The third point of view:

"Whoever made that guess was right," the doctor said as he explained the ultrasound picture, "Your wife is having multiple pregnancy,"

"Huh?"

"Yes!" Emily pumped her fist in the air at her accuracy, "I said it!"

"What do you mean I'm having multiple pregnancy?" Reina was in shock. It can't be true.

"You mean like twins?" Niklaus asked.

"I mean like triplets," the doctor said.

"What?!!" Everyone shouted this time, jaw almost dropping to the ground. The next, they all turned their heated gazes on Niklaus.

"Why are you all staring at me that way?" Niklaus didn't like that look at all - as if he should be held responsible for this.

"Nothing," some responded while the others shrugged with their lips pulsed. However, the accusation in their eyes was obvious. After all, he was the one who got her pregnant.

Reina was struck dumb, she was having triplets? She couldn't help but feel resentful towards Niklaus. He wanted six kids and now, if she birthed the triplets successfully, his kids would be a total of six. It was almost as if God heard his prayers. It was so unfair.

The royal doctor went ahead to explain the result of the scan, "In summary, there are three fetuses and this is a gestational age of five weeks and two days,"

"You're saying I've been pregnant for over a month and I didn't know?" Reina couldn't believe it, "

"No two body is ever the same hence pregnancy symptoms differ as well. But then yours might have been less severe to the point you overlooked, misunderstood, or simply ignored the symptoms,"

Her eyes instantly connected with Niklaus and they came to an understanding, the unusual sleeping. It had been a sign.

"Here," He pointed to the image, "Fetus A and Fetus B share the same gestational sac, with no intervening membrane visualized. However two separate yolk sacs are present, and this is highly suggestive of a monochorionic diamniotic gestation. While Fetus C is in a separate gestational sac, and is hence the dichorionic diamniotic sibling of Fetuses A and B, "

He went on,"However, there might be a case of vanishing twin syndrome. It's just a possibility. "

"Vanishing twin syndrome?"

Reina didn't like the sound of that.

"Sometimes, very early in a twin pregnancy, one of the fetuses "disappears." Even after ultrasound has shown heart movement in multiple pregnancy, spontaneous loss of one of the Fetuses is higher in triplet and quadruplet pregnancies. A fetal loss rate of forty percent may occur in pregnancies with triplets or more. When a fetus is lost in the first trimester, the remaining fetus or fetuses generally continue to develop normally, although vaginal bleeding may occur, "

Niklaus sighed, "You're trying to say she would need more care?" he would do anything to keep her safe.

"Of course," the doctor explained,

"Complications increase with each additional fetus in a multiple pregnancy. In addition, there is a higher incidence of severe nausea and vomiting, cesarean section, or forceps delivery. Since preterm birth and growth disturbances are the major contributors to newborn death and disability in multiples, frequent obstetric visits and close monitoring of the pregnancy are needed.

"To achieve the best outcome with a multiple pregnancy, your wife must work with a health care team. A total lifestyle change should be observed, especially after about twenty weeks into the pregnancy. I'll advise her to avoid strenuous activity and employment at some time between twenty and twenty-four weeks. Bed rest improves uterine blood flow and may be helpful for fetal growth problems,"

Reina groaned at that announcement, knowing that this has given Niklaus all the privilege he needed to restrict her activities. The Niklaus she knew would become a hen-packed husband just to ensure the successful birth of his kids.

She could already see her frustration-filled days ahead - Reina enjoyed her freedom. Perhaps, this was one of the qualities she shared with Isabella. But then, her possessive husband didn't know the meaning of the word "freedom".

"And of course," the doctor added, "Intercourse generally is discouraged in this high-risk pregnancy,"

At once, everyone turned to Niklaus.

"Don't say a word," He growled a warning at them. Why was he always being blamed for everything? His wife was a willing participant in the act.

"That will be all for now," The royal doctor said, leaving them alone. Nor did any of them notice Emily slip out of the room.

"How do you feel?" Niklaus was the first to ask.

"How do I feel?" Reina glared at him. She had been waiting for the doctor to finish up so she could give him a piece of her mind, "Do you really want to know how I feel?"

Honestly, Niklaus had expected her to hit him or grab his hair or something. Hence, it had come as a shock to him when she burst into tears. His heart dropped dead. He was the one supposed to be hurting, not her.

Reina didn't mean to cry but as soon as she wanted to let her out the grievances in her heart, the tears fell instead. Perhaps, the shock had finally worn off, reality settling in.

"This is all your fault!" She wailed loudly, "How am I going to handle triplets? I barely get a grip on Allen and Ailee? Now, this?! You want me to die, you selfish bastard?!" She finally began to hit him.

"Sorry baby," Niklaus hugged her, "Don't worry, I'll share your labour pain this time," He promised her.

"Idiot, how are you are you going to do that?!"

Judy laughed at their drama just as his eyes searched around to discover Emily was no longer around. Where had she gone? How could she leave without him?

Instantly, he went in search of her, tracking her down to the garden where she was on the bench, crying all alone.

Oh, God.

It dawned on him. Emily was affected by the news of her best friends getting pregnant even though she didn't show it. She was envious of their pregnancies.

"It's okay," He hugged her from behind, "You can cry all you want," He murmured into her ears while rubbing her back.

The dam was broken and Emily cried bitter sobs that wracked her body while Judy simply held her. His wife was mourning for the child she lost and the fact she might never have another again.

---------

Bless this shameless author with your golden ticket 🎫