Epilogue

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AUTHOR'S POV

Two Years Later

Two years had passed since Aarna's terrifying ordeal, and the family had emerged stronger and closer than ever. The house that once echoed with fear and uncertainty now brimmed with laughter, love, and the joyful noise of a growing family.

Shreya was in the final stages of her pregnancy and Vihaan had been her rock, present at every step of the way. The night Shreya went into labor, the entire household was filled with a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation. Vihaan held Shreya's hand, whispering words of encouragement as they prepared to welcome their new baby.

Hours later, the cries of their newborn son filled the delivery room. Vihaan cut the umbilical cord, tears streaming down his face as he held their baby boy for the first time. "Welcome to the world, little one," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion.

Shreya, exhausted but glowing with happiness, cradled her son in her arms. "He's perfect," she murmured, pressing a kiss to his forehead. Vihaan looked at Shreya and said thank you Sheru for giving me this bundle of joy. Aarna, who had been eagerly waiting outside with Anita, Nidhi, Neil, Nishi, Rohan, and Keerthi, was brought into the room to meet her baby brother.

"Hi, baby brother," Aarna said softly, her eyes wide with wonder. "I'm your big sister, Aarna. she said making everyone smile.

In the days following their son's birth, the household was filled with joy and celebration. They named him Aarav, a name that symbolized peace and strength. Aarna was an enthusiastic helper, always wanting to be involved in caring for her brother.

 The house buzzed with excitement as everyone doted on the new addition to the family. Vihaan and Shreya worked together seamlessly, taking turns with night feedings and diaper changes. They cherished every moment, even the sleepless nights, knowing how precious these early days were.

Aarna was a constant presence by her brother's side, eager to help with anything she could. She proudly took on the role of big sister, often entertaining Aarav with her songs and stories. The sight of Aarna's nurturing care brought tears to Shreya's eyes more than once.

Vihaan and Shreya marveled at their new life. Every night, Vihaan would stay up late, holding Aarav. He watched over him, making sure he felt safe and loved.

Shreya watched Vihaan with their children, her heart swelling with pride and love. "You're an amazing father," she told him one night as they sat together in the nursery, watching Aarav sleep.

Vihaan smiled, wrapping his arm around her. "And you're an amazing mother. We've built a beautiful life together, and I wouldn't change a thing."

As the months passed, their home was filled with laughter, love, and the occasional sleepless night. Aarav grew quickly, his big sister always by his side, guiding him and playing with him.

In the midst of their bustling family life, Vihaan and Shreya always made time for each other. They understood that their relationship was the foundation upon which their family stood, and they cherished their moments together.

One evening, after putting the kids to bed, Vihaan told his mother to look after Aarav and Aarna if they wake up to which she agreed happily and told the couple to spend some time together.

 Vihaan led Shreya out to the terrace where he had set up a surprise. Twinkling fairy lights adorned the trees, and a cozy blanket with pillows lay on the grass, surrounded by candles. Shreya gasped in delight.

"Vihaan, this is beautiful," she said, tears of happiness in her eyes."I wanted to do something special for you," Vihaan replied, pulling her into his arms. "You deserve it."

They lay down on the blanket, looking up at the stars. "Do you remember when we used to do this before the kids?" Shreya asked, her head resting on Vihaan's shoulder.

"Of course," Vihaan said, kissing her forehead. "Those were magical times, and so are these. Every moment with you is precious."

They spent the evening reminiscing about their journey, laughing and sharing stories. Their love for each other had only deepened over the years, and these quiet moments were a testament to their enduring bond.

Family gatherings had become a regular occurrence, bringing together not only Vihaan, Shreya, Aarna, and Aarav, but also Neil, Nidhi, their daughter Rohan, Keerthi. These gatherings were filled with warmth, joy, and a sense of belonging.

One weekend, they all decided to have a big family barbecue at Neil and Nidhi's house. The backyard was buzzing with activity. Neil and Vihaan manned the grill, laughing and joking as they cooked up a feast. Nidhi and Shreya prepared salads and desserts in the kitchen, their easy camaraderie evident in their playful banter.

