Big Hearts, pt. 1 (wife!reader, platonic and romantic relationships, mentions of childbirth and tearing, unnamed children)
"Ow, ow, ow!"
His wife groans as the wet nurse treated what was under her skirts. Dunk holds her hand, shushing her gently and kissing her temple. "Breathe, woman. Breathe-" "Don't tell me to breathe, husband." She snaps, sobbing in pain. Fair. That was fair.
She hiccups, reaching for the man, who immediately held her as close as she wanted him to. "You're doing beautifully, darling. I'm so sorry," This made her giggle into his skin, hands digging into his forearms. He always apologized for giving her children, then thanked her.
From behind them, their sons held their breath as they hold onto their new sister. Their eldest stares with wide eyes, swallowing thickly. "... she's small," His mother snorts. "No, she is not. You all are just giants." Their youngest son pouts and stomps at his brother.
"I want to hold her, too, brother!" "No. You're too small, and your hands aren't steady." "How will they ever be steady if none of you let me practice!?" "Hey, enough. Both of you," Dunk glares at his children. Both boys freeze, having enough sense to look sheepish.
"Your mother and sister have had enough excitement for the day. Be respectful." They nod in apology as the wet nurse stood. "There is no tearing, you are blessed." His wife leans fully on him, relieved that she was no longer prodded or tugged at.
Woman or not, any hands down there that weren't her husband's were uncomfortable. But, King Baelor and Egg insisted, wanting them to have nothing but the best care. The tall knight sighs in relief, kissing at his woman's head. She never seemed to tear, miraculously, blessedly.
"That is good. Thank you-" "But, she almost is. She's stretched, quite so. It will take her a while to heal. No lifting, no strenuous activity that isn't necessary." The weak woman frowns. "So how am I to work? My husband has his rounds and my boys-" "We'll do the work, mama."
The oldest nodded, serious. The youngest boy pitches in. "Yeah! We'll take care of the gardens, and run your stall, and-" "You also forget that the King is giving me opportunity to take off if needed. You are not to move if it isn't an emergency." Dunk glares, getting one back.
He ignores it, turning to the wetnurse. "Anything else?" The wetnurse nods. "Yes: make sure she drinks plenty of water. Her breastmilk seems to be thick-" "Milk can do that?" His eldest blinks, getting shushed by his baby brother. "I'm trying to hear-!" The boy's start bickering again.
"Well, we have big babies. Seems to fit, the boys are fine." Dunk tried to joke, the only one snickering or cracking a smile being his wife. He clears his throat awkwardly. "I- yes. Yes ma'am." "And you-" "Quiet!" He glares at the boys, them growing quiet again.
He nods in apology to the nurse. "Sorry. Continue," Minutes later, she was forced to sit down while she watched her husband fret around their home and her sons holding their sister. The oldest gently handed her over to his brother. "Support her head, don't hold too tight."
The boy nods, nervous but excited. She chuckles, cupping her eldest's head as he pouted anxiously. "Have more faith. He is learning. We must give him opportunity to do so." He nodded slowly, stepping back and letting his brother hold their sister.
"... I don't want him to drop her like I dropped him." He admitted. "... oh, love." She holds the boy close, smoothing down his hair. "You didn't drop him-" "If pa wasn't there, I would've." "Look at me," She cups his round cheeks, having more soft features from her than Dunk's sharper ones.
He does, bottom lip red from him biting it so often. "You could've dropped him, that is true. But you didn't... that's what we're here for. To catch you when either of you fall, and vice versa when you get old enough." The boy nods, still overthinking it. She smiles and kisses his head.
"We're all alright, love-" "Look! Look!" The eldest turns, panicked, but relaxes at seeing his brother's grin. "She likes me! She really does!" The round baby holds on tightly to his nose, her other hand gripping and latching onto his fingers, hungry. Of course she was.
Their mother chuckles. "Give her here, sweet boy. It is time for her first meal." The boy hands her over carefully, blinking. Dunk comes back in, wincing as he almost bumped his head against the doorway. "You two, come help me prepare supper and leave your mother be."
They complain, not wanting to part from their mother, getting dragged off despite their complaints. Chuckling, she calls out to them. "You boys be good to each other!" Dunk and his minis simply grin at her sheepishly before running off. "And try not to get hurt!" She sighs, adjusting her babe.
"I swear, those three..."
[Part 2]
