Hi! I'm back. Missed me? Hehe. So sorry for being late. So 2789 words. Damn. Goodness. Do tell me how it was. Loads of love! 😘

[ No proof reading done. Please ignore the mistakes, if any. 😊]

And also, this story was meant to be a Two Shot but now since the story demands, there will be another one or two parts to this story.😋

Happy Reading! 💞

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Five months had already passed since the news broke about Nandini's pregnancy. And out of all the people, there was one over excited yet extremely worried soul. Manik Malhotra. He had been so frenzied about having a daughter that he almost forgot who he was. During her first ultrasound, it was confirmed that the child in her womb is a female and they were going to have a daughter. Though Manik already had intuitions about it, but after it was confirmed he was happier than ever.

He made sure that he did everything possible for both Nandini and their baby. So much so that, he got the entire Malhotra Mansion carpeted with soft plush golden fur so that no pressure is put on her feet when she gets down the bed, which was very rare. Thanks to Mr. Malhotra. He had strictly asked her not to step a foot down the bed unless it was extremely urgent and on rest other times, he used to carry her around. He was worried about their health proceeding more than himself so much so that he bought an entire hospital on the second day after he got to know about her pregnancy so that a team of doctors along with an ambulance are there at his service 24x7 in case of any emergency outside their home. He had literally become a kid who was waiting for his favorite cartoon to be aired after ages. He got a room made with complete pink interiors and a baby cot even after knowing the fact that his little angel who was yet to be born wasn't going to sleep alone anytime soon in that room. Or in other words, he wouldn't let her.

His excitement was justifiable. He was man with a soft wounded heart which Nandini had now healed with her love and warmth. He wanted to do everything possible for his daughter. He had bought all sorts of toys and clothes from around the world. He was too determined to even start a clothing line with the name of "Princess Love" but then thanks to Nandini, that she handled him somehow. Being aware of the fact that infants cannot eat before a year and a half, he still bought tonnes of baby food and pink princess cupcakes along with others ignoring the fact the shelf life of cupcakes isn't a eighteen months. He had bought all sorts of fairy books for the time when in the middle of the night if his princess wakes up from her baby sleep, he would have something or the other to put her back to sleep again. He was indeed a child at heart.

He had filled their entire room with pink balloons and baby pictures. Since Nandini was in her sixth month of pregnancy, her baby bump was very evident. During this time, she had gained a lot of weight, thanks to Manik's over-pampering due to which she ate after every two hours. Nandini tried stopping him n number of times, but eventually gave up because according to her he was suffering from " Becoming A Father " syndrome. Their friends were equally excited for the arrival of their little doll. They came to visit her everyday with loads of gifts due to which after sometime, almost 3/4th of the Malhotra house was filled with goodies.

Practically, Nandini was the one carrying their child but Manik was the one behaving as if he was pregnant. They had welcomed the new year when her 6th month had just begun which called for a double celebration. But during pregnancy there were two things over which he had no control over, her cravings and mood swings.

Malhotra Mansion; 2 AM ~

Manik was sleeping comfortably on his king sized bed in his room when all of a sudden he felt something missing. He immediately shot his eyes open just to find the other side of the bed empty, yet again. He jumped off the bed with panic written all over his face because he knew this was the time when he had to be extra careful and cautious about her. He made his way down the stairs hurriedly just to find the lights of the kitchen on. And there she stood infront of the refrigerator with a grumpy expression with the door wide open.

"Baby, kya hua? Are you alright?" he asked worriedly while cupping her face.

" Maanii, I'm hungry! But there is nothing to eat." she replied in a babyish tone making him gape at her with shock because all her favorite food including the frequent sweet dishes which she usually craved for decked up in the fridge.

" Toh khaalo baby, there is so much to eat here. Tell me kya khana hai? " he asked calmly because he knew if he uttered even a single word wrong, there will be a mini tsunami in the Malhotra house because of her nonstop tears.

" Mujhe ye sab nahi khaana. Its boring." She said with a cute pout as she sat on nearby chair.

He sighed and asked calmly, " Toh kya khana hai mere baby ko? "

" Something which is sweet and creamy! " she said excitedly.

" Accha okay, you sit here I'll make a double chocolate cream fudge for you hmm? " he said while caressing her hair.

" Maanii! Noo. I don't want chocolate." She replied making him turn around with shock because Nandini Manik Malhotra refusing to have chocolate was definitely the eighth wonder of the world.

" Toh fir kya khaana hai? " he asked her with a perplexed expression.

" Red velvet oreo cupcakes!" she screamed like a child. Luckily, all the servants had left for their quarters and they were the only ones in the whole house.

" Nandini. Baby. Its 2.30 AM right now, I promise I will get you whatever you want in the morning. Abhi lets sleep. My babies need rest na. Come lets go." He said softly while cupping her cheeks.

" Manik Malhotra! Mujhe abhi red velvet oreo cupcakes chahiye matlab chahiye!" she said as she huffed like an angry bull and pushed his hands away.

" But baby, iss time pe kahan se laun mein? All the shops will be closed naa." he explained his point calmly.

" I don't care! That you have to see! Mujhe chahiye toh bas chahiye!" she said in a stubborn tone and turned her face to the other side.

" Manik it's not me who wants to eat, it's your princess. Its okay if you don't want to, I will tell your princess, she will listen." She said emotionally trying to blackmail him. And bullseye.

He sighed in defeat and said, " Chalo, lets go."

" Yaayyy! I love you so muchhhh." She said as she gave a tight kiss on his cheek. He picked up his wallet and extended his hand towards her so that she could get up from the chair. All thanks to her protruding belly and their little princess.

