Three times the love
SUMMARY: When Zach and Y/N find out they’re expecting their first child, they think life couldn’t get any more exciting—until their first ultrasound reveals they’re actually having triplets. From Zach joking that his “sperm were very strong” to navigating a high-risk pregnancy and the beautiful chaos of becoming first-time parents to three newborns, they discover that love always grows bigger than expected.
WC: 3k
WARNINGS: Pregnancy, high-risk triplet pregnancy, medical appointments, cesarean section (C-section), premature birth, NICU stay, mentions of postpartum recovery, emotional moments, lots of fluff and humor, first-time parents.
Requested: Zachary Bolduc + Becoming first-time parents
When Zach had joked that his sperm must be unusually strong, neither of you had expected the universe to take it as a challenge.
It had happened months earlier, long before the positive pregnancy test and the first ultrasound that changed your lives forever. You had been lying beside him in bed, scrolling through pictures of his teammates’ children while Zach rested his head against your stomach “One day, ours are going to be ridiculously cute,” he had murmured.
“You’re very confident.”
“Look at me,” Zach had replied, lifting his head with a grin. “These are strong genes.”
You had rolled your eyes. “That isn’t how it works.”
“I’m just saying, my sperm are probably very strong.” You had shoved his shoulder, horrified and amused at the same time “Zach!”
“What? You’re the one who started talking about babies.”
“I said our future baby might have your eyes. I did not ask for an analysis of your reproductive abilities.”
He had laughed, wrapping both arms around you before you could move away “You’ll see. First try.”
Unfortunately, Zach had been right about that part.
You found out you were pregnant several weeks later after spending an entire morning convinced the smell of coffee had somehow turned poisonous overnight. Zach had been away at practice when you took the test, mostly to prove to yourself that you weren’t pregnant.
The two pink lines appeared almost immediately.
You stared at them from your place on the bathroom floor, your heart beating so loudly that you could hear it in your ears.
You and Zach had talked about children. You had both wanted them. You had even stopped preventing a pregnancy, although neither of you had expected it to happen so quickly.
For several minutes, you remained frozen, then you began laughing, of course he had to be right.
You placed the test inside a small gift box and spent the rest of the afternoon trying to act normally. By the time Zach came home, you had changed positions on the couch at least ten times and checked that the box was still hidden beneath the blanket beside you even more “Hi, baby,” he called as he entered the apartment.
“Hi.”
Zach stopped in the hallway, he knew you too well “Why did you say it like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’ve either broken something or adopted an animal without asking me.”
“I haven’t adopted anything.”
His eyes narrowed. “Did you break something?”
“No.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“That sounded suspicious too.”
You held out the small box before you could lose your nerve “I got you something" his expression softened as he crossed the room “For what?”
“For being you.”
“That’s definitely suspicious.”
“Just open it.” Zach sat beside you and took the box. He glanced at you once before lifting the lid, for a moment, he didn’t react. He simply stared at the test, then his eyes moved to yours “Is this real?”
You nodded, already crying “I took three more after that one.”
“You’re pregnant?”
“I’m pregnant.” the box fell onto the couch as Zach reached for you. He pulled you into his arms so quickly that you nearly landed in his lap, his face immediately disappearing against your neck “You’re pregnant,” he repeated, his voice breaking “We’re having a baby.” he held you tighter “Oh my God.”
You laughed through your tears. “You were right.”
“About what?”
“First try.”
Zach pulled back, his eyes wet and his smile impossibly wide “I told you.”
“Do not become insufferable right now.”
“My boys are strong.”
“Zachary.” he laughed before kissing you, one hand moving instinctively toward your stomach even though there was nothing to feel yet, you had both assumed there was one baby.
At your first ultrasound, Zach sat beside you with one hand tightly wrapped around yours. He looked more nervous than you had ever seen him before a game, his knee bouncing continuously as the technician prepared the equipment “Can you stop moving?” you whispered.
“I’m not moving.”
“Your leg is shaking the entire bed.”
