Chapter 8

?Chapter Seven
March
    So he didn't want kids.  His reasoning was very stupid.  He wanted to know her first because he thought it was more important they understood each other before they decided on expanding their family.  She agreed.  She hadn't wanted kids so soon either. But when she had figured she was pregnant, nothing could have made her happier. 
   So she was five months pregnant as the first week of March approached and knew that no one could tell yet.  She wore lose tunics and slacks.  She kept herself in flats.  She felt the changes in her body, in herself.  She had craving in the middle of the night so often that Angad asked her if was on a march to getting fat.  A carton of her favorite chocolate ice-cream.  A extra-large pizza, loaded with toppings, it was all so normal.  Women lost their appetites in the first few months of their pregnancy she'd gained hers.  Thank God, she didn't have to go though any morning sickness.  Yet.  She only prayed she wouldn't need to.
   Once Angad left to do his own stuff, Kripa spent hours looking online and reading about pregnancy.  The nine long months.  She spoke to her parents and to Nikki.  She wanted to tell Angad.  More than anyone she wanted to tell Angad.  A part of her wanted to and knew that he'd fly high.  The rest of her was too afraid.  She didn't know what to be afraid of, but she was afraid. 
   Aside from her wired habits and normal mood swings, the only unexpected thing she did was reject every offer that came to her.  She decided when she was pregnant enough to be showing that she was pregnant without doubt she could do maternity adds for Armani or DKNY.  How fun would that be?  She couldn't wait until she had to stop wearing normal cloths and go into those maternity stores and buy herself special cloths.  It was all so foreign.  She found herself lying in bed, late at night, long after Angad would be sleeping beside her, thinking about what she wanted.  She didn't know if she wanted a girl or a boy.  She hoped for a little girl she could spoil and dress.  A daughter who would grow-up and keep her company when Angad wasn't around.  She waned a boy who would run around the house clattering cars on the floor.  Constantly making fighting noises.  Killing his actions figures.  A son who would grow-up to offer her protection. 
   Even as she thought of all that, she would find herself turning to Angad and wondering what he wanted.  She knew he didn't want children for at least half a year.  Well, they weren't going to have their child until October anyways.  So what was the point in not telling.  They could still know each other in that much time.
   After the party, Kripa decided firmly.  After they gave this party on Friday, day before the premier, she would tell him everything.  Once the house was cleared again and the after-scent party lingered in the house.  While she lay in his arms spent from a day full of work, exhaustion, excitement and energy, she would tell him she wad pregnant.  She knew he wouldn't care about the fact that he didn't want kids yet.  And, if he tried to put up an argument, she'd just… seduce him into believing it was best for them.
   She high doubted he'd mind anyways. 
   She grinned as she forked into the cheesecake.  Moaning from the pleasure of the soft, silk taste she forked up more and indulged herself.  She had the VIP guest list ready.  The menu was started on.  All she had to do was discuss it with Angad and start sending out invites.  Her guests had a total of seven days to figure out what they were going to wear.  She had seven days to do the rest of it.  Flower arrangements.  She would have to sit and finalize the menu.  Sample the dishes herself.  Pick out the silverware, the china, the glasses.  Everything.  She'd have to find herself a dress that didn't show her very slowly swelling stomach.  It was almost a soft curve.  She was fascinated when she ran her hands down her torso and felt the very light bump.  Perhaps no one felt it but her because she knew she was pregnant. 
   Shaking her head, she went back to the guest list, reviewed it.  And, then eyed the pasta on the stove.  She'd managed to make it.  Now she wondered how much of it was burned from the bottom.  She sipped her flavored water and then leaning back stretched her arms.
   "You need to be in bed, Miss."  Laura walked into the kitchen with towels hanging from her arms. 
    Kripa propped her elbows on the table and took her chin in her hands.  When Laura had walked back into Kripa life a few weeks ago, Kripa had to tell her she was pregnant. Well, actually, she hadn't told Laura.  She had figured it out.  But, it felt good that she knew.  "I'm waiting for Angad."
   "The boy doesn't know the R of responsibility.  Your dinner is burned.  I can smell it."  Kripa winced and earned a grin from Laura.  "You ought to learn how to cook now."
    "I'm trying."  She heard the front door opened and instantly gathered her papers.  "You should go home now, Laura."  She stood and kissed her cheek.  "I'll see you tomorrow."
