Chapter Fifty Seven

With Aarav back in their lives, the Raizada home was filled with talk and laughter, the family coming over to see him and to play with him. Aarav and his baby aunt Ahana became quick friends and everyone loved watching them play together.

"So what exactly is he going to call her," NK asked with a frown.

"It's going to be awkward between the two, I'm sure," Akash said.

"It's always been awkward, even before the two got here," Arnav said, holding his son in his lap.

"Nonsense," Khushi said. "How is it awkward," she asked as she tried to feed Aarav.

"My sister is older than my son by a few minutes - its weird."

Khushi rolled her eyes.

"Chill Bhai," Lavanya said as she sat down beside him. "It's kinda cool."

"Cool? How the hell-?"

"Arnav," Khushi scolded.

"That's not a bad word," Arnav said defensively.

Khushi scowled at him and Arnav rolled his eyes, earning another scowl.

"Okay fine!" He turned back to Lavanya. "How the," and he quickly covered his son's ears, "hell," and uncovered them, "is it cool?"

Khushi placed her palm on her forehead with a shake of her head.

"Is this what I'm gonna have to deal with when he gets here," Seema said as she joined the others with Payal.

"I'm afraid so," Khushi scowled at Arnav, but he was busy frowning at Lavanya.

"Well it's not like every kid can say hey! My aunt is my age," Lavanya said.

Arnav scowled at her and covered his son's ears. "Shut up," and uncovered them.

Khushi palmed her forehead again. "Hai DM!"

Aarav cooed and tossed his arms up and so did Ahana.

"Did Ammu call?"

"They're still holed up at the doctors," Arnav replied.

Khushi nodded in acknowledgement. Payal went around to Ahana and sat down on the floor, placing her in her lap. Ahana bounced in her lap and babbled, and Aarav babbled back.

"What do you think they're saying," Payal wondered.

"That we're weird for talking differently," Lavanya shrugged.

Ahana and Aarav babbled again, Aarav tossing his arms in the air, preventing Khushi from feeding him.

"Aarav please baby, can't you be like Ahana and eat properly without a fuss?"

Aarav babbled but his arms were still in the air.

"I guess not," Payal chuckled.

Khushi sighed. "He just has to be difficult like his father."

"What the-? Excuse me," Arnav frowned.

"Don't you start with me Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada. And keep saying what the, and watch how our son's first words will be those."

Arnav rolled his eyes. "I am not difficult."

"Yes you are, and so is your son."

"Oh my son, is he?"

"Yes!"

Arnav rolled his eyes once more before taking Aarav's food from her hands. He placed the spoonful of baby food at Aarav's lips and little one ate as Arnav fed him with no difficulty.

Khushi scoffed. "Really?"

"That's my little man," Arnav grinned.

"Please tell me I won't have to deal with this," Seema said.

"I'm afraid you will," Khushi said, reaching out for her hand.

"No!"

"Oh yeah," NK grinned.

"That's why you should've had a girl," Payal said.

"Well its not like it was up to me," Seema frowned. "It's all his fault!"

"Hey," NK said defensively.

"Well if everyone else is having a boy - well, at least until we know what Khushi Bhabi is having - then you Payal Bhabi must have a girl," Lavanya said.

"What? Me," Payal blushed.

"I like the sound of that," Akash smirked.

Everyone whooped around them, the little ones looking up at them with confusion, Ahana placing her fist in her mouth.

"What do you think Bhabi," Lavanya asked. "Think you're ready for one of these," she asked, taking Ahana and wiggling her in the air, before placing her back in her lap.

"I... uh... um-"

The ladies began to snicker, even the guys smirked at Akash.

"I... well... uh- if Lavanya gets married, then."

"What," Lavanya shrieked.

"Now there's a horrific idea," Arnav muttered.

"What," she shrieked even louder. "And why would that be horrific?"

"Have you seen yourself?"

Lavanya tried to hurt him but he held out Aarav's food, threatening to drop it on her. Lavanya pulled back with a pout, crossing her arms.

"Ignore him," Khushi said. "After all, you've got Aman, so your brother here is wrong."

Arnav scowled at Khushi but she ignored him.

"Now all you need to do is take the next step, and Payal Bhabi here will take her step," Seema chuckled.

The two ladies blushed, glancing at each other. 

Arnav's phone began to ping, so he placed Aarav's food down and took his phone out of his pocket. He saw that it was a text from his father, saying that they were going to be late.

"Looks like they're still waiting on the doctor," Arnav frowned.

"That's why I hate check ups," Khushi frowned.

"I'd rather go to the gynecologists office than a plain ol' checkup," Seema scowled.

Khushi reached back, placing her hand over Seema's baby bump. "How's my little nephew doing?"

"Good. It's me who deals with the kicking," she sighed.

"Well you have to remember who's the father," Akash smirked.

