Three Years Later:
Ishaan and Pari returned home from the office to find the manor unusually quiet. The maid greeted them with water, and sensing something odd, they hurried to Rey and Vaishu’ s room, looking for them and their two-year-old son, Ved but the room was empty.
They called the home manager, who informed them that everyone was in the theatre.
Entering the theatre, Ishaan and Pari paused at the doorway. The entire family was cozily gathered, watching The Lion King, while little Ved was curled up in Reyansh’s lap.
Ishaan turned on the lights, and Ved immediately covered his eyes with his tiny palms, snuggling deeper into Reyansh’s chest. Reyansh chuckled softly and ruffled his hair.
“Ved,” Ishaan called him lovingly.
Ved got down from Reyansh’s lap and ran straight into Ishaan’s arms. Ishaan lifted him effortlessly, kissing his forehead and brushing the hair from his forehead.
After Ved was born, Ishaan and Pari decided to move back to the manor so their son could grow up surrounded by love and family. In the months following his birth, Reyansh, Vaishu, Mithun, and Kajal had all doted on him endlessly, while Pari gradually returned to business. Little Ved had been the apple of everyone’s eye, spoiled with affection from all sides. He adored tagging along with Reyansh and Mithun, his constant companions.
Pari laughed as she saw Adhvika and Ishika stretching and yawning awake.
“This little devil won’t watch anything except The Lion King. We’ve officially made a record, today completes the 500th time ” Adhvika said, yawning.
Ved giggled, then leaned over to kiss Reyansh and Mithun on their cheeks before wrapping his tiny arms around Ishaan’s neck.
“Good night, Rey grandpa… good night, Mithun grandpa,” he mumbled sleepily.
Ishaan smiled, gently caressing his son’s back as the family’s laughter filled the cozy theatre.
Ishaan and Pari returned to their room, and little Ved clung to Ishaan, refusing to let him go.
“What did you do today?” Ishaan asked, settling on the couch with Ved snugly seated on his lap.
“Appa, I made toys with clay today. Ishi aunty taught me. I’ll show you tomorrow,” Ved said excitedly, his eyes gleaming with pride.
Pari smiled as she picked out their nightclothes. After changing into something comfortable, the three of them played together until Ved finally drifted off to sleep in Ishaan’s arms.
“He’s so happy, he’s enjoying every moment of his childhood.” Pari whispered, gently brushing a strand of hair from Ved’s forehead.
Ishaan lay down beside her, resting his head on her lap and pressing a soft kiss on her abdomen.
“He’ll be even happier when he has a little brother or sister to play with,” Ishaan murmured, his palm tenderly caressing her baby bump.
Pari smiled, lightly pinching his cheek. “I think it would be better if I stay home for a few years… or maybe work from home. I don’t want our children to miss their moments with us. I know our family would take great care of them, but I want to be there for everything.”
Ishaan sat up and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Pari, I’ll never force you to do anything. You have every right to choose what you want. If working from home makes you happy, then that’s what you should do. Maybe I can work from home on alternate days too — we’ll spend more time together, with our kids.”
Pari smiled softly, her heart full, as they both looked down at Ved sleeping peacefully, his tiny hand still wrapped around her fingers.
The next day Ved sneaked into Reyansh and Mithun’s room where they spent time chatting and playing chess.
“Rey grandpa, Mithun grandpa ” Ved called out cheerfully as he ran into the room, clutching his little toy car.
Reyansh looked up from the chess board, smiling on seeing Ved’s excited face. “Ah, my little engineer is here. Did you come to teach us how to build a skyscraper again?”
Ved shook his head vigorously. “No, granda, Today I want to race my car with Mithun grandpa”
Mithun chuckled, setting aside his coffee. “Race with me, huh? You better be ready to lose, little man. Mithun grandpa is undefeated”
Ved giggled and lined up his toy car alongside Mithun’s hand on the table. “No way, I will win. Rey grandpa, you be the judge”
Reyansh leaned back, putting on a mock-serious expression. “Hmm… I see. Fair race rules must be followed. On my mark… get set… go”
Ved pushed his car with all his tiny strength, squealing with laughter as Mithun gently nudged his car to make the race fun. The cars zoomed across the table, Ved ‘s winning by a fraction, and he jumped up, arms raised triumphantly.
“I won! I won!” Ved shouted, hugging both Reyansh and Mithun at the same time.
“Looks like Mithun grandpa’s undefeated streak is broken” Reyansh teased, ruffling Ved ‘s hair.
“Don’t worry, little champ. Mithun grandpa will practice and beat you next time” Mithun said, pretending to pout.
