Chapter 58 – Football Team Complete?

Later that evening, after both families had gone home and the babies were sleeping peacefully in the nursery, the room was finally quiet.

Poornima was sitting on the bed, carefully looking at the four newborns through the baby monitor.

Veeresh walked in with two cups of warm milk.

He handed one to her and sat beside her.

He looked at the monitor and smiled proudly.

Veeresh: "Eight children, Poons..."

She smiled tiredly.

Poornima: "Hmm."

He leaned closer with his usual mischievous grin.

Veeresh: "We added four."

He started counting on his fingers.

Veeresh: "Aradhya..."

"Rudra..."

"Adwait..."

"Thoshini..."

"And now..."

He pointed toward the nursery.

Veeresh: "Two princes and two princesses."

He laughed.

Veeresh: "Poons..."

He looked at her dramatically.

Veeresh: "We're almost a football team."

Poornima slowly turned her head and stared at him.

She couldn't believe he had said that.

Poornima: "Almost?"

He nodded innocently.

Veeresh: "Only a few players short."

Poornima picked up the pillow beside her and hit him.

Poornima: "VEERESH!"

He laughed loudly.

Veeresh: "Ow!"

Poornima: "You're impossible!"

She hit him again.

Poornima: "The babies were born this morning!"

Another pillow landed on his shoulder.

Poornima: "And you're already counting football players?"

He laughed so hard he almost fell off the bed.

Veeresh: "I was only joking."

Poornima folded her arms.

Poornima: "No."

She narrowed her eyes.

Poornima: "The football discussion is permanently closed."

He smiled.

Veeresh: "Yes, ma'am."

She pointed a finger at him.

Poornima: "Eight children are enough."

Veeresh: "More than enough."

Poornima: "Very good."

He gently held her hand.

Veeresh: "But..."

She gave him a warning look.

Poornima: "Don't say another word."

He immediately closed his mouth and pretended to zip it shut.

She laughed despite herself.

Then she rested her head on his shoulder.

Veeresh wrapped an arm around her carefully.

He looked toward the nursery where all four babies were sleeping peacefully.

His voice became soft.

Veeresh: "Thank you, Poons."

She looked up.

Poornima: "For what?"

He smiled with tears in his eyes.

Veeresh: "For giving me this beautiful family."

Poornima smiled warmly.

She gently squeezed his hand.

Poornima: "Now your only job is to help me raise all eight."

Veeresh nodded immediately.

Veeresh: "That's the best job I've ever had."

She smiled.

Poornima: "Good."

Then she looked at him one last time and said with a teasing smile,

Poornima: "And remember... if I ever hear the words 'football team' again..."

She pointed toward the bedroom door.

Poornima: "...you'll be sleeping outside."

Veeresh raised both hands in surrender.

Veeresh: "Message received."

They both laughed quietly, while from the nursery came the tiny cry of one of the newborns.

Veeresh stood up immediately.

Veeresh: "Duty calls, Captain."

Poornima smiled as she watched him hurry toward the nursery.

The football jokes were over—but the adventure of raising their big, loving family had only just begun.