Chapter 23: Seven Years Later

The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, bathing the room in a warm glow. The once-pristine and organized bedroom Aarav had cherished was now a delightful mess—baby toys scattered across the floor, tiny clothes draped over a chair, and a crib nestled in the corner.

I stretched lazily on the bed, turning to see Aarav lying beside me, his face buried in the crook of our baby's neck. Our little boy, Arjun, giggled uncontrollably as Aarav blew raspberries on his chubby belly. The sound was infectious, making me smile as I watched them.

"Good morning, my sleepyheads," Aarav said, looking up with a mischievous grin.

"Good morning," I replied, sitting up and running a hand through my messy hair.

Arjun reached out to me with his tiny hands, babbling something unintelligible but utterly adorable. I leaned over and scooped him up, peppering his face with kisses.

"You spoil him," Aarav teased, propping himself up on his elbow.

"And you don't?" I shot back, raising an eyebrow. "Who lets him sleep on their chest every night when he refuses to stay in the crib?"

Aarav shrugged, feigning innocence. "What can I say? He's got me wrapped around his little finger."

As if understanding the conversation, Arjun clapped his hands and let out a delighted squeal.

The kitchen was alive with the sound of laughter as we prepared breakfast together. Aarav held Arjun in one arm while flipping pancakes with the other, an impressive feat that made me shake my head in amusement.

"You know, you've gotten good at this," I said, watching him.

He smirked. "Seven years of marriage and a baby later, I'd say I've learned a thing or two."

Arjun reached for the pancake on the plate, and Aarav held it just out of his reach. "Patience, little man. Mommy has to add the syrup first."

"Daddy's a meanie, isn't he?" I cooed, taking the pancake and adding syrup while Arjun giggled.

Once breakfast was ready, we sat together at the dining table, Arjun in his high chair, happily smearing syrup on his face and Aarav's shirt.

"You're lucky you're cute," Aarav said, wiping Arjun's face with a tissue while I tried to stifle my laughter.

We spent the day playing with Arjun in the garden, his laughter filling the air as he toddled around chasing a ball. Aarav watched him with a look of pure contentment, occasionally scooping him up and tossing him in the air, earning peals of laughter.

As the sun set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, we sat together on the porch swing. Arjun was curled up in Aarav's lap, his tiny hand clutching Aarav's shirt as he drifted off to sleep.

I leaned my head on Aarav's shoulder, wrapping my arm around his. "Do you ever think about how far we've come?"

He kissed the top of my head. "Every day. And I wouldn't trade a single moment of it. You and Arjun are my everything, Ananya."

Tears pricked my eyes as I looked up at him. "I love you, Aarav."

He smiled, his eyes soft with emotion. "I love you more, Mrs. Malhotra."

In that moment, surrounded by love and the soft snores of our baby boy, I knew our happily ever after wasn't just a destination—it was a journey we'd continue together, one day at a time.

The End.