OS Mini Series: Snapshots - Just the Beginning ~ ArDhika

**No copyright infringement intended. I do not own the characters but storylines are my own.

Two hands shakily placed themselves underneath the automatic faucet waiting for the mechanic click to sound and the feel of gushing cool water. His eyes instantly closed as liquid cupped into his hands. He splashed his face a few times trying to revive his senses. Satisfied he lifted his head and felt the droplets from his forehead slowly sliding their way downward converging at his chin. He stared at his reflection almost unable to recognize the man looking back. His eyes were slightly worn and red. But that was due to the lack of sleep. The stubble around his mouth was a little coarser and rougher than it use to be. But there was gentle curl on his lips that never presented itself as often as it did now. There was a special reason to it and he now thanked God for this reason every day. There was a lot he had seen in his 32 years of life. Much of it had harden him; shroud him in darkness making him question the existence of the all mighty. He never thought it would only take a small sun beam of light to enter his life and break him free of those shadowy chains. That sunlight, that sunshine had become his savior. And now he was living a life he had only ever dreamed of.

He took a few paper towels and gently wiped his face dry and then exited the restroom. He was greeted by white walls and the piercing smell of antiseptic. He hated that smell as it brought back memories of a time when he had nearly lost everything. He walked steadily down the corridor listening to his steady footsteps before he was greeted by a warm smile. He couldn't help but smile back. This was another reason why he owed everything to that Light. The motherly affection that had alluded him for so long was now within a phone call or a short flight away. The plump woman draped in a simple sari was standing at the end of the hallway calling him. "Arjun, have some chai. It's been a very long night." Her motherly voice soothed his ears and he nodded taking the paper cup from her hands. He nearly choked when he felt a heavy thud across his back.

"Dilip! You almost made him drop his chai," she berated.

"He's fine Mala. I know how you like to pamper your son-in-law," he rumbled and then looked at Arjun. "We're very proud of you."

"Papa," he addressed in embarrassment, "I didn't do anything. Radhika did all the work."

Lowering his voice and whispering, "Nine months of mood swings and emotional atyachaar..Son, she may be my daughter but I know what it's like to be an expecting father." Arjun couldn't help but chuckle at his remark. There were days when he thought he was losing his mind. Crying at the drop of a hat, angry because he ate the last banana, 3am demands for ice cream, and the like had him sleep deprived and drained.

"What are you two whispering about?" Mala inquired.

"Nothing," Dilip replied and pushed the cup of chai toward his lips, "Drink Beta before she accuses me of mistreating her favorite son-in-law."

Arjun took a sip and then looked up to see the face of a jovial old man. He owed a lot to him. If it hadn't been for his support he would have never seen this day. "Arjun," he said.

"Ji, Dada-ji?" Arjun replied with great respect. The senior motioned him to come closer which Arjun obliged and squatted next to the chair. "Ji?" He handed him a folded piece of paper. Arjun looked at it questioningly and then carefully unfolded it. "Dada-ji?" he said as he stared at the list of names on the paper.

"You'll use one of these names, right?"

Arjun swallowed hard as he knew his wife had informed him during one of those pregnancy mood swings what they were going to name their child and it was a no negotiation demand. "Aah, I'll give this to Radhika," Arjun replied nervously. He received a grateful smile in return.

"I got samosas!" Arjun turned towards the loud voice announcing his entrance. He smirked at the man carrying the box of food. "Samosas..."

"Neil, no thanks. I don't think I can look at another one of these for years," Arjun replied staring at the box that had just been shoved into his face.

"Neil, I can't believe you went and got samosas," turning towards Mala and holding up a thermos, "Aunty I got more chai for everyone."

"Thank you Sam."

"What?" Neil pouted in defense looking at his wife. "Chashni loved samosas while she was pregnant. That's why I got them."

"Did you get anything else beside that?" Sam asked.

"Why yes, let me go pull the magical vending machine out of my back pocket for you. What would you like? Pav Bhaji? Pakoras? Pani puri?"

Sam narrowed her eyes showing her displeasure at his sarcastic response. "Idiot..."

