Kihyun is walking to the sink to help his husband with the dishes when he suddenly feels a sharp cramping in his lower belly. He almost lost his balance because of it - it's pure luck that he managed to balance himself before he hit the kitchen counter. He uses the kitchen counter as a supporter as he balances himself.

"Are you okay?" Hyunwoo asked without looking back - a little too committed to his washing dishes duty. Even though he wasn't looking, he could tell something was happening behind him.

"I think Dal is finally deciding to come out" Kihyun simply answered, holding his 42 almost 43 weeks baby bump as he took a deep breath once the cramping ended.

"You are supposed to be induced tomorrow, right? I mean after midnight, you are officially 43 weeks and that's the end of Minhyuk 'cooling period', isn't it?" Hyunwoo replied. This time he turned to look at his wife - who still recovering from the unexpected contraction. 

"I think it's the day after tomorrow" Kihyun answered as he approached his husband. Casually starts wiping the dishes dry. 

"Really? You suddenly have a contraction out of nowhere, which means Dal doesn't want you to be induced" Hyunwoo mumbles. "Since Dal even passed your due date, it's really only one baby this time" Hyunwoo continued. 

"With our luck, we can't ever know" Kihyun replied with a smile. "I mean I don't even have a Braxton hicks this time, and suddenly a contraction hit me out of nowhere. I never reached my due date in any of our previous pregnancies, but I did this time. I even passed my due date. Your couvade syndrome too... it normally doesn't stay for the whole pregnancy, but yours finally went away like three days ago. I can finally stop worrying about you. It's really good to see you actually eat something" he added.

Hyunwoo just smiles. Ever since his couvade symptoms miraculously went away three days ago, Kihyun has been trying to feed him all sorts of food - which from Hyunwoo's point of view is the cause of why Kihyun has not gone into labour yet. His wife didn't focus on having the baby but taking care of him instead.

"Do you think you can do it again?" Kihyun asked out of curiosity. 

Hyunwoo nodded without thinking much about it. He knows Kihyun is talking about his couvade syndrome, "I will do anything for you" - then something crosses his mind, "... but not soon. We need to raise the triplets and Dal first" 

"I think it's time to stop having babies or babies after Dal. We are running out of space" Kihyun replied, trying to breathe properly as he felt another contraction slowly building up. 

Meanwhile...

"Sang Wook hyung, when will Dal come out?" Hyunsik asked as he wiped the table.

"Soon. Why?" Sang Wook casually answered as he wiped the table too.

"I can't wait to be an older brother like you" Hyunsik replied.

"Aren't you going to be sad for not being the youngest anymore?" Hyunsoo asked - he's been watching his brothers wiping the table for a while now. He wonders if they are going to wipe the table until it shines like a diamond.

"Why am I the youngest? Hyunki and I were born on the same day" Hyunsik replied as he climbed down from the chair. He throws the wet wipes he used in the trash bag Hyunki holds.

"We would all be born together if Hyunsoo is a little patience," Hyunki said.

"Why are you so impatience?" Hyunsik innocently asked.

"I don't know" Hyunsoo answered.

Sang Wook just smiles at his little brother's conversation.

"Sang Wook hyung" Hyunki called for his brother, tugging at his shirt. "Were you patient when you were in Mama's belly?"

Sang Wook takes a moment to understand what Hyunki is asking him. "I wasn't patient too. I also come out early"

"Hyung, were you lonely before we came?" Hyunsoo asked.

"I think hyung are lonely because you have Dasom-ie noona with you in mama's belly," Hyunsik said.

"Not really. I spend a lot of time with Mama. I played a lot with all the uncles. Then, I have my cousin. Henry hyung and Harriet noona. Not long after that Chessa came. Then,... Hyunsoo, Hyunki, and Hyunki come. But, honestly... there was a time I was jealous of Henry hyung and Harriet noona because they could hang out together all the time" Sang Wook answered.

"Sang Wook hyung, we will always be with you. So, don't be lonely anymore. Okay?" Hyunki said.

Sang Wook nodded as he smiled. "I never said I was lonely" he mumbles.

Hyunwoo and Kihyun were listening from the kitchen door. They exchange a look at each other.

"We made a lot of mistakes with Sang Wook" Kihyun whispered. "We made him a parent" he sounded as if he was disappointed in himself.

"Yes. He had to grow with us as a family. He probably saw a lot of our incompetent side that made him think he had to take care of himself better" Hyunwoo agreed, trying not to get emotional.

Kihyun could only sigh.

