As Shubman's parents finally gathered their things and prepared to leave, the tension in the house was palpable. Lalitha clung to Aditi, her tiny fingers clutching the fabric of her kurta, while Shashank squirmed in Shubman's arms, sensing the unease in the room. Aditi stood near the door, her face calm but her grip on Lalitha firm, as Shubman's parents muttered their parting words.

"Think about what we've said, Shubman," his mother said coldly, adjusting her shawl with a flourish. "We only want what's best for you and the children."

Shubman's jaw tightened, but he managed a clipped response. "What's best for us is respect and peace. If you can't give us that, there's no need for visits."

His father scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "You've lost your way, Shubman. Letting her control your life like this... You'll regret it."

"Enough," Shubman snapped, his voice low but firm. "This is my family, and I'll do anything to protect them. Goodbye."

Without another word, his parents stepped out, their heads held high with indignation. As they reached the door, Shubman's mother turned back briefly, her face a mix of frustration and disbelief. But whatever she was about to say never came. Instead, she slammed the door shut behind her with a loud bang, the sound reverberating through the house.

The echo of the slam startled Lalitha, who let out a small cry and buried her face in Aditi's shoulder. Aditi instinctively rocked her gently, whispering soothing words. "It's okay, Lalli. Mumma's here. It's just a noise, baby."

Shashank, wide-eyed but quiet, watched the scene unfold from Shubman's arms. Shubman took a deep breath, his fists still clenched as he stared at the closed door. For a moment, the house was silent except for Lalitha's soft sniffles.

Aditi turned to Shubman, her eyes soft despite the tension. "Shubs..." she said gently, her voice cutting through the heavy air.

He looked at her, his expression a mix of anger and heartbreak. "I'm sorry, Adu. I'm sorry they treated you like that. They had no right."

"You don't need to apologize for them," Aditi replied softly, reaching out to place a hand on his arm. "You stood up for me. For us. That's all that matters."

Lalitha lifted her head slightly, her big, teary eyes fixed on Shubman. "Papa?" she mumbled, her little voice breaking.

Shubman's face softened immediately. He set Shashank down on the floor, crouching to Lalitha's eye level as he gently cupped her cheek. "Papa's here, baby. Don't cry, okay? You're my strong girl."

Lalitha nodded slowly, still sniffling, as she reached out her tiny hands to touch his face. "Papa, no more loud."

"No more loud, promise," Shubman said, pulling her into a tight hug. He kissed the top of her head before looking over at Aditi, who was watching him with a tired but proud smile.

"Let's just focus on us," Aditi said, shifting Lalitha in her arms as Shashank toddled over to cling to her leg. "They'll come around eventually, or they won't. Either way, we'll be fine."

Shubman nodded, standing up to wrap an arm around her shoulders, pulling his family close. "We'll always be fine, Adu. As long as we're together."

Aditi leaned her head against his chest, her heart finally settling. The storm of his parents' visit had passed, but their bond only felt stronger for weathering it together.

As the tension in the house dissolved into the warmth of their little family, Lalitha let out a soft giggle. The sound was like sunshine breaking through clouds. She was in Shubman's arms now, her tiny hands patting his cheeks as if to reassure him.

"Papa, happy?" she asked in her sweet, broken words, her head tilted with the pure curiosity only a toddler could have.

Shubman smiled, the stress from his parents' visit fading away like a bad dream. He pressed a soft kiss to Lalitha's forehead. "Papa is very happy, Lalli. Are you happy?"

"Lalli always happy!" she chirped, throwing her arms wide. Her enthusiasm made Shashank squeal in delight, his little hands clapping together as he toddled around them in circles.

Aditi laughed, the sound light and full of relief. "Looks like they've already forgotten the drama," she said, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. She crouched down to Shashank's level, holding out her hands. "Come here, my baby boy. Did you miss Mumma?"

Shashank's wide grin and eager waddle toward her were all the answers she needed. He threw himself into her arms, babbling happily, "Mumma, Mumma, Mumma!" His voice was loud and proud, as if the word itself was a declaration of joy.

Shubman watched them with a soft expression, his heart swelling. No matter what challenges they faced, moments like these reminded him of what truly mattered. "Adu," he called, his voice gentle.

She looked up from where she was tickling Shashank, her eyes sparkling. "Hmm?"