"Beggars can't be choosers," Neil snapped. "At least appreciate the fact that I went out and got something to eat for everyone."

"Now, now..." Mala interrupted trying to calm the situation down. "Neil, thank you for buying these for everyone. I'm sure everyone is hungry."

"I'll take two of these. Thank you," Dilip said as he picked up two samosas. He handed the other one to his father.

"So how much longer do I have to wait?" Arjun asked looking at Neil. He had been through this routine before as he and Sam had two beautiful children, fraternal twins; a boy and a girl.

"Yeah, I hated this part. After the delivery they kicked you out so they can go clean up Mom and the baby. It feels like forever doesn't it? I stopped watching the clock after awhile because each passing minute felt like hours to me."

Arjun's shoulders slumped and he glanced at his watch with a frown. "Mr. Mehra?" He turned to see a nurse holding a clipboard. "Yes?" he replied.

"There are few more papers that need to be filled out," the nurse informed. Arjun nodded and immediately followed her to the front desk. "It should only be a few more minutes Mr. Mehra. Just fill these out and then we'll give you the room number."

Arjun nodded and took the pen offered him. The speed in which he filled out the forms surprised the front staff. Within a matter of minutes he dropped the clipboard on their desk. "Room number?"

The senior nurse chuckled lightly, "Room 3010, third floor, Mr. Mehra."

"Thank you," he replied with a grin and then raced to the elevator. It seemed like the longest wait in his life as he stood in front of the steel doors. His mind began to wander recalling some of the days and events that had led up to this moment in time.

*********************************Flashback 1************************************

Lips curled upward into a gentle grin as he heard the sound of sweet humming followed by a chirpy "Good Morning." His eyelids sleepily lifted to see a vision of pure beauty. His wife's wet tresses falling to her shoulder as she unwrapped her towel from her head. The scent of morning rose petal shower hung in the air. It was a sight and aroma he'd witnessed every morning for the past five years. "Time to wake up Arjun." He grumbled something inaudible and pulled the covers up before closing his eyes again. Smirking as he felt the pressure of the bed dip as she hovered over him. He clamped his arms around her waist bringing her soft body down onto his. "Don't you get tired of pretending you're not awake?" He grinned, "That depends," and lazily opened his eyes. "Do I get a good morning kiss?" He pursed his lips but was met with the sound of amused laughter. 'Radhika..."

"Go brush your teeth," she replied as she freed herself from his hold.

He sat up and inquired again, "Morning kiss?"

"We have the Maybelline meeting at 10:00am to discuss the contract renewal." Radhika informed changing the topic. She was now standing in front of the vanity mirror combing her hair.

Arjun pouted and got out of bed. He stealthily moved towards his wife as she tilted her head to the side running her comb through her damp hair. Eyeing the exposed outline of her neck, he tenderly bent his head down and let his lips touch her soft skin. He could sense her breathing becoming rapid from his proximity and smirked. Even after all these years he still had a way of making butterflies flutter in her stomach. He sensuously caressed her earlobe before placing a gentle nip that jolted her senses and made her breathlessly utter "Ar...jun..." With great delight he trailed his nose softly against his cheek making her sigh and relax into his arms. Just as his lips delicately brushed against the side of her mouth ready to deal his love blow, the sound of a mobile phone ringing was heard. He groaned as he felt her resistance and saw through the mirror his wife was back in her senses again.

"Sam?" Radhika answered as she picked up her phone. "Yes...we're up..." pulling her mouth away from the mouth piece, "Sam says Good Morning..."

"Tell her she should never call in the mornings ever again," he peeved.

"Oh...nothing...he says Good Morning too," Radhika covered and then glared at her husband. "Go wash up and brush your teeth. Uh? Oh no that wasn't to you Sam...I was talking to Arjun. Yes, go on..." She pulled the phone away from her mouth and informed, "I'll be making breakfast," and then exited the bedroom.

