Chapter Text
“Stefan Harald Ivarson get back here!”
The shout made many students' heads turn, seeing the usually unflappable, soft spoken and elegant Dr. Richter sprinting like a madman, his white doctor’s coat flapping behind him. Those unfamiliar with the sight expected him to be chasing after a puppy but instead saw, to their delight and amusement, a miniature version of Vyn Richter running down the university pathway, a backpack on his back, little legs moving so fast they were a blur. The little boy, maybe four or five years of age, fled giggling from his father, arms spread for balance.
“Hup!”
Those same arms served as a method to halt Stefan’s flight, as large hands caught him up and swung him, with a gleeful shriek, into the air. Those same hands wrapped around the boy’s torso, and kept him from escaping.
Vyn slowed down to a jog, huffing and puffing. “Thank… huff you… haaah… Artem.”
Artem held the squirming boy level with his face, holding him away as the boy kept ‘running’ several feet off the ground. “You shouldn’t be doing that to your father, Stefan.”
“Daddy flying fast!” Stefan proclaimed proudly, as his father came to a stop a few steps away. “And mornin’, Uncle Temtem!”
Vyn simultaneously pulled a handkerchief from his coat pocket and removed his glasses. Then he wiped his face of sweat, especially around his eyes and nose. With grim determination, Vyn pulled a sturdy snap-on leash from his other pocket and clipped it into his son’s backpack, which was strapped across his chest and belly.
Stefan let out a giggle-filled noise of pretend dismay and defeat. “Nyooooo!”
“I was a bit disapproving when Rosa showed me the backpack and leash, but seeing Stefan run away from you like this every day, I completely rescind my previous opinion.” Artem shook his head.
“I have nightmares of him running out into traffic,” Vyn sighed, taking the wriggling bundle of energy back from Artem. “I am almost seriously considering moving back to Svart just so he has all of the forests there to climb around in.” He settled his son against his hip.
Stefan wrapped his arms around Vyn's neck and gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek. “I love you, Daddy.”
Artem watched as Vyn's expression softened as he cuddled his boy. “I love you too, Stefan.” He kissed the top of his son’s head.
Artem smiled as just like that, everything was okay again. “How did you survive having triplets?”
“I am unsure.” Vyn set his son on his shoulders, keeping him away from the ground. “Ogier says I was far more quiet, but had as much stamina. The quiet part made me much harder to track or find.”
Artem considered that. “That must’ve been terrifying for your caretakers.”
Vyn caught his glasses as the cheerfully bouncing boy he carried on his shoulders knocked them off his ears, and did not respond.
“Vyn! Stefan! There you are!”
Vyn turned to see Rosa, her hand firmly wrapped around the safety harness leashes of two of their other children. Said children were at the furthest possible ends of the leashes, reaching for their father with bright grins and happy golden eyes. As soon as they were close enough, the two wrapped themselves around Vyn's legs and sat on his shoes.
“Walk, Daddy!” The boy on Vyn’s right leg ordered with a grin.
The girl on his left leg waved at Artem. “Hi, Uncle Temtem!”
“Hello, Marguerite, Axel,” Artem greeted. Axel also waved, then turned his attention back to his father.
Ogier trailed behind Rosa with a pram containing their fourth child, baby Alyssa. The butler was not bothering to hide his amusement as Vyn lifted his right leg and took a step towards his wife, making his younger son whoop with glee. Vyn then lifted his other leg and brought it closer, a cheering Marguerite on it, so he was able to stand somewhat steadily.
Rosa pulled her phone from her coat pocket and took a photo as Vyn lifted the leg with Axel on it again, trying to stay balanced while holding on to Stefan’s legs.
Vyn looked at her. “One for the family album, I take it?”
Rosa grinned. “Yep!” She snapped several more pictures in succession.
Vyn took another two awkward steps, then stared down at his two children functioning as leg weights. “I am not taking you three to kindergarten like this.”
“Awww!”
“But why not?!”
“Booo!”
“Because Daddy still has work to do and it would be undignified to fall asleep mid-lecture.” Vyn glared at Ogier at the latter's snorted laugh.
Stefan tugged on his father's hair. “Lemme down Daddy!”
Vyn obligingly hunched down so Stefan could slide off his back. As he stood the other two let go of his legs as Rosa handed Vyn their leashes.
He had barely wrapped the leads around his hand before he was yanked forward by the enthusiastic triplets.
“RACE YOU!”
“YOU'RE SLOW!”
“YOU'RE BOTH SNAILS!”
Artem watched as Vyn was dragged away by the triplets. He turned to Rosa. “Fatherhood has changed him.”
“He gets more rumpled up these days,” Rosa laughed. “Thanks for catching Stefan. He slides out of the van like a greased eel.”
“Luckily I’m headed to the law department building. I have to reschedule some of the classes I teach for next week.” Artem shrugged.
Rosa smiled. “You’ve got court for the Delaney trial, don't you?”
“Yes.” Artem shook his head wearily. “I’d better get on with it. It’s nice seeing you, Rosa.”
“You too, Professor Wing,” Rosa teased.
“I’m still not used to that not being my mother any more,” Artem chuckled wryly as he turned and walked away.
Rosa and Ogier caught up to Vyn at the next crossing – not that Vyn had any choice but to wait for them. The triplets had their father tied up from the thighs down with their leashes by having run around him in circles, and were grinning up at their exasperated sire.
Rosa, as any good wife and mother would, took out her smartphone and took another photo.
“They're small only for such a short time,” Rosa said cheerfully at Vyn's pout in her direction as Ogier set to the task of untangling the three from Vyn's legs. He freed Axel first.
Vyn hauled up Axel by his harness, leading to the boy happily shouting “I’m flying!”
“I do not recall having had three Siberian Huskies for offspring,” Vyn muttered. At Rosa’s laugh, he sighed. “Well, we bought the leashes for a good reason after all.”
“Woof!” Axel grinned at his father and grabbed Vyn by his lanyard. He hauled himself close and kissed his father on the nose. Giggling,he then let go and swung away, his tongue poking out from his cheeky smile, golden eyes bright with mischief.
“No, we can't turn back time and have them be babies again!” Rosa laughed at Vyn's wistful glance at the snugly sleeping baby lying in the pram, her chubby fist stuck in her mouth.
Author’s Note: my two youngest toddlers did the loop around and tie up the mummy thing. Fortunately, we were indoors. They also do the leg weight thing and since they're closing in on 20 kg each, only their Dad and big brother can lift them. Me, I’m too short.
I'm writing this as a form of physical therapy while I'm recovering from the big surgeries I had last year. They're still taking a big toll on me, but I'm determined to work past them.