   "I'm glad things worked out between you guys.  I'll put these towels away and leave.  Good night."  
   "Good night."   Laura exchanged a few quick words with Angad on the door and then left. 
   "Hello, Slick."  She slid her arm around his waist as they started up the stairs to their bedroom.  "How was your day?"
   He chuckled and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.  "You sound like the typical house wife.  But, I had a good day.  We're have a few problems with something but it will work out."  He opened the door and let Kripa in first.  She walked to the windows and let them open.  He watched her lean out and take a deep gulp of the air.  His room looked different then it had a few months ago.  There were curtains tied at the windows.  The small table in the left center of the room has a crystal bowl with flower petals floating on water with small, scented candles.  There were pictures lined up above the fireplace.  And, when he looked at them he knew he finally had a family.
   "I made pasta.  It burned."  She turned around and watched him strip out of his jacket and let it fall on the floor.  "I made the guest list and it's almost perfect.  You look tired."
   He sat down on the bed and took his shoes off.  "We'll eat the unburned stuff and we'll go over the list right now."  He walked to her and wrapped his arms tightly around her.  "I love you, Kripa."  Arms tight, he pressed his lips at the top of her head.  "Thank you." 
   "For what?" 
   "For being here when I come back.  For being you."  He dropped a final kiss on her forehead and then stripped out the rest of the cloths as he walked into the bathroom.  "Give me the VIP names."  He said as he turned the water on.
   "Okay."  She stepped over his cloths after thinking a moment.  She had never picked up after anyone, she wasn't going to start now.  Plus, when a woman started picking up after a grown man, she was calling from trouble.  She walked into the bathroom and looked at his silhouette from the glass stained door. 
   "Did you eat?"  He asked over the water.
   "Not yet.  So the list.  The VIP guests well, it's most of the crew.  Prithvi's on the top of the list since he's responsible for the movie."  She frowned, why was it that she still has to face him.  Well this time she did, it was going to be done for once and all. 
   "He's not going to bite, Kripa.  Not until I'm around anyways.  Who else?"
   "The mayor, Mr. Miller.  His daughter Ashley."
   "Ashley Miller?  God, I haven't seen her in almost a year now."  Kripa lifted a brow at his tone and allowed him to continue.  "I don't know what she's doing in politics.  She needs to be in Hollywood."
   Kripa set the papers down and walked to the stall.  "Why do you say that, Honey?"
   "Well, hell Kripa.  She has a figure-"  He caught himself and stopped. 
   "A figure like what?"  She asked stepped out of her shoes. 
   "Nothing.  How would I know?"  Grinning, he stuck his head under the spray.
   "Come on, Angad."  She opened the door of the shower stall and looked up at his face.
   "Kripa!  Are you crazy?"  He watched her step into the shower, fully clothed.  "Kripa you're fully dressed."
   "Yeah."  She closed the shower door and pushed her wet hair out of her eyes.  "How do you know what Ashley Miller is built like." Kripa demanded. 
   "Ah.  We went to the same college."  He drew her closer.  "That doesn't matter."  He lowered his mouth to hers and brushed his lips over her wet ones.  "No one can be more beautiful that you."
   "You're changing the topic."  She said and pushed his hands away.
   "No I'm not."  He slid his hands under her silk tunic and lifted it over her head and skimmed his hands down the sides of her torso.
   "Yes you are, Angad."  But she closed her eyes as he pressed kisses down her neck.  "Angad."
   "Hmmm."  He unhooked her slacks and heard them fall. 
   "Are you done taking your shower?"
   "A long time ago."  He turned the water off and wrapped her in a towel, and then kissed her damp forehead.  "How do you feel about sleeping in wet bed sheet?"
    She giggled and looked up at him.  "I'll make you change them later."  She wrapped her arms around his neck.  "Don't worry about it yet."
   "That's excellent."  He carried her out of the bathroom and towards the bed. 
   "Don't stop me."  She said pressing her lips to his jaw.  "Even on the bed."
   "Have I ever?"  He laid her down gently and lowering his face pressed it to her stomach.  It made her heart flutter when he kissed her there.        & nbsp;

?

    Kripa entered the room and fell instantly on her bed.  She had thirty minutes to dress up and be down stairs to receive her guests.  She wanted, badly, to just crawl under the sheets and sleep for a few hours.  Well, you can't.  She told herself and got out of bed right away.
