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I sat on a random bench in Central Park as I watched my five year old daughter playing in a sand box with another group of kids. Today felt good outside so I thought it would be good for Mays and I to catch some sunlight. Suddenly my phone started buzzing and I noticed it was Adam calling me. "Hey what's up?" I said as I put my phone against my ear.

"We're almost done setting up for Maysa's birthday party. Come to my mom's house around noon." He replied, I could practically hear Isa's voice in the background along with Abdi's, shouting. "Gotchu we'll be there soon In Shaa Allah." I then hung up. After half an hour I walked to where Maysa was. "Mommy are we leaving already?" She pouted adorably.

I crouched down to her level and played with her incredibly long jet black hair. "Yes sweetie but don't worry we're not going home." I reassured her. With every passing day she's beginning to look more and more like my mother. Same hair, eyes, and smile. "Okay mommy!" She smiled widely as she gripped my hand tightly. On the way to Veronica's house, I managed to stop by a store and pick up an adorable to dress for Maysa so she could wear it to her surprise birthday party. After twenty minutes or so I managed to park the car in front of my mother-in-law's house and helped Maysa out of her car seat. "Yay we're at Grandma's!" She cheered excitedly.

I texted Adam to warn him that we're here before ringing the bell. From behind the door, one could hear shuffling and voices. After a couple of seconds Veronica opened the door and let us in. "Grandma!" Maysa squealed and ran into her arms. "How's my birthday girl? You look so beautiful." Veronica gushed as she let us step in.

"I'm good, mommy bought me this dress. Grandma where's daddy? And why is it so dark?" She asked, looking around. That's when everyone popped out suddenly and shouted 'Happy Birthday!' in unison. The look on her face was price less. "Happy birthday baby girl." Adam wrapped his arms around Maysa and twirled her up in the air. "Happy birthday!" I joined in and planted a kiss upon her cheek.

"Let's eat some cake!" Isa shouted like his usual self.

* * *

"I'm scared..."I told my husband honestly. What if I'm not a good mother? What if I can't handle taking care of another human being? All these thoughts continued to run in my mind none stop. He gently grabbed my hand and looked me directly in the eyes as he spoke. "Listen," He started off. "You shouldn't be scared, baby. We're in this together. You and me, okay?" He said reassuringly.

I nodded my head and placed Maysa in her crib as she slept peacefully.

I can't believe five years ago today our baby girl was born. It's hard to believe it's been five years when it feels like it was just yesterday. "Hey chica!" Samiyah exclaimed as she nudged my shoulder as she put a spoonful of chocolate cake in her mouth. "Hey girly." I replied, eating some of the frosting off of her slice of the cake. "Hey! Watch it." She slapped my hand away playfully. It's funny we're in our mid 20s yet we still act like teenagers.

Soon Aliyah came to where we were sitting and sat down in between us. Both Maysa and Deenah were playing with each other on the swings along with Samirah. It's nice seeing them play together like that and have fun. "I can't believe the last time I came back here was after Maysa was born. I missed out on so much." Samiyah pouted as she stared at the girls.

"Yeah, I'm actually mad at you for that!" Aliyah hit her playfully. "Me too." I agreed. We stayed silent for a couple of seconds before getting over it and acting like nothing happened. The truth is that no matter how long someone may be gone it doesn't mean the love you feel for them isn't still there. I've gone through so much with these two girls, from elementary school to now. It's amazing that we've stuck through everything together and never stopped being friends. These girls are like the sisters I've always wanted but never got.

After everyone had left, Maysa was getting tired so I told Adam to take her home while I helped Veronica clean the huge mess that was made. "It's fine Zamzam, I could do it by myself!" She protested for what seemed to be the hundredth time. "I know, Mom. But I want to help. What are daughter-in-laws for if not to please their mother-in-law?" I responded as I put the dishes in the dishwasher. We worked silently for a little while until we both got tired and decided to relax. "Did I ever tell you how thankful I am for you?" Veronica asked as she gave me a sideways hug. "You really came in at a time when you were needed the most. You changed my son's life for the better and for that I cannot be more grateful."

"He changed mine for the better as well."I replied honestly. I know this all sounds so very mushy and cheesy but it's true. We sat like that for a couple of seconds until we decided to continue to clean until we were completely finished.

* * *

"Ahhh mommy, help me!"

Was the first thing I heard the moment I stepped through the front door of my house. The sight I saw in front of me was truly the funniest thing I've seen all week. Adam was chasing Mays around the house while she was trying to get behind me. "W-What is g-going on?" I said through laughs. "Daddy keeps chasing me!" She pouted adorably as hid behind my dress. "Yeah, why don't you tell your mom why I keep chasing you?" He responded with a half smile making its way across his face as he leaned against the wall.

"Because I don't want to take a shower!" She continued to pout.

"Oh well in that case..." I turned around and started to tickle her. She began to try to squirm out of my grip but failed to do so. "Okay!" She laughed. "Good girl." I kissed her cheek and handed her to Adam. "Lets go, my little trouble maker." She continued to laugh as he piggy backed her up the stairs. I walked into my room and removed my hijab and changed into my stay at home clothes. After that I walked into the rest room and told Adam I'd take over.

"Mom, how did Grandma look? Grandpa always says I look exactly like her. How do I look like her?" She asked as I combed her long black hair. "Well," I told her to look at the mirror in front of us. "You have the exact same eyes as her, same hair and smile." I started to part her hair and comb through it thoroughly. "What was she like?" She continued to ask curiously. "She was beautiful inside and out. She always told me when I was little that if I saw something wrong or someone doing wrong that I should always try to make things right." I then put the comb down and put oil in her hair to make it look shiny. "That's how you met dad right?"

