Chapter 53-The Child They Waited For
Vikram became intolerable.
Vinaya had expected concern.
She had not expected madness.
"You are not riding."
"I have ridden since I was six."
"You are pregnant."
"I am aware."
"You could fall."
"I could also fall walking."
Vikram went pale.
Vinaya immediately regretted saying it.
"Do not give him ideas," Ranveer muttered.
Too late.
Vikram looked at the stairs.
Vinaya followed his gaze.
"No."
"I said nothing."
"You are considering banning stairs."
"I was considering alternatives."
"I will divorce you."
"You can't."
"Watch me."
Ranveer left before he laughed in Vikram's face.
Beneath the absurdity was terror.
Vinaya knew it.
At night, sometimes she woke and found Vikram's hand resting over her stomach.
Not possessively.
Checking.
Waiting.
When the baby first moved, Vikram froze.
Vinaya remembered another room years ago.
Do you want to feel?
No.
This time, she took his hand without asking.
Placed it over the movement.
The baby kicked.
Vikram's face crumpled.
"Oh."
Another kick.
He laughed.
Then cried.
Vinaya touched his cheek.
"You can love this one now."
His eyes met hers.
The words went directly into the deepest part of him.
"You don't have to wait until it's safe."
Vikram bent and kissed her stomach.
Because there was no safe.
That was what Ganga had taught them.
Love did not become safer because you withheld it.
Loss did not hurt less because you had refused joy beforehand.
So Vikram spoke to the baby.
Every night.
He told ridiculous stories.
Discussed council matters.
Complained about Balram.
Informed the child that its mother was unreasonable.
Vinaya kicked him out of bed for that one.
He returned ten minutes later.
But as the pregnancy advanced, his fear worsened.
Priya's death lived in his memory.
Vinaya knew.
One night, she found him sitting awake.
"Vikram?"
He looked at her.
"I can't lose you."
She sat beside him.
"You don't know that you will."
"I didn't know Priya would die."
"No."
"I kissed her that morning."
His voice broke.
"She complained that I was pacing."
Vinaya took his hand.
"I told her everything would be fine."
He stared at their joined fingers.
"By nightfall, she was gone."
Vinaya leaned against him.
"I cannot promise you nothing will happen."
His jaw tightened.
"I know."
"But I can promise you I am here now."
He looked at her.
"So is our child."
She placed his hand over her stomach.
"Don't grieve us before you've lost us."
Vikram closed his eyes.
Then nodded.
He kissed her forehead.
"I will try."
That was all she asked.
Labor began before sunrise.
Vinaya woke with pain low in her abdomen.
She knew immediately.
"Vikram."
He sat upright.
"What?"
Another contraction came.
Vinaya gripped the sheet.
His face drained of color.
"No."
Despite the pain, she almost laughed.
"That is generally not how childbirth works."
"Physician!"
"Vikram—"
"PHYSICIAN!"
Within minutes the palace erupted.
Lakshmidevi arrived.
Servants ran.
Water was heated.
The physician ordered Vikram out.
He refused.
"Your Highness—"
"I am staying."
Vinaya, breathing through another contraction, looked at him.
"Stay."
That settled it.
Hours passed.
Vikram held her hand.
When she screamed, he went white.
When she cursed him, Lakshmidevi politely looked away.
When Vinaya threatened never to let him near her again, the physician coughed suspiciously.
Then suddenly everything became urgent.
Vinaya screamed his name.
Vikram held her.
"I'm here."
"Don't leave."
"Never."
Another cry tore from her.
Then—
A different cry answered.
Small.
Furious.
Alive.
Vikram froze.
So did Vinaya.
The physician smiled.
And Vikram began to sob before anyone even told him whether he had a son or daughter.