   "Angad!"  She pounded on the bathroom door and then opened it.  "You have ten seconds to get out of here."
   "Damn woman won't even let a man shower properly.  I'm done.  Go fuss with your hair."  He said as he turned the water off and grabbed his towel. 
   "I don't want to receive everyone alone."  Especially Prithvi, she thought silently.  She changed into her dress while Angad dressed into his suit. "Should I leave my hair up or down?"  She looked at herself in the mirror and watched Angad roll his eyes.  "You're so mean." 
   He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist.  "You look beautiful." 
   "And you look handsome."  She turned her face and brushed her lips with his.  "I love you.  But, seriously, how do I leave my hair."
   "Leave them down."  He kissed his hair.  "I like them down."
   "You never told me that before."  She fixed her lipsticks as Angad skimmed his hands down her stomach.   
   "You've gained weight." He said keeping his hands at her hips. 
   "A little."  Stupid, idiot. 
  "I thought would kill me for saying that." 
  "It's true."  She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck.  "Angad I need to tell you something."
   "Tell me."
  She opened her mouth as the door bell rung.  "After the party."  She kissed him and then hooking her arms around his, they went down together.
   The party was a success.  There were people in every corner of her living room.  And, everyone was enjoying themselves.  Angad looked around for Kripa.  He'd been  looking for her for the past twenty minutes and she was nowhere to be seen.  Nor could he find Prithvi.  The first traces of panic rose in his stomach and he forced himself to settle down.  As he walked through the room he looked for Kripa.  Making quick conversations with anyone who wanted.  A handshake, a smile, a quick word, and then he moved on.  Finally, when he had searched the entire place and didn't find her he slipped away and started towards his bedroom.  From across the hall, he saw the door slightly open.  He frowned remembering he'd closed it before  heading downstairs.  Maybe Kripa was in the bedroom, he mused moving towards it.  Fussing with her make-up and hair he thought with a small smile. 
   She wanted children.  He was sure of it because she spoke of it so often.  But Angad was too afraid to take that step yet.  He was afraid he wouldn't be able to take care of the child again. 
   Shaking his head he reached for the door knob and stopped dead when he saw Kripa and Prithvi holding each other beside the bed.  He closed his eyes a moment, opened them again and watched Prithvi brush his lips over her forehead. 
   Raged, he knocked on the door and stepped inside.  His hands slipped into his pocket because he didn't know who he was going to throttle first.  He watched Kripa and Prithvi separate.  Smiles on their face. 
   "Angad."  Kripa grinned and took a step towards him and then stopped when she saw the look in his eyes.  Her smile turned small, a smirk almost. 
   "I should have knocked."  His voice was dry, as were his eyes.  His hands were fisted and shaking.  "I apologize."
    Kripa waved a hand in the air.  Something in her stomach fluttered, rolled.  She felt uneasy.  Because Prithvi was closer, she reached for his hand and made Angad's heart burn.  "No.  It's your bedroom."  She took a step back once she settled and let go of Prithvi's hand.  She would have explained to him why she was in here alone with Prithvi.  The look in her husband's eyes said he didn't trust her already.  He didn't want an explanation. 
   "Kripa."  He took his hands out of his pocket.  She looked so damn beautiful.  And she had betrayed him.  "After the party, I would like you to pack up and leave the house."
   "Angad."  Prithvi took a step forward and stopped when Kripa shot him a look. 
  "Right now," Angad continued calmly.  "I want Prithvi to go downstairs.  I would like to speak with Kripa."  He waited until Prithvi was gone, the bedroom door closed until Angad spoke again.  "Why?"
   Kripa shrugged and turned around.  She covered her left hand with her right.  She wasn't giving the ring back.  "You don't need an explanation, Slick."  Slowly, almost sensuously, she brushed her finger down her stomach.  And felt the light swell.  For a moment she had thought she would miscarry.  "Your mind is already made-up, it seems like.  I'll pack-up and go."  Turning she looked at the moon through the open window.  Her eyes were burning dry.  Her throat stung.  "It was fun."
   "Of course."  He moved across the room and came back with a suitcase.  Kripa watched him open the closet and just grab her cloths at random and throw them into the case.  She watched him pick up about a dozen hanger at a time and throw them in.  He never noticed he was throwing some of his cloths in there as well.  "It was fun.  You were great company.  In and out of bed."  His jaw set as he turned again.
