Nearing due date

Three weeks before she was due, Valerian announced they were settling on Alpha for the duration of her pregnancy. She reluctantly agreed since it was the most logical safe place to deliver.

They quietly wed and moved into a spacious apartment, thanks to Valerian pulling a few strings.

They were sound asleep in their bed when Laureline shot straight up despite her bulking belly. At some point her water had broken in the night and the contractions were coming hard and fast.

"Valerian!" she shouted. Her partner shot up next to her disoriented.

"These babies want to be born. Right. Now," Laureline hissed at her husband.

Valerian wasted no time questioning her or even calling for medical assistance. He simply vaulted off the bed and yanked the covers away as Laureline braced herself and forced herself to control her breathing.

Valerian quickly found his weapons belt and extracted a knife to cut the umbilical cords. He then dashed into the bathroom and grabbed all the towels within reach. He had barely situated himself at the end of the bed when the first head crowned.

"You're doing great," he soothingly told Laureline as he caught the first baby. The little one didn't make any sounds as he swiftly cut the cord and then toweled her down. She finally mewled as he thumped her on the back.

"It's a girl," he proudly announced, easing his firstborn daughter onto her mother's heaving chest. Laureline gave a weak smile and then nearly growled as she bore down again.

Valerian caught the second baby as she slid out. She gave a loud cry as he cut the cord and toweled her down too.

"Another girl," he said, resting her next to her sister. Laureline lay there a moment before forcing herself up again.

It took several more pushes before the third baby arrived. She whimpered a bit after Valerian cut the cord and wiped her down before adding her to the bunch.

"Three girls," Valerian told Laureline as he leaned over them and briefly kissed her cheek. He then repositioned at the foot of the bed once more.

"I know you're tired, but you're not done yet," he said. "I need to get the placenta taken care of."

Laureline nodded and willed her body to cooperate. Soon it was over and Valerian was moving around, disposing of what he could and cleaning up as best as possible. Laureline touched her identical babies, counting fingers and toes.

One by one, Valerian picked up the girls and swaddled them in a towel. He then nestled them in a row on the seat of the plush chair near the bed. He squatted in front of the chair and looked his daughters directly in their blue eyes.

"I need you three to be good for me and sleep a little while I take care of your mother. Okay?" he said. As they had many times before, the three responded to their father's voice and their eyelids drooped.

Valerian helped Laureline remove her nightgown and gently picked her up bridal style. Carrying her to the bathroom, he turned on the shower and stepped in with her to hold her up as she washed.

He then helped her towel off and wrapped her in her bathrobe before depositing her on the toilet seat.

"Sit here a minute while I finish cleaning up," he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. She nodded and leaned back, closing her eyes. She was tired but glad her children were finally here.

"Send over the doctor to check my wife and newborn daughters," she heard Valerian say. "Can you also arrange to have a new mattress set delivered? Yes, I'll pay extra to get it here in the next hour. Thanks."

A few minutes later, Valerian returned to the bathroom and carried her to the living room. He settled her on the couch laden with pillows and blankets.

"I love you," Laureline whispered, her blue eyes locking with his.

"I know," he replied, kissing her on the lips this time as he tucked a blanket around her. "I'll be right back."

Moments later he reappeared with the bassinet (recovered from the closet) that held their sleeping babies. He parked it next to her just as Alex announced they had visitors.