Chapter Fifty One

"The countdown has begun Khushi."

"That it has Ammu. If only I knew how long I had."

Now heavily pregnant and in the month she was due, Khushi was very much waddling like a penguin. Here at the and, she had inflated up far more than she had before.

Shalini reached out and held her hand. "Don't worry sweetie. It's unpredictable when, but when he's ready, we'll all be prepared."

"Thank you Ammu," Khushi smiled. "And when she's ready to arrive, we'll be ready."

"Oh don't worry about me hun, I've got another month to go."

"In a way, you're lucky."

"That's true. But I really can't wait anymore, I just went her to arrive."

"Well if that's the case, her room had better be ready."

"If it isn't, then there's something wrong with her father. We found out months ago we're having a girl, so if he hasn't even picked out the wall color yet, there' going to be problems."

"Don't worry Jaaneman..."

Aryan came into the room, his son right behind him.

"It's all ready," he smiled.

"Really," Shalini questioned.

"Both are done," Arnav grinned with pride.

"So... does that mean we can see it," Khushi asked, batting her eyelashes.

"Babe, I've old you numerous times, you don't need to do that," and he held his hand out to her.

Khushi took it and with the help of Arnav, she stood up. Aryan went over to his wife and helped her up as well and both couples headed upstairs to the rooms.

"Ready," Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded, very excited, and Arnav opened the door. Khushi stepped into the room and gaped - it was absolutely adorable! The room had yellow wallpaper with cartoon giraffes on it. In the center of the room was the baby's crib and a mobile hung over it, little animals hanging on it. On one side of the room was a changing table, several products on the side, ready and prepared, as well as diapers. Against another wall was a toy chest and a bookshelf beside it, filled with books and more toys. There was a playpen on the other side of the room for when the child grew a little older. And the big teddy bear Arnav had gotten months ago with Aryan sat in the corner of the playmat, the rocking chair near it.

"Oh Arnav... it's beautiful!"

"Really? You like it?"

"Oh I absolutely love it! Thank you so much," and she reached up on her toes to kiss him.

Arnav happily kissed her back and cupped her face. "Anything for our child."

Khushi smiled and turned to the changing table. A little gray tiger sat on top of it and Khushi picked it up and hugged it. "Now I'm kind of jealous of the little one. This stuffie is so cute!"

Arnav chuckled and held her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Would mommy like a stuffie?"

Khushi looked up at him and nodded.

"Then a stuffie she shall get," and he kissed her cheek, Khushi bursting into a smile.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, love. There's just one more thing I need to add however."

Khushi turned in his hold and looks at him curiously. "And what's that?"

Arnav held his finger up to her and went to the walk-in closet. He brought out a large picture frame and Khushi couldn't help her smile - it was a picture of them on their wedding day.

"Arnav... that' so sweet of you."

"I didn't want to do this alone," he smiled softly.

"That's very sweet of you," and she went over to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"So, shall we hang this up? You just tell me where and I'll put it."

"Um..." Khushi looked around the room. "Uh.... there. By the play pen. This way he can see it from his crib."

Arnav nodded and placed the frame on the floor, against the wall. Going back into the closet, he found his toolbox and took out a hammer and a nail. Positioning it on the wall, he did the handiwork and placed the frame on it.

"Perfect," Khushi clapped. "You do know you have to get rid of those tools, right?"

"Yes ma'am, I do. And I'll do it now before I forget."

Doing just that, Arnav left the room to put the box away. Khushi sighed and held herself as she looked around the room. It was all coming together now, and all that was missing was her little prince.

Khushi caressed her stomach. Can you see what your father did? Oh I wish you could, you're going to love it! I'm sorry it's not blue, or pink if you're a girl. I'm sorry we chose not to find out and will have you in yellow or white, but what can mommy say? She just wanted to get to know you when she gets to really see you, and not on a picture on a screen. You'll understand one day baby.

With one last glance of the room, Khushi waddled out of the room. She shut the door behind her and headed back to their room. She knew Arnav would fuss at her for walking around alone, but she thought he was being too paranoid-

Khushi froze. Her hand automatically moved over stomach as her eyes widened. Just at that minute, Arnav appeared and at first, he scowled at her for being on her own, when he noticed the look on her face. He rushed over to her and took hold of her arm. "Khushi-"

Arnav felt something on the floor and looked down. The floor was wet.

"Khushi-"

"My water just broke," she gasped.

Arnav took a deep breath. "O-okay, let's stay calm, deep breaths, in and out, in and out-"

"Arnav now is not the time, it's time to go to the hospital!"

"Right, right... right!"

Arnav dashed off and Khushi placed a hand at her back, the other still over her bump. Moments later, Shalini and Aryan came rushing over.

"Oh my gosh, sweetheart, are you okay? Are you in pain," Shalini asked.

"I'm okay, Ammu, I'm okay."

