Chapter Text
Francis’ mood picked up considerably, and so did Matthew’s for that matter. Arthur appeared mostly unchanged, but Francis couldn’t help but notice he seemed to relax a little after Matthew had sheepishly greeted him with a smile. He was guessing the Omega had held onto some guilt for the night in the shed. Even if he had been right to keep Matthew there, it had been done coldly.
As time passed, Matthew was more and more confined. His belly grew and was becoming impossible to hide. Soon, Vincent was charged with taking children outside or to classes, Matthew staying in the nursery with the babes. It suited Francis just fine… The Omega was looking more and more uncomfortable with every passing week, and having him rest was exactly what Francis wanted. He would have preferred to have him in a bed where he could be fussed over… but The Alpha would take this. It was more than he thought he would be getting anyway..
Honestly, Arthur wasn’t fairing much better in the discomfort category, or at least he complained enough to make it seem that way. They were trying to keep his belly up with the size of Matthew’s and he was getting grumpier at the prospect of much more of this. He had good reason to object though, it was expected Matthew would get much bigger. It had been discovered, after his rapid growth prompted further looking, that there wasn’t one, but two children. Rare for a first time mother, but it happened on occasion.
Arthur had whined and grumbled for days upon finding out. Not at the prospect of claiming two babies as Francis’ mother had thought, but simply for the stomach.
“Why would I care if there’s two? I wouldn’t care if there were six if i didn’t have to wear these torture devices under my clothing! Must they be so heavy?!”
The prospect of two had a different effect on the actual parents. Both a mix of thrilled, and terrified. Two precious little babies, two sets of violet eyes looking up at him. Francis couldn’t have smiled more at the thought if he tried, his pride surging. But along with pride, came worry. Multiple births were harder, and Francis wouldn’t know how he was until much later. He couldn’t be near the birthing room, nor could it be reported lest it look suspicious.
However, as the due date approached, Arthur had yet another suggestion,
“Just so you stop moaning over it!” he hissed, as they made their way to the house's main office again.
Francis wasn’t entirely sure what he had planned… Arthur wouldn’t say. The Alpha was willing to go along with it when he assured it meant being closer to Matthew when he had the babies.
Arthur walked into the office, Francis trailing behind “Arthur, you could at least knock” He said exhaustedly, closing the door behind himself as his father looked up, slightly disgruntled.
“And they could at least make these bellies lighter, but they don’t so too bad.” He shot back before turning to the desk. “I want to go away.” He announced before Francis’ father could react much
The older french alpha blinked “you want a vacation? This close to everything…” he said looking at Arthur as if he were insane. “Walking about with a fake belly?”
Arthur rolled his eyes “No. I want to head to one of the smaller vacation homes. I want to take Francis, and that Omega he knocked up along with the nursing Beta who are fully aware. Tell people my nerves are too rattled being around all these people, that I want a quiet and peaceful birth for the twins and my health demanded it.” He said as he sat on a seat, hand going to the fake belly.
Francis’ father looked to him and Francis just shrugged as if to say he had no idea. “I’ll bite… why?”
“For one…” Arthur started, “In a secluded household with no one around I don’t have to wear this damn thing.” he pushed on the offending bump, “But for another it makes it easier if I come back later with two babies then trying to organize it here doesn’t it? I’m taking a nanny Omega with me, to help care for them while I recover. No one will question why he’s not at work while he heals and has his procedure.” Arthur explained.
It made sense to Francis, though the thought of the procedure still made him ill. He was once again impressed. It may have been partly self driven, but he had a feeling the Omega held a soft spot for Francis’ lover. Matthew was hard not to develop a soft spot for, but Francis was rather bias in that respect. Not that any of it mattered, they would all get what they want.
“And when do you suggest this move?” Francis father said after a pause.
“As soon as it can be arranged.” Arthur answered with a shrug
“Alright, I’ll set one to go to the lake house in the south”
“I want the northern house. The one by the forest. The south would be too hot and I prefer trees to water.” He insisted “Plus it’s a smaller house with less staff who will have to be informed correct?”
Francis father narrowed his eyes “We generally don’t give into demands from Omega’s”
Arthur returned the look without flinching “I generally don’t wear twenty pound sacks on my abdomen willingly. We could both stop doing what we generally don’t right now if you like”
“Just get out” The alpha growled, backed into a corner. “I’ll set it up, you leave tomorrow. Thorn out of my side at least” he grumbled, returning to his paperwork
“Perfect! Francis, help me up” He said, the young alpha jumping a little at being addressed before going and helping the Omega to his feet, walking out of the office. “God know’s how Matthew deals with this without being able to take the damn thing off” He grumbled turning down the wrong hallway.
“Well, he’s generally uncomfortable… he says one of the babies likes to kick in him the ribs as well- where are we going?” He asked with a frown.
“We have to tell Matthew to pack for transfer, let Vincent know he’ll be taking over full time care. Or did you want to spring it on them tomorrow?” He snarked. Francis sighed and nodded. Alright, he wasn’t always wrong..
Matthew looked up as they came in, vincent could be see through the windows in the small enclosed area outside of the nursery room with some of the children. “Hello” He said sweetly, a baby perched on the large bump.
“Dear lord that looks uncomfortable…” Arthur murmured, openly staring.
“I guess” Matthew said sheepishly, “but it’ll be done in a few months” He said with a sad smile. Francis frowned, moving to comfort him before Arthur grabbed his arm stopping him and looking at the open window.
“You’ll be coming with us tomorrow. We’re being shuffled to the northern house. It’s smaller, quieter, less stressful in my condition. The staff is all being made fully aware of conditions.” He looked away toward the yard, then spoke louder, “Vincent will be taking over with the children here” he turned back to Matthew as the other Omega nanny came to the window looking in, “You’ll need to pass off the baby now so you can go pack, we’ll be leaving tomorrow and you’ll need to make sure we have enough for the babies when they arrive.”
Francis watched with slight amusement as Arthur cracked a small smile in response to Matthew’s confusion. “You won’t have much to do besides rest before the babies arrive I’m afraid” Francis said with a smile. “So if you have any books, I would bring them.” Matthew blinked and Francis gave a small nod, letting him smile brightly
“Yes sir’s! I’ll go pack now! V-Vincent could you….” He trailed off, Francis sweeping in first however to scoop the baby up, transferring him outside to Vincent, leaving Matthew to rock himself out of the chair, moving around the room with Arthur to pick things out to bring for the babies.
By the time the van was packed and ready to go, it was noon, the three piled into the back, Arthur and Matthew getting tucked into the very back, Francis in the middle beside two nurses, and a maid in the front with the driver as they took off.
There had been some chatter early on in the trip, but about an hour and a half in, he looked into the back and couldn’t help but smile, Arthur’s fake belly tossed aside, Matthew and Arthur both leaning on each other, fast asleep. Maybe in the end this could turn out alright.