"Maa!" Vedangi crushed Vrushali in her embrace as few tear drops ran from their eyes. Away from the world there were each other's solace. "Ehm Ehm" Banasen fake coughed, while others smiled,"Bhaiya! What's there to fake cough? I am hugging my maa!" Vedangi whined. "Dhana, problem is you are hugging maa as if she's jijashree" Shatrunjay giggled. Vrushali widened her eyes gesturing him to keep quiet and they all did, like obedient children.

"Bhanu kaki, where is the one who would have came running, just by hearing my voice?" Vedangi asked, looking at Shankh from the corner of her eyes, to gauze his reaction. His eyes that were busy gazing around, shined just by hearing about lakshmana. "Lakshmana na? She is going to come when the child is born. It's just a matter of few months now" Bhanu replied making Vedangi frown. After she returns, it would be her swayamvar and she would get married. Would her husband love her? Or would he stop loving her after some initial months, just like...The chain of Vedangi's thought broke when a dasi came running.

"Maharani, rajrani Snigdha's water broke, her labour pain has started" the dasi announced. There were mixed emotions on everyone's face, the ladies ran to Snigdha's chamber. Vedangi was also about to run, but Shon stopped her. He gestured Shatrunjay to escort Shankh to the guest chamber, "Where are you running? You have came just now from a long journey, take some rest" Shon said. " Kaka, but it seems my niece or nephew is very eager to meet me, I can't keep them waiting" she giggled and ran to Snigdha's chamber, while Shon smiled hearing her giggles after long time and so did the palace of Anga.
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Vrishasen was restlessly pacing outside the closed door, his hands tied behind. "It's okay Jyeshth bhaiya, keep calm" chitrasen tried to calm him, but vrishasen rolled his eyes. It had been an hour since the ladies inside had locked the door, all could be heard outside was Snigdha's screams. Inside the chamber, Maitreyi and Vedangi were sitting besides Snigdha holding her hands, Maitreyi was continuously crying seeing her sister's pain, rubbing her palms. Vedangi was stroking her head, while mentally praying to her Sakha Ganesha.

After few more hours filled with worry and pain, the head of the baby appeared. Snigdha gave last push and Radha maa held the baby in her experienced arms. Tears of happiness rolled down her eyes, she was a great grand mother now. "It's a boy!" She exclaimed gaining everyone's attention, the ladies hugged each other while grinning happily. Snigdha held the baby in her trembling arms and became unconscious due to exhaustion. Radha maa cleaned the child and Vrushali took her grandson outside.

Happiness, bliss was just a small word to describe the expression on everyone's face. Vrishasen was literally crying hugging Shon, he gulped twice or thrice before holding the baby in his arms. Karna decided to give away 100 gold coins in charity to everyone who would come asking for daan, afterall he had became a grandfather now. The silent palace was suddenly filled with hustle bustle, giggles and laughter.
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"It feels like we have became old Vrushali jiji!" Bhanu whined as the family sat for dinner. The dinner table was filled with sweets, delicacies and many more delicious items. "Yes na, he would call us dada and dadi!" Durva giggled, "That's because you all have became old now" Vedangi shrugged. "What? What did you say?" Karna mock raised his eyebrows, "Baba, I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about Maa and priyaai" she replied biting her tongue. Vrushali twisted her mouth and nodded negative, the father-daughter as always enjoyed teasing her.

"Well, Maitri and Vashu, you both are going to be with Sinu and my grandson all the time, like their bodyguards, understood?" Supriya ordered, both girls nodded. "Banasen, you send the letters to all our ally kingdoms, inviting them for the naming ceremony and get it sealed from me" Karna ordered. "Tai, jijashree didn't came?" Prasen asked casually, "Actually he is in Kulinda for some urgent work" Vedangi answered trying to force a smile on her face, karna noticed this. "We expected him to be here, with us!" Dvipat said, Vedangi just nodded, fidgeting with her fingers under the table and tapping her feet restlessly. She wished to tell everyone the distance that has created between them, but didn't wish to spoil their mood as everyone was overwhelming with happiness.

"Well, bua of the child, thought of any name?" Karna changed the topic, thinking of her discomfort. Vedangi wished him a thank you through eyes, while he just nodded fondly at her, "I haven't thought specifically, but I always wanted to name jyeshth bhaiya's son as Aditya?" She looked around. "I liked it" durva said and everyone agreed. "Everyone finish your dinner fast, we all would be busy from tomorrow. Bhanu, call lakshmana as soon as possible. Banasen first send the letter to matsya, Kalinga and hastinapur. Everyone do the duties given to them perfectly, understood?" Vrushali said, trying to look serious. "Okay maharani" Vedangi replied giggling as everyone joined her in laughter. Though Vrushali nodded her head negative, in her heart she felt happy to see the palace burst into giggles again, all because of her dear daughter.

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Vedangi layed in the embrace of Supriya, snuggling in her arms. She had the whole day, how vrishasen was pampering Snigdha, somewhere in her heart she was missing Shvet too. She didn't intended to get jealous of her Vahini, but she too missed Shvet's pampering now, she longed to be in his embrace, hugging him tightly after a long day, applying oil on his hair, teasing him and every moment they had spent together. She hugged Supriya more tightly, who stroked her head lovingly and kissed her forehead in sleep. Vedangi smiled seeing, how much Supriya loved her, though she was her step mother. Step mother, really? The concept of step children had never rised in the family, both Vrushali and Supriya had ten children, no matter who was born from who's womb.

For the children, Vrushali was the strict mother and Supriya was doting mother. They loved both their mothers equally and same did the mothers. This is what had held the family together, no matter what was the situation, that's the reason Vedangi felt solace after coming home.
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Hey, my lovely readers the next part is here.
I was not at all in a mental state to write, but wanted to continue the story anyway, sorry if it felt boring.
Hope you liked reading this part, let me know through your comments, they are much important for me✨.