All Worth It For You.

Freddy had been overdue for two weeks. Two weeks of waiting and holding his breath for those contractions to start — For the time to come for his three cubs to arrive. He both was and wasn’t excited for the day of their arrival. He knew the pain would be worth meeting his children, yet at the same time, having to repeat the process three times for his first pregnancy seemed a bit… intimidating, to put it lightly. He tried not to think about it. Stressing over it wasn’t doing him or his cubs any good. Then the third week came without a single contraction. It was Monday night, and the bear was having dinner with his fiancé. The dirty blonde looked like he hadn’t been sleeping a wink.

“Still nothing?” He asked casually, taking a bite of his steak. For someone so worried about him, he sure did hide it well. Though Freddy had learned to read the subtle ways he showed he cared throughout his pregnancy.

“Mm-mm. Not yet.” Freddy replied, eating his carefully prepared dinner. “They haven’t decided it’s time.”

“I sure wish they’d hurry up. Everyone in the family is holding their breath waiting to meet them.” Fredbear joked lightly, though it was the truth. Everyone was getting antsy in their preparations for the new arrivals, especially Bonnie, who had stayed with the brown bear since he had come to live with his now fiancé.

“Yes… I know. I have too.” Freddy responded, taking a sip of his drink before returning to his food.

Fredbear allowed the rest of their meal to pass in comfortable silence, save for the crackling of the fire that seemed to be in every major room around the house. When the two had finished, the blonde helped Freddy up before walking with him back towards their shared room.

And during the walk, there was a twinge of something sharp. The bear stopped, clutching the fabric over his stomach. “Oh! Shit…” He blew out a slow breath, feeling Fredbear’s gaze snap over to him.

“Are you okay?” Fredbear asked, tender hands brushing hair out of his fiance’s face.

“Yeah, yeah… I think it was a cramp.” He muttered, adjusting his robe before he moved back to his original position. Truth be told, he had no idea what a contraction felt like, so he was assuming this pain was a cramp. Though it was far worse than any pain he was used to.

“Are you sure?” Concern colored his fiance’s words, though he still insisted.

“Yes, I’m fine. I want to go to bed.” The brown bear remarked, continuing past Fredbear and sitting down on the edge of their bed the moment he entered their room.

Fredbear followed him inside, giving him a peck on the lips before crawling under the covers on his side of the bed.

Freddy eventually laid down after a few minutes of continued pains, though eventually it seemed to fade. Maybe it was a fluke. His body overreacting. Either way, he cuddled up to Fredbear’s back and fell asleep soon after.

Freddy woke up not even two hours later. He carefully flipped himself onto his other side to look at the clock despite his body protesting with pain. 11:30 at night. He groaned softly. That sharp pain was back, and it was causing his stomach to feel tight. He sat up, glancing over his shoulder where Fredbear was sleeping. He didn’t want to wake him up, so he got up and forced himself through the hallways back to his old room where Bonnie was still staying. He had to pause once on the way there due to one of his cubs kicking on an already sore spot, but eventually he made it to his old shared room with Bonnie. Luckily enough for him, he was awake.

“What’s wrong?” The bunny asked, standing from his position in bed. He had been reading when the bear had come in.

“I’m cramping really bad. I’m not 100 percent sure, but I think something’s wrong.” Freddy said, wincing as another round of pain hit him.

“Oh, no, no, there’s nothing wrong Freddy, you’re in labor.” Bonnie replied as another head popped up from under the covers. “Uh, uh… Jack?” Bonnie turned to the flame colored bunny whom they had rudely woken up with this conversation.

“Fetch the midwife, I know, I had a feeling you’d be the first person he’d tell when this happened.” The taller rabbit spoke, clearly groggy though he still got up to go fetch the older woman they had hired to take care of this. “You’re going to have to help him, though. He’s not getting to his delivery room on his own. I’m surprised he even made it here.”

Bonnie was already sweating bullets as he looked at Freddy, who was half hunched over leaning against the doorframe. “Okay, you’re going to have to lean on me.” He said as Jack left the room, bracing himself to take half of the bear’s weight since he was already struggling to keep himself on his own two feet. “Easy, easy. I’ve got you.” He said, helping hold the bear up.

