23 June 2024

Hello everyone! I'm extremely sorry for the longest ever wait! I understand if you guys don't want to read anymore or if you don't remember what happened in the previous chapter :( it's not easy writing with a toddler haha! But I will try my absolute best to update as soon as I can. I hope you guys enjoy reading this chapter though! Happy reading x

Zayan's POV

It's over 10pm when I get home that evening. I was working overtime, I had three surgeries today and I'm exhausted. I've missed Alayna so much today, as I was at the hospital for the last thirteen hours.

My family have all just gone to bed when I get home. Hanna grins at me when she sees me, she's just heading to her room. She tells me Alayna's in our bedroom, waiting for me. I head to my room.

When I walk in, she's standing beside the bed and her face lights up when she sees me. She looks absolutely beautiful, in her light pink chiffon flowy maxi dress that shows off her baby bump. She looks stunning, so sexy. She honestly looks the hottest while heavily pregnant. She's thirty-six weeks' pregnant, and in my eyes she's never been more beautiful than now when she's carrying our baby girl in her tummy.

'Zayan, hey! I missed you,' she says, coming to me and giving me the biggest hug that she can.

I hug her back gently and kiss the top of her head. "I missed you too, Alayna. I couldn't wait to see you all day. I just wanted to be with my babygirl. With both of my girls."

She blushes, and I chuckle with amusement. I don't think she's ever going to stop blushing around me. I love this blush so damn much.

'I made dinner for you today, some of your favourite things. Just as a small thank you, for being the best husband in the world. I know you're going to be the best father ever to our baby girl. Thank you Zayan, for everything,' she says gently to me.

My heart soars at her words. I take off my coat and place it on the sofa, before hugging her again. "I'm the best husband because I have you, Alayna. You're the best wife, the best person in the world. You have the biggest heart, and I love you so much."

She blushes and hits me playfully on my arm. 'I love you the most.'

"For the next couple of weeks only. After that, I'll be second best," I joke with her.

She laughs, shaking her head. 'You both will always be the best. My Zayan and my little princess. My whole world.'

She hugs me close, staying in my embrace for a few seconds. Then, she lets go of me and smiles. 'Go and freshen up, Zayan. I'll get dinner ready.'

I nod. "Okay, but I hope you've been resting properly today and not just working in the kitchen for me."

She rolls her eyes. 'I've been resting all day, don't worry! I slept for three hours like a baby during the day.'

I chuckle. "Good girl. I'll be back in a minute."

********

Alayna's POV

Zayan goes to get changed, and in the meantime, I set the plates on the table in our bedroom. I've made some of his favourite dishes, which I love too. I've made lasagne, chicken Manchurian with vegetable fried rice, and I've made rasmalai for dessert. I've also made some mocktails (with Hanna's help). It's not much, but I know he loves everything.

Five minutes later, the table is all set. Zayan returns, and his eyes light up with happiness when he sees what I've made for him. He walks towards me, and wraps his arms around me, placing his hands on my large baby bump and kissing the top of my head.

'You didn't need to do all this for me, baby,' he says, softly.

I smile. "I wanted to do so much more than this. This is nothing."

'It's everything. Thank you, Alayna,' he says, hugging me close.

I sigh, breathing in his delicious, manly scent. He always smells so damn good.

We both take a seat on the sofa near the table, and we have dinner together. Everything's delicious, and Zayan loves it all. I'm so glad I'm able to eat properly too, without feeling nauseous.

We have dessert after dinner, and the rasmalai too is delicious. It's one of my favourite desserts, for sure.

After dinner, Zayan helps me to put away all the dishes. Then, we return to our room. I go and take a quick shower, before changing into a white satin nightie. It's so smooth to the touch and it's more comfy than my regular pyjamas right now, as I'm so huge. It's breathable, and it's light and soft.

Zayan's waiting for me in bed. I smile at him and join him, making myself comfortable as I place my head on his shoulder. He places his arm around my waist as we sit together in bed, my head resting on his shoulder. I kiss it gently, before stretching my muscles.

He smiles at me. "Tired?" He asks.

I shake my head. 'No, not really. I slept for ages during the day. You?'

He shakes his head. 'I was earlier, but my tiredness vanished as soon as I saw you. I missed you so much today.'

I blush at his words. "I missed you too, Zayan. A lot. Me and our baby girl both missed you."

He grins. 'I can't wait to meet her.'

"Me neither, Zayan. The day we meet her is going to be the best day of my life."