"Thank you," he said simply, his voice laced with emotion. "For this. For them. For us."

Aditi smiled, standing with Shashank in her arms and walking over to him. "Don't get all sentimental on me now, Gill," she teased, leaning in to nudge his shoulder with hers. "We've got cookies to bake for these happy babies."

"Cookies!" Lalitha repeated, clapping her hands and bouncing in Shubman's arms. "Mama make cookies!"

"Papa help!" Shashank added, his little voice insistent as he reached for Shubman.

"Oh, no," Aditi said with mock horror, her eyes twinkling. "If Papa helps, we'll end up with more dough on the counter than in the oven."

Shubman gasped dramatically. "Excuse me! I am an *excellent* helper. Isn't that right, Lalli?"

Lalitha giggled, her head tilting back as she laughed. "Papa silly!"

"That's my girl," Aditi said, kissing Lalitha's cheek before motioning to the kitchen. "Alright, let's go, team! Cookies won't bake themselves."

As they moved toward the kitchen, the house felt lighter, filled with the sound of giggles and little feet pattering on the floor. Aditi tied on her apron, setting Lalitha on the counter while Shubman placed Shashank in his high chair. Flour quickly made its way onto every surface—and onto Lalitha's chubby cheeks—as the little girl "helped" scoop ingredients into the mixing bowl.

Shubman leaned against the counter, watching the scene unfold with a soft smile. Aditi caught his eye, smirking at the flour smudge on her cheek. "See? Happy baby," she said, nodding toward Lalitha.

"Happy everything," Shubman corrected, reaching over to boop her nose. "Flour and all."

They laughed together, their little chaos-filled kitchen brimming with love.

As the chaos of cookie-baking settled, the house was filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked treats. The babies were finally settled on the couch, their little hands holding warm cookies while their favorite cartoon played softly in the background. Lalitha babbled animatedly to Shashank, who listened with wide eyes, occasionally chiming in with his own nonsensical words.

Aditi leaned against the kitchen counter, a cup of chai in her hands, her hair a little messy from all the flour battles and toddler chases. Shubman stood next to her, the quiet hum of their life surrounding them. He glanced at her, taking in the way her eyes sparkled even in the soft glow of their home, how her smile carried the peace he'd always craved.

"What are you looking at, Gill?" Aditi asked playfully, raising an eyebrow as she sipped her tea.

"You," he said simply, his voice low and tender. He reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering on her cheek. "Always you."

Aditi rolled her eyes, but her smile betrayed her. "You're such a sap."

"And you love it," he teased, stepping closer, his hands finding her waist. He pulled her in gently, their bodies fitting together like they always had. "You love me."

"Debatable," she joked, though her hands slid up his chest and around his neck, her touch soft and familiar.

Shubman chuckled, leaning his forehead against hers. "Say it," he murmured, his voice teasing but edged with warmth. "Say you love me."

Aditi pretended to think for a moment, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hmm... I guess I love you," she said, her voice light. "Maybe."

"Maybe?" Shubman echoed, feigning offense. His grip on her waist tightened just a little as he pulled her even closer. "Not convincing enough, Mrs. Gill."

Her laugh was soft, a sound that warmed his entire being. "Fine," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I love you."

Before he could reply, she pressed her lips to his in a kiss that was both playful and full of love. It was the kind of kiss that held years of laughter, tears, chaos, and joy. It wasn't perfect—it was real, like them. Like the life they'd built together.

Shubman kissed her back, his hand sliding up to cradle her face, pouring everything he couldn't put into words into the moment. When they finally broke apart, her forehead rested against his, their breaths mingling as they smiled at each other.

"I win," Shubman murmured, his voice smug but soft.

"You're impossible," Aditi replied, her eyes sparkling with affection.

From the living room, Lalitha's little voice interrupted the moment. "Mama! Papa! Come!"

Aditi laughed, brushing her nose against Shubman's. "Saved by the kids," she whispered before slipping out of his hold and heading toward their babies.

Shubman stood there for a moment, watching his wife scoop up Lalitha and kiss her on the forehead, laughing at something Shashank babbled. His heart swelled with gratitude and love as he joined them, pulling his little family into his arms.

Life wasn't perfect. But it was theirs. And it was everything.