It was morning in the kingdom of Rosas. Bazeema had opened the door to the bakery and had stepped inside, ready to start her tasks for the day. She grabbed her apron. She then sighed in frustration when she struggled to tie it around her waist. There was a reason for that. She kept trying until she felt a pair of large hands gently grip her shoulders. She smiled then her tension had begun to lessen as she leaned back against whoever was behind her.
"Need some help?" A familiar-sounding male voice whispered.
"Mmm-hmm. Very much." Bazeema replied.
The said person who was revealed to be Simon chuckled then had begun tying the apron. He didn't mind doing things like this for her. He wanted to help his love in any he could, especially now. There was a reason for that.
Once the apron was now around Bazeema, she turned around then had stared up at Simon, smiling at him lovingly. Simon brushed his hand against Bazeema's cheek, losing himself in her eyes and her beautiful face that seemed to have a certain glow to it. There was a reason for that. Simon then frowned in concern.
"Why didn't you let me escort you here?" Simon asked.
"Simon..."
"Bazeema, you could've fallen on the street or what if there was a thief..."
"Shh, shh." Bazeema shushed softly, placing her finger upon Simon's lips.
Bazeema removed her finger then had stroked the edge of Simon's chin. She then grabbed his hand and had gently placed it onto her heavily pregnant belly. She placed her hand on top of his and then stared back up at him, smiling warmly.
"We're fine. Nothing happened." Bazeema assured.
Simon had relaxed and then had smiled back at Bazeema, his affectionate gaze returning. He then had kissed her. When they pulled away, Simon had looked down at Bazeema's belly that was nestled between them and began to rub it slowly, as if their little one was the most fragile thing in the world already.
"How is our baby?" Simon whispered over to Bazeema.
"Sleeping...till now."
They both chuckled quietly then Simon had knelt down to Bazeema's belly and had pressed close to it, his hand continuing to stroke it. Sure enough, he could now feel small, firm nudges against his palm. When he moved closer, he could also hear the faint but noticeable sound of their child's heartbeat. A sound both he and Bazeema never grew tired of. After placing a gentle kiss upon the swell, Simon then looked up at Bazeema, grinning.
"It's kicking, sweetheart."
"I know." Bazeema said quietly, chuckling.
After admiring Bazeema's look of content for another minute, Simon focused his attention back to their active unborn child. When the baby had suddenly kicked hard, causing Bazeema's body to tense, Simon quickly looked up at his wife in concern, then lowered his eyes back to her belly, then began to rub small circles against it, gently shushing it.
"Hey. Easy. Don't be so hard on your mom now. I know you're getting restless. We both do. Relax now. Shh." Simon murmured to the baby.
Simon continued to soothingly caress Bazeema's belly, shushing it and shushing it. Only a few seconds later, the baby's kicking began to settle down. Bazeema gave a small sigh of relief then had looked down at Simon, stroking his hair, as he looked back up at her.
"Thanks."
"Anything for you."
Simon then had placed both his hands against Bazeema's large bump and had placed his lips below the dip of Bazeema's bellybutton, kissing it lightly. He then pressed his forehead to it.
"Mommy and Daddy love you, baby." Simon cooed to their son or daughter.
Simon nuzzled Bazeema's belly then had stood up and grabbed onto Bazeema's hands, then had given her another romantic kiss. When they pulled away, they pressed their foreheads together.
"Not much longer, babe."
"Not much longer." Bazeema repeated.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Simon touched Bazeema's cheek then had kissed her forehead. After doing so, Simon then had gone over to the rack to grab his own apron. The two of them now ready for the bakery to open and the day to begin.
It had been another long day of customers for the couple, but Simon always helped Bazeema out with things she couldn't do and Bazeema always kept Simon calm and made sure whatever work she was doing, she was within his line of vision, so he'd know everything was going okay. And also, with the help of their friends...the day dwindled down and the bakery had finally closed for the night.
