Chapter Text
"I am kinda bored," Jude grumbled.
"We are not having another pup," Erling stated flatly.
Jude was facing a retirement that didn't feel very relaxing. Erling had hung up his boots alongside Kylian after the 2038 World Cup, but Jude had continued playing for another season out of pure spite. He wanted the glory of being team captain, of having his army of children cheering him on while Erling sat in the stands wearing Jude's number and a big, fat Bellingham emblazoned across his shoulders. Their age gap had to be useful for something, after all.
Their youngest, Lena, was now kindergarten-aged. They just kept growing and growing, to the point where Jude sometimes wished he could place a brick on their heads to stop the process. Still, he was proud. They were raising well-spoken, well-educated, and confident kids. Sometimes that meant they butted heads because the children knew their worth and could be stubborn—but Jude preferred it that way over them being too fearful to speak their minds.
Their relationship with the media had also relaxed a teensy-tiny bit. After returning to the pitch, Erling and Jude realized they couldn't just keep the kids hidden forever; their children deserved to celebrate their achievements with them. Like many footballers' families, their kids had attended a few games and even the last World Cup. But thinking about his family only left Jude with one final wish.
"Pleaseee, I’m a good boy, give me a baby," he literally begged Erling.
But the blonde just kept repeating the same lines.
"We said we were done."
"We just got out of the toddler trenches."
"Jude, please don't just start blowing me while I'm trying to talk."
Denial, denial, denial. Was it really so hard to be a good mate and fulfill your partner's wishes? The way Jude saw it, Erling kind of owed him. Erling was the one who turned him into an omega in the first place, so he should let Jude do as he pleased and get him pregnant again, for fuck's sake.
Kylian and Michael had a pup in their late thirties too, which had definitely inspired Jude. Just like they had inspired the other couple to take a career break and have little Aylah.
Now that he and his man were retired and Jude still possessed great general health, there was really nothing standing in the way—except Erling, who refused to cooperate.
Jude whined about it constantly: in the morning, at night, and in the shower. All Erling ever did was mock Jude's pout and kiss his sorrows away.
"Why not?" Jude asked once more. He was currently straddling Erling’s lower stomach, massaging his chest like a cat sharpening its claws.
Erling actually had the audacity to smile up at him. His hands rested on Jude's hips, his thumbs tracing soothing circles. His hair was loose, flowing around his face, and he legitimately looked like he had a halo. Come on, just one more!
"Isn't 'no' a complete sentence?" Erling asked.
"Not in this case. All you have to do is nut in me. It’s not a big ask, I'll do the heavy lifting part."
Erling rolled his eyes. "That’s the exact problem. You hate labor—why do you want to go through that again?"
"I don't," Jude pouted. "But I did it four times. A sixth pup won't kill me."
"Five labours."
"The twins count as one."
Erling’s expression remained soft, the very definition of relaxed. His unhappy omega only managed to evoke the gentlest sense of amusement in him. Reaching up, his hands pulled Jude down until he was lying flat against his chest, Jude's forehead resting perfectly against the crook of Erling's throat.
"You've forgotten what it's like," Erling said softly at last.
Jude furrowed his brows. That was the first time Erling had ever used that as an excuse. "How could I forget that?"
"Do you actually remember what pregnancy feels like? The whole delivery part? Jude, you were in pain, and you were completely drugged out for the last two. I don't see why you would repeat that just out of a fear of missing the baby stage."
Jude’s head snapped up. Pressing one hand firmly against Erling’s chest, he forced eye contact. He tried to remember... he knew he hadn't exactly enjoyed the physical toll... but okay, maybe he had forgotten just how intense it felt.
"I did like the pregnancy part," Jude argued, focusing on his strongest point. "Having our baby inside of me, knowing it was yours... it made me really happy."
Erling gently pushed Jude’s head back down to his chest, hoping the contact would calm him. "And now we have all those babies right in front of us. They are developing beautifully. Be proud of the kids we already have."
"I am very proud of them," Jude defended fiercely. As if he wouldn't be! "But... I still want another one..."
"Darling, we have six children. That’s a volleyball team."
"It’s a volleyball team without a libero—not strictly necessary, but very good to have," Jude shot back. "Please can you just think about it again, Erling? I’m not dropping this. I have a deep desire for one last baby."
