"Babe… faster!" Daisy shouted.
"Coming!" Rain yelled back.
"Fast! Come and pull it out—now!" Daisy cried.
Author's note: Dirty-minded readers, behave. 😏
Rain came running in from the next room. "What happened?!"
"She's not letting go of my hair," Daisy groaned. "Her grip just keeps tightening—help!"
Rain burst out laughing. "Hey! You don't do that to your mom," he scolded gently, carefully peeling their daughter's tiny fingers away and smoothing Daisy's hair.
Daisy exhaled in relief. "Okay, please take care of him, Rain. I'll go to the hospital and be back soon."
"I've got him. You be careful," Rain said, kissing her forehead. "Bye."
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At hospital,
"I'm scared, Zain," Lara whispered.
"It's going to be alright," Zain said softly, squeezing her hand. "It'll be quick. I'll be right here—always."
"Hey! You okay?" Daisy rushed in. "I heard your water broke!"
"I'm fine," Lara smiled. "You breathe. You're more tensed than I am."
Everyone laughed.
"We have to go now," the doctor said. "Sir, please join us."
Daisy hugged Lara gently. "You're going to be fine. Call me if you need anything."
"Why call you when I'm here?" Zain said instantly. "I'm enough for her."
"Well, well… let's see," Daisy teased, grinning.
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The OT lights turned on.
"Don't be nervous," Zain whispered. "It's going to be alright."
The doctor chuckled. "You seem more nervous than the patient."
Lara looked at Zain's anxious eyes, pulled his hand into hers, and smiled.
"Don't be nervous," she said softly. "It's going to be alright."
The room filled with laughter.
"Okay," the doctor said. "Let's begin. Mrs. Zain, take deep breaths and push when I count."
Lara nodded.
Zain nodded too.
The doctor laughed. "Alright… both of you."
"Three… two… one… push!"
"Aaah!"
"Again. Three… two… one… push!"
Minutes passed—five, six—each one harder than the last.
"It's halfway there," the doctor encouraged. "Don't give up. Again—three… two… one… push!"
"I can't," Lara gasped. "I can't anymore."
Zain tightened his grip, brushing her hair back.
"Lara," he said firmly, "don't give up. Look at me."
She met his eyes.
Zain nodded — we do this together.
"Three… two… one… push!"
One final push—
"Waaaah!"
The nurse cleaned the baby as Lara finally exhaled, tears spilling as the cry filled the room.
Zain leaned down, kissed her forehead, fanning her gently. In that moment, the world narrowed to just her.
"Mr. and Mrs. Zain," the doctor said, smiling. "The baby is stable."
"Thank you," Zain whispered.
"Mr. Zain, please remove your shirt," the nurse said. "Skin-to-skin contact."
She placed the tiny bundle against his chest.
Zain broke down.
Lara watched him, overwhelmed, smiling through tears.
The nurse leaned closer to Lara. "You're lucky. Men like him are rare. He didn't take his eyes off you during the entire delivery. He cried when you cried. And the first thing he asked doctor after the labor was whether you were okay."
Lara looked at Zain and smiled softly.
"I surely am."
Daisy burst in moments later. "Congrats! It's a boy—just like you wished! Lol!"
"Let me see him too, Zain," Daisy said.
"Nope," Zain replied instantly. "Not until he calls me dada."
"You're kidding me! That'll take ages. Lara!" Daisy protested.
Lara laughed at their silliness, warmth settling deep in her chest.
This—this was family. 💛