Ved laughed so hard that his giggles filled the room. “I love you both “
Reyansh and Mithun exchanged a look, their hearts swelling. “And we love you too, Ved,” they said in unison, hugging him tightly.
” Rey grandpa, I want to make cookies” Ved announced, standing on the table.
Reyansh laughed. “Alright, chef Ved, let’s do it. But you have to follow my instructions carefully.”
Within five minutes, flour was everywhere on the counter, the floor, and most of all, on Ved ‘s nose. Pari walked in and pretended to be shocked. “What happened here? Is this a kitchen or a snowstorm?”
Ved giggled, sneezing out a puff of flour. “I made it extra snowy for you, amma”
Reyansh chuckled, scooping Ved into his arms. “This little chef is more trouble than a dozen cookies can handle”
Mithun ruffled Ved ‘s hair. “And that’s exactly why we love him so much.”
Pari shook her head with a smile and was about to take Ved for a wash, but Reyansh stopped her.
“I’ll take care of him, darling. You go rest. This little monster is a handful, and you’ll be exhausted just trying to wash him,” Reyansh said, making Ved giggle as he playfully bit Rey’s cheek.
By evening, when Pari walked into Rey’s room, she found Ved fast asleep on Rey’s chest, his tiny arms wrapped around him. Smiling at the sight, she quietly stepped out, not wanting to disturb them.
A little later, Ishaan arrived home earlier than usual.
“You’re back so early?” Pari asked in surprise as he walked in and pulled her into his arms, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.
“I missed my wife too much so I thought, why not have dinner together? My wife deserves the best for being the best daughter, best wife, and best mother. It’s been a month since we went out, so let’s fix that tonight. I’ll get Ved ready.” Ishaan said softly.
He walked out, and an hour later returned with Ved in his arms. Both father and son were twinning in matching shirts and pants.
Ishaan whistled when he saw Pari dressed in a soft, flowy maternity gown. The glow on her face made her look effortlessly beautiful.
“Beautiful,” Ishaan said in awe.
“Beautiful!” Ved repeated in his tiny, cheerful voice.
Ishaan chuckled and tickled Ved, making him burst into laughter. Pari kissed Ved ‘s cheek, and immediately Ishaan turned his face expectantly.
“Stop being possessive of your son, Ishu,” Pari said, amused.
But Ishaan stood still, refusing to move until she kissed him too. Laughing, Pari pinched his cheek and planted a firm kiss on it. Ved closed his eyes and giggled, delighted to see his mother kissing his father.
Together they left the manor, and Ishaan drove them to his hotel suite. Ved squealed with excitement the moment he entered, spotting the toys and the little table that had been set up just for him. A special meal was neatly arranged on his tiny table, complete with his favorite dishes.
Ishaan and Pari sat with him, serving the food and feeding him lovingly. Ishaan told him his favorite story, one Ved insisted on hearing every time he was fed. When Ved was done, Ishaan pulled out a chair for Pari and served her plate before sitting beside her. While Ved played with his toys, Ishaan fed Pari gently with his hand.
“Appa, when will baby come to us?” Ved asked, his mouth stuffed with cake as he raised his sticky fingers toward Ishaan.
Ishaan chuckled, scooping Ved onto his lap and wiping the cream from his cheek with a tissue. “My little devil loves cake just like his mother, isn’t it, Ved?”
Ved bobbed his head, tilting it adorably with a wide smile. Pari pinched his cheek affectionately and fed him another small piece of cake.
“Appa… I want baby to play with me,” Ved said, pouting softly. Ishaan smiled and kissed his forehead, brushing a hand through his hair.
“You’ll have to wait for three more months, Ved. Until then, you have Amma, grandpa, Uncle, Aunty, and granny to play with you. How about I read you the lion story tonight?” Ishaan asked.
Ved ‘s eyes lit up instantly. “Yes, Lion story!” he shouted, raising his tiny fist in the air.
Ishaan laughed and turned to Pari, who was watching them with a smile.
“He’s exactly a mini version of you, Ishu,” Pari said teasingly.
“That means we need a mini you to complete our family,” Ishaan replied with a wink.
They finished dinner listening to Ved ‘s endless chatter and soon returned home. Ishaan helped Pari settle in to rest before taking Ved to his little car-shaped bed attached to their queen-sized one.
As Ishaan began narrating the lion story, he added dramatic roars and growls, making Ved giggle uncontrollably. When he pretended to bite Ved ‘s tummy, the boy squealed in laughter until finally, after two hours, he drifted off to sleep.
Ishaan tucked him in carefully, covering him with a soft duvet before turning toward Pari, who was smiling at him.
“I thought you’d be asleep by now,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her neck.
