“Well then, it seems like Central Park would be better. We need room for three and lots of room to roam and play outside.”
Sasha didn’t know how to respond to that. It was sweet and considerate, but also scary because of how real this entire thing was becoming. “We’re going to be parents in nine months. Wow.”
“Yes, and you’ll also see that you and I are a couple meant to be together,” Ravi said. “My love is real—and committed.”
“Maybe you should be committed,” Sasha teased, but then she grew serious right away. “I like your confidence, and I hope you’re right, for the record, but we’re starting out on different ground. It’s about more than just us.”
“Yesterday you said “us” as parents was different than “us” as a couple. You’re already changing your mind, this should be interesting.” He laughed.
“Laugh while you can, because soon enough that type of statement may make me cry, or worst yet, mad.”
“Both are horrible options, indeed.”
The two talked away through dinner and always gravitated toward each other. Their hands touching, feeling the other one’s leg, their arms brushing up against each other’s, causing a temporary startle from the voltage of their connection.
After dinner was taken away by room service, Ravi asked, “Can you stay with me tonight? I want to wake up with the woman I love in my arms.”
“I, uh, didn’t pack anything, Ravi. I can’t. I have to be to work by 6 AM.”
“I took the liberty of buying you some things, if you’re okay with that.”
“You did?”
He nodded. “Follow me.”
He went into the bathroom and showed a tray that had on the type of face products and cosmetics she used and other items that she needed to get ready in the morning.
“How did you know what I used?”
“I took note when I gave you your bath last night.”
“Wow, that’s so thoughtful.”
“Now, to the closet.”
Sasha followed him and when he opened up the wardrobe in the corner of the suite, she saw four different outfits there on hangers, each one beautiful and something that she’d pick out for herself. “Ravi, wow, these are amazing. How did you know what I’d like?” She noticed that the tags were even from her favorite boutique.
“I cannot reveal my secrets,” he said.
“Bev.”
“Yes, Bev.”
“Well, that wasn’t hard.”
“Probably because I don’t want to keep secrets from you. I want you to be a part of my world and for you to allow me to be a part of yours.”
“You sound so poetic when you talk that way; it’s hard to resist.”
“It comes from my heart.” He put his hand on his heart and tapped it three times, gently.
The look they gave each other stated that their minds had traveled on to what they both hoped for next. To make love again, and express their physical attraction to each other.
Sasha marveled, wondering if those amazing and electrifying feelings she’d felt with Ravi in the Catskills happened because she’d become pregnant, or if they were just because those two were meant to be together. She felt like they were supposed to be a couple, but with the pregnancy, the child had to come first. If it was still just her she would have thrown caution into the wind and pursued it the best she could.
“You look beautiful, so beautiful.”
“I feel that way. You have quite the impact on me, Ravi.”
He picked her up and carried her to the bed, knowing exactly what he wanted to do and having this desire to show her that what they had was about them; he’d prove to her that he’d been a coward when he’d avoided her because of his father’s disappointment. Even if it took him a lifetime, he’d figure out a way to make it up.
After making sweet, tender love, she nestled into his shoulder and murmured, “I do love you. Baby does too.” Then she fell asleep. For Ravi, sweeter words could not have been heard.
***
“Ravi, what is this downpayment on a home in Central Park?” his father asked.
The speaker phone was on and Ravi was pacing around his hotel room, feeling stir crazy and eager. It was nearly lunch time and he was going to meet Sasha, which he was looking forward to.
“Yes, I was going to talk about that with you today, Father, but you beat me to it. I’ll be needing a place here in New York, as this is where much of my time will have to be spent. I’m in the process of finding the proper individuals to oversee my other international projects and converting my US interests’ advisors into consultants until I’m completely up to speed.”
“You make it sound like you’re moving there.”
“Basically, yes, but of course I’ll be there in Saudi Arabia, too. I was planning on flying back next week to tell you all about it.”
“Well, tell me know. You have my attention.”
Ravi could imagine the terse jaw and the look his father was sporting, but it didn’t intimidate him, because he had to be strong, he was about to become a father, too, and with any luck, eventually a husband.
“Sasha is pregnant. I’m the father.”
“She tricked you!” His father pounded his fist on whatever was in front of him and it was loud enough to hear that noise, along with the crash of something that must have been nearby.
“Father, no, relax, please. She did not. There’s nothing that I have that she needs, other than me, hopefully.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that I am excited to be a father and grow our relationship, too. While the order of things happening is not ideal, I am committed to all aspects of this.”
“You’ll have an illegitimate child.”
“I prefer to think of it as you becoming a grandfather.”
“I will never be a grandfather to that child.”
“That’s too bad to hear, but it is your call. I shall respect your wishes, Father.”