“I’m excited.”
“You look like you’re about to be sick.”
“I might be.”
The technician smiled at the two of you “First pregnancy?”
“Yes,” you answered, Zach nodded. “First baby.” the technician’s smile changed slightly as she looked at the screen, it was so subtle that you almost missed it, she moved the wand, concentrating, your stomach tightened “Is everything okay?” you asked.
“Everything looks good,” she reassured you. “I’m just taking a closer look.”
Zach squeezed your hand, the technician adjusted the image again before pointing toward the screen “Here is Baby A.” you stared at the tiny shape, tears immediately filling your eyes “There’s our baby,” Zach whispered.
The technician moved slightly “And here is Baby B.”
Silence filled the room, you blinked at the screen, Zach’s grip on your hand loosened “Baby B?” he repeated.
“You’re having twins.”
Your mouth fell open “Twins?”
The technician nodded, but she continued studying the monitor, you turned toward Zach. He looked as though someone had removed every thought from his head, then the technician spoke again “And…”
You slowly looked back at her “And?” she moved the wand one final time “There is Baby C.”
Zach sat perfectly still, you were certain you had stopped breathing “Baby C,” you repeated faintly “Triplets,” the technician confirmed. “You’re expecting three babies.”
For several seconds, neither of you said anything, then Zach whispered, “My boys really are strong.” you turned your head so quickly that your neck hurt, the technician covered a laugh with a cough “Zach!”
“What?” His eyes were still locked on the screen. “There are three of them.”
“This is not the time.”
“I was joking when I said it.”
“You manifested this.”
He finally looked at you, appearing equally terrified and amazed “I don’t think that’s medically possible.”
“You told the universe you had strong sperm, and now there are three babies inside me.” The technician laughed openly this time, Zach leaned closer and kissed your temple “I’m sorry?”
“You don’t sound sorry.”
“I’m a little impressed.” you smacked his arm, but you were laughing too, the sound mixing with your tears as you looked back at the screen.
Three babies.
You were going to become parents for the first time to three babies at once, the drive home was unusually quiet, Zach kept one hand on the steering wheel and the other wrapped around yours. Every few minutes, he glanced at you as though confirming you were still there.
Finally, you broke the silence “We need three cribs.”
“I know.”
“Three car seats.”
“I know.”
“Three of everything.”
“I know.”
“We don’t have enough bedrooms.”
“We’ll find a bigger place.”
“What if I can’t do this?”
Zach immediately pulled into an empty parking lot, he turned off the car and shifted toward you “Hey.”
The fear you had been trying to control finally surfaced “One baby was scary, but three? What if something happens? What if they come too early? What if I’m not able to carry them long enough? What if we can’t handle it?”
Zach unbuckled his seat belt and reached across the console, taking your face between his hands “We’re going to be scared,” he said quietly. “Probably a lot. But you’re not doing this alone.”
“It’s three babies.”
“I know.”
“We don’t know anything about taking care of one baby.”
“Then we’ll learn how to take care of three.”
“That sounds too simple.”
“It isn’t going to be simple.” His thumbs brushed beneath your eyes. “It’s going to be exhausting and chaotic, and I’m probably going to put a diaper on backward at least once.”
“At least once?”
“Several times.”
Despite yourself, you smiled “But I’m going to be there,” Zach continued. “For every appointment, every late night, every feeding and every diaper. Whatever you need, I’ll do it. We’re a team.”
“You’ll be traveling.”
“I’ll figure it out.”
“You can’t stop playing hockey.”
“I’m not stopping. But hockey doesn’t come before you or our children.”
The words made your tears fall faster “Our children,” you whispered, Zach looked down at your stomach “All three of them.”
His hand rested gently over you “Hi, babies,” he murmured. “I’m your dad. Apparently, there are more of you than we expected.”
You laughed shakily.
“And your mom already blames me.”
“Because this is your fault.”
“I think it was technically a group project.” You pushed his shoulder, for the rest of the pregnancy, Zach treated you as though you were carrying the most precious cargo in the world.