"I'll go get the car ready," Aryan said before dashing off.

"Take deep breaths Khushi, how are the contractions?"

"Far apart," Khushi breathed.

"Okay, baby, okay. Well we're going to go to the hospital as soon as that son of mine gets all of your stuff, hmm? Everything is going to be alright. We've been prepared for this, we're ready."

Khushi nodded, taking deep breaths.

"Now where is he? Chote!"

Arnav come dashing around the corner, holding two big, stuffy bags, full of items.

"Chote, what the-?"

"No time Ammu, time to go!"

Arnav took Khushi's hand and they headed to the staircase. Just as they did, Aryan came back and helped his wife down as Arnav helped Khushi. They all got in the car, Arnav in the driver's seat, Aryan in the passenger's seat, and Khushi and Shalini in the back, Shalini supporting her. Arnav rushed to he hospital, driving as fast as he could and avoiding as many traffic violations as possible.

Arriving to the hospital, Aryan and Shalini helped Khushi in as Arnav ran to the front desk and told them of the situation. Nurses came rushing with a wheelchair and had Khushi sat down, and they wheeled her off. The family followed behind and when they arrived to the delivery room, only Arnav was allowed inside.

"This is it," Arnav breathed.

"You can do this Chote," Shalini said, caressing his face. "I know you can."

"I hope so."

"You can," Aryan said. "Chote, I have seen you grow into the man you have become and I know with all my heart that you will be a wonderful father."

"You really think so dad?"

"I know, son, I know. After all, look who you've taken after."

Arnav rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help his smile. Shalini playfully hit him and chuckled, a few tears streaming.

"Now go in there and take care of my daughter. Be by her side, she needs you the most."

"Yes sir," Arnav smiled and he went into the room.

Nurses surrounded the room, all of them in their scrubs. Khushi had already been changed and was laying down, machines all around her.

"Arnav?"

Arnav went rushing over to Khushi. He swept her hair aside from her face and kissed her forehead. "How are you doing baby?"

"I'm okay."

The door opened and Dr. Fields came into the room. "Hello, parents to be," she smiled. "How are you feeling Khushi?"

"I'm okay, Dr. Fields."

"Well, let's see how far long you are," she said, putting her gloves on. "Nurse, have Mr. Raizada change into some scrubs please."

The nurse nodded and gestured the way for Arnav. Arnav nodded and placing another kiss on Khushi's forehead, he went away with the nurse. He immediately changed into some scrubs and quickly rejoined Khushi, Khushi laying down with her eyes shut.

"Khushi," he called out softly.

Khushi opened her eyes and smiled at him. Arnav sat down beside her and took her hand.

"How are you feeling now baby?"

"Okay. I'm hooked up to several machines and have ice chips to nibble on."

Arnav chuckled lightly and kissed her hand, which was also hooked up to one of the machines. "Are you ready?"

"I don't know. I'm excited and I really want to meet him or her... but at the same time, I'm scared."

"Why Khushi?"

"I don't know..." Khushi sighed. "What if I won't be a good mother?"

"Nonsense, of course you will!"

"Really? What if our child hates me?"

"Baby, why on earth would our child hate you?"

"I don't know... maybe I won't love it enough."

At first Arnav couldn't understand where this was coming from. Maybe it was the nerves from labor, but he knew better. The thought of her parents came to mind and of her relationship with them, and it all made sense.

"Khushi, you're nothing like your parents."

Khushi looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

"Baby, you're the most wonderful, kind, generous, and sweetest person I know. You love with all of your heart! Ever since we got married, you have done nothing but shower my family with your love, and everyone loves you. And just as you showered them with your love, you will shower our child with your love. And just as everyone has loved you, our baby will as well."

"Positive?"

"With all my heart."

The door to the room opened and Aryan and Shalini came in with a nurse.

"Hi Khushi, how are you doing sweetheart," Shalini asked softly.

"I'm okay, Ammu," Khushi smiled softly.

"Any pain?"

Khushi shook her head.

"Okay sweetheart. We'll be right outside if you two need anything honey, okay?"

Khushi nodded. "Okay."

Shalini placed a kiss on her forehead and so did Aryan. The two gave Arnav a hug and went back out, as their time allowed in her room as limited.

*~*

A few hours had passed and Khushi's contractions had come slowly closer and closer.

"How are you feeling now baby," Arnav asked.

Khushi took deep breaths, remembering her lessons. "Just another contraction."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay now. I think I'm going to shut my eyes and get some rest for now. You should go check up with Ammu and Papa."

Arnav nodded. "Okay."

Arnav headed out of the room to look for his parents, however he couldn't find them. Where did they go?

"Chote!"

Arnav looked down the hall and saw his father rushing over to him. "Dad, what's wrong? Where's Ammu?"

"There's been a bit of a situation."

"What? Is she okay?"

"She's fine, nothing bad."

"Then?"

"Your mother just went into labor."