"Zach...Zach..wake up."

"Yes baby..are you okay ? Is it paining somewhere ?"

"No..I just want to drink strawberry milkshake." She shrugged.

I turned to take a look at time, 3:30 am. I sighed and got up.

"I'll go & get it for you, baby."

"No..I want your handmade milkshake."

"Ofcourse baby." I kissed her forehead and went to the kitchen.

When I returned she was sleeping soundly in a very uncomfortable position. I kept milkshake away and cuddled her sleeping figure. My love

I woke up to the sound of crying. Ava. I immediately sat up and held her.

"Baby..baby.. you're okay ? Shall I take you hospital."

"My head hurts so much."

"Come here baby, lay down." She did as I told her to, while I started massaging her forehead and soon sleep took over her.

I woke up to the sound of crying, just like I have been for a past few months.

"Baby..what happened...are you okay ?" I cupped her face.

"Yes." She whisper cried.

"Then why are you crying, love ?"

"I don't know, they are just flowing." pregnancy is really hard.

"Come here baby. Try and go back to sleep."

She laid down and few minutes later, her soft breaths filled the room.

"Zach..Zach."

"Yes baby." I replied her, placing my laptop aside and pulling her slowly towards me.

"Make love to me." My eyes widened at her sudden request. Pregnancy has made her really bold.

"Baby...you know, as much as I want to I can't do that right now."

"Don't lie to me, you don't love me anymore. right ? For now I have become a fat ball." Tears pricked her eyes.

"Baby...baby...I love you...I love you so much, okay ? but I don't want to hurt our baby. Do you want him or her to get hurt ?"

She lowered her head in embarrassment and mumbled a no.

"Come here, my love, I love you so much."

"I love you too and atleast cuddle me to sleep." She whined. I slowly pulled her over me.

__________

"Round number ?"

"7th" she answered and sat down on the couch near the washroom. I walked next to her and kneeled down infront of her tired figure.

"I am sorry, I am unable to do anything."

"it's okay. you're here and that's enough." She whispered kissing my forehead and sprinted to the bathroom again.

"Baby...just calm down...okay...okay ? You can do it...come on."

"Ahhh....ahhhh.." She was wriggling and screaming. Tears were rolling down her eyes endlessly. On seeing her like that, my own eyes welled up but I have to stay strong for her.

Her hold on my hands tighten to an extent that it began to hurt but she was feeling much more pain.

"Baby...just one last push."

"Ahhhh." She screamed and in next moment cries of our baby filled the room. She was breathing heavily. I leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"You did it baby."

"We...we did it." She replied.

"I am sorry you had to go through so much pain.

"It was worth it and I...I am...sorry if I hurt your hand." She whispered.

"You didn't." I smiled.

"It's a girl."

----------

----------

"It's a girl." Doctor said and placed my daughter in my arm. Both our smiles widened upon seeing our baby girl. She is the most beautiful girl, I have ever seen. All I was feeling was pure love for our child.

"Her eyes are just as blue as yours."

"Her hair are just as brown as yours."

"She is beautiful."

"She is beautiful." We said at the same time.

"Here take her." I said to him. He looked so nervous. And then I realised, it was for the first time I was watching him getting nervous.

"You won't hurt her." I assured him. He nodded and carried her in his arms. Tears slid down his eyes. I couldn't hold back my tears as well.

"Dad, loves you baby." He placed his fingers in her palm, which she grabbed lightly.

"You saw that." I nodded and he placed feathery kisses on both our foreheads.

___

"Where is our princess ?" Door opened and in came very excited Ethy followed by Reecie and others.

They all held our princess. All their eyes were red, they were playing with our little bundle of happiness, when dad came towards me, "Are you okay ?" He asked.

"Yes dad."

"I once told you, you're a very strong girl." His words had me think.

Once told me ? And then my eyes widened up in realisation. How can I not notice it before ?

"Da..dad."

"That was me." He spoke, with teary eyes.

"Why didn't you ever come back ? You said you were 'a friend '." I whispered.

"I tried to find you, my child..but I was unable too. I am sorry, I am sorry...I failed you, please forgive me." His eyes held so much pain and guilt that I couldn't be mad at him also it was him cause of whom I got my Zach.

"It's okay, dad." I said and immediately he side hugged me.

We turned to everyone standing there, playing with the little one.

"You should be proud of the woman, you've become." I smiled at his words and cherished this moment with my family.

Zach walked towards me and sat down beside me. I laid my head on his shoulders while he wrapped his arms securely around me.

"What shall we name her ?"

"Eliana Knight."

"That's a beautiful name, love"

"Yea sis."

"That sure is a beautiful name, my child."

They all appreciated while Zach leaned his head over mine.

"Thank you baby. I love you."

"I love you too."

I started out alone and wanted to get back the place I called home. However, then I didn't know that I'll find a family on the way and make a new home.

___________