Dipika,

''Veer please take him down, I will join in sometime.'' I asked Veer to take Vikram to dine-in room. We usually don't take him for dinner, but Sitara was unwell. Yet she was here for her duty, I had to order her to go and rest. Later, I asked Baljit to take her to doctor. The man groaned at her name, seriously these two are arch enemies, though they work for same family.  Veer picked Vikram up, who kept crawling from one end to other thinking all to be a game. He is almost nine months, but looks close to an year.

''Okay, no more running. We are going for dinner and you will be a good boy.'' Veer ordered his son who giggled with a clap. ''Why do I feel he keeps making fun of me?'' He said pinching his cheeks. 

''I am telling you, this little guy is getting too pampered.'' I complained and it was true. He is like celebrity in the family and he knows it, cashing his importance at every chance.  Veer walked out with Vikram and I started setting the room up. Placing all toys in the shelf, which my son had scattered crawling to every end.

Veer had quite busy these months, his project still being a secret to me. I really don't wish to push him. I am ready to wait till he is ready to share. I just hope, its isn't that dangerous. As I arranged the toys in the shelf I smiled. He had been so understanding, he holds every night like before. I do get glimpses of stay in Suryagarh , but he calms me down with his words. I feel happy again.

***

''Vikram no, come out'' When I entered the room, Veer was running around the huge table calling Vikram out . ''Where is he?'' I asked

''Under the table, man he crawls so fast.''

''Who asked you too put him down on the floor.'' I scolded Veer.

''I had got a call, and he wouldn't let me....Sorry!'' Veer mumbled looking a my angry expression. ''I will cover this side, you go there.'' We stood at two different corners of the huge dinning area to block my son's way, he turned out too smart of us and took the third uncovered direction, to be lifted by his grandfather, ''You are a big boy.'' Dad cooed him. 

We took our places, waiting for dinner to be served, ''Where is Ananya Ranvijay?'' Granny asked

''She didn't feel like having food. She wanted to rest.'' Bhai answered with a worry laden voice. 

''Skipping dinner is not good, do ask the staff to send her something and make sure she has it.'' Mom commanded and Bhai nodded. I could see he wasn't himself , he looked worried. Veer's eyes were fixed on his brother and I could see it reflecting his pain. My eyes went to dad , I smiled watching him feeding Vikram small morsels. Whenever he is this room, he has his food in his grandpa's lap.

''Veer, ask Raksha to come down for his first bday, its going to be a grand affair. Ask her to plan accordingly.'' Veer nodded at dad's words.

Mom commanded one of the staff about the dinner to be taken for Ananya. We wished the family and Vikram got hug from everybody. Bhai pecked his cheek, ''Good night son.'' Vikram looked at bhai with expectant eyes, as if he could sense his uncle wasn't himself. Bhai smiled slightly walking away. ''Looks like Ananya is not well'' Veer said.

''I will go and check on her, may be I can help.'' Veer nodded and I handed him Vikram, making my way to Ananya's suite. When I reached there, bhai was outside on a call. I decided to step in, from the door I heard her moaning  softly and that got me worried, ''Ananya, are you pain''

''Yes, I guess its time.'' Even I felt that, picking the intercom I called Veer, ''Make arrangements we are leaving and ask the security to reach hospital before us. '' I rushed out, ''bhai we have to take Ananya to hospital.'' His face paled with worry. 

''Is she in pain.'' He asked worried

''Bhai, you will have to take her till the vehicle. Its time.'' he nodded, their love is so beautiful her pain reflects on his face and eyes. With wet eyes, he lifted her up carefully moving to the elevator. Veer informed me about leaving Vikram with mom, he left before us to secure the premises. Bhai placed Ananya in the back seat, ''Easy Anu, all will be fine'' In that pain, she was worried about his pain, as she caressed his cheek consoling him. I swallowed the dryness and got in next to her. In no time we were in the hospital. 

