Tum Mere Ho

Family Time

 Part Sixteen

Avni nudged her husband to wake him up. She gazed shyly at their state. He had tied the scarf last night so they were flush against each other. As if he was afraid she would disappear before he would awaken.

"Neil come on you will be late for work. Oh look Mummyji and Bebe are here!," she hissed.

He jerked awake in surprise.

She was able to get loose and started running towards the washroom.

Her super cop husband was too quick and grabbed her by the waist.

"Neil choro mujhe!"

"You tried to trick me!"

"Not fair if you can trick me why can't I too!," she giggled as he tickled her.

Suddenly she winced with pain.

"Avni kya hua?"

"It must be cramps. My period was late because of everything that has happened, ugh! I should have known," she rasped.

He picked her up and placed her back towards the bed.

"No Neil I need the washroom first!," she stammered,

He picked her up and quickly brought her in there.

" I will go get the hot water bottle, what else do you want wifey?," he asked.

" Chocolates and I need to sleep it off a few hours I guess," she muttered.

"Don't lock the door, I will be back soon," he assured her.

She merely nodded.

Seeing his harried state, Bebe and Shweta were concerned but smiled when they saw like every month as usual Neil was searching for necessities for his wife.

" We have taught him well Madonna," Bebe said with a grin.

"Bebe in the next few months hope to see this care for a pregnant Avni," Shweta declared.

"Tere mooh mein ghee sakar! I can't wait to be badi dadi," Bebe exclaimed.

Neil overheard them and smiled to himself.

He would like to be a dad someday soon but he and Avni both should be ready for that day.

After Avni was settled in their bed with everything she needed, he kissed her forehead and got ready himself.

As he was about to leave for the office, she called out, " Be safe. Love you pati dev!"

Ali, Riya, Aman and DD all took turns checking on her that day. She found it was odd.

Before DD left, she asked," Was this Neil's plan?"

DD looked at her sheephisly.

" Sir does love you a lot Bhabhi," he quipped before scurrying off.

Of course she knew that!

Oh wait she had to ask him about working with Papaji when he returned home.

Neil returned home in time for dinner. Avni felt slightly better so she joined everyone else.

She decided to bring it up now since everyone is assembled here now.

"Papaji Neil koi interest nahin hai business main right?"

"Pelhe tha bachpan mein," Prakash replied.

Neil glanced at his wife knowingly. She never did anything randomly. Yes she was impulsive at times, but there was always a trigger for it.

"Avni kya bola na chahti ho?"

"Neil, Papaji, Bebe, Mummyji, I want to work again," Avni declared.

Neil grasped her wrist firmly.

"Avni I want you to be happy, but not that cost of your safety and peace of our family," Neil declared.

"Neil usse bole ne de,"Bebe admonished.

"Main phir tuhme nahin khoy nahin sakta."

"Neil I am not talking about going back to being a reporter. I had another idea," Avni declared.

"Bolo Avni, no more suspense. Tillu keep quiet," Shweta said before Neil could get upset again.

" Papaji if you don't mind, may I join the business on Monday? This way I will not land in any major trouble and I will keep me busy when Neil has to work late,"Avni declared.

"Of course beta! I will get your office ready, meantime you can share mine," Prakash said with glee.

" Actually a cubicle is fine. I want to start at the bottom and earn the office only by my merit," Avni declared.

Prakash's face fell.

"Par beta.."

"Please Papaji. They must not know until necessary, that I am your daughter-in-law," Avni declared.

Everyone glanced at Neil to see his reaction.

" Fine but when I am off duty you should be with me," he insisted.

Everyone exchanged smiles and bursted out laughing at his antics.

Avni swatted him as he had finally let go of her wrist.

"Hey!"

"Behave Mr. ACP!"

They finished their meal. The couple took turns freshening up. Neil said he would be back and he returned with a fresh hot water bottle.

" You had everyone had my beck and call today Neil. Why are you so good to me?"

He gazed back at her.

"Kyunki tum sirf meri ho wifey. Mera haaq hai and I love you," he declared.

"I love you too."

As they laid down together, Neil stated, " If you work longer hours than me, I may have to arrest you for breaking the rules of our marriage."

She nudged him.

" You think you can arrest me that easily Acp saab?"

"If you can love me, then why not?"

" True you won me over quicker than I expected," she quipped.

"Let's sleep now. Are you feeling all right?"

"Yes pati dev. Now relax and sleep. You have work in the morning," she hissed.