He nods, and places his hand ever so gently on my baby bump. I place my hand over his, sighing happily. Just a few seconds later, our baby kicks just where Zayan's fingertips are. He laughs, and it sounds like music to my ears.

'She definitely missed me,' he says, happily.

I nod, chuckling as our baby kicks again. I love feeling my baby's kicks. It feels so magical, so amazing when she reacts to our touch. Like she knows who her parents are, already. I wonder if she will recognise our voices, too.

We sit in the most beautiful silence, feeling our baby's kicks and smiling to ourselves. I'm almost full-term now, we're so so close to meeting her. I can't wait at all.

A few minutes later, I turn towards Zayan with a soft smile on my lips. His smile is bigger, and it makes my heart so full. 'You're gonna be the best daddy in the world,' I whisper, caressing his face gently and playing with his hair.

"And you're going to be the best mother in the world, for sure. And definitely the hottest," he whispers.

I laugh loudly, hitting him on his arm playfully. 'Is that right?'

He nods, a smirk playing on his full, pink lips. "Definitely." He kisses me gently and I smile into the kiss, kissing him back gently. We kiss for several minutes and it heats up very quickly.

I break the kiss for air, resting my forehead against his. I gaze into his eyes, they're filled with so much love for me, with so much care, that I feel my heart ache. The amount of love I have for this man is unreal. I have no idea how it's even possible to love someone this much. I never thought it was possible, and then I met Zayan. He quickly became my entire world. I can't imagine my life without him, he's my everything now.

'I love you,' I whisper, gazing into his eyes and smiling.

He grins, and it takes my breath away. "I love you too, Alayna. More than anything. You're so beautiful."

I blush. Even after many months of marriage, he still manages to make me blush the same way.

I lay in his arms and we watch a new TV series that we recently started watching. Before I start getting heartburn again. Zayan gives me some medicine for the heartburn, and thankfully it starts to work quickly.

"Are you looking forward to the ultrasound tomorrow?" I ask him with a smile.

He grins at me. 'Of course I am, Alayna. I can't wait to see our baby girl on the ultrasound.'

I smile, feeling so happy about the appointment tomorrow.

****

The appointment is at 10am the next morning. Me and Zayan reach ten minutes early, and the doctor calls us in. He tells us that first I will be having my ultrasound, and then my appointment with him and the midwife.

My eyes fill up with happy tears when I see my baby girl on the screen. Zayan looks emotional too. It now feels realer than ever, as she will be here so soon. I'm just over thirty-six weeks', and I feel so huge. I can't wait to finally meet her and hold her in my arms. That will be the best day ever.

All the measurements of the baby are looking perfect, as is her heartbeat. She's head down, and she still looks very comfortable in there. We're given ultrasound pictures as always, with a report of her measurements. Then, the doctor calls us into his office.

'Congratulations, Dr. Alayna. Dr. Zayan. Everything is looking great on the ultrasound. Baby's heartbeat sounds perfect. How have you been feeling, Alayna?' The doctor asks me with a polite smile.

I return the smile. "I've been good, yeah. I can't wait to meet her, though. I'm quite tired a lot of the time but that's normal I know."

The doctor nods. 'That's perfectly normal, especially at such a late stage in pregnancy. Everything is looking great, I wanted to discuss your birth plans, if that's okay?'

I hold Zayan's hand and nod. "Sure, doctor."

'Were you opting for a natural birth?' He asks me, typing something on his computer.

I nod. "If everything's normal and looking great, then yes. That's what I want."

He nods at me. 'That's great. You do know that if at any point of your labour, if we feel a c-section would be a better option, we will let you know. But we will help you with whatever it is you want.'

"I just want whatever's best for my baby. Be that a vaginal delivery or a c-section. Whatever's safer for my baby is what I want," I tell him.

I'm afraid, I'm not going to lie. I'm terrified of giving birth. But I'm terrified of both a vaginal birth and a c-section. They're both not easy, neither is the easy way out. Giving birth is a huge, huge thing. And it's not easy at all. But I want whatever is safest for my baby girl.

He nods. 'Of course, that's what we want too,' the doctor tells me with a smile.

I have an appointment next with the midwife, who measures my baby bump and tells me that everything looks great, how it should be right now. She has a brief discussion with me about feeding, I tell her that I first want to try breastfeeding, as I believe it's the best option for my baby.

The appointment ends at 11:30am. Me and Zayan go out for a short shopping trip, we buy two dresses for our baby girl which are super, duper cute and adorable. Then, we go for lunch. I order a pasta dish, while Zayan orders a vegetable lasagna for himself. It's delicious.

