Author's PoV:
"She has such beautiful eyes," Mariam spoke softly.
"So adorable," Arhaan commented.
"My princess," Ahan breathed, mesmerised.
"She's pretty hairy," Ayan's voice made everyone turn to him in bewilderment and offence. "But she's cute. Such an angel," he added with a sheepish smile.
Ashiya looked at everyone and then at the little bundle of joy that lay beside her. Her daughter. Ashiya had become a mother now. She couldn't believe it. She tried to get up but Saba, who was standing right next to her, stopped her.
"You should be taking a rest now," she patted her daughter's head. Ashiya and Ahan's family came rushing to the hospital as soon as they were informed about her water breakage. The delivery was carried out smoothly without any complications but that didn't stop Ahan from pacing in the hospital corridor in anxiety. He literally barged inside the delivery room when he got to know about the birth of his daughter. "You people can leave, I'll stay by her side tonight," Saba announced, making Mariam frown.
"What for? We know you hate the smell of hospitals. You should go and I'll stay."
"Who will take care of your kids if you stay here?" Saba argued.
"We're not kids!" Arhaan and Ayan exclaimed.
Saba shook her head, "Whatever, I'll stay."
Ashiya looked helplessly at her family. Their concern for her was nice but she really was not in a mood to witness their dramatic conversations. The labour pain had exhausted her and sucked all her energy out. Ahan understood her situation and decided to put an end to the chaos.
"I'll stay with her," he said in a calm but authoritative manner. "It's the least I can do."
Everyone looked at him and for some reason, they forgot how to argue. Nodding like obedient children, they left the couple after taking a last glance at the new member of their family.
"You must be tired," Ashiya heard and nodded.
"There's barely any energy lefâ"
"Aww little one, you're so pretty."
Ashiya turned her head to see her husband busy with their daughter. He was so engrossed in talking to the new addition to their life that he completely forgot about his wife's existence.
"Look at you sleeping so peacefully. My baby," he made little kissing sounds that would have sounded cute had he not pissed his wife off.
"Oh yes, your daughter was the one carrying me for nine months, I see," her tone was snarky, and enough for Ahan to get the signal that he had angered his wife.
He immediately straightened up, focusing all his attention towards Ashiya. "I just got distracted," he smiled hesitantly. "I mean, who wouldn't? Look at her, she's gorgeous."
It was true. Ashiya shifted her heated gaze from Ahan to their daughter and it immediately softened her. She was fast asleep without a care in the world. Reaching out to hold her small hands, Ashiya felt an overwhelming sense of affection. "I'm gonna protect you from every bad thing, little one."
"And I am going to protect you both," Ahan placed a sweet kiss on his wife's cheek. The couple kept looking at their baby, as if in a trance. Both of them found it hard to avert their eyes from her. "She's so tiny."
Ashiya nodded. "I know right," she whispered and looked up at Ahan who still had his gaze fixed on their daughter. She smiled, realising how smitten he already was. Alhamdulillah, she uttered and closed her eyes to get some sleep.
.
.
.
"Is she done?" Ahan questioned for the zillionth time and rolled his eyes after receiving a bored look from Ashiya. "How long is she going to take? Her tummy isn't even big enough to store all that milk inside."
"Ya Allah!" Ashiya was seriously done with this man. "Let her be fed properly, will you?"
Ahan lowered his head like a disappointed kid. "I just wanted to play with her," he murmured and this time, it was Ashiya's turn to roll her eyes.
"You haven't slept properly since last week. Don't you think you should be resting now?"
"I'm good," He waved her off and took Ayra's little hand. "One look at her big brown eyes and I'll be energised again, which by the way, she has got from you." He smiled his usual charming smile at his wife and succeeded in melting her.
Ayra was the name they had given to their baby girl. It meant "respectable" in Urdu. The couple had decided the name ever since they got to know about the pregnancy.
"Here," Ashiya covered herself after Ayra was full. She handed her over to Ahan and he held her oh so perfectly like he had been trained for this job. Ayra's face lit up instantly after looking at her father. She smiled a toothless smile, making Ahan's heart almost burst in joy. Ashiya wondered what kind of secret conversation those two were having. What kind of telepathy is this?She thought and sighed.
She got up and made her way to the bathroom in order to get ready for bed. She was on a three month maternity leave from work which she had saved before the childbirth. Mariam and Saba took turns to stay at her place in order to help her with the new stage of her life. She had become a pro in changing diapers but she still felt nervous in carrying Ayra as she feared her hold would make the baby uncomfortable.
"Why does she not smile at me?" She thought and changed into her night suit. Stupid as it might sound, she had been feeling a little jealous of the bond Ahan had formed with Ayra. She wanted to be the centre of Ahan's attention, as well as develop a stronger bond with Ayra. "Why am I the way I am? What kind of mother thinks like that? Patheticâ¦"
She left the bathroom to put Ayra to sleep only to find her safely caged inside Ahan's embrace. They were both deep in slumber, with Ahan still wearing his work clothes.
"These guys," Ashiya sighed as she carefully took Ayra out of Ahan's arms and placed her in her crib. She covered her little body with a bunny blanket, a gift received from Arhaan. She then turned to the dozed off form of her husband. "And now, this baby," she walked towards Ahan's feet and removed his socks. Taking off his watch from his wrist, she put his long limbs in a better position so that he doesn't wake up with sore muscles.
Finally, when she was done, she switched off the lights of her room and retired to bed. She kept looking at Ahan's face, a number of thoughts running in her head. "You areâ¦" she started and touched his face, "so perfect." Even after more than three years of marriage, she couldn't believe her destiny. Among all the emotions that clouded her thoughts, gratitude was the biggest one. "I don't think I'll ever be able to love you enough," Her thumb caressed his sharp nose and travelled to his perfect lips.
Ahan suddenly shifted and put his arm around Ashiya, pulling her close. His breath fanned her face and nose brushed her cheek, taking her by surprise. "You can always try," his low voice came out husky. His large body covered her tiny one as his tall leg went around her torso.
"You giant crocodile," Ashiya scolded and slapped his arm, "you almost gave me a heart attack."
Ahan snuggled his face deeper in her neck. "Tsk tsk," he hissed, "you start being rude to me as soon as you realise I'm awake." He sounded soâ¦manly. "I guess I should remain asleep forever to hear nice words from you." Ashiya blushed. "And now you're blushing."
She slapped his arm again and then started massaging his scalp. "Go to sleep," she whispered. Ahan hummed and shifted his head from her neck to her chest. "What are you doing?"
"Getting comfortable," his raspy tone ignited knots in her belly. "Goodnight, wifey."
"Night," she replied as she hugged him tighter. Life is good, she thought and smiled before closing her eyes and diving deep into slumber.
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My babies are parents now𤧠I can't believe how far these two have come. The next chapter might be the last one I'm gonna write for this book. I don't know. I'm still not sure though. Let's see.
Anyway, please don't forget to vote and comment. Also, I'm thinking about starting another book. I mean, I still haven't updated Taming the Eagle but that's coz there aren't many views on that one. (Please go and check that one out.)
Whatever, just tell me if I should write a new one or continue with TTE first. Please give your feedback.
Bbye.