Twenty minutes later Arjun was standing on the outskirts of the kitchen watching with growing amusement at the way Radhika was scurrying about with her phone still pressed to her ear as she made chai and toasted bread. He sometimes wonder how she and Sam could just talk endlessly on the phone. Sometimes they talked to 2am and they had just spent the entire day at the office together. Seeing that she was too preoccupied with getting the butter and jelly out of the fridge he walked over and moved the pot of boiling chai off the stove before the milk could foam over and spill.

"Oh shoot," Radhika gasped suddenly remembering the chai and turned to see her husband pouring two cups. She frowned at his attire. His hair was damp from his shower but he was dressed in a new pair of pajamas. "Why are you still not dressed?"

"You still talking to Sam?" Arjun replied as he put two spoonfuls of sugar into her teacup and placed it close to where she was standing.

"No, it's Ma," she replied and then handed the phone over to him, "She wants to say hello."

Arjun took the phone and warmly greeted, "Good Morning Ma. No, Neeru's cousin went into labor last night so she had to look after her cousin's two other children...she switched her day off. She informed several weeks ago. We told her not to worry. Huh?" glancing over at Radhika who was silently buttering the toast, "Um..." suppressing a grin from forming on his lips, "Of course...of course...that's a promise...Okay, bye."

"So why aren't you dressed?" Radhika asked again before taking a bite of her toast.

"Because I didn't feel there was a need to?" Arjun replied.

"That's not really a reason..." She sighed and took a sip of chai. Her eyebrows furrowed as he took a bite of her toast and then held the bottom of her teacup tiling it towards his mouth to drink. "Arjun...what are you doing?"

"Eating breakfast," he simply stated.

"You can have your own cup and toast," Radhika informed.

He shook his head and slid one hand around her waist. "It tastes sweeter this way...Chashni" He saw her eyes flex questioningly wondering why he was using the nickname her friends had given her. "Are you going to put some jam on it?" he motioned with his eyes. Radhika spread a tiny bit of Kissan mixed fruit jam onto the remaining bit of toast and then offered it up to Arjun. "You first," he instructed.

She obediently took a bite and then held the corner as he bent down and bit where her teeth marks had been. "So Sam called to inform the Maybelline meeting is canceled today. One of the project heads had a family emergency and so it is scheduled for next week."

"I know..." he replied in mid chew.

Turning around with suspicion in her eyes, "So that's why..."

"Read the email on my phone when I got out of the shower," Arjun answered.

"But we still have to go to work."

"We're going to be late. I already informed," Arjun replied.

"With who? I was on the phone with Sam."

"I told Neil and uh, Neil is married to Sam so he'll inform her and she's the daughter of Piyali so she'll inform her...and I'm Partner at the firm, remember? So I've been informed...and you're my wife and you've just been informed." Radhika just stared at her husband in disbelief, while he wore a pleased expression on his face for his line of reasoning.

"Arjun," she sighed.

"So, where's my morning kiss?" he asked. "I'm showered...I brushed my teeth...and I'm dressed."

"Arr-jun..." she said again with disapproval as she broke away from his hold.

"Stop being so difficult...or I'm going have to inform Neil that we're working a half day instead of being 1-2 hours late."

"What!?"

"And how am I suppose to face your mother?" Arjun inquired.

"Face my mother? What does she have to do with all of this?" Radhika asked with confusion. "Arjun, I don't have time for all these games."

"You're right. I should come to the point." He grabbed her by the waist and with his right hand flushed against the small of her back pushed her tightly towards him. His other hand cupped her neck tilting her head so their eyes could meet. He could see her resolve dissolving; her eyes turning into a fiery brown. The intimate nature of their position was suggestive to what would become the real reason for their tardiness. He smirked when she pushed upward from the balls of her feet to reach him.

Pure bliss was all his mind could think of as their lips mingled in unison.

"So I gave you your morning kiss," Radhika breathed as her fingers gently messaged the back of his neck when they broke apart. She could see an intense storm brewing in his eyes and knew he would not be letting go anytime soon. As if knowing her thoughts he acted quickly and swiftly swept her off her feet. "Wh-what are you doing?" she gasped.

"There are a lot more things besides morning kisses you owe me."

