"Daniellll."

I screamed on top of my lungs, feeling extremely irritated. He came running to me but halted his steps abruptly when he saw me, boiling in anger, standing with empty ice cream container in my hands.

"What is this?" I snapped, showing him the empty container.

"Err, you said that you don't like choco-chip ice cream so..." He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

I knew it. It has to be him. No one else was there in the house who could do this.

"I don't like it doesn't mean I won't eat it." I banged the container on the kitchen counter.

I was five months pregnant and after weeks of nausea and lost appetite, I was making up for the lost eating time but my husband who couldn't take his hands off the food was making it hard for me to keep up with my increased appetite. It was the third time I found an empty container of what I was craving for at the moment.

"I'll bring another one for you and only for you, just stop shouting."

"Oh, you have to bring me one. Actually, not one, now I want a lot. I want dumplings, cheese buns, fried chicken, cheesecake-"

"Woah, isn't it too much for you?"

How dare he interrupt me in between?

"Well, your baby is growing here." I pointed at my protruding stomach, throwing daggers at him with my eyes. "Your baby needs a lot of food."

"Our baby, Eloi." His correction was most definitely wasn't needed.

"The amount of food the baby eats tells that this is yours and only yours baby.," I hissed again.

"Hey, calm down, Eloi. Anger is not good for you and our baby." He said gently, taking steps towards me.

"Stop it. I've heard enough for the last five months. Do you think I don't know about it? It's just I don't have control over it." I hissed, moving away from him.

"I understand, Eloi." He tried to reach for me.

"No! You don't. You're not the one carrying the baby. You're not the one experiencing mood swings. And you're most definitely not the experiencing crazy symptoms of pregnancy. It's me, so, no, you understand nothing."

"Okay, I don't understand anything, happy? Now calm down, our baby doesn't want her mother to get angry." He said gently.

"First bring me something to eat."

He phoned Jimmy, who still was my bodyguard and ordered him to bring everything I asked for.

"Let's sit and wait for the food, you must be tired." He took me to the living room and carefully made me sit on the couch and he himself sat on the carpeted floor.

He placed my feet on his lap and started giving a foot massage. "Just relax, okay?"

Dropping my head back on the edge of the backrest of the couch, I closed my eyes and sighed in relief.

It had been a hell of a ride for me. Pregnancy turned me oversensitive. No only hormones, my emotions too were riding on a roller coaster. Sometimes too high and sometimes way too low. One minute I was thrilled and overjoyed about becoming a mother and the next minute I was freaking.

But no matter what, no matter how hard it was turning out for me, I loved my baby boy with all my heart. Yes, we were expecting a boy. The minute Daniel heard about it, first, he freaked out then he jumped in joy. He and my girl gang arranged a gender reveal party and everyone was thrilled when they got to know about the gender.

All of them had filled the baby's room with toys, clothes, and other stuff. It seemed less like a room and more like a toy shop.

My whole family had been pampering me like I was a baby. They forgot the fact the I wasn't the baby, I was going to give birth to the baby. But who would enlighten them? Definitely, not me. I was relishing the pampering. Mom had been giving me advice about pregnancy and dad teaming up with Daniel was preparing the room for the baby. The girl gang arranged a time to time spa for me at home.

Daniel made sure I was relaxed and calm. He silently went through my moodiness, fulfilled my weird wishes, he was there for me every time I needed him. Through my anger and irritation, I pushed him to the limits but he not for once snapped at me.

It's usual for men to get irritated about their pregnant wife's behavior but Daniel was always cool as a cucumber. That's what makes him special.

I was enjoying the relaxing foot massage when suddenly I felt the baby kick. My eyes shot open in surprise. "D...Daniel," I whispered.

"What happened? You okay?" He stood up hastily and sat beside me. I immediately held his hand and pressed it my belly.

"You feel it?" I asked with a grin on my face when the baby kicked again.

"He kicked?" Daniel gawked at my belly in adoration.

"Yes, Daniel, our baby kicked for the first time." I laughed.

"Our baby?" He raised his eyebrows. "Just a few minutes back you were shouting he is mine, only mine."

Scowling, I threw a cushion at him which he dodged and burst into fits of laughter. "Geez, Eloi, I'm kidding. How can our baby be just mine? It's ours, we both were involved, you know?"

He earned another hit of a pillow for his not so funny comment. While he was busy laughing, I glanced at my baby bump lovingly. I again placed my hand there, caressing the baby from outside.

"Our baby is growing, Daniel. He's eager to come out." I didn't know why a lone tear slipped out my eye. It's not that I was intentionally crying instead I was rejoicing the moment.

