After four hours on the plane, Lily was fast asleep.
Nikolai sat beside her, gently rubbing her bump.
Baby Roshini, now six months old, giggled happily as Urlima tickled her little belly. Juan watched with a smile, making baby noises at his daughter. Nearby, Asif slept against Rima while she rubbed the backs of the twins.
Nimra and Farhan sat together watching a movie, occasionally sharing kisses.
Darya rested comfortably beside Maira.
Clara spent her time sending pictures to Zafraan.
Meanwhile, in New York, Tory sat inside his office with Rezaul.
Ever since Elena's wedding, he and Vanya had been having problems. During the wedding, Tory's mother had introduced him to another woman without knowing he was already married because he had never told her.
"Aren't you going to tell her, bro? You're hurting Anya," Rezaul said.
"I tried, but you know how Mom is. She never lets me speak," Tory replied.
"Then speak forcefully or you will lose your wife."
Tory sighed heavily.
Just then the office door opened.
"Uncle, your mother is here," Karim announced.
An older woman entered the room.
Her name was Mrs. Dorothy, Tory's mother. She was forty-nine years old.
Walking beside her was the same woman from the wedding, Monroe.
"Roy, my boy," Dorothy said warmly.
Tory hugged her.
"Hi Mom."
"Roy," Monroe said sweetly.
He ignored her.
"Mom, I want to tell you something."
"Hold on. I have decided that you and Monroe will get married this week and—"
"No Mom. No means no. For once can you just listen to me please?" Tory interrupted.
"What do you mean no?" Dorothy asked.
"Did I do something wrong?" Monroe asked.
"I don't like you. I have been married for over a year and a half now and I have loved my wife for ten years. Mom, you always make decisions for me. You never ask what I want and you never let me decide. I love my wife."
"Who is she?" Dorothy asked.
"Vanya and I are married."
Dorothy gasped.
"You married Ishaan's daughter?"
"Yes. I love her. She makes me happy. She listens to me and she is the best wife ever."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Do you ever let him speak for himself? You don't, Aunt," Rezaul replied.
Dorothy's expression softened.
"Oh my child. I am so sorry."
She kissed his forehead.
Monroe clenched her fists and stormed out of the office.
Suddenly Karim's phone rang.
"Uncle, I just got a call from Annie. Vanya passed out in the kitchen."
"What?" Tory stood immediately.
"Yeah. They said she was cooking and started feeling dizzy. Then she blacked out."
Tory grabbed his keys.
His mother followed him.
Three minutes later, Tory rushed upstairs.
He found Vanya sitting on the bed drinking water.
"Anya, are you okay?"
He held her hand.
Her eyes were red from crying.
"What happened?"
Anika smiled.
"Congratulations, Uncle. Anya is four months pregnant."
Tory froze.
His eyes moved to his shy wife.
Memories rushed back to him.
He looked down and gently touched her stomach.
Vanya sniffled.
Tamman sat beside her daughter.
"We're going to be parents," Tory whispered.
Vanya nodded.
He hugged her tightly.
"And I am going to be an aunt. Period," Vamika declared.
Everyone laughed.
"Mom, this is my wife."
Vanya immediately bent and touched Dorothy's feet respectfully.
"Bless you," Dorothy said.
"She is beautiful."
Vanya blushed.
Dorothy sat beside her.
"I am going to be a grandmother."
The room door suddenly burst open.
"What happened?" Ishaan asked as he hurried inside.
"You're going to be a grandpa and I'm going to be a grandma," Tamman announced.
He looked at his daughter.
"Really?"
She nodded.
Ishaan looked at Tory.
"This fool is going to be a father?"
"Hey! What do you mean by that?" Tory protested.
"Oh well. I'm here for my sweet child."
He hugged Vanya tightly.
"Get ready for the pregnancy war," Karim announced dramatically.
"Meaning?" Anika asked suspiciously.
Karim pointed at her.
"This."
Then he kissed her.
"I got your mangoes, baby."
Holding her hand, he led her outside while everyone laughed.
Meanwhile, Sohan was asleep.
Riyana folded clothes nearby.
Suddenly Sohan woke up with a gasp.
His body was covered in sweat.
He breathed heavily.
"Bad dream, love?" Riyana asked.
He nodded.
"What was it about?"
Sohan looked troubled.
"Lily and her baby left us. She was completely back to normal. We all had a huge misunderstanding and she left. She never came back for years. Then she returned pregnant again. I keep having terrible dreams about our daughter. My children too. Nihal getting shot. Reyan in a hospital bed. I don't know what to do, Ria."
Riyana listened carefully.
"I also had a dream about Lily. She threw her Gem necklace at us and left. Ever since then I have been praying. I feel like there is a woman who will cause all this misunderstanding. Sohan, what are you going to do?"
"I have an idea."
He leaned forward and whispered it into her ear.
"How many?" she asked.
"All over the world."
She nodded and hugged him.
Back on the plane, it was preparing to land.
Nikolai had fallen asleep.
In his dream, Lily stood before him crying.
"I will never forgive you, Nikolai. You hurt me and my baby. I will never forgive you!"
Nikolai jolted awake.
Everyone looked at him.
"Are you okay, Boss?" Hammed asked.
Nikolai looked toward Lily, who was still sleeping peacefully.
He let out a long breath.
"Bad dream, Brother?" Meghan asked.
He nodded while staring at Lily.
The plane landed.
