thank you for joining me on this  journey with Saima & Zayn <3

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Epilogue 

Seven years later

"After six long years in prison, Lawyer Alfred Robinson is back in for new charges against attempted murder - " I shut the TV off. A year ago, when he had gotten released, I did have some fear. I would rarely leave my house, making my poor children stay home. I didn't realize how irrational I was being until Zayn pointed it out, forcing me to go outside. Him being back in prison, felt like a safety blanket. But hearing how another life had been permanently tainted because he couldn't stay in longer was so disappointing, he had done what he did to me to someone else but this time it was Sexual Assault. 

 I rubbed my huge belly, such a shame with how our world was; every day, I'd fear for my babies, and with my fifth baby on the way, the stress didn't decrease. I didn't want my family to ever be in a situation like that. A person in power taking advantage, heck I don't know what I'd do if any of my babies were in such harm.

The sound of the door unlocking broke me out of my thoughts. Noor, Sarah, Waleed, and Abdallah ran to their father, Zayn getting engulfed by hugs and kisses the second the door opened.

"My babies!" He screamed out, attacking each of them with kisses as they giggled, each of them trying to get their father's attention. I sat on the couch, watching the heartwarming sight. Noor was now in First grade; she was such a beautiful girl inside and out. Her intelligence was undoubtedly admirable for her age.

We had Sarah a year after we adopted Noor. She was her father's spitting image; her bright green eyes were always filled with mischief and curiosity. As beautiful pregnancy was with Sarah, it was incredibly rough on my body. Nearly losing her was a trauma I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. That's why we waited so long for another baby, Zayn and I were both scared - mainly Zayn, but I needed another baby. The feeling of having Allah's creature in your womb was such a beautiful experience. So we were taking every precaution this time around.

 Waleed was Noor's brother - biologically. After many investigations, after adopting Noor, we were told she had a brother, who was with another relative who was now deceased. To this day, I still don't know how we found him, but DNA tests confirmed they were siblings. It was a miracle. At this time, we didn't know if having three kids in two years was smart, but we couldn't let him go. Waleed was a fantastic kid, so incredibly shy and quiet always in those books of his.

We had adopted Abdallah from Syria; it was tough to do so with international laws, but we did it, and I couldn't imagine my life without him

 Lastly, we had another little angel on the way. With my due date being any day now we were all so excited.

"Now, where are my other babies?" Zayn asked, pulling away from the kids and coming over to me; he kissed me on the forehead and kissed my belly, taking a seat on the couch beside me.

"How are we feeling today?" He asked rubbing my belly, I leaned my head against his shoulder, 

"Tired, exhausted, and nauseous," I said as I watched my kids run around chasing their Khala. Zara had grown up to be a beautiful woman. She was in her third year of university while running her own Henna business. Most days, though, she'd spend with me helping me take care of the kids when my Nanny wasn't here.

"You think you'll be able to handle family dinner?" Zayn asked; I nodded my head profusely. As gross as I was feeling, we haven't been able to gather the whole family into one room since forever ago, and today, everyone was coming.

"Nana Nanu!" My children screamed upon hearing their grandparents walkthrough. My parents had been incredibly supportive of adoption when I had told them; their relationships with their grandkids was truly a sight to see.

"Hey! Where's my hug" I heard Bhai yell as the kids ran off with Maryam. Bhabi took a seat where Zayn sat seconds ago before he went to greet my parents. 

"How are you feeling?" She asked, rubbing my belly, her eyes filled with sadness. When Maryam was three, Bhabi experienced a couple of miscarriages, and since then, she hasn't been able to have a viable pregnancy. To make matters worse, Maya Aunty's sudden passing, had completely changed my once cheery Bhabi. She was a whole new person, falling into a depression, the cheerfulness in her eyes long gone. I could tell Bhai had changed too, but he tried way too hard to mask his sadness, not letting any of us in, not taking any of our help. He pretended he was okay, but even a blind man could tell something was off. With the way his smile no longer reached his eyes or how his voice would slightly tremble at the mention of kids.

"Good Alhamdulillah, you?" I asked eyeing her carefully, she looked exhausted. Her dark and puffy eyes and stress lines on her forehead.

She shrugged, "Alhamdulillah" She whispered. I sighed, she'll get better soon, I could only pray they'd be blessed with another child. Bhai and Bhabi both deserved the world. 

Mama had brought lots of natural home remedies for a healthy pregnancy - like she always does, and I tried not to puke while I swallowed down the murky green substance. She insisted this would make my child have healthy eyes. 

Thankfully, it was the sound of two identical screeches that broke us out of that,

"BHABI!!" The twins screamed, running over and hugging me, completely towering over me. Like Zara, the twins were such beautiful young women. Fatima was a Nurse, and Rukaiya was a teacher both in such great careers and lived their lives in a pious matter.

"Hello my jaans" I said trying not to wobble as I walked, 

"Finally, you two are here; I picked out a venue for the wedding. Tell me what you think," Zara said, walking over and passing Fatima her Ipad. They began to discuss the plans for the wedding.

Did I mention it? Fatima was getting married! Her Fiance was this sweet boy that Zayn taught at the Islamic school he worked at. Their wedding was in a couple weeks and Zara, being Zara, was planning it out. 

Everyone else later joined us, Aunty Asma, Uncle Tahmeed, Abu Bakr, Angie, and their two adorable kids. We all sat at the dinner table, eating and catching up until I had this horrible pain, surging throughout me.

Contractions.