Biting back a groan, Freddy thanked his friend before beginning what seemed like an insanely long walk to to his delivery space. And once there, Bonnie helped him get into position before cranking down the AC. He hadn’t ever seen a birth himself before, but judging by the way they were both sweating he knew at least Freddy would want it turned down.

Not long after they had arrived to the designated birthing room, the midwife arrived and ushered Jack out to fetch more of the women in the family to help her. Though just as she was going to tell Bonnie to leave, Freddy spoke up.

“Him. I want him to stay. He’s been there for every major moment before this, I want him here now for this one, too.” He spoke through gritted teeth, huffing as another contraction came.

She blinked, then nodded once. She sent Bonnie to fetch for cool, clean water and towels from the bathroom just down the hall as a few other women entered the room. Wives and mothers of the men in the family, all women who had done this before. Of course, it was a little different for someone who had gone their whole life as a man, but even so, they offered comforting words and support.

Bonnie returned with the water and towels in record time, quickly joining Chica by Freddy’s side, doing as instructed and sitting in the one of the two spare chair there was in the room to apply a cool, water-soaked cloth to Freddy’s forehead.

“We’ve never had any men in the birthing room asides from the fathers of the children,” Chica commented as she checked Freddy’s heart rate. “And even they typically leave once the pushing begins.” She continued, before chuckling. “Can’t stomach seeing a birth despite the amount of bloodshed they see everyday.”

Freddy laughed gently despite the tight pain he was in. “Never had a man be the one pushing either, have you?” He asked with a chuckle. His way of dealing with the pain.

“I suppose not.” Chica replied, smiling. “Though your cubs being born near a holiday is sure to be fun for them to look forward to every year.” The hen remarked, writing down what she had been tasked with logging for the family’s physicians.

Freddy only nodded, looking to Bonnie and gently squeezing his arm. “It’s a good thing you’re sitting for this. And I hope you aren’t afraid of a little blood.” He joked before pulling his hand away and resting it with his other one on his chest, which had swelled quite a bit during the last couple months of his pregnancy. At least compared to his previously nearly flat chest he had before this whole ordeal.

“Oh, my darling,” Fredbear’s voice made Freddy look up. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked, though he carried no anger to his words. The blonde sat down in the last available seat, which was on Freddy’s left next to Bonnie.

Freddy squeezed his eyes shut for a few moments before replying. “I didn’t want to wake you. It’s obvious you haven’t been getting much sleep, love.” He answered simply, offering a tired smile of his own.

“Well I’m up now. And I won’t leave you, okay?” Fredbear promised, glancing at Bonnie for just a moment.

The bunny understood the request, and stood up to exchange seats. “I’ve been cooling him off with a wet cloth. You should probably keep doing so, sir. I’ll fetch the water for you.” Bonnie stated, moving to refresh his cloth with more chilled water while moving the bucket closer to where Freddy was propped up.

Fredbear didn’t care to say anything about being given a command, instead focusing all his energy on keeping his fiancé comfortable. “Do you need anything?” He asked, brushing warm hair out of Freddy’s sweaty face.

“A fan would be nice.” Freddy replied, soaking in the cool touch of a freshly soaked towel over his eyebrow.

Fredbear sent one of the women out to fetch the requested fan, allowing the midwife come forwards to begin doing her job now that everything seemed to be settling into place of who would be doing what.

“You’re doing great, honey.” The old lady assured Freddy as the bear cringed in discomfort at her examination. After a minute longer, she pulled away from his nether region. “It won’t take much longer.”

Just then, another arch of pressure. Then a popping sensation, which promptly soaked Freddy’s legs and splattered onto the floor. The brown bear was sure that Fredbear had been in the splash zone, though he didn’t seem to care.

“Just what we’ve been waiting for,” The midwife said with a pleased expression, taking a towel from one of the idle attendees and placing it down on the floor over where the amniotic fluid had spilled out of him. “You’re getting close hun.” She continued, wiping down Freddy’s soaked legs.

Freddy’s breath hitched before he could even answer as another contraction hit, feeling his first cub’s head now baring down on his pelvis, having nothing left to cushion them against the bone. He groaned deeply, squeezing Fredbear’s hand tightly.

“You’re doing great, my love.” His fiancé encouraged, wiping his head with the wet cloth.

“You better be happy with three kids. Because I don’t think I can do this again.” Freddy croaked, his ears pinning back against his head as the contractions started coming closer together.