   Kripa blinked away the tears and linked her fingers tightly.  She didn't know how she was going to get through this.  "Yes.  I'll take the backdoor." 
    Angad raced to the dresser and gathered all her creams and perfumes and dumped them on top of the cloths.  He went back and looking at her, picked up his hairbrush instead of hers and threw it in as well.  "That's great. If you have anything else around take it with you."  He walked to the door.  "I don't want to see you again Kripa."
   "Okay."  Once he was gone she zipped the suitcase and carried it downstairs and slipped away from  the house.  She didn't bother to look around the house or back at it.  She drove to her empty house and was steady until she was inside the darkness, locked.  She didn't let the tears come until she was in her empty, cold bed, fully dressed from the party.   

?

    One month and two weeks later, Angad walked back into the bedroom like every morning and stopped.  It still smelled like her.  The small frivolous changes she had made in the room where still there.  He didn't have the heart to change it.  He loved her too much to lose what he had left of her.  But he loathed her enough to not sleep in the same room, in the same bed in which he'd made love to her so many times.  He couldn't go into the living room and sit there without thinking about the night they had spent together there.  Everything they had spoken of.  He couldn't go into the piano room without remember how she looked like sitting on the bench, pocking her fingers over the keys uselessly.  He couldn't even cook in his own kitchen without thinking about every embrace, every kiss they had shared.  All he had to do was stand in the door way and he could all but see her struggling behind the stove with something. 
   Every corner of the house was filled with her.
   More than once he had thought about going and seeing her.  Making sure she was okay.  She hadn't shown up at the premier of the movie.  The media was writing trash about them in the papers, magazines.  He saw their pictures splashed all over the TV.  But all old ones.  No one had caught her outside in the last six weeks.  No one knew where she was.  Media called him to ask what was going on between them, if a divorce was underway.  They also mentioned that she wasn't picking up her phone, that she wasn't answering the door.
   Damn it, it worried her.  He remember the way she had wept when they had sat eating their first meal together.  He'd tried calling her, and had been glad when she hadn't picked up the phone.  Her family refused to speak with him as well.  Veer and Kajal looked at him with disgust.  But it wasn't his fault.  He had found her with Prithvi. 
   Doing what?  He demanded of himself pacing the front room.  Hugging chastely.  She hugged every damn person.  Stranger or not.  She had almost been married to Prithvi.  Maybe she had decided to forget everything and forgive Prithvi and just move on.
   Angad groaned and walked to the bar and poured himself another glass of Scotch.  Down it all in one large gulp.  His throat burned but he ignored it.  His eyes watered from the strong taste and lack of sleep, but he ignored it.  The doorbell had him cursing.  He ignored that as well. 
    Gallantly, he lifted the entire bottle to his lips and drank right out of it.  The doorbell rang again, this time non-stop.  The slapped the bottle down on the counter and walked to the door.  His eyes weren't clear when he opened the door and looked at Laura.
   "You pig head."  Grabbing him by the arm she took him inside and shut the door, locked it.  "I've been calling you for hours but you won't pick up the phone.  You won't answer the damn door.  You won't even talk to you assistant.  What's gotten into you, kid?  And, you are living like a pig!"  She looked around the dirty room and huffed.  Then she eyed the almost empty bottle.  "And you are drinking in the middle of the day.  Getting drunk!  Sweet Jesus.  Angad I-"  She stopped dead when he wrapped his arms around her tightly and lowering his head on her shoulder wept like a baby.  "Oh, honey.  Oh, my poor baby.  Come on now."  She held on a moment and then pushed him into the stool.  "I thought you and Kripa just had a spat."
    Disgusted with himself for crying like an idiot, he drank again.  "I'm divorcing her."
   "The hell you are.  The woman is…"  She stopped.  It was Kripa's job to tell him that she was pregnant.  "I saw her a few days ago, Angad.  She's miserable.  She's not eating and she's not taking care of herself.  She's falling into depression and it's not good for her.  She's going to be sick."
    "She should have thought about that before she decided to cheat on me."
    Laura narrowed her eyes and then grabbed him by the shirt.  "Come on, boy."
    Numb and weak, he let himself be dragged.  "Where are you taking me?"
   "Just shut-up."  She walked into the closest bath and pushed him in into the stall.  Mercilessly, she turned on the cold water over his head and then shut the door.  Heard him yelp.  "Stay under there until your sober again.  After that I'll knock you around."  She stomped out as he cursed.