"You said that with Lena, too. What if you suddenly decide the age gap is too big and baby number seven needs a sibling to grow up with?"
"Then I'll have an eighth. It’s not that deep."
This time, Erling actually let out a warning growl. "It is that deep. Pregnancy comes with health risks. I've seen you in labor, and I don't want you to be in pain. This isn't about the pup, Jude. It's about your health."
"Tsk, that’s why I’m saying let’s do it now. I’m 36, not 56. It’s perfectly fine."
Erling looked genuinely conflicted—which was a great sign! It meant he wasn't completely locked into a 'no' like the previous times. "Jude... can you please try to see this from my perspective?"
The omega rolled off him in a huff. "No, I can't. I want this, and it's my body. Kylian had one at 38 and look at him—he just won the fucking World Cup. You're just making me feel like you don't believe in me."
Erling immediately rolled after him, slinging a heavy arm around Jude's waist to pull him back. "Okay, okay, okay, don't use that tactic on me. You know very well I think the absolute world of you," he corrected firmly, setting the record straight. "And besides, Mike and Kylian didn't already have six children when they decided to have a pup in their late thirties."
Frustrated, Jude grabbed a pillow, hugging it tightly to his chest as he refused to look back. Erling settled his head right onto Jude's shoulder. "Jude, I’m not trying to be mean—"
The omega let out a frustrated whine. Why couldn't Erling just see how incredibly important this was to him? His lower lip quivered. "Why can't you just give me another pup, Erling? All this talking... we could have been done by now."
Erling’s breath hitched. First of all, they would never take that short amount of time. Second, Jude was acting like his entire life depended on it. Maybe it was his heat talking; he had one coming up in a few days. But Erling’s rut was lined up right alongside it, and he didn't feel like the world was ending just because he wasn't getting his mate pregnant.
"Maybe this is just your pre-heat talking, Jude. A new baby literally means twenty more years of commitment. You realize that, right?"
"Twenty more years of dealing with your spawns? Oh no, how awful," Jude muttered sarcastically. "Parenthood is for life, we're already doomed. What happened to your romantic statements like, 'If I die with you, I'd die with a smile'?"
Erling looked down at him, utterly puzzled. Was he currently being complimented or told off? "You're talking nonsense."
Jude shoved him away with his shoulder, turning around completely to burn Erling with a fierce glare. "And you're worried about nonsense! I am not saying this because of a pre-heat. I fully realize another pup means we have to raise another pup. And I am perfectly aware that I am a bit crazy about you—excuse me for imprinting on you when I was eighteen!"
He glared at him angrily. That imprinting excuse was old news by now; they were fully mated, after all. Erling sighed heavily, drawing fresh air into his lungs. It was rare for them to argue like this, and he hated seeing Jude upset. Instinctually, he pulled the omega back into his arms. Different opinions or not, providing Jude comfort was ingrained into the very fabric of his soul.
"You don't have to apologize for that," Erling breathed out against his skin. "I'm crazy about you too, Jude. You're my mate, my better half for life. That's exactly why I don't want to see you in pain or enduring unnecessary hardships."
Frustrated and overwhelmed, Jude bit down into Erling's shoulder. The alpha didn't even flinch. Both of their bodies were marked with so many faded and fresh bites that it was just part of their aesthetic at this point. Erling gently stroked the back of Jude's head.
"If you really want this... even after your next heat is over... we can sit down and talk about it properly."
The first tears began to pool in the corners of Jude's eyes. Erling was actually willing to negotiate. That was a massive step forward. "Just so you can tell me 'no' when I'm of a sane mind?"
"No," Erling murmured softly, pressing a tender kiss to Jude's hairline. "I am open to it if it really means this much to you. I just need you to be safe, which means I want some medical precautions put in place first. So, I am open to talking, provided you're open to actually hearing me out. I'm not getting you pregnant nilly-willy. Not again."
Now it was Jude who was left completely breathless. He had succeeded! Hooray!—the whitr part of himself cheered. He still didn't appreciate that Erling had used his pre-heat as an excuse to declare his decision-making compromised, but with that hurdle finally out of the way, he was dead set on expanding his bloodline a sixth time.
Jude squinted up at the ceiling, gritting his teeth as he concentrated on not making a single sound.
"You look constipated," Henrik commented.
"He's having a contraction," Erling corrected, slinging the heavy hospital bag over his muscular shoulder.