The complete floor was being secured as Veer instructed the guards  to be alert. The doctors took Ananya in and we sat outside waiting for them to give us the good news. Through the double doors we could hear nothing, but looking at bhai's expression I could sense the pain she must be in. We waited for four hours, ''What the hell they are doing?'' Bhai growled and a nurse stepped  out

''How is she?'' I asked.

''Its still time according to the doctor.''

''How much more?'' Bhai growled and the girl whimpered in fear. Veer rubbed his back, ''Bhai, they know there job.'' 

 he moved to me, ''see if they allow you in, its better bhai stay out. If he steps in, all will die of his hands.'' His voice was laden with worry.  I asked the nurse to check with the doctor. They gave me a pair of sanitized clothes and took me in. My heart clenched watching the ever smiling Ananya in pain. I went and stood next to her holding her hand, ''All will be fine.'' 

She screamed again as doctor kept motivating her, after about half hour we heard a baby cry. Ananya closed her eyes all tired. ''Its a girl your highness.'' The doctor informed handling the baby for cleaning to a nurse, ''Where are you taking her?''I asked the nurse who was slowly moving to the other side exit.

''Umm to clean.''

''Do it here, and doc weren't the instructions clear that baby steps out of this OT only with a family member. I want her out now.'' I ordered. The doctor nodded taking the baby away. The instructions were clear. The baby only goes into family's hands once out of this room. She is a jack pot if anyone get their hands on her. And there are many who would want us on knees.

 The other nurse cleaned her up and handed over to me. My eyes started watering, , she looked so small and all pink, her cheeks looks stuffed with candies. I just couldn't stop myself from admiring the little angle in my arms. Moving to Ananya I sat next to her, ''meet the Princess your highness. Our Rolli.''

''Rolli?'' Aanaya whispered, still sounding tired.

''yes, she is all pink and pure like Pooja vermilion. I nick named her Rolli. Do you mind? I asked worried, as I named her without asking anyone. She shook her head all emotional. I wiped my cheeks, excited like a 3 yr old. ''I will let bhai know.''

''take her.'' She extended the little bundle. Taking the bundle in may arms I moved out, ''Bhai, look who is here to meet you.''

''How is Ananya?'' He asked worried

''Fine, they will shift her to room in sometime. For now, meet the Princess Rolli.'' Bhai took her in his arms staring down at her as if she was some kind of magic. That moment , I realised what I missed. I would never get that expression on Veer's face , when he would have held Vikram for first time. ''She is so cute.'' Bhai whispered.

''She is'' I decided to leave him alone with his treasure and look for Veer. I found him at the end of the corridor threatening someone on the phone. I touched his shoulder gently, ''What's wrong?'' 

He disconnected, ''Netra was planning to get her hands on the baby.''

''I know. The nurse is being held in the other room and you got promoted. We have a Princess, Rolli.''

Veer froze, started and then scooped me up twirling me around screaming happily,'' Lets meet our niece.''

We made are way into the room to immediately apologise, ''Sorry, we forgot to knock, just too excited to see the new princess.''  Veer moved to the crib with his eyes covered  as bhai had Ananya looped up in his arms. ''Oh my, she is so beautiful.''

''wait till she opens her eyes.'' Bhai said as the new parents smiled at each other. Veer carefully lifted her up, pecking her cheek. She squirmed and opened her eyes, ''She has granny's light eyes.'' Veer exclaimed! Bhai nodded, ''Bhai you are out of the list of granny's favorite. She is going to take it over from you. I think we should tighten the security, she is just going to be one beautiful angle.''

''Veer!!!'' That came from me and Ananya together. He just winked at me, cooing the little girl. She just few minutes old and he has started behaving like a possessive uncle. My eyes met that of Ananya, she blinked them once giving me an assurance. I was worried, being Princess had always been more difficult than being a Prince. We have so many protocols that it sometimes feel suffocating. I just don't want Rolli to face all that what me or Raksha had to face. But Rolli has a different kind of mom, Ananya. The most unique one. 

