It was a long and busy day for Vaibhav. A series of meetings followed by long discussions regarding various project design approvals and in middle of all this he is anxious about his baby Riyansh, who is just 11 months old now. Yesterday Riyansh was not well and he had to bring him into hospital. Doctor prescribed some medicines and Vaibhav and Vaigha brought him back to the home. He wanted to spend the entire day with his sick baby and make sure that he is fine. But this business...

In between all his meetings he had to call Vaigha many times to ensure that his son is ok. He is grateful to his wife because she won't let anyone in their home feel his absence whether it is in the role of a mother or sister or bhabhi or best friend. He is forever thankful to her for this. From the moment onwards Riyansh has been discharged from hospital, it was her who is taking care of him. Sometimes he feel himself as a failure in the role of a father. Because he always have to leave for his important meetings whenever his son needs him the most. And then a hand will get placed on his shoulder ensuring that he is the best husband and best father on this world. He can only smile for her small gestures to make him feel better.

"Sir are you leaving?" His manager suddenly appeared infront of him with a set of files. He frowned.

"Yes. I need to go back home as early as possible. Now keep the files with yourself. Whatever it is today's job has done."he got out from his cabin before his manager can stop him saying about some other emergencies.

"But Sir, Mr.Mehtha has called me from Delhi. He said that it's important and urgently inform you to call him back today itself"

Vaibhav stopped at his place.
"Can't you understand what I said? My son have fever and I couldn't sit with him even for a minute after he got discharged from hospital."

Manager couldn't force him more and he lowered his head facing the floor.

"Ok just do what I say. Call Mr.Mehtha and connect the call to Kishore. He will deal it." Vaibhav instructed and his manager nodded.

Without waiting for more Vaibhav walked towards the lift and entered into it. He felt empty looking at the mirror inside the lift.

Amar and Kishore is a great help for him. When he can't manage everything alone along with his family matters, either Amar or Kishore will rush towards him with their help. He is blessed to have such an understanding family. He smiled while entering outside the lift and walked towards the car. Starting the car he had only one face in his mind, his son's.

He slowly opened the door of his room and the sight on bed sent peace to his heart. Vaigha is sleeping on bed with her hands wrapped around their baby boy. Riyansh is laying with his eyes opened not to disturb his tired mamma just like how Vaibhav used to lay. He could see himself in his little version. He walked towards the bed without making noise and looked at his baby who is now smiling. He suddenly realized that how much his son is missing him too. His eyes watered and he slowly touched his son's fragile body. Making him relax temperature have already reduced. Riyansh was about to make some sound when Vaibhav gestured him to not talk by placing his finger on his lips. Riyansh like an obedient kid stopped what he was going to do.

Vaibhav slowly removed his wife's protective arms across his son and took him into his arms while moving towards the balcony.

"Riyan, my dear baby don't make noise. Let your mamma sleep for a while. She is really tired. Poor mamma. Isn't my baby also feeling that?"he asked raising his baby in air and kissed his forehead.

Little Riyan was enjoying his Pappa's presence and pampers. He giggled and made baby sounds when Vaibhav tickled him. It seems like he was also waiting to be pampered by his father.

"You are so cute my dear baby. Just like your wonderful mother. But dont tell this to her."he said and Riyansh nodded his head as if he understood something what his Pappa is saying.

"Do you know how much you scared us yesterday night? Poor your mamma she was crying."Vaibhav said and his baby responded by making sounds.

Riyansh took control over his father's shirt pocket and started examining it while Vaibhav placed soft kisses on his body. It was then two hands hugged them from behind. One hand on Riyansh's head and the other landed on Vaibhav's chest. Riyansh giggled and started jumping up and down realizing his mother's presence.

"What my two babies doing here?"Vaigha asked while he turned to face her.
"We are making some plans on how to teach you a lesson."he replied and Riyansh made loud sound.
"See he is on my side."Vaibhav said happily.
"Poor me."she scowled.
And Vaibhav laughed.

He pulled her with his other hand and kissed her cheeks.
"Vaibhav, Riyan is here."she tried to say.
"Let him see and study how to love his wife in future. As elders say Parents are the first teacher."he replied making her widen his eyes.

"You...Vaibhu.."she hit his chest.
"I like it when you calls me Vaibhu just like my mom used to do."he kissed her forehead while his baby started pulling his mother's hairs.
She kissed both of their cheeks.

"Thank you Vaigha. You are the best."he said and she understood what his mind is going through.

"Vaibhav what is this. I have given medicines at right time and now he is ok. Dont worry about our son. You are doing everything perfect as a father and I know how much you loves our son. That's enough. Dont think that you are a bad one. Even if you can't spend more time with him, I am here to manage. Because we know you are working hard for our good."she said cupping his face.

"Riyu, just make your father realize how much we love him."she said to the baby and baby waved his hands in air.

Vaibhav held her closer.
"I love you Vaigha." He whispered on her ears making her blush.

His mother's red cheek and his father's smile made him understand that it's time to gain the much wanted attention and Riyansh started crying.
They looked at him in wonder.

"My baby is also an attention seeker just like his pappa. Dont allow me to move around."she kissed her baby's cheeks and Vaibhav repeated the same. Riyansh seems like he understood something and started giggling.

"Oh Vaibhav I forgot to tell you. Do you know what happened when I was feeding him?"she asked with excitement visible on her face.

He shook his head and gestured her to tell.
"Our Riyan called me Maa...two times."she said and he was surprised.
"You are hallucinating. How can that happen? He will call me pappa first, after that only mamma."he argued making her glare.

"Won't you believe me? He did call me. I am sure. He is my little Vaibhu."she said pulling Riyan's cheeks and tickling him on his stomach. Baby starts laughing loudly. Vaibhav stood with an opened mouth.