“I’m happy with whatever amount makes you happy.” Fredbear responded gently, squeezing Freddy’s hand back in response to his own being squeezed.

Freddy let out another groan, his tail stiffening as the same circle around his swollen belly tightened and then released. And then again. And again. He was barely registering anything else at this point, other than the pain followed by a only mildly comfortable in-between. “Good fucking gods,” Freddy finally cursed, the pressure against his pelvis increasing to the point he felt his hips might break. He was past the point of caring about being modest in his language. The pain was becoming too much, and he was finally showing it.

“It won’t be long now, sweetheart.” Chica said soothingly, the hen’s voice seeming so far away like everyone else’s in that moment. “Just breathe.”

Freddy gripped the linens on either side of him, sharp claws threatening to tear through the cloth as he breathed in, then let it out. In, then out again. It felt never ending. Then a different pressure came. The bear shifted, feeling another cold cloth press against his forehead. “I think… I think I’m ready.” He said weakly, squeezing his eyes shut as stinging tears pricked through their corners.

The midwife checked him again, her encouraging words a distant murmur until she got to the point. He was ready to push.

A squeeze met his hand, and Freddy looked over. Bonnie. He looked terrified of being here to witness the birth, yet at the same time unwilling to leave the bear’s side.

A brief murmur of “Thank you,” left Freddy’s lips before he was aided in sitting up, two of the women present helping to hold him while Chica opened up Freddy’s robe so the midwife would more easily be able to catch the cubs when they slipped free.

Fredbear held Freddy’s hand while the midwife got into position, offering his fiancé a reassuring smile.

“Alright sweetheart, I need you to take a big, deep breath and then bare down as hard as you can when that next pain comes, alright? Can you do that for me?” The older woman asked, looking at him with a pleased glint in her eye as he nodded in response to her question.

When the next pain came, Freddy did his best to follow the instruction he was given. He took in a deep breath, then bared down with all his strength. He pushed for as long as he could, then rested with heavy huffs. Then he did it again. And again. Push, rest. Push, then taking a rest. He repeated that process until he swore that his cub would never be born. Then—

“Okay, hun. I can feel the cub’s head. You’re going to want to push hard now, to get this part over quick since this is going to burn like hellfire.” The midwife explained, her hand loosely holding the top of the cub’s head. “But remember, we don’t want to force baby out, so try and give short pushes, to ease them out.”

Freddy’s eyes burned with tears, his chest still heaving. But he tried his best to follow his midwife’s instructions. The pain was almost unbearable. His muscles tensed, his tail stiffened, everything down from his stomach felt like it was being split open. Yet he still pushed. One at a time, with only brief pauses to pant. Then his cub’s head came free. Soothing voices were telling him he was doing beautifully, though Freddy could only focus on one.

“Keep going, honey, you’re almost there. One more big push.” The midwife told him, cleaning around his slit.

“One more?” He asked, voice still shaky from the pain.

“One more.” She confirmed, fully prepared to catch the cub once they were free.

Freddy nodded once, weakly. Then he took in one last deep breath and bared down, long and hard. He felt shoulders pass through, then hips — And suddenly, a tiny body came free. There was relief, everyone flooding him with congratulations. But he strained – Listening. Everyone fell quiet. Silence for a few following moments. Then a high-pitched squeal. He relaxed. They were breathing.

Bonnie helped the midwife wipe the cub clean, despite tiny limbs flailing in protest. The cub was swaddled. More squeals, then quiet purrs once they were placed against the warmth of their father’s chest. Small claws kneaded at his fur as the cub was guided to the correct spot. A latch. They began to nurse. Freddy’s ears flicked. He’d have to get used to that. They’d be nursing off him for at least a year. But despite all the discomfort, he managed a small, almost scared “Hi,” to the cub. As if the moment would be taken away if he spoke any louder.

“Boy or girl?” Fredbear asked, not looking away from the tiny creature on Freddy’s chest. They were so small — So fragile. He was almost afraid he’d accidentally hurt them. Freddy glanced up at his fiance’s voice. A small smile tugging at his lips.

“This one is a boy.” The midwife replied, pressing a warm, wet cloth to Freddy’s still sore nethers. It was a welcome distraction from the pain he was still in, despite the discomfort.

“What do you want to name him?” Freddy asked after a moment, his gaze flicking back to Fredbear.