Jude pretended like his stomach hadn’t just violently tightened, and like Erling’s massive spawn wasn't currently kicking to be let free. He knew that if he so much as winced, Erling would hit him with an immediate, smug 'told you so.' Comically enough, it was Jude's pride taking full charge right now.
Erling rolled his eyes and carried the bag out to the hallway, followed closely by Henrik, who was talking his ear off. As the contraction finally passed, Jude just sank back onto the couch, waiting for his knight in shining armor to return and tell him their ride had finally arrived.
"Daddy, will you be okay?" Lena asked. Sensitive as always, the baby of the family hated seeing her daddy show even an ounce of discomfort.
Jude immediately hugged her close, pressing a dozen kisses into her hair. His little baby was about to become a big sister. "Of course I will be, bunny. When I come back, you’re going to have a new baby brother."
"I wanted a girl," Mila piped up from behind the couch, crossing her arms behind her back.
His entire little horde had gathered to see him off. Odin and Magnus sat right beside him on the massive sofa, while Norah leaned her head against her arm on the armrest.
"I wish you a safe delivery, Dad," Norah said softly.
Jude melted a little, reaching out his hand to gently caress her arm. "Thanks, baby."
A whole year had passed since Jude had finally worn Erling down. To get to this point, Jude had to undergo a full medical assessment, with a private team of fertility doctors overseeing his health every single step of the way. The kids had been strictly warned to be careful around Jude and not to stress him out. In fact, Erling had been stricter over the last nine months than he had ever been in his entire life. But it had been a beautiful journey regardless.
Since the kids were finally at an age where they could actually comprehend what was happening, Erling and Jude had been able to share the joy of the pregnancy with them. They talked about how big the baby was growing, what the gender was, and when the kicking started. Magnus would often hold onto Jude’s round stomach with incredibly gentle hands, tracking the little movements.
Lena, who was generally the most attached to Jude, had become hyper-sensitive to his moods. Cuddling up to him at night when he was trying to fall asleep had become a little harder than usual due to the bump, but she never missed a night.
Even Henrik had given them a little lecture about safe sex—"In case you two didn't know how it worked already"—though the teenager was secretly expressing plenty of excitement too. "It’s good, it means there's less focus on me now that I'm getting into my juicy years." Oh, if only he knew. Their oldest boy was a full-blown fourteen-year-old teenager now. Norah wasn't far behind at twelve.
But as Henrik crept closer to his high school years, the century-old worry of 'how do we handle his presentation?' was heavily plaguing Jude's mind. That alone was reason enough for Jude not to throw another pup into the mix after this one; they still needed the mental capacity to handle the teenage years.
Thankfully, Norah showed no signs of developing canines yet, meaning Henrik’s secondary presentation was the only looming storm they had to worry about right now. But still, it was a lot. Not to mention, Erling had drawn a hard line at having kids after forty, which Jude reckoned made perfect sense.
"Dad, where does the baby come out?" Odin suddenly asked.
And just like that, Jude was snapped right back to reality. This pregnancy had been a great starting point to teach the younger kids where babies came from: from Daddy! And how did the baby get into Daddy in the first place? Well, Erling had cooked a spectacular brisket, Jude had eaten the entire thing, and through the sheer power of love and his mate's grilling skills, that brisket had turned into a baby.
But how would it get out?
"I don't know," Jude answered with total confidence. "If I did, we wouldn't need to go to the hospital to get it out."
Beside him, Norah deadpanned. Unlike her brothers, she was very much privy to the biological facts of where babies actually came from.
The front door clicked open. "Okay, the car is here," Erling called out. "Kids, say goodbye to Daddy now."
"Nooo! No!"
It was an instant trigger. Suddenly, all four elementary schoolers clung to Jude like he was a lifesaving buoy in open water. Jude immediately pouted and joined in on the dramatic clinginess because... well, his kids were just so adorable.
"No, just a few more minutes!" Jude whined, hugging them back.
From the hallway, both Erling and Henrik looked ready to launch Jude straight into the atmosphere.
"You are in active labor. Get out!" Henrik said harshly, making a swift, aggressive hand motion toward the door. Their ride was waiting.
Erling’s face cycled through a few different options. He wanted to say the exact same thing but in a much nicer tone. He couldn't decide whether to thank Henrik for speaking the truth or scold him for using that attitude with his father.
