honoka.
"Aya-chan~ Okay, let's get you out first! Huff..!" Honoka struggled as she carried Aya, quickly setting her on the ground to let her join with the other triplet "Holy.. one is already heavy enough, you carried all three? From your house to here?"
"Partially your fault since when they were babies and in your care, you'd mistake one for the other and would give double feedings."
"That's exactly why you shouldn't dress them the exact same like now, look at these two. I don't know which is Miyu and which is Aya now that they're together," Honoka looked at the little kids, then looked at the other one on Umi's back "Oh, hi, Umiko-chan! Wanna join your sisters, too?"
"Please!" Umiko eagerly nodded with a grin, wriggling her feet a bit til Umi let out a groan of pain after getting hit on the sides "Oopsies, sorry, Papa.."
"It's okay.. Yukiho, can I have a glass of water and two dozens of manjuu?" Umi asked, earning a smile and a nod from the younger Kousaka "Thank you."
"Umiko-chan seems like she is the most polite one, Umi-san. It's like the other two are more like Kotori-san, while she got your personality," Yukiho commented as she looked at the three, toddling around the store "Say.. If we use them as little advertisers of Homura, I'm sure we'd get more customers! Imagine, three little cuties handing out manjuus at times.."
"You mean like.. them working here and serving the customers? Isn't that child labor, Yukiho?"
"Not like that, Nee-san! Just them handing out little flyers outside along with a free manjuu.. it's just a cute idea!" Yukiho exclaimed as she went into the kitchen to fetch more manjuus and a glass of water.
"It could be fun for the kids, too. The way they will learn the process of how manjuus are made, that way they will appreciate it more," Umi agreed, but looked at the triplets again.
That means it would be messy, too. Flour, bean paste and water everywhere.. But it would be a great sensory activity, and that's something the kids' physical therapist recommended.
"Hm.. well, I'll keep that in mind! Maybe we could do it over the summer so other kids would be joining, too!" Honoka hummed, then turned her attention back to the three toddlers "What's your agenda with them today?"
"Breath of fresh air, then I'll need to buy.. I think three packs of diapers, then we go back home for lunch."
"Sounds easy, but.. with these three, I don't think it will be. Oh, Umi-chan, how many packs of diapers do they go through a month?"
"Exactly.." Umi sighed, nodding in agreement "As for the diapers.. I lost count."
"Okay~ A glass of water and two dozens of manjuus, as well as three juice boxes for the kids~" Yukiho returned, inserting straws into the juice boxes "They must be thirsty as well, no, Umi-san?"
"I suppose so.. they don't tell me, they just.."
"Juice, pleaseee!" The triplets exclaimed, tiptoeing as they tried to reach the juice boxes on the counter."
"..demand for a drink all of the sudden," Umi spoke, then went towards the counter to take a sip of water and to pay "How much are the juice boxes?"
"Hmm? Oh, they're for free! They're so cute, I'd want to give them more, but you guys ordered manjuu already and I haven't made other pastries they love.."
"Oh, is that so? Thank you. Kids," Umi looked down to her daughters, smiling as they happily sipped their juice "Say thank you to Aunt Yukiho."
"T'ank you, Auntie Kiho!"
"It's Yukiho, but it's okay, you're cute anyways.."
"Ehhh, what 'bout me?" Honoka pouted, pointing to herself "Auntie Honoka deserves love, too!"
"As if you gave them juice, Onee-chan!"
"Stop winning over my godchild, Yukihooo!"
Grocery
Surprisingly enough, Umi was able to go to the grocery with the kids toddling beside her, all three of them holding hands with each other. None of them complained and demanded to be carried, but instead they'd say hi to the puppies walking, as well as examining the surroundings.
But of course, if Umi needs their attention, especially when they get too distracted, she has a back up plan -- a call and response thing Kotori and her created for the kids to know where they are.
"Mama goes?"
"Chun, chun!"
"And Papa goes?"
"A'ow shoot!"
"Good girls, now come here," Umi beckoned the three of them, then pointed to the small carts available at the grocery for toddlers and children to play with "Take a cart each so we can put fruits inside, Mama wants to make you guys smoothies."
"Fruit!" Umiko exclaimed, racing her way to the cart.
"Cart!" Miyu giggled.
"Mama?" Aya looked up at Umi, who nodded.
"It's amazing how all three of you look alike, but you all have different wants," Umi chuckled, grabbing a grocery basket while the three made themselves busy.
"Are those all yours? Oh, my.. identical triplets?"
"A-Ah, yes, they're identical triplets," Umi smiled at the elderly who looked at her daughters, used to having people's attention "Umiko, Miyu, Aya, come along now. Mama is almost done with lunch, we should hurry!"
"Yes, hurry!"
Half an hour later..
Holding basket with three packs of XXL pants-diapers, a carton of eggs and a pack of juice boxes, Umi made her way to the counter, then sighed as she saw the three getting distracted by other colorful items in the grocery.
"Mama goes?" Umi called, gathering their attention.
"Oh, chun, chun!"
The three ran towards Umi, then grinned.
"Papa goes?"
"A'ow shoot!"
"How adorable.." Umi smiled as they also lined up behind her, mimicking what they saw other adults do "What fruit did you three choose again?"
"Miko, strawberry!"
"Um.. Miyu chose banana!"
"Aya chose grapes~"
"That's good, I think Mama will make it later if you three are good girls and won't make a fuss while we head home," Umi hummed, then chuckled when the three girls stood straight, suddenly behaving well "Ah, it's our turn already. Can you guys give me your fruits?"