Night had fallen into Rosas. Inside of Bazeema and Simon's cottage, the couple was laying upon their bed. Simon's head was rested on Bazeema's shoulder, half-awake, Bazeema was snuggled close to her husband's side, while he gently rubbed her belly.
"I really can't wait to meet them, sweetheart." Simon said, yawning.
"Me too." Bazeema said, also tiredly.
While the couple had remained close together, and were nearly asleep, Simon then looked as if he remembered something, then turned to Bazeema.
"Bazeema?"
"Hmm?" Bazeema asked, turning to Simon.
"Remember how we said we'd talk to Sabino about our request to him about the baby?" Simon asked, still stroking Bazeema's belly.
"Of course I do." Bazeema said, nodding.
The baby seemed to kick as if it was also replying to it's father's question, making Simon and Bazeema laugh. Simon then nestled against the crook of Bazeema's neck, kissing it.
"How about tomorrow?"
"You think we're ready to?"
"I do."
"Then let's do it!" Bazeema said, nodding.
Simon nodded back then he and Bazeema had kissed and then had laid down onto the bed completely. Simon draped his arm over both Bazeema and their baby protectively, Bazeema had snuggled underneath Simon, melting against him, and then they had closed their eyes, welcoming sleep at last.
The next morning, Simon and Bazeema were on their way to Asha's cottage, hoping it would be just her saba at home. They didn't want to tell Asha or Sakina or any of their friends their special idea yet, until Sabino had approved. Simon had crossed over a river and had made it to the other side. Simon then took Bazeema's hand to help her balance herself as she went across the rocks. She then turned to Simon while doing so.
"Do you think Sabino will agree?" Bazeema asked, somewhat skeptically.
"I don't know. But I've got a good feeling it's possible." Simon replied, shrugging
"Won't know till we ask." Bazeema said, also shrugging.
When Bazeema made it to Simon, he continued holding her hand as they kept walking to the cottage. When they arrived, Bazeema went over to the door and then had knocked. She stepped back then began to look skeptical again. Simon gently tilted her chin up.
"Hey. Everything will still be alright if he says 'no'." Simon said, smiling at his wife.
"Right." Bazeema replied, smiling back.
They shared a kiss just as the door began to open. They turned to see to Sabino standing in front of them. When he saw who it was, Sabino smiled at the two, fatherly.
"Bazeema. Simon. I was hoping you'd come to visit."
"Hi, saba." Simon greeted.
"Morning, saba." Bazeema also greeted.
"Bazeema, my dear, you look absolutely beautiful. I daresay you're up there with the way Sakina had looked with Asha. Just so radiant." Sabino said, taking Bazeema's hands.
"Thank you." Bazeema giggled.
"Come in, come in."
Simon and Bazeema grabbed hands then had walked into the cottage. Simon and Bazeema had gone over to the table while Sabino had walked over to the fireplace, then he had turned to them.
"You just missed Asha and Sakina, I'm afraid. They'd gone to the market. If you don't mind an old man for company, I just made some hot biscuits and tea, hoping somebody would drop by. If you want to stay..."
"You're exactly who we wanted to visit with, Sabino." Bazeema said.
"Good, good. Make yourselves comfortable." Sabino said, turning back to the fireplace.
Simon helped Bazeema into her chair as Sabino began to keep an eye on the tea kettle. When Simon sat down, he placed his hand on top of Bazeema's.
"Babe, if you really want to leave and not do this yet, we don't have to."
"No. I now think we can do it." Bazeema said, kissing Simon.
"Alright. Here's hoping."
"Yeah."
Simon gently squeezed then kissed Bazeema's hand. Sabino turned back around then had placed two plates that contained three steaming biscuits in front of them, followed by cups of tea. When Sabino sat down, the three had begun to eat. At one point, Sabino looked over at Simon.
"Simon...How's business at the blacksmith's treating you?" Sabino asked.
"Great, saba. As you know, been working extra-long hours now, but it's worth it." Simon replied, glancing over at Bazeema.