That question would have to wait for later, because Jude suddenly stared back up at the ceiling, squinting his eyes as if he desperately needed glasses. Another contraction had hit, and he swallowed the groan building in his throat.
"Okay, get off," Jude gasped out to the huddle.
One after the other, Erling picked Odin, Magnus, Mila, and Lena off Jude, plucking them away like ripe apples off a tree.
"Give me a kiss!" Jude called out as a final goodbye. "Muah, muah, muah, muah!" He looked at Norah, "Muah!" and then at Henrik, "Muah!"
The teenager and pre-teen quickly wiped the dramatic display of affection off their cheeks, but before they could complain, the Alpha grabbed Jude, lifting him up bridal-style.
Erling carried him effortlessly through the front door. "Behave!" he yelled back over his shoulder at the house.
The kids ran down the driveway a little bit to see them off, shouting, "Bye-bye!" In the background, behind the horde of children, stood their dedicated team of nannies for the day, waving in a much more composed manner.
Jude blew them all one last kiss from the passenger seat. And then they were off, driving away to finally welcome their new little rascal into the world.
Yann Erlingsen Haaland
Erling breathed evenly, his mind finally slowing down after the high-stakes adrenaline of the day. It was now the middle of the night. Resting against his chest was a newborn wrapped in hospital clothes, held steady by Erling's large right hand. Nestled right beside the baby was Jude’s head, his sleeping body anchored securely by Erling’s left arm. The omega had finally been able to roll onto his stomach again after birthing Yann.
The baby’s frame was small and fragile, just like all newborns were. Erling felt an overwhelming wave of protectiveness wash over him. Never again, he promised himself. They really, truly were never doing this again.
Maybe they should have stopped after the twins... but no, he didn't regret a single one of his pups. His only regret was that bringing them into the world always threw Jude right back into a grueling state of recovery.
When they were in their late twenties and early thirties, it had been different. There was an eight-year age gap between Mila and Odin and little Yann. A history of multiple pregnancies, combined with demanding athletic careers that took a massive toll on their physical frames, ultimately changes a body. Yet Jude had still insisted he would be perfectly alright. And he would be right—because Erling was going to ensure that he was.
If Jude tried to play the strongman one more time, Erling would literally tie him to the bed.
Erling’s thoughts drifted as he pressed a gentle kiss into Jude’s hairline, tenderly tugging his mate a little closer against his side. "Always so eager," he murmured into the dark. "You’ve gotta stay healthy, Jude. I planned my whole life around you."
At the end of the day, he was just terrified for him. Jude meant the absolute world to him. What if something had gone wrong? The world was dangerous enough as it was; they didn't need to be reckless and ask for tragedy to strike. Erling was terrified of losing him. It had taken so much effort just to get together, and it had taken even more to build their pack from the ground up. He wasn't ready to lose a single piece of it.
Checkups, a doctor on call, a dedicated nursing team—Erling had organized it all with the precision of a military operation. If Jude thought they were just going to pack up and casually cruise back into normal family life, he was dead wrong.
Managing the older kids wouldn't be the hard part. Erling had already locked in a airtight schedule for their school runs and after-school activities. The real challenge was protecting Jude from being overrun by his own adoring horde. Erling had set his mind on a single, unwavering goal: making sure Jude actually slept through the night.
Their home was about to be transformed into a state-of-the-art post-natal recovery facility, complete with specialized rehabilitation care and daily therapeutic massages. Erling already knew Jude’s protective omega instincts would never allow a single member of the hired medical staff to touch little Yann—at least not until the boy could roll over on his own. Because of that, the heavy lifting of the newborn care fell entirely on Erling.
Was it wildly overprotective and a bit much? Absolutely. But was it also one of the non-negotiable conditions Erling had demanded before he ever agreed to let Jude get pregnant again? Also yes. Their house was going to function as a luxury daycare and wellness center—at the very least until they sailed off to the Bahamas for their annual vacation.
Jude finally sprawled back into his nest, letting out a long, dramatic sigh. "Freedom," he announced to the room, officially liberated from the clutches of Erling’s hyper-protective recovery schedule.
He had been put on strict bedrest for the first four weeks. Fine, he could understand the logic behind that. But apparently, his nesting habits weren't properly supporting his pelvic and back recovery, which was the agonizing reason he’d had to refrain from building his sanctuary until now.