"But.. wanna hold.."
"Hm.. Okay, I'll ask the cashier lady to bag them individually so you can hold them, but for now, we have to pay for those. Is that okay?"
"Mm.. 'kay."
"Thank you, girls."
As she placed each item onto the counter, the triplets followed, tiptoeing to place their fruits onto the counter.
"Nee-sama, fruit," Umiko called out to the cashier, pointing at her and her sisters' fruit before going back behind her papa.
"Yes, little miss~ Oh, how adorable they are. Seeing them around completes my day and keeps me up on my shift, they're so well-behaved compared to other children that come here," The cashier complimented with a smile as she scanned and bagged the products they bought. Once all fruits were bagged, the triplets waited on the other side, holding their little hands out "Okay, these are.. strawberries! Which one owns strawberries?"
"Ah, me, me!" Umiko giggled, taking the bag of strawberries.
"And the bananas?"
"Miyu!" Miyu exclaimed, reaching out to take the bag.
"And I think the grapes are yours, little miss~"
"Grapes.." Aya reached out for the grapes timidly.
"Now, what do you say to the kind nee-sama?" Umi said as she took the other grocery bags.
"T'ank youu!"
"It's no problem~ Oh, right, Ma'am.. how do you tell which triplet is which?"
"Hm? Ah, it's quite easy to tell them apart for me.. but we usually number them when in public," Umi chuckled, then smiled "Thank you for accomodating them, too."
"Papa, lunch!"
"Ah, right, we must hurry home! Mama is waiting for us!"
"Poor Mama.." Aya pouted.
"It's okay, it's okay. As long as we get there in thirty minutes, we can have lunch together and Mama won't wait for long," Umi reassured her, then reached out to hold Umiko's hand "We'll go home like this, okay? Umiko, hold Miyu's hand. Miyu, hold Aya's. Hold tight and don't let go, is that clear?"
"Yes!"
000000000000
At home, Kotori just finished making a hearty lunch for her family -- including the never-ending omurice and katsudon combo for the triplets. Just as she placed bibs on the highchairs, the doors opened, followed by three cheerful 'Mama!'s and a tired 'I'm home.'
"Umi-chan, girls," Kotori smiled as Umi walked in, holding grocery bags while the triplets ran their way towards her to hug her "Welcome home. How was it?"
"Manjuu!"
"You stopped by at Honoka-chan's?" Kotori raised an eyebrow at her wife, who placed the bags down "I thought.."
"I.. had to get a glass of water, I think they gained weight -- that is definitely not how they weighed last time I carried all three. And, well, I got manjuus.." Umi sheepishly held up two paperbags full of manjuus with a smile "Maybe you can pair them with tea?"
"Seriously.. I can't find myself getting mad at any of you.. Now, go with your Papa upstairs to get changed before you have lunch, okay? Oh, you bought fruits?" Kotori took out each bundle of fruit, then gave all three of them pats on the head "Good job! I'll ask Papa later if all of you behaved, then I'll make you smoothies~"
"We're good!"
"Yes, good!"
"Behave!"
"Were they, Umi-chan?" Kotori looked back at her wife, who gave a nod.
"They were extremely behave, but.. it is certainly a struggle, still."
"Hmm.. okay then! I'll make strawberry, banana and a grape shake as a reward~"
"Yaaay!"
The following night..
Umi entered the room an hour after putting the three to sleep. It took.. two repeats of The Little Prince and Alice in Wonderland to get all of them in dreamland, and all Umi wanted to do after a tiring day was spend time with her wife. It was a meaningful day spent with her adorable kids, but she can't deny -- she missed getting Kotori's attention, too.
"Oh, Umi-chan!"
There really is something attractive about Kotori wearing reading glasses as she'd spend the last few minutes before bed reading her schedule for the months ahead -- her fashion business is something she is proud of, after all. And she made sure everything was perfect.
That's why Umi loves her so much -- everything Kotori is passionate in, she gives love and time to. Her family, her business, her friends -- her wife.
"Kotori.." Umi went under the covers, then leaned onto Kotori's shoulder with a soft sigh "What're you planning?"
"Oh! I could tell you lots~"
This is Umi's favorite part of the day, too -- where Kotori tells her everything she has planned for her fashion line. It could be about fabrics she has no idea of, designs that she adores, the list goes on.
They both decided to work at home after the triplets were born, and it was the best decision they made for their family. Also, it gave them more time together -- times like this, where they spent an hour or so catching up with one another, no little toddler interrupting them. It was something Umi looked forward to after a tiring day, something Kotori looked forward to after a day of sketching and playing with the kids.
"Umi-chan?" Kotori called out, surprised at how her wife snuggled into the crook of her neck while slender -- but toned -- arms wrapped around her waist.
"I missed this.." Umi explained, taking in the floral scent of Kotori's shampoo "Let me.. stay like this for a while, please."
"Of course, as long as you please."
"Kotori?"
"Hm?"
"..I love you."
"I love you too, Umi-chan," Kotori chuckled, running her fingers through long blue locks of hair "so much."
"The talk of wanting another baby can wait.."
They stayed like that for a while -- til sleep took over, of course. The moon lit up the starry sky brightly, as the family spent their night sleeping peacefully, waiting for tomorrow to come.
side-note
wow that took a long time to write. i got writers blocc, but i WILL post the other oneshots i have in mind even without any occassion.
actually, there is -- 2020 is ending and that is worth celebrating, even thoigh 2021 is scary.
okay goodnight
- zumi