"It's not too late. We'll make up to him" Hyunwoo replied as he wrapped his arms around his wife's waist. "We still have plenty of time to make up with him before he becomes a young man" he added. 

Kihyun just nodded as he leaned into his husband. 

*******************************

"You look like you haven't slept for a month" Hoseok commented as he entered Kihyun's office. He put the document that Kihyun needed to sign on the table without telling his partner what to do, but his partner already knew what he wanted and signed the document without asking questions.

"It's been three days since my contractions started. But, it's too irregular" Kihyun commented as he yawned. "I think Dal got too comfortable in there. Minhyuk actually wanted to proceed with the inducement, but I wanted to wait. He only agrees because the baby is not in distress"

"I am not trying to scare you, but aren't you worried the baby will be too big?"

"Minhyuk did warn me about that.  But, you know me... I have this tendency to do things the hard way" Kihyun casually replied.

"Maybe you should ask Hyunwoo for help to speed things up"

"Help?" Kihyun give it a thought and it takes him a moment to understand what Hoseok is talking about. "I had that thought, but Hyunwoo is still recovering. I don't think it's the right time to ask for it" 

"I am not sure if it is possible. But, maybe... You can be in charge. So, he doesn't have much to do" Hoseok replied - remembering how bad the couvade symptoms had taken a toll on Hyunwoo's body. That man who was always seen as a strong one had actually passed out a few times within the past 30 weeks.

Kihyun minds randomly playing a scene from his Jeju trip with Hyunwoo. He shakes his head to stop the scene from playing further. 

"What?" Hoseok asked, feeling weird at Kihyun's reaction.

Kihyun just shakes his head. "I think another contraction is coming" he lied. 

Later that night...

"Are you sure about this?" Hyunwoo frowned as he let his wife climb onto him.

"Chemically induce or naturally induce. I rather choose naturally. I've been reading this one blog about chemically induced experience. All of the women there said it hurt worse. I am an interse-x. It probably going to be a lot worse for me than them" Kihyun answered as he 'prep' his husband for a 'session'.

"Maybe I should be on top?" Hyunwoo isn't really sure what to do.

"You still regaining your strength. I can't help you if I laid on my back" Kihyun answered. 

"It's okay. I don't think I need help" Hyunwoo said as he carefully moved - changing position with his wife.

"What are you going to do?" Kihyun asked as he tried to get comfortable on his back. Letting Hyunwoo take a position between his legs. He takes a sharp breath when Hyunwoo suddenly teases him without alerting him. "You can't start randomly like that. I know I said this is to speed things up, but I also want to enjoy it," he said in between breathing.

Hyunwoo mouthed a 'sorry' before focusing on his 'homework'.

********************

Minhyuk run as fast as he can to VVIP Suite 3 which is located a little far away from the on-call room. When he reaches the room, a nurse is in the middle helping Kihyun with his contraction. He can see Sang Wook sleeping on the couch. The triplet is sleeping in the playpen in the corner of the suite.

"The husband?" Minhyuk asked as he got ready to check on Kihyun.

"Dr. Sohn is at the registration" the nurse answered because Kihyun was too out of it to answer.

"This going to be uncomfortable, but bear with me," Minhyuk said before he started checking for Kihyun's dilation.

The contraction is so strong that Kihyun can't focus on anything else. But, he does hear Minhyuk telling him that he's ready and the baby will be out soon. He also hears Minhyuk ordering the nurse to get things ready in here because it's too late to move him to the delivery room.

"What if I scream and wake up the boys?" Kihyun asked as soon as the contraction stopped.

"That's better than you have Dal in the hallway. Dal is already at the 'door'. You can feel Dal at your 'door', right?"

"Yeah. Dal was already there, knocking on the 'door' even before we left the house. The car ride was crazy" Kihyun replied as he let out a little laugh. During the car ride, it feels impossible for him to hold - but, now that he's in the hospital, he doesn't feel the urge as much as in the car.

"You are crazy. How can you wait for that long to come?"

"We didn't wait" Hyunwoo interrupted as he entered the suit. "We had 'it'. Then, we go to sleep. At three o'clock, he woke me up saying Dal is coming" he explained.

Minhyuk checks the clock on the wall. It's 3.45 in the morning.

"We would reach faster if Hyunwoo didn't have to get the boys into the car by himself" Kihyun added.

The nurse from earlier came back with the equipment. Minhyuk helps her to set it up.