"Ar---"

"You'll be saying my name in a very different manner soon," he interrupted. Then smirking widely as he saw how her face suddenly flushed red, "All I'm trying to do is make Ma a Nani soon..." He found it incredibly adorable when her eyes had grown round and then bashfully looked down at a spot on his shirt as if it was the most interesting thing she had ever seen. "What's the matter?" feeling her nervously play with his collar, "Don't want to have children with me?"

"No, of course I want to have children with you," Radhika said lifting her eyes up. "I want to have your children."

"There's only one way..." Arjun whispered and then carried her back to their bedroom.

*********************************Flashback 2************************************

Arjun walked through the front door of the house in a rush. He tossed his keys into the leather key tray by the front entrance and searched hurried with his eyes. "Radhika...Radhika?" He was greeted by their house servant instead. "Neeru where is Radhika? How's she feeling?" he impatiently asked. He couldn't understand why she looked so calm. And if his eyes were not deceiving him he could almost detect a faint smile across her lips.

"She's doing fine. She just went to the bathroom."

"She did?" Arjun asked; more for his own sake then actually expecting a reply. "Did she eat anything?"

"She had some soup," Neeru answered.

"Just soup? Nothing else?" He walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. "There's dal, rice, and some potato bhaji..."

"She couldn't keep any of it down," Neeru informed.

"None of it?" Arjun asked with worry. "The soup...what was it? It had vegetables in it right? She likes the sweet corn soup."

"No Sir. She just had tomato soup."

"Just tomato soup?!" Arjun said with exasperation.

"Haan, just that nothing else," Neeru replied. "Her stomach has been bothering her since this morning."

"Why are you so calm?"

"Well, these things happen time to time between husbands and wives," Neeru said under her breath as Arjun continued talking. "If it weren't for that stupid client dinner meeting I would have been home earlier. He kept going on and on about his coin collection and the different bills he has also collected from around the world...I don't care about the different printing material used then and now!" Arjun angrily yelled and then checked his watch, "It's 10:00pm she needs to eat something. Go make her something, please." Neeru suppressed the laughter forming in her throat knowing full well what was about to befall him and obediently went to the kitchen without a word.

Arjun briskly walked into the bedroom searching for his sick wife. "Why haven't you eaten dinner yet?" he inquired when he saw the bathroom door open. His eyes flexed in alarm seeing her wipe her mouth and neck with a towel. "Did you throw up again?" He was soon by her side trying to offer comfort but his voice was full of anxiety. "Should we go to the doctor? We should probably go to the doctor. You think this is the stomach bug? I would have been here sooner...Sam tried to send me home earlier but we forgot about the client dinner...I'm so sorry." He laid the back of his hand on her forehead for a few seconds and murmured, "You don't seem to be running a fever."

"I just washed my face," Radhika replied looking up at him innocently.

"Neeru told me you just had tomato soup for lunch. What do you want for dinner? I'll get you anything...pizza, pasta, dosa, biriyani---"

Radhika covered his mouth with her hand preventing him from speaking any further. Her face wore a nauseated expression. "Pl-please don't mention food right now Arjun..."

His eyebrows furrowed deeply as he gently took her wrist into his hand, "We need to go to the doctor right now then." He turned around and led her to the living room. "Neeru, we're going to the doctor."

"Ji?" Neeru replied as she walked in from the kitchen with three cups of chai on a serving tray.

When Arjun opened the front door he was surprised to see his mother-in-law standing outside in mid knock. "Ma?" She smiled and entered their home wheeling a small suitcase behind her.

"Choti, how are you feeling?" She inquired and then softly whispered something into her daughter's ear making her giggle.

"No clue what-so-ever," Radhika whispered back.

"Ma, why didn't you call me? I could have come pick you up from the airport. We were just on our way to see the doctor," Arjun explained.

"I know Choti hasn't been feeling very well. But don't worry. Sab theek ho jayega." Arjun felt a sense of relieve wash over him now that his mother-in-law was here as he knew she would definitely take care of his ailing wife but he was starting to wonder why she was suddenly here in Mumbai. As if sensing his doubts she added, "It's been awhile since my last visit and with Choti not feeling well I thought it was a good time to visit. I may be coming more often...nine months is a long time..."

