Even after getting a clean bill of health after his last appointment, that nagging anxiety in the pit of his stomach wasn't leaving his head, even if he's gotten that after every single appointment so far. He was terrified. Richie didn't know why he still felt so scared. He wanted to be happy about this, excited. Most parents are.

But Eddie knew why. It was his mind's way of protecting himself. After all of the loss he experienced, he gained a bit of PTSD. So, in reality, he was excited, but also very guarded. And he felt awful. They should be celebrating, but he was patient with Richie.

Richie was 24 weeks, 6 months, along with their triplets. It was the farthest he's even gone into a pregnancy. And he was so riddled with anxiety, even a kick or a case of the hiccups made his heart race. But doctors didn't budge. The babies were fine. And he was told the fact he had a long torso helped give them room. But there was still that feeling; the feeling that something wasn't right.

Richie wasn't sure what it was, but something was just... off. Maybe it was the fact there were three babies rather than just one like the other times. Maybe it was the fact that their past babies were never that big before. But either way, his gut told him something wasn't right. Eddie had chocked it up to the trauma from last time, which could've been very accurate. But Richie just couldn't shake it. Call it parent's intuition.

Richie sighs deeply, hands resting on his belly. It was weird almost to be this size. Their babies were restless, kicking him and one another almost every waking hour. Today was the day. The last day before he went onto early maternity leave, for everyone's sake. He was doing his last comedy bit before he was taking his faithful hiatus. Babies need a lot of attention, and even if he probably should've left without much drama or anything, he didn't. So, a special until he came back. Whenever that was.

The the little special he'd do would definitely give them some more money to lean back on. For whatever the universe decided to chuck in their direction. Babies are expensive. And so is health care.

Eddie smiles gently. He knew his husband was worried. "Honey, it's gonna be fine," He assures. "Doctors are saying they're all healthy, they know what they're doing," The male knew why Richie was so worried. He understood it completely. But stress wasn't good for him, or their babies. The thought made him smile to himself.

"I know... It's just," Richie sighs, defeated, "How am I supposed to keep my hopes up when every other time it's been a shit show?" He only got a frown and a kiss in response. Not exactly the answer Richie wanted, but he'd take it. Their babies were healthy, for now at least.

It took a few hours, but the duration of the comedy special went rather uneventful. He told jokes, did bits, and people laughed. The usual routine. Though his heart did squeeze whenever he heard someone "awe" as he'd waddle. Babies take space, which means he grows. And when he grows, his center of gravity changes, which leads to the signature waddle. It didn't mean it didn't make it squeeze any less. If only they knew... .

Richie sighs, puffing his cheeks out as he waddled towards his husband backstage. It went too fast, yet too slow. He just wanted to go home now.

When he saw his curly haired penguin, Eddie couldn't help his happy smile. He kisses his lips when they were close enough. "Did good out there," Eddie says, his brown eyes twinkling.

"Think so?" Richie responds, smiling as he rested his hands around Eddie's slender waist. God, did he miss that. But he'd also kill to see his belly continue to grow. He'd do anything for his babies.

"Hell yeah I do," Eddie answers proudly, smiling despite himself. Richie really had rubbed off on him. But who cares? He deserves to act like himself around the man he married. Unlike that god awful girlfriend Sonia had forced Eddie to date back in sophomore year of high school. Fucking Myra. The name sent shivers down their spines.

Richie laughs as they walked out of the building and to their car. "Think Bevvy was right when she said you've taken after me," He teases. His husband simply laughed. Years of marriage will do that.

"I'd happily take after you," Eddie teases back. He unlocked the car, waiting until Richie was buckled into the passenger seat before he drove off. Definitely a night in. Relax, maybe eat some greasy Chinese food, watch murder mysteries. The usual.

As they drove, Richie finally got hit with exhaustion about halfway through the drive. The nervous energy and adrenaline had finally worn off, leaving him dozing off throughout the duration of the car ride home. By the time Eddie pulled into the driveway and parked, Richie was sleeping peacefully. Eddie smiles gently. He didn't want to wake him up, but Eddie also knew he couldn't carry Richie.

"Richie, sweetheart, time to get up," He murmurs, smiling gently as he shook his husband's shoulder. Richie simply whined in response. "Richie, come on. You know I can't carry you," Three babies adds up when it comes to weight. Richie was definitely strong to carry them. That's for sure.

Days turned into weeks. Weeks into months. 32 weeks, or 8 months in, and Richie was so absolutely tired. Eight whole months of carrying these babies would do it for just about anybody. Richie was huge, swollen, and tired. But he was definitely lucky to have Eddie. Eddie doted on him and their babies endlessly. He'd rub Richie's back, get him the foods he'd crave regardless of the time. He was beyond grateful. Eddie is a damn saint. A hundred percent.

And now, here they were, at Richie's doctor appointment to check up on all four of them. The last few appointments had been about dictating when and how to have the babies. Triplets are notorious to come early, so early they need to be in the NICU. And that thought terrified him. So much of this was completely out of their grasp.

But Richie wanted to have his say. Or as much say as he could get. As long as the babies were healthy, and they were as far as he knew, then he'd be the boss about how they came out. And it was safe to say Richie's decision was not appreciated by his doctor.

"Are you absolutely sure?" She asks. "Doing this can put all of you in danger," She only got a glare from Richie. The woman looked towards Eddie for guidance, but his expression didn't change either. She sighs.

"I'm sure," Richie answers, "I want to give it a try at least. If something goes wrong, you have my permission to step in for everyone's health. But if not, we're doing this my way." He finalizes. There was so much that had been out of their control when it came to trying for their family, it was driving him mad. And now, he wanted control. If it didn't go good, then they could let the doctor work. If not, he'd raise Hell to do it as he saw fit.

His doctor scoffed, actually getting very annoyed. "Richie, you can't be serious-," "If my husband wants to have them naturally, then he'll have them naturally." Eddie interrupts her, face and voice stern as he spoke. "What he says goes,"

"Fine." She gives up, "But I'm not going to sugar coat it. Given your condition, I highly doubt it will go as you hope,"

That definitely got her on Richie's shit list.

Richie simply scrolled on his Twitter feed, commenting and all of that so he didn't kill his social status. That can actually happen to a celebrity, apparently. And he was restless. Their babies were running out of room, that was for sure. He was nine months in, with one month to go. But he completely doubted they'd stay in there for four more weeks. No way in Hell. And after a bit, he knew it wouldn't happen.

Because at 36 weeks and one day, his water broke. It was surreal... . Their babies were coming... . Both of their eyes widened as the realization hit them like a freight train.

Holy shit.