Hyunwoo is focusing on Kihyun, holding his arms as the latter prepares himself for another contraction. Hyunwoo also quietly monitored his wife's heart rate. It was such a miracle that Kihyun's heart had never acted up throughout his 43-week pregnancy journey.

When the contraction hits Kihyun, he can feel his lower body suddenly becoming wet. The urge to push becomes double. "What's happening?"

"Your water break" Minhyuk answered.

"Can I push?" - the strong urge Kihyun felt in the car earlier has returned.

"Go ahead. Remember to breathe and don't close your eyes" Minhyuk replied as he got ready to catch the baby in between Kihyun's legs.

Kihyun takes a deep breath before pushing while focusing on his baby bump. He can feel Hyunwoo supporting his head. Surprisingly, he can even hear Hyunwoo asking if he should move the boys into his office. Kihyun immediately said 'no' because he didn't want Hyunwoo to leave his side. Plus, who is going to watch over the boys in Hyunwoo's office?

"Are you okay?" Hyunwoo asked when Kihyun stopped pushing and slumped back to the pillow.

"Yeah," Kihyun answered as he took a deep breath. "It starts to burn down there" he added.

"Really?" Hyunwoo said as he unconsciously checked the 'down there' area. He can see a bulge and something silver in a teardrop shape.

"I didn't tell you to look" Kihyun gave his husband a 'what are you thinking' stare.

"Sorry, but I have seen everything" Hyunwoo replied. 

"Still" Kihyun replied as he filled in his lungs with air.

"I think you can get the head crowning in the next contraction" Minhyuk commented.

"It's not crowning yet?" Kihyun sounded surprised. "It feels so big. It starts to burn already" Kihyun replied as he prepared himself for the ring of fire - it was the most challenging stage for him in delivery. 

"Don't worry about that. We are here to help you" Minhyuk said as he gestured for the nurses to check on the triplets. He was pretty sure he heard them making sounds. "Just make sure to breathe and push gently so you don't tear" 

"Okay," Kihyun managed to reply as he prepared himself for another pushing session. 

The nurse checked on the triplet as she was told. Apparently, Hyunsoo is awake - well, at least she thinks it is Hyunsoo. She rubbed his back gently, and luckily the boy slowly fell asleep again.

"Just like that. Keep doing it like that" Minhyuk encourages Kihyun as the latter tries to push past the widest part of the head.

Kihyun slowly becomes frustrated as Dal keeps sliding in every time he takes a break to breathe, but he also knows it's Dal's way of helping him stretch. "It burns too much. I can't focus"

"You are almost done. How about trying panting, and breathing out... instead of pushing" Minhyuk replied.

Kihyun tries what Minhyuk told him. It does help with the burning sensation but the technique kind of slows down Dal's progress. He wanted Dal to come out faster, but the ring of fire was making it impossible. Remembering how the burning sensation always made him lose control in his previous birth, he decides to 'breath in - breath out' rather than push his baby out.

"Is everything okay?" Hyunwoo asked because he noticed there was a change in Minhyuk's facial expression.

"Dal's hand is on his cheek" Minhyuk mouthed.

Hyunwoo frowned. He can only imagine how painful it will be for Kihyun. He frowned even more when Kihyun started making sounds while pushing. "You can do it. It's almost over" he said to calm down his wife.

"Is something wrong?" Kihyun asked when the contraction ended. Something about how Dal's stretching him just feels weird. "It feels like I can't stretch anymore"

"No, everything is okay. You are doing fine" Minhyuk lied because he didn't want Kihyun to panic. 

Kihyun continued to push for another 15 minutes before he successfully delivered the head. He slumps onto the bed. Exhausted. 

"The heads are out" Minhyuk announced. 

"Feel like I push the whole baby out" Kihyun mumbles. 

"It's actually a head and a little pass of Dal's shoulder. Both of Dal's hands are next to its cheek" Minhyuk replied. 

"I know you were hiding something" Kihyun replied, "I can tell something doesn't feel right with the way Dal's stretching me down there"

Minhyuk smiles. "I'm impressed you can actually have a conversation this time"

Kihyun let out a little laugh. He turned to look at Hyunwoo, who immediately kissed him on the forehead. "Can I have some water?"

Hyunwoo instantly reached out for the tumbler behind him and held it for his wife to take a sip. 

Kihyun was in the middle of drinking when a contraction suddenly hit him and caused him to choke - coughing. 

Minhyuk is caught off guard when Dal suddenly slides out from its mother's womb due to Kihyun's coughing.