After almost half an hour of searching for a bakery, they finally spotted an empty open cake house in Santacruz while all this while she kept munching chocolate protein bars.and extended his hand towards her so that she could get up from the chair. All thanks to her protruding belly and his little princess.

They moved towards the cake house just to find a man in his mid forties sleeping with his head resting on the counter. Though he didn't want to wake him up that too at this point of time of the night, but ultimately she was his top most priority. He lightly rung the small table bell making the man immediately wake up from his slumber. He immediately rubbed his eyes and wore his round spectacles. The man seemed to have recognized both of them, thanks to their over growing popularity on social media. He greeted the duo while Manik ordered a dozen of his Queen's demanded Red Velvet Oreo cupcakes making her grin widely. He paid the bill along with a heavy tip regarding the fact that even during the wee hours, the service required was provided without any hassles to which the man thanked him and gave him his card telling that his cake shop is the only bakery which remains open throughout the day while she just sat on the bench enjoying their conversations while munching the cupcake as if some cricket match was going on.

They finally made their way back to their den, after almost 45 minutes of the journey, they finally reached back home. She was the first one to step down with her carton of cupcakes followed by him. They settled down in their room preparing to sleep, yet again. He was regulating the AC temperature when he heard her sobbing. He immediately turned around just to find her crying like a baby while hugging her huge teddy bear.

" Hey hey, jaan, kya hua haan?" he asked while wiping off her tears well aware of the fact that it was yet another facet of her heightened emotions and hormones.

" Maanii, you don't love me anymore na because I've become so fat. I'm not the same Nandini you loved before haina?" she said while crying making him shocked.

He composed himself and said patiently, " First of all stop crying. And who said I don't love you anymore? Mein tumhe jaan aise hi thodi na bulata hoon, tum ho meri jaan. And not loving you is a thing which cannot even happen in a hundred lifetimes. I don't care if you're fat or thin or whatever. All I care about is that you are mine and I can never stop loving you okay? And as far as your tummy is concerned, then let me tell you well in advance Mrs. Malhotra that I'm not allowing you to say a word against my princess. Let her rest in there because only three months are left, haina princess?" he said as he kissed her belly softly.

" Sacchi?" she asked innocently while sniffing.

" Mucchii baby." He said and kissed her forehead.

" Chalo come on, let's sleep. My precious gems need rest." He said as she snuggled close to his chest and drifted into a peaceful slumber.

~~~

Another bright day had begun, and the whole Malhotra Mansion as usual was on their toes. From the servants to their very own King, Manik Malhotra. All thanks to the queen bee who made them dance around. She wasn't authoritative, but this was the time when if she wanted something, she should et t right away otherwise one should be prepared for World War III. Her moods were so ever changing that at one moment, she's crying out rivers and the other instant she's laughing her heart out. Though the people of the house were used to of this change by now and never complained about anything, but everyday she got to see yet another shade of Nandini Manik Malhotra. While Manik sat beside her stuffing the ever loaded fruit cream salad and she sat making all sorts of cute annoyed faces.

" Manik?" she said.

"Hmm?" he said as he made her eat the last bite of her not so favorite salad.

" What should we name our daughter?" she asked as he settled beside her cocooning her in her in his broad arms.

" I do have this name in mind. It's okay if you have some other name." he replied softly.

" Manik. She is your daughter. Your blood. You can do whatever you wish to with her. You're going to be her father and you have all the authority. So tell me what's the name? And let me tell you, I have no other name in mind which is why I'm asking you. So tell me." she said softly with a smile while running her tiny fingers on on his two days old stubble.

" As you wish, my highness." he replied dramatically.

" Manik, batao naa." she asked curiously while poking his chest with her index finger.

" Myrah. Myrah Malhotra." he replied with a proud smile.

There was a pin drop silence in the room for the next couple of seconds while she sat gazing at him intently.

" You are really very excited for her, aren't you?" she asked as she broke the silence.

" You have no idea, Nandini. I'm so happy that words would fail to express. This feeling of becoming a father is so soothing and satisfying." he replied with a smile while playing with her hair.

" It's a beautiful name,Manik. And I'm sure she will love it after she grows up." she said as she placed a soft kiss on his chin.

" Because she is going to be my princess, just the way you are my queen. So she deserves a name accordingly." he said as he pecked her lips lightly.

They were settled comfortably murmuring sweet nothings to each other when suddenly she said hesitantly,

" Manik, you won't stop loving me after our baby is born haina?"

" You're talking about the impossible,jaan. You are my heart and you think I can survive without my heart? I've told you this before and I'm telling you this again, I can never stop loving you. Never ever. So don't even think about it. And as far as our little baby is concerned, you will always be my first baby." He replied softly as he placed a light kiss on her hair to which she gave a small smile.

" Will you stop pampering me after our princess is born?" she asked in a low tone.

" How can I stop pampering my queen? I'm sorry to say, but that's never gonna happen,baby. I love to pamper you. I love to spoil you because after that the smile you have on your face is all that I can ever ask for. You are my life. And before my princess, you are my baby. Understood?" He explained patiently.

" Itna pyaar karte ho mujhse?" she asked unknowingly.

" Isse bohot zyada. There's no scale in this world which can measure my love for you." He said while caressing her cheeks with his knuckles.

" I love you so much, Manik Malhotra." she said and smashed her lips on his for yet another soul searing kiss.

" And I love you the most, Mrs. Malhotra." he replied with a smile.

" I know." she replied proudly as she snuggled more into his chest carefully keeping in mind not to pressurize her womb.

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[ P.S ~ The meaning of the name Myrah is " princess".]

Thanks for reading!💖