My thoughts were broken when Veer's mobile vibrated in my hands.  I placed the mobile on his ear, his expression turned grim as they moved to the little girl in his arms, ''Fine, get ready.''

''All good?'' Ananya asked

''Yes, I guess we should move. Doctors are ready to discharge the Queen and the Princess.'' Veer said looking calm.

''Is is Netra?'' Ananya asked with piercing gaze.'' Veer nodded. She smiled, ''I appreciate her patience to get defeated again and again.'' Her eyes met Bhai, ''I don't want to risk the lives of army of security you guys brought here.'' Bhai pulled her close rubbing her back

''Dipika,please help me.'' She said after a minute.

''We are out with Princess, I will inform mom.'' Veer informed excitedly.  Next 10 mins I helped Ananya up. Though, it was a normal delivery the prolonged had tired her. ''You still remember your promise helping me her nappies.'' She asked as I made her hair in lose bun.

''Any day, she is mine as Vicky is yours.'' She nodded. I asked for a wheel chair as she looked weak. She was being wheeled out and Bhia helped her in the car. What brought smile to my face was the excited security. Each of them had a big smile plastered to their faces. We four got into the same vehicle. As security vehicles covered us from front and back. I looked out of the window, it was dawn. In no time sun would be up, my palm caressed Rolli's head, ''Our sunshine.''

We were welcomed as expected, whole palace was celebrating. Bhai had secretly refused for any drums and trumpet. He didn't wanted his girl scared. We were welcomed by our family at the door. Mom smiled wide looking at the little bundle as granny hugged Ananya tightly, ''Take her in, she needs rest.''  Granny commanded. 

After walking Ananya to her chambers, I went to Mom's to get Vikram. I know my son, he would have tiered Mom and dad out.  I knocked, ''Mom!''

''Come in Dipika''

I walked in to a sleeping Vikram. ''he is sleeping. You go and rest, you were also up all night. I will send him once he is up.'' Mom patted my cheek  and I left, suddenly feeling tired. After changing, I quickly got into the bed closing my eyes. After a minute , a familiar arm went around my waist pulling me closer, ''Vikram should sleep with Mom more often.''

I slapped his hand over my waist. Turning to him, I placed my head on his bare chest, ''Its such a happy day today.'' He hummed, moving his fingers through my tangled locks. 

''Its always beautiful to see you smile.'' He whispered , his finger caressing my lips and eyes locked with mine. ''What are you staring at Veer.''

''My precious possession, its just so beautiful.'' I just blushed rolling on to my back, he moved almost immediately burying his face in my neck. He took a small bite and I gasped, ''Veer, we should take a nap.''

''Lets get more tired, the nap would be better.'' He whispered , his palm moving under my shirt. I felt to weak to put any resistance to his advances. It had been months, and I yearn for his touch now. ''You will never hurt me again?'' I wanted to be sure.

''Never!'' He whispered , next moment he was on me as I stared to the familiar eyes. The eyes I fell for. The eyes which admired and loved me like no other. I questioned myself if I was ready, my heart affirmed it as I surrendered to  my husband.

Third POV

''All of you are waste. You couldn't get me a baby. How I wished to skin her and stuff her delicate body with hay . Sending her as a gift to her mother.'' Netra growled.

''Calm down, and don't ever think of getting your hands on her. She is Ranvijay's daughter, till our son is ready. We have to be calm.'' Said the old Queen of Suryagarh. She always cursed herself for being a bad mother to her only daughter Dipika, but now she hated her as she was the reason for the death of her only son. She wanted to punish her, it wasn't easy. Dipika was no more a timid shy girl, she was a Rathore. One of the most powerful Royals, she had seen the way Veer carried her out of the dungeon. The way her brother in law and now the King Ranvijay, butchered  people to get her rescued. They will have to be careful, till we are ready to attack.

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Naming of the Princess. Dipika learns of the new project.

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