Because, according to him, you were.
The moment your doctor explained that a triplet pregnancy would require more monitoring, Zach rearranged everything he could. He had appointment dates saved in his phone, written on the refrigerator and sent to the team’s staff.
He attended every appointment that his schedule allowed. When he couldn’t physically be there, he joined through video calls, sometimes still wearing his practice gear while asking your doctor an alarming number of questions.
At home, he became obsessed with taking care of you “You need water.”
“I just drank some.”
“That was twenty minutes ago.”
“I am not going to dehydrate in twenty minutes.”
“You’re hydrating four people.”
“That isn’t how water works.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Zach.” He brought you another glass anyway.
As your stomach grew, ordinary tasks became increasingly difficult. Zach tied your shoes, helped you out of bed and stood outside the bathroom door whenever you showered because he was convinced you might slip “You don’t have to guard me.”
“I’m not guarding you.”
“You’ve been standing there for fifteen minutes.”
“I’m brushing my teeth.”
“You finished brushing your teeth ten minutes ago.”
“I’m providing emotional support.”
“You’re being weird.”
“I’m being responsible.”
He also spoke to the babies constantly, every night, he lay beside you with his face near your stomach and gave them detailed updates about his day “Your dad scored tonight,” he told them after one game.
“You scored during warmups,” you corrected.
“That still counts.”
“It absolutely does not.”
“They don’t know that.”
One of the babies kicked directly beneath his hand, Zach gasped “That one agrees with me.”
“That one wants you to stop lying.”
He learned where each baby was positioned and gave them temporary nicknames before you had chosen their real ones. Baby A was Captain because they were always the easiest to locate. Baby B was Trouble because they constantly moved during ultrasounds. Baby C was Peanut because they were slightly smaller than the other two.
When you finally selected their names, Zach repeated them for days Reggie, Archie and Kenzie. Two boys and one girl.
“Our daughter is going to have two bodyguards,” Zach said proudly.
“Our daughter is probably going to be the one protecting them.”
“That’s also acceptable.”
By the final weeks, you were exhausted and uncomfortable nearly all the time. Your doctor had warned you that the babies would likely arrive early, and although you had prepared yourselves, nothing truly prepared you for the moment you woke Zach in the middle of the night and told him something felt wrong.
He was awake instantly “What happened?”
“I think my water broke.”
Zach stared at you “What?”
“My water broke.”
“All three of them?”
You looked at him in disbelief “I don’t have separate water for each baby, Zach.”
“Right. Of course. That was stupid.” He jumped out of bed and immediately tripped over his own shoes, the hospital bag had been packed for weeks, but Zach still moved through the apartment like he had never seen it before.
“Where are my keys?”
“On the counter.”
“They’re not there.”
“They’re in your hand.”
He looked down “Oh.”
Despite the contractions beginning to tighten across your stomach, you laughed “You’re going to be very useful.”
“I’m panicking efficiently.”
At the hospital, everything moved quickly.
Doctors and nurses surrounded you. Monitors were attached, questions were asked and preparations began for the delivery. Because of the babies’ positions and the risks involved, you had already known a cesarean was the safest option.
Still, knowing did not make it less frightening, Zach stood beside your bed in hospital scrubs, his face pale beneath the mask “Are you okay?” you asked him.
He nodded too quickly “I’m supposed to ask you that.”
“You look like you’re about to faint.”
“I’m not going to faint.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
He leaned down and pressed his forehead against yours “I’m right here.”
When they brought you into the operating room, Zach remained beside you, holding your hand tightly enough that you could feel the tremble in his fingers.
Then the first cry filled the room “Baby A is out,” someone announced.
Reggie.
Zach’s eyes widened as the tiny baby was carried toward the medical team “That’s our son,” he whispered.
Before either of you could fully process it, another cry followed.
Archie.
Then a third.
Kenzie.