   When Angad stepped out in a towel he was no longer numb or drunk.  There was a headache drumming behind his eyes and his heart was bleeding still.  Now he could feel it bleeding again.  Damn the woman, he thought pulling on cloths and then going down stairs. 
   "What do you want?"  He demanded of Laura.  "She left me.  She didn't bother to explain to me once what the hell she was doing with Prithvi in our bedroom in the middle of the party, when she should have been with me hosting.  And, then she just left when I told her too.  She should have put up a damn fight or something.  She just left!"
    Laura calmly transferred the eggs on a plate and added a muffin to the plate.  The meal was for herself not Angad.
    "Would you say something, damn it?  She can be sick or she can be dying…"  It hit him hard them, right in the center of his heart.  "Is she really sick?  Why the hell hasn't she been eating?  She looses weight like crazy if she doesn't.  She can't be going into depression.  She has so much ahead of her."
   "She's not eating, she is going into depression, she is also getting sick. She's going to kill herself." And your baby.  Laura added to herself.  "She's selling her place and moving to New York, Angad.  She's thinking about going into to directing stage plays."
   "Is she crazy?"
   "Are you crazy?"  She demanded of him.  "She's your wife.  You accused her of something she hasn't even done.  You promised to love her and cherish her until death did the two of you part.  Now both of you are killing yourselves.  Go to her, Angad.  Make her take care of herself.  Don't let her go to New York. She needs you right now more than anyone else."
   "What do you mean by that?  Is she seriously sick?"  He grabbed the keys from the hook for his car, he was frantic. 
   Laura pouted.  Then grinned.  "Yes.  She is very, very sick.  She might even die.  You need to go see her."
   "Oh my God!"  He said and ran out of the house.  Laura sat down on the breakfast bar and ate her breakfast with a grin on her face.


    Kripa sat in the middle on the dinning room with a book in her lap.  She was trying to read about pregnancy and about raising a child, but she couldn't understand a word she read.  Dressed in a very large shirt, and baggy sweat pants, with bruises around her eyes anyone could say she was dying of cancer and definitely not pregnant three months.  She spent most of her day just sitting around and doing nothing.  She should have been gaining weight she thought sometimes, but she was losing her. 
   She didn't want the baby alone.  She didn't want to abort it either.  So maybe she was just going to let herself miscarry.  But it should have already happened by now. 
   She threw the book away and swallowed a sob.  Then, determined she got up and walked to the kitchen.  Her breakfast was sitting on the table and her mother was sitting eating her own alone.
  "Kripa." Surprised Kajal took her hand and made her sit down.  "I was going to bring your breakfast to you."
   "Thanks.  I'll eat it here."  She took the plate and began eating.  "I sold the house last night.  And I've booked the flight to New York for tomorrow night.  You should go back home."
   "Kripa, love.  You need someone right now.  You should come home with me.  It's not going to be easy the first time around."
   "I don't care." Her eyes heated and she downed the entire glass of juice. "I'll live through it and if I can't then too bad.  There are too many people who need children. I could give this one away and I…"  Her voice cracked.  She sobbed once.  "Oh, just listen to me!  How can I think that way?  How can I be a mother, Mom?  I don't even want the baby."
   "Yes you do, love.  You just want Angad with you as well.  Why don't you tell him the truth?"
    "To hell with that.  I'm going to go water the plants outside."
   "Okay.  I have to leave, we are finishing off a case."  Kripa didn't reply and simply went outside.  She watered her plants and her eyes were fixed on the for sale sign she had to take down still.  Prithvi had bought the house from her.  He had helped her buy it.  He still loved her and she knew that.  But she had to forgive him.  Angad would too if he knew what was the reason.  Prithvi was… She closed her eyes and turned the water off. 
   When she heard the car, her spine snapped straight and she prepared to run inside.  But she saw it was Angad's car.  Whatever of her life was still there crumbled.  Why was he here? 
   She walked back inside and left the door open for him.  She would finish it and move on today.  She had the papers drawn up.  He had said of the divorce, she would give it to him.  She changed and tried to look happy.  He was pacing the room when she got back downstairs.
   "Angad?  What the hell are you doing here?"  She looked at the pregnancy book she had throw and cursed.  Hopefully he wasn't going to see it.  She wasn't going to share her baby with him.  He probably didn't even want it.  He never wanted her either.  He was just playing with her.  She had persuaded herself of all that. 