If Kihyun had not coughed, he is sure he would have screamed out from the sudden baby movement. Now, he can understand why Minhyuk always told him to push gently and slowly - having a baby sliding out fast from him like that is something he can't describe in words. A ring of fire suddenly is not that bad anymore.

"Are you okay?" Hyunwoo asked, worried.

"I don't know what to feel" Kihyun replied, as he tried to focus on the baby on his chest.

"Why? Where does it feel weird?" Hyunwoo asked again, completely unfocused on the baby.

"Down there" Minhyuk interrupted as he cleaned the baby on Kihyun's chest. "The baby slid out when he coughed. You know how it feels when someone tells you to split without proper stretching. Make that ten times worse" he explained, and noticed how Hyunwoo was shocked when he noticed there was a baby on his wife's chest. 

"I didn't hear a cry" Hyunwoo was dumbfounded when his eyes met the baby's eyes who seemed confused about its whereabouts.

"Is the baby okay?" Kihyun asked.

"He's such a calm baby, isn't he?" Minhyuk commented as he cleaned the baby on Kihyun's chest.

"He?" both Kihyun and Hyunwoo asked, a little bit too loud.

Dal started crying when he heard his parent's voice.

"Aigoo..." Kihyun gently hugged his newborn son as Minhyuk was done cleaning him. "Mama is here, Dal-ah" he whispered.

"Mama?"

Both Hyunwoo and Kihyun turn to look at Sang Wook who seems confused on the couch.

"Is that Dal?" Sang Wook asked, half asleep. He let the nurse hold his hand and guide him closer to his parents. The nurse helps him to climb the chair so he can see his newborn sibling better. She is even kind enough to make sure he didn't fall off the chair while standing on it.

Kihyun turned to look at Hyunwoo, wondering how they should tell Sang Wook about his new baby brother. They actually have explained to Sang Wook that it is kind of impossible for him to have a baby sister and the boy clearly told them that he isn't really wishing for a younger sister. But, now that it's actually confirmed that Dal is a boy, Kihyun suddenly feels like he has broken his firstborn heart.

"Do you want to cut your brother's cord?" Minhyuk asked - making Hyunwoo and Kihyun glare at him. Minhyuk just shrugged. For all he knows the duo is in need of help to break the news to their son.

"Brother?" Sang Wook sounded a lot more confused compared to earlier.

"It's a baby boy, Sang Wook... and that means you have another younger brother," Hyunwoo said as he tried to lighten up the mood. "Let's cut the cord together," he said as he took the scissors from Minhyuk and gently took Sang Wook's hand. He guided his son carefully.

Sang Wook just followed his father's guide while making the cut. He finds it amazing how his mother and his younger brother are connected with one tiny cord. He gently rubs his finger on his baby brother's face and Dal slowly stops crying. "Dal-ah, do you know me? I'm your Sang Wook's hyung" Sang Wook whispered.

Hyunwoo smiles at Sang Wook. Kihyun tries not to cry at the scene.

"Can I hold him?" Sang Wook asked.

"Sure. I will help you" Hyunwoo carefully take the newborn from his wife. "Let's go to the couch," he said asking Sang Wook to follow him.

Kihyun can't help but let his tears fall down his cheek when he sees Hyunwoo put Dal in Sang Wook's arms. His firstborn seems so happy to hold his younger brother.

"You have done great" Minhyuk complimented Kihyun as they waited for the afterbirth. He let the nurse check for Dal's APGAR score.

Kihyun just nodded. He keeps watching his husband and son. The nurse is kind and patient answering Sang Wook's question as she checks on Dal.

"I need to weigh the baby. Can I?" the nurse said gently.

"Yes," Sang Wook let the nurse take Dal from him.

Hyunwoo carries Sang Wook in his arms so they can watch the nurses continue checking Dal together. "Are you disappointed that Dal is not a younger sister?" Hyunwoo whispered, worried Kihyun might hear him.

"I never ask for a younger sister" Sang Wook answered as he stared closely at his father's face. "Are you disappointed in yourself, papa?" he asked innocently.

"A little, I guess. I know you are waiting for Dasom-ie to come back" Hyunwoo forced a smile. To be honest, for a moment while Kihyun was delivering Dal - he was hoping for Dal to be a girl.

"Well, I think I can make you feel better," Sang Wook said before he smiled cheekily.

"How?" Hyunwoo asked as he stared at his son. Curious.

"Dal is my twin's soul" Sang Wook whispered. "That's..." he pointed at the newborn, "... Dasom-ie's soul. I can feel it"

Hyunwoo's eyes become wide. Shocked at what he just heard.