Adventures of Sinbad and Layla

The Only Way (Part II)

That night, Sinbad was sitting up against the headboard completely unable to sleep. Their situation wasn't ideal and he wanted to give Layla the chance to be a mother. Finding out she was infertile was the most difficult thing she had ever had to go through and she blamed herself for years. She still did. So, he was glad that he agreed to the surrogacy option. Still, he didn't know if he would be able to love that child the same as if the child had been his and Layla's, not some other woman's.

Layla turned in her sleep, waking up a little as she did. Seeing Sinbad sitting up made her squint slightly in the darkness as she looked up at him.

"Sin, why are you still awake?" she mumbled sleepily.
"I couldn't sleep."
"Obviously..."
He smiled at her. "Go back to sleep, baby girl."
She breathed out and leaned up on her elbow. "Why can't you sleep? Is something bothering you?"
He brushed his fingers through her hair. "It's nothing. Really."

He lay down and pulled her into his embrace. She closed her eyes as she snuggled into his chest and instantly fell asleep again. Sinbad sighed softly and kissed the top of her head.

'I'll do anything to see you smile, Layla. Although the child won't physically be yours, I know you'll be the most perfect mother. That's all I want.'

***

The day had come to bring Maryam to the palace. Sinbad had sent some guards and a carriage to collect her and she soon arrived. With her carrying the king's child, Sinbad and Layla, along with all eight of the generals, greeted her at the entrance. She bowed to them and offered them a sweet smile.

"Thank you for all of your hospitality, Your Highness," she said.
Layla smiled. "There's no need to thank us. In fact, we should be thanking you for helping us so selflessly."
Maryam bowed her head and shyly fiddled with her fingers. "It's an honour."
Sinbad wrapped his arm around Layla's shoulders. "Let us go inside. We have held a feast to celebrate. We thought it best to do it now before the sickness kicks in."
She laughed lightly. "That sounds lovely."

They introduced her to the generals, all being very welcoming to her. They then showed her to the room she would be staying in. It was only a couple of rooms away from Sinbad and Layla's room, the one in between being saved to be used as a nursery.

Over dinner, the generals got to know her a bit better. Sinbad and Layla sat side-by-side at the head of the table as usual and Maryam sat adjacent to Layla. She knew she had a good few months to get her plan into action and so there was no need to rush. For now she had to play the sweet, innocent girl who only wanted to help.

***

Maryam had settled in quickly. She loved her room in the palace. Everything was just so luxurious. And she was damn well going to keep it.

Layla helped her as much as she could. After a couple of weeks went by, Maryam's sickness had begun. Layla had her every request granted starting from whatever food she was craving to having a bath prepared for her at 3am. To Layla, Maryam deserved to be as demanding as she wanted to be. She was going to give them a child after all.

Sinbad stayed away though. If it was Layla, then yes he would have done anything she wanted. But after Yamraiha's warning, he thought it was best to keep his distance. He had learned from his mistakes. The last thing he wanted was for Maryam to get any wrong ideas.

Layla returned to their bedroom just after midnight. She looked absolutely exhausted and Sinbad instantly lifted her off her feet bridal style. She laughed softly and looked up at him.

"I can walk, you know."
"I do know." He smiled and kissed her forehead. "But I want to carry you."

He took her out onto the balcony where their hammock was waiting for them. The weather was warm and so they had earlier decided to sleep outside. They cuddled up together as it swayed gently, Sinbad holding her from behind as they finally relaxed.