   "What the hell am I doing?  What the hell are you doing?"  You look so tired.  So beautiful.
   "I'm living my life."  You look so sad.  So handsome.
   "The hell you are.  You're killing yourself.  You've lost so much weight.  And for God's sake that shirt used to fit you to the skin last time you were it!"       
   "How do you care?"  She demanded getting tired already.  "You wanted me gone.  I left.  You wanted the divorce.  Well, here are the papers."  She walked to the table and laid the papers and singed.  "There.  Now you can go and screw the next woman on your list.  Make sure you don't marry her and then pretend you care.  Make sure you don't say you don't love her." 
   "You know what!"  He grabbed her by the shoulders.  "To hell with this and to hell with you."  And he crushed his mouth down on hers and took.  She struggled against him and then stopped when her mouth automatically parted for him.  God, she'd missed.  God, she loved him.  On a cry muffled by his mouth she wrapped her arms around him and pressed closer.  And, God she needed him.  She couldn't do without him. 
   "Angad…"  She managed that much before he pressed his lips to her throat and pulled her down to the floor.  "Angad.  No."
   "Shut-up.  Just shut-up."  He said and pressed his face into her throat.  "I was going to come here and yell at you and fight you and then bully you into telling me what was wrong."
   "I'm pregnant."  She felt him stiffen over her and closed her eyes.  "I've been pregnant for a little more than three months."
    He lifted his head and looked down at her.  "You're pregnant?"  His hands framed her face so gently she had tears in her eyes.  "Don't do that." He said panicking.  "Don't cry.  Stop it!"  He rolled off her and helped her up and then carried her to the sofa. He noticed the piles of books then.  He fumbled and poured her a glass of water and forced her to drink some.
    "Why the hell didn't you tell me before?"
    "Because you said you didn't want one!"  She sobbed and turned her face into the sofa.  "Go away Angad.  I don't want you."
    "Right."  He scrubbed his face over his face.  "Okay."  He turned her face and looked at her.  "Let's try this again, Kripa.  I want to start all over again."
   "I don't."  She shoved him away and stood up.  "Go sign the papers and I'll turn them in before I leave tomorrow."
    "You're not going anywhere.  You're going back home with me and seeing a doctor."  He went to her.  "I really don't want to lose you Kripa."
   "Well you already have."  She screamed once before throwing her arms around him and holding on.  "I wasn't going to forgive you ever.  But I need you.  I love you, Angad.  I love you so damn much."
   He held her back and felt the gears of his life click back into place for the first time in years.  "I love you, too.  I don't care what was going on between you and Prithvi.  Just go back with me."
   "You need to know."  She drew away.  "He wanted to talk to me that night so I told him to follow me in the bedroom.  I was going to give him a piece of my mind and kill him if possible.  I ended up asking him why he left because I needed to know."  She took a deep breath and turned to face Angad again.  "How long have you loved me for, Angad?"
   His face went pale.  "He did not!  That bas***d."
   She grinned at him.  Her first real grin in weeks.  "You're a jackass."  She went and framed his face with her trembling hands.  "How long?"
   "Three years."  He lowered his forehead to hers.  And his hands traveled down her stomach and his heart shifted, swelled when he felt the light bump in her stomach. 
   "Well he knew the entire time.  And to get you to do something he told you he loved me and he told me the same thing.  He broke my heart because he knew you'd mend it.  We got married by mistake and it only boasted his plan.  I couldn't hate him after that."
   "I'm sorry.  So, so sorry.  I was so stupid."  He lifted her face and kissed her.  He had meant to keep it light but it wasn't light.  He took her deeper and lowered her to the sofa slowly.  "I love you.  I love you.  I love you, Kripa."
   With a sigh, energy seeping into her body, she shifted her head so he could kiss her neck.  She noticed that his hands never left her stomach.  It made her smile.  He did want the baby. 
   "I love you both."  He lowered his mouth to her stomach and pressed his lips against the soft swell. 
   "You don't want to go sign those papers?"  She asked lifting the shirt off his head. 
   "No.  We'll throw them in the fireplace in our bedroom tonight when I make love with you there again.  I haven't slept on that bed since you've gone.  I've barely slept since you've gone."
   "I know.  Nor have I."  She sighed again when he kissed both her eyes.  "Angad.  What's that scar on your heart?"
