AUTHOR'S POV:

Sofia's screams echoed through the delivery room, she was screaming as if someone was skinning her alive.

"Ansh... please make it stop... I can't take it anymore... just end it," she cried, her voice hoarse with desperation.

Ansh, watching her writhe in pain, felt a pang of guilt pierce through him. He had caused her enough suffering in the past, and now he was witnessing her endure this unimaginable torment.

"I'm Sorry...Amore!... You've already endured so much." he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

He remembered the countless nights when Sofia had uttered similar words, her voice a mere whisper in the darkness, a chilling threat hanging in the air.

"What are you talking about?" she gasped, her voice raw.

"Nothing." Ansh murmured, his voice soothing.

The doctor, a woman with kind eyes and a gentle touch, gently placed a hand on Sofia's shoulder. "Come on, honey," she soothed, her voice calm and reassuring. "Push a bit, we are almost there."

Sofia, her body trembling, nodded weakly. She took a deep breath, bracing herself for the next wave of pain. With a guttural cry, she pushed, her muscles straining against the invisible force within her.

That sight was totally unbearable to Ansh. He just wanted to go out, but at the same time, he didn't want to leave her in that state.

He was a predator, a wolf among sheep.Yes, he had killed people more brutally than this, and those acts had never caused him a flicker of guilt because he had never killed someone innocent. But this... this was different.

"You're doing amazing," the doctor encouraged, her eyes filled with admiration. "Just a little more."

Sofia, her face contorted in a mask of pain, pushed again, her body trembling with the effort. Then, with a final, Herculean effort, she delivered a piercing scream.

A wave of dizziness washed over him as the doctor gently lifted , a blood-covered baby from Sofia. Goosebumps erupted on his skin, an unfamiliar sensation that made him shiver.

"You did it, sweetheart!" the doctor exclaimed, beaming at Sofia.

For a moment, the room was filled with a small, weak cry, a sound that seemed to pierce through the exhaustion and pain.

She gently handed the baby to a waiting nurse, who whisked the newborn away for initial checks.

Then, Sofia closed her eyes after delivering the baby. Ansh's heart pounded in his chest. "What... what happened to her?" he croaked, his voice hoarse with worry.

The doctor, her face now etched with concern, turned to him. "She's just exhausted, she'll be conscious in a few minutes."

"Nothing to worry about."

He then moved out of the delivery room when they took Sofia to the rest room.

*************

"Where is he? Why is he taking so long?" Kiara fretted, wringing her hands.

"Maybe he fainted," Naira suggested, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Fainted? More like he would have laid his gun on the doctor's head and demanded her to reduce Sofia's pain! And the doctor fainted!" Kiara exclaimed, her eyes wide with mock horror.

"Poor doctor!" Naira giggled.

Just then, Ansh entered the waiting room, his face pale but a small, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.

This time the whole oberoi family was present there.

Kiara and Naira were the first to rush towards him, a flurry of questions assaulting him.

"What took you so long?

"Did you faint?"

"Is she okay?"

"How is the baby?"

"Is it a boy or a girl?"

Ansh, overwhelmed by the sudden barrage of questions, simply stared at them, a silent plea for mercy in his eyes.

Vijay, who had been observing the scene with a mixture of amusement and concern, finally stepped forward. "Kiara, naira, enough! Let the man breathe."

He turned to Ansh, his expression softening. "How is Sofia?"

A small smile played on Ansh's face. "She's tired, but fine."

"Thank God!" Mallika said in relief. "And the baby?" She inquired, her voice laced with concern.

Even Ansh didn't know whether it was a girl or boy. He was totally numb after hearing the melodious cries of his baby. Before he could open his mouth to answer, the doctor came towards them.

"Congratulations, Mr Oberoi" The doctor's voice carried a hint of awe. "You're father of a beautiful Baby girl" She announced, her eyes twinkling.

Ansh was speechless. Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision. He simply nodded , his chest tight with a mixture of emotions he had never experienced before.

Kiara and Naira erupted in a chorus of squeals, jumping up and down in excitement.

"A girl!" Kiara exclaimed, her eyes shining.

Naira beamed, her face radiating joy. "I knew it! I always had a feeling it would be a girl."

Mallika smiled warmly, her eyes filled with affection. "Congratulations, Ansh," she said, hugging him. "You're a father."