After lunch, I start to feel a little tired. So, we head home. I take a two-hour nap and I wake up at 3pm. I spend the rest of the day with my family, adding some final touches to my baby's nursery. It's so so cute and beautiful and I love it so much. We've hung up her dresses in her little wardrobe, folded her onesies, shirts and trousers in the drawers, set all her bathing products, nappies and wipes, and we've made sure that we have everything ready for her.

That evening, Hanna and Laiba help me to pack my hospital bags. It's quite early, but I want everything to be ready just in case. It makes me emotional when I pack my hospital bag and baby girl's hospital bag. Seeing the teeny tiny clothes fills my heart with so much emotion. The tiny onesies. Teeny little nappies. The baby blanket. The little towel. The tiny, tiny baby hat. I can't believe I'm so close to meeting her. I can't wait at all.

Laiba and Hanna start to get emotional too. They can't believe it's happening so soon. They can't wait to meet their niece either. They already love her so, so much.

When I show Zayan the packed hospital bags, his eyes fill up with tears and he gives me the biggest hug. He keeps telling me how much he loves me, that I'm his whole world, that our baby girl is already his everything. That we both mean everything to him. He's the best guy in the whole world and I'm so lucky to have him.

****

The next two weeks fly by. Before I know it, I'm full-term. I'm thirty-eight weeks' pregnant and I'm huge. My baby bump is so big and I love it so much. I'm feeling good for the most part, but I've also been having cramps for the last week. They're not at all intense, and they're in my back more than in my tummy. They're Braxton Hicks cramps. I had an appointment only this morning, and everything looks perfect. Baby girl is still very, very comfortable in there and it doesn't look like she wants to come out anytime soon.

But I'm so ready for her to come out. My back is aching, and I'm not able to walk too much anymore. As I'm so big now, I need help when I get out of bed too. I feel like I'm as big as a house. But Zayan keeps telling me that I've never been so beautiful. That I'm the most beautiful I've ever been, right now. He's too cute for his own good. I love him so much.

My appointment this morning went really well, and it again made us so emotional to see our baby girl on the ultrasound. I love feeling her kicks which are now stronger than ever. Zayan too loves it so much. She always reacts to his touch, straight away.

I've been spending quality time with my family. Mum, Dad, Yusuf Bhai and Sara have been coming over a lot too, to see me. They've been coming over almost everyday. Everyone's been spending so much time with me and it's been really lovely. They're all so excited and so happy, they can't wait at all.

The next day, it's Monday and Zayan's back at work. I really enjoyed my weekend with him, we spent so much time together, it was amazing. He's dropping me and Hanna off at Zara's house for the day, as I've been stuck at home for weeks basically. He wants me to go and enjoy myself with one of my best friends and with her baby too, of course. Umar baby is absolutely gorgeous. He looks just like his daddy and he's so beautiful. I'm excited to go to her house and spend time with them. Hanna has the day off today, as she was on call last week. She has work tomorrow but she has the day off today.

So, he drops us off just before he goes to work at 10am. He starts a little later today too, than usual. But sadly, he will be finishing slightly late today as he has a surgery this evening. I start missing him as soon as he drops me off. I miss him every second we're apart.

I have a lovely time with Zara. I play with baby Umar a lot, and we order pizza. Zara's sister-in-law, Hafsa, is so amazing too. She's so funny and bubbly, she reminds me a lot of Hanna and Aliya. They have the same type of craziness.

Zayan will be finishing work late this evening. Mum, Dad, Aunty and Uncle leave that afternoon for a wedding which is three hours away. I hope they have a great time together. They're all so busy all the time, they deserve to have fun and relax too.

It's almost 3:30pm that afternoon, when my cramps return. They're not too strong but they're so annoying. I already have difficulty in sitting, and they're making it worse. Zara tells me to lay down on the sofa in the living room, so I do. Zaid's back from work too now, earlier than usual, he's playing with Umar. I wanted to go and see Aliya and her baby today too, but she had an appointment earlier so I thought to go some other day.

'Alayna, do you want a hot water bottle?' Hafsa asks me gently.

I shake my head, thanking her. "No, thank you. I'll be okay, Hafsa. This has been happening for over a week now."

'I remember getting Braxton Hicks cramps too, Alayna. They were so bad sometimes, that I thought I'm in labour! I went to the hospital three times with these cramps, thinking I've gone into labour. But I hadn't,' Zara tells me with a smile.