"Maaa..." Radhika fiercely whispered. Mala just gave a pleasant smile in return.

"Why did you spend money on a taxi when you know you could have called me and I would have come and picked you up?" Arjun asked. "And nine months? You know you're welcomed any time."

"Oh Beta," Mala sighed and gently pinched his cheek, "This is just too cute...Badhai ho..."

"Badhai ho?" Arjun repeated with confusion. He stared at the three women in front of him as they suddenly burst into giggles. What exactly did they find that was so amusing? "What's going on? Radhika's sick...she hasn't eaten anything all day...I'm worried...and we were going to the doctor's office...and you people are laughing at time like this? And I'm being congratulated?"

"You haven't eaten all day?" Mala inquired with concern anger at her daughter.

"Ma..." Radhika replied giving her mother a hard stare. "It's been a little hard...but I had some soup."

Taking his wife's hand into his, "So, we're going to the doctor's office," Arjun announced. He started to walk again when he felt resistance making him turn back, "Radhika?" He watched as she exchanged some glances at her mother and Neeru who seemed excitedly hyper about something, while he just became more irritably baffled.

"Come Neeru, let's go make something for Choti to have for dinner," Mala said before quickly disappearing into the kitchen.

"What's going on?" Arjun questioned heatedly. Radhika placed her hand on his cheek and gave him a thoughtful look. He could hear the beating of his heart in his ears and he could feel the hairs of the back of his neck standing up. Something wasn't right and he so desperately wanted someone to just tell him what was going on. Radhika? Everything's all right?" Without a word she took his hands into hers and sat him down on the couch. He was preparing for the worst as she continued to hold onto his hands. "I can't live without you..." he suddenly blurted making Radhika's eyes widen. The fear of that long forsaken night had crept back into his mind. That night was the first time he had ever shown his vulnerability to her. The strong defiant man that she thought she had known was in reality an abandoned child whose sole want in life was to find a place in someone's heart and to be loved. "You know that---"

Radhika knew where his mind had reached and placed her hand over his mouth, "Will you stop being dramatic?" she replied trying to make light of the situation. "No one is going anywhere. In fact we're going to be having a guest real soon...who'll be staying for a lifetime..." Arjun blinked a few times trying to understand what she was saying to him. "I never thought my husband was the type to make promises he couldn't keep." She clamped her lips tightly in an effort not to laugh at the way his forehead had creased and his eyes sparked with confusion. "Oh come on Arjun, Ma will be so disappointed with you."

"Ma?" he repeated. Radhika watched with baited breath as he started processing the hints they had been giving him. He suddenly seized her hands and grinned with hope, "Radhika? Are...you saying...we...is it?" Radhika just nodded to each and every word he had sputtered out of his mouth. She smiled as his eyes lit up and he hugged her tightly. "We're going to have a baby..." He then cupped her face and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. "This is the best news I've ever heard."

"I went to the doctor this afternoon," Radhika explained. "So you don't have to worry."

"And Ma?"

"She came because she was under the impression that you weren't going to know how to handle yourself," she giggled causing him to pout.

"And it is a good thing I came too," Mala interrupted and then eyed her daughter, "I'll need to make sure you're taking proper care of yourself."

"That's right," Arjun agreed.

"I feel nauseous when anyone mentions about food," Radhika replied placing her hand on her tummy.

"I know dear. It should pass in the next few days," Mala replied with understanding. "Come, have a little something for dinner."

"What is it?"

"It's just a light soup broth," Mala explained. "I took the vegetables out. Neeru explained the only thing you seemed to be able to handle was soup. Come..." With great care Arjun led his wife to the dinning room table and served her dinner.