"No I won't believe. May be he just made some sounds and you misunderstood it as Maa."he said.

"You are jealous Vaibhav."she declared.
"Me? Not possible."

That's when Riyan again shouted looking at Vaigha.
"Maa.."he stretched his little arms for his mother. Vaigha immediately took him into her arms with teary eyes. Vaibhav smiled wholeheartedly seeing her kissing their son whole over his face.

"See now you believe or not. I don't care."she said making him chuckle.
He moved closer to them and hugged them together with his both hands.

"My cute baby is smart. Riyan, start practicing pappa now and when you call me, call as pappa completely. Not some random Maa's. Let's make your mamma jealous."he kissed them.

Vaigha rested her head on his chest and he embraced both his wife and son in his arms. They stayed like that for a long time until Riyan fall asleep.
______________________________________

Amar was rocking Riyansh in his arms while walking through the garden. The baby was not sleeping waiting to hear more and more stories from his Amar uncle.

"Riyu, I think your mamma will kill me tomorrow. Because if you are not sleeping like a good boy, your mood will be worst tomorrow."he said and the baby made a sound in response.

"Ggggggghhhh.."
Riyansh was busy with the little beard of his uncle. He pulled the hairs, bit them and did whatever he can do with his two teeth mouth. Vaibhav also had beard but because of the continous attack from his own son he had to finally remove it.

Amar again started patting Riyansh on his shoulders. But he was not in a mood to sleep. When Amar stopped talking, he started crying to make him speak something.

"Riyu, why are you crying baby? Uncle will bring new toys for you tomorrow. Promise. First thing in the morning." Amar said.

"Then who will give company to your laptop and the files beside it? Already they are complaining because their owner is not giving attention to them now a days."
He turned back to see Vaigha with a smirk playing on her lips.

"Files and Laptop can take leave for a while. Because now Riyu owns me completely."

Vaigha laughed.
"Ok ok now go and sleep. I will make him sleep. You will get cold if you stay here for a long time. But look at my strong boy. "she took her son into her arms and Amar smiled.

"Ok bhabhi good night."Amar left and Vaigha walked to her room. On entering inside she saw her husband studying a file while sitting on the couch.

"Baby, don't be like your pappa." she said gaining his attention and he smirked.
"You don't need to join any business. Atleast I won't allow you to contribute another workaholic to this family."

He smiled widely. Seeing Vaibhav, baby jumped into his arms and started playing with the file on his hand.
"Little Vaibhu, are you gonna play with your pappa at this midnight? Dont you want to sleep?"she asked.

"Riyan, what are you doing with my file? Are you going to be another workaholic in such a small age?"he asked looking at Vaigha and she gave a shocked expression.
"See your mamma will soon get an heart attack."he said making her scowl.

But next moment Vaibhav almost got an heart attack seeing his son tearing apart the file.
"Riyuuuuuu...no."he screamed for which his son paid no attention.
Vaigha bursted into laugh and the baby giggled along with her.

"Riyan, will you make me go bankrupt?"he asked looking at his innocent kid.
Next moment he kissed his son and got up from the couch. He sat beside Vaigha who is sitting on the bed.

"Come on baby. Let's sleep now."Vaigha took the baby from him and made him lay in between them.
"Yes dear. Sleep fast. After that only your mamma will make me sleep. Poor pappa"Vaibhav said kissing his forehead.

Riyansh looked at his mother and father alternately without understanding what they are talking about. He made some sounds to get attention and Vaibhav placed him on his chest while his other hand wrapped across Vaigha.
"My babies" She kissed both of them.

Soon the baby fall asleep giving some time for his parents to speak.
"Vaigha, I am sorry for not being with you when you both needs me the most. I know how much you are struggling to manage him."he said.

"Stop it my dear husband. I am currently enjoying this new role as a mother to the most. You have no idea how much I am happy. And your brothers and sisters are helping me a lot."

"So my Mrs. is happy because I am not here to disturb her. Great."he pouted.

"Stop being childish. You are the father of a child now."she said.

He chuckled.
"Vaibhav, but I have an advice. You should find some time to be with him each day. Atleast two or three hours. You should find that time for your son."

"I am not complaining because I am not getting you. Even if you are not here, I can do everything for him. But you are missing the most amazing days of your life."

He looked at her admiringly without blinking his eyes.

"Knowingly or unknowingly you are losing the growing days of your first child. The best days in any father's life. Time flies fast. If you regret for this in future, you won't get these days back."

"I don't want you to miss the best moments of your life as a father."she added.

"Then my wife will give me many more babies to compensate these days."he said for which she pouted.

"Do you think that I am joking here? Seriously?"she maintained a serious expression.
He slowly made the baby lay down beside him and took Vaigha completely into his arms.

"I can understand what you are saying Mrs. Even I too wanted to spend some leisure time with my family leaving all other matters behind. But each time I am planning for something comes another problem."he started.

She shook her head.
"But this time I am serious. Within two months all our current projects will be finished. After that I am taking a break from all this."
He said for which she widened her eyes.

"We will plan for a long trip. With our family. And let's go far away from this busy world with our son."

"Are you serious?"she asked surprisingly.
"Yes Mrs."he kissed her forehead patting her back.
"But where will we go?"she asked excitedly.
"I hope our brothers and sisters will come up with some good ideas."he said and she smiled.

"This break is much needed for me. I know it" he whispered.
"Love you Vaibhav."she wrapped her arms across her husband's body.
"Let's sleep now. Your duty starts again early morning. You too need some rest Vaigha."

They cuddled feeling each other's warmth thereby slowly falling into a deep sleep.
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Finally found some time to come up with a bonus chapter.
Planning for another bonus chapter soon only if you likes this one.
Thank you, with all love.
Teju