“And if I cut you off?”
“It won’t matter. You haven’t given me a world class education for nothing, have you?”
“Hmph.”
“Father, I don’t wish to fight. I’m happy and I’m looking forward to every adventure I have ahead of me. Sasha and I get along wonderfully and we’re seeing where this all goes. We’re committed and we love each other. I know what I want and she’s figuring out what she may want. Either way, we’re linked forever more by a child.”
“Hmph.”
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must be going. I have much work to do and some meetings today.” Ravi hung up and walked out the door to meet Sasha.
His nerves were tingling from the unplanned conversation with his father, but it had been necessary. It was good to have it out of the way.
The lunch was short, as she had meetings and he did, too, but it was filled with laughter and a lively retelling of how his father had taken the news.
“Are you going to go visit him?” Sasha asked. The idea made her nervous, thinking of last time he’d left for a visit—he almost hadn’t returned, but it was the right thing to do, she supposed. She wanted her baby to have a grandfather, as her parents were no longer alive.
“I should.”
“Go next week.”
“Why?”
“I’ll be in San Francisco for work, that way it’ll be easier to focus on my conference there and the meetings.”
“If you wish it, I shall go.”
“Go for you, and our child, not for me.”
***
A week and a half later, Sasha was in San Francisco at her conference and Ravi was already back in New York City. His father hadn’t wanted to see him. He was disappointed, but he’d known he tried. But he was also excited, because he closed on the penthouse and was getting set to move in, picking out some decorators to present ideas to Sasha about the baby’s room. He had a theme in mind, and perhaps she’d like it, too. It was, after all, the theme that had brought them togeth
er.
Days turned to weeks and slowly Sasha had begun to spend more time at Ravi’s penthouse and less time at her home. The doormen knew her, as well as the neighbors, and she liked it there, feeling a bit spoiled about the glorious view of Central Park. But the view of the man who she loved was even better. She was feeling really great about everything. And ready.
After the doctor’s appointment with the oby/gyn, the two were walking through Central Park, hand in hand, and Ravi was excited. “I can’t believe you still don’t want to know if we are having a girl or a boy.”
“Something about the surprise just works for me. Sorry it’s bugging you.” The topic was talked about a lot. Once he had something on his mind, it didn’t leave and he pursued it to the fullest to get the conclusion he wanted.
“Maybe I can find out and you can close your eyes.” He looked hopeful.
“There is no way you’d be able to keep that a secret.”
“Well, how about a deal?”
“A deal. Go on.” Sasha looked at him, expecting something silly, because he was over the top with that type of excitement. All business and structured with everyone but her—with her, he was so relaxed and carefree. She loved all sides of him, but there alone time was so special.
“I will not ask about finding out again if you finally agree to move in with me.”
He was so predictable, and in this case, that was great.
“Okay. I’ll do it.”
He blinked. Then blinked again. His mouth was open and no words came out.
“You okay?”
“Did you just finally agree to move in with me?”
“Yes.” Sasha nodded her head and was shocked to see the tears streaming down her cheeks as she said that out loud. It felt so good, better than she would have ever guessed it would.
“You’ve made me so happy.” He went to hug her, going off to the side to avoid her growing belly. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
“I guess we’d better contact your realtor to list my place. Might as well get that started.”
“Not much to move, either.” Ravi gave a wicked, half grin.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice you slowly taking all my things over there. I just chose to let you.”
“Because you wanted me to.”
She laughed, mostly because it was true. “I better get my game back.”
Then Ravi’s phone rang and he looked down at his clip. “It’s Father.”
“You going to get it?”
“I should.” His father rarely called him lately, but when he did, Ravi always tried to take it. He wanted his father in his life, but he couldn’t sacrifice everything else to make that happen.
“I’m going to use the restroom. Have fun.” She leaned and kissed his cheek and waddled over to the bathrooms nearby. She heard Ravi greet his father. For his sake, she hoped his father would eventually relax and not be so stubborn, but only he could decide to do that.
In the bathroom, she looked down and patted her belly, “Only two months left. Oh my. They say this is when I’ll really get big.”
Another woman walked in and looked at her, smiling suspiciously. Sasha knew that if she was anyone other than a pregnant woman that the lady would have likely thought she was crazy. Well, she was. Crazy excited and crazy in love.
***
Two months later…
Her hair was plastered on her face and she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror in the corner and thought she looked like a ghost—so pale and pasty that she startled herself, even.
Ravi was holding her hand and talking gently. “You’re almost there, beautiful. Keep going.”
“Push,” the doctor ordered. “Harder.”
“I am.” Her teeth were gritted and if she wasn’t having such a painful contraction, Sasha would have lashed out at him more, but she had to save her strength. That stubborn baby had resisted entering this world for twelve hours now. Apparently she and Ravi had made its home in her womb a bit too cozy.