I nod. "They're not too bad, but I'm so big right now Zara, they're quite uncomfortable."

She nods. 'Very uncomfortable.'

Just then, Zaid enters the room holding his son. I grin. They're such a cute little family and they're amazing.

"Alayna, you should get some rest. Go upstairs with Zara and rest in our room. Zayan told me he will pick you up this evening whenever he gets free, but you're more than welcome to stay here tonight," he says to me with a smile.

'Thank you so much, Zaid,' I say, chuckling. 'I don't know when he's gonna finish work. He's in surgery right now, for the next few hours.'

He nods. "That's not a problem, Alayna. You're always welcome here. If you need anything at all, please let me know."

I thank him again. Zaid and Zara are the sweetest. They care so much for me and Zayan. I'm so glad our families are now closer, and not rivals like they used to be.

A short while later, me and Zara go upstairs to her room. Zaid's just put Umar to sleep in his cot, and I grin at him.

'Zaid, you're doing such a great job with him. You're an amazing father,' I tell him honestly.

Zara grins, nodding. "He really is."

'Thank you, Alayna. It means a lot. Where's Hanna gone?' He asks, looking around.

"She just stepped outside for a minute, she was calling Aunty," I tell him.

Zara asks Zaid to get some fruit for me. I decline, but they both tell me I must eat. He goes downstairs to get it for me.

'Oh god, Zara. I just made myself comfortable and now I need to pee,' I say, groaning.

Zara chuckles, helping me up to my feet. "I remember that too well, Alayna. I needed to pee all the time! It was so bad."

I laugh, heading into her bathroom. Suddenly, I no longer feel like I need to pee. So weird! Just as I'm about to leave the bathroom, it happens.

I hear a small 'pop' and a gush of water flows out of me, drenching my trousers and my underwear. I'm standing in a huge puddle, my eyes wide with shock. Oh my god.

I didn't even need to pee. This is what the feeling was! My waters just broke.

Oh my god.

Oh, my god.

It's happening right now!

'Zara!' I exclaim, trying to clean the bathroom and laughing and freaking out at the same time. Freaking out more, though.

I hear her rush to the door. She starts knocking on the door and I go to open it. She looks at me worriedly, and then she looks down at my trousers. She screams for Zaid.

This is mortifying.

'No, Zara! Oh my god. Don't call him! Give me some trousers please.'

"Alayna, your waters just broke, oh my gosh! It's happening!" She says, excitedly.

I chuckle, nervously. I'm freaking out so badly right now. So badly.

She hurries to her room and grabs a pair of maternity trousers that are still in her drawer. She hands them to me, I quickly go and get changed. My hands are shaking. My legs are trembling.

Just as I go back into her room, Zaid enters from the other door. He asks her what's wrong.

'Zaid! Alayna! Her waters just broke! Call Zayan! Call Hanna!' Zara's stressing out too and she's so excited.

Hanna rushes into the room, asking me if it's true. I nod. She chuckles, before she starts ringing everyone.

'What the hell? No one's answering! Zayan Bhai's in surgery! Mum and Dad aren't answering. Neither are Aunty and Uncle! I don't think they have service. I'll call Laiba!' She's so excited but so nervous too.

I'm freaking out so bad. I'm terrified right now. The cramping in my back is now back and it's so uncomfortable.

I ring Zayan, but he doesn't answer. He must be in surgery. I don't know when he will be free. I ring Mum and Dad but it seems that they don't have service. I ring my sister and brother. Yusuf Bhai's phone is switched off, and Sara tells me to go to hospital immediately and she will meet me there. She screams excitedly on the phone, telling me to go right now and not wait a single second.

I ring my midwife, she answers on the third bell. She asks me what happened, how much fluid there was, what the fluid looked like, and she asked me whether I'm having any contractions. I tell her that I'm not having contractions as such, but since the last week I've been having Braxton Hicks. She tells me that she feels like they're real contractions now, after I describe to her that right now they're a little more painful than they were before.

I start freaking out even more.

'Alayna, breathe. Your waters just broke, and the fact that they're getting more painful than they were, tells me you're having contractions. I'm pretty sure they were contractions before too, but they were just starting up. Sweetie, get to the hospital ASAP. I'll be right here, and I'll check you out. Please don't worry, try to relax, I know it's difficult. Come on over to the hospital,' she tells me calmly.

And I start freaking out even more than I already am. I tell her I'm on my way, and I end the call.