Three separate cries filled the room, each one small but strong, Zach began sobbing. Not quiet tears, but deep, overwhelmed sobs that shook his shoulders as he looked between you and the three teams caring for your babies “They’re here,” he said. “Baby, they’re here.”
“Are they okay?”
“They’re crying.”
“Are they okay?”
A doctor reassured you that all three babies were stable, though they would need to spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit because they had arrived early, Zach kissed your forehead repeatedly “You did it.”
“We did it.”
“No.” His voice cracked. “You did this. You carried all three of them. You’re incredible.”
Later, after you had been moved into recovery, Zach accompanied the babies to the NICU while the nurses continued monitoring you.
He returned with red eyes and dozens of photographs “Archie grabbed my finger,” he told you, sitting carefully beside the bed. “He’s so small, but he wouldn’t let go. Reggie has your nose. I know he’s only a few hours old, but he does and Kenzie…”
His voice broke again.
“What about Kenzie?”
“She opened her eyes when I talked to her.”
You reached for his hand “Did you tell them I love them?”
“I told them everything. I told them their mom is the strongest person in the world and that she’s coming to see them as soon as she can.”
When you were finally able to visit the NICU, Zach pushed your wheelchair between the three incubators, seeing your children surrounded by wires and monitors was terrifying, but they were there.
They were breathing, they were yours, Zach crouched beside you as you slipped your hand through the opening of Reggie’s incubator.
“We’re parents,” you whispered.
He rested his cheek against the side of your head “To three babies.”
“You had to overachieve.”
“I didn’t do this alone.”
“You did make that joke.”
“I’m never making another joke about my sperm again.”
“You better not.”
Life after bringing the triplets home was exactly as chaotic as you had feared, there was always someone hungry, someone crying or someone in need of a diaper change. Sleep became something you vaguely remembered from another lifetime.
But Zach kept his promise.
He was there.
He learned how each baby preferred to be held. Archie calmed when Zach rested him against his chest. Reggie needed to be gently rocked while someone walked around the room an Kenzie refused to settle unless Zach sang to her, even though his lullabies were often off-key.
During the nights when all three babies cried at once, the two of you moved around the nursery like members of a strangely coordinated team “I’ve got Reggie and Archie,” Zach whispered one night, lifting both boys carefully. “Can you take Kenzie?”
“I just fed her.”
“She wants you.”
“She’s looking at you.”
“She’s looking through me.” You took your daughter, who settled against you almost immediately, Zach stared.
“Traitor.”
“She knows who carried her.”
“I contributed.”
“You’ve contributed enough.”
A few weeks after the babies came home, one of Zach’s teammates visited and stood in the nursery doorway, staring at the three cribs “I still can’t believe there are three of them.” Zach, who had Kenzie asleep against his chest and Reggie resting in his arm, smiled proudly.
“What can I say? Strong genes.”
From the rocking chair, you glared at him “I thought you were never making that joke again.”
His smile disappeared “I meant beautiful genes.”
“Better.”
Later that evening, once the babies were finally asleep, you and Zach stood together in the nursery, the room was quiet except for the soft sounds of three babies breathing.
Zach wrapped his arms around you from behind and rested his chin on your shoulder “Do you remember when we thought we were only having one?”
“We were so naive.”
“We thought one crib would be enough.”
“We thought we would sleep.”
He laughed softly “Do you regret it?”
You looked toward the three cribs, Archie had one hand beside his face, Reggie’s lips moved in his sleep and Kenzie was curled beneath the blanket Zach had carefully tucked around her, you leaned back against him “Not for a second.”
Zach kissed your temple “Me neither.”
“You’re still never allowed to make comments about the strength of your sperm again.”
“Understood.” a small cry came from Reggie’s crib, almost immediately, Archie stirred then Kenzie began fussing. You closed your eyes, Zach sighed “All three?”
“All three.”
He kissed your cheek before moving toward the cribs “Come on, Mama, our exceptionally strong children need us.”
“Zach.”
“Sorry.”
But neither of you could stop smiling as you reached for your babies.