“You’re doing good. You want some ice? You want some water?”
“I want this baby to come out. Ouch!” She felt like her voice was so loud and she should be quieter, but what the heck, you only gave birth once—that was what she’d decided when she felt the first real labor pain. Never again. One perfect child was enough for her.
“One more. The head’s crowning. We’re almost there.” The doctor sounded robotic to her. He’d probably helped to deliver hundreds of babies before—he sure had the easy part of the job.
Sasha worked harder than she’d ever worked in her life and then it was all over. The doctor was saying, “It’s a boy.” Then before she could do anything else, a naked and slimy newborn baby was on her stomach, the nurse cutting the umbilical cord.
“Be more gentle,” Ravi scolded the doctor.
“That was gentle.”
“Not gentle enough.” He frowned, but then it instantly changed when he looked down at the little baby that was right there.
“He’s beautiful,” Sasha said, blinking her eyes and trying to fight back the tears. Perfect.
“Do you have a name picked out?” the nurse asked.
“Corbin Ravi Kapoor,” Sasha said. She looked at Ravi, “If that’s okay.”
“Your father’s name and my name. It’s perfect…but only if he can be his own man.”
Sasha smiled. She found it endearing that Ravi continued to express that so adamantly, like she’d ever doubted he would offer that opportunity.
“Look at all that hair you have, Corbin.” Ravi put his finger down and touched the newborn’s cheek and then looked at Sasha. “You did it. You’re a mom.”
“And you’re a dad.”
“I have to take him for his check-up and to clean him up. We’ll be back in a little bit,” the nurse said, trying to grab Corbin.
“I’m going to follow along, just to make sure everything goes okay,” Ravi said.
“Do you want to carry the baby or should we put little Corbin in the bassinette and wheel him down?”
“Carry? Oh, I better not yet. He’s so little. I don’t want to hurt him.”
“He’s a sturdy eight pounds, eight ounces.” The nurse smiled a knowing smile—this was a common response for new parents.
Sasha laughed at Ravi as he followed the nurse and Corbin out of the room, but was a bit shocked at how she was suddenly alone, just her and her thoughts. She was now a mom—officially. All the fears, expectations, joys, and hesitations of the thought hit her at once. She stared up and waited for everyone to return.
A half hour later, Ravi walked into the room with their son, a smile on his face and a stride that was cautious, and he walked over to Sasha. “He’s perfect. Of course. He’s just like you.”
He handed the baby over and Sasha looked down at him, her eyes springing to life with tears of happiness. Everything felt perfect, and in sync.
“He looks like you, Ravi.”
“He does?”
She nodded her head.
“Why isn’t he opening his eyes?”
“They don’t do that right away.”
“But I want him to see us; his family.”
“Family. I like the sound of that, Ravi.”
Ravi sat down on the edge of the bed and leaned over, kissing Sasha’s forehead lovingly and then pulling out his cell phone. “Our first family picture.”
“Oh my gosh, I’m a mess.”
“Nonsense, you’ve never been more beautiful.”
Ravi took the picture and then showed Sasha.
Neither said a word; they just took in the joy, appreciating it for what it was.
Then Ravi was sending a message. He looked at Sasha, sensing her watching him, and said, “To my father. I want him to see. Maybe he’ll come around.”
“I hope so, too.” Sasha just stared at Corbin, so perfect with his ten fingers and ten toes. She put his tiny fingertip to her lips and kissed it softly.
“I love you little, Corbi
n.” Sasha looked at Ravi and saw a frown. “What is it?”
“Am I going to have to compete with the baby for your kisses now?”
“I think I have enough to go around. I have to take care of my little man, and my not-so-little man.”
Corbin let out a small squawk and the two looked down, watching his little nose wrinkle up and his face turn red.
“Only a baby can look cute doing that,” Ravi said.
“And this baby is the cutest one in the whole world. I’m not just saying that because he’s mine, either.”
“Ours—he’s ours.”
“Yes, ours.”
***
It was an exciting day, the grand opening party of S & M Technologies, formerly known as Mason Technologies. They had a new state of the art facility with a small daycare for employees who had children, a new government contract to celebrate, and a new line of consumer drones, lead by Ravi, who was in charge of that program. Everything was perfect.
Ravi had just put Corbin into his stroller and they were making their way into the building, Sasha by his side. They were talking and laughing, having arrived early enough that the media and others wouldn’t be there yet. They were ready for a toast to the new joint venture.
“Look, someone’s standing up by the door,” Sasha said. “A reporter must have gotten confused and is here early.”
SHEIKH'S SURPRISE BABY: A Sheikh Romance Page 8