Zaid and Hanna are still trying to call Zayan, but his phone is switched off. Hanna's calling Mum, Dad, Aunty and Uncle, but there's no service where they are. I can't believe this! I have no idea where Yusuf Bhai is! What's happening?!

Zara, Zaid and Hanna help me downstairs as my contractions have ramped up quite a bit since my waters broke. They're not super painful, but they are painful. Everyone's being super, super careful with me, like I will break. We get into Zaid's car, and he tells me that he's called my sister, who will bring my hospital bags with her when she comes to the hospital. We set off for the hospital, I'm sitting with Hanna and Zara at the back of the car while Zaid's driving. He looks so worried for me, as do the girls.

We're ten minutes away from the hospital, when I start laughing. They all look at me in confusion. 'Zara, how is this happening? Just a few months ago, you were at hospital, about to give birth, and Zaid wasn't answering his phone. It was turned off. Now it's the exact same with me. I'm in labour, Zayan has no idea and his phone is turned off.'

Zara laughs, shaking her head. "I was thinking the exact same thing just now, it's so crazy."

Zara and Hanna try to distract me until we reach the hospital. I start to feel a little calmer now that we've reached the hospital. Because my Zayan is here somewhere.

We park at the maternity car park at the back of the hospital, entering the maternity building. Hanna and Zara both go in with me, Zara's calling her sister-in-law at the same time, asking about Umar baby. She's staying with him for the next few hours. Zaid told me he will stay here at the hospital in case I need anything. He's so sweet, so is Zara. They're the cutest.

I'm given a room in the labour and delivery suite straight away, and I realise that it's their best room. Straight away, I change into a hospital gown and my midwife arrives to examine me.

She tells me that I'm 4cm dilated, which is quite a bit actually. I had no idea I was having contractions, until less than an hour ago. So that's something. I'm given some medications to help with my cramping, but they don't seem to help at all. The contractions are really getting stronger and stronger, fast. Hanna's holding my right hand, Zara's holding my left, they're doing everything they can to calm me and help me. Hanna's called Aliya, who's so so happy and worried for me too. She tells me that she will come soon, after putting her baby to sleep. Just then, the door bursts open. It's Sara with my hospital bags, and Mariyah is with her. I get emotional when I see them, they get super worried and they try their best to console me as best as they can.

There's only one person I need right now, though. There's only one person who would be able to help me feel better. Zayan.

****

Zayan's POV

I've just finished up in surgery, just in time for the interns to fill me in about their day. It's just turned 5pm. I reach the resident's room, and they're waiting for me.

They all quickly fill me in about their day. Just as Dr. Zain finishes telling me about his patient on the cardiology ward, the door bursts open. It's a nurse who usually works in the ER. I've forgotten her name, but I've seen her many times. She's panting, she clearly ran here.

I furrow my brows, confused.

'Dr. Zayan! Thank god! I was looking for you everywhere,' she says quickly, breathless.

Straight away, I tense. Alayna.

Is she okay?

"Is everything okay?" I ask her, worriedly.

She nods, before shaking her head quickly. 'It's Dr. Alayna! She- she's in labour! She was brought in by.. Zara and Zaid, I think that's what the nurse told me!'

My eyes widen in shock and the whole room turns silent. My legs weaken underneath me.

"Oh my gosh! Dr. Zayan! I'm so excited!"

"Dr. Zayan, I'm so happy for you! Tomorrow can we come to see the baby?!"

I don't even know who's saying what. I'm in shock. I quickly dismiss them, thanking them and nodding. I don't even know what I'm doing. Then I run.

I run as fast as I can, down the stairs as the elevator is taking too long. I run through the corridors of the hospital, and out the main building. Many of the nurses and doctors look confused, while others are already happy for me. It seems that the news has spread throughout the hospital already.

My Alayna. She's in labour. She's at the hospital, she's been admitted.

I had no idea.

I didn't even know.

She must be in so much pain.

I reach the maternity unit within minutes. I rush through the doors of the delivery suite, and even before I reach the reception, two midwives rush to me to take me to Alayna.

I reach her quickly, my heart racing so fast, threatening to escape. She's lying in bed, hooked up to so many monitors. Zara, Hanna, Mariyah and Sara silently leave the room when they see me reach, in this state. When Alayna sees me, she bursts into tears.

****

So guys! How was the chapter? I hope you all liked it?

Again, I'm so so so so sorry for SUCH a late update! I will try to update as soon as I can, I promise!

I've missed you all! And I've missed writing. ❤️

Question: Do you have any kids? If so, how many? If not, how many do you want in the future? 🥰

Bye guys!