“Not when a lion and his cub are busy roaring,” Pari replied, snuggling closer and resting her head on his chest.
Ishaan chuckled, wrapping his arm around her and gently caressing her back until she drifted into peaceful sleep.
Three months later, the family gathered in the garden for dinner under the soft glow of fairy lights. Laughter echoed through the air as Ayaan chased little Ved around the lawn. Ved squealed, running as fast as his tiny legs could carry him, before diving into Ishaan’s lap for safety, Ayaan was wearing a lion mask, growling playfully.
Ishaan chuckled, holding Ved close while his other hand rested over Pari’s. He noticed a sudden shift in her expression, the sparkle in her eyes replaced by discomfort. Within seconds, everyone’s laughter faded into concern. Ishaan immediately stood up, kneeling before her, one hand gently cupping her face while the other instinctively touched her swollen abdomen.
“Pari… are you in pain?” Ishaan asked, his voice trembling slightly.
Before she could respond, another wave of pain hit her, and Ishaan didn’t waste a moment. He scooped her into his arms, shouting, “Ayaan, Get the car, now”
Reyansh quickly lifted Ved into his arms, and the entire family rushed after Ishaan. Within half an hour, they arrived at the hospital, where Pari was swiftly moved to the VVIP suite. After four long hours of contractions, she was wheeled into the labor ward.
Ved sat quietly beside Vaishu, his face pale with worry. Ishaan knelt in front of him, cupping his small cheeks and placing a tender kiss on his forehead.
“My brave boy, amma is fine. I just need you to wait a little while longer to welcome Amma and our baby, alright?” Ishaan said softly.
Ved nodded, clutching his father’s finger tightly before Ishaan stood and put on his scrubs. He entered the labor room, kissed Pari’s forehead, and clasped her hand.
“I’m right here, love,” he whispered.
Thirty minutes later, a sharp cry filled the room, the most beautiful sound Ishaan had ever heard. Tears blurred his vision as he watched the nurse lift their baby girl. His heart swelled painfully with love.
He bent down, wiping the tears from Pari’s cheeks, his voice breaking. “She’s here, Pari… our little girl.”
When the doctor handed the newborn to him, Ishaan’s hands trembled slightly. He kissed her tiny forehead, overwhelmed, before gently placing her on Pari’s chest. Pari’s tired eyes sparkled as she cradled their daughter close.
Moments later, Ishaan stepped out into the waiting area, and Ved immediately ran into his arms. Ishaan laughed through tears as he said, “You’re a big brother now, Ved. Amma and baby are both fine.”
The family erupted in joy. Reyansh and Ayaan hugged him, Vaishu and Kajal teared up, and little Ved jumped excitedly, clapping his hands.
A few minutes later, Pari was shifted back to her room, the baby sleeping peacefully in her arms. The entire family gathered around her, admiring the tiny princess who had already stolen every heart in the room.
Ishaan sat beside Pari, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. His gaze softened as he looked at their daughter.
“We’re complete now, Pari, a mini version of me and a mini version of you… a perfect family.” he whispered.
Pari smiled weakly, resting her head against his shoulder, and Ishaan kissed her forehead — his world, now beautifully whole.
A week later, the family gathered for a small, intimate ceremony to name their newest blessing — Saanvi. The house was filled with warmth, soft laughter, and the gentle coos of the newborn who had already stolen every heart.
That evening, Ishaan and Pari sat on their bed with little Saanvi lying awake between them. Ved was curled up beside his baby sister, his tiny hand reaching out to hold her delicate finger.
“Appa, she’s so tiny, When will she play with me?” Ved whispered in awe.
Ishaan smiled, ruffling his son’s soft hair. “She will, champ. You just need to be patient. She’s just like you were when you were born, small and curious.”
Ved’s eyes widened as he turned to his mother. “Will she like cars and airplanes like me? And will she love The Lion King?”
Pari chuckled, brushing her fingers through his hair. “Maybe, maybe not. We’ll have to wait and see what she likes. But even if she doesn’t, you both can share your toys, your movies, and all your stories.” She leaned forward and kissed the tip of his nose.
Ved grinned and wrapped his little arm protectively around Saanvi, whispering about his toy cars, his games with ggrandpa, and how he’d show her The Lion King once she grew up.
Ishaan and Pari watched them in silence, their hearts overflowing with love. He reached out and interlaced his fingers with hers, lifting her hand to his lips.
“I love you, Pari,” Ishaan murmured, his voice soft with affection.
Pari smiled, her eyes glistening as she gently ran her fingers through his hair.
“I love you too, Ishu,” she whispered.
And between them, their two little worlds, Ved and Saanvi breathed softly, completing the picture of their perfect family.
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A/N:
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