bonus chapter 1

A Journey of Little Heartbeats

The news of Aanya’s pregnancy had turned the Malhotra mansion into a festival. From the moment the doctor confirmed it, the entire family had taken it upon themselves to keep her surrounded with love, laughter, and far too many glasses of fresh juice.

Raghav’s mother fussed over her endlessly, forbidding her from lifting even the lightest thing. Aanya’s parents to had shifted completely into “grandparent mode,” making sure she ate on time, while Akira now six and full of questions took her role as “big sister” very seriously. Every morning she would place her tiny palms on Aanya’s belly and whisper, “Grow fast, baby… I’ll share my chocolates with you.”

Aanya would laugh softly, brushing her daughter’s hair, yet deep inside, a small fear lingered what if Akira ever felt left out? What if she thought her mother’s love would divide?

That evening, as the golden light of sunset filled their room, she confessed it to Raghav. Sitting beside her, he took her hand gently, his thumb tracing slow circles over her skin.

“Aanya,” he said quietly, “you’re the woman who taught me what family truly means. You love Akira more than anyone in this world even more than me sometimes.” He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Our new baby will only add to that love, not take away from it. And I know you you’ll make both our children feel like they’re your whole world.”

Her eyes softened, tears glistening as she leaned against him. “I just… I want Akira to always feel she’s special.”

“She already does,” Raghav murmured, placing his hand over hers on her belly. “Because she has a mother who loves like no one else.”

At that moment, Akira burst into the room, waving a small picture she had drawn four stick figures holding hands under a big red heart. “See, Mama! It’s us — you, Papa, me, and baby!”

Raghav and Aanya shared a look, smiling through emotion that words could never quite capture. Their family wasn’t just growing it was blossoming.

As Aanya rested her head on Raghav’s shoulder, Akira nestled between them, and tiny life fluttered beneath her hand, she knew this love didn’t divide when shared. It multiplied, endlessly.