Daniel enveloped me in a side hug and kissed the side of my head. "Yes, Eloi, our baby is growing. I can't wait for the day he comes out and I take him in my arms. I too want to feel touch."

Slumping my head on his shoulder I cried. "I'm sorry, Daniel. I've been giving you a lot of trouble but I can't help it."

"You don't have to be sorry, Eloi. We are in this together and we'll get through it together. After all, it's for our son. Now, stop crying." He wiped my tears.

"By the way, you look cute when you get angry." He ruffled my hair, irritating me more but I kept quiet. Knowing Daniel, he would have irritated me more if I reacted.

"Cute is not the right word for my condition, Daniel. I'm a freaking hot air balloon right now. Hot-headed and puffed like a balloon." I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, a cute hot air balloon." He chuckled, standing up from the couch to open the door as the doorbell buzzed. "Your food is here." He said and went to open the door.

As soon as he placed the parcel on the table I lunged onto it and rummaging through the different boxes I first grabbed the box of dumpling. I didn't wait even for a minute and stuffed the hot dumpling in my mouth with the chop-sticks.

"Haa, it's too hot." I fanned my mouth with my hand.

"Easy there, Eloi. This is all yours, eat slowly." He stood in front of me with his hands at his back.

Chewing the savory dumpling, I narrowed my eyes at him. "I'm saving my food from you. I know you want a share but I won't give."

"It's all yours, sweetheart 'cause I ordered pizza for me." He said, showing me the pizza box he was hiding behind his back. "Enjoy yours."

He sat on the other one seater couch, away from me, and opened the pizza box. My mouth watered when the aroma of cheesy pizza hit my nostrils.

"Mmmm smells so delicious." He teased me by inhaling the slice of the pizza before shoving it in his mouth. Eyeing the pizza lustily, I forcefully chewed the dumpling that was in my mouth.

"Ahem. You know we should share the food. Even you vowed to do so when you asked me to be your girlfriend, remember?" I made a puppy face, still eyeing the pizza greedily.

"The rule applies for you too, sweetheart. You won't share your food with me then why should I?" He made a boring face, unfazed of my innocent eyes.

"Fine. Don't share." I grumbled and stuffed another hot dumpling in my mouth. "But don't blame me when your boy will demand why you didn't feed his mother with pizza."

"He won't know."

"I'll tell him," I said, not looking at him, keeping aside the dumpling box and opening the box of salad.

"Don't be a drama queen, woman. Here." Standing up from the couch he placed the pizza box beside me. I didn't wait even for a second and jumped onto the pizza before he could take it away.

I had turned into a food maniac. I never imagined that I, who once followed a strict diet would ever turn into an eating machine. Who was I complaining? Daniel being my life partner, it was bound to happen.

And I knew this was going to last a lifetime because I had vowed to be with him forever.

____________________________________________

"Hey, my burrito."

I chirped happily, studying the face of the tiny boy in my arms. My son, Travis Nicole Adams.

"Eloi, see, he smiled at me. He is listening to me." I couldn't stop myself from grinning ear to ear.

"You called him burrito, Daniel." Eloise chuckled.

I laughed. "He's looking like one. You saw his tiny feet and hands, Eloise? They are super cute."

"Mommy and daddy love you, champ. You are our sunshine." I cooed, rocking him in my arms. "Grow up fast, my burrito, together we will trouble mommy. Together we will do pranks."

"Don't spoil him, Daniel," Eloise complained, nudging my side. I was sitting on the hospital bed beside her.

"But he's loving it. See, his smile has broadened." I showed our son's face to Eloise, who glared at me in return. I sighed. "Okay, son, this one for your mamma's sake." I held him closer to my face.

"Daddy loves very much. I'll give you everything you need. Love, care, toys whatever you need. I promise you I'll be there with you at every stage of your growth. I'll be your backbone. Together we will laugh, we will eat, and play. Keep one thing in mind, you are always loved." I said sincerely and kissed his face.

She took him in her arms and cooed. "Don't mind you Daddy's speech, my baby. He can be extra cheesy sometimes." She laughed. "Mamma loves you, baby. You've brought more joy to my life. You're too dear to me. I've felt you growing inside me and now I'll see you grow. Keep smiling my sunshine, I want you to always wear a charming smile like your father."

My heart melted as I listened to her short speech. I grabbed her face and kissed her lips. "Thank you, Eloise." I admired my wife, lovingly. She went through a lot to bring our son into the world. I witnessed her nine months of pain and suffering. I saw how much pain she endured, I saw her having discomfort while sitting, standing, and even while sleeping. Her heavy body resisted her from doing daily chores but she never gave up.

I saw her. I witnessed her strength through my eyes. I salute the courage of every woman. A woman goes through a lot to bring a new life to existence.

"I love you, Daniel." She smiled.