"Excellent. And Bazeema...I hope this young man has been taking care of you and your child." Sabino said, turning to Bazeema.
"Very good care, Sabino. The best ever." Bazeema said, glancing over at Simon.
Sabino nodded in approval and had continued eating. While distracted, Simon placed his hand on Bazeema's belly, then looked up at her.
"Ready to ask?"
"I am."
They turned back to Sabino who was still eating. Then they both exhaled and then Simon cleared his throat.
"Sabino?"
Sabino looked up from his plate and over to Simon, that same fatherly smile upon his face.
"Yes, my boy?"
Simon and Bazeema turned to each other and then back to Sabino, holding hands. Simon had cleared his throat again, looking serious, but a feeling of slight nervousness inside.
"Me and Bazeema had been thinking about something." Simon began.
"Oh?"
"We'd been thinking about this ever since we received the news that I was having a baby. That if we wanted our child to have a godmother or a godfather." Bazeema added.
"Yes?" Sabino asked, still as patient as could be.
Simon and Bazeema turned away, both now looking nervous, but hopeful. They turned back to Sabino, giving him the exact same glances they'd given each other.
"And only one person came to mind on who we wanted it to be." Simon said.
"And we'd really like it to be..."
"You, saba." They both finished.
Sabino had lowered his cup of tea he'd been drinking from slowly and just...stared at Bazeema and Simon...saying nothing. They began to frown then Simon placed his arm around Bazeema.
"It's just...you've been like a grandfather to us...and also towards our baby...and we really love and care about you too...we wanted to do something nice for you, after all you've done to help us...and we know you'd be a great influence and..."
"...It'd just mean so much to us, Sabino." Bazeema finished, grabbing Simon's hands again.
Sabino kept staring at the two in surprise. Then...Sabino had slowly begun to smile and then he stood up and walked over to Bazeema and Simon. He'd taken Bazeema's hand and then helped her up and then had taken Simon's hand and he stood up. He looked at them...and then began chuckling.
"Bazeema...Simon...I thought you'd never ask."
"What?" Simon asked, blinking in surprise.
Sabino kept chuckling then had hugged the couple close. They, both surprisingly and confusingly, returned the embrace. When Sabino moved away from them, he then placed a hand on both of their shoulders.
"I kept waiting days and days until you'd come to me about this. Hoping it would be me you'd choose. That I'd have the wonderful honor." Sabino explained, looking down at Bazeema's belly, then back up to the two.
"Does that mean you'll do it?" Bazeema asked, eyes beginning to shine with tears.
"Will you really, saba?" Simon added hopeful, tears also beginning to well in his eyes.
"Nothing would make an old man happier." Sabino said, laughing.
Simo and Bazeema had beamed and then Sabino had hugged them again. As they kept hugging each other tight, Simo and Bazeema looked at each other and then grabbed hands, happy tears now falling down their faces. Their special request had been granted after all.
They kept hugging till the door opened and Asha and Sakina had walked in and saw Sabino hugging Simon and Bazeema. They then smiled and then Valentino looked over at Asha.
"Told you he'd say 'yes'." Valentino whispered.
Asha shook her head amicably as 1hey kept staring at the sight. When they finally let go of each other, Sabino placed his hands back on the couple's shoulders, then laughed.
"In a month from now, just imagine, I'll not only be the oldest man in Rosas, but the very first godfather too." Sabino said, pride and love shining in his eyes.
Bazeema leaned against Simon and then he placed his hand onto her belly, then Bazeema had grabbed Sabino's hand and also placed it onto her belly, followed by her own hand.
"And grandfather, Sabino." Bazeema whispered.
"You...You mean that?" Sabino asked, tears now starting to form in his eyes.
"We're a family, saba. All of us." Simon said.
Sabino sniffled then smiled and nodded. Both a godfather and adoptive grandfather, now he liked the sound of that. And judging from the looks upon Simon and Bazeema's faces, so did they. And as they looked down at Bazeema's belly, the three of them also knew they would never let this baby down ever.