Rohan and Keerthi played with Aarna, Nishi and Aarav, their laughter echoing through the yard. Aarna and Nishi, who had become close friends and protective big sisters to Aarav, kept a watchful eye on him, making sure he was always safe and happy.

As the evening wore on, they all gathered around a large table under the stars. The food was delicious, the conversation lively, and the sense of family palpable. Anita, the matriarch, looked on with pride, her heart full seeing her son with his family so united and joyful.
After dinner, as the kids played and the adults relaxed with drinks in hand, Shreya found herself standing a little apart, taking in the scene. Vihaan noticed and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

"What's on your mind?" he asked softly.

Shreya turned to face him, her eyes shining with tears of happiness. "I was just thinking about how far we've come. There was a time when I felt so alone, but now... now I have this incredible family."

Vihaan smiled, brushing a tear from her cheek. "We were always together Sheru, but it was just few bumps to make our relationship more stronger."

Shreya laughed softly, leaning into him. "Thank you, Wookie. Thank you for giving me everything I ever wanted. I'm no longer an orphan. I have a big, wonderful family now, and it's all thanks to you."

Vihaan kissed her deeply, his love for her evident in every touch. "I love you, Sheru and I always will. We've built this life together, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Aarna and Nishi were inseparable, their bond growing stronger just as Vihaan and Neil. They spent countless hours playing with Aarav, teaching him new things, and making sure he always felt loved.

One afternoon, as the family gathered in the living room, Aarna and Nishi were building a fort with Aarav. "Careful, Aarav, don't knock over the pillows," Aarna instructed, her tone gentle but firm.

Nishi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we have to make it strong so we can all fit inside."Aarav giggled, his chubby hands trying to stack the pillows as his big sisters guided him. Shreya watched from the couch, her heart swelling with pride and joy.

"You know, Vihaan," she said, turning to her husband, "seeing Aarna with Aarav, it just fills me with so much happiness. She is just like you."

Vihaan smiled, wrapping an arm around Shreya. 

As the sun set on another beautiful day, the family gathered on the porch, wrapped in blankets and sharing stories. Aarna cuddled with Aarav and Nishi is other side of Aarav, while the adults sipped on hot cocoa.

Neil and Nidhi shared a look of contentment, knowing that they were part of something truly special. Rohan and Keerthi sat close together, Keerthi's head resting on Rohan's shoulder. Anita,  looked on with a smile, her heart full.

Shreya leaned into Vihaan, her eyes reflecting the love she felt. "This is it, Vihaan. This is what life is all about."

Vihaan nodded, holding her close. "Yes, it is. And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world." They sat there, surrounded by their family, feeling the warmth of their love and the strength of their bonds. The journey had been long and sometimes challenging, but it had brought them here, to a place of peace, joy, and unbreakable connections.

In the glow of the evening, under the stars, Vihaan and Shreya knew that their love had created something truly magical. They had built a family, a sanctuary of love and support, where everyone belonged and was cherished.

And as they looked around at their family, they knew that no matter what the future held, they would face it together, with love as their guiding light.

The years ahead were bright with promise. Vihaan and Shreya looked forward to watching their children grow, celebrating their milestones, and creating countless memories. Their love for each other remained the foundation of their happiness, a beacon that would guide them through any challenges.

As they lay in each other's arms that night, they whispered their dreams and hopes for the future, knowing that as long as they had each other, anything was possible.

And so, with hearts full of love and a family bound by unbreakable ties, Vihaan and Shreya looked forward to a future filled with joy, laughter, and endless possibilities. They had found their happily ever after, and it was more beautiful than they could have ever imagined.


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Dear Readers,

This marks the end of "Forbidden Flames," and I sincerely hope you all enjoyed the journey as much as I enjoyed writing it. Your patience and understanding during the times of delayed updates have been truly appreciated, and I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support.

As I embark on my next writing adventure, I promise to bring you daily updates to keep the excitement alive. Your love and support mean the world to me, so please continue to share your thoughts through comments and votes. I am eagerly looking forward to hearing your feedback and connecting with you all.

Thank you for being such wonderful readers and for making this journey so special!

With heartfelt gratitude,
 
bhadri_writes

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