Tale of Two Lovebirds

Chapter 15

Their house was awfully quiet, it was late after all. He walked past his daughter's room, the door was wide open, lights off, bed empty. He assumed she was in their room and he was correct, he found her in his wife's arms, both fast asleep with the lights on. They must have fallen asleep waiting for him, as she said there were plans. He sighed, hating to have taken so long.

Once ready to call it a night, he joined them in bed, resting a hand on his wife's swollen baby bump and leaving a kiss on the back of her head. He closed his eyes, picturing the baby in the image, marveled by how just a few years ago there was only two of them and soon they will be four. He was fascinated by how their love was capable of growing so much and creating life. He loved her, their daughter, their unborn child be it a boy or a girl. They had their ups and downs like any other couple and any other family, more ups than downs though. They couldn't stay mad at each other for long. They inspired him, motivated him, made his life better ever since every single one of them entered it.

Deepika stirred in his arms and mumbled something he couldn't understand. It made him smile. She brought a hand to his arm around her as her sleepy brain registered his presence behind her. "It's just me..." He whispered to her ear and her hand found its way to his face, caressing his cheek. She smiled too, relieved to know he was finally home but too sleepy to wake up and tell him about the surprise.

~

"Mommy..." A soft whisper came accompanied by a little finger patting her arm early in the morning. She opened her eyes, Ria pointed at Ranveer. "Papa is here." Meaning time to share the news.

"I know, we fell asleep..." In their defense, it had been past their bedtime. Ria made a sad face, feeling guilty.

"We can still share the surprise." That made the little girl smile. "Bring the bag."

She got up from bed immediately, always eager to have fun. She brought the gift bag to her mom and Deepika gestured for her to put it on the other side of the bed, Ranveer's side.

"What are you two up to?" He asked and Ria stopped in her tracks, big gift bag in hand, looking surprised and a little nervous. "What's that?"

She looked at her mom and Deepika nodded, letting her know it was alright for her to give him the gift now. "Is for you." The little girl said.

"For me? But it's not my birthday. What's the occasion?" He asked sitting up and reaching for the bag.

Ria climbed back on their bed and Deepika sat up too. He opened the bag with a big smile on his face, which only grew bigger when its contents were revealed.

"A soccer ball?" He looked at Ria and then at Deepika, both were grinning, way too happy about a simple soccer ball. His mind went to the events from the day before, neither one was saying anything though. Ria looked at her mom and Deepika looked at him nodding.

"It's a ball... so you can play soccer with your son." She finally said and he could hear the last two words echoing in his head.

"your son, your son, your son"

He loved his daughter very, very much but he was thrilled to hear he will also have a son. He couldn't help taking Deepika in his arms and planting a big kiss on her lips. He felt happy and proud, very, very proud.

"A boy?" He asked with a big smile, cupping her face, mere millimeters away from her. She nodded with tears in her eyes. She always seemed to cry nowadays but he still didn't like to see her cry. "A boy..." He repeated, pulling her in for a hug again.

"Did you hear that, Ri?" He asked his daughter, who was just sitting there watching them with amusement. "You're going to have a baby brother."

"Yes!" Ria exclaimed and stood up on the bed and walked towards them to give them a hug or more like be part of the hug too. She already knew the news since the day before at the doctor's office and she was very excited.