"Yeah I remember making that dare as if it was yesterday," Adam said before I could reply. "Thats probably the best thing I've ever done." He added as he handed me a scrunchy so I could put her hair up in a ponytail. "Man, I was really cocky back then wasn't I? But with my looks why wouldn't I be?" He added as he winked at himself while looking at himself through the mirror.

"What do you mean was?" I replied with a laugh.

"Anyways, come on princess, time to go to bed." He changed the subject with a smirk on his face. "Okay daddy." Maysa got up from the stool she was sitting on and followed Adam to her room. I then walked into my room and laid down on my bed, feeling extremely exhausted. I've been standing up practically all day today. All I want right now is the beautiful thing called sleep.

"What story do you want to hear today?" I asked Maysa as I tucked her into her Princess Sofia comforter. "I want to hear the one about the cocky football player and the quiet but confident muslim girl who fall in love. You and Ma's story." She said excitedly. "Okay let's go," I laid down on her bed with her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders protectively. "Once upon a time there was a rude cocky football player who thought the world belonged to him. He thought everyone loved him and just because he was good looking he could get away with anything. Well that thought quickly changed the moment a confident muslim girl came into the picture and changed his life. She made him think about things he never imagined he would think of. You want to know how it all started? It all started with a dare..." I continued to read the story until she was fast asleep. Getting up, I go into my room and see Zamzam fast asleep as well. I couldn't help but smile as she soundly slept. Because of her everything in my life changed, she showed me the path to Allah, showed me what it was like to love and be loved, and she gave me a beautiful daughter.

"Thank you Allah," I said as I kissed her forehead.

Suddenly I felt Zamzam toss around and wrap her arms around me. "Sorry, did I wake you?" I asked with my eyebrows knitted together in concern. I know that she was tired from all of the things that we had to do today so she must feel exhausted.

"No, I was already awake. You worry about such little things." She responded as a smile graced her lips. "Today has been so hectic that I forgot to check up on you though." She added with a sigh. I love that about her, the fact that she's always worrying about others and how she's so selfless. I quietly moved a stray hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.

"Now who worries about such little things?" I replied with a chuckle. "I just can't believe our little girl has grown up so much."

It feels like just yesterday when I became a father for the first time, I can't believe that was five years ago. Where does the time go? I swear if I could freeze my baby girl in a time machine so that she always be this small, I would.

"It's crazy... it feels like yesterday when she was born but now she's five." Zamzam stated with a sad look on her face.

"I want another one." I exclaimed excitedly.

"Really?" She asked as she sat up. "Me too, I've been wanting another kid for a while now. Preferably a g-"

"Boy!" I cut her off with a smirk.

"Another girl!" She retorted with her arms crossed.

"Come on! You already have your twin, I need another Mathews boy in the house!" I whined like a baby. Truthfully, I'd be perfectly happy with either a boy or a girl because I love kids. But, I love having arguments with my wife like these as well. As long as my baby is happy and healthy then there isn't anything else I would ask for.

"Mathews girls are better." She winked playfully. I sighed in defeat. Alhamdulilah, my girls are awesome, what else can I say?

"Okay, I can't argue with that because my girls are pretty amazing. But I need a mini me." I stated.

"What's the first thing you'll teach him? How to smirk properly?" She joked. Eh, she does have a point there. "Hey," I feigned hurt by placing my hand on my heart. "That, among other things!"

"Really?" She laughed. "Like what?"

"In all seriousness I'd want teach him to respect women, especially his mother because heaven lies under her feet. To be kind to everyone even if they aren't so kind to you. To know how to treat people the way that you wish to be treated. To love Allah with all of your heart and know that as long as you has trust in God and his plan, everything will work itself out. I'm going to teach him all of the things that you have taught me throughout the years." I stated suddenly in a serious tone, even surprising myself.

There's so much that I want to teach my future son, so many things that my own father never thought to teach me. I want to teach him what it means to be a real man and the only way to achieve that is through God. Through the way he treats the people around him, the way he loves his parents and looks out for his siblings. I want him to know that he doesn't have to be strong all of the time and that sometimes it's okay to cry and that it's okay to ask for help.

"You're something else, you know that?" My wife stated with admiration in her tone as she laid her head on my shoulder.

"I learned from the best."

Suddenly the door to our bedroom opened and in came Maysa with her favorite blankie in her arm as well as her stuffed teddy bear. "Are you okay, Habibti?" Zamzam asked with worry laced in her tone.

"Yes, I wanna sleep with Mommy and Daddy." She replied as she climbed our bed and got in between us. I wrapped my arms around her tiny little body and kissed her on her forehead. Ya Allah please always protect her, let her grow to be a happy, intelligent and beautiful woman just like her mother. P.s please let me have a son soon, thanks.

"Sweet dreams baby girl."

"Daddy?" Maysa propped herself up on her elbow.

"Yeah, sweetie?"

"Can you sing 'My Little Girl'?"

"Of course." I responded. Ever since Mays was born I started to sing the song Zamzam's dad would sing to her as a little girl to help her fall asleep. Zam smiled as she looked at me with adoring eyes, she loves hearing me sing it as well.

"You are a miracle, you are a blessing from above. You brought joy to my soul and pleasure to my eyes. In my heart I can feel it, an unexplainable feeling. Being your father, the best thing that I could ever ask for. Just thinking of you makes me smile, holding you looking in your eyes. I'm so grateful for having you and everyday I pray, I pray that you'll find your way. You know I love you, I love you my little girl. My little girl. I ask God to bless you and protect you always, my little girl..."

😘