Caressing her hair, I whispered. "I love you too."

"Travis has the same eye color as yours." She chuckled. "I wanted him to share my eye color."

"But he has his hair like you and nose too. Although you can't take the credit of his smile, it's exactly the same as mine. Right, my boy?" I flicked his nose.

"Can we meet the baby boy too?" Ariana peeked through the door.

"Of course, come on in." As soon as those words left my mouth, a bunch of people entered inside, crowding the room. I told them to wait at home but they didn't listen to me as they were dying to see the baby.

"Aww, he's so cute, so tiny." Trish laughed, running towards the bed.

Elena and Ross were the first ones to hold their grandchild. With happy tears they blessed Travis.

Uncle Rupert and Aunt Myla did the same.

"George and Natalie would have flooded the room with tears today. And Ariana, your sister would have screamed out of joy." Aunty Myla said, wiping the corner of her eyes. "I miss them."

I stood up and hugged her. "I miss them too. And I expect rain today; the indication of their happy tears and a thunderstorm too, an indication of my sister's loud joyful scream." I laughed as I didn't want the atmosphere to turn grave.

It was my child's first day and I wanted it to be filled with colors and happiness.

Evan went near the bed and rubbed the baby's cheek. "Hey, little boy. This is your uncle, Evan. Grow up fast kiddo so we can play together, we'll make a great team. I'll even tell you the embarrassing secrets of your mamma." He laughed when Eloise swatted his hand away, grumbling how everyone was already spoiling her baby boy.

"Oh, come on, Eloise. Babies are born to be spoiled, right Travis?" Trish studied his face adoringly.

"This is what I'm trying to explain to her," I added.

"Ani." I heard a baby voice. It was Amara who was in her mother's arms and was looking at Eloise and Travis. She was already two years old and still learning to speak. Right now, she was trying to say, Aunt.

"Hey, sweetheart. Meet your friend, Travis." Eloise smiled at her. Amara struggled to get free from her mother's hold so, Ariana placed her on the bed. She leaned on Eloise's face and tried to move Travis from her hold but when she couldn't succeed, she started crying.

Goodness, she was jealous! I laughed silently because I knew this was going to happen.

"Hey, shh, don't cry, my girl." Ariana picked her up tried to hush her. "I can't believe she's getting jealous of this little boy." She chuckled. "Hey, baby girl, you're supposed to be happy, not jealous." She cooed in her ear, wiping her tears.

"My queen, don't cry. He's your friend and our new prank partner. We'll have a lot of fun together." I tried to console her.

"She's possessive for everyone she loves. This is gonna create problems in the coming future." Xavier shook his head.

"And who is to be blamed for that?" Ariana narrowed her eyes at him.

"Not just me," Xavier grinned which made Ariana nudge him.

Our family members surrounded the bed, gushing over the kid, and pampering Eloise. It was a sight to behold.

Xavier and I stood in the corner, watching the scene. I missed Sean though. He was out of the city.

"So, father, huh?" He chuckled.

"Yeah, man. I feel special today. I'm a friend, son, husband, and now a father too." I mumbled, looking at my son then gazed at my hands. "His first touch felt so soft. I don't think I would ever forget his first touch."

"You can't. Not even if you want to. This is the moment you cherish all your life."

"Now I can imagine how you must have felt when you held Amara for the first time," I said, patting his shoulder. He smiled in return.

All of them stayed for a while then left. I sat beside Eloise on the bed. With Travis in her arms, she rested her head on my shoulder.

"You know Daniel, there were moments during pregnancy when I used yo curse myself and hate you when I was annoyed but now, I think I was a fool back then. The joy I feel right now can't be communicated through words. Being a mother has changed something in me, I feel new and more responsible. Before I only had fear of losing you but now I have one more. I love both of you."

"More responsibilities are added to our list but I assure you that we'll do everything together. We'll share our duties." I rubbed her arm.

"Just to tell you, you're going to be in charge of the night duties of Travis." She ordered playfully.

"Only Travis? Not you? I want to be in charge of your night duties too. God save me, now I have too many commitments to fulfill, most importantly, of my wife. I want to keep her satisfied -"

Eloise punched my arm. "You shameful man. Our son is sleeping in my arm and you're talking nasty."

"I can sense that our nights are going to be extra long," I commented, laughing while looking at Eloise's grumpy face. "And grumpier," I added.

"I'm not grumpy." She argued.

"Oh, you are. And you'll be more grumpy as our son is going to give troublesome nights. Be prepared." I winked.

She sighed and shook her head then chuckled. We both laughed and welcomed our new phase of life. The new phase gave me my own family to cherish.

Now, I was a family man.

___________________________________________

So, here's the last chapter.❤