**************************End of Flashbacks*****************************

Arjun heard the ping of the elevator and rushed inside the moment the door open nearly knocking over an elderly woman. "I'm so sorry," he apologized as he held onto her. "My wife...we just had a baby...I wasn't looking..." To his surprise she simply laughed and patted his cheek. "Congratulations Beta." Arjun broke out into a smile and carefully helped her out. He then hurriedly hopped back into the elevator and pressed the button to the third floor. When he reached the floor he briskly walked out and started searching for the room. His eyes lit when he finally found his destination. His breath hitched when he opened the door, his wife was tucked in bed cradling their newborn baby girl. When their eyes met there was a wordless message of love that passed between them.

"Mr. Mehra, your family...come on in...don't be shy," the nurse in the room greeted. She then looked at Radhika, "Mrs. Mehra. I'll be back a little later but if you need anything just hit the call button."

"Thank you Mary." Radhika then looked at Arjun who was just silently staring in awe at the little bundle in her arms. He gently placed his finger against his daughter's tiny hand trying to fathom the miracle that she was. He grinned with surprise as she responded with a tight grip as if knowing he was her father. "Does Papa want to hold her?" Radhika could see the slight fear in his eyes at her question and softly reasoned, "Don't worry...just remember to support her head," and generously relinquished control.

Arjun swallowed hard as he timidly cradled his daughter in his arms. The feeling was indescribable to him. He looked at his wife who was tenderly smiling at both of them. "She's so beautiful just like her mother," he stated. He then placed a sweet kiss on his daughter's forehead. "Thank you," Arjun warmly said looking at Radhika and then placed a loving kiss on her forehead, "I love you both so much. This is more than I could have ever hoped and wished for..."

"Arjun..." Radhika warned and placed her finger to his lips to silence him. She then leaned forward and gave him a chaste kiss. "So where is Ma and the others?"

"Ma and the others?" Arjun inquired.

"Haan, where are they?"

Arjun cringed realizing in his own excitement he had forgotten about them. "Oh shoot, I forgot to tell them the room number."

"You forgot to tell them? Ar-jun..." she said with disappointment.

"I was excited! Not every day your wife gives birth to your daughter," he defended and handed her back. "I'll go get them."

"Hey Superdad, relax. We're here," Neil greeted as he and the rest of the family stood by the doorway. "I figured after you disappeared for so long...filling out those forms...you were probably with Chashni and Choti Chashni."

"Choti Chashni?" Arjun repeated.

"Of course," moving out of the way so the rest of the family could enter the room to greet the new edition of the Mehra family. "I'll think of a better nickname later, but she is Chashni's daughter so naturally she's going to be sweet like her. Cause Lord help us all if she's like her father...serious and boring." Arjun frowned and lunged at him making him laugh.

"Neil..." Radhika warned.

"Of course you'd defend him. Chashni you're just too sweet and he is the Baap. But nothing to fear Choti Chashni has her Neil Uncle."

"And her Sam Masi," Sam added.

"I can't believe you guys are here. Thank you so much," Radhika said with great gratitude.

"Nonsense, you and Arjun were there for us when we delivered. You kept Mom sane and resurrected Neil after he fainted..."

"Hey, hey, hey we agreed that we would not be discussing that," Neil said making everyone in the room laugh.

"Anyways, the twins are having some quality time with their grandparents." Sam looked at the baby girl in her best friend's arms and cooed, "Aww, Radhika she is just adorable! And can you believe it? We are both mothers!"

Radhika grinned, "I know...it's amazing isn't it?"

"Choti I'm so proud of you," Mala said with pride in her eyes as she stood with her husband on the left side of the bed.

"Ma..." she replied with embarrassment.

"Let me see my granddaughter," Dilip requested. Radhika lovingly passed her daughter into her father's arms. "She is very beautiful. Arjun..."

"Ji Papa," he immediately replied standing straight. Neil motioned to Sam mimicking the stance of Arjun before his name was called and after his name was called by his father-in-law. They silently snickered together. Radhika saw them and motioned with her eyes to stop before she herself broke out into laughter. "You've taken very good care of our Choti and I have no doubts you'll do the same with our granddaughter."

"Bilkula," Arjun affirmatively stated.

"Hmm...very good," Dilip replied with satisfaction.

"I have a request of my own."

"What is it Dada-ji?" Radhika asked.