Nikolai carefully carried Lilith in his arms toward the VIP lounge.
He looked restless.
"Boss looks scared," Nathan observed.
"I think he had a bad dream about Lily," Farhan replied.
Taran sat beside his brother.
"What happened?"
Nikolai lowered his head.
"She said she would never forgive me. I don't want to lose her."
"Brother, you won't lose her. I promise. We have agents everywhere. Emergency money hidden in her teddy bear. And you know what else is inside it. We can keep an eye on her globally. No matter what happens."
Nikolai nodded.
After arriving at their destination, Lilith took a bath.
Urlima helped her dress in a beautiful purple salwar kameez.
Her dupatta covered her chest elegantly.
She giggled while admiring her veil.
Nikolai sat holding a small box.
When Lily stepped out, he stared.
"Nikki?"
His heart melted instantly.
"Oh my sweetheart."
He covered her face with kisses.
Then he opened the box.
Inside was a deep purple nose ring.
He carefully put it on her.
Then he took out his phone, snapped a picture, and chuckled.
As they walked outside, they met Albert.
"Hi Lily. How are you and Beanie?"
"Beanie okie!"
Albert hugged her.
Then his eyes wandered across the group.
They stopped on Sarah.
She wore a silver high-low kurti, her hair braided neatly. Silver bangles decorated her wrists, long earrings dangled from her ears, and a heart-shaped necklace rested around her neck.
Sarah was eighteen.
Albert was twenty-nine.
Their eyes met.
Soon everyone gathered together.
Especially the women, who were already dressed and ready.
"What are all of you wearing?" Emil asked.
"Clothes."
Everyone laughed.
Zhanna nodded at Salvatore.
"Sexy as ever, my love."
She smiled.
"T…T…Temple?" Lily asked.
"Of course, love."
Vishal grinned.
"We're in Amritsar."
"That means we can go to the Golden Temple," Rohan said.
"Oh yeah. Let's go," Urlima agreed.
Everyone climbed into the cars.
Two minutes later they arrived.
Vishal, Rohan, Urlima, Farhan, Damian, and Sarah purchased a prayer plate.
It was a beautifully decorated brass puja thali adorned with a diya, fresh flowers, incense sticks, kumkum, turmeric, rice grains, sweets, and sacred offerings arranged for traditional Hindu worship and temple prayers.
"Nikki, come pray," Lilith said.
Nikolai smiled.
"Bambi prays and I pray."
Lily held her bump.
Nikolai kissed it gently.
Urlima covered Lily's hair.
Sarah and Elena covered theirs as well.
Even Dylan was present.
The women knelt and touched their foreheads to the ground.
The men's heads were also covered.
They entered the temple.
Lily rang the bell.
Everyone folded their hands.
The prayers began.
Milk was poured over the sacred stone of Lord Shiva.
Flowers followed.
Rohan blew the conch shell.
Lilith gently touched the feet of Goddess Lakshmi's statue.
Afterward they greeted the priest.
Then Lilith began singing.
Jai Shiv Shankar Bhole Nath guide my soul
(Jai means victory and praise to Lord Shiva asking Him to guide and protect my soul)
Jai Lakshmi Mata bless my home with light and wealth
(Praise to Goddess Lakshmi asking for blessings of prosperity peace and positivity)
Har Har Mahadev strength within my heart
(A reminder that Shiva is the great divine force present in everything)
Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah bring grace into my life
(A Sanskrit mantra honoring Goddess Lakshmi for abundance and blessings)
Her voice was beautiful.
Everyone clapped.
Nikolai smiled proudly.
"Bless you, child. Here are the offerings," the priest said.
Lilith took a small bite.
Then she shared the offerings with everyone.
Afterward she walked around giving them to other visitors as well.
Downstairs, she handed offerings to the entire group.
Finally she fed Nikolai.
He took a bite and kissed her.
Before leaving, everyone turned toward the temple one last time and folded their hands.
"Bless Lily and Beanie Almighty. Har Har Mahadev."
(Praise to the Great God Shiva in everything)
"Har Har Mahadev."
(Praise to the Great God Shiva in everything)
Rohan, Vishal, Urlima, Sarah, Taran, Elena, and Damian all repeated together.
Then they returned to the cars.
Soon the convoy arrived at a luxurious five-star hotel.
Rooms were booked.
Everyone settled in.
Inside their room, Lily ate happily before rubbing her bump.
Nikolai went to take a bath.
When he came back, he found her gently rubbing her stomach and singing a lullaby to her unborn baby.
Little heartbeat safe inside
Rest beneath the moonlit sky
Mama's here and holding you
With a love so warm and true
Dream sweet dreams my precious one
Like the stars and morning sun
Every kick and every sigh
Fills my heart with joy tonight
Sleep my baby soft and deep
In my womb so safe you'll keep
Till the day I see your face
Wrapped in love and gentle grace
Hush now darling don't you fear
Mama's voice is always near
Close your eyes and softly sway
I'll be with you every day
La la la my little light
La la la goodnight goodnight
As the song ended, Lily slowly drifted off to sleep.
Nikolai smiled.
He carefully carried her to the bed and lay beside her.
"Goodnight, Bambi."
He kissed her forehead.
"Goodnight, Beanie."
Then he kissed her bump.
"Dada loves you."
Placing his hand protectively over her stomach, Nikolai closed his eyes and stayed beside the two people he loved most.