२०.

When Liam wakes up (when did he go to sleep?) he finds himself in a bed, covered by 3 blankets. Feeling much, much better.

Only. . . Where is Zayn?

'Ah good Liam, you're up'

What?

Liam whines softly as he stretches his limbs, and turns to face the voice, still huddled up in his blanket den, eyes half–closed.

Until he spots the beauty standing beside the bed.

Holy fuck.

Oh, and Zayn.

The (hot) man who spoke, smiles and takes a seat on the bed, 'Namaste'

Speak in that accent when you're rimming me—

'Namaste' Liam replies, cringing when his voice comes out hoarse.

'I am the raaj ghar's [palace] general physician. Emir Sahib wanted me to check you up because you were, ah, bleeding and hurting?'

When Liam glances at Zayn, the Emir looks away, avoiding Liam's eye.

'So' the physician starts, setting his equipment down before grabbing a pair of gloves beside him and tugging them on, 'How has the pregnancy been so far?'

Liam pushes himself up slowly, and rubs his eyes blearily with the back of his hands.

'Um' he hums, yawning, 'My feet hurt a lot, and my ankles are so sore. Um, lots of morning sickness, and I get some horrible cramps with them, but other than that it's okay, I think?

Zayn raises his eyebrows, 'What do you mean “it's okay”, you were fucking DYING in my arms half an hour ago—'

'Cramps where?' the doctor interrupts, shooting a sharp look at Zayn.

'Here' Liam mumbles, indicating his right hip. Zayn snorts bitterly, shaking his head.

The physician hums, nodding his head and Liam glances at Zayn who immediately looks away.

What's wrong with him?

'Carry on babe' the physician mutters, still not looking at Liam.

Babe. Liam practically preens at that. Zayn hates it.

Liam furrows his eyebrows, 'Aside from the fact that I've been lied to about pregnancy glows and I look hideous—'

'You don't. You look beautiful'

Liam flushes, pleasantly surprised as he smiles at the physician, who looks up from his stuff for a second to smile back at him.

Zayn bites his lip, furrowing his eyebrows at their little gestures.

What do they think they're doing?

'Oh, um. I have this unhealthy obsession with prawns and mango chutney—'

The physician snaps his gloves against his skin, interrupting Liam, 'Right. I am going to have to request you to take off your shirt'

Liam flushes at his request, and Zayn purses his lips disapprovingly.

'Um okay' Liam hums, struggling as he pulls the top over his bump, and then his head.

The physician smiles sweetly, the corners of his eyes crinkling, 'You remind me of my husband when he was pregnant—it's pretty adorable'

Liam smiles, eyeing Zayn out of the corner of his eye.

Two can play at this game.

'Your husband is hot, I hope, Doctor. . .?' Liam asks, smiling as he leans forward comfortably.

'Qadir, and of course. My husband is beautiful' the physician affirms, smiling fondly. 'I can show you a picture of him later'

(And Liam may well be discussing the physician's husband with him, but Zayn doesn't feel any less jealous)

MineMineMineMineMine

'Okay, now lie down and tell me how you feel' Qadir instructs, watching Liam closely.

Liam leans back slowly, wincing when a burst of pain shoots through his shoulder.

He pauses, breathing heavily and Qadir is there the next moment, pressing the heels of his palm into Liam's spine

'Better?' he hums and Liam bites his lip, feeling tears sting the corners of his eyes, 'No'

Zayn frowns, forgetting all his spite and jealousy for a scary moment, 'Leeyum? Baby?'

Qadir furrows his eyebrows and bites his lip, 'Where does it hurt?'

Zayn is next to Liam within moments, forgetting all his previous annoyance.

He takes Liam hand in his own, tracing designs into the back of his palm.

'Babe please relax—I need to complete my checkup' the physician begs, wincing when Liam crumbles again, tears slipping out of his eyes.

Zayn glares at him. You're a physician, act like one.

'Emir Sahib' Qadir mutters, stressed 'You need to make him lie down'

Zayn scoffs at him before cupping Liam's face in his hands gently.

Liam hiccups as Zayn shushes him, lip between his teeth and eyes wide.

'Please lie down baby' he mutters, feeling close to tears himself when Liam mouths “I can't”.

'Please' Zayn pleads, 'You have to. For the baby'

At that, Liam cringes but breathes in deeply and scrunches his eyes shut.

He slowly pushes himself back down, Qadir and Zayn hovering cautiously around him.

When Liam is finally lying against the bed comfortably, Zayn sighs and leans forward, pressing his cold lips to Liam's warm forehead.

Liam smiles weakly, eyes fluttering shut.

'That's it' the doctor smiles, but he looks slightly uneasy.

'What now?' Zayn hisses, whipping back to Qadir, annoyed at him already.

'Liam, do you uh bleed? Have you found yourself bleeding at any point during the pregnancy?' the doctor asks, looking slightly ill.

'Don't disturb him' Zayn snaps, taking Liam's limp hand in his own, 'And yes. He has bled before'

When Qadir begins to look as worried as Zayn feels, he knows something's not right.

'Why? What's wrong with him?' Zayn says, face softening because

Liam.

'I need to um' Qadir grimaces, indicating the telephone, 'I need to make a phone call'

And then he's turning away from them and grabbing the telephone off the bedside, punching in numbers.

Zayn carefully cards his fingers through Liam's hair, watching the way he shifts round softly, until he finds a comfortable position to settle down in.

'As-Salam-u-Alaikum' he hears the doctor mutter in the background, and Zayn sighs, just hoping nothing is wrong with Liam or the baby.

Khuda rehm kare. [God have mercy]

‡

so, quick update this time !

can i get a ‘yOU GO NIA🔥’!?

this book has reached 20 chapters hOLY SHIT. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT.

your support throughout has been absolutely amazing and I love every single one of you.

this chapter is dedicated to

louispowerprincess

larrymeweakness

xzixamx

stlkhlmstyles

Tinystars123

I will be doing more dedications soon bc there's so many of you lovelies I am so so grateful to :))😊❤

I love y'all💜