I tried to get through dinner, but these weren't the typical Braxton hicks - or at least I didn't think so. I excused myself and went upstairs, ignoring the troubled looks I was getting. One family dinner, I needed to get through this. I laid on my bed, timing each contraction; it wasn't time yet. I mean, it couldn't be, giving birth already? I still had a couple days until my due date.

A couple minutes later Zayn walked in all concerned,

"Saima are you - woah" His eyes widened and he was frozen, not moving and just staring at me.

"What" I grumbled suddenly feeling wetness down my legs, I jumped and looked down. My water broke.

I was going into labor. 

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 It had been twelve whole hours since my water broke. Here I was peacefully induced with medication, not feeling any contractions as I sat on my hospital bed reading.

Reading. 

I still hadn't given birth yet. I was sitting and reading while Zayn napped and my children were off with their grandparents. 

The little baby in me sure liked to have a grand entrance. The nurse had come in and said they would induce me shortly so I could give birth. I was growing impatient. 

"How are you feeling?" Zayn mumbled waking up from his sleep,

"I don't know; I'm feeling pretty great sitting here waiting to pop," I said sarcastically; I was extremely agitated - more than usual. Zayn brushed it off and went to speak to the nurse. He had gotten used to my rudeness during this pregnancy, but I always felt terrible after. He was so lovely to me, and how did I repay him? By being so cruel to him. I didn't even realize I was crying until he walked back in, concern imprinted on his face, something that was on his face way too often. 

 "What's wrong? Should I call the nurse? Nu-"

"I'm sorry" I cried sobbing into my hands. 

"What? Why" He asked taking a seat next to me

"I'm so mean! You're so nice and I'm so horrible" I continued to sob. It was definitely the medication.

"You can be mean to me I don't mind plus I think anyone would be mean if they were the size of a Balloon that's ready to pop" He joked, but I completely missed it,

I looked up wiping my tears, "You think I'm fat?!" 

All color drained from his face as he panicked to think of something to say that would make me feel a little bit better.

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All of that waiting and pain was completely worth it when the nurse placed him on my chest. The warmth of this body immediately heating up my body. He let out a little cry as he leaned against me, his rosy cheeks flushed, and his eyes closed.

"Okay we have to take her to the operating room, let's go" The doctor yelled, the nurse gently taking away my baby,

"Wait- don't take him" I yelled trying to reach out, but I winced in pain. I scanned the room, "Where's my husband?" He was here with me for most of the delivery and now he was gone?

"Miss we need to take you in NOW" The doctor said as everyone began pushing the bed taking me god knows where. I was in immense panic, no sign of Zayn, going into surgery and my baby where was my baby?

I didn't know what to do everything was moving so fast, I kept mumbling my surahs and Duas. I had Allah, I got this I could do this.

Next thing I know a mask is being put on my face while I'm told to count back from ten. Slowly darkness had taken over.

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Even with my eyes closed, the bright lights were still blinding me. This all reminded me of when I had amnesia, waking up in a hospital and not remembering. Since then, I hated hospitals on one side; it might be the happiest day of someone's life, or it could be the worst day of someone's life. Slowly the memories of before flew into my mind, but the only thing in my head was my baby.

"She lost a lot of blood but she's okay now and so is the baby" Someone mumbled, my eyes shot open and I lifted my head. My eyes meeting with Zayn's and a man in a white coat. But that's not what I was looking for.

"My baby - where is my baby" I said so fast it barely even comprehended in my head. 

"Woah, Woah relax he's okay, he's okay" Zayn said reaching over and trying to calm me down, but it didn't.

"Where is he, take me to him" I said trying to get up but being stopped by Zayn,

"Hey, relax, he's okay. You'll see him just stay still. You had surgery" His voice slightly going up, I then took a look at him. He looked stressed; his skin was glassily covered in sweat; the palm of my hand immediately went to his cheek, caressing it.

"You should rest, you don't look well" I said , he immediately rolled his eyes,

"Says the one who nearly died in surgery and you're making sure if I'M okay?" He said sitting down on the chair beside me, looping his fingers around mine.

"Well, duh, I need to make sure you're okay. Don't deprive me of my rights as a wife," I said. He tried to keep his face emotionless, but instead, a smile overtook his face. He kissed my forehead, mumbling "Alhamdulillah," and stood up,

"Ready to see our baby?"

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As Zayn wheeled me to the room where my angel was in, I couldn't stop moving, I was so excited. I spotted Mama leaning over the little cot and talking to our baby. When she heard the screech of the wheels, she turned and ran over to me examining me.

"Alhamdulillah! You're okay," She wailed, kissing me on the cheek, "My Grandson is perfect," She said as she took us over to him. The nurse helped us remove him from the cot, he was crying when the nurse picked him up, but when she placed him in my arms, he stopped. His big doe eyes staring right at me.

"He knows your his Mama" The nurse said with a chuckle, Zayn lowered down to my level as we both stared at him, 

"He has your eyes" Zayn whispered, 

"And your nose" I said with a laugh as I swayed him in my arms, his eyes were wide open as he curiously stared at us.

"Our family is now complete" He whispered playing with his tiny hands,

"Mhm, You, me, Noor, Sarah, Waleed, Abdallah and now Yusuf"

"You promise not to get sick of me?" He asked his eyes filled with joy as he stared at little Yusuf. 

I laughed, "That's A Promise I don't know if I can keep"

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T H E  E N D 

   *hands out tissues* 

*cue the credits*