5 years. Bazeema couldn't believe it'd been 5 years. 5 years since she and her husband Simon had become parents to their little boy, Bisu. Their bright star. And through those years, they'd watch him thrive into a happy and energetic child.

Other things had changed. Not long after Bisu had been born, they had decided that a life in the castle would be too much for their newborn. Simon had decided to resign as Captain of the Guards to focus more upon his family and what would be better for them. They came to the conclusion that a nice little cottage beyond the border of Rosa was the perfect way.

The move was anything but easy at first. The cottage had needed to be cleaned and fixed up all around. Simon immediately became skeptical about this but Bazeema was happy just knowing it was at least fit for them and their baby.

Simon could not find a job for some months, and he was growing exhausted of searching for one, which Bazeema noticed. She could see Simon always nearly ready to fall asleep, which he did do often, but not as excessively. He'd sometimes drift off whenever he was feeding Bisu his bottle.

Over time, when Bisu was learning to crawl, Simon was fearful of accidentally tripping over him while feeling drowsy. He wanted to carry him around so that wouldn't happen. During meals, Simon would be asleep on the table or against Bazeema who's concern only grew for her husband.

One night, Bazeema was sleeping peacefully, when she turned to cuddle against Simon, she opened her eyes and saw that his side of the bed was empty. She looked over and saw him at the end of the bed, staring down into Bisu's cradle.

'Simon?' Bazeema whispered.

Simon didn't hear her, still focused upon the cradle. Bazeema smiled a little then had moved over to where Simon was sitting. She leaned against his shoulder causing him to turn to her.

'You're awake,' Simon said, also quietly.

'So are you.'

Simon nodded then kissed Bazeema's forehead then they turned back to the cradle where Bisu was asleep, his small eyes closed, cooing. Simon had gently grabbed onto Bisu's hand.

'I thought I heard him crying. So, I wanted to see if he was alright,' Simon said, gently stroking Bisu's tiny fist with his thumb.

'He seems to be sleeping wonderfully,' Bazeema said, smiling at her son fondly.

'He has the right idea,' Simon said, chuckling softly.

'He's certainly sleeping with more ease than his Daddy lately,' Bazeema added, looking over at Simon, frowning in concern.

'Bazeema...'

Bazeema touched Simon's cheek then he had turned to her then she had placed a small kiss against his lips. Simon could see love behind Bazeema's eyes but also hurt...sadness.

'Baby, I'm not scolding you, I'd never do that. I'm worried for you,' Bazeema said, still frowning.

Simon touched Bazeema's face then he had looked down at Bisu. He was beginning to fuss. Simon immediately had carefully placed his free hand over Bisu's stomach then rubbed it gently and that was all it had taken for their boy to fall back asleep.

'This isn't the kind of life I wanted for us,' Simon finally said.

'We're just starting out,' Bazeema reminded, stroking Simon's cheek.

Simon sighed heavily then shook his head. He then watched as Bazeema then sat upright then she had patted her lap. Simon accepted the invitation then made his way over to Bazeema then had laid down and rested his head against her lap. Bazeema glided her hand over Simon's forehead and he began to slowly relax, melting into her touch.

'We knew what we were taking on by doing this,' Bazeema continued, shrugging.

Simon had taken Bazeema's hand then kissed it then began to slowly drift off, he took one last look over at the cradle where he could hear their baby cooing sleepily then he looked up at Bazeema and smiled lovingly at her, eyes nearly closed.

'I'm going to keep trying for you and our son, my love. I promise,' Simon assured.

And Simon was true to his word after that. After more several weeks of searching for something to do, Simon was taken under the wing of Rosa's blacksmith, who'd been down the exact same road and was glad to put Simon to work.

Once hired, Simon had done many, many tasks for the blacksmith, the elder man would often tell Bazeema how skilled Simon was at his handiwork, he'd often joke he was even a little jealous that he was faster than him.

Bazeema was very happy and proud of Simon that their love grew more and more. In more ways than one as they would soon find out. 5 years later.

It was not long after Simon's 24th birthday. After their now 5-year-old son Bisu had been tucked into bed and been given a kiss goodnight by his parents, they had left him alone to sleep.

A couple minutes later, however, they were surprised Bisu could even sleep through all the noise that was now going on. They were right in the middle of making love to each other. The two of them naked against each other. Bazeema had clutched her pillows as Simon was on top of her, kissing her neck and breasts.

'I've missed this,' Simon murmured, his lips against Bazeema's neck.

'Us,' Bazeema corrected.

Simon looked down at Bazeema then had pressed their foreheads together, brushing his lips against hers.

'Us my love,' Simon echoed back.

Bazeema chuckled then she had switched positions with Simon. Her bare body now on top of his own. She had then stroked Simon's hair, nuzzling their noses.

'I have another birthday present for you,' Bazeema said, singsong.

'Another one?' Simon asked, chuckling.

'Mmm-hmm.'

'What is it, sweetheart?' Simon asked.

'It's something you've been wanting not that long.'

'Oh?'

'Yes. Something you've been wanting and now it's happening,' Bazeema said, tapping Simon on the nose playfully.

'Is it somewhere around here?' Simon guessed.

'No. Not around here. In here,' Bazeema said, placing Simon's hand against her heart.

'Your heart?' Simon asked, looking up at Bazeema, confused.

'No. A gift from my heart to yours,'

'My love, the last time you said that was when...'

Realization had then dawned upon Simon's face a few seconds later. What I've been wanting, a gift from her heart, from our love...Simon quickly looked back up at Bazeema. Her face had a familiar glow that he now noticed. He then sat up and had carefully pulled Bazeema over to him. Their eyes staring into each other's. Simon then looked hopeful, smiling hugely as tears began welling in his orbs.

'Are you...?'

'I am.'

'A baby?' Simon asked, chuckling, voice cracking.

'A baby, Simon. Another baby.'

Tears were streaming down Simon's face as he stared at Bazeema. Despite his blurry vision, Simon had drawn Bazeema in for a strong and passionate yet loving kiss. When they pulled apart, Simon cupped Bazeema's face then kissed her forehead.

'A baby. A baby. A baby,' Simon repeated over and over, laughing.

'Yes, a baby,' Bazeema said, giggling.

Simon had given Bazeema another kiss then had carefully embraced her, nestling against her neck.

'Best gift I could ask for, sweetheart.'

A new journey was about to begin for Simon and Bazeema. Another addition to their family. They felt in that moment that nothing could take away all of the happiness that they were feeling. And the rest of that night was spent with Simon's hand protectively over Bazeema's midriff and the two of them dreaming about the months to come when they would meet their child.