It had been six months since Sanskar had agreed to stay with the family, on Swara's behest. Things and relationships had improved a lot during this period. The warmth and smiles flowed through the relationships and moments much more easily. But Sanskar had been right, while his relationship with Bade Papa had improved a lot, it wasn't what it must have been before, Swara could sense that. Her own relationship with Ragini had grown leaps and bounds from its nadir, but even then, she knew she couldn't blindly trust her sister like she once did. She had now matured enough, with time, to realize that relationships couldn't be perfect or even be just the way she wanted them to be. No, in real life, relationships can be flawed, slightly crooked too, but that doesn't always take away from them. You start finding warmth and pleasure in them, just the way they are, instead of in how they should be.

Swara glanced around to see a very pregnant Ragini fuss around Laksh. Laksh had been made the CMD of Maheshwari Industries today. The family was around to celebrate the moment with him and settle him into his new office. Laksh had torn away the papers Sanskar had given him, transferring his ownership, saying that he needed Sanskar to be there in the seat opposite to him, guiding him and keeping him sorted. After much debate, Sanskar had given in.

She looked over to find her husband, standing away from all the chaos, with his father. They seemed to be engaged in some pleasant conversation. Both had warm smiles on their faces. As she saw her father-in-law make his way out of the room, to join his brother and her father, she walked towards her husband.

Sanskar was looking at his brother's antics as Ragini and Badi Maa were fussing around Laksh, when he felt his wife slide under his arms, wrapping her arms around his sides. He looked at her warmly, before he glanced around, to check that no one was watching, and gave a quick peck on her lips. She blushed and beamed at him.

"What were you smiling about when I walked over?" she asked after a while

"I was just watching Laksh's antics. He is still a child. I still cannot believe he is going to be a father soon"

"Were you mischievous as a child? Or was it that with Laksh around, it was only him?" she asked

"I had my share of mischiefs" Sanskar said with a twinkle in his eye as some of those memories flashed before him "He was the more tantrum throwing one" he chuckled

"Was it nice to have him around as you were growing up? Someone closer to your age"

"It had its benefits, though I don't think our parents would have agreed with us" he said shaking his head remembering their stunts

"Do you believe in sibling rivalry?" she asked looking up at his face

"What? Where did that come from?" he asked looking at her confused

"I think we are going to have to be prepared for that" she said softly

"Did Ragini do something?" he asked worried

She shook her head before taking his hand, which was resting on her waist, and placing it on her stomach, resting both her hands on top of it.

His eyes widened. He looked at her, his eyebrows shooting up as if asking her if what he was thinking was true. She nodded gently with a shy smile. His lips broke into a wide smile as his face beamed with happiness. He kissed her forehead whispering "I love you so much. You have made me beyond happy today"

She smiled widely at him before adding "If he is anything like his dad, he is going to be trouble with a capital T"

He chucked before adding "Nah! She is going to be the cutest little princess. She will have her dad wrapped around her little finger"

"I thought I was your princess" Swara asked teasing him

"You are my queen" he replied smoothly, still beaming, unable to keep the smile from his face

"But I still have you wound around my little finger?" Swara asked teasing him still, raising her eyebrow.

"Always" he promised.

If you do like this story or any of its chapters, please do remember to vote. Thanks.