   He looked at her.  "I had a fight once.  The glass went through, right under my heart actually.  It was tilted when the doctors took it out.  Kripa, the guy who did this to me went into coma and died. Can you live with that?  Can you live with the fact that I killed someone?  That I was prosecuted?"
   "Yes I can."  She skimmed her fingers through his hair.  "I love you and who you are.  We don't have to look back again, Angad.  You lived through a bad past.  So many do."
    "Okay."  He kissed her forehead.  "I guess I have to say sorry for what I said and did."
   "I guess you do.  I want something right now."
   "Yeah?"
   "I want you to carry me to my bed and make love to me there and then hold me when I sleep. Will you do that for me?  I missed you so much."
   "Yes.  But we'll switch it around.  We go home first, you eat and sleep.  Then I make love to you when you wake-up again."
   "Okay."  They both shifted so her head rested on her heart.  "I love you," she mumbled before she was knocked out for eight hours straight.       &n bsp;         &n bsp;  


?Epilogue
One year later

    Kripa groaned and shifted back into Angad's arms.  She didn't want to wake up right now and go see her little son sleeping in his crib.  But he was hungry again and she needed to go feed him.  But he wasn't crying, she mused.  Normally he wept at night when he was hungry.
   Content, just a little, she slipped her leg between Angad's and smiled.  It was perfect to wake-up at night like this and find him sleeping right there.  When she heard her son in the monitor she opened her eyes.  And looked at Angad sleeping so peacefully.  Well maybe he could wake-up for a change and go see his son.
   "Angad!"  She brushed her lips over his and made him moan.  "Wake-up and go see your son."
   "You go."  He shifted and turned away from her and earned a slap on his rump.  "God damn it, Kripa!"  He sat up and scrubbed his face.  "Aryan isn't even crying."
   "Go see him anyways.  He is stirring.  Go bring him here so I can feed him.  Don't you have some respect for the wife who went through twenty-five hours of labor?"  It was all she needed to say to get him moving.
   "Damn it!"  He stood and went out mumbling.  He came back carried their son and cooing at him, with a grin on his face.  Kripa smiled at the picture.  It always warmed her heart.  "He was fully awake and waiting."  He sat down in bed and gave him to Kripa.  They both watched him turned his mouth to find Kripa's breast. 
   "He's hungry and he didn't cry this time."  She sighed and began unbuttoning her shirt.  She didn't know when she would get used to the different ways of him letting her know he was hungry. 
   "He was awake."  Angad lowered his head to Kripa's shoulder, slipped his arms around her while she lifted Aryan.  "I can't believe I'm a father."
   Once Aryan was busy suckling she turned her head and kissed the top of his head.  "I can't believe it either.  I love you, Angad."
    "I love you, too."  He flicked his finger down his sons cheek, then over Kripa's breast.  "I love you both."
   Kripa smiled and looked down at her son.  His eyes were wide open and he was just watching her, his hands lifted in the air in little fists.  When he drew his mouth away and nuzzled against Kripa's stomach, she laughed.  "Now go back to sleep, love."  She shifted him on her shoulder and rubbed her  back.  It was still thrilling to feel him rub his cheek over her shoulder.  It was still amazing to know that this was the baby little child who had been in her stomach for nine months. 
   "I'll go put him back in bed."
   "I'll go with  you."  Angad said with a grin.  "Here."  He took his son so Kripa could button her blouse.  They both put him in bed together and watched him turn to his stomach to fall asleep. 
   "He's beautiful."  Kripa said leaning her head on Angad's shoulder.  She turned into Angad's arms when they were both outside the room and lifted her mouth to his.  "He's going to look just like you, one day." 
    "Hmm."  He scooped her up and made her laugh.  "When was the last time we made love?"
   "Almost nine months."  God had it been that long?  "Yeah.  About that long."
   "Since we're awake why don't we make use of it?"  He laid her down and kissed her neck. 
   "That's a great idea, Angad.  You're so creative."  She grinned at him and rubbed her hand over his cheek.  "Now show me how creative you are."
   "Trust me, honey.  I have a lot planned for you."  He winked and lowered his mouth.        
   "I love you, Slick."
   "Hmmm.  I love you, too.  Let me show you," he said and rolled on the bed with her and made her laugh.
Hey guys,
Hope you enjoyed the last part.
Neha