“How about… Finch?” The blonde suggested, hesitantly reaching out a finger to the cub, whose eyes were still tightly squeezed shut with youth. He looked like he was about to cry as small fingers wrapped around his.

“Finch… I like that.” Freddy replied, feeling another twinge that he had come to recognize as the start of a contraction. He winced through it, allowing Finch to finish nursing. “You’re going to have to hold him when the next one comes.” He commented. “I can’t push and hold him at the same time.”

Fredbear’s breath hitched. He wanted to say no, but seeing the exhaustion and pleading in Freddy’s eyes made him bite his tongue. “Okay..” He finally answered, staying close and gently rubbing Finch’s back despite how awkward it made him feel. Then came the time for the next cub, and Finch was handed off to Fredbear. There was a quiet squeak of protest as he was pulled away from the familiar scent that Freddy gave off, but once the warmth returned, although this time from Fredbear’s chest, the tiny cub calmed again.

“Alright sweetheart, you know what to do.” The midwife said, getting back into position. Bonnie and Fredbear swapped seats again, this time so Bonnie could comfort the brown bear while the paternal father of the cubs held the one already here.

Freddy groaned uncomfortably, but repeated the same process as before. Push, rest. Push, rest. On and off for what felt like hours. There was more crying. Definitely a few more screams. But finally, the second cub’s head came free. It definitely felt easier the next time, his body already knowing what to do. With a little guidance from the midwife, on the next push the second cub came free.

“Another boy,” The midwife announced, having Chica help her clean him off. Like Finch, he was swaddled and placed on Freddy’s chest. He was guided to the other side of his father’s chest, and like the first, the cub began to nurse almost immediately.

“Would should we name him?” Fredbear asked, moving to sit by Freddy once again.

“Finley.” The brown bear replied, rubbing the cub’s back in slow, soothing circles.

“Finley? I think that suits him.” Fredbear replied, gently placing Finch next to his younger brother on Freddy’s chest. The darker of the two cubs had begun to fuss in his arms.

Bonnie was watching in silence, his hands folded neatly in his lap. As much as birth terrified him now that he knew what it looked like, he couldn’t help but want a family. He’d have to talk to Jack about it later… after Freddy was comfortable enough to allow him to slip out of the room to talk to him. As he had a feeling that the bear was going to want him to stay a while.

Finally the time came for the last cub to be born, and it didn’t take long at all for Freddy to begin pushing. Already stretched out from the previous two cubs, the smallest of the three came fast. Though that didn’t mean that she was any less demanding. Loud squeals echoed throughout the room the moment she came free, and Freddy just knew that she was strong despite being so small. After being dried off and swaddled, the third and final cub, a pale brown female, joined her brothers on Freddy’s bare chest. She was rather wiggly until she found what she was searching for. Freddy sighed in relief. After all that pain, they were all finally here. All healthy, all strong. All content with yawning and falling asleep on his chest.

“They’re all so beautiful,” Chica commented as the midwife helped Freddy pass the afterbirth.

“And so strong. I didn’t know a cub that small could be so loud.” Bonnie added, helping clean up the dirty towels that had been used during the delivery.

Freddy winced at the pressure being applied to his stomach, though still thanked them both.

“Have you thought of a name for her?” Fredbear asked, sitting as close as he physically could just to be near his fiancé. He couldn’t imagine spending time away from him, from any of them, for that matter. They had only just been born and they had already stolen his heart.

“What do you think of Fern?” Freddy asked, yawning despite himself. He was exhausted, but so, so happy. All of this had been worth it, even if he didn’t want to go through it ever again for them to have younger siblings. Three was enough. Three felt right.

“Fern… I love it.” Fredbear answered, noticing the yawn. “We should probably get you to bed.” He commented with a smile, brushing the back of his hand against Freddy’s cheek.

“How? I can’t walk,” Freddy asked with a tired chuckle, wincing despite his amusement.

“I’ll carry you all if I have to.” He answered, pressing his nose to Freddy’s.

“Ah~ Okay. But I’d like to just stay here for a while. I want them to be comfortable for their first few hours.” Freddy sighed, satisfaction in his relaxing body as everyone moved about to either clean up from the delivery or prepare to move the new family. And despite the pain it took to get here, Freddy wouldn’t have had it any other way.