Giving a wrinkly smile, "Before I leave this world I'd like to see one more great grandchild be born."

"Papa-ji," Mala gasped while the elder just chuckled heartily. Radhika's face had flushed a complete red while Arjun's eyes had bulged in shock. Neil and Sam where trying their best to hold in their laughter at their friends' predicament. "It's a little early for something like that. They just had a baby."

"Ah-le Bahu, I did not mean right now. Even I said this to Ankush with his wife and Ridheema with her husband. I am fine with whomever," then looking at his granddaughter's husband, "Arjun, you won't let me down."

"Aaa...Da-da-ji..." Arjun stuttered causing the senior to laugh out loud again.

"Mai majak kar rha hunn! Relax...what is that you young people say now...just chill?"

"Correct Dada-ji," Neil answered. He then gave Arjun a comforting pat on the back, "Heh-heh...you've got some great in-laws that love to joke." All Arjun could do was give a weak smile in return.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but visiting hours are over," the nurse announced as she came into the room. "Dad can stay but I'm afraid the rest will have to leave."

"Yes, of course," Mala said. "Choti we'll stop by tomorrow. You rest."

"Okay Ma," Radhika replied as she took back her daughter.

"Arjun, Sam and I will take them home," Neil offered. He then patted his shoulder, "Congratulations again."

"Thanks a lot."

"Anytime," Neil grinned and then left with the rest of the family.

An hour later Arjun was pushing the dinning tray away from the bed and into the corner of the room. He glanced to his right and smiled at the crib where his baby girl was sleeping. She had been fed, changed, and finally put down for what he would hope to be a peaceful night's rest. Though he knew that was a pretty far fetched dream as a few hours from now she would be up again for her next feeding. He walked over to the side of the hospital bed and pulled a chair over. He then looked at his wife who was drinking from her water cup. Without a word she handed it to him and he placed it on the side table. "You must be exhausted," Arjun stated as he affectionately tucked a few loose strains of her hair behind her ear.

"Yes, I think I can sleep for hours...but probably won't get that chance...she'll need another feeding in a couple of hours from now."

"If I hadn't already told you...you were great today." He leaned in ready to trail a series of kisses. He kissed her forehead, then her freckle mole on her nose before capturing her lips. It was tender and sweet. Radhika caressed his hand that was cupping her cheek and smiled at his affection. "You should rest." He then let go and sat down in the chair with his eyes closed and his arms crossed.

"Arjun..."

"Mmm..." he replied with his eyes still closed.

"How are you sleeping?"

"Like this...in the chair," he mumbled.

"You can't sleep like that," Radhika replied.

"There isn't much room here to bring another bed. I'll be fine. It hasn't been the first time nor will it be the last time I've slept in a chair. All those late night brainstorming sessions at Birdsong...we've all fallen asleep in our chairs."

"No, you shouldn't be sleeping like this," Radhika said with disapproval.

"And how exactly should I be sleeping? With my eyes open?" He felt his head sway to the side and drop suddenly making him open his eyes.

"Exactly, my point," Radhika frowned. "You're not going to be able to sleep well. You need your rest too."

"I'm fine," rubbing the back of his neck. "I just need a pillow." He got up to see where the nurse had placed the spare pillows. He turned and saw his wife shifting in the hospital bed. "What are you doing?"

"Making room." Radhika patted the space next to her and motioned with her eyes for him to join her.

Arjun glanced towards the door and then back at the bed. "It's okay. We both need our rest Arjun. Don't argue with me right now."

"You sure? If they see us..."

"They see a husband and a wife resting with their baby sleeping a few feet away." Arjun gave a half grin and slipped off his shoes before carefully getting on the bed. He put his arm around his wife so he could cradle her. His lips curled upward again as he felt her snuggle into him. Her arm went around his waist and her head tucked into his chest. "I've missed this..."

"Me too," Arjun murmured as he lovingly patted her head lulling her to sleep. He then placed a tender kiss on her head before closing his own eyes. He fell asleep with a content and gentle smile on his face knowing he just received another precious gift in his life from the woman laying in his arms, his wife, his Light, his savior, his Radhika.