Vikram, his father, observed the scene with a mixture of pride and amusement. He placed a hand on Ansh's shoulder from back, and Ansh turned, burying his face in his father's chest. He held on tight, the sobs finally escaping his lips.

Vikram held him close, patting him on the back. "It's alright to cry. It's a proud moment." he murmured, his voice gruff with emotion. "Welcome to the fatherhood!" He patted Ansh on the back comfortingly.

Just then, a nurse approached them, carrying a baby swaddled in a soft pink blanket.

"Now, go see your daughter. She's waiting for you."

"Here she is, Mr. Oberoi," the nurse said, her voice gentle.

Ansh's breath hitched. He gently took the baby from the nurse's arms, his hands trembling slightly. He stared at the tiny face, his heart swelling with a love he never knew existed.

The baby stirred, her tiny eyes fluttering open. They were the most beautiful shade of dark blue, just like his. Her hair, a soft brown like Sofia's, lay in a halo around her face. Ansh was completely mesmerized.

"My princess," Ansh whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

"Welcome to the world." He gently touched her tiny hand, his heart overflowing with a love so profound, it almost brought him to his knees.

"I promise to protect you with my life," he vowed, his voice filled with a newfound determination.

"You will never know the darkness I've known, my love."

"I will shield you from the shadows, and fill your life with only light and joy."

The baby girl, sensing her father's voice, stirred again, her tiny fists clenching and unclenching. Her eyes widened slightly, and she attempted a tiny smile, her lips forming a delicate curve.

*********** Sofia stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. She looked around the room, disoriented, her gaze finally settling on Ansh. He was sitting beside her, his hand gently holding hers, his face etched with worry.

"Ansh..." she whispered, her voice weak. "The baby... where is it?"

Ansh, his heart melting at the sight of her, leaned down and kissed her forehead. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," she replied, her voice still weak. "How's the baby first?"

Ansh smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that reached his eyes. "She's also fine."

Sofia repeated, "She?" A smile bloomed on her face, despite the exhaustion.

He stood up and walked towards the small crib where the nurse had placed the baby. He gently lifted her.

"Here she is," he said, bringing the baby towards Sofia.

Sofia's eyes widened as she gazed at her daughter.

She took the baby in her arms.

The baby girl, sensing her mother's presence, stirred, her tiny eyes fluttering open.

Sofia reached out a trembling hand, her fingers gently touching the baby's cheek. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. "My angel..." she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Ansh, watching the tender interaction between mother and daughter, smiled. "she is just beautiful like you," he murmured, his voice filled with awe

Sofia smiled, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Just look at her eyes, Ansh," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "They're just like yours."

Ansh nodded in happiness.

They spent the next few moments in blissful silence, simply gazing at their daughter, marveling at her delicate features and the way she stirred in her sleep.

The door to the room swung open, and Kiara and Naira burst in, their faces beaming with excitement.

"Can we see her? Can we see her?" Kiara squealed, her eyes wide with anticipation.

Naira, ever the more composed of the two, simply smiled, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Ansh chuckled and gently handed the baby to Sofia. "Come on in," he said, his voice warm. "But be gentle.And if I hear any nonsense, I will kick you both out of the room."

Kiara and Naira, their initial excitement tempered by a newfound sense of awe, cautiously approached the bed. They peered down at the sleeping baby, their faces a mixture of wonder and delight.

"She's so tiny!" Kiara whispered, her voice filled with awe.

Naira, her eyes wide with wonder, "She looks like a little doll." She whispered.

Sofia was watching them with a smile while Ansh was watching them with his arms crossed over his chest, protective instinct already surging within him.

The room filled with the soft sounds of baby coos and the excited chatter of Kiara and Naira as they played with the little girl. Sofia, nestled against the pillows, watched them with a serene smile.

Ansh turned to Sofia, his eyes filled with a love so deep it took his breath away. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice husky with emotion. "Thank you for giving me such a beautiful gift."

Sofia, her eyes shining with unshed tears, reached out and gently stroked his cheek. "You don't know how much this means to me, Ansh," she murmured, her voice soft. "I never thought I could be this happy."

He pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her protectively. "I will make you the happiest woman in the world, Amore....." He vowed, his voice filled with a newfound determination.

....END.