"Thank the Lord," he muttered.
"Yeah," came a chorus of agreement.
Equally dramatic, Mila and Magnus tumbled over the edge, collapsing into the big, lowered circle of blankets and pillows. The projector overhead cast a soft glow across the room, playing soothing jungle noises. Jude, for one, was entirely ready to leave the house again, but for now, he contentedly gathered pup number one and pup number two into his arms.
Nesting was an essential instinct for omegas, but it was just as important to the kids who had grown up surrounded by it.
Even Henrik walked in nonchalantly fifteen minutes later. Without a word, the fourteen-year-old quietly sat down at the very edge of the pile. Even a teenager as cool as him couldn't deny the immediate sense of calm that washed over the room.
Jude pressed a series of wet, affectionate kisses onto Magnus’s cheek, and then onto Mila's. Looking around, he wondered where Norah and the rest of the crew were hiding. God, he had missed being this close to his kids.
Erling’s strict military routine had previously only allowed for supervised, "no funny business," calm one-on-one time during the afternoons. Jude knew his Alpha meant well, but it had felt downright torturous.
Speak of the devil, the giant Alpha came wandering into the room right then, balancing baby Yann in one arm while Lena trailed closely at his heels.
Jude had to bite back a laugh as Mila immediately rubbed her head against his hair like an affectionate cat.
"Fetch the others," Jude told Erling, holding his hands out to greet Lena first before reaching up to claim Yann.
Erling didn't say anything out loud. In his mind, his thoughts were already screaming, 'This is way too much chaos.' But Jude smelled entirely at peace and radiant with excitement to be back in his element, and Erling simply didn't have the heart to ruin the moment. It stunned him how beautiful he looked.
Turning back to the hallway, Erling knocked on Norah’s door with a simple, "We’re nesting. Come join us," before tracking down Odin as well. With the rest of the crew in tow, he re-entered the nesting room.
Jude was now lying on his stomach, his face pressed gently against Yann’s tiny, warm belly. His hands carefully secured the one-month-old on the soft cushion directly in front of him. Overcome by pure bliss, Jude rubbed his forehead against the newborn, peppering him with soft kisses. Little Yann had half a dozen pairs of eyes staring down at him with unadulterated adoration. A new addition to the family was always special, without a doubt.
Erling was quiet as he approached the perimeter of the nest. He tried to find a way in, but left and right, every single entry point was completely blocked by a fortress of children.
"My sweet baby boy," Jude whispered to the infant.
Every single day, Jude was hit by a fresh wave of gratitude for Yann's existence. Maybe he was a hypocrite, considering how much he had whined, but he'd felt like the world would have ended if he hadn't gotten this last baby. Jude knew that if he and Erling hadn't had Yann right now, they would have never been able to handle the physical toll of the baby stage ever again. And sue him—but he loved it.
It made him feel young. It made him feel like he and Erling were just getting started all over again. The thought genuinely excited him.
His old habit of crying happy tears resurfaced, and his eyes grew watery. God, how good it felt to have built a family like this with Erling. It really was too incredible to wrap his mind around.
Jude glanced over his shoulder, waiting for Erling to touch him. The Alpha was sitting on his knees, patiently waiting to find a single gap in their massive human pile. Smiling softly, Jude shifted his weight and pushed up onto his knees, nodding toward a different corner of the massive array of pillows. Together, he and Erling slid into the space, lying down flat on their backs this time.
"I love you," Erling said completely unprompted after taking Jude into his muscular arm. The words just rolled effortlessly out of his mouth.
Three simple words that couldn't possibly express how deeply Jude was engraved into the very fabric of his soul—but they were the best tools humans had found thus far.
"I love you too," Jude replied. Four words that would have to suffice to tell Erling that Jude knew exactly what it felt like to be completely swallowed up by their love. It felt like floating on the Milky Way—out of this world, magical, and so goddamn safe.
Erling was home. Jude was home. They were home.
Around them, arranged in a tight half-circle, all the kids somehow managed to bundle together as well. Erling and Jude didn't have enough arm span to reach every single one of them at once, but the older children instinctively circled around the younger ones, making the giant embrace work out seamlessly. Three kids snuggled against Erling’s side, three tucked against Jude’s, and one tiny newborn resting right on top of Jude's chest.
This was home. This was life.