NK scowled at him while the others chuckled.

"Believe me, the little one reminds me every moment he can. Just one-ish more month till the kicking ends."

"And then he'll be in your arms," Payal smiled.

"That he will," Khushi said absentmindedly. 

Khushi blinked, snapping her out of her trance. She looked at her son, who had been successfully fed by his father. Khushi couldn't help her smile and stood up, taking him in her arms to wash him up. Arnav handed her the empty plastic container which once contained Aarav's food and Khushi headed to the kitchen. She discarded the container and wiped her son's mouth clean, removing the tissues which were tucked into his shirt since Arnav couldn't find his bib.

"There we go, my baby is all nice and clean," Khushi beamed.

Aarav blew a raspberry, making Khushi giggle. As she went back to rejoin the others, the little one yawned and placed his head on his mommy's shoulder.

"Looks like someone is tired," Arnav said when he saw them.

"His auntie would say the same," Payal said, looking down at Ahana.

"His other aunt has to agree," NK said, pointing at his sleeping wife.

"Let her be," Lavanya frowned. "It's bad enough she's carrying your child, and then you have to always annoy her."

NK glared at her and Lavanya let out a toothy grin, holding her ears. Arnav went to Khushi and took the little guy in his arms.

"Where's Ahana's bassinet," Arnav asked, patting Aarav's back, the little one letting out a burp.

"I'll go get it," Khushi said and she did so.

Moments later, she rolled in Ahana's bassinet. Payal went to get up to place her down, but NK took her.

"Might as well get some practice in," he said.

Payal smiled and handed the little girl over to him. NK carried her carefully in his arms and placed her down in the bassinet, covering her with her baby blanket. He let out a sigh and looked at the little one before looking at his pregnant wife. Arnav went over to him, placing his hand on his shoulder.

"You'll do just fine," he reassured him.

"You sure Nanav? I don't think I'm ready.

"No one ever is."

The corner of NK 's lips tugged up and he looked at his brother and nephew. "Easy for you to say."

Arnav glanced down at his son and placed a kiss on his head. "Wasn't always easy. This past month has been... eye-opening."

NK just looked at Aarav for a moment. "Think I can really do it?"

Arnav glanced him up and down. "Eventually," he smirked playfully.

NK scoffed lightly and looked down. 

Akash came over and wrapped his arm around NK's neck. "Hey, I want to join the club too."

The ladies chuckled while Arnav and NK glanced at each other. Freeing himself from his hold, NK placed his elbow on Akash's shoulder, Arnav doing the same, placing his elbow on his other shoulder.

"Look Akash," Arnav began. "If at this age, you still don't know how to make a baby..."

Akash's eyes widened.

"...then I'm afraid I have nothing to say, other than the fact that even NK has surpassed you and you have failed."

"I-"

"Oh Akash, brother of mine," NK began, "you have so much to learn."

"No I don't!"

Aarav cooed and brought his tiny thumb to his mouth.

"Even my son agrees," Aranv said, removing his thumb from his mouth.

"You Raizada men are something else," Khushi said, shaking her head.

"Tell me about it," Payal and Lavanya chimed.

The men ignored them and Akash freed himself, crossing his arms. "I know very well how to make a baby."

"So then do it," both Arnav and NK said.

Payal's eyes widened and she crimsoned while the other ladies giggled.

"You know what - I'll do just that," Akash said.

Payal's eyes shot up to him. "What," she squeaked.

Akash turned to her and he winked, causing Payal to blush and look away. He walked over to her and picked her up, holding her in his arms. The other whooped, causing the little ones to stir, as well as Seema.

"Looks like I've got some work cut ahead for me," Akash said, looking down at Payal.

Payal blushed, burying her face in his chest. 

Akash began to walk towards the door. "See you guys later," and the two were gone.

Khushi and Lavanya giggled like schoolgirls, waving at them.

"And I repeat - you Raizada men are something else," Khushi grinned.

Arnav and NK stood proudly, Arnav holding up his son's hand who was too tired to lift his head.

"Alright, let him sleep," Khushi chuckled.

Arnav rocked Aarav from side to side, the little one slowly dozing to sleep. Khushi went over to them and placed her hand on his back, patting it lightly.

"It really is taking Papa and Ammu some time," Khushi frowned.

"Stupid doctors," Arnav muttered and Khushi scowled at him. "He's asleep," and Khushi shook her head.

But still, it was rather curious why it was taking Aryan and Shalini so long at the doctors. The truth is they were done with Shalini's appointment but the two had gotten a bit, er, distracted. Even though Ahana was a calm baby, she was still quite young and needed her mother's attention, giving daddy no time for any attention at all. So now that he had gotten a moment alone with her, Aryan had taken advantage of the moment and they had gone to a hotel, of course, after Aryan had managed to convince her